Is it back sliding when you automatically are drawn to books about food? They say you can't tell a book by it's cover but I am attracted to books with french pastry on the cover.

Yes, dear reader, just like Pavlov's dogs I begin to drool at the mere thought of french pastries so of course I was a goner when I saw this book at the library. I checked it out and was delightfully surprised that I enjoyed it so much.

The story is about a 20 something girl who moves to France to attend a Culinary school and become a pastry chef. It deals with many issues, such as loneliness, uncertainty, as well as adapting to a foreign culture .

What I especially liked about this book is the author's perspective of "Where is God in all of this?" Lexi, finds a church that has services in English and reaches out to French speaking people with an offer to learn and practice English as a way to get better jobs.

One thing the heroine learns is that "food taste better when you are hungry." Lexi is away from her friends, family and culture and discovers that God can be heard more clearly when He is all that is left. The book was entertaining as well as uplifting. (not to mention .....some killer reciepes!)

Labels: Book review

Exactly one year ago I had lap-band surgery. Now 55 pounds later I can say it was worth it. I still struggle with my weight and will always have to be diligent in making wise choices.

Before I had the surgery I was told that this surgery is a tool. It helps but you still have to do the work . I still have to drag my body around and make it exercise.

Eating is a challenge. I am cooking more than I ever have. My capacity is limited but I still can eat things that are fattening (I usually pay a price for it but you know me....I always have to push the limits.)

Mr. Wonderful gave me Ghiradeli Intense Dark Chocolate. It is full of antioxidants and better for you. It's actually on the flat belly diet. As you can see....I'm a little over anxious to dig in!

I did pretty well at my mom's house. Of course she didn't listen and made our favorite dishes. I did eat them but had small portions. I haven't weighed because I'm in denial right now. It was a good visit though and she is in good spirits.

So today is Monday.....My traditional day for getting back to the diet. So here's to the next 55 pounds and hopefully more.

Daisy Dilemma: What day of the week do you usually start your diet?

Labels: One year ago today

Oh No! How come every time you think you've come across something really good some body ( Mr. Wonderful) has to squash it?

Mr. Wonderful gave me several websites and even printed them out that says the Flat Belly Diet is a scam.

The reasons listed were :



1. The book cost 31.95 ( I bought Woman's World at the grocery store for $1.79)

2. One author claimed, "We have found the cure for belly fat." ( I agree that this is a red flag statement, anything that sounds too good to be true usually is.)

3. No exercise needed ( but highly recommended). ( always read the fine print.)

4. The basic diet is one of calorie restriction. ( well, duh? That's why it is called a diet!)

5. Every meal should have a MUFA (MonoUnsaturatedFattyAcid). This is a dead give away for a scam because it's the part where they put in the "magic" ( MUFA's are part of the so-called good fats.They come in 5 groups...certain nuts, certain oils, seeds, olives, avocodos, and dark chocolate. These foods are also found in the Mediterranean diet what has long been known to provide health benefits.

6. The diet alleges to hone in on belly fat. If you restrict your diet you will lose weight and some of it will come off your belly as well as other parts of your body. ( All I know is that I've lost 4 pounds and 2 inches off my belly and no where else.)

Over all there was nothing dangerous or bad about the diet. Everyone agrees restricted calories, exercise and good fats are healthy. No food group is restricted such as breads or fruits in low carb diets.

Bear in mind.....It seems to be working for me. I'm not hungry, I've had a small measure of success already, we are incorporating more vegetables in our diet and stir frying is fun, easy and tasty. The coconut oil is available locally, and any diet that tells me I need to eat two muffins a day is a winner in my book. We are also eating with chopped sticks . It gives the meal a little extra challenge and since I'm not good with chopsticks it certainly slows down my eating. So far it's all good. I'll keep you posted .

Labels: diet scams, Flat belly diet

I'm melting, melting.....ok, so maybe not as fast as I would like but I've lost an inch from my waist and so has Mr. Wonderful. I thought it was pretty good considering we've only been on this diet (Flat belly Diet) since Sunday.

I lost 4 pounds instantly. Mr. Wonderful conveniently forgot to weigh himself before we started. I pretty much stick close to the diet. He has modified it a great deal but does a lot of loading, lifting and physical work so burns the extra calories.

We've been having egg beaters with cheese in the morning using the coconut oil for cooking. Since we go through 4 muffins a day I baked two dozen yesterday just to get us through the weekend. In the evening I've been stir frying with the coconut oil. So it's going really well. We are eating better than we normally do and already seeing results. I'm a happy camper!

