No More Diets - Junk Food Joy?

23rd June 2006

Contents

Feature Article:

* Junk Food Joy?

Recipe of the Week:

* "Instant" chicken noodles

New on my Think Slim Blog this week...

* Easy way to lose weight fast?
* Would your scales tell you this?
* Janet Jackson's Weight Loss Secrets

Hi!

Oops - have got on my high-horse with this week's article but I just read again about how food manufacturers' profits are soaring while our standards of health suffer as a result and I got really mad ....it's just like those computer hackers who use their technical skills to cause mayhem when they could use them to make the world a better place......

Have a great weekend

Love

Janice Elizabeth
Personal Weight Loss coach

http://www.SimplySlimming.com

"The friendliest place to lose weight on the web"

P.S. If you've missed any issues of this ezine, you can find all 44 of them on the No More Diets back issues blog at http://nomoredietsezine.blogspot.com

P.P.S. I still have 5 places in my test group for those of you who are serious about losing weight and have more than 15lbs to lose. Take a look at http://www.weight-loss-motivation-program.com/offer.html to try out my program for FREE.

Feature Article : Junk Food Joy?

Don't you just hate those food companies who make a fortune out of making us overweight and ill? They seem to seek out healthy children and adults and mesmerize them into eating their products with clever adverts and attractive packaging.

Yet we have to take some responsibility for the mess. The annual spend on the mountain of processed, packaged food and takeaways keeps on rising every year and coupled with veritable sea full of soda we swallow - it's not a pretty picture. We seem to have fallen in love with feeding ourselves junk even though there is not one of us who thinks it is good for us.

Where will it all end? As the profits of the food manufacturers go up, our average weight increases and our health takes a nose-dive.

We know all this and we still continue to buy that stuff. Maybe we have cut down a little but we still buy it - I still buy it now and again and I definitely know better!

What are the manufacturers and fast-food vendors doing to make us buy what is truly killing us and making us fat?

• They have made junk food and soda acceptable, even glamorous with their adverts
  
• They have made this type of food easy to "grab and go"
  
• They have made the kids use "pester power" demand it from us using toys and cartoon characters
  
• They have made it cheap by adding trans-fats and low-grade food fillers
  
• They have made the packaging bright and desirable.
  
• They have put it on every street corner and in every store - piles of it
  
• They have infiltrated our culture and made eating junk part of almost every outing
  
• They have made it unnecessary to cook and some of us no longer do
  
• They have become so powerful that governments are unable to legislate against them
  
• They have filled their foods with the fatty, salty, crunchy or sweet comfort we crave

What can you do about it?

Well, there's one solution - you can refuse to give them your money!

You don't need a single junk item the manufacturers and fast food retailers produce and your body certainly doesn't. If you don't buy it, you can't eat it.

Does that fill you with horror? Are you feeling miserable at the thought of doing without your donuts and double cheeseburgers? super size cola and fries? double chocolate chip cookies and ice cream? Chocolate bars and crunchy snacks?

There is a solution to that too.

Eat the junk foods you love but eat them rarely - say once a month - the tiniest portion you can get. Or do something radical like learning to prepare some of your favourites at home using the purest highest-quality ingredients. I have never eaten a commercial burger since I found out how easy they are to make myself and how much better they taste.

If your weight is not making you happy then junk food is not going to cheer you up - it is just adding to your problems. Beat it with a boycott or keep it where it belongs - off your everyday menu.

Copyright 2006, Janice Elizabeth Small

Recipe of the week : "Instant" Chicken noodles

Not quite as fast as pouring boiling water in a plastic pot - but all the taste without the chemicals

Serves 2

475 calories a serving

125g (4oz) cooked and chopped chicken
125g (4oz) medium egg noodles
Olive oil spray
1 red (bell) pepper, deseeded and chopped
200g (7oz) broccoli, in small florets
125g (4oz) mushrooms, thickly sliced
25g (1oz) cashew nuts
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon runny honey

Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions (about 4 minutes). Meanwhile spray a pan with oil and stir fry the red pepper, broccoli and mushrooms for 5 minutes. Add the cashew nuts, ginger, soy sauce and honey and continue to stir fry. Add the chicken and noodles and heat through. Serve immediately.

