|}{| South Beach Check In - October 12th - October 18th |}{|

[rose1]

[Euphrates]

Wow - you're ON it this week Rose! And a holiday week even - I'm impressed!

It's been a good weekend - spent a lot of time just curled up with a book on the couch with my mate. And sleeping - lots of sleeping. I think we needed it.

I also got up early on Friday (had to run an errand, let the boy sleep and got it taken care of, then got home and couldn't settle back to sleep myself) and ended up catching up on The Biggest Loser - watched the 3rd and 4th episodes that I'd missed. And I think DVRing it when it airs, and then watching it on Friday is a good strategy - it REALLY got me in the right mindset for the weekend. Towards the end of the work week I was hungry and wanting to snack on things that weren't good for me (even put the money in the vending machine, and then laughed at the universe watching out for me 'cause the door was stuck and I couldn't get to the bad stuff anyway). The Biggest Loser helped me reset, and I had a *very* good OP weekend! Hoping the numbers on the scale look good tomorrow when I do my weekly weigh-in. We'll see how it goes.

I am noticing something odd though. It started earlier this week when I made the faux tatoes...and isn't going away. I seem to have a rash around my mouth? The corners (mostly the left corner) is crusty and hurts when I open my mouth wide (like a sore with a scab that keeps coming open), and when I eat sometimes my lips seem to be burning, and sometimes the roof of my mouth feels inflamed...and I'm wondering if maybe I'm having a reaction to the no-fat dairy stuff - i.e. the cream cheese and the sour cream (which are the only "no fat" things I have right now - mostly I have low-fat cottage cheese and cheeses, and those never bothered me before, but this week they are too - of course it's tough to tell since I have some kind of cheese at practically every meal). Has anyone heard of this before? It's...really odd feeling. Of course it could be something else (tomatoes perhaps - I've had more than usual lately - or maybe the marinade I put the pork chops in that day set it off)... I'll admit, I'm naturally suspicious of "franken-foods" - I'm buying low and no-fat varieties of things because it's what SB suggests, but not eating "the real deal" tends to worry me because I'm not real confident of the substances they're using to achieve that "low/no-fat" status... Thoughts?

[rose1]

Quickly-- reduced fat dairy is fine, doesn't have to be no fat. Depending on the brand, reduced fat just has some fat removed and doesn't have to have junk added. I read labels carefully. I found sugar added to cottage cheese in a quality brand.

Tomatoes might be a problem, some people can tolerate them in limited amounts because of acidity. I have had sore cracks at the corners of my mouth and burning tongue in the past because of a Vit. A deficiency. I dunno, could be any number of things.

Hilarious about the vending machine.

[Radmom413]

Morning All!

Hope we all have a great OP week!

[steeleypa]

Hi Everyone!

Just joined up and like what I am reading! I started week 2 of Stage 1 yesterday. I have lost a total of 3.8 lbs the first week. I'm looking to lose a total of 15 lbs so I am happy with my progress. I went on SB in 2007 and it worked great for me. I went off when I became pregnant again and just never resumed it. My husband is donig it with me as well which makes a big difference!

30 degrees here this morning - its chilly!

Have a great day all!

[OBXbeachgal]

Euphrates, I also slept in on Sat. and did a lot of resting - I guess I needed it too. Sunday was a different story, working all day on organizing and cleaning the house. We have friends coming to stay with us on Thursday for "Bridge Day" in WV. For some reason, people come from all over the world to jump off the New River Gorge bridge wearing parachutes (876 feet). Some land in the river, on rocks, on railroad tracks, and unfortunately there was a death last year. I think they are absolute nuts, but our friends want to come and see the crafts, eat the bad food, etc. Our foliage is very pretty this year so that's nice.

I'm also a Biggest Loser fan. They got me motivated to do more exercise. If 400+ pound folks can exercise hard, I have no excuse!

SteeleyPA, Sounds like you are off to a great start!

I made a big batch of taco soup and some pumpkin hummus yesterday. It's definitely soup weather!

Hope everyone has a great day on plan!

[jillie]

Serena,
Thank you for your reply on the anti-inflamation. I love my bread and potatoes but might just have to give them up and see if it helps me. I learn so much from this site. Hmmmmm SB may just be the way to go and give it a try. Thanks again.

