Radish Mash and Radish Hash!

Happy Father's Day to all the HCG dad's out there!  Dad's who are the "Meat and Potato" type while on Phase 2 can get a special treat while staying right on coarse. 
Do you like radishes?  I did not!  I had to try a few times before I got it right.  I have to really cook mine to get the radish flavor completely out.  Now I love them. 
Try this for a nice replica of potatoes now and well beyond your Phase 2 adventures.  Many report that the men not even on the diet will fall head over heals for cooked radishes.  So even if he is not on the diet and and someone else is....you can share this one or any of the other radish dishes together.  Farmer's Markets will have these in abundance so take advantage of this fresh veggie while in season!

Enjoy your weekend and Happy Father's Day!

Radish Mash and Radish Hash
1 pound red radishes, halved
1 C chicken broth
1 C water
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp chives
1/2 tsp celtic sea salt
1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic

Cover with liquid and boil over medium heat while uncovered for 45 minutes or until all liquid is almost gone.  Mash with fork or potato masher.  Eat as Radish Mash or continue with the Radish Hash!  Sprinkle a small skillet with some more salt and place the Radish Mash into the hot skillet over medium heat.  Dry fry for a few minutes until it gets a bit charred to your liking. Be mindful that this is kind of "dry frying" and it will have a bit of stick to the pan.
Served with Faux-tisserie Chicken made with Homemade Seasoned Salt and Cinnamon Apple Chips for dessert!

Grapefruit Mint Cooler

Are summer Phases well under way with everyone?  I know some that have started a round for swim suit season, is that you?  What are you favorite summer drinks?  You can make virgin margaritas with Strawberries, Stevia and ice, a Lemon Slushy or this yummy Grapefruit Cooler.  Toss in some fresh mint for a cool refreshing drink to help you get through any "snacky" moods.  Having a sweet treat drink around is helpful to not feel so left out if others are enjoying something not currently on your food list.

Photo credit

Grapefruit Cooler
(1 tall glass serving)
1/2 grapefruit, juiced
3/4 cup water
2 TB freshly chopped mint
1/8 teaspoon stevia
mini pinch of celtic sea salt

Combine fresh grapefruit juice, water, stevia, salt and mix well.  Pour over a very tall glass of ice. Insert straw and sip happily!

PS-  Another variation is to peel the fruit and mix with ice and mint in a blender for a blended version!

Black Cherry Soda

Some days Phase 2 can be hard and all you need is a little "treat" to help you feel normal again, that it won't last forever and that you can make it through this!  My encouragement to you today will be exactly that! 

You will be able to eat normal again soon.  This will not last forever.  You can make it through today and make it through the entire process.

To help you through the day, taking some time to enjoy fruity flavors will help.  Below you will find my favorite kitchen toy.  It makes healthy drinks choices in a snap.  Morning coffee, afternoon iced tea, evening hot tea, hot cocoa for the kids, even hot water for soup.  All at the touch of your fingers.  Highly recommended, especially if you have been wanting one from afar.  I love my Breville Keurig machine and I wanted to share and show you one of my favorite kitchen tools you can use in Phase 2 and beyond.   As always I will answer any questions you have about this kitchen gem.

Black Cherry Soda

2 Celestial Seasonings Black Cherry tea bags

4 ounces boiling water

1 C sparkling water

1/8 tsp stevia

1/2 lemon, juiced (optional)

Place 2 tea bags in bottom of a coffee/ tea mug.  Pour 4 ounces very hot water.  Steep 6-8 minutes.  Squeeze liquid from bags and remove.  Sweeten with stevia to taste, adding lemon juice is optional.  Fill a tall glass with ice, add concentrated tea.  Pour the sparkling water over tea and ice, stir with straw and sip happily.
Note:  If you are not a tea drinker or tea liker...give this a try along with my Faux-Fruit Punch, they don't have a "tea" taste at all.  You should be pleasantly surprised and makes a nice entrance into the world of drinking health tonic called tea!

Keurig compatible Coffee and Tea makers











K-Cup Accessories











K-Cup Coffees











K-Cup Teas

Baked or Grilled Herbed Shrimp

Good Morning,
Do you all have your herbs planted?  If not the farmers markets and produce always have fresh growing herbs showcased this time of year.  Thyme and rosemary make this a flavorful dish, letting you forget all about any list of restrictions and appreciate the wonderful flavors you can still enjoy.
This would be excellent cooked on the grill in a foiled, stainless steel pan or wooden skewers.  Toss with cooked spinach or add asparagus spears in with the shrimp for an easy and elegant meal.  Thanks to One Perfect Bite for helping create this beautiful meal Phase 2 style. 

Photo Credit

Baked or Grilled Herbed Shrimp
1/4 C water or protocol allowed chicken broth
1/2 TB red wine vinegar (make sure sugar free)
1 TB fresh lemon juice
6 fresh thyme sprigs
3 large fresh rosemary sprigs, halved
1 tsp celtic sea salt, halved
1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
1-1/2 pounds extra-large shrimp (preferably wild caught, peeled and deveined)

Preheat oven or grill to 400 degrees F.  Pour water or broth and lemon into a 9 x 13 inch, glass baking dish.  Add thyme, rosemary and pepper. Bake12 minutes or until spices become fragrant.
Add shrimp to dish and toss until all surfaces of shrimp are coated.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes, remove when shrimp are pink and firm.  Add vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt . Toss well and let rest for 5 minutes at room temperature until cooled slightly.  Sprinkle shrimp and any vegetables with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, or as needed.

Note:  This would be good cooked with fish too.

Phase 3/4:  Replace water or broth with olive or grapeseed oil.  Add the lemon peels in the baking dish too for added flavor.

Photo Credit