Happy Birthday, Dad!

My Dad celebrated his 60th birthday yesterday. We had his BBQ birthday party at my house on Sunday the 29th and I used the Betty Crocker Bake N' Fill set my Mom gave me for my birthday last year to make him a golf ball cake. I made a chocolate fudge cake with Haagen Daazs chocolate ice cream for filling - it was delicious (if I do say so myself!) and looked adorable!

In The Zone

I haven't been very good about diet updates recently, have I? I became extremely frustrated with South Beach. I was on it hard-core for 4 weeks and lost 5.5 pounds. It was hard - I was often hungry, lacked energy and felt constantly deprived of things that I wanted. Too - the weight loss was so wacky and unpredictable - I'd be up 5 pounds in one day, down 3 the next - a total roller coaster. I began more research and, for a few weeks now have been doing something similar to The Zone Diet. In general, I don't believe in "elimination diets" - I never have. I believe that moderation is key. I gave in, though, to the "no/low carbs" hype before trying South Beach but just didn't feel like it was for me. I am using FitDay to keep track of my food intake and am trying to keep my percentages (of calories consumed daily) to 40% carbohydrates, 40% protein and 20% fat. I think The Zone Diet is actually 40/30/30 but I have definitely found that the 40/40/20 works better for me. (The less fat in my diet, the better.) I've lost a few pounds on it already but, more importantly, I am happy and feel great. I never feel left out or hungry and, after 7+ years of maternity clothes and sizes 10-12, my 8's are now falling off of me!

I hope to reach my goal weight (which is about 5 pounds less than where I was 11 years ago when I married my husband) by my 36th birthday on August 18th. I'm confident that I have a chance at succeeding!

Seriously... Wow.

I'm exhausted - emotionally spent after last nights' 2-hour Grey's Anatomy season finale. Sundays' show was good. Mondays' was excellent. God I love that show. I can't believe I have to wait until - what - August? September? - to see what will happen next. (Have I mentioned that I love that show?)

A few things to note... I'm not sure I'm thrilled that the writers made Izzie do what she did. I understand that sometimes love makes you desperate - but that was so wrong. She's gone through so much to get where she is and I can't imagine how her career can be saved now. I adored Denny's character and hate that he had to die. (God forbid, of course, that you have a happy couple!) I love that Alex finally put on a human-being hat and that he was there for Izzie. The scene where he coaxed her from the bed of her dead boyfriend was fantastic. Sandra Oh's Christina made me want to pull out my hair. She is the most emotionally constipated person I've ever seen! I kept begging for her to give Preston a little bit of what he needed but she just could not do it - not until the last second, anyway. I was bothered by her distance - was it because she was upset by his injuries and couldn't handle seeing him in pain/turmoil? Or was it because an injured man - a man who might not again be the brilliant surgeon he once was - not attractive to her?

Being the tortured Mer/Der fan that I am, I, of course, hope that she chooses (chose) to go home with Derek after the "prom". I've heard, however, that Chris O'Donnell (Finn) is going to be back next season so it doesn't look terribly likely...

I read that the show is moving from Sunday night to Thursday in the Fall (not sure what time). I have no doubt that it will do well and that loyal followers of the show will move with it!

Thank you Shonda Rhimes for creating the show that is Grey's Anatomy!

Flowers For Mom

ProFlowers announced that it will donate $10.00 to Autism Speaks for every bouquet ordered for Mother's Day or any occasion. Click here to shop!

End of Phase 1

While I haven't lost anywhere near the 8-13 pounds the South Beach Diet promises is possible during Phase 1, I'm calling my official weight loss 5 1/2 pounds over 2 weeks. Not stellar or inspiring - but a start, I suppose. I am going to try to move into Phase 2 (slowly adding certain carbs back into my diet) but am not looking forward to the fact that it will probably slow the already-painfully-slow weight loss progress. I was hoping to reach my goal by this Summer - long way to go still, though!

For dinner tonight:

Ginger Salad

1 T. dijon mustard
1 T. fresh lemon juice
2 T. rice wine vinegar
1 T. fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
3/4 c. canola oil
kosher salt
18 t. fresh ground black pepper
1/2 head iceburg lettuce, shredded
2 T. chopped fresh parsley leaves
lemon slices for garnish

In a blender on high speed, combine mustard, lemon juice, vinegar and ginger for just a few seconds until smooth. Then turn the blender to a lower speed and slowly pour the oil in a continuous stream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place shredded lettuce piled high in the center of a bowl with edges. Add dressing to lettuce and toss. Sprinkle parsley around the edges of the bowl and garnish with a lemon slice.

(I haven't tried the salad recipe but it sounded good and should go well with the other things I'm making (tried and true family recipes!)

Egg Fu Yung

5 eggs
1 c. bean sprouts
1/2 c. shredded celery
1/4 c. shreded onions
1 t. salt
1/4 t. MSG
4 oz. can drained mushrooms
1/2 c. canned crab, shrimp or chicken (I'm using fresh baby shrimp)
1 t. dry sherry
dash of pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl just enough to break yolks. Do not beat. Cook in hot fat (pancake shape) until browned, turning once. Keep warm and serve with sauce.

Egg Fu Yung Sauce

2 c. chicken broth
1/4 t. MSG
1/2 t. salt
1 T. soy sauce
1 T. catsup
1 T. sugar
3 1/2 T. flour
1/4 c. cold water

Mix first 6 ingredients together in sauce pan. Add flour to water and mix into broth. Cook over medium high heat stirring constantly until thickened. Cover and keep warm.

Harder than I thought...

I was prepared to give this whole diet crap up yesterday. I awoke this morning, though, to a 2 1/2 pound loss - in 24 hours! Crazy. I suppose that is what I get for weighing myself every day - I wish I'd started keeping track of my "success" via measurements instead of weight. I've definitely noticed a change in my waist and lower abdomen.