Giorno Quaranta

The beachside cabin where we had our "couples hot-stone massage".

The view from our hotel room, courtesy of Tofino, British Columbia.

The sun poked its head out this morning. That's how I feel about life right now. Some brightness has set in. Pockets of light.

I'll have more to report on later today. It's only about 10:00 am as of now.

In the meantime, I just wanted to wish you all a joyful New Year. I truly hope 2009 will help bring us all closer to our goals. I'll keep trying to better myself and to be a supportive member of our community - just as you have all been to me. :-) Thank you one and all.

Wednesday - December 31, 2008

10:00 am

+ a cup of coffee with a splash of half-and-half

11:00 am

+ two sunny-side up eggs and a few spoonfuls of my wife's scrambled eggs

+ several slices of bacon

+ two chicken sausages

+ 1/2 of an herb-roasted tomato

2:30 pm

+ spicy prawns (shared)

+ hot bowl of seafood in cream-base (shared)

+ a glass of red wine (Shiraz)

5:00 pm

+ half-cup of coffee with a splash of half-and-half and a little Splenda

8:00 pm (pictures to come)

+ oysters on a half-shell with garlic spinach and topped with melted Asiago cheese (shared)

+ halibut and shrimp "salad" (shared)

+ grilled salmon with asparagus (shared)

+ leg of lamb with and Indian sauce (not sweet) and broccoli florets (shared)

+ a glass of red wine (Pinot Noir)

12:00 am

+ a sip of champagne


More to come ... I hope!

День тридцать девять

Have many of you traveled while LCing? It's a bit of a challenge. At least, I'm finding it to be so.

It's a rare meal that I can order straight off a menu. I've been doing my best to mix-and-match menu items. Making substitutions has been invaluable in that regard. Questions often need to be asked. A title on a menu doesn't always paint an accurate picture.

The absolute truth is that it's considerably harder, for me at least, to stick to an LC lifestyle with the relative uncertainty of being away from home. But, if you've been following my menus, you'll see that I haven't fallen off of the wagon. I have no idea what my weight will look like when I get back home. But, I'm fairly confident that I won't feel the need to hate on myself for having strayed too far from my menu-goals.

The key for me right now is to try and not let food be so important. I just make the best choices I can and I accept that it may require more effort and provide less satisfaction than it used to (when I was speeding my way to an early grave). This is a reality in my life. Maybe one day I will perceive it differently.

Tuesday - December 30, 2008

11:15 am

+ three sunny-side up eggs, a few slices of bacon, chicken sausage and Canadian bacon (bacon back)

+ a cup of coffee with splash of cream

3:30 pm (pictured above)

+ a sort of Caesars salad - romaine lettuce, grated Parmesan, not much dressing and topped with a few slices of prosciutto

+ a glass of red wine

8:00 pm

+ steamed oysters on a half-shell with cipollini onions and a red wine mushroom & bacon reduction

+ beef tenderloin with Brussels sprouts (these were the most delicious, tender tenderloin and Brussels sprouts I've ever eaten)

+ a glass of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon)

+ an assortment of cheeses (for dessert)

note: This was probably the best dinner I've had on this trip. Really satisfying :-)


More to come ... I hope!

Dia Trinta e Oito

Ah, small-airport cuisine.

What a day! Our flight from Vancouver to Vancouver Island (Tofino, to be exact) was canceled due to poor weather conditions - rain, snow, wind, poor visibility, etc.

So, our little airline arranged for us to take a limo to the ferry. The ferry took us to Vancouver Island. From there, a valiant driver guided us through icy roads, a snow storm and alternating rain and heavy fog. In the end, we made it to our destination ... very late at night.

Here's the post that I intended to put up yesterday:

Monday - December 29, 2008

9:00 am

+ 3/4 of a spinach, bacon and cheddar cheese omelet

+ one small chicken-herb sausage

+ a cup of coffee with a splash of cream

12:00 pm

+ a medium Americano coffee (black)

1:45 pm (pictured above)

+ a hamburger with bacon, American cheese and tomatoes (no bun)

7:30 pm

+ a cup of donut store coffee with a splash of cream

10:30 pm

+ a few pieces of smoke salmon with cream cheese and capers

+ several grilled shrimp in an herbed-butter sauce

+ baked Brie cheese and a few spoonfuls of olive tapenade

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

일 37

LC dry-rubbed, crispy pork riblets (just spices and herbs in the crust)

Bacon-wrapped scallops.

Today was our first full day in Vancouver. What a beautiful city.

There's snow piled high everywhere! It's unusual for Vancouver. Our cabbie, a 37 year Vancouver resident, says he's never seen it this white here. This is the type of weather we never really get in Southern California.

So far, I've been able to make fairly decent LC choices. I think my menus will also improve once we make it to Vancouver Island.

Here's what today looked like so far ...


