As I was writing and testing recipes for the new Volume 2 HCG Diet Gourmet Cookbook, I put a lot of thought into some of the less obvious ways to support lasting weight loss with the HCG Diet. This led me to the concept of stress and how it effects good health and weight loss. As more and more healthcare and HCG Diet professionals recognize that managing stress levels is very important for good health and better weight loss results with the HCG Diet.

The following are a few ways to decrease your stress level as you move forward on your HCG Diet Journey:

• Take a walk; especially helpful if you can take it in nature or with a loved one.
• Do some form of exercise regularly.
• Eat healthy. On the HCG Phase, you will be limited but for good health and the rest of your life nutritious food can help your stress level and overall mood.
• Listen to your favorite music or find relaxing music to help calm yourself.
• Spend time meditating.
• Take a hot bath.
• For those of you who are spiritual, connect to the power within you.
• Laugh. Watch a funny movie or spend time with someone who makes you laugh. Laughter is an incredible stress reliever!
• Don’t dwell on the negative in your life. Think about how great you’ll look after you lose those unwanted pounds or fit in that great pair of shorts.
• Forgive people who have hurt you. Holding on to the hurt and anger affects you far more than it ever will them.
• Celebrate your successes. Treat yourself to a pedicure, take a sunny day ‘off’ to just relax, or read a good book. In fact getting just 10 minutes of sun a day is incredibly good for you and provides vitamin D
• Go dancing. Not only will you have a great time, but you’ll get in a little exercising too!
• If you’ve been wanting to reconnect with or find an artistic side of you, now is a great time to do that.
• Get together with supportive friends. Sometimes just having a listening ear and a reassuring hug from a real friend can make a huge difference.
• Let go of negative thoughts and emotions.
• Join an HCG Diet support group. If you are interested in a diet support group there are several I recommend. We also encourage you to Join the Conversation for our own official HCG Diet Gourmet Cookbook Yahoo group.
• Play like a child. Get out an old board game that you loved as a child and play away!
• Take an overnight escape to a city you love or one that you’ve always wanted to explore.
• Stay away from negative people. Even a short amount of time spent with negative people can bring you down. This is especially important on the HCG Diet. Don’t allow negative commentary to derail your HCG diet success.
• Have a generally positive outlook on life.

Everybody has stress in their life, whether good or bad, and when we deal with whatever challenges we face in a positive manner, we have a greater ability to create a healthier and happier life. Doing things to help us relax and relieve some of that stress can make a huge amount of difference in our attitude and the thoughts that go through our head.

As a Physical Therapist Assistant with a background in sports medicine and the author of the HCG Diet Gourmet Cookbook series, I get asked often about exercise. Can I? Should I? What exercises are best in the HCG Phase 2 ? In What phases can I get back to my my regular work out? I’m working out every day why has my weight loss stalled? I am a proponent of some form of regular exercise at a level that is safe and comfortable for you.

During this time on the HCG Phase 2, Avoid exercising excessively as directed by Dr. A.T.W Simeons in Pounds and Inches as heavy exercise can stall weight loss. Likely due to the lactic acid released by the muscles interfering with the release of fat and fluids. Feel free to exercise, move, and stretch during the HCG Phase 2. After you transition to the HCG Diet Phase 3, you may wish to begin or resume higher intensity sculpting and toning exercises, cardiovascular and sport activities.. Before and after the HCG Phase 2 is time to get back to your normal exercise routine (or start a new one) when the critical weight loss phase 2 is over.

The HCG Diet is considered quite controversial by some and a Miracle by many. We’ve seen a growing number of dieters, physicians, and healthcare professionals who are recommending the HCG Diet and the number of success stories keeps racking up. But is the HCG Diet right for YOU? As the author of the HCG Diet Gourmet Cookbook Series, I’ve been asked countless times by dieters, “Do you think this will work for me?” “How do I know that this is the best diet plan for me?”

I’ve compiled a few things to think about and consider as you contemplate your overall health and if this is the path to slimness that will work best for you. In the end of course, your choice is your own and I recommend discussing the benefits and concerns with your healthcare provider.

Do you have the discipline to stick to the diet closely for your best success? The HCG Diet requires a level of commitment. Deviation from the program can result in weight gain and other health issues. Best results can be attained by staying true to the program. If you are worried about enjoying your food? Try some of my delicious HCG Phase 2 recipes from my HCG Diet Gourmet Cookbooks Vol. 1 and 2.

If you answered YES to any of these questions than I do urge you to at least consider this program as an option especially if you have a lot of weight to lose. Look at the benefits and consider your health and medical history and the side effects (such as hair loss in some dieters) in making your decision. The HCG Diet is natural and non-surgical and any improvements in your health resulting from significant weight loss can really change your life.

The HCG Diet is not right for everyone but for myself and countless others it was the right decision and our lives will never be the same.

This is the first in a series of articles about how to avoid toxic chemicals that you find in most cleaning supplies bought in stores. In this article I’ll give you ‘recipes’ to use to create your own safe cleaning products to use throughout your home.



