Catherine wrote this question about eggs on "Maintenance" . . .

I'm confused on the egg issue. Is an egg the same as meat, or do you have to have meat with an egg?  

Also, Julie said we would be introduced to oatmeal. I would assume I would have meat and then have oatmeal in the amount of a vegetable. Any help would be appreciated.

December 31, 2012

While surfing the web this morning, I found Jack Sh*t Getting Fit and his hilarious blog entry "Every Time a Bell Rings, An Angel Loses a Pound". I may work on my own version of this for next year. Meanwhile, I want to share this with all of you. Enjoy!

Every Time a Bell Rings, An Angel Loses a Pound

Once upon a time, there was a guy named Jack Sh*tley who had lost a tremendous amount of weight over the course of a couple of years. However, Jack still wasn’t very happy with the progress he was making.

Then one snowy night, he was jogging along across the Sh*tford Falls bridge when the figure of an older gentleman came plummeting down past him and into the freezing, choppy water below./p>

KER-SPLASH!

“Help!” the man screamed pitifully. “Help! Help!”

“Hey,” yelled Jack. “Are you okay?”

“No,” yelled the old man. “Aren’t you going to jump in and save me?”

“Not so much,” answered Jack, fumbling with his phone. “I’m trying to call for help, but I can’t seem to find 9-1-1 in my Contacts.”

“For Heaven’s sake,” said the old man, levitating up out of the water and onto the bridge. “You were supposed to jump in and save me so I can save you.”

“Save me?” asked Jack.

“My name is Clarence Goodbody,” said the man, bowing slightly. “I’m an angel.”

“You don’t have any wings,” noted Jack.

“Well, you don't have... um... a very good fashion sense,” snapped Clarence. “Anyway, I heard that your unhappy with the progress you’re making on your weight loss journey.”

“Yeah, I’m … hey how did you know about that?” asked Jack incredulously. “Do you have supernatural powers?”

“I read your blog, dumbass,” snorted Clarence. “You think we don’t have the internet in Heaven?”

“I guess I’ve been feeling a little disappointed in myself lately.”

“Well, I’ve come to give you a special gift,” smiled Clarence. “The gift of seeing what your world would be like if you hadn’t lost that weight.”

“I don’t need to see…”

“There, there,” smiled Clarence. “You don’t need to thank me.”

“I wasn’t thank… hey,” frowned Jack, whose body was ballooning up instantly. A button flew off his pants and his belly suddenly lapped out over his belt. A row of chins sprung up under his mouth like waves.

“I know you didn’t just do what I think you just did,” mumbled Jack.

“Look, can we go somewhere and talk about this?” asked Clarence. “My clothes are soaking wet and I’m freezing my angel ass off here.”

They made their way to a nearby restaurant and sat at the bar.

“I’m thinking of a flaming rum punch. No that’s not it…,” said Clarence to the waiter.  “Nachos! That’s it! Heavy on the guacamole and light on the jalepenos. Now off with you, my good lad...”

“Nachos?” snapped Jack. “I can’t eat nachos, you nutjob.”

“But look at yourself,” said Clarence. “Looks like you could eat an entire platter of them in one sitting.”

“Well, I used to eat a lot of stuff,” sneered Jack.

“And look at all the things you can do now,” smiled Clarence. “You can run for miles and miles.”

“And kilometers,” noted Jack.

“You can play games with your daughters and dart around in basketball games with the young dudes.”

“It’s great,” agreed Jack.

“You no longer shop in the Big and Fat and Tall shops.”

“I miss paying a premium for shoddily made duds,” nodded Jack.

“And your blog is read by lots of people,” said Clarence.

“Millions?”

“Lots of people,” repeated Clarence. “And now I need you to do something for me, Jack.”

“What’s that, angel-boy?”

“I need you to run a mile,” said Clarence somberly. “You see, every time a mile is run, an angel gets his wings.”

“Are you sure about that?” asked Jack.

“Go, son,” said Jack, pushing Jack. “Run like the wind.”

“But… the nachos!”

“Run!”

Jack lumbered his large frame off the stool and headed out. The cold night wind slapped him across the face, but he started jogging toward the road. He was out of breath before his fourth footfall.

“Clarence! Clarence! Help me, Clarence!” Jack screamed out into the night sky. “Get me back! Get me back, I don't care what happens to me! Get me back to my old body! Help me Clarence, please! Please! I wanna run again. I wanna run again. Please, God, let me run again.

Suddenly, his wife Anita was shaking Jack's shoulder.

“Hey, Jack! Jack!” said Anita. “You all right? Hey, what's the matter?”

“Now get outta here, Bert, or I'll hit you again!” moaned Jack groggily. “Get outta here!”

“What the Sam hell you yellin' for, Jack?” asked Anita. “And why did I say ‘What the Sam hell’”?

“Anita?” smiled Jack. “Do you know me?”

“Know you?” asked Anita incredulously. “Huh. You kiddin'? I’ve been yellin’ at you for 45 minutes to come help me fold the laundry - hey, you’re wearing your running shoes. Are you sure you're all right?”

“Ha, ha, ha, ha! I’m wearing my running shoes, Anita! My running shoes! Pisa’s petals... Pisa...,” exclaimed Jack, checking the pockets of his sweatpants. “They are! Anita, what do you know about that! Merry Christmas!”

And with that, Jack took off running down the street, yelling “Merry Christmas!” to all his stunned and surprised neighbors. He ran and ran and ran and ran.

And somewhere, above it all, Clarence got himself a fresh pair of wings.

December 26, 2012

I went back to Sarasota yesterday and this time I was persistent and by the end of the day I had a handful of new designer tops, pants, a light jacket, and even a purse! Woohoo-success at long last! And I didn't break the bank along the way either.

new top and jeans!

This top and jeans are a couple of my finds. The consignment store top was $7 and the designer jeans, which have an incredible embellished design along the seam (not visible in this photo) were brand new, marked down from $89 to $45. I haven't spent money on jeans for two years now and this pair more than makes up for the savings. They are tight to zip up, but very comfy. I have lots of room for these jeans to just fit better and better.

We went back to the consignment store we had been in a few days earlier and I found a bargain blouse for $8 there. A second consignment store was much more fruitful with lots of options and bargains including a Talbot long sleeve blouse for $5. I found a beautiful a-line coat reduced from $350 to $175, but I'm not spending that kind of money on a coat that will be too big next winter. It was gorgeous though.

