Superfood Artichoke Vitae Plus Fat Burner, Antioxidant

 I've been dieting for about 18 months and have lost 96 pounds. I've trimmed fat from every part of my body and dropped from size 20 to 4. My BMI has gone 34 to 24.7 (normal). One way that I keep diet momentum is to change it up. Every time I hear about a new diet superfood or supplement on a reputable source (Dr. Oz is my go-to). I give it a try.    

This weekend I took my girls shopping at T.J. Maxx. I always snoop out their gourmet section. I found a nutritional supplement powder called Artichoke Vitae Plus  (made by Chimex of California). This powder is a blend of fat burners, antioxidants, fiber, aminos, energy boosters and vegan protein sources. It contains artichoke (blood sugar stabilizer, liver and artery cleanse), acai, apple, oat bran, nopal cactus, flaxseed, L-lysine and L-carnitine. 

Two tablespoons has 4 grams protein, 6 grams fiber, no fat, 1 gram sugar, vitamins and minerals and only 25 calories. I add it to oatmeal or non-fat yogurt. I'm going to try adding to my bread recipe. It's crunchy and tasty. I believe it's gluten-free, but since I don't follow that diet, I recommend further exploration. 

Diet Tip Abandon the Diet Sometimes

I'm going out to dinner with my husband tonight. He has to work another six-day week (nights) and may be working seven nights a week again (why do they not hire a new person when someone quits??) Anyway, I have been dieting intensely for 18 months and my advice is to occasionally abandon the diet for a day. Or at least quit calorie counting. Enjoy food! 

Gluten-Free, Breadless Sandwiches For Dieters, Gluten Allergies

 I've been feeling really tired and achy lately. So I'm exploring diet tweaks to help. A friend suggested eating less gluten. I don't think I have gluten intolerance, but I might be eating too much. I'm dieting and eating less meat, dairy and fat. I might probably eating more starch to feel full. Here are gluten-free, bread-less sandwiches, I invented.  Gluten-Free, Breadless Sandwiches For Dieters

Leftover Use Up Pizza Casserole with Pizzazz

Grocery shopping day--time for my weekly Waste Not, Want Not refrigerator clean out, leftover use up meal. Today's was Pizza Casserole with Pizzazz. Here's how I made it cleaning up all those bags of cheese, veggies, and leftover meat and pasta.  

Grocery shopping day--time for my weekly Waste Not, Want Not refrigerator clean out, leftover use up meal. Today's was 

Pizza Casserole with Pizzazz (here's how I made it)

Spray baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. 
Spread leftover noodles, any kind even spaghetti, in pan (drain first). 
Mix any leftover cottage cheese, ricotta, plain yogurt or sour cream with Parmesan cheese. Blend in 4 eggs. Spread mixture over pasta. 
Place a layer of leftover cheese (any kind) chopped. I used up several chunk sand bags of shredded (you know how six get opened and half-used?)
Season with basil, rosemary, sage, oregano, garlic, pepper.
Pour leftover spaghetti sauce over cheese.
Add layers of leftover spinach, green peppers, sliced zucchini, mushrooms, onions, scallions, summer squash.
Use up sausage (links, patties, ground), pepperoni and hamburger.
Pour another cup or so of cheese on top and sprinkle with more Italian seasoning and Parmesan. 
Bake 25 minutes at 400 degrees. 

Serve with stale bread garlic bread (spread bread with margarine and minced garlic and bake till crispy). For dieters, use lowfat cheeses and omit meat. These recipes are designed to be flexible and use up what you have on hand. Don't buy special ingredients. This meal is quick--10 minutes to assemble.