How are you doing with the Fat Smash Diet?

I am going strong, and hopefully you are still with me.

We are into the first week of Phase II, so additional foods are being introduced back into our daily menu.

Since I already have a very descriptive post of all these foods, you can just click on Phase II of the Fat Smash Diet to check it out.

Remember:

• Watch your portions
• Keep up with the physical activity
• Drink enough water
• Take your vitamins
• You will continue to drop pounds and inches.

If you need additional motivation, check out these super weight loss quotes.

You are doing great!

Hang in there, and please drop me a note about your success.

As you already know, I love trying new recipes.  Most of the time I try a recipe based on a sample I enjoyed, made by someone else.  Other times, I just try a recipe based on the ingredients, and a picture of the finished product.

This time I was looking for some “light and healthy” cookie recipes, to cater to some of my guests who are dieting, yet wish to satisfy their sweet tooth.

The Ginger-Lemon Pinwheel Cookies in this post, were one of the ones I decided to try.

The picture looked very appealing to me, and the ingredients did not call for anything out of the ordinary, so it sounded like a great choice.

Normally I only share successful recipes, but even though I was slightly disappointed with the final result of this recipe, I will share it any way, because it might appeal to someone who is looking for low calorie cookies.  Actually, I will probably make these again, and play with the recipe a little.

This recipe yields about 40 cookies @ only 81 calories each.

Ingredients for Ginger Dough:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses (I used dark molasses)
• 1 large egg yolk (save the white for the Lemon Dough)
• 1- 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt – (I used 1/8 tsp)
• 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
• Dash of ground allspice

Directions for Ginger Dough:

1. In a medium mixer bowl, combine butter and brown sugar.
2. Mix about 3 minutes, at medium speed.
3. Add molasses, and egg yolk, and beat until blended.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour and all the spices.
5. Gradually add to the butter mixture, and beat at low speed until combined.
6. Wrap dough in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Ingredients for Lemon Dough:

• 8 Tbs. unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg white (saved from Ginger dough)
• 2 tsp. ground lemon rind
• 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1- 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt (I used 1/8 tsp)

Directions for Lemon Dough:

1. In a medium bowl, mix butter and sugar at medium speed for 3 minutes.
2. Add egg white and beat until blended.
3. Beat in lemon rind and vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour with all the dry ingredients.
5. Gradually add to butter mixture, and beat at low speed until blended.
6. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
7. Unwrap ginger dough, roll between two sheets of plastic wrap, into a 13×8 rectangle.  Dough will be quite thin (3/16 inch).
8. Chill for 10 minutes.
9. Roll the lemon dough in the same way, and chill as well.
10. Once chilled, remove the top sheet of plastic wrap from the Ginger and Lemon Dough.
11. Stack Lemon Dough on top of Ginger Dough, leaving 1/2 inch border along the long side of the Ginger Dough.
12. Remove the remaining plastic wrap.
13. Starting with the long side without the border, roll up dough tightly, jelly-roll fashion. If you do not roll tightly, you will end up with a whole in the middle of your pinwheel.
14. Seal edges (do not seal ends of roll).
15. Cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for 30 minutes.
16. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
17. Unwrap dough roll.
18. Cut with a sharp knife, into 40 slices, about 1/4 inch thick.
19. Reshape rounds.
20. Line baking sheet with parchment paper (wax paper will scorch – do not use).
21. Arrange cookie slices 1 inch apart.
22. Bake one batch at a time, for 8 minutes, or until set and slightly browned.
23. Cool on wire racks.

If anyone tried these cookies before, please share your comments.

Some of my guests actually enjoyed them, even though these cookies are on a denser side, more like biscotti, or as I call them “dunking”  tea cookies.

If you are watching your diet, you definitely would have no guilt having a couple of these, instead of any of my other ones, which are scrumptious, but not so low in calories.

TIP: This would be a good cookie for Phase III in The Fat Smash Diet.

This recipe came up at a spur of a moment, after I made an error in purchasing chopped dates, rather than chopped figs, intending to make Cream Cheese Fig Bars.