I went into an Eileen Fisher store for the first time. Wow - the fabrics are so incredible, as are the prices. I had no intentions of buying anything, but I was excited that the were things besides scarfs that fit. Next winter perhaps, but. to this year. Besides, one scarf there cost more than all the items I
bought combined.

There's a lot of work in this journey that requires a lot of patience and also a lot of humor. I was looking at bathing suits and at one point I had on a size 16 and the cups were at my waist and wouldn't go any higher! I cracked myself up laughing rather than crying. A dew days later, I saw myself reaching for size 24 suit and I decided the shorts and t-shirt I've been using all week will work just fine for one more week.

It's easy to get caught up in the moment and become frustrated that I'm not the size I want to be "yet", but it's much more useful to pause and remember how far I've come. I am on program, exercising daily, and I feel fantastic. I need to go easy on myself and continue to choose the rights foods. The body will follow soon enough.

December 23, 2012

It is a beautiful quiet morning on the canal here in Punta Gorda, Florida. Along the horizon and far behind the houses across the canal, the sky is a soft morning pink haze that blends into light grey. Birds coo and chirp from tall palm trees near and far. A few feet from me, fish jump and splash in the canal. After a long pause, the pink finally gives way to the sun, as it burst onto the scene.

On the road with Arlene.

At 3 am Saturday morning, I jumped into a maroon PT Cruiser in Rhode Island and headed to Florida with my sister-in-law, Arlene, and her 93 year old mother, Rita. My brother Carl arrives tonight to join us. Arlene prefers to stop only for restrooms, gas, and water; real meals only happen when we stop overnight or arrive at her Florida home. So, I packed sliced salami and several packages of beef jerky to make sure I had my protein fix anytime I needed it.

After 16 hours on the road, we stopped overnight In Savannah, Georgia. Arlene and I settled Rita into the room, changed into capris and short sleeves, and then walked to Lady and Sons, where in 1996,  Paula Deen leased the old Sears & Roebuck building in Downtown Savannah  and opened her restaurant.

We had an incredible southern style dinner; we both chose the specials, as we had heard this was the best way to go rather than the buffet, filled with all things fried, crusted, and smothered in butter or gravy. No thank you! After dinner, we walked for about an hour and took in historic Savannah's night life. There was a fabulous band, in their late teens or early twenties, playing rock and roll from the 70's outdoors to a large crowd. We window shopped as we meandered back to the hotel. Everyone was fast asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows.

Up at 6:30 am, Arlene and I walked for two and a half hours, taking in the gorgeous gardens. We packed up our stuff and Rita and then had a fabulous breakfast along the riverfront before hitting the road.

I've taken a number of vacations since starting this program two years ago and I have never gone off program. I recall Julie giving explicit instructions about how to handle vacations, but I always told myself, "that's for other people, not me. I have too much weight to lose to take that risk."

But I own this program now! At dinner and again at breakfast, I chose to step "out of the river." This is the first time I've done this and I was not at all nervous, as I knew I could do this right. I'm on vacation and I took the opportunity to have a few special foods, confident that I would get right back on program. I did not have desserts or sugars. I made sure I had a lot of protein with both meals and as we left the restaurant, I went back "into the river." The rest of the week, I loaded up on meat and stayed on program. I'm so happy that I was able to have the special meals and get right back on program.

Yesterday Arlene and I met my boss for lunch in Sarasota and then we went shopping at an incredible thrift store where rich women donate beautiful expensive designer clothing and household items. They are seasoned shoppers, who are steady in their size, and know what they like. Me - not so much. I wish I had more time in that thrift store, but I did find one bargain blouse, which had a red tag - half price. I was extremely pleased with my $11.75 find.

This is the kind of thrift stores deals some of my friends rave about. Now I understand the fun in finding such bargains. I can see that this will be more fun when I'm down a few more sizes; right there are less choices for me at my size. Rich bitch clothes run small (or perhaps more true to size).

Update:

I've heard concerns about this post, which I fully appreciate and I thank you for your feedback and concern. I haven't gone rogue. I am not advocating others should follow the choices I describe in the above post.

I didn't feel comfortable sharing the details of what I leaned from Julie about going on vacation because Julie doesn't teach the vacation piece anymore, as too many people were going "on vacation" and then not getting back on program or going in for a refresh for her to fix them.

You should know that I walked a slippery slope here. Nothing sweet touched my lips. I made a conscious decision to have carbs, no sugars, with my dinner and breakfast, and then I got right back on program. You should also know that I did not follow the rule of having a potato when first stepping out of the river. See, slippery slope for someone not on maintenance yet.

I've been on this program for almost two years now and I have only slipped once when I had too much to drink one night. I was horrified the next day and I got right back on program and never missed a step since. This week was the same; I got right back on program and am moving full-steam ahead.

I wrote this piece because after being on program for nearly two years, I feel confident about what I'm doing. I wasn't being cocky or in denial. I own this.

In fact, I went to see Julie for a refresh before I went on all my other vacations to help keep me strong while on the vacation, not because I went off and needed help getting back on program.

So please, if you're going on vacation, don't tell yourself "we'll, when Theresa was on vacation..." Do the right thing for yourself. Don't trick yourself into believing a vacation is an opportunity to go off program. Remember, this is a slippery slope.

December 21, 2012

After I went to a refresh a few weeks ago, I went to the Facebook page and proclaimed "Once and done. Great refresh! Not going back because I got it." A few people have asked me what I meant by this and I've been meaning to write about this, but I'm heading off for the holidays tomorrow and I haven't had a spare minute to write.

Image source: calbuz.com

The bottom line is that I finally get the "once and done" concept and I have never felt more confident about where I am on this weight loss journey and where I'm heading. Julie's refreshes are incredible and while sitting in the refresh class a couple weeks ago, I realized "I know everything she's saying and I own this!" I believe all of you do too.

I proclaimed I'm not going back because one of the foundations of this program is that you only have to do this once and then you're done; it's not like any other diet. I have many more thoughts on this I want to share, but you'll just have to buy my book...just kidding. I will write more on this when I get a chance during the holidays - I promise.

Meanwhile, I would love to hear from some of you about what it means to you when Julie talks about:

• compromise
• sacrifice
• example
• free will

These words are key to understanding the core concepts of this program. Let's get a conversation on this going...

December 13, 2012

A group of us from this blog met up for meat crust pizza at Capa di Roma in East Hartford a few nights ago and we had a blast! Between bites of delicious meat-crust pizza, buffalo wings, and salad, we exchanged stories, recipes, and many good laughs.

