First day on Cohens and I feel lost please help!!!!

[Gizzmo]

Hi this is my first day on Cohens and I feel totally lost. I think it has to do with the fact that my partner was (being the operitive word) doing it with me. I got home from work and she has told me that it it too hard and she feels sick.
I am not a good cook and am a very fussy eater.
Please help with some simple recipe ideas involving chicken and beef. I dont eat seafood. Also I am totally lost when it comes to breakfasts.
I am so sorry to be a pain. But I was really motivated and excited up until an hour ago.
Now I am stressed out and dont know where to start. I have cut up all my chicken and weighed it and put it in the freezer but thats about it.

please help

[shell]

Just cook your chicken or beef in a fry pan and have either some salad or vegies with it-easy.
Egg & lettuce, egg, mushrooms & tomato etc for breakfast. Or yogurt with some fruit or cinnamon to make it sweeter.

Did you get a recipie book with your program-that will have a lot of good ideas.
Shell

[Annabelle Joy]

Cut your chicken or beef into strips, cut vegetables into strips (try cabbage, mushroom, capsicum, etc.), spray a frying pan with oil toss the lot in and stirfry until done. You can add some curry powder and salt, or just salt, or some balsamic, or other vegetables. Recipes will tell you to brown the meat first, which you can do then remove and add when the vegetables are done. However, tossing the lot in together works and if you aren't keen on cooking it's really easy.

Try yoghurt with sweetener dissolved in water stirred in plus half a fruit and/or cinnamon for breakfasts. If you like it, it's the simplest breakfast and tastes like dessert.

AJ

[princess_sunbeam]

Hi Gizzmo
I can tell you my standard meals:
PREPARATION- do this once a week.
Invest in 2 x 1.5-2 litre & 2 x 1 litre plastic containers.
Firstly, make up a large container (1.5-2 litre) of chopped vegies- whatever you enjoy from your selection. I usually make up capsicum, onion, zuccini, mushroom and asparagus. I bought one of those v-slicer thingys and it is fantastic. I dont like salad, but if you do, you could make up a container (1.5-2 litre) of salad. Dont make up any more than about 800g-1kg at a time of either one, as it can go off if you dont use it quick enough.
Freeze all of your meat in weighed portions. Write on the bag with a permanent marker before you put the meat into it. When I freeze chicken, I cut it up into stir fry strips first.
I freeze mango in bags of 150g and also make up a fruit salad in a 1 litre container.
Yoghurt. Buy 1kg pot of either Mundella or Gippsland Dairy fat free natural yoghurt. If you like it as is, great, if not, I dissolve 18 sugarine sugar pills in 1/2 egg cup full of boiling water, then mix well into the yoghurt. This is enough yoghurt to last you easily a week. Put into a 1 litre plastic container to mix.

I know this sounds like alot of preparation, but it makes it dead easy during the week.

BREAKFAST
1. stirfry your vegie allocation and add an egg for scrambled egg. I tend to use more mushroom at breakfast than I would normally.
2. I mix my yoghurt allocation with either fresh fruit salad or put it in the blender with some frozen mango for an incredibly yummy mango yoghurt.

LUNCH/DINNER
1. Stirfry your chicken with a little garlic, or balsamic vinegar, or herbs, or curry powder. Either add SALAD, or VEGIES- add when the chicken is cooked. Briefly stirfry. If you are going to take this to work and warm it up, then stirfry VERY briefly, or vegies go very limp after warming up. You could do the same thing with steak, but it isnt very nice reheated.
2. Crackers, thick sliced tomato with a dash of salt and thick sliced mozarella cheese. This seems incredibly decadent when you see how much cheese you get! If you can find the rectangular block of mozerella, this is the best shape to go on your crackers. I found it only at Coles. I like the Premium Original crackers, by Kraft. The others seem to taste like cardboard!

DESSERT
Peel and slice up an apple. Add a dash of lemon softdrink, some powdered sweetener and some cinnamon. Microwave for 1 minute. Crush up 2 crackers and add a dash of cinnamon & a little powdered sweetener. Sprinkle over the apple and put under the grill until the top browns a little. YUMMO!!!

