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.

Manchester, England [June 23, 2021] was not only a product of the Industrial Revolution, it produced one of the most successful Utopian societies in the United States. The Quaker meeting in Manchester took aspects of the French Camisard Protestants, who had fled to England, and developed a belief that churches did not need preachers or a ‘service of worship.’ Rather, individuals could receive revelations and visions which would tell them how the group should evolve. As mainstream Quakers dropped the shaking motions which gave them their nickname, the group in Manchester retained the practice. When they formed as separate group in 1742, they called themselves the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, but the world called them ‘shaking Quakers’ and then Shakers. One of the early members was Ann Lee, a blacksmith’s wife who had worked in the textile mills since childhood. Her’s was a miserable marriage, marred by the death of her 4 children and her husband’s drunkenness. In 1770, she became the group’s leader. Four years later, she and seven followers [plus her husband] departed to America, determined to start a utopian living style that would be a Paradise on Earth. In Watervliet, New York, they founded their settlement: it was lead by one man and one women, since the sexes were equal. There was no marriage and no sex, all members living in two wings of the main house — men on one side, women on the other, each with their own staircase. Work and products were shared equally. Men worked heavy labor jobs in rotation: one week of stock-keeping, one of agriculture, one of building. Women did domestic chores in rotation: some days one would spin, other days work in the bakery or laundry. No one was locked into a job for life. Everyone was free to contribute an idea about anything. One day a woman noticed men working with a cross-cut saw. She went to the kitchen and cut a toothed-edge on a pie plate, thus inventing the circular saw. As the settlement prospered, local families came to join, since this communal way of life had appeal to struggling farmers. They gave their lands and livestock to the group, expanding the group’s wealth and productivity. In this way, the Shakers grew in population. Children were educated and had a free choice at age 21 to stay or to go. The Shakers also provided a social safety net for orphans. Mother Ann Lee died on September 7, 1784, just as Shakerism was beginning to catch on. They were known for their plain clothing and the singing and dancing at worship. By the end of the 1700s, there were 10 communities in the North-East. In the early 1800s, new groups were formed in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. But after the Civil War societal and economic changes caused fewer men to join and by the early 1900s many villages had closed. There are only two Shakers remaining today, in Maine, but the legacy of inventions, distinctive architecture, and elegant furniture are testaments to their innovation and work ethic. “Hands to work and hearts to God,” said Mother Ann. Several historic sites are open to give a view of the unique Shaker lifestyle. They are well worth a visit.

Shaker cuisine was simple, good, and close to the land. They raised and processed all the food that they ate, flavouring it with herbs and fruits from their gardens. Our meals today incorporate those principles.

Ricotta-Herb ScrOmelette: 253 calories 7.5 g fat 0.7 g fiber 13 g protein 5.4 g carbs 61.5 mg Calcium  NB: Food values shown are for the ScrOmelette and fruit only, and do not include the optional beverages.  PB GF Easily prepared with ingredients on hand.

1 ½ two-oz 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.   1 Tbsp low-fat ricotta cheese, drained in a sieve overnight, if necessary 3-4 Tbsp fresh herbs – any ones you have – chopped salt & pepper 1.5 oz applesauce   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]

Whisk the cheese and herbs into the eggs. Scramble or cook as a folded omelette. Enjoy with the beverages of choice and applesauce.

Zucchini, Stuffed:  300 calories 6 g fat 5.4 g fiber 29 g protein  25.5 g carbs 141.5 mg Calcium   PB GF  This Summer favorite is easy to prepare and very easy to eat.  HINT: this recipe makes enough for 2 [two] servings 

1 pound Zucchini = 3 slim eight-inch zucchini OR use one larger zucchini 4.5 oz chicken, cooked ¼ tsp olive oil ½ cup onion, chopped 1 clove garlic ½ cup cooked brown rice 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated ½ tsp salt + ¼ tsp paprika + ½ tsp dill weed + black pepper 2 Tbsp tomato juice, purchased

If using small squashes: Poach the whole zucchinis in simmering water for 3 minutes, then remove. Slit each one lenghtwise and scoop out the insides to leave a thin-walled boat.  If using large squash: Cut the zucchini in half and scoop out the insides. Then poach the zucchini in simmering water for 3-4 minutes, then remove. Chop the zucchini insides. Cook in olive oil and non-stick spray with the onions and garlic. Mince the chicken. Combine the contents of the saute pan with the chicken and all other ingredients, except the Parmesan. Spoon into the zucchini boats and use it all up. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Plate and drizzle 1 Tablespoon of tomato juice over each portion.

Ingredients for next week: Breakfast, single portion for Monday …………………………… single portion for Thursday:

1 two-oz egg + herbes de Provence	1.5 two-oz eggs
chèvre cheese	3%-fat ham
Mediterranean Vegetables without chickpeas	mushrooms + herbs
melon	raspberries
Optional smoothie	optional smoothie
optional hot beverage	optional hot beverage

Dinner, single portion for Monday:………………………….. single portion for Thursday:

dried cheese & spinach tortellini	2 oz cooked pheasant meat + carrots
Black Kale + garlic	pheasant or chicken gravy
olive oil + tomato	Cabbage + onion
Parmesan cheese red pepper flakes	Arnold Multi-Grain Sandwich Thin
Sparkling water	Sparkling water