Zone Day 48: Dinner!

It's been way too long since I've updated! I guess the summer season is the time for keeping busy (weddings, school, work, fun), and I forget to post updates. I'll try to be more faithful :)

Anyways!

For breakfast today, I had the Zone diet oatmeal (found in the "Week in the Zone" book). It was way too much to eat, even though I need to eat 11 blocks a day. I think I'll scale back how much I eat next time, so as not to feel like I'm about to lose it all an hour later! haha!


Dinner!

Scallops and Veggies!

There's a recipe in my "100 Zone Foods" book, which calls for sauteed scallops with wine-flavored vegetables. It's a 4 block meal, so I adjusted for a 3 block meal. I also didn't combine things like it suggested; nevertheless, it was yummy, and a 3 block meal!

Ingredients:
4-5 scallops (about 3-3.5 oz.) (3P)
12 asparagus spears (1C)
1 cup bell pepper, sliced (I use an entire orange pepper) (1C)
2 cups cooked mushrooms (this is less than 2 cups, and in the picture I'd already starting some of the veggies! :D ) (1C)
1 and 1/4 tsp of olive oil
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs. parsley
1/2 tsp. garlic, minced
1/4 cup white wine (I didn't use this much, since I already had my fair share of carbs)

Directions:
With half of the measured olive oil, saute scallops, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and parsley. Cook until nearly done (about 3-4 minutes), and then pour the wine over the scallops. In another pan (simultaneously), saute the pepper and mushrooms with the remaining olive oil. In still another pan, bring water to a boil and cook the asparagus until done (about 4-7 minutes). Spoon onto plate. Salt and pepper veggies to taste.

Hope all is well with everyone! Yoga is Thursday, and family fun is this weekend. Mom's birthday is on Monday---Happy 50th! :)

Update coming soon!

I'm back from the wedding weekend, and will do a proper update tomorrow afternoon.


Hope all is well with everyone. I've survived the first 1/3 of the summer, and the Zone diet! :)

Zone Day 41: Dinner

Today was a much better day. I feel more balanced and "in the Zone."

Dinner!

I made some Zone-friendly meatloaf tonight. The recipe below is for one person, but I adjusted it for the 1lb of lean beef I had. It's really good!
As a side, I had some broccoli (for 1 zone block, you have to eat 3 cups of cooked broccoli. Yeah, I think not.) and a side salad with oil and vinegar and a few pieces of cucumber. A great meal!

Ingredients:
2 oz lean beef (2P)

1 egg white (1/2P)
1/4 c smashed beans (1C)
1/2 oz oats (1C)
1/4 c grated zucchini
2 T minced red bell pepper
1 T dried onion flake
1/8 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 clove garlic, minced

Smoosh together, make little loaf. Bake at 400 for ?? until done. You could spoon 2 T marinara over the top, if you are a purist.
Courtesy of Suzy! : )

Lots of writing tonight. Stretches before bedtime.

Zone Day 40

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I spent the Father's Day weekend with my family, at their lake home, and we spent it without any power because of a bad storm, which rolled through on Friday evening. It was a long and tiring weekend, and not to mention a hot one :P
Anyways, I'm back home in Lansing. Tonight for dinner? A pork chop, assorted sauteed veggies (baby bella mushrooms and some sweet onion), and a salad with half a tomato chopped. I missed my snacks today (I never remember them! I don't know how to remember!), so I drank some skim milk with dinner, too. As you can tell, I'm too tired to post the ingredients; if anyone really wants the specifics, just comment and I'll oblige :D

I had an awesome yoga practice tonight. Misty was my teacher, and she was just what I needed. She's a great blend of hard and caring, and very attentive. I hope to have her again :)

Bed will come early tonight--I have one final project to wrap up for a class I'm taking this summer, and some editing to finish for an internship. I really lost a lot of time with the power out this weekend.

Zone Day 37

The last couple of days I've been in the Zone during the day (so, for breakfasts, snacks, and lunches), but the evenings (dinner and a few beers) have been fairly non-Zone. Still, I've tried to plan for those evenings with exercise and down time. And, this morning, I'm back on the Zone with the yogurt/fruit and turkey bacon recipe.

It's funny, too, how craptastic I feel after I've eaten outside of the Zone; I get stuffy feeling in my head, and I feel fairly bloated. lol.

Anyways, I'll post more this weekend, especially if I cook any new recipes. I'm going to spend this Father's Day weekend with my family, so staying in the Zone shouldn't be too difficult.

PS. I think it IS a new medication that I'm taking, which makes me feel like this week is an upward battle. I'll find out more after I talk to my doctor today.

Have a great weekend, ya'll!

Zone Day 34

I'm struggling today. The whole lifestyle change catches up with me every now and again. I forget to eat snacks, and then I feel drained. I decide to sleep in, rather than walk/jog. I need support and encouragement, and thanks to those of you who already do--it means a lot to me :)


So... tonight for dinner!

