Hey all,

It's been about one month since I started this WOE and it's "almost" becoming second nature to me now.

Although I'm still weighing and measuring EVERYTHING, I am surprised that I'm getting better at 'guessing' the quantity of foods for my meals. I'm still experimenting with creating my own dishes, and have come up with some good ones and my DH doesn't complain one bit! Well...except that he'll have to buy new pants since his current ones are totally falling off! Like me, he has dropped eight total pounds, but his waist size has dramatically decreased and that puffy look as faded away. He is still off all of his diabetes meds, and his blood glucose levels have remained very stable during this period.

I have been 'pounding' the pavement about five days per week in order to rev up my metabolism. Got a great new pair of New Balance's and with the extra stability the shoes provide, my foot neuroma hasn't been affected at all. I am still holding steady at an eight pound loss, but I am already seeing some changes to my body. My clothes are definitely fitting better and I sure am enjoying more pleasant mental clarity. Power walking has been the only exercise that I really enjoy, so I just set my alarm for 6:00 am and head out to watch the sunrise. It's wonderful!

Working the plan has re-educated me a bit on the lower glycemic veggies and fruits. For the time being, we are sticking very close to the original 'tweaked' plan of 35%carbs/35%fats/30%pro. With our insulin sensitivities, DH and I find that this is almost perfect in keeping us satisfied while consuming adequate amounts of calories.

When I was a vegetarian (way back when...) I used to prepare a dish with smoked tofu and curried greens. I have adjusted it a bit since my DH isn't really that crazy about tofu, but other than substituting rutabaga (or turnips) for the red potatoes and smoked turkey sausage for the tofu, it is pretty much like I used to make it. And it's very good (IF you like curry!)

I just wanted to stop in and give you guys a progress report, so I'll leave you with my recipe:

Smoked Sausage and Curried Greens

1 lb. raw rutabaga, cubed
2 lb. fresh raw mushrooms, sliced thick
8 oz. raw onion, large chop
3 15 oz. cans prepared fat-free chicken broth
12 oz. raw kale leaves (this usually means that I have to purchase a little over one lb. of kale to get the 12 oz. of leaves)
2 TB curry powder (or to taste)
Cornstarch mixed with water to thicken (OPTIONAL)
1.25 lb. Smoked Turkey Sausage

Steam rutabaga in vegetable steamer just until barely tender. Meanwhile, in the bottom of a heavy bottom dutch oven, put mushrooms and onions. Add a bit of the chicken broth and using medium to medium high heat, cook the onions and mushrooms until both are barely tender. Set rutabaga aside for now.

Thoroughly wash the kale (three times is sometimes necessary) and then strip the kale leaves from the fibrous stems and tear into smaller pieces. When the onions and mushrooms are cooked to your liking, add the kale to the dutch oven and add the chicken broth. Cover the pan and continue cooking over medium heat until the kale is tender and is reduced to a fraction of its former bulk.

Cut the sausage into one oz. chunks (obviously, there should be about 20 chunks) and add to the mushrooms, onions and greens. Add the steamed rutabaga. Stir to combine all ingredients. Allow flavors to combine about 5 minutes and then add curry powder.

Once you have tasted and corrected the amount of curry powder, use the cornstarch and water mixture to thicken the dish. NOTE: this is optional, but it does give the broth more body. The nutritional analysis includes the cornstarch option.

According to my Life Form Nutrition program, this recipe makes 4 4-block meals as follows:

Calories: 456
Carb: 50g (9g fiber) 38% of calories
Fats: 16g (5g saturated) 33% of calories
Prot: 32g 30% of calories

Many blessings,

Donna

Hey Donna - great to hear from you (and thanks for the recipe!) I usually quick boil firm Tofu and then quick stirfry it in sesame oil. I DO like curry - very much! Yes, that was how my weight loss went - I lost some - but when I adjusted my WOE (to very much like zoning) the actual inches disappeared and my whole body changed shape - and THEN the final loss appeared on scale-monster. Sounds as if you and DH are going great! Good choice on the walking too - can't go far wrong with that activity!! Well done - and best wishes to you both!