Sunday - December 28, 2008

11:45 am

+ three-egg omelet filled with bacon, spinach and cheddar cheese

+ coffee with a splash of half-and-half

4:00 pm (pictured above)

+ bacon-wrapped scallops and dry-rub crispy pork riblets (bar food - but LC bar food)

+ a 6 oz glass of red wine (Tempranillo)

8:00 pm (shared meal - pics to come)

+ seared scallops, poached pork belly, creamed leeks, maple bacon froth
+ tuna tartare, asian pear, lemongrass and ginger dressing (only ate the tuna part) + braised lamb shank and creamed kale gratin 11:00 pm + 2 oz of raw almonds

More to come ... I hope!

天三十六

Not my picture. Our camera is packed somewhere in our suitcase!

This is the brand of sliced salami we often eat.

We're on the road. Well, kind of. Our first flight (to Vancouver) was canceled due to poor weather conditions. Ugh.

Hopefully we'll find an alternate route. It's been a tough morning but we're not giving up. All this aggravation will hopefully just add to the enjoyment of the R&R that's to come. :-)

We've arrived! It's about 12:00 am right now. Lots of snow everywhere. We just checked in and had a late night snack/dinner. And now it's time to dream.


Saturday - December 27, 2008

4:30 am !!!

+ a coffee whey protein shake - (4 oz of half-and-half, two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 1 packet of Also Salt and stevia + FOS and a teaspoon of instant coffee)

9:00 am

+ 3/4 of an avocado

+ 2 oz of sliced natural salami

3:00 pm

+ a cup of instant coffee with a packet of stevia + FOS and a splash of milk

6:00 pm (on the airplane!)

+ a homemade snack of sliced natural salami and aged Gouda cheese

11:00 pm (late night menu from room service)

+ smoked salmon plate with cream cheese

+ several grilled shrimp

+ double-cream Brie cheese


More to come ... I hope!

日35

I had a pedicure today!

I didn't get a chance to post my weight yesterday. So, I'm going to do that below.

note: And so it seems that I've lost almost another pound this passed week. I'm good with that. I hope to be in this for the long-term - learning along the way and making adjustments where needed.

We're heading off for a little R&R for the next week or so. I plan on continuing to post daily (barring any technical complications). But, my next weigh-in will probably be when we get back home. Or maybe they'll have a good scale where we'll be staying? Ah, the thought-processes of a LC blogger ...

note: I was a bit lite in the food department today. We had a lot to do to get ready for the trip. So, food had to take a back seat. I don't eat on the run very well.

_____________________________

This Week's Body Weight: 227.4 lbs.

This Week's Body Fat %: 35.7%

_____________________________

Last Week's Body Weight: 228.2 lbs

Last Week's Body Fat %: 38.2%
_____________________________

Two Week's Ago Body Weight: 230.6 lbs

Two Week's Ago Body Fat %: 36.9%
_____________________________

Three Week's Ago Body Weight: 231.8 lbs.

Three Week's Ago Body Fat %: 37%

_____________________________

Four Week's Ago Body Weight: 235.6 lbs.

Four Week's Ago Body Fat %: 38.9%

__________________________

Friday - December 26, 2008

10:15 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of instant coffee, 1 packets of stevia + FOS and hot water)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil (by the spoon, baby!)

12:15 pm

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (4 oz of heavy cream, 2 scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, two packets of Also Salt and one packet of stevia + FOS)

4:30 pm

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (4 oz of half-and-half, 2 scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, two packets of Also Salt and one packet of stevia + FOS)

9:15 pm

+ leftover carnitas and beef short rib

+ sauteed spinach

+ a glass of red wine



More to come ... I hope!

Day 34 - Christmas Day :)

The options: Some good, others a LCers nightmare.


"The Treats". I didn't touch 'em!

The main-course. Nice.

Too tired to say much. It was a fine day. I hope yours were fine days too.

The rest will hopefully speak for itself.


Thursday - Decemember 25, 2008

9:30 am

+ a cup of instant coffee with a few ounces of heavy cream, a packet of stevia + FOS

+ a tablespoon of coconut oil (by the spoon!)

11:00 am

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 4 oz of heavy cream, 2 packets of Also Salt and one packet of stevia + FOS)

2:00 pm (pictured above)

+ thinly sliced sopresata with green and black olives

+ a large glass of red wine (Merlot)

+ a few thick slices of beef roast

+ 1/2 cup of homemade mashed cauliflower

+ 1/4 cup of sauteed zucchini

5:00 pm

+ a cup of instant coffee with a splash of low-fat milk

8:00 pm

+ carnitas and sauteed spinach (leftovers)

+ a few tablespoons of sour cream

10:45 pm

+ thinly sliced natural salami

+ an avocado

+ a few slices of hard goat cheese and aged Gouda


More to come ... I hope!

