Fat Frog Diary

You don't have to make the salsa to have a great dish! This is delicious with just the marinade. I was surprised at how moist and flavorful the chops were. I baked the chops at 375F for 45 minutes.

I was just reminded today of a wonderful way to get recipes and whole menus sent to you for very cheap, and last I knew they had a low carb option. Saving Dinner is just wonderful! Every week you get an email with your meal plan and grocery list all in one! I highly recommend this website. They even have some of the best holiday recipes, no matter what your restrictions. Smashing Pumpkin Soup (from Saving Dinner by Leanne Ely—Ballantine) Serves 6 1 onion -- chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 4 cups chicken broth 2 cups pumpkin puree (sometimes called 100% pumpkin) 3/4 cup green onions -- chopped 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon curry powder 2 cups milk salt and pepper -- to taste In a soup pot, heat oil over medium high heat and saute onions. Cook till very soft and add remaining ingredients, except milk. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes. Add milk and continue to cook (but not boil--it will break) for another 5 minutes. Per Serving: 131 Calories; 6g Fat; 7g Protein; 13g Carbohydrate; 3gDietar...

My friends, you have just got to try this. I didn't believe them when they said it tasted like mashed potatoes, but it does!

Wow!! I just discovered a great TV chef who is a low-carb dieter. What a great website and great recipes! http://fittv.discovery.com/fansites/blaine/recipes/recipes.html Cheesecake? Peanut Butter cookies? S'mores? Souffle? This is a diet? This man rates right up there with Alton Brown in my book! Lena

Easy Tiramisu Cup 1 box instant sugar-free vanilla or French vanilla pudding 2 cups milk ½ tsp instant coffee granules 12 vanilla wafers 8 Tbsp Cool Whip Free Topping Whisk together pudding and milk in a medium bowl. Add coffee granules and stir to dissolve. Put in refrigerator to set for 15 minutes. Scoop out ½ cup measures into four serving dishes. Put 3 wafers with each, standing them on end along edge. Top each with 2 Tbsp of Cool Whip. Serve. Serves 4. 120 Calories 22 net carbs 6 g fat

Yesterday, I went to my pulmonologist with a chip on my shoulder. I was tired of trying to lose weight without eating green vegetables -- a nearly impossible task, let me tell you! I was determined to get her to agree to up my Coumadin dose to compensate for my new Atkins diet, since the bariatric surgeon ordered it. As usual, doc was late. I expect to spend time in the waiting room and more time in that exam room every time I visit. This time wasn't so bad. She was only about 30-45 minutes late. I've waited twice that in those claustrophobic rooms. After the usual preliminaries by the nurse, doc finally arrived. She was very pleased with me. My CPAP machine for my sleep apnea reports I have no incidents while using the machine, making me a model apnea patient. I sing the praises of a CPAP machine to anyone and everyone who'll listen, so this is no surprise. The big shocker came when I explained the conflict between all my doctors and the need for green veggies. Doc nodded ...

Okay, I'm gonna bitch a minute about doctors and their seeming inability to communicate with one another. My pulmonist put me on Coumadin, a blood thinner. I was told to never have green vegetables again, and therefore gained forty pounds without my salads, broccoli, and brussels sprouts. Yep, I love my greens. Later, this was modified that I was allowed a salad or maybe a helping of something green on weekends. Is it any wonder I gained forty pounds? Naturally, my PCP (primary care physician) freaked at my annual checkup. My cholesterol was through the roof and I walked the thin line to being a pre-diabetic, not to mention my BMI was now in the "dangerously obese" category. (No shit, honey. Go talk to my pulmonist.) After one year of seeing a dietician, the cholesterol nazi they have in their office putting me on a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet (still no greens), and more sticks with a needle than I care to dream about, I've lost only twenty pounds. Did I mention ...

Better enjoy this one while I can.

If you haven't noticed, I'm posting recipes. These are mostly low-carb recipes for two reasons. One, after my bariatric surgery, carbs are limited. Two, many of my friends are on the Atkins Diet.

I got the American Cancer Society booklets in the mail today. Book One-- Lame. Like I can't figure out all the reasons to quit on my own, especially with society bombarding me with the messages about what a foul, evil person I am? DUH! Tossed that one aside after dutifully reading it from cover to cover. One important point: Set up a Quit Date. Did that when I called for the info. Check. Book Two-- This one's all about getting ready to quit and setting yourself up for success. Helpful, but clearly written for the Lowest Common Denominator intelligences in our society. Here's the summary in a simplified nutshell. 1. Know what your trigger situations are that cause you to smoke . For me, it's stressful situations, sitting here at my desk (Yes, I'm jonesing right now, in case you're wondering), and while watching TV with the hubby at night. I already arrived at a solution. I keep my cigarettes out on the back porch, where I have to stop what I'm doing to go sat...

If you haven't noticed, Bisquick has a low-fat version. However, it's still packed with preservatives and lacking in fiber. This version is delicious and easy to make at home. Do heed the warning about keeping it in the freezer, though. I can't wait to try the cookies.

Who says dieting has to be boring or dissatisfying? This is delicious and filling. Lena