R5 Phase 2 Day 29

Weight - 138.0

Down 1.4 today and I honestly don't know where it came from.  I've seesawed all week and then boom.  So weird.  Now if things go as usual I'll have somewhat of a rebound tomorrow.  Dang.  Five more pounds may take weeks at this rate.

I'm trying to come up with foods for the gang for Superbowl Sunday.  Not going to be fun for me foodwise for sure.  I'm likely going to go the easy route and order something and go get it.  Also have some snacks on hand.

I went over on calories today, but I'd already eating a larger portion of chicken at dinner before I remembered I'd had a protein shake in the afternoon.



Lunch - (207 calories)
**Beef and Celery Soup
110 g 96/4 lean ground beef
185 g celery
20 g onion
1 c Pacific Natural Beef Broth
1 c water
Chef Paul Prudhomme Magic Salt Free Seasoning
Hot Sauce to taste

Afternoon snack - (158 calories)
1 serving Jay Robb Vanilla
80 g blueberries

Dinner - (180 calories)
140 g chicken breast
160 g cucumber
20 g green onion
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
dill seasoning
stevia

Total Calories for the day 545
Daily Calorie Composition: 21% from carbs, 13% from fat and 66% from protein.

 Fat 7 g; Fiber 8 g; Carb 28 g; Sodium 1,066 mg; Protein 87 g 

R5 Phase 2 Day 28

Weight - 139.4

Down 0.4 and still 0.4 above my lowest for this round.  This week is sucking big time.
Everyone here is getting into the swing of the new baby.  He's four days old and already starting to regain his weight.  So far everything is looking perfect.

Lunch - (177 calories)
110 g beef eye of round steak
125 g romaine lettuce
50 g tomato
20 g onion
P2 dressing

Afternoon Snack - (159 calories)
1 serving Jay Robb chocolate protein shake
6 g Navita Naturals Cacao Powder
1 grissini bread stick

Dinner - (158 calories)
110 g Jennie-O extra lean ground turkey (burger)
170 g asparagus
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp capers

Total Calories for the day 494
Daily Calorie Composition: 18% from carbs, 13% from fat and 69% from protein. 

Fat 7 g; Fiber 7 g; Carb 22 g; Sodium 517 mg; Protein 84 g 

R5 Phase 2 Day 27

Weight - 139.8

Down 1.8 this morning.  Nice, but I'll likely have a rebound.  I'm still a pound above my lowest this round.  I know it's lack of sleep and output doing it.

Today of course is family Sunday.  We hit Target and the grocery store for a few things.  I made enchiladas for the gang.

Brunch - (136 calories)
**Sunday eggs
1 cup Egg Beaters
60 g mushrooms
40 g onion

Afternoon Snack - (118 calories)
170 g Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
60 g strawberries

Dinner - (149 calories)
110 g chicken breast
125 g romaine
40 g tomato
Dijon vinaigrette

Total Calories for the day 403
Daily Calorie Composition: 25% from carbs, 4% from fat and 71% from protein. 

Fat 2 g; Fiber 5 g; Carb 25 g; Sodium 611 mg; Protein 72 g  

R5 Phase 2 Day 26

Weight - 141.6

Arrgghh.. I'm going the wrong direction!  Total lack of sleep and output, plus a weigh in this morning that was over 2 hours earlier than normal.  Plugging along. 

I batch cooked like a demon tonight.  Twelve portions of chicken breast, 7 of eye of round steak, 5 ground beef patties, and 5 turkey burgers.  Plus I cooked for the new parents.  They are trying to get on some kind of a schedule, but getting the newbie to nurse properly is always a challenge for new parents.  On top of that mama is vegetarian and I really think needs as much protein as she can get.  I figured they can fend for themselves during the day but for now I'm going to make sure they get at least one cooked meal a day.


Lunch - (209 calories)
1 portion barbacoa from Chipotle
215 g cucumber
20 g onion
2 tbsp salsa

Dinner - (146 calories)
110 g Jennie-O Ground Turkey
120 g baby spinach
mustard dressing

Total Calories for the day 355
Daily Calorie Composition: 15% from carbs, 23% from fat and 62% from protein. 

