Friday 27 June 2008

Some Recipes and Menus for Lunches and Dinners ©

Hi everyone here are some recipes and menus for lunches and dinners that should help you live without bread, cheese and pasta I would love it if you would add some of your favorite recipes and I will add my own favorites.
My current favorite fast lunch is to open tin of red salmon add to it a small packet of cashews and some sun dried tomatoes and eat with half an avocado and some salad leaves.
My favorite fast dinner is to put frozen spinach, frozen sweetcorn and frozen prawns in an oven proof dish and bake for 20 minutes adding a small amount of cubed feta for the last 5 minutes. Frozen veg (as long as they contain no salt and sugar are a perfect alternative to fresh veg)


Breakfast
• Eggs boiled, poached, hard boiled,
• Scrambled eggs made with olive oil
• Omelette made with oil NOT milk or butter
Cook your eggs with any kind of vegetable including tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, peas, sweet corn, onions or ham, prawns or salmon and add coriander for serotonin.

• Soya yogurt with almonds and/or mixed seeds sunflower, hemp, sesame, pumpkin (a dessert spoon size of mixed seeds and nuts) add cinnamon if you like it.

• Stewed fruit apples, pears, plums (sprinkle with a mixture of nuts and seeds) add half teaspoon of ground cinnamon to reduce blood sugar and reduce sugar cravings

• Smoothie made with any fruit combination or fruit and soya milk add seeds and half a spoon of cinnamon if liked.

• Any fruit especially bananas for the serotonin eat with 10 almonds or cashew or a spoonful of seeds for the protein

• Oats made with water add soya or rice milk and cinnamon.

If you need breakfast on the go either make a frittata see recipe below and take a slice of with you or cook up a pan of porridge oats (ensure they are not runny) after cooking add some seeds and berries spread it on a baking tray and bake slowly in the oven for about 15 minutes cut into slices and take a slice or two with you for a late breakfast. This really is breakfast in a bar unlike those you buy in supermarkets which are full of sugar and additives.


____________________________________
Lunch
SALADS:

Chicken or turkey salad
Dressing
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon coriander
½ teaspoon salt
Salad Ingredients
2 cups cooked chicken, cut into cubes
tomatoes peppers cucumber spring onions sweetcorn
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, vinegar, coriander and salt.
In a medium bowl, place all the remaining ingredients. Whip the dressing ingredients together with a fork, and then pour over the chicken mixture. Gently toss and refrigerate until served.
Add tofu or nuts and seeds or quinoa if preferred
Serves 4.


• Salad of avocado, sweetcorn, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, cucumber and tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines, pilchards
• Salad of cold roast chicken or turkey with cold roast sweet potato, spring onions, peppers and tomatoes.

• Baked sweet potatoes or yams with a filling of chicken or tuna, sweetcorn baby tomatoes


• Cold cooked ham or Hummus and falafels with salad or vegetables



Mid afternoon snacks
• any fruit
• soya yogurt with seeds or fruit,
• endemame beans
• hummus with raw vegetables
• Popcorn put popcorn kernels in a brown paper bag fold in half and cook in the microwave for 3-4 minutes, sprinkle with light soy sauce and enjoy.




Dinner
• Thai Rice noodles with prawns or tofu
Cook I large handful of rice noodles per person according to instructions and in a wok stir fry veggies like mange tout, leeks, peppers, beansprouts, mushrooms, spring onions and cherry tomatoes until al dente, add the cooked noodles to veggies add tofu or prawns, light soy sauce and sesame seeds stir fry for a further 5 minutes
4oz noodles 3oz prawns 3oz veg per person

• Spinach Parma and Basil Frittata
made with oil (not milk or butter) served with salad and sweet potato wedges
4oz Parma ham
3tsp olive oil
I onion chopped
I chopped garlic clove
6 eggs
Small bunch fresh basil torn
Medium bunch of spinach torn

Heat one tbs of olive oil in an ovenproof frying pan and cook one onion and one garlic clove finely chopped for 2-3 minutes or until softened.
Beat 6 eggs in a large bowl and season with salt and peppers. Stir in the onions and garlic, spinach, basil and Parma ham.
Preheat grill on high heat. Wipe out the frying pan and add a little oil. Heat over medium heat then pour in the egg mixture. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until almost set. Grill for 2-3 minutes or until golden, then slide gently out of the pan and cut into wedges to serve.
Cut sweet potatoes into wedges rub in oil and cinnamon bake under a hot grill or in the oven for 30 minutes.
You can make a breakfast frittata with Parma ham and mushrooms
You can make them for lunch or dinner with prawns, smoked salmon courgettes, sweetcorn, peas and any other veggies you choose.



