recipes for Michael Mosley’s Fast Diet

Iberian Itinerary

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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. Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.

Last time we celebrated the cuisines of the Western Mediterranean, so let’s linger longer in this part of the world.  Today we will be in Spain. The breakfast is a variant of our old favorite Tapas dish, Flamenco Eggs. This time it appears in a ScrOmelette.  The dinner takes the same flavors of tomato and onion, combines them with garbanzos [Spanish word for ‘chickpea.’]  Several varieties of garbanzos are grown around Spain, coming from Andalusia, Extremadura, the Castilian plains, Zamora,  and Castile-Leon.  These are foods that Hemingway would have loved.  Enjoy your day in Espagña.

flamenco-scrom

Flamenco ScrOmelette:     287 calories     7.7 g fat    2.7 g fiber     15 g protein     38.6 g carbs   225 mg Calcium     PB GF    Tapas flavors in your breakfast scramble. Very good.

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                                                                            1.5 Tbsp tomato puree                                                                                                                                          ¾ oz bell peppers, chopped                                                                                                                               1.5 Tbsp onions, chopped                                                                                                                                           pinch cayenne pepper + pinch parsley + salt to taste                                                                                                      1 oz melon                                                                                                                                                                     5-6 oz fruit smoothie or natural apple cider                                                                                     blackish coffee or tea or lemon in hot water

If stating the night before: Put the peppers and onions in a micro-wave safe container and nuke them for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato puree and the seasonings. Leave on counter overnight.   Next morning, stir the cooked vegetables in the sauce pan before adding eggs.                                                                                                                                              If starting at breakfast-time: Spritz a saute pan with non-stick spray and heat it. Put the chopped vegetables into the hot saute pan to cook, then add the eggs, seasonings, and tomato paste. Scramble together [or cook like an omelette] until the way you like it. Plate with the melon, pour the hot and cold beverages. Great flavors.

Chickpea Ragout with Beef**:                       GF   PB         nb: entire batch                                                                  of Ragout has 484 calories, so divide the whole thing into portions                     divided in 2:  242 calories   4.8 g fat    10.7 g fiber   11.7 g protein   40.3 g carbs   51.3 mg Calcium   divided in 4:   121 calories   2.8 g fat   5.3 g fiber    5.8 g protein    20 g carbs   26 mg Calcium  This is from Jacques Pepin’s Fast Food My Way. Although he doesn’t mean my kind of ‘Fast Food,’ Pepin has long been a proponent of healthy cooking. He presents this as a side dish, but for our purposes is best prepared as a main course with  meat for more protein. [If you want to eat it without the beef, top it with some cheese.]  

½ tsp olive oil                                                                                                                                                            ½ cup diced onions                                                                                                                                              ½ cup scallions, chopped                                                                                                                                      1 Tbsp garlic                                                                                                                                                              2 cups diced tomatoes, fresh or canned and drained                                                                                    1 and ½ cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed if canned                                                                              ½ cup chicken stock                                                                                                                                                                 ½ tsp salt +  ½ tsp pepper                                                                                                                                        ** 2 oz lean beef pieces, not ground beef

Heat the oil in a saute pan. Add the onion, scallion and garlic. Stir briefly over the heat then add the tomatoes, chickpeas, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat until liquids are mostly evaporated. If using now, separate out your portion and keep warm. Cool the remaining ragout and freeze it in serving portions.   If the meat is previously cooked, mix in with the ragout to warm the meat.  If the beef is raw, add to the pan along with the tomatoes and chickpeas to cook it.