New on the members' site this week

In the Recipes section:

* White Bean, Mushroom and Spinach Salad
* Summer Chicken with Lemon
* Broccoli Pasta

On the Forum (Anything Else to Share section)

* Take the Vitality Assessment

Have a great week

Love

Janice Elizabeth

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions for future issues, please let me know.

P.S. Know anyone else who would like a copy of this ezine? Please pass it on. If you received this from a friend you can get your own copy at http://www.SimplySlimming.com Look for the link to "Free report".

Legal and admin

Copyright 2006, J. Small All Rights Reserved.

This newsletter provides information for general purposes only and is not intended as a substitute foe medical or health advice from professionals. The accuracy, completeness and suitability of the material for your needs has not been assessed or verified and cannot be guaranteed. This disclaimer also applies to any recommendations or links within the newsletter. You bear responsibility for your own health research and decisions. Please consult with a professional health care advisor before embarking on a weight loss or exercise program or making any personal health decisions. No liability can be accepted for the use made of any information contained within the newsletter or obtained by following any links or recommendations within it. If you do not wish to accept the above conditions you may not use our materials.

No More Diets - No Stopping You

16th June 2006

Contents

Feature Article:

* No Stopping You

Recipe of the Week:

* Spicy Veggie Dip

Hi!

Everything seems to be happening all at once here in Edinburgh: hot summer days, end of school year events for the boys, parties and barbecues galore and I'm planning a new product launch.

If you are serious about losing weight and have more than 15lbs to lose take a look at http://www.weight-loss-motivation-program.com/offer.html and see how you can be part of my test group and try out my program for FREE.

Have a great weekend

Love

Janice Elizabeth
Personal Weight Loss coach

http://www.SimplySlimming.com

"The friendliest place to lose weight on the web"

P.S. If you've missed any issues of this ezine, you can find all 43 of them on the No More Diets back issues blog at http://nomoredietsezine.blogspot.com

Feature Article : No Stopping You

"If you want something badly enough, and believe in your heart that you can get it, then there is almost nothing that can stop you. You become a charging bull, a juggernaut, that can't be deflected."
Martin Avis http://www.KickstartDaily.com

When I read this quote a couple of days ago, it made me think of how successful weight loss can be if you genuinely want it and are ready to do what it takes.

It really doesn't matter how difficult everyone says it is. It doesn't matter that over 95% of the people who attempt to lose weight don't make it. YOU will succeed if you want it enough. Because there is really nothing stopping you do this, other than plain negative thinking and lack of real desire.

Whatever excuses you normally use to make it easy for yourself to stay as you are, count for nothing if you want to lose weight enough.

Not enough time? You'll find some if you make your health and fitness a priority. Too much hassle putting a healthy meal together? You'll do it anyway if you want to succeed. Can't resist food or drinks when everyone else is having a good time? Decide you're going to have a good time without overindulging - enjoy the food and drink in moderation AND the feeling the next day of having no regrets.

And the beauty of it all is that when you make the time and effort to keep fit, prepare good food and eat or drink in moderation you feel like a million dollars and your energy levels soar - you are suddenly capable of doing much more and getting more enjoyment out of life to boot.

What is the alternative?

Carrying on as you are, losing a few pounds here, a few pounds there, putting it all back on again? Getting slightly bigger each year?

Why not reach down inside of you and fire up your desire to succeed? Decide that nothing is going to stop you this time and be ready to quit making excuses and look for workable solutions instead. Drive that juggernaut through every obstacle! You can do this, you really can!

Copyright 2006, Janice Elizabeth Small

New on my Think Slim Blog this week...

* Personal Diet Chef
* Be Clear about Weight Loss
* Free 154 page ebook Ultimate Fitness Secrets
* Instant "Weight Loss"

Recipe of the week : Spicy Veggie Dip

Great dip for cheering up crunchy raw veggies

Serves 8

92 calories a serving

25g (1oz) sun-dried tomatoes, drained of oil
225g (8 oz) light cream cheese
7 tablespoons plain fat-free yogurt
4 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
1 red (bell) pepper deseeded and chopped
4 spring (salad) onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
1/2 tsp celery seed
pinch cayenne pepper

Soak the tomatoes in a little boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain and chop. Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, yogurt and chili sauce. Add the drained, chopped tomatoes and the remaining ingredients and mix well. Keep cool until ready to serve.

