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 Shynashyra who is now Following.

You’ve got your Advent Calendars, your Advent Wreaths, your Advent paraments … so what is ‘Advent’? The word comes from the latin words ‘ad’ [toward] and ‘venire’ [to come], thus it means ‘to come toward’. It marks the season when we get closer and closer to Christmas Day. Advent was originally the six weeks before Christmas, beginning at Saint Martin’s Day on November 15. It marked a time of fasting in preparation for Christmas — and hopes that the Second Coming would occur on Christmas Day. Thus the faithful person would spend the time atoning for his/ her sins, and getting his or her soul in order for the return of the Christ and the Last Judgement. Whew! That was a lot to get ready for. In modern times, Advent is the period from December 1st to Christmas Day OR the four Sundays before Christmas. This year, 2024, the first Sunday of Advent is December 1st, so the calendars coincide for once. In churches, Advent Wreaths are lighted each week, and the count-down begins. Nowadays, instead of preparing for the Second Coming, the weeks before Christmas are given over to writing Christmas Cards, completing a shopping list, buying and wrapping gifts, baking cookies, decorating the house and tree [and yard], and attending/hosting parties. Did I leave anything out? What are we losing in that commercial hustle? Are we taking time to enjoy our time with family and friends? Are we giving gifts out of love or obligation or ostentation? Are we missing the point of the whole thing? Do your best not to lose sight of the reason for the season: peace, love, joy, hope. We need those now, more than ever.

In all countries there are people who observe Advent in one way or another. From America to Malta and around the world, have a glad Advent season.

B-T-O Bake: ..127 calories… 6 g fat… 1 g fiber… 9.5 g protein… 8.6 g carbs… 66 mg Calcium…  NB: The food values shown are for the egg bake and the fruit, not for the optional beverages. PB GF This bake has flavor and to spare. Delicious way to use left-over broccoli.

++ 1 two-oz egg ++++ 1 Tbsp 2%-fat cottage cheese ++++ 1 oz diced tomato, drained ++++ ¾ tsp Parmesan cheese ++++ ½ oz cooked broccoli ++++ 1 Kalamata olive ++++ 1.5 oz applesauce OR 1 plum OR 4 cherries OR 4 oz strawberries ++++ 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] ++

Set the toaster oven at 350 F. Dice the broccoli and the olive. Stir the cheeses together. Spritz an oven-safe container with non-stick spray. Whisk the egg, then whisk in the cheeses. Distribute the tomato, olive, and broccoli over the bottom of the baking dish. Whisk the eggs once more and pour into the baking dish. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Portion the fruit and prepare the beverages of your choice. Now that’s a breakfast!

Maltese Spinach-Tuna Pie: 185 calories… 9.6 g fat… 5 g fiber… 19 g protein… 24 g carbs… 49 mg Calcium… – PB – This dish is a classic in Malta and you will enjoy it at home too. Lots of ingredients, but it is really easy to prepare. NB: This recipe serves two.

++ 100 g frozen spinach ++++ 100 g tuna ++++ 3.5 oz/100 g Mediterranean Vegetables++++ ¼ c peas ++++ ½ cup onion, chopped ++++ 2 cloves garlic, chopped ++++ 1 Tbsp capers ++++ 2 anchovies, rinsed ++++ 2 Tbsp tomato puree ++++ 1 tsp olive oil ++++ 1/6 sheet purchased puff pastry or oil-based pie crust ++

Put the puff paste sheet on the counter to warm for 30 minutes. Thaw the spinach and squeeze out the moisture. Heat the oil in a pan, then saute the onions and garlic. When they are just cooked, add everything else except the puff pastry. Stir and cook until everything is warmed through. Transfer to a lightly-oiled oven-proof dish. Cut 1/6 of the pastry sheet. Rewrap and refreeze the rest. Place the puff paste on top of the tuna/vegetable mixture. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes or until the puff pastry is browning and flakey.