• Fishcakes
Make salmon or crab fish cakes by adding 100g mashed sweet potato to 75 cooked flaked salmon or tinned salmon or crab add some fresh coriander black pepper and lemon juice. Dip in beaten egg and fry in olive oil and serve with salad or stir fry vegetables.



• teriyaki turkey or beef

1 1/4 pounds turkey pieces
5 tablespoons teriyaki sauce, divided
2 tablespoons peanut butter (sugar free)
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon (or more to taste) Hot Chili Sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup cucumber, seeded and chopped
Cut turkey or beef into 1/8 inch thick strips. In medium bowl, combine turkey and 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce; toss to coat. In small bowl, combine remaining 3 tbsp. teriyaki sauce, peanut butter, 1 tablespoon water, ginger and hot chili sauce.
Meanwhile, in large nonstick skillet or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add turkey (1/2 at a time) and stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes or until outside surface is no longer pink. Remove turkey from wok. Toss turkey with peanut butter mixture to coat. Sprinkle with chopped cucumber. :


• Roasted cauliflower with baked ham

Ingredients
1 head cauliflower, broken into small flowerets and washed
2-4 garlic cloves, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon seasoning salt

Preparation
1 Bake the ham in the oven and 25 minutes before its finished
2. Place all other ingredients in a large storage bag and shake well to coat.
3. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes. Spraying with additional water after 15 minutes as needed. If a more tender bite is enjoyed continue to cook till desired.
Mustard can be added to the cauli and the ham for taste


• Ratatouille of tomatoes, onions, courgettes , eggplants, peppers sweetcorn and herbs
It can be served with tofu, chicken or turkey
4 servings

Ingredients

2 teaspoons
Finely minced garlic
1 cup chopped onions
1 large eggplant
3 medium zucchini
2 large green peppers
2 cans sweetcorn
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Tablespoon fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons chopped parsley
2 cups crushed canned tomatoes
fresh ground pepper

Preparation
1. Heat oil in oven or large pan
Cook garlic and onions until tender.
2. Cut vegetables into 1-inch pieces.
3. Add the eggplant, zucchini, pepper, oregano, parsley
and stir well.
4. Sauté for about 5 minutes.
5. Add tomatoes, cover and cook over low heat for about 45 minutes.
6. Serve hot or cover mixture and refrigerate to serve chilled.




• Steamed fish with Mediterranean vegetables and aioli

(Serves 4)

4 x firm white fish fillets e.g. haddock,
2 tbsp olive oil
1 red onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic , crushed
2 red peppers, sliced into strips
2 courgettes cut into matchsticks
2 tomatoes skinned and chopped
few thyme leaves
1tbsp balsamic vinegar

garlic mayonnaise : 2 cloves garlic crushed
2 egg yolks
200 ml olive oil
100ml sunflower oil
3tbsp lemon juice

Preparation

To make the garlic mayonnaise: put the garlic, egg yolks, lemon juice and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Start whisking, and very slowly start adding the oils a little at a time, whisking all the time, until the mixture starts to thicken. Do this until all the oils are used up. Add the lemon juice and check the seasoning.

Using the 2tbs olive oil, sauté the onion, garlic, peppers and courgettes gently for 5 minutes until slightly softened. Add the tomatoes and thyme leaves and cook for another 8-10 minutes, adding the vinegar after 5 minutes. Season.