New on the members' site this week

In the Recipes section:

* Low-cal Chicken Fajitas
* Mediterranean Layered Potatoes
* Beanfeast

On the Forum (in the Healthy Eating Tips section)

* Free Online Book - losing a lot of weight

Have a great week

Love

Janice Elizabeth

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions for future issues, please let me know.

P.S. Know anyone else who would like a copy of this ezine? Please pass it on. If you received this from a friend you can get your own copy at http://www.SimplySlimming.com Look for the link to "Free report".

Legal and admin

Copyright 2006, J. Small All Rights Reserved.

This newsletter provides information for general purposes only and is not intended as a substitute foe medical or health advice from professionals. The accuracy, completeness and suitability of the material for your needs has not been assessed or verified and cannot be guaranteed. This disclaimer also applies to any recommendations or links within the newsletter. You bear responsibility for your own health research and decisions. Please consult with a professional health care advisor before embarking on a weight loss or exercise program or making any personal health decisions. No liability can be accepted for the use made of any information contained within the newsletter or obtained by following any links or recommendations within it. If you do not wish to accept the above conditions you may not use our materials.

No More Diets - Eat Less Meat

9th June 2006

Contents

Feature Article:

* Eat Less Meat

Recipe of the Week:

* Fennel and Tomato Bake

Also new on my Think Slim Blog this week:

* Weight Loss Lipgloss
* Slim-choc (Are the comments for real?)
* Comfort Food


Hi!

This week's article is about cutting down on red meat and so in honour of that this week's recipe is vegetarian.

I did have a go at eating only vegetarian food for a few months many moons ago but missed meat (and especially bacon) too much and reverted back to meat eating. But I still cook a lot of the dishes we discovered at that time simply because they taste so good.

Why not have a go at meat-free eating a couple of nights a week and experiment with some new recipes?

Have a great weekend

Love

Janice Elizabeth
Personal Weight Loss coach

http://www.SimplySlimming.com

"The friendliest place to lose weight on the web"

P.S. If you've missed any issues of this ezine, you can find all 42 of them on the No More Diets back issues blog at http://nomoredietsezine.blogspot.com

Feature Article : Eat Less Meat

We are always being told that eating less red meat is good for us (well except by the beef, pork and lamb marketing people) but it's hard for established meat eaters to give up the habit. A meal just doesn't feel like a meal to some without a big hunk of meaty protein.

You don't have to give up meat entirely but it would be good to cut down for the sake of your health. Current guidelines suggest that we should eat no more than two meals with red meat a week.

While lean red meat is not that high in calories, there is always some hidden fat in there. And vegetarians certainly find it easier to maintain their weight than meat eaters. Vegetarian meals tend to be higher in fibre, fill you up faster with fewer calories and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

To cut down on the amount of red meat you eat (if you're reluctant to go vegetarian) ...

1. Reduce portion sizes

A normal portion of meat is is much less than most of us serve up. It's about the size of a pack of standard playing cards. Bear that in mind before you cover half the plate with a juicy steak! Gradually reduce the amount of meat you put on your plate so that you get accustomed to being satisfied with less.

2. Avoid making meat the main event

You can make a small portion of meat go further by using it in a dish rather than serving it alone on a plate. Combine a smaller amount of meat with a lot of vegetables in a stew, curry or stir fry.

3. Don't leave out protein entirely

A meal that is just carbohydrate based will not keep you satisfied for long so you can't just leave the meat off your plate - you have to replace it with an alternative protein source such as beans, lentils, chicken or fish. Try lots of recipes until you hit on some you like.

4. Select classic vegetarian dishes

If you'd like to try some vegetarian dishes remember that for meat eaters, a meal that is designed to be a replacement for a typical meat dish (for example, veggieburgers instead of hamburgers, spaghetti bolognaise made with textured vegetable protein) just emphasises what is missing - the meat. But if you cook something that is classically vegetarian (pizza margherita, spaghetti in tomato sauce, lentil soup) then it's easier to enjoy your meal without feeling you're missing out.

5. Go easy on Dairy foods

A lot of vegetarian dishes are based on cheese, cream and eggs. While these are great sources of protein for vegetarians, they tend to be high in saturated fat - sometimes higher than the meat meals you are replacing. For example macaroni cheese will be higher in fat and calories than lean roast beef - so choose tomato based sauces or dishes using just a small amount of cheese when you plan your vegetarian meals.