Fat 9 g; Fiber 5 g; Carb 13 g; Sodium 806 mg; Protein 54 g   

R5 Phase 2 Day 25

Weight - 140.0

Arrgghh.. Well I call this a stall.  Of course, I've not been sleeping like usual and the output isn't there.  I was in a rush today, heading to pick up the new little family from the hospital, so I made myself a protein shake this morning.  I enjoyed it so much I made it a protein shake kinda day.

Lunch - (155 calories)
1 serving Jay Robb Whey Protein - Vanilla
140 g frozen strawberries
8 oz water

Afternoon Snack - (136 calories)
1 serving Jay Robb Whey Protein -Chocolate
6 g Navita Naturals 99% Cacao Powder

Dinner - (155 calories)
1 serving Jay Robb Whey Protein - Vanilla
140 g frozen strawberries
8 oz water

Total calories for the day 446
Daily Calorie Composition: 29% from carbs, 2% from fat and 69% from protein.

Fat 1 g; Fiber 8 g; Carb 33 g; Sodium 454 mg; Protein 77 g  

R5 Phase 2 Day 24

Weight - unknown

I was not about to weight this morning.  I had about 4 hours sleep and no output whatsoever.

We welcomed my second grandchild into the world this morning at one minute past midnight.   By the time I got home and settled in, it was after 4 am.  I didn't sleep much at all of course.

I did a quick lunch today and snagged some barbacoa from Chipotle for dinner.  Spent most of the afternoon at the hospital.  The newbie will come home tomorrow.

Here's new baby Wayne

Lunch - (224 calories)
340 g Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
80 g strawberries

Dinner - (220 calories)
1 serving Chipotle Barbacoa
170 g green beans

Total calories for the day 444
Daily Calorie Composition: 31% from carbs, 14% from fat and 55% from protein.

Fat 7 g; Fiber 8 g; Carb 34 g; Sodium 650 mg; Protein 62 g 

R5 Phase 2 Day 23

Weight - 139.8

Ouch..  well I knew it was too good. Up a pound, but it's typically.  For me a gain like this means there's a big whoosh on it's way and I'll drop down a good amount in the coming days.  I sure hope so.

Lunch - (257 calories)
**Chicken, Apple, Celery Salad
140g chicken breast
150 g celery
150 g apple
3 tbsp Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tbsp water
Mrs Dash Table Blend
stevia to taste

Dinner - (177 calories)
150 g tilapia
100 g cucumber
85 g romaine
20 g green onion
P2 dressing

Total calories for the day 434
Daily Calorie Composition: 30% from carbs, 10% from fat and 60% from protein.

Fat 5 g; Fiber 10 g; Carb 32 g; Sodium 278 mg; Protein 67 g

R5 Phase 2 Day 22

Weight - 138.8

I'm down another pound today, making my week 3 total 2.8 pounds of which 2.6 of those came in the last two days.  I, now, expect a rebound tomorrow because that's just how it seems to go with me.  One can certainly hope though.

Lunch - (244 calories)
**Spicy Been & Celery Soup
150 g 96/4 ground beef
160 g celery
1 cup Pacific Natural Beef Broth
1 cup water
minced garlic
1 tbsp horseradish mustard

Dinner - (174 calories)
Chicken with Spinach Pesto
140 g chicken breast
65 g baby spinach
2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tbsp water
Mrs Dash Salt Free Table Blend

Total calories for the day 417
Daily Calorie Composition: 13% from carbs, 19% from fat and 68% from protein.

Fat 9 g; Fiber 6 g; Carb 13 g; Sodium 980 mg; Protein 70 g  

Chicken with Spinach Pesto

From Tammy Skye's HCG Diet Gourmet Cookbook Volume 2

Ingredients
100 grams chicken breast
1 cup packed spinach
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Bragg's liquid aminos
7 leaves fresh basil, rolled and minced
2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste


Directions
In a small saucepan, cook chicken with half the chicken broth until liquid is absorbed and chicken is lightly brown. Set chicken aside and deglaze pan with remaining chicken broth. Add spinach and fresh basil and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Puree spinach with garlic, lemon juice, Bragg's and spices.  Add sauce to chicken, simmer 1-2 minutes and serve.

