The Omni Diet: New Book and Program for Weight Loss, Health and Well-Being

May 14, 2013
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As you may already know, the hubby and I have been losing weight and getting healthier together. We’ve been on the Nutrisystem program for the past 30 weeks and it’s been great! You can read our weekly weight loss updates for more info on that. Since our time on the plan is coming to an end soon, I’ve been doing loads of research and reading about different types of eating plans and diets, since we won’t be receiving packaged food anymore and want to stay on track with our progress so far. We also want to start learning more about eating the right kinds of foods for overall health. It turned out to be perfect timing when I received a review copy of the new book, The Omni Diet by Tana Amen.

the omni diet book

You may have seen The Omni Diet on The Today Show or other talk show recently…that’s how I first heard about it. The book and program are based on a formula of 70% plants including fruits and veggies, and 30% protein from lean meat sources and nuts. There’s no dairy, sugars, processed foods or grains permitted. The goal of the program is to help you lose weight, reverse disease and fight inflammation.

The author is a registered nurse and designed this plan based on her own health issues and experiences with chronic conditions including thyroid cancer and severe digestive issues. Her diet is based on the concept of eating real foods with lots of flavor and is NOT a deprivation diet. The focus is on eating calorie-burning proteins and illness-fighting plant-based foods rather than on calorie restriction like some diets.

The plan itself is easy to follow, although some of the recipes have a lot of ingredients…that’s just a personal observation from someone who gets easily overwhelmed by too many choices and ingredients, but the concept and overall program makes sense. It’s more of an overall well-being plan than a traditional diet book and some of the goals of the program include:

  • Decrease inflammation
  • Optimize brain function
  • Eat high-quality, nutrient-dense calories
  • Decrease feelings of hunger and deprivation
  • Balance hormones and break food addictions
  • Increase energy and overall well-being

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Filed Under: Books, Diet, Product Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Nutrisystem Update Week 30: Cooking At Home + Getting Close To Our Goals!

May 11, 2013
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We’re cooking with Nutrisystem! If you’re just joining us, the hubby and I have been losing weight together on the Nutrisystem program. Each week, we post a new update and share tips,  info about our experiences, let you know about the program, and tell you how much we’ve lost so far.

cooking nutrisystem

Cooking at Home with Nutrisystem

After 30 weeks on Nutrisystem we’re headed into our final month with the program. I’m sad already, and a little stressed about how we’re going to manage without having everything pre-made and pre-measured for us, but the awesome folks over at Nutrisystem have got us covered! They’ve got a great cookbook filled with recipes, ideas and helpful tips on how to cook at home. It’s designed especially for Nutrisystem members who are making the transition from program meals to cooking for themselves again, but it’s got healthy recipes that everyone can enjoy!

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be alternating between the Nutrisystem packaged meals, and some tasty new meals from the cookbook that we’ll cook for ourselves as we begin to transition off the program. We’ve already gone through and bookmarked a bunch of yummy looking ideas including Vietnamese Beef Soup, Smoked Salmon and Dill with Pasta Salad, and several breakfast and dessert recipes. Each recipe looks super easy to follow, and lists everything we need to know to stay on track, including Calories, and the Nutrisystem Equivalent. For example, the beef soup is 260 calories and counts as 1 Nutrisystem Lunch Enter + 1 PowerFuel. We’re just getting started with our grocery list and organizing our schedule, so stay tuned!

We’re Getting Close to Our Weight Loss Goals!

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how I was setting some new mini goals for myself including pushing myself a bit more with the exercise. I’m still doing my daily walks with Daisy but have added in some extra days of cardio using my favorite Zumba Workout DVDs and also the Walking Cardio Shape Up Max exercise video from trainer Chris Freytag. I used to do them quite frequently but the extra weight I was carrying made it really hard on my knees so I’d stopped for a while. As with most things, I’m finding these workouts to be easier now that I’m a bit lighter.  And it looks like bumping up the cardio is starting to pay off. This week’s weigh in was a great one…I’ve lost 2.2 pounds for a total of 34 pounds lost so far! I’m now EXACTLY 10 pounds from my goal…YAY!

The hubby has been running and started increasing his distance and speed using a cool phone app called Runkeeper, and is even thinking about training for his first Half Marathon! He’s lost another 2.4 pounds this week…that means he’s less than 3 pounds away from reaching his goal! I’m jealous he’ll get there first but I know I’m not far behind and will get there eventually!


