Day 27 - Weight 188.8 - Period Day 2/No HCG

Lost two pounds since yesterday. Yeah! I really think the weight gain or "hold" is completely related to my cycle. That's relieving, I have to tell ya.

It's the second day withholding the HCG injection and I still didn't feel any increase in hunger. I had light cramping throughout the morning but definitely not a big deal. The horror show from yesterday was definitely over! Unfortunately, I am feeling something like a head cold or maybe even allergies. I haven't completely recovered from the cold/infection that I had and now it feels like it's moved directly behind my eyes and into my head. Big time. I've never experienced allergies, hay fever and the like, but it seems like this is what they would feel like. Itchy, pressured eyes, sinus pressure, headache. My self prescription? I headed in to Pura Vida Day Spa for a massage with Jann B. and I came out feeling much better. :-)

Which Lettuce is Best?

I was thinking about lettuce today. Does that sound funny? I've always heard that the spring greens mix was higher in nutrients than romaine which is higher in nutrients than iceberg. My husband loves iceberg and I guess, over the years, I taught him to love romaine. I haven't been as successful in teaching him to love the spring greens. I did some research and actually found that, for the lettuce family singles, the highest nutrient value would be in spinach and the second highest nutrient value would be in loose leaf, green or red, lettuce. Romaine lettuce is higher in vitamin C than the looseleaf but that's it's only "winning" attribute. Still romaine ranks high above iceberg whose only real value seems to be it's high water content. I really like loose leaf lettuce so that will be an easy switch for me and, I think, for hubby, too. I'm glad I know better now and I'll also slip more raw spinach into our salads, too.

For details on the nutrient comparison values of the "lettuce" family, click here: http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/recipes/spinach/spinach&lettucenutrition.html (It's pretty much impossible to get a nutritional value breakdown for "spring greens").

LIQUIDS

• 1 C chai tea
• 2 liters water

SNACK

• Apple

LUNCH

• Chicken Soup w/ Collard Greens

(Sambal ulek, Bragg's Aminos, Salt, Minced Dried Onions, Garlic Powder, 2 C water, 2 TBSP Lemon Juice)

SNACK/DINNER COMBO

• Strawberries
• Crab, fresh
• Asparagus, steamed*
• WASA*

*The asparagus turned out to be kind of stringy and tough. I gave mine to hubby, who wanted it anyway, and added the WASA for myself instead.