So Sorry for Slow Posting - Crazy Busy

Hello everyone, I am so sorry for not posting as often as I had planned. We are spending a lot of time planning for our daughters wedding on February 25th. Steve has another meal photos to share. He went to Panera Bread and ordered a half Caesar Salad with a cup of Black Bean Soup, oh, and he replaced the bread option with an apple.

Keep hanging in there, soon these choices will become a great habit. Love you all, Michele

Conference Call

Hello everyone,

I just got off of the conference call tonight. As usually it was very good. There are a few faithfuls that are on every time. I so appreciate their desire to learn and apply a healthy lifestyle.

Today while exercising I drank my green drink, which consists of about 2 to 3 oz. of energy boost, good iH20 water, a heaping T. of Pure Synergy Green drink and a heaping 1/2 teaspoon of pure radiance C powder. After walking for 45 minutes I had an energy smoothie, goat kefir, 1 raw egg, 2 scoops of enzyme powder 1/2 teaspoon of raw honey and frozen strawberries. YUMMY!! For lunch, I had a meeting at Panera, so I had a grilled chicken Caesar salad, no croutons. For dinner, Steven and I enjoyed leftover chicken soup. (same as last nights dinner). We also had about 1/2 cup of organic cottage cheese with fresh pineapple. Cottage cheese is now on phase 2 foods to enjoy.

Love to all,
Michele

Phase Two About to Begin

Hello Everyone,

So sorry I haven't written this weekend. In fact, from here on out I most likely won't write on the weekend. As you know I live what I teach and feel that quite, family time on the weekends is really needed. No computer, for the most part and NO phones!!

We had a great class on Friday. Bone broths was the topic. I demonstrated how to create your bone broth from a chicken carcass and from scratch. I also lectured a little bit while cooking on the benefits of bone broths traditionally.

So for the last couple of days Steven and I have enjoyed chicken soup made a couple different ways. Today, with the broth made at the class, I added frozen spinach, frozen green beans, a large onion, a rutabaga, a turnip, the reserved chicken and I made little turkey meatballs that I added as well. Along with 1 T. of real salt, 1 T. of herbamare and fresh parsley. It was very delicious and filling.

This morning I walked 60 min. on the treadmill, went in the sauna and enjoyed a wonderful strawberry smoothie afterward made with plain goat kefir, frozen organic strawberries, 2 scoops of formula 30 enzyme powder, 1/2 t. honey and 1 raw egg. It was so yummy!! I think it was the best smoothie I ever made:) For lunch I just picked on walnuts, a couple slices of goat cheese and some fruit.

Talk to you tomorrow night on the call!!

Blessings,
Michele

Some Meal Photos - Steven

Lunch at Panera Bread at a client's office. I did not eat the croutons.




Grass fed beef burgers with broccoli and brussel sprouts, and of course goat cheese. I have to admit, this was too much food so saved a burger for breakfast.




Yum!! Leftover burger and brussel sprouts with two eggs! I mean this was awesome!

Roasted "Crockpot" Chicken

Hello!! Wow, what a full day. Busy day at the office, wonderful appointments. The body is so amazing cause when we give it what it needs it responds and people are amazed at how they feel!!!

So sorry I didn't blog last night. I had the conference call and shared what we had for dinner then after the call went right to bed so you will get both days today.

