Raw "South of the Boarder" Corn Chowder

I personally adapted this recipe from Ani Phyo's Sweet Corn Chowder one day when I wanted something with a bit more kick to it. This is kind of like having a veggie taco salad in a bowl!

Makes 1 Serving

Chowder Base
3/4 C organic corn kernels, divided (I use organic frozen, but organic fresh is good too)
1/4 C walnuts
1/4 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 to 1/2 tsp minced garlic, to taste
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp chipotle pepper
1/2 C almond milk



Using HALF of the corn, set the other half aside, blend above ingredients in blender until smooth.

Toppings -all are optional, use what you want! I like to toss whatever sounds good that I have in the fridge!)

remaining corn kernels
1/4 C kelp noodles
1 tsp cilantro
1 tbsp green onion
1 tbsp red bell pepper
2 shitake mushrooms* 

Serve with your desired toppings and enjoy!

*If you have more mushrooms that you need to use quickly, add some to the soup base! Any kind of mushroom is acceptable. I use shitake or portobello because the shitake blends easily and the portobello has a meaty taste.

Ani Phyo 15 Day Fat Blast: Final Daily Overview

Day 16

Hi Everyone,
It has been an awesome journey that I have loved sharing with you. Today will be my last daily posting with recipe reviews for the Fat Blast book. I will be doing an official book review covering the whole book, not just the recipes here at Lorraine's Health Corner on blogger.

I weighed myself today and found that in total I have lost 9 pounds over the past 15 days! I am back to fitting in my small pants!! I was able to maintain my muscle weight over the past 2 weeks which is why I didn't loose more. I have lost a good deal of fat though!

Overall my thighs, butt, waist, calves, arms, bust and face are smaller. The differences may be hard to see in photos, especially as these are varying in light, but to me the difference is fantastic.  

Today I have had a couple shakes, one of my own concoction and I am having the Pesto Wraps for dinner this evening.

Tropical Watermelon Smoothie

2 C cubed watermelon
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp fresh mint
1 C brewed green tea
Stevia
pinch cayenne pepper
1 C ice

Blend until smooth.

I made the choco banana milk shake for a snack.

For dinner I made the Pesto Wraps- 5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating.
For desert I made the Trail Mix Cookies from phase 3, day 14.


Thanks for sharing my journey, I appreciate all the support that I received. Overall, this is a fantastic plan that Ani developed, I highly recommend getting her book.

After the plan Ani has more recipes that are aimed for those who need more endurance, building muscle or adding strength, and increasing flexibility. Check it out, it is full of knowledge and great recipes!

Ani Phyo 15 Day Fat Blast: Day 15

Day 15

Due to limitations set by the publishing company, I am not able to post the recipes from the book. If you are unable to support Ani in purchasing her book, please utilize your public library! 


Today is technically my last day, where I get to pick any of the meals from the first 14 days for my menu. However, there are more recipes that I didn't get to do than would fit into just today's menu. Like tonight, I was going to make the Pesto Wraps, but realized I was out of avocado. Then I was going to make one of the other dinners I had missed and discovered that I either didn't have enough tomato or I needed avocado! Time to go to the store!

Breakfast

Chocolate Banana Mylk Shake
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

This recipe is great. It incorporates maca powder which is great for endurance. It is from phase 2, day 6.

Morning Snack

Ginger Mango Shake
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

Another awesome shake from phase 2, day 4. I ended up making this shake and my afternoon soup yesterday as I knew that I would be up and out early today. I ended up having the soup for lunch and having my lunch salad later

Afternoon Snack

Tomato Bisque
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

* I used more garlic because I love it!

I really enjoyed this soup and was glad I got to make it up as I missed it in phase 1.

Lunch

Easy  Being Green Salad
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating


This salad is excellent!

Dinner

As I said above, I ran out of ingredients to be able to make one of the meals I missed during the first 14 days  I plan on completing those meals over the next couple days but for dinner this evening I decided to make a shake of my own.

Cinnamon Peach

1 Peach, cubed
1 banana
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp flax meal
1 tbsp hemp protein
1/2 tsp spirulina
Stevia, to taste
6 ice cubes
1 C filtered water

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.


Tomorrow I will give my concluding weight and some final thoughts. I hope you have enjoyed following my journey as I have had sharing it with you. I hope you will consider trying the Fat Blast plan as it really works and gives excellent guidelines on how to prepare meals and eat effectively to keep the weight off.

