Preaching to the Birds

How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow. On Monday, eat the meals that will be posted on Sunday.  Eat sensibly the other days of the week.  That’s it: a simple way to lose weight and be healthier.  Welcome to FashionCreative who is now Following.

Giovanni di Bernardone, nicknamed “Francesco” [the Frenchman], had a dilema. Should he pursue a life as a Christian preacher or leave the world to become a hermit?  He asked his spiritual advisors and they sent word that his path was as a preacher. He was on the road with friends when he received that message and knew he had to start preaching right away.  So he went into the field where a large flock of birds were assembled and to the amazement of his colleagues, Francesco began to preach to the birds about being grateful for the gifts which God had given to them. This incident was charmingly depicted in art by Giotto in 1297, in poetry by Seamus Heaney, and in music by Franz Listz. The preacher went on to become Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology. I have always been fond of Francis and his simple view of faith and nature because he seems so genuine.  And as a lover of nature, I wish more people would think and act ecologically.  

We will celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis tomorrow by eating eggs of birds with a popular Italian vegetable, melanzane [aubergine]. And for dinner, no animals will be harmed in the preparation of our watercress soup.

Aubergine ScrOmelette:  152 calories  7.6 g fat  2 g fiber 10.5 g protein 11 g carbs [10 g Complex] 64.7 mg Calcium  NB: Food values shown are for the ScrOmelette and fruit only, and do not include the optional beveragesPB GF  Eggplant and tomatoes are such a part of late summer, that you want to eat them with everything. Eating local foods in season is a real treat.

Aubergine ScrOmelette w: pears

1½ 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 to store in the ‘fridge for next week.  1¼ oz eggplant 1¼ oz fresh tomatoes, diced OR same amount of canned, diced tomato ¼ oz onion OR 1 clove garlic, smashed and chopped 1¼ oz pear large pinch Herbes de Province + pinch crushed red pepper flakes   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]

Chop the eggplant and onion. Simmer the vegetables and herbes in the tomato sauce in a covered pan until they are tender. If too thick, add a little water. Whisk the eggs with the vegetables and put into a hot pan spritzed with cooking spray. Scramble or cook as an omelette. Slice the pears and prepare your beverages. Savor the summer.

                                                                                                                                                                                     

Watercress Soup

Watercress Soup: 157 calories   5.4 g fat  2.9 g fiber  8.4 g protein  22 g carbs [19 g Complex] 63.5 mg Calcium   PB GF  Jacques Pepin’s Good Life Cooking is the source of this recipe and the stream that flows to the beach is the source of our watercress. So low in calories, you might want to add some Finn Crisp crackers for filling fiber or the Caprese Salad for more protein. HINT: This recipe makes 5 cups of soup which serves 4-5 people.

2 tsp canola oil                       4 oz [weight, not volume] watercress leaves and tender stems                                                                   1 cup celery, coarsely chopped                   2 cups onion, coarsely diced             ¾ tsp salt                                                                                                                  2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed              2-1/2 cups good stock – vegetable/chicken/beef                                                                                                                   10 oz [weight, not volume] potatoes, peeled, cut in 2” chunks    OR  12 oz white potato total                                                                       2 oz [weight, not volume] sweet potato, peeled and cut in chunks                     per serving: 1 Tbsp chèvre cheese                                                                                                          optional: Caprese Salad46 calories 2.2 g fat 0.6 g fiber 3.9 g protein 2.6 g carbs 115.6 mg Calcium     PB GF   ½ oz mozzerella cheese, thinly sliced  +   2 oz tomato, thinly sliced and sprinkled with salt   +  fresh basil leaves There should be equal numbers of cheese slices as tomato. Arange the cheese, tomato, and basil in overlapping on the plate.

Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the cress, celery, onion, and garlic, and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Put the stock, salt and potatoes into the pan and bring to a boil. [NB: my stock was very dark, which changed the color of the soup to a darker shade of green] Turn down the heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Cool slightly then puree in blender/food processor or with imersion wand. If not thoroughly pureed, run through a sieve. Heat the soup before serving. In the bowl, put the chevre in the center, let it soften a bit, then swirl it into the soup. Serve the salad on the side.

