Housewife on a Diet: HCG Progress Pics -30 Pounds

 I was feeling a bit discouraged about the fact I had a big ole GOOSE EGG as my weigh in today until I saw a pic my darling Hubbie snapped of me last night.  The "before" photo was actually a "during" because I had already lost about 15 pounds.  The "after" is from last night.  What is funny is I thought I was lookin'

GOO-UUD on Thanksgiving Day in that purple wrap dress.  I was in control of my eating, I had not cheated on my diet, I was feeling very proud...then I saw the photo and realised I had a lot of work to do and a LONG way to go.  I still do....don't get me wrong...but I am enjoying the fact that I have lost about 33 pounds now and the purple wrap dress is MUCH looser.

Now if I could just get my arms to cooperate....uhggg.

Happy Homemaking,

Tiffany

Housewife on a Diet: HCG Spicy Orange Chicken (P2 Friendly)

Have I got a YUMMIE recipe for y'all today ladies.  This is VERY "diet" friendly no matter what plan you follow (might have to tweak it for low carb, etc).  As you know, I am on the HCG Protocol and THIS meal is perfect for P2 (Phase 2).

Since it was Chinese New Year yesterday I wanted to make something that had a very "Chinese food" feel.  I ran across a recipe for Spicy Orange Chicken that was perrrrrfect.  I did not make this recipe up, myself, I found it on the HCG YouTube community from a gal named SoCalSunnyBunny.  I then put my own touches to it and it was so darned yummie that I can not even explain it.

HCG Spicy Orange Chicken (P2 friendly)

juice from 1 medium orange

4 Tbsp lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)

2 tsp apple cider vinegar

.5 tsp ginger

dash of cinnamon

cayenne pepper (to taste...I used LOTS)

splenda (or preferred sweetener to taste...I used about a packet)

500 grams of sliced chicken breast (I used Tyson cooked sliced chicken breast)

Mix all of the ingredients with the exception of the chicken.  Bring to a boil in a skillet.  Throw in the COOKED chicken breast and let simmer while coating the meat.

I served this over VERY spicy cabbage and oh boy was it good.

Another option that my Hubbie enjoyed was the chicken mixture wrapped in a cabbage leaf. 

YUM!!!!

This recipe made 5 P2 serving (100 grams of chicken each)  I used a medium head of cabbage.

Happy Homemaking,

Tiffany



Housewife on a Diet AND Couponing for Two: SPROUTS Farmers Market

This is a twofer...double header (or heading) post.  I am excited to share with my followers and readers my favorite little shop....SPROUTS Farmers Market.  This is a really neat little (compared to the GIANT grocery stores) shop for some really good for you and GREAT for your pocket book deals. 

The produce department takes up the entire back end of the store...there is a pretty good sized "bulk" bin area, as well.  The Vitamin department is amazing in size and price...bigger than some vitamin ONLY stores like GNC.  Their vitamin prices promise that they are 10% lower than the competition but then they have amazing sales, too.

They have a lot of the "harder to find" healthy things, as well....  Some of the photos are just to give you an idea of their prices but some are to show the amazing selection...

If you are on a special eating program, this is a great place to visit.  They carry the brands you used to only find online...and they are cheaper and NO shipping charge (plus some even have coupons)

The Almond Breeze is on sale for a great price this week, pair that with the 1.00 coupon that is either in the paper or pealed off the product and you have a GREAT deal on this yummy and low cal / carb milk substitute.

Look at the variety of Bob's flours, mixes, etc...and this was not all of them...they had a few end caps, too.

I had no idea that the guys (and gals) over at Braggs made salad dressing???!!!??? All have Apple Cider Vinegar as a main ingredient.

mmmmm Coconut Milk Beverage....I like this better than the Almond Breeze.

So not that this AMAZING sale price is not good enough on the Coconut Butter...Sprouts has a coupon booklet with a 1.00 off coupon to boot!!!!

