A Dinner fit for a King...

This Father's Day we decided to cook a little Steak and Shrimp on the Barbie...The Mister got to try his hand at grilling some steaks...and let  me just say, he did a DAMN good job! Thank you kind sir for cooking on YOUR special day! LOL!


It really is such as simple dish with little prep...and its both P 1 & 2 friendly.


Things you'll need:
*For and appetizer the boys LOVE steamed Artichoke:
Steam in a deep pot for 30min
Dip in melted butter and enjoy...but don't for get the artichoke heart it's the best part!

*Main course:
NY strip steak ( bought a 4pck at Costco for $27 each filet was about 14 oz! So me and the Main Squeeze shared 1)
Cooked shrimp on a skewer...I sprayed mine with a little I can't believe it's not butter and seasoned it to taste with Garlic salt & pepper then reglaze with a little melted butter and grill for about 2min.
Then The Mister threw both on the grill w/some yummy peppers
I steamed some veggies in chicken broth for about 5min
A "baked" (nooked) a potato in 9min

Sautee:
If you're feelin' a little saucy... throw some mushrooms, 1/2c of white onion chopped, 2tbls spn of olive oil and dill in a saucepan...sautee until onions clear and mushrooms soften for about 10min...serve hot!

Click on Images Below...

Enjoy!

Boy Wonder....

As MANY of you know...I was "suppose" to have a girl.

 I say "suppose" because GOD had always intended for me to have another set of jewels around the house.  But of course modern technology got it wrong...go figure.

So instead of a V (a lady's part in case some of you are slow to pick up what I'm putt'n down)

I got a P....literally!

And I couldn't be happier...I was blessed with a beautiful healthy little peanut.  And if you've ever seen my  Main Squeeze (click on link)...you'll know how truly blessed Iam.

So this weekend my Personal Photographer(sissylaw photog extraordinaire) and her very posh assistant (*wink wink)  took some fabulous pix of me and the Little Guy.  And I love them so much...

For me...I think it's important not only to have family pix but to also have special pix of just you and each kid...so when they grow up and look back...they'll have beautiful memories not only of their colorful family, but special moments when they feel like they were the only ones in the world and they had your undivided love and affection :))))

Thanks P for taking pictures of my little piglet.
For taking away my wrinkles.
And for not showing the width of my thighs.

Stay tuned for pix of me and the Main Squeeze.

Taste EVERYTHING and EAT NOTHING...

NOT even South Beach can stand in my way....not really... but if I have little bits here and there I can convince myself that the last 2wks haven't gone completely down the drain ( at least thats what I keep telling myself)


My fat girls cells are SSSSSSSSSSSSSCCCCCCRRRRRRRRRREEEEEAAAMIIIINNGGG for fair food!

ahhhhhhh!

A boy and his BARBIEcue....

For Father's day the Mister got a very nice present from his mom.

There is not much to say.

The pictures say it all.

 Our family is now complete.

The man can grill his own steak now.

Happy Grilling, Love.

What the %$&# can I eat in Phase 1 ?!!!! You ask.

 

 Feeling a little rabid?

A little out of control?

Maybe a little crackheadish?
ya....

Don't worry...it's normal.  At about day 3 you might be experiencing some major withdrawal headaches.  Simply put a dab of salt in your water and drink it...that should alleviate some the headache.

And the viscous rage frustration and violent salvation excess saliva you're experiencing when looking at a donut...  

 This too shall pass...

Any whoo...moving on! Below is a list of things to commit to memory . As you slip in and out of P 1 and P2 it would be great for you to familiarize yourself with these foods...

I PROMISE it'll become second nature and the need to crawl in a corner and devour the nearest candy bar will subside.

Here's a list of all the do's and don'ts ... 

This list REALLY really got me threw MANY a postal moments in the food aisle.

It is divided in to foods you CAN have and foods you CAN'T HAVE.

If you have any questions...or need me to help you off the ledge...feel free to let me know!

Foods Allowed in Phase 1

BEEF Lean cuts, such as: Eye of Round Ground beef: Extra Lean (96/4) Lean (92/8) Sirloin (90/10) Tenderloin Top Loin Top Round LAMB (Remove all visible fat) Center Cut Chop Loin PORK Boiled ham Canadian bacon Loin Tenderloin POULTRY (SKINLESS) Cornish hen Turkey bacon (2 slices per day) Turkey and chicken breast SEAFOOD All types of fish and shellfish TOFU Use soft, low-fat or lite varieties VEAL Chop Cutlet, leg Top round EGGS The use of whole eggs is not limited unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Use egg whites and egg substitute if desired. LUNCHMEAT Fat-free or low-fat only MEAT SUBSTITUTES (SOY BASED) Bacon - Limit to 2 slices per day Burger - < 3 gms fat per 2-3 oz portion Chicken Patties & Nuggets - < 3 gms fat per 2-3 oz portion Hot Dogs - < 3 gms fat per 2-3 oz portion Natural Peanut Butter - 2 Tbsp (may use as protein choice or limited nut choice) Sausage Pattie - Limit 1 patty per day Seiten Soy Crumbles Soy Nuts - 1/4 cup for a protein snack is suggested serving Tempeh Yuba DAIRY Low-fat (1 percent) or fat-free milk or soy milk Plain or sugar-free low-fat or fat-free yogurt Fat-free half & half CHEESE (FAT-FREE OR LOW-FAT) American Cheddar Cottage cheese, 1-2% or fat-free Cream cheese substitute, dairy-free Feta Mozzarella Parmesan Provolone Ricotta String NUTS (Limit to one serving per day as specified) Almonds - 15 (Dry roasted recommended) Brazil Nuts - 4 Cashews - 15 (Dry roasted recommended) Pecans - 15 (Dry roasted recommended) Macadamia - 8 (Dry roasted recommended) Peanut Butter - 1 tsp Peanut Butter, Natural = 2 TBS Peanuts, 20 small (May use dry roasted or boiled) Pine Nuts (Pignolia) - 1 ounce Pistachios - 30 (Dry roasted recommended) Walnuts - 15 (Dry roasted recommended) In place of nuts, may use: Flax Seed - 3 TBS

