Day 16

Saturday, yay. Hope to do some writing today. Started the day with a 3.5 mile walk/run. I actually ran the first 2.3 miles of it. I would like to do a 5K this year if I can find one that is on dirt or sand. On the weekends I like to diverge from my protein drink and have something different.

Breakfast: Plain soy yogurt with 1 c. of blackberries and 1 banana.

Lunch: Got to go out to Natural Cafe with my daughter and grandaughter. Had black beans, brown rice and a grilled veggie tamale, salad with tahini dressing.

Dinner: Dr. Praeger's Tex-Mex Veggie burgers, salad with avocado, artichoke hearts, carrots, Persian cucumbers, red peppers and pepitas and olive oil, chardonnay vinegar dressing

Snacks: Geoff made popcorn again : }

Day 17 Sunday

Took Maggie for a walk, only a mile this time, and went out for breakfast. Lazed around all day, watching cooking shows and home shows on TV. Ended up watching 2 movies: The House Bunny, which I've seen before but was cute and Management with Jennifer Anniston and Steve Zahn, which started really slow but ended up being charming.

Breakfast: Oatmeal with fresh peaches and raisins (no milk or sugar is tough)

Lunch: Went out again to Natura Cafe and had grilled veggie tacos in corn tortillas, salad, and chips and salsa

Dinner: Huge salad with tons in it. Homemade pizza with gluten free crust: artichoke hearts, chopped red peppers and red onions, kalamata olives, fresh thinly sliced tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil and a couple of slices of almond mozzerella, fresh pepper and garlic salt.

Snacks: rice-adzuki bean chips and salsa, almonds, and an orange

Day 18 Monday (so far)

Whew! I haven't seen rain like this since El Nino back in 1996-7. Our cypress trees are practically bent over from the wind and there's an inch deep stream of water in the road. It's at times like these that I am glad we overengineered the foundation of our house. It's not going anywhere.

Breakfast: Protein Drink with peanut butter, bananas and chocolate flavored Vegn Meal replacement packet (which made it slimy and awful) I only drank half.

Lunch: Thai Tofu Salad (recipe follows)

Dinner: Leftover pizza and fresh fruit.

Thai Tofu Salad

3/4 lb. firm tofu, sliced in 3/4" slices, put between paper towels and weighted, about 30 min

Marinade: 2 T. lime juice, 1 T. soy sauce, 1 T. chili garlic sauce, 2 T. grated ginger, 2 cloves garlic, minced, and 1/2 t. crushed red pepper

After tofu has had water pressed out, cut in 3/4" cubes and marinate 2 hrs. at room temp.

Dressing: 1/4 c. lime juice, 3 T. chili garlic sauce, 2 T. soy sauce, 2 t. grated ginger, 1/4 t. salt, 1/4 t. crushed red pepper

While tofu is marinating, make dressing and cut up:

1 head romaine lettuce, thinly sliced, 1 c. shredded carrots, 1/2 red pepper, chopped finely, and

1/2 c. chopped cilantro.

Put 1 pkg. of rice sticks (noodles) in boiling water and let set 20 min. Roughly chop

Place 1 T. peanut oil in large skillet. Discard marinade and saute tofu squares on all sides until crispy. Drain. Mix the tofu, the dressing, the vegetables together and serve. Really good as leftovers. Enjoy!