Pan-Seared Chicken in Cream Sauce

I want to try this recipe next P3.  It looks soooo good!!  I'm picturing bacon in there too...  =)

Pan-Seared Chicken with Balsamic Cream Sauce, Mushrooms and Onions

DaVinci Sugar-Free Syrups

I use Splenda in my coffee in P2 and P3, so I figured I'd give the DaVinci Sugar-Free Syrups a try.  I've read better reviews about DaVinci rather than Torani, so that's why I chose it.  However, I don't think they're much different (though I haven't tried Torani).  To me, the syrups really make my coffee that much better.  =)  I got a few different flavors and I haven't tried them all but of the ones I've tried, my all time favorite is Caramel.  Here's a list of the flavors I've tried though...


Caramel
Chocolate
Coconut
Dulce de Leche
English Toffee
Peanut Butter


I also have (but haven't tried them in coffee):


Raspberry
Strawberry


For the coffee, the Caramel flavor is the best I've tried.  I plan to (eventually) try Vanilla but for now, the Caramel seems to be good.  =)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough

1 scoop Jay Robb Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
4 Tbsp. PB2 with Cocoa (defatted powdered peanut butter)
1/8 tsp. Vanilla Extract
4 oz (1/2 a bar) Neufchatel Cheese (1/3 less fat cream cheese)
1 Tbsp. Maranatha Peanut Butter with hint of sea salt
2 packets of unflavored Benefiber (opt.)


Mix ingredients thoroughly.  
Eat like you might eat raw cookie dough!!  Don't eat the entire batch though as it has a lot of calories and quite a bit of fat too. =)


Optionally, you *can* make into cookies and bake but they tasted better as a 'dough'.  If you decide to make into cookies to bake, you will probably want to refrigerate the dough for 1-3 hours (or overnight) as it's very moist and not very pliable.  Then shape the dough and flatten like a cookie (as they don't seem to change shape while baking).  Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350*F for about 15-20 minutes.  Then eat.  =)

No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Dough Balls
1 scoop Jay Robb Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
3 Tbsp. Maranatha Peanut Butter, Crunchy with a hint of sea salt


Powder Mixture
1/2 scoop Meridian Health Labs Chocolate Protein Powder (approx. 1 Tbsp.)
1/2 tsp. Now Foods Organic Cocoa Powder (unsweetened)
1/2 tsp. Splenda for Baking (or 1 packet of Splenda)
Unsweetened Coconut flakes / shredded (optional)



To make the dough balls, mix the Jay Robb Chocolate Whey Protein Powder with the 3 Tbsp. of Peanut Butter thoroughly.  Roll into approx. 1 inch balls.  You should end up with 10-12 balls.
Mix the Meridian Protein Powder, the cocoa powder and the splenda separately.  Mix thoroughly.
Roll the dough balls in the powdered mixture.  
Place each powdered dough ball on wax paper.
Refrigerate for about 1 hour.  
Eat.  =)

Power Crunch Bars

I've tried a few of this kind (Power Crunch by BNRG) and I like all of them so far.  I like the wafer bar within because it makes it seem more like a candy bar.  However, you're also able to eat it much more quickly.  =)  This does contain some sugar though and I've found that I cannot eat more than one per day or I tend to gain.  




Cookies and Creme - I liked this.  My sister didn't care for it.  I don't really think the name accurately describes the flavor though.  To me, it seemed to taste more like microwave 'Kettle Corn'.  There wasn't much of a 'cookie' flavor to it...  it seemed more like a buttery vanilla cream flavor.  I would buy this again.


French Vanilla Creme


Peanut Butter Creme - I liked this.  The peanut butter flavor isn't overpowering but it does seem to be a 'creamy' peanut butter flavor...  if that makes sense.  =)  I would buy this again.


Peanut Butter Fudge - This is really good!!  Probably my favorite of the ones I've tried.  I will definitely buy this again.  =)


Triple Chocolate


Wild Berry Creme - This is pretty good...  if you like Fruit Loops cereal, this tastes quite a bit like that.  =)  I was never a huge fan of Fruit Loops but, like I said, this is pretty good.  I'd buy this again.

Cakey Peanut Butter Protein Bars

I want to try making these at some point...  though I don't have 'liquid sucralose'.  I'll have to get some.  =)

CANDICE’S LOW CARB CAKEY PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BARS

Candice’s Low Carb Cakey Peanut Butter Protein Bars
These are a bit different from my other protein bar recipe. They have more of a cake like texture. Quite yummy but be sure NOT to over bake or else they become a bit dry since they have very little fat in them.  If you use cream they will more then likely be a bit moister then when using either almond milk or water.
Hope you enjoy!