R5 Phase 2 Day 21

Weight - 139.8

Finally after 6 days of little or nothing and bouncing around the same pound or so, I have a 1.6 lb drop. Now typically seeing this good of a drop after several days of nothingness means I'll rebound some tomorrow.  I can only hope this isn't the case.

Lunch - (236 calories)
340 g Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
65 g blueberries

Dinner - (183 calories)
140 g chicken breast
125 g romaine lettuce
sweet dijon dressing

Total calories for the day 419
Daily Calorie Composition: 27% from carbs, 5% from fat and 68% from protein.

Fat  2 g; Fiber4 g; Carb 27 g; Sodium 242 mg; Protein 70 g   

Weight-Loss Apocalypse: Emotional Eating Rehab Through the HCG Protocol

I began reading this book last night.  It was recommended to me.

Weight-Loss Apocalypse: Emotional Eating Rehab Through the HCG Protocol
by Robin Phipps Woodall.


I'm just a bit into it and I can already tell that this woman has done her research.  Robin Woodall is the founder of the Mind:Body HCG Method, and is pioneering new theory, pressing for new research, and has applied the hCG protocol as a foundation for behavioral change.

She is a believer of sticking to the protocol that Dr Simeons outlined and applies today's knowledge to flesh out the reasons why it works.

R5 Phase 2 Day 20

Weight - 141.4

Yes it's been a few days since I posted.  and yes my weight is pretty much what it was the last time I did.  I may at some point go back and play catch up with my menus.  

We had a major snow event middle of last week and then on Thursday morning the power went out from limbs breaking due to the weight of snow and ice.  I have a home standby generator, so we had power, but cable was out which meant I was cripple with dial-up to get work done.  So not fun.    The whole family was here for a couple of days which meant all sorts of food temptations, but I did fine.   I lost several trees in the yard including my favorite, a 12 year old curly weeping willow next to my pond.  It's completely in my pond now.

I spent some of Friday and Saturday shoveling snow, chopping and sawing some limbs that were on the driveway.  Sometimes I forget that I'm fifty years old.  I'm sore because of it.  When I get out there working, it feels good.  When I come in and sit for a spell, the muscles remind me.

When I sat down to write tonight I realized my calories today were on the low side.  I should have had more protein or a fruit.

Brunch - (175 calories)
**Sunday Omelet
1 large egg
9 tbsp Egg Beaters Egg Whites
60 g baby spinach
40 g green onion
garlic powder, pepper

Dinner - (216 calories)
150 g eye of round steak
150 g celery
2 tbsp Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar
Stevia
water

Total calories for the day 391
Daily Calorie Composition: 15% from carbs, 24% from fat and 61% from protein. 

Fat  10 g; Fiber 5 g; Carb 14 g; Sodium 609 mg; Protein 59 g 

R5 Phase 2 Day 16

Weight - 141.0

Nice straight days of losses.  I keep saying each day this has got to be the last and every morning I'm surprised again.  0.6 lbs this morning.  So I've lost 10.6 lbs and have about 8 left to go.

We had about 6 inches of snow overnight.  I spent some of the afternoon digging out a bit.  I live down a hill so my SUV is parked at the top of the hill along with several others.  The snow plow had tossed snow fairly high against the car.  I cleared things off and away so that I could make a quick escape if I needed to.   The temps are dropping today so that means things will be icing up tonight.

I think I may finally have a good grasp on my hunger.  I needed less drops and not more.  Imagine that.

Well one casualty of the carpeting and painting in my closets. I'm missing a bag that had some boots and clothes in it. Been through everything and I'm afraid the workers tossed it in the dumpster thinking it was one of their garbage bags instead of looking in it first.


Lunch - (239 calories)
**P2 Chili
150 g 96/4 ground beef
190 g canned diced tomatoes, no salt added
50 g celery
20 g onion
chili powder, garlic powder, oregano

Afternoon Snack - (50 calories)
**Strawberry Smoothie
140 g frozen strawberries
several ice cubes
4 or 5 oz water
stevia

Dinner - (205 calories)
140 g chicken breast
170 g broccoli
dijon mustard

Total Calories for the day 494
Daily Calorie Composition: 26% from carbs, 16% from fat and 58% from protein.