When you are on a special eating protocol...like the HCG Protocol...Tea becomes a yummie treat.  Look at the wall of teas!!!!  And most are under 2.00.

I am not a fan but they carry Shiratake Noodles, too.  At Whole Foods they run almost 3.00...Sprouts, barely over a dollar!!!!

I am not a fan of most of the Walden Farms products but when you see a variety like this, it sure makes it easier to give them another try.  All were on sale, too.  Also, tthis is just the dressings and dips...other varieties are placed thru out the store.

Zevia!!!!  If you just HAVE TO HAVE bubbles or a "soda" type of drink...this is it for the HCG Protocol. 

Like I said, there are many things to find at Sprouts.  It is such a fun shop.  Their prices are great and the selection can not be beat when you have a special needs diet.  Lots of low carb / low calorie treats and LOTS of things for a Gluten Free Lifestyle.

To find a Sprouts in your area visit their site at http://www.sprouts.com/.  Be sure to look for their coupons, too!!!!

Happy Homemaking,

Tiffany

Housewife on a Diet: HCG P2 Shrimp Scampi

I know...I know....I said I would do a progress post and here I go posting more of the yummie food I am allowed to eat.  Talk about food porn!!!!Can you believe I found a way to enjoy my beloved Shrimp Scampi?

Here's how I did it. Very Simple.  On the HCG Phase 2 Protocol you are not supposed to have certain things...olive oil and other fats help to make up that list.  Coconut oil, on the other hand if you follow a bit rougely, can work for some people.  This would not be considered POP (Perfectly on Protocol) and should be tried with discretion....but if you just need something to really fill you up, this will do it.  Anyway....  I heated some EVCO (extra virgin coconut oil) in a pan, added some minced garlic and sauted the shrimp.  The minced garlic gave the dish a "breaded" feel, kinda like they do at Campesi's Egyptian Room here in Dallas (my ATF place to get REAL shrimp scampi).  I then placed 2 melba toasts in the bottom of the dish, loaded them up with the Shrimp Scampi and OMG was it good!!!!

I have also eaten with out the melba (if you are going that route on the HCG Protocol) and wrapped it in lettuce leafs.  That was also very tasty.

Happy Homemaking,

Tiffany

Housewife on a Diet: Daikon "Noodles" with Chicken and Tomato Sauce

I will come back later to give a proper update, remember I update DAILY over on my youtube vlog (HCGHousewife).  I just wanted to jump on here to post this recipe for my youtube followers.  It is such a yummie dish I just could not wait to share it.

(insert spot of pic)

1 pound daikon

1 cup chopped  tomatoes

.5 cup warm water (this is “eye balled” so the measurement is really by site)

2 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil

1/2 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving (optional for P3 and beyond, only)

Directions

1. Using a swivel-blade vegetable peeler, remove outer skin of the daikon and discard. Continue peeling down the length of the daikon, creating long ribbons that look like fettuccine noodles. Place daikon noodles in a large bowl and cover with salted water; let soak 15 to 20 minutes.

2. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat oil. Add onions and garlic; cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and salt. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring often, until sauce is thick, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Drain daikon noodles and dry them using a kitchen towel. Gently add noodles to sauce; reduce heat to medium. Cook until noodles are just heated through, about 1 minute. Divide among serving plates; serve immediately, with cheese, if desired and NOT on P2.

Happy Homemaking,

Tiffany

Housewife on a Diet: HCG Progress

Ok....so I know I told y'all about experimenting with HCG a few weeks ago.  Well I have been on the protocol for over a month and I LOVE IT!!!!

I started the HCG drops portion, or "Phase 2" (P2) on November 11, 2011.  Yep...11/11/11 was my lucky day.  For two days you are to eat till you can not eat anymore.  These are called "loading days".

After the two loading days I went into the Very Low Calorie Days (VLCD).  I was to eat 500 calories of a specific food list.  I have to admit this was a bit hard....but only for the first few days.  I had a headache, I was very hungry...then the HCG kicked into high gear.  I had a burst of energy and was able to pretty much live on a little over 500 calories a day (I seemed to always go a bit over...).  Let me correct myself...I was NOT living on 500 cals a day as my body knew to get the rest of the calories from my stored abnormal fat.



