Time for a Fast...

Nothing like two Passover Seders to make you sick of food - both cooking and eating. This morning I had hot water and lemon with a little brown sugar. I thought long and hard about what I wanted for breakfast, and then it occurred to me ... NOTHING :-)

Passover Seder Feast Part 2

Well, everyone enjoyed the meal so much, I did it again. I have discovered when you prepare food, it's not so important to eat it. Hmmmm, a thin chef, could work for me :-)

Passover Seder Feast

I made a few last minute changes - but everyone left with smiles on their faces.

I had rice cakes for myself while everyone else had matzo.

Charoset Great on matzo and rice cakes

(6) large red delicious apples - grated and drained of juice (put juice on the side)
(3) tablespoons of lemon juice
(1) tablespoon of cinnamon
(1/2) cup of juice from apples
(1/2) cup of honey
(1/2) cup of chopped raw macadamia nuts

Toss apples with lemon juice to keep from over browning. Take 3/4 of grated apples, all juice and honey, cinnamon and puree mixture. Add balance of apples and macadamia nuts, mix, put in container. Serve cold.

O Salmon Balls, a nice alternative to Gefilte Fish

(1) pound of ground raw salmon
(2) eggs at room temperature
(8) tablespoons of oatmeal
(1) tablespoon of sea salt
(1) tablespoon of onion powder

Mix all ingredients, form into oval balls, and boil in water for 6 minutes. Makes 6 - 8 balls. Let cool, put in storage container and cover with chicken broth. Serve cold.

For the main course, I steamed broccoli with a little melted butter.

Tzimmes

(5) pounds of carrots, cleaned, cut and boiled till soft
(3) tablespoons of butter
(20) ounce can of chopped pineapple packed in juice (drain juice)
(15) ounce can of apricot halves (cut up and drain juice)
(1) cup of cranberry raisins
(1) cup of brown/raw sugar
(1) tablespoon of sea salt.

Mash cooked carrots with butter. Add rest of ingredients. Grease casserole dish with additional butter. Pour contents in casserole and bake at 375º for an hour. Ready to serve.

O Apricot Chicken Divine

Prepare glaze:
(1) cup of O Onion Soup (see March 28th)
(1) cup of apricot preserves ( just fruit)
(1) tablespoon of ground mustard
(1) teaspoon of sea salt

Blend all ingredients and set to side.

(8) skinned chicken breast halves
(2) tablespoon of slivered almonds
(1/2) cup of thinly sliced purple onion (separated)
(1) cup of spelt flour
(1) teaspoon of sea salt
(1) can of apricot halves packed in juice (drained)
(2) tablespoons of butter
(2) tablespoons of canola oil

Melt butter and oil and grease large casserole dish. Rinse chicken breasts, put flour and salt in a plastic bag, shake (coat) each chicken breast (one at a time) and place 1 layer in the casserole dish.

Pour prepared glaze over all chicken breasts and top with onions. Add apricot haves and slivered almonds on top. Bake at 375º for 30-40 minutes. Baste every 20 minutes. Ready to serve.

For desert, I served macaroons and coffee.

O Onion Soup

The recipe for the Apricot chicken calls for Onion Soup - unfortunately when reading all the labels at the market, every brand had something in it that I could not have, so I modified my own recipe and it was GREAT!

Here is how I made my O Onion Soup

Finely slice (3) extra large yellow onions
(6) cloves of garlic
(2) tablespoons of canola oil
(4) cups of beef broth
(1) teaspoon of sea salt.

Saute onions and garlic in large pan with oil until soft but not brown.
Pour beef broth in slow cooker on high.
Add onions, garlic and salt, stir, cover and cook on high for 3 hours.

ENJOY!

Preparing for Passover

On Monday and Tuesday of next week, we will have 10 Seder participants. There is a part of me that want's the traditional meal and the stronger part that wants to take care of myself. I have decided that I can satisfy myself and everyone else, here's how:

Starting with a beautiful Seder Plate with horseradish (bitter herbs), symbolizing the bitterness and harshness of the slavery which the Jews endured in Egypt. Charoset (apples, honey and nuts) representing the mortar used by the Jewish slaves to build the storehouses of Egypt. Parsley dipped in salt water, mirrors the pain felt by the Jewish slaves in Egypt, who could only eat simple foods. A chicken wing bone representing the Passover sacrifice. A hard boiled egg a symbol of mourning of the first sacrifice in Egypt.

We will start with red wine, which I can have. While everyone is enjoying their Matzo and Charoset, I will enjoy rice cakes and Charoset. When I serve Gefilte fish for everyone else, I will have a small salad. I can enjoy the chicken soup as long as I don't have the Matzo Balls like everyone else. The main coarse will be my adaptation of Apricot Chicken and steamed vegetables. To finish everything off, I'll serve coffee and tea, my guests will have assorted Passover sweets, I may have another rice cake only with almond butter. I will keep you posted as to how it all goes. Any recipes that are good, of course I will share with you,

English - French Translations

In preparation for my trip to the South of France, I have begun my translated food list so that I am confident the I will be able to make healthy food choices for myself.