Meanwhile season the fish fillets as required, place on the steam grid and add water to the bottom part of the steamer or steam in the pan

Serve the fish with vegetables and mayonnaise



• Garlic-Ginger Chicken Strips


2 skinless boneless chicken breast halves


1/4 cup soy sauce


1/4 cup dry sherry


1 tablespoon fresh basil


6 to 8 cloves garlic, minced


2 teaspoons grated ginger root


1/2 pepper


1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper


1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder

Cut each chicken breast half lengthwise into 4 long strips in a medium non-metal bowl, combine all other ingredients. Mix well. Add chicken pieces and cover with marinade. Let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature or 4-24 hours refrigerated.
Drain chicken. Place chicken pieces on hot grill; grill 4-5 inches from heat about 5 minutes or until light brown. Turn and grill another 3-5 minutes until golden brown and no longer pink inside. Serve hot with mixed roast vegetables (peppers, onions. leeks, courgettes and tomatoes)



• Foil bake a 150g trout seasoned with lemon and parsley and black pepper. Serve with caramelised red onions and a 130g baked sweet potato

• For a special dinner put a chicken in a casserole dish cover with fresh coriander add a tin of coconut milk and a little curry powder and turmeric or lemongrass and some baby sweetcorn . Roast the chicken and alongside roast some scallions, peppers and artichokes (once roasted they taste just like roast potatoes) 5 mines before the end of cooking add more fresh coriander to the chicken. I cook it until it is caramelized and the coconut milk is almost cooked away you may prefer to keep the coconut milk as sauce in which case add half the tin at the beginning and the other half 15 mins before the end of cooking.
Cooking salmon and sweet potatoes in a base of coconut milk is also lovely

SOUPS:

• Spicy tomato soup
8 fresh tomatoes pureed
1 cup of water
1 cup of chicken broth
1 red onion finely minced
2 gloves of garlic mixed
2 red peppers diced
1tsp of cayenne pepper
1tsp paprika
¼ green chillies diced
¼ chives diced

Combine all ingredients in a large soup pot and cook on low heat for one hour
serves 6



• lentil soup
4 sticks of celery
4 leeks
4 carrots
2 red onions
cup of lentils
tsp garlic
cook vegetables in 1 ½ pints of marigold stock for I hour
take out and blend half the mixture then return to the pan
serves 6
For a variation of the soup roast 6 parsnips 6 carrots 12 scallions chop into chunks and add to the soup 5 minutes before its finished cooking.

• Chicken and mushroom soup
6 cups of water
meat of I chicken diced
2 cloves of garlic diced
2 onions diced
I tsp black pepper
18 button mushrooms

in a large pan combine water chicken garlic onion bay leaf and pepper bring to boil reduce heat cover and simmer for 2 hours until chicken is tender. Remove bay leaf ,discard. bring to boil. Reduce heat add mushrooms cover simmer for 20 minutes
serves 6

• Cabbage soup
3 cups non-fat broth (beef, chicken or vegetable)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cups chopped cabbage
1/2 yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup green beans
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano
salt & pepper to taste

1. In a large saucepan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, sauté carrot, onion and garlic over low heat for 5 minutes (until softened).
2. Add broth, tomato paste, cabbage, green beans, basil, oregano, and salt & pepper to taste.
3. Lower heat and simmer for a about 10-15 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
4. Stir in zucchini and heat 3-4 minutes. Serve hot.
Makes 6-8 servings






• Spring minestrone
3 rashers of pancetta
2tbsp olive oil
I chopped onion
1chopped celery stick
I sliced leek
3 crushed garlic cloves
2ltr stock
1 bay leaf
1 sliced courgette
2oz sliced French beans
2oz shelled broad beans
1head of broccoli
5asparagus spears
Chop panccetta heat olive oil in large saucepan add the pancetta onion celery leek and garlic and fry for 5 minutes add the stock bay leaf and oregano to season bring to the boil simmer for 5 minutes add courgettes and French beans simmer for a further five minutes. Add the broccoli asparagus and broad beans simmer for another 5 minutes. Stir in dried basil add more seasoning if desired serve sprinkled with chilli.
serves 4-6



• Baked sweet potato with tuna fish, soya peas and sweet corn and or mixed salad 4oz veg and 4oz of tuna 2oz soya beans 2oz sweet corn

• prawn skewers with cherry tomatoes, courgettes, button mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, cubed feta or halumi and olives brush with sesame oil and grill for about 25 minutes.