Jillie

P.S. Your dog looks sooo cute!

[Danipower714]

Thanks for starting us up Rose!

Off today from work and planning out my week's meals.

Serena- Glad to see you post in the other thread. We miss you!

Laurie- I'm doing well...been busy though with work, grading papers, preparing lessons, writing IEPs. Ahhh, the life of the a SPED/English teacher. I'm sure you can relate! How are you doing? Are you still doing pilates?

Hope everyone has a great on-plan week!

[wiz]

Hello all!

It felt great to wake up today and get back into my normal routine. All the travel in the last few weeks took its toll on me. So, after a Phase 2 weekend, I was down 2 lbs from the horrendous weigh-in I had on Friday. Today is Phase 1 for me, I've got to look good at my HS reunion this weekend!! These extra lbs need to come off ASAP...

I did my 5-mile run this morning and it was cold. A nippy 39 degrees. Looks like I may finally have to trade in my running shorts for my sweatpants.

I had egg beaters, 1 chicken sausage (3 grams fat!) and salsa for breakfast. I have leftover Jamaican Jerk chicken from our tailgate yesterday to put over salad greens for lunch, and home-made black bean soup for dinner. And I'm drinking lots of water.

Euphrates, I do not use any "fat free" items. In fact, as Rose mentioned, I only use some low-fat items. For example, skim cheese is good, it just has less fat. But anything with weird additives are off my list. (Well, except for my morning diet coke - but let's not go there. ) I would rather use a smaller amount of a full fat or reduced fat item.

Jillie, do sweet potatoes affect you the same as regular potatoes? We love a good roasted sweet potato for dinner. Yum...

Serena, sorry to hear you haven't been feeling so well.

Jo, That pumpkin hummus sounds great! Please share the recipe.

Hi Steely!! My husband did SB with me last year and continues to follow it with me now that we hit goal. Although he still eats french fries (darn him). He can't seem to give those up!! It's so much easier when you are both doing it...good luck.

Hope everyone has a great week!!

[LuckyGirl]

Hello,

I've been lurking on these boards since January of this year... posted a few times and then went 'underground'. Cindy (Radmom) and I are friends on Facebook and marvel over how much we look alike and our lives, interests etc. are amazingly similar. I think she's my 'sista from anotha motha'!

I was compelled to post after reading about Serena's difficulties with her thyroid hormone. I have Hashimoto's - runs in my family - and I take the generic Synthroid (125 mcg) daily. I also take the generic Cytomel, which is T3 - 5 mcg 2x daily. It really helps with energy level and mood. The drug's generic name is Liothyronine Sod. I've taken these two medications for years and have done very well on them. I feel normal again!

I hope this information helps; I'd like to contribute to this group - you're so well-informed and supportive! I've got some good recipes to share and I've started a new workout program (Insanity by Shaun T) that is extremely challenging but exhilarating at the same time. I'm hoping that by shaking up my workout routine I'll rev up my metabolism and enjoy an enhanced level of fitness.

Have a great OP week; take good care!

Mar

[Pixie88]

Week 2 Phase 1 here I come! OP meals all planned out for the day. My dd is sick and here at the gallery with me-hopefully she pulls out of this soon...I hate it when my baby's sick.

Glad to see everyone this morning! Have a great day!

[amandapanda]

Hello all. I popped on the boards for a message and question or two a little over a year ago, then got away from looking for new ideas and new recipes. I am trying to reboot my diet and my system and get back away from all the sugars I let get back into them. So here I am again. I'm thinking that if I reach out a little more socially it will make it easier to get back into it.

[Soccerchic]

Hi all,
I’m new to the South Beach boards but not new to Low Carb Friends.
Why introduce myself as Goldilocks? Well not because I like going into strangers houses, eating their food, sitting in their chairs and sleeping in their beds but rather because Goldilocks tried everything and after discovering that the first bears porridge was too hot and the second bears porridge too cold she realized that the baby bears porridge was just right. Well South Beach looks like it is my “just right” diet. I’ve tried Atkins (too much choice & fat for my likings, I’ve tried Stillmans too little choice and not enough fat for my liking and here I’ve found South Beach which seems just right.