SHOPPING LIST FOR NEXT WEEK:   for one person servings                                                                                               3 two-oz eggs : 2 whole eggs + one white + one yolk                                                                                 1-2 shallots           1 slice onion            1/2 clove garlic            pinch  garlic powder                                                                                                                                                1 Applegate chicken sausage [33 cal]                                                                                                           1/4 oz mozzarella cheese                                                                                                                                     2 Tbsp ricotta or cottage cheese, low-fat type                                                                                                   2 0z fruit + 2 oz banana [for smoothie]                                                                                                                     basil             oregano              hot pepper flakes           parsley          salt                pepper                                                                                                                                       2 oz applesauce or 2 oz strawberries [or 1 oz of each]                                                                             1/4 cup crab meat                                                                                                                                                    1 scallion                                                                    1.5 tsp lemon juice                                                                                          Dijon mustard                                                         1/3 cup chicken stock                                                                                                                                                   1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs                                 3 oz tomato                                                                                                      4 oz [2 fillets] flounder or sole                            olive oil                                                                                               2 tsp butter or olive oil                                         4 Tbsp white wine                                                                          4 oz turkey cutlet                                                    1/4 cup cooked brown rice

Western Med.

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Remember Club Med — all those sleek, happy people frolicking on the beach in the ads?  I don’t even know if it exists anymore, but who doesn’t dream of a beach vacation in February? [OK: those of you reading from Australia and New Zealand are having beach weather now. But not those of us a 44° North latitude.] If you can’t get away, at least your food can evoke sunny climes.  Breakfast in Southern France and dinner in Morocco — how does that sound? And Fasting will prepare us for future days in the sun, wearing bathing suits…hold that thought.

Chèvre & Spinach Bake:   279 calories   7.3 g fat   2.9 g fiber   13.4 g protein   39 g carbs 230 mg Calcium   PB GF  The goat cheese makes a sublime partner for spinach and the egg.chevre-spinach-bake-w-pear

1 two-oz egg                                                                                                                                                            ¼ cup cooked spinach, drained/squeezed                                                                                                         2 tsp creamy chèvre cheese                                                                                                                               lemon-dill seasoning + salt + pepper                                                                                                                1 oz pear OR apple OR applesauce                                                                                                        blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                     5-6 oz fruit smoothie, green smoothie or natural apple cider

Combine the spinach, cheese, and seasonings. Whisk in the egg and pour into a lightly-oiled or spritzed ramekin. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 12-15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the hot beverage and smoothie; plate the fruit. What a nice way to start the day.

Moroccan Tuna:    278 calories  1.4 g fat    7.2 g fiber     34.3 g protein     20.4 g carbs   PB GFMorrocan Tuna w: beans, clementines

4 oz tuna steak [When I see frozen tuna steaks at the supermarket, I get a few to freeze]                               Moroccan spices or  a mixture of ground cumin, mint, and cilantro                                                   1/3 cup white beans, rinsed and drained [Goya brand is always reliable]                                                            1 slice preserved lemon OR 1 slice fresh lemon                                                                                            side vegetables, choose ONE:     1/3 cup peas with mint OR 1/2 cup broccoli florets sprinkled with cumin OR 2/3 cupgreen beans sprinkled with cilantro                                                                     ½ of a clementine

Rub tuna on both sides with Moroccan spices. Chop the lemon and stir into the beans. Bake the tuna on a cast iron skillet for 4-5 minutes per side in a 400 degree oven. When the vegetable is cooked, drain and stir in the seasoning. Section the clementine and plate it all artistically.

This article nicely sums up what I’ve been saying:  Fasting is good for you! https://www.yahoo.com/style/fasting-affects-metabolism-233917630.html                                                    summary: Health perks though that appear to come from intermittent fasting.    When compared to traditional dieting, research suggests that intermittent fasting:                                                                                                                     Causes greater fat loss in abdominal area                                                                                                                 Causes less loss of lean body mass                                                                                                                          Improves cholesterol numbers and fasting insulin                                                                                                Decreases inflammatory markers.

Chinese New Year

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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. Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.

Happy Year of the Fire Rooster. May it bring you luck and joy. In honor of the 5-day festival, I invite you to partake of Chinese recipes, one is an old favorite, one is a new favorite.  Both fit the requirements of the Fasting Lifestyle which goes to show that Fasting can fit into any cuisine.  It is possible to celebrate a variety of cultures without sacrificing a healthy diet.

jian-bing-w-granny-smith

Chinese Pancakes ‘Jian Bing’:     300 calories     6 g fat   3.5 g fiber    15 g protein   59 g carbs  202.7 mg Calcium         PB   This delicious treat is popular Chinese street-food. And now it is popular in our household. Quick to cook and fun to eat. The crisp tart apple is a nice foil to the salty-spicy food. HINT: this recipe makes 4 of which 2 will do for the breakfast. Save the remaining 2 to eat cold for lunch tomorrow.

