DAY 30 - (Drum roll, please) FINAL DINNER ANALYSIS!!!

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Dinner: Chicken Biriyani with Broccoli and Grapes (for dessert)

1 cup broccoli
1/4 onion
1/2 roma tomato
2 serrano peppers (SOOO HOT!!)
3/4 cup basmati rice
3 oz Chicken breast
1 tbsp nonfat yogurt
1/10 shan biriyani mix
Grapes, 140 grams

Total Calories: 397
Total Carbs: 76
Total Fat: 5
Total Proteins: 28

So last night was my final night of the 30-day dinner blog challenge! It was bittersweet. I'm going to miss the "planning/plating" process but I am not going to miss the "drop everything and get the camera to take a shot of my dinner" process (nor the teasing by family members for my OCD in this whole project)! lol

Inspired by my new SP friend, Shane, I decided to make this biriyani dish entirely with PAM cooking spray (as opposed to the 4-5 T of olive oil I typically use). IT actually was pretty successful! You do notice a bit of a difference but its definitely manageable and still tastes AWESOME because the biriyani mix is soo flavorful. The broccoli was actually steamed so no cooking spray/oil needed for that. As I was telling Shruti the other day, grapes actually are very low in calories but the carbs are a bit excessive (I guess because of the sugars). I had about 20 grapes for about 50 calories but ~30g of carbohydrates.

Assessment: Overall, I have successfully stayed on the lower end of ALL my ranges last night. Have only mastered that feat (for all categories) about 5 times this whole month so very happy about ending it this way!! My total calories for the day was 1514 (range is 1420-1770) and total fat grams was only 36 (range is 35-67)! YAY!

DAY 30 - SUCCESSFUL

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ZANNACHAN 10/1/2009 6:59PM

Congrats on seeing it through! I'm sure it must have been pretty time consuming but it was really neat seeing what you prepared every night,e specially since so many of the dishes are unfamiliar to me. And especially congratulations on doing so well in meeting your target goals! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAGGARWALAX 10/1/2009 5:28PM

Rainey - Congrats for seeing it through! Took a lot of effort and you did it! Gotta run ..talk more later! Reeta Report Inappropriate Comment

SHRUTI23 10/1/2009 1:05PM

Rainey dear... will you stop posting these dinner blogs?? Well I got used to reading these so much that I am looking forward to what you ate last night every morning You must take up new exciting challenge for this month..How about holding that sweet tooth (I know I know that's something you will never take up as challenge) 3months to go for 2010 and loads of goals to be achieved!! Good luck Report Inappropriate Comment

REKHAKAKR 10/1/2009 12:57PM

here it is i was waiting for this and after waiting i thought the month is over so may be today you are not going to post it . on completing this month and being so consistent about it. and Congrats for being Member of the month for our team Comment edited on: 10/1/2009 12:58:18 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

SAASHA17 10/1/2009 12:56PM

Gud going...woohooo...yipeeee....yay... lol.. actually u did well..job well done..what with the navratri fasting....then taking pictures and stuff...really good going..proud of u... Manasa Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 29 - Sept 28

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Dinner: Spicy Chicken Pita with Spinach
Dessert: Giada's "Prosecco" Gelatin with Mascarpone Cheese and toasted walnuts

3 oz spiced chicken breast
1/2 tsp oil
1/3 medium onion
1 cup spinach
1/4 cup raspberries
1/2 cup jello
1/4 cup wildberry soda
2 tsp mascarpone cheese
2 walnut halves

Total Calories: 497
Total Carbs: 63
Total Fat: 15
Total Protein: 29

The meal is pretty much self-explanatory but the dessert you guys have to try out one day (foodnetwork.com).The original recipe calls for Prosecco so if you drink alcohol, use it, should be even better! Something about the combination of jello, mascarpone cheese, and walnuts...is heavenly!! And honestly not bad for you!

Assessment: Did really well tonight. Met all my ranges and FAT grams ended up being only 41g total!! Big deal for me because I usually suffer in this department! Only one more day to go guys!!

DAY 29 - Successful

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ZANNACHAN 9/29/2009 3:44PM

Yum! That desert looks and sounds especially tasty. Report Inappropriate Comment

SAASHA17 9/29/2009 10:26AM

Gud going Rainey...I love the dessert...wish u were here...hehehe....then I could have got all those made for me....;) Manasa Report Inappropriate Comment

RAGGARWALAX 9/29/2009 10:08AM

Rainey - everything you make looks yummy and you have a great variety which is even better! Keep it up cuz u r keeping me motivated 2!!! Reeta Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 28 - Sept 27

Monday, September 28, 2009

Dinner: "Back to Basics" Chicken Curry with Rice and Sambhar

Total Calories: 453
Total Carbs: 32
Total Fat: 10
Total Protein: 56

Enjoyed a healthy protein-filled dinner tonight! Will try to make something more interesting for tomorrow.