Copyright 2006, Janice Elizabeth Small

Make being slim a habit!

If you want to lose weight for good, discover the 24 keys to permanently losing weight with the Diet Exit Plan. This is an online coaching program which helps you think and act like the slim person you are inside. You'll see how to take on those slim habits and slot them more easily into your life.

You get all the support and encouragement you need to succeed too. The Diet Exit Plan manual is accompanied by 8 weekly modules and help from our weight loss coach is always on hand.

Not only that, we've also included 3-months membership of the Simply Slimming online slimming club with DAILY motivational messages about building, automating and planning your success, plus articles, recipes and tools. All for a single payment of just £47 (about $87). See it all at http://www.SimplySlimming.com

Recipe of the week : Fennel and Tomato bake


Recipe printed with kind pernission from Tracy Griffen a well-known Edinburgh fitness trainer. You can find her website at http://www.tracygriffen.com

Serves 2

Calories depend on how much olive oil you drizzle! Remember oil has about 120 calories a tablespoon otherwise this is a very low calorie dish.

one large fennel (or two small)
200 - 250g (about 8oz) cherry tomatoes
olive oil
balsamic vineager
juice of half a lemon
sea salt and cracked pepper
few springs of fresh thyme

Wash and remove the tough outer bits of the fennel, and chop the base out in a 'V' shape. Cut into 5mm slices, then steam until partially cooked (nearly tender). Wash the cherry tomatoes and combine them with the steamed fennel in a casserole dish. Drizzle over the olive oil, balsamic and lemon juice, add salt, pepper and thyme (fresh parsley tastes yummy too). Toss it all to combine and cook on a high shelf in an oven at about 220 degrees Centigrade (425F / Gas Mark 7). Cook for about 20 minutes or until the tomatoes are bursting from their skin .

New on the members' site this week

In the Recipes section:

* Cheese and Onion dip
* Hot Potato and Bean Salad
* Warm Rice Salad

On the Forum (anything else to share)

* Your Best Ever Body

Have a great week

Love

Janice Elizabeth

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions for future issues, please let me know.

P.S. Know anyone else who would like a copy of this ezine? Please pass it on. If you received this from a friend you can get your own copy at http://www.SimplySlimming.com Look for the link to "Free report".

Legal and admin

Copyright 2006, J. Small All Rights Reserved.

This newsletter provides information for general purposes only and is not intended as a substitute foe medical or health advice from professionals. The accuracy, completeness and suitability of the material for your needs has not been assessed or verified and cannot be guaranteed. This disclaimer also applies to any recommendations or links within the newsletter. You bear responsibility for your own health research and decisions. Please consult with a professional health care advisor before embarking on a weight loss or exercise program or making any personal health decisions. No liability can be accepted for the use made of any information contained within the newsletter or obtained by following any links or recommendations within it. If you do not wish to accept the above conditions you may not use our materials.

No More Diets - Be a Domestic God(dess)

2nd June 2006

Contents

Feature Article:

* Be a Domestic God(dess)

Recipe of the Week:

* Buckwheat Pancakes

Also new on my Think Slim blog this week:

* Less Time at the Gym?
* Weight Loss Triggers
* Perfect your Pasta Portions

Hi!

I was just thinking the other day "Wouldn't life be so much easier if supermarkets only stocked good fresh food and there was no junk to buy. And fast food restaurants, bakeries and the like disappeared."

If that happened, we'd be more or less forced to make good food choices (although we still might eat too much of the good stuff - we're less likely to go to town on it).

Unlikely to happen, I know, but then a girl can dream can't she? Then again, I might be out of a job along with all those in the junk food industry....

If you want to lose weight this June, why not try acting as if junk food didn't exist for a month?

Have a great week

Love

Janice Elizabeth
Personal Weight Loss coach

http://www.SimplySlimming.com

"The friendliest place to lose weight on the web"

P.S. If you've missed any issues of this ezine, you can find all 41 of them on the No More Diets back issues blog at http://nomoredietsezine.blogspot.com

Feature Article : Be a Domestic God(dess)

Scenario One : The house is a state. The kids are running around creating even more of a mess. There's nothing in for dinner. You think about which take away number to call and reach for a chocolate bar to soothe away your stress while flicking through the channels on TV. You've got a headache. Why can't the kids be quiet for once?

