Day 28

Four weeks have passed. Each week I'm a little more amazed that I have stuck with this for so long. However, it is true what I've heard from others following the plan. The better you feel, the more you don't want to go back to your old way of eating. I finally will admit that I have lost a little weight. It's not enough that most people would notice, but it is enough that I can have more options of black pants in the morning. I'm able to choose from my vast array of black slacks of various sizes in my closet.  Maybe at the next baby shower, I'll be the one in hot pink!

Day 27

My blog had a little coming out party today. I attended a baby shower for my niece.  Up until this point, only a few people knew of my efforts to eat healthier.

Thanks to her fascination with Patti's Plate, and her talent for story telling, the entire party knew about my blog within a matter of minutes. Now I will really be forced to continue life as a Nutritarian.  I couldn't bear to risk public humiliation if I were to go back to my old way of eating! The buffet of food that I passed on was really quite spectacular. There were carnitas, halibut tacos, rice, beans and fajitas. All of my favorite foods could have easily been on Patti's plate. However, I chose instead to eat the delicious citrus jicama slaw, guacamole, roasted corn and a little protein splurge of shrimp. I also completely stayed away from the dessert and pretty pink candy table. I doubt I would have had that kind of willpower had I not been outed. Thanks, Vanessa.

Day 26

I used to make fun of my daughter for her love of quinoa. Quinoa is a highly nutritive seed that has been around for years but has recently received a lot of recognition in the culinary world. I had only eaten it once a few years ago when I was on a strict diet. My memory of it was not fond and I have avoided it ever since. Well, ever since today that is. I bought a prepared quinoa salad from Costco and ate it for lunch. It not only tasted delicious, but it was filling and gave me tons of energy.  I publicly apologize, Anne. You were right.

Day 25

This is an interesting day. Positive reinforcement really does help. I have lasted longer on this potential 6 week program than I ever would have imagined.

Today is Friday. It is the beginning of the weekend and the usual time that I start listening to that little voice that tempts me. "Go on, Patti. You can eat tonight. You deserve it. You've been so good and you work so hard."
However, this Friday night is different. I received an email from a friend that just recently started reading my blog. She was so complimentary, and so supportive that it made me want to continue. I was able to tell my husband that tonight we can eat salad (with dressing that I already had made) and we can have date night tomorrow. He was fine with that and now I have added one more day to my life as a Nutritarian! Thank you, mm.

Day 23

I learned something so cool today. I experimented making mushrooms in the crock pot. I had bought a container of mushrooms at Costco a few days ago. This morning I decided to cook them and figure out how I would eat them later. Mushrooms are a Nutritarian's friend. They are one of few foods that contain Vitamin D and they are a tasty texture replacement for meat. I washed and dried them and  put them in the food processor for rapid slicing. Then, I put them in my slow cooker on low for 4 hours. I did not put anything on them at all. No salt, no pepper, no water, no vinegar. When I came home, the house smelled a little funky, but my mushrooms were perfectly cooked with so much liquid on the bottom of the pot. I put some in a cup with a little salsa and hot sauce and ate the most delicious, satisfying healthy snack. I am buying mushrooms once a week!

Day 22

I wrote yesterday all about how important it is to eat salad. Did I even eat one piece of lettuce today? Well, sort of. It was crammed into my veggie wrap  for dinner. And....yes, that's probably mayonnaise you see touching it in the picture. And........cheese. Cheese!!!  So what happened? I was not prepared. I was tired. I came home late from work and headed to California Chicken Cafe for a quick take out dinner. I love that place. It's bustling with people trying to eat healthy and the smell of the rotisserie chicken is intoxicating. I was tempted to buy a piece of chicken with skin, (my favorite part, pre-Nutritarian) but I thought I made a better choice with the Veggie Wrap. I'm not so sure. It was too fulfilling, and it just felt a bit too indulgent.

Day 21

It's hard to believe that I have been doing this for 3 weeks. (Give or take an occasional cheat day) I should definitely notice a difference. (I do, but not radical) I should be a lot slimmer by now, and I think I know what I am doing wrong. I am not eating enough raw greens. The more raw greens I eat, the more weight I should lose.  I haven't been eating big enough salads. I've also been eating too many soups instead. I really believe if I follow this plan exactly, I will lose weight as well as feel better. Well, following  exactly would mean giving up my morning coffee. It is the one non-caloric pleasure I indulge in every morning, and I'm not convinced it is not healthy. I also refuse to part with it at this time. It's okay though, because even Dr. Furhman understands if you don't want to give it up.