Chinese Chicken Salad

I made this tonight and was astonished.  No oil, no crispy wontons... it was perfect.  My fiance ate it all without hardly saying a word.  We are 60 days away from saying I do...  and I have 15 pounds to go.  No doubt I will get it done.

• 1 small head of cabbage
• 2 thin cut chicken breasts, cooked & chopped
• 3 green onions chopped
• Fresh ginger, grated
• 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 3 tablespoons liquid aminos (you can use low sodium soy sauce)
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Sriacha to taste
• Cooking spray
• 1 lemon juiced
• Truvia (sugar substitute)

1. Spray pan with cooking spray.  Salt and pepper both sides of chicken breasts.
2. Add chicken to skillet, and brown both sides. Add lemon juice.   Remove from skillet, and cut up into chunks
3. Chop cabbage, and add to bowl.  Add chopped onions, ginger, & garlic.
4. Combine chicken, apple cider vinegar, aminos, red pepper & sriacha.  
5. Chill for at least an hour

Make sure you taste it.  I added the Truvia at the last minute, and it made all the difference.  Asian food is my absolute favorite... and this was a nice way to not overload myself with oil and carbs.  If you aren't low carb, try some crispy wontons.  Amazing.

How I Lost 15 Pounds in 30 Days

It should have been 30... but I have a love for wine, pizza & chicken wings.  I also travel a lot for work, and my job includes many evenings hosting happy hours with delicious fried snacks & alcohol.  One of the times, I just had to completely ignore the 110 pound girl scarfing down an entire plate of buffalo wings while she discussed strategy with me.  I went back to my hotel room shaking my head.  How the hell could she eat that and be so skinny?

Here are my not so big secrets.

1. Despite what you think you can't live without... and yes I'm gonna say it, you do NOT need processed carbs.  Eat an entire plate of bacon before you reach for a couple pieces of toast.  Just order salad without croutons, and there is no reason for an entire plate of pasta.  My Italian mother would slap my face if she read this.
2. Back off the fruits.  Fruits are full of sugar, especially bananas, citrus, and other topical fruits.    Also juice is the devil.  You're missing out on the fiber.  It's bad... bad... bad.
3. You don't need a ton of protein.  4 grams (or as big as the palm of your hand) is totally enough.  The first few days you may think you are starving, but you totally get used to it.  If you're starving- eat raw vegetables.
4. Yes I know, there are carbs in vegetables.  It didn't bother me.  Eat jicama, celery, cabbage, swiss chard... etc.  If you want a carrot, eat some celery. Carrots are full of unnecessary sugar.  Bad.. bad.. bad.
5. Oil isn't necessary.  I've invested a ton in cooking spray... and while that sounds boring... that's all I needed.  
6. Mustard, vinegar, pepper, hot sauce...etc.  If you like spicy food- this is a good thing.  If you want to use salt, get some Himalyan pink salt.  Be careful though.  Salt was one of my vices.
7. Go five days in a row without putting cream in your coffee.  You won't miss it.
8. Invest in Greek yogurt, ostrich sticks, and whey protein.  I have used ostrich sticks as meal replacements and been just fine.  http://www.amazon.com/Ostrim-Ostrich-Snack-Pepper-sticks/dp/B00099ZGFG
9. I replaced chicken broth with vegetable broth 100% of the time and didn't miss it.  Also if I had to use beef broth- I used 1/2 broth and 1/2 water.  I didn't notice a thing.
10. Chicken breast, scallops, white fish, Canadian bacon, ground turkey, imitation crab & egg white omelets 
11. Vodka.  Limit the wine as much as possible, walk away from beer (mmmm beer), and measure the shot in every glass.  Each shot of vodka is 60 calories, and drink it with club soda and lime.  Not the tastiest drink...but you ARE putting poison in your system.  Is it supposed to be all fun?  Probably not.
12. Find a paleo, diabetic, or HCG cookbook.  This... has been a lifesaver.  http://www.amazon.com/The-HCG-Diet-Gourmet-Cookbook/dp/0984399909

Relationship weight is a killer.  Fiance and I have been together for almost a year, and during the first 8 months we filled it with hot dogs, red meat, mashed potatoes, butter, beer & other deliciousness.  One day I looked in the mirror and couldn't believe what happened.  I'm sure the fact that I turned 32 this year doesn't help.  :)  

I also have a ton of support at home.  Living with a diabetic is life changing, and I understand how important it is to stay on top of this stuff.  I still have some to go- but these are my "secrets." I'll try to continue to post recipes as I come across them. I also am aware that I don't have all the answers, but this is what happened to work for me.  I have made my life so much about food!  It hasn't been a bad thing, but it's nice to switch gears every once in awhile.