Fasting Lifestyle

Memorial Day

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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.

Its that time of year: Summer arrives and everyone wants to over-eat at a Holiday picnic. This is so not necessary.  You can maintain the Fasting Lifestyle. even on Memorial Day. Here’s how.

National Holiday French Toast      294 calories    6.7 g fat   3.2 g fiber  13.5 g protein     31 g carbs    260.7 mg Calcium    GF [if using GF bread]   HINT: This recipe makes requires one person to have two [2] ounces or less of bread cut-outs. If you cut out more, but put the others in a bag in the freezer for a really fast breakfast later. The recipe below is enough for TWO PEOPLE.  Invite a friend or prepare the entire batch and freeze half for later.French Toast Stars

2 one half ounce pieces of cut-out shapes** from 70-cal whole grain bread                                       one 2-oz egg                                                                                                                                                               2 Tbsp fat-free milk                                                                                                                                                 1 oz strawberries, fresh or unsweetened frozen                                                                                            1.5 tsp maple syrup                                                                                                                                                          one 60-cal sausage    [I like Al Fresco brand sage breakfast links  or patties]                                                        nearly black coffee or tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                           1/3 cup green or fruit smoothie or natural apple cider

THE NIGHT BEFORE: Whisk the egg and milk together. Cut the pieces of bread into appropriate shapes useing a cookie cutter.  ** This time I used 1″ stars, which made lots. [This step is important for the calorie count to come out right, so don’t skip it even if it seems too much like ‘crafty food.’ The bread that is left over can be fed to the birds or saved to make Stuffed Clams [see SPICY May 23, 2018] Put the bread into a pan with a rim which is just big enough for the bread pieces. Pour the egg/milk mixture over the bread, making sure it is all wetted. Let stand OVERNIGHT. Also combine the strawberries and syrup.

THE NEXT MORNING, cook the batter-soaked bread in a hot non-stick pan with a spritz of non-stick spray. Cook until browned on both sides. IF COOKING FOR ONE, NOW PUT HALF OF THE PIECES ASIDE TO COOL. PUT INTO A BAG AND FREEZE THEM FOR A LATER DATE. Cook the sausage, too. Mash the berries a bit and add the maple syrup. Warm the mixture a little and smear onto the plated toast. Enjoy with the sausage, hot beverage of choice, and smoothie.

Hot Dogs & Beans 297 cal  10 g fat    5.2 g fiber   15.8 g protein   23.6 g carb  77 mg Calcium   PB  GF  Usually, we eat hot dogs on Memorial Day, so we won’t stop now.   Baked beans are high in protein, low in fat, so they fit right in with a Fast Diet.Memorial Day franks & beans

1 dog per person {Hebrew National has a good-tasting reduced fat hot dog at 100 cal each.}                                                                                                                                                              1/3 c baked beans [I use canned, low-fat beans if I can find them] HINT: You do not use all the beans in the can, so freeze the remainder for another meal. If you want them for this meal again, freeze in batches of 1/3 c, rather than the remains of the entire can together.      mustard and/or pickle relish                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           one 2-oz egg, hard-boiled + 1/2 tsp low-fat mayo + 1 tsp prepared yellow mustard  + Salsa Verde                                                                                                                                                                                   1/4 cup chopped cabbage + 1/8 cup shredded carrot  + 1.5 tsp cider vinegar + 1/2 tsp low-fat mayonnaise

Cook the dogs in a little frying pan with a bit of water. [Of course you could grill the dogs.]  Heat the baked beans [nuke ’em]. Peel the egg and cut it in half. Remove the yolk and mash it with the mayonnaise, mustard, and Salsa Verde. Stuff the egg halves. Whisk the mayo and vinegar and toss in the coleslaw vegetables.  Fasting on a holiday just got easier. Have non-Fasters over for the picnic? Ask them to bring the side dishes [potato salad, green salad, but not chips & dip] and let your guests eat the side dishes.  Skip the beer and S’mores until tomorrow.

