How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow, for a calorie total of less than 600. On another day this week, eat the meals from a different post, another day of eating 600 calories or less. Eat sensibly the other days of the week. That’s it: a simple way to lose weight and be healthier. Join me in the Fasting Lifestyle. Welcome to baltimoreteacher who is now Following.

Armed soldiers in the streets. Legitimate protesters out in force. Shots ring out, protesters are dead. Does this sound as if it were ripped from the current headlines? No, this was May 4, 1970, in Kent, Ohio, USA. The Viet Nam war had been going on for five years, and more and more young Americans were being pressed into the fight. Protests were frequent, especially on college campuses. Were the students being ‘woke’? No, they were being drafted to fight in an unpopular war, and they were afraid for their lives. President Richard Nixon had campaigned on a promise to end the war, and it seemed to be true. But in April, the US escalated by bombing Cambodia. On May 1, college students across the nation were out in force, protesting. At Kent State University, students went downtown that Friday night to visit the bars and relax. Somehow, things got testy: bottles were thrown, fires were started, windows got broken. The mayor closed the bars, and things got worse. The mayor consulted with the governor, and by Sunday, May 3, the campus was occupied by 1000 National Guard troops. Inflammatory words by the governor heightened the tensions. On Monday, May 4, 3000 students/protestors/observers gathered on campus to protest not the war, but the presence of the Guard who were armed with tear gas and live ammunition. The students were unarmed [OK, glass Coke bottles and rocks were available] and were planning a peaceful rally. The Guard and University officials were expecting the worst, so they announced that the rally would be canceled. The students did not disperse, however, so the Guard began marching toward the crowd. The students retreated, and the guard then marched away from them. But suddenly, 28 Guardsmen turned and fired into the crowd. Were they in danger? The nearest student to be struck was 30 feet away, some as far as 250 feet. Around 64 shots were fired in 13 seconds. Four students were killed, 11 were wounded. It became known as the Kent State Massacre. Neil Young wrote the anthem of the time in response: his song “Ohio” was played at all the marches and demonstrations that followed in May of 1970. An inquiry was held, the state of Ohio paid reparations, a statement was issued expressing regret over the incident, America was changed. In some ways, the Kent State Massacre paved the way for the Watergate Burglary and the downfall of President Nixon. That is what happened then. What will happen here and now?

Good, simple mid-Western food soothes the soul.

Western Bake: 160 calories… 5.4 g fat… 4 g fiber… 7.4 g protein… 24.4 g carbs… 42 mg Calcium…  NB: The food values given above are for the egg bake and fruit only, not the optional beverages. PB GF  My father taught me to love a good Western Sandwich. So it seemed natural to incorporate that flavor combination in a breakfast. And it’s a winner.

++1 two-oz egg ++++ 2 oz green pepper++++ 2 tsp ketchup++++ 2 oz onion ++++ 3 oz pear ++++  Optional: blackish coffee [53 calories] or blackish tea or mocha cafe au lait[65 calories] ++++  Optional: 5-6 oz fruit smoothie or berry-yogurt smoothie [88 calories]++  Optional: 2 tsp ketchup to top the cooked eggs ++

Chop the pepper and onions and cook: either in the microwave or by poaching in water. Drain and combine with the ketchup. Whisk with the eggs, salt and pepper to taste. Spritz an oven-proof ramekin or other dish with non-stick spray. Pour in the egg mixture and bake at 350 F. for 12-15 minutes. Plate with the fruit, pour the beverages, add more ketchup. Yee-haaw, that’s a breakfast!

Chicken Salad with Cucumber Salad: 209 calories.. 3 g fat .. 6 g fiber.. 22 g protein.. 24.6 g carbs.. 93 mg Calcium..  PB HINT: This recipe serves 2 [two].  Real home cooking, on the simple and easy side.

++2/3 cup Chicken Salad chez moi ++++ ½ cup Swedish Cucumber Salad ++++  3 Finn Crisp crackers ++++ 4 sugar snap peas +++ 2 oz sliced tomatoes OR 6 cherry tomatoes++

To the chopped chicken meat, add the ricotta, Sriracha, and cilantro. Stir to combine, adding salt and pepper to taste and more Sriracha to moisten. Heap it on the plates and add the side dishes. This is good food.

**Chicken Salad, chez moi makes 1 cup — ½ cup= 121 calories 3 g fat 0 g fiber 10 g protein 1.4 g carbs 88 mg Calcium  ++5 oz cooked chicken breast ++ 4 Tbsp part-skim ricotta ++2 tsp yellow Sriracha ++2 Tbsp cilantro leaves, chopped++ salt & pepper to taste ++ optional: 2 Tbsp minced onion ++ 2 Tbsp mined celery ++ Chop, shred or grind the chicken. Combine with the other ingredients. Taste for seasoning, adding more Sriracha if too dry.

SWEDISH CUCUMBER SALAD: 1 cup = 2 servings  PB GF

each serving = 23 calories.. 0.1 g fat .. 0.3 g fiber.. 0.4 g protein .. 5 g carbs.. 14 mg Calcium..  1 cup sliced cucumber — 1.5 tsp sugar –1 oz white wine vinegar — ½ tsp cold water — salt and freshly ground pepper –½ tsp dill

Combine sugar, vinegar, water, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Slice cucumbers, spread them out on towels and pat dry. Stir the cukes into the liquid, wetting all the slices. Chill for at least one hour.