Chicken Fajita!Ingredients:
4 oz of lean chicken
2 tbsp of salsa
two tbsp of lime juice
two tbsp of water (let the chicken sit overnight in this mixture)
1/2 cup of red peppers, 1/2 cup of orange peppers, 1/3 cup of onions (onions are nuked in the microwave for 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute)
1 1/2 tbsp homemade guacamole, and a gluten free tortilla.

Directions:
Combine chicken, sauce, and cook until chicken is opaque. Add peppers and onions. Cook until sauce cooks off, and serve over guacamole, and 1/2 cup of tomatoes. 1/2 cup of strawberries with a sprinkling of Truvia.

If anyone has suggestions for routinizing a workout, I'd be happy to hear 'em. Thanks, ya'll!

PS. Bed time snack is plain yogurt, a bit of honey, and a tbsp. of natural peanut butter. :D

Zone Day 32: yoga and dinner

I just got back from yoga (well, about 40 minutes ago), and I'm always surprised at how peaceful it makes me feel. The drive home seems much, much shorter than the drive there. I also noticed today while at yoga that my arms are getting stronger with each session. If you're in the Lansing/East Lansing area, I invite you to check out Hilltop Yoga. The sessions are affordable, and the teachers are great. Once my 30 day pass runs out (June 23rd), I'm going to try slow flow yoga and Vinyasa. I think I can, I think I can!

Dinner!
I felt like having some lean beef tonight (usually fills me up really good). I thawed a little over a pound of Laura's Beef (less than 4% fat--super lean!), and used about 3.5 oz. of it for a hamburger. The rest I'll use to make Zone chili. Yum!
Ingredients:
3-3.5 oz. of lean hamburger (less than 10% fat)
1 hamburger bun
1 large tomato slice (I improvised, since I like roma tomatoes)
1 large lettuce leaf (again, improv!)
1 tbs of lite mayo (although I think I used a bit less)
1 slice reduced-fat cheese
1 dill pickle spear
2/3 c. unsweetened apple sauce (with a sprinkling of cinnamon)

Directions:
Broil the hamburger until done (however you like it. Mooing or otherwise lol). When the burger is almost done, place cheese on top and broil for 30 more seconds. Place mayo on hamburger bun, the burger, then condiments. Serve pickle on the side. Apple sauce is for dessert! And of course water!

Zone Day 32: Lunch

Lunch time!

For lunch today, I'm off the Zone a bit. I had the yogurt/fruit and Canadian bacon breakfast (as posted yesterday), and I also jogged another mile this morning. I didn't eat 11 blocks yesterday, so I'm making up for some missed calories (that and I wanted to try this new flat bread I bought this morning).

Ingredients:
1 "FlatOut" flat bread
1/4 c. hummus (spread on the bread)
1/3 cucumber sliced thinly
6 baby bella mushrooms sliced thinly
5 cherub tomatoes also sliced thinly
two leaves of romaine lettuce
1 oz. deli cut turkey
Dessert: 1/2 c. raspberries, 1/2 c. blueberries
20 oz. of water


People have asked me (both physically and virtually) how much weight I've lost now. If I remember to, I'll weigh myself next weekend; however, I'm not as concerned with how much I've lost or gained. This diet, for me, is about regulating my hormone levels (which SUCK big time!). Diabetes runs in my family, and so do infertility problems--this is what I'm trying to avoid. Still, I'd be lying if I said I'm not happy to see me slimming down, and managing my total body fat better.

Goals for the coming week: Meditate more often (I hardly did any this week), DRINK MORE WATER! (as some of you know, I could go days, and even WEEKS without drinking, because I forget to, or it doesn't occur to me to drink), make sure I eat snacks when I'm supposed to

Hope all is well! Here's hoping it stops raining in the Midwest this week!

Zone Day 31: Breakfast!

Even though it's Saturday, my body woke me up before 8am. So, I decided to be physically productive, and I went for a mile jog (I've never been able to say that before), and then stretched a bit in my living room. Anything to stay active! :)

Breakfast today should look familiar to some of you... yogurt with fruit and a side of Canadian bacon (and of course, 20 oz. of water--which, I've been slacking on this week. No more!)!

Ingredients:
1 cup low-fat PLAIN yogurt
2/3 cup cut strawberries
1/3 cup blueberries (these fruits are zone to equal 1 block, more or less. 1 block of blueberries is 1/2 cup, and 1 block of strawberries is 1 cup. I used what fruits I had left)
1 tsp of slivered/crushed almonds
1 ounce of Canadian bacon (oh yeah, eh?)
**It's a lot of food to eat. Trust me.

Directions: Pretty self explanatory by the picture.