I did this phase (P2) for 25 days.  I released 23 pounds.  I also released 38.25 inches , combined.  VINTAGE DRESSE HERE I COME!!!  WHOO HOO.

I am now on Phase 3 (P3) and have been for 5 days.  In this phase you are not to lose more weight, you are to use this time to reset your metabolism (I will believe that when it happens) and maintain what you have lost.  This is supposed to help you learn how to eat without gaining everything back.  Also, you can not stay on P2 with the HCG because you can become immune to it.

In the 5 days I have been on P3, I have maintained in the 2 pound window that is recommended.  Actually, the most I have been "up" is .4 lbs.  Yes, POINT FOUR.  Not even an entire pound.  This round is much harder, as maintaining always is.  It is stated in Dr. Simeons Pounds and Inches, that you can eat whatever you like but NO starches or sugar.  Well that is easier said than done...everyone is sensitive to one thing or another....and I am working to find what triggers my gains.

When I would do any other diet, in the last 10 PLUS years, I would start to gain if I ate a carb.  Well I am hopeful that this will help with that.

If you would like to read more please see Pounds and Inches by Dr. Simeons or The Weight Loss Cure by Kevin Trudeau.  The HCG Protocol has been around since the late 1950's / early 1960's (can't remember right off hand) but has never taken off in the US...until recently.  You can actually Google "Pounds and Inches" and read the book in PDF format for free.

I am doing VLOGS on YouTube as HCGHousewife to document my journey.  There are alot of people who do the same.  I found out about the great success others were having by finding this on YouTube and have found so much info, support, and friendship there.

I do plan to update here as well.  I wanted to make sure this was something I could do before blabbing about yet another weight loss plan.

I have learned alot over the past month....I can not wait to tell y'all ALL about it.

Tiffany

New Diet ....Again. But I think I found something good here in HCG

Ok...so the last time we "talked" I said I had started South Beach.  And I did...but as I was trying to stick to that plan I found something that caught my attention.... let me back up a bit.  I went on Youtube.com searching for some motivation of before and after photos of people doing the South Beach Plan.  I came across a young lady who was doing pretty good and watched a few of her vlogs.  As I watched she changed plans and started talking about HCG.  Her results were amazing so I searched for more...and everyone I saw had the same amazing results.  There were a few who did not do well but they all admitted to not following the protocol, so you can not really use that to judge the plan, right? 

So after lots more research and lots and lots more youtubing....I went looking for a source online to order.  I did not...and do not...want to spend a lot of money going to clinics and getting injections but that is ok because I found out that you can get homeopathic drops, that you put under your tounge, online and they work just as well.  So I ordered some and have been following Dr. Simeons protocol for the last 4 days (6 days counting the "loading" days).  I am not going to link to the info as most of the links I have are to sites where you can buy the drops and I do not want to suggest companies that I am not familiar with (other than reading some things / info).  I encourage you to search on your own to find the information.  I just wanted to post a quick update as I will be posting about this as the weeks go by, I am sure. 

So this is what I have been up to and because of spending my "online" time researching and getting my youtube chanel going for my vlogs (to document my progress) I have, yet again, neglected my blog.

Like I said, I am on day 4 (what we in the HCG community call VLCD, for very low calorie day) and have released 7.4 pounds.  That is amazing to me. 

Although I felt hungry and wanted all of my favorite foods the first for VLCDs, I am now getting to the point where I am no longer hungry and do not feel deprived.  I am also feeling a bit more energetic...and I hope this continues to improve because I was so ..... blaaaa feeling for so long.

I will continue to update and share some of my menu as I go along.

Oh...just one more thing.  This protocol TOTALLY goes with a midcentury lifestyle....Dr. Simeons came up with the plan in the 1950s!!!!  How cool is that?

Tiffany