Tag Dreiunddreißig

Vancouver Island

It's Christmas Eve. Last minute details and planning are keeping us occupied and then some. I'm sure many of you can relate.

Menu-wise, we're trying to eat everything that would otherwise go bad while we're away on holiday.

This weekend we'll depart for a trip to Vancouver Island and the city of Vancouver. It should be a beautiful, restful and re-energizing week of storm-watching and bonding with nature.

So far, I've managed to stay pretty much "on program" this holiday season. I'll know more about the results, of my passed week, tomorrow morning. Regardless of my scale-reading, I'm satisfied that I've not fallen off the wagon. The number on the scale will just help me to make any necessary adjustments - to what I'm already doing.

I hope you're all finding some joy and satisfaction as the holidays march on. I send you all my best wishes.


Wednesday - December 24, 2008

10:30 am

+ a cup of instant coffee with heavy cream and a packet of stevia + FOS

12:45 pm

+ 4 scrambled parmesan eggs - (4 omega-3 eggs, a dash of heavy cream, grilled onions, Also Salt, and parmesan cheese)

+ a medium avocado

4:00 pm

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of instant coffee, 2 packets of stevia + FOS, hot water and a couple of ounces of heavy cream)

+ psyllium fiber - (part of a periodic cleansing ritual)

8:00 pm

+ homemade vegetable soup - (ultra-fatty pork broth and broccoli florets ... blended into a smooth consistency)

11:15 pm

+ 1/2 cup homemade cauliflower

+ an herbed chicken thigh

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

Dia Trinta e Dois

The mad dash to Christmas continues. I bought some lavender essential oil to help us cope with all the stress.

I hope you all have a healthful and joyous holiday


Tuesday - December 23, 2008

10:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, 2 oz of heavy cream, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ one-to-two tablespoons of coconut oil - (by the spoon!)

12:00 pm

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (4 oz of heavy cream, 2 scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, two packets of Also Salt and one packet of stevia + FOS)

2:30 pm

+ 5 turkey-tomato "tacos" - (5 slices of turkey with a dollop of sour cream in the center and sliced tomato placed on the sour cream)

note: Pictures of these "tacos" were featured in yesterday's blog.

5:30 pm

+ a cup of instant coffee with approximately 2 oz of heavy cream and a packet of stevia + FOS

7:45 pm

+ homemade carnitas, guacamole and chile rellenos (stuffed with cream cheese and provolone cheese)

11:00 pm

+ approx. 2 oz. of sliced salami

+ sliced, sharp gouda cheese

+ a glass of merlot red wine


More to come ... I hope!

The 31st Day

Homemade Carnitas, Chile Rellenos & Guacamole!

Just fold and eat! Tomato "Tacos"!

The busier I get ... the less food becomes an issue ... if I plan. I think I'm starting to get the hang of this whole planning business. We have our home stocked with plenty of LC options. The only real issue is when we're out and about. And so far, that's worked out okay.

The key is not to panic - for me at least. Just make the best decision based on the current circumstances and make the optimal decisions when I have control over my menu.

I haven't been exercising much lately. But I have been moving around a lot. I know it's not the same. Though I wonder if it'll result in similar results at the scale. I'll know soon enough.

I hope you're all making your way through the holiday blitz well.

Jingle bells.


Monday - December 22, 2008

10:00 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil - (by the spoon!)

11:30 am

+ homemade vegetable soup - (homemade, ultra-fatty pork broth and broccoli ... blended smooth via my immersion blender)

2:45 pm (will post photos later)

+ turkey and tomato "tacos" - (natural turkey slices with a dollop of sour cream in the center and slices of Roma tomatoes on the bed of sour cream)

5:15 pm

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

7:30 pm (pictured above)

+ homemade carnitas, guacamole and chile rellenos (stuffed with cream cheese and provolone cheese)

10:45 pm

+ 5 slices of natural bacon

+ a large glass of red wine (a little larger than usual - in order to finish the bottle)


More to come ... I hope!

Day 30

slow-cooked pork butt with homemade mashed cauliflower

Sunday Football Brunch!

Today is our day to stay home, read the newspaper, watch football, watch movies and eat LC comfort food! We love Sundays!

On the menu tonight: slow cooked pork butt, with roasted tomatoes, garlic, onions, red pepper flakes, fresh ground pepper, salt and a dash of wine. We'll mound a bit of that onto some homemade mashed cauliflower. Pictures to come.

Apart from that, we're gearing up for the days before Christmas and our upcoming vacation. More on the vacation in the week to come.


11:00 am

+ one cup of instant coffee with a few ounces of heavy cream and a dissolving stevia tab

+ a tablespoon of coconut oil (by the spoon!)

12:30 pm (pictured above)

+ Sunday Football Brunch - (cheesy eggs: scrambled omega-3 eggs, a touch of cream, cheddar cheese, grilled onions on top, natural bacon all around!)