1/3 cup all-purpose flour        1.5 Tbsp white whole wheat flour      

1 Tbsp semolina flour     1 two-oz egg                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ½ cup water      ¼ cup chopped scallions, white and green parts                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1 egg, whisked                     Kosher salt            2 tsp Sriracha sauce + 2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce [or more to taste]                                                                                                                                                                                                     per person: 1 oz tart, crisp apple                                                                                                                      optional: blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon juice & hot water                                                                                optional: 5-6 oz fruit or green smoothie or natural apple cider

Whisk together the flours, one egg, and water until lumps are gone. Hint: this can be combined the night before. Whisk again in the morning. In a separate bowl, beat the other egg thoroughly. In a custard cup, combine the hot sauce and soy sauce. Using a good non-stick pan, add 2 brief puffs of non-stick spray, then wipe with a paper towel. [Keep the paper towel handy.] Heat the pan and add 3-4 Tbsp of batter, swirling the pan quickly to distribute the batter evenly to make a thin pancake that coats the bottom of the pan. Let cook for a minute or 2, then spoon some of the egg on top and smear it around. Sprinkle with a small pinch of salt and one quarter of the scallions. Cook until the egg on top is a bit set, then flip the pancake over. Brush the hot sauce mixture on top. Cook for 30 seconds, fold the pancake in 4ths, and plate. Use the paper towel to wipe the pan and repeat until all the batter and scallions are gone. Nb: I had whisked egg left over. If your hot beverage is brewed, your apples are sliced, and the smoothie is ready, then you are set for a real good start to your New Year.

Shrimp Spring Rolls

Shrimp Spring Rolls:     281 calories      6.5 g fat      4.5 g fiber      22.4 g protein     29.4 g carbs 126 mg Calcium     GF PB     Spring rolls are always a treat for Chinese New Year, for they represent luck. The Spring Roll wrappers look like 8” disks of opaque plastic, but after soaking for 10-15 seconds in water, they become clear and very pliant. If you are not accustomed to wrapping spring rolls or egg rolls, you might want to practice using wonton wrappers which are easier to manipulate.

3 oz raw shrimp, cut in half across the body         2 oz carrot, peeled and sliced into thin coins or cut as julienne                                                                        2 oz green cabbage, sliced thinly            1 oz chopped green onion           1.5 tsp soy sauce                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1 tsp olive oil                  3 eight-inch Spring Roll wrappers                                                                                                                    2 oz broccoli, steamed               Sriracha sauce

Chop and prepare all the ingredients and put them in small dishes near the stove-top. Heat a cast iron skillet or wok until hot and add the oil. When it is hot, add the carrot and cabbage. Stirfry for 3 minutes on heat high enough to keep the vegetables sizzling. If the pan becomes dry, add some water. This is supposed to be a no-no in stir frying, but we are cutting down on oil, OK? Add the shrimp and stir fry about 1 minute, until it is cooked. Add the green onion and soy sauce. Stirfry a bit longer until all is mixed and warm. Take off the heat. Remove the cooked mixture to a bowl. [if you want to, run it briefly through the food processor. This step is optional but it can make the mixture easier to roll.]  Steam or stir fry the broccoli separately.

Put a pie plate of warm water on the counter. Add one of the spring roll wrappers and let it soak a bit. When it turns clear, remove it and lay it flat on a dish towel. Spoon 1/3 of the filling mixture onto the wrapper. Roll up a bit, then fold in the sides, then finish rolling. Wipe out the pan and put a mere film of oil on it. Turn on the heat to medium-low. Put the roll in the warm pan. Repeat with the other rolls.  In the pan, turn the rolls until they are warm and slightly browned. Serve with hot sauce for dipping.

Nellie Bly

~ me ~ Leave a comment

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. Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.

