279

Don't know why but I had a horrendous night's sleep. I'm not sure you can even classify that as sleep. I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe it was the heat. Perhaps I was still wound up from the exciting evening. Anyhow, it is what it is. I'm tanking up on coffee and may slip away for a nap later ... if it's possible.

9:45 am

+ an LC Coffee Coconut Milk Shake - a few ounces of organic (full fat) coconut milk and cold water, a scoop of natural vanilla egg white protein, organic sprouted flax meal, 3 ice cubes, a tsp of organic instant coffee and a dash of organic stevia and Also Salt

12:30 pm

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee (2-3 tablespoons of organic cocoa powder, 1 tsp of organic instant coffee, 2 packets of stevia and inulin, a dash of Also Salt and hot water)

3:00 pm

+ a strong cup of organic white tea (3 tea bags worth)

5:15 pm

+ an LC ChocoCocoCoffee Protein Shake - a few ounces of organic shredded coconut and cold water, a scoop of natural vanilla whey protein, organic sprouted flax meal, 3 tbs of organic cocoa powder, 3 ice cubes, a tsp of organic instant coffee, a dash of organic stevia and Also Salt

7:30 pm

+ homemade "jerk" chicken salad and organic avocado slices

278

This evening we're having a few friends over. The plan: to have a delicious (Mad-made) LC dinner, some Scrabble play and then they'll watch Big Brother. I don't follow that show but will likely slip away to catch up on some e-mails or perhaps do some more prep for this week's Healthy Fellow columns.

I hope to post photos of tonight's feast later tonight or tomorrow. The meal will feature LC chili, guacamole and stuffed peppers. That much I know. I foresee LC cookies in our near future as well.

Along the way, we may even watch a little football. My wife is a New York Giants and Jets fan (a native New Yorker) and I'm a native Californian who's always followed the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It should be a fun day. Hope y'all are enjoying your Sunday as well.

11:00 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee (2-3 tablespoons of organic cocoa powder, 1 tsp of organic instant coffee, 2 packets of stevia and inulin, a dash of Also Salt and hot water)

1:00 pm

+ an LC Purple Tongue Maker - a few ounces of frozen wild organic blueberries, frozen organic raspberries, organic (full fat) coconut milk, cold water, a scoop of natural vanilla egg white protein, a dash of organic stevia and Also Salt

4:00 pm

+ a strong cup of organic white tea (3 tea bags worth)

Note: Eating light in preparation for tonight's feast!

6:30 - 9:00 pm (pics to come)

+ an assortment of fine cheese, spicy olives and a few Marcona almonds

+ LC Chicken Chili with the fixings - organic Jack cheese, organic sour cream and diced Roma tomatoes

+ homemade guacamole

+ 2 lower-carb version of Mad's Mean and Low Down Chocolate Walnut Cookies *

* The size of each cookie has been reduced. The same recipe now makes 25 cookies. Also, 2.5 cups of Splenda was used instead of 3 cups. This time, Mad used the "Dutched" cocoa. Overall, the taste was milder/smoother and still sweet enough. I'd say the degree of sweetness was improved actually.

11:00 pm

+ a strong cup of organic white tea (3 tea bags worth)

277

2:00 pm

+ an LC Coffee Coconut Milk Shake - a few ounces of organic (full fat) coconut milk and cold water, a scoop of natural vanilla egg white protein, organic sprouted flax meal, 3 ice cubes, a tsp of organic instant coffee and a dash of organic stevia and Also Salt

5:00 pm

+ several slices of natural sopressata topped with an Italian spinach dip

+ a few ounces of raw goat cheese

6:30 pm

+ a strong cup of organic white tea (3 tea bags worth)

9:30 pm

+ carnitas (from Whole Foods Market) and a feta and organic Jack cheese stuffed Pasilla pepper

12:00 am

+ a strong cup of organic white tea (3 tea bags worth)

+ 2 lower-carb version of Mad's Mean and Low Down Chocolate Walnut Cookies *

* The size of each cookie has been reduced. The same recipe now makes 25 cookies. Also, 2.5 cups of Splenda was used instead of 3 cups. This time, Mad used the "Dutched" cocoa. Overall, the taste was milder/smoother and still sweet enough. I'd say the degree of sweetness was improved actually.

