Busy... and dieting!

You may have noticed that I have not been posting as regularly as I usually do. Part of it is that I have been incredibly busy with lots of freelance work that is both fun and exciting (and it pays!) The other part is that my husband and I have been on the south Beach Diet Phase I. As a diabetic my husband was told to lose some weight and his doctor recommended the SBD, and we all know it is easier to diet together. Besides, over the last 10 years my weight has slowly increased, and at 5 ' 1", the extra 15 pounds I have been carrying makes me look about 6 inches shorter and a foot wider, so this was an excuse (opportunity) for me to get back into a single digit size.

I am sure that I don't need to tell you, though, that any diet does not usually lend itself to blog posts and photos of lamb chops, and mashed potatoes or homemade ice cream. And here at the peak of summer bounty, watermelon, and corn on the cob and fresh peaches are verboten (at least for the remainder of Phase I). So I guess now you aren't surprised that I haven't felt like posting about food.

However, I will not be cheating since in 2 weeks I have already lost 6 pounds, so I need to find the bright side. Luckily, I have the inspiring Kalyn's Kitchen with lots of ideas for enjoying food that is healthy and will help stabilize blood sugar and keep your body from storing fat. And frankly, staying on Phase I without eating the same thing every day takes more creativity than cooking with foie gras and sweetbreads.

So what am I missing (besides 6+ pounds)? Bread and crackers are the thing I would still kill for. Watermelon and corn on the cob at their peak are quintessential summer to me and so I am really missing them. I miss rice, and noodles, and of course, potatoes. Let's face it, I am a carb addict, and I am really having a hard time going "cold turkey". It is particularly difficult during this first phase since fruits like raspberries and strawberries are also not allowed, but I know that will not always be the case.

So what am I eating? Eggs, lots of eggs, both real whole eggs and egg substitute cooked with veggies and cheese, soft boiled, and baked in canadian bacon. Luckily for me I like eggs. I use avocado to dress up a salad, or on the side of my eggs, since avocado has a rich, luxurious taste that seems decadent even if it is healthy fat! Lots and lots of veggies - I have made my eggplant parmesan since it has very few carbs, as well as my chorizo, kale and white beans. A shrimp salad served in a half an avocado is delicious on a hot day. A hamburger without the bun brings a taste of traditional summer to the diet, and flank steak served with a salad and mashed cauliflower, is great when you feel like meat and potatoes. Snack time is most difficult for me , but I have been introduced to Laughing Cow cheese with celery and pistachios in the shell satisfy that "hand to mouth" craving I often get in the evening. If I am dying for something sweet I can have sugar free Jello, or a sugar-free Fudgesicle.

Tonight I am trying out a recipe for pasta-free lasagna, and I will let you know how it works, and hopefully will feel inspired to post more as I add back foods to my diet and drop pounds, and look for new and exciting ways to eat healthy without feeling deprived.