Yesterday's trip to Portland

Yesterday went much better than I thought it was going to. After our cello lesson, we (my family and I) planned to head over to a McDonalds with a play place thing so the kids could play and run off some of that pent up energy from driving 2 hours, then sitting to play instruments for 2 hours.

First, though, we needed to get some supplies. I realized, after looking through my list of recipes that I have not had a *single* salad while following this protocol. That's saying something about recipe creativity, considering salads are supposed to be "diet food." Hahahaha!

Anyway, we headed out to Fred Meyer's and I ran in to get a bag of lettuce.

Mom was having a salad, too, but she wanted a spinach salad after being so sick (she & the kids had the flu). So, I grabbed up a bag of romaine lettuce hearts, a box of baby spinach, and four oranges. Ran through the self check out and paid for them all, then ran back out to the rig.

When we got to McDonalds, Mom went in with the kids and ordered their lunch (we don't often eat at there because it's sooooo not good for the body - normally, we go to Subway). While she was doing that, I grabbed up a Zevia, my salad dressing, a breadstick, and the Cola Chicken made the night before and headed into the restraunt. Found the ideal seat so we could watch the kids play and only then did I realize that I didn't have a bowl to eat out of. I looked around for something that I could use as a make-shift bowl and thought of the lid to the spinach. It was an inverse bowl,

though, so that was not an option. :(

So, I opened the middle of the back of the bag, so it sort of acted like a bowl. I put the chicken on the romaine hearts and added my Walden Farms Asian dressing and *poof* I had a salad! The only thing missing, in my estimation, was cheese. ::grins:: I'm looking forward to Phase 3 just so I can have cheese.

Mom brought a cup of ice and I poured my Zevia into it, so it looked like I was drinking a "regular" soda, just like everyone else. Of course, mine was much more healthy and, therefore, I think it tastes better.

I didn't take pictures. I completely forgot my camera at home. Trying to remember to feed dogs, bring music, cello, recycling, get the kids their music and instruments, grab a notebook for doodling, all the food for following my protocol, and getting it all out to the car is quite a feat. The camera didn't even cross my mind until I was sitting there, ready to eat.

Anyway, it was much easier than I thought it would be, even without a proper bowl. And, as it was the first salad I've had in nearly 40 days, I think the creative minds of Less of Me is doing well!

I was a supper repeater last night when we got home. I made up the Buffaloaf recipe the night before and just needed to heat it up. Almost as soon as I was finished eating, I went to bed. I didn't even offer to help with the dishes or get a desert made up.

How rude of me, right?

*****

This morning, I got on the scale and saw one less number than I did yesterday, too! :)

Raspberry Jello

Serious big YUMMMMMMYY!! This recipe is thicker than regular Jello so it would stand well for travel and such. I'm not sure you should leave it out of the frig all day long, but if you put it into an insulated lunch bag with a cold pack, this should hold up really well.

Raspberry Jello (52 calories per serving - makes 2 servings)

1c raspberries (64 calories)

1/2c water

33 drops stevia

1/2c Natural Twist Zevia (Lemon Lime)

2 envelopes Knox Gelatin (40 calories)

Mash raspberries and add water and stevia. Bring this just to a boil. In separate bowl, pour Zevia in add gelatin and let sit 1 minute. Add fruit and stevia mix to gelatin mixture and stir 5 minutes. Pour into pie dish or ramakins or other container. (Note: This recipe is doubled so I could pour it into an 8x10 pan.) Refrigerate at least 3 hours and serve!

Of note, when making this, I left the seeds *in* the dish. Where I considered straining them out, I was afraid that I'd lose the fiber from the whole berry, which would be in the raspberry if I were just to eat it whole. To stick to the protocol, that's why I made it and left the berry seeds in.

First day out and about with a lunch

Today is the first day of the diet that I'll not be able to arrange to be home for my meal. The meat looks funny set aside in it's own container. It looks small and out of place with all the veggies and fruits.

I'm doing the shrimp today, made up with a little cajun spices because it's good cold or hot and there's no juices required. So, no microwaving (yae!) and no messy fuss all over everywhere. It also makes for easy finger food to go along with the cucumbers and orange that I chose.

When in HR, I'll be stopping in at Daniel's Health Store (Tami's place) and doing the weigh/measure thing there. Cross your fingers! It's only just four days into the low calorie diet part (Phase 2), but I'm still anxious to see what changes have happened. Maybe none, maybe some.

I feel a little silly being so excited about a thing that hasn't even happened yet. On the other hand, without that excitement, I probably wouldn't stick with anything. So, I'll keep my silliness and just enjoy the childishness of it. :)