VEGETABLE CHOICES (includes legumes) (May use fresh, frozen or canned without added sugar) Artichokes Asparagus Beans, Green Beans, Italian Beans, Wax Beans or Legumes: Black Beans Butter Beans Chickpeas or Garbanzo Pigeon Peas Soy Beans Split Peas Broccoli Bok Choy Cabbage Cauliflower Celery Collard Greens Cucumbers Eggplant Lettuce (All varieties) Juice (Limit to 6 ounces per day) Tomato V-8 Mushrooms Mustard Greens Okra Onion - Limit to 1/2 per day Peppers (All varieties) Pickles - Dill or those sweetened with Splenda® Radishes (All varieties) Rhubarb Sauerkraut Snow peas Spinach Sprouts, Alfalfa Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Summer Yellow Zucchini Tomato - Limit to 1 whole or 10 cherry per serving FAT CHOICES (with some suggested serving sizes) The following monounsaturated oils are recommended to be consumed daily: Olive Oil Canola Oil Other Oil Choices that may be chosen (Polyunsaturated or a blend of Monounsaturated): Corn Enova Grape seed Safflower Soybean OTHER FAT CHOICES: Avocado - 1/3 whole = 1 TBS oil Guacamole - ½ cup = 1 TBS oil Margarine - Chose those that do not contain Trans Fatty Acids such as Fleishmann's Premium Olive Oil or Smart Balance Mayonnaise - Regular or Low Fat Olives (Green or Ripe) 15 = 1/2 TBS Salad Dressing - Use those < 3 gms sugar per serving TOPPINGS & SAUCES use sparingly (check labels for added sugar) Hot Sauce Salsa - Limit to 2 TBS during phase 1 Soy Sauce - 1/2 TBS Steak Sauce - 1/2 TBS Worcestershire Sauce - 1 TBS Whipped Topping (Light) - 2 TBS SPICES AND SEASONINGS All spices that contain no added sugar Broth Extracts (almond, vanilla, or others) Horseradish sauce I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Spray Lemon Juice Lime Juice Pepper (black, cayenne, red, white) SWEET TREATS (Limit to 75 calories per day) Candies, hard, sugar-free Chocolate powder, no-added-sugar Cocoa powder, baking type Fudgsicles, sugar-free Gelatin, sugar-free Gum, sugar-free Popsicles, sugar-free Sugar substitute Some Sugar Free Products may be made with sugar alcohols (isomalt, lactitol, mannitol, sorbitol or xylitol) and are permitted on the SBD. They may have associated side effects of GI distress (abdominal pain, diarrhea & gas) if consumed in excessive amounts. SUGAR SUBSTITUTES Acesulfame K Fructose (needs to be counted as Sweet Treats, Caloric Limit) Nutrasweet (Equal) Saccharin (Sweet & Low) Sucralose (Splenda) Stevia (Not approved by FDA)

Foods NOT Allowed and to be Avoided in Phase 1

VEGETABLES Beets Carrots Corn Potatoes, white Potatoes, sweet Yams BEEF Brisket Liver Other fatty cuts Rib steaks POULTRY Chicken, wings and legs Duck Goose Poultry products, processed PORK Honey-baked ham VEAL Breast FRUIT Avoid ALL fruits and fruit juices in Phase 1, including: Apples Apricots Berries Cantaloupe Grapefruit Peaches Pears

DAIRY 1/2 cup of plain fat-free yogurt (once per day max.) Fat Free 1/2 & 1/2, Nonfat milk, 1% milk, Soy milk allowed with coffee. Otherwise avoid all other dairy products (unless listed under protein choices or sweet treats). Limit to < 2 TBS per cup of coffee. Otherwise, avoid all milk products in Phase 1, including: Yogurt, cup-style and frozen Ice cream Milk, low-fat, fat-free, whole Milk, soy STARCHES AND CARBS Avoid ALL starchy food in Phase 1, including: Bread, all types Cereal Croutons, all types Matzo Oatmeal Rice, all types Pasta, all types Pastry and baked goods, all types CHEESE Brie Edam Non-reduced fat MISCELLANEOUS Alcohol of any kind, including beer and wine No regular ketchup or cocktail sauce No pork rinds - too high in saturated fat No jerky - too high in sugar content Limit Caffeine-Containing Beverages to 1-2 servings per day

SB Mini Greek + Italian Meatballs p 1

Cloudy with a chance of meatballs...

