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: a simple way to lose weight and be healthier. Welcome to Amol Sonawane who is now Following.

In January of 1904, Japan and Russia were rattling their sabers over Manchuria. Why? Because Russia wanted to pass through it to trade with China; because Japan thought it should be part of neighbouring Korea which Japan controlled; and because both wanted the natural resources there. Russia moved in extra troops, and Japan had to escalate. In early February, before Moscow knew that war had been declared, Japan attacked the Russian fleet at Port Arthur in a surprise raid — precursor for tactics at Pearl Harbor?? The two nations fought on the land and on the sea. All through 1904 and into 1905 they fought, with a terrible toll of blood and treasure. By late the end of the summer, both nations were exhausted and impoverished. They wanted the war to conclude — but on their terms. The Japanese asked Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States to arbitrate. Negotiators met for months on the island of New Castle, New Hampshire, near Portsmouth. Everyone stayed and met at Wentworth-by-the-Sea, a grand hotel on the island. The local was splendid, but the way ahead was rocky. Issues at stake were the possession of Manchuria, the possession of Sakhalin Island, access to warm-water ports [for Russia], and what war reparations would be paid [by Japan]. Roosevelt popped in and out of the deliberations, making useful suggestions, and eventually everything was settled. Nobody ‘won’ the war and nobody was happy with the Treaty of Portsmouth which was signed on September 5, 1905, at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The two nations divided the island and Manchuria, and no one payed any money. Impoverished Russia saw riots in 1905, and protests rocked Tokyo because of the treaty. American prestige was raised when President Roosevelt received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work, but relations with Japan were weakened. Wentworth-by-the-Sea is open for guests and it is a lovely place. Portsmouth is proud of the important treaty that bears its name, and there is an excellent display about the Russo-Japanese War at the John Paul Jones House in the city. History buffs and military enthusiasts will enjoy it.

Meals in honor of the treaty come from the nations of the antagonists: a very typical Russian breakfast and a simple sushi dinner from Japan.

Mushroom Smitane Scramble: 147 calories 7.5 g fat 1.5 g fiber 11.5 g protein 9 g carbs 67.4 mg Calcium  NB: Food values shown are for the ScrOmelette and fruit only, and do not include the optional beverages. PB GF  A recipe from Craig Claiborne’s NYT International Cookbook inspired this breakfast of Russian flavors. 

1½ eggs HINT: If you are serving one person, crack three 2-oz eggs into a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Whip up those eggs and pour half of their volume, into a jar with a lid and put it in the ‘fridge for next week.   2 Tbsp chopped scallion ½ oz mushrooms, chopped 1 Tbsp plain, fat-free yogurt big pinch paprika big pinch marjoram 1½ oz pear   Optional:blackish coffee [53 calories] or blackish tea or mocha cafe au lait [65 calories] or lemon in hot water   Optional: 5 oz fruit smoothie or berry-yogurt smoothie [88 calories]

Spritz a non-stick saute pan with non-stick spray. Put the mushrooms and scallion into the pan over-medium-high heat and cook them until they begin to wilt. Whisk the eggs with the yogurt and seasonings, and pour into the pan. Scramble to your liking, plate with the pear, and pair with the beverage of choice.

Mixed Sushi: 275 calories 11.6 g fat 5 g fiber 16 g protein 28 g carbs 39 mg Calcium  PB GF  Our younger son introduced us to this recipe. Imagine: ‘Sushi’ without raw fish or seaweed. Good use for leftover beef and avocado. HINT: This serves 2 [two]. Invite a friend or save for lunch or dinner another day. Made to be served at room temp.

1 cup brown rice, cooked and cooled  HINT: Make rice the day before and refrigerate or use leftovers from a previous meal  1 tsp rice wine vinegar 1 two-oz egg 1 tsp soy sauce 3 oz avocado, in long slices 1 oz grilled beef, in long strips OR substitute grilled chicken 2 oz smoked salmon, in long slices 2 oz cucumber OR zucchini, cut in long slices 2 spears asparagus

Combine the rice with the vinegar and let sit. Whisk the soy sauce with the egg and cook the egg as a flat omelette in a lightly-spritzed non-stick pan. Remove from the pan and cut egg into long strips. Slice the avocado, beef, salmon, and cucumber in long strips, but not longer than the diameter of the bowl in which you will serve it. Put the rice into two bowls with a wide diameter. Distribute the rice evenly over the bowl. Lay the other ingredients on top of the rice in what ever arrangement pleases you. Serve with extra soy sauce and enjoy a quick meal.