• When cooking chicken or turkey make it different by cooking it in coconut oil, sesame oil or any flavored oil: it’s also really good to fry chicken or fish portions in a base of pure lemon juice.
• Grilled fish, cook in lemon juice for 5 minutes then add fresh or frozen spinach to the pan cook for a further 2 minutes add a handful of pine nuts and brown a little.
• Roasting veg like onions peppers leeks celery carrots peas soya beans tomatoes mushrooms garlic spring onions scallions spinach sweetcorn or yams with a dusting of cinnamon and oil gives them a great flavour
• mashed cauliflower with olive oil instead of potatoes mashed with butter is lovely you can also fry it into delicious potatoe cakes
• You can cook quinoa and add it to soups salads or serve it with meat instead of rice potatoes and pasta-quinoa is a seed not a grain
• DelUgo Spaghetti made from chickpeas is a great substitute for pasta
• place frozen peas and runner beans in a casserole dish add a little boiled water and a dessert spoon of marigold bouillon place fillets of any fish on top of the veg and cook in the oven for about 10 minutes






Desserts
• Bake a banana in foil sprinkled with vanilla essence orange juice 1 tsp honey and some crushed cardamom seeds.

• Poach 100g apples and 135g pears with cloves sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds. Add a swirl of soya yogurt if desired

• For a fab and quick dessert add any berries; blueberries, strawberries, raspberries (fresh or frozen) to a saucepan with a dessertspoon of honey a handful of sesame seeds and some shredded mint leaves cook on a high for 5 minutes and serve
• Baked apples with fruit
• Soya yogurt with fruit
• Hot berry compote
• Fruit kebabs
• Stewed fruit with cinnamon, nuts and seeds
• Fruit compote with apple cinnamon and raisins








Other breakfasts
Herb and veggie omelette
Yogurt with seeds nuts or fruit limit the variety to three
Yogurt with Seeds
Yogurt with Linwoods milled flaxseeds and nuts
Yogurt with fruit
Fruit with seeds and nuts
Halumi cheese with olives
Feta cheese with olives and tomatoes


Desk bound lunch
Tuna with salad
Cold chicken or turkey with salad
Soup with vegetable noodles
Cold fish
Hummus with salad or vegetables
Olive’s nuts and seeds
Feta or halumi cheeses with salad
Avocado with pine nuts and prawns
Hard boiled eggs with salsa or tomatoes and mayo
Lentil soup
Lentil and herb salad
Frittata or tortilla (Spanish omelette without the potatoes)
Add fruit veggies and soya yogurt or smoothies if you want more


Dinner
Spinach and eggs
Prawns and eggs
Tortilla without potatoes
Salmon and pine nuts
Salad with tuna
Chicken
Sweet potatoes and yams
Baked sweet potatoes with peppers, sweetcorn, cucumber and halumi
Baked sweet potatoe wedges with ham
Casseroles
Stews of fish poultry or lean meat
Grilled lean pork with steamed red cabbage and onions
Roast meat or fish with roasted vegetables and roasted sweet potatoes
Cooked lentils with onions tomatoes peppers and feta
Kebabs of steak chicken turkey or fish with vegetables
Minestrone with chick peas instead of pasta
Roasted peppers stuffed with lean lamb mince or turkey mince
Red onions stuffed with veggies and tofu
Spinach frittata
Ratatouille with clams

SNACKS:
Fruit with a handful of almonds or seeds
Raw carrot sticks and hummus (home made with less oil more lemon, coriander and herbs)
Celery sticks spread with a very small amount of sugar free peanut butter
Raw red and green pepper sticks with low fat hummus (home made with more lemon less oil add coriander and herbs to make it more tasty)
Small quantity of nuts, especially almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts
Small quantity of seeds such as sunflower, pumpkin or hemp
No added sugar seed or seed & nut bar
Oatcakes with v small amount of soya spread or a sliced peach apple or pear
Humus & rice cakes or oat cakes
Tangerines grapes blueberries
Olives
Japanese soy beans

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Marisa,
I am just finishing your book and it is amazing. I have cut out wheat, dairy and sugar for two weeks now and I already feel slimmer and full of energy.
I knew it was the way to go but had trouble sticking wit the plan before because I didn't have the background information. Your book has taught me so much and really motivated me! I can't thank you enough.
I have ordered your book along with the amazing-looking "Your Life in Your Hands" for my mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago.
I've just skimmed through those recipes and they look great. I will be trying them out.
Thanks, Sarah

lexy said...