Delicious

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Let’s eat some food that is delicious AND good for our health. Why not? You deserve it!

Ratatouille Omelette 285 calories 9.4 g fat 2.8 g fiber 18.8 g protein 31 g carbs 297 mg Calcium PB GF, if using GF bread or no bread  [sorry, no photo yet. check later]

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                                                                                                                                                                                          1/4 cup Mediterranean Vegetables, drained + chopped                                                                              1/4 oz mozzerella cheese, grated                                                                                                                               ¼ slice multi-grain 70-calorie bread                                                                                                                      blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                      5 oz green smoothie or fruit smoothie or unpasturized apple cider

Whisk the eggs and pour into a medium-hot non-stick skillet with a spritz of oil.  When the bottom of the eggs begins to set, distribute the vegetables and cheese over half the eggs.  Fold and continue cooking to desired

Red Beans & Rice    per serving:  280 calories    1.2 g. fat  9.2 g fiber   11.4 g. protein     59.6 g. carb    142.8 mg Calcium   PB GF   This is the old classic recipe, long touted as containing the ‘perfect protein’. We used to think it would be bland, but it isn’t!  Yeah, you’re right, the carbs are way over the top, but these are complex carbs so that’s good.  HINT: This is enough for 4 servings! Either have a gathering or cut the recipe or freeze for later meals.red beans & rice w: peas

1 and 3/4 cups brown rice, cooked                                                                                                                   ½ cup celery, chopped                                                                                                                                        ½ cup sweet yellow or any color pepper, diced                                                                                             1 cup onion, chopped                                                                                                                                               2 cloves garlic, minced                                                                                                                                         ¾ cup crushed tomato                                                                                                                              oregano + black pepper  to taste                                                                                                                               1 and 3/4 cups red beans, drained and rinsed [Goya brand is very good]                                          per serving:       ½ cup green peas or beans     

Cook the rice.[This takes 30-45minutes]  Steam/sauté the celery, pepper, and onions in a little water for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 5 minutes more. Add the crushed tomatoes and seasonings. Stir in the red beans and heat through. When the rice is done, add 1 and 3/4  cups to the vegetable mixture. HINT: if there is extra rice, it freezes well. Serve with the cooked green beans.

 

 

 

 

Such Good Things

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We are so fortunate that we have good food to eat. And that we can take steps to control and improve our health. We are lucky to have today’s menu which combines one of my favorite breakfasts with one of my favorite dinners. That’s the Fasting Lifestyle!

Dutch Breakfast    310 calories     8.2 g fat   4.3 g fiber    16.3 g protein     39 g carb    213 mg Calcium     Husband’s opinion? “This is my favorite Fast breakfast.”Dutch b-fast, h-b egg

one 2-oz egg, hard-boiled or coddled HINT: the hardboiled egg can be made days before ½ oz ham, low-fat from the deli                                                                                                                         ½ of an Arnold Multi-grain Sandwich Thin [50 cal, 10.5 carb] OR ½ slice 70-cal whole-grain bread bread [35 cal, 5.5 carb] OR one “Holland Rusk” [35 cal] OR one 2” round of bread from Buttermilk Baked Egg [20 cal]**                                                                                                                                                1/8 oz [1/2” cube] cheese if you used less bread, you could have more cheese                                          2 oz melon or apple or pear  OR a mixed fruit cup as shown above                                                                         5-6 oz fruit smoothie or green smoothie or unpasturized apple cider                                        blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water

**If the 310 calories worry you, please note the low calories in the dinner.  If the high carb count worries you, then use one of the other bread substitutions listed.

Warm the ham in a skillet, toast the bread, brew your beverage, slice the fruit, cube the cheese. Prepare the smoothie or take the other half of the smoothie recipe from ‘fridge and shake it to mix.