276

Another hot one out here on the West coast. Lots of drinking as you can see. I'm fine with that. It's actually kind of pleasant break. It give my jaw a rest. :-)

In all likelihood, it's going to end up being a rather busy weekend. We have a few fun things planned but I'll wait to update on those until they come to pass.

I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for all the inspiration and support you provide us with. It's much appreciated!

10:30 am

+ an LC Coffee Coconut Milk Shake - a few ounces of organic (full fat) coconut milk and cold water, a scoop of natural vanilla egg white protein, organic sprouted flax meal, 3 ice cubes, a tsp of organic instant coffee and a dash of organic stevia and Also Salt

2:00 pm

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee (2-3 tablespoons of organic cocoa powder, 1 tsp of organic instant coffee, 2 packets of stevia and inulin, a dash of Also Salt and hot water)

4:00 pm

+ an LC Purple Tongue Maker - a few ounces of frozen wild organic blueberries, frozen organic raspberries, organic (full fat) coconut milk, cold water, a scoop of natural vanilla egg white protein, a dash of organic stevia and Also Salt

8:00 pm

+ a grilled salmon fillet with steamed broccoli (at the Casino)

5:30 am (you read that right)

+ an LC Peanut Butter Protein Shake - several ounces of cold water, a scoop of natural vanilla egg white protein, a few tbs of organic peanut butter, organic sprouted flax meal, a dash of organic stevia and Also Salt

275

Hot days = lots of icy protein shakes.

9:30 am

+ an LC Coffee Coconut Milk Shake - a few ounces of organic (full fat) coconut milk and cold water, a scoop of natural vanilla egg white protein, organic sprouted flax meal, 3 ice cubes, a tsp of organic instant coffee and a dash of organic stevia and Also Salt

1:00 pm

+ an LC ChocoCoffee Coconut Milk Shake - a few ounces of organic (full fat) coconut milk and cold water, a scoop of natural vanilla egg white protein, 3 tbs of organic cocoa powder, 1 scoop of organic sprouted flax meal, 3 ice cubes, a tsp of organic instant coffee and a dash of organic stevia and Also Salt

3:30 pm

+ a few slices of naturally roasted turkey slices, prosciutto and sopressata

+ a few ounces of an Italian spinach dip

6:00 pm

+ a cup of organic instant coffee (black)

7:30 pm

+ carnitas (from Whole Foods Market)

+ homemade spicy organic guacamole ala Wifey

+ a can of Hansen's Diet Black Cherry Soda

11:00 pm

+ a handful of raw organic almonds

+ an ounce or so of raw goat cheese

274

I tried to remember a quote for yesterday's blog entry and couldn't. It came to me this morning as I was typing a response to a comment by Oct.

"Don't think of your mistakes as failures. Think of them as bad examples."

Every triumph and stumble has the potential to inform and support others.

11:15 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee (2-3 tablespoons of organic cocoa powder, 1 tsp of organic instant coffee, 2 packets of stevia and inulin, a dash of Also Salt and hot water)

1:00 pm

+ an LC Peanut Butter and Coconut Milk Shake - a few tbsp of organic peanut butter, a few ounces of organic (full fat) coconut milk and cold water, a scoop of natural vanilla egg white protein, organic sprouted flax meal, 3 ice cubes and a dash of organic stevia and Also Salt

4:30 pm

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee (2-3 tablespoons of organic cocoa powder, 1 tsp of organic instant coffee, 2 packets of stevia and inulin, a dash of Also Salt and hot water)

+ psyllium husk capsules (part of a periodic cleanse)

6:00 pm

+ a cup of organic white tea

7:30 pm

+ Leftoverpalooza - pork al pastor, 2 spicy lamb sausages and some kick-butt, homemade organic guacamole ala Wifey

10:00 pm

+ a cup of organic white tea

273

Conscious eating. It's vitally important and I needed a reminder. Well, I got one!

I put on a couple of pounds this past week. The culprit? I suspect too many of the LC chocolate walnut cookies. My hunch is that the weight will be gone by next week. Still, it's an important finding.

I've been hovering around my goal weight for quite some time now. I'm right about at 180 lbs, which is my "goal weight". In general, it hasn't been difficult for me to stay put there. But, this past week was a good reminder to keep my eye on the ball.