I have not actually read the book but I have been eating the south beach way for the last few days without realizing that there was a name for it so I thought I’d come and say hi. I am a little addicted to the net (aren’t we all) and I am really trying to not spend so much time online but I would love to follow along reading the south beach posts and receive and give encouragement etc). Losing weight, breaking addictions, getting fit and treating ourselves and our bodies the way we truly deserve is one of life’s greatest challenges but also one of the most rewarding things we can experience. On the days when you feel so stuck in your dieting and body image hell it is great to know that you are not alone and that someone has been in your exact shoes and come out the other side with more courage, knowledge and wisdom than before. I look forward to reading more posts and getting to know you South Beachers a little more. I may not post often but I will be around. Jen from Syd Aus

[Radmom413]

Originally Posted by LuckyGirl

I've been lurking on these boards since January of this year... posted a few times and then went 'underground'. Cindy (Radmom) and I are friends on Facebook and marvel over how much we look alike and our lives, interests etc. are amazingly similar. I think she's my 'sista from anotha motha'!

Sis!!!!



ETA: We are friends on FB, but I think we have become REAL friends; we just haven't met IRL!!!!

[LinCO]

Hey everyone!
Today I switched things up-I exercised a little less and tried harder to eat protein. I know in P2 you can have whole grains, but I do best with mostly veggies and protein. We still have veggies to deal with from our garden, so I made cukes and sour cream, garlic string beans and broccoli slaw. Lately I think I've been thinking harder "what can I make that uses 2 cups of tomatoes?" more than "what do I need to eat on plan?" Hasn't been bad, just not exactly the best perspective. This last couple of days, I made stuffed peppers, chicken "tortilla" soup - no tortillas for me - and spaghetti spaghetti squash. Tomorrow it's pot roast w/ carrots, parsnips, tomatoes, celery and onions.

Dani, I've been absolutely flooded w/ referrals at my main school, like I'm supposed to do 12ish a year and I think I've already done 9! I've moved my laptop to the dining room, or I go to the library, and I get more done that way-I'm not posting here and reading news! Yes, I'm still w/ the Pilates, you w/ the Callanetics?

[amandapanda]

So, if I have a random food question should I ask it here? Or in a new thread?

[rose1]

Originally Posted by amandapanda

So, if I have a random food question should I ask it here? Or in a new thread?

Here. New threads get lost sometimes.

[Serena11]

Hi, Everyone, Welcome to all the new Beachers! It's wonderful to see new members starting a healthy eating plan!

Jillie, you are so sweet not to mention that I got you confused with Jim--my apologies to you both. Bread and potatoes really cause me problems. I hope you try SB for awhile and see if it helps you. Thanks for the compliment on my doggy; I wish I could have gotten the picture to be larger, but I never could figure out how to do that.

Wiz, the dreaded high school reunion is deep motivation to stay on plan. You have worked hard to get fit and I'm sure it shows. Has it been a long time since you've seen most of your old classmates? It's always so shocking to see how most of them have changed! All those pot bellies and gray hair! Oh, wait, that was MY high school reunion....Hope you will have a blast!

Laurie, all those vegetable dishes sound so good and healthy! I do best on protein and veggies, too. Seems like when I start adding back very many carbs I start bingeing again.

Mar, thanks for the comment about the Cytomel; I was thinking about asking my doc about that. It's good to know it works for someone. Hope you will stay above ground now!

Pixie, how old is your dd? Hope she feels better soon!

Amanda, it definitely helps to reach out and post here to get the support we all need to stay on plan--keep posting!

Jen, I like your Goldilocks diet analogy! South Beach is the healthiest and least boring eating plan I've found. Hope you find it just right.

Steely, congratulations on a great loss your first week!

Hi Dani, Cindy, Rose, Jo, Euphrates!

I had a good, on plan day today. Dh cooked halibut, summer squash, and romano beans for dinner. All fresh local fare from the farmer's market--delicious! Hope we all have a good day tomorrow! Serena

[Euphrates]

Originally Posted by OBXbeachgal

pumpkin hummus

?? Pumpkin hummus? Oh my that sounds interesting! Recipe please?

