Harry Potter---Two Thumbs Up!

First of all, it was nice hearing from those of you who left comments on my blog! Today, I figured I would discuss a couple of the topics further that a few of you commented on.

My friend, Cheryl, asked about the details of the diet/detox that I am doing. Basically, I have cut all processed food out of my diet. That means no prepared foods, frozen or canned, and no potato chips, crackers or anything like that. I have no sugar unless it is from a piece of fruit. I am drinking about 80 oz. of water a day, and I have not eaten any red meat, bread or dairy products. Finally, I have been using very little to no salt. In its place I have used products like Mrs. Dash to help fool my taste buds into thinking I am eating salt.

What, then, do I eat, might you ask? Well, I eat fresh vegetables and a lot of them! Everyday for lunch, I have fresh spinach and other salad greens with either tuna or black beans (canned with no salt added) and a couple of walnuts thrown in for crunch. I top it off with a low fat vinagrette made with olive oil. For dinner I have made a variety of dishes from Black Bean, Brown Rice and Corn Salad (with cilantro, jalapenos and a vinagrette dressing) to a Spicy Cabbage Soup that I am having tomorrow for dinner. When I cook with stocks, I make sure and buy the low sodium variety and really try to limit the quantity. It is amazing how a low sodium diet will keep you from having that bloated and swollen feeling. For the first time in a few years, my left knee doesn't hurt when I exercise. That is definitely due to decreased sodium intake, whichs keeps fluid from building up around my joints. Also, I try to really limit my intake of poultry to maybe once or twice a week, and instead have fish at least twice a week. I also make sure I have a serving (or more) of organic, fresh vegetables at every meal and fresh fruit, such as watermelon, apples, or oranges, at least once a day. Oh, I almost forgot the most important meal of the day! For breakfast generally I have been eating soy yogurt and a banana, and about 30 minutes before I eat breakfast, I have the juice of one lemon diluted with a little hot water. This helps get the system going first thing in the morning.

If you are looking to start a diet or detox, let me know. I have a ton of excellent recipes that will make you never want fast food again!

My wonderful friend and Quasi Mom, Barb (in Kansas City), mentioned that she loves to watch a great movie and "escape". I am a movie lover, as well. The last movie Keith and I saw was "Failure to Launch" with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey. We thought it was really cute and funny...a good Friday night movie. We also recently watched all four of the Harry Potter movies. They were FANTASTIC! Frankly, I did not think I would like them at all, but I truly loved them. I can't wait for the next one in 2007. I borrowed all of the books from my friend, Robbie, and am working on the first one now. It is a fantastic book...so well-written...such imagination!

So, what good movies have you all seen lately?

Ok...I have to go...Keith is calling for me. PROJECT RUNWAY is on! Yea!