Dr. Bernstein Diet - Happenings and Updates

Okay, so remember when I said I am part of my BFF's wedding in August.  Well, I ordered the dress with a size 30 waist...and I'm currently at 36" in my waist. The dress - but with a champagne sash - d-gorgeous! $*%&!! I have been so bad with my diet over the last month - just eating what I want and my weight be damned. So, tomorrow I'll be hauling my butt to the clinic for a marathon 30 lb weight-loss challenge to ensure I fit into my bloody beautiful dress.  No more BBQ, wine (which given my Canada Day pre-festivities party yesterday, I don't need the hangover!) or eating with abandon.  I'm back on strict and going to look hot for that wedding. If anyone is joining a clinic, feel free to mention my name and clinic (Bank/L'Esplanade in Ottawa) - I'm happy to get a free week to help me through the financial hump and kick-start my motivation! Cheers - and here comes the bride - smaid.

I did so well for a few weeks - honestly! I was down 12 pounds, then sabotaged it with a glorious party.  Why is it so hard to be strict now? Well, rather than bemoan my lack of willpower lately, I had to go pay for the bridesmaid dress for my friend's August wedding.  A $300 incentive (for a gorgeous gown) in size 12 (which in the bridal world means a size 8...have you seen those corsets?!)  has me staying strict to the letter.  I can't afford not to fit into the dress when there will be no way to get a new one before the wedding when it arrives. So - I'm down 15 lbs since the last week and half.  170 again - on my way to 140 by July 30th.  Totally doable! Okay, so I have a plan. I rejoined the clinic last week, but finally got in to see my family physician today.  Now, if it's anything like the rest of Canada, it takes me 3 months to get an appointment here in Gatineau.  Craziness...! She knew I was on the Dr. B program a few years ago...

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!