I really enjoyed this documentary. Aussie, Joe Cross, is down to earth, humble, and endearing. But what I liked best was its inspirational quality and the fact that doctor's checkups and approval were absolutely imperative to the program. Plus, the nutritional analysis.
Since watching this film, I haven't done the full fast. But I have replaced one meal per day with a vegetable juice. I used V8 (the 12 oz. can) as our juicer is on the fritz. But I have lost 5.5 lbs. in just two weeks, which was very exciting for me as menopause has been quite a challenge.
With my slower menopausal metabolism, nothing seemed to work the way it used to. I exercise regularly (hard) and stay away from sugar and white carbs (quitting refined sugar cured me of Graves Disease). So there's no cookies, cake, candy, white rice, white bread, or soda pop in my diet. I used to replace these foods with the lower sugar or sugar free options (see my book: The Sugar Addict's Diet by S.J. Wise). But I don't even crave sweets anymore. Not even chocolate!
Still, with menopause, I gained 30 stubborn pounds. I even doubled my weekly exercise hours from 4 to 8 (adding an hour of slower fat-burning exercises to each session) and I lost inches but no weight. In fact, I gained! I didn't start losing the weight until the meal substitution.
But don't take my word for it. Watch this film. It could be the answer you've been looking for.
I Loooove this drink! It's one of my favorites. It's like a Long Island Ice Tea but with Cranberry Juice; sometimes called a "Long Beach".
I use:
1/3rd each Vodka, Rum, and Gin
(Lately I've been enjoying 1 shot drinks. That way I can drink more drinks and enjoy drinking for a longer time, making the "Buzz" last a bit... before passing out. LOL)
1/3rd shot R.W. Knudsen's (It's hard to type when you're already buzzed - I just finished my taxes - yay! So that deserved some celebration ; )
(as I was saying: 1/3rd shot) Lemon Ginger Echinacea
1/3rd shot All Natural Simply Limeade
1 shot Diet Low Carb Cranberry Juice (Kroger's or Ocean Spray works pretty well. Look for less than 10 carbs per 8 oz. serving)
and then 3 shots Cola (I like Diet Caffeine Free)
and lots of ice
Nummmmm! Goes down so easy and you can't taste the liquor.
Of course, if you're not on a diet you can always use the regular stuff. But, hey, sugar is really bad for you. That's it, I'm off my soap box. Do WETHYW. Life is about choices after all.
Ohhhh, the relief of taxes done. It kinda sucks to have your own business. So much more complex. Hey, maybe with my new job, I'll be a corporate clone now ( when ORGANIC becomes the MACHINE). Wouldn't that just be so much more easier. NO.
Sour Apple Liqueur has 72 calories per one ounce shot! Wow.
And most cocktails require a full ounce. But, here, with only 1/4 oz. we will
reduce that to only 18 calories without sacrificing flavor. Carbs = 7.5 per oz. so ¼ oz. = only 1.9 carbs.
So it's not really a super duper low carb cocktail. But when compared to the original Fuzzy Navel with, on average 275 - 300 calories per serving; and 37 to 50 carbs on average... well, it's a pretty good savings. Especially if you have more than one. And who can have just one? Again, I ask you, who can have just one?
P.S. Welcome Bulgaria!! BodyBeautyBliss is now being read in 14 countries around the world: US, UK, Canada, Italy, Malaysia, Denmark, Netherlands, Philippines, Croatia, Slovenia, Russia, Moldova, Australia, and Bulgaria.
4 Skinless Chicken Breasts Diced (can be bought frozen and thawed) and visible fat removed.
1 Packet Chicken bouillon (paste is best)
1 10 oz. Can Diced Tomatoes (Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis is best!)
1 12 oz. Jar of Chunky Salsa
1 Can Pineapple Chunks or Shredded (No Sugar Added). Optional: To reduce carbs even more, skip the pineapple. For an extra zing, add mango chunks instead!
