One of the hardest things to overcome on this protocol or any diet is the fear of gaining back your weight. I found developing good habits or therapeutic rituals will help you to release some of the anxiety and focus on your health versus your weight and fear. For our Bible study group we use the “God Box” which is a prayer box used to write down prayers and release them.

If you are struggling with fear and anxiety consider making a box. Call your box whatever works for you. For dieting I will call it the “Freedom” box; Freedom from worry and fear. We have been discussing keeping a daily journal in the book club this month  while reading Full Filled and one of the things that most of us do is we start something but are not consistent and do not follow through and therefore the method only works for a small percentage of the peeps that actually do the homework.  The “Freedom” box is a simple way to deal with your emotions if you are not consistent with a journal.

Everyday write your thoughts and how you would like to feel and place it in the Freedom box and let go of it.  Below is the original article where I first learned of the God Box.  I have since used this to keep worry and anxiety out of my life.  It is also fun to use with the kids.  We can make a vacation box, favorite things to do box or more like a wish box.    You can customize your box to meet your needs and even your belief system.  The therapy is in the letting go of the worry, fear, want, anxiety and placing it in the box.   It is easy to do with a post it note and you do not have to spend lots of time on it.  Keep your box out in a common area this will help prompt you to use it frequently.  It would also be a nice gift for Mother’s Day or for a friend.  Click this link and print the information out on the Box and buy a nice box and enjoy!

The *GOD BOX*

Rarely has an article in a non secular publication made such an impact on my life as one did this past week in the magazine *Real Simple* If you have the chance please pick up a copy and read the story on page 233 called the *GOD BOX* written by Mary Lou Quinlan.

I personally keep prayer journals but the authors mother Mary Finlayson kept what she called a *GOD BOX*. Mary Lou knew of these boxes as she was growing up, she called them her mothers “one stop problem solver” when it came to coping with the stresses of life. What Mary Lou found when her mother died was a series of trinket boxes which she calls nothing fancy but were filled with requests her mother had made on her behalf, her brother and father. They were scraps of paper – the back of a receipt, a torn paper towel, or anything else handy that she could scribble a prayer request to GOD on and put in the BOX and leave it in Gods hands. The part I especially love is how she would sign the requests “Love, Mary” or just “Thank you”. All of her requests ran the “gamut” from big to small, things she just needed GOD to hear her plea’s for and be done with them, from what I read Mary did as we are called to do, *Let Go and Let GOD*.

GOD has a way of talking to us personally in so many ways and then prompts us to share HIS message and I BELIEVE with all my heart is what he did with this article. It is no secret I BELIEVE in the power of prayer and I like so many know struggle with actually being able to give things over to GOD and letting HIM actually work! I have spent many a Sunday morning at Church at the altar, hours in my prayer chair or long drives to work praying for the needs of my husband, our children and others that’s GOD lays on my heart. I go to HIM asking HIS Will be done, not mine and as soon as I say Amen……I seem pick each of those requests back up and worry about the out come because in my “human nature” I just seem to forget I gave it to GOD.

Tonight I am sure there of hundreds of prayers being scribbled on little pieces of paper everywhere and tucked away signed with thank you’s as they have been given to GOD for good this time. I pray with all my heart that one day after I have gone home to be with Jesus my children and or grandchildren will find comfort in knowing they were being prayed for and the *GOD BOXES* as proof of Christ’s love for them and how HE worked in there lives even before they knew it. And Yes, I have sent a personal Thank you to GOD and to Mary Lou Quinlan as well. I pray she is Blessed by sharing her Mothers story! *GOD BOX* .

The team at Miracle Skinny Drops and Little Choices Matter is happy to introduce to you Dr. Naomi. A professional relationship therapist and master life coach, Dr. Naomi joins the team of Little Choices Matter as a guest blogger. She delves into a variety of real life topics, which are of great interest to so many. Dr. Naomi skillfully navigates the issues to help create a new perspective for developing transformational ‘BreakThrus’ in life. Her mission is to awaken and activate authentic passion, producing freedom to live and love without limitations.

