Scale Tale: No Change

After a wobbly week of some okay days and some bad days, Mr Tanita reported:

275.6

No change. Holding pattern. Maintaining.

This makes a total loss of 6.8 lbs since the Tales from the Scales challenge began. I get the right to display this:



This is not bad, maintaining. I am feeling pretty calm and okay about it. I had a salty soup at lunch and some salty almonds at night yesterday--let's not even go into the chocolate mousse that was to die for--and I was worried the salt bloat and dessert indulgence might mess things up. But the papaya and milk and apple--the potassium in those--maybe helped.

Next week, unless perimenopause wackiness ensues, should be my PMS time. So, I better enjoy the stability of this weigh in.

Five Days? Man, Time Flies! Especially When You're Stuffing Your Face With Pizza and Italian Foods

Hubby has been taking it easy at home with me all weekend and today. Tomorrow, we're gonna go, weather permitting, to see the special exhibit of Goya art at the Freedom Tower in Miami. I loves me some my art!

So, really, man, I've been a bad Princess about posting. Life intruded. (And I'm not alone. Teale's life intruded, too.)

On the eating front: There must be a bug going around that got me and Lyn and Zanitta--thanks for checking on me, girl!--cause I wasn't so great Friday or Sunday. Friday, I had one of my trigger foods and I binged. Pizza! Italian! Same deal Sunday.

Here's what I had, and why I was a doubly bad Princess:

Friday--the band came over for music practice (hubby is a very, very good drummer and an okay bass player. He plays for the church band.) We ordered pizza for the hungry musicians, and I had THREE, yes, THREE slices. Well, 2 and 2/3, since I left some of the third on the plate. I had two servings of salad. I had two cups of pasta e fagiole soup with sprinkled parmesan on top. It was a cheesetravaganza of calories. And then I topped it off with a cup of Cherries Cordial frozen yogurt with 6 maraschino cherries. Eek.

Yes, that was a bona fide binge.

Saturday I was fine. Whew.

Sunday I had lasagna and chicken parmigiana and some salad with balsamic vinaigrette. And I had three cookies. And more frozen yogurt. Strawberry this time. But this time, half a cup, not a whole cup. No maraschino cherries.

Today, I've been fine.

Now, the scale isn't going down, but, thankfully, it hasn't gone UP. I was at 275.4 when I weighed in today. Just .2 lbs less than last Wednesday.

Thing is, even these deviations were not the all-out, insane, gluttonously sinful binges of the past.

No, really. I would have had four or five slices of pizza and a whole bunch of greasy garlic rolls and some cake or some other big-calorie sweet treat. I would have gorged on dressing, instead of measuring out and using lemon juice to expand. The fact that in neither case--Friday or Sunday--did I eat as much as I would have in the past or as much as I wanted to THOSE DAYS (yes, I wanted another slice of pizza. Yes, I wanted more lasagna. Yes, I wanted garlic rolls. Yes, I wanted tiramisu or chocolate cake or pie), is a small, but noticeable change. I simply did not let go. I still held SOME control.

I also made up for it with the next meal. I had the Pizza Splurge for lunch. For dinner, I kept to cereal with fruit.

On Sunday, I had just some crispbread crackers with light cheese and an apple for supper to make up for the cheesy Italian feastlet.

I consider those important to note. I didn't lose ALL control. :)

Today, I have some nice chicken breast with spinach and low-fat cheese in a high-fiber wrap ready for lunch. I have some lovely honeycrisp apples to satisfy a need to chew. I have cantaloupe for dessert.


Oh, and I tried this sugarless lemon curd that is so delicious with some almond butter on whole grain toast. It's like having a lemon tart, without the saturated fat or sugar. It's one of my new fave treats. It's very nice with some Almond Breeze (I love the chocolate, and I use the vanilla for smoothies with chocolate protein powder.)


But Zanitta and Chubby Chick are so right. Just having one day of being in control, good, sane about food is so satisfying. Especially after a couple not-so-great days.

I want to be better in the next few days, cause the PMS time will be here soon when hunger makes me a crazy fool. I need to habituate care in selection and ingestion so I'm not all whack come the bloaty heralds of the Red Guest.

Scale Tale: Rehydrated After Flu, Reclaimed Lost Ground, and Hunger

I wrote last week, with my very cool post-day-of-diarrhea weigh-in of 272.6: "I figure I'm a little low on fluid, so once I rehydrate, that number's gonna bounce up."

It did. The next day it was up. Rehydration showed up fast, then I stabilized at 275.6 or so. Then I gained with Saturday's bad choices, and Sunday and Monday's excess calories (though better choices).

But today is weigh-in day, and I ate well yesterday, if not totally at my diet caloric level. I went 5 points over my top allowance.

But it's not PMS week, so the bloat's not bad. Mr. Tanita Says:

275.6

That was my post-flu stabilization weight, which means I regained some ground lost over the Sat-thru-Monday, but I didn't really lose from where I was post-stomach flu.

I hope the hunger issue is calming down, whatever its cause. (I didn't feel as freaky mad growly hungry yesterday). I did drink my water before meals. I did have veggie juice before meals. I did write down every morsel and made myself accountable. I tried a new recipe (see below, the "cookie" one) to quell that hunger.

Today, I'm gonna get back on the affirmations wagon. I'd sort of slipped up after using it for a while (retraining my mental thoughts about healthy eating and portion control). Time to get that tool back in action.

How did you do with this week's weigh-in? Any special tools get you through tough spots? I've used water, gum, veggie juice, protein cookies. I think it kept me from going totally out of control. I really do.
~~
EDITED TO ADD: LizzyTish asked about the protein cookie and my veggie juice. Thought I'd answer HERE instead of in the comments: Lizzy, the recipe for the protein cookie is in yesterday's post below. Please check it out. As far as what I mean by veggie juice: I have two health food juice places nearby (this is an area with a lot of weight conscious rich folks --not me, mind you, just farther north and east of here), and I get fresh-squeezed veggie blends from both. They'll make it to order, or you get one of their specialties. I get the green veggie blends (parsley, cucumber, spinach, celery, lime juice, etc). They're fresh, full of enzymes, and I like the flavor. It's sort of like a green gazpacho drink. :) (I adore gazpacho!) I also like the fresh V-6 version that one makes, it has tomato and beets along with the green veggies. Fewer calories than fruit juice, easy on the stomach, and flavorful. Sort of like cold soup, really.

Oh, and if you have a juicer, you can easily make your own blend to taste.

Hope that answers your questions.