Meat Crust Pizza

We ordered the pizzas a few days ahead for the group of us, as they need 20 pounds of meat to make these four pizzas for us. We had enough leftovers for each of us to take home pizza for another meal! One can never have too much pizza!

Emilia is another Julie follower with great success story. She shared her inspiring weight loss story with us after dinner and some of her favorite recipes. Last night I made an incredible Shepherd Pie based on her suggestion to use butternut squash in place of potatoes. Linda was so inspired by the nut-free pesto Emilia gave each of us to take home, she did a Google search to find an easy-to-make nut-free pesto recipe.

It was great to catch up with everyone. There were a few new faces in the group, but if you look through theses photos you will see some serious weight loss! It was inspiring to see how well Jennifer, Suzanne, and Amelia are doing on maintenance.

Capa di Roma will make this special meat crust pizza for you if you ask for Emilia when you call and order it a day or two ahead. Avoid calling at lunch or dinnertime when she's the busiest. On your way out the door, be sure to buy some of her delicious jars of homemade tomato sauces; Julie approved. They sell them in grocery stores too.

Here's a video ad with Emilia talking about their family recipe sauces

Meanwhile, you can see my homemade version of this meat crust pizza if you want to make this for yourself.

I encourage you to connect with one or two others who follow the program; it's great to have this kind of additional support. Introduce yourself while waiting for a refresh with Julie.

December 09, 2012

This dish comes from a recipe Emilia shared with us when we were at her restaurant, Roma (in East Hartford, CT). Her recipe uses butternut squash instead of potato and this dish is incredible!

Shepherd's Pie with butternut squash instead of potato

As always, watch your meat-veggie ratio (more meat or equal meat-veggies).

Ingredients

• 1 small butternut squash
• 1 medium onion diced
• 3-4 cloves of minced garlic
• ½ cup shredded carrot (or 1 carrot sliced; optional)
• 1 1/4 pound of ground beef
• ½ cup frozen corn
• 1 tablespoon butter
• salt (optional)
• black pepper

Adjust these ingredients to suit your needs. My mom never added carrots when she made this dish, but I liked this extra flavor. Anyway you make this dish, be sure to have an equal amount of meat to veggies or less veggies than meat.

Directions

1. Cook butternut squash and then mash; add salt and pepper to your taste.
   You may bake the squash and remove the seeds and then either mash the squash by hand or with food processor. I bought half of a large already peeled squash at the store, cut it into smaller pieces, steamed it, and then put it in my food processor.
2. Add the butter to a heated skillet and immediately add the diced onion, minced garlic, and carrot (optional). 
3. Stay with this and keep stirring. I melted the butter while cutting the veggies and had to toss the butter because it burned.
4. After the onion is cooked, add the ground meat and brown.
5. Drain the meat mixture and then place evenly in a casserole dish. There is no need to oil or butter the dish.
6. Add the corn on top of the meat layer. I only used 2/3 of the bag.
7. Spread all of the mashed butternut squash on top of the corn. 
8. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. I didn't cover the dish, but the edges did burn, so next time I'll try covering it, as all we're really doing here is heating everything.

It's hard to serve this dish without it falling apart, but it still tastes delicious! If you have deep individual casserole dishes this might be the time to use them instead.

I like to double the recipe and make 4 single servings and freeze 2 of them. If you freeze them, you don't need to bake them before putting them in the freezer.

Thanks  Emilia for your great recipe!

Shepherd's Pie

4 individual servings of Shepherd's Pie

 Variations 

• Instead of butternut squash, cook and mash cauliflower and then top with some butter and nutmeg.
• Here's another Shepherd's Pie recipe.

December 09, 2012

At Roma in East Hartford Thursday night, Emilia gave us a sample of her nut free pesto, DELICIOUS!

Nut-free Pesto

Linda Googled it and she found many recipes. Here is one that looked easy:

Ingredients

• 1 cup basil
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• salt & pepper to taste
• 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil

Directions:

1. In a food processor pulse basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper until smooth. 
2. Slowly add the olive oil while pulsing. 
3. Store in a sealed container and refrigerate until ready to use or you can freeze this in zip locks bags to use at a later date.

December 09, 2012

Jodi posted this comment on a Nov. post:

I finished my sessions in August and have to say this was the best decision I could have made. Amazing! I have dropped 3 sizes and love the compliments and the many people who have noticed. My kids are in awe. I feel healthier. I rarely struggle though i still have dreams I have eaten dozens of cookies and have failed. i wake up happy knowing it was just a dream.

i am wondering how i get access the FB support group..i think that will help to support me.

I am also wondering about cream cheese in recipes, like in between chicken breast. I need to call the office but i keep forgetting. Do you know?

oh...and i hate yogurt but bought siggi's...oh my..in heaven..love the creamy thickness of it. Big Y has had it on sale for the past month. Got some tonight for 2/$3 on St james Ave. They just started carrying them.

Thanks for the blog...its been an inspiration.

Well Jodi - congratulations on your success! The food dreams are funny, but many of us have them. I figure it's life's way of balancing things, eating in an alternative universe while maintaining a healthy lifestyle in reality. HA!

Go to the Facebook group and you should see a link to click on in the upper right hand corner. I can't see it to tell you what it says, as It goes away when you join, but it's probably something like "request to join." If this doesn't work, send me your email and I'll ask someone to add you. You can email me by adding a comment with your email; I'll copy your email and delete your post so it doesn't go to the blog.

Cream cheese is to be used as a condiment, so as long as you keep the portions down, you should be fine.

I too love Siggis yogurt. Remember to have it with meat (never alone) and no more than twice a week.

December 06, 2012

Things have changed for me this week in a big and unexpected way.

A few weeks ago I looked at my flex spending account and realized I over estimated my projected 2012 medical expenses. I planned to see Julie 10 times and only went four times; what was I thinking? I changed my mind about a $1000 dental expense and I planned to have surgery on my upper arms this year, but I'm too far from my goal size to do that. I needed to spend almost $3,000 by 12/31/12 or, as the IRS regs state I needed to "use it or lose it" What's a girl to do? Lasik vision correction surgery of course!

I had the surgery done on Thursday and spent the weekend recuperating. All went well and I'm loving life without glasses. Well, except now I need to get used to putting glasses on to read (I used to take them off to read), but I will adapt quick enough. Woohoo! I have to wait a few weeks before I can resume wearing makeup; another minor detail.