Hi Marisa,
read your book over the weekend,
I am planning to stop dairy, you've put me off! I would like some help as i'm a vegetarian, seems like i'll have to live on tofu, lentils and eggs? What about plain quorn? ie pieces and mince?
hope to hear your thoughts,
Many thanks
xx

Anonymous said...

hello marissa i read your book a month ago i havent touched dairy or wheat apart from tortilla wraps a couple of times a week i eat plenty of fish, chicken f,seeds and nuts fruit and veg have tried dairy free and wheat free products am dropping weight easily although i havent weighed myself clothes are much looser.Having had an unhealthy relationship with food, gamut of eating disorders i now feel free and just eat when i am hungry. So thankyou your book is amazing. Daizydee

Marisa Peer said...

Hi Lexy
Quorn pieces are fine you need to eat nuts and seeds too
Aramanth is a great food for vegetarains as is quinoa and spelt.
Mung beans and chick peas are also excellent sources of protien as aresoya beans.
v best
marisa

CeeDeesWife said...

Can I just very quickly also say that I think it is absolutley amazing that, Marisa, you have gone to so much trouble for us. I don't feel like we have been left out in the cold, or alone, like so so many other 'diets' or health plans have left us in the past. Thank you so much for making us a priority and continuing to provide us with this guidance. I know I appreciate it, and I'm sure many others do, especially those of us that have not been fortunate enough to have been to your seminars of yet. Once again a huge huge Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I am finding the diet really hard to be honest. I have been on it 3 weeks now and not lost any weight. Listen to the cd every night and have read the book. I have completely cut out milk products, wheat and sugar but I am always hungry and need something to nibble on so I am eating so much more fruit/vegetables and things like hummus, olives as snacks. I normally have coffee first thing with some rice milk followed by a boiled egg. Then I will have for lunch tuna with avocado and tomatoes, for dinner I will have meat with vegetables or salad. In between I am snacking a lot and trying to stick to 'natural' fruits and veg but don't find them filling. I am missing the 'full' feeling of potatoes/pasta etc. Any advice? I feel really discouraged at having no weight loss (on the scales) although my trousers are definitely looser.

Anonymous said...

Hi Marisa
Thanks so much for these recipes and meal ideas it's been really helpful - the fishcakes were yummy & so simple!
I wanted to share a lunch that i had today:
1) cut one large tomato horizontally and scoop out insides
2) mix tomato flesh with some tinned tuna, seed mix and pack into tomato shell
3) layer buffalo mozerella on top
4)sprinkle with pine nuts, black pepper and grill for 4 mins

Heather x

Sarah said...

Hello,

First of all I would like to thank Marisa for all these lovely recipes. I also intend to try Heather's tomatoes and tuna recipe.
I am delighted with my progress in the 5 weeks since I changed my eating habits. I have so far shed 10 pounds, which means I am halfway to my goal: my pre-pregnancy weight! My children are 10 and 8 so if I can turn the clock back 10 years, that would be fantastic!
I live in France and had what I thought was a pretty healthy diet (I go to the local market 2 or 3 times a week to buy lots of fresh fruit and vegetables) but my downfall was cheese with bread, home-baking and a previously very sweet tooth.
Thanks to Marisa's book, I have found giving up wheat, dairy and sugar virtually painless and haven't had the cravings I've had before when I've tried to go on a diet. I even survived my younger's son's birthday last week. I made the cake myself, of course, because I still believe a homemade treat is better for my children than a supermarket-bought one, but I didn't feel the urge to even taste it - all that glue!
I wanted to share some recipes with everybody but I most of my favourite recipes are out of cookery books so they are copyright material. I have come up with a couple, however.

My husband and I love avocados, and this is our absolute favourite way of eating them:
Mash a ripe avocado and mix in a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon (to taste), a pinch of salt and one crushed garlic clove (or two, if you love garlic like we do!)
This makes a delicious dip which can be served with carrot, cucumber and celery sticks. It is also lovely on rice cakes or oatcakes.

It is unfortunately impossible to buy oatcakes in France so I have always baked my own.
I recently came up with a wheat, sugar and dairy free recipe that I love!