Salmon Roasted with Tomatoes: 266 calories  13.1 g fat  2.9 g fiber  25.6 g protein   7.7 g carbs            212.5 mg Calcium     PB  GF    One of the earliest meals we made when starting the Fasting Lifestyle, this recipe is found in Fast Diet book in a slightly altered form.   Still a favorite. Quick and delicious.Roasted salmon w: yellow tomatoes & peas

4 oz salmon, fresh of frozen                                                                                                                                                             10 cherry tomatoes [5 oz], any color                                                                                                                                                          1 oz green peas OR ½ cup green beans OR 2 oz sugar snap peas                                                                                 seasonings to taste

Spritz a small oven-proof pan with olive oil or non-stick spray. Put the salmon in the pan and sprinkle with seasonings of your choice. Arrange the tomatoes on/around the salmon. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Meanwhile steam the green vegetables. So easy. So yummy.

This link contains some great tips for staying on course, whether on a Fast Day or a Slow Day.       http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/100-Weight-Loss-Tips-35729586#photo-35729639

A Visitor

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My sister is arriving today for a stay, and tomorrow is a Fast Day. No problem! I will serve the following menu, which I am sure she will enjoy, and if she wants to eat lunch, she may.  You see?  Fasting Lifestyle maintained, visiting sister happy and well-fed.  Bet she won’t event know it was ‘diet food’!

Ham & Cheese Scromelette     309 calories     10.1 g fat            1.9 g fiber             15.8 g. protein 29 g carbs        197 mg Calcium           GF     You can prepare this as an omelette or as scrambled eggs. Either way, its a winner.Ham and cheese scromlette w: a-sauce

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.                                                                             ¼ oz Jarlsberg cheese                                                                                                                                           ¼ oz ham [I calculated the fat and calories for this recipe based on left-over roast ham. If you use 3% fat ham, you will lower both those values]                                                                              1 and ½ oz applesauce                                                                                                                               blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                   5-6 oz fruit smoothie or green smoothie

Shepherds’ Salad 275 cal      15 g. fat      13.2 g protein       23.6 g carbs      GF                               This delightful meal is from Lynne Rosetto Kaspar’s The Italian Country Table. I have included a version of the original cooked salad dressing, but you may use a simple herbed vinaigrette made with 1 tsp oil and ½ tsp red wine vinegar.shepherd's salad

½ oz salami                                                                                                                                                               ½ c white beans                                                                                                                                                        2.5 cups [3 oz] lettuce                                                                                                                                                1 oz mozzerella                                                                                                                                                          1 radish, thinly sliced                                                                                                                                                    2” celery, thinly sliced on diagonal                                                                                                                     2 tsp of boiled dressing

For the dressing: Put 3 Tbsp olive oil, 4” rosemary, and 6 sage leaves in a pan and simmer for 5-10 minutes.    Add 4 smashed cloves garlic and a pinch of hot pepper flakes.    Stir for a few seconds. Add ½ cup red wine vinegar and boil down the whole recipe to 1/3 cup. Strain and cool. For this dinner, you will need 2 tsp/ serving. Put the remainder in a jar and store to use anytime.

Prep your toppings: slice the salami rounds into matchsticks; shred the lettuce; cut the cheese into strips about 1/4” square; slice the radish and celery. Measure 2 tsp dressing into a serving/salad bowl and add the lettuce. Toss to coat with the dressing. Arrange the meat, beans, cheese, and radishes in decorative groupings. Hearty and delicious and suitable for guests.

Couldn’t Be Easier

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Really now: how hard is it to follow the Fasting Lifestyle? Not hard at all when there is a menu like this one. If you chose four breakfast meals that you really liked, and four dinners, then you could just rotate them for two weeks and make it really easy!  Now we like variety, so we eat our favorites only once in a while. But suit yourself — but DO IT!  Do yourself the huge favor of investing in your healthy future life.

