The Big BLOB Weight Loss Blog

OK … so I got slightly over my baking disaster (I am a good baker) and decided to look up the splenda site.

Because I am in Canada, I went to the Canadian Splenda Site … the American Site is actually a bit different, similar content though.

So … I find the baking section and BEHOLD … there are a PILE of differences in baking with Splenda. So I’m annoyed all over again. Why don’t they put this information on their package instead of implying it is virtually the same.

NOW when I read the fine print, I see that they didn’t actually lie, they just don’t come out and say … “HEY dude, make sure you check out the website before you use this in your regular recipes. ”

Anyhow … to give them credit, the Canadian website is great. There are loads of tips and hints about cooking and baking with Splenda and there are loads of recipes.

This one I’m going to try … maybe even tonight. Molten Centre Chocolate Raspberry Cake. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

AND … though I am pretty good on eliminating the need (or desire) for sugar, I DO have the occasional craving, so I guess another few of the following cook books are on my wish list.

Melanie

Fantastic Food with Splenda: 160 Great Recipes for Meals Low in Sugar, Carbohydrates, Fat, and Calories

The SPLENDA World of Sweetness: Recipes for Homemade Desserts and Delicious Drinks

In the past week I have had this incredible urge for CHOCOLATE and for something sweet. So last night I finally gave in and decided to make my favorite brownie recipe.

I have been making this recipe for over 15 years, it is great … dense, slightly gooey brownies which can be made with the bakers chocolate chunks or with cocoa powder.

Since I have been working at cutting down on sugar and carbs, I thought I’d give the Splenda sugar substitute a go.

Now, I’m NOT imagining this … on their package it says .. “Measures cup for cup like sugar. Great for Cooking and Baking.”

So ma I crazy or what, but doesn’t that IMPLY you can use it in your regular baking recipes? That’s what I understood so I blithely started making the very recipe I’ve made hundreds of times over the years.

My first inkling that something was wrong, was when I dumped in the cup of Splenda. The consistency and texture was very different than usual. But, you know I am still believing the advertising, so I keep on going. I mixed in the rest of the ingredients.

My second inkling that something was wrong, happened when I went to pour the batter into the baking dish. Sheesh … it didn’t even cover the bottom of the pan … the same pan I have used for the past FIVE years. HMMMMMMM I said to myself. This is weird.

As the “concoction,” which I now was quite skeptical about, baked. I took my “prize” of the raw batter. YES, I am still a kid. I will admit out here in public that I lick the bowl … and not only do I lick the bowl, but I make sure there is lots to lick! Third inkling that something was wrong … it tasted different and WAY too sweet.

Finally the timer went off and I hauled the MESS out of the oven. Much of the oil in the recipe was now floating on top of a very unappetizing HARD lump of something that didn’t even come near the ooooy gooey incredibly wonderful brownies I was looking forward to.

BOOOOOOOOO ON YOU SPLENDA.

I know that Splenda has a website with recipes and once I overcome my sheer disappointment at the mess I created, I might see if they have a brownie recipe for the next time I have a craving.

I have also seen several “With Splenda” recipe books in the various bookstores and on Amazon. But … for now, I am just TOTALLY annoyed at Splenda for what I consider to be misleading advertising. It is NOT just like sugar. It cannot be used “virtually everwhere sugar is used, even in cooking and baking.”

Total bummer. One Day later and one Splenda cooking disaster later … I am STILL craving a hit of chocolate!

Melanie

Marlene Koch\’s Sensational Splenda Recipes: Over 375 Recipes Low in Sugar, Fat, and Calories

Cooking Healthy with Splenda (R)

I tried this recipe the other day … and had it for both lunch and dinner!!

The surprize ingredient is beets. The beets blend perfectly with oranges and with olives. It is a well balanced meal of protein and carbs. AND it was very good. I LOVE lentils!!

Visit the California Olive Organization and take a look at some of their other great recipes.

The Low-Cholesterol Olive Oil Cookbook: More Than 200 Recipes–The Most Delicious Way to Eat Healthy Food

If you live in Canada you are probably celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend. The challenge of the weekend is to have fun, enjoy your friends and relatives and get through the weekend without gaining 300 pounds!

You can promise yourself to “be good” and forgo all the goodies or you can be realistic and let yourself indulge A BIT knowing that you will go back to your regular eating plan after the weekend is over. That’s what ALL my skinny mini friends do … AND modeling what slim, trim people do to stay that way is a great way for us BLOBS to get that way.

Becoming slimmer becomes a horrible “chore” if you don’t give yourself a break now and then. And what normally happens is that eventually you go on a binge and stay on the binge … until the next time you decide to lose weight.

If we look at becoming slimmer and healthier as a long-term activity that includes more activity and a healthier eating plan, we are more likely to stay for the long term. If we look at losing weight as a punishment for past transgressions, and we deny ourselves the “holidays” of life, then we are doomed for failure.

I have been following the 40-30-30 eating plan, where one balances carbs (40%) with protein (30%) and fat (30%) at EVERY meal. The best version of the plan is to keep your blood sugars even throughout the day by eating 5 to 6 smaller meals spread out throughout your waking hours.

