Healthy Breakfast for Everyone!

Healthy breakfast is so important, simply because it's the most important meal of the day. Eating right is what makes you feel good and helps you to lose weight that you didn't think you would be able to lose otherwise.

It's important that you eat right for not just losing weight, but maintaining a healthy weight and for giving your body the fuel it needs to function properly.

There are tons of healthy breakfast recipes that you can enjoy along with the rest of your family, even if they are super picky about what they like to eat!

Healthy Breakfast Even with Pancakes! 

Did you know that you can eat a healthy breakfast even if it includes pancakes? Yes, you can. It just means that you use gluten free when available, and you may want to opt for pancakes that fall under the vegetarian category.

This means that you can easily replace regular milk with almond milk, include rolled oats into your flour, and you can use cinnamon, nutmeg, and any other spices you can think of to change the way your pancakes taste. Who said eating healthy has to be bland?

It doesn't have to be, but you simply need to focus on eating right, and making your food flavorful when changing your lifestyle to reflect healthy eating at all times.

Here is a great pancake recipe that was found in Fitness Magazine.

"Vegan Banana-Oatmeal Pancakes"

(Adapted from Fitness Magazine Oct 2012)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or non-dairy milk of your preference)
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 2 ripe bananas chopped
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 Tsbp., plus 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg

Here are the instructions:

Instructions: 

1. In a blender, puree almond milk & oats until smooth. Add bananas, flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, & nutmeg & puree for a few seconds more. Allow the batter to rest for 10 minutes. 
2. Heat a large non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat. Mist with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop batter onto pan in 1/4 cup increments. Reduce pan to medium-low & cook pancakes until air bubbles appear & the underside is golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Flip & cook 3-5 minutes more. 
3. Top with sliced bananas & maple syrup. 

***Makes 10 small pancakes.

If you are in the mood, why not add some other combinations of dried fruit and even coconut or goat's milk butter to keep the bad fats down and the good fats up? There are plenty of ways to enjoy a healthy breakfast, thanks to this recipe in Fitness Magazine! 

HCG With Homeopathic Drops

As a result of feeling like I couldn't quite finish a book about HCG without doing the drops, I decided to do the drops! I just had to try it because I just wanted to try it and was curious. However, I am using Homeopathic HCG, which means it has no alcohol, no sugar, nothing added.

I have had success so far, and as of today I have lost 11 more pounds. I don't have any precautionarys except for one thing: stick to the homeopathic. The brand I am using is Buckeye Nutritionals, which is located in Ohio. I happened to see these drops in Health Foods Unlimited by the Dayton Mall so I decided to try them.

I spoke with an associate there who stated that the feedback on the drops was good, and the funny part was there were three different bottles, two of which contained alcohol. What is the point of alcohol? At this point I am not really sure actually, but I plan to look into it.

All I can say for now is, I think these drops have helped stave off hunger more than the shots, and although the shots don't hurt, these are good quality. I don't typically make recommendations like this, but it has worked for me so far.

Again, I have experienced all the same things that are positive with HCG including sinus symptoms disappearing, and the disappearance of joint pain. I think the no sugar no starches is the way to live if you can. This doesn't mean don't ever eat sugar or starches, but if you can be faithful to it for awhile to calm your inflammation down, you will definitely feel better!

I will continue to post, but didn't want this diet to become an idol. I have had so many people asking questions, and as a result of my success so many have tried it. As always, follow the protocol exactly as you are supposed to, otherwise you won't get the results that you are looking for.

To your health and weight loss,

Tammy Coffin-Hana

HCG, Days 9 and 10

Well, I know you are all wondering why the post is technically a day late, and believe me I can explain. It was a long weekend with a sick kitty, and I am grateful that there are some signs of promise. It hasn't been easy, especially when we were under the impression that it might be fatal.

Anyhow, back to the diet! Days 9 and 10 are not real exciting, but I will tell you this. Each day, it does get easier, and you become accustomed to eating the much smaller portions that you weren't used to eating before. I mean, even if your portions were small, believe me these are smaller still! With only 100 grams of meat, and one cup of vegetables, you feel like you are getting to the bottom of the food supply. Get used to it, because a shortage is coming!

On day 9 when I weighed in, I had lost one pound, and the same for day 10, so as of day 10, I was officially 13 pounds lighter. You have to stick to the plan, and that is the best advice I can give. Drinking a gallon of water a day or more is also helpful, and will really help curb hunger if you have it. The first week is the hardest, but when you see results every day, it really makes a difference. It's the only diet I know of where you can see your scale go down somewhat every day.