Ani Phyo 15 Day Fat Blast Review: Day 14

Day 14

Due to limitations set by the publishing company, I am not able to post the recipes from the book. If you are unable to support Ani in purchasing her book, please utilize your public library! 


I got off work, and ran errands- of coarse! I picked up a raw food bar, water, and kombucha tea. I have been wanting to try kombucha, as I found a source for a mother so I can make my own, but I wanted to try it first to make sure that I like it. I do :) I got home a bit later than I had hoped to and went straight to making breakfast.

Breakfast

Beauty Berry Shake
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

* I used half strawberries and half blueberries, the blueberries were frozen.  I also didn't have a full 1/4 C of pumpkin seeds so I substituted the remainder for sunflower seeds.

This was an excellent shake, very pretty color. Be sure to add the coconut oil while it is blending or it will sink to the bottom of the blender and harden because of the ice and frozen fruit. It still tastes great- I dug it out and ate it :) Yum!

Lunch

Cumin Slaw with Miso Vinaigrette
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

I made the dressing with both white and red miso to see which was better- they were both good but I preferred the white miso with this recipe. If you desire something with a bit more pizzazz I would go with the red.

Morning Snack becomes Lunch Dessert

Trail Mix Cookies
Makes 1 serving-- about 4 cookies
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating


Awesome!!! Sorry I was so into eating them, I forgot to take a picture!!

Afternoon Snack

Kreamy Tomato Gazpacho
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I replaced the almonds and water with almond milk- I was out of almonds :)
I also used the jalapeno.

Using the almond milk instead worked out very well. The soup was very creamy and delicious. When I make it again I am going to add an additional 1/2 C tomato, as it wasn't quite tomato-y enough for me :)   Yeah, I took it on the go- actually not bad as a shake!

Dinner

Mushroom Rolls with Root Rice
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

These turned out to be pretty good. I haven't had raw rice until tonight. It was okay. I think for now, it is best when it is served in combination with something. 

The collard leaf was a bit wide for the nori so I ended up turning the leaf over the sides of the veggies before rolling (like a tortilla where you fold in the sides) and I used the left over mushroom marinade for dipping sauce. Yum!

Well, tomorrow is supposed to be the last day, however, I have missed about 6 different recipes over the past 2 weeks and so I will be continuing a couple days so that my ratings and opinions may be evaluated. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts, suggestions, and support over the past two weeks, they have boosted my spirits and kept me going.
Thank you!

Ani Phyo 15 Day Fat Blast Review: Day 13

Day 13

Due to limitations set by the publishing company, I am not able to post the recipes from the book. If you are unable to support Ani in purchasing her book, please utilize your public library!

Today was something of a lazy day. Made food before church. Went to church. Hung out with family and ate after church. Came home and made afternoon snack and dessert. Watch a program, ate too many nuts, skipped making dinner, and went to work. Hurrah, I still have dishes to clean!

Breakfast

Avocado Shake
4 of 5-- my personal rating

* I used spirulina this time as I thought the wheatgrass would overwhelm the strawberries. I used about a 1/4 cup more strawberries, all fresh.

I think if I were to make this again I would add an additional half a cup of strawberries and use frozen as those are sweeter than fresh.

Lunch

Fennel Slaw with Dill Vinaigrette
4 of 5-- my personal rating

* I used dried dill- 1 1/2 tsp and the full amount of white miso.

This slaw was okay. Not fabulous but okay. I would add carrot and maybe some raisins and paprika if I were to make it again. I also think that perhaps, as the ingredients tend toward the bland side that the darker miso would have boosted it's flavor, and that adding the pumpkin or sunflower seeds would help as I forgot to add them because I was trying to finish this salad before having to wake my husband up to go to church. Oops. 

I would like to take a moment to applaud the use of graters and micro-planers. They are awesome tools that make life so much easier. I purchased a micro-planer before I started these 15 days, and boy I am so thankful that I did. It is the best tool for mincing fresh ginger!

Afternoon Snack

Carrot Ginger Soup
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I used white miso- full amount, added the coconut oil, and a pinch of the chipotle powder

This is an excellent soup! The white miso doesn't overpower the other flavors but enhances it. I shredded my carrot with the grater as I don't have a vitamix and I didn't want to risk any chunks as carrots are harder than some other veggies.

Morning Snack becomes Post Afternoon-snack Dessert!

Fudge Brownies with Fresh Berries
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

Makes 4 Servings

* I used cocoa powder as I don't have either of the other.