Ingredients for next week: breakfast, single portion

1 two-oz egg1.5 two-oz eggs
Mexican Pickled Vegetables [see SPICY 2, 12 Sept 2018]Pimenta da Queijo sauce
Cheddar cheeseGouda or Azores cheese
cumin  + oreganokiwi fruit
pear or apple 
Whatever you need for your smoothieWhatever you need for your hot beverage
Whatever you need for your hot beverageWhatever you need for your smoothie

Dinner, single portion:

2 all-beef hot dogs, 110 calories eachSmoked ham hock
tomato   +  dill pickle spearssauerkraut
onion  + peperoncinigarlic
hot dog relishcanned red beans
yellow mustardred potatoes
celery seed  +  poppy seedraw spinach
Sparkling waterSparkling water

The Little Flower

How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow. On Thursday, eat the meals that will be posted on Wednesday.  Eat sensibly the other days of the week.  That’s it.  Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.                                                                         Welcome to IBliss who is now Following.

Who is the Little Flower? Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. How did she get to be a saint? By paying attention to the little things. The petted daughter of a well-to-do family in Normandy, she grew up with a strong faith.  But at age 14, on Christmas Eve, she had an epiphany: rather than thinking of herself, she should consider the feelings of others. When she entered the convent, she sought a quiet, simple life of devotion. But she found her calling to be doing everything with joy so that others could be happier.  Her ‘little ways’ were noticed and she was asked to write down her philosophy to share with other nuns of the Carmelite order. She often used flowers as a metaphor for humility, and became known as the “Little Flower.” With my surname of Flower, it is no surprise that I would be drawn to Saint Thérèse. But the main appeal is her simple approach to happiness.  We can learn a lot from that.                                                                                                   How can you achieve your goal of losing weight? By paying attention to the little things: Fasting Days twice each week; avoiding low-nutrition foods; eating mindfully; taking time to savor the taste of food as you eat it; being happy in even small successes in weight loss.  In honor of good Saint Thérèse, our breakfast features Camembert from Normandy, of course.  And dinner evokes Springtime, when the flowers start to bloom.

Camembert Bake: 287 calories  10 g fat  2.5 g fiber  14.3 g protein  35 g carbs [32 g Complex] 241 mg Calcium   PB GF  The best-known cheese of Normandy stars in this egg dish. Easy to prepare and so delicious. I hope you will try it.Camambert Bake

One 2-oz egg                                                                                                                                                                       ½ oz Camembert                                                                                                                                                         1 tsp Dijon mustard                                                                                                                                          grating of nutmeg                                                                                                                                                       2 oz strawberries OR 1.5 oz apple slices                                                                                                                                       blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon juice & hot water                                                                                    5-6 oz fruit smoothie or natural apple cider

Cut the cheese [rind and all] into small chunks and leave to soften at room temperature. Stir in the mustard and nutmeg. Whisk the egg, then stir in the cheese mixture. Pour into an oven-proof dish that has been spritzed with non-stick spray and bake at 350 F for 12-15 minutes. When the beverages are ready, plate with the fruit.

Springtime Shrimp Salad:   192 calories   7 g fat  3.6 g fiber   17 g protein  17 g carbs   114 mg Calcium PB GF  In Spring, the clementines are decreasing in the markets and the asparagus is increasing. A salad with shrimp is delightfully delicious, even if in Autumn you have to swap out some ingredients.Springtime Shrimp Salad

2 cups mesclun OR baby greens                                                                                                                     2.5 oz cold-water shrimp                                                                                                                                     8-9 sections clementine  OR other citrus                                                                                                          1-3/4 oz asparagus  OR green beans                                                                                                                   ¾ oz mango                                                                                                                                                                  ½ hard-boiled egg                                                                                                                                                     2 tsp Spicy Aioli Dressing [see SPICYMay 23 ’18 for recipe]

Prepare all the ingredients, cutting or cooking as necessary. Combine the Dressing and measure 2 tsp into a large bowl. Toss the salad greens with the Dressing and a pinch of salt. Turn onto the serving plate and arrange the other ingredients atop the greens. Enjoy the colors and flavors of Spring. If you can, sprinkle some little flowers on the salad:  pansies, violets, flowers from herbs blooming in your garden.

Slow Days: Pizza with Leek & Bleu Cheese

People who are new to Fasting often pose the questions:  “Can I really eat ‘anything I want’ on a Slow Day?” and “What should I eat on Slow Days?”   To answer those questions, I have decided to add some blog posts to show some of the foods we eat on what the world calls NFDs [non-fast days] but which, in our house, we call ‘Slow Days.’   This feature will appear sporadically.                                                                                                                              Now for the answers.  Can you really eat ANYTHING you want on a Slow Day? Not really. If you eat too many calories every Slow Day, you will not lose weight.  There are many questions asked on the FastDiet Forum which tell that tale.  But once in a while your can splurge, as long as it isn’t every day.  For what to eat on Slow Days, Dr. Mosley recommends a Mediterranean Diet.  As for how we eat,  an example follows.

