Good Guys Do Come In First!!



Great Guy, Great Teammate, and Great Player 

 What a great day for Dallas and Texas sports fans!  And what a great day for a really class act of an organization - The Dallas Mavericks.  I thought Carlisle put it perfectly last night when he said the Mavericks were "old school," and perhaps that is why they are so easy to root for.  They play as a team, even though they have a superstar.  Professional sports is loaded with individuals who are very very talented, but too many times they don't go about their business in a classy way, and it is so refreshing to see these veteran players get rewared.  The Dallas Mavericks are not the most talented team in the world, but they are the best team in the world and now, they have a Title to prove it.  For all of you life long Maverick fans, how awesome was it to have an emotional Donald Carter, the original owner who brought the Mavs to Dallas, to receive the trophy.  Say what you want about Mark Cuban and his style, that was a classy move - further evidence that he truly loves his team. 



I had the chance to do some research, reading and actually got to visit on the phone on Friday with the manufacturers of the HCG Drops I distribute.  Here are some of the highlights of what I have further discovered about the HCG Diet Protocol:

• Many people like want to work out while on Phase 2, but it is not recommended for a couple of reasons.  First, you will not get the benefit of the increased energy with strenuous excercise.  Secondly, when your muscles exert themselves during strenuous exercise, they will retain water, and of course, this will slow down or negate weight loss.  Light exercise such as walking, Yoga and stretching is fine while on Phase 2.  Once you are on Phase 3, you can begin a workout regiment.  However, if you insist on working out, you may want to increase your caloric intake to around 800 calories, but I would not recommend that.
• Everyone is concerned and frustrated with plateuas - but in fact, it is part of the protocol, so that should tell you that everything is going as planned when you hit those stall periods.  The weight loss during Phase 2, is stair-stepped with a consistent large drop (week 1) followed by a slight plateau for a few days.  The following came straight from Dr. Simeon's manuscript, Pounds and Inches:  "At least one significant plateau occurs in the second half of the protocol that often lasts between 4-6 days.  This is normal and will resolve itself in time."  So don't be alarmed when you stall.
• One of the reasons that you should alternate your proteins, vegetables, and fruits is because variety actually curbs your appetite and cravings. 
• Use Bragg's Liquid Aminos to replace traditional Soy Sauce while on the Phase 2.  This can be very helpful in flavoring your meats - you could actually put some stevia and ground ginger with the Bragg's and create a teriyake sauce. 
• Dilute the strong flavor of Apple Cider Vinegar by mixing it with Stevia or a few teaspoons of water or broth.  This could serve as a salad dressing.
• Take accurate measurements of chest, upper arms, waist, hips, buttocks, thighs, and calves before you start the program to help you track your progress.  Seeing a reduction in inches will make you feel much better when enduring the stalls.
• Cinnamon is a very helpful and nice addition to your foods and diet while on all phases of the diet for the following reasons:  boost brain function, assist with blood sugar control, antifungal properties, anticlotting properties, contains calcium, vitamins, and fiber, and aids in digestion.

Ok so, I really trying to find different ways to spice up your meals while on the HCG Protocol.  So I will try to add a couple of recipes frequently.  Remember, I am housing all of the recipes in the page entitled Jim's Recipes, so check there if you missed a post.  Here are today's suggestions:

Red Cabbage Salad
Ingredients:
2 cups red cabbage, chopped
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Bragg's liquid aminos
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 clove of finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon of finely minced onion
Cayenne pepper to taste
Stevia to taste
Salt and black pepper to taste
Preparation
Combine spices with liquid ingredients;
coat cabbage thoroughly with dressing and marinate for 1-2 hours or overnight to blend flavors.
Makes 1-2 servings (1 vegetable)
60 calories

Teriyaki Sauce
Ingredients:
1/2 cup beef or chicken broth
3 tablespoons Bragg's liquid aminos
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Orange juice (juice from 4 segments)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon of onion, finely minced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger or fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
lemon and/or orange zest to taste
stevia to taste
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil;
reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until liquid is reduced - the longer you simmer, the richer the flavors;
as the liquid reduces, deglaze the pan with a little water or broth to intensify the flavors.
Enjoy as a glaze or sauce with chicken or beef.
Makes 1-2 servings (1 fruit) - 20 calories

Sweet Strawberry Soup (served hot or cold)
Ingredients:
5 large strawberries
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of milk (try almond milk)
1/4 cup of water
Vanilla Stevia drops to taste
Dash of cinnamon
Preparation:
Puree strawberries with spices, lemon juice, water and milk;
heat the strawberry mixture in a small saucepan for 3-5 minutes;
serve hot or chilled with a garnish of mint.
Makes 1 serving (1 fruit) - 30 calories

Third Monday Trade Days of McKinney is fast approaching again, and I will be there again this month peddling the HCG Protocol.  I hope that you will stop by see me if you make a trip out there.  The dates are June 17-19, and I will again be on Henderson Street, Booth #8.  Also, I would really appreciate if you tell anyone that you know is interested in starting the diet where they can find me - so mention to them that they can talk with me in person about HCG next weekend. 

Selling my wares at the McKinney Trade Days - Come See Me!

I am also going to be conducting an HCG Seminar on Wednesday, June 22 at the Holiday Inn & Suites located at 3220 Craig Drive in McKinney.  The seminar will last from 6-7:30 and is for individuals who are curious about the HCG Diet and wanting to get some more information about it.  I will describe my personal journey on the diet and also explain the complete protocol.  Again, if you know someone who you think would benefit from the diet, or has indicated they are curious, let them know about the seminar.  I will have ads going out in Collin County newspapers starting next week, but I need help with idea about where to display flyers.  If any of you have good ideas where I can display flyers or if you have a business where you could post them, I would be so very grateful.  Contact me if you need some flyers and I will get those to you.  My biggest delimma is getting word out about the event, so I need some help from all my fellow HCGers - help me spread the word about this life-changing diet.


Ok, so this weekend, I had an opportunity to really test my metabolism, and see if it really would keep my wieght constant after eating some very risky foods.  So, on Saturday morning, I weighed 169.5 and ate the following foods throughout the day:
Breakfast
3 fried eggs/8oz. porkchop/1 bananna
Lunch
Cuban Sandwich Bowl (Which Wich)
Pineapple Milkshake (Which Wich)
Snacks
Apple
Package of Trail Mix with M&M's
Dinner
16oz. Prime Rib (Saltgrass) (BTW - Saltgrass is awesome!)
Dinner Salad -
1 cup of Tres Leches Cake Gellato 

So I easily took in over 3000 calories on Saturday and I weighed before going to bed at around midnight - I weighed 174lbs.  Amazingly, this morning at 9am, I weighed, you ready for this 169.5lbs!!! The reason I shared this with you is for an "Eye on the Prize" motivator.  For all of you who are doing your best to stay strong and not cheat, the reward is not only loss weight, but the being able to keep off the weight, even when on occasion, you go out and have whatever you want to eat.  The HCG protocol's ability to reset your metabolism is really the most important and most rewarding part. 

I hope everyone has a great week and enjoys living in our fair city as World Champions!  Now, if we can get the Rangers to the Series again - that would be really awesome to win another Championship in the Fall.  Keep the updates and questions coming - signing off as a happy and satisfied fan.  Queen said it best - "We Are the Champions!"