[LuckyGirl]

Good morning, all! I'm up with my coffee and laptop daily at 5 - wanted to be the first kid on the block to wish everyone a terrific Tuesday.

Back to school for me after the long weekend; love my job and my life!

Hope everyone stays OP and eats clean this week!

Mar

[Euphrates]

Originally Posted by wiz

Hello all!
Euphrates, I do not use any "fat free" items. In fact, as Rose mentioned, I only use some low-fat items. For example, skim cheese is good, it just has less fat. But anything with weird additives are off my list. (Well, except for my morning diet coke - but let's not go there. ) I would rather use a smaller amount of a full fat or reduced fat item.

Yeah, I'm thinking I need to toss those, and get rid of anything with weird additives. I just need to have the will-power to limit the amounts of full fat stuff, or find things like you said - skim cheese, etc. I didn't feel right using "frankenfoods" - I should have gone with my gut instincts. Even if it's a reaction to something else like tomatoes, I feel better going back to "real food". Makes sense. Thanks!

[Euphrates]

Just for the sake of reporting it somewhere...I'm down another 2.5 lbs this week!! SQUEE! I knew y'all would cheer along with me!

I'm going to stick to Phase One as close as I can this week, since we're going to be out of town from Wednesday - Sunday. I don't want to make a lot of changes when I'm not at home where I can control exactly what is going into everything I eat, so I'm going to hold where I am for now, and then move on to Phase Two after we get back. I see a lot of salads in my future (yum!). The hard part will be doing our "ritual meal" at Mike's Place on Sunday (where we go EVERY time we visit Kent) - since I have a few favorites there that are WAAAAAAYYYYY off plan, and they have a menu it takes at least a half hour to read (seriously - same with their place mats). But I know my friend who lost over 100lbs on SB last year eats there regularly, so there MUST be something I can eat. I'm actually looking forward to the challenge (I think last week's episode of Biggest Loser - where they had to order out for every meal for a week and still lose weight - was the PERFECT thing to inspire me to stay on plan this week)!

Sounds like everyone is having a good week so far!! to all the new folks!!

[steeleypa]

First of all - you all look great! I am really loving following some of the ideas for the food plan and the recipes.

Today will be VERY challenging for me. I was home all day yesterday with sick kids and was able to stay on course... the night ended up even worse when my 4 year old fell and I needed to get him to the doctors for stitches (he's fine now)... right at dinner time... I actually stayed on track thanks to my husband who had every thing waiting for me to heat up when I got back.

Now - thanks to a stroke of genius my 5 year old was up with a terrible cough.. my 4 year old was up with the croup... and my 2 year old was up all night with a head cold.... Off to the doctor I go today.. trying to stay on target... just wish the kitchen did not overlook the family room!

Have a great day all!

[Radmom413]

Morning Gang!

Euphrates! You are rockin this Girl!!!

Steely - Welcome and good for you for staying on track - you can do this and do it for YOU!!!!

Welcome to all new folks peeking in.

Busy week and totally OP for me; find I feel better both mentally and physically.......all you newbies will too!!!

Hugs to all - and have a good OP Tuesday!

[wiz]

Woo Hoo!! Phillies are going to the NLCS for the 2nd year in a row. Now we just need to get past those pesky Dodgers again. I dread seeing Manny Ramirez and those braids of his at the plate.

My travel poundage continues to come off (thank goodness.) Another 1.5 lbs down yesterday after a Phase 1 menu. Sadly, I still have a couple to go, but it is all directionally correct.

And you are right, Serena, these HS reunions are a huge motivator for staying OP!! I want to look my best And believe me, there will be plenty of pot bellies and gray hair at my reunion too. Although I don't want to be one of them (hence the reason I have a hair appt on Friday ).

Euphrates, I think you'll be happier eating whole, real foods. Your instinct is right, anything with stuff in it that you can't recognize is probably not the best choice. And congrats on your weight loss!!!

Gotta run folks, first conference call of the day is NOW!

[OBXbeachgal]

I also do better sticking with protein and veggies - only thing that makes the scale go down.

