Lasagna - Phase 2

We are on VLCD#2. I had a one pound loss this morning. Here is a recipe for the dinner that we made tonight.


Lasagna.
1 can hunts fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained
Half a can of tomato paste
Half a can of tomato sauce
1 medium onion
Fresh parsley
Diced garlic
Tsp or more Thyme & oregano
Powdered stevia ( just a very light sprinkle)
Broth (beef) just to sautee. Or use a Demi glace cube
Lean beef or chicken or I used turkey
Pepper flakes
Zucchini will act as the noodles.

Cook together dry herbs, onion, parsley, salt/pepper, pepper flakes, tomatoes, tomato sauces and meat together. Simmer very low til meat is done. As it cooks, mash down the tomatoes a bit. I Lightly add a sprinkle of powdered stevia.
Simmer this to reduce out excess liquid on low heat.

While this is cooking/simmering start on the noodles. Cut zucchini or summer squash into long slices, I took off the skin too. Bake till slightly cooked, topped with salt, paprika and garlic.

Get a small baking pan, and add a little sauce to the bottom. Then layer zucchini, sauce, Zuccini and so on. Top with garlic Melba crumbles and bake about 30 minutes.

This makes alot: 1 can tomato and 1 Zuccini alone are 100 cals. Beef adds 160 or so. So this is excellent to make and have 2 meals out of it.

100 HCG Phase 3 Foods

I found this on http://www.healthyhcg.com/  and wanted to share this with everyone.  Phase 3 can be very confusing and you don't want to hurt all the hard work that you have done.  This article spells out very will what is allowed and what is not.  


Phase 3 of the HCG diet, which we call the stabilization phase, opens up all sorts of new food options. You're done with the 500-calorie phase and the HCG drops, and your calorie restrictions have been lifted. The only things you can't eat now are sugar and starch—but after the strict rules of the 500-calorie phase of the HCG diet, many people still worry about what exactly they can eat.

So here are 100 new foods you can eat during the stabilization phase of the HCG diet. A whole new world of food awaits on phase 3!

Meat
Meat lovers can finally let loose on phase 3 and enjoy some of their favorites again. Consider branching out to celebrate all your lost weight—try some liver, venison, or a rare sausage and see if you like it. Some of these items, like bacon and hot dogs, have a very high fat content, so be careful with those!

1. Bacon
2. Beef jerky
3. Beef roast
4. Breakfast sausage
5. Elk
6. Ground beef
7. Ham
8. Hot dogs
9. Lamb
10. Liver
11. Pork chops
12. Prosciutto
13. Venison
14. Vienna sausage

Fish
Fish fans already had the best variety during the 500-calorie phase of the HCG diet. Phase 3 gives them even more choices. The list could go on and on and on, but we've limited it to just a few representatives. Protein already takes up a whole third of this list. Don't be greedy. There are vegetables and fruits still to consider!

15. Anchovy
16. Bass
17. Catfish
18. Clams
19. Eel
20. Herring
21. Mackerel
22. Mahimahi
23. Mussels
24. Oysters
25. Salmon
26. Sardines
27. Squid or calamari
28. Trout
29. Tuna


Poultry
If you're not a fish fan you might have had a hard time on the HCG diet. If you feel you'll die at the thought of eating more chicken, you now have several more poultry options at your disposal on phase 3.

30. Duck
31. Goose
32. Pheasant
33. Turkey

Other Protein Sources
Your protein options aren't limited to just meat anymore! Nuts make an especially good snack food on phase 3. Unfortunately, beans are still off limits due to their high starch content, but vegetarians can try them with care.

34. Hummus (check ingredients)
35. Nuts of all types, including almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, pine nuts, and pistachios for just a few examples
36. Soy
37. Tofu

Vegetables
There's an absolutely gigantic world of vegetables waiting to be explored during the stabilization phase of the HCG diet. Some popular options such as corn and potatoes have been left out due to high starch or carb content. You might still get away with them if you're very careful about it—eat them in small quantities and monitor your weight each day. But there are so many other choices during phase 3—why not try something new?

38. Bamboo shoots
39. Bean sprouts
40. Bok Choy
41. Broccoli
42. Brussels sprouts
43. Cauliflower
44. Eggplant
45. Green beans
46. Kohlrabi
47. Jalapeno peppers
48. Mushrooms
49. Okra
50. Pickles
51. Pumpkin
52. Radishes
53. Red chili pepper
54. Sauerkraut
55. Scallions
56. Snow peas (pods)
57. Spaghetti squash
58. Summer squash
59. Sweet bell peppers (green, red, or yellow)
60. Turnips
61. Watercress
62. Zucchini

Fruits
Now is the time to indulge in fruits. Like the vegetables, some fruits are still iffy for the stabilization phase. Dr. Simeons warns against very sweet fruits, so you won't find popular choices like bananas or grapes here. As with starchy veggies, you could still try sugary fruits while exercising restraint and care.