I have been on Cohens for 7.5 months now, and have eaten these all the way through. Of course you have your crackers and fruit for snacks. Try not to focus on the content of your meal too much, or you may get bored. Remember- FOOD IS YOUR MEDICINE. Mix it up with different spices and herbs. This diet is so worth it!!
Good luck!

[cc75]

hi gizzmo - hang in there! i'm just about to start cohens. my pack's at the clinic and i'm picking it up tomorrow. i've been doing a precohen's cut down of all the crap and it's working. i'll be your cohen's buddy and there are heaps of wonderfully supportive people on this forum. i only joined up a few days ago and everyone had been lovely.

i'm sorry to hear that your partner decided not to do the program with you. i can only imagine what that must feel like, as my partner and i are about to embark on this journey together. that said however, i knew that i wanted to do this, and that if she didn't want to do it with me that was ok, but that i needed to do it just for me and for our kids.

i think sometimes in a relationship, one person just has to go first with some things and that this can be inspiring to our partners. i'm sure once your partner sees the weight dropping off then she might reconsider.

do it for yourself though - you're worth it.

all the recipe ideas that have been posted in response are great suggestions - i'll be using them myself. so thanks folks.

i think the organisation aspect will be key. i already chop up all the watermelon and rockmelon into chunks and store it in the fridge for the kids and i make up a big container of salad as well. it makes everything a lot easier.

because i don't have my programme yet, i'm not sure about herbs, but at the moment i'm adding fresh basil to everything. the taste is so great i've given up salad dressing.
also, my partner bought a plastic egg poacher for the microwave and it's brilliant - brekkie now only takes a few minutes to prepare.

anyway, i hope you stay strong, get organised and get into the programme. i've found looking at some of the before and after photos very inspiring. i've only seen barb's and trips's photos and the harvey bay shrinker and they are amazing.

cheers
cc

[Dedeemay]

Hi Gizzmo,

good on you for continuing with the program. You never know, when your partner sees how well you are doing after a couple of weeks, she might come round and realise it IS worth it, and really not that hard after the first couple of days.

My partner has just started this week, although the delay in his starting was more financial than any lack of support and commitment. It certainly is great for us both to be doing it together.

Don't get stressed and ovewhelmed!!

Keep things simple to start with and you will find you get into a routine with your meals after a little while, but do mix it up a little so you don't get bored. As AJ, Shell and Princess have suggested, a little dash of herbs and spices make all the difference. A sprinkle of chili powder or curry powder makes each meal different. The recipe book has some nice ideas. Also, invest in a small good quality non stick pan, makes life so much easier!
Good luck, and welcome!

[KitKat]

Hi Gizzmo - I keep my meals simple - and breakfast is the same choice of three-
1. boiled egg and 2 vita-weats with seasoned tomato.
2. egg and veg omelette (tomato,mushroom and chives)
3. rice cake topped with tomato, capsicum and/or asparagus then topped with mozzarella allowance - grilled (just like pizza - but only three times a week)

Lunch on the run is salad and a can of tuna

Dinner/Lunch is always Chicken/beef or prawn stirfry - seasoned with chilli, curry or herbs - or stirfryed protein and salad.

You need to find what works for you - pleases your tastebuds but doesn't stress you out. Its trial and error - but just remember why you joined in the first place and you will get through the first crazy weeks. Good luck
Kath

[Melissa]

Hi Gizzmo,

Don't stress. That's the first important lesson. If you have trouble cooking find really easy things to cook until you are more comfortable. As everyone else has said stirfry or grill the meat and add salad. Yoghurt is the easiest breaky.

When you have been on the program for a week or two and you are feeling more at home in the kitchen then you can and will start experimenting. You know what tastes you like and you'll be able to adapt these to your new found talents. Until then don't stress. You will succeed.

Look forward to hearing about your journey.

Regards Melissa

[Gizzmo]

Thank you so much everyone. You have all helped me out so much. I am as happy as a pig in poo lol
When I woke up this morning my partner had made me a wonderful omlet and one for herself. She rang the clinic and found out what she was suffering from was really bad withdrawels.
She usually ate 1 block of chocolate a day and 4 litres of coke. she is over most part of the withdrarels and is continueing on with me yay.
Once again thanks so so much for all your help.
I look foward to seeing the new me

[Annabelle Joy]

That's such good news, Gizzmo. It's so much easier if your partner is eating the same foods as you, and even more so if she cooks the meal for you.