The Easy, Anti-Hunger Oatmeal "Cookie"

I was reading the latest NUTRITION magazine, fall 2007, and it had this little (really easy) recipe for Oatmeal Cookies provided by fitness model Maggie Diubaldo.

Well, I tried it today when I got the afternoon noshies. As I mentioned in an earlier post today, I've been feeling really hungry. This recipe included stuff I have on hand (oatmeal, PB, protein powder, cinnamon, Splenda), so I made it. Surprisingly, it was satisfying. I will add more Splenda next time.

Here is how I made it, which is slightly altered from the recipe, cause I don't make the special mixture the model does (something called "Maggie Love" which has cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and stevia, all to taste.) It's ready in 10 minutes, and it makes two cookies.

Ingredients:
1/4 c. oats
1/2 scoop choc protein powder
1 tsp natural peanut butter
Cinnamon and Splenda to taste (my improvisation for Maggie Love mix)
Water, as desired (I used exactly 1/8th of a cup)

Directions:
Mix oats, protein powder, PB, spices (use whatever you wish if you don't like cinnamon), & sweetener with just enough water (about 1/8 c. or less) to make a thick batter.

Pack it into a hamburger shape and cook in a frying pan over medium heat until it is fully cooked and slightly crispy, about 4 mins per side.

Nutrition stats: Calories 85, fat 3g, carb 8g , fiber 1g, protein 9g

On my stove, it got slightly scorched at medium-heat. But stoves differ. I know I need to use a slightly lower heat.

Next time, besides more cinnamon and more Splenda, I'm gonna use vanilla protein powder and see how that tastes.

It kept me full for three hours so far (had it with water and coffee). And it's much safer than having cookies in the house. Plus, hey, fiber and protein and healthy mono fat! (The stats will differ depending what protein blend you use. I used the Melaleuca chocolate one, but I keep Designer Whey in the house and have a few sample packets of Myoplex. Use whichever has the nicest flavor for you.)

If you try it, let me know if you enjoyed it. As a cookie, I'd rate it a 3 out of 5 stars. But as a satisfying mid-afternoon snack with protein, one that killed my hunger pangs without too much caloric damage, one I had to CHEW, rather than just DRINK...I give it a tummy-happy thumbs up. (I might add some raisins next time, or walnuts.)

~

Book the Princess Wants...

Overeating Ogre: Where, oh, where has my normal appetite gone? Where, oh, where can she be?

Overeating Ogre scores, and he brought his magenta-skinned cousin to play, too:

I've had a bad couple days. The weekened, mainly Saturday at a family birthday party (yes, another), and Monday.

Saturday was weird. I took fruit, took low-fat and fat-free yogurt. Ate really well. Even allowed a piece of cake in my calorie count. I left the party with about 2 WW points left for an evening treat.

I was sleepy. Tired. On the drive home. And, bam, everything went berserk and I ended up eating way over my calorie count. Can we say a total of about 69 WW points? (Yes, I see you all shuddering!)

What is it with tiredness and appetite? Shouldn't I just fall asleep? Why do I get hungry when I'm tired or didn't sleep enough?

Sunday and Monday were high appetite days. I don't know why. Maybe the same deal--sleep disturbances due to a lot of nightmares hitting me Saturday night. I don't doubt the heavy dinner may have fueled those bad dreams. Sunday I was just totally not rested, and that made me want to nosh all day. I went 9 points over my day's allowance. Better than Saturday, but no cigar.

Monday, I simply acknowledged that I was in a hungry phase, and made really healthful choices in how to feed the monster--I ate very high fiber, high nutrient. I went 9 points over my allowance yet again, but I chose better foods: vegetables, low-fat cheese, fruit, whole grains, egg whites. No repeat of bad foods like Saturday night, when I had three servings of sour cream and cheddar potato chips, baked, with the roast beef sandwich and hash browns (fried). Oh, the horror of empty carbs and excess salt! I ate about 77 grams of fiber yesterday. No, that's not a typo. Seventy-seven. 70 plus 7. I did that on purpose, hoping it would nip an all-out binge.

Slept slightly better than the weekend, but still feel icky. I may have to cave and go for a sleep study. Don't wanna.

My goal is to just hold the line this week. Just hold on and not go insane.

I stabilized after the stomach flu at 275.8. But the weekend badness had me weighing in at 276.8 yesterday. Today was 276.4. So, I'm up 3/5's of a pound.

Ain't giving up. And I will get through this. If I have to start taking afternoon naps, I'll take naps! Besides, I know my history. I went through similar things in the 280s and 290s. I will just battle it out with my body and appetite, and eventually, I will be in the 260s and 250s. It will come. And new battles, too.

Hope y'all are doing very well this week, better than me.
~~

The Kimmer Komic

Erik Sansom has created a comic (like your newspaper comics) that would be funnier if it wasn't so very true.

Check it out HERE.

The Princess Pouts: I Wanna See Part 3 of the KTLA TV Kimkins/Kimmer Expose

The third part of the KTLA news segment exposing Kimkins and Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz aired last night. I'm on the east coast, so unless they post it to their website, I won't see it. Bummer.

However, there is progress. The complaint for damages has been filed by the class action lawsuit's attorney, John Tiedt, and you can read the complaint and view the "exhibits" in the case at the court's website HERE. (Click on the camera icon at the bottom right of the "fast track" entry. It's a lot of pages, but you get 30 at a time.)

Additionally, on November 1, Heidi gets deposed. Think she can ditch the 118 pounds by then? Hmmm. I do wonder if she'll have the chutzpah to wear a red dress.

I'd prefer to see her in an orange jumper.

(If you have no idea what I'm talking about, scroll way down on my sidebar to the left until you get to the links related to KIMKINS.)

~~
Edited to Add: I pout no more. The brief updating report is at the KTLA site. See it HERE. They don't give the LCF gals credit for finding the Russian Bride pics, but that's okay. It's good to see the expose on TV. :D

A Stroll From Blog To Blog

So, what's happening out in Fat-Fighting Blogdom? A few things:

1. Zanitta has a new, gorgeous, red, Asian floral lay-out. Go see the purdy new Cakehole.

2. Over at Escape from Obesity, another terrific, insightful, human-interest post that break your heart just a wee bit. "Little Things." That Lyn can write. Once she reaches goal weight, I hope she puts together a book proposal and follows the path of the Pasta Queen (ie. writes a book based on the bloggy and weight loss journey.)

3. Chubby Chick is having a rough time with some stress from visitors and etc, so drop by and hug her a good one.

4. Teale's stressful car accident revealed that she really has changed a bad habit and her new way of eating is becoming a smart way of life.

5. Scale Junkie's a fan of The Pasta Queen, like me. What's more. The Pasta Queen's a fan of Scale Junkie. I'm jealous!

6. Heather's plateau broke, and she's been "set free" of another 2.4 lbs. Good news!

7. The Pasta Queen experiences the horrors of McDonalds salads. (Oh, I'm not even going there, or a rant will ensue.)

8. Lady T, who I am imagining in a majestic and very sexy twirl of joy, has made purchases and is ready for her road trip. May the Lord be generous with traveling mercies. (And may the new sweater bring much hotness.)

9. CCC's going to Paris. Yes, don't I look lovely in this particular shade of green?

10. The Grumpy Chair Dieter is learning from the past. That's one good reason to keep dieting blogs: We can go back, look at where we were, learn from things we'd already gone through, remember what got us spurred to make changes for the better.

11. Lisa learns how painful age regression can be, but it also has a lesson for all of us who've been treated badly in our pasts: We deserved better. And we still do.

12. Connie Jean embarks on her weight-loss journey with a painful weigh-in. We know what that's like, don't we? Let her know she's got good company on the trip. We are NOT alone!

Rehydrated and the Number's Still Good

I ate normally yesterday, B-L-D, even a bit over my caloric budget--hubby wanted Mexican--and got on the scale...

275.0

So, still progress. Yay.

A Meme of Fours

Four Things I've Never Done:

~~Traveled outside of the Eastern time zone
~~Dyed my hair an outrageous color
~~Sucessfully reached goal weight on a diet
~~Enjoyed a sailboat ride


Four Things I've learned in the last year:

~~I have become way, way too reclusive
~~I have become really selfish, and I don't wanna be
~~I am actually, maybe capable of writing a publishable novel
~~I am actually, maybe a pretty decent poet


Four Jobs I'd Love But Will Probably Never Have:

~~Biblical archaeologist
~~feature film director
~~astronomer
~~Curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan


Four Jobs I've Actually Had:

~~credit analyst
~~babysitter
~~administrative assistant to prison chaplain
~~medical records abstractor/coder

Hat tip to Chubby Chick for the meme

~~

Dragonfire Factoid: Diabulimia--An Extremely Dangerous Way for Diabetics To Lose Weight

One expert who has studied diabulimia estimates that 450,000 Type 1 diabetic women in the United States -- one-third of the total -- have skipped or shortchanged their insulin to lose weight and are risking a coma and an early death.

--from "Diabetic Girls Skipping Insulin to Lose Weight"

And it's a problem in the UK, too:

{A}n estimated 5,000, or one diabetic woman in three, under the age of 30, skips insulin injections. Up to 3,000 of them are thought to be teenage girls. The practice is called diabulimia and it puts them at risk of coma, blindness, heart disease and kidney and nerve damage.

--from "Diabulimia: The New Threat"

~

Scale Tale: The Viral Effect

Man, was I sick yesterday.

Not that I feel great today, but yesterday was horrible. During my grandniece's birthday party, I picked up the stomach bug that had afflicted my brother and his family. Result: Mucho diarrhea, nausea, headache, and very little eating.

Can we say GROSS?

The havoc shows on the scale:

What I weighed last weigh-in: 277
My weight the Monday after the party binge: 279.6

My weight today after the bug came to visit: 272.6

This is not the best way to make progress, though. I wouldn't recommend it. I had chills and my head still feels achey (but I dare not take anything for it).

I last ate at noon yesterday (which just came right out, if'n ya know what I mean). In a bit, I will attempt some breakfast and see if it'll stay put.

I figure I'm a little low on fluid, so once I rehydrate, that number's gonna bounce up. But, hey, the damage from the party has been negated by a nasty, little virus.

The Princess' pipes are REALLY clean!

Hope everyone has a great weigh-in for this week in the Look Great for 2008 Challenge.

Overeating Ogre: The Bocaditos Got Me!

Well, dang. After being so good for several days, the Overeating Ogre overpowered me this weekend. What the heck?

Yes, a family get-together sent me into a bingey tailspin.

Thing is, I planned for it. I froze bottles of various flavors of Crystal Light to drink, I made platters with Israeli salad and hummus and whole wheat pita.

But then I saw some traditional Cuban "event" foods that just harkened back to childhood, and I went to town. Mostly, the bocaditos did me in. It's these egg-bread mini-sandwhiches with a paste inside made from pork/ham/cheese/pimentos that even as a kid would send me into a feeding frenzy.

Well, I acted like I was 12 and fed away. Dang.

And the thing is, they weren't as good as the homemade ones by my mom or eldest sister (who made/make it with real pork and ham and cheese and not deviled ham spread or cheap stuff). But they had comfort food/nostalgia food all over them.

The salt and carbohydrate overload showed on the scale: 4.5 pounds up.

Yes, yes, I know. I didn't GAIN 4 lbs of fat (I think .5 pounds gained might be believable.) But I'm still bloated and ticked at myself, after doing so nicely for days.

Life goes on. "All is forgiven," says Our Lady of Weight Loss. "Move on, my child."

I'm moving on!

So, it's back to the hard work of NOT pigging out today.

BTW, thanks to all of you for celebrating my losses. Sorry to have let you--and me--down. But hey, it's a journey and there are potholes on the road.

I hope you all are doing WAY better than I did this weekend. :)
~

Quickie Weight Update: Squeeee!

Since I just about screamed when I got on the scale today, I figured I'd post it. Maybe it will keep me motivated:

Mr Tanita says: 275.8


That's down 1.2 lbs from day before yesterday.

:::grin:::

I'm not joking. Getting good sleep has been rocking the scale!

Well, and entering every morsel I eat on my eDiets food journal in the last couple days. I had been using a notebook journal (and still plan to), but seeing all those carb/fat/protein/calorie figures add up has had a bit of a brake effect on my excessive snackings. (So far, anyway.)

Plus, the Red Guest finally came. And that helps oodles, too.

Let me squee now, before the next sidetrack on the journey, cause the pitfalls always show up...

Onward and Downward!

Tastes Like Family--"Preserved" Memories

The Grumpy Chair dieter's Thursday post made my mouth water and my "preserved" food memories float around a bit more insistently. Fig preserves..mmmmm.

But figs don't have a strong nostalgia factor for me.

What flavor of fruity spready thing tastes like "family" to you?

For me: guava

I have this vivid series of images: I and my pop spreading guava paste. He bought a brand that came with a thin (maybe 1/4 inch) strip of guava jelly down the middle of the rectangular bar of paste. I'd usually pull out the jelly strip and eat it like candy. Then I'd spread the paste on Cuban or Italian bread or Cuban-style water crackers. With cream cheese added--we're talking absolutely divine splurgey combo.

That is a flavor that's "family" to me. It's got our culture and the remembrances of innocent, shameless eating by the young me, a Princess free of worries about sugar, fat, calories, etc.

Also, my fave Cuban pastry treat is a guava pastry (and they use guava paste in the middle of the flaky, phyllo-ish crust). We call it a "pastelito de guayaba." Lord, but I love those things, fresh, warm, in the morning with some cafe con leche (our version of cafe au lait). The last time I had one was August, at my brother's birthday. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

When my hubby and I were dating and newlyweds, there was this place we'd go to several times a week for Cuban food. And I'd have the guava shells in syrup with cream cheese for dessert (a very typical Cuban dessert). See it in THIS RESTAURANT'S menu. And the pic at right shows how it's served.

Oh, I better stop. I'm getting horrible cravings!

:::serenity now, serenity now:::

Second would be the home-made marmalade mom used to make--grapefruit, orange, papaya. Mainly the citrus, though. It wasn't my favorite thing, but it sticks in my mind as being "mom" when spread on those Cuban crackers.

When I hit my next mini-goal, I just might splurge on a breakfast of guava paste and cream cheese on a huge Cuban cracker.

Adding Health To Your Holiday Gift-Giving

I, The Princess Dieter, subscribe to various health/wellness/diet newsletters that are offered online for FREE. It's part of my "stay motivated" plan. Those tidbits in my mailbox can keep me focused on the right things, ya know?

One I get is sent out by the Duke Diet and Fitness program. Today's email newsletter from them recommends buying gifts that encourage a more healthful lifestyle.

Considering how close we are to the big, old, gift-buying season--Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa--I thought that I'd pass their suggestions along for you early shoppers. If you have loved ones who are overweight or unfit, well, maybe some of the following should be on your holiday shopping list--and mine, too:

Healthy gifts include those that make it easier to eat well, exercise regularly (whether indoors or outdoors), or reduce stress. Consider these ideas:

Exercise videos or equipment
A meditation or self-awareness CD
Workout clothing
An assortment of herbal teas and a teapot
Gift certificates for a spa treat such as a massage or pedicure
Tickets to a concert or play
A sports watch with a stopwatch
A pedometer
A colorful water bottle to take to workouts
A yoga mat with a gift certificate to a yoga class
A countertop grill or steamer
A juicer
A backpack or gym bag
A basket of fresh fruit
A portable music player
A soothing tabletop fountain
Aromatherapy bath products
A cookbook featuring healthy fare
An all-weather jacket
Maps of hiking trails, or guidebooks to the outdoors
Sunglasses
A subscription to a fitness or health magazine

~

Fund Mammograms, Feed the Hungry The Easiest Online Way To Help Others

Not every woman can afford a mammogram. Help women get free mammograms. Click today...and remember to go back and click habitually. You can click once a day. The button below is not the actual click. It will take you to the page with the click button that COUNTS.



Now, wasn't that a really easy good deed for the day? Wanna do another quickie good deed?

Here ya go:



Click daily!

You can find other "click to give" sites, including one for child health, one for literacy, one that gives away Bibles, one for rainforest preservation and other enviromental causes, one for animal care, etc. Click 'em all!

~

Scale Tale: A Very Good Result

There's a royal celebration accompanying this week's weigh-in. Why? Well, let's see what Mr. Tanita had to say this A.M.--

277.0

I love round weigh-in numbers, particularly when they are on the downside. So that makes it down 22 pounds from highest (299 in 2004) and 12 pounds down since the blog started (May 2007).

I still don't have my exercise mojo working. That's always a challenge for me. Even moreso than portions.

I really do think that getting two good night's sleep this week has promoted this. I have had sleep disturbances that left it hard for me to focus enough to read, say, a novel or write creatively. And getting good rest is beneficial for the Princess' brain. Perhaps it's beneficial for the Princess' weigh-ins, too.


Could be.

I had to miss one of my fave shows--HOUSE--to get that rest, but I must admit, it was worth it. I still could use a couple more hours, I think, but right now, the lure of egg whites with low-fat cheese, a low-fat waffle, and some juice and coffee are gonna nix any idea of sliding back between the covers.

Anyway, I'm happy.

Later, fellow travelers. It's time for breakfast. The Princess is famished.

The Princess Reviews...SOY BITES

I wanted to give y'all a heads up about these absolutely yummynummy, crunchy mini-breaksticks made by Crum Creek. They're called "Soy Bites." And they totally rule!

Now, I try to minimize my intake of soy because of thyroiditis. But, sometimes, a product with soy is so amazing that I make room for it. These are one.

Why?

Some days, I need crunchy. I need crunchy bad. And I like my crunch with flavor, not just crispbread (aka healthy cardboard). Especially right before the Red Guest comes, I get mad for something to really challenge my teeth with a solid crunch, something that's savory, not sweet like an apple.

Crum Creek's Soy Bites come in four flavors. I've tried them all. The absolutely, hands-down, thumbs-up best one is the EVERYTHING! flavor, which is crusted with sesame seeds, onion, garlic, and poppy seeds. Ever had an everything bagel? Well, this is like that, only it's really crunchy and it's only gonna cost you 2 WW points per bag. And the bag is not s measly serving. You get a couple dozen pieces plus per bag. Very satisfying portion.

The other flavors are, in descending order of my preference:
Superb Sesame
Outrageous Onion
Remarkable Rosemary and Garlic

Sadly, no fiber. But here's the nutritional info on the EVERYTHING! Soy Bites:

Pieces per Serving: 27
Calories: 105

Calories from Fat: 14
Total Fat 1.5g
Saturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0g
Sodium 165mg
Total Carbohydrates 16g
Dietary Fiber 0g
Sugars 0g
Protein 6g

And here's the ingredients:

Unbleached Wheat Flour, Soy Protein, Expeller-pressed Soy Oil, Yeast, Malt Syrup, Baking Powder, Wheat Gluten, Salt PLUS FOR ROSEMARY AND GARLIC: Dried Rosemary, Garlic Powder FOR SESAME: Sesame Seeds FOR ONION: Onion Powder. FOR EVERYTHING: Poppy Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Onion, Garlic, Salt, Yeast, Corn And Malt Syrup And Dried Brewer Yeast.

Do You Like Pistou? Soup for You!

I loooooove pistou.

I used to eat lunch regularly in the late nineties and first couple years of the new millenium at a small, charming restaurant owned by a chef from North Africa with French ancestry. He made some really delicious fresh dishes, including a mozzarella with tomato salad that used a lovely, fresh, clean pistou. (His house specialty chicken is something I still miss in the years since it closed, due to, I believe, his illness.)

I got the following South Beach Diet recipe for Soupe au Pistou in my email box this week, and I had to save it as soon as I saw "Pistou." :)

Maybe you'd enjoy it as well. Here ya go:

Soupe au Pistou

Serves 8

Ingredients

Soup
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 leeks (white and pale green parts only), thinly sliced
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
Salt and black pepper
1 large can (48 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 can (15.5–19 ounces) white or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
2 medium zucchini, quartered length-wise and sliced
1 medium yellow squash, quartered
1 dried bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
1/2 pound green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)

Pistou
3 medium garlic cloves, halved
3 cups packed fresh basil leaves (2.5 ounces, from 2 medium bunches)
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Note
The pistou makes about 1/2 cup, so you aren't using the full 5 tablespoons of oil in the soup. Each serving receives only 1 tablespoon of the mixture.

Instructions
Warm oil in large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add leeks; cook about 3 minutes, until softened, stirring. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds more, stirring. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in next 7 ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes; uncovered. Add green beans to pot; simmer 6 to 8 minutes longer, until tender. Meanwhile, make pistou: In a blender or food processor, process garlic until finely chopped. Add basil and salt; process until basil is finely chopped. Scrape down sides of bowl. With the machine running, gradually pour in oil. Add cheese; process to blend. Ladle hot soup into serving bowls. Swirl 1 tablespoon pistou into each bowl.

Make-Ahead Tip Soup can be made 1 day ahead; pistou can be made 2 days ahead. Refrigerate both, tightly covered. Add pistou after heating soup.

Nutritional Information
159 calories 12 g total fat (2.6 g sat)
5 mg cholesterol
8 g carbohydrate
7 g protein
1.3 g fiber
377 mg sodium

Quickie Weight Update: YESSS!

I finally made it to the 10 lbs lost mark, counting from when I started this blog in May. (Not that I was eating on plan the whole time, but still...)

Today, Mr. Tanita said: 277.6

So, that made me super happy. That's 11.4 lbs down from my blog start of 289, and that's 21.4 down from my highest in May of 2004 (the month my mom died).

Onward and downward.

BINGO! Red Dress Pic Found and It's Another Russian Bride for Kimkins

It was exciting over at the LCF forum in the late night and wee hours. BuzzyBee found the red dress pic, and, yes, like the other pics of success stories (fake) and the leopard shirt pic for Kimmer (fake), the red dress woman is a foreign bride candidate by the name of Lesya. Here she is:




Click the photo to go to the actual site where the photo was found.

Soon after the picture was discovered, a couple of intreped LCF forum folks carpet-bombed the Kimkins site with posts linking to the pics and linking to exposes. Since the Kimkins administrators took a while to notice and ban the enthusiastic "outers", some people got to see the evidence. We hope they leave Kimkins soon.

What made the use of this photo particularly heinous (aside from stealing another woman's image for her own), was that Heidi/Kimmer had even concocted a story about the photo shoot, and how she was so shy she needed wine to get through it. The screen shot of one of her posts about this red dress pic:




The text on the post dated May 30, 2007 says:

People kept bugging me for a new pic--what else is new? My teen son took the old photo on our patio. With the new website, our PR Director, Nicole, said a new picture was needed. So, here it is. But it's the last...so commit to memory!

Notice the filter lens, strategic stretching, twisting and turning. Hides a lot, LOL. So do bribes to the photographer.

The reference to the patio pic is to one that hasn't been located. It looks nothing like Heidi/Kimmer's before pic, and looks a lot like a catalog shot for women's clothing. Some are searching on, I bet. Whether it's found or not, it is certainly another fake after pic. It doesn't take a brainiac to make that assumption.

I can relax now. I was so eager for that pic to be found and Kimkins' main image to be shown to be false. It has been.

How you like them RED apples, Heidi/Kimmer?

Note: Feel free to visit the LCF blog where HoneyBee2 (who I dubbed Baroness BusyBee) has put information on all the fakes found.

And I'd like to share the cute badge that GinaC on the LCF forum made for me. (Lots of different ones based on whether they were Russian Brides Division, Undercover, Special Ops, Fraud Squad, etc.) I decided that, being a princess and all, I should be the Royal Liaison. :) We are "hater detectives" cause that's what one of the Kimkinettes called us--you know, saying we're "haters" and "detectives" trying to uncover dirt. So, we used their pejorative and made fun with it. Behold:



More Good News: hubby is home, and I have been on plan. I also got 12 hours sleep yesterday. I needed it. So, for now... It's all good!

Happy Weekend, fellow fatfighters. Talk to y'all soon.
~

Edited to add: One Anti-Kimkins Blogger (the wackiest by far) has been delighted with the discovery of the "Russian Brides". Read the latest from Borat Does Kimkins. And be sure to take a very, very close look at the women in his group shot. :)

Kimkins Falls: Developments and Links

Livin' La Vida Low-Carb's Jimmy Moore calls Heidi Diaz/Kimmer, who plays dumb (and maybe deaf). The Heidi/Kimmer part starts on the timeline at about 14:27.



A page has been dedicated to the multitude of fake success stories touted at the Kimkins site. More lies by Kimmer/Heidi. (Can't blame this on the graphic guys, Heidi.) Kudos to the LCF ladies for rooting out the fraudulent tales and pics. HoneyBee2 needs to be dubbed Baroness BusyBee. :) One of the newer additions to the fake-pics list is "Vanessa," the Kimkins Affiliates Manager. Know what that means? Take a guess. It rhymes with "swimming funny." As of this posting, the Kimkins site has been noted to be furiously deleting the scammy pics, which sort of leaves its contents on the thin side. Ahem.



In a message between "Kimmer" and Tippy Toes (J. Baitinger), PR person for Kimkins, Tippy Toes admits her thyroid is shot and that she didn't do Kimkins very long. Never mind that Tippy attributed her great weight loss success to Kimkins at the BBB and other places. Yet, her own words admit she lost MOST Of it on Atkins, stalled, tried Kimkins, stalled, and has been using all sorts of plans (ie, cycling) to maintain. Read the message at The TRUTH Starts Here.



Heidi's former partner, Catherine, has posted for the first time on the matter at LCF. Read her post with the name CanadaCatherine.



If you missed the KTLA two-part expose on Kimkins and Heidi Diaz/Kimmer, see part one and part two online.



If you haven't read the blog entry by the private investigator, Robert Charlton, then go HERE.



If you haven't seen the actual surveillance footage by the private investigator hired by Martin and Catherine, view the first HERE and the second HERE at Youtube.



One of the former big, big Kimkins champions--a gal named Amy/CurlyGirl, who lost weight on Kimkins and reports no ill-effects, one of the fortunate ones--has repudiated the diet, even though she's kept out of the anti-Kimkins drama till now. She posts about it on her blog, and she explains why she's speaking up now.



Kimkins Dangers posts on "The Tell-Tale Eye" that I spoke of, the weird eye on the infamous red dress photo. Whoever that lady is, Heidi/Kimmer doctored her eyes, probably to make them brown and match her own eye shade. However, I also mentioned it could simply be an effect of pixellation, and SaucyLady speaks to this at LCF. I don't think that person posted at Kimkins Dangers IS the red dress lady. I think when we find her, it will be the EXACT SAME PIC and POSE. And, yeah, she'll probably be some catalog gal at a bride/model site.



Despite trying for several days to get Google AdWords to stop linking up to this fraudulent plan, activism spearheaded by Kimkins Controversy, the ads are still the first thing that show when one does a google search on Kimkins. Fortunately, the plethora of anti-Kimins blogging and reporting has made sure anyone doing a Google search will find plenty of hits for warnings and exposes that list right after the Kimkins ad and site links. Good show, allies.



More survivors are telling their tales. Read them at Kimkins Survivors. One of the recent ones is a sad story I remember reading at the LCF forum "live" as it were. Kiwi8's story shows perfectly how a person can be eating disordered and not even really realize it, and how Kimkins can encourage and support EDs. This is one of the main reasons the site needs to be shut down. It preys on those who are looking for support FOR their anorexic and bulimic ways, and does so by fraudulently saying it's medically sound. This sort of lie CAN KILL. God bless Kiwi8 and all those dealing with this issue.



One of the new admins at Kimkins is obviously Kimmer/Heidi herself. The proof? Deni posted at LCF how she got an email signed by Danielle, but the email addy was Heidi's own. Oops, Heidi! Ya made a booboo and outed yourself. I suspect we'll be learning that a host of admins and members have been Heidi in alternate-persona, making it seem like she had more rah-rah support than she actually has had.



Kimkinettes and Kimkindudes are dropping the plan in droves. One Kimkin refugee started a blog called Scamkins, which boasts one of the funniest Anti-Kimkins blog entry headings ever: "I did Kimkins for 6 months and my butthole paid the price." Oh, lawdy! I wish all the refugees well. Heal and lose weight safely, folks. And Woofy, don't let your calories go too low, okay? Lose, don't starve.

A new Kimmer letter claims Kimkins is under new ownership. Yeah, well, maybe she sold the sinking ship to TippyToes, legal woes and all. I'm guessing it's another sham for the purpose of calming the mooing crowd remaining at the site. Or maybe she created a new persona from Philippines brides this time, and THAT'S the new owner. With Kimmer/Heidi, it's a game of Russian Identity Roulette.

I'll wrap up this update with two beautiful--and pertinent--Bible verses posted by former Kimkins "cover girl", Christian:

2 Corinthians 3:16
"But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the
Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

Zechariah 8:16"
These things are the things that you shall do: Speakthe truth to one
another render in your gates judgements that are true and make for peace, do not
devise evil in your hearts against one another and love no false oath, for all
these things I hate declares the Lord."

Scale Tale: Checking in for the Challenge

Well, it's been a less than ideal eating week in the interval for the LOOK GREAT IN 2008 CHALLENGE. I only stayed ON PLAN three out of the seven days. Most days, I went over plan by a minimum of 200 calories. One day, it went way beyond. (Owsie on that pint of chocolate yogurt.)

But today, I log for the weigh-in (that I forgot yesterday):

Mr Tanita says... 280.4

Bleh. I've been lower. But last challenge weigh-in was 282.4

That makes a 2 pound recorded change downwards for the challenge.

I hope next week weeks me at 278. Please, please, please.

What else to report:

Still food journaling (that's how I know how badly I did those 4 days). Still not exercising formally.

But I did fit into a swimsuit a size down today. I'm wearing it as I type. It's black and bright orange (like Baywatch orange) and it fits. I'm astounded. I thought I'd have to lose another 10 lbs. And my hairdresser noticed the change. I said, "What, you really notice?" And she says, "Oh, definitely. I can tell you've lost." She said this BEFORE I mentioned I was dieting. :)

I can feel the looseness in my jeans and I've got a few more tops to throw out cause they're too baggy. I dunno why. And some bras don't fit anymore. The last hook is still too loose. :) I haven't lost that much more in the last couple weeks, but the body is doing something. It's confusing, but I like it.

Tonight I'm going to read a few chapters from books on emotional eating. After a couple days of doing that, I put the brakes on it yesterday. Now, I need to get myself some strategies. I'll post anything really good I find.

How is everyone doing this week? I need to catch up with y'all!

My continued thanks for the encouragement and prayers for my friend, Y, and her hubby L. And may God bless all of you richly with health and peace of mind and hope.

Hubby comes back from a business trip tonight, so I'm happy, happy, happy.

~

Thanks for the Prayers and Kind Words & The Look Great in 2008 Challenge Oopsie

To all who are praying for my friend Y and her hubby L, I thank you, thank you, thank you. Having your good wishes and commisseration is a blessing. Really!

I've been feeling unwell, sleeping poorly, and I think it's just worry for them.

Even now, dinner didn't set well, and I feel nauseous.

With all the personal stuff and the Kimkins hoopla, I forgot to do my Tales from the Scales weigh-in, but I'm gonna try to go rest for some few hours and I'll post tomorrow for the nice folks at the challenge. And I want to catch up with my blogging pals.

Again, thanks. Prayers always welcome.
~

KTLA Does Part 2 of Kimkins Expose & LCF Regulars Find More Kimkins Fraud

Make sure to catch part two of the KTLA expose on the Kimkins diet and Kimmer aka Heidi Diaz. It's up online.

And visit the major anti-Kimkins sites (see my sidebar, far down left) to get the latest, which includes the discovery by several LCF Forum regulars of the pics that Kimmer/Heidi used as after pictures, including the one that was "Kim" in the WW article last June. (It's at HotRussianBrides.Com and she's number 169503.)

Also, at least SEVEN (so far, as of this post) of the "success stories" after pics have turned out to be photos of women/models on Russian bride sites.

Yes, Kimmer/Heidi trolled foreign bride/dating service sites in order to get pictures of attractive women for her after pictures.

I'm guessing she did this because those sites have search databases that let you choose age, weight, height, hair and eye color, etc. That means if she needed, say, a 130 pound brunette with brown eyes and long hair, it would be easy to search for one.

Evil people are crafty, ain't they?

The hunt for the Red Dress Pic continues. We know it wasn't Kimmer's image. And, you know, something about that pic always bugged me. I never could put my finger on it. The answer may lie in the eyeballs. One of the LCF ladies blew it up and the eyes are triangular. Either they were photoshopped to make them look this way for some odd reason, or the original eyes were replaced with a particular set of brown eyes to seem more "Kimmerish." We don't know. But something is definitely odd about those triangular irises when seen in extreme close-up. See below to compare unfreaky eyes on the left and the triangular irises on the "not Kimmer after" pic right:



Maybe it's just a trick of the pixellation, but hey. You decide.

I suspect many people will be using their spare time to hunt down which Russian bride/model was the one Kimmer chose to be her online representation. (Oh, and there is artwork on a t-shirt at one Russian Brides site that is clearly the inspiration for the Kimkins site logo. Heidi Diaz hasn't got an original bone in her body, it seems. She just pilfers the ideas of others.) If you go hunting and find the red dress pic, go to LCF and let them know. The evidence is being compiled.

Another success story that is highly suspect is brought to light at Kimkins Circus. See the before and after, and, if you have any information on the veracity or falsehood, please notify an appropriate anti-Kimkins warrior:



And yes, tis a jest. But hey, it's not that far from what Kimmer herself did. Honest.

As expected from a con artist, Kimmer continues to do the denial thing, insisting she's not Heidi Diaz, even though all doubt has been removed about that matter. And her admins are standing by her side, which means she must be offering them some juicy bonuses. Some Kimkinettes continue to support their scamster leader, which just makes them look like utter nincompoops in my eyes. Sorry, but dang!

~~

The Jig is Up for Kimmer: Heidi Diaz On KTLA-TV News

The Princess would like to heartily thank the producers and Chip Yost of KTLA for their 10/2 exclusive story on the diet fraud named Heidi Diaz, alias The Kimmer of Kimkins. They seem to be the very first to break this from a legitimate news venue.

Many bloggers and blog sites have been waiting for journalists to come in and expose this scammer. Well, it's starting.

Go to this site. See the video part up top? Click on the NEWS category. Skim the sidebar until you get to the Kimkins story, or as it is labeled "Internet Diet Scam Exposed." It's 3 1/2 minutes long. That's a really good length for a television report. There is surveillance footage--including stuff not seen at Slamboard. And Chip Yost will be doing another segment on Kimkins and its dangers tomorrow night.

If you notice the small bit of voice you hear, it matches the voice on Jimmy Moore's interview of Kimmer. Kimmer=Heidi, folks. As we've known all along. And Heidi/Kimmer is nearly as big as I am. So much for her 198 lbs loss.

ALL RIGHT! A good blow against the forces of Kimkins darkness

:::sending greateful, platonic smoochies on the cheek to Chip Yost::::

I hope a national news agency picks this up and puts it right there on prime-time, to keep other unsuspecting and desperate overweight folks from falling into the trap of Kimkins while the site exists.

Hey, now we know why Kimmer has been laying low and why the red dress pic disappeared. Heidi knew she was a news story subject when that reporter stuck his microphone in her face.

Anyone who knows cars, is that a BMW she's driving? Or what?

Enjoy. The Kimkins Fight Front is prevailing!

Edited to Add: Here's a direct link to the news story on 10/2

~

The Princess is Having a Hard Week

Yesterday, my husband went out of town on a business trip. That's always tough for me. But I got some really bad news yesterday as I was saying "bye" to hubby. It was about a friend from my old church who moved out of town a couple years ago. Her cancer recurred. She went under the knife yesterday.

I got in an emotional muddle and downed an entire pint of chocolate yogurt.

I spent about an hour weeping and praying.

Cancer sucks.

They're also having financial woes, which they kept mostly to themselves. We all know how that adds to the stress of illness. How it can ruin one's ability to think positively and focus on wellness.

Well, we're aware now of their hardship, bill-paying-wise. The church family is collecting money--and the Princess is writing a juicy check to help-- and I believe it will be sorted out. (Her hubby had a stroke earlier in the year, and he hasn't been able to work and earn as he did at previous times. They were never affluent, but, hey, both parents down with bad conditions wreaks havoc on the budget.) I know it will be okay, because back when their daughter had to have some delicate brain surgery for a hugely rare condition (that only like a couple hundred poeple in the US have), the church collected so much that they ended up paying nearly nothing for their weeks out of town for hotels, rental cars, food, plane tickets, etc. All was covered by donations.

You ever met people who are just so good you couldn't point out a flaw?

Well, that's this family. The parents are great--giving, merciful, helpful, unselfish, tireless workers, faithful, loyal, cheerful. The kids are great--no bad behavior, no disrespect, no partying or wild life. It's just a solid, American, Christian family that tries to do good to anyone around them who needs a hand. Always. Much better folks than the Princess. I am so full of flaws, I would get a cramp trying to type them all.

Even now, with all that is going on, they haven't caved to bitterness or darkness. They keep the faith.

So, this is a case of bad things happening to good, good, GOOD people. And it makes me exhausted with the pain of it.

Today, I've stayed--so far--on plan. Not the trainwreck of sugar and salt and calories like yesterday's emotional blow-out.

If you are a praying sort of person, please pray for my friend and her hubby. I'll use initial: Y is my pal, and L is her husband. Their kids are J and L. All four of them could use supernatural help--healing of body and budget.

Thanks. I think I need to go shed a few more tears and say another prayer.

~

Kimkins PR Person Lies Yet Again & Former Kimkiners Offer Proof & Truth

In fine, old abuser slash tyrant tradition, the leadership at Kimkins is playing the "blame the victim" game.

Don't fall for it. See an "annotated" version of Tippy Toes' latest blame-someone-other-than-Heidi post.

Becky and Christin have responded with facts (not propaganda). Some on the LCF forum have discussed the issue as well. They all give testimony about how they ate at dangerously low caloric levels on the specific encouragement and advice of Kimmer/Heidi, with assurances that it was safe, misleading medical study information, etc. The whole cheerleading, the "I did it and am an expert" set-up. The twisting of studies. The berating of those who didn't toe the line. The pats on the back to those who did.

Tippy Toes gets paid to lie. Becky and Christian get not one penny...to tell their true stories. And back it up with records (their FitDay screenshots and their copies of communications from Kimmer herself.)

Follow the money.

I know who I do and do not believe. I believe the people not being paid to make Kimkins look good. The ones with historical evidence of posts, emails, etc. The ones with, ahem, PROOF.

I also trust the ones who admit they were foolish and trusting, bare their souls and lives, and show concern for the health of others. The ones not holding back from seeming like dupes to the world, because it may lead to saving someone's health, maybe life.

I do not trust the ones who only care about themselves and their wallets. I trust the ones who are praying for their "enemies" and speaking the truth in love.

I don't trust liars who have been proven to have issues email threats in order to hush the truth. I don't trust those who cover up by getting rid of old posts, who tweak the real authentic Kimkins diets so that they seem less dangerous, who delete deceptive content from web pages in a whitewashing effort, who take on different personae to fool members with dummy posts, and who keep taking money from a credibly accused woman peddling a dangerous diet.

I trust the ones weeping. The ones holding out their arms and saying, "Please, don't hurt yourself. Please, research and free your mind."

While this is hyperbolic and verges on cliche, I do have one word for Tippy, the name of a historical personage who made a bad guy look good. But hyperbole is one way to try and educate and teach. A shock tactic even the Son of God used in various sermons. So...Tippy...One word: Goebbels. Not a good role model, Tipster. Learn from the hyperbole and cease being the Propaganda Minister of Kimkins.

The Princess is here. ....Still waiting for Heidi/Kimmer to come out of her Heidi-hole and show us her 120 pound bod in the red dress.


"If the red dress doesn't fit, you mustn't acquit."

Read "Kimkins: The Perfect Storm Part 3" Plus Other Updates on the Kimkins Fight

Becky has added a third post to her excellent expose and cautionary series called "Kimkins: The Perfect Storm."

I encourage anyone who has ever tried crash diets, or who is tempted to try a dangerous VLCD, or who has suffered ill effects from such diets, but can't break the desire to try them again---read her journey and warnings. Start with part one. She's done a clear, mature job of laying out the perils of Kimkins and similar diets and situations.

More on the Kimkins Fight Front:

~~Tippy, the Kimkins P.R. person (though I'm tempted to use a less flatterng term), has called the anti-Kimkins fight a terrorist activity. Uh-huh. Clearly, Tippy has lost all sense of proportion. That's what happens when you're living in a gulag where you're paid to be the warden. Listen closely, Tips: Whistle-blowing and warning people away from dangerous diets is not terrorism. It's benevolence and caring for one's neighbor, for their well-being. We dieters need to watch out for each other. It's not about maintaining the income flow. It's about getting healthy and helping others get healthy. What YOU, Tippy, are doing is not benevolent. It's not looking out for your neighbor. It's looking out for the bottom line. It's self-serving and aiding and abetting a way of eating and a way of controlling and a way of scamming that is loathsome. Tippy, think long and hard. Resign. Give up the money and save your soul...or at least your ethics. And while you ponder, READ THIS to find out what terrorism actually is.

~~Site changes at Kimkins dot com show that there is yet more scrubbing that has taken place. Reports are that the fake Kimmer claim of losing 198 pounds in 11 months and phony after photo (ie, the infamous red dress shot) have been removed. I wonder how Tippy defends that little action.

~~Kimkins site, it has been reported today, is displaying an old People magazine cover touting a cover model as a Kimkins success. Never mind that this same model/success story attributes her success to Atkins, with only a minor detour through Kimkins. The dieter, Mary Smith, is not a Kimkins advocate, and she's on record as being miffed at having a minor mention of Kimkins being blown out of proportion. Heidi's misuse of dieter stories continues, we see.

~~Bannings continue for little to no good reason. One recently banned Kimkins paying member hadn't even posted. Just got banned for, I suppose, speaking against Kimmkins OUTSIDE of the Kimkins site. Hmmm. How's that for oppressive moderation? On the plus side: Banned members now have a cute avatar on LCF forum, proudly displaying their Kimkins-banned status in bright yellow--the color of duckies, no less.

~~A prayer thread for Heidi exists at Jimmy Moore's low carb forum. I wonder how many "hate groups" pray for their target, huh, Dippy Tippy? (As a mixed-race Hispanic, I can tell Tippy a thing or two about hate speech and hate actions, in case she's not really had real-life experience regarding that. She might need a clue.)

~~For the latest updates, visit Kimkins Exposed or THE TRUTH STARTS HERE or see my sidebar, way down, where I've posted links.

~~Other Kimkins Fight Front blogs are posting on organizations you can contact to get this dangerous diet's iffy founder properly investigated. Feel free to add your voice. And if you know any reporters eager to do a story that mixes good old love of money, abuse of power, diet fraud, groupthink, eating disorders (and their propagation), and the general weight loss and health angles, well, you might want to ask them to look into this. If you're real good chums with someone at 20/20 or DATELINE NBC or, shoot, Tyra Banks, put in the good word.

~

The Princess is...A BLOGGING STAR!

Well, that's not an egotistical decree from the royal throne here. That's Chubby Chick's assessment. And I am cheered to bits and honored to accept.

I get to pass along the honor--hey, paying it forward is alive and well in blogdom!--and so, herewith, her royal highness, The Princess Dieter, bestows the grand blessing and title of BLOGGING STAR to the following two bloggers:

Lady T, who is pretty, has cheekbones to die for, is sassy, has lost oodles of weight, and who has the good taste to like "Shackles" by Mary, Mary. Plus, hey, she made a frittata that made my mouth water. She's also very honest about her diet foibles and her life journey booboos and her addiction to sherbet. Honesty is a virtue much admired in the the blogdom of Once Upon a Diet. Lady T--who already has an aristocratic title, so I needn't endow her with one--is a Blogging Star of the Diet Domain. Everyone, bow and curtsey toward her direction, please.

Zanitta, who has a smile that lights up her bloggy world and who has bravely ventured forth into adventurous travels to lands far and full of sodium. She is not foiled by the inability to read labels. She forges on, cooking with courage and trying new foods with good cheer. I bet she can face down a platter of sea urchin without gagging. (urp) Not even laundry disasters can knock her off her mighty steed. Plus, she's lost more weight than me. (bow, bow) I hereby dub thee, Lady Z, fair maiden of Albion and dieting travel guide to the Far East.

And if you want to see some other Blogging Stars, just visit my sidebar for Diet Blog Royalty. There they are...some of my faves--Teale, Andrea, CCC, Lady Rose (hey, she's got a title and all!), Flabuless, Pasta Queen, Heather of Setting Her Free, Lisa of the Skinny Online, Lyn who's escaping obesity, and on and on and on. Click the links and meet them--if you haven't already.

We're all blogging stars, BABY. We're all PRINCESSES!

Well, except for the guys. Um. You're princes. :)

~~