Makes 6 bars
Ingredients:
3/4 cup(60g) whey protein powder, I use Vanilla
1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons peanut flour, sifted
1/4 cup of natural peanut butter
2 Tablespoons(1oz) unsalted butter
10 drops liquid sucralose
1/4 cup almond milk(or you can use cream or water just adjust nutritional information)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon chopped peanuts (optional, use as a topping)
Chocolate topping:
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup cocoa powder
12 drops liquid sucralose
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F
Line bottom of 8×8 or 9×9 square baking pan with parchment. If you don’t have parchment you can butter inside of pan.
In a heat proof bowl, heat butter and peanut butter in microwave until melted. About 45 seconds. Set aside.
In a large bowl whisk almond milk, egg, vanilla extract, and liquid sucralose. Slowly whisk in your melted butter and peanut butter. Last fold in peanut flour, whey, salt and baking powder.
Batter will be VERY sticky!
Spread evenly into your prepared pan. Again batter is sticky so use a spatula to smooth.
Bake at 350 for 10-13 minutes
Let cool in pan completely before adding topping.
To make topping:
Mix cocoa & liquid sucralose with melted butter until smooth.
Spread mixture over your cooled, baked bars.
Top with chopped peanuts now if you are doing so.
Put pan of bars in the refrigerator about 10 minutes to set up.
Cut in to 6 bars.
Bars should be stored in baggie or air tight container in either the refrigerator or freezer.
Nutritional information for 1 bar(no peanuts on top):
Energy    191 kcal
Carbohydrate, Total    6.53 g
Sugars, total     1.17 g
Fiber, total dietary     3.05 g
Protein    17.08 g
Total lipid (fat)    11.01 g
Net Carbs: 3.48 g

Think Thin Protein Bars

Another kind of protein bars I've come across are Think Thin (distributed by ThinkProducts dba Prime Health Dietary Supplements, Inc.)  Here are some flavors and reviews...


Brownie Crunch - not my favorite.  I don't think I'd buy it again.  The chocolate flavor wasn't very strong and I guess I prefer my 'chocolate' chocolate-ier...  =)


Chocolate Fudge - not bad.  I'd buy again if I was in dire need of something to eat and QuestBar or Optimum Nutrition bars were not available.  It was soft and chewy but I feel that it could have had more of a chocolate flavor.


Crunchy Peanut Butter - not horrible.  I don't think I'd buy this again though.  The flavor was somewhat 'chemical', although I definitely preferred it to the Optimum Nutrition Peanut Butter one.  That was disgusting!!  This was not quite as bad.  =)


White Chocolate - not bad.  I feel similarly about it as I did the Chocolate Fudge flavor.


Here's their website with their other flavors and information...
http://thinkproducts.com/thinkthin-high-protein-bars/

Quest Protein Bars

A new favorite treat of mine is QuestBars.  They have a lot of protein, no sugars added and quite a lot of fiber as well.  They're also fairly low in calories (about 160-180 calories).  They're somewhat pricey but I've found that they're cheapest from LuckyVitamin.com (about $1.95 to $2.05 per bar).  You have to buy them individually from LuckyVitamin at the moment but they may sell the 12 bar boxes in the future.  They have a website but the bars are actually more expensive when you buy them directly from their site.  
I've only tried 4 different flavors so far but here are my reviews of them...  (if there's no review, then I haven't tried it yet but I plan to!!)


Apple Pie - Yum!!  This tastes pretty much as good as an apple pie.  It actually has bits of apple in it even!!  It's a little salty / sweet but it tasted great!!  I plan to buy more!!


Chocolate Brownie - one of my favorites!!  It really is like a brownie (albeit, sugar free...) and it's somewhat firm / crunchy.  It's hard to explain but it's one of the best chocolate flavored protein bars that I've tried so far.


Chocolate Peanut Butter - another favorite!!  I wouldn't say it tastes like Reese's Peanut Butter Cup (because it doesn't) but it's still really good.  And if you need to eat more calories, you could always melt a little peanut butter and drizzle it over the top of the bar or something.  I may try that next time!! =)


Cinnamon Roll - one of my other favorites!!  It has awesome flavor!!  I'm definitely buying this again!!


Coconut Cashew - 


Lemon Cream Pie  -  this wasn't bad but not my favorite either.  It didn't taste like 'lemon cream pie' but it did have a somewhat faint lemon flavor.  Unless it was the only one they made or if I was really craving lemon, I probably wouldn't buy it again.