Nellie Bly was an intrepid investigative journalist.  Among other stories she pursued, she was sent to see if one really could go around the world in 80 days, as described in the Jules Verne book of the same title. Tomorrow is the anniversary of her return in 1890, breaking the ‘record’ set in the fictional narrative.  And so I offer meals from the ends of the earth: Europe and Asia. In other words, around the world in less than 600 calories!

‘Pan Bagne’ ScrOmelette:   303 calories   9.5 g fat   2 g fiber   15 g protein   36 g carbs   236 mg Calcium     PB   GF   Pan Bagne is a wonderful layered sandwich which we enjoy in the summer. Each of the 7 layers is a distinct yet complimentary flavor. This recipe combines several of the components, without all the oil, tuna, and bread. The result is delicious.pan-bagne-scromelette

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, crack 3 2-oz eggs into a jar with a lid and put it in the ‘fridge for next week                                         1/2 black olive, pitted and chopped       1/2 Tbsp chevre cheese                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1 Tbsp crushed tomatoes                                                                                                                                    1/2 Tbsp spinach, cooked and chopped                                                                                                         ¼ tsp dried basil           ½ oz apple                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            optional:  5-6 oz fruit smoothie or pure apple cider                                                                                                  optional: blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water

Stir and cream the olive, cheese, tomatoes, spinach, and basil until nicely blended. Whisk the eggs with salt and pepper to taste. Continue whisking as you add the vegetable/cheese mixture and blend as thoroughly as possible. Scramble to taste. Brew your beverage and shake the smoothie. Slice the apple and settle in for a flavorful meal.

Chicken Stirfry:    268 calories    7 g fat    6.5 g fiber     28 g protein    21 g carbs     113.4 mg Calcium    PB GF    From the official FastDiet.com website!  The recipe is easy and delicious.Chicken Stirfry

4 oz chicken breast               1.5 Tbsp lemon juice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2 tsp soy sauce             1 tsp olive oil  + 2 Tbsp water                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1 tsp fresh ginger, minced                                                                                                                                    1 clove garlic, crushed and chopped                                                                                                               1.5 cups cabbage, sliced       1 cup carrots, julienned                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ½ cup snow peas OR 2 oz asparagus OR 2 oz bell peppers OR 1 oz broccoli

Cut chicken into strips and marinate in lemon juice and soy sauce while you prepare the vegetables. Stirfry the vegetables in oil and 2 Tbsp water for 3 minutes. Add garlic and ginger. Count to 30 and add the chicken with the marinade. Stir-fry 1-2 minutes more to cook the chicken through.

Pork & Poultry

~ me ~ Leave a comment

We enjoy a variety of foods, and why not?  “Life is a cabaret, my friend” as the song says, or in a food metaphor, life is an endless buffet.  But then it comes down to the choosing: which foods? which combinations? what results from those choices?  If your goal is truly to lose weight and be more healthy, then follow along with the menus presented here.  Eat from these recipes twice a week and see the results of your good decisions.   And here’s an article from the LA Times, about eating less: http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-eat-less-feel-better-20160502-story.

Rounds:   273 calories      4.4 g fat     1.7 g fiber       12 g protein    39.4 g carbs    210 mg Calcium PB   HINT: Prepare the ham patty** the day [or more] before and use one of the ‘pan muffins’ from “Remember When…” Dec. 11, 2016rounds

1 ham patty**                                                                                                                                                                           1 pan muffin                                                                                                                                                              2 oz sliced apple, such as Granny Smith                                                                                                      blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                   5-6 oz green smoothie or fruit smoothie or unpasturized apple cider

** Ham patty: 1.5 oz lean ham, chopped                                                                                                         ¼ cup low-fat cottage cheese, drained                                                                                                              1 egg white [1.5 Tbsp]         ¾ oz whole-grain 70-calorie bread, shredded                                                            sage, salt, pepper to taste                                                                                                                          Combine and let sit for about 30 minutes to moisten all ingredients.                                           Portion out using a 2 Tbsp coffee  measure. Makes 5 patties.                                                            Spritz a medium-hot pan with oil and cook until firm.                                                                   Freeze or store in ‘fridge.