I just wanted to share my little detour with y'all. You never know when one person's misstep can be useful information for someone else. So please, watch out for this kind of pothole! :-)


10:30 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee (2-3 tablespoons of organic cocoa powder, 1 tsp of organic instant coffee, 2 packets of stevia and inulin, a dash of Also Salt and hot water)

1:30 pm

+ an LC Peanut Butter and Coconut Milk Shake - a few tbsp of organic peanut butter, a few ounces of organic (full fat) coconut milk and cold water, a scoop of natural vanilla egg white protein, organic sprouted flax meal, 3 ice cubes and a dash of organic stevia and Also Salt

4:00 pm

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee (2-3 tablespoons of organic cocoa powder, 1 tsp of organic instant coffee, 2 packets of stevia and inulin, a dash of Also Salt and hot water)

+ psyllium husk capsules (part of a periodic cleanse)

6:30 pm

+ 2 "cowboy burgers" (beef patties embedded with bacon, jalapeno pepper and onion) topped with slices organic cheddar cheese

+ an organic, sliced Roma tomato

10:30 pm

+ a handful of Marcona almonds

272

10:15 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

12:15 pm

+ an LC Peanut Butter Coconut Protein Shake

2:15 pm

+ a cup of organic, instant coffee

5:00 pm

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

7:00 pm (pictured above)

+ 1 1/3 wild Alaskan salmon fillets w/roasted garlic and pesto sauce on a bed of homemade mashed cauliflower

+ 1 no flour or sugar chocolate walnut cookie

271

We went on a walk this afternoon. It's a beautiful day and we're trying to become more active.

11:00 am

+ a cup of organic coffee with a splash of half-and-half and 1 packet of stevia + inulin

+ 1 LC Chocolate Walnut ala Wifey Cookie

12:30 am (pictured above)

+ sunny side up organic, omega-3 eggs on a bed of mashed cauliflower

+ several slices of organic bacon

3:00 pm

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee (2-3 tablespoons of organic cocoa powder, 1 tsp of organic instant coffee, 2 packets of stevia and inulin, a dash of Also Salt and hot water)

4:30 pm

+ an LC Purple Tongue Maker - a few ounces of frozen wild organic blueberries, frozen organic raspberries, organic (full fat) coconut milk, cold water, a scoop of natural vanilla egg white protein, organic sprouted flax meal, a dash of organic stevia and Also Salt

6:30 pm

+ Leftover Bonanza - stuffed Pasilla pepper (w/feta and Jack cheese) and pork al pastor (Whole Foods Market)

+ 1 LC Chocolate Walnut ala Wifey Cookie

10:30 pm

+ a few ounces of raw Comte cheese

+ a few thin slices of natural prosciutto

+ a leftover Pizza Gondola

Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies

Hi Guys,

A couple of you asked for the recipe for the Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies I made this weekend, so here it is. I adapted a recipe by Francois Payard, one of the most famous French pastry chefs in the world. It’s a simple recipe with very few ingredients. I substituted Splenda for the confectioner’s sugar that the recipe calls for. In addition, I substituted unsweetened natural organic cocoa powder for unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder. The natural cocoa powder has a slightly more bitter, acidic taste, so I would recommend trying it with the Dutch-process cocoa powder for a smoother chocolate taste. Enjoy and let us know how yours turned out!

2 3/4 cups walnut halves
3 cups Splenda
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350. Spread the walnut halves on a large-rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 9 minutes, until they are golden and fragrant. (1) Let cool slightly, then transfer the walnut halves to a work surface and coarsely chop them. Lower temperature to 320. Line two large-rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. (2) In a large bowl whisk the Splenda with the cocoa powder and salt followed by the chopped walnuts. Add the egg whites and vanilla extract to the cocoa powder/nut mixture and combine just until the batter is evenly moistened. (3) Spoon the batter onto the baking sheets in 12 evenly spaced mounds, and bake for 14 to 16 minutes; Slide the parchment paper (with the cookies) onto 2 wire racks. Let cookies cool completely, and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Note: Don’t be deterred by what may seem like the large amount of walnuts, especially after they are chopped!