Fat  8 g; Fiber 8 g; Carb 32 g; Sodium 338 mg; Protein 71 g

R5 Phase 2 Day 15

Weight - 141.6

Down another .4.  My week two total is 4.6 lbs.  My two week total is 10.0 lbs.  Still waiting on this snow storm that's been brewing.  I guess it's supposed to hit sometime in the wee hours of the morning.  Some of my rounds I've done a lot of white fish.  This round I've had it twice so far and not really wanted it.  Both times the fish has just tasted bad to me.  I miss my Kirkland Tilapia Loins.  I hope they have them the next time I go there.

Lunch - (143 calories)
100 g chicken breast
280 g cucumber
3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
stevia to taste

Afternoon Snack - (112 calories)
**Strawberry Protein Smoothie
140 g frozen strawberries
17 g Jay Robb Vanilla protein
4 oz water
a few ice cubes

Dinner - (153 calories)
135 g tilapia
Spice Hunter Fajita Seasoning blend
135 g romaine
sweet mustard dressing

Total calories for the day 408
Daily Calorie Composition: 22% from carbs, 10% from fat and 68% from protein.

Fat  4 g; Fiber 4 g; Carb 22 g; Sodium 226 mg; Protein 68 g

R5 Phase 2 Day 14

Weight - 142.0

Wow.. 7 days straight of losses.  I'm amazed.  Down another 0.8 today.  I am way overdo for a day or two of gains or no loss.

It's been snowing off and on here all day.  We're supposed to get more tonight and tomorrow.  Good thing I don't need to go anywhere.

Friends.. don't try this at home.  After talking to a couple of people and reading up, I decided to try something new for dinner.  I was not a big fan and won't do it again.  You know how in P2, you can have 1 whole egg and 3 egg whites.   Well, there's some people that have been using that along with a few other ingredients to make what they call a Chocolate Souffle.  More like light fluffy chocolate foam.  Tomorrow's scale will really tell the story.

Lunch - (205 calories)
**Lemon Pepper Spinach Soup with Ground Turkey
150 g Jennie-O 99% Lean Ground Turkey
85 g baby spinach
1 c Kirkland Chicken Stock
1 c water
2 tbsp lemon juice
pepper to taste
garlic powder
1 tsp capers

Afternoon Snack - (105 calories)
**Strawberry Protein Smoothie
140 g frozen strawberries
15 g Jay Robb Vanilla protein
4 oz water
a few ice cubes

Dinner - (168 calories)
**Spinach Salad & P2 Chocolate Souffle
85 g baby spinach
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tbsp water
garlic powder & Kirkland No Salt Seasoning
1 serving P2 Chocolate Souffle

Total Calories for the day 478
Daily Calorie Composition: 23% from carbs, 15% from fat and 62% from protein.

Fat  8 g; Fiber 7 g; Carb 26 g; Sodium 1,247 mg; Protein 72 g

P2 HCG Chocolate Souffle

P2 HCG Chocolate Souffle

1 egg, separated
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
2 drops lemon juice
1 tbsp Nuvita Naturals Cacao Powder
1 tbsp Xylitol or no calorie sweetner of choice

Separate eggs whites from yolks.  Keep one yoke for use.  Bring to room temperature.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Whip eggs into sturdy peaks.  The best way to do this is with a stand mixer like a Kitchen Aid.  If you don't have one, it can still be done.  Place egg whites in mixer with a pinch of salt.  Mix on medium low for 1 minute.  Add 2 drops lemon juice.  Mix on high for 3 minutes.  

While the egg whites are mixing, combine egg yolk, cacao powder and sweetener in a large bowl.  Fold the whipped egg whites into the bowl of heavier ingredients putting in about 1/3rd of the whites at a time. 

Place mixture into ungreased muffin tin.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Calories - 148 for the whole thing.

R5 Phase 2 Day 13

Weight - 142.8

Down another 0.4.  Nice after eating the steak at Applebees yesterday.  

We got our first snow of the Winter today.  I spent a bit of time clearing off the driveway.  Tonight I cooked the Sunday family dinner and used a new recipe for a baked mac and cheese.  They had sure better eat those leftovers. 