I'm posting 2 recipes for pumpkin hummus. I made the 1st one and like it and going to try the 2nd one with the "regular" pumpkin spices to try next week.

Spicy Pumpkin Hummus -
12 Servings

1 14 oz. can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 clove garlic
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
1/4 cup tahini
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, (more or less to taste)
1 teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup plain yogurt

fresh parsley
ground cumin
paprika

Place the garbanzo beans in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the beans are very finely chopped. With the motor running, add the garlic through the tube and process until very fine. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth. Taste for seasoning, adding additional salt and pepper; you may also want to add more lemon juice.

Transfer the mixture from the processor onto a decorative plate or tray. Sprinkle parsley, cumin, and paprika in stripes across the dip (or spirals if you are serving this dip on a round plate). Cover and refrigerate up to 5 days. Serve with pita bread, pita chips, and/or fresh raw vegetables.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 103 Calories from Fat 34
Percent Total Calories From:
Fat 33% Protein 15% Carb. 52%

Nutrient Amount per
Serving
Total Fat 4 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Cholesterol 1 mg
Sodium 301 mg
Total Carbohydrate 13 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 4 g
Vitamin A 137% Vitamin C 6% Calcium 0% Iron 9%
*************************************

#2 - pumpkin hummus - You can either make it from scratch or you can simply add the pumpkin and spices to a pre-made 32 fl. oz container of hummus.

1 3/4 cups dry garbanzo beans (I'm going to use canned!)
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
5 fluid ounces lemon juice
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup tahini paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
salt to taste

Place the garbanzo beans into a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let stand 8 hours to overnight. Or, bring the beans and water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Once boiling, turn off the heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour. Drain and rinse before using.

Place the soaked garbanzo beans into a large saucepan and cover with several inches of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the garbanzo beans are tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Once cooked, refrigerate the beans and liquid until cold.

Drain the garbanzo beans, reserving the cooking liquid. Place the beans and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking liquid into a blender, and puree until a smooth paste forms. Add the pumpkin puree, lemon juice, olive oil, tahini, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Cover and puree again until smooth. Use additional cooking liquid as needed to achieve a smooth consistency. Season to taste with salt.

20 servings:
calories 143
fat 8.1
sodium 82
carbs 14.5
fiber 4.3
protein 4.7

You can search google for pumpkin hummus recipe and come up with lots of different versions.

[amandapanda]

Ok, so my random food question:

My husband loves his starches, and I love my proteins, so I like to make meals that really incorporate both so we can each eat what we like. One of my favorite meals to make, in terms of ease and eating, is a pot roast in the crockpot, so it is all ready when we get home from work. I am rambling towards my question here. If I make a pot roast with potatoes and carrots in the pot, does this cause an issue with the starches/sugars getting into the broth and thus the meat? I know it is probably minimal, but I'm really trying to be OP.

So there it is: Do I have to cook those elements separately?

Thanks all.

[wiz]

Jo, quick fly by...those hummus recipes look great. Thanks for sharing!!

Amanda, I'm not such a purist, yes, I would cook the carrots and potatoes in the same pot. Just eat around them. Unless you think it will send you into cravings, I think you should be fine. Maybe don't eat so much of the sauce?

[Danipower714]

Originally Posted by LinCO

Dani, I've been absolutely flooded w/ referrals at my main school, like I'm supposed to do 12ish a year and I think I've already done 9! I've moved my laptop to the dining room, or I go to the library, and I get more done that way-I'm not posting here and reading news! Yes, I'm still w/ the Pilates, you w/ the Callanetics?

Wow, 9 referrals already? I'm glad you are still keeping up with Pilates, I know how good it makes your body feel. I have been keeping up with my Bikram yoga (usually go at least 3 times a week) but slacking on the Callanetics. I did an hour of Super C last week, but I'm trying to aim for 2 hours a week.

[Danipower714]

Originally Posted by wiz

Amanda, I'm not such a purist, yes, I would cook the carrots and potatoes in the same pot. Just eat around them. Unless you think it will send you into cravings, I think you should be fine. Maybe don't eat so much of the sauce?

I agree with Wiz's advice on this one.