Yesterday morning for breakfast I had two eggs with sauteed vegetables. Had a very small lunch maybe 4 oz. of yogurt and blueberries, and some crispy almonds. I ordered meet from Walnut Creek farms but the distributer JB  was not able to deliver it till today and we were dying for beef so I stopped at Target and bought Maverick Organic ground beef. It is ok, not like good grass fed beef, but it convenient in a pinch. So we had burgers, brussell sprouts and lemony Parmesan broccoli. I usually put bread crumbs in my burgers but I didn't since we are not eating grains, so I just put 1 egg, a little water, garlic powder, salt, pepper and parsley. I steamed the brussell sprouts then drained and put real salt and butter on them. The lemony parm broccoli was amazing. Melt 2 T butter in large skillet with 2 cloves of fresh minced garlic, and 1/4 t of red pepper flakes. Stir a couple minutes at broccoli florets (I also cut up the stem in small pieces). Add 1/4 cup water 2 T lemon juice and 2 t. lemon zest, toss and cover with lid and simmer for about 10 minutes or until you like it. Add a little Real salt and serve. It was really yummy. We topped the burger with goat  cheddar. Oh also, when serving the broccoli add to taste grated cheese. Instead of parmesan, I always and have for years use Picerino Romano. Picerino Romano is made from sheeps milk and is not pasteurized so it is a perfect choice and is much healthier and tastier than parmasan.

Today for breakfast I had two eggs over easy with 1/4 avocado. That is probably my favorite breakfast ever!! Today was so busy I think I missed lunch but had a wonderful dinner. This morning before I left for work I put a thawed roasting chicken in the crock pot. Unfortunately, the chicken was so big I couldn't include very many vegetables, so I just put a few stalks of celery, and an onion with chicken seasoning that I get from OKC Organics. I also put about a cup of water and about a 1/2 of white wine.

Jessica came over early before I came home and started the vegetables. Sauteed carrots and asparagus. It was a very yummy dinner. After dinner I de-boned the chicken, stored the left over chicken in the frig. and put all the bones, fat, juice, left over vegi's in a stock pot along with some frozen chicken feet added water brought it to a boil and now it is simmering on the stove over night. I will have nice chicken broth made to show the class on Friday.

It was exciting to here the ladies on the call last night ask wonderful questions. I'm really proud of all of you to making a difference in your life towards vibrant health. God Bless, Michele

Home Sweet Home!!

Hi Everyone,

Marion and I made it home safely tonight. We left a little early because of the weather. The seminar was excellent. I am sure you will here about it sooner or later.

Today I fasted for breakfast because I didn't feel very hungry and we had to pack this morning and load the car before the seminar started. For lunch we ate at the hotel restaurant and enjoyed their buffet. I made a great salad, also had sauteed vegetables that were cooked to order by the chef along with a piece of swordfish. They had chicken noodle soup but again I just took the broth. It was ok, nothing like what I am going to teach you on Friday:) For dinner, since we had such a big lunch, I had a salad with boiled egg and goat cheese.


So glad to be home. I look forward to our call tomorrow night to see how all of you are doing.

Talk to you soon.
Michele

January 9th - Steven

Hey everyone, I had my favorite eggs for breakfast, Yogurt and berries for lunch (when Michele is gone I don't do so well), and for dinner I have salmon salad on a bed of greens.

My hunger pangs are gone finally. Down 5.6lbs. 14.4 to go!!!!
Steven

January 9th - Michele

Fasted through Breakfast, salad bar and soup for lunch, which consisted of mixed greens, mushrooms, carrots, cucumber, with tuna salad. And southern western chicken soup. I mainly wanted the broth cause I was freezing:)

Talk to you soon,
Michele
PS Call is Tuesday 1/11/11 at 8pm CST instead of Monday

5th Day - Steven

Hey everyone! I moved my office Friday afternoon and blew something out in my upper right shoulder and neck. I did this about 4 months ago and it was grueling. I did not move around much yesterday but I was able to sauna for 40 minutes (great sweat). I am trying to exercise or sauna everyday during the challenge.

I had another bowl of goat yogurt and fruit. Mainly because I love it and I need to take another picture. Organic blue berries and black berries. I mean this is too good!

For lunch and dinner I had just a simple salad with a lot of greens. I added goat cheese for protein. I needed to add some meat or fish of some kind but to be honest, I did not want to stand any longer.

I am down 5.3lbs. At this rate I think my goal of 20lbs is doable.
Thanks
Steven

5th Day - Michele

Hi everyone,

Today was amazing at the energetics seminar!! I am learning so much. It is a confirmation of the work I am doing as well as new thoughts and things to apply!!