So given than Thanksgiving Dinner is usually one big blow out … here is my plan: I’ll start the day as usual, with my small meals … I’m going to a friends for dinner. I know that she usually has before dinner appetizers. So when I get there, one of my small meals will be a few appetizers … and I will try to stick to my 40-30-30 balance by at least incorporating some protein and carbs (the easy part). I will have a FEW appetizers, and then I’ll STOP.

At dinner I will model my skinny minny friend and will load up my plate with the same serving sizes she uses. (Well, maybe a bit more since I am twice her size!)

She usually serves dessert later in the evening. That is perfect for me. I can forgo the dessert and raid her refrigerator for leftovers of the appetizers. I have found it easier and easier to forgo dessert since I have been on the 40-30-30 plan, not because it is forbidden, but because I find myself wanting sweets less and less (this is great news to me).

So what can YOU do? Plan a strategy like the one I have outlined above. Don’t plan on depriving yourself, but do plan on what you will have, and when you will stop. If you don’t have a plan it is far too easy to keep on telling yourself “just one more.”

If you are celebrating Thanksgiving … have a FABULOUS WEEKEND. Drive safely and as Wayne Dwyer would say “treat your relatives KINDLY.” I’m going to add to that with … “Treat YOURSELF kindly!“

Here’s a really great article that talks about why the Zone (or 40-30-30) diet works to well to promote health, well-being AND weight loss. Be sure to check out the online Zone Diet Program … highly recommended! The Formula Zone

The Zone Diet Makes Your Body Lose Weight Naturally
By Peter Somerville

The Zone Diet Affects Three Major Hormone Systems

The three major hormones in our bodies affected by the food we eat are insulin and glucagon, which have opposite effects, and a hormone-like substance called eicosanoids.

Insulin is the hormone that helps convert sugar, starches and other food into energy and fatty acids. Think of insulin as a little bulldozer that pushes things into your cell tissues. The main thing that sugar pushes into your cells is glucose, a simple sugar that comes from foods that contain carbohydrates.

Your Brain And Muscles Depend on Glucose

Insulin plays a very important role in keeping your blood sugar within a fairly narrow range. You may not automatically associate blood sugar with your brain but your brain is very dependent on getting a constant, well regulated glucose stream. More than three or four minutes without glucose and your brain begins to shut down some body activities.

Insulin is most important for muscles when you are in a resting state. Only a small amount of glucose is required. Your body has a very limited ability to store glucose as sugar, but it does have an unlimited ability to store it as something else - body fat.

How Our Bodies Deal With Excess Sugar From Carbohydrates

Because glucose is an essential source of fuel the body will find a way to store any glucose that is not immediately required in your fat cells, and by creating new fat cells if necessary. The Zone Diet attempts to balance insulin, glucogen and eicosanoids levels by balancing the amount and the ratio of proteins, carbohydrates and fats you consume each day.

The Zone Diet accomplishes this with the right combination of protein - about 40% (such as lean chicken, pork or fish), the right type of carbohydrate from fruits and vegetables - about 30%, and a portion of “good” fat - about 30% (such as olive oil). Zone Dieters eat about 5 times a day and within an hour of getting up and going to bed. This keeps your blood sugar levels stable throughout the day, draws down the number of fat cells, and eliminates the need for the body to create new fat cells. Many Zone Dieters report elevated energy levels and mental acuity as well.

The Zone Diet is somewhat unique - no foods are forbidden. “That means you can eat anything, as long as it has the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat”, says Dr. Barry Sears, the Zone Diet creator. This flexibility is particularly valuable to people with certain food intolerances as suitable combinations can come from many different food groups. Even the protein portion of the Zone Diet can be obtained from soy protein.

(c) Peter Somerville. Peter is the creator of the Paratroopers’ Guide to Fitness and Weight Loss. The guide principles are used daily by millions and enable everybody to benefit from the world’s most successful and most carefully researched fitness and weight loss program. Zone Diet Meals should be an important part of your fitness and weight loss program.

What to Eat in the Zone: The Quick & Easy, Mix & Match Counter for Staying in the Zone

Amazon finally came through and is allowing Beta Testers to try out their new “bookstore” technology.

So I built a bookstore that focuses on MY favorite eating plan (aka DIET) books. I love the 40-30-30 diet … which is also referred to as the ZONE diet. So I’m featuring my favorite books in my new bookstore.

Go and check it out!!

Melanie

You’ve probably guessed by now that I’m a BIG fan of the 40-30-30 or ZONE diet because it is a relatively easy diet to stick to, and because there really isn’t anything that you can’t eat … as long as you keep your intake of carbs, protein and fat in balance.

I love the books on my shelf ( see my bookstore ) but was also excited to find this website:

It’s a zone eating plan that ADDITIONALLY focuses on low glycemic index foods. (I’ll cover this more in the next few weeks).

In additino to a Menu Planner, Shopping List, Progress Log, Discussion Groups this program also includes a Zone Meal Designer which allows you to adjust recipes to fit you. It also includes a Nutrition Label Analyzer and becasue so many family’s often share the same weight problems it has a Family Life Style section. It’s quite a powerful program that can be VERY MOTIVATING.

You should check out the success stories … and maybe even BECOME one!

Go to THE FORMULA ZONE

Hope you like it as much as I do!!

Melanie