Dr. Oz Rapid Weight Loss Diet Plan - Week 1

I signed up for another 30 day challenge, this one is for fitness, health and hair.  The first two weeks of the challenge we had to follow Dr. Oz's Rapid Weight Loss Meal Plan.

The plan is basically a detox, you eliminate alcohol, sugar, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, dairy, and wheat.  You can only eat between the hours of 8am - 8pm and you are required to take a detox bath nightly.  When you wake in the morning, he wants you to drink a cup of hot lemon water.  Dr. Oz also wants you to take a multivitamin (1/2 morning, 1/2 evening) and a probiotic.  You can eat unlimited amounts of low glycemic vegetables, detox vegetable broth and 6 ounces of chicken, fish or turkey daily.  The only fruit allowed on the diet is a 1/2 cup of mixed berries which you put into the Breakfast Smoothie.  You are also allowed one 6-oz serving a yogurt daily.

I didn't make the broth, I purchased organic vegetable broth from Whole Foods.  I forgot to get low sodium for the first week.  The one I had was 540 mg of sodium!


Day 1:
The first day of the meal plan wasn't that challenging, the smoothie wasn't what I was used to but I drunk it. By the evening I had a headache.  I had previously started cutting sugar out of my diet and I am not a big caffeine drinker so I think the headache came from not eating fruit. I didn't take the detox bath the first night, I was too tired.  I drunk the

Meals:
Hot lemon water (another requirement)
Breakfast - breakfast smoothie
Green tea
Snack - cucumbers and broccoli with homemade greek yogurt vegetable dip and hummus.
Lunch - mixed greens salad with 1.5 oz jerk chicken breast and the vegetable broth.
Dinner - 4 oz grilled chicken breast, string beans, broccoli and mushrooms cooked in the vegetable broth and 1/2 cup of brown rice (the only grain/carb allowed).
Green tea

Day 2:
The smoothie was a little easier to get down than the previously day.  I worked out using the Latin Cardio video on YouTube since I couldn't make it to the gym.  Dr. Oz does not want you to work out while using the plan but I need to lose weight and stay motivated.

Meals:
Hot lemon water
Breakfast smoothie
Snack - cucumbers, snap peas, hummus and greek yogurt vegetable dip.
Lunch - 2oz grilled chicken breast, leftover vegetables and lentils cooked with red & yellow peppers, onions, garlic and vegetable broth.
Dinner - 4 oz baked salmon, 1/2 cup of brown rice and sauteed spinach.

I was full before I finished my dinner but I didn't want to waste it so I ate it all.  An hour after dinner I took the detox bath.  I was in sweating like I was in a sauna lol

Day 3:
I decide to switch things up with my meals.  I don't like wasting food but I also need to learn how not to stuff myself.  If I am full, I need to just stop eating.  So I decided to eat my heaviest meal during lunch and go light for dinner.  Most weight loss articles tell you to do this anyway but hardheaded people like me don't listen. I also added the daily yogurt serving and kale to the breakfast smoothie, it kept me full until lunch time

Meals:
Hot lemon water
Breakfast Smoothie
Green tea
Lunch - 4 oz leftover baked salmon, 1/2 cup of brown rice, lentils and balsamic glazed brussel sprouts.

Green tea
Dinner - 2 oz baked salmon, mixed greens salad with avocado, balsamic glazed broccoli, string beans, snow peas and brussel sprouts

Day 4:
I cheated, I ate 2 pieces of pineapple. I just couldn't help myself. I had to cut the pineapple before it went bad and there it was looking so sweet begging me to have a piece. I wasn't feeling too bad, at least it was a piece of fruit and not cake.

Meals:

Breakfast smoothie remix (kale, yogurt and chia seeds added to it. I added the chia seeds because I haven't been regular (TMI) since I started the challenge.)

Green tea

Snack - a spoonful of hummus

Lunch - leftovers again (3oz salmon, 1/2 cup of brown rice and the veggie mix from last night)

Dinner - turkey burger topped with mushrooms and onions, curry lentils and a salad.

