Total loss in 3 weeks

As I mentioned in my last blog, I decided to have a "cheat day" for the Superbowl and I did. The day after I decided I didnt want to do the diet anymore. I follow this diet to a T - never cheated and I think one cheat day I gave myself just made it hard to pick it back up again. So, since I didn't follow all the phases and just quit "cold turkey" I gained 3 lbs back in a few days. I was not eating "bad foods" but I do have a normal balanced meal and a few glasses of wine a week. :)

That said, after the 3 lbs gain I lost a grand total of 10 lbs in 3 weeks. I am 39 and simply can't lose weight that quickly any other way than the pq diet so, I am very happy with that. The pq diet is my favorite diet and I will always use it when I need to lose a few lbs! I think I have about 15 more lbs to lose. I am currently maintaining to 10 lb loss, juicing and eating well. I absolutely allow myself dessert here and there but I make sure its on an evening I can get up and go run or workout the next morning to burn that off! I have hired a personal trainer and I am very sure I will get back on the PQ Diet in the next few months.

I am not doing the diet the way you are supposed to - I could lose all the weight much sooner if I would however, my non-stop lifestyle makes such a strict diet challenging so, I dig deep for a few weeks and then maintain and repeat until I hit my goal. I didn't realize just how non stop my daily routine was until I started comparing daily life to some friends. I am also working on balance in that area as well ;)

I started this blog with the intention of helping people understand the pq diet however, people seem to be interested in the foods I cook and I also think people appreciate my honestly. I tell it all; good, bad and cheating (on my diet).  I will continue to post recipes and such on this blog at least monthly.

Diets are not always going to be easy but we all do our best and take it from there. I do not want to regret my lifestyle choices while they are still choices. So, health and wellness is the focus this year.

I would love to hear other peoples stories about dieting and becoming healthy this year!

PQ Diet: Salmon Salad

SALMON SALAD

This delicious recipe can be found directly on the pq diet website about midway down on this link. I chose to use fresh salmon:

https://newunivera.com/en-us/products-for-vitality/protein-quotient-diet/recipes

PQ DIET INFO:https://newunivera.com/en-us/products-for-vitality/protein-quotient-diet

PQ Diet Herb and Chees Omelet with fresh veggies

 

PQ DIET HERB AND CHEESE OMELET 

Spray EVOO in a pan, saute sliced zucchini, mushrooms, onions and any other veg you like as long as you follow the rules of veggies on the diet plan. I prefer my veggies to be slightly firm and then add the omelet. Simply follow the instructions on the package for the herb and cheese omelet as normal and add to skillet until fully cooked. The red pepper flavor is a bit too sweet for my liking so I add hot sauce! You can add an egg white to this as well if you are feeling a little extra hungry. 

PQ DIET INFO:https://newunivera.com/en-us/products-for-vitality/protein-quotient-diet

Healthy PQ Approved Snack: Zuchinni Chips

ZUCCHINI CHIPS

So easy! Wash and slice zucchini, toss in organic apple cider vinegar, place on dehydrater racks and dehydrate overnight! Add salt if you would like. If you do not like the idea of salt and vinegar try other chip flavors. Try not to overlap the slices when you lay them on the racks as they may stick together when dry. Many people say to rotate racks - I have no issues with sleeping while they "cook!" Sporting places have some really good dehydraters. Mine is from Walmart, about small 5 racks. I also recommend a mandolin slicer - simple, even slicing! I eat these as my 2 cup serving with my pq meals and sometimes I eat them as a snack to get me through to the next meal. It is very easy to eat 3 zucchinis in one sitting.
PQ DIET INFO:https://newunivera.com/en-us/products-for-vitality/protein-quotient-diet

PQ Vegetable Chili stuffed Mushrooms

PQ VEG CHILI STUFFED MUSHROOMS

This is very easy and makes a great pq diet lunch! Follow the instructions on the pq veggie chili pack. Add tbs balsamic vinegar, dash of worcestershire , desired amount of tabasco, minced garlic, 2 tbs raw red onion. Remove stems and hollow inside (I used a metal half measuring spoon). Stuff caps with chili mix and bake on 450 for about 15/20 mins. Be creative and add things you love! Jalapenos, celery, parsley ...

Hint: I like to preheat a cast iron flat plate, spray with evoo and then add the caps for cooking. It helps brown the caps. 

PQ DIET INFO:https://newunivera.com/en-us/products-for-vitality/protein-quotient-diet

Fresh Baby Spinach with a balsamic reduction

FRESH BABY SPINACH WITH A BALSAMIC GLAZE

(This image is shown with a topping sprinkle of hemp seeds. While hemp seeds are amazing for us, they are high in calories and fat so, should be enjoyed when you are finished with the pq diet.)

Saute shiitake mushrooms in a pan sprayed with organic EVOO, med high heat. When mushrooms begin to have a slight sear, spray pan with more EVOO and add one bag of baby spinach rotating the leaves to help sweat out moisture. When the leaves cook down, add minced garlic.

BALSAMIC REDUCTION: add one cup of balsamic vinegar to a sauce pan on med to med high heat. As soon as the liquid begins to bubble, turn down to med, med low (depends on your stove). This will reduce by 75%. Remove from heat to allow to thicken.  Drizzle thickened reduction over your cooked spinach. My garnishes are a seaweed and herring roe spread from Ikea. You can add a dab to each bite for extra flavor.

I don't go into great detail so, if you are not used to being in the kitchen may want to check youtube on how to make this reduction.
PQ DIET INFO:https://newunivera.com/en-us/products-for-vitality/protein-quotient-diet

PQ friendly dinner: Chicken sausage stuffed jalapenos

CHICKEN SAUSAGE STUFF JALAPENOS 

The sausage is all natural, a little higher in fat then it should be (8 grams) so, I took and extra 30 min walk to make up for it. Next time I will use ground chicken and add spices which I recommend doing now so you don't run into a problem with not burning your own bodies fat. 

Here, I simply sauteed mushrooms, then added diced precooked chicken sausage, minced garlic, raw red onion, diced and a tsp of worcestershire. 

Hollow and cup jalapenos, grill or bake on 350. Dont overcook as they have to go back in the oven. My trick is to remove them first sign of smelling them. 

Stuff jalapenos with filling, turn oven up to 450 and bake until tops are slightly crispy! Serve with a PQ approved side salad.

PQ DIET INFO:https://newunivera.com/en-us/products-for-vitality/protein-quotient-diet