Eat, Drink and Be Merry & Still Follow Your Diet

xoSandrella is Now Live!

2018-05-27T12:52:00.003-07:00

It has been a very long time since I have been a blogger. With said, from inspiration and encouragement from a couple friends - one who challenged herself to blog in celebration of her 75th birthday, and another who likes to read what I write coupled with the words of Oliver Wendall Holmes”…never return to its original…” xoSandrella was born.

xoSandrella will be my creative vehicle to introduce and share my thoughts, my experiences, and all the people, places and things from the world that I love.

If you are interested in seeing my new blog and new posts, please visit xosandrella.com. It is there that you will find me again.

Sandrella

M.I.A.

2011-08-05T23:27:00.000-07:00

Missing in action, not! It may seem like it has been a while since I have posted. In reality, I have just completed a class at Stanford Continuing Studies - Writing 2.0, Blogging and Beyond taught by Allison Carruth. During the course of the class, I not only changed my blog look and feel, I changed the platform too. If you are interested in seeing my new blog and new posts, please visit dontwastecalories.wordpress.com. It is there that you will find me again.

Whey To Go!

2011-07-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Muffet

Sat on a Tuffet,

Eating her curds and whey,
Along came a spider,
Who sat down beside her
And frightened Miss Muffet away

There are several people in my life that would welcome a visit from a spider any day instead of eating whey. Years ago, I too would have agreed because at that time I had no understanding of what whey was.

My first introduction to whey protein was in 2004 when I learned about Ann Louise Gitttleman and The Fat Flush Plan from a work colleague. We were at an Electronic Design Automation trade show and he explained to me that his wife had be following this program with immediate success. Upon my return home, I not only purchased the book for myself but also for my girlfriend Daryl. We read the book, jumped on the Gittleman bandwagon and followed The Fat Flush Plan.

One of the suggested recipes included in the book was a fruit smoothie made with protein powder. Daryl suggested using whey powder because during this time, her mother was battling breast cancer. Daryl had been researching foods to help her mother and she found that whey protein had many attributes that she would benefit from; "Whey protein is an excellent protein choice for cancer patients as it is very easy to digest and very gentle to the system. Whey protein may be added to a wide variety of foods and beverages to increase the protein content without affecting taste."

The Whey Protein Institute defines whey protein as "a high quality protein powder from cow's milk. Milk has two proteins: Casein (approximately 80%) and Whey Protein (approximately 20%). Whey protein is more soluble than casein and also has a higher quality rating. It is often referred to as the "Gold Standard" of protein as it is the most nutritious protein available."

The three pie charts on the left are included as part of the definition from the Whey Protein Institute. I find them to be very helpful to understand where whey comes from.

Whey Protein has many positive attributes that contribute to good heath. These include:
Physical Performance, Weight Management,
Cardiovascular Health, Cancer, Diabetes,
Infant Nutrition, Healthy Aging, and Wound Care. All of these topics are addressed in full in an article, Benefits of Whey Proteins. The site also includes an extensive list of references on each topic should you wish to delve in further.

Over the years, I have tried a variety of whey protein products; Jay Robbs is my favorite.

Single Serving Packet

Some of my reasons include: it is high in protein, 30 grams; it is low in carbohydrates, 1 gram; it has no fat, 0 grams; it is low in calories, 110; and, it tastes great! Also, there are single serving packets available. These packets are great to take to work or when you travel and are trying to remain on your diet regime.

The powder can be added to a bottle of water or juice. Odwalla products seem to be available at many airports. I have used their Superfood as my mixing agent many times. Some airports even have a Jamba Juice bar. I have had whey protein powder added to my smoothie, usually a Jamba Light.

When at home, I make a fresh berry smoothie most days for breakfast, especially when I am "up with the sun and on the run;" see the recipe below. It is healthy and low in calories (approximately 300), refreshing, and it satiates me until lunch. Daryl also drinks this every morning. However, when making her weekly supply on Sunday, she blends in 2-3 cups of spinach. She then freezes them in a handy Tuperware Quick Shaker Container; she has 10 containers as her husband enjoys these healthy concoctions daily as well. Before bed, she takes two of the shakes from the freezer and lets it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Viola, after a "quick shake" it is ready to consume.

Whether you are dieting, exercising, maintaining and improving your health, or just looking for a quick, refreshing way to kick start your day, whey protein has many uses as well as health benefits for all. Stop waiting for the spider to frighten you away. Incorporate whey into your daily meals and enjoy this powerful protein. It is the whey to go!

Portion Distortion

2011-06-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

Is bigger really better? When I was growing up, before I was consciously aware, I always gravitated towards the largest Christmas gift, or the biggest slice of pizza or the piece of Grandmother Stafford's fruit cake that contained the most candied fruit and nuts. Sometimes, I would sneak into the 5 gallon pail of vanilla ice cream and eat several scoops directly from the melting pail, thinking of course that I was not really consuming that much when in reality I was consuming more!

When it comes to food and drink in regards to loosing weight, knowing the appropriate serving size in relationship to the calories associated is a good habit to make a part of your diet regime because most of us have portion distortion issues.

For example, if you ordered a glass of red wine and received the larger glass featured on the left side in the picture above, you would probably think, WOW this is a REALLY large pour and drink the glass. If you gave it a second thought, you would most likely think that calories for this glass of wine would be higher than the approximate 100 calories per 5 ounce glass that you already know but hopefully not much more. After finishing the glass perhaps you might order a second and happily leave thinking that you probably consumed only 300 calories? NOT! The larger glass in the picture holds an entire bottle of wine, which is about 27 ounces. The smaller glass is my 3.75 ounce wine glass that I referenced in my That's Amore post from April. I realize that this example might be extreme, but this is what happens when there is no awareness regarding what an appropriate serving size is and the calories associated with it.

Over the past 20 years, portion sizes have dramatically increased. Recently, I viewed a
Portion Control for Weight Loss video. I was shocked to learn that the size of a bagel today equals approximately 5 slices of bread, YIKES! This is also evident in the ever increasing size of 7-11's Big Gulp over the years. The Gulp (20 ounces) was born in the early 1980's and has continued to grow - Big Gulp (32 ounces), Super Big Gulp (44 ounces), Double Gulp (64 ounces) and finally, the Team Gulp (128 ounces). Just imagine the sugar content and the calories for a Team Gulp filled with Coke. Starbuck's perhaps a more modern example offers an array of sizes - Short (8 ounces), Tall (12 ounces), Grande (16 ounces), Vente ( 20-24 ounces), Trenta (31 ounces) for their specialty coffee drinks. When you start adding the syrups, the sugar, the whip cream, the caramel or chocolate the caloric intake of your "simple" cup of coffee rapidly increases.