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Nutrisystem Update Week 29: Cinco de May Edition

May 5, 2013
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If you’re just joining us, the hubby and I have been losing weight together on the Nutrisystem program. Each week, we post a new update and share tips,  info about our experiences, let you know about the program, and tell you how much we’ve lost so far.

Nutrisystem Mexican meals

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love Mexican food, and it’s one of my favorites, but it can be a real diet-buster if you aren’t careful. Luckily, Nutrisytem has us covered, which is great because we want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo but don’t want to derail our progress! Along with a skinny margarita (or two) we’ll be enjoying some of the Mexican-inspired meals from the Nutrisystem menu. It’s part of what we love about the program…real food in all kinds of varieties and flavors including Chinese, Italian, American Comfort Food and more favorites so we never feel like we’re missing out.

We’re both pretty happy with our weigh-ins this morning. I’ve lost another .6 pounds and the hubby lost .4. That means total weight lost so far is 31.8lbs for me and 55.2 for him!

If you missed any of our previous Nutrisystem posts, just visit the links in the table below or click here to catch up! We’d love to hear about your own weight loss experiences, advice and challenges, so leave a comment and share some with us. We’re also happy to answer questions, so ask away!


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My Dog: The Paradox. A Lovable Discourse from The Oatmeal

May 3, 2013
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Daisy & I managed to get our paws on an early review copy of My Dog: The Paradox: A Lovable Discourse about Man’s Best Friend, the new book by Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal), but the rest of you won’t have to wait long since it’s being released next week! It’s a little book, but one of those really special ones that you’ll find yourself thinking about at random times, and that you’ll pick up to flip through frequently.

The Oatmeal book, My Dog: The Paradox

How one little book can manage to be both so hilarious AND heart-breaking I don’t know, but it does. In a few short pages, it captures and coveys everything that is true and funny and silly and sad about having a dog in your life. And just like a dog, it will make you cry some, but it will make you laugh a whole lot more.

If you’re familiar with The Oatmeal then you’ve probably already seen the online comic version of My Dog: The Paradox and might be wondering why you’d bother to get the book.

First of all, it’s been redrawn in full-color (the online version is black & white).  Also, there’s nothing like holding a real copy of a book in your hands and flipping through the pages. I’m a fan of the library and Kindle too, but trust me, this is one of those books you’ll be happy you own. And at around ten bucks it’s a deal.

If you’re still looking for a reason, supporting The Oatmeal by buying his book is a nice way to say Thanks if his free online works have ever: cured your Monday blues; provided much needed workday distraction; or just made you appear cooler and funnier than you really are when you shared them with friends on Facebook.

As of now, there are no reviews posted on Amazon or anywhere else that I can find, so you’ll just have to take my word for it and buy a copy here! Release date is May 7, but it’s available for pre-order now at $8.99 ($9.99 list).

Filed Under: Books, Product Reviews, Woof Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Nutrisystem Update Week 28: New 5-Day Jumpstart Your Weight Loss Kits!

April 27, 2013
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The hubby and I are back with another update for you on our weight loss, but first we’ve got some exciting  Nutrisystem news to share!  The new 5-Day Nutrisystem Jumpstart Your Weight Loss Kits are now available at a store near you!

nutrisystem 5 day kit

We can tell you from personal experience that the first week of the weight loss journey can be the hardest, and the Nutrisystem 5-Day kits allow you to get off to a quick and easy start in reaching your weight loss goals. At $44.98, the kits are an affordable way to commit to losing weight and sample foods from the program.

The kit offers structured weight loss with menu items perfectly proportioned for weight loss, including some of our favorite Nutrisystem items:

  • 5 Breakfasts – Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bar, Cinnamon Bun Bar, Granola Cereal, Double Chocolate Muffin and a Honey Wheat Bagel.
  • 5 Lunches – Fudge Graham Bar, Cheesy Homestyle Potatoes, Chicken Noodle Soup, Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar, and Red Beans & Rice.
  • 5 Dinners – Chicken Alfredo, Lasagna with Meat Sauce, Rotini & Meatballs, Homestyle Beef with Potatoes and Thick Crust Pizza.
  • 5 Desserts – Chocolatey Nougat Bar with Peanuts & Caramel, Peppermint Cookie Patty, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Fudge Brownie and a Coconut Almond Bar.

If you’ve been following along with our updates, you already know that Nutrisystem foods are intended to be combined with fresh grocery additions such as low fat yogurt, salad, fruit and vegetables.  To help you figure it all out, a free sample meal planer with program guide is included with all kits.


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