Be warned that this recipe is made to be four servings. I halved it and made two and then proceeded to eat them both! Followed by a snack of cashews while watching a show. And now I don't want my supper! I have to leave for work soon so I plan on taking an apple with me in case I get hungry. I was supposed to make the Pesto Wraps this evening but I'm just too full!
This goes to show- don't eat and watch programs!! 

I am hoping that I haven't sabotaged my efforts by this action-- I have a bad habit of munching when bored- or depressed, that I really want to break. It is so easy to fall back into bad habits!

Ani Phyo 15 Day Fat Blast Review: Day 12

Day 12

Due to limitations set by the publishing company, I am not able to post the recipes from the book. If you are unable to support Ani in purchasing her book, please utilize your public library!

I had breakfast and my morning snack(around 10a and noon respectively) before I went on a 40 mile bike ride that ended up being 48 miles as I got turned around at one point. I took the afternoon snack with me, saving lunch for later. 

Breakfast

Orange Vanilla Shake
3 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I used 1/2 tsp of each wheat grass and spirulina- next time I will only do 3/4 tsp of each as it overpowered the orange. I also added stevia.

I think that if this shake were made without the spirulina or wheatgrass that it would actually be quite good. As it is however, if you include one or both, keep it minimal as either will easily overtake the flavor of the orange. I would also suggest using orange juice instead of water if you can- ei- if you have matcha powder.

Morning Snack

Peach Crumble
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*As you can see in the picture I didn't read far enough ahead in the recipe, so I just put the crumble on top and mixed it a bit.  I only used one peach- it was a good size. Use your own judgement on how much peach to use.

This is an awesome recipe and a great one to use for company who eat traditionally. If you have a dehydrator it would be even better warmed for a bit and then topped with some raw ice cream! Oh, yum... ice cream....

Lunch that became Dinner

Italian Salad
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

* I used the capers and skipped the nutritional yeast. I also used dried oregano- 1 tsp.

This is an excellent salad. It would be awesome with some chips for scooping! But plain is just as good! I am an olive fiend. I added many more olives after I took the picture and ate a bit. Oh, I tried to get fresh but the Krogers near my house doesn't have an antipasto bar so I used canned. 

Afternoon Snack that became Lunch

Curried Zucchini Cucumber Soup
4 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I love garlic almost as much as I love olives so I doubled the amount of garlic, added a pinch of cayenne, and doubled the curry powder- I like curry and it needed a boost. I only used 1/2 tbsp of miso.

When I first tasted this soup, it wasn't that great but after riding my bike for 3 hours it was really good. I don't know if it's because I was hungry, or if it just had time to meld flavors. I think it's the latter. It really wasn't bad!

Dinner- pre- dinner really

Marinated Mushrooms in Lettuce Wraps
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I accidently used zucchini in place of the cucumber.

White miso is SO MUCH BETTER than red miso. If I had known how much the difference was going to be- I don't know I would have done some thing dramatic. Let me know what I would have done- I'm too tired to figure it out. Anyhow, I was irked that I had to get the white miso for only this recipe but I did and I am so glad that I did because- now I know.
I had read somewhere previously that the darker the color of the miso the more intense the flavor. Boy were they right. I will be using white miso from now on. 

Try all the recipes that I hated because of the miso-- like the miso soup from yesterday-- with WHITE miso. Let me know how they turn out will ya?! I would love to know!

After I had this, I was still hungry so I made the salad that was supposed to be my lunch and after that I was full. And sleepy.

Overall a good day :) 

Ani Phyo 15 Day Fat Blast Review: Day 11

Day 11

Due to limitations set by the publishing company, I am not able to post the recipes from the book. If you are unable to support Ani in purchasing her book, please utilize your public library!

It's hard to believe that this is the last 5 days, by Tuesday this will be over! I am so thankful for doing this because now I have a better understanding of how to balance meals to keep the weight off- besides not eating processed carbs! LOL!

Breakfast

Green Grapefruit Smoothie
3 of 5-- my personal rating

*I used 1 tbsp each of spirulina and wheatgrass and 2 tbsp cilantro. I also added stevia.

I rated this smoothie a 3 because with the super power powders it is VERY earthy. It's basically like eating grass. Now I know the other day I was singing wheatgrass's praises but it has to fit the flavors of the shake. Now, if the powders were not included or reduced a bit the shake's flavors would be balanced better.  As it is, if you use everything,  the grapefruit and lime are secondary flavors and the cilantro just adds to the earthy flavor. 