An easy way to be more conscious of what you are putting in your mouth, when and why you are doing so is to keep a food diary. Before eating, weigh the item, measure the item, read the label and record; over time, this new knowledge will become instinctive. Studies have shown that people that keep food diaries loose more weight and keep the weight off longer. Per ScienceDaily (July 8, 2008), "Keeping a food diary can double a person's weight loss according to a study from Kaiser Permanente's Center for Health Research. The findings, from one of the largest and longest running weight loss maintenance trials ever conducted..."

I can personally confirm this to be true. As part of my current diet regime, I have recorded everything using LoseIt!; an easy application for the iPad. As mentioned in a previous blog Tool Time, "it not only keeps me honest but also teaches portion control and calorie counting, which when not tracking is something that can easily be over looked and over estimated. Boy, what a reality check this was for me!"

Recently, I finished Dr. Clyde Wilson's class Nutrition for Reducing Body Fat class at Stanford Continuing Studies. Dr. Clydes has more simplistic approach to gauge portion size. He uses the "two fists, a palm and thumb" method. Two fists should be your vegetable portion, the palm should be the size of your protein portion and the thumb the size of your fat portion. Prevention.com has an easy chart illustrating this concept. They suggest printing the guide and using it until the comparisons become an innate part of your diet regime.

WebMD has a nice portion control comparison tool. It provides all of the food groups and relates a serving size to an inanimate object, one that you can easily remember. For example, 1 cup of broccoli equals a baseball or 1.5 ounces of hard cheese equates to 3 dice or .25 cup of almonds equates to a golf ball, 3 ounces of cooked fish equals a checkbook. The tool offers many categories - vegetables, milk & dairy, grains, meats & beans, fruit, fats & oils, sweets & treats, and mixed dishes. Check it out!

I just finished reading French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano. Guiliano was a long time spokesperson and former President and CEO of Veuve Clicquot. Her book is a delightful tale about the way in which French women eat in order to keep their slim physique. It is written from the experiences and observations of Guiliano growing up and living in France. She provides tricks and tips that French women use and includes wonderful recipes and anecdotes. The premise of the book is to eat and drink keeping quality in mind i.e. "don't waste calories drinking bad wine;" eat small portions and enjoy the entire dining experience. Guiliano is like each and every one of us in that when there is no awareness, weight gain is inevitable.

In chapter two she writes, "My Parisian pastry gluttony was wonderfully diverse. In the morning there was croissant or pain au chocolat or chouquette or tarte au sucre. Lunch was proceeded by a stop at Poilane, the famous breadmaker's shop, where I could not resist the pain aux raisins or tarte aux pommes (apple tarte) or petits sables. Next stop was at a cafe for the ubiquitous jambon-beurre (ham on a buttered baguette) and what remained of the Poilane pastry with coffee. Dinner always included and was sometimes simply an eclair, Paris Brest, religieuse, or mille-feuille (curiously called napoleon outside of France), always some form of creamy, buttery sweetness. Sometimes I would even stop off for a palmier (a big puff pastry sugar-covered cookie) for my gouter (afternoon snack). As a student, I was living off things I could eat on the go. Hardly any greens were passing my lips, and my daily serving of fruit was coming from the fruit tarts. I was eating strangely lopsided fare without the slightest thought and with utter contentment except, of course, for how I looked." When Guliano realized that the eating habits that she learned while studying and living in the United States had "gone right to (her) head and opened (her) up to the dangers of this delicious Parisian minefield," she knew she had work to do!

Many of this French woman's tips for weight loss and for staying trim are just the things that I believe in and have been practicing for quite some time - keeping a food diary, using a scale to weigh foods, drinking adequate amounts of water, keeping a healthy emergency snack handy at all times, eating two servings of plain yogurt each day, walking, and of course keeping portions under control! I always new that I was a French woman in a previous life!

Another great point that both Guiliano and Dr. Clyde Wilson emphasize is, one should never eliminate completely the foods and beverages that one loves while trying to loose weight. If one deprives oneself of their favorite things, over an extended period of time, catastrophe! Not only will you over indulge to the point of being sick but also you will probably not stay on your weight loss track.

A friend recently lost 30 pounds following a commercial diet plan for several months. This plan did not allow for her favored treat, popcorn covered in butter. At the one month mark, she realized that she would not continue to be successful unless she could have her buttered popcorn. She decided that she would reward herself after her Tuesday weigh-ins with this favorite treat. She did this every Tuesday night for the remainder of the program. My friend did not experience catastrophe; she successfully completed the weight loss portion of this program and now is on maintenance. She did this her way, without depriving herself.

When it comes to food and drink less is really more if you are trying to lose weight. Mireille Guiliana's comment "quality over quantity," is right in line with my motto "don't waste calories drinking bad wine." So, to answer the question, is bigger really better? No, unless of course it is regarding diamonds, dogs or champagne. Then, bigger is definitely better!

"I get by with a little help from my friends...I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends"

2011-05-10T20:42:00.000-07:00

Real friendship is shown in times of trouble; prosperity is full of friends.

Euripides

My mother always told me "if one has only a few true friends in one's lifetime, one is lucky." At the time, I did not quite understand what she was trying to explain. Now that I am older and wiser, the meaning is loud and clear!

"My People" have seen me through "thick and thin," literally. They have been there through every conflict and crisis, diet - fad or legitimate, death of loved ones - human or four legged, depression and sadness, layoff and promotion, and celebration and marriage. They are privi to my deepest darkest secrets, my wishes and my wildest dreams; I can be my true, raw, naked self with them and they are still by my side. I think that Ralph Waldo Emerson sums it up nicely "A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud." "It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."

In a past Oprah.com essay "What Are Friends For?" Reverend Ed Bacon uses one of his heros descriptions of friendship as "balcony people" instead of "basement people." "Basement people are those who live in our minds, telling us we will never amount to anything, that we are doomed to fail and that we are royal screwups. Balcony people are those who are consistently cheering us on. "Go for it," they say to our attempts to find our voice, to live in ever widening circles, to dare, to create, to break through our lives' sound barriers." I can completely understand these metaphors; the descriptions make perfect sense.

Barbara
9.26.31 - 4.23.11

For Christmas last year, my sister-in-law Michelle presented me with a book authored by her friend Devi Fournier. the gift exchange is a novel about friendship, "balcony people." The novel's message is a testament of what true friendship entails, neither good nor bad, not simply happy or sad. I explained this once to Barbara, my teacher, my friend and my confidant who recently died from lung cancer. Barbara really liked this description because as she stated, “life is not either-or; it is a combination of all.” Devi’s message helped me to make this connection with my dear friend.

The significance of this book so moved me, I hope all close to me will read this story and understand the true meaning of love and friendship. For those of you that are reading this post and do not have a copy, never fear yours will soon be near.