So if both the ham patty and pan muffin were prepared before, this goes together before you can brew the coffee! Slice the apple into rounds, rather than the usual wedges. Arrange everything on the plate, heat your hot beverage, shake your smoothie. Shazam – breakfast in no time.

Chicken Provinçal: 270 cal   7.6 g fat   24.4 g protein   19.4 g carbs   GF    This recipe is from the Culinary Institute of America, with a few tweeks by me.chicken-provincal

3 oz chicken breast, boneless & skinless                                                                                                         1 Tbsp flour  + salt + pepper                                                                                                                                 1 tsp olive oil                                                                                                                                                             1 garlic clove, minced                                                                                                                                          1 anchovy fillet, oil rinsed off                                                                                                                               1 Tbsp dry white wine                                                                                                                                       ½ c tomatoes, chopped, drained,  juice retained                                                                                                            2 Tbsp chicken stock                                                                                                                                              2 cured black olives, sliced                                                                                                                                   2-3 oz broccoli/cauliflower florets

Fillet the chicken breast meat by cutting it along the thin side to create 2 slices. These will cook faster, as well as looking like more food on the plate! Sprinkle the flour over the chicken to coat it lightly. Heat the oil in a small non-stick skillet and cook the chicken on one side. Turn once to cook the other side, remove from pan. Put the garlic, anchovy, tomatoes, and wine in the pan, mashing the solids with a spoon as they heat. Momentarily, add the chicken stock and olives to warm them and cook until the sauce thickens. Return the chicken to the pan to heat it briefly. If the sauce is in danger of cooking off, add some tomato juices or water or more stock. Cook the broccoli and enjoy your meal from southern France.

Happy Birthday

~ me ~ Leave a comment

Tomorrow will be my birthday!  If I say so myself, I’m doing pretty well for my age.  I’m especially pleased with my weight and overall good health. Genetics plays some part but I think that the Fasting Lifestyle deserves some of the credit. Join me in celebrating the start of another healthy year.

smoked-salmon-bake

Smoked Salmon Bake:   292 calories     8.0 g fat     1.9 g fiber     15.2 g protein 44.6 g carbs 223.2 mg Calcium     PB GF       Gosh this is good. You must try it!

1 two-ounce egg              ¼ oz smoked salmon, crumbled into pieces                                                                                                   2 Tbsp scallions, green & white parts, diced or sliced                 2-3 tsp chopped parsley                                                                                                                                     1 Tbsp chevre [goat cheese]                                         ¼ cup blueberries                                                                                                                                     optional:   blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                optional:  5-6 oz fruit smoothie, green smoothie or natural apple cider

Put the scallions and parsley into a heat-proof ramekin. Microwave for 30 seconds. Add the salmon. HINT: I did this the night before. Beat the goat cheese and egg together until the cheese breaks up into tiny lumps. Pour into ramekin and stir all together to mix. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes, depending on how you like your eggs. Brew your beverage; dish the fruit; shake that smoothie.

baked-oysters
oysters w: beet-walnut salad

Oyster Feast w/ Bubbly:    224 calories   7.1 g fat   0.6 g fiber   10.2 g protein   12 g carbs 79.4 mg Calcium    PB    Got something BIG to celebrate: how about a plate of  oysters [some raw and some baked]  with a salad AND a glass of bubbly? This serves TWO, since a celebration deserves company.

18 medium Eastern oysters, raw                                                                                                                 6 tsp chevre cheese                                                                                                                                            2-3 saltine crackers as medium-fine crumbs, divided into two portions                                                                                              3 cups lettuce                                                                                                                                                           2 Tbsp fresh herbs, [such as thyme, rosemary, chives], chopped                                                            4 oz Sparkling Wine [such as Champagne] per person

Turn on the broiler. Shuck the oysters, discarding the upper shell, but keeping the oyster in the bottom shell. Carefully put 6 oysters on an oven-proof pan. Sprinkle  those oysters with half of the cracker crumbs. Then put 1 tsp of the chevre on each oyster. Top with the rest of the crumbs. Slide under the broiler until the cheese begins to soften and brown just a bit. In a wide bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice and herbs. Toss lettuce with the dressing and add a pinch of salt. Plate the oysters and the salad, pour your bubbly. Cheeers!