When the boys were young, I’d make home-made, personal-sized [8″ diameter] pizzas and we’d all watch Star Trek, The Next Generation every Saturday.  Memories are made that way.  The boys are dispersed to their own homes [one of them still makes pizza], and we continue to eat pizza, every Saturday. This one is based on a recipe from Fore Street, a favorite restaurant in Portland, Maine. Forestreet Pizza recipe

I make my own pizza shells from scratch. Sometimes I use the recipe from Gourmet magazine, which makes 2. Often I use the Neapolitan recipe from Peter Reinhart‘s American Pie, which makes six balls of dough, 5-6 oz each. I freeze balls of dough to use next week. NB: ordinarily I sauté the mushrooms and leeks before I put them on the pizza.  For some reason I didn’t do that this time.  It was crunchier as a result. Next time, I’ll sauté them.Feor Street Pizza, miseFore Street Pizza, plated

I usually eat 3 pieces of pizza, while Dear Husband eats all of his. This was enjoyed with a Dutcher Crossing red wine and a good friend as a guest.

Posh

How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow. On Monday, eat the meals that will be posted on Sunday.  Eat sensibly the other days of the week.  That’s it.  Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.                                                                                                          Welcome to Jovanna M who is now Following.

“Posh.” Does that make you think of a Spice Girl? or the rich and famous? or taking a boat to India?  My mother told me that the origin of the word was attributed to the best class of staterooms on passenger liners that sailed from England to India and back. To have your cabin in the shade, thus being cooler, for the whole trip, you wanted to be on the Port side going Out and on the Starboard side on the trip Home . A pretty story, but alas, untrue. The term has less to do with E.M. Forester and more to do with Conan Doyle. Remember the Persian slipper where Holmes kept his tobacco on the mantle? That type of slipper was possibly called a “papoosh” and it was considered to be ‘posh’ in Persia.

In honor of my mother’s spurious story, we will imagine that we are sailing to India for the first time.  We depart favoring sturdy English meals, like ham and mushrooms for breakfast.  But on the way home, the trunks are full of Indian silks and pajamas [!] and we are trying to figure out how to teach Cook to use curry and ketchup and other delicious condiments of India, as in our dinner of curried vegetables and turkey.

Ham & Mushroom Bake:  277 calories  7.2 g fat   5.9 g fiber   15.7 g protein  38 g carbs  221 mg Calcium   PB  GF  A hearty, flavor-packed breakfast begins with ham and mushrooms. Though these are flavors of autumn, they can be enjoyed any time, especially on a Fast Day.       Ham & Mushroom ScrOmelette w: plum                                                                                                                                                          One 2-oz egg                                                                                                       1/3 oz mushrooms, chopped                                                                                                                                 ½ oz roast ham or 3% fat deli ham, chopped                                                                     1 Tbsp Gruyere cheese, grated                                                                                                                                                 ½ tsp ground sage                                                ¼ tsp savory                                                                                                                                                             1 small plum -OR- ½ cup raspberries                                                                                                                                                Optional:    5-6 oz fruit smoothie or natural apple cider                                                                                           Optional:   blackish coffee or tea or lemon in hot water

Set toaster oven at 350° F. Spritz some cooking spray into a ramekin. Grate the cheese. Chop the ham and mushrooms, and put them into the ramekin. Whisk together the cheese, egg, and seasonings, and pour that in too. Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on how well set you like your eggs. It will puff up and start to brown a bit. Prepare your optional beverages and portion the fruit. Off to a good start.

Indian Vegetables with Naan: 299 calories   13 g fat   6.3 g fiber   17.6 g protein  31 g carbs [28 g Complex] 78 mg Calcium PB   This delicious meal needs 2 things in advance: Rogan Josh Sauce and Naan breads. Dear Husband loved it.