Devi recently enhanced and expanded her horizons by starting a new endeavor Love & Peace Notes. Love & Peace Notes is a company offering affirmation-based products that deliver inspiration and affirm life through the written word, allowing for a new level of interacting and relating through spirituality, inspiration and emotion.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Devi and am lucky to know her; now you can too! Devi has teamed up with Donald Pliner and will be at the Santana Row Boutique on Saturday, May 14, 2011, for a Trunk Show and Book Signing. The event will be from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. In The Best of Oprah's What I know for Sure, Supplement to O The Oprah Magazine, Oprah writes "In all my triumphs - in every good and great thing that has ever happened to me - Gayle has been my boldest cheerleader....Sometimes I feel that Gayle is the better part of myself - the part that says "No matter what, I'm here for you." Gayle is Oprah's "Balcony Person" and Oprah Gayle's. I hope that you too have a few of your own, I know that I do! Celebrate your "Balcony People;" eat, drink, and be merry and still follow your diet with them in good times and in bad.

Celebrate good times, come on!

2011-05-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

There's a party goin' on right here

A celebration to last throughout the years

So bring your good times, and your laughter too

We gonna celebrate your party with you

Come on now

Celebration
Let's all celebrate and have a good time
Celebration
We gonna celebrate and have a good time

It's time to come together
It's up to you, what's your pleasure

Everyone around the world

Come on!

Blown glass cupcake from Ras Gallery, Yountville, CA

As the celebratory month of April has come and gone, I reflect on the many celebrations that I have had during the month. This year, April brought a bounty of occasions that were worthy of jubilation; so many that Cool & The Gang might agree that there were enough to "last throughout the years."

Birthday celebrations began April 2nd as I toasted one of my best friends from high school, Lynda and then Peter on April 3rd. Peter's April 3rd toast continued at a weekend get-away (April 16th-17th) to celebrate a milestone - his 50th birthday - with friends at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay.

What a treat! The guys golfed for two days, the first at The Old Course and the second at The Ocean Course. The gals lunched at a wonderful Italian restaurant Pasta Moon and shopped the first day on quaint Main Street. It was off to the spa on the second for a few hours of pampering and relaxation.

Dinner Saturday evening was amazing. The eight of us "ate, drank and were merry" for hours at Navio. En route home, Kay had the brilliant idea to stop at her favorite spot Barbara's Fish Trap for clam chowder and other wonderful seafood fare as none of us were really ready to end the soiree and go back to reality.

Monday, April 18th not only was the commencement of my birthday week but it was also Michael's day. Happy Birthday Michael, cheers to you!

My official celebration began on April 19th with a visit to Nordstrom and an hour on the treadmill. It concluded with a wonderful dinner with Bob at Sent Sovi in Saratoga. Ten years ago, we celebrated my birthday at this wonderful establishment; it was under the direction of David Kinch (Manresa). Now the kitchen belongs to Chef Josiah Slone; the food and wine were magnificent!

The next evening, I raced off in a stretch limousine with Julie and Debra; destination, the Oakland Coliseum to see the Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks Heart & Soul Tour. Champagne was flowing and cupcakes were indulged. It was a once in a lifetime experience to rock out with two legends and enjoy many of their time honored tunes. What a way to celebrate; singing and dancing to many of my favorite classics, and celebrating with two of my favorite friends!

The celebration continues! On April 22nd, Mike and Kathi hosted a cocktail party at their home coupled with a wonderful dinner party at the San Jose Country Club. The "eating, drinking and being merry" continued with more great food, more great wine, and beautiful views of San Jose during sunset; all enjoyed with special friends.

Saturday the 23rd brought an intimate gathering with Dave & Daryl and Andrew & John. Several new champagnes were tried, great food and wine were consumed and wonderful sweets were tasted throughout the evening. Andrew made his famous dipped strawberries and hand made truffles from Martha Stewart's Dinner At Home: 52 Quick Meals to Cook for Family & Friends; he was a hit!

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

2 ounces roasted, salted pistachio chopped

3 tablespoons best quality unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

2 ounces peanut brittle, finely chopped

5 ounces bittersweet chocolate (can use chips), preferably 62% cacao

1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon brandy

Prepare in ice-water bath. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Place pistachio, cocoa powder, and brittle in separate bowls. Place chocolate in heatproof bowl. Bring milk and butter just to simmer in a saucepan pour over chocolate, and whisk until smooth. Whisk in brandy. Set bowl in ice bath; whisk constantly, scraping sides of bowl, until mixture is thick enough to scoop with a spoon, about 5 min. Use a mini-ice cream spoon (or tea spoon) to form mixture into balls, dropping them into the pistachio, cocoa powder and brittle as you go; roll to cover. You can roll the truffles in one, two or three coatings.

Transfer to prepared baking sheet and refrigerate until set, at least 10 min. Truffles will keep up to 1 week in the refrigerator, store in a single layer in an airtight container. Makes one dozen.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With another week of April still remaining, the celebrating continued with a toast to my other best high school girlfriend Deb-Deb, April 27th, and to my Aunt Janie who shared her birthday with the Royal Wedding on April 29th; a grand celebration indeed.

In our wedding worthy hats and bedtime finery, Julie and I too celebrated the marriage of Prince William and Kate. We camped out in front of the big screen and watched the festivities live celebrating with champagne, scones and sweet treats along with the other estimated 3 billion people throughout the world. We made it from midnight until five in the morning; then we crashed.

The month of April brought many together to have a good time. Each celebration brought laughter, love, merriment, and the consumption of good food, good drink and good desserts with dear friends and family.

With all of this eating and imbibing, my friend Sandra again reminded me about my motto of "not wasting calories." A few years ago, she honored me with a glass cupcake (pictured above) from Ras Galleries in Yountville, California. Keeping with tradition, Sandra presented me with another sweet

Chocolate Confection by Hulet & Hulet

indulgence created by Dinah and Patty Hulet, the "Love" chocolate; both beautiful sweets are sans sugar and calories, brilliant! Per the Hulets "These unique glass chocolates provide a combination of decadence and sinful goodness that will last a lifetime." Now you can really have "a celebration to last throughout the years!" Imagine having as many Hulet & Hulet chocolates as you wish and never having to worry about the calories. Now that is something to celebrate!

The Magical Fruit

2011-04-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

Beans, beans the musical fruit

The more you eat,

the more you toot

The more you toot,

the better you feel

So eat beans for every meal

Most everyone should know this silly little tune and most everyone probably finds the subject of flatulence humorous, even if you do not laugh out loud. Growing up, this topic usually came up during dinner and resulted in tear filled laughter.

Up until recently, I have hardly paid attention nor have I eaten legumes of any sort. However, my thoughts began to change on January 12, 2011, when I watched Stephanie O'Dea do a crock pot cooking demonstration on Good Morning America: Stephanie made Chicken Enchilada Chili that included beans.