Simple Eating

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Some recipes have become classics over the years because they are simple to prepare.  “Pasta Puttenesca” is made of common ingredients found in most Italian kitchens yet it is as beloved in restaurants as if it were exotic.  And what could be more easy than roasted chicken and vegetables?  No one ever said that preparing meals from scratch had to be difficult!  The Fasting Lifestyle likes food that is healthy, simple, and delicious.

Puttenesca ScrOmelette:   301 calories   8.5 g fat   1.7 g fiber   15 g protein   38 g carbs    233 mg Calcium   PB GF    Yup. “Puttenesca” means ‘street-walker.’ This breakfast is based on the flavors of the iconic Roman pasta dish. If you ever make a dinner with that sauce, save some out to season this breakfast.puttenesca-scromelette

1 ½ 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                                                                                                      1.5 Tbsp marinara sauce + 1 Tbsp marinated mushrooms + 2 tsp capers, drained + 2 black olives, chopped OR 3 Tbsp puttenesca sauce from your recipe or from a jar                                               1/2 clementine                                                                                                                                                              5 oz fruit smoothie or green smoothie                                                                                                            blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water

Whisk the sauce into the eggs and scramble or cook as a rolled omelette. Enjoy with the hot beverage, smoothie, and clementine.

Chicken/Turkey Dinner     284 calories      4.5 g fat     9.3 g fiber       31.6 g protein 34.2 g carbs      58.2 mg Calcium      PB   Perfect use for left-over roasted chicken breast. Instead of potatoes, enjoy the crunch of high-fiber crackers. So low in calories that you may even have some lovely fruit for dessert!  This is a very large meal.  If you can’t finish it all, dice the meat and vegetables; add an equal amount of flavorful chicken broth; toss in some chopped herbs and maybe a little pasta, and you’ll have a lovely lunch.chicken-dinner-w-beans-carrots

4 ounces roasted chicken or turkey breast meat, without skin                                                                                           1/2 cup [3 0z] green beans                                                                                                                            1/2 cup [2 oz] carrots, sliced as coins                                                                                                                                 2 pieces Finn Crisp crackers                                                                                                                      1/2 cup sliced strawberries [optional]

Steam or boil the beans and peas separately. After draining the vegetables, put the cooked chicken meat in the cooking water pot, off the heat and with the lid on.  This will take the chill off the meat.  Enjoy with the crackers and then savor your dessert.

 

 

 

Two Years

~ me ~ Leave a comment

Three and a quarter years ago my Husband and I embarked on the Fasting Lifestyle.  Two years ago I started putting this blog out to the world to help other people who might benefit from my experiences.  To all you lovely people who Follow me: Thank You!  It is nice to know that someone is reading this and I appreciate your Comments, suggestions, and ‘Likes.’     The good news is that after 206 postings, there is a lot more food to share.  I have discovered how much I enjoy tweeking recipes and developing new flavor combinations.  Get your friends and relations to join you in Fasting — it is so much easier when you can share the experience.

 

Breton Baked Egg:   291 calories   6.7 g fat    4.3 g fiber    13.7 g protein   43 g carbs    271.5 mg calcium      PB GF          Delicious. Filling. Different.breton-baked-egg

1 two-oz egg                                                 2 Tbsp crushed tomatoes                         2 Tbsp artichoke hearts, canned or frozen                          ½ tsp curry powder        1 Tbsp fatfree ricotta               2 oz applesauce, unsweetened                                      black-ish coffee or black tea, lemon in hot water                                                                           5-6 oz fruit smoothie or natural cider

Chop the thawed artichoke hearts. Stir together the artichokes, tomatoes, curry, and ricotta. Whisk in the egg and pour into a ramekin which has been spritzed with non-stick spray. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, brew your hot beverage; shake that smoothie; and portion the applesauce. Enjoy your breakfast on the Cote d’Amor.