3:30 pm

+ one cup of instant coffee, with 2 oz of heavy cream and a packet of stevia + FOS

7:15 pm (pictured above)

+ homemade slow-cooked pork butt

+ 1/2 cup homemade mashed cauliflower

11:30 pm

+ a few slices of aged goat cheese

+ a glass of red wine



More to come ... I hope!

Dinner Pics Continued

aged goat and cow's milk cheeses

Loch Duart salmon a la plancha, creme fraiche beanaise

День 2$9$

New England diver sea scallops, roasted garlic confit, basil citrus aioli

Brussles sprouts, shallots, applewood smoked bacon

Fanny Bay oysters with onion mignonette and spicy red pepper sauce

steamed blue mussels, duck sausage, piquillio peppers, pistachio parsley pesto

Bohan Dillon Pinot Noir

Today is my brother-in-law's birthday. He's a wonderful guy and we're going to take him and as his wife out for dinner. There's a new Scandinavian restaurant that we'll be trying out. I do believe that'll be a first for me. I'll report back with pictures later.

-----------
update: The birthday dinner was sensational. The food was delicious. The company couldn't have been better.

I ate a lot. But my food choices were pretty LC. I didn't eat any off program foods. At the same time, I felt as though I was having a feast. Lots of variety and no feeling of deprivation.
-----------

I just found out some really exciting news. Really, really, really exciting news! It looks like I'm going to be a guest on Jimmy Moore's podcast show! Are you shocked? I am!

It turns out that my LC buddy Vadim expressed his desire for Jimmy to have me on as a guest. He must have made a heck of a pitch because I e-mailed Jimmy about it and to make a long story short ... it appears that it's going to happen! I just can't believe it!

How in the world did you manage this Vadim? :) Thanks a lot, Mr. V. What a fantastic opportunity. And, it certainly wouldn't have happened without your support, encouragement and advocacy!

At first, I panicked and thought, "What in the world am I going to talk about?" But after discussing it over with my wife and thinking it through, I decided that I'd like to give it a shot. I think we all have something of value to share and I've got some specific things that I'd like to talk to Jimmy about. I even have a few surprises in store for anyone who cares to listen.

Please wish me well, my LC friends. I'm stepping out into the great unknown!


Saturday - December 20, 2008

11:00 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil - (by the spoon!)

1:30 pm

+ a few ounces of leftover homemade chuck roast

+ homemade vegetable soup - (leftover ultra-fatty beef broth and asparagus spears ... blended into a creamy consistency via an immersion blender)

4:30 pm

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 2 oz of heavy cream, 2 oz of half-and-half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

7:00 pm (pictured above)

+ shared appetizers - (steamed mussels with roasted peppers and duck sausage + fresh oysters)

+ shared main courses - (plank-salmon with cream sauce + a grilled scallop + a side of baby Brussels sprouts with apple-smoked bacon)

+ a few slices of aged cow and goat cheese for dessert

+ a large glass of Pinot Noir

12:00 am

+ homemade vegetable soup - (homemade ultra-fatty chicken broth and broccoli, blended together into a smooth consistency)


More to come ... I hope!

Ημέρα είκοσι οχτώ

The One and Only In-n-Out Double Double ("Animal Style"/"Protein Style")

I did it! I made it through a really hard couple of weeks without cracking! No binging. No slip-ups. No self-sabotage!

Today marked my official last day on my current job. Overall, I'm happy about that. I have some concerns about the future but I'm feeling stronger than I have in ages. It's time for a change. A bigger change, in a smaller body!

I varied up today's menu a bit. I handled spicing up lunch myself and my lovely wife brought home an incredibly delicious dinner. A reward for a hard week's battle.


Friday - December 19, 2008

7:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil - (by the spoon!)

9:00 am

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 2 oz of heavy cream, 2 oz of half-and-half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

2:00 pm

+ 3 spinach-feta chicken sausages

+ homemade dip - (sour cream and olive tapenade mixed together)

6:45 pm

+ one cup of instant coffee with a few ounces of half-and-half and a dissolving stevia tab

7:30 pm (pictured above)

+ 2 In-n-Out "Double Doubles" - "animal-style", "protein style" - (two 100% beef patties, grilled onions and two slices of tomato per DD)

note: I didn't eat the lettuce.

11:00 pm

+ a whole avocado, sliced

+ 4 slices of prosciutto

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

Giorno Ventisette

My Hearty, Spicy Vegetable Soup

I made it through the day. It's about 10:45 pm as I type this.

The holiday/farewell lunch was stressful and uncomfortable but well-intentioned and not without it's high-points. As you'll see, I opted not to eat anything at the event. I know that probably sounds strange. But, we met at an arts-and-crafts kind of place called, "Color Me Mine". The whole concept behind this place is that you pick out an unadorned, un-glazed piece of pottery and you paint it. Then, you leave the painted pottery there. They glaze it in their commercial oven and you pick it up several days later.