I think, too, that I've pinpointed the reason for me feeling sluggish/sleepy this week---new hormone medications! Talk about a friggin' roller coaster ha!

Enjoy the weekend, all! Even though it's rainy and humid in the Midwest, you should still spend time outside :)

PS. I've mastered the taste of plain yogurt. I can handle anything now.

On an unrelated note, because I can never finish talking (as most of you know! ha), I've started reading this book. So far, so good. Anything I can read about the female!

ONE MONTH!!!!! :)

*drum roll*

I've made it to the one month mark! Woo!!! :)
I had a tuna wrap with tomatoes for lunch, and a Sloppy Joe tonight for dinner (see recipe here). I forgot to take pictures of both, so the picture below will hafta do!

The fourth week has me feeling sleepy, but I don't think it's related to the diet; it's most likely related to work and school. I'm grateful for the routine, but I've had to sacrifice some much needed sleep this week. Back on schedule starting tonight---promise!

I hope all is well with everyone. And thanks for those of you who have commented. If you're going to comment, leave your name along with your post (posting anonymously won't get you on my blog, and besides... it's stupid.)
Let me know when you've tried any of the recipes I've listed/made. Next weigh in will be next week---feeling good tonight :)

Zone Day 26-- Almost a month! Woo!

This week has felt incredibly long, and I'm not sure why. Ever since I started the Zone diet, I haven't felt my usual tired self (thank God!). However, today I do feel tired, almost as though a streak of tiredness has caught up with me. Here's hoping I'm able to get to sleep tonight earlier than usual :)
So.. tonight for dinner! We'll call it...

"An Assortment of Vegetables (and one peach) and Shrimp!"

Ingredients:
9 small shrimp (marinated in balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, olive oil and tarragon)
1/2 of one leek (which is super tasty. My first time!) **Also: Make sure you clean these buggers really well. They're a sand trap!
1/3 of a yellow bell pepper
1/3 of zucchini
and a few asparagus spears

Directions:
Let shrimp marinate for at least an hour (if not longer). Broil shrimp for 5-7 minutes, depending on size. Mine took 5 minutes.

Saute chopped vegetables in 1-2 tsp of olive oil until lightly brown and not mushy (I started with the asparagus first, then the zucchini, then the rest)
Serve 1 peach for dessert

This is slightly less than a 3 block meal, but I wasn't too terribly hungry. Also, I'm planning on an early-ish bedtime, so my snack will come sooner than later.

So, where are the comments from my Facebook friends? Followers are welcome! :)

Zone Day 23's dessert

Glad that blogger is working again. Would have posted this picture last night.

Dessert with my baked tilapia and veggies dinner. It's a variation on strawberry shortcake, and it was super delicious. Enjoy!

Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients:
1/2 c. sliced strawberries
1 slice of whole wheat (toasted)
Non-fat cool whip topping (I used low-fat vanilla yogurt--a bit of a splurge!)

This was so good. I highly recommend it!

Zone Day 22: Snack

Bedtime Snack!

This lovely little ditty is a variation of a Zone-friendly snack, which calls for cottage cheese (I'm not a fan of cottage cheese, but maybe once it's blended it'll be a different story).

Anyways, I made this snack and divided it into 3 one-block snacks. It's currently being eaten! Yum :)

Frozen Berry 'Ice Cream'

Ingredients:

3/4 c. cottage cheese (I used plain low-fat yogurt)

3 block worth of any or mixed FROZEN berries

1 tsp. olive oil

Add some Stevia to sweeten (I didn't, but I imagine with cheese you'd want to)

Instructions:

Blend together with a blender until it turns creamy like ice cream. Works best if berries are frozen. Great for a snack before bed! : )

Zone Day 22: Dinner

Dinner time! (but I usually say something like "Dinnah!")

Anyways...

Recipe posted below. Nothing fancy, and not from a cookbook. Leftovers that I decided to use up. Tasty and simple. Try it, and enjoy!

Pork a la Veggies (hee!)

Ingredients:

1 pork chop, sauteed in a tsp of olive oil (about 4 oz.)

Quite a few cherry tomatoes cut in half and sauteed with the pork chop

Seasonings to taste (I used a garlic peppercorn rub for the pork chop)

One teeny, tiny squash; steamed (I don't remember the name of it; it's not zucchini, though)

1/2 c. of green grapes

4 oz. of white zinfandel wine

16 oz. of water.

Zone Day 22: Lunch

Lunch time!

Taking a break from homework to make a Zone-healthy lunch. I'm still not very hungry from breakfast today, (I ended up with a tummy ache--maybe too much chili powder?) but I still have to eat. I made a Turkey Wrap, and had a small plum to go with it.

Ingredients:

2-3 oz. of deli turkey

half an avocado smashed/mixed with a tbsp of red pepper hummus

Romaine lettuce

Reduced-fat cheese

Tomato

Small plum (on the side)

Plenty of water!