Tuna-Bean-Garlic Patties     261 cal      7.1 g. fat      33.1 g protein      33.4 g. carb    5.5 g fiber 152.5 mg Calcium     PB GF    HINT: recipe serves 2 [two] The recipe is from the Fast Diet book, where it appears as a salad. This is my cool weather version.bean-tuna-garlic-patties-w-spin-salad

3/4 cup canned navy beans, drained and rinsed                                                                                            1 can light tuna in water, drained and flaked                                                                                                       4 oz tomato: 2 oz cubed seeded and drained;      2 oz left whole if bite-sized or sliced                                                                  2 cloves garlic, chopped                                                                                                                                         1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated                        salt, pepper, thyme, parsley                                                                                                                                            3.5 oz spinach or mixed greens                                                                                                                            2 tsp lemon juice + 1 tsp white wine vinegar + 1 tsp olive oil

Set oven at 350 F. Combine the beans, the tuna, the 2 oz cubed tomato, garlic, and Parmesan cheese in a food processor. Process until smooth. Add salt, pepper, and herbs to taste. Shape the mixture into 4 patties, using a 1/3- cup measure as a mold. Turn out onto a lightly-spritzed baking sheet or silicon baking mat. Bake at 375 F until heated through and beginning to form a light crust on top. Meanwhile, whisk the lemon juice, vinegar, and olive oil in a wide, shallow bowl. Add the greens and the remaining tomato. Toss lightly. Plate the salad decoratively with the tuna-bean patties.

Food for Thought

~ me ~ Leave a comment

Thinking of taking the plunge?  Thinking of moving from ‘I’d really like to lose those extra pounds’ to “I’m really going to try the Fasting Lifestyle”?  Welcome to a whole new you!   Read this blog and eat these menus and it will be easier than you might think.  Before you get started, read this:  Losing Weight: 5 Things You Must Do Before Starting a Diet  by Evie Carrick          http://www.cheatsheet.com/health-fitness/things-to-do-before-starting-a-diet.html/3/

Smoked Sausage ScrOmelette: 299 calories   9.5 g fat   1.7 g fiber    16.6 g protein   33 g carbs 216.4 mg Calcium   GF    Having been gifted with the Dakin sausage, we decided to use some in a breakfast. The sausage adds a nice smokey Autumnal flavor to the eggs. If substututing another sausage, know that the 1/2-oz of Dakin sausage has 30 calories per ounce.smoked-sausage-scromlette

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, crack three 2-oz eggs into a jar with a lid and put it in the ‘fridge for next week.                                    1/2 oz Dakin Farm cob-smoked chicken sausage, diced                                                                             1.5 tsp oregano and parsley, chopped                                                                                                                1 oz apple                                                                                                                                                          blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                     5-6 oz green smoothie or fruit smoothie or unpasturized apple cider

Heat a well-seasoned cast iron or non-stick pan and spritz it with oil or cooking spray. Add the prepared sausage and stir to heat . Whisk the eggs with the herbs and a grind of pepper and pour into the pan, stirring to incorporate the sausage. Cook to your favorite degree of doneness. Slice the fruit, pour your beverages and off you go.

Chicken Curry:  220 calories   1.6 g fat    8 g fiber     18.5 protein    31 g carbs   71 mg Calcium PB GF     Curry is always a favorite and Craig Claiborne made it safe for dieters in his book Gourmet Diet. chicken-curry-w-tomatoes

curry sauce [makes 3 cups sauce. you need 3/4 cup for tonight’s dinner]:                                          1 cup onion, chopped           1 clove garlic, minced         1/2 cup celery, chopped                                    1 cup apple, peeled, and diced         1-2 Tablespoons curry powder                                                      3/4 tsp dry mustard        1 bay leaf          3 cups chicken broth      1/2 cup water                                Spritz a sauce pan twice with cooking oil and add 2 Tbsp water.                                                    Sauté the onion, garlic, celery, and apple until soft.                                                                            Sprinkle the curry and mustard on top.                                                                                                         Stir in the bay leaf,  broth, and water.                                                                                                           Let cook down until it measures 3 cups.                                                                                                Measure out 3/4 cup for this recipe, then cool and freeze the remainder.