Mixed Berry Bliss -  I was surprised that I liked this.  The name didn't really appeal to me but it was really good!!  It was like the 'jelly' part of the Peanut Butter & Jelly bar (which was really good too!!)  I will definitely buy this again!!  It even had real freeze-dried blueberries and strawberries in it!!


Peanut Butter & Jelly - I don't know how they did it but this really does taste like Peanut Butter and Jelly!!  I really liked it and I'd buy it again!!  =)


Peanut Butter Supreme - This was good but I actually like the Peanut Butter & Jelly bar better...  and the Chocolate Peanut Butter bar better too.  I suppose if you're just craving peanut butter and nothing else, this will probably quench that desire but I liked the mixed ones best.  I'll still buy more of these too though!!  =)


Strawberry Cheesecake - This was pretty good!!  It actually had small bits of freeze-dried strawberries in it!!  I'd buy this again!!


Vanilla Almond Crunch - this wasn't bad but not my favorite.  The flavor isn't very strong and I guess I like stronger flavors.  =)  I might buy it again.


I'll add my review of each once I've tried them.  If you've tried any of them, please leave a comment with your thoughts about the ones you've tried!!  =)


Here's their website...
http://www.questproteinbar.com/

Snickerdoodles

OMG!  I made the Snickerdoodle recipe from Deanna's blog and they are uh-may-zing!!  They sort of 'melt in your mouth'.  Even if you're not on HCG, you should try this recipe!!  I'd also like to try almond extract at some point, in place of the vanilla extract.  The dough reminded me a bit of Mexican Wedding Cake Cookies (which I love!!) but the almond flour wasn't as almondy once they were baked.  But they were still awesome and my parents (who are not on diets) loved them, as did my sister who claims to hate splenda.  =)

Snicker doodles

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter 1 1/2 cups almond flour 1 cup artificial sweetener (Splenda) 1 egg (I used 3 Tbsp. All Whites - Egg Whites) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 2 tablespoons artificial sweetener 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Directions: Preheat oven to 350* F. In a mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.  Add about half the flour, the 1 cup splenda (I have never used anything other than splenda for this and have heard others do not work), the egg, vanilla, baking soda, and cream of tartar.  Beat until thoroughly combined.  Beat in the remaining flour.  Cover and chill for 1 hour (at least!  If you can refrigerate overnight, that's probably best as the dough is very moist and refrigeration seems to make the dough easier to work with.) Combine the 2 Tbsp Splenda and the cinnamon in a small bowl.  Shape dough into 1 inch (approx.) balls.  Roll balls in the cinnamon/splenda mix and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Nutritionals:(12 cookies in batch)Using Almond Flour: Cals-113, Carbs-5, Fat-11, Protein-3, sodium-33 -----------------If using peanut flour:Cals-114, Carbs-7, Fat-8, Protein-10, sodium 87, potassium 57

Lemon Cream Cheese Bars with Peanut Flour Crust

Filling Ingredients:
1 (8 oz) container  Neufchatel Cheese - 1/3 Less Fat Than Cream Cheese
4 Tbsp. Butter
7-9 Tbsp. Coconut Secret - Raw Coconut Flour
4 Large Eggs - Egg
1/4 cup Lemon juice (if you want more of a lemon / zing flavor, add more lemon juice!)
1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetner - Granulated for Cooking & Baking
Peanut Crust Ingredients:
1/2 cup Protein Plus Peanut Flour
2 Tbsp. Butter
1 Tbsp. Splenda No Calorie Sweetner - Granulated for Cooking & Baking


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350* F.
Combine the first 6 ingredients and blend thoroughly.  You may want to use butter at room temperature or melted.
For the Peanut Flour Crust, combine the last 3 ingredients.  You may want to use butter at room temperature or melted.
Spray bottom of square (8' x 8') pan with Pam or other non-stick cooking spray.
Push crust mixture into bottom of pan.  This is a thin crust and requires quite a bit of spreading.  If you want to increase your calories, you can double the recipe for the crust.
Once crust is in place, pour the filling on top and smooth the top as you like.
Bake for 20-30 minutes (or until the center seems solid to you).

(I got this recipe from Deanna Kerick's blog....  http://keepmethin.blogspot.com/2012/04/lemon-cream-cheese-bars-with-peanut.html )

Starting P3 Today...