Dr. Naomi writes blog posts on a variety topics, like: ending yo yo dieting and emotional eating, hCG, the many ways stress impacts lives, identifying internal stress and triggers, and she teaches transformative behaviors to help change the unwanted behaviors and create new valuable ones. Her key areas of research include Cellular Biology, Quantum Physics – and she is bringing the newest brain sciences to the forefront. Dr. Naomi brings a wealth of knowledge, information, wisdom and humor to the lives of many.

A Master Life Coach and Transformational Trainer in character development, Dr. Naomi is also an international conference speaker, writer and inspirational teacher who specializes in integrating the spiritual and relational components of life as she shares her personal story of recovery in her unique style and humor. In her coaching, Naomi champions individual authenticity as she builds relationships and winning life strategies.

Holding a Masters and a Doctorate degree, she has spent more than 30 years in International ministry, including five and a half years living full time in Israel. She and husband Paul live in Southern California where they enjoy the closeness and joy of their children and grandchildren.

This month Dr. Naomi will be working with the book club (Click Here to Join) to delve into the book Full-Filled by Renee Stephens.  This month’s book addresses emotional eating.  Here is Dr. Naomi review of the book and upcoming discussion this month.

Review of “Full-Filled” by Renee Stephens
by Dr Naomi

I am very impressed and inspired both professionally and personally by Renee’s book.  She writes from her experience and training as a leading diet and weight loss coach and recovered food addict in a very easy to read book brimming with life changing insights and tools.

This is not just another diet book where you are focused on food. Renee focuses on changing our thinking that in her words, “creates transformation by losing weight from the inside out.” She promises this process to be easy and actually quite pleasurable!

As a transformational life coach myself and recovering Yo-Yo dieter I couldn’t wait to be a part of this new book club. She emphasizes the need to have both an offline and online supportive communities to be successful in this adventure and that is what we will all be doing together.

Her program is sound and easy to follow. The techniques that she offers and explains very well are cutting edge in the holistic world for mind/body/spirit transformation. She is taking a very painful and often shameful subject (weight loss) and skillfully reframes them into “a new way of thinking permanently transforming your relationship with food, your body, and yourself in a month and a half or maybe even sooner!”

OK, I’m in! I am looking forward to being on this journey together and and am here for you along the way. I think one of the aspects of her book that I love the most is that it is holistic and her techniques can be applied to any struggle that we deal with. 6 weeks is so doable and I believe we will see the results we are all seeking. Beyond the ever approaching dreaded summer season we are talking about improving the overall quality of our lives while we happen to drop a dress size or 2! This is a big picture book with everyday solutions that add up to you living an unprecedented future filled with successful living!

To your health,
Dr. Naomi

Here is a video Carol did recently on Miracle Noodles.  Many use these in p2 and as fillers.   They have no nutritional value and some have reported stalls but others have been able to add them and not see any issues.

Click the title to view the video when receiving via email.

Get the two new spices “free” in the Bundle pack and be the first to try them.

Also place an order for any amount and use code “taxday” in the coupon section at checkout and receive $5.00 off your order to help with shipping costs.

Our two new spices are fresh off the press and they are excellent. The lemon pepper is amazing.  These spices are not on the website yet but will be included in the Bundle Packs ordered from today until Tuesday night (Tax Day) at midnight.  We have included a few recipes below for their use.

Try this Dressing with the Lemon Pepper and Sassy
1/4 tsp Sassy Vinaigrette Dressing Spice
1/2 tsp Lemon Pepper
2T MCT Oil
1/4 cup of water
1/8 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 packet of stevia powder

A great dressing for your favorite salad or veggies. I also sprinkle the Lemon Pepper on top after pouring the dressing. I will mix the ingredients in a cup and pour over salad. This is a single serving.  A great afternoon snack or make a larger batch and serve for dinner.