Anyhow, as you can tell, there were other things going on besides the food. The food was pretty much an after-thought. My colleagues ordered from a local deli and ate while they painted. I just couldn't stomach that. I was too stressed to pick apart deli food at my painting station. So, I just had a coffee, with half-and-half, prior to the lunch and in the afternoon. Truth be told, there was so much going on I didn't really miss eating that much. In fact, as you will see, I didn't even eat much right when I arrived home. I just wanted to make some hearty soup and breathe a little.

I can't wait for the weekend ...

Oh yeah, today was my weigh-in day. Here are my stats:

_____________________________

This Week's Body Weight: 228.2 lbs

This Week's Body Fat %: 38.2%
_____________________________

Last Week's Body Weight: 230.6 lbs

Last Week's Body Fat %: 36.9%
_____________________________

Two Week's Ago Body Weight: 231.8 lbs.

Two Week's Ago Body Fat %: 37%

_____________________________

Previous Body Weight: 235.6

Previous Body Fat %: 38.9%

__________________________

Thursday - December 18, 2008

7:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil - (by the spoon!)

9:00 am

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 2 oz of heavy cream, 2 oz of half-and-half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

12:00 pm

+ one cup of instant coffee with a few ounces of half-and-half and a dissolving stevia tab

5:00 pm

+ one cup of instant coffee with a few ounces of half-and-half and a dissolving stevia tab

7:00 pm (pictured above)

+ homemade vegetable soup - (ultra-fatty beef broth and broccoli florets, blended into a smooth consistency)

9:45 pm

+ 2 homemade herbed chicken thighs

+ 1/4 cup of homemade mashed cauliflower

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

일 26

There are two days to go before work ends for the year. It'll be a hectic two days. But, just two more days nonetheless.

Tomorrow I'll face an emotional department lunch. I don't know where we're eating but I'll do the best I can.

The lunch will likely be emotional for three reasons. A) My boss is undergoing chemotherapy. B) One of my colleagues may not be able to attend due to illness. She's been out with severe, chronic headaches for a few months now. C) Friday will be my final day at this position. I've been working with some of these people for almost five years.

Needless to say, I've been trying to tie up a lot of loose ends. That's my current circumstance. I hope it all turns out well enough.


10:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ two tablespoons of coconut oil - (by the spoon!)

1:15 pm

+ left over tuna salad mix - (tuna packed in olive oil, sour cream, olive tapenade, Harissa spice mix and Also Salt)

+ a few thin slices of Parmesan cheese

4:45 pm

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, 2 oz of heavy cream, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

7:00 pm (pictured above)

+ homemade herbed chicken thighs - (olive oil, chopped onions, garlic, poultry spice blend, sea salt and a pepper-blend)

+ 1/2 cup mashed cauliflower

+ 1/2 cup sauteed garlic-broccoli

10:30 pm

+ 1/2 avocado - sliced and wrapped in prosciutto (3 slices)


More to come ... I hope!

天二十五

Sour Cream Tomato Islands

I'm just trying to hang on right now people. I'm really tired. Last nights sleep was really restless. Long days.

The rest of this week is probably going to continue to be tough. On the upside, I haven't felt strongly tempted to eat on the dark side.

I'm sorry I haven't visited and commented on many of your sites as much as I'd like to. Next week should allow me more time to do that. I'll look forward to then.


Tuesday - December 16, 2008

7:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil - (by the spoon!)

9:00 am

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 2 oz of heavy cream, 2 oz of half-and-half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

1:30 pm

+ homemade tuna salad mix - (tuna packed in olive oil, sour cream, black olive tapenade, harissa spice mix and Also Salt)

3:30 pm

+ one cup of instant coffee with a few ounces of half-and-half and a dissolving stevia tab

7:30 pm

+ leftover homemade chuck roast

+ 1 cup homemade mashed cauliflower

10:30 pm (pictured above)

+ two small Roma tomatoes (sliced) topped with sour cream and placed on natural salami rounds

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

Tag Zwanzig Vier

D-Day part two. My second trip to the dentist.

It rained for most of today. Even when it stopped, it was cold, dark and gloomy. In other words, it was the perfect type of day to break out the slow-cooker. :)

Monday - December 15, 2008

10:00 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil - (by the spoon!)

12:00 pm

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 2 oz of heavy cream, 2 oz of half-and-half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

3:15 pm

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 2 oz of heavy cream, 2 oz of half-and-half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

5:00 pm

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

7:00 pm

+ homemade chuck roast - (chuck roast, chopped onion and garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, cumin, canned roasted tomatoes and a splash of red wine)

+ 1/2 cup of homemade mashed cauliflower

11:00 pm

+ creamed spinach scrambled eggs - (leftover homemade creamed spinach and two eggs - all scrambled together)

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

Dag Drieëntwintig

This is the DVD that I'm experimenting with.