Baked Eggs Flamenco 269 calories  8.8 g fat  2 g fiber  9 g pro   13.3 g carb  42.6 mg Calcium PB  GF [if using GF bread] From Everyday Tapas, this recipe shows how a meal can go from being a dinner to being a breakfast. Similarly, any breakfast could also be a dinner.Flamenco eggs w: green smoothie

1 Tbsp tomato puree or 1/2 oz tomato, chopped                                                                                           1 ½ tsp parsley, chopped                                                                                                                                       1 1/2 Tbsp onion, chopped [1 oz]                                                                                                                                     1 ½ Tbsp bell pepper, chopped [1 oz]                                                                                                                   salt & pinch cayenne                                                                                                                                                 1 two-oz egg                                                                                                                                                                                       ½ slice 70 cal bread [I like Nature’s Own multigrain]                                                                              2 oz melon or 2 oz grapes or 3 oz apple                                                                                                         blackish coffee or tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                                      5-6 oz fruit smoothie or unpasturized apple cider

Spritz a small ramekin with cooking spray or olive oil. Put the tomato, parsley, onion in the ramekin. Microwave for 4-5 minutes to cook the onion. Add the pepper and seasonings, and microwave for another 4 minutes. [Alternatively, saute the above ingredients as described, instead of microwaving]. HINT: you can do this the night before. Remove from microwave and make a ‘nest’ in the cooked vegetables. Crack the egg into the nest. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes. Toast the bread, brew your hot beverage, prep the fruit. Prepare the smoothie, or take the previously-prepared jar of smoothie from the fridge and shake it well before serving.

Shrimp Stir-fry with Udon Noodles: 287 calories     7.2 g fat     23.8 g protein    33 g carbs                                                                             The back of a bag of udon noodles supplied this recipe and then I adapted it.soba:shrimp quickfry

1 oz of dry soba [or udon] noodles                                                                                                                     3 oz raw shrimp, cut in half across the body OR 2 oz chicken breast                                                     2 oz carrot, peeled and sliced into coins                                                                                                              1½ oz green cabbage                                                                                                                                               1 oz onion                                                                                                                                                                          1 1/2 tsp soy sauce.                                                                                                                                                       1 tsp olive oil                                                                                                                                                                1 oz chopped green onion [or a Tbsp steamed chopped broccoli]

Put the frozen shrimp in a bowl with a little water to thaw. Cook noodles in a quart of water about 4 minutes. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, shell, and peel the raw shrimp. Slice the shrimp across the body. Heat the oil in a cast iron pan or wok. Add the carrot, cabbage, and onion and some of the water from the thawed shrimp. Stir-fry/steam for 3 minutes. Add the shrimp and any remaining liquid and cook one minute more. Toss the cooked noodles into the pan and mix to warm them. Add , salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Toss to mix ingredients.   If you think this sounds complicated and long, I did it in 25 minutes and that included peeling carrots and cleaning shrimp. Satisfying and good to eat.  If you don’t like shrimp, substitute just under 2 oz sliced chicken breast.

Fun and Easy

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Eating sensibly and working toward your health goals shouldn’t be a boring slog. While I have fun adapting and creating recipes for the Fasting Lifestyle, I hope you are having fun eating them and that this blog makes it easy for you to keep the faith.  Want more reasons to stay with or get on the Fast Diet?  Read this article:  “Calorie restriction may have some benefit for non-obese”  By Kathryn Doyle, Reuters   https://www.yahoo.com/news/calorie-restriction-may-benefit-non-obese-152627984.html

 

Laughing Herb Omelette 290 calories    8.9 g fat     3 g fiber     15.3 g protein     27.5 g carbs 219 mg Calcium        PB          GF [if you eliminate the toast or use GF bread]Laughing Herb Omelette