Since I never baked with dates before, it was a wonderful experience, and the Granola Date Bars turned out great.

I will definitely make these again, since they make a perfect mid morning, or mid afternoon snack, not to mention the abundance of fiber in these.

Next time I will try to mix in some Super Cranberry, Cherry, and Almond Muesli, made by Dorset Cereals, which I love for breakfast.

I guess the good old saying  “If God gives you lemons, you have to learn to love lemonade”, pairs up well with the birth of this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz chopped dates (2 cups)
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup (Organic Vanilla Almond FlaxPlus Granola (or increase the oats by 1/2 cup)
• 1 -1/2 cups all-purpose flour ( I used unbleached flour)
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (may use margarine)
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used pecans)

Directions:

1. Combine dates and water in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring to boil, and cook 3-4 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
3. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.
4. Set aside.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
6. In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, granola,baking soda, salt and brown sugar.
7. Mix well, to incorporate all ingredients.
8. Stir in melted butter, and mix to moisten dry ingredients.
9. Measure 2-1/2 cups of oats mixture, and press gently into a 9 x 9 inch baking pan, to make the bottom crust.
10. Top with date filling, leaving 1/4 inch margin all around the edge, free of filling (to prevent filling from crusting up,  and burning during baking).
11. Combine chopped nuts with the remaining oats mixture, fill the margin around the date filling, and spread the rest on the top of the filling.
12. Press gently into the filling.
13. Bake at 350 degrees F, for 2o minutes.
14. Cool in pan on wire rack.
15. Cut into serving size, 1 x 3 inch bars, or 1 x 1 inch bite size chunks.

Enjoy.

TIP: This recipe is NOT for The Fat Smash Diet phase I, but is OK in phase III.

This recipe is from the Fat Smash Diet book, suitable for Phase I of this program, or any time as a healthy choice salad.

I prepared it for my second week of Phase I, with some minor modifications.

It is on a tangy side, due to the required amount of lemon juice, but also quite refreshing.

Great as a snack between meals, or as a side dish with veggie burger, or brown rice.

I usually flavor  my brown rice with sauteed onions, salt and pepper.

This recipe yields 4-6 servings.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh green beans
• 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 yellow pepper, seeded and julienned (I used orange pepper, chopped)
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced (my addition)

Vinaigrette Ingredients:

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (I used powdered)
• 1/4 cup olive oil (I used extra virgin)
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (or less, for less tangy taste)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 1/8 tsp salt (or to your taste)
• 1/4 tsp onion powder (my addition)
• 1/4 tsp crushed basil (my addition

Directions:

1. Wash green beans thoroughly. Trim off at both ends.
2. Boil 4 cup of water.
3. Add beans to boiling water, and cook about 4 minutes.
4. Drain off water, and let the beans cool.
5. Rinse the other vegetables, and pat dry.
6. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, and set aside.
7. Chop the orange and green peppers.
8. Cut beans in half.
9. Place all chopped vegetables in a medium bowl, add parsley and garlic.
10. Mix to incorporate.
11. Pour the prepared vinaigrette over vegetables, toss gently.
12. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour ( I liked it better the next day, since the flavors had a chance to blend well together).

Vinaigrette Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine mustard, oil, and lemon juice.
2. Cover, and shake well, to mix together.
3. Add onion powder, basil, salt and, and shake again to mix it well.

Enjoy.

Phase I of the Fat Smash Diet is halfway through, and if you joined me on this venture, you must be as ecstatic about it as I am.  This is the most challenging phase of the whole program.

I needed to intensify (just a little)  my daily exercise, due to the unfavorable weather conditions hindering my walking routine.

Today I was thinking about some new items to add to my menu, and realized that the breakfast quiches, I posted in the past, would make a great breakfast, or snack,  with some modification to the original recipe.

Check out the original recipe, and make these adjustments:

• Take out the bacon
• Use low fat cheese
• Use FF or low fat milk
• Add another vegetable (broccoli, asparagus, spinach)

If you have any other suitable recipes  for this phase of the Fat Smash Diet, or any of the future phases, please share them with us.