Morning Snack

Mint and Basil Tropical Fruit Salad
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I used 1/2 tsp maca and instead of fresh basil I used dried. My basil plant is pathetic this year- it didn't overwinter very well.

I was almost finished with this salad before I realized that I forgot to add my banana! I kept it separate so it wouldn't get gross in the container since I made it yesterday. 

Lunch

Shredded Sesame Salad with Orange Ginger Vinaigrette
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

While very good, I think there is a little too much seaweed but perhaps that is because I have too little bowl!! I can't mix without spilling! LOL! The dressing for this is really awesome!

Afternoon Snack

Curried Cilantro Cucumber Soup
4 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I didn't see the part where it says to peel the cucumber-- oops!

I found this soup to be quite hot. I think if I were to make it again I would reduce the cayenne a bit and add in mango. I ate this in the car while running errands before work-- forgot to take a picture sorry! It was curry colored!

Dinner

Celery Almond Pate
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I used dill and paprika. I also used half of the miso recommended, but it needed a little salt.

Since I made this yesterday it had a chance to allow the flavors to blend a bit more than if I had eaten it directly. IT WAS AWESOME! I am sorry this post is getting published so late- but I had to work last night and I got home a few minutes ago. 

Ani Phyo 15 Day Fat Blast Review: Day 10

Day 10

Due to limitations set by the publishing company, I am not able to post the recipes from the book. If you are unable to support Ani in purchasing her book, please utilize your public library! 


Wow, I can hardly believe that it is day ten. Perhaps that is because I got 2 hours of sleep before being called in for a work emergency. Drove an hour to get there, emergency lasted two hours. Went to the store and came home. Forgot the celery :(

I find it amazing how some people get up at 5 or 6 in the morning, work out, run errands, etc., before going to work. It was really interesting to see all the different walks of life this morning. I admit, I have a hard time getting up before 7a and most nights I stay up till about 12 or 1a, which is not conducive to getting up at 7. You Rock Morning People!!

Breakfast(2:45 A)

Pear Lime Ginger Shake
4 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I used 2 limes as they were smaller and skipped the green tea due to the early hour. (Hopefully I can take a little nap since I'm not "hopped" up on caffeine!")

Due to the early hour and my need to leave as quickly as possible, I did not take a picture. Truthfully, it looked like yesterday's morning shake-- light yellow. I also couldn't taste the lime that much. I could taste the pear, but the pineapple is what came through the most.

Morning Snack

Watermelon Grapefruit Salad
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

I found this salad to be different but good. A twist on plain watermelon the grapefruit, mint and scallions go extremely well with each other. I couldn't really taste the jalapeno. My watermelon wasn't super sweet but I think the sweeter the melon the better this will taste! I ate it while I was making all of my meals for tomorrow. Hours spent in the kitchen... I am really looking forward to not spending so much time in the kitchen as I will be able to make food in bulk after this is over :)

Chiffonade: stack leaves one on top of the other and then roll. Thinly slice roll.

Lunch 

Zucchini Hummus
4 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I ran out of cashews making the dressing the other day. They are a similar composition so I used about 1/2 C of the dressing instead of cashew nuts. This caused it to be a bit more runny.

Overall this dish is good, very filling. I would try to make it again as mine turned out more runny than it's supposed to be. I do miss the tahini flavor that is normally in hummus.

Afternoon Snack

Coconut Miso Soup
2 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

I was tempted to give this recipe a 1 star rating but because I didn't have to hold my nose and I didn't mind the wakame I am giving it a 2.
To me this tasted (and looked) very much like beef broth. I am really looking forward to dinner!

Dinner

Mixed Vegetable Seaweed with Sesame Dipping Sauce
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

Julienne: to cut into matchsticks.

I made this and took it with me as I had to work last night. Without the sauce it was rather bland but was really good with the sauce. Because waited to eat it, the nori were wet. I think it would be better eaten right after making so that the nori wouldn't have over powered the veggies.


I found myself really craving chocolate this evening- I didn't give in!

Ani Phyo 15 Day Fat Blast Review: Day 9

Day 9

Due to limitations set by the publishing company, I am not able to post the recipes from the book. If you are unable to support Ani in purchasing her book, please utilize your public library!

Today was a busy day. I have a tendency to try to accomplish too much in one day and that is what ended up happening. I got everything done but at the cost of my temper. By the end of the day I was weary, grouchy, and not wanting to spend any more time in the kitchen.

Breakfast

Pineapple Cilantro Shake
4 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I just brewed the tea normally an d I added stevia.