The pain in my right arm is still present, but it doesn't burn as badly as it did last weekend. Physical therapy helps. I see an orthopedist the end of this week for a diagnosis and will proceed from there. Funny how my arm pain disappeared while having the eye surgery; all energies were focused on the eyes I guess. I knew I was past the surgery stuff when my arm pain returned Friday afternoon!

With all this going on last week, I wasn't able to do the hot chocolate run on Sunday. I need to fully heal from the Lasik surgery (3 weeks) before I resume my gym activities; although I did get in a walk late yesterday afternoon. I hope to work through this arm issue by then as well. Once I know what the problem is, I'll have a better idea of how to move forward. So, low key walking it is for now. I want to continue to drop weight during the holidays, so I'll aim for covering long distances rather than a fast pace.

December 03, 2012

I went shopping last weekend and I was excited to discover I'm am now a size 14 top. All this time I thought I was on a plateau, I actually was loosing weight, I just didn't see where it was coming off. I bought two new tops, shown here, and a pair of pants.

Size 14 tops at long last!

After a few days, I returned the top on the right, because it's not warm enough. I'm moving into layering my clothes. The option to add or remove a layer never mattered to me before, but I find I am often cold these days, which never used to be the case; I was always hot.

I wish I could say I had fun shopping, but I'm not the size I want to be yet, so I didn't have fun at all. I like being able to wear the 14 tops, but I wasn't happy at all about my pant size. I know that my hips will slim down in time, but in the meanwhile, my pants don't quite fit right and I couldn't find any that fit any better. I ended up at Lane Bryant once again. If the shoe fits... There will be a time that clothes in that store will be too big for me, but I'm still not there yet. I bought the leggings in the photo above in a size 18, which I should be happy about, but jeans didn't fit in that size yet.

Blah, blah, blah! I'm still happy to be where I am and I know I will drop sizes if I keep doing what I'm doing. Meanwhile, I will celebrate wearing size 14 tops and stop complaining about my jean size. Remember, 21 months ago I was in a 30/32. I have to keep this in perspective.

Thanksgiving was great. I couldn't believe one of my relatives was encouraging me to have a piece of pie. She went on an on about it being the best. I told her if it was indeed the best, the place will be around in 2 or 3 years and that I might give it a try then, but not today. Unbelievable!

I wanted to make sure I had lots of choices during the holiday (I was in RI at my brother's house for the long weekend) so I could stay away from temptations, so I cut up a giant size turnip and baked 4 butternut squash. I also had sliced pepperoni, so I would have protein available any time I needed it. I had too much cheese over a two day period, but I'm back on the mend again. Pushing forward and loading up on meat, meat, meat once again.

While cutting up the turnip, I overworked my upper arm and on Friday I woke up with pain from my shoulder to my knuckles. I agitated my rotary cuff this summer while on vacation and then again painting my kitchen. The turnip was giant sized and I kept taking breaks from cutting it. The pain was much worse on Saturday morning and it's been pretty intense since yesterday. I'm taking some pain meds that I had in my medicine cabinet from dental surgery two years ago, just to get me through today, but I'm calling the doctor tomorrow. I'm pretty sure it's my rotary cuff, as I had an issue with it about 7 years ago. One side effect of having this much pain: no hunger. I didn't realize until I made dinner that I hadn't eaten all day.

November 25, 2012

I decided to write about a question that a Julie follower asked me on FaceBook last night, mainly because my answer turned into a book. And it got me started thinking. She asked me if we would "ever get to eat like a normal thin person" ever again, after completing maintenance. The whole question has me in a quandary, because I don't think any of us really truly knows the answer. But I think a lot of us put in time wondering. I know I sure do.

Jennifer in May 2011 vs December 2013

As far as eating "normal" again, I don't know. I don't know what eating like a "normal thin person" is, LOL, as I have never been 'one of them'! I know Julie wants us to eat a portion of potato every day once we hit maintenance, that the amount of time doing that varies all the while jumping "back in the river" when your clothes get tight. Then there is adding other foods in, slowly, so as to reduce the chances of the cravings that got us in trouble in the first place.

This whole maintenance thing takes, in my opinion, a lot of time. Lots and lots. This whole question got me thinking about "other diets," like Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, etc. Do any of those programs let you "eat like a normal thin person?" Can one 'let their guard down' and 'get back on track' after "just eating?"

When I did Weight Watchers a long time ago, I did hit my "goal weight," and then I was supposed to add one or two more points in each week, until I neither lost nor gained weight. Needless to say, I never made it that far. I just started eating again, and before long, the weight was back on. Does that tell me something? Like, "no," I will never get to eat like a "normal thin person?" I think so.

Believe me, maintenance hasn't been easy. One can never let their guard down. The weight can come back on so freaking fast! Scary fast! In February 2012 I made it to my goal size of a "Levis 6." So, out of the river, and up onto the bank I went, and I ate potato for 6 months. I started not watching my meat-to-veggies ratio, ate too much popcorn (the second phase of maintenance) without eating meat and used WAY too much half-n-half in my coffee (half-n-half isn't free like milk! BAD MISTAKE), and in September 2012 BOOM I was up a size!

The motto to this story: Try on your favorite pair of pants every other day. Do NOT let them sit in your closet, assuming they will fit! Check, and check frequently! When I knew I was in trouble, I went back for a refresher, and, today I can tell you I now have wiggle room in my "Levis 6." So, I started all over again with the potato. But! It is a BITE OR TWO of potato! NEVER the whole serving!

Hmmmmmm, is this how a "normal thin person" eats I wonder?

I will follow this way of eating as long as possible. I don't know if you can ever let sugar and flour touch. The thought of having the food cravings again is not high on my list. I have watched "thin" people eat; I ask them a lot more now too about what they eat, how much they eat, etc.etc. And, believe me, they don't eat a lot! Some people have very strict rules: One thin woman I work with has a granola bar for breakfast, a Lean Cuisine, fruit and yogurt for lunch, and lean meat, pasta and veggies for dinner (she says maybe a 1/4 cup of pasta), and NEVER eats after 7 pm. Yes, I have seen her eat Peanut M+M's, but she tells me she limits that to a handful ONCE or TWICE a month!