I had my Sunday omelet today.  Spent some time watching football and going through the things that had been in my spare closet.

On the dosing front, I decided to throw caution to the wind and skip several doses today.  If the higher than usual dose is what I'm going to have to do, I'm not happy with the amount of hunger I'm having with it. I thought before I make any decisions, I should drop the level and the dose down to lower than the recommended amount and see if it makes things better or worse.

Brunch - (228 calories)
**Sunday Omelet
1 large egg
3 egg whites
40 g spinach
20 g onion
1.5 tsp Nutiva Coconut Oil
a bit of pico de galo

Dinner - (181 calories)
**Turkey Patty and Salad
150 g Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey
120 g romaine
2 tbsp Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tbsp water
Kirkland No Salt Seasoning

Total calories for the day 409
Daily Calorie Composition: 10% from carbs, 33% from fat and 57% from protein.

Fat  14 g; Fiber 4 g; Carb 10 g; Sodium 431 mg; Protein 59 g  

R5 Phase 2 Day 12

Weight - 143.2

Today was hair day/girls day.  My grandbaby, daughter-in-law, son's GF and I all go get our hair done, then out to eat.  Normally when I'm in Phase 2 we don't go.  Today I decided to eat a steak and veggies at Applebees and then do a strawberry smoothie with some protein powder later on.  We'll see how it does.  I'm not hoping for much since I've had losses several days in a row.

Lunch more like Linner - (276 calories)
7 oz sirloin steak
romaine with vinegar salad
zucchini and broccoli steamed veggies

Evening snack - (105 calories)
140 g frozen strawberries
1/2 scoop Jay Robb Vanilla protein powder
4 to 6 oz cold water
a few ice cubes

Total calories for the day 381
Daily Calorie Composition: 19% from carbs, 20% from fat and 61% from protein.

Fat  8 g; Fiber 3 g; Carb 18 g; Sodium 12 mg; Protein 58 g  

R5 Phase 2 Day 11

Weight - 143.8

Down another 0.6.  I'll take every bit I can because I know the bumpy road is close at hand.  I still don't know what to do with my dose.  Over the past day and a half I've bumped up.  It seems better at times, but still nothing like I remember my first two rounds or my rx rounds once dosing was correct.  For the first time in all my rounds, I'm totally at a loss for which way to go.

We spent the afternoon getting some groceries and shopping for baby items.  We are due to have some snow over the next 5 days.  I'd like to be able to not have to go anywhere.  I think everyone else had the same idea.  It was busy everywhere.

Lunch - (248 calories)
340 g Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
100 g raspberries

Dinner - (196 calories)
**Lemon Pepper Turkey & Spinach Soup
150 g Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey
85 g baby spinach
15 g onion
15 g celery
1 c Kirkland Chicken stock
1 c water
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp capers

Total Calories for the day 444
Daily Calorie Composition: 28% from carbs, 5% from fat and 67% from protein.

Fat  3 g; Fiber 3 g; Carb 31 g; Sodium 904 mg; Protein 76 g  

 

R5 Phase 2 Day 10

Weight - 144.4

Down 1.4 today and boy will I take it.  7.2 lbs in 9 days.  I know that's nothing to sneeze at but it's lower than previous rounds so I grumble.  Quiet day at home today.  I'm still worn out from yesterday's shopping.

Lunch - (182 calories)
**Beef and Celery Soup
130 g 96/4 ground beef
130g celery
1 c Pacific Natural Beef Broth
1 c water
garlic powder, pepper and Franks to taste

Afternoon Snack - (68 calories)
**Strawberry Smoothie
140 g frozen strawberries
2 tbsp Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
3 ice cubes (optional)
Cold water to thin out a bit
Stevia (optional)

Dinner - (188 calories)
140 g chicken breast
180 g romaine lettuce
balsamic vinegar dressing

Total calories for the day 438
Daily Calorie Composition: 24% from carbs, 15% from fat and 61% from protein.