Immediately, I set out to make the recipe. Surprisingly, I had everything on hand to prepare this dish except for the beans, or so I thought. Then I remembered that I received a gourmet gift box for Christmas from the Women's Bean Project.

The Women's Bean Project is a non-profit organization founded by Jossy Eyre in 1989 to help women better themselves, gain self-confidence and develop work skills so that they can become self sufficient. The women are trained to make handmade jewelry and gourmet foods. Included in the gourmet food portfolio are organic coffees, instant teas, sweets and a variety of mixes; brownie, cookie, cornbread, dip, fajita, marinade, salsa and soup.

One of the soup mixes that I received was the Firehouse #10 Hot Chili. I opted not only to use the beans from this kit, but also the spices that were included to make my first batch of crock pot chili. For the second batch, I used the Old Fashioned Mild Chili and the spices that were included. The third time around, I prepared it using canned beans and followed the recipe exactly. The next time, I intend to use Toni's 10 Bean Soup Seconds which is a healthy cornucopia of barley, anasazi beans, lentils, red lentils, green split peas, black eyed peas, black turtle beans, red and white beans and yellow split peas. You really can add anything to this "no fail" recipe. This dish is really easy, really good and really healthy; not a bad eat while you are counting calories and trying to stay satisfied.

Following is the recipe and it can be found in Stephanie O'Dea's newest cookbook

More Make It Fast, Cook It Slow. If you click on this Good Morning America link, you will be able to watch her demonstration on how to make Chicken Enchilada Chili. Stephanie also has an informative blogspot A Year of Slow Cooking where you can find further recipes and information.

Chicken Enchilada Chili

Ingredients

1.5 cups prepared enchilada sauce

2-14.5 ounce cans tomatoes with seasoning

2-15 ounce cans pinto or kidney beans with juice, or 1 cup dry beans, soaked overnight

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 onion diced, or 1 tablespoon dried minced onion flakes

1 to 2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1.5 pounds chicken - thighs, legs, breasts - your choice

Shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream for serving

Cooking Directions

Use a 6-quart slow cooker.

Pour the enchilada sauce and tomatoes into the bottom of the removable stoneware insert.

Add the beans, celery, onion, and spices; stir to combine.

Place the chicken on top.

Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, or until the flavors have combined.

If using dry beans, you may need to cook longer to fully soften the beans.

If your chicken has bones, fish the bones out before serving.

Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

Sandra's Twist on this Crock Pot Dish

Chicken: Organic, boneless chicken breasts from Costco

I prefer chili to be more meaty so I use 1.75-2.0 pounds of chicken instead of the

suggested 1.5 pounds.

Tomatoes: Organic diced tomatoes or stewed tomatoes from Costco

Spice: Add 1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped finely for extra "heat"

Garnish: Scallions in addition to the suggested shredded cheese and sour cream

Cornbread: If you are making this for a group, it is nice to add some corn bread. I

have made it using the Women's Bean Project mix, Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free mix

mix and I have purchased ready made form the grocery store bakery; the best being

from Mi Pueblo Food Center on Capitol Avenue at Mckee Road in San Jose. Please

keep in mind that cornbread is not the most healthy and diet friendly accompaniment

because it has a very high glycemic index.

Calories and Nutritional Information:

I calculated the approximate caloric and nutrition information from the ingredients

that I used. One cup of this wonderful dish has 255 calories; it is high in protein-19.5g, low in fat-2.2g, and high in the carbohydrates-17.4g (fiber-5.6g and sugar-4.9g).

Beans, beans, they're good for you heart

The more you eat, the more you fart

The more you fart, the happier you feel

So let's eat beans with every meal

Since my new found interest in beans, I decided to investigate them further. Did you know that beans are considered to be one of the 8 Foods with Health Super Powers? "According to studies by the Department of Agriculture, small red Kidney beans are packed with more antioxidant protection per serving than any other food...Legume-rich diets can also lower cholesterol levels, improve blood-sugar control and reduce the risk of many cancers."

Beans contain many benefits for not only a healthy diet but also weight loss. They are high in protein, high in the "good" carbohydrates, high in fiber which helps you lose weight and stay regular, full of iron which prevents anemia, and full of folic acid which is good for your heart and aides in cancer prevention, yet contain no cholesterol and little or no fat. There is a nice summary about beans and all of their benefits including: cooking and nutrition information on 21 different varieties, health benefits and general tips that you many not be aware of at AAOOB Storable Foods.

I am currently enrolled in a nutrition class through Stanford Continuing Studies:

Nutrition for Reducing Body Fat. For two hours each Thursday evening, Dr. Clyde Wilson discusses nutrition, how to increase energy levels and metabolism, and control hunger and cravings with an understanding of how our mind and environment play an important role about the decisions regarding the food choices we make. At each class so far, legumes have been discussed; I was surprised to learn what an important role they play and all of the diet and health benefits that they provide.

I have learned in class that beans are one of the most healthy if not the healthiest starch; they do not require vegetables (as do "bad" carbs) to slow down digestion unless you consume over 150 calories at one time. Also, that it is very beneficial to eat a legume with every meal to maintain stable blood sugar during body fat reduction; selecting legumes instead of coarse whole grains (rice, corn, wheat - pasta or bread, oats, quinoa, etc.) or tubers (yams, potatoes) result in a faster weight loss.

I started to include beans with some of my meals and have found that by adding 1/2 cup of beans to my usual vegetable medley - asparagus tips, brussel sprouts and onion, my raw vegetable salad, or my egg white omelet, I am satiated much longer. Thanks to the beans, I am no longer thinking about what I am going to eat next because hunger is no longer talking to me.

Beans, beans, the magical fruit

The more you eat, the more you toot

The more you toot, the better you feel

So let's have beans for every meal!

Beans are not just the musical fruit or just good for your heart. With all of the diet and health benefits housed in this little legume, I believe them to be magical too. They will make you laugh and definitely make you happy with all of the positive diet and health attributes that they provide. With my new found appreciation for this "good" carbohydrate, I plan to incorporate legumes in my diet several times per week, maybe more. I look forward to reaping all of the benefits of these little guys especially weight loss.

Stack Attack!

2011-04-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

Fresh Ink Card by Hallmark sent from Daryl

For all of you stackers out there,

this one's for you!

I did not realize April marks the 17th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide that claimed over 1 million lives. Barbara Walters reminded her viewers of that fact yesterday on The View by discussing Same Sky and introducing their beautiful line of bracelets.

Same Sky is a fair-trade company founded by Francine LeFrak in 2008. Their mission "is to empower women worldwide and inspire a movement of women empowering women...SAME SKY aims to be a part of the global movement lifting women out of poverty by giving them the tools to become entrepreneurs and lead self sustaining lives." Based in Rwanda and expanding to Zambia, the Same Sky program trains and employees HIV-positive survivors of the Genocide to make beautiful crocheted/beaded jewelry. These women learn a marketable skill which in turn gives them employment and independence so that they are able to accommodate for themselves and their families.