Best,

Madeleine

270

12:00 pm

+ 3 large, no sugar or flour chocolate walnut cookies (ala Wifey)

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

2:30 pm

+ an organic avocado

+ a few ounces of raw Comte cheese

+ a small slice of Cajun salami

4:15 pm

+ a cup of organic, instant coffee (black)

7:15 pm (pictured above)

+ 2 natural, spicy lamb sausage (Whole Foods Market)

+ several Pizza Gondolas

269

10:00 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

11:45 am

+ an LC Peanut Butter Coconut Protein Shake

3:30 am

+ a cup of instant, organic coffee with a splash of organic half-and-half

+ 3 "no flour" sugar-free chocolate almond cookies ala Wifey

7:15 pm

+ a grilled salmon fillet and steam broccoli (at the local casino)

2:00 am (that's right 2:00 AM!)

+ 3 slices of thick sliced sopressata topped with Italian spinach dip (Whole Foods Market)

+ an ounce or two of raw Comte cheese

268

9:30 am

+ an LC Coconut Coffee Protein Shake

1:00 pm

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

3:30 pm

+ homemade spicy chicken salad (ala Wifey)

+ roasted red peppers and grilled Halloumi cheese

6:00 pm

+ a cup of organic, instant coffee

7:30 pm

+ roasted pasilla peppers stuffed with feta and jack cheese

+ pork al pastor (Whole Foods Market)

+ homemade spicy guacamole

267

Phooning on the Pacific

10:15 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

2:00 pm

+ an LC Peanut Butter Coconut Protein Shake

3:30 pm

+ a cup of organic, instant coffee (black)

7:00 pm

+ leftover stewed short ribs

+ 3/4 of an organic avocado

11:00 pm

+ a handful of Marcona almonds

Hey Guys,

OK, so lost one pound this week, which I am very happy about! At least the needle is moving in the right direction. So onwards and downwards, I hope!

Cheers!
Mad

266

10:15 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

12:00 pm

+ an LC Peanut Butter Shake

4:00 pm

+ an LC Coffee Protein Shake

7:00 pm

+ stewed short ribs

+ broccolini salad with Burrata cheese

10:30 pm

+ Marcona almonds

+ a can of Hansen's Diet Pomegranate Soda

Mad's Comeback?

Hi Everyone!

Sorry it's been a while since I've had a chance to check in. I was crazy busy at work, followed by our wonderful anniversary trip. But now that we're back I wanted to fill you in a little on my progress on the program. Today ended week three for me. Weeks 1 & 2 I lost 4 1/2 pounds. (Yippee!) But week 3, I gained 1 1/2 pounds. (Boo!). I was really bummed, but realized that I had to give up my beloved Starbucks Frappacino Lights. They are relatively low in carbs (10 gms in a tall). But that, along with the other small amounts of healthy carbs I was ingesting, might have been just too much. I also had a small fall off the LC wagon while out with a girlfriend during week 2 (drank an alcoholic beverage with some juice in it). SO... This week, I tried to make the adjustment, and we'll see what happens. I wasn't able to weigh myself this morning, because we were still away, so I will do so tomorrow morning and let you know the outcome.

Hope you are all doing well!
Best,
Madeleine

265

Back home. We had a fun and relaxing time away. A few days of R&R at a beautiful new place on the coast. I'll post a few pictures shortly.

11:00 am

+ a cup of black coffee

+ scrambled eggs with provolone cheese and rustic bacon (thick sliced and heavily spiced)

2:00 pm

+ an LC Coffee Protein Shake - I've reintroduced a few tablespoons of organic, sprouted flax meal into my shakes the past few days. I feel like my digestive system could use some added support.

5:00 pm

+ a cup of instant, organic black coffee

7:00 pm

+ thinly sliced tri-tip beef

+ roasted red peppers and fresh Burrata cheese

264

Lamb Chops w/Stewed Tomato and Roasted Garlic

Ahi Tuna Tartare w/ Mixed Greens and Avocado

Beef Carpaccio with Arugula, Arthicoke and Parmesano Reggiano

11:00 am

+ a cup of black coffee

+ scrambled eggs with provolone cheese and rustic bacon (thick sliced and heavily spiced)

4:00 pm

+ a small amount of grilled salmon (2 or 3 ounces) and grilled veggies (eggplant, tomatoes, yellow squash and zucchini) with feta cheese