Fat  7 g; Fiber 7 g; Carb 26 g; Sodium 333 mg; Protein 65 g   

R5 Phase 2 Day 9

Weight 145.8

Down 0.4 and back where I was on Sunday.  Dang seesaw.  Had a very busy afternoon.  Son's GF had an ultrasound to check the size of the baby that is due the end of the month.  We then spent three hours baby gear shopping in Babies R Us.  Oh not my favorite thing to do.  Someone needs to make a universal way that strollers fold and unfold.  

I had eaten my lunch before 11 am and didn't get dinner until after 6.  I was hungry.  They wanted Burger King so I had to endure the smell of fast food for the ride home.

I have been hungry this round.  I am using the same brand of drops that I used for my first two rounds.  I do not recall being this hungry.  This afternoon I decided to take a leap and increase my dose.  Hopefully by tomorrow night I'll know if I jumped the right way.

One thing I've learned from helping people with dosing issues for the past 20 months on the hcgdietinfo forum as well as from personal experience - it's easier to recover quickly from too high of a dose than it is from too low of a dose.  The level of hcg in your body is the average of the last 72 hours on homeopathic drops or pellets or the last 96 hours on RX injections or sublingual.    If you feel a dose is too high, you can skip a few doses on hhcg or a day on rx and it comes back down.  If it's too low, it's never a good idea to take a bunch more all at once.  You have to do an increase and it takes 2 to 3 days to get to full effect.  

Sooooo..  I'm increasing and if I feel no difference in my hunger or if, heaven forbid, it gets worse, then I can skip a few doses and drop it down quickly, then start with a lower number of drops per dose.

Because we were out so long I did not get a fruit in.  Typically I don't like to eat them too late in the day.

Lunch - (216 calories)
150 g eye of round steak, previously cooked
220 g cucumber
dressing with apple cider vinegar

Dinner - (190 calories)
150 g chicken breast
160 g romaine
sweet mustard dressing

Total calories for the day 406
Daily Calorie Composition: 9% from carbs, 18% from fat and 73% from protein.

Fat  7 g; Fiber 7 g; Carb 9 g; Sodium 220 mg; Protein 73 g  

Aria Wifi Scale from Fitbit

I know that I have mentioned my Fitbit tracker many times before.  I've had this device since they first came out in 2009 and I love it for tracking my activities, sleep patterns, etc.

I'd recently been looking at a wifi scale and wonders never cease,  today Fitbit announced their new Aria WiFi Smart Scale.  It will track up to 8 people.  No more having to write down my weights!  It will log them for me.

I can't wait!

R5 Phase 2 Day 8

Weight - 146.2

Down 1 pound, but I've already lost this pound before.  I know, let me get out my little tiny violin.  Blah.

Shuffling of *stuff* continues in the painting/carpeting project that never ends.  Most of my two walk in closets is strewn around my bathroom and bedroom.  My daughter in law spent about 20 minutes here sorting through some of what's theirs before she had to leave.  Oh well, they put the carpet in there tomorrow, so then I can start going through things as they go back in or leave the house.

I'm really at a loss for why my losses have been so weird this first week.  I'm dreading week two and three because they are typically slow for me.  I'm trying to resist the urge to mix a vial of the rx and see if it makes a difference.  I know these drops work, and they work for me.  I did well with them for two rounds.

I will see what tomorrow looks like and then decide if it's time to play with my food..lol

Lunch - (241 calories)
340 g Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
135 g strawberries

Dinner - (218 calories)
**Spicy Chicken & Spinach Soup
140 g chicken breast, previously cooked
85 g baby spinach
15 g onion
15 g celery
1 c Pacific Natural Mushroom broth
1 c water
dash of Frank's hot sauce
Fajita spices

Total Calories for the day 429
Daily Calorie Composition: 27% from carbs, 4% from fat and 69% from protein.

Fat  2 g; Fiber 6 g; Carb 29 g; Sodium 640 mg; Protein 73 g  

R5 Phase 2 Day 7

Weight - 147.2

And she's up again.  What I was down yesterday.  I expected a gain after two good days, but not this much.  Plugging along..  and getting a bit frustrated.