Interested, I checked out their website to learn more about this company and found there to be many ways to support these women and this cause; the easiest, buy a bracelet or necklace online. There are many colors and styles to choose from. You can attend an event, a trunk show, or you can host a "Bracelet Party" at your own home. 100% of the proceeds get reinvested into Same Sky to employ more artisans.

You might think to yourself, how do bracelets correlate to eating, drinking, being merry and dieting? Well now, a girl still needs look good when following her regime, right? So, why not accessorize by stacking a few of these colorful beauties on your arm and "be part of the movement, women empowering women under the Same Sky." Francine LeFrak

That's Amore

2011-04-06T09:19:00.000-07:00

When the moon hits your eye

Like a big pizza pie

That's Amore

When the world seems to shine

Like you've had too much wine

That's Amore

First made famous by Dean Martin in 1952, That's Amore still has meaning today. I definitely find pizza and wine to be "Amore." I think that one of the most romantic things in life is to share a pizza and a nice bottle of red with the one that you love in a small, intimate restaurant; better yet, if the restaurant happens to be in Italy during truffle season.

Unfortunately, pizza and wine are two things not on the top of the "what to eat while on a diet" list. So, what do you do when that craving for pizza and wine envelope you? Do you ignore it and hope that the yearning fades away? Do you go to your favorite pizza parlor and "pig out" on your favorite pie and promise to get back on your diet track tomorrow?

In the past, I have opted to ignore these cravings and just carried on; however, carrying on is not always the best answer. Only bad things can happen in the long run if you try to completely eliminate your favorite food and drink while on a diet.

A couple favorite pizza parlors that will definitely take care of your craving are Jake's, and Pizz'a Chicago. Both are great spots for dining in or taking out. When I REALLY want to splurge and am willing to go over my normal daily calorie allotment, I choose one of my favorites from these restaurants. The pizza's are chock full of toppings, fat, calories and more. It is not easy to eat just one slice; beware!

When ordering from Jake's, it is either the Barbeque Chicken that is loaded with chicken breast, smoked provolone cheese, and bermuda onion sans pineapple; or their House Specialty that includes a variety of meats, cheeses, onions and mushrooms sans olives plus tons of jalapeno peppers.

My favorite pick from Pizza Chicago is the Air Jordan. The Air Jordan is full of roma tomatos, basil and garlic with soy cheese in lieu of the mozzerella. They also make a great BBQ chicken "The Untouchables" and an everything pizza "The Fridge."

Amici's Pizza has a large selection of pizzas including more healthy pizza options. They offer an extra small 7" size, a reduced carb extra thin crust, vegan cheese and two selections, the New York and the Asante that are under 400 calories per 7" pie.

Lately when this feeling overwhelms me, I opt to stay in and select a pizza from my freezer. I have found three great options that are REALLY good, not too filling, very satisfying, and convenient; they are lower in calories then most restaurant alternatives and help me stay on track. Two of the pizzas I found at Trader Joe's and one I found at Whole Foods. The Tarte aux Champignons is a Trader Joe's French style flat bread with porcini, paris, oyster, shiitake and boletus mushrooms, emmental and parmesan cheese, and is a product of France. The Trader Joe's Wild Mushroom & Black Truffle flat bread is a product of Italy; it is made with truffle sauce, truffles, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese. Last but not least, the Vicolo Roasted Mushroom pizza has portabella mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil in a rustic corn meal crust; it is a product of the USA, Northern California to be exact. The Trader Joe's pizzas have 300 or 390 calories for 1/2 the pizza and the Vicolo Roasted Mushroom pizza has 420 calories for 1/3 of the pie; any of the three can be enjoyed and easily incorporated into your daily calorie allotment.

Bells'll ring

Ting-a-ling-a-ling

And you'll sing "Vita bella"

Hearts'll play

Tippi-tippi-tay

Like a gay tarantella

"Bells'll ring, Ting-a-ling-a-ling,
Ting-a-ling-a-ling" alright when

you enjoy your pizza pie with a nice glass of Bell wine.

Bell Wine Cellars is located in Yountville, CA and was co-founded in 1991 by Anthony Bell. Anthony has a long history of wine making and his expertise allow Bell Wines to produce exceptional wines displaying their "hallmark elegance and balance."

Usually, I choose the Bell Merlot when I am enjoying pizza. My other favorites include the Sonnette their Bordeaux style blend and their Clone 6 Cabernet where the grapes come from the Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard in Rutherford, Napa Valley. All are REALLY good and pouring a "small pour" is REALLY difficult for me. So, in order to keep this in check, I opt for a smaller wine glass. The glass that I typically drink from holds 3 3/4 ounces which is approximately 90 to 95 calories per glass. I can keep track of how many of these glasses that I consume and then can easily compute the calories. For me, this is a little trick that keeps me consciously aware.

Whether you are in Napoli or New York, Chicago or San Francisco, even in your own home, pizza and wine are some of the simple pleasures of life that can be enjoyed while dieting. There are a variety of options available for curbing that craving whenever it hits and not completely ruin your regime. Enjoying a good pizza with a good wine even when on a diet? Wow, now "that's Amore!"

When the stars make you drool

Joost-a-like pasta fazool

That's amore

When you dance down the street

With a cloud at your feet, you're in love

When you walk in a dream

But you know you're not dreamin', signore

'Scusami, but you see

Back in old Napoli, that's amore

Jack Brooks & Harry Warren

Tool Time

2011-03-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

Life is much easier if one has the correct tools to complete the job successfully. A surgeon needs a scalpel, a dentist needs a drill, a jeweler needs an anvil, a hairstylist needs a scissors, a painter needs a brush and Tim needs tools for Home Improvement. What about the dieter?

One of my friends lost 15 pounds recently after many unsuccessful attempts over the years. She claims that one of the reasons for her success was the food log she faithfully kept; her trainer recommended that she record everything that she ate and drank daily. Over time, this became not only a habit for her, but also an awareness; an awareness of portion size and calories.

Tracking your food intake is part of many formal diet programs. Two that I have followed during the course of my life, The Diet Center and Weight Watchers both suggested recording what you eat. Once even, I went to a nutritionist; she too requested that I keep a food diary. Of course during the beginning of any program when the excitement and motivation of losing weight was a buzz, recording was a motivator. When the excitement wore off and weight loss was slow, the tracking element fizzled away and so did the diet plan; hence, weight loss goals were never achieved.