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                                                                                                 1/2 section Vache Qui Rit [Laughing Cow] cheese                                                                                       1.5 Tbsp fresh herbs                                                                                                                                                2 oz apple                                                                                                                                                                   ½ slice whole grain bread    [I like Nature’s Own  whole grain bread]                                                                                                                                                                5-6 oz green smoothie or fruit smoothie or natural apple cider                                                     blackish tea or blackish coffee or hot water with lemon

Whisk the eggs and herbs together. Take the cheese from the ‘fridge [HINT: keep it cold so that it will slice better] and slice it into as many thin slices as you can. Spritz a hot non-stick or cast iron pan with cooking oil and pour in the eggs/herbs. When the bottom begins to set, lay the cheese slices over half the surface of the eggs. Cook to your degree of doneness, fold and plate. Slice apple, toast bread, shake up the smoothie, pour your hot beverage and laugh along with the cow.

Tomato Soup w/ Sandwich        289 calories     5.1 g fat       5.6 g fiber         15.9 g protein             29.9 g carbs       209.8 mg Calcium   PB    GF [if using GF bread]                                           Comfort food can also be low in calories. Don’t be put off by the seeming length of the recipe below — it goes together very quickly.  The soup recipe is from Fresh Ways with Soups and Stews, published by Time-Life Books. HINT: the soup is enough for 3 servings, so it is worth the time to make enough to freeze for later, rather than making a single serving.tomato soup w: croq mons, grapes

Cook Soup:     1 tsp virgin olive oil     +  2 Tbsp water                                                                                                                3 onions, chopped [2 ½ cups]                                                                                                                                    1 cup carrot, thinly sliced                                                                                                                                                                              1 tsp fresh thyme or ¼ tsp dried thyme           pepper to taste                                                                                                   3 cloves garlic, chopped                                                                                                                                         28 0z can tomatoes, coarsly chopped with juices                                                                                         1 ¼ cup unsalted chicken or vegetable stock                                                                                                                         ¼ tsp salt    

Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Cook the onion, carrot, thyme, garlic, and pepper for 7-10 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add the tomatoes and juice, stock, and salt. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes. [more directions later]

Prep Sandwich:         1/2  slice 70-calorie bread [Nature’s Own]                                                                     1 slice Swiss cheese from the deli                                                                                                                          1 oz ham, 97% fat free

Cut the bread in half.  Cut the cheese in pieces the size of the bread halves. Construct a sandwich of bread, ham, cheese, bread. Save out one bread-sized piece of cheese. Wrap the sandwich in foil and put in the toaster oven at 350 until cheese is beginning to melt on the inside. Unwrap the sandwich and put the cheese on top. Toast the sandwich so that the cheese becomes melted and might start to brown.

Finish Soup:        1 tsp ricotta or small-curd cottage cheese                                                                          1 tsp plain non-fat yogurt                                                                                                                                  

Puree the soup in food processor or blender. Pour half of it into a freezer container to cool before storing. Put the remaining soup in the serving bowl. Stir the cheese and yogurt together and put a large dollop in the middle of the hot soup. Use the tip of a knife to pull the mixture out from the middle in several radiating arms. A few grapes add a dash of color.

Cinquo de Mayo

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This widely-celebrated holiday is greatly misunderstood.  When Napoleon Bonepart was working on being emperor of the world, he installed his sister and her husband on the throne of Mexico.  The pair were inept rulers and the populace rose up to depose them.  Decades later, on May 5, 1862, France invaded Mexico, which had defaulted on debts.  When a tiny force of locals defeated the French army, Voila! Cinquo de Mayo!  This year it occurs on a Fasting Thursday and you have two choices: Fast on a different day, or just binge.  [The latter is not recommended]

Here are several tried and true recipes for Mexican-inspired meals which are consistent with the Fasting Lifestyle.  Pick a breakfast, choose a dinner, skip the lunch/snacks, and maybe you can squeeze in a tiny shot of tequila [about 85 calories], if you are so inclined.  **