I will also share any new recipe I get to try out.

Good Luck!

Keep up the good work!

I have been very busy preparing all sorts of “healthful” foods for my first week of the Fat Smash Diet.

This helps me get motivated, and really psyche myself out for the long haul ahead.

I am all set for the next three days, with Carrot Soup,  Brown Rice , Chickpeas Vinaigrette, Fruit Smoothie, chopped raw veggies, and Veggie Burgers.

Since my husband is not willing to join me on this venture, I prepared some regular meals for him, so I can stay out of the kitchen for few days to avoid any unnecessary temptations.

Today I will share the Carrot Soup recipe, which yields 4 servings.

Ingredients:

• 10 carrots, chopped
• 1 tsp. butter (I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 5 cups (40 oz), vegetable broth (I prepared my own)
• 3 Tbs. curry powder
• 1 Tbs. minced ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 Tbs of chopped parsley
• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup brown rice (I used cooked brown rice)

Directions:

1. Fill a 6 quarts pot with water (5 cups), and prepare your own veggie broth, or use ready-made broth.
2. I prepared my own broth by boiling 2 stalks celery, 1/2 onion, 2 bay leaves, parsley root (or parsnip), 1/2 cup of chopped broccoli, 2 tsp. kosher salt.
3. While the veggie broth is cooking, heat a medium saucepan with 1 tsp of olive oil.
4. Add chopped onion, and saute until translucent.
5. Add garlic and saute 1 minute longer.
6. Add chopped carrots and saute additional 10-15 minutes.
7. Combine the sautéed veggies with the veggie broth, and ginger and curry powder.
8. Bring to boil and simmer 30-40 minutes.
9. Remove bay leaves, chopped parsley, black pepper and salt, as needed to taste.
10. Remove from heat.
11. Pour soup into blender, in batches, and puree.
12. Add cooked brown rice.
13. Serve hot, or store in the fridge for future use.

Enjoy.

TIP: I also purred all the other vegetables which I used for the veggie broth, and added them to the soup.  I could not just waste them by tossing them away.

New Year Resolutions do not usually make it to the top of my list, but I am keeping some ideas on the back of my mind.

For a while now, I have been contemplating  getting back in shape, and improving my energy level.

I am also having a guilty feeling about not sticking to my healthy eating habits, and really miss the great feeling I experienced three years ago, after completing Phase I of The Fat Smash Diet.

I finally decided to follow The Fat Smash Diet once again, so this Monday, January 9th, I am starting Phase I  – Detox.

It would be great to have some company, so please join me, and you will LOVE yourself for it.

If you never tried this diet before, please read my post about The Fat Smash Diet, to get an overview of what to expect.

This is the easiest diet for me to follow, since during Phase I, the Detox period, I am not overly concerned about giving up coffee or alcohol;  I do not care much for either one of them anyway.

This past weekend I ventured out to get my special food shopping done.  I stocked up on a lot of fruits, raw vegetables, veggie burgers, brown rice, oatmeal, plain yogurt, and new Brita filters for my tap water.

I used to purchase bottled water, but after finding out that bottled water is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, yet tap water MUST meet certain standards, I decided to go back to my Brita filter system.

The Fat Smash Diet regimen requires a lot of water consumption.  Probably as much as I normally should be drinking, so now I will be much more conscientious about it, and actually do it right.

What I love about this particular diet, is that all the ALLOWED foods, are my favorite any way, and even though I still love all the BAD ones, it is good for me to get away from them for a while, and cleanse my system.

It is an easy way to lose weight, and most of all, feel so much better.

I am hoping to lose at least 7 pounds, but 10 would be even better.

I know I can do it, since last time I lost 15 pounds without too much effort, and only gained back 7 lbs.

Please wish me luck, and tell me that you are joining me!

The traditional Christmas celebration on December 24th is over, but we are still in the Christmas season.

