Recipe: Rosemary and Sage Rubbed Pork Tenderloin

1 Large pork tenderloin 1 large sprig rosemary 4 sage leaves 1 glug hazelnut oil salt and pepper to taste Trim the tenderloin of "silver skin" and rub with hazelnut oil. Salt and pepper the tenderloin, and then chop the rosemary and sage leaves until they basically turn to dust. Sprinkle the "dust" over the tenderloin. Roast in the oven for about 30 minutes at 425 degrees (F). Remove when internal temp = 150 degrees, and LET IT REST for 10 minutes before slicing. This was SO GOOD. I ate it with spinach and black beans cooked with onions and garlic, and a quarter of an avocado with a pinch of salt and lots of lemon juice. What a great meal, and it's 100% slow carb compliant.

Day 1--Starting again!

So, taking pictures of your food really works. I know this because camera failures have led to overall failure to adhere strictly to the slow carb methods, and I am now back to almost where I started from--just 2.5 pounds less than my starting weight. Last week I cheated a lot, so instead of cheating and feeling bad about it I decided to go off of the diet and eat whatever I wanted for about 4 days. I had pizza, fruit, burgers, fries, chocolate cake--you name it. It was fun, but I feel relieved to be back on slow carb this morning. I think it will be interesting to track how quickly I return to my low point weight-wise, and also to see if I gained back any inches that I lost. My weight may be up about seven pounds, but my clothing still fits better, and people still keep commenting that I look smaller. What the scale says is such a tiny part of this plan--I have got to remember that.

Breakfast was on plan today. I have "supplies" now, so I hope to prepare lunches ahead of time so that I have good food available to me any time I feel any hunger. I also created an Excel spreadsheet to track weight/measurement changes.

My goals for the next 30 days:
1. Stick to slow-carb all week, and only cheat for two meals on cheat day
2. Use the kettlebell 3X a week for 10 minutes per session
3. Return to regular icing (with ice packs) 5 days a week
4. Begin experimenting with supplements

This is not a goal, but I would love for my weight to reach 17 lbs. total lost.

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, arugula



Lunch: Mexican roast chicken, beans, grilled onions, avocado salsa, salsa, diet coke (not pictured)



Dinner: Garlic cumin pork, spinach, refried organic black beans (This looks gross but it tasted great) I had two servings of this.

I managed to not cheat today. There is chocolate all over the office where I am working. I've got to just steer clear. It helped to have a plan in place and to have weighed in this morning.

Day 32, 33, 34

Well, my plan to make this a visual food diary is failing due to a lack of a good camera. Friday I was back on plan. Saturday I had a cheat day, and today I'm back on plan again.

Friday:
-Eggs, greens, cottage cheese
-Pork, spinach
-Salad w/eggs, beef, greens, bacon, balsamic, tomato, onion

Saturday:
-Beef patty and beans
-White cheddar Cheez-It, ginger ale
-Gyro, french fries
-Pork and cheese chile relleno, beans, tomato, avocado slaw, ice cream, glass of milk, 2.5 white chocolate and cranberry cookeis

Sunday:
-Pork and beef patty, spinach
-Chicken and white bean cassoulet
-Chicken and white bean cassoulet + arugula and cider vinegar dressing

Day 30, 31

CHEATER! I cheated yesterday. Not sure why or what came over me. Maybe it was that 30 day mark. I had a good breakfast, and then a salad with chicken for lunch, and then I had half a turkey sandwich that was out on the table at work. Then at dinner I ate mostly on program--grilled pork and lamb and a salad, but I had a small piece of spinach pie, and for dessert--a piece of chocolate cake. What came over me? I have no idea. Back on plan today, and I might have to have yesterday be cheat day for the week...we shall see...

Day 31 I'm back on track, but having camera difficulties. For breakfast I had scrambled eggs (2 whole, 2 white), for lunch I had a beef patty, beans, arugula, and avocado slaw. Early dinner was a Snap kitchen dish of chimichurri chicken with carrots and yellow squash with a dessert made of ground up cashew nuts and some peanut butter. It was a bit of a cheat, but after my cheat yesterday I was hurting for more, so I figured it was worth it to have that instead of some sort of serious cheat item.

Day 29

Up half a pound, but down another 3 inches. That's a 9.5 lb and 12 inch loss in a month. I'm very pleased with the results, and plan to continue this plan for at least another two weeks, and maybe even longer. Meanwhile I found out I am NOT pre-diabetic, so that was excellent news. 4-Hour Body will hopefully help keep me that way, and lead to further reductions in cholesterol, body fat percentage, and a longer, healthier life.

No picture of breakfast. I had 2 eggs and an Atkins shake. Not that balanced, but I was in a big hurry.



Lunch: grass fed beef patty, lentils, avocado, arugula w/ cider vinegar dressing.



Dinner: Chipotle carnitas bowl-Pork, black beans, red peppers and onions, guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo, lettuce. YUM.

From what I can tell, today's calorie count was 1250. I was full and satisfied all day, and even over-ate with dinner. I love this diet!

Day 28

Back down to almost pre-cheat weight. I'm actually working all this week, so I might not have a lot of commentary.



Breakfast: Eggs, beans, avocado slaw, salsa



Lunch: Snap kitchen turkey chili with black beans, arugula with cider vinegar dressing



Early dinner: Grass-fed beef patty, lentils, sauerkraut, artichoke hearts (I had a double serving of this--and sorry for the blur!)

Day 27

UGH. I feel hung over from that pie yesterday. Glad to be back to clean eating this morning.



Breakfast: Eggs, avocado slaw, black and pinto beans, salsa.



Lunch: Free range beef burger, green beans, arugula w/ cider vinegar dressing.

Dinner: exactly the same as lunch above.