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 skygrooves who is now Following.

What will the weather be on July 15?? Ever since the reburial of Saint Swithun in 971 CE, the weather on July 15th has been considered a predictor of days to come. Swithun was Bishop of Winchester, England, and tutor of the young Alfred who became “The Great” as an adult. Despite that, Swithun was a humble man. His wish was that instead of being buried in a crypt in the cathedral, he be interred outside, where the rain would fall on his grave. So upon his death in 862, he was buried outside of the church. In 971, King Edgar gave money for a shrine for Swithun, and he was reburied inside. Torrential rains followed. Thus July 15th became a pivotal day in the summer weather calendar. If it is fair that day, more fair weather will follow.

Our foods for Saint Swithun are made of plants that ripen in summer after sufficient rain.

Leek & Tomato Bake: 124 calories… 5 g fat… 2 g fiber… 7.5 g protein… 12 g carbs… 61.5 mg Calcium…  NB: The food values given above are for the egg bake and fruit only, not the optional beverages. PB GF  This makes for a quick and delicious breakfast.

1 two-oz egg ++++ 1 oz tomato, cut in ½ “ dice ++++ ½ oz leeks, sauteed in non-stick spray until limp [I keep a small bag of these in the freezer] ++++ pinch of dried basil + pinch of garlic powder++++ 1-2 oz pear or apple ++++  Optional:  5 oz fruit smoothie or berry-yogurt smoothie [88 calories] ++++  Optional: blackish coffee [53 calories] or blackish tea or mocha cafe au lait [65 calories]

Combine the tomato, leek, and seasonings, and pour into an oven-safe baking dish. Whisk the egg with salt and pepper to taste and pour into the baking dish. Bake at 350F for 12 minutes or so. Plate with the cool, crunchy fruit.

Vegetable Quiche: 268 calories… 14 g fat … 3 g fiber… 24 g protein… 12.5 g carbs … 293 mg Calcium…  PB GF  I made this recipe with the idea of a crustless quiche [some might call it a fritatta or a tortilla] that didn’t break the bank on calories. Although the recipe should serve two, my portion was too large to finish. Use your judgement.

4 two-oz eggs ++++ 2/3 cup/ 2 oz zucchini, grated ++++ ¼ cup red onion, chopped ++++ 1 cup broccoli, diced ++++ 1/3 cup/ 1.75 oz diced red bell pepper ++++ 4 Tbsp cottage cheese, lower fat ++++ 2 Tbsp plain yogurt ++++ 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese ++++ lots of chopped fresh herbs ++++ 3 oz/ ½ cup tomato, diced ++++ 1 oz mozzerella cheese, grated ++++ salt + pepper ++++ ½ cup lettuce, shredded ++++ ½ tsp balsamic vinegar

Prepare the vegetables [except the tomatoes] and steam them over simmering water for 3-4 minutes. Drain over an empty bowl to capture any remaining liquid. Put the vegetables into an oven-proof dish [I used a 9×7” oval] which has been spritzed with non-stick spray, and spread around them evenly. Salt and pepper at will. Stir the cottage cheese, yogurt, Parmesan, and herbs until well-combined. Whisk the eggs well, then whisk in the cheese mixture. Pour over the vegetables. Chop the tomatoes and distribute them on top, then sprinkle with the grated mozzerella. Bake at 400 F. for 30 minutes – should be puffed and a little golden on top and set in the middle. Let the quiche sit while you shred the lettuce and toss it with the vinegar.