The spoiler will be this weekend. We are going to see my mom so it will be interesting to see how close we can stick to it and not be offensive to my mom.

Sigh, Raise your right hand and repeat: I will not eat things that will hamper my weight loss just to make my momma happy!

Daisy Dilemma: Other than" just say no" do you have any suggestions for turning down "your very favorite, I made it just for you thing?"

Labels: Flat belly diet

Sounds like good advice. How come everything that taste good is usually bad for you. Seems like I've been gaining and losing the same 4 pounds for weeks now. I lose it.....indulge....gain it back....work really hard...lose it... indulge....gain it back.....do you see a pattern here?

Seems I'm always looking (wishing) for a way to lose weight without any effort on my part. I know it won't happen but I'm the eternal optimist.

My "latest fad" is coconut oil. The Columbia University Flat-belly diet. According to Dr. Oz belly fat is really bad for you and can lead to heart attacks, strokes, etc. The diet is 1500 calories a day and four belly-flattening teaspoons of coconut oil.

Breakfast: 1 egg scrambled with 1 Tbs. low-fat cheese, 1 cup berries, 1 Belly Flattening Muffin or 1 apple with1 Tbs peanut butter, 1 cup lite yogurt, 1 belly flattening muffin or
1 cup fat free milk, 1 banana, 1 belly flattening muffin.

Morning Snack: 1 Super belly flattening muffin

Lunch: 1/2 can water packed tuna, 1/4 cup diced vegetables, 1 Tbs lite Mayo, 1 slice Fat-free cheese, 1 whole wheat pita, 3/4 cup grapes or

2/3 cup cooked whole wheat pasta, 1/4 cup each sliced carrots, bell peppers,celery, and low-fat cheese, 2 Tbs lite dressing , 1 pear or

2 oz lean deli meat, 1 diced hard boiled egg, 1/4 cup low fat cheese, 3 cups salad, 2 Tbs lite dressing, 4 whole-grain crackers or 1/2 whole-wheat pita

Dinner: 3 Oz skinless chicken breast chucks, 1-2 cups frozen Asian -style veggies and 1 tsp garlic stir-fried in 2-3 Tbs. low sodium soy sauce with 2 tsp. coconut oil, 3/4 cup brown rice. or

3 oz lean steak, 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce, 1 cup sliced mushrooms sauteed in 1 tsp coconut oil, 1 small baked sweet potato, 1 tsp coconut oil, 1 cup green beans. or

6 oz cod or flounder broiled with 1 tsp. coconut oil and seasoning to taste, 3/4 cup brown rice or boiled potato with 1 tsp coconut oil and 1 Tbs.Parmesan, 1 cup steamed broccoli

Snack: choose one daily
2 Tbs raisins, 8 almonds, 8 tiny pretzel twists or
1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese, 1/2 cup berries, 1 Tbs. sunflower seeds or
2/3 coup light yogurt, 1/3 chopped fruit, 2 tbs low-fat granola

Taken from Woman's World Front Page Feb.16

"Discover the little-known cooking oil that Melts 6 pounds and 3 inches of belly fat a week! Use it instead of olive oil or vegetable oil ....and lose up to 130 pounds"

Super Belly Flattening Muffins:

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbs. baking powder
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1 egg lightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mist muffin tin with cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix flour, oatmeal, sugar, baking powder and raisins. In small bowl, blend milk, oil, egg and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients;stir until just moistened. Fill 12 muffin cups almost full. Bake 18 to 20 minutes. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pan

Make 'em from a mix

Start with a fat-free mix that makes 12 muffins, such as Krsteaz Fat-free Cranberry-Orange Muffins. Prepare batter according to package instructions, then stir in an extra 1/4 cup melted coconut oil.

What the heck....I started it yesterday and lost the 4 pounds I gained. It doesn't taste bad, I like a diet that say you must eat 2 muffins a day! Supposedly it suppose to help you store less fat, burn extra calories, target you tummy flab and feel less hungry.

My grocery store carries coconut oil so I don't have to mail order it. Why not try.

Mr. Wonderful saw a young man at church the other day with a very large belly. He looked at me and said, "Don't ever let me get like that." So....he is on the same diet with moderation. He even let me measure his waist so we'll see if it works.

Daisy Dilemma: If it's too good to be true would you try it?

Labels: Flat belly diet