Assessment: Did well for dinner but the snacks/lunch from earlier put me over my limits by 300 calories and about 20grams of fat. Will do better tomorrow!

Day 28 - UNSUCCESSFUL

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ZANNACHAN 9/28/2009 2:22PM

Mmm, that looks/sounds tasty, if pretty spicy. Report Inappropriate Comment

SAASHA17 9/28/2009 11:26AM

Hey Rainey..chicken....yummy...hehe Report Inappropriate Comment

RAIN454 9/28/2009 10:23AM

Hi, Shane Do you have a sparkpage? I was trying to respond to you but there was nothing to click on to say hi! I would like to help (if I can). Either email me at my spark email or send me a link to your sparkpage. Take care. Rainey Report Inappropriate Comment

RAGGARWALAX 9/28/2009 7:11AM

Rainey - u are doing great and I'm sure u must be relieved with the fasting now over :-) Cheers! Reeta Report Inappropriate Comment

SHANE_NEO 9/28/2009 12:07AM

Hi....i was reading the blogs and found it really really interesting. I have just joined the site a few hours ago. I am a 29 year old guy from India and weigh around 92 kgs ( i'm 5' 9.5"). due to the nature of my work (sitting at a computer whole day long) i rarely get time for hitting the gym. I'd really like to know what should be a proper diet for me. Like there are lots of diet plans avlbl on the net, but mostly by americans, so not all the stuffs are available at the local market. Can you please let me know a proper diet that can be followed in India? I'd be immensely grateful. Thanks. Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 27 - Sept 26 Dinner Blog

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Dinner: Vegan Cutlets, Salad and Tots

2 Vegan Cutlets made of potato, onions, and boca burger "meat"
Crust made with ground flaxsee and parmesan cheese
1.5 serving Tator Tots
Mixed Salad Greens

Total Calories: 371
Total Carbs: 42
Total Fat: 17
Total Protein: 11

Again, was trying to clean out the fridge. We have a dinner party planned tonight so knew I needed to make room for leftovers tonight. Besides, since this was the last night of the fast, didn't want to make something new. :)

Assessment: Did very well today. Met all ranges and prematurely checked my weight (normal weigh-in is Monday) and have lost 2 lbs this week!

Day 27 - SUCCESSFUL!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BECKYI 9/27/2009 10:51PM

It looks to be a good meal to me too. I am not a vegan either. Becky Report Inappropriate Comment

THEMINT2 9/27/2009 4:26PM

It looks like a beautiful meal too and I am not a vegan! Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 25 and Day 26

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Dinner - Sept 24: Roasted Acorn Squash with Homebaked Butternut Squash chips
Half Acorn Squash
1 tsp brown sugar
1/2 T butter
1/2 cup butternut squash (baked into chips)
1/4 cup hummus
Dessert (not shown): 4/5 large plantain

Total Calories: 533
Total Carbs: 100
Total Fat: 17
Total Proteins: 8

Assessment: I need to incorporate more protein into my diet this week. Because of the heavy carbs in the plantain (48g), my carb intake for the day was at the higher end of my range. However, since I am not eating any breads or grains, I never go above my range (for this week at least). I was successful in maintaining my fat and calorie ranges. My proteins suffered a bit. Only had 45g when I should be having at least 60.
Day 25 - Successful






Dinner - Sept 25: Vegan Cutlets with Mixed Baby Lettuce Salad
1/2 cup mashed potato
2/3 cup morningstar meal starter crumbles
1/4 onion and ginger chopped
1 pepper diced
garam masala
salt&pepper

Total Calories: 307
Total Carbs: 30
Total Fat: 15
Total Protein: 15

Assessment: Tonight, I did really well. Since I'm in the home stretch on this fast, trying to finish up a lot of "Vegan" foods from the house that I bought for this week (before they spoil). Made my cutlets again (honestly, with the spices, you would not be able to differentiate this from ground beef cutlets). To reduce the carbs and fat that I've been eating this week, added a green salad instead of more starchy veggies. My total caloric intake for the day was 1529. I was actually "under" in my carbs and protein" but not by much. All in all though, very successful day.
Day 26: SUCCESSFUL!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ZANNACHAN 9/27/2009 12:54PM

I struggle with getting enough protein too, which is sad because I'm not even vegetarian. But nuts are a really good source of protein as well--and almonds have a lot of calcium (another thing I tend not to get enough of) as well. Report Inappropriate Comment

SAASHA17 9/26/2009 4:11PM

Hey... well sounds goood....:)..yummy..I cant wait now for Monday to come...lol.. Report Inappropriate Comment

SHRUTI23 9/26/2009 1:12PM

Rainey, The problem with protein intake is so much similar to mine. I also find it tough to fill in proteins. I try my best to include cheese and other forms of protein but then it never grows beyond 45/60-50/60. This is the advantage of eating non-veg i think ,no need to worry on proteins..Makes me think Report Inappropriate Comment