My Journey

[Blondie4life]

Well this past weekend I found to be one of the most difficult weekends. Thankfully I have had the strength and will power to stick with the plan 100% :praying:! But it hasn't been without some temptations!:devil:
I'm not sure if it was due to the 100 plus degree weather or the fact that I'm just blessed with the desire to eat! Needless to say, I found myself to be a little testy at times!
Temptation #1: Our journey to COSTCO is where it all started! You would think that those small little samples wouldn't even phase me... but think again! They had the most delicious "sounding" gelato imaginable. (mind you I wouldn't go near the sample stand for fear of devouring the entire display) But the "sample lady" made it very clear what she was serving... over and over again she made it clear! I did allow my hubby to sample the tasty treat and he assured me it wasn't that good! But he says that for everything now, so as not to make me feel like I'm missing out! Such a sweet guy!
Temptation #2: Lunch at my Parental Units (Ma & Pops)- they have been so encouraging while on this diet, trying to make sure they cook things that I can have! But, unfortunately they forget some of the rules! My dear pops made sure to not put any sauce on my chicken and even separated the zucchini so as to not get any EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) on it! However, he forgot that I had to weigh it before he cooked it! **Swing and a miss :( ***
Not all was lost, I was able to find some chicken to cook up and they always have salad! So I did get to eat!

Thanks again for letting me vent! I really do feel much better!

[Mei Mei]

Hey Blondie,
Good job on getting through. I know what you mean about being testy :) Way to be spontaneous and find food.

As far as the gelato at Costco. I tired a Shawn/Rachel recipe. Take your mango cut it and freeze it. Add 8 oz to a blender with the mango. Fantastic. so yummy and refreshing. It was one of the best smoothie/ice cream treat ever! I'll be doing that again. I was pretty grumpy, again today! and that helped greatly.

What was your start date?

Mei

[SPDeRosa]

Blondie! GREAT JOB avoiding all that temptation! :clapping3: That's the type of determination it takes to succeed! You're husband seems really supportive as well which is awesome. Keep up the good work.

Mei mei, I'm so glad you liked your smoothie drink. Isn't the BEST to cheer you up?! I highly recommend it for everyone. Unfortunately I can't take all the credit -- I found the original posting under the "Recipes" thread I think under "Drinks". I am trying to modify the recipe a bit with Rachel to try to get an idea as to when it will be sorbet and when it will be a smoothie. I'm also trying to get a good idea as to how much ice to use -- too much ice and it's a little too bland. Too little ice doesn't work either. Too much Sprite Zero and it's really liquidy. But it sure is fun experimenting! I wish everyone would try it!

Another twist is using the Meal 1 yogurt and fruit as a "smoothie" option. I'm not sure I like starting the day off with a frozen beverage (it's more fun later on) but it is rather quick if you need something and don't feel all that motivated to try a breakfast bruschetta or an egg breakfast. :) Bon apetit! - Shawn

[rbride05]

Shawn and Mei Mei

Couldnt agree more. I saw your posting Shawn about the Mango drink and tried it out. Have to say it is so delicious is doesnt seem like it should be allowed. Ive been experimenting too with the ice,sprite levels, Ive even tried adding a bit of club soda or mineral water (no sodium) to it for some extra fizz. Yummm

[SPDeRosa]

I tried the drink with a nectarine yesterday and 4 cubes of ice. I think the nectarine was a little too "raw" ... perhaps if were allowed to have ripened fully it would have been sweeter. It was still a nice treat though, and thinking back I bet if I added just a little bit of Splenda or Stevia to the mix it probably would have been perfect! Oh well, I'll know for next time! :)

[PhyllisRis]

What if you measure out the fruit, cut it up, put it into the freezer before making the smoothie? Then you could use less ice and it would be "mooshy" from being frozen.

[SPDeRosa]

Yes! That's the best way to do it. I measure and freeze in advance. The "rawness" was because the nectarine itself wasn't really ready to be eaten. I mean, it was but I could have waited another day or two for it to be really soft and juicy. I think that's when it will work best. I've got a peach and a nectarine I'm allowing to really ripen prior to freezing. So we'll see how that goes. :)

[rbride05]

Shawn

Do you have Trader Joe's stores in Boston (That is where you are right??) I tried using the fresh mango, but got tired of waiting for them to ripen, the slippery mess trying to peel them, get the pit out etc, then found that Trader Joes sells in their frozen fruit section frozen (fresh no additives) mango chunks. I love it cause all I have to do is measure out a portion and pop it into the blender, and since its frozen, it gives the drink a frozen daiquiri "feeling", just healthier for you.

[SPDeRosa]

I pass Trader Joe's all the time!! I'm so going to stop in there now! I bought 2 mangos yesterday and I'm not looking forward to cutting them when they're ripened. Your description of trying to get the pit out was perfect - it's a slippery mess! I'll definitely pick up some frozen mango. The good thing is that now that I'm almost done with refeed I won't have to weigh out the mango portion before freezing, so this will really work! Thanks!!