I decided to follow my friends "tracks" and started a food diary. Fortunately, this time it was much easier, thanks to receiving a new electronic gadget from Bob - an iPad. Immediately, I searched for a good tracking tool. I chose

I like LoseIT! because you can invite friends to join you so that you can virtually have a "diet club." You can see each others success (or defeat) in weight loss and calories. Also, this program provides nice graphical interfaces - daily summary, daily food log and weight loss goals. Many foods including brand names are available in the calorie counter. There is also an option to add your own foods which I have utilized a great deal and find it to be very beneficial in the long run. Every week, a summary is sent direct to your email providing the results from the previous week. This report includes a summary of your calorie intake, exercise and nutrient intake and your weight loss/gain.

The bottom line, recording is essential for successful weight loss; tracking is now a part of my daily routine. It not only keeps me honest but also teaches portion control and calorie counting, which when not tracking is something that can easily be over looked and over estimated. Boy, what a reality check this was for me! Since I started tracking in January, I have lost 12 pounds.

My most recent acquisition to help with my weight loss program is the Withings WiFi Body Scale. It is an ideal tool to help monitor weight, and lean and fat mass. The WiFI connection automatically sends this information direct to your personal Withings web page and directly to the LoseIt! application if you set it up. There are also free applications available for the iPhone and the iPad so that you can keep track anytime and anywhere. There is a great graphical interface so that you can easily see your results. This is real time feedback that provides positive reinforcement as those pounds are shed.

Another wonderful tool that has been very useful is the Salter Digital Nutritional Kitchen Scale. This was also a gift but from Christmas past. It was something that I really wanted but after I received it, never used. Now this scale has become a trusted companion. It is a quick and easy way to determine useful information - weight, calories, cholesteral, carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber and sodium. Just place the food or beverage on the scale, type in the name and voila, all the information is right at your finger tips.

Posted on WebMD is a very simple tool; it is a presentation Best Diet Tips Ever 22 Ways to Stay on Track. Included are quick and easy tricks that don't cost very much unless you opt for "tip number 21: Celebrating success without food" and purchase a pair of Louboutins. Keeping a food diary is also found in tip number 20. Mentioned in this tip is a comment from Victor Stevens, senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland, Oregon; "those who kept food records six days a week -- jotting down everything they ate and drank on those days -- lost about twice as much weight as those who kept food records one day a week or less." This came from a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and also is included in the article on this subject by Miranda Hitti Keeping Food Diary Helps Lose Weight and in the article Can a Food Diary Help You Loses Weight by Elaine Magee, MPH, RD.

As many of us know losing weight is not an easy task especially as we age. I think that it is important to be aware not only about what you are putting in your mouth but also, watching portion size and understanding calories for such portions; keeping a food diary and tracking is essential for success. I also believe that it is important for the dieter to have the correct tools to be successful. With the correct tools, this process can be easier, more fun and more successful; utilizing todays electronic gadgets definitely helps to provide positive reinforcement during your weight loss journey. Find the tools that are right for you and your regime; just like Tim.

Good Luck!

I want my MBTs

2011-03-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

Masai Barefoot Technology; yes, I am talking about those funky, chunky and clunky creations of this Swiss based company. Originally introduced in 1996, this unique, revolutionary shoe was developed after studying the walking patterns of the Masai tribes of Africa. MBT set out to create a shoe that would "mimic walking on soft, uneven ground."

After reading and hearing about these shoes for a long time, "curiosity killed this cat." I purchased a pair of Fora Black. I went to Shuz of Los Gatos, a European walking store. They had a large selection of styles to choose from; in fact, they had several styles that were less "chunky and clunky" than the original. There are less expensive "knock offs" out there, but like the fact that I don't like to "waste calories" on anything bad, I don't want to waste money on the "wannabes" either. I wanted to try the product developed by the company that put this shoe technology on the map.

It has been almost one year with my MBTs. Needless to say, I retired my running shoes. MBTs are great for exercising, walking, hiking and daily casual use; I LOVE them! I can feel the difference in my leg and gluteus maximus muscles when I am wearing them especially during my treadmill and walking routines. I also believe that I get a better work out in these problem areas with my MBTs than I did with my running shoes; I have seen positive results.

My friend Craig is also an avid wearer of MBTs; in fact he owns 5 pair. Craig has been diagnosed with Halix Limitus which means that cartilage is lost in the big toe joint at the point where the toe meets the foot. It slowly progresses until there is very little cartilage left and it becomes very painful to walk. The solution to fix this problem is fusing the toe to the foot to immobilize it; "YIKES, anything to avoid this!"Craig exclaimed.

Recently, Craig and I where discussing MBTs. I asked him why he loved these shoes so much. It's "because of the rounded sole, I can get 90% of the walking motion without bending my big toe. Since diagnosed 4 years ago, my symptoms have not gotten any worse. In general, all of my MBTs are very comfortable, more comfortable than any shoe I've worn. I do actually get that floating sensation while walking."

I completely concur with Craig on the comfort and floating aspects of these shoes. Sometimes when I am wearing them, I forget that I have shoes on all together. In fact, I wish that I had known about MBTs back in the day that I was spending many hours standing on trade show floors; if I had been wearing them, surely my dogs would not have been barking!

Another great aspect about MBTs is that they can be resoled and refurbished after miles and miles of use. MBT has partnered with resole.com. You can send your shoes into them and they say in approximately two weeks you will have them back and be "on the road again."

I plan on expanding my collection with another pair of MBTs, perhaps a sandal for the summer? There are so many styles to chose from - athletic, boot, casual and professional. Will I ever wear these shoes for an evening out or in lieu of my heels with a business suit? Probably not, but then again you just never know.

Give us this day our daily bread

2011-03-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

It is rare that I use the word daily and bread in the same sentence. It is also rare for me to eat bread. This is mainly due to the carbohydrates and the calories. However, when Daryl makes her special Irish soda bread; or I am in France, splurging on a fresh baguette is tops on my list.

In January, 1993, during our honeymoon in Chamonix, France, Bob and I discovered the most wonderful "Baguettes Cereals." It was the 11 seed/grain bread of The Restaurant Albert 1er. Over the course of the week, I ate it every chance that I had; it is no wonder that I came home carrying an additional 10 pounds! The kitchen invited me for a 3:00 am bread bake but I politely declined; what regret I have today for choosing sleep over learning the secrets of making this French luxury. The restaurant was kind enough to send me off with the recipe which I treasure to this day.

My daily diet does not include splurging on bread; in fact, I try to keep the thought of it out of my mind. However, when I do have a hankering, there are some alternatives that meet my criteria - calories, carbohydrate and content (fiber, protein, whole grain, etc.). Keep in mind, these are not French baguette substitutions; these are healthy, satisfying breads made from bakeries that have interesting stories.

Dave's Killer Bread:

I found this bread at Costco in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, during the holidays last year. I bought it because I liked what it said on the package, it looked really hearty and good; full of seeds like some of the breads that you find in Europe. After researching further, I really appreciate the story of the founder Dave, an ex con that created this business after spending many years in prison.