Today for breakfast I had 2 boiled eggs and Red Woodhill farms vanilla goat yogurt which I brought from home:) thank goodness our hotel room has a little frig. For lunch I enjoyed a mixed green salad, organic chicken, cucumbers yellow squash, red onion and raw goat cheddar salad with raw dressing again all brought from home. It's fortunate that the seminar is in the hotel and on the same floor as our room. This has made it very convenient to run to the room on our breaks and for lunch. For dinner we ate at the hotel restaurant again. I had to have the mahi mahi again because the Salmon was farm raised:( I chose different vegi's this time, zucchini, carrot and broccoli sautéed in butter. It was good. I feel like I ate a little too much today for me. I am not use to eating three big meals and they seemed big to me today. On days like that I will purpose to eat lighter tomorrow:) of course I'm not able to track any weight loss because of being away but will when I get home:)

I did not realize that most likely I will not make it home Monday night in time to start the conference call, therefore we will reschedule the call for Tuesday night at 8 pm CST. Steven will send out an email on Sunday with the new information and the girls will send a reminder on Monday!!

Have a great night!!
Michele

Sent from my iPhone

4th Day - Steven

Today I had yogurt for breakfast but forgot to take a picture. I will have it take a pic tomorrow. Wait until you see.

I spoke today at a local Rotary Club meeting and I was pleasantly surprised by their outstanding choices. I picked baked salmon, onions, tomatoes, and zucchini. The salad plate has strawberries and no dressing. Could not find anything with good oil.

Dinner was two hot-dogs (really healthy ones) cooked in eggs with some peppers and onions. For the picture again!

HEY!!! So far I am down 5 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!

4th Day - Michele

Hi everyone!! Today I fasted through breakfast, ate lunch at 11:00, had eggs and vegi's. Onions, peppers, mushrooms, yellow squash and 3 eggs.

Marion (EW's massage therapist) and I drove to Dallas for a seminar. I ate some crispy almonds and had a red raspberry green bar for a snack. We ate in the Marriott restaurant for dinner, I ordered mahi mahi cooked with lemon olive oil served with asparagus. I also had a side salad:) it was yummy!!!

One of my classes I am going to invite the Cooking Girl to teach us how to make fish!! I always order fish out because it's prepared so yummy and that is one thing I haven't mastered!!!

Hope all of you are well!! Oh, as of this morning I've lost 3 lbs. And Steven 5!!!

Talk to you tomorrow!!!
Michele

Menu for Today!!!

Today was so busy! I made today my partial fast, although I only fasted from food for breakfast.

So, I had my normal probiotics, green drink, and made my MCR to go. Went to work and had a cup of hot Yerbe Matte Royal tea and drank my MCR throughout the day. I had a lunch appointment at The Red Cup on Classen. I love the Red Cup. Its a great place to go and meet a friend and have a healthful meal. Being on the challenge, I was able to pick something that stayed in line with the Foods to Enjoy. I had a Lentil Patty on top of a tossed mixed green salad. It was so yummy!!! I can't believe I forgot to take a picture:) For dinner, Organic burger with broccoli rabe. I first sauteed onions, mushrooms with fresh garlic in butter than added the broccoli rabe and cooked on low with a lid until soft. Oh, I also seasoned with Real Salt. I believe the burger was from Target. It wasn't in its original package so I'm not quite sure. If it was from Target it would have been Laura's Organic Hormone and Antibiotic free boxed beef burgers. I usually try to have those on hand for a quick meal, especially if I forgot to take something out in the morning to thaw. Anyway, I melted butter in a stainless steel fry pan added about a heaping T. of miso, about a half cup of water and a little tamari soy sauce, then added the frozen burger patties. I cooked it on low with a lid and turned it over a couple of times. I cooked it just until the pinkness went away.

The meal was really yummy and again half way through we said Oh no we forgot a picture!! We will try to be better about that!!

