That’s the way the cookie crumbles

After doing the three day diet, 2 weeks in a row I didn’t lose a ton of the weight I thought I was, but I did notice I lost a lot of inches. I lost about 7 pounds…making me down a total of 12 since I started on January 5^th. I’m happy with it…I can totally tell a difference. But why am I disappointed? I guess because I (like everyone) want to be stick thin…I just want to have a nice body, no flab, no anything…I want to be able to wear a bikini, look in the mirror and say damn I look good!, instead of wearing a tankini and constantly being discouraged. I don’t want to live a life where I’m always dieting. Always watching what I eat, how many calories I consume, not having what I enjoy…But we don’t live in a perfect world.  I guess what I have to realize is that I’m doing it for my health…to reduce the risk of diabetes, of heart disease and to help my PCOS. I guess that’s the most important thing right? Not only am I disappointed because I thought I’d see more results…but I’m also upset because I know that while I’m in Disney I’m going to fudge up now and then, and ruin the work I’ve done so far. It took me a while to look better than what I did a few months ago…but I suppose that’s the way this cookie crumbles. Slip up, then get back on track…slip up then get back on track…it’s like a never ending cycle! We have to be in the right mind set. Knowing that we can nip those setbacks in the butt and become stronger and better than we were before.

Anyways— I totally recommend the three day diet. I think that when I come back from Disney I’m going to do it for a few weeks, Monday-Wednesday. I suggest doing it the three days before you have a vacation planned, or wedding or some big party you want to look good for…You do see results and I’m glad that I did it. A few facts:

• I was hungry between meals but what I did was drank a lot of water. That made me full until the next meal. So I recommend drinking A LOT of water!
• It depends on the person, but I wasn’t weak or anything…I made sure I took my vitamins every morning I did it.
• I only worked out once while doing it. I felt strong enough to work out even though they suggest not too…My recommendation though: I would skip heavy cardio exercise (like running or jogging or the elliptical) for those three days and only stick to light workouts like sit-ups, jumping jacks or squats.

After I did the three day diet last week, I had four days off. I was able to eat healthy and maintain the weight that I lost. For dinner I came up with new and healthy recipes that I came across Pinterest. One of the meals I made on Thursday night was too good not to post a recipe. If you’re a Chicken lover, you’ll love this! Diabetic/PCOS friendly…so good, you’ll make this a regular dish!

 

Balsamic Glazed Chicken over Spinach

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• Four boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used Perdue)
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme
• Salt/pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup water
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 tablespoons of butter cut into pats
• 1 bag spinach

Directions:

Chicken:

• Mix thyme, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Pat both sides of chicken with the spice mixture.
• Heat a large skillet with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, cook for 2-3 minutes. Turn and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes until brown. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
• Add water, vinegar and honey to the skillet. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Boil for 2 minutes or until slightly syrupy and reduce by half. Add the butter and stir until melted.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and return the chicken to the pan. Cook for about 3 minutes in the glaze and then flip and cook the other side for an additional 3 minutes or until ready.

Spinach:

• Place one bag of spinach in a large skillet and sprinkle water on top. Place the lid on and cook on medium-high heat until ready.
• Add salt/pepper to taste.
• *(I added chopped cherry tomatoes and fresh garlic.)
• Serve with chicken

Of course I forgot to take a picture, but it was truly a low calorie, tasty chicken dish.

I will not be blogging for the next week or so since I will be on vacation in the most happiest place on earth. I will be sure to take lots of pictures ….Ciao! 🙂

 

 All the best, Sarah

Tweezers are a Girls Best Friend

I’m not one to complain, but I really despise having PCOS. I mean—I REALLY hate it. I hate the cramping, I hate feeling tired 24/7, I hate feeling depressed, I hate my mood swings, I hate taking medication every single day, but the two most irritating things I absolutely hate the most, are my thinning hair, and plucking my face. Sorry. I really had to get everything off my chest.

This weekend, I spent a whopping 45 minutes tweezing my chin and the sides of my face—and three days later, its already growing back. So much for my meds regulating this, right? Well, I do have to admit that the facial hair was much worse before being diagnosed and starting any types of meds. I’m taking Spironolactone 100mg, twice a day, Metformin 500mg twice a day, and Balziva birth control. I mean, I’m not a hairy scary monster or anything, but the hair is just soo annoying! I can’t even up my Metformin dosage because then I’ll be suffering with nausea, gas, diarrhea and horrible cramps, like I did when I was on 2000mg. It’s a no-win situation for me.

What I want to know, is how are you ladies dealing with the facial hair? Do you have any tips, any suggestions that can be of help? I’d gladly appreciate any advice I can get, other than my usual Saturday dates with the tweezers and close up mirror.

 

 

 

As for the thinning hair, that’s another huge pain in the tush. I used to have such long, thick beautiful hair, and now it’s like thin strands of hay. I’ve been using a coconut oil/ honey treatment once a week. I have to say, it’s really helping a lot, and I highly recommend it! It helps the growth as well as rejuvenates the hair, leaving it softer, shinier and healthier looking.

Coconut Oil/honey Hair Treatment

Things you will need:

• ¼ cup Coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Small Bowl
• Shower cap

Step by step:

• In a small bowl, combine and mix together the coconut oil and honey
• Using hands, massage the mixture into hair.
• Put hair in clip, then cover with shower cap
• Leave in for about 20-30 minutes. ( usually shave my legs while I’m waiting lol)
• Shampoo/Condition as usual. (I sometimes shampoo twice, just to make sure its all out)
• Style as usual

Walllla!

For hair growth, I also:

• Use any type of shampoo/conditioner with volume
• Take Biotin 5000mcg every day

 

Let me know what you think—Also, please let me know about the plucking situation! Thanks Ladies 🙂

 

 All the best, Sarah

 

One Potato, Two Potato

Despite this lingering cough and excessive tiredness, I’m feeling tons better. Thank goodness for Airborne and Nyquil, those two work like a charm and always get me back on my feet!

One of my favorite things to eat, especially during the fall, are homemade mashed potatoes. Chunky, buttery, creamy, hint of salty mashed potatoes. MMM! Who wouldn’t pass them up, right? Well, I would give up my love for them, after trying something my mom introduced me to. It tasted almost exactly like the real thing except wasn’t overloaded with carbs. Cauliflower mashed potatoes. At first I was like, EWW, really? Cauliflower? But after having a bite, I put my foot where my mouth was, and really enjoyed them. Not only is it delicious, but it’s super healthier for you, and it’s quite simple to make!

 

 

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 medium head of cauliflower
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup milk
• Salt/pepper to taste

Directions:

• Cook the head of cauliflower until its tender and a fork can pierce through it.
• Cut the cooked cauliflower into florets and then you can do a few things: mash, as you would potatoes; throw them along with the other ingredients in the food processor, or use the hand blender to puree, adding the butter, and the milk gradually.
• Season with salt/pepper/garlic powder/parsley/whatever your heart desires
• Enjoy!

How easy is that?? And for those of you who are sweet potato lovers, here’s another “mashed potato” recipe, using butternut squash. Again, a dish to die for, and my mom makes this quite often in the fall/winter.

 

Butternut Squash Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced
• Salt/pepper to taste
• 1 cup water

Directions:

• Heat oil in pot, then add squash. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes. Add water, cover and simmer over medium-high heat until tender and water evaporated.
• Mash the squash, add seasoning to taste.
• Enjoy!

 

Again, another extremely easy, healthy recipe, perfect for us women with PCOS, and just in time to enjoy on a crisp autumn night! 🙂

 

 All the best, Sarah