So, I was originally going to try to stay on HCG (in P2) for the duration of my weight loss.  However, I changed my mind and am now entering P3.  Today I took my drops in the morning and haven't taken any more since.  So, my weight from this morning is now considered my LDW (Last Drops Weight or the weight I was when I last took drops...  for those doing injections, it's referred to as LIW).  I've lost almost 43 pounds in the 50 days.  Nearly 48 pounds lost if you count the weight I gained from loading (which I do, as you know from my first post).  Woo Hoo!!  I think that's pretty good.  =)  And I managed to do the entire 50 days without cheating once!!  I'm pretty impressed with my willpower.  =)

From today, I have to remain on the 500 calorie diet (without drops) for 3 days and then I can increase my caloric intake to around 1200-1500.  No sugars or starches but I can have cheese again!!  I miss cheese!!  =) And there are so many cheesy recipes for P3 that I really want to try...  I can't wait!!  =)  I'll be sure to let you know all about them and what I think of them when I have them.

The hardest part of this diet is being around people who are NOT on it and who aren't extremely considerate of what I can and cannot eat...  For the most part, they try to hide the sweets that they have but since we all use the same kitchen, I usually find the sweets fairly easily.  Also, since I've been losing weight, my Dad has decided he's going to go on a diet (not HCG but a lower calorie diet than what he had been eating).  Well, he sucks at sticking to his diet.  I try to encourage him but it's hard because he's constantly trying to negotiate with me as to what he can eat....  "Just one more handful of peanuts..."  He has also become a sugar addict, it seems like, because he has to have the sweets that the rest of the family hides from me.  His lack of commitment is pretty discouraging as well.  But I'm sticking to this.  Hopefully for the long haul.  I plan to stick it out until I've lost all the weight I want to.  I've joined MyFitnessPal.com and made some HCG friends on there who help to encourage me and I'm also a part of a private HCG group on Facebook and the people in that group are really encouraging as well.  The Facebook group is having a meet-up in Las Vegas in June.  It would be kind of fun to go...  but I have so much to lose, I doubt I'll want to show off my new self at that point.  =)

Well, that's all for now.  I'll check back soon.  =)

R1 P2 D50
Today's Weight:  328.0
Total Lost:  47.8 pounds

Daylight Savings Time Ended...

I hate when Daylight Savings Time ends.  I know we "gain" an hour but I hate it because it gets darker earlier and that sucks.  Why don't we just go into Daylight Savings Time and stay there?  When DST ends, it's sooo depressing.  =(

I joined a private group on Facebook for people on HCG.  Everyone is really encouraging.  I've joined up with three other women who are staying on HCG until the 21st of November.  Then they're getting back on it December 24th, so they'll be 'loading' the day before Christmas and Christmas day.  I think I'm going to do it with them.  Well, as 'with them' as you can, since they don't live near me.  =)

So, I'm still on HCG.  I've lost some more but not nearly as much as I wish I would.  I also started my period again.  =(  It started a few days ago (four or five?).  I'm blaming my period for my little losses these past few days.  Since I started it, I've only lost 0.2 pounds every day.  I know, at least it's still a loss but when you have so much to lose, it's somewhat discouraging.  Maybe if I think of it more as about 1.5 pounds a week...  but even then, that's a little disappointing.  I guess I got so used to the big losses.  I kept trying to tell myself that the big losses would end.  You're told to only expect about a 15 pound loss per month, which is about 0.5 pound per day.  I know, when they sell you HCG they say you can lose 1-2 pounds per day but that's just for the first week or two, it seems like.  Total, I've lost a little over 33 pounds.  Which is good, considering I've only been on the diet about the same amount of days...  It's better than what people tell you to expect to lose (the 15 pounds) but if I take a month off during the holidays (I'll still be on P3 which is still a restricted diet without the HCG drops), then the 33 pounds over two months will end up being 16.5 pounds per month...  Well, we'll see how much I lose by the 21st of November.  I'm really hoping I hit 40 or 45 by then.  That would make me feel soooo good!!  =)  I know, I shouldn't obsess over the weight but the inches lost but I don't know how many inches I've lost yet and, just like the pounds I have to lose, I also have a lot of inches to lose.  More pounds are lost than inches most of the time for me, so I like the bigger numbers.  =)

Anyway, I'll keep you posted with what's going on.  Obviously I'm not as good at 'blogging' as I was at the beginning (daily) but I haven't forgotten about you / it.  =)  I'll still keep you posted.  =)

Here's the stats as of today (I should try to do this every time I post...  sorry about that!!)
Round 1
Phase 2
Day 34
Total Lost:  -34.6
Today's Weight:  340.8