Scenario Two : You come in from work. The breakfast dishes and last night's dinner dishes are all over the kitchen. You're starving hungry but there's no way you're going to start cooking in all that mess. Off you go to the golden arches for a bite to eat. Just as well you went to the gym at lunch time to work off some of those calories. The dishes are still there when you come back. You slump down on the sofa with a drink and a snack.

Scenario Three : You spend 15 minutes in the morning before you start your day tidying up as fast as you can and another 15 minutes in the evening. You get some exercise 3 times a week with an energetic cleaning routine for at least 30 minutes. Your house looks great and you stop stressing about the state of everything. You plan and shop for a few simple to prepare meals once or twice a week and you always have something delicious and healthy available for dinner - and a clean kitchen to cook it in.

Mmmh - No prizes for guessing which scenario wins in the weight loss stakes.

If you recognize yourself a bit in the first two scenarios, why not turn over a new leaf and start putting more energy into your home. You burn about 30 to 50 calories every 10 minutes depending the effort you put in! If you're not responsible for housework maybe your partner would be delighted to get more help. Or you could give yourself the task of clearing out the garage, basement or attic or even do some decorating. And your garden may be crying out for some attention too.

If you have no cooking skills, it's something that we all need to learn so start with the basics and teach yourself or try to find a course locally. You'll be amazed at what you can whip up in no time at all with a little effort. Just remember not to go overboard when you learn how to bake a cake....

Maybe becoming a domestic God(dess) might be further than you want to go with this, but you'll be amazed at how applying a few basic skills and a bit of effort will go in making you feel good about yourself and your home - and what a relatively easy way it is to fit in exercise and improve your eating habits too.

Copyright 2006, Janice Elizabeth Small

Make being slim a habit!

If you want to lose weight for good, discover the 24 keys to permanently losing weight with the Diet Exit Plan. This is an online coaching program which helps you think and act like the slim person you are inside. You'll see how to take on those slim habits and slot them more easily into your life.

You get all the support and encouragement you need to succeed too. The Diet Exit Plan manual is accompanied by 8 weekly modules and help from our weight loss coach is always on hand.

Not only that, we've also included 3-months membership of the Simply Slimming online slimming club with DAILY motivational messages about building, automating and planning your success, plus articles, recipes and tools. All for a single payment of just £47 (about $87). See it all at http://www.SimplySlimming.com

Recipe of the week : Buckwheat Pancakes

A couple of pancakes with fresh fruit and maybe a teaspoon of syrup or sugar makes a great breakfast.

115 calories a pancake

Makes 8

50g (2oz) wholemeal flour
50g (2oz) buckwheat flour
1 egg
300ml (half pint) skimmed milk
8 teaspoons olive oil

Sift the two flours together into a bowl adding in any grains remaining in the sieve. Beat the egg with the milk and gradually stir into the flour forming a smooth batter. Set aside for 20 minutes then stir again. To make each pancake, heat a teaspoon of the oil in a non-stick frying pan or skillet and add 2 tablespoons of the batter allowing the mixture to spread over the base of the pan. Cook for two minutes or so until the underside is golden brown and then flip over and cook the other side for another minute. Keep the pancake warm in the oven while you make the remaining pancakes.

New on the members' site this week

In the Recipes section:

* Roasted Peppers with Chicken
* Raspberry Delight
* Speedy Vermicelli

In Ask Simply Slimming:

* Gym Blues

Have a great week

Love

Janice Elizabeth

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions for future issues, please let me know.

P.S. Know anyone else who would like a copy of this ezine? Please pass it on. If you received this from a friend you can get your own copy at http://www.SimplySlimming.com Look for the link to "Free report".

Legal and admin

Copyright 2006, J. Small All Rights Reserved.

This newsletter provides information for general purposes only and is not intended as a substitute foe medical or health advice from professionals. The accuracy, completeness and suitability of the material for your needs has not been assessed or verified and cannot be guaranteed. This disclaimer also applies to any recommendations or links within the newsletter. You bear responsibility for your own health research and decisions. Please consult with a professional health care advisor before embarking on a weight loss or exercise program or making any personal health decisions. No liability can be accepted for the use made of any information contained within the newsletter or obtained by following any links or recommendations within it. If you do not wish to accept the above conditions you may not use our materials.