I tried to expand my horizons a bit today. To do so, I popped in an exercise DVD that contained a guided Chi-Gong session. It was interesting. I was left with two impressions after my session was complete.

#1 - I'm glad no one was here to see me perform these moves. I can only imagine how ridiculous I looked. Whatever the opposite of graceful is ... that's what I was.

#2 - I think Chi-Gong is Chinese for, "Let's confuse and torment the white man".

Having said all that ... I think I'll keep at the Chi Gong. If nothing else, it's got to be character building. Right?


Sunday - December 14, 2008

10:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil - (by the spoon!)

11:45 am

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 2 oz of heavy cream, 2 oz of half-and-half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

2:15 pm

+ homemade vegetable soup - (homemade ultra-fatty beef stock and broccoli florets - blended together to make a thick, creamy, hearty soup)

+ 5 small pork sausage links

4:45 pm

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ psyllium fiber (periodic cleanse)

5:30 pm (picture to come)

+ a DVD guided "Chi-Gong" session (about 20 minutes worth) and another 15 minutes of other guided exercises/torture

8:45 pm

+ homemade "tuna salad" - (tuna packed in olive oil, sour cream, grilled onions and horseradish mustard)

11:15 pm

+ 5 slices of prosciutto

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

Annual Holiday Boat Parade

Sorry the picture didn't come out clearer. Oh well ...

日22

My version of "Bangers and Mash"

I must allow the menu to speak for itself. I'm tap-dancing as fast as I can!


Saturday - December 13, 2008

11:45 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil - (by the spoon!)

1:30 pm

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 2 oz of heavy cream, 2 oz of half-and-half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

4:00 pm

+ 2 small Roma tomatoes sliced and topped with sour cream and aged Emml Appenzeller cheese

+ three slices of prosciutto

6:30 pm

+ one cup of instant coffee with a few ounces of half-and-half and a dissolving stevia tab

8:45 pm (pictured above)

+ four small pork sausages smothered in mashed cauliflower

11:30 pm

+ natural salami

+ blue cheese

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

Dia Vinte Um

Medium-Rare Rib Eye Steak with Homemade Creamed Spinach


It's Friday! Hooray! Happy dance! Happy dance!

I'm just finishing up some editing work and looking forward to heading home to be with my lady. We've got a rib-eye, sliced Roma tomatoes and creamed spinach on the menu for dinner tonight.

Oh baby! Look out for that picture later!


Friday - December 12, 2008

7:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil (by the spoon!)

9:00 am

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 2 oz of half-and-half, 2 oz of heavy cream, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

1:45 pm

+ homemade tuna salad - (tuna packed in olive oil, sour cream, horseradish mustard, grilled onions and Also Salt)

5:45 pm

+ one cup of instant coffee with a few ounces of heavy cream and a dissolving stevia tab

8:00 pm

+ sliced rib eye steak

+ homemade creamed spinach

11:00 pm

+ 6 thin slices of natural ham

+ 1 sliced avocado

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

Giorno Venti

Scallops A`la My Lovely Wife!

Commentary to come ...

Today was "weigh-in Thursday". Here are my stats:

_____________________________

Current Body Weight: 230.6 lbs

Body Fat %: 36.9%
_____________________________

Last Week's Body Weight: 231.8 lbs.

Last Week's Body Fat %: 37%

_____________________________

Previous Body Weight: 235.6

Previous Body Fat %: 38.9%

__________________________

So, I've lost an additional pound this week. It's not a lot. But, it does solidify last week's figures. Slow and steady is okay be me.


Thursday - December 11, 2008

7:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil (by the spoon!)

9:00 am

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 2 oz of half-and-half, 2 oz of heavy cream, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

1:30 pm

+ a lamb "burrito bowl" - (lots of homemade ground lamb with spices and grilled onions, sour cream and spicy salsa)

5:00 pm

+ one cup of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and about 2 oz of half-and-half

7:30 pm

+ grilled scallops in an lemon herb butter sauce

+ 3/4 of an avocado

10:30 pm

+ sliced natural salami

+ one Roma tomato bonanza (a sliced Roma tomato with sour cream and blue cheese on top)

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

Jour Dix-Neuf

Prosciutto-wrapped avocado-quarter.


Wednesday - December 10, 2008

Rough day mentally. I had a lot of negative-talk going on between my ears.

Still, I managed to get things done - menu-wise and otherwise. It just goes to show you ... you can feel like carbage and still plow forward.


9:45 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil (by the spoon!)

10:30 am

+ walking (with my lovely wife) on the treadmill - 10 minute warm-up, 30 minute high-intensity treadmill time and a 10 minute cool-down

11:30 am

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 4 oz of half and half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

2:30 pm

+ two large mugs of homemade vegetable soup - (lots of fatty broth from the short rib dinner, frozen asparagus spears and some Also Salt)

note: This is one of the side-benefits of making meals with a "slow-cooker". The broth that's left behind makes a lovely base for any vegetable soup.