Tomorrow I will be traveling to Dallas with Marion for a weekend seminar. I am packing crispy almonds, perfect food bars (red raspberry green bars without the chocolate coating), hard boiled eggs, might pack a salad for the road. I'll blog tomorrow night and let you know how it goes. Of course, I'll blog while there every evening. This will be an excellent example for you of how to travel and still eat properly, even on the challenge!!!!

Hope you are doing well!! I am thinking of all of you everyday.

Blessings, Michele

3rd Day - Steven

I decided to head to Jason's Deli to have lunch. They are an awesome alternative to fast food places. Their chicken is antibiotic/hormone free, many vegetables are organic and the select is awesome.

What a nice buffet!

I may have taken too much but it was GOOOD!

Dinner Wednesday Night

This was an amazing vegetable soup with diced chicken and then goat cheese sprinkled on top. I have to tell you, it was filling. I had two bowls (eyes bigger than my stomach) and felt it was just too much,

Dinner tonight

Hi Everyone, Dinner was awesome tonight although we ate much later than normal. We are planning a February wedding for our daughter Jessica so every spare minute has been making arrangements for the big event.

Anyway, I got home late, thank goodness I had broth made in the refrigerator, so I put together a quick vegetable, chicken, egg drop soup. It was really delicious. It only took 45 minutes from start to finish. The ingredients: chicken broth, chicken (reserved from boiling the chicken for the broth) onion, celery, frozen organic green beans, carrots, eggs. Put the broth in a small dutch oven add all vegetables, salt and herbamare to taste, when the vegetables are soft (depending on how you like them) I cooked mine for about an 1/2 hour. I did bring it to a boil, that sped up the process.  Add chicken, heat for 5 minutes, then add a couple eggs. Crack them right in the pot then stir right away with a fork whisking several times. If I had fresh spinach I would have added the spinach right before the chicken. It only needs a couple minutes to cook in the hot soup. Or if I had frozen spinach I would have put that in when I put all the other vege's in.

We topped it with shredded raw goat cheddar. It was yummy. Of course Steven took a picture:) So I'm sure he will send it.

 Next Friday in the Health Awareness class, I will be be demonstrated how to make broth and the many things you can do with it.

Good Night!!!

Eggs & Vegatables - Steven Menzel

If you chop your veggies the night before it makes the morning much quicker. It only took 10 minutes to prepare everything.

Here are the veggies, don't over cook and lose the nutrients.




All I do is crack some eggs (4 in this case) over the veggies.






I wait and break the yokes just before I remove them from the pan, this way the nutrition is not cooked out of them.








They were awesome! I prefer to eat them in a bowl. Just seems easier, especially if I'm eating them on my way to work like today. (oops, did I just commit a crime?)

First Day of Challenge

Today was a great day!! I hope all of you did well!! Its not as hard as you think!!! The food is wonderful, its just getting use to no grains:) I have to admit I would have liked a slice of toasted sprouted spelt bread!

For breakfast I had 2 eggs over easy prepared in butter, and a kefir smoothie, consisting of kefir and berries with 2 scoops of enzyme powder. For lunch as you can see from the picture I had a chopped salad. It was really awesome, mixed greens, red pepper, red onion, cucumber, and organic chicken. Topped with Italian dressing.
For dinner we had marinaded mahi mahi and broccoli rabe. Marinade: olive oil, white wine, pepper and the juice of a grapefruit, for 1 hour. Then I sauted it in butter and sprinkled with salt. I sauteed the broccoli rabe in butter til soft. It was yummy.

So that was our food for the day!!! Talk to you tomorrow... 

First Night's Dinner

We had some amazing mahi mahi marinated in white wine, olive oil, pepper, and other seasonings.










Here's what our yummy meal looked like!

40 Day Challenge - Steven Menzel

Hello everyone! Happy New Year! I am sitting at my desk and decided to take a 10 minute break. My stomach is growling. I had a great breakfast, 3 eggs with some yellow onion, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Lunch was an awesome salad with greens, red onion, red pepper, organic chicken, goat cheese, and the Menzel family Italian dressing. YUUUUMMMMM!!!!