This Week's Menu

The end of South Beach phase 1 is in sight, and I am so happy about that! I would arm wrestle for an apple or a piece of bread at this point. The two lowest points I've had so far:

• My husband eating Pepperidge Farm chocolate chip cookies and describing the deliciousness of every bite. Until I threatened him with a long-term bedroom boycott.
• My kids eating Frosted Flakes every morning. I didn't know I loved Frosted Flakes. I probably haven't had them since I was 12. But I spent each morning hiding in the bathroom while they ate their cereal so I wouldn't give in. Even the box is pretty. You know you're carb deprived when you think Tony the Tiger it HOTT!

On the upside, I'm down 6.2 pounds with 3 days to go, so it's been worth it. Until phase 1, I never realized what a small quantity of vegetables I ate on a daily basis. I think it will be much easier to work them in now. Especially since even good carbs and fruit are extremely limited for the next couple of weeks.

Here's this week's menu:

Saturday: Grilled steak, steamed broccoli sauteed in garlic and chilies.

Sunday: Lentil Chili & salad

Monday: Lentil Chili Burritos for the boys, Lentil Chili & Salad for me.

Tuesday: Roasted Chicken and Roasted Vegetables

Wednesday: Chicken Pot Pies made with Whole Wheat Biscuit Crust

Thursday: Chicken Roulades with Red Pepper Sauce and Sauteed Spinach

The Lentil chili is a mix that I love. I get it at a local high-end grocery store, but it's probably sold by Whole Foods, too. It's by the Buckeye Bean & Herb Company, and it's called "Rip Roar'n Lentil Chili". Just saute ground beef & onions, stir in mix plus a can of diced tomatoes, and let simmer for 1 1/2 hours. They don't say it, but I'll add diced bell peppers at the saute stage. It's delicious and pretty healthy. Because it uses lentils, it cooks quickly and is much lower sodium than canned beans. This company has many soup mixes, and I haven't had a bad one yet.