Enjoy! : )

Zone Day 22

Good morning, all!

How did everyone sleep last night? I slept pretty well, considering my upstairs neighbor *still* vacuums at all hours of the day or night. It's getting old, actually. You'd think after almost 10 months living here, I'd be used to it. Heh.

Anyways...

Breakfast!

I tried a new breakfast recipe this morning: "Huevos Rancheros." I'm pretty sure I've had this before (although, not Zone friendly). It was quite tasty, and definitely something I'll make again.

Huevos Rancheros

Ingredients:
1 and 1/3 tsp olive oil

1 whole egg

2 egg whites (or 1/4 c. egg sub)

1/2 cup of each: chopped onion, pepper, and tomato

Chili powder to taste (I, apparently, like a lot of this!)

1 corn tortilla

2 oz. low-fat cheese

1 tbsp chopped cilantro (I mixed mine with the egg)

1 c. strawberries (on the side)

1/2 c. blueberries (on the side)

Directions:

Heat oil in a skillet. Scramble eggs, chopped veggies, and chili powder. Place scrambled eggs in tortilla and top with cheese and cilantro. Serve strawberries and blueberries on the side.

**Note: I made this recipe 3 block friendly (so what I used from the above is slightly less).

So much food to eat, and so good, too! Let me know if you try this recipe; it's easy to make and way balanced.

Off to walk a couple of miles now. Enjoy your day!

Zone Day 21

3 weeks strong, baby! I think it's safe to say that this food and exercise change is on its way to becoming a habit, a way of life.

I woke up this morning, to an unexpected surprise--a pair of pants, which didn't fit me last summer, fit me now! Little surprises like the weight loss are the icing on the cake--if I'm physically healthy, and mentally clear, that's what matters most to me :) (Ps. 21 days and down 9 lbs. I'm always terrified to step on the scale.)

So, what did I have for dinner (I know you're wondering)? Below is a picture and recipe of "Pork Tenderloin with Apple Compote." It was pretty tasty (not my favorite dish), and a nice way to round out my meals for the day.

Pork Tenderloin with Apple Compote

Ingredients:

1 and 1/3 tsp olive oil (total)

4 ounces of pork

1 apple, cored and chopped

1/3 c. unsweetened applesauce

2 tbsp cider vinegar

1/8 tsp celery salt

1/8 tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp lemon flavored water

1/4 tsp lemon herb seasoning

4 cups mushrooms (which is A LOT of mushrooms, so I used half mushrooms and half of a yellow pepper)

Directions:

Heat 2/3 tsp of oil in a medium-size pan. Saute pork until cooked through and lightly browned. Add apple, applesauce, vinegar, celery salt, cinnamon, water, and lemon herb seasoning. Simmer for 3-5 minutes. In a second pan, heat remaining oil. Add mushrooms (or other veggies) and cook for 3-5 minutes. Spoon mushrooms onto a serving plate. Top with pork mixture and serve.

What's the Zone Diet?

It's pretty simple and straightforward, actually.

...allow me to elaborate.
The Zone Diet is all about blocks of food (protein, fruits and veggies (good carbs!) and monounsaturated fats, (like nuts and good oils). It's important that you calculate how many "blocks" you need a day, and remember to eat at least every 5 hours (even if you're not that hungry). It's also important to eat something from each block group at every meal or snack, so that combined they work together to help you feel (and look) great!

Caption: A Zone friendly plate! : )

The diet's really not too hard to follow, and teaches you great things to cook! For more info, visit the Official Site of the Zone Diet. Feel free to comment with any questions you might have. I've made some great connections with amazing women all over the country who've had unbelievable success while Zoning!

Zone Diet Catcher Upper

On May 14th, 2010...

I decided to make a lifestyle change. For over a year now, I've struggled with my thyroid levels (grr!), and now my other hormone levels aren't where they should be. Tsk tsk!

So...

With the guidance and suggestion of my doctor, I decided to completely change my eating and exercise habits. After some searching on the web, and some researching at my local Barnes & Noble, I decided to start the Zone Diet--a low carb, lifestyle change, which helps to regulate hormonal stimulation and production. And as an added bonus, I'll lose some weight, work on becoming physically fit (again), and with any luck my hormones will start behaving well again! :)


Additionally, I incorporated regular, weekly exercise (swimming, walking, and yoga) and meditation twice daily. If you know me, once I decide to do something, I give 110%. This lifestyle change is certainly NO exception!

Most of you know...

I started this journey on Facebook (for personal accountability reasons), and now I've decided to write and post my food/yoga/me pictures here. I invite each of you viewing the blog to comment and encourage me as I continue my total lifestyle change. And please! If you have any carb-friendly recipes (or recipes in general), or low-impact exercise suggestions, I invite you to share those with me (and others), too!