I am lactose and gluten intolerant - Je suis du lactose et un gluten intolérant

Here are my food choices - Voici mes choix d'aliments

lean lamb round - appuyez l'agneau rond
chicken - le poulet
turkey - la Turquie
red snapper - snapper rouge
salmon - le saumon
swordfish - l'espadon

butter - le beurre
egg - l'oeuf
goat cheese - le fromage de chèvre
mozzarella cheese - le fromage de mozzarella

almond butter - le beurre d'amande
almond milk - le lait d'amande
canola oil - canola le pétrole
macadamia nut - macadamia la noix
olive oil - l'huile d'olive

brown rice - riz marron
brown rice pasta - les pâtes de riz marron
buckwheat - le sarrasin
essene bread - pain d'essene
Ezekiel 4:9 bread (100 percent sprouted) - Ezekiel 4:9 le pain (100 pour cent ont germé)
manna bread - pain de manne
oatmeal - bouillie d'avoine

apple cider vinegar - le vinaigre de cidre de pomme
apricot - l'abricot
banana - la banane
blueberry - l'airelle
lemon - le citron
mango - la mangue
peach - la pêche
pear (not asian) - la poire (pas l'asiatique)
persimmon - le kaki
plum - la prune

asparagus - l'asperge
broccoli - le brocoli
brussels sprouts - les choux de Bruxelles
carrot - la carotte
endive -la chicorée endive
romaine lettuce - la laitue de romaine
spanish olive - l'olive espagnole
spinach - les épinards
sweet potato - la patate

brown sugar - le sucre marron
honey - le miel
sea salt - sel marin

Quick O Pasta Toss

I didn't have a lot of time last night to prepare dinner for myself, so I whipped up this pasta with stuff around the house. I made myself a salad to go with it and it was quite satisfying and tasty.

Quick O Pasta Toss Single Serving
1-1/2 cups of brown rice fusilli pasta
3 large spanish olives with pimento
3 cherry tomatoes
3 skinny asparagus spears
3 oz baked chicken
2 oz goat cheese
2 tablespoon of butter

Finely chop olives, tomatoes, asparagus, chicken and put to side.
Cook pasta per package instructions.
Drain liquid, and while pasta is still hot, toss in goat cheese and butter.
Toss in rest of items and enjoy.

7 Pounds in 7 Days

I realize my weight loss will be slowing up soon, but for now, I am grateful to my herbologist. I am feeling so much better, my energy is higher and my outlook is great. All of this adds to my quality of life.

My challenge is that I will be in the South of France for 3 weeks in May. I would love to loose to loose another 20 pounds before I go, but that is probably not realistic. I am sure I will be happy with myself no matter how much I loose. I plan on having the same positive results there as I do here in California. Instead of bicycling, I'll be walking. I will get translations for my food choices so that I can make educated food choices while traveling. After all, this isn't a quick fix, this is a lifestyle.

I will keep you posted!

Mayonnaise Alternative for Salad Dressings

Things you'll need for O Mayonnaise

• whisk or electric beater
• large mixing bowl
• ingredients:
(3) egg yokes at room temperature
(you can use whites for an omelet)
(1) cups of canola oil
(1/2) cup of olive oil
(3) teaspoons of boiling water
(1/2) teaspoon of lemon juice
(1/2) teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
(1/4) teaspoon of onion powder
(1/4) teaspoon of ground mustard
(1/4) teaspoon of tarragon flakes
(1/4) teaspoon of majoram flakes

• Measure everything out and have it prepared.
• Put large bowl in microwave on high for 1 minute
• pour egg yokes in bowl and whisk for 2 minutes
• while whisking, add lemon juice and vinegar
• continue whisking and add dry seasonings
• whisk in oil a little at a time, completely absorbed before adding more
• whisk in boiling water until absorbed.
• place contents in covered container and refrigerate


Honey Mustard Dressing

Use (1/2) cup of above O Mayonnaise
Stir in:
(2) tablespoons of honey
(1) tablespoon of ground mustard

Serve and enjoy or refrigerate for another time.

5 Pounds in 5 Days

Imagine my delight when I stepped on the scale today and saw that I lost 5 pounds in 5 days. I don't consider myself on a diet because those are temporary until the desired outcome has been achieved.

I have realized that all the years I used happiness, sadness, anger, stress, and boredom as a reason to eat. Everything except being hungry, weird huh? Actually, I believe that many people eat to excess for the same reasons.

Even though I want to loose weight, I don't want to feel deprived. Even with my gluten and lactose intolerance, I am finding ways to make my meals satisfying and tasty. I remember my Mom use to say, "Eat to live, don't live to eat!" At the age of 57, I think I finally understand. I choose to be heathy and active.

Vegetable Omelet

After a wonderful (and tiring) bike ride today, I treated myself to a Vegetable Omelet. Simple and quick - here is what I did.

Cut-up in small pieces: small summer squash (use only 1/3), an asparagus spear, couple of mushrooms, small red bell pepper (use only 1/3), and a small onion (use only 1/3).