My favorite is Killer Good Seed Bread. This is the bread that I purchased at Costco. When I got home, I tried to find it locally. To my dismay, the closet market that carried this product was in Tracy, CA. So, I decided to order direct. Yes, you can do this and receive up to 4 loaves. Because of the calories and the carbs, I decided to try Good Seed Killer Light and 21 Whole Grain Killer Light. Both are approximately half the calories and half the carbs of Killer Good Seed Bread.

Ezekiel 4.9

"Take also unto thee Wheat, and Barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and Spelt, and put them in one vessel, and make bread of it..." Rainier Bakery from the Northwest got inspiration for their bread from this bible verse. I became aware of this product from Dr. Ann Louise Gittlemen's Fat Flush Plan. This bread was introduced during phase two of the program as a "friendly carbohydrate" and again in the final or the lifestyle eating phase. It is one of my two favorite breads that are available locally. You can find it at the Whole Foods Market.

My favorite is the low sodium version of this bread. Recently, I tried their cinnamon raison

as recommended by my friend Sharon. She introduced a little diet trick using this bread; add approximately 1/4 cup of cottage cheese (I prefer nonfat), a sprinkle of cinnamon and a quick 20-30 second blast in the microwave. This 120 calorie treat tastes just like a warm cheese danish!

French Meadow Bakery

In my road warrior days, I flew through the Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport quite a bit. I stumbled upon the French Meadow Bakery as I was looking for something healthy and good to eat. Voila! The bakery not only offered really "good" airport food but also really great bread! They even had fresh loaves to go; I selected their "Women's Bread." From that day forward every time that I flew through, I would pick up a loaf or two to bring home not realizing that many of the bay area grocery stores carry this product.

"Women's Bread with Soy Isoflavones, is one of four functional breads baked at French Meadow's bakery" and is my favorite. "French Meadow's first foray into functional foods was the creation of its Women's Bread. Similar to most of the company's new products, Women's Bread was created to satiate the needs of Gordon (founder). Two events in her life prompted the creation of a bread catered to women. First, Gordon's mother passed away at the age of 42 from ovarian cancer. When Gordon approached a similar age her children and doctors urged her to get a hysterectomy to lessen the chances of Gordon getting cancer. However, Gordon did not want to take the hormone replacement therapy that followed the procedure. “I researched and discovered that soy isoflavones were a good source of phytoestrogen, and I knew I needed estrogen," Gordon says. In lieu of hormone replacement therapy, French Meadow formulated a loaf of bread that contains 512 mgs of soy isoflavones, which Gordon says lessens the severity of symptoms associated with menopause. Soy isoflavones also are ideal for lowering cholesterol and supporting a healthy heart. The company also uses organic flaxseed, organic sprouted grains and organic cranberries in the formula. These ingredients support healthy skin and increase the metabolism of fats."

You can read more about the 20 year history of this Minneapolis based bakery, their products, and founder Lynn Gordon's vision in French Meadow revolutionizes bread baking by Keith Seiz, posted on baking-management.com. French Meadow Bakery offers delicious products "that contains a laundry list of healthful ingredients."

When Pigs Fly

This New England artisan bakery makes wonderful handcrafted pre-sliced or par-baked breads. During my annual July trek to Hull, MA to celebrate Priscila's birthday, I found this delicious treasure. I tried the Seeded Whole Grain and Low-Carb Whole Wheat; both I enjoyed. Of course the Low-Carb bread is less than 1/2 the calories and 1/3 of the carbs of the Seeded Whole Grain.

Claude-Henri Saunier

Bonjour Paris/Hello Paris
Cartes d'Art
Postcard purchased in Paris, France

I purchased several loaves and shipped them home ground; BIG mistake! Thankfully, the bakery offers a shipping program and they know how to get the fresh wonders to your door. In fact, they have a "standing order" program where you can select deliveries weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or quarterly. I, however, am lucky; I can bypass this step altogether when Priscilla delivers direct to me.

If after all of these great options, you would still rather have a French baguette, maybe you should consider making it yourself? There is a recipe and instructions in "The Baguette" an article from the Art of Eating, back issue number 73/74. It is a round loaf recipe with many advantages of a baguette. Please keep in mind that I have not yet attempted to make this, but understand from a very good source that it is worth the splurge!

Cleansing Conclusions

2011-03-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

It has now been one full week since completing my 3-day BluePrintCleanse (BPC) and the 1-day "ease back onto solid foods" recommended recovery regime. I am satisfied with my results and I am a believer! BPC did help me to get off the plateau that was holding me back. I am now again well on my way to reach my weight loss goals of 1 to 1-1/2 pounds per week. Ultimately, after the completion of my 4 day program, I dropped 4.9 pounds. As you may guess, all of this did not stay off. After one week of "eating, drinking & being merry (with conscience awareness)" with "real" food and attending two dinner parties, my final result <3.7> pounds. It's possible that my results could have been greater by forgoing the dinner parties all together; however my goal was to break my plateau not to use the cleanse as my main weight loss mechanism.

After this objective test, I will incorporate BPC into my quarterly regime for plateau problems, over- indulgence from a celebration or vacation, or just getting myself back on track. I will even purchase their raw concoctions to have on hand for a morning or afternoon snack. I hope that they have a more San Jose centric location for purchasing these products soon.

When discussing BPC with a friend who works with a lot of brides, she suggested that this would be a great preparation for a wedding or a big event. I concur! In fact, BluePrintCleanse offers a "Bride to BPC" program.

The next time that I do BPC, I will avoid intense exercise. My 4+ mile walk was too aggressive for the amount of caloric intake while on this cleanse. From past experience on cleanses, I already knew this but had to try anyway. Instead, I think that a gentle yoga class, relaxing with a good book or meditation in a hot tub would be better alternatives for the mind, body, and spirit.

Whether you take on the BluePrintCleanse for the reasons that I did, or for reasons of your own, as the BPC folks say, it's about the "juice, the whole juice and nothing but the juice;" I believe it!

Let Them Eat Cake!

2011-03-09T09:45:00.000-08:00

There is much debate about these words that Marie Antoinette supposedly shouted "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche!" If she actually did, perhaps she was not referring to "cake" as we know it.

Growing up, my Grandma Stafford made beautiful cakes for all of her children and grandchildren for many, many years. Everything she created was from scratch, including the gardens of flowers she used to embellish them. It is a shame that I did not appreciate them or indulge in them as cake was never really one of my things; unless of course, it was fruitcake or Galette des Rois, both topics for another time.

Recently, I hosted a small birthday soiree for one of my friends who is a cake fanatic. Off I went to Icing on the Cake in Los Gatos. I know that I mentioned cake has never been one of my things; but that does not mean that I don't know where to go to find the BEST. Upon their recommendation, I selected the fresh banana cake. When I picked it up, I selected an additional 8 cupcakes of all different sorts to try and share. Needless to say, the cakes were a hit and enjoyed by all, including me with bite size portions.