I made this yummy dinner for the fam...if ya'll are still in P 1 pair it with sauteed spinach in a yellow coconut curry sauce or your favorite veggie dish...P 2 Mix in italian bread crumbs or make your own with toasted whole grain wheat bread with herbs in a chopper, whole wheat pasta and a low sugar pasta sauce!
Below are the ingridents!


SB Mini Greek & Italian Meatballs

• 1lb of Turkey or Ground sirloin meat ( I used both for a variety)
• 1/4c of Mozzarella, Goat or reduced fat feta
• 1 egg
• 1 tblspn of olive oil
• 1tblspn and 1tspn of red vinegar
• 1/4 tspn of dried oregano
• 1/2 small onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Click on Images:

 Bon Appetite!

Felling a little Nutty today...

Nuts are a GREAT source of protein and very filling.  You can add them to salads for great taste and texture...not only are they delicious to eat but are a great cooking additive suchas oil and flour. Nuts are a healthy trans-fat free and sugar free alternative to cooking.  My favorite is Peanut flour you can  find this at Trader Joes...be mindful however of portion size as nuts are high in calories (P1ner's can ONLY have 15 a day)

Almond Butter:
roast 2 cups of almonds on a lightly greased pan at 350 degrees for 10-15min
make sure they are dark and the aroma smells roasty :)
throw nuts into food processor and pulse...AND pulse AND pulse... for about 15-20min
you will start to see the natural oils extract from the nuts and form into a paste like texture.
If for some reason the consistency is still grainy throw a little bit of coconut oil in the mix to make smooth.
Then voila you are done!
Can and refrigerate!

and for those of you that LALALOVE PB&J...

Peanut Butter and Jelly Pancakes ala SB p2:
*P I know your Little Slugger is allergic to all nuts...but this is yummy breakfast to have when maybe he's staying at Nana's :)

Super easy peasy and very yummyliscious!

All you'll need is the following:
1 cup of Almond Milk ( love almond milk for creams and mixes I even use it in my coffee and cereal...NO SUGAR and LOW in fat 2.5g for 8oz)
1 cup of whole wheat pancake mix...or barley mix which ever you prefer
1tblspn of Peanut Flour (trader Joes)
1 tblspn of canola oil or coconut oil ( i use canola oil for this recipe its easier)

Click on images to view directions:

 Provecho!

Breakfast Yummies :

Breakfast is THE MOST important meal of the day...and for those of you who don't have the time or the desire to create a fabulous breakfast here is a quick,easy and yummyliscious idea for  Phase 1ner's (P1) on South Beach.

Spinach, mushroom and onion Omelet.
prep time 5min
cook time 5min

• 1egg
• pam
• handful of spnach
• 1/4 cup of onion and mushroom
• 1/3 cup of water or almond milk
• shredded reduced fat cheeder cheese
• garlic salt and pepper to taste
• salsa (optional)
• avacado slices (optional)

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR DETAILS :

Enjoy...

South Beach...not just a place where beautiful people grow.

Well as promised...I decided to share my secret to weight loss. 
*Spoiler ahead*

Sorry folks...it's not just a diet. 
It's a lifestyle...

I confess...
I LOVE FOOD.  And FOOD LOVES me. 

And like a 30 something woman... my thighs and ever looming muffin top were. not. happy.

So in 2007 I decided to try The South Beach Diet...(click on the link and read more about it.)
 
I was 10mts postpartum with Little Mister and weighed 167.
I'm 5'2...need I say more?
Once I started this little to no sugar/high protein/ low fat/ raw and clean diet the pounds started to melt off...I'm talkin' 14lbs in the first 2.5 weeks!!!
I maintained this lifestyle coupled with running (my choice of exercise) for nearly 3 years.
And before I got preggo with the Littlest Mister I had lost almost 40lbs!!


It's definitely not for the lazy...but if you are up to the challenge and feel like you NEED a foodie make over or just want to shed some very unwanted pounds check out www.southbeachdiet.com


Stay tuned for some quick yummy summer foodies!

Well hello again...

IM BACK!!!!

And rather than bore you with the details...let me just say:

I had another precious girl boy...
Peyton Christopher
(llllloooonnnng story. You'd either

have to know me to understand...or have lived in San Diego to have heard!)

I've graduated from college...FINALLY 
(like 10 years later ) but any whooo... whose counting!

Ive been on a bunch of FAB vacations with the Mister and the little Mister

I've had an exciting year and I'am so blessed 
(depending on the day and nap hour ) 
to stay homewith the kiddos for now :)

 Which is why I cant promise a new post every hour or even everyday
HOWEVER I will do my best to bring great and healthy recipes ,DIY projects and
some VERY novice photographs of my little ones and anything else I fancy.

So to my very few readers...

welcome.

Sit back.

Relax.

And enjoy my ramblings of life according to moi.