Day 5:
Friday was rest day as far as exercising.  I followed the meal plan throughout the day but ended up cheating with dinner.  It wasn't that bad but I did regret it after I bit into that piece of fried chicken.  I ended the night with a glass of wine.

Meals:
Breakfast smoothie remix
Lunch - ground turkey and string bean stir fry over a 1/2 cup of brown rice.
Dinner - mixed greens salad topped with a little blue cheese, two buffalo wingettes, one fried wingette, chick peas, broccoli, string beans, snow peas and a 1/4 piece of tilapia.


Day 6:
I messed up again!  I am just not strong on the weekends, I need willpower people. 

Meals:
Breakfast smoothie remix (without kale)
Lunch - 3 oz baked salmon, balsamic glazed brussel sprouts and 1/2 cup of brown rice.
Dinner - fire grilled salmon, sauteed spinach and broccoli.  I also had a patron margarita (argh).

Day 7:
It was Mother's Day and my diet went all out the window.  The day seems to start off on the right page but by dinner it goes right down the drain. 

Meals:
Breakfast smoothie remix
Lunch/Dinner - curry chicken kebab, vegetable kebab, cous cous, and naan
Dessert - strawberries, pineapple, mango and watermelon on top of grilled pound cake with coconut milk whipped cream.
3 glasses of wine.

For week two, I am determined to stay on track.  Even though I messed up (a lot) I was able to lose 3 pounds.  Others who are on the challenge have lost 7 pounds.  I need to really focus on my goal and stay determined to reach it.  I can not let food beat me!  Wish me luck and stay tuned for week 2.

Raspberry Granola Bars (vegan)

A few years ago one of my old coworkers made these delicious Raspberry Granola Bars.  They were so good, I just had to have the recipe.  Lucky for me, she was willing to shares.  Now years later, I am sharing the recipe with you.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Ingredients:
2/3 cup - whole wheat pastry flour
3 cups - quick cooking oats
1/2 tsp - salt
2/3 cup - oil (I use coconut)
1/2 cup - maple syrup
2 tsps - vanilla extract
1/2 cup - raspberry jam (or any flavor you prefer)

Directions:

• Pre-heat oven to 350
• Shift flour and salt together add to the quick cooking oats
• Add oil to dry ingredients and mix
• Add maple syrup and vanilla, mix well
• Lightly oil 9x9 baking pan.
• Press half of the mixture into the pan.
• Spread jam evenly over bottom mixture to cover
• Cover with remaining mixture, press gently
• Bake 30-35 minutes
• Let cool then cut into bars
• Enjoy!

FYI...these bars are not as healthy as the ingredients may suggest.  If you are counting calories, I would suggest only one bar a day. 

J'Adore VoxBox

When I received an invitation from Influenster to complete a survey to qualify for a voxbox I was super stoked.  I never hesitate to complete one of their surveys because I know if I qualify, I am in store for something good!

The box that I received was the J'Adore VoxBox.  In the box, I received the following items complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster:

 

Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask with Willowbark -  I have been focusing a lot on skin care lately and looking for natural ways to help improve my skin inside and out.  Lately, I've been using another clay mask on Sundays but when I received my voxbox on a Thursday I couldn't wait to try this mask.  I really liked the way it may my skin feel.  It is a great alternative to the other clay mask.  I've only used it once so far but I think I will rotate between the two.  

The boots botanics ionic clay mask retails for $9.39.

Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray - As you all know I am a kinky chick :-) The first time I straighten my hair in over a year was last November.  I haven't had the desire to straighten since then.  So I wasn't able to try out this spray.  However, I may flat iron my hair for my sister-in-law's wedding.  If I do I will update you all on how this spray worked.  I did read some of the reviews online about this product and they were all pretty good. 

Hersey's Kisses Milk Chocolate - As soon as I saw this big family bag of kisses, I knew I had to take a few out for myself before my family devoured it.  Everyone is familiar with the Hersey brand so there really is no reason to review this.  Just go out and get you some KISSES!

