The menu plan for week 109 is based on a challenge.  On October 1st My Montana Healthy Challenge Tribe started a 7 day Fuel Cycle Challenge.  Since I gained a few pounds over the past weeks (mainly due to our recent road trips) and have been at a standstill as far as dropping pounds over the past few months, I decided to take part in this challenge.  I will begin the challenge on Wednesday, 2 days later than the other participants.  I plan to monitor their posts and their progress on facebook carefully.  As I check the progress of the group I may modify  some of the meals planned for the week.

In researching the way a fuel cycle works, I have learned a variety of things.  I have reread portions of the original book and I must admit…I should probably reread the entire book.  After more than a year on the plan there are things included in those pages that I overlooked, didn’t understand or simply did not take the time to implement in my past planning.  I totally missed the differences in S meals…Light S, Deep S and Heavy S.  For some reason the Heavy S meals resonated with me.  Many of my best recipes fell into that category.  It made the transition into the eating plan fairly easy early on.  An added bonus…I was preparing meals enjoyed by the ‘Ole Buckeye.

I now realize that while we have both lost weight and have more energy, the progress has stalled.  There are ways to jump start our progress.  In addition I need to concentrate on mixing my meal types, especially the evening meals.  I also need to incorporate the sippers.  I keep reading of the importance of including them in a daily routine.  I am not a water drinker.  In fact I am certain that I don’t drink enough fluids during the day of any type.  This fact requires my attention as well.  I need to find drinks (other than red wine) that I enjoy and are on plan.

With that being said I will begin week 109 with a day of lighter E meals and then jump into the actual challenge on Wednesday.  Many of the recipes are new and the meal preparation will be a little more intense than it has been over the past weeks.  Hopefully I can successfully stick to the plan and determine if fuel cycle actually works.

I have included the sources for all of the new recipes with links if they appear online.

Brownie Batter Chocolate Oatmeal  THM E

Tex Mex Breakfast Scramble   THM Deep S

Cinnamon Roll Smoothie   THM E

Egg White Omelet   THM FP

Velvety Cappuccino   THM Deep S

Sausage Cabbage Skillet   THM Deep S

Velvety Drinkable Custard   THM Deep S

Quinoa Goes Cajun  THM E  page 69 Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook

95 Calorie Soup  THM FP

Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole   THM E

Bacon Wrapped Mediterranean Chicken   THM Deep S

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice   THM E

Southwest Chicken Salad   THM E

Salsa Verde Chicken   THM FP

Cajun Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl   THM FP

Crockpot Beef and Gravy   THM Deep S

The plans are made.  As the process begins I have already determined that supplemental trips to the grocery may well be needed.  I will observe the progress of other challengers and make changes as required.

Hopefully at the end of week 109 I will have not only a jump start my weight loss, but more importantly I will have a better understanding of the THM plan.

Bon Appetit!