__________________
The fox is wild!



5'3" Maintaining 121-125
Original weight 198 +

Donna, how marvelous to hear how well you and your DH are doing. The additional mental clarity is such a bonus, isn't it? I know with your dedication to health and exercise you'll not only reach your goals, but also will have adopted a satisfying lifestyle. Truly finding your own personal balance is such a key.

The recipe sounds marvelous. I rarely do any curry dishes, but this one sounds delicious--and kale is such a nutritious and tasty choice...

Please do keep us posted and/or feel free to chat any time. Good Job!!

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

After I posted my my message, I realized that I should have waited one more day since we were invited to a pot luck that evening and this was going to be our first "test" to see how we would do. I prepared a marinated raw vegetable salad with cukes, peppers, tomatoes and onions with herbs, olive oil and red wine vinegar and a sprinkling of pecorino romano cheese.

Of all the dishes that were contributed by the 15+ couples that attended, there were only TWO vegetable dishes! one of them being mine!!!! I couldn't believe it! Well, somehow, DH and I managed to eat "around" all the breaded, deep fat fried, sugar sweetened, rice and noodle dishes. Plus, I planned ahead and made DH and I a turkey breast wrap on a low carb tortilla with lettuce, onions, tomatoes as well as packing some green grapes. THANK GOODNES! It worked out beautifully and we ate happily as well as healthfully. Of course, we both got some strange looks, but being in our 50's, we're rarely affected by what other people think!

This morning, DH's blood sugar is still excellent and I've dropped another pound! We couldn't have asked for anything better. I think it was good that we had to participate in the pot luck. It definitely showed both of us that we can survive anything by simply being aware and making consistently good choices.

You guys are great at providing the ongoing support and encouragement. I've noticed that this is one of the very few places that I can get that. I've tried to check out other forums and message boards and they are eerily quiet. I'm very glad you're here. Thanks!

Donna

I'm very glad we're here too Donna!

What a fantastic result you had yesterday eh! Excellent! I actually find that even when there is rubbish food around - I just don't eat it. My DH is really only copying me with this WOE. I was watching him at a function on Friday evening - he ate every piece of junk in sight! I didn't even fancy any of it. However, there were some decent protein and veggies there - so I was happy with those. And yes, I had prepared some vegetables before we went too and that works well I think. Best not to go to a function without some good fuel already in there! The additional clarity and focus is MOST welcome as one ages - and heavens yes - why should you worry about what anyone else thinks - in fact, viva la difference! And thank YOU for being here - your questions/journey have raised some great points of discussion and your success is encouraging to me!

__________________
The fox is wild!



5'3" Maintaining 121-125
Original weight 198 +

Well, that deserves a second "congratulations" today, Donna. "First" experiences, like eating out, holidays, etc., when you are on a new plan can cause a bit of frustration if you don't have some forethought. Will you find enough to eat? Will you cave in to tempation? Will someone comment on my choices? Fortunately, you and DH had your first outing well in hand! Good work! Bodes well for the future

Still, there may come a time when you don't make the best choices, either on purpose (a planned splurge) or by accident (an unexpected ingredient). The wonderful thing about the Zone, IMO, is that it is guilt free. The whole philosophy is "ok, that meal/snack wasn't so great, but at the next meal, I'll be back in the Zone. Simple as that. No induction or ketosis to screw up. No mind set of "blowing it."

I know the experience of having to pick around to find "the good "stuff. DH and I were invited to a restaurant with another couple one evening. Usually not a big problem because I can find something acceptable at most restaurants, assuming a cooperative staff. This place, however, turned out not to be a restaurant, but a buffet featuring only salads, soups, and pasta dishes. The carb and fat components could be nicely handled, but it was truly a chore finding enough protein that evening. Live and learn!

Beachfox, I had to laugh. My DH is much the same as yours. He'll eat whatever I put down at home, but I hesitate to imagine what he consumes in his two meals away from home he eats at his workplace cafeteria.

Donna, I'm delighted you and Beachfox are here, sharing this journey! I also find myself buoyed by your success!

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108