Asian Chicken & Spinach Salad
100 grams of chicken
1/2 Tbsp. MCT oil
1 Tbsp. onion, chopped (I liked red onion)
1/2 garlic clove, minced (or 1/4 – 1/2 tsp.garlic powder)
1 tsp. Little Choices Matter Asian Gourmet
2 c. spinach, chopped
1 tomato, chopped

Asian Dressing:
1 Tbsp. MCT oil
1 tsp. Braggs Liquid Aminos or (wheat free) Tamari sauce
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
1/2 Tbsp. water
1/2 tsp. Asian Gourmet Seasoning
4-5 drops liquid stevia

In a fry pan, heat MCT oil and add chicken and cook until done. Stir in garlic, Asian Gourmet Seasoning and ginger then fry for one
minute more, stirring often. Remove from stove and allow to cool. On a plate, place chopped spinach, onion and tomato. Add chicken
and dressing and serve. Mix dressing and serve over salad. If desired, sprinkle with additional Asian Gourmet Seasoning.

Relax, Stalls Happen

Watch Carol’s new video on breaking a stall on the blog site. It does not show up in email. You will need to click through on the post title.

When doing hCG we almost all experience stall points. There are many reasons for a stall and you will find you fit in one of the categories below. The biggest reason if we see if there is not one of these interruptions present is not tracking and dietary errors. According to Pounds and Inches, he addresses the causes of stalls and what to expect. It is important to know your body will not lose everyday and that everyone stalls. Dr. Simeons states in the Former Levels section that some stalls can drag on for up to 2 weeks. This process is complicated and we believe if you understand it better it will help you have patience at the scale when the stall comes to your door. You can experience stalls mid cycle, and definitely towards the end. If you are close to your goal weight you will experience many stalls getting there. Let your body work the process and continue to stay on protocol. The end result is worth it.

“We distinguish four types of interruption in the regular daily loss. The first is the one that has already been mentioned in which the weight stays stationary for a day or two, and this occurs, particularly towards the end of a course, in almost every case.”

“After the fourth or fifth day of dieting the daily loss of weight begins to decrease to one pound or somewhat less per day, and there is a smaller urinary output. Men often continue to lose regularly at that rate, but women are more irregular in spite of faultless dieting. There may be no drop at all for two or three days and then a sudden loss which reestablishes the normal average. These fluctuations are entirely due to variations in the retention and elimination of water, which are more marked in women than in men.”

“When these cells are empty and therefore serve no purpose the body breaks down the cellular structure and absorbs it, but breaking up of useless cells, connective tissue, blood vessels, etc., may lag behind the process of fat-extraction. When this happens the body appears to replace some of the extracted fat with water which is retained for this purpose. As water is heavier than fat the scales may show no loss of weight, although sufficient fat has actually been consumed to make up for the deficit in the 500-Calorie diet. When then such tissue is finally broken down, the water is liberated and there is a sudden flood of urine and a marked loss of weight.”

“This simple interpretation of what is really an extremely complex mechanism is the one we give those patients who want to know why it is that on certain days they do not lose, though they have committed no dietary error.”

Interruptions in Weight loss

Plateau: “The second type of interruption we call a “plateau”. A plateau lasts 4-6 days and frequently occurs during the second half of a full course, particularly in patients that have been doing well and whose overall average of nearly a pound per effective injection has been maintained. Those who are losing more than the average all have a plateau sooner or later. A plateau always corrects, itself, but many patients who have become accustomed to a regular daily loss get unnecessarily worried and begin to bet. No amount of explanation convinces them that a plateau does not mean that they are no longer responding normally to treatment.”

Former Level: “The third type of interruption in the regular loss of weight may last much longer-ten days to two weeks. Fortunately, it is rare and only occurs in very advanced cases, and then hardly ever during the first course of treatment. It is seen only in those patients who during some period of their lives have maintained a certain fixed degree of obesity for ten years or more and have then at some time rapidly increased beyond that weight. When then in the course of treatment the former level is reached, it may take two weeks of no loss, in spite of HCG and diet, before further reduction is normally resumed.”