+ an iced coffee black

+ a handful of raw, organic cashews

8:00 pm (pictured above)

+ beef carpaccio with arugula, arthichoke and Parmesano Reggiano (appetizer)

+ lamb chops with peppercorn sauce, a roasted tomato and roasted garlic (shared)

+ Ahi tuna tartare with mixed greens and avocado (shared)

+ steamed asparagus with an lemon olive oil sauce and sea salt

+ a glass of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon)

263

Burrata and Heirloom Tomato Appetizer

Steamed Asparagus w/ Lemon Olive Oil and Sea Salt

Pork Belly and Chop with Garlic Puree

New York Steak with a Stewed Tomato and Roasted Garlic

Details to come ...

10:30 am

+ an LC Coffee Protein Shake

3:00 pm

+ guacamole with crab meat

+ a hamburger topped with cheddar cheese and sliced tomato

+ a glass of unsweetened iced tea

8:30 pm (pictured above)

+ heirloom tomato and Burrata cheese salad (shared)

+ New York Steak with steamed asparagus

+ a bite of a pork chop and pork belly

+ a glass of red wine (Syrah)

12:00 am

+ a small handle of raw, organic cashews

262

10:00 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

12:00 pm

+ a few (freshly made) Italian herbed Parmesan crisps

+ natural, roasted turkey slices

+ Italian spinach dip (Whole Foods Market - spinach, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, black pepper, sea salt, etc.)

4:00 pm

+ a cup of instant organic coffee with organic cream and stevia

7:30 pm

+ Pizza Gondolas

+ an oven roasted chicken leg & thigh (Whole Foods Market)

261

8:00 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

1:00 pm

+ pork al pastor (from Whole Foods Market)

+ 2 small organic Roma tomatoes

+ a few tablespoons of organic sour cream

+ a sampling of Flax Snax

2:30 pm

+ a cup of instant, organic coffee with cream and stevia

6:30 pm

+ a cup of instant, organic coffee (black)

8:00 pm

+ several thick slices of sopressata

+ an organic avocado

10:00 pm

+ a handful of organic, spicy pumpkin seeds

260

Quail Prosciutto in a Gorgonzola Dressing

Scallops served with Braised Escarole

Grilled Colorado Lamb Chop stuffed with Pesto

We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on Wednesday night (and our 10 year anniversary of being together). :-) Both of us worked during the day but decided to have dinner out at a new Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. The food was excellent and it was a lovely way to spend some one-on-one time.

Happy anniversary, my sweet angel! I can't wait for our 20th, 30th, 40th and beyond! You are the true blessing, joy and meaning in my life!

10:00 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

12:00 pm

+ several slices of sopressata, topped with some Italian spinach dip

2:00 pm

+ cup of organic instant coffee with a splash of heavy cream

4:15 pm

+ an LC Peanut Butter and Coconut Milk Protein Shake

6:30 pm

+ a cup of instant, organic black coffee

7:30 pm (pictured above)

+ Appetizer (shared) - Prosciutto di Quaglia in Salsa al Gorgonzola (Home-made cured Quail Prosciutto in a Gorgonzola Dressing)

+ Main Courses (shared) - a) Capesante alla Griglia con Scarola Brasata e Saba (Grilled Jumbo Sea Scallops served with Braised Escarole salad in a Saba Dressing) and b) Agnello domestico Ripieno al Pesto (Grilled Colorado Lamb Chop stuffed with Pesto and served with a Red Wine and Mustard Sauce)

+ a glass of Valpollicella red wine (shared)

11:00 pm

+ a few ounces of raw Morbier cheese

259

9:30 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

10:45 am

+ an LC Peanut Butter Coconut Protein Shake

1:30 pm

+ a cup of organic, instant coffee (black)

4:30 pm

+ an LC Mocha Protein Shake

7:30 pm

+ a 3x3 from In-n-Out - no bun or sauce

+ 3/4 of an organic avocado

10:30 pm

+ several slices of natural sopressata

+ Italian spinach dip

258

10:00 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

11:15 am

+ an LC Peanut Butter Protein Shake

2:30 pm

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

4:30 pm

+ a large handful of raw, organic almonds

7:00 pm

+ a cup of organic instant coffee (black)

8:30 pm

+ Italian spinach dip and 2 small organic Roma tomatoes

+ a few ounces of raw Cantal cheese

+ 1 1/2 turkey burgers (leftovers)

11:30 pm

+ a cup of LC Hot Cocoa

257

Sunday Fiesta Dinner ala Wifey

Chef Madeleine's Pepper, Prosciutto and Ricotta Scramble

Here's a photo of a recent breakfast creation from the mind of the creative chef I live with (my lovely wife). BTW, she's been incredibly busy lately but will be dropping by soon to update her LC experience.

