What are your must haves to help you through p2?

[my3peas]

I'm prepping for another round and while I've researched and read a ton, so much is all over the place. So I thought I'd ask here. What helps make p2 easier for you (recipes, ingredients, etc)? What can you not live without?

[dooy]

A few things: good variety in herbal teas. A hot beverage really helps keep my mind, hands and mouth busy!

[dooy]

Also, the George Forman grill ($49) is amazing, quick and turns out really flavorful meats and chicken.

I love baked apples (in some water halve and core the apples and sprinkle with stevia, cinnamon, pinch of clove, pinch of nutmeg and bake for an hour). I make 4 at a time and then pop them in the microwave.

My staples are chicken, fish, shrimp and ground beef in that order.

I now love cabbage (you can eat a lot of it!) and saute it in veggie broth with a mix of spices and then pulse/chop it in the blender for 5 seconds and it has a soup, rice-like consistency. I use it as a base to put meat/chicken/fish over and it tastes like a stew. It just feels more like comfort food than the usual grilled meat/steamed veggie.

We're also eating a lot of raw spinach and greens with apple cider vinegar.

Thanks for posting this! I'm looking forward to what others are enjoying!

[toomuchbooty]

Originally Posted by dooy

A few things: good variety in herbal teas. A hot beverage really helps keep my mind, hands and mouth busy!

I second the herbal tea. I went to a place here called David's Tea and spent a small fortune on fantastic loose leaf teas. I drink four 16oz tumblers a day of tea at work.

[Avy]

Just marking my spot as I'll be starting my first round ever in the next few ones, once I receive my drops, get my meals all planned and get myself psyched lol.

[my3peas]

Thanks girls!

I like tilapia poached in some chicken broth w/ spices and then add a big handful of spinach at the end. I could eat it every day.

Looking forward to more responses!

[Crazy PreK Teacher]

Buffalo wing sauce/chicken
Maple Grove S/F Balsamic viniegrette Dressing (5 cals/2 T)
Mrs. Dash Chile Lime spice/cucumbers
S/F honey/lime shrimp
grape tomatoes/cucumbers (I ate these when I had to have something extra)
10 cal. S/F Jello cup
gr. beef/ 1/2 can Rotel tomatoes/onion
eggbeaters/salsa on top
gr. beef/lettuce/salsa/lime
S/F cherry life savers/Brach's butterscotch disks/Crystal Light(I'm a candy freak)
1 sq. TJ's Simply Lite milk choc. (27.5 cals) at night...only 2-3x week
Cinnamon apple spice tea (Celestial Seasons) tastes like hot apple cider
chopped apples nuked with water sweetener & cinnamom
1/2 orange/strawberry slush during summer
S/F BBQ sauce (homemade)
Cole slaw mix marinated w/ above Balsamic dressing
lots of tea w/ fresh lime squeezed in

These come to mind as the most eaten and literally saved me while on protocol. I didn't really notice anything that stalled me...

[grok_dogs_mama]

I like to make big jugs of sun tea from my herbal decaf green tea and then stick it in the fridge so that I can see how much liquids I am drinking a day. I doctor each glass with a little lemon and some stevia to mimic an Arnold Palmer. It helps me get my water in and gives a bit of variety so I am not just drinking plain water.

I also keep lots of iceberg lettuce and celery around and munch on that when my "mind hunger" takes over.

Good luck!

[fiveninepointfive]

Nu naturals stevia is my favorite sweetener for the large variety of herbal tea required for me to get in all my liquids. Dandelion root tea is very hearty. I like using an extra large tea cup and two tea bags.
The Forman grille is very helpful. Cinnamon, garlic powder, salt & pepper, apple cider vinegar are great was to spice up your foods, too.
A detox bath nightly helps your mind, body & spirit.

[2bfitb440]

What's a detox bath?

[rocketmom]

All of the above, but if you are staying on a "strict" protocol, make sure that you avoid a few things listed...like the jello cup. Not saying you should'nt do this on P2 but it isn't in P&I...just saying... I used some coconut oil last night to make roasted cabbage, so I am not strictly protocol all the time. There are those that will rip ya a new one if you post that you are not 100%...not on this board fortunately. I confess, I have a diet pepsi when I am really struggling and need a boost to keep going. Perhaps this added to my stall last week, but I doubt it.