Indian Vegetables w: Naan

1 naan flatbread, 106 or fewer calories/piece: purchased or home-made                                                                                                     3 Tbsp Rogan Josh Sauce: purchased or home-made   

                                                                                                                                     ½ cup zucchini, in 1/2” dice                                                                                                  ½ cup cauliflower, in 1/2” pieces                                                                                                                         ½ cup tomato, in 1/2” dice                                                                                                        ¼ tsp Indian curry powder                                 2 oz ground turkey [I had 15% fat but would have prefered less]                                                                    

Cook the vegetables and turkey in a little water until softened and turkey is fully cooked. Drain, saving the cooking water for baking or soup stock. Add the sauce to the vegetables and meat and heat gently. Warm the naan in the oven or on a hot, dry skillet. Plate to suit your preference. W.o.w.

Ingredients for next week:

Breakfast, single portion

1 two-oz egg1.5 two-oz eggs
Camembert cheeseeggplant   + onion
nutmeg   + Dijon mustardtomato sauce   +  herbes de Province
apples or strawberriespear
Whatever you need for your smoothieWhatever you need for your smoothie
Whatever you need for your hot beverageWhatever you need for your hot beverage

Dinner, single portion:

salad greens   + clementinewatercress  +   canola oil
asparagus  +  shrimp  +  mangochicken stock  + onion  + celery
hardboiled egg  + mayonnaisegarlic + potato  +  sweet potato
Srircha   + granulated garlic  + lemon juicechèvre   optional: mozzarella + tomato
Sparkling waterSparkling water

Hobbiton Birthdays

How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow. On Thursday, eat the meals that will be posted on Wednesday.  Eat sensibly the other days of the week.  That’s it.  Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.                                                                                Welcome to AHazard who is now Following.

September 22nd means one thing in our family: the birthday of Frodo and Bilbo Baggins. “Hobbit Week” is a time in September that contains the 22nd, so we are celebrating. My Dear Husband and I both discovered J.R.R. Tolkien‘s books in high school and by the time we met, we were devotees. Naturally, we read the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to our children [then 5 and 3-yrs old] and were thrilled by how well they followed the plot and loved the tales. In our family, a book completed together meant a specially-themed meal and so the Rabbit Stew was developed.                                   Hobbits are always mentioning how chubby they are — Fasting might be in order even if it is a birthday. Today the breakfast is a homey Hobbiton meal involving the Hobbits’ favorite tuber: the potato [sweet potatoes in this case].  The dinner is one we have enjoyed for decades: the meal that Samwise Gamgee [the name of our current cat] prepared in Ithilien.  The rabbit [cony] was supplied by the duplicitous Gollum and the vegetables would have been foraged by Sam. He never got to have his po-ta-toes [watch  clip from movie!] in the rabbit stew, but we put them in anyway.

Eggs In Sweet Potato Nests:  304 calories  10 g fat  3.1 g fiber  15.7 g protein  38 g carbs  298 mg Calcium  PB GF  Saw this discussed on line and decided to try it. Preparation is a little fussy but it is done the night before making for an easy morning. HINT: this recipe serves 2 [two]. I’m told these refrigerate well for another morning.Eggs in Sweet Potato Cups

Grate the sweet potato and cheese. Toss thoroughly in a bowl with the garlic. Divide among 6 muffin pan cups and push it around, pressing up the sides a bit. NB: I used a flexible non-stick muffin pan which worked well with no sticking. If you don’t have one, use liners or spray the muffin pans very well.  Bake the cups in a 375° F. oven for 10 minutes. Whisk the eggs with some salt and pour over the baked sweet potatoes. Sprinkle the egg with chopped watercress or parsley. HINT: I left this on a cool counter/refrigerator over night.Bake at 350 F. for 15+ minutes or until the eggs are set. Use a knife to loosen the egg nests but let them sit just a bit to firm up before removing them to the plates. Add cherries and the beverages and try this new flavor combo.

Hobbiton Rabbit Stew: 286 calories  6.8 g fat  3.9 g fiber  24.7 g protein  30 g carbs [30 g Complex]  41 mg Calcium   PB GF   This foraged meal, cooked over a campfire in Ithilien, is so easily prepared in your kitchen. Purists will note that the dried fruit, a gift from Faramir, was given to the Hobbits later, but it adds a nice flavor note to the meal. Doubles well.LOTR Stew + fruit

4 oz boneless rabbit meat, cut into bite-sized pieces                                                                                   2 oz carrots, sliced or cubed                                                                                                                                 2 oz potatoes, peeled and cubed                                                                                                                       bay leaf + thyme + lavender buds  + sage                                                                                                                      2 dried apricots +  1 piece dried pear [which is ½ of a pear]

Put the meat, vegetables, and herbs in a sauce pan and cover with water or broth. Cover and simmer until all is cooked. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with the dried fruit on the side. Long live Frodo!