63. Apricots
64. Blackberries
65. Blueberries
66. Cantaloupe
67. Coconut (unsweetened)
68. Cranberries, fresh or dried
69. Figs, one large—careful of sugar content
70. Guava
71. Honeydew
72. Kiwi
73. Lemons
74. Limes
75. Nectarines
76. Olives
77. Papaya
78. Peaches
79. Pears
80. Pineapple
81. Plums
82. Raspberries
83. Watermelon

Dairy
Huzzah! Dairy of all kinds is finally allowed during phase 3 of the HCG diet. The main thing to beware of is added sugar. Of course, it's always a good idea to go for fat-free or reduced-fat options.

84. Butter (in moderation, of course)
85. Cheese, including both hard and soft cheeses like American, brie, cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, string cheese, and Swiss
86. Cottage cheese
87. Cream cheese
88. Eggs—boiled, fried, poached, scrambled, deviled, etc.
89. Milk
90. Omelette
91. Yogurt (sugar-free)

Other
The stabilization phase unlocks a whole new world of food options. Here are a few odds and ends to really spice up your HCG diet on phase 3.

92. Alcoholic beverages in moderation—Dr. Simeons mentions a glass of wine with a meal, for example
93. Dried soy beans
94. Fruit juices with no added sugar, and watch portion sizes to limit sugar intake
95. Mayonnaise (check label for sugar)
96. Oils for cooking or baking
97. Pure peanut butter, other nut butters (sugar-free)
98. Sugar-free dressings and mustards
99. Taco salad, without the tortilla product
100. Veggie dip: combine plain non-fat yogurt with ranch or onion seasoning mix—check seasonings for sugar

25 Foods To Be Careful With
But wait, where are such healthy staples as carrots, peas, and grapes? Dr. Simeons says the following about the 3-week stabilization phase of the HCG diet:

"If no carbohydrates whatsoever are eaten, fats can be indulged in somewhat more liberally . . . but as soon as fat and starch are combined things are very liable to get out of hand."

"All foods allowed except starch and sugar in any form (careful with very sweet fruit)."

The following foods have a high starch or sugar content. While not forbidden per se, they may violate Dr. Simeons' rules, especially if you're increasing your fat content at all. Introduce these foods only in small quantities—if at all—with careful attention to your morning weighing.

Protein
1. Beans, including black, garbanzo, kidney, fava, lentils, lima, pinto, and white

Vegetables
2. Artichoke, medium
3. Avocado
4. Beets
5. Butternut squash
6. Carrots
7. Celeriac
8. Corn
9. Leeks
10. Parsnips
11. Peas
12. Plantains
13. Potato, one small
14. Sweet potatoes
15. Water chestnuts
16. Yams

Fruits
17. Banana, medium
18. Cherries
19. Date, one
20. Grapes
21. Mangos
22. Pomegranate
23. Prunes
24. Raisins (1.5 oz)
25. Tangerines

Ranch Dressing Phase 2 VLCD

I found this on a forum I belong to and have to share.  I haven't tried it yet but it sounds delicious! 

Lowfat/ Fat Free Cottage Cheese into the blender (I used my magic bullet) with a little bit of milk, some Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and parsley flakes, dill and a generous pinch of salt. (Play with the spices, til you get it how you like it)
Blend until smooth - add some water or chicken broth to get it to your desired consistency.

Amazing Italian Wedding Soup

We just had the most amazing Italian Wedding soup.  I must share the recipe ASAP!  

First we made meatballs out of 97% lean ground beef

One Egg

Little Onion

1 package onion soup mix ( I used lipton, I had it laying around)

Parsley or other seasoning.

2 malba toasts

Tom made the meatballs then pan seared them, then in the oven for 20 mins.

While he did that I made the soup.

Sweat onion and garlic in 1 cup no fat chicken broth.

After these start sweating add couple handfuls of spinach, cook off most broth as the spinach cooks.

Add the rest of the broth and seasoning, Salt, Pepper, ya know?

When the meatballs are done add them and a package of Miracle Noodles for about 10 mins till boiling.

I crushed up my meatball but Tom ate his whole, either was = SO YUMMY!

