Get Creative

While on the Ideal Protein protocol it is important 

to have a variety of tastes and textures.

Try some of these tips:

• Protein Drinks:Try adding Walden Farms syrups to enhance the flavor. Example-Caramel syrup with the chocolate drink. Try putting in the blender with ice for a thicker drink.              [add stevia last, it tends to foam]. The chocolate and cappuccino drink are yummy hot especially on a cold morning. 
• Puddings: try making them into shakes for some new flavors.I tried the lemon and thought it was great and refreshing. Try freezing your pudding.
• Soups:Add spices and roasted veggies and puree for a creamy delicious soup. Saute or stir fry veggies with your olive oil and add to soups for some texture and thickening.
• Ready Made Mango drink: Freeze it! So wonderful, just like frozen yogurt.

These are a few ideas.

Tell me some of yours.

Your own private island!!

Wouldn't it be nice to have your own private escape like this one when everyday life becomes a little to much to handle or stress seems to overwhelm your existence!
Although only a handful of individuals are lucky
enough to be able to go somewhere like this, there are
techniques we can use to help us deal with the "stress" that seems to
be a part of everyday living.
Here are some coping strategies you can begin to put into practice right away.
Try one or two until you find one that works for you!
Practice these techniques until they become habits.

Write
Put it on paper the things that are bothering you. Learn what
triggers stress for you. Journaling is a healthy way to express
feelings.

Let Your Feelings Out

Talk, laugh, cry and express you feelings to others.

Do Something You Enjoy
A hobby.
Do something creative.
Play and care for pets.
Do for others.

Focus on the Present
Rehashing the past does not change things.
Making changes in the future does.

Breathe
Breathe in deeply, lick your lips then blow out slowly.

Exercise
Regular exercise is a great way to manage stress. Walking is a great way to get started. Stretching can also relieve muscle tension.

Chop Big Pieces into Small Pieces
You don'y climb Everest or run a Marathon in one step.
Likewise attacking our stressors in small increments are much easier
to manage.

To Do Lists
Write it down and then your mind can focus on more important
things.

These are a few ideas!! If you have any leave a comment. I woul love to here from your experience!!

Ideal Protein.flv

It won't surprise you to know that stress, and how you react to it, can be tangled up in your eating patterns.  Stress presses your body's panic button, and unleashes a cascade of internal chemical reactions

that affect your feelings and your body.  Stress activates your fight or flight response with the release 

of adrenaline and cortisol.  This process can alter digestion and your relationship with food.

If your stay stressed for long periods, your body's daily cortisol cycle will spiral out of whack, upsetting

the normal internal conversation. Chronic stress allows these affects to continue indefinitely.

While we all have stress in our lives, each of us will respond to it differently and that includes how, when and what we choose to eat. Some people become obsessive compulsive, and use strict food management 

to gain a sense of control over a stressful situation, especially one that is ongoing.  Others retreat from stress, taking comfort in their favorite foods.  You must break that link to food in order to reset that connection, and move on. 

Check out the next post to find ways to deal with stress.

Benefits of drinking water!!

Next to air, water is the most necessary element for survival. 

We can go without food for almost 2 months, but without water for 

only a few days.

What exactly does water do for your body?

• Transports nutrients and oxygen into cells
• Helps with metabolism
• Moisturizes the air in the lungs
• Protects our vital organs
• Helps organs to absorb nutrients better
• Regulates body temperature
• Detoxifies
• Aids in WEIGHT LOSS
• Natural remedy for head and body aches
• provides younger, healthier skin
• Improves brain function
• Improves energy
• Improves digestion and constipation
• Strengthens the immune system
• Improves mood

How much of your body is made up of water?

• Muscles consist of 75% water
• Brain consists of 75% water
• Bone consists of 22% water
• Blood consists of 83% water

How much water should you consume per day?

While on the Ideal Protein protocol you should be consuming a minimum of 

64 ounces day. Most active people should consume 75% of their body weight 

in ounces of water per day.  So a 150 lb. person should be taking in 112 ounces per day.

Many people often mistake thirst for hunger, when in fact they are dehydrated. 

So before you eat, drink a big glass of water and wait 15 minutes and see how you feel. 

Because,  after all,  water has zero calories and so many health benefits.

Ideal Protein Vegetable Chili


This is so yummy, filling, and satisfying!!
My daughter who is on the protocol and has lost
33 pounds is a real foodie and has come up with
some fabulous recipes!!

Phases 1-4 Recipe

Ingredients:

2 packets Ideal Protein Vegetable Chili Mix

2 tsp.  Olive Oil

1-2 tsp. minced garlic

1 zucchini

1 yellow summer squash

1 green pepper

1 red, orange, or yellow pepper

1/4 onion

1 can diced tomatoes

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp. onion salt 

1-2 tsp. chili powder

11/2 tsp. cumin

salt and pepper to taste

tabasco sauce optional

Step 1:

2 packets Ideal Protein Chili Mix with 12 oz. of water in blender bottle. 

Mix and set aside to reconstitute. At least 20 minutes.

Step 2:

Dice the zucchini, summer squash, peppers and onion. Set aside.

In saute pan place olive oil and minced garlic over medium heat and saute.  

Add diced vegetable to pan stir, add salt and pepper, cook till tender.

Transfer to a 4 qt. sauce pan. Add diced tomatoes, seasonings and 

reconstituted I.P. Chili Mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes. Taste to make sure

the chili is seasoned to your taste. Simmer for 15 minutes more to incorporate

all the flavors.

Divide into 2 servings and enjoy!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

A time to renew, regroup, restart!! I love that we have times like this that we can evaluate where we are, what we are doing, where we want to be!!!

To set reasonable and achievable goals!!

#1 with the majority of people is to lose weight, get fit and healthy!!

This is the year, we have the tools, with the Ideal Protein protocol!!

Let's work together to make sure your goals and dreams for a more fit and healthy

life can come true!!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!