Lunch - (260 calories)
**Chicken, Apple, Celery salad
140 g chicken breast, previously cooked
130 g apple
130 g celery
3 tbsp Bragg's Apple Cider vinegar
3 tbsp water
garlic powder and Kirkland No Salt Seasoning to taste
1 piece Kavli Crispbread - garlic flavor

Dinner - (180 calories)
**Chili
112 g 96/4 ground beef
1/2 can No salt added diced tomatoes
Cumin, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder

Total Calories for the day 440
Daily Calorie Composition: 31% from carbs, 14% from fat and 55% from protein.

Fat  7 g; Fiber 8 g; Carb 33 g; Sodium 375 mg; Protein 60 g 

R5 Phase 2 Day 6

Weight - 145.8

Down 1.4 for a total of 5.8 in 5 days.  Much better, but I know from previous rounds that I can expect a gain after a couple of days of losses.

Today was family day so my older son, daugher-in-law, and grandbaby were over most of the afternoon watching football and such.  I made chicken and dumplings for them.  I really don't mind cooking here and there for the family when I'm in phase 2.  I'm glad it's not an every night thing though.

Lunch - (235 calories)
**Chicken & Egg Drop soup
60 g chicken breast
1 egg
2 egg whites
85 g green onion
30 g celery
1 c Kirkland Chicken stock
1 c water
1 tsp Braggs Liquid Aminos
ginger, white pepper

Dinner - (211 calories)
150 g beef eye of round steak
125 g romaine lettuce
mustard dressing

Total calories for the day 446
Daily Calorie Composition: 13% from carbs, 24% from fat and 63% from protein.

Fat  11 g; Fiber 5 g; Carb 15 g; Sodium 750 mg; Protein 70 g  

R5 Phase 2 Day 5

Weight - 147.2

Down 2 pounds, but 1 was a gain yesterday.  So it's 4.4 lbs in 5 days. 

I had a pedicure this afternoon and then hit the grocery store to stock up for two households.  Lots of running around and the girls tried to get me to go out to eat somewhere.  I managed to resist temptation though.

Lunch - (221 calories)
340 g Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
70 g strawberries

Dinner - (218 calories)
**Spicy Chicken & Spinach Soup
140 g chicken breast, previously cooked
85 g baby spinach
15 g onion
15 g celery
1 c Pacific Natural Mushroom broth
1 c water
dash of Frank's hot sauce
Fajita spices

100 g strawberries

Total calories for the day 439
Daily Calorie Composition: 31% from carbs, 3% from fat and 66% from protein.

 Fat  2 g; Fiber 7 g; Carb 34 g; Sodium 890 mg; Protein 72 g  

R5 Phase 2 Day 4

Weight - 149.2

This is one of those days that leaves me scratching my head.  I'm up one pound.  I'm going to up my protein some today and see if that helps.  

I spent a good part of the day digging around in my spare walk in closet and in the crawlspace looking for a 50 year old baby blanket that was not even in my house.  I didn't think it was, but my daughter-in-law could not find it and was frantic so I started looking here.  It's the blanket I went home from the hospital in.  Both my sons came home from the hospital in it.  My granddaughter came home in it.  My younger son and his girlfriend are expecting their first child later this month.  I want him to come home in it too.  Eventually it will be my oldest son's to pass to my granddaughter.   My daughter-in-law finally found it, but not before I'd pulled everything out of a 7 x 8 x 10 closet that was loaded with stuff.  That stuff ended up all over my bathroom and my bedroom.  Originally when the house carpeting and painting began I was not going to bother with the two master closets because there was so much in them.  Well, pulling most out of one, I saw how badly it needs new paint and carpet.  So, now that's going to have to get done next week.  I can't see putting things back in there for just a few days, so out it sits.  Things will not go back in there like they had been.  It had become storage and overflow for my son and daughter-in-law.  Totally unusable for me.  I'd like to be able to put linens and offseason clothing in there.

Lunch - (269 calories)
**Chicken, Apple, Celery salad
150 g chicken breast, previously cooked
160 g apple
130 g celery
3 tbsp Bragg's Apple Cider vinegar
3 tbsp water
garlic powder and Kirkland No Salt Seasoning to taste


Dinner - (252 calories)
**Chili
112 g 96/4 ground beef
1 can No salt added diced tomatoes
Cumin, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder

Total Calories for the day 521
Daily Calorie Composition: 32% from carbs, 14% from fat and 54% from protein.