Air Freshener:

• Put shallow plates of vinegar in rooms to absorb the odors.
• Sprinkle ½ cup of borax in the bottom of trash cans or diaper pails to prevent bacteria and mold from growing. (Caution: See note below about using borax)

All-Purpose Cleaner:

• Place 4 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water and shake well. Add to bucket or spray bottle for cleaning.
• Mix 1 tablespoon of clear, non-sudsing ammonia, 1 tablespoon of clear laundry detergent and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle or bucket.
• Use 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water in a bucket or spray bottle and apply to surfaces. Add a sprinkle of baking soda for scouring power.
• Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar, and 3 cups hot water in a spray bottle or bucket to clean and disinfect. Add 1/4 teaspoon liquid soap for tough grime.

Disinfectant:

• Apply isopropyl alcohol to surfaces.

Metal cleaner and polish:

• Use undiluted white vinegar for stainless steel.
• Put 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 cup of white vinegar into a large pan, add tarnished copper items, and bring to a boil.
• Use sliced lemons to clean tarnish from copper, aluminum, brass and bronze. For extra cleaning power, sprinkle them with baking soda before rubbing with lemons.
• Clean sterling silver by lining a plastic or glass bowl with aluminum foil. Sprinkle foil with a little salt and baking soda before filling the bowl with warm water. Soak items in mixture; tarnish will migrate from silver to foil. Rinse and dry silver well, then buff it with a clean, soft cloth.

Polish Furniture:

• Rub surface with mineral oil using a soft cloth.
• Mix 1 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup lemon juice or vinegar in a spray bottle, then shake well. After applying evenly to the entire surface, polish with a dry cloth.

Clean Glass and Mirrors:

• Rub with lemon juice.
• Mix 1 tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia (or white vinegar), 1 cup water and 1 cup rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle.
• Add 3 tablespoons of vinegar to 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. For extra dirty windows, add 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, 3 tablespoons vinegar and 2 cups of water. Use recycled newspaper to dry streak-free.

Clean Carpets and Rugs:

• Sprinkle with corn starch or baking soda over the surface, let stand 20-30 minutes and vacuum.
• For a heavy-duty cleaning and stains, make a paste of 1/4 cup of each of these ingredients: salt, vinegar, and borax. Rub well into the area and let dry before vacuuming.

Clean Drains:

• Pour ½-1 cup baking soda down drain, add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain. Wait 15 minutes then pour 1 gallon of hot water down the drain.

Floors:

• Clean linoleum floors by combining 1/4 cup washing soda, 1 tablespoon liquid soap, 1/4 cup vinegar and 2 gallons hot water. Do not use on waxed floors.

Additional Tips:

• People who work with borax should use gloves and handle with caution. In small amounts, it’s fine but you should it keep away from children and pets, and make sure it’s never ingested.
• Never use vinegar on marble surfaces and make sure you dilute it well when using on grout.
• Keep an eye out for follow-up articles I’ll be adding throughout the following weeks and months. One will be about avoiding toxic chemicals used in most cleaning supplies you buy in stores; the first telling you about the harm they can do and what to look for, the second how to clean your kitchen with products you probably already have in your home that are all-natural and safe for you, your family and your pets. You’ll also later learn about natural cleaning products for your bathroom and laundry room so check back often!

As a parent, you are constantly being bombarded with questions. Most of them start with, “Mom, can I have…”? It can be a very trying time when your children are young, impulsive and have not learned about delayed gratification (Especially as a dieting MOM when you are on the HCG Phase 2 or watching your sugar on Phase 3). As teenagers, you might wonder if they have learned anything about delayed gratification, but trust me they have, at least a little. Instead of looking at this question as a dreaded question, think of it as a learning opportunity. You can give a simple direct answer of yes, or no. You can follow up with education, or you can think about what the answer should be.

Let me give you some examples. When you have a toddler, they want everything and they want it now. The most common “can I have” question rears its head when waiting in line at checkout. Candy marketing experts know parents just want to check out, get out of the store and head home. They count on the parent using their display to quiet their child. In addition, if you are on the hCG Diet, it brings your focus to the sugary candy you are trying to avoid, when perhaps without a toddler you may not have even noticed the display. Breaking those old sugary habits and keeping your HCG Phase 3 Diet Plan on track can sure be tricky with temptation all around.

Steps to Avoiding the Candy MELT-DOWN at checkout

• Set a rule that no candy (or toys) are bought at the grocery store.
• Bring a specific toy that they can only play with while you are in line.
• Choose a healthy snack for your toddler to eat at checkout, such as fruit or vegetables.
• Play a game during checkout such as counting the number of items (number of green items, number of R’s, etc.) on the conveyor belt.

For elementary aged children, the “can I have” questions tend to focus on school lunches and snacks. Preparing your child’s school lunch lets you know exactly what nutrients they are getting. Kids compare lunches and are always wanting what the other kids have. We have guidelines in our house about what needs to go into the lunch box and what can’t. If a child requests a specific item, ask yourself why. Some items can be granted with modifications, or on an every-so-often basis. We avoid “lunchables” because of the food processing, high sodium, and high cost with little food value. I accommodate his desire with a partitioned Tupperware container that I fill with a healthier alternative, making sure one wedge has some fruit in it.