now complete the curry:           1.5 oz carrot rounds                                                                                    1/2 cup small cauliflower florets                                                                                                                       1.5 oz cooked chicken breast, cut in 1/2” dice or smaller                                                                              3 Tbsp peas                                                                                                                                                              1/4 cup boiled yellow lentils                                                                                                                               ¼ cup diced cucumber    +     1/4 cup diced tomatoes

Steam or boil the carrots and cauliflower. Boil the lentils. Warm the sauce, add the chicken, peas, cooked carrots and cauliflower and heat. Taste for seasonings. Plate with the lentils and top with cucumbers and tomatoes.

Resolutions

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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

Here we are again, New Year and a slew of resolutions.  This year, the most important one is to be more healthy.  But that has several sub-sets: more exercise, losing weight, eating more healthy food.  I can’t help you with the exercise, but here is where I urge you once again not to use this blog as a Food Porn site, but to start eating the food.

Why should we Fast?  Read what Dr. Michael Mosley says: “We all know how you are supposed to lose weight: eat low-fat foods, exercise more… and never, ever skip meals. This has been standard dietary advice for decades and though it may work for some people, levels of obesity continue to soar. So is there an alternative? We think there is. Intermittent fasting. Based on the work of leading scientists from around the world, this is an exciting new alternative to standard dieting.

“Intermittent Fasting does not mean stopping eating entirely. It means reducing the amount you eat, but only for quite short periods of time.

“In The Fast Diet  book I outline my experiences of trying different forms of intermittent fasting, before settling on what I called a 5:2 regime. With 5:2 intermittent fasting you eat normally five days a week and diet two days a week, cutting your calorie intake for those two days to a ¼ of their normal level. This means that on, say, a Monday and a Thursday you will eat 500 calories if you are a woman, 600 if you are a man.

“If you stick to this plan then you should lose around 1 lb (0.46kg) a week if you are a woman, slightly more for a man. Success also depends on not over-eating on your normal days.

“You should not only lose weight but also enjoy a wide range of health benefits. Studies of intermittent fasting show that not only do people see improvements in blood pressure and their cholesterol levels, but also in their insulin sensitivity.

“As one of the medical experts I interviewed put it: ‘There is nothing else you can do to your body that is as powerful as fasting.’ “    Want more info? go to  http://the fast diet.co.uk

So why not start today?  A traditional dinner for New Year’s  in Germany and the Alsace-Lorraine region of France is sauerkraut with sausages.  The sausages represent abundance.  In the American South, collard greens are eaten on New Year’s for good luck.  Put them together, and you’ll have an abundance of good food and a head-start on the rest of your life.

Sauerkraut and Sausage:  255 calories   5.7 g fat  12.6 g fiber   21.3 g protein   33.5 g carbs   196.4 mg Calcium                  GF  PB

sauerkraut-sausage-w-collards 1.5 cups sauerkraut, canned or bagged or fresh                                                                                              2 tbsp caraway seed                                                                                                                                              2 oz applesauce, unsweetened                                                                                                                            1/2 cup onions, chopped coarsely                                                                                                                          1 Dakin Farm cob-smoked chicken sausage with apple [OR any other flavorful sausage with 110 calories]    leave whole or cut into 1/2″ chunks                                                                                                                                                1.5 cups raw collard greens, chopped or cut cross-ways in 1/4″ slices [chiffonade]                             salt and pepper to taste.

Thaw the sausage if it is frozen.  Combine the sauerkraut, caraway seed, applesauce, and onions in a saucepan large enough to hold the sausage, if left whole.  Cook slowly, uncovered until half of the liquid is gone.  Add the sausage, cover, and continue to cook until everything is hot and the onions are tender.  Meanwhile, add 1/2 cup water to the greens in a skillet along with salt, pepper, and a dash of garlic powder.  Cover and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.