Good All-Purpose Cleaner

I just wanted to share a quick all-purpose homemade cleaner that you can quickly make.  It calls for just two ingredients:

INGREDIENTS NEEDED:

• Dawn dishwashing liquid
• Vinegar

Pour equal portions of Dawn dishwashing liquid and vinegar in a spray bottle. 

I found all 3 of these items at Dollar Tree!  It just melts dirt away.  Let it soak for about 20 minutes for really dirty spots.  It works great on cleaning glass, shower, stove top, counters ...  It is not soapy surprisingly.  It just cuts the grease and dirt.  The great thing for me is no breathing problems from cleaning. 

I recently joined some online liquid soap groups so I can learn how to make my own liquid soap.  My next step is to try this with some bar soap that has been diluted with water.  I haven't tried it with other brands, but update me if you do.  Have fun cleaning.

Thanks,
Fanuppa Soaps

Reaching my halfway point of goal weight!

     This past weekend, I celebrated as I finally reached the halfway point to my goal weight.  It has been a tough journey, and definitely taking longer than I thought.  However, I am developing some good habits that hopefully I will keep for life.  My goal is to drop a total of 30 pounds.  So to finally drop 15 pounds is really exciting.  I must start working on my upper arms more! 
     For the past few days, I have focused on cutting out sauces and salad dressings that add extra calories.  I also will continue to find weekend events that require walking.  I am still following the Fast Metabolism diet about 90% of the time!  I have started to burn out on eating oatmeal for breakfast, so once a week I have a bowl of cold cereal with rice milk.  Phase 2 - high protein days are still tough, and I noticed that I haven't been eating the right vegetables on those days. 
     So I will continue to look back at the book, to make sure that I am following the plan.  I am also excited to have found some buddies to share diet ideas with.
Thanks,
Fanuppa 

Grocery List - Part 1

Here is my list of what I eat based on my food intolerance, and trying to stick to the Fast Metabolism diet.  I am making a list so that I can have a guide for grocery shopping.  Also to share what works for my food intolerances (salicylates, sulfites, tree-nuts, slight lactose intolerance, ...).  However, if I rotate what I eat this seems to work.  Part 2 of the list will focus on which stores and budgeting. I tested lots of foods and brands in the beginning, so it became expensive.  However I now know what works, and have a pretty good variety. (Note: Cheese is splurging/extra flavor, so I just sprinkle a little on top.  Also some fruits and vegetables work for my salicylate intolerance level, but may not work for others. I also rotate and use just a little of some foods.)

Follow me on TwoGrand (fanuppa), to see how I have turned this list into some great menus for breakfast, snack, lunch and dinner over the past three months.  TwoGrand has been a great app for me to track what I eat.  I just snap a picture, make notes, and it is saved online and not to my phone.  Now I can thumb through the history, and see what worked and didn't.  It also helps me to plan meals.

Thanks for spending 5 minutes with me.
-Fanuppa

Pizza with no carbs/gluten-free!

Delicious guilt free pizza!

I just completed 3 months on the diet!  I use cauliflower now regularly in my diet.  Six months ago, you probably could not get me to eat it.  This journey has opened my eyes to appreciate it, asparagus, and many other vegetables.  Cauliflower is a hidden jewel of vegetables, because it can be transformed and imitate many other foods that I have to limit. Checkout this link for more inspiration.  Cauliflower is perfect for my diet, and for my food intolerance (low salicylate).  I was amazed that it can be used like flour, and it is gluten free.

Today, I am sharing a recipe for pizza.  I usually make this during phase 2 of my diet, when I can only can have protein and vegetables.  It feels more like a treat, than cutting back. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 head of fresh cauliflower florets
• 3 TBS egg whites (used type in carton)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp parsley
• 1/3 c. grated parmesan cheese
• parchment paper
• pizza sauce, mozzarella, and other toppings of choice.  (Note: I placed a large fresh tomato in juicer, and kept the pulp for my sauce.  This allows me to control the variety of tomato used, preservatives, and the seasonings that may be irritating for my food intolerance).

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Add cauliflower florets to juicer
• Discard juice, and keep the pulp

Juice (discard) & pulp

dough- shaped but uncooked

• Measure 2 cups of cauliflower pulp
• Place the cauliflower pulp, egg whites, salt, parsley, and parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl and mix well
• Cover baking pan with parchment paper
• Place cauliflower mixture onto the parchment paper and shape the dough into round or rectangular pizza crust(s) (see picture)

• Bake the dough for 10 - 15 minutes, until lightly brown in spots (no longer wet to the touch - see picture)
• Remove from the oven and top with your favorites (I used turkey bacon, kale, onion, bell peppers, and mozzarella cheese- pictured at top)  Note:  It is a sturdy but soft crust, so I left it on the parchment paper through the whole process.

crust after baking

• Return to oven and bake for 5-7 minutes to melt the cheese and steam other toppings

This is a labor of love!  It took me about an hour.  So I suggest making a big batch and freezing several personal size crusts.

Enjoy,
Fanuppa

Update: Originally posted 10/5/15. Later found that cauliflower is not a Fast Metabolism Diet - Phase 2 vegetable. Only should eat in Phase 3.