Menstrual Hormones: “The fourth type of interruption is the one which often occurs a few days before and during the menstrual period and in some women at the time of ovulation.”

Dietary Errors: “Any interruption of the normal loss of weight which does not fit perfectly into one of those categories is always due to some possibly very minor dietary error. Similarly, any gain of more than 100 grams is invariably the result of some transgression or mistake, unless it happens on or about the day of ovulation or during the three days preceding the onset of menstruation, in which case it is ignored. In all other cases the reason for the gain must be established at once. The patient who frankly admits that he has stepped out of his regimen when told that something has gone wrong is no problem. He is always surprised at being found out, because unless he has seen this himself he will not believe that a salted almond, a couple of potato chips, a glass of tomato juice or an extra orange will bring about a definite increase in his weight on the following day. Very often he wants to know why extra food weighing one ounce should increase his by six ounces. We explain this in the following way: Under the influence of HCG the blood is saturated with food and the blood volume has adapted itself so that it can only just accommodate the 500 Calories which come in from the intestinal tract in the course of the day. Any additional income, however little this may be, cannot be accommodated and the blood is therefore forced to increase its volume sufficiently to hold the extra food, which it can only do in a very diluted form. Thus it is not the weight of what is eaten that plays the determining role but rather the amount of water which the body must retain to accommodate this food. This can be illustrated by mentioning the case of salt. In order to hold one teaspoonful of salt the body requires one liter of water, as it cannot accommodate salt in any higher concentration. Thus, if a person eats one teaspoon full of salt his weight will go up by more than two pounds as soon as this salt is absorbed from his intestine. To this explanation many patients reply: Well, if I put on that much every time I eat a little extra, how can I hold my weight after the treatment It must therefore be made clear that this only happens as long as they are under HCG. When treat melt is over, the blood is no longer saturated and can easily accommodate extra food without having to increase its volume. Here again the professional reader will he aware that this interpretation is a simplification of an extremely intricate physiological process which actually accounts for the phenomenon.”

Ways to Break a Stall:

The Plateau: “In such cases we consider it permissible, for purely psychological reasons, to break up the plateau. This can be done in two ways. One is a so-called “apple day”. An apple-day begins at lunch and continues until just before lunch of the following day. The patients are given six large apples and are told to eat one whenever they feel the desire though six apples is the maximum allowed. During an apple-day no other food or liquids except plain water are allowed and of water they may only drink just enough to quench an uncomfortable thirst if eating an apple still leaves them thirsty. Most patients feel no need for water and are quite happy with their six apples. Needless to say, an apple- day may never be given on the day on which there is no injection. The apple-day produces a gratifying loss of weight on the following day, chiefly due to the elimination of water. This water is not regained when the patients resume their normal 500- Calorie diet at lunch, and on the following days they continue to lose weight satisfactorily.
The other way to break up a plateau is by giving a non- mercurial diuretic for one day. This is simpler for the patient but we prefer the apple-day as we sometimes find that though the diuretic is very effective on the following day it may take two to three days before the normal daily reduction is resumed, throwing the patient into a new fit of despair. It is useless to give either an apple-day or a diuretic unless the weight has been stationary for at least four days without any dietary error having been committed.”

Investigating Dietary Errors:

“When the reason for a slight gain in weight is not immediately evident, it is necessary to investigate further. A patient who is unaware of having committed an error or is unwilling to admit a mistake protests indignantly when told he has done something he ought not to have done. In that atmosphere no fruitful investigation can be conducted; so we calmly explain that we are not accusing him of anything but that we know for certain from our not inconsiderable experience that something has gone wrong and that we must now sit down quietly together and try and find out what it was. Once the patient realizes that it is in his own interest that he play an active and not merely a passive role in this search, the reason for the set-hack is almost invariably discovered. Having been through hundreds of such sessions, we are nearly always able to distinguish the deliberate liar from the patient who is merely fooling himself or is really unaware of having erred.”