Eustace

How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow. On Monday, eat the meals that will be posted on Sunday.  Eat sensibly the other days of the week.  That’s it.  Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.                                                                                                          Welcome to Monty T who is now Following.

So imagine this: you are a high-status Roman general in the 2nd century CE, and you are out deer hunting with the guys. You chase a stag deeper into the forest all alone.  It turns to you and you see a crucifix on its head. Then it speaks to you, saying that you are the hunted and the deer is Jesus who is hunting you.  What would you do? Like the general, you would convert to Christianity as soon as you could! And he did, along with his wife and two sons. The hunter became Saint Eustace [Eustachius], patron saint of deer hunters.  Unfortunately, he and his family were later martyred for their faith but his story lives on.

In honor of hunters, we will enjoy an omelette with mushrooms, since many dishes named after hunters involve mushrooms. [Chicken Chasseur to the French. Chicken Cacciatore for the Italians]  For dinner, venison is on the menu. I often wondered if Eustace ever went hunting again, or if he swore off deer meat…

Autumnal ScrOmelette:  288 calories  8 g fat  3.4 g fiber  16.5 g protein  41 g carbs  [35 g Complex] 213 mg Calcium  PB GF  The mushrooms are for Autumn, the sweet pepper represents Summer. This meal is for when they overlap. My Own Dear Husband decided to do this as a ‘baked omelette’ instead. Looks sorta like a frittata, doesn’t it?Autumnal Omelette, baked w: plum

1-1/2 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.                                                                                ½ oz mushrooms, chopped                                                                                                                                 1 oz sweet red pepper, diced  –OR–  1.5 oz zucchini, grated and drained                                                                                                                                                               1 Tbsp scallion, chopped                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       2 oz plum  –OR–  2 oz peach                                                                                                                                     blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                                                                           5-6 oz fruit smoothie or green smoothie or natural cider

Put the vegetables in an oil-sprayed non-stick pan to warm them and to cook them a bit until softened. Whisk the eggs and pour over the vegetables in the pan. Scramble or cook as an omelette. Prepare the beverages and plate the fruit with the eggs. Contemplate the change of the seasons as you enjoy your breakfast.

Venison Stew:  250 calories  4.7 g fat  5.3 g fiber  25.6 g protein 26.4 g carbs 52.5 mg Calcium PB  GF  What a wonderful meal for an Autumn evening. Rich flavors and low calories – my kind of dinner. HINT: this recipe is for one serving. Double it and freeze half for another fine meal later or invite a friend to share it with you.Venison Stew w: roasted Veg

2-1/2 oz venison, cooked or raw                                                                                                                             ½ cup chicken stock                                                                                                                                                 2 Tbsp fresh cranberries [NOT dried]                                                                                                                  2 oz mushrooms                                                                                                                                                        ½ tsp dried thyme                                                                                                                                                  ½ oz dried apples                                                                                                                                                                        1 Tbsp half&half [blend cream]                                                                                                                                        1-1/2 oz cauliflower florets                                                                                                                                              1 oz carrots cut as coins

If venison is raw, pan sear it for 2-3 minutes per side to undercook it. Slice into larger-than-bite-size pieces and set aside. Spritz a small cast iron pan with non-stick spray and add the cauliflower and carrots. Spray the vegetables, sprinkle with salt and rosemary and roast at 400 F. for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Put stock, berries, mushrooms, and thyme in a sauce pan and simmer until berries start to pop. Add the apples, venison and blend cream. Simmer until all is warm and apples are soft. Taste for seasonings and plate with the roasted vegetables.

Ingredients for next week: breakfast, single portion

1 two-oz egg 1.5 two-oz eggs
sweet potato + garlic powder ham
Cheddar cheese mushrooms
cherries plum
watercress
Whatever you need for your smoothie Whatever you need for your hot beverage
Whatever you need for your hot beverage Whatever you need for your smoothie

Dinner, single portion:

rabbit ground turkey  + Indian curry powder
carrots zucchini   + tomato
potato cauliflower
rabbit or chicken stock naan bread @ 106 calories max
thyme + bay leaf + marjoram Rogan Josh sauce
Sparkling water Sparkling water

Visions

How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow. On Thursday, eat the meals that will be posted on Wednesday.  Eat sensibly the other days of the week.  That’s it.  Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.                                                                  Welcome to jwpower who is now Following.

