How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow. On Thursday, eat the meals that will be posted on Wednesday.  Eat sensibly the other days of the week.  That’s it.  Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.

I’ve been spending the weekend celebrating my 50th high school reunion.  Go Thundering Herd!! [yes, that was the school mascot and team name…] So it got me to thinking about the foods of our youth.  In our childhood and teenage years, we set the course for our eating that will last a life-time.  All that care-free chowing-down in high school and college leads many to over-weight in adulthood.  And that is why we are Fasting now, isn’t it?  Today’s menus are full of teenage flavor favorites, but designed for more adult eating. [And the bison in the burger was not from the Mascot.]  Here’s to the days of our lives and the time of our life.

Pizza Bake:    271 calories   6.8 g fat     2.5 g fiber      14 g protein    38.4 g carbs    267 mg Calcium PB GF Pizza for breakfast just got healthier and more delicious.

One 2-oz egg                                                                                                                                                             salt + pepper to taste                                                                                                                                              1.5 Tbsp crushed tomatoes                                                                                                                                  1 thin slice pepperoni, minced   [1 slice = 9 calories]                                                                                     ¼ oz mozzerella chesse, grated                                                                                                                             ½ oz bell pepper, chopped                                                                                                                                  ¼ cup blueberries                                                                                                                                                   5-6 oz fruit smoothie or natural apple cider                                                                                          blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water

Set the toaster oven at 350 degrees F.    Prepare your beverages. Poach the bell pepper in a little water in the microwave for 30 seconds. Put the cheese, pepperoni, and pepper in a lightly-spritzed ramekin. Whisk the egg with the tomatoes, salt, and pepper and pour into the ramekin. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Pour the beverages, portion the berries, and consider how much nicer this is than a cold slice that tastes like cardboard.

Blue-Burger:  285 calories     The winter 2004 issue of Eating Well magazine was the inspiration for this recipe. But this version suits our Fasting needs a little better. It is yummy.

4-oz ground bison meat, thawed                                                                                                       2 Tbsp blueberries, fresh or frozen                                                                                                 ¾ tsp Dijon mustard                                                                                                                        ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce                                                                                                               pinch garlic powder + large pinch black pepper                                                                               1 Martin’s potato slider bun                                                                                                                      ½ cup coleslaw

Thaw the meat and break it up in a bowl. Add the blueberries and all the flavorings. Gently combine ingredients with your fingers, trying not to squish the berries. Shape in a patty using a 4” muffin-cutter as a mold. Try not to pack the burger too much. Broil or grill 4-5 minutes per side. Serve on a toasted potato bun. Grilled cherry tomatoes are nice as a topper. And don’t forget the coleslaw.