11:45 am

+ an LC Coffee Protein Shake

3:30 pm

+ naturally smoked turkey slices

+ raw Cantal cheese

+ 2 organic Roma tomatoes, sliced and topped with organic sour cream

5:45 pm

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

8:00 pm (pictured above)

+ pork al pastor (from Whole Foods Market) topped with organic sour cream and paprika

+ feta and jack cheese stuffed pasilla peppers

256

Bleu Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burgers ala Wifey

Organic Avocado and Heirloom Tomato

Late start to the day. Poor sleep last night.

12:00 pm

+ an LC Coffee Protein Shake

4:30 pm

+ an LC Peanut Butter Shake

6:30 pm

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

8:30 pm (pictured above)

+ 2 dark meat turkey burgers w/bleu cheese topped with grilled organic (purple) onion

+ 3/4 of an organic avocado and 3/4 of an organic heirloom tomato

255

10:30 am

+ an LC Coffee Protein Shake

2:30 pm

+ an LC ChocoCoffee Protein Shake

6:00 pm

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

8:00 pm

+ an organic avocado and roasted peppers

+ natural sopressata and prosciutto

+ a few ounces of raw Cantal cheese

10:30 pm

+ an LC Purple Tongue Maker

254

9:45 am

+ and LC Coffee Protein Shake

12:30 pm

+ herb crusted salmon with artichoke hearts

+ prosciutto with Italian spinach dip

2:00 pm

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

4:30 pm

+ an LC Peanut Butter Protein Shake

7:30 pm

+ organic, omega-3 "cheesy eggs" with grilled purple onions, organic avocado and natural bacon

10:00 pm

+ a mug of LC Hot Cocoa

253

Peppers and Pork ala Wifey

I'm sorry for my recent absence. I'll update today's menu later tonight.

In case you're wondering, I haven't fallen off the wagon. I'm still LCing. I've just had a bit of a hard time keeping up with everything. I felt like I needed to take a step back for awhile.

The good news is that my time away has reaffirmed my view of the importance of keeping a record of my daily food intake. For me, it's simply a question of remaining conscious of my health goals and priorities. Without enough structure, I feel as though I'd likely get into some trouble down the line.

So I guess I'm going to try to get back to old ways - daily menu blogging. But every now and then I'll likely drop off the radar. I haven't allowed myself that luxury in the recent past. I hope this a way of establishing a more balanced approach to my crazy life.

I appreciate all of you who have dropped by and left such supportive comments lately. I haven't visited many of your sites as much as I'd like. That too will resume today.

11:30 am

+ an LC Coffee Protein Shake (homemade)

2:30 am

+ a mug of LC ChocoCoffee

4:30 pm

+ an LC Peanut Butter Protein Shake (homemade)

7:30 pm (pictured above)

+ feta and goat cheese stuffed peppers with basil (from our parent's garden) and pork al pastor (from Whole Foods Market)

10:00 pm

+ a cup of LC Hot Cocoa

252 - Main Course and Dessert

The main course and various sweets (LC and otherwise).

Marinated Mushrooms, Roasted Rapini and Herb Crusted Salmon

Traditional Cheesecake

Organic Blackberries, Blueberries and Strawberry Topping

LC Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake and Berries

LC Peanut Butter Cookies

252

Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Olive Medley, Italian Spinach Dip

Spicy Pecans and Marcona Almonds

Wild Shrimp - Skipped the Cocktail Sauce

Pizza Gondolas

Home Roasted Peppers and Fresh Burrata Cheese

A photographic tour of yesterday's family gathering. We avoided all the carb-rich choices such as the Grissini (bread sticks), sweet and spicy pecans and the regular cheesecake - pictured in the next post.