Related Posts to help you with Stalls:

Track Your Calories!

hCG Deficiency

Melba Toast Has Hidden Sugars

What Am I Doing Wrong?

I Cheated Now What?

Eating Clean vs Correction Days

Apple Day on Phase 2

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We wanted to wish each of you a very Happy Easter Weekend!

To watch Carol’s video on the phases visit this post on the blog.

There are four phases to the hCG Diet.

Phase 1:

Phase one is preparing for the diet. This is a preparatory phase that is very important but many skip. We recommend at least reading Pounds and Inches and trying one of the detox methods as you await your shipment. You can use this time to read Pounds and Inches, do your measurements( check out the myotape) and work on detoxing your body to prepare for the diet. Try the Ultimate Detox Cleanse. Click here for all your Phase 1 information.

Phase 2:

When you start taking the hCG drops is the beginning of phase 2. The first 3 days of phase 2 you will be eating a high fat diet while taking your drops 3x a day. Hold the drops under your tongue for a minimum of two minutes to absorb the hCG sublingually. You will then start building your fat reserves while the hCG is starting to build in your system. On Day 4 you will begin your start of the VLCD diet. This will be 500 calories while taking the hCG 3x a day. There are two programs a 23 day plan and a 43 day plan. Depending on which you are on you will continue the 500 calorie diet. Here is an example day on the hCG diet. Click here for Phase 2 tips and recipe informaiton.

Phase 3:

This phase is one of the most important phases of the diet. The goal here is maintenance. You do not want to lose or gain during this 3 week period following your last doseage weight. Dr. Simeons says in Pounds and Inches you are resetting your hypothalomus to this new weight so your body will remember it and it will keep you from gaining back weight in the future. You do not want your weight do go above or below 2lbs. of your LDW. During this cycle you are to have 1500 calories including fats with no startches or sugars. If you need more calories to maintain (if you are still losing on 1500 increase your calories to avoid any weight fluctuations, men especially sometimes need to do this to keep their LDW). After you have reached stabilization you will want to slowly start adding in items one at a time to see how your body responds. You will monitor this by weighing daily and seeing if a new food has caused you to gain. Once you have stabilized for 3 weeks you can return to p2 (if you are taking injections this is 6 weeks) or you can move on to P4, which is the phase once you have reached your goal weight and are ready for lifetime maintenance. If you experience a gain during your stabilization period immediately do a Steak Day or Alternative Correction Day. Click here to visit the Phase 3 category for tips and recipes.

Phase 4:

Once you achieve your goal weight you are ready for phase 4. Phase 4 is the “forever” phase. We do not ever want to return to our previous weight and will want to maintain and stay at our LDW. Phase 4 is actually easy once you have stabilized correctly. If you happen to have an off day the weight comes right back off easily and you can continue this process. In Phase 4 you can begin to add back in limited sugars and startches. I know for me I love chocolate and have tested this in phase 4, while I do not eat it everyday I have been able to enjoy the “treats” in life i.e. Pizza, a donut, cereal etc when testing the phase 4 lifestyle with no gains. You will always want to monitor your weight so that if you have a serious gain you can correct it, but it is easier to have a treat in p4 and actually see no gain at all. Click here for all your Phase 4 category information.

I hope this information was helpful. I know the phases can be confusing. You need to know this terminology to get the correct recipes for which phase you are in. There is a category section on the right side bar of the blog for your convenience. We are here to help and you will be seeing more p4 information as Carol and I have been in phase 4 for months now. We are an interactive site so please share any tips or recipes you think others would find helpful and we will all be healthier and skinnier together. More information on Phase 4 click here http://miracleskinnydrops.com/2011/01/keep-it-off-in-phase-4/

This is a great recipe for both P2 and P3. It may look boring but it is not only easy, it is healthy and nutritious. Raw spinach is a great vegetable for weight loss. Great for a healthy pick-me-up in between meals!

