Exciting News and a Recipe for Spring!

I was contacted by Dukan Diet North America about their new PR campaign in the US.  They'll be releasing a book, and they're developing a website.  I've been asked to be involved in the PR campaign by participating in interview for news segments, and the possibility of meeting Dr. Dukan was even mentioned!  They say it will be all expenses paid, and I just couldn't say no.  I think it's an amazing opportunity to pay this gift I've been given forward.  My life was saved, and I want others to be too.  So the future looks quite bright at the moment.

On the dieting front, the day prior to being contacted I decided to recommit myself to the diet.  I'd been slacking quite horribly, and had managed to gain 2 lbs that hung around for nearly 10 days (which is unheard of for me).  I'm now back to within two tenths of a lb of my lowest weight thus far, so I would say I'm back on track.  It's still a struggle, but hey I enjoyed myself quite fiendishly for a good week straight, and if I can correct those missteps in a matter of a few days, I think that's a pretty acceptable turn around.

I fit into my first pair of size 12 jeans ever yesterday.  I used to dream of being a size 18, or maybe, just maybe a size 16.  Then I fit into a size 14, and my mind was blown.  So fitting into a 12 is quite the surreal experience for me.  I distinctly remember buying pants at the age of 11 that were size 13/14's, and from there I just got bigger.  I was thrilled in high school when I barely fit into a pair of size 16's for a few months.  As silly as it sounds though,  I still very much struggle with my self-perception.  Somedays I look in the mirror and am amazed at my progress.  Other days it's as though I feel so big still.  The only comfort I find lies in the fact that the last time I lost weight, I recall never feeling anywhere close to average sized.  But when I look at pictures of myself from that time, I see that I was smaller than I ever imagined.  So who knows.  I don't think I'll ever feel truly fit or truly small.

Moving onward, I spent quite a bit of time cooking this week in order to ensure that I had access to Dukan approved meals.  I updated a classic recipe of mine and turned it into something fabulous, and I would like to share it with you.  I've been eating two servings of this a day and steadily losing .5 lbs per day after a horrid plateau.  Combine this with some green tea, and it's a magic combination!

Spring Stew

combine the following in a pot with 99% fat free low sodium beef broth

• lean roast (either cook it yourself or buy precooked)
• yellow squash, peeled and cut into pieces
• frozen asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower
• chopped bell pepper
• chopped cabbage
• mushrooms

In a separate pan, saute chopped onions and celery until golden for taste, season with garlic and black pepper.

Add these to the the other ingredients and simmer until fully cooked.  S
Serve topped with chopped fresh chive.

To ensure your veggies are not overcooked, feel free to add in the frozen vegetables last.

Good luck to you all!  As always, feel free to comment with any questions or advice!

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.”