Hildegard von Bingen was a visionary.  One might think that a woman born in 1098 would live a life of obscurity, illiteracy, and powerlessness.  Not so Hildegard. As a child, she experienced religious visions and knew that life as a nun was her destiny.  Hildegard went on to lead her convent; found two new, larger ones; record her visions in the book Know The Way; write poetry; set the poetry to 70+ musical works; make prophesies; practice herbalism; and write a book on healing.  She was a remarkable woman and a real power of her time.  “Second to nun,” said one of my references. Truly.                                                  How do you envision your body? Slimmer?  Healthier?  The Fast Diet worked for us and it can work for you.  Try it. In honor of Saint Hildegard’s feast day tomorrow, we will eat the most typical convent food, salt cod, in our breakfast in a delightfully creamy bake.  For dinner, the herbs and vegetables that Hildegard wrote about are baked into a quiche.

Brandade Bake:   286 calories  8.6 g fat  3 g fiber  16.6 g protein  33.3 g carbs [30 g Complex]  206 mg Calcium PB GF  The marvel of Southern France, brandade is worth trying. Here it is at breakfast, all creamy and garlicy.Brandade Bake w: peach:b-b

1 two-oz egg                                                                                                                                                            ½ Tbsp cottage cheese                                                                                                                                          1 Tbsp brandade   [see St Bernard, posted 19 August 2018]                                                                 shake of granulated garlic                                                                                                                                1 oz peach slices + ½ oz blueberries                                                                                                                                            black-ish coffee or black tea, lemon in hot water                                                                                         5-6 oz fruit smoothie or green smoothie or natural cider

Cream together the cottage cheese, brandade, and garlic. Whisk in the egg. Bake in a lightly-spritzed ramekin at 350 F. until cooked through, about 12-15 minutes. With the fruit and the beverages, you have a fine start to the day.

Vegetable Quiche:  268 calories   14 g fat   2.9 g fiber   24 g protein   12.5 g carbs [8.5 g Complex] 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. Designed to serve two, I was unable to finish my portion because it was so large.Vegetable Quiche w: salad

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

 

SPICY II

How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow. On Monday, eat the meals that will be posted on Sunday.  Eat sensibly [see postings named “Slow Days”] the other days of the week.  That’s it.  Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.

Since variety is the spice of life, we like to mix it up in our household. On Fast Days and Slow Days, we try new recipes and new flavor combinations all the time. [And then we go back to the tried and true.]  Bold flavors make for good additions to the mealtime palette as many cultures have discovered. Often a cuisine based on bland main courses [the same stew served for days on end] will create an astonishing array of side dishes to vary the flavor. Try something new today.

Azorean-flavor Eggs w: pineapple

CHORIÇO PATE:   1 Tbsp = 87 calories  Use in eggs or soups or as a spread on Slow Days. 7 oz dried or bulk chorizo/choriço                                         1 tsp sweet paprika      + salt to taste                                             1 tbsp butter, softened            1 Tbsp port wine   +   2 tsp lemon juice                                                                                                                      If using sausage, slit the casing and take out the meat and cut it into small pieces. Toss the casing. If you can find bulk chorico, skip that step. Put the meat in the food processor with the other ingredients and pulse until it is a rough paste. Taste for salt and add more if it needs it. Continue to blend until it is a smooth puree.

Enchiladas w: winter medley

ENCHILADA SAUCE   1 cup = 75 calories       Great in eggs or for enchiladas, of course.  From Rick Bayless, so you can’t go wrong.                                                                                                                                          two 28-oz cans whole tomatoes                                                                                                                          2 jalapeno peppers                                                                                                                                                    3 tsp vegetable oil [canola]                                                                                                                                   1 cup chopped onion                                                                                                                                                               2 cups chicken broth                                       Roast the peppers in a dry skillet over medium heat about 5 minutes until splotchy with black areas. Put in a blender with the tomatoes and whirr until smooth. Cook onions in oil until golden, about 7 minutes. Raise heat and add tomato puree. Cook 10-15 minutes until thickened like tomato paste. Add broth, cover partially and simmer 15 minutes until slightly soupy. Season with ½ tsp salt.