I was given a great tip about charging up my morning coffee...add some unsweetened cocoa to your cup add stevia, I add vanilla creme stevia, mix very well and you have a great "almost" mocha...add some peppermint stevia instead of the vanilla and you have a fake McD peppermint mocha!

Make sure your broths are sugar free if you buy them...make your own if you can...

Tomatoes and cabbage can make you stall but there are my staples and I can't live without 'em. Also, I would never make it if I didn't mix veggies every now and then. Use a pure stevia from the health food store, be wary of Truvia (I think thats the name) it has other sugars in it I think.

Also a package of Smooth Move may come in handy if you have any bathroom issues...but be careful, too much can cause a problem.

Good luck...

[Felina]

Does anyone use Shirataki or Miracle noodles while on p2? I saw it advertised as being p2 friendly. I sure would like to make p2 spaghetti with them or chicken noodle soup

[toomuchbooty]

I do occasionally, I was given the okay by my Doctor. It's obviously not protocol but it's never bothered me. I tried a different type of zero calorie noodle recently, they are called Kelp Noodles. They are 6 calories (1 carb) per 4 oz serving. I think they are superior to shiritaki. They don't smell funny. Of course, they are not textured like a wheat noodle. You have to let them soak in water with lemon juice to soften them (something about the acid). If you don't, they have a bit of a "crispy" texture. I don't know how else to explain them. When they soften, they become more noodle-y.
Most of the cooking we do in our house is Asian, these noodles are a welcome addition to our fridge. They would probably be great in chicken noodle soup, not as good in spaghetti.
They are flavourless, so that's a benefit.

I found them at a Korean grocer, in the refrigerated noodle area.

[Felina]

I tried the Miracle noodle spaghetti for lunch. I'll let you know how it goes on the scale tomorrow

[C'Marie]

I have used an plain-label konjac root noodle I found locally. Zero calories. I use it sparingly, as it does register as "bulk" on the scale so it appears to stall. It, shall we say, reduces transit time! It can bind me up so I am careful with it.

I also like sparkling water with a flavored stevia in it to increase my water intake.
The other thing besides what's been mentioned that I cannot do without is a hot mug of natural calm magnesium at night several times a week. It's yummy and does a good job with regularity. Also it's bubbly and fills me up.

[jabbok]

I drink powerade zero it hasn't stalled me and helps keep the hunger away in the morning.

[toomuchbooty]

My other trick, spices! We have a large selection of "exotic" spices to spruce things up.

[fiveninepointfive]

Originally Posted by 2bfitb440

What's a detox bath?

A detox bath is taken in water that is as hot as possible. You add a couple cups of baking soda, a couple cups of Epsom salt. You soak for about 40 mins. It is recommended to just pat dry and go to bed. However, I rinse off after my soak. It has done wonders for my skin.

[toomuchbooty]

I just had an apple and fennel salad that was amazing.

This recipe makes 2 servings...

2 cups sliced fennel
1 sliced apple

Dressing:

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp dijon
4 or 5 drops liquid stevia
3 tbsp water

Toss the chopped apples and fennel in the dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste.

I ate that with some roast chicken breast. It was really satisfying because the portion seemed large and it had a lot of crunch to it.

[mojopage]

Thank you !!! This is yet another great thread..... it's great to get ideas to help stay on track.

No sage advice from me, but this round (my 2nd), I have added Folgers Vanilla Biscotti flavored coffee (K-cups) with a "pump" of Starbuck's sugar free vanilla syrup. It has helped to curb some cravings.

I also have a Yonanas "machine" and use only frozen strawberries- no frozen bananas..... just watch the portion.

In a pinch at work, in the event that I left my lunch at home, I also have some 3 oz. cans of (canned- obviously)- chicken and have used the Purdue Short Cuts chicken-

Other "must haves" this forum and the great people here and my imagination and memory.... remembering what it's like to be "ok" with having your picture taken... not standing in the closet surrounded by clothes that don't fit..... imagining what summer will be like at the pool/beach- perhaps not even wearing a "Miracle Suit" and still looking blubbery......