I found this shake to be very light and crisp. When making in the future I will add a half cup more pineapple to fill out the flavor a bit more and reduce the cilantro a bit. This time I added wheatgrass and maca powder as I went for a 32 mile round trip bike ride to the library and back.

Lunch

Cabbage Salad with Cucumber Miso Dressing
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

* For the dressing I only used 1 tbsp of miso.

This salad is great! I think that the miso level was just right (1 tbsp instead of 2). It has a very asian feel to it from the miso and toasted sesame oil mix. I finished this in the car while going to visit a dear friend and running errands.

Morning Snack Turned Evening Snack

Cucumber Guacamole
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

* I added a bit more garlic and kept my cucumber separate to use as chips.

This is a great snack dish but not hugely filling.

When I got home this evening I made the Guacamole but wasn't filled enough so I proceeded to make dinner only to find that for every recipe in the dinner column remaining, I was missing at least one ingredient! I did find that I could make the Tomato Bisque but I was so fed up and tired and all I wanted was something to eat, that I made a tried and true shake that I new wasn't going to turn out to be some mediocre meal that I would have to eat. 

Dinner

Blue Moon 2.0 Shake-- modified
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating
Original created by Penni Shelton

1 C blueberries, frozen or fresh
1 banana
3/4 C orange juice
3/4 C almond milk
1 tbsp flax meal
1 tsp minced fresh ginger
1/4 tsp cinnamon
stevia to taste
4 ice cubes

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.


I am going to the store in the morning :)

Ani Phyo 15 Day Fat Blast Review: Day 8

Day 8

Due to limitations set by the publishing company, I am not able to post the recipes from the book.
If you are unable to support Ani in purchasing her book, please utilize your public library!

Hurrah!! I've made it halfway and I have lost 3 more pounds!! I am now down to 129!
(I started at 135)

So I made the mistake of staying up way too late last night (3a) after I took a three hour nap yesterday afternoon because I was so sleepy. It took me a bit to get going but I just have to rave over how awesome wheatgrass is.

It. Is. ahMAZING!!

This is the first time I have had it in a smoothie and I before trying wheatgrass I thought spirulina was good but wheatgrass blows it out of the water it grew in. After drinking this smoothie I felt so energized and awake, I felt like I could take on anything with a smile!
Wheatgrass = best food friend 

Breakfast

Vanilla Blueberry Smoothie
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I added 1 tbsp each of wheatgrass and spirulina powder and used the hemp and flaxmeal for the protein.

This smoothie tastes very healthy. Thank goodness for stevia! The powders and flaxmeal I used give it a powdery texture, not gritty, just powdery. But I'll take it for all the health benefits of the spirulina, wheatgrass, and hemp! In the future I think I would add a banana, to give it a little more body and counteract powderiness as you can't really taste the blueberries, why not!

Morning Snack

Red, White, and Blue Salad
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

* I used 1/2 tsp maca powder and I didn't use cacao nibs or bee pollen. 

I was preparing to do this diet I needed to stay conservative in my spending, so I eliminated getting the cacao nibs and bee pollen as they are only used in a couple recipes. The salad was great without them and I bet it is even better with them.

Evening Snack

Kreamy Cucumber Soup
4 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*  I used spinach instead of romaine, used 1.5 tsp of miso, I did add the whole 1/8 tsp of chipotle, and I added 1 tbsp of capers. 

After I blended this soup and tasted it, I found it to be missing that last thing that would really make it. I tried the capers and those helped but it still is only a four star soup in my opinion.

So I bet your wondering, "What happened to lunch?" Yeah, me too. It worked out that since I got up late (10am) after staying up late and then going to the gym(12pm) that by the time I got home I had my morning snack (3pm) and then proceded to try to make lunch but not able to as it requires that the cashews soak about 6 hours. LOL! So, I made the evening snack of Kreamy Cucumber Soup instead (5pm) and I had the Kreamy Chipotle Salad for dinner. "What about the dinner on the menu?" you ask, well, that is going to be used for my lunch meal on day 15. (Day 15 I get to pick whatever I want to eat from everything I have already made- or neglected to make!) 

Lunch (or in this case dinner)

Kreamy Chipotle Salad
5 of 5 stars-- my personal rating

*I used 1 1/2 tsp of miso

This salad is great! I really like the dressing. It's a little hot but not overwhelming. A good balance.

For a small post dinner snack I made a half portion of Blue Moon 2.0 with spirulina- Yum!