I never see her do at work what I see other, heavier people do, which is "graze" all day long on whatever is close by. She does not eat a lot of food! I suppose someday you can eat different things - Julie talks about that - a piece of fruit here, some pasta there. But, I don't think I'll ever have a piece of pie or cake again, because of the no flour/sugar touching thing. Well, some can. One person who is on FB and the blog says she follows Julie a lot, then goes off, then goes back on. But, she is also exercising like crazy. I am not! LOL! I just don't have the time! Thankfully, I am still at a point in my life where if you asked me to eat something I'm "not supposed to," I couldn't do it. And I am okay with that! The pies that I served for Thanksgiving had no impact on me. Didn't faze me in the least. And I am very grateful for that.

As I write this, Kirstie Alley is on the Dr. Oz Show, telling people how she lives now that she has lost a lot of weight. She explained she is eating about 1400 calories a day. Counting calories. Yuck. I have no interest in starting all of that calorie counting c^*p again. Some of you may be able to do that, and eat more"normally." I am not going to mess with my journey with Julie for a long long time. I am sticking to the few rules she has given us. I like wearing my size 6's. So, I am not worrying too much about what's to come...Kind of staying true to this course....

My final advice to this lovely person who asked me if we could ever eat like a normal thin person again: As you get deeper into this and start getting thinner and thinner, you will let go of the "what ifs," because you will be very happy doing what you are doing, and how you feel and look.

Knowing that I wasn't "born a thin person" is okay, and I will continue to go one day at a time. You will see as you get deeper and deeper into this that you wont think so much about "other people" and their ways. We have to find the right way that works permanently. That answer will be a totally individual one. ONE AND DONE.

November 23, 2012

I wrote this post while I was in a plateau. I wrote as if I already dropped another size, to visualization out what I want to happen. As it turns out, most of what I projected did happen and I suspect the parts that didn't will manifest soon. I updated this piece this morning, to clarify what did [comments in parenthesis reflect the update of what really happened].

Here's how I jumped off the plateau wagon...

I followed program 100%. I remembered there are no gray areas. In fact, I remembered a lot of things. There is no such thing as "slightly off program." You're either on or you're off. It's that simple. If you not on, or in the river, as Julie calls it, you're either going to maintain your size or your clothes are going to get tighter. I guess I was maintaining [in this case this was not true; I just couldn't see where I'd lost weight]. Hey - wait - I've been calling this a plateau! Same difference - I was not losing weight.

I did my own "refresh" by following advice from others who have been successful on this program. Jennifer, Melissa, Meaghan, and others have posted on this blog and on the Facebook group great feedback.

To jump start things, I did three days of red meat and no veggies [reality: I had tomato sauce with peppers and onions and added corn to some of my food]. Jennifer has said this many times and today, as I write this affirmation, I made a list and then went shopping for my meals for the next three days.

I followed Melissa's advice about getting my ratio of veggies and meat back in line. I too was eating too many veggies. I wasn't keeping that balance, so bite for bite was the trick to get me back on track. I took a hard look at my fat intake too. I wrapped up the bacon I had in the refrigerator, and put it in the freezer; I stopped having bacon for a full week and I watched my fat intake closer. [Bacon isn't the problem, it's the total amount of fat intake that I was consuming; bacon plus butter plus plus half and half plus mayonnaise plus other fats combined in one day. All these are allowed on program, but we do need to watch our total fats.]

I renewed my commitment not to have cheese for the rest of November and this time I stuck to my promise. From there forward, I was able to use cheese only as a condiment. I don't bring cheese into the house unless I need it for a specific recipe. I'm happy to say cheese is no longer a problem food for me. [November isn't over yet, but when shopping last night I paused at the cheese counter before passing it by.]

Catherine shared she had several plateaus and that she came to accept plateaus by remembering Julie teaches us this is how our  body heals, recovers, and rests for the next change. Amy reminded us that our bodies need to reabsorb skin, veins, nerves, etc. Once I remembered this is part of the journey for some of us, I stopped being so hard on myself for being on a plateau; this weight loss will take as long as it takes.

I followed some of my own advice too. I put progressive photos of me together and posted them to this blog. I printed a hard copy and put it on my refrigerator to remember where I've been. I put it away when I had company, but pulled it back out when the left. {reality: I haven't printed the photo yet but I have plans to do so this week.] I have a copy of the 4 photos side by side on my iPhone and I looked at it every day on my way to the gym, to keep me motivated. I looked at it on days I didn't feel like getting to the gym too.[reality: I look at the photo on my iPhone or on the blog just about every day and I show the photo to my friends. When I said why I put the photos together like that, one friend said when I'm feeling like I haven't lost any weight to "just ask us!" It seems I'm the only one who can't see that I have continued to lose weight.]

I made plans a couple months ago to visit with a friend to go shopping. I hadn't been in the stores since early August and was wearing the last of the hand-me-downs that didn't fit in spring. I was so ready to have new clothes. Because I followed all the above advice, when I went to the stores (Marshalls, TJ Max, and thrift stores) [more on what stores I really went to in my next post.] I was elated (understatement) that I was able to wear size 14's! The jump start helped me drop weight instantly! I skipped right by size 16's completely! The last time I was in Marshall and TJ's - there were very few thing that fit me, even their X's weren't fitting. Not the case this time! [reality: I did skip right over the 14's in tops, but I'm still wearing 18 pants. Again, more on the real shopping in my next post.]

Woohoo! Plateau over! I'm in the river and going with the flow. I've stopped getting in my own way and I'm thankful for all the friends of Julie who helped me get back on track!

Reality: I wasn't really on a plateau! I was losing weight above the waist, but since I hadn't tried on smaller clothes since August, I didn't see this. While visiting one of my friends over the weekend, she suggested I take in a few inches on my top under the arms, that I alter my pants at the waist by adding darts and take in the seams along my upper thighs as my pants are too big in those areas. I only tried on 2 pairs of pants at the store, so perhaps I've moved into a 16 in jeans? I'll have to go try on jeans soon and see if this is true.

November 20, 2012

I had breakfast few friends of the Key Hypnosis contributors on Saturday and it was great to see everyone and how they have changed. I thought it would be fun to put up our other gathering photos.... woohoo!

11/17/12

07/27/12

06/23/12

04/14/12

November 19, 2012

Frustrated with not dropping more weight, I decided to follow my own advise: take a photo and view it beside  heavier photos. Okay, here we go...yikes...side profiles....on the treadmill...sleeveless...in gym clothes...

I started size 30/32 and am now in 18's.

I've had photos taken of me along the way so I can see my progress, but I feel a little naked posting these images. Pushing that aside, I  can see a significant change in my body since that 2006 photo and yes, even since the August photo. It's the size of my stomach that kills me! I cringe when I look at these photos, even the one taken a few days ago. What encourages me though, is looking at photos posted on the Facebook support group. I see others who started at the size I'm at now and I know if I just hold on, I too will get to my goal size.