HCG Diet Recipes

Here is a link to the HCG diet recipe haven.  http://hcgrecipes.blogspot.com/

Eating Out on HCG | HCG Guru

I have a couple tips for when you are out and about and need to eat.  You must be very careful with this though, because almost every fast food place adds sugar to EVERYTHING!

Chipotle - Fajita Veggies (20 Calories), Barbacoa (It's very lean at 170 Calories)Do not get the chicken - It's dark meat or steak -It's not lean, Tomato Salsa (20 Calories), Green Tomatillo Salsa (15 Calores) and Lettuce(10 Calories)  Total: 235

Burger King - The Tendergrill chicken salad, remove cheese and get lite dressing and only use very little.  Total:220

Arby's - Arby's Roast Beef with no bread (I usually just ask for 3 oz, I think this is the regular sandwich)  Total: 143

Wendy's - Small sized Chili - DO NOT eat the beans.  Total: 170
Garden side salad, remove carrots, half a packet of Fat Free French Dressing Total:90 

I have also had success (losses) with Windy's chicken patty with lettuce and tomato, no bun or condiments. 

Steak Day!

As you know I have been stalling all week.  I wanted to give the diet a kick start back into gear.  I decided to do a "Steak Day" right in the middle of phase 2.  Now usually Steak Days are only for phase 3 as a way of maintaining the weight from phase 2.  I thought this would work, I mean what do I have to lose?  Well it worked!  I was down 1.5 pounds this morning!  Tom was also down 1.5.  :]

We drank normal all day then had an 8 oz steak with a large tomato.  You can have an apple instead.  I was very hard to get down the 8 oz when we are used to eating the 4oz.  Glad it worked! 

Spaghetti

Going to try a Spaghetti tomorrow night.  Here is what I am thinking.  100 g lean ground beef made into a meatballs, 1/4 tomato paste with water, garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, and a couple drops of stevia. Of course they will be made with Miracle Noodles!  I guess these will take on the flavor of whatever they are cooked in.  Yummy!

Stuffed Peppers | HCG Guru

I have been waiting to do this recipe all week and tonight I COOK!  Lol.  I am up .6 this morning and I am sure it was because I had an extra 3 oz of mystery beef yesterday.  I thought because I was walking so much I would be ok.  OOPS!  I was wrong.  I also don't think I had enough water which I am finding makes a HUGE difference in lose for the morning.

Bison Stuffed Peppers (Makes 4 servings)
½ medium yellow onion
chopped 1 large or 2 small zucchini
seeded and chopped 4 bell peppers
15 oz lean ground beef, turkey, venison, or bison (Be sure to rinse your meat with hot water after browning.)
5 large button mushrooms (100g) (If you like...)
2 cloves garlic
1/8 tsp basil
½ tsp oregano
1- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes - drain  (Or a large Tomato.)
4 grissini breadsticks
2 tablespoons worstershire sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Cut top ¼ of the peppers. (save for another use like salad) Trim bottom so it will sit flat. Clean out inside of pepper. Boil in stock pot of water for 10 minutes to soften. Remove and set aside. Preheat oven to 350. Sautee onion, mushrooms, zucchini, and garlic in a pan till soft. (I use water to sauté, fat free chicken stock will also work.) Add in salt to taste, oregano, basil, and tomatoes. Simmer till hot. Puree half in a blender, food processor, or immersion blender. Cook ground meat with pepper till browned. Drain and rinse under hot water to remove any extra fats. Rinse out pan, too. Add meat to veggie mix and add in worstershire sauce. Salt to taste and simmer for a few minutes. Add in crackers and mix well. Separate into 4 sections and put one section each into each pepper. A spring loaded ice cream scoop works well. Cover with foil and cook for 30 minutes. Remove foil and cook another 5-10 minutes. Serve with a yummy salad! I made this recipe with bison, and it was 297 calories per serving.

Lunch on Protocol

Lunch was exactly on protocol.  I showed no weight lose this morning, Tom showed a one pound lose.  This is 100g Lean Steak, 100g Spinach, 100g Strawberries, and one Mebla Toast.  Lots of water and a cup of coffee.
I can't wait to cook dinner - I am making stuffed peppers.  Yummy!  I will post the recipe later.

Tom said that his goal is to be 240 at our next weight in on Monday.  That is 5 pounds in 4 days.  I would like to be 157.  Cross your fingers.

Approved Foods

Here is a list of the approved foods for my HCG diet.