Another simple recipe that I enjoyed and used to take with me when I couldn't eat at home was tuna and vegetable soup. Chop up vegetables, add your tuna allowance, add enough water to fill a big bowl, salt and mixed herbs, and cook until vegetables are done. You can also do something similar with meat or chicken.

I found that I loved cabbage on the diet. Previously, I thought it was such an uninteresting vegetable. On the diet I was using it in most meals.

AJ

[Gizzmo]

Thanks so much for the tip AJ, I dont eat tuna but was thinking about making a chicken soup. Just a question, what vegies do u use in your soup, and what herbs/spices for flavour?

[fiona.sutton]

Hi Gizzmo
WELCOME!!! and great that the stress of day one has eased on day 2! I am on day 4, and already have had some success on the scales, so whatever you and your partner do just keep sticking to the program 100%... Keep encouraging each other - and the people on this forum will keep encouraging you to! i know i will. Go to the challenges section of the forum - it has stuff on being 100% deviation free, and the water challenge - it may keep you both focussed on what needs to be done - and give you the drive to stirfry and grill, even if you hate it or don't know how!!!

AJ has some GREAT recipes to share on the recipe forum - but your question about which vegetables and spices/herbs for the soup??

Well - a few suggestions

-clear asian soup, you could have try chopping up chicken (allowance), bok choy and tiny mushrooms (tinned champignons for example?), a little fresh ginger and/or garlic weighed with the veges (or powdered ginger and garlic - only a few pinches of each), some fresh coriander (weighed with veges, but ONLY put in once the chicken is cooked and soup ready to eat), add some salt to season it, as well.

- chicken and asparagus soup - cook up chicken in a saucepan sprayed very lightly with oil, microwave asparagus (tinned or fresh) with a cup of water, whiz up the asparagus with water (you may want to add more water to make it the consistency of soup you want), add salt and pepper to taste, and reheat the chicken and asparagus together.

- chicken and cauliflower soup (recipe in recipe forum) - use a teaspoon of curry powder

- chicken ratatouille - tomato, capsicum, zuchinni, mushroon, onion, garlic, chicken all cooked together with dried oregano and/or basil and some water (could be a few pinches, to a teaspoon, depending what flavour you like)

There are some AWESOME soup recipes for the feta portion of the protein - cauliflower and feta, zucchini and feta, asparagus and feta... all sound yum - but i haven't tried it yet.

Good luck!!!!
Fi

[Annabelle Joy]

I used whatever vegetables I had handy, but cabbage, capsicum, mushrooms and onion always if I had them. Tomato isn't so good, as it disappears. You want vegetables that have some body to them to chew on. I used mixed herbs (the ones that come dried and are called just mixed herbs) and pepper. Fiona has a good list of suggestions there which may be better with chicken. The feta and cauliflower soup was my once a week treat. I also loved the Cohen pizza that was among the recipes at the back of my Plan booklet for the days I had cheese. I still make both of these.

AJ

[Gizzmo]

Thanks AJ and Fiona
I am looking forward to the chicken and asparigus soup mmmmn yummy
Aj you mentioned cohens pizza. what is that it sounds devine???

[Annabelle Joy]

Check your Personal Plan (your main instruction book). Mine had recipes at the end of it. Not sure if they are still there, now that there's another recipe book. However, it was one of the recipes in that. If you don't have it, I can type it out for you.

AJ

[New Kel Coming]

Hi Gizmo,

I started this week (I'm Dedeemay's other half) and the food can be terrific. I managed this one myself.... Allowance of meat, mushrooms, capsicum, zuchini, onion, some chilli powder, garlic powder and a few cardamon seeds... 3/4 cook the meat, add in the veges and a dribble of water...yummy yummy yummy.... I'm having it for lunch today!