Yesterday, as I continued my inner dialogue about what I need to do to move things along, I'll write more on this when I get to the other side of this hold and drop another size, the Wilson Phillips song Hold On kept running through my mind...

Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day,
If you hold on

November 14, 2012

I just started and had my first session - I already feel better

Aliede Smith

November 10, 2012

Being on hold is something none of us like. We don't like being on hold on the phone. We don't like being told to "hold on" while we're waiting in line. Holding onto someones heart - love it! Holding onto weight, not so much.

Photo source: An Extraordinary Adventure

I'm on hold once again. I know. I know. Really - I know! This weight loss process is a journey. We have to have patience. Blah, blah, blah. I get all that. I'm trying to understand, once again, what's behind these long periods of time that my weight loss is on hold. One theory is that when we're the most frustrated, we're on the cusp of a significant drop in weight. Love that. It's true too. Most of the time.

Just the same, I haven't had a weight drop since the early August and my patience is running out. I looked for help by looking up the definition of the word hold. One meaning of the word hold, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary online, is to maintain position, to refuse to give ground the defensive line is holding. Hmm. Sounds familiar... I am maintaining my position. I am refusing to give ground. So, what's up? Why am I holding instead of losing? The dictionary isn't going to help me here.

If someone asked me this, I'd say things like "Eat more meat. Eat less veggies. Are you eating too much cheese?" So, I start by reminding myself these things. I am having meals without veggies and when I do have veggies, I make sure there are less veggies than meat. I haven't had cheese in the house in weeks and I don't eat cheese when I order out.

I also ask myself "what would Julie say?" The first thing that comes to mind is that Julie would ask "are you eating a variety of foods or the same things over and over?" Okay, so here's an area I can improve on. I favor coleslaw as my primary veggie. I eat meatloaf, meatballs, chicken salad, and a handful of dishes way too often.  I need to plan a variety of veggies rather than having the same one several times a week, week after week.

My internal voice has been asking "how much have you lost?" Julie suggests this kind of craving is akin to wanting sugar; when that this happens it's another clue that we're close to dropping more weight. I'm ready... and waiting. I'm not getting on the scale, so no worries there.

I'm not aware of anything I'm eating that's off program, so, I called and scheduled a refresh for early December.  I was in for a refresh a month ago and at that time I didn't ask for help because I really felt I was about to drop more weight. I was positive I'd see a drop any day, but nothing has happened. When I go in for the refresh this time, I'm asking for help with my holding pattern. I've heard others talk with Julie about holding weight for several months. Julie says it's the body healing when we're on hold, but I decided to go in for the refresh because I want to see if she can dig anything up, through her line of questions, that can help me move forward.

I know I'm not alone out there on this. Any words of advice from those who have been here and finally been able to move forward in their journey? I'd love to hear from you!

November 07, 2012

Anonymous asked:

I am attending my first class with Julie on Thursday. I have just finished my second and last class for smoking and it's working great, since my first class I haven't smoked.
I was wondering if anyone else has done the smoking and food so close together.

November 05, 2012

I have been a mediator for a long time, and one of the most basic lessons about doing sitting meditation is that by eliminating all distractions, and making a commitment to staying put, you are left with all of the noise, internal movies, mind productions, which are rattling around in there are running us all the time, unconsciously. 

I am finding Julie's process very similar.  With such a stripped down way of eating, so much of the obsession taken/given away, and a commitment to staying with it, I am noticing so much about the patterns which have run my physical life for decade after decade.  Before, when I would simply clamp down control on all of the cravings, I often lost weight.  But it didn't feel as if I had changed anything in the depths of this addiction.  The essential relationship between me and food felt the same-just that I had put it in jail for the moment.  But always the fear that at any time there would be a jailbreak, a prison riot, and I would be "out of control" again.

There is something about how Julie teaches us, and about, once again, that wonderfully cheerful send-off she gave us after the first group of "Have fun suffering", that is profoundly different and feels like a deeply meditative process.  I am not denying the cravings.  They are there from time to time and, as she said at the refresher last week, they will probably always be there at times.  What I am developing, in this new practice, is an ability, as they say in meditation circles, to "sit with" the cravings.  To experience them fully, not pretend they aren't there, but slowly learn that they are just feelings.....conditioned experience, screams from a body that may mistakenly think it is going to starve, automatic triggers from seeing or smelling something.  They are strong, but I don't have to be convinced by them.....I can see through them, let them know that in reality we are not starving, we are taking good care of our self, and that my behavior does not need to be controlled by these feelings.

With Julie's help I have been able to squarely commit myself, I think for the first time, to dealing with the sense of deprivation, to knowing that, as she says, it will not kill me.  That "sacrifice" gives me the opportunity to learn so much more about myself, and about human nature in general.  Aside from the weight loss and improvement in physical health, this learning is an incredible gift.

Don't know if all of this will make sense to anyone else, but wanted to share it.

Eva

November 02, 2012

The last size change I had was in April of this year, having gone from an 18 to a 16. Since then, NOTHING!

I have been frustrated, discouraged, angry, doubtful, MAD and so on...

I have been following the program to a T, having to adjust at times amounts of condiments and veggies, making sure portions were correct.

Still nothing

I went to my doctor's in June and in August and got weighed in there. They are great about respecting my wishes about not knowing what I weigh.

I had to go again yesterday and got on the scale backwards again. This time the nurse was just bursting to tell me something. She almost dropped her teeth when she saw the weight. She told me she can not believe the amount of weight I have lost from June and August. So with those comments I know I am doing something right!

I sat in the parking lot trying to figure out why my sizes weren't going down if the weight was coming off. What was going on?

Well, I think I may have figured it out, and at this time I am limited on what I can do about it.

It is called "empty skin around my middle"!

Unfortunately, my highest size was a 26 so that was a lot of stretching there.

Meagan has written about certain undergarments that help hold in and not kill you in the process. So I went and checked them out. I went to Target and got Barely There shape wear, the high waisted ones that come right up to the bra-line.

I am pleased to announce I have a size 14 skirt on now THAT I CAN WEAR IN PUBLIC!

How great is that?

At first I felt like, wearing this doesn't make it a true size loss. But if the skin is empty, it isn't like I am faking the size. And I think I remember Julie talking about wearing stuff to 'hold it in". So until it can all catch up, I am hooked on these shape wear undergarments!