PLAIN OATCAKES
(all ingredients organic if possible)

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of rolled oats
1 pinch of salt
¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 - 10 tablespoons very hot water
fine oatmeal for rolling

Preheat the oven to 400° F / 200° C.
Put the oats in a bowl. Add the salt and bicarbonate of soda.
Stir in the olive oil and carefully add the water one spoonful at a time until you obtain a stiff but not sticky dough. Knead briefly to make it smooth.
Turn out on a work surface, using the oatmeal so the dough doesn't stick.
Roll out as thinly as you can.
Use a round biscuit cutter or the top of a glass to cut out your oatcakes.
Bake on an ungreased baking sheet for about 12 to 18 minutes, until the edges turn brown (keep an eye on them after 12 minutes as all ovens are different!)
Cool on a wire rack then store in an airtight container.
I love to eat a couple as a snack with homemade houmous, and they also make excellent portable food.

For a "sweet" snack to enjoy with a cup of green tea, try adding half a teaspoon of cinnamon or mixed spice to the dry ingredients.
You could also add some mixed seeds to the recipe…

Thanks again Marisa for working your magic on me.
I look forward to hearing about other people's progress (I regularly read the positive comments on Amazon to keep myself motivated!) and sharing more recipes!

Sarah

Marisa Peer said...

Dear Sarah
Thank you for the recipes
you can add favourite recipes from cookbooks to this blog as long as you credit the relevant cookbook so please do send us more I would love to try them.
Here is my recipe for hummus
400g tinned chickpeas drained
2 tbsp light tahini paste
2 crushed garlic cloves
juice of 1 lemon (you can also add lime juice )
2-5 tbsp virgin olive oil
small handful of parsley
small handful of coriander
half tsp mild smoked paprika
2-4 tbsp water according to how thick you like it

blend all the ingredients in a food processor season with salt and or black pepper. Spoon into a tub or individual bowls and place in fridge for an hour before serving. It will thicken up so you can thin it with more water or olive oil.
Sprinkle with smoked paprika or tumeric for colour and a few sprigs of corinader or parsley.

You can make hummus different by adding tomatoes, peppers, olives or sun dried tomatoes to above mix. If you have time its lovely to roast or grill peppers or tomatoes or a mild red chilli or all 3 for for about 7 minutes until the skins blacken then remove the skins and add the roasted peppers, chilli and or tomatoes to the mix before blending
enjoy
marisa

Anonymous said...

I can thoroughly recommend a cookery book if that's Ok to do, rather than individual recipes. I use 'Vegetarian Cooking Without' by Barbara Cousins quite a lot and I believe she has a similar one for meat eaters called 'Cooking Without'. The books are all recipes free from wheat, gluten, sugar, yeast, dairy products, sat fat and of course in my case meat and fish. I particularly like the Farmhouse Fruit Cake recipe which I have made serveral times and adapt to whatever I have in the cupboard. It is great as a snack (even breakfast) on the go. There is along intro explaining the reasons for eating 'without' and tho' it is a while since I read it, as I recall it pretty much endorses all Marisa says.

Ros

Anonymous said...

I've been a yo yo dieter for over 30 years butin the past 5 years have realised it was my relationship with food that was the problem. However, I couldn't find any "diet clubs" that dealt with the psychological problems and they all seem to be money making business ventures.Anyway, I've been reading your book and listening to the tapes for only a week now and it has changed my life. I've cut out dairy (goats milk & soya milk is delicious, cut down on wheat and I feel so much better, have more energy and my clothes fit better. I went out for a meal last night and all my friends were guzzling pizzas, pasta, fattening desserts, while I had a tasty tuna salad. I said that wheat and dairy didn't agree with me and no questions were asked! I didn't even have any desire whatsoever to eat "glue". You are a miracle worker and I thank you for changing my life forever. I no longer need that, I don't do that and I don't eat that.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the information and recipes. My book is on order and am very excted about reading it. Just one question. Is it OK to eat bread and other products baked with gluten free flour?

Anonymous said...

Hello Marisa,

I love you! My Mum & Dad read your book first and just gave it to me last week and I am now reading it for the second time.

Wow what an inspirational book :)

Anyway now that all the gushing is out of the way I have a 3 questions :)

1. I don't drink milk anyway but is the soya yogurt you mention throughout the book free of any hormones that might mimic oestrogen, as I have had problems with too much oestrogen production in the past (i.e. fibroid tumours)?

2. Is Splenda an acceptable alternative to sugar or should one just cut it out completely? I am curious as you only mentioned the problem regarding artificial sweetners, but as I understand it Splenda is a derivative of Sugar?