First few days can be a pain with caffeine & other withdrawals. Don't go cold turkey... you can have 3 caffeiine drinks a day (1 drink = 250 mls), so use them...diet coke/pepsi etc. Gradually ease yourself off the caffeine by substituting one drink per day with the caffiene free variety... Instead of coffee, try green tea. Buy good stuff, you won't drink a lot of it, so you are better off enjoying what you do have.

Best of all, you sought support and you've already received it in bucketloads...

Cheers for now,
Kel

[Simonja]

Hi Gizzmo and Welcome. I'm fairly new here too. I thought this Program would be 'hard' too but it isn't at all, it's just about getting organised. maybe your partner will join in when she sees how well you are doing...

My breakfast ..on the run...is mainly Joghurt (no sweetner as I don't mind it natural) and then separately an orange after that, and even a cup of coffee. (But don't forget to drink your glass of water before breakfast. Anyway, I find this fills me up for several hours. When I get hungry before lunch, I eat my crackers.

I read you already received many other meal suggestions so I don't want to bore you repeating too many things, but yes, the meal book you received with your program has some great suggestions. maybe even read it through with your partner.

Lunch at work, I find the mozzarella is the easiest for me and doesn't neccessarily need a fridge like meat would. I add some salad or vegetables (or both) and I find I have a fiiling lunch.

If you wanted meat...a cold chicken salad would be delicious too.

*****

I weigh all my meats and cheese and vacuum seal them and write 1, 2, 3 on them depending for what meal they are designed. Vegetables I just keep fresh in containers and take what ever amount I am allowed and what I feel like for that meal.

*************

A frozen allowance of mango and Joghurt pureed together, make a refreshing 'meal' when it is hot, or even a frozen orange as a snack.

Drink a lot of water as that fills you up as well, especially if you start feeling hungry and it's not time for the next meal yet.

*****

What I do with my canned tuna, I add the 'springwater' as my salad dressing and only add fresh herbs, salt and pepper and salad/vegetables and I find that tastes quite nice too. If you want to take lemon as your fruit allowance then sqeezing lemon juice over the tuna is very nice as well. Throw the rest of the lemon in a jug of water and drink gradually.

****

What ever you decide to do, you are NOT on your own, just DO NOT give up and don't let anyone lead you astray. You CAN do it! Good luck and have a terrific 2009

Simonja

[Simonja]

Hmmmm, now I'm not sure where to post this querie but I posted a similar question on the "New Members" page a while ago but no one responded, so hopefully someone can help me this time.

I have been on the Program for about 8 weeks now and I expected by this time to have more energy and better looking skin. I am keeping to the program 100% and swallowing my vitamins and drinking my water so why am I still so tired and dull feeling? Do any of you experience this as well? What did or do you do to change the situation?

I appreciate any 'feedback' ...thank you.

and.........Good luck to you all with your weight loss mission.

Simonja

[maria1969yellow]

Hi, sorry to hear your how your feeling...For me I have stacks of energy, my skin is looking better than ever and so is the hair....(Apart from the greys ) I dont just take a multi but all the vitamins that Dr Cohens recccomends on my programme take the reccomended daily dosage...

For me that is zinc, vit c , calcium, fish oil, chromium, magnesium and I take a double dose of Multi (all at once as I cant be bothered remebering.)

Depending on whats going on in your life and how active you are I suppose would relate to how you are feeling I suppose.

Can you talk to your consultant about it?

Theres great things like Spirulina or collodial minerals that are available that are basically like a multi (but in my eye better) but check with your consultant as also B group extra vitamin (in your multi) can do the trick for energy I have found....

[Simonja]

Hi Maria and thanks for your quick reply. Yes, I am taking ALL the vitamins, zinc, omega etc tabs that Dr Cohen suggested and the consultant just told me to make sure I take them every day and drink plenty of water, which I do, so that answer didn't help much. I am quite 'active' but in the evenings I am so tired and filled with leg and back pain that I am getting frustrated. ( and yes...I have been to a Doctor, re this but he couldn't find any thing wrong and claims it is 'my age' and tells me that 'amy people have this problem'. In the mornings I wake up tired, surely that can't be an iron deficiency with such a protein, meat rich diet?

I suppose I'll just troddle on for the time being.