Now, for one word of wisdom; use fiber caplets to help you keep your bowels moving. I know, I know, it's gross, but we all do it, so who cares? Fiber is essential to every diet, and if you are constipated and bloated then you won't be able to lose weight. Lots of water will help you avoid water retention, but constipation can bring it back to the surface. Fibers are great to use during this time, and will keep you drinking water all day long.

That is all for now, and if any of you have questions, please don't hesitate to email me or call. Until next post, here is to becoming skinty!

For your health and encouragement,

Tammy Coffin-Hana

HCG, Days 5 and 6

Trying to maintain a strict diet is tough when life is busy. I can't imagine trying to do this with children, because cooking for others while doing your own thing has to be a lot harder. The funny part is, my husband says it inspires him to eat better, because he sees the discipline this requires and he struggles with that. The thing is, he has better metabolism than I do so it doesn't effect him the same way. No two bodies are the same.

I have to tell you that now I am ten pounds down, and I feel great. The best part is feeling great, the weight loss is an added bonus. The first few days are the hardest, but by day 6 you begin to cruise and you have less of that psychological factor playing on your mind. You aren't thinking about what you can't have anymore, you just do it. Looking at food doesn't phase you as much, and as you follow with each day it gets easier. You see yourself differently and you view food differently. I learned the first time around with a lot of studying what is truly good for you and what is bad.

What most people think is healthy is not. One example is whole grains;  they promote belly fat because they increase your insulin. Again, if you are bean pole, then you probably need them, otherwise forget it.

The only reason I do HCG is because of my thyroid. The thyroid controls your metabolism, therefore when it it not functioning, you can either gain or lose depending on what it's doing. Once my thyroid was removed, I gained a whopping 100 pounds within 45 days. My conversation with the doctor went something like this: " Doctor, my hair is falling out, I can barely get out of bed, and I am gaining weight so fast you wouldn't believe me." Her reply? " Eat less and exercise". For those who don't have a normal metabolism that doesn't work, and calories and exercise aren't the only components to losing the weight. A metabolic disturbance calls for something more; HCG.

HCG is the only diet proven to reset the hypothalamus gland to keep it working. Wants the gland is reset, weight loss becomes achievable. HCG metabolizes fat, and the study that ATW Simeons M.D. did proves that it works. The FDA says no, but I get their persepective. HCG isn't for everyone, but it is the healthiest method to jumpstart weightloss, reset the hypothalamus gland, and actually eat your fat.

That's right; HCG actually eats fat so you achieve true fat loss which ultimately ends up in weight loss. Why? Because you don't gain more fat cells, they simply expand. Diet gurus and nutritionists are lying through their teeth to those who are looking in desperation and shame on them. They want you to buy their program or their video, but yet they know nothing about you.

I am six days in with real results and better energy, sleep, and the body is detoxing. The best part? With the no starches no sugars, my sinus infection disappeared, and all without the help of antibiotic which doctors love to prescribe. Not being heard can be frustrating, and that is a big part of why I am doing the blog and writing the book. There are so many people out there suffering, and the naysayers of the diet often can't relate to what I have been through.

HCG is ridiculed, but again, I get that. I know people order drops, which aren't that effective, proven by research. Much of that has to do with not giving themselves the proper dosage, and it works better in the bloodstream, which is why I do injections. So, you have tons of people ordering it and they have no idea why they are ordering it, and they haven't researched it. I did study it for one year prior to the trial, and after the first time I knew I would do it again because I had a long way to go.

Don't be afraid of what you don't understand, but don't criticize it either. My life was changed because of it; not becase of weight loss, but my body functions at a more optimal level, and my endocrine glands are functioning better too. Let the FDA and most medical doctors say what they want, but they have very little nutritional education in the first place. Three credit hours isn't enough. What doesn't get them kickbacks doesn't go on the list-ever.

Until tomorrow my friends stay well!

To your health and encouragement,

Tammy Coffin-Hana

HCG Days 3 and 4

Well, on day 3 my weigh in showed that I had gained a few pounds from the overeating which is normal. You gain weight and a lot of water which is about right. The first days being load days mean that you can eat whatever you want. So, obviously there is plenty of water to retain because of all that sodium that we take in as a result of the horrid diet we follow! Like I always say, days 1 and 2 are the American way!

Day 3 was the first day on the low calorie diet at 500 calories per day, so breakfast was just a half apple. Then for lunch, I had organic chicken strips and green salad which was organic baby spinach. Spinach is one of the top rated vegetables on the list for HCG because it is rich in magnesium, and it's loaded with other nutrients as well. With leafy greens you can't go wrong! Water, water, water and green tea, and I was well on my to minimal hunger. Green tea is helpful in suppressing the appetite, and because most green teas taste like grass, I always opt for Jasmine.