Tostada       PB  GF    posted in Mex-Morroc,              January 31, 2016                                                                       Breakfast Burrito  GF     posted in Seasonal Foods              September 27, 2015

Chile non Carne    PB  GF    posted in Go Wild            March 2, 2016                                                                          Chicken Quesadillas     GF      posted in Gunn & Grommet          April 13, 2016                                                     Seafood Tacos   PB  GF    posted in Amour Propre           February 21, 2016                                                             Chicken Cesar Salad     GF      posted in Oregano              April 6, 2016

 

**http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/healthy-drinks/cinco-de-mayo-10-alcoholic-drinks-avoid       This website tells of the calorie-bombs which pose as drinks for celebrating Cinquo de Mayo.  And it offers alternative beverages for any occasion, because eating in a healthy manner is an every-day idea.

Floralia

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The ancient Romans threw a 5 day festival in honor of Flora, the goddess of flowers and Spring.  In southern France, towns celebrate in early May with floral displays and parades of flower-bedecked floats. I like to recognize the season with meals based on flowers, fruits, and vegetables. We can celebrate Flora and the Fasting Lifestyle.  Put some fresh flowers on the table, use the flowered napkins, and eat your way to better health.

Ratatouille Eggs     292 cal       PB    [GF if you use GF bread]Ratatouille Egg-toast

1 piece 70-cal multi-grain bread [I use Nature’s Own]                                                                            one 2-oz egg                                                                                                                                                            ¼ cup Mediterranean Vegetables [see Saint Swithen’s Day from July 15, 2015]                                                                                    5-6 oz green smoothie or fruit smoothie or unpasturized apple cider                                         blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water

Toast the bread. Warm the vegetables briefly and spoon onto the toast. Fry the egg using a non-stick or cast iron pan and put the egg on top of the vegetables on the toast. Pour the beverages and you have a fine breakfast as well as a head-start on your 5 servings of vegetables for the day.

Shad with Chickpea Ragout    297 calories        13 g fat       7.5 g fiber       20 g protein    26.5 g carbs       62.7 mg Calcium      PB GF                                                                                                                                                    Shad fish used to be a highly-anticipated event of Spring. They ran up-river from the sea, heralded by the blooming of the Shad Bush [genus: Amelancher] , and were devoured for their flesh and roe. Now much more rare, their flesh is still delicious and full of Omega 3. The chickpea ragout is from Jacques Pepin and could be a meal in itself.Shad w: chickpea ragout

Chickpea Ragout         nb: entire batch has 484 calories, so break into portions      PB  GF  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   HINT: If you aren’t serving 4 people, freeze the remainder in single serving portions.

This is from Jacques Pepin’s Fast Food My Way. Of course he doesn’t mean my kind of ‘Fast Food,’ but Pepin has long been a proponent of healthy cooking. He presents this as a side dish, which for our purposes is best prepared with seafood or another protein source. If you want to eat it on its own, top it with some cheese.                                                                                     ½ tsp olive oil                                                                                                                                                          ½ cup diced onions                                                                                                                                              ½ cup scallions, chopped                                                                                                                                       1 Tbsp garlic, chopped                                                                                                                                          2 cups diced tomatoes, fresh or canned, drained                                                                                         1 and ½ cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed if canned                                                                                 ½ cup chicken stock                                                                                                                                                   ½ tsp salt  &  ½ tsp pepper

Heat the oil in a saute pan. Add the onion, scallion and garlic. Stir briefly over the heat then add the tomatoes, chickpeas, chicken stock,  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.

2 oz shad, boned                                                                                                                                                            1 Tbsp salsa verde I like Herdez brand: lots of flavor, next-to-no calories                                              2/3 cup chickpea ragout                                                                                                                                         3 oz snow peas

Put the shad in a small oven-proof dish and spoon the salsa verde on top. Turn the fish to coat on both sides. Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. String the snow peas and steam or boil until tender-crisp. Warm the chickpea ragout [in microwave, if using ragout made before] and plate it all. So-o-o-o easy!