Haggis Spring Rolls

HAGGIS [lamb sausage meat] makes 3.5 cups                                                                                                per Tbsp: 23 calories  1.3 g fat  0.2 g fiber  2.8 g protein  1.6 g carbs  2.6 mg Calcium   This is not the ‘original’ recipe: lamb lung, stomach, and heart are not readily available in the US.  Despite what it is not, it will do just fine.  Use in eggs or to prepare Haggis Springrolls.                                  8 oz lamb liver                                                                                                                                                                     8 oz ground lamb meat OR lamb hearts                                                                                                           1 cup onion, chopped                                                                                                                                               1 tsp or more coriander [I used whole, which I boiled with the meat]                                                       1 tsp or more black pepper +  salt                                                                                                                                        7/8 cup rolled oats                                              Put the meat, onions, and coriander in a pot and cover with water. Boil 20 minutes. Drain [saving the liquid] and mince it all in the food processor. Return the mince to the pot, adding the oats, drained water, salt and pepper. Boil 10 minutes, adding more water if needed. If the sausage filling is too loose, turn heat down and simmer longer to firm it up. I let mine cool, then sit over night to test the consistancy. Adjust the seasonings to taste. The cooled mixture should hold its shape when turned out of a spoon. Cover and refrigerate until you need it. Freeze what you don’t use.

Mexican Pickled Veg

MEXICAN PICKLED VEGETABLES:  NB: keeps in the refrigerator for several weeks. The longer it sits, the spicier it gets.  Superb as a side dish;  a nibble;  an ingredient.                      2 cups cauliflower florets                                                                                                                                        1- ¼ cup carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4” thick on the diagonal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  ½ cup zucchini, sliced into 1/3” rounds                                                                                                             3 jalapeno peppers, sliced thinly                                                                                                                      ½ cup white vinegar   1 cup cider vinegar    +  1 cup water                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               3 Tbsp sugar  +  1 Tbsp kosher salt                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1.5 tsp dried oregano, Mexican if you can get it         +  1.5 bay leaves                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ¾ tsp peppercorns    +  ½ tsp coriander seeds       +     ½ tsp dried thyme                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ½ large onion, thinly sliced       +  3 cloves garlic, halved

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the cauliflower and carrot. When the water returns to a boil, boil the vegetables for 2 minutes. Drain the vegetables and refresh under cold water. Put the cooked vegetables in a large bowl with the zucchini and jalapenos and stir to combine. Put into a heat-proof one quart glass jar [ex: a Mason jar], and set aside on a cutting board. In a sauce pan, combine the vinegars, water, and all remaining seasonings. Bring to a boil, then simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors. Take off the heat and immediately pour over the vegetables in the jar. [I had a little left over, which I saved to pour in later] Let cool to room temperature, then put a lid on it and refrigerate until cold.

Fish salmon Roasted w: Vegetables

ROASTED VEGETABLES    Use in eggs or as a side dish even on Slow Days                                ½ slice American/streaky bacon                                                                                                                       2 oz carrots                                                                                                                                                                2 oz Brussel sprouts                                                                                                                                                2 oz cauliflower   OR broccoli                                                                                                                                                     3 oz cherry tomatoes                                                                                                                                           Set the oven to 450 F. Cook the bacon in a wide, heavy, oven-proof pan. [Cast iron is great] Remove the bacon, drain, and chop coarsley. Cut the vegetables to the size of the cherry tomatoes, except the Brussel sprouts which will be cut in half after the tougher outer leaves are removed. Put the vegetables in the pan and toss to coat with the bacon fat. Place the pan in the oven and roast for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and turn the heat down to 400 F. Stir the vegetables, then add the bacon, salt and pepper and whatever herbs or spices you wish: curry powder, garlic powder, hot pepper flakes.

Ingredients for next week:

Breakfast, single portion

1 two-oz egg1.5 two-oz eggs
brandade [St Bernard 19 August, 2018]zucchini
cottage cheese  +  granulated garlicmushrooms  + scallion
peach  +  blueberriesapples
optional smoothieoptional smoothie
optional hot beverageoptional hot beverage

Dinner, single portion:

4 eggs  + lots of herbsvenison  +  fresh/frozen cranberries
zucchini  +  onion  + broccoliblend cream  +  chicken stock
cottage cheese + plain yogurtcauliflower   + carrot
Parmesan + tomatoes  + cucumberthyme  +  mushrooms  +  dried apple
Sparkling waterSparkling water

Happy Pairing: Dill + Salmon

How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow. On Thursday, eat the meals that will be posted on Wednesday.  Eat sensibly the other days of the week.  That’s it.  Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.                                                                     Welcome to Douglas W. who is now Following.