THANK YOU MEAGAN for that great tip!

So............TAAAAAAA DAAAAAAAA!

I have started wearing 14's!

(and begins the problem of not all 14's fitting - my continuing complaint about uniform sizes) But I am wearing a 14! OH MY OH MY! who would have thought...

November 02, 2012

This has been a rough year on my feet, but a trip to the foot doctor and all is well once again. In fact, he said I was a success story! How cool is that?

I first went to the podiatrist in June 2011, because I had a lot of foot pain and I would soon be trekking around Alaska for two weeks. Plus I wanted to end my pain.  The doctor fitted me for shoe inserts and then didn't see me again until this week. How many patients do you think he sees in his office who are in a lot of pain and in their late 50's, who come back a year later and report they're running 5k's? It was a great moment for us both!

This is not to say I'm pain free, I still have my days, but I'm in far less pain and less often. The interesting thing is that when I'm running - I don't feel pain!

Speaking of running, last week I had a great run on the treadmill with my jogging buddy Aime, who is celebrating her birthday hiking by herself on Mount Tom - as I type. I want to increase my distance on the treadmill so I'm ready for the Hot Chocolate run next month, so we decided to kick up the pace. We set the pace to a 15 minute mile, after warming up a few minutes, and then stayed the course until we hit 5k. Woohoo! It felt great!

Hot Chocolate Run

There's still time to register for the 2012 Hot Chocolate Run in Northampton that happens on Sunday, December 02, 2012.  I'd love to have you join my team - when you register, select the "Friends of the Keys" team.

Stormy Weather

I was happy to have a day off this week due to the storm and even happier that we didn't even lose power in my area. I cooked food so I'd be set and am still eating those hard boiled eggs. All the bottles of water and bags of beef jerky can go with me when I drive to Florida at Christmas time; it's like money in the (food) bank. Ha!

I have no excuse for not blogging on Monday, but I had fun being completely irresponsible all day. No work. No chores. Lots of fun. Nothing interesting to report, but I was happy at the end of the day. Sometimes, it's good to be unaccountable for a day!

November 01, 2012

I have, like much of Vermont it seems, a cold right now, and was concerned about what I could use for the cough, since usually I use this wonderful herbal cough syrup, but it does have fructose in it.  I tried the Fisherman's Friend, and the menthol, which I hate, was enough to make me sick.  So I asked the pharmacist if there were any cough remedies which were not sweet.  It turns out that Mucinex is now putting Guafenisine (the active ingredient in most expectorants) in capsules....no sweeteners added, because they don't have to mask anything.  Will it work as well?  Time will tell, but I wanted to get this out there to others who may be hacking away.
Eva

October 27, 2012

Ok, by now you all know I am weird. I blogged about crossing my legs for the first time, about my food dreams, panicking when I found out the corn I ate had sugar in it, being a food-aholic and about all kinds of off the wall topics.

Well, why change my format now?
This one is a good one!!

Now that I have lost weight, I don't know what size I am anymore. (wait it gets better)
BUT the worst thing is:

When I go into a store to try on clothes ( are you ready for this one?) I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO!!!

Let me explain:

When I was a size 24 I knew to walk into the Women's dept. Plus sizes, I could easily find it.

Now, I have no idea where I am supposed to shop!

I went to Kohls the other day, I was so confused I walked out. I am not plus, or am I, am I womens', or misses, what in the world is Juniors. AND WHY DON'T THEY HAVE THE DEPARTMENTS MARKED WITH WHAT THEY ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am serious. There are women's size 16's and there are just size 16's. Whats up with that? Then I have discovered there are all kinds of size Large. Some larges fit me great, others I can't get over my head! Some 16's are huge and others are to tight. All from different departments.

Then throw in petites!!! Last I knew that was for short people, has that changed?

Am I the only one that can't figure out the size specifications?

Whats the code? Whats the secret? What do other women know that I don't? What am I missing?

I did find 2 jackets at Kohls (love those 30% off coupons). I think I was in the misses section, maybe it was woman's, probably maternity for all I know. They were a large. But the larges on the other side of the store I couldn't get my arms in.

So thus is my dilemma!

And there is no way I am asking anyone where I should go! (they might tell me where to go! LOL)

Going to try Sears sometime, hope it isn't as confusing as Kohls was!

October 26, 2012

My body is going through changes again, I can feel it and I know I'm going to drop more weight soon. I still have a handful of hand-me-down jeans I still can't wear and I'm a bit bored with the clothes I can wear. I'm still not ready to spend money on clothes, because I know they won't last long.

Photo credit.

I've been asking my friends for advice on where to go shopping 1) as I drop weight, and 2) when I reach my goal size and go on a shopping spree. Interesting feedback. A few suggested I shop off-season, but that isn't going to work - I need clothes in season and now! Others suggested thrift stores, Marshall's, and TJ Max.  

Tonight I went to the Salvation Army Thrift store in Hadley. It was a completely different experience from my last visit there. I'm not even sure when that was, but it was no fun and I'm sure I left empty-handed. 

This time, I tried on a lot of blouses and coats, I wasn't in the mood for trying on pants, everything was either way too big or way too small. I found a gorgeous Anne Klein short snow white coat, but it was too big!  A beautiful jewel-tone purple jacket from Talbots - too small. 

I put on a full length dark chocolate coat with a beautiful fake fur collar, by some designer I can't recall now, which felt a tad snug, but I was seriously considering it. I loved how I felt in the coat, but when I asked a woman what she thought she said "large women should wear clothing that compliments your body - not coats that make you look bigger." Another woman chimed and asked me what colors I like and suggested I go for a coat the right color; "color is important" she said.  Both women were very kind, and remember - I asked!

Are you kidding me - chocolate is one of my great colors! That's okay, when in this much doubt, I always leave it behind. Which is exactly what I did tonight.

An hour and a half later, I left the thrift store with one Lands End grey button-down sweater, size large. Total budget $4.99. Today was the great bargain day at this thrift store, special colored tags mean an item is 50% off. I never saw a single red tag item the whole time. Others around me had shopping carts full of stuff. 

I hope this gets to be more fun. Tonight was more frustrating than fun. I know you have to keep cruising thrift stores to find the bargains, and hey, there were great labels in the mix, just none in my size; whatever size that is! They say it's hit or miss, so next week I'll give it another try.

Any words of wisdom from those of you who are further along in your journey? Any funny stories? Love to hear from you!