NB: Can’t find shad? You could substitute 4 oz of swordfish or halibut or smelts or 3 oz salmon

Surf and Turf

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Sounds like a restaurant menu item, right?  The sort loaded with all the wrong calories.  Not this time!  The fish is in the morning and the meat is at night, all in the right proportion and all fitting into the Fasting Lifestyle.

Nordic Breakfast    297 calories    11.7 g. fat     6.8 g. fiber      15.5 g. protein    34.8 g carbs            117.5 mg Calcium     PBNordic Bfast

This is based on a recipe from the Fast Diet book, but I always thought it looked like a puny amount of food. Then I tried it and I sure changed my mind: this will fill you up, even without the smoothie! If you insist on the smoothie, you will add another 84 calories.

3 slices of Finn Crisp crackers                                                                                                                               2 oz smoked salmon                                                                                                                                                2 Tbsp whipped cream cheese                                                                                                                            2 rings red onion, thinly sliced                                                                                                                          ½ cup raspberries                                                                                                                                                    1 oz apple                                                                                                                                                                 blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                 NOTE: no smoothie

Carefully spread the cream cheese on the crackers. Divide the salmon among them. Arrange the onion rings atop the salmon. Slice the apple and pour your hot beverage.

Venison Salad: 286 cal       Venison is a healthier alternative to beef, as is bison.     GFVenison Salad

3 and ½ oz roasted venison                                                                                                                                  ¾ oz marinated mushrooms                                                                                                                                          1 oz roasted red pepper                                                                                                                                          1 slice dried pear                                                                                                                                                        2 cups lettuce                                                                                                                                                                1 tsp olive oil                                                                                                                                                            ½ tsp balsamic vinegar                                                                                                                                         3 oz broccoli

Slice the roasted venison into pieces less than 1/2” thick or into large chunks. Whisk the olive oil and vinegar together, then toss with the lettuce and mushrooms. Place on a salad plate. Arrange the meat on the salad and arrange the red pepper and broccoli on top. Dice the pear and sprinkle over all.

The Dreaded Buffet

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You are on a trip or at a professional dinner meeting or at a party and there it is, the nemesis of the dieter: The Buffet Table. An invitation to over-eat if ever there was one!  In the name of science, I have conducted an experiment with buffets.  So far the ‘n’ = 2, which means that I’ve done this twice, but I will persevere in collecting these data.

The setting is a semi-annual professional meeting which I attend.  The dinner is buffet-style, preceded by happy hour.  The day of the week is Thursday.  Fasting Lifestyle must continue.

Breakfast:  any of the usual Thursday breakfasts would apply here, since they are omelettes which means lots of protein and few carbs.      300 calories max

Lunch: I drink 8 oz skimmed milk in the early afternoon, so dinner doesn’t see me so hungry that I misbehave.  No snacking!                                  90 calories

Dinner: One glass red wine purchased at happy hour and sipped all through dinner. The wine could be omitted, but this is for science, right?  Salad and bread are served. Pass on the bread and pass on the creamy, gooey, fat-filled salad dressings. I eat the entire salad with salt and pepper. I made sure to drink a lot of water throughout the meal.buffet salad

At the buffet, I pass on the potatoes and the rice pilaf. In the trade, those are called ‘plate-fillers’ and that’s why they are presented first.  I fill 1/3 of the plate with the mixed vegetables. Of the 3 entrees, I skip the deep-fried chicken and choose instead the seafood casserole and the sirloin tips.                                       calories: unknownbuffet dinner

A dessert of apple crisp is served.  This could have been waved away, but I ate it.

Results: 1st time I did this, I my weight did not change at all the next day!  The second time, my weight dropped the next day by 0.4 pounds.  My conclusion is that if you are serious about your commitment to proper eating, you can face the buffet with common sense and confidence.