Dinner was organic beef patties, along with more baby spinach which was great. Dressings? No, not a chance. They are loaded with fat and sugar, so I opt for organic balsamic vinegrette. I used it before and loved it. Apple cider vinegar works great too, and it boosts your metabolism and curbs the appetite. I also discovered that it prevent a yeast overgrowth which is super beneficial for women too.

Day 4? Ah, the weigh in showed a loss of 4.6 pounds, which is incredible but typical. This is because initially you lose water. You aren't eating a lot of sodium and because you consume a gallon of water per day you stay well hydrated. The intake of water is important too because when you are on good supplementation like I am, your organs can dry out. I learned this all too well when bodybuilding because I had a dry mouth when I first started. Fiber especially dries you out, but is essential to keep things moving while on this diet. Who doesn't need fiber?

The diet was the same as day 3, the only difference was I had white fish. I had cajun spiced Tilapia with sliced tomatoes. You can use fresh herbs and seasonings which really enhance the flavor of your food, but many strong herbs and spices aid in reducing inflammation in the body and help stave off hunger too. There are so many ways around maintaining the diet I could go on and on. I will, but all of the tips and tricks will be in my book when it comes out!

Thanks for stopping by, and remember all things are possible!

For your health and encouragement,

Tammy Coffin-Hana

HCG Day 1 and 2

Okay.....so the first two days of HCG sound fun; but they really aren't. Let me explain. The first two days are what we call loading days; this is where you eat as much as you want, whatever you want. The recommendation is to get up to 5,000 calories. It isn't impossible, but it isn't easy either. Imagine, cramming everything you can handle into your mouth at breakneck speed, then waiting about 20 to 30 minutes and doing it again.

Okay, so you don't shove it into your mouth at breakneck speed, but the but the idea is to eat higher fattier foods than you would normally eat. The reason for this trouble? You build up your fat stores, and once you go down to your 500 calories a day, believe me, you will be thankful. In fact, I will guarantee you that if you were to try this, that you will have never been so thankful in all your life to see 500 calories a day. The bloat, the heaviness, the sheer displeasure of feeling like you are going to explode is every reason in the world that you are ready now to go down to your low calorie count.

Here is what I had on Day One
Breakfast

Coffee, black
McDonald's Biscuits and Gravy (2 orders)

Snack

Ice Cream Cone
Coffee

Lunch

3 Cheese Coneys from Skyline Chili (a Cincinnati favorite)
One Large Dr. Pepper, one Refill

Dinner

3 Slices of Garlic Bread with Pizza Sauce
3 Slices of Godfather's pizza with extra sauce, mushrooms, green peppers, sausage, pepperoni, ground beef, onions and black olives
One Large Rootbeer, one Refill

Can you say gag?

Then if that wasn't enough, we went to the store, and I got a marbled birthday cake with a half gallon of crushed vanilla bean ice cream from Kroger. Once we were home, I went to town....one piece with three giant scoops of vanilla. Think I was happy? Think again! I don't normally eat like this, so it's a bit of a challenge, but let's just say my husband was cracking up and ready to watch me do it all over again.

DAY TWO of HCG

Okay, so today is day 2, and I weighed in having gained three pounds from day one, which wasn't all that surprising. The weigh in is the key, so that as you go through the diet you can track everything that is happening. Weight, and measuring your arms, belly, thighs and butt are all a good idea so you can see how many inches you have lost. After all, this isn't just about weight loss. This is pounds and inches, and a diet that will eat your fat cells.

Gorge day number 2! It took me a few hours to actually feel hungry, and you really have to make an effort to eat on day one, let alone on day 2.

Breakfast

Three eggs, biscuits and gravy, and a pile of homefries. Water and Iced tea with lemon. Added packets of Sweet N' Low which some of the worst stuff known to man.

Snack

I didn't really have a snack, but I did get a large Coke.

Lunch

I had a giant piece of birthday cake and three giant scoops of Ice cream. Then, my husband suggested the worst fast food on the planet. Good for this purpose, otherwise it's lethal! McDonald's Big Mac Meal, with fries and a large Coke.

Dinner

As we speak, we are waiting on a Papa John's pizza, thin crust, with extra cheese, extra sauce, pepperoni, and a Cinnapie. Why? We don't prefer Papa's, but we don't feel like going anywhere, and it's just too easy. Coke is on the way too with all that fat and goodness inside the box. NOT!

Don't worry, I can't wait to see tomorrow already, with my half apple for breakfast...Thank God. I can't wait to see lean chicken, fresh spinach, and water with lemon, or iced tea with lemon and Stevia.

I have done this before, so I can do it again. The funny thing it teaches you a lot about yourself, and how strong you really are, and you may just surprise yourself if you try it. I look forward to posting tomorrow! See you on the blog!

For your encouragement,

Tammy Coffin-Hana