Some food flavors have a natural affinity for each other. Culinary articles and books have used a lot of ink on the topic. [One of our favorite tomes is What to Drink with What You Eat by Andrew Dornenburg]  In many cuisines, the favorite pairing is Dill with Salmon. Scandinavian cooks love that combination, as do the Russians. In fact, throughout the Northern latitudes where salmon live in the waters and dill grows in the gardens, there are recipes to combine the two.

Leek & Salmon Bake:  270 calories  7 g fat  2.9 g fiber  15.2 g protein  36.4 g carbs  225.6 mg Calcium PB GF Simply delicious.Leek-Salmon Bake w: plum

One 2-oz egg                                                                                                                                                                ½ oz salmon [could be leftover from a previous meal]                                                                                  1/3 oz leek, sliced thinly                                                                                                                                                 1 tsp low-fat sour cream OR plain Greek Yogurt                                                                                       dill weed to taste                                                                                                                                                  dash lemon juice                                                                                                                                                        1 small plum  OR  ¼ cup blueberries                                                                                                                                                    6 oz green smoothie or fruit smoothie or unpasturized apple cider                                                      blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water

Spritz an oven-proof ramekin [for 2 people, my Husband likes to use a 6×4” oval casserole] with non-stick spray and set the oven for 350 degrees F. Slice the leek and put in a microwave-safe dish. [NB: if the fish is raw, cut it into small pieces and put it in the dish, too]Cook in microwave for 30 minutes at high heat to soften the leek. Add to the ramekin. Whisk the egg with the sour cream, dill, lemon juice, and salt/pepper to taste. [NB: some people find dill to be a very strong flavor] Pour over the salmon/leek mixture and bake for 12-15 minutes. Prepare your beverages and dish the berries. Have a wonderful breakfast and a wonderful day.

Salmon-Dill Casserole:   281 calories  10.4 g fat  5 g fiber  24.6 g protein  24 g carbs  253 mg Calcium PB GF  This is a wonderful combination.Salmon-Leek Casserole

3 oz salmon, raw                                                                                                                                                          1 cup leeks, sliced                                                                                                                                                      1 clove garlic                                                                                                                                                                 2 oz clam juice                                                                                                                                                             2 Tbsp milk                                                                                                                                                             ¼ cup peas                                                                                                                                                                                                     pinch nutmeg + pinch cayenne  +  ½ tsp dill                                                                                                     ½ tsp cornstarch                                                                                                                                                            1 oz green beans  

Cut the salmon into one-inch cubes and put in an oven-proof dish, dusting the fish with salt and pepper. Cook the leeks 5 minutes in a pan with a spritz of oil and some water. Slice the garlic and add that to the leeks for 15 seconds. Take pan off the heat and add dill, cayenne, nutmeg, peas, and  cornstarch. Pour over salmon and bake around 15 minutes until it is hot through. In the meantime, cook the green beans and drain. Scrape the hot salmon mixture into your serving bowl [I used one 7” bowl per serving], being sure to include all the sauce. Top with the cooked beans. If there is broth left in the bottom of the bowl, don’t be shy – drink it!

Slow Day: Lime-marinated Chicken

People who are new to Fasting often pose the questions:  “Can I really eat ‘anything I want’ on a Slow Day?” and “What should I eat on Slow Days?”   To answer those questions, I have decided to add some blog posts to show some of the foods we eat on what the world calls NFDs [non-fast days] but which, in our house, we call ‘Slow Days.’   This feature will appear sporadically.                                                                                                                              Now for the answers.  Can you really eat ANYTHING you want on a Slow Day? Not really. If you eat too many calories every Slow Day, you will not lose weight.  There are many questions asked on the FastDiet Forum which tell the tale.  But once in a while your can splurge, as long as it isn’t every day.  For what to eat on Slow Days, Dr. Mosley recommends a Mediterranean Diet.  As for how we eat,  an example follows.

Lime-marinated chicken came to us from our younger son and his friend Angela, both of whom are very handy in the kitchen. Lime marinade for chicken:pork    The marinade is simplicity itself, but the meat must sit in it for 4+ hours  — so plan ahead.  What seems to be a puny amount of marinade grows into a lot more as time goes on.  Use it for basting.  The chicken can be grilled or baked. note: I skinned half of the chicken to account for varying tastes.  Fine either way.Lime-marinated chicken, mise

Served with sliced tomatoes and potato salad, this is one of those prefect Summer meals.

Lime Marinated Chicken, plated

PS: We always use this for chicken, but our son says it is fabulous with pork, too.