Lean Protein - 3.5 to 4 oz Lunch and Dinner

Skinless White Meat Chicken

Skinless White Meat Turkey

Cornish Game Hen

Ground Sirloin

Filet Mingon

Sirloin Strip Steak

Bison ( I <3 Bison Lettuce Burgers!)

Pork Loin

Tilapia

Orange and White Rought

Walleye

Swordfish

Shrimp

Mahi Mahi

Scallops

Lean Lunch meat of any kind

I have the butcher package the meat in 4oz servings.  Most frozen Chicken/fish comes in 4 oz servings.

Veggies  -  3.5 to 4 oz per meal

Any veggies other then corn and potatoes.  Some people might not do well on peas.  Carrots only 3 oz.

Free Veggies

Lettuce

Cabbage

Celery 

Cucumber 

Tomato

Red Onion

Any peppers 

Fruit
No pineapple, grapes, and bananas.  Very the fruit, to many apples can make people stall.

Bread
Melba Toast
Grissini Bread Stck
1/2 of a 'Flat Out -- This is the name brand

No Dairy!   
 
I have found the drops that we are taking online here --  http://www.vitacost.com/Professional-Health-Products-Weight-Off-Plus-HCG/?csrc=GPF-649818031518&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=649818031518#IngredientFacts

Tricks for Beating Sweet and Salty Cravings.

Tricks I have found for beating the sweet and salty creavings without cheating.

- Sugar Free Jello (Watch the calories and only with meals)
- Flavored Water
- Flavored Tea
- Sugar Free Gum
- Sugar Free Popsicles
- 3 Celery sticks with Salt
- Diet Soda is ok but only like one a day, like I said earlier it can make you retain water weight. For every soda I have I add an extra 8 oz of water.
- Stevia brand sweetener.

Everything much be with 0 calories!

Truly FREE Foods

I thought I would compose a list of Truly FREE Foods that will work on this diet.  These still have to be eaten during your lunch or dinner for maximum weight loss.  But I still had success in the beginning munching on these at my late night cravings.

Miracle Noodles - You can find these close to the organic section in the grocery store.  We had to ask, but luckily he know just what we were talking about.  They com in a bag with a liquid substance mixed with them.  Basically you drain the fluid and cook for about a minute like you would roman noodles.  They are fantastic for your carb cravings!  They are 100% FREE, there is nothing in them at all. 

Weldon Farm is the brand name, and they make no fat, no carbs, no calorie dressings and Mayo.  Yummy for adding to chicken breast to liven them up!

Fake butter, now you have to be careful here because part of the reason for this diet is to get rid of the 'taste' for fat.  Never the less, there is a 0 calorie "I Can't Believe it's Not Butter", and a 0 calorie Parkey.  Again I would only use these sparingly.

Stevia brand is the sweetener that we use.  Taste just the same to me.  You can find this also at the Organic store or area at the local store.

If there are anymore that you know of please leave a comment!  Thanks!

Vodka and HCG

Tom just finished his final and after a long week without drink he wanted a drink.  Of course me being the cautious one I wanted to look and see if it was okey first.   What I found is that Vodka is the best alcohol to have on the diet and that diet soda will make you retain water, and blow up like balloon. 

Because Tom is losing more then me I am only going to have 2 shots, and Tom is going to have 3.  Here is a delishious mixed drink that I found. I am going to call it the Orange Skinny.

My recipe calls for strawberries but you can substitute orange if you prefer. You could even combine the two for an extra summery cocktail. Just use half an orange, 3 muddled strawberries, and continue recipe.

4 large Strawberries
1 Orange (optional)
1/2 lemon (optional)
1 oz high quality vodka
shaker with strainer
fork (for muddling in shaker)
handful of ice
4 packets of truvia
2 1/2 tablespoons water (rough estimate)
Mint sprig for garnish
Chilled martini glass
Muddle about four strawberries OR squeeze the juice of one orange (strawberries are recommended), into a shaker that has a strainer. Add ice, vodka (between one and two shots, I prefer to use one per serving) and as much simple syrup (see recipe below) as you need to satisfy your fruity cocktail sweet tooth. If you want something tart, add a squeeze of lemon to the strawberry mixture. Shake the cocktail and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with mint sprig and enjoy.
(I didn't do this bottom part, but maybe you will?)
HCG friendly simple syrup:
Mix water with Truvia and heat on the stove on low. When mixture begins to bubble, remove it from heat. This is your simple syrup mixture. Add a little at a time to the cocktail because Truvia is sweeter than sugar.
Please enjoy this recipe!