Put 3 eggs that have been sitting at room temperature in a bowl and whisk them (or use 6 egg whites).

Put 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the bottom of a frying pan slightly wetting the entire bottom of the pan. Put on medium to high flame until the oil smokes. Lower the flame and pour in the whisked eggs and gently spoon out the vegetables on one side. When eggs are almost fully cooked, use a spatula and cover the vegetables with the other half of the omelet. Cook for another 30-45 seconds and it is ready to eat.

I toasted a piece of Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted 100% Whole Grain Bread from Trader Joes. Lightly buttered and enjoyed a well earned breakfast.

Mothers Market

Today I visited Mothers Market in Huntington Beach, California. Another great source for alternative foods. Although their stores are only in Southern California: Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Woods, Santa Ana and Anaheim Hills, the will ship all non-perishable items and gift cards via its mail order hotline at (800) 595-6667.

You can visit their website at:

www.mothersmarket.com/

Verdicts on a Family Dinner

Naturally, I am the only one on this restricted diet, so I thought if I make a family dinner that I can eat, it better be good for everyone else. The verdict was every morsel was gone - clean plates for all!

I started with a Caesar Salad. I cut up romaine lettuce, shredded purple cabbage, sliced Spanish olives and crumbled Goat Feta Cheese and tossed it with my Creamy Caesar Dressing - see recipe on March 18, 2010.

For the main coarse, I made Biarritz Chicken and Lamb Casserole

Prepare boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs:

Make rub: 2 tablespoons of powdered thyme
2 tablespoons of powdered marjoram
1 teaspoon of sea salt

Rub 6 breasts and 6 thighs. Bring 4 tablespoons of olive oil to smoking point, add the chicken pieces and brown them evenly, turning frequently.

Prepare lamb:
Rub 6 lean lamb rounds (1/2" thick) with cumin. Bring 2 tablespoons of olive oil to smoking point, add the lamb and lightly sear them.

Prepare vegetables:
Slice 3 carrots and thinly slice 2 medium-sized onions

Prepare sauce:
Melt 3 tablespoons of butter
Add 1/2 cup of red wine and 1/2 cup of chicken broth
2 cloves
1 clove of garlic (mashed)
1 bay leaf

Preheat oven to 350ºF

Grease casserole dish with fresh olive oil and place the prepared chicken breasts and cover with sliced onions. Place prepared chicken thighs and cover with sliced carrots. Place prepared lamb on top. Pour prepared sauce. cover and bake for 45 minutes.

For the side dish, I made Steamed Asparagus with a little melted butter.


For desert, I made Amazing Oatmeal Cookies

Pre-heat oven to 350ºF.

Mix dry ingredients in bowl:
3/4 cup of oatmeal
3/4 cup of raw sugar
3/4 cup of oat flour
3/4 cup of spelt flour
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of baking soda

Mix wet ingredients in large measuring cup
3/4 cup of canola oil
1/4 cup of almond milk
1 raw egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Mix wet ingredients with dry ingredients.
Add 1 mashed-up large, very ripe banana and mix till fairly smooth.
Then mix in 1/4 cup of raisins and 1/4 cup of raw macadamia nuts.
Bake for 15-20 minutes (depending upon size of cookies).

Let cookies cool and they are ready to eat.

Bread, Pasta, Banana Chips, Cereal and Almond Butter, Oh My!

I love Trader Joe's! A couple of great finds are:
• Freeze Dried Banana Slices - Unsweetened
• Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted 100% Whole Grain Bread
• Brown Rice Penne and Fusilli Pastas
Click on link to find a Trader Joe's near you: http://www.traderjoes.com

I also love Whole Foods, but they might not be as accessible as Trader Joe's so I gave the links for both products.
• Arrowhead Mills Oranic Maple Buckwheat Flakes
• MaraNatha No Stir Almond Butter

Hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

Creamy Caesar Dressing - Not Just for Salads!

Going to the grocery store and reading the list of ingredients on labels is an education. One ingredient may be okay, but another is not.

I created this amazing Creamy Caesar Dressing with approved ingredients and would love to share it with you. Of coarse it is great on salad, but I also toss it in brown rice pasta with chicken.

1/2 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup of Canola Oil
1/2 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
1 raw Egg
1 teaspoon of Anchovy Paste
1 tablespoon of Goat Feta Cheese
1/2 teaspoon of Ground Mustard Seed
1/2 teaspoon of Sea Salt

Place all ingredients in blender and mix until smooth. Refrigerate till used and enjoy!

Discovery

I went to a herbologist who after reviewing a drop of my blood and both eyes determined that I had trouble processing fats and proteins. He asked my what my blood type was, and when I told him "O" he gave me a book by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo and Catherine Whitney called "Blood Type O: Food, Beverage and Supplement Lists" I have lost 3 pounds, I don't have stomach discomfort, and I no longer have chest palpitations in one week by eliminating Lactose and Glutton from my diet. I will share products, services, recipes, and my progress with this blog.

If you are interested in books by Dr. Peter M. D'Adamo,
use this link: http://us.penguingroup.com/