3. Why are you not on a govt task force tackling obesity. Your experience and expertise would prove invaluable :) I was shocked at the rubbish containd in sandwiches as shown on last nights documentary on channel 4, but not so shocked as I already had the heads up from you!

BTW- I am absolutely loving the egg and prawn omelete!!

Thank you

C x

Anonymous said...

hi Marisa, I really enjoyed your book especially the emotional eating stuff. I am going to stop eating bread as I realise it makes me feel terrible after the initial 'high'. Ive one question though - Is Organic cows milk ok? Do they still use hormones ect, I really enjoy normal milk on porridge and in tea and have tried soya, rice and oat milk and dont like the taste, many thanks Sarah

Anonymous said...

Hi Marissa - where and how can I buy your CDs?

Anonymous said...

I have finished the book a week ago and wasn't totally sure about it, I ate some bread with butter late last night and my stomach is really bloated this morning! I am now researching what I can eat, I was really hungry last night I think I've not been eating enough!

Sarah - have you tried goats or sheeps milk? I tried one a while ago, can't remember which and its far better than you'd expect, it doesn't taste like goats cheese so might work in tea.
I have been avoiding real tea and drinking redbush, peppermint or green tea (green tea is too bitter but hoping I'll get used to it) but am shopping today so will prob pick some up myself.

christine said...

Hello Marisa, I read your book and listened to the CD for over a month. I began to shed the weight and felt great, however things have slid and I have reread your book and started listening to the cd again. I have found some great recipes on your page, but I am a little unclear as to the feta and hullumi cheese and also pitta bread. Is the cheese processed in a different way? When I have had pitta bread I have always opted for wholemeal, but try to keep this to a minimum. Will you be bring out a recipe book?

Marisa Peer said...

Dear Emma you can buy green tea with vanilla and green tea with mint which are not bitter at all

Dear Christine feta and halumi are better than cows cheese because they are sheeps and goats cheeses and although they are still high in fat they have less powerful growth hormones than cows produce. For vegetarians especially they are a good source of protein.

I am bringing out a cookery book next year and in the meantime here is a recipe for falafel
1 cup dried chickpeas or 16 oz. can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans.
1 large red onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons spelt or rice or soya flour
Salt
Pepper
Olive or sesame oil for frying
Preparation:

Place dried chickpeas in a bowl, cover with cold water. Soak overnight (you dont need to do this if using canned beans)

Drain chickpeas, place in pan with fresh water, bring to boil.

Allow to boil for 5 minutes then simmer on low for about an hour.

Drain and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

Combine chickpeas, garlic, onion, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper (to taste) in medium bowl. You can add grated carrot or shredded spinach or things like sweetcorn, peppers or chopped sun dried tomatoes to make the falafel more varied Add the soya or spelt flour

Mash chickpeas thoroughly to mix ingredients together or wiz together in a food processor until you have a thick paste.

Shape the mixture into balls about the size of a ping pong ball. Slightly flatten.

Fry in a small amount of oil at 350 degrees until golden brown (5-7 minutes)You can also bake them in the oven
Serve hot or cold (they are a great portable food)

I forgot when giving you my humus recipes to add my other favourite which is humus blended with avocado. When you add ingredients like peppers, spinach, cucmbers or tomatoes to humus you naturally lower the fat and calorie content.enjoy
best
marisa

Anonymous said...

Hi Marissa
I have been following this fab new way of life for a few weeks now. I have a few questions: in your book you mention the signs our bodies give us if we are eating things that are bad, e.g. skin eruption. At the moment my skin seems to be erupting. I was wondering, is that because my body is in the proces of getting rid of all the stored toxins from the old way of eating or am I doing anything wrong? For breakfast I usually have a mango fruit and a banana with 1 tbsp of raisins. One or twice a week I have oats with raisins and milk. For lunch I have 1 avocado, lettuce, 2 poached eggs and some parma ham. For dinner usually meat with vegetables or sushi or one wholemeal pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, corn, falafel, avocado and chili. In the evening I snack on some raisins or some fruit. I drink quite a bit of diet coke which I find a bit hard to drop and am struggling a bit to introduce drinking water except when exercising.
Thanks Jen

Anonymous said...

Hi Marisa
well, I have truly been brainwashed by your book and cd :-) so much that now I want to give up smoking - I don't want to fill my body with all those toxins. Do you have