I like to heat up the ultra-fatty broth with frozen veggies. When everything gets nice and warm, I blend the mixture into a smooth soup by way of my handy-dandy immersion blender. *

This tastes really yummy to me. It's rich, full-bodied and it allows me to easily consume a large quantity of healthy veggies. Meat broths are also very good for you.

* Immersion blenders (sometimes known as "stick blenders") are one of my favorite inventions of all time. I highly recommend investing in one, if you like to cook.

7:30 pm

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 2 oz of half and half, 2 oz of cream, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

9:30 pm

+ leftover short rib

+ 1/4 mashed cauliflower

+ one avocado wrapped in slices of prosciutto

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

Dag Achttien

This is what I didn't have at tonight's Christmas Party!

Wish me luck. Tonight is our office Christmas party! I'll let you know how it went later tonight ...

Update 10:45 pm - I'm back home now. I just had a satisfying LC snack and I'm ready to proclaim ... I did not succumb to the temptation of pepperoni pizza, free soda & spirits and crouton-laden Caesar salad! Hooray!

What I did do is prepare ahead of time. I brought a hearty dinner to have prior to going to the bowling alley for the party. I ate my LC dinner, drank my nutritional supplements and then departed for an evening of knocking down bowling pins with my colleagues.

I had thought that I might enjoy a drink or two, to mellow myself out. But, it seemed like the only thing on tap was beer and mixed-drinks. I'm not a beer or mixed-drink kind of guy. Red wine's my game. So, I just stuck with bottled-water.

All told, not a bad evening. I got some exercise (bowling). I hung out with some cool people and I "stuck to my guns".

I'll chalk this up as a victory.


Tuesday - December 9, 2008

7:15 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, a packet of stevia + FOS and a packet of Also Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil (by the spoon!)

9:00 am

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 4 oz. of half-and-half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

1:30 pm

+ one cup of "lamb burrito bowl" - (ground lamb sauteed with onions, two tablespoons of spicy salsa, sour cream and Also Salt)

3:45 pm

+ a cup on instant coffee with a few ounces of half-and-half and a dissolvable tab of stevia

6:00 pm

+ one cup of "lamb burriot bowl" - (ground lamb sauteed with onions, two tablespoons of spicy salsa, sour cream and Also Salt)

10:15 pm

+ 2 small Roma tomatoes

+ sour cream

+ blue cheese

+ salami

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

Dia Dezessete

"Choco-Coffee" deconstructed

It's about 9:15 pm over here and I'm getting a late start to the blog today. Sorry about that.

I got a lot of encouragement today via comments from you, my LC blogging friends. Thank you for that. It really helps me out.

On with today's menus!


Monday - December 7, 2008

10:15 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also-Salt)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil - by the spoon!

11:45 am

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 4 oz of half-and-half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also-Salt)

2:00 pm

+ walked on treadmill - (10 minute warm-up and cool-down and 30 minutes on the treadmill)

3:30 pm

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 4 oz of half-and-half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also-Salt)

5:00 pm

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also-Salt)

6:45 pm

+ leftover beef short ribs

+ 1/2 cup of mashed cauliflower

10:45 pm

+ 4 ham and tomato "tacos" - (4 pieces of sliced natural ham with a dollop of sour cream in the middle and 2 sliced Roma tomatoes piled on the sour cream)


More to come ... I hope!

Sunday Dinner

Beef Short Ribs on a bed of Mashed Cauliflower

The photograph's a little fuzzy but the flavor was anything but! Now that's comfort food! We both loved this dish. The meat was so tender. Fall-off-the-bone tender.

Added carbs would have added nothing to this meal.

天16

We had a beautiful visitor this fine Sunday afternoon. We took a picture of him so you could all share in her or his beauty.

This is a type of bird called a Heron. Neighbors come and go but the herons remain.

http://www.earthlife.net/birds/herons.html

Please click on the picture to get a closer view.


Sunday - December 7, 2008

10:15 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and a few ounces of half-and-half)

+ one tablespoon of coconut oil (straight from the jar - not bad)

12:00 pm

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 4 oz of half-and-half, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also-Salt)

http://www.nowfoods.com/index.php?action=itemdetail&item_id=103566

http://alsosalt.com/

2:30 pm

+ a small homemade salmon fillet (leftover - but still delicious!)

+ 1/2 cup of creamed spinach

4:15 pm

+ one cup of "choco-coffee lite" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and a packet of Also-Salt)

6:30 pm (pictured above)

+ beef short ribs

+ 1/2 cup of mashed cauliflower

11:15 pm

+ sliced, natural salami

+ blue cheese

+ one avocado

+ a glass of red wine



More to come ... I hope!

