No More Cabbage Soup

What an interesting week it was. I lost 13 pounds, which was great, but boy was that one L O N G week. I have been done with the "Cabbage Soup Diet" for three full days now and I have to say that, so far, it really has changed my appetite. I don't crave much of anything anymore. I eat when I'm hungry, which is about three times a day, and I don't require much at all to feel full. I know I could easily sabotage this by continuing to eat after fulfilling my hunger, but so far so good. I eat what I want, but try to mindful of calories. I don't deprive myself of an occasional treat. All in moderation. We'll see how long this lasts.

All in all, I would say the "Cabbage Soup Diet", as hard as it was, was a really good way to cleanse my system and put me on track for overall better eating habits.

The Cabbage Soup Diet

On our trip to WA I gained 5 pounds (thank you Sheri and GG for all the fantastic food!). So below is what I'm doing to fix it. I know this is only for a week and not a long term solution, however, I think it's going to be be good boost to getting back on a healthy eating track, and a good way to flush out my body. The average person who does this diet looses about 10 or 11 pounds over the course of the week. Let me know if you decide to take a whirl at it.
Cabbage soup, here I come.

The Cabbage Soup Diet

Okay, are you ready? Here we go:

• 1 head cabbage, shredded or chopped
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 16-28 ounces canned tomatoes, chopped
• 2 green peppers
• 4 stalks celery
• 1-2 packages Lipton onion soup mix, or any dry onion soup mix (optional)
• black pepper
• any fresh herb(s) of your choice, chopped
• 6 carrots, sliced
• 1/2 pound green beans, sliced on diagonal
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar (optional)

Put all vegetables in a big pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, stir in the soup mix (if desired), and boil gently for 10 minutes. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until all the vegetables are soft. Stir in the black pepper and chopped herbs (saving some for garnish).

Eat as much of the soup as you like, as often as you like. Drink as much water as you like and non-caloric drinks including coffee, tea, and herbal teas.

Here's what else you can eat, and when:

DAY 1: All fruits except bananas.

DAY 2: All vegetables, raw or cooked. This includes baked potato with a LITTLE butter.

DAY 3: Fruits and vegetables, but no potatoes or bananas.

DAY 4: Bananas and skim milk--eat as many as 8 bananas and drink as many as 8 glasses of skim milk.

DAY 5: Beef, skinless chicken, and/or fish--as much as 20 ounces, total. You can also eat 6 tomatoes. And you must drink 8 glasses of water. Don't forget at least one bowl of soup.

DAY 6: Beef, skinless chicken, or fish and vegetables. Drink 8 glasses of water and eat at least one bowl of soup.

DAY 7: Brown rice, vegetables, and unsweetened fruit juice.

Dillon Heaven

The Cleveland Children's Museum is doing the "Lego Experience" today. This was seriously cool. Dillon was in some kind of paradise and Charlie was fine to tag along and build a few things herself. It's going on until 3pm today, so if you get a chance to make it over there I would say it's definitely worth your time. They will have a tent at the airshow this weekend if you don't make it to the museum today. Happy building.

Back to School

Off to school for the first day of the school year. I was worried that Dillon would have a hard time saying goodbye, nope. They both had a GREAT day and love their teachers. After school all they cold talk about is how much they love school, we'll see how long that lasts.



It felt good being back in the halls again, seeing so many familiar faces, both adults and kids. I'm always burnt out by the end of the school year with PTA obligations and room parent duties, but I realized being back in the school yesterday just how much I had missed it over the summer. I love the children at the school, I love how much they love you. It's fun being a part of something that is truly serving your community.
Busy, crazy, stressed out schedule, here I come.