How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow, for a calorie total of less than 600. On another day this week, eat the meals from a different post, another day of eating 600 calories or less. Eat sensibly the other days of the week. That’s it. Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.

155 years ago, a few colonies of the British Empire, the ‘Province of Canada,’ New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, met on Prince Edward Island to discuss confederation. In a few years, they formed a new colony called “the Dominion of Canada.” Other colonies were formed and joined, and so it was, in 1982, they became a fully independent nation. This is what is celebrated on Canada Day, July 1st. Flags, fireworks, parades, and speeches are the order of the day. And cookouts. And food with friends.

Our gastronomical celebration of Canada Day begins in the Maritimes, where the Fathers of Confederation first met. Dinner is from the icy waters of the newest Canadian province, Nunavut, where Arctic Char make their home.

Maritime bake: 150 calories 6.5 g fat 1.2 g fiber 16.6 g protein 6 g carbs [5.5 g complex] 84 mg Calcium  NB: The food values given above are for the egg bake and fruit only, not the optional beverages. PB GF To us, the Maritimes of Canada are all about seafood, potatoes, local cheese, and lots of the herb Savory, winter or summer. Then there are the strawberries: June/July in Nova Scotia; July in PEI; August in Newfoundland. Good people, good food.

1 two-oz egg 1/2 oz salt cod [cover with water and soak 30 minutes] 1/8 oz Cheddar OR ADL brand “Old/Fort”, grated 1 tsp dried savory 1/2 Tbsp dry potato flakes + 1 Tbsp water pepper to taste 2 oz strawberries  optional: blackish coffee [53 calories] or tea or lemon in hot water optional: 5-6 oz berry-yogurt smoothie [88 calories] or green smoothie or unpasturized apple cider

The night before: 1] stir the potato flakes and water together in a small bowl and let sit to moisten. 2] cover the salt cod with water and soak 30 minutes. Drain and flake into small pieces.  Next morning: Spritz a ramekin with cooking spray. Set the toaster oven at 350 degrees F. Combine the potato, cod, and savory and put into the ramekin. Whisk the egg and pour over the cod. Top with grated cheese and bake 12-15 minutes. Prepare the beverages as you like them and plate the berries.

Arctic Char with Peas: 263 calories 8 g fat 3 g fiber 28 g protein 10 g carbs [10 g Complex] 25 mg Calcium  PB GF  Arctic Char is a member of the Salmon Family which can be both sustainably fished in the wild and farm-raised. It is delicious, too. There are two presentations given: one ridiculously easy, the other slightly more complex. Both are great.

Recipe I: 4 oz arctic char fillets ½ cup green ‘English’ peas, fresh or frozen Bake the fish at 400 F. for 10 minutes/ inch of thickness or grill for 4 minutes/side. Cook the peas and serve over/around the fish.

Recipe II: 247 calories 8.7 g fat 2 g fiber 26.7 g protein 7.3 g carbs [5.5 g Complex] 74.7 mg Calcium PB GF 4 oz arctic char fillets ¼ cup watercress sauce [see SIDEKICKS II oct 4, 2017] 1 cup snow peas, stems and strings removed Bake the fish at 400 F. for 10 minutes/ inch of thickness or grill for 4 minutes/side. Warm the watercress sauce and serve over the fish. Cook the peas and plate.