October 24, 2012

One year ago today I was:

Size 24

VERY unhappy with myself

VERY depressed about my weight

Felt like I was just going to drop dead of a heart attack because of my weight

Couldn’t get out of my own way I was so tired all the time

Ate constantly

DESPERATE to loose weight

Driving my poor husband crazy because I was so unhappy with myself

Knew weight loss surgery was the next step and only step left........-

until a dear friend of mine told me about a girl she worked with and how that girl  was loosing weight (Jennifer) and what she was doing. I was open to trying ANYTHING, I really didn't want surgery.  Desperate for help I called Julie’s office and made an appointment.

1 year ago today I walked into her office and haven’t looked back since!

I was scared and cried the whole way to that first appointment. I hadn’t met Jennifer yet, only knew from what her co-worker and my dear friend had told me about her journey. Was so scared I was wasting money AGAIN to loose weight.

In 1 years time I am a new person. I am not at goal yet, am loosing VERY slow, but I am so happy!

My constant hunger is GONE!

My food obssession is GONE!

My self confidence is UP!

My attitude is GREAT!

I have more energy than I have had in years!

And the best part is I know in my mind that I WILL REACH MY GOAL!

I have never in my life been on a program that was so easy to do. I love not having to think about anything, it is so cut and dry.

My absolute highest weight EVER!

 

 Just a few weeks before going to Julie for the first time!

1 year later

 

 

 

 

 

                                            

I have my life back!

My new eating lifestyle works and is working for me!

Julie has saved my life and given my life back to me!

Julie, I don't know how often you are able read this blog, but when you do, I want to say: THANK YOU!!!!!!

You were an answer to many prayers!!!!

Happy re-Birthday to me!!!!!

October 24, 2012

Just trying to see if my computer challenged mind can introduce a new topic correctly.  Thanks for all of your patience.
Eva

October 23, 2012

Some days I just don't have anything to blog about. I think this is a healthy sign, as I'm not focusing all my energies on "dieting." It's one of the things I love about this program - my life continues to move forward and I get to lose weight along the way. It doesn't get much better than this.

On the treadmill; photo by Theresa.

I'm experiencing another period of time where for few weeks I've been feeling like I'm not losing weight, wondering why these pants still fit - they should be too big on me by now, but I continue to let go of those thoughts. I know I'm doing everything I can to be successful in this journey, so I let those thoughts go, continue to eat meat, meat, meat, and let my negative thoughts go once again. I feel changes in my body, even if my jeans don't show the change yet. I know one of these days, those jeans are going to no longer hold up, they'll be too big, and I look forward to that day. Time doesn't matter here; I know if I keep following this course, I will arrive!

Last Week's workout was shy one day of running, my goal is to run 3-4 times a week, but this happens from time to time. I'll pick up another day this week and I'll also begin to push myself to go the distance; the race is a tad over 3 miles. What's important is that I keep looking ahead to the finish line, which is the hot chocolate run in Dec. Having a goal like this keeps me running. I feel great when I run and for hours after the run!
 
Mon., Oct. 15 - 5 pm on the treadmill
I couldn't make it during lunch to the gym, but I went at the end of the day and I felt really proud of myself for getting there! My reward was a beautiful fall scene when I stepped outside the gym. I followed my c25k app for a 32 min. walkout:

• warm up/walk: 5 min (3.0 pace)
• jog 8 min. (4.0 pace)
• walk 2 min. (3.0 pace)
• jog 10 min. (4.0 pace)
• walk 2 min. (3.0 pace)
• run 5 min (4.0 pace)
• average speed 3.45 MPH
• average pace15:51 /mile
• distance 1.79 miles

Tue., Oct. 16 - noon walk
Today's plan was to walk with a co-worker. It was a gorgeous day out there. We walked fast for a solid half hour, not including my time to meet up with her and then walk back to my office.

Wed., Oct. 17 - noon on the treadmill
Today's workout was with my running pal Aime on the treadmill.

Sun., Oct. 21 - time unknown walk
I took Friday off from work, as I had a friend was visiting for the weekend. We walked on a beautiful trail that was a mile long. No running, just enjoying another beautiful fall day.

October 23, 2012

I've heard so much about this recipe, I had to add this to the blog. I haven't tried it yet, but those who have swear by it. Be mindful of the amount of cheese you use and since you can't load it with heavy items, plan to eat meat with this pizza. This recipe is from Stuff I Make My Husband (I edited the text).

Cauliflower Pizza; photo by Amylinn

Use a bag of Birds Eye Steam fresh cauliflower or use fresh cauliflower and add your own seasonings, but this is easy and it steams in its own bag.


1. Microwave cauliflower according to package directions, then place onto a cheesecloth (or use a clean dishcloth that has been lined with lots and lots of paper towels).

2. Lay more paper towels on top, fold the dish towel over itself, and press hard to squeeze as much moisture as you can out of the florets.





3. Feed the cauliflower through the shredding disk of your food processor.

4. Repeat the squeezing step with fresh paper towels.

5. Get lots of moisture out until you have something resembling dough.




6. Combine shreds with 4 oz grated mozzarella (do not use fat-free) and 1/4 cup egg whites; not using yolk seems to give a crispier crust.

7. Line a baking sheet or broiler pan with parchment paper -- you MUST use parchment paper, do NOT use foil or it will stick!!

8.Mound the cauliflower mixture in the center.



9. Using damp hands (shake off the excess water), work radially around the cauliflower, pressing from the center outward to create a thin crust.

10. Be careful that holes don't form, but don't worry if it seems loose, as when the cheese melts it will help everything hold together.





11. Gently blot excess moisture off the top with a paper towel.

12. Spread it as thin as you possibly can.

13. It should resemble the thinnest of the thin-crust pizzas.

14. If it is too thick it will be very soggy and you'll be stuck eating it with a fork.




15. Bake at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

16. The crust should be browned and perhaps slightly burnt in some spots around the edges.

17. Do NOT under bake.






18. Spread pizza sauce and whatever toppings you like; don't use anything too wet or too heavy.

19. Toppings should all be chopped fine or sliced thin: sliced olives and sauteed garlic spinach (squeezed dry) or whatever veggies you have around.

20. Dust with Parmesan.




21. Pop it back in the oven for 5 minutes or so.

Voila! There you have it, cauliflower pizza!











Crispy, slice able, and you eat eat it with your hands -- no fork required.









Source: Stuff I Make My Husband

October 21, 2012