Vaseline Men's Fast Absorbing Spray Moisturizer - I told my husband there was something in the box for him too but my son got to it first.  Now my son hates putting on lotion but he loves this spray.  He couldn't wait to go take a shower so he could spray on his lotion.  I don't think my husband even had a chance to use any of it.  The scent of the spray can be a little overbearing if you use to much but over all it works great.

On the card it says this spray retails for $7.99 but you can get it at Target for $5.99.

Red Rose Simply Indulgent Teas - I received 4 individual tea bags, one was lemon chiffon and the other three were creme caramel.  I am not a big fan of favored teas unless it's mint or ginger so I was a little hesitant to give these a try.  I have to admit, I still have not try the creme caramel favor yet but the lemon chiffon flavor is really good.  I would definitely purchase it in the future.

Kiss Looks So Natural Eye Lashes - I'm not a huge lashes fan but these really do look natural.  I haven't had an occasion to wear these yet but I can't wait to give them a try.  The lashes come in different styles, I received the Shy style.

I was in the mall recently and saw this young lady with a pair of fake lashes on, they were so full it looked like a fan.  I wanted to stop her and recommend this brand to her but in this day and age I didn't know how she would respond so I just kept it moving.  

Thank you again to Influenster for selecting me to review these items for free.  If you are interested in reviewing and sharing your opinion on various products from beauty to health sign up on Influenster's website, it's free to join.

Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap

This is hands down my favorite all purpose soap.  I started using Dr. Bronner's a year or two ago and it has helped out with my eczema.  This soap does not leave that residue feeling like some soaps do. 

I purchase my Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree Pure Castile soap from MOMs Organic Market.  They sell the 32 oz for $9.99.  

Check out their website for more information.

Peter Pilotto for Target

On Sunday Target will launch their new collection with Peter Pilotto.  I actually like this collection better than any of the previous collections. The pieces from this collection will also be sold on Net-a-Porter, this is the first time that a Target collection will also be sold on an outside retailer site.

The pieces from the Peter Pilotto collection for Target will range in price from $14.99 - 79.99.  There are definitely a few pieces from this new collection that I want.


You can preview the full collection on Target's website.

Solange for Puma

My girl Solange Knowles was named Art Director and Creative Consultant for Puma last year.  Yesterday, she posted pictures of her collection titled Girls of Blaze which is inspired by Brazil.  I actually like the sneakers she debut.  They are really colorful and girly.  You can tell she was actually involved in the design and not just by name as the sneakers really fit her persona.

Check out Puma's Girls of Blaze Disc Collection for a better view of the new line.

Pictures Solange posted on IG:

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

First, I would like to start off with saying how mad I am that I am just now finding out about this product.  The Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is the business!  It is 100% natural calcium bentonite clay. 

I've used it three times as a face mask and once on my hair in place of shampoo.  This clay has helped to bring all of the white heads and black heads to the surface getting the impurities out of my face. When I used it in place of shampoo, my hair felt really soft.  Some people on YouTube have said that their hair felt dry and they had to deep condition afterwards.  I didn't feel like I needed a deep condition but I did anyway.

Another bonus of the clay is that it is cheap!  I purchased my container from MOM Organic Market for $6.49.  You can also order it online with prices ranging from $4-$7.

For my facial, I mix 1 tsp of the bentonite clay with 1 tsp of Bragg's ACV and a few drops of tea tree oil.  I apply the mixture to my face and let it sit for about 20 minutes.  I will warn you, your face will get extremely tight and after you rinse, you may experience reddening of the skin.

For my hair: I mixed the bentonite clay with Bragg's ACV, olive oil, honey, 4 drops of tea tree, lavender, and rosemary oil and 6 drops of lemongrass.  After I cowashed my hair, I applied the mixture to my hair and scalp and let it sit for 20 minutes.  Then I rinsed it out with warm water and followed with a deep conditioner.