2 T Curry (to your taste: hot, medium, or mild). I generally use Masala. But any kind will do.
2 T Dehydrated Beans (I use Fantastic World Foods All Natural Black Beans) for a healthier thickener than flour. Comes in a box.
1/3rd Cup Sour Cream (full fat or non-fat depending on which diet you're on)
2 Tablespoons Ranch Dressing
Melt oil in deep frying pan. Start sauteing onions. Add chicken pieces and bouillon and brown on medium heat. Once browned, sprinkle with salt, curry, and dehydrated beans. Stir. Turn heat down to simmer on low. Add salsa, diced tomatoes, and pineapple chunks. Include the fluid in each. Do not add extra water. Let simmer for twenty minutes.
Just before serving add sour cream and ranch dressing.
Makes 8 servings.
Note: There are no potatoes or rice added to this curry to keep the carbs low. However, if you're not watching carbs, feel free to serve this dish along with whole grain rice. You could even add peas to the recipe (frozen taste the best).
*Chicken may be substituted with lean pork or beef.
*Smart Balance Buttery Spread: Excellent source of omega-3's, calcium, vitamins D, E, EPA & DHA.
Hot Pirate Wench
This drink was inspired by this AWESOME Captain Morgan Rum video starring Marisa Miller. But I have to apologize here. The name, Hot Pirate Wench, just sounded better than Hot Pirate Chick. Unfortunately, "Wench" (according to Wikipedia and Dictionary.com) denotes a girl or young woman, a lass of dubious intent and lower class; generally a prostitute or extremely promiscuous female, a "working girl", if you will. Well, I won't.
As if there's something wrong with being a "working girl". Hmf. I'd like to think our Pirate Femme here is, rather, a woman of strong character and, although she may be promiscuous, it is always with a partner of her own, very discerning, choice. Note: SHE is the one in control. And, hey, is that a young Keith Richards?
And I have to add, just for fun, that to the right side of my search, were the words... "Amazon: For the Best Price on Wenches".
So, here it is, My Healthier Cocktail:
Hot Pirate Wench
1 ½ shots Rum (.3 carbs/84 calories)
1 shot Kroger Light Apple Juice (.8 carbs/3.1 calories)
1 shot All Natural Simply Limeade (4 carbs/15 calories) (or just a squeeze of Lime if you're intensely watching calories and carbs. Tastes much better with the Simply Limeade though.)
2 shots Ocean Spray Diet Cranberry Juice (.25 carbs/.6 calories)
For a Total of: 102.7 calories and 5.35 carbs
If you choose the lime squeeze, it's only 1.35 carbs. Compare that with the, up to 40 grams carbs and 700 calories, for a similar drink (Rum Punch) with real liqueurs, high fructose corn syrup, and sugar added fruit juices. Mmm. Tasty and good for you. You can probably count this drink as one or two of your daily fruit servings. But don't take my word for it, read up.
A great site that I like to use to calculate food and exercise calories, is: www.EverydayHealth.com
Go to "Food and Fitness" on the top bar and then scroll down to "My Calorie Counter" for an awesome way to keep track of calories consumed vs. calories burned.
Note: The brand names of the mixers in this recipe are important here, because these are the lowest calorie/carb versions I have found. If you find better, please let me know.
Also, please be aware that although straight rum is carb free, flavored rums might have an inkling of carbs. Please read Lisa Shea's awesome article: "Rum Carb Counts and Nutrition" at: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33315.asp
*Too Strong? Add water or a clear diet soda such as Diet Sprite, Diet 7Up, or Fresca. Be conscious of the fact, though, that these drinks contain Aspartame (an ingredient that is NOT recommended by me).
At most healthfood stores you can find a soda called Hansen's. The diet version is sweetened with Splenda. It has no preservatives, no sodium, no caffeine, no carbs, and no calories. Best of all, it's one of the only sodas you can find without aspartame.
*Healthful Hint: Add a bunch of ice. A tray holds 14 cubes. I add 10-12 using a larger glass. That way you'll be hydrating as you go, as the ice melts.
Image via Wikipedia
