Summer Plans

Well, a new chapter of my life is about to unfold!  I am currently finishing my thesis entitled "Zeroing in on the Phrasal Verb," which is scheduled for defense August 20th.  If I pass, I will have my Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language diploma and degree.  Prior to the defense I will be traveling with and teaching a wonderful group from China - the Nankai University, Binhai College Students.  Immediately after the defense my wonderful husband Bill and I will go on vacation - we are currently planning a short motorcycle trip to Madeline Island on Lake Superior and then to enjoy our lake place until I leave for China August 27th. 

I will be teaching English as a Second Language at Nankai University Binhai College in Tienjin, which is south of Beijing about two hours by train.  I expect to have quite the adventure and will hopefully be good at keeping up this blog for my family, friends, and foes to keep track of me.  I welcome feedback through comments on this blog, also.

One Week Flat Tummy Diet

One Week Diet Plan This really works – I did it in January and lost the promised 10 pounds. (Warning: they recommend not staying on this diet longer than one week.) Shopping List: Cabbage Green Onions Carrots Canned or fresh tomatoes Mushrooms (fresh or canned) Celery Chickpeas (canned) Green peppers Chicken Breasts ***************************************** Grapes Bananas Apples Oranges Garlic Cauliflower Cucumber Broccoli Herbs and spices (salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, basil) Chicken bouillon Balsamic vinegar Lettuce Lemons (lots of them) Organic maple syrup Ground cayenne pepper Teas (herbal and green) Olive oil Skim milk Brown rice Tuna Coffee Other deep green or orange vegetables but NO potatoes or dried beans Here is a capsule of what you will be eating. Amounts of soup, vegetables, and fruits are up to you. Recipes and details will follow: Day 1: Soup and fruit (any but bananas) Day 2: Soup and vegetables, alternate with detox drink Day 3: Soup, fruit, and vegetables, alternate with detox drink Day 4: Soup, alternate with detox drink Day 5: Bananas and skim milk plus soup Day 6: Skinless broiled chicken, soup, vegetables Day 7: Soup, vegetables, brown rice or whole wheat b read In addition to the meal plan, here are some other recommendations: • Water – drink at least 8 8-oz glasses each day. Black coffee and teas are okay. • Sleep – make sure you get enough to keep metabolism up. Chart your sleep – should have about 7.5 hours a night • Exercise: Beginning with Day 1, do 30 minute combination of the following: Swimming, walking, climbing stairs, Wii Fit, trampoline, lifting laundry baskets  Recipes Soup Use the first 8 items from the grocery list. Cut into bite-sized pieces and add to a pot greased with olive oil. Sauté lightly and cover with chicken broth (recipe to follow). Chicken bouillon can also be used. Add spices to taste. Cook for about 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Make more as needed. Chicken Broth Take three whole chicken breasts, remove skin. Cover with about 12 cups of water. Add salt and pepper to taste. Boil for one hour or until the breast meat separates from bones. Remove the chicken meat and refrigerate in secure container. Use broth to make soup. Detox Drink (one serving) (You will drink 6 8-oz glasses per day so you might want to make a pitcher) 12 ounce glass 8 ounces cold drinking water 2 Tbls. Freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 Tbls. Pure maple syrup Dash of ground cayenne or powered ginger Mix well . If making a pitcher, keep refrigerated Chicken and Vegetables Cooked chicken breast Garlic, salt, basil, rosemary, thyme Cauliflower Spring onions Celery 1 Cup bullion ½ Cup water Cut up vegetables to make bed for chicken breast in small baking pan. Dissolve one cube bullion in water. Pour over chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle with herbs and spices. Cover with foil Bake in a 450 degree oven or 15-20 minutes. Lemon Chicken Cooked chicken breast – cut into strips Juice of one lemon Salt and pepper to taste Extra virgin olive oil Broccoli or cauliflower, stalks cut into bite-sized pieces Sliced mushrooms Marinate the chicken in lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Heat a non-stick frying pan and sprinkle with olive oil. Sauté chicken strips with the vegetables until chicken is lightly brown and vegetables are tender. Day 1 Meal 1: Soup Meal 2: Grapefruit Meal 3: Soup and grapes Meal 4: Apples Meal 5: Soup Meal 6: Oranges Day 2 Meal 1: Soup Meal 2: Detox drink Meal 3: Soup and grapes Meal 4: Apples Meal 5: Soup Meal 6: Oranges Day 3 Meal 1: Soup and detox drink Meal 2: Grapefruit Meal 3: Soup and vegetables and detox drink Meal 4: Oranges Meal 5: Soup and detox drink Meal 6: Soup Day 4 Meal 1: Soup Meal 2: Detox drink Meal 3: Soup Meal 4: Detox drink Meal 5: Soup Meal 6: Detox drink Day 5 Meal 1: Bananas and warm drink Meal 2: Soup Meal 3: Bananas and warm drink Meal 4: Soup Meal 5: Bananas and warm milk drink Meal 6: Soup Day 6 Meal 1: Soup Meal 2: Chicken (4 oz.) with vegetables Meal 3: Soup with vegetables Meal 4: Soup and chicken Meal 5: Chicken with vegetables Meal 6: Soup Day 7 Meal 1: Soup and toasted bread Meal 2: Pilaf (made by adding cooked brown rice to soup Meal 3: Tuna/chicken, cucumber, and tomato sandwich Meal 4: Pilaf Meal 5: Soup with bread strips dipped in balsamic oil dip Meal 6: Pilaf Enjoy!

Blonde Brownies

9 x 13 greased pan
350 degrees
25-30 minutes

2 C Brown Sugar
2/3 C Melted Butter
2 Eggs
2 tsp Vanilla

Mix together and add:
2 C Flour
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Powder
1/4 tsp Soda

Spread in pan. Top with:

1 C Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cut while warm.

Moon Cake

Jelly Roll Pan (ungreased)
400 degrees
25-30 minutes

Puff Crust:
1 C Water
1/4 Pound Butter
1 C Flour

Melt butter into boiling water. Add flour all at once. Stir until mixture becomes a ball that doesn't separate. Spread this mixture evenly onto pan. Bake in pre-heated oven (400 deg) for 25-30 minutes until dark tan. Will resemble surface of the moon - do not prick. Remove from oven and cool.

Topping:
1 3 oz Package Instant Vanilla Pudding
1 3 oz Package Instant (your choice flavor) Pudding
1 8 oz Package Softened Cream Cheese
3 1/2 C Milk

Whipped Cream (approximately 2-3 cups)

Mix 1/4 C of the milk with cream cheese. Add dry pudding alternating with remainder of milk. Spread on top of cooled crust. Spread whipped cream on top. Drizzle with chocolate and/or add chopped nuts. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes.