The Chemical Diet

...Guaranteed to lose 4 to 6kg / week!!

Before you begin

·         Use an accurate scale to check your weight

·         This diet does not rely on calorie count; instead it relays on the biochemical interactions in the body.

·         This diet is to be followed with extreme accuracy, in the same order and time, because if any food is switched or replaced by another, the diet will not be effective.

·         When the amount of food is not specified, you are free to eat until you are full.

·         Refer to final page for more comments.

Week 1

Breakfast:

½ an Orange or a Grape Fruit + (1 – 2) boiled egg. (To be eaten everyday for breakfast for the first week)

Monday:              Lunch: Any one kind of fruit in any amount (Orange, strawberry, pear, apple, watermelon, melon, plum)

                                Dinner: Grilled cow’s meat (barbeque, grilled steak) with no fat.

Tuesday               Lunch: Boiled or Grilled Chicken (No skins)

                                Dinner: 2 boiled eggs

                                                Salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, rocket leaves, carrots)

                                                1 toast or ¼ brown bread

                                                1 orange or grape fruit

Wednesday       Lunch: White Cheese (halloum, double crème, feta…)

                                                1 toast

                                                1 orange or grape fruit

                                Dinner: Grilled cow’s meat (barbeque, grilled steak) with no fat.

Thursday             Lunch: Any one kind of fruit in any amount (Orange, strawberry, pear, apple, watermelon, melon, plum)

                                Dinner: Grilled cow’s meat (barbeque, grilled steak) with no fat.

                                                Salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, rocket leaves, carrots)

Friday                   Lunch: 2 boiled eggs

                                                Boiled vegetables (peas, carrots, zucchini)

                                Dinner: Grilled Fish or shrimp or tuna in water

                                                Salad

Saturday              Lunch: Any one kind of fruit in any amount

                                Dinner: Grilled Meat

                                                Salad

Sunday                 Lunch: Grilled or Boiled Chicken (no skins)

                                                Tomatoes

                                                Boiled Vegetables

                                                1 orange or grapefruit

                                Dinner: Boiled Vegetables

Week 2

Breakfast:

½ an Orange or a Grape Fruit + (1 – 2) boiled egg. (To be eaten everyday for breakfast for the first week)

Monday               Lunch: 2 boiled eggs

                                                Salad

                                Dinner: 2 boiled eggs

                                                1 orange or grapefruit

Tuesday               Lunch: Grilled cow’s meat

                                                Salad

                                Dinner: 2 boiled eggs

                                                1 orange or grapefruit

Wednesday       Lunch: Grilled cow’s meat

                                                Cucumbers

                                Dinner: 2 boiled eggs

                                                1 orange or grapefruit

Thursday             Lunch: 2 boiled eggs

                                                White cheese (no fat)

                                                Boiled Vegetables

                                Dinner: 2 boiled eggs

                                                Boiled Vegetables

                                                Tomatoes

Friday                   Lunch: Grilled Fish or Shrimp

                                Dinner: 2 boiled eggs

Saturday              Lunch: Grilled meat

                                                Tomatoes

                                                1 orange or grapefruit

                                Dinner: Mixed fruits

Sunday:                Lunch: Grilled or boiled chicken

                                                Tomatoes

                                                1 orange or grape fruit

                                Dinner: Grilled or Boiled Chicken

                                                Tomatoes

                                                1 orange or grape fruit

Week 3

Monday:              All day, fruits at any time with any amount (except for grapes, mangos, dates, bananas, figs)

Tuesday:              All day, vegetables at any time with any amount (except for potatoes or dried vegetables)

Wednesday:      All day, fruits and vegetables at any time with any amount (except mentioned)

Thursday:            All day, Grilled Fish or shrimps in any amount

                                Lettuce and rocket leaves salad

Friday:                  Grilled meat or chicken at any time or amount and boiled vegetables

Saturday and Sunday:    Both days, any one kind of fruit at any time and in any amount.

Week 4

The types and kinds of foods stated in the 4^th week are to be distributed though out the day at any time but with no extras.

Monday:              4 strips of grilled meat or chicken

                                3 tomatoes + 4 cucumbers

                                1 can of tuna in water

                                1 toast or ¼ brown bread

                                1 orange or grape fruit

Tuesday:              2 strips of grilled meat

                                3 tomatoes + 4 cucumbers

                                1 toast or ¼ brown bread

                                1 apple

                                1 orange or grape fruit

Wednesday:      1 spoon of white cheese (no fat)

                                1 can of tuna in water

                                Small bowl of grilled vegetables

                                2 tomatoes + 2 cucumbers

                                1 toast or ¼ brown bread

                                1 apple

Thursday:            ½ a grilled chicken

                                2 tomatoes + 4 cucumbers

                                1 toast or ¼ brown bread

                                1 apple

                                1 orange or grape fruit

Friday:                  2 boiled eggs

                                1 lettuce

                                1 orange or grape fruit

Saturday:             2 chicken breasts (Boiled)

                                ½ kg of white cheese

                                1 toast or ¼ brown bread

                                2 tomatoes + 1 cucumber

                                1 orange or grape fruit  

Sunday:                1 slice of white cheese

                                1 can of tuna in water

                                Small bowl of boiled vegetables

                                2 tomatoes + 2 cucumbers

                                1 toast

                                1 orange or grape fruit

               

Important points

1.       Drink a lot of water (8 glasses/ day)

2.       Boil the vegetables with no additions except salt, pepper, onions or garlic

3.       No oil, butter, or any form of fats or lipids

4.       Drink coffee or tea at anytime but with no sugar, milk, or crème added (Canderel  is allowed)

5.       Drink 1 or 2 cans of diet soda drinks (diet pepsi, diet 7 up)

6.       If you feel hungry, you can cucumbers, carrots, lettuce as long as its after 2 hours of the main course.

7.       Sports activities are advised during the diet

8.       If you want to repeat this diet, it is preferable to repeat the 1^st week twice, and the 4^th week twice.

Veggie…Until further notice

I had mentioned in a previous post the dramatic change that has been going on in my life style and food habits lately, and vowed to fix it.

Much easier said than done!

I stuck to the grilled, low calorie, no junk food policy for not more than one week; then back came the donuts, oreos, and burgers.  However, the real shock came when I went on a jog with my fiancé to find that I wasn’t able to keep pace for more than half an hour.

The “few extra kilos” or the “nice new curves” were turning into a serious weight problem that I didn’t want as a part of my life.

Then came the Veggie era.

My friend/ colleague, Noor, and I decided to stop all sorts of meat and chicken and try the vegetarian life style.  After starting to read the book “Skinny Bitch”, Noor was even more encouraged to cut meats out of her diet.  I did it basically for losing weight, so I also cut all forms of starches, sugars, and fats from my diet.

The Veggie thing has been going on for about 2 weeks now, and I feel great! Not only did I lose about 4 kg, I feel lighter, cleaner, and much more natural than before.  First of all, Noor and I thought that the Vegetarian life style would go on for not more than a week; but now we are going into our third week, and the end doesn’t seem near at all!

The menu we are following is quite simple, and still tasty.  We are allowed to eat salads, fruits, lentils, rice, grilled fish, sushi, and all types of legumes.  Luckily the Mediterranean Diet is full of nutritious and light veggie food that is delicious as well.   

China Glaze: Crackle Glaze

If you are a nail polish fanatic, then you must try this new nail trend...I can't wait to get my hands on a few bottles!

My 23rd Birthday

Considering that it was my 23^rd birthday yesterday, March 15^th, my fiancé reserved at Couqley, a French bistro located down “The Alleyway” in Gemmayze district. 

Couqley offers a wide range of traditional bistro meals that include premium steaks, pastas, salads, and entrees prepared by Executive Chef and Co-Owner Alexis Couquelet.  The bistro also includes a wide selection of wines, drinks, and freshly brewed coffee. 

It is open for lunch and dinner during the week, and for brunch on the weekends after it was converted from an artisan’s workshop and now features a traditional hand-cut mosaic stone floor, zinc bar and a charming outdoor seating area.

I prefer Filet De Boeuf over any other type of food, and Couqley is known for its deliciously fulfilling dishes. After the steak dinner, he surprised me with a strawberry tart for desert, also my favorite.  I deserve all this good food after two weeks of an extremely harsh vegetarian diet.   

Yum

To top it off, he got me a beautiful gold ankle bracelet.

The food was exceptional, the gift was dazzling, and he is my prince…the entire evening was just perfect!

The New Swatch: New Gent

Absolutely love the "New Gent" collection from swatch!

The Purple one is MINE!!!

Back Pain

Today is my first day back at work after a five day resting period due to back pain.

After a month of unbearable pain that started in my lower back and worked its way up to the shoulder area, I decided to see a doctor.  I took an appointment with an Orthopedic Surgeon, who examined me, prescribed some medicine, and advised me to move around more.

I was suffering from what is called positional pain, a cramp like numbness that results from extended sitting in the same position.  According to the doctor, my lifestyle is to blame.

I spend between two or two and a half hours driving to and from work everyday.  In addition to the eight hour long work day I spend behind the computer.

Back after all that resting, exercising, and breaking the bad routine…and it feels worse than ever.

Limiting Expectations

I have just finished reading Seth Godin’s latest blog post, “Cascade of broken promises”…

What can I say; the man is speaking to me!  I posted the link:

 http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/03/cascade-of-broken-promises.html

I, like most of the world’s population, will never learn how to manage (if not limit) expectations.  Be it for a restaurant, an event, a product, a job offer, or even a bonus, one must expect the minimum; and sometimes not even bother to hope for the best.

Life, and I don’t just mean professionally, is filled with disappointments, broken promises, lack of appreciation, and back stabbing that it makes it even more difficult to get up in the morning.

Starting today, I will adopt a new strategy in life.  The “Wolf” strategy!

It is a jungle out there, being a predator is better than being a prey, and being on top of the food chain is better than being an underdog.

The Crossing

Emerging capabilities of the flourishing soul

An ample of philosophies, wonders untold

Addiction to discovery

No desire, no antidote for recovery

Scorching thirst is mysterious

To unattainable knowledge, delirious

My world is mine,

Welcoming you anytime

We’re about to jump,

Tightly hold my hand

Crossing to the other side,

Imagination and determination are in demand

Hold your breath, we have reached the threshold

Hold on tight, you’re about to explore

Gravity…

Back to the coffee shop corner; your reality.

                                                              June 20, 2006

I “Heart” Gemmayze

One can’t mention Beirut’s nightlife with out stopping to give specific recognition to Gemmayze.  Located between Beirut’s Central District and the Achrafieh area, Gemmayze is listed as one of the historical streets in Lebanon and protected from any demolition or fundamental renovation.  In addition to the row of residential buildings dating back from the French mandate, Gemmayze is considered one of Lebanon’s most happening clubbing areas. 

In late 2009 and 2010, the battle for Gemmayze, namely Gouraud Street, took a turn for the worst when the Gemmayze residents couldn’t withstand the blaring music, the party chaos, and the scarce parking spaces that resulted from the pubs located in the area.  To satisfy the residents, the government closed down a number of the pubs located on the street, and placed curfews for their music and opening hours.  However, no one could kill the areas spirit, so it wasn’t long before Gemmayze returned to its old ways of partying hard. 

One of the best places to hit in Gemmayze is Gauche Caviar.  Located in the middle of the street, Gauche Caviar is an upper scale restaurant and bar with its elegant design and lively ambiance.  This particular pub’s name was derived from the 19^th century, and describes 'A person who subscribes to socialist ideals yet does not feel the need to totally let go of their privileged lifestyle'.

If it’s to grab a drink and unwind or to go wild and live it up, the atmosphere at Gauche Caviar sets the mood you desire.