On January 6th, a Christmas Eve is observed by many Ukrainians, Greeks, Orthodox Christians, and others, who follow the Julian calendar.

Our family, here in the US, celebrates  Christmas on December 24th, since our church observes it on this date.

However, we also commemorate this holiday on January 6th, to unite in spirit, with our family and friends in Ukraine, Poland, Portugal, France, Germany, England, etc, who celebrate on this date, only .

The Kolach in this post, is complimentary by one of my readers, Marilyn K, who baked it this year for her Christmas holiday, and was kind enough to share the picture with all of us.

She did a beautiful job with this special bread.   The presentation is very creative, and festive.

Congratulations Marilyn on job well done.

Thank you for sharing.

Best Christmas wishes to all my readers, and their loved ones.

Khrystos Rozhdayetsia!  Slavite Yoho!

Christ Is Born! Glorify Him!

Merry Christmas !

Another year is passing us by, and a new one is just around the corner.

There is no better way to farewell an old year, and welcome in the NEW YEAR, than to do it with food and friends.

If you are planning such a fun gathering, and searching for some tasty appetizers, you stumbled upon the perfect site to get this information.

Since I am still dealing with leftovers from Christmas, I will not be posting new recipes this week, but will provide you with links to yummy recipes already posted.

Selection A:

• Tzatziki Dip
• Rye Bread Dip
• Hummus
• Chick Peas Vinaigrette
• Veggie Platter
• Ham Canapes

Selection B:

• Jalapeno Corn Dip
• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Seven Layer Guacamole Dip
• Swedish Meatballs
• Texas Caviar
• Caramel Apple Dip
• Mrs. Z’s Deviled Eggs
• Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomatoe Cheese Spread
• Honey Apple Brie Bites
• Turkey Taco Ring

Selection C:

If you are looking for a more substantial food selection, in addition to the appetizers, you may want to check these out:

• City Chicken
• Chicken Paprikash
• Chicken/Turkey Tetrazzini
• Calico Beans
• Homemade varenyky/perogy
• Cabbage Rolls (vegetarian, or with meat)

I believe this list should be very helpful for you, and by next year, I should have more recipes for you to try.

Enjoy your party.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Christmas holiday is very special to all Christians, from a religious point of view,  but also in regards to the myriad of decorating ideas many of us love to experiment with.

Christmas Tree takes the center stage in decorating the home for Christmas.

Everyone has a certain theme they follow for Christmas Tree decorating.

My Christmas Tree has a Ukrainian theme, since it is adorned with numerous handmade decorations, as well as other ornaments purchased at Ukrainian church bazaars, and ethnic arts and crafts stores.

Last year I shared my collection of angels Christmas Tree decorations, and this year you will get to see my Ukrainian ornaments.

These are ceramic ornaments with traditional Ukrainian designs, which can also be found on various embroidered  cloth items, or wood art pieces.

The shape of these two ornaments remind of a Ukrainian church dome, or steeple.

The intricate geometric pattern is very prominent in Ukrainian designs.

Aren’t these just lovely?  So elegant, yet festive, at the same time.

This ornament incorporates some of the traditional Christmas motif, hence the hand painted Holly leaves and berries.

This is my very special ornament, a contemporary version of a hand painted image of the Virgin Many, dressed  in a Ukrainian traditional attire, holding baby Jesus, wrapped in an embroidered cloth.

This ornament was created to commemorate the Millennium of Christianity in Ukraine, thus the dates 988-1988.

If you are interested in Ukrainian Christmas Tree ornaments, or other art articles, you may want to visit these websites:

SURMA GIFT SHOP – New York City

UKRAINIAN GIFT SHOP – Largest Ukrainian mail-order establishment

THE UKRAINIAN MUSEUM GIFT SHOP – New York City

UKRAINIAN STORE-YEVSHAN – Mail order store

If you still did not find what you were looking for, you can always stop at Ukrainian church bazaars, or visit their gift shops.

If anyone is familiar with other such establishments, please share them with us, and I will include them in this post.