일 15

It's Saturday and I'm working from home. I've recently started a new project. It involves writing about natural health on the Internet. This has been an interest of mine for many years and I've dabbled in and around the natural health industry for most of life - both professionally and personally.

The two things I've always been drawn too are a) films and b) alternative medicine. I've had the good fortune of having the opportunity to work in both fields. But, I'd always hoped to find a way to be able to do both things at once. In the past, I've had limited success in marrying these two interests. But, for whatever reason, an opportunity recently presented itself and I took it.

So now I find myself trying to manage two Internet projects. This is a big change. And it's quite a bit of work. But, I think that's part of what's helped me to stay on a healthier path. I just don't have the time to mess around with unimportant things anymore. Less TV. Less unfocused Internet surfing. A lot less daydreaming. A lot more living.

I want to thank you all for your part in this new life. Reading your blogs and seeing your effort and your struggles helps me to try to be strong. Knowing that some of you are reading what I write and are interested in my choices and my successes and failures also helps to keep me going.

As part of my on-going commitment to change for the better, I plan on taking a walk this afternoon. The weather here is beyond beautiful. It's in the low-70's, if you can believe it! We call this Winter here in Southern California.

I think that's all for now. Y'all be well.


Saturday - December 6, 2008

10:00 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and a few ounces of half-and-half)

12:00 pm

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 4 oz of half-and-half and a packet of stevia + FOS)

3:15 pm

+ 1/2 cup of mashed cauliflower

+ 1/2 cup of seasoned ground beef

+ 3 slices of natural bacon

6:15 pm

+ 1/2 freshly made mashed cauliflower

7:00 pm

+ 1/2 hour walk on a treadmill + 10 minutes warm-up and 15 minute cool-down

8:00 pm

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 4 oz of half-and-half and a packet of stevia + FOS)

10:30 pm (pictured above)

+ sliced leg of lamb

+ homemade creamed spinach

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

Giorno 14

It was a long day at the office. I'm just going to let the picture and food speak for themselves, ladies and gents.

Tomorrow morning I shall (hopefully) sleep and restore my depleted energy levels.

All my best to all of you.


Friday - December 5, 2008

7:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, hot water, one packet of stevia + FOS and a splash of half-and-half)

9:00 am

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 4 oz of half-and-half and one packet of stevia + FOS)

1:15 pm

+ one cup of "burrito in a bowl" - (ground meat, spicy salsa, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese and a dash or two of Also Salt)

http://alsosalt.com/

3:30 pm

+ one cup of instant coffee with a few ounces of half-and-half and a dissolving stevia tab

7:00 pm (pictured above)

+ salmon fillet - (with some cumin, black pepper, sea salt, a tablespoon of Asian marinade and a squeeze of lemon and olive oil)

+ 3/4 of an avocado

+ 1/2 cup of mashed cauliflower

10:30 pm

+ 5 turkey-broccoli "tacos" - (five turkey slices, a dollop of sour cream on each, topped with a heaping of sauteed broccoli and garlic)

+ 5 slices of natural bacon

+ a glass of red wine


More to come ... I hope!

Mmm Mmm Good!

Dinner for Thursday, December 4th 2008. One of my favorite meals.

Ημέρα 13

Chris Elliot in the cult classic, Cabin Boy.

Thursday is my weigh-in day. And on every Thursday, I walk the path to myTanita body weight and body fat scale much like a fancy lad walks the plank of a pirate ship.

Well, much like a fancy lad that's lost almost four pounds and nearly 2% of his body fat - in a week's time!

Not bad, eh? I'm keeping it all in proper perspective, but I do believe this is something to be thankful for.

We'll know more about where I'm really at next week, I suppose. I'll be here. I hope you will be too.

Current Body Weight: 231.8 lbs.

Body Fat %: 37%

Previous Body Weight: 235.6

Previous Body Fat %: 38.9

Thursday - December 4, 2008

7:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons or pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, a packet of stevia + FOS and a few ounces of half-and-half)

9:00 am

+ a vanilla whey protein shake - (two scoops of natural vanilla whey protein powder, 4 oz of half-and-half and a packet of stevia + FOS)

1:30 pm

+ a homemade low-carb burrito bowl - (ground beef, sour cream, spicy salsa and a little grated cheddar cheese)

4:00 pm

+ one cup of instant-coffee, one quick-dissolving stevia tab and about 3oz of half-and-half

http://www.nunaturals.com/products/stevia.html

7:30 pm (pictured in the following post)

+ 3/4 of a large rib-eye steak

+ 1/2 cup of sauteed broccoli and garlic

+ 1/4 cup of mashed cauliflower

10:30 pm

+ natural, smoked salmon

+ approx. 2 oz of cream cheese

+ a glass of red wine

More to come ... I hope!