Again, another birthday to plan and yes, a call to Icing on the Cake. This time, since all attending the soiree were trying to be "good" and aware of caloric intake, I ordered the Angel Food cake with the lemon glaze. Did you know that Angel Food cake is typically lower in calories than other types of cake? In fact, there are approximately 72 calories per slice (1/12 of a 12" cake, of course glaze-less). With the addition of fresh blueberries and whip cream (fat free for me and creme fraiche for the others) nobody felt the loss of a more caloric cake with filling and frosting. The cake was delicious; I even ate a full slice.

"Qu'ils mangent de la brioche!

Icing on the Cake's motto is "eat something sweet every day." It is possible to go there and enjoy something different for days and days and days. The choices and flavors of the products that the bakery offers are endless. They make a wide variety of cakes with fillings and frostings as well as pound, cheese, loaf and cupcakes. Don't let their name fool you; they also make cookies, brownies, bars, pies, breakfast treats, and more. I even noticed that raw cookie dough was available for purchase so that you can make your own fresh baked goods.

Cake is one of life's great pleasures; it is part of celebratory rituals, social events and for some an afternoon delight with a glass of champagne. That is what Marie-Jose and I did in Hong Kong. We had a decadent encounter at Sevva; champagne and Marie Antoinette's Crave, a famous, favorite from Mrs. B's Sweets cake counter at Sevva.

the Art of Eating

2011-03-07T08:40:00.000-08:00

This beautiful publication created by Edward Behr in 1986 is for all of you "Foodies" out there. It is very hard for me to call this a magazine because to me it is more like art; food and drink art.

I had never seen or heard of this publication. Before Thanksgiving, I was meeting with my friend Barbara in Palo Alto and asked her for a grocery store recommendation near California Avenue. She replied, " Molly Stones of course." I went there, did my shopping and got in line to check out. the Art of Eating was right there, glaring at me waiting to be purchased like an impulse buy; though, it was something more, so much more!

The quarterly publication is void of advertisements. Each edition targets a specific subject, for example: "New Ways to Be a Restaurant in Paris," or "Real Beer in Belgium the Greatest Brewing Country," or "Really Good Goat Cheese". There are interesting articles, recipes, restaurants and book reviews. I think that Alice Waters statement sums it up completely: "This is what the food movement used to be all about - honesty and integrity - not hype."

I have given this beautiful creation for birthday, Christmas and hostess gifts to all of my family and friends that enjoy "the Art of Eating," you should too!

When life gives you LEMONS...

2011-03-05T16:43:00.000-08:00

squeeze them and make LEMON-AID!

We all have our favorite lemon drinks; the Italian digestif limoncello is at the top of my list. Yesterday on the Dr. Oz web site, I noticed a small article about the power of lemon juice. It took me right back to the early 80's when my mother and I were faithful followers of The Diet Center back in Menomonie, Wisconsin. When I moved to California in the late 80's, I again followed this program. The kick-starter of the day - a cup of hot water and lemon juice.

In June 2004 at a trade show in San Diego, one of my colleagues from the East coast introduced me to Anne Louise Gittleman’s Fat Flush Plan. We were deep in discussions about detoxing post show due too much over indulgence. He told about all of his wife's success on this new program. The second that I got home, I purchased not only a book for myself, but also for one of my best girlfriends. Both of us were off and "Fat Flushing"! Again, upon awakening, a cup of hot water and lemon juice.

With my most recent experiment the BluePrintCleanse, my day began with this elixir. Over the years when I have not been following any programs, I have included this easy, refreshing concoction into my morning routine. Sometimes, I have concluded my day with it as well, sipping it before going to bed after an evening of indulgence.

I remember hearing that drinking this would "kick start" my metabolism, that it was great for detoxing, digestion and could even ease bloating. It was a cleaner and stimulator for the liver and kidneys. Lemons are high in vitamin C and the juice contains electrolytes - calcium, magnesium and potassium. I did not realize until reading Dr. Oz's article about lemons that "a popular belief in ancient Indian medicine, or ayurveda, is that the natural acid of the lemon has antibacterial properties."

The benefits that lemons and lemon juice provide seem to be endless. Who would think that this sour little fruit could be so sweet?

"Try it, you'll like it!"

2011-03-03T16:03:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog. Barbara my dear friend, teacher and confidant inspired me. It is because of our conversation yesterday and the sharing of her blog that gave me the "light bulb" moment, the courage and the idea to try.

The idea to do a blog on my experiences with "Eating, Drinking and Being Merry" and still being able to follow my healthy regime came to me yesterday while walking Rubie my beautiful girl. This is a topic that has consumed me most of my life. Anyway, Rubie and I were on our routine 4+ mile walk, the farthest point from our home when hunger took over my body to the point that I wondered if I would ever make it back; I started to sweat and I felt very weak, my stomach was growling. This was a very different feeling than the typical blood sugar drop. Maybe it was too intense of a workout for the second day of a new cleanse - BluePrintCleanse (BPC)?

I heard about the BPC a few years ago while listening to the Gail King (yes Oprah's BFF) radio show. She was a user and a fan of this product. I was so interested as I am with all diet related things, I went on line and ordered a 3 day supply to try. You can not imagine how disappointed I was when I was told that it was only available in New York and New Jersey. Recently, however, I found that some of the BPC products were offered on Gilt. This spurred my interest again and right to the web site I went. Now, BPC can be delivered straight to your door anywhere in the USA!

There are three different programs to choose from, beginner, intermediate and expert. I selected the "middle of the road" or intermediate option, The Foundation Cleanse. I thought for me that would be a good choice since I have done cleanses in the past that the daily caloric intake was much lower.

My 3 day supply arrived Tuesday morning just in time to start the cleanse. The daily portfolio of juices included: 1 - creamy cashew nut milk with vanilla, cinnamon and agave nectar, 1 - combination of fruit juices - PAM - pineapple, green apple and mint, 1 - refreshing lemonade with lemon, agave nectar and cayenne, and 3 - nourishing green juices full of romaine, celery, cucumber, green apple, spinach, kale, parsley and lemon. The juice is drunk throughout the day with the green juices alloted for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The others are snacks in between. I must admit that even though your daily calorie intake is 1010, you feel HUNGRY; this is that "loose weight feeling" as my husband often reminds me.

I believe that BPC cleanse is great for a "jump start" to improve the way you feel after "eating, drinking and being merry," or giving your body a boast if you are on a diet plateau (this is the reason for me this time). After day two, the results of the cleanse - down 3.1 pounds. I am very impressed with the quality and the taste of these products. I am happy with the weight loss results, how I feel and how well I sleep. Being easy to obtain and use are just additional bonuses. I intend to incorporate BluePrintCleanse to my regime at least once a quarter.

"He likes it, hey Mikey!"