Shamrock Shake (P2)

7-10 frozen strawberries
2 cups raw spinach
1/2 tsp. vanilla or 2 drops pure peppermint extract (optional)
8-10 drops liquid stevia – can also use flavored stevia
1 Tbsp. milk
crushed ice
water

Blend and enjoy

Shamrock Shake (P3)

7-10 frozen strawberries
2 cups raw spinach
1/2 tsp. vanilla or 2 drops pure peppermint extract (optional)
8-10 drops liquid stevia – can also use flavored stevia
crushed ice
water or coconut milk

Optional – 1 scoop protein powder, 2 Tbsp. peanut butter, blueberries, banana, etc.

Blend and enjoy

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has been used as a home remedy for years for numerous reasons including including increased energy, weight loss and aiding in digestion. It contains many nutrients which include minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and iron, and vitamins including vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin B6. Studies have shown that Apple Cider Vinegar is an important component to weight loss, but it’s not the most delicious product. It is recommended to drink 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water 30 minutes before a meal.

Here is a great way to enjoy a nice cup of hot apple cider and get in your apple cider vinegar.

Spicy Apple Cider
8-10 oz hot water
2 tsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar
8-10 drops if liquid stevia

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon and optional spices such as cloves, nutmeg, allspice or apple pie spice (Click Here)

Blend and enjoy.

Are you in P3 and struggling? Do you gain when you eat dairy or a slice of bread? We believe the milk and Grissini (or Melba) are an important element in Dr. Simeons’ protocol and if you avoid it on P2, it could  P3. Here’s why!

If you are not reintroducing dairy or this type of starch due to gluten or lactose intolerance this does not apply to you. This is if you want to one day enjoy cheese, yogurt, cheesecake and not worry! Or if you want to have a slice of bread at the Outback or eat a sandwich at Subway and not have wild gains.

I talk a lot about grissini because that is what I ate. You need to watch the Melba toast as many have hidden ingredients

If you want to have a slice of bread at Outback or eat a sandwich at Subway and not gain, you should stick the grissini or Melba.

Keep in mind it’s about the dairy, not the milk – so the more whole the milk is, the better. If you get low-fat or 2% you are not going to be getting enough real dairy as you would with whole milk to help introduce other dairy items later. And drinking whole milk doesn’t bring in a bunch of additives. Half and Half is also acceptable if they are not hindering your losses. I never drink milk, I love my coconut or almond milk now, but I do eat dairy such as cheese, yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, etc. So, if you want to eat any dairy in P3 and stabilize, have the 1 Tbsp milk in P2.

If you did not do milk and/or grissini in P2 and are struggling with stabilizing in P3, you can slowly introduce it. So, remove all your dairy and go back to 1 Tbsp a day for a few days then increase it slowly. And if you choose or decide you are need to do another round and add it in you will see a much smoother P3 next time.

Here are a few creative ways you can add it in.

Crush the grissini (or melba) and mix in some italian seasoning with my ground beef to make a nice hamburger patty or use it to coat fish or chicken.

Cinnamon Chicken with Melba Toast

100 grams of chicken
1 serving Melba toast crumbs
½ cup chicken broth or water
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of cardamom
1/8 tsp. curry powder
Dash of garlic powder
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Stevia to taste

Mix Melba toast crumbs with ½ of the dry spices in a small bowl. Dip chicken in broth and coat with Melba spice mixture. Lay in shallow baking dish. Add broth and mix in remaining spices.

Top the chicken with the rest of the Melba spice mixture. Bake chicken at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.

Milk

• Add it to your coffee or tea
• Add to your favorite recipe – soups, chili, etc. mixing it with water.
• Make your dressing creamy by adding milk

Creamy Dressing

1 Tbsp. MCT oil
1 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
3/4 – 1 tsp. LCM Sassy Vinaigrette
1 Tbsp. milk

Mix all together and enjoy!

In this video Carol talks about her experiences with those who have and have not used the grissini and milk during their Phase 2 hCG protocol as recommended by Dr. Simeons in Pounds and Inches. She will be discussing this further in the new Phase 2 book she has coming out in the next few months about the importance of following the protocol guidelines.