[fiveninepointfive]

Originally Posted by mojopage

Thank you !!! This is yet another great thread..... it's great to get ideas to help stay on track.

No sage advice from me, but this round (my 2nd), I have added Folgers Vanilla Biscotti flavored coffee (K-cups) with a "pump" of Starbuck's sugar free vanilla syrup. It has helped to curb some cravings.

I also have a Yonanas "machine" and use only frozen strawberries- no frozen bananas..... just watch the portion.

In a pinch at work, in the event that I left my lunch at home, I also have some 3 oz. cans of (canned- obviously)- chicken and have used the Purdue Short Cuts chicken-

Other "must haves" this forum and the great people here and my imagination and memory.... remembering what it's like to be "ok" with having your picture taken... not standing in the closet surrounded by clothes that don't fit..... imagining what summer will be like at the pool/beach- perhaps not even wearing a "Miracle Suit" and still looking blubbery......

Down with Miracle Suits!!!

[mojopage]

Originally Posted by fiveninepointfive

Down with Miracle Suits!!!

LOL ! My Miracle Suit goal should be to actually look like one of the models wearing them instead of a model in the Venus catalog ! LOL

Miracle Suits are GREAT suits, though

[mojopage]

Originally Posted by fiveninepointfive

Nu naturals stevia is my favorite sweetener for the large variety of herbal tea required for me to get in all my liquids. Dandelion root tea is very hearty. I like using an extra large tea cup and two tea bags.
The Forman grille is very helpful. Cinnamon, garlic powder, salt & pepper, apple cider vinegar are great was to spice up your foods, too.
A detox bath nightly helps your mind, body & spirit.

...... the Detox bath sounds great ! It is on my "to do" list !

[Reddy]

I absolutely agree with the Tea Suggestion. It has gotten me through my P2's. When I feel hungry I make tea and sip on it and it really does help you pass through any hunger or need to put something in your mouth.

I also second the george foreman grill. Makes life easy.

I also love "better stevia" vanilla creme flavor for everything.

I loved to use my Strawberries in a "smoothie" Just use Ice, Strawberries, My little bit of stevia and if it's a day where I have spinach I'll put a few leaves in there as well. Yummy and filling! Feels like a cheat!

P2 Chili and Baked apple chips are great and I love prepare Tilapia by seasoning it with Dill and other spices, few slices of lemon wrap in foil and cook on grill for 7 mins on each side. Sooo good!

[toomuchbooty]

Ugh, I have miracle suit and I hate it. My friend started a swimwear company and this year I want to be able to fit in to one of her suits, they are so cool. If I do another round in April after P3 and P4, It could be a reality.

[Shelle135]

bump

[toomuchbooty]

For Christmas, I specifically asked for things that would be useful for me during my rounds.

I got a Eco lunch box. It's made of stainless steal and it has 3 different compartments. It's small, perfect for P2 portions. I also got a David's Tea tumbler that has a basket for brewing loose leaf teas. I use it every day, multiple times.

There are some good spreadsheets floating around that help you track your progress, if you are in to that sort of thing. It keeps me motivated to see the percentages, inches, pounds and all the other data in one place.

[Reddy]

I'm a big loose tea drinker too but I was under the impression that we're supposed to stick to Green Tea and Herbal Tea but avoid things like Rooibos (my favorite)

Do you just have all of them anyway? Does it really matter?

My other thing is that I drink most of the tea at night. (Mostly water during day) so I have to have Decaf and most loose teas have caffeine since it's naturally occuring in all but Rooibos (I think)

[toomuchbooty]

I drink mostly herbal tea, but I have been drinking Rooibos with no issue at all. My Dr. said tea is a free beverage during this protocol (and he is pretty strict about protocol), just watch the caffeine and compensate with water.

[Reddy]

Good to know. I have chosen to drink mostly green teas in previous rounds but I'll start to drink my favs this time!