Tuesday, January 31, 2012

5 Tips to help you complete the HCG Diet Successfully



1.       Start the diet with the full intention of completing it. Commit to it!! If you plan to fail you will, if you plan to succeed you will!

2.       Drink plenty of water to help eliminate fat and toxins.

3.       Prepare all your meals ahead of time so that they can be ready for you when you need it.  Avoid falling in the trap of not having the food ready and eating something else instead.

4.       Do the diet with a buddy !!! The buddy system REALLY works !!

5.       Use mineral make up and lotions with mineral oils. Wondering what is mineral oil?

Mineral oil is one of a number of inexpensive byproducts that are made from petroleum. Sometimes referred to as paraffin oil or Nujol, white mineral oil is composed of a blend of hydrocarbons that is not unlike that of petroleum jelly. The difference is that mineral oil is a liquid petrolatum, making it an ideal choice for a number of applications.

Perhaps the single most common use for white mineral oil is to remove makeup at the end of the day. Mineral oil has the ability to cut through the minute amounts of grease and dirt that tend to cling to makeup over the course of the day, making it possible to strip off the layer of makeup easy and prepare the face for cleansing. Along with removing makeup from the face, mineral oil is often used as a beauty treatment, as it is an excellent amplifier that helps the body to absorb ultraviolet rays without drying out the skin. While not everyone is aware, baby oil is simply mineral oil that has been enhanced with a small amount of fragrance.

You will find mineral makeup at Walmart or any drugstore, or at this website.  
Most lotions are made of mineral oil, look at the ingredients to verify.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Caramelized Apples

Ingredients
1 apple
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 packet powdered stevia
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
1 tablespoon water
English toffee stevia to taste

Directions
Slice apple into very thin slices. Arrange in layers in a round 3 inch crème Brule dish. For each layer, sprinkle generously with cinnamon, nutmeg, and powdered and English toffee stevia. Continue layering with spices until dish is full. Sprinkle lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and water over the apple slices. Bake at 375 for approximately 20-25 minutes or until apples are cooked and top is slightly crispy. Drizzle with additional English toffee stevia if desired. Serve warm.

Makes 1 serving (1 fruit) (((Phase 3 modifications: Add a small amount of melted butter to the mixture and top with a tablespoon of chopped walnuts or pecans.)))

Friday, January 20, 2012

Blueberry Protein Smoothie for Phase 3


Ingredients
 
 1 scoop VANILLA WHEY PROTEIN POWDER
 ½ cup Frozen NO SUGAR ADDED Blueberries
 ½ cup Oikos Greek Plain Yogurt
 ½ cup UNSWEET Almond Milk
½ cup Water
4 packets Stevia
 2-3 dropperfuls of French Vanilla Stevia (Liquid)
14 ice cubes (less if you have a smaller container than I do. Mine holds 48 ounces)

Instructions
 Add all ingredients into blender and  blend until consistency of frothy icy smoothie.

238 calories Total Fat 3.8 g Saturated 1g Polyunsaturated .3g Monounsaturated .8g Cholestrol 70mg Sodium 172.5mg Potassium 382.5mg Total Carbs 16.5g Dietary Fiber 3.5g Sugars 11.5g Protein 35.5g Vitamin A 5% Vitamin C 3% Calcium 47.5% Iron 7%

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Asparagus Frittata

Ingredients

  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 whole egg
  • asparagus (allowed amount)
  • 1-2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 T dehydrated minced onion
  • 1 T water
  • 1 t parsley
  • salt/pepper (to taste)
  • tabasco (optional)


  •  Directions
    1. Preheat pan over MED heat.
    2. Snap woody ends off asparagus and discard.
    3. Snap each asparagus spear into 2-3 pieces. Add to pan with garlic & heat through until tender.
    4. Preheat oven to 400.
    5. In bowl, mix eggs & water. Add asparagus, minced onion, parsley, salt/pepper.
    6. Pour egg mixture into non-stick baking dish (or dish lined with parchment paper).
    7. Place in oven and cook 10-15 mins until done.
    8. Top with tabasco (optional) and serve immediately.

    Filet Mignon with Braised Cabbage

    Ingredients:

    4 oz filet mignon
    1 cup Cabbage shredded
    Cider vinegar
    Lemon Pepper
    Sweet n Low
    Rosemary leaves
    Instructions:
    Coo the filet mignon in a stovetop grill pan.
    Drizzle a little vinegar and lemmon pepper on top and sprinkle a few Rosemary leaves before grilling and make sure to not overcook. Slice very thin.

    Cabbage is put in small saucepan with enough water to allow to 'braise'...adding vinegar and a packet or two of Sweet n Low to sweeten.

    I like lemon pepper so I add that too. Fold the cabbage over and over to cook evenly...do not overcook.

    Number of Servings: 1

     Enjoy !!
    Calories per serving of Filet Mignon w/ Braised Cabbage
    209 calories of Filet Mignon, (4 oz)

    18 calories of Cabbage, fresh, (1 cup, shredded)

    4 calories of Cider Vinegar, (2 tbsp)