Dr. Bernstein Diet - Happenings and Updates

Okay - I've been nervous about the thinning hair experience I had in my last major go-round.  So, I've pulled out the NIOXIN and have started using it again. I've been feeling a slight thinning texture to my hair.  After one-week though, this stuff seems to be combating the problem and helping add volume and thickness to my hair. Is it stimulating hair growth?  I'm not sure - but hopefully it's staving off hair loss.  That would not be good... No - this is not me, but is a Nioxin client. I learned about this product from my hairdresser who was also a Bernstein client years ago and recommended Nioxin.  She swears by it.  Little did I know that rapid weight loss causes hair thinning.  According to the Nioxin website (see http://nioxin.com/en-US/the-causes-and-the-facts-page.aspx?id=236 ) "What you eat can play a significant role in hair thinning. A high consumption of animal fats, rapid weight loss and liquid protein diets can result in a lac...

Vegeta, that is.  The seemingly elusive special ingredient that seems to be a staple in 90% of the recipes in the Bernstein recipe book. I couldn't find it for the life of me over the past two years here in the National Capital Region.  I've scoured every grocery store and specialty store trying to find the stuff. Finally, whilst on my latest work travel jaunt to London, I found the creature. As I picked up some staples for my hotel room, I found it tucked in the soup section.  Eureka! I made my first vegetable soup with it from "the book" and it was good.  Of course, it's a sodium salt lick, but I've made a few of the soups in the book, and they are just too bland for words.  Stripping them recipe of Vegeta makes the Cheddar Cauliflower soup pretty gross. Vegeta has saved the day - though will retain the water. I've used it in the big pot of homemade chicken soup though that I've made for the family.  The kids are raving about the soup, ...

Now - while I was traveling last week for work and being oh-so-good and burning a consistent 2+, I planted myself at the bar with my iPad and ordered a Perrier. That was hardest thing to do, with a lovely globe of Rosemount Zinfandel taunting me... However, as I was reading up on Low Glycemic diets (for fun...) I came across an interesting product that claims zero calories and non-carb. Miracle Noodle  http://www.miraclenoodle.com/default.aspx Now - noodles in a stir fry is my downfall.  I love Pad Thai and all things rice noodle.  I was intrigued about this product and its claim. The noodles are made of Shirataki - a naturally water soluble fiber with no fat, sugar, or starch. The noodles and rice: * contain zero net carbohydrates and zero calories, no gluten -made of a healthy natural fiber called Glucomannan. * are wheat & gluten free and kosher . * easily absorbs the flavors of any soup, dish, or sauce. * are instant and come in a variety of styles...

I'm trying to introduce a few new recipes and elements this time around, just to keep the diet fresh and fun. As I was perusing the food list again - trying to remember whether red wine was an eligible liquid (but alas, it is not...) I came across the litany of Walden Farms products. Now, I am quite suspicious of products that claim a zero calorie content, but I thought I'd try it.  Since I'm such a nut-freak and love peanut butter, I thought I'd try their brand.  Just as my luck would have it though, they were sold out. So, I ordered some other products to see if they would work for me.  $78 dollars and 5 days later, I received a neatly packed box replete with: Apple butter Raspberry "jam" BBQ sauce 4 types of salad dressings, and Chocolate sauce  I used the BBQ sauce for a chicken recipe, and while the smell is sweet and a little odd, the flavour is quite good.  Even the family liked it - though they don't know it was Walden Farms. I like t...

One of my big motivators this year is that I'm in my BFF's wedding party.  On Saturday, the best-gals along with the bride and groom, went dress hunting.  After pulling 6 optional dresses, we found the winner.  A princess cut ballroom gown, shape hugging with a ribbon at the waist.  Classic and lovely.  I felt great in the dress - it's going to be stunning. While I was the model for the initial model (with the dress at a loose 14) I can't wait to get down to my fighting size 8 and rock this dress - and the wedding. So - lots of No-Fat Jello for me now - for lots of champagne later!

Well, since I re-signed up, I'm down 18 lbs.  Yahoo!  I've been extremely strict - to the letter - and I've had consistent 2+ and 3+ burns.  I've ensured that any fruit and breads that I eat are first thing in the morning, so I can burn them off throughout the day.  My meat is spaced out - though I'm keeping the portions on the smaller side.  Veggies are the supper and evening snack staple. While I've gone to bed with a pretty light belly, I'm neither hungry nor craving anything. What I have done is removed any caffeine (coffee, diet drinks or tea) and moved strictly to caffeine-free.  Caffeine really holds water, so that's gone.  I do still use some salt, but I do see the water-retention difference.  However, I can't remove all the things I love... I've returned to my Vanilla Proti shake and strawberries (or mixed berries) routine for the morning. However, when I do, I don't have as much of a drop as when I stick to egg whites in the...

So my colleague (a 30-year retired diplomat) and fab-u-lous, amazing, worldly and grounded woman, tipped me off to her secret. The Montignac diet. Now, we all know that the women in France have a different approach to eating.  Everything in moderation, a glass of good red wine per day (not tetrapack swill) and eating very slowly. Well, how anyone can refuse the gastronomique delights courtesy of Le Cordon Bleu when it's right under your apartment balcony and on every street corner is beyond me, but these broads can manage the temptation. Well, my friend (who was posted to Paris for 5 years in the mid-90's...yeah, rough life!) said that everyone there swears by the Montignac approach, and was her weight loss regime then, and maintains it to this day. For the uninitiated to Monsieur Michel Montignac, it's a similar Bernstein approach - a low glycemic diet that removes the carbs and ups the proteins.  For more info see http://www.montignac.com/ I like the concept, ...

Okay, so the going on strict during the holidays was a courageous effort, but short lived.  Instead, the program went on hold as the realization that with family coming and hosting over 40 people (over the course of 4 evenings straight) was going to require a few glasses of wine...for my sanity alone. So, I rejoined the clinic this Tuesday. With a weigh-in of 180, I'm happy to report that I'm at 171.6 today.  Not bad!  Obviously there was lots of sodium and water weight, and I'm burning a 2++ on the old pee-sticks. I thought I would have more of a problem this week, but honestly, I'm not craving anything.  I've reverted back to my solid diet (see one of the many postings above which breaks down my daily intake and food combination) and I'm cooking with gas now! I must admit, a key motivation for me is that I am a bridesmaid in my BFF's wedding in August.  I just refuse to feel like a blob in chiffon next to her svelte body.  Plus, the groomsman that...