When making school lunches, make sure that kids get protein, a serving of fruit and/or vegetable, as well as some bread/cracker. They will need the protein to sustain their level of satiation until the end of the school day. They will need the fruit/vegetable for nutrients, and they will need the carb for energy. I make a pie chart (no pun intended) of how much of each type of food is needed in each lunch. Sugar is not one of the pie slices (literally). If you have difficulty making school lunches without being the human vacuum (A fanciful term from my book ‘The HCG Diet Mom’s Handbook’ I use to describe the old Mom habit where no crumbles or bits go to waste when preparing your kids lunches), then encourage your children to help so you can stay on the hCG diet. It’s good practice for them, helps them to learn independence, and it teaches them about nutrition.

Tips for Packing a Healthier Lunch

• Send a serving of at least one fruit and/or vegetable every day.
• Mix it up, and send lunch in a different form – such as chicken and crackers, rather than a sandwich. Consider a thermos to send hot leftovers.
• Set guidelines with your child about what kinds of items you expect in their lunch, such as protein, fruit/vegetable and bread.
• Get your kids involved in making their own lunches.

Teenager are an independent, yet highly dependent bunch. The “can we have” questions typically circle around junk food and fast food. This is the age where you learn what they have learned about nutrition. Now is the time that you want kids to make the independent choices to grab an apple instead of a bag of chips. Help them to learn how to read food labels from amount in a serving, servings per container, sodium level, sugars, etc. At this age, they can really assimilate the effects of sodium, sugar, being overweight, red dye, etc. has on their body. If you find having junk food in the house is hard for you to stay on the hCG diet, then talk with your family about reducing or replacing that item. In nutrition knowledge, a young teen is a teaching ground, where an older teen is a testing ground. As the whole family eats healthier, you will find that many Phase 3 Recipes are delicious and nutritious and your kids may not even notice the absence of sugar and junk food.

Making Better Choices

• Consider visually showing the amount of sugar in a junk food item, by measuring out sugar and putting it in a bowl.
• Have kids read articles on effects of sodium, sugar, processed food, dyes, high fructose corn syrup, etc. If the article includes kids, it will grab their attention even more.
• Make a choice to ban one type of junk food from your house for a week, then have a discussion at the end of the week about what it was like and why it was done.
• Look at nutritional brochures for the fast food places you frequent. Attempt to cut back on fast food stops, but if you can’t, look to see if there is a better choice to make.
• Look to see if the item you are ordering for yourself really fits into the hCG diet. Even with the extra variety you can have with hCG Phase 3 meals, you still have to be so careful to avoid that starch and sugar. As the whole family eats healthier, you will find that many Phase 3 Recipes are so delicious and nutritious that your spouse may even shed a few pounds without even trying and your kids will have less cravings for sugar and processed foods.

“Want More Tips For Your Family? Click Here”

When I first became interested in health following my experience and weight loss with the HCG Diet, I thought that PINK SLIME ie: BLBT (Boneless Lean Beef Trimmings) or FTLB Finely Textured Lean Beef) was a scary Urban Legend, sort of like the spiders in the cactus or saying Bloody Mary 3 times in the mirror. But finally, Pink Slime hits the airwaves and the mainstream media with ABC News reporting about it’s commonplace use. This gelatinous gray beef filler that the media is now calling PINK SLIME (I hope the term catches on) is everywhere, doesn’t have to be labeled, and is added to about 70% of all ground beef sold.

I recently posted the link on the HCG Diet Gourmet Cookbook Facebook Fan Page about Pink Slime Beef Filler being added to school lunches and fed to our kids. CLICK HERE to read the full article Pink Slime is cheap, poor quality, beef trimmings treated liberally with ammonia to kill the germs just in case the meat got contaminated with fecal matter and bacteria, laid out in big gray blocks and sold to stores to be added to ground meat. Of course the primary motivation for these food manufactures and chain grocery stores to usePink Slime is profits, not the health of our kids.

Thankfully, many grocery stores and local butchers have taken a stand and refuse to add it to their meats or sell it to the public. I suggest you seek them out.

• Skip the school lunches. Send your kids to school with a homemade healthy lunch of fresh unprocessed foods.
• Say Something! Let the USDA know, Let your children’s schools know that this is not acceptable.
• Do your Research carefully where you buy your meat or grind it yourself using quality cuts
• Be aware when Dining Out If you are eating at a restaurant or fast food joint, just expect and know that you are likely eating about 70% Pink Slime Beef Filler in every fast food ground beef “not so happy” meal.
• Watch out for Processed Food Most processed food and Frozen Entrees use beef filler to supplement the real beef (if any) in their entrees and increase corporate profits.

I share the Phase 2 Diet Tip in my cookbooks, The HCG Diet Gourmet Cookbook Vol 1 and 2 on how to make your own ground beef or chicken for your Favorite HCG Diet Recipes by pulsing lean cuts of quality meat in a food processor. It seems appropriate to share it with you here now. You can use this tip to make delicious recipes on every phase of the HCG diet and beyond.

Know what you are eating, Know where it comes from, and Choose the best quality foods you can for yourself and the overall health of your family