November 27, 2013
14 Day Diet Challenge - Blog #1
So here's how this is going to go. I'm going to write every three days, or so, and talk about what sort of substitutions I have made to the recipes, how much I eat, if I have cheated at all, etc. One thing I've noticed just so far is that cooking these meals makes me feel amazing. I'm not bloated, over full, or regretting meals.
Day 1: I wasn't quite sure I was even going to be able to eat the five meals that are required for the challenge. But it seems to be going well so far. For all of the meals I doubled the recipes to cut down on cooking time...best idea ever.
Meal 1: Pumpkin parfait, I only substituted agave nectar for the honey since I am allergic and I used about a quarter of what was called for with the honey so it wouldn't be too sweet. I also couldn't find kasha at my grocery store so I just used 1/2 cup of the pumpkin spice granola I made a week ago. It was delicious. The whole meal. Very very pleased.
Meal 2: Tuna pita, I didn't use a pita (so it became tuna salad on bread), instead I had one slice of whole wheat bread. It also looks like a lot but the veggies aren't as filling so the tuna and bread make it fantastic. The flavor was amazing. (Sorry no photo...I ate it before I realized. Whoops)
Meal 3: Apricot Pork Tenderloin, I'm feeling very spoiled. I love tenderloin. My dad makes it just perfectly. Sadly there weren't any apricots at the store...not the season I guess so I substituted peaches instead. The flavor and consistency are pretty similar. I also cut down drastically on the soy sauce so the flavor wouldn't overwhelm my pork...just my personal preference.
Meal 4: Fruit and Vegetable Fiesta Salad, I ended up making quite a bit of this so I'm thinking it'll last for maybe two more meals. I completely recommend making this for about an hour or so before you eat it because it allows the lime juice to permeate all the veggies. It's fantastic. One of my favorites so far. Definitely going to keep making this one.
Meal 5: I'm not really feeling like cooking so since I've eaten really well today I'm going to have an apple with almond butter. This is not in the book people (well its in there but not as a meal option). But almond butter packs a mean amount of protein...and its delicious. If I am honest with myself that's why I eat it.
Day 2: I'm eating the same meals today that I did yesterday, honestly its not boring. I think most people end up eating about the same food on a daily basis. Since they are already made up in my refrigerator its rather easy. I'm feeling amazing today. I took my measurements yesterday so I have a clear idea of how the challenge is working. I did have half of a chocolate brownie that was made with applesauce instead of oil. I was really set on doing the diet perfectly for the entire challenge, but to be honest no one's perfect and I'd rather give you a view of what changes can be expected being a normal person who can't be perfect with their diet everyday. -I had turkey and brussel sprouts for dinner. They are now my new favorite veggie.
Day 3: French Toast for breakfast...nothing gets you out of bed easier than bread. Yummy.
Meal 2:Tuna Pita again (I finished my leftovers)
Meal 3: Cucumber yogurt salad with toast. Its supposed to be a BBQ'd pita. I nixed that one. It's barely 10 degrees outside. I also did less yogurt, mostly because I knew I couldn't eat all of it. That would be another bit of advice I have. Don't be afraid to scale down the portions if you need.
Meal 4: Fiesta Salad (again)!!
I am feeling a little light headed today most likely from my body getting used to a new diet. It just means that I drink more water and don't wait longer than 3 hours to eat. I want to reiterate that this is not starving me. It's a diet change. The meals are fantastic, extra tasty and so well balanced. Bodies just get into a rut and it's hard to get out of that.
Meal 5: Orange Ginger Stir Fry. Boy oh boy was this delicious. My husband even came into the kitchen and told me it smelled amazing.
Day 4: All the same meals from the previous day. Alas, I had two cookies. My mother in law makes the absolute best chocolate chip cookies and we had a get together at our house...oh well. It is starting to pay off however, I have lost 3-4 lbs and I'm seeing more definition in my abdominals and a more chiseled waist. I'm so happy.
I did want to say that this is by far the best meal plan I have been on (and no I'm not being paid). When you are dieting most of the food that diet books come up with are bland, boring, and repetitive. These are so incredibly far from that. I have no problem following the guidelines and I look forward to new recipes. For all of the guys out there...don't worry the meals are not hard to cook. Just figure out how to chop veggies and you'll be set!
Visit Rachael's personal blog: threerights.wordpress.com
Meal 1: Pumpkin parfait, I only substituted agave nectar for the honey since I am allergic and I used about a quarter of what was called for with the honey so it wouldn't be too sweet. I also couldn't find kasha at my grocery store so I just used 1/2 cup of the pumpkin spice granola I made a week ago. It was delicious. The whole meal. Very very pleased.
Meal 2: Tuna pita, I didn't use a pita (so it became tuna salad on bread), instead I had one slice of whole wheat bread. It also looks like a lot but the veggies aren't as filling so the tuna and bread make it fantastic. The flavor was amazing. (Sorry no photo...I ate it before I realized. Whoops)
Meal 3: Apricot Pork Tenderloin, I'm feeling very spoiled. I love tenderloin. My dad makes it just perfectly. Sadly there weren't any apricots at the store...not the season I guess so I substituted peaches instead. The flavor and consistency are pretty similar. I also cut down drastically on the soy sauce so the flavor wouldn't overwhelm my pork...just my personal preference.
Meal 4: Fruit and Vegetable Fiesta Salad, I ended up making quite a bit of this so I'm thinking it'll last for maybe two more meals. I completely recommend making this for about an hour or so before you eat it because it allows the lime juice to permeate all the veggies. It's fantastic. One of my favorites so far. Definitely going to keep making this one.
Meal 5: I'm not really feeling like cooking so since I've eaten really well today I'm going to have an apple with almond butter. This is not in the book people (well its in there but not as a meal option). But almond butter packs a mean amount of protein...and its delicious. If I am honest with myself that's why I eat it.
Day 2: I'm eating the same meals today that I did yesterday, honestly its not boring. I think most people end up eating about the same food on a daily basis. Since they are already made up in my refrigerator its rather easy. I'm feeling amazing today. I took my measurements yesterday so I have a clear idea of how the challenge is working. I did have half of a chocolate brownie that was made with applesauce instead of oil. I was really set on doing the diet perfectly for the entire challenge, but to be honest no one's perfect and I'd rather give you a view of what changes can be expected being a normal person who can't be perfect with their diet everyday. -I had turkey and brussel sprouts for dinner. They are now my new favorite veggie.
Day 3: French Toast for breakfast...nothing gets you out of bed easier than bread. Yummy.
Meal 2:Tuna Pita again (I finished my leftovers)
Meal 3: Cucumber yogurt salad with toast. Its supposed to be a BBQ'd pita. I nixed that one. It's barely 10 degrees outside. I also did less yogurt, mostly because I knew I couldn't eat all of it. That would be another bit of advice I have. Don't be afraid to scale down the portions if you need.
Meal 4: Fiesta Salad (again)!!
I am feeling a little light headed today most likely from my body getting used to a new diet. It just means that I drink more water and don't wait longer than 3 hours to eat. I want to reiterate that this is not starving me. It's a diet change. The meals are fantastic, extra tasty and so well balanced. Bodies just get into a rut and it's hard to get out of that.
Meal 5: Orange Ginger Stir Fry. Boy oh boy was this delicious. My husband even came into the kitchen and told me it smelled amazing.
Day 4: All the same meals from the previous day. Alas, I had two cookies. My mother in law makes the absolute best chocolate chip cookies and we had a get together at our house...oh well. It is starting to pay off however, I have lost 3-4 lbs and I'm seeing more definition in my abdominals and a more chiseled waist. I'm so happy.
I did want to say that this is by far the best meal plan I have been on (and no I'm not being paid). When you are dieting most of the food that diet books come up with are bland, boring, and repetitive. These are so incredibly far from that. I have no problem following the guidelines and I look forward to new recipes. For all of the guys out there...don't worry the meals are not hard to cook. Just figure out how to chop veggies and you'll be set!
Visit Rachael's personal blog: threerights.wordpress.com