  Fat  7 g; Fiber 10 g; Carb 41 g; Sodium 323 mg; Protein 68 g  

R5 Phase 2 Day 3

Weight - 148.2

Down 1.4 lbs on day 2, so that's 3.4 lbs total.  Gee.. I could go for a few more days of this, please.  It's not likely though.  I batch cooked all that chicken yesterday and didn't even use any of it today.  I pulled out some frozen cod for dinner and dry fried it in a non-stick pan.   Lunch was a yummy soup.  I lived on soups during my second round last winter.

Lunch - (227 calories)
**Turkey & Green Onion Soup
150 g Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground turkey (previously cooked and crumbled)
150 g green onion, rough chopped
50 g mushrooms
1 c Pacific Natural Mushroom broth
1 c water
Prudhomme's Magic Seasoning Salt Free Blend

Dinner - ( 168 calories)
**Bronzed Cod & Asparagus
160 g Alaskan Wild Cod Filets (Costco)
Prudhomme's Magic Seasoning Salt Free Blend
160 g asparagus spears
1 tbsp capers with some extra juice
125 g strawberries

Total calories for the day 396
Daily Calorie Composition: 30% from carbs, 7% from fat and 63% from protein.

 Fat  3 g; Fiber 9 g; Carb 30 g; Sodium 890 mg; Protein 64 g  

R5 Phase 2 Day 2

Weight - 149.6

Two pounds on day one.  Well not my best day one, but I'll take it.  I guess I dreamed that for some reason I'd have a nice 12 lb week one.  LoL yeah right.

I finally got around to batch cooking some chicken breasts today.  If you've read my blog, you know that I think batch cooking is the way to go.  Why cook each and every meal when you can cook several portions at once and have them on hand.  I tend to do this with everything except fish.   I now have about 15 portions of chicken all ready to use.  I can chop them cold for a salad, toss them in soup, or warm them just a bit and be good.  In the next few days I'll do the same with eye of round steak and 96/4 ground beef.

Lunch - (195 calories)
**Beef & Cabbage soup
100 g 96/4 ground beef
200 g savoy cabbage
1/2 tsp mince garlic
1/2 tsp dried minced onion
pepper and Franks hot sauce to taste
1 c Pacific Natural Beef broth - minimal ingredient
1 c water

Afternoon snack - (78 calories)
150 g apple

Dinner - (190 calories)
**Baked Chicken & Salad
150 g chicken breast
Montreal Steak Seasoning for chicken (lower sodium)
150 g romaine lettuce
1 tbsp yellow mustard
Kirkland no salt seasoning
water to thin

Total calories for the day 463
Daily Calorie Composition: 33% from carbs, 14% from fat and 53% from protein. 

  Fat  7 g; Fiber 11 g; Carb 40 g; Sodium 853 mg; Protein 63 g 

R5 Phase 2 Day 1

Weight - 151.6

Yes, I'm back.  I took a bit of time off and see what it gets me?  Well, 5 lbs of it was loading, but after almost 6 months of maintaining with a very very slow creeping gain here and there, I decided to get it off the best way I know how.  The difference this round?  I'm back doing homeopathic hcg instead of rx injections.  I still have vials of rx left, but I am noticing a trend on the forum I frequent of people who have done multiple rounds of rx having increasingly difficult times stabilizing and not regaining the further out they get.   I did well in my first two rounds with homeopathic.  I figure if there's damage to be done, it would be less with homeopathic than with rx.

So buckle up, here comes the ride!

Breakfast - (94 calories)
180 g apple
black coffee

Lunch - (177 calories)
**Beef and Celery soup
100 g 96/4 ground beef
150 g celery
15 g onion
15 g celery
1 cup Pacific Natural Beef Broth minimal ingredient
1 cup water
Prudhomme's Magic Seasoning Salt Free Blend

Dinner - (197 calories)
150 g Jennie-O extra lean ground turkey
1 tbsp pico de gallo
280 g cucumber
2 tbsp Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar

Total Calories for the day 468
Daily Calorie Composition: 33% from carbs, 14% from fat and 53% from protein

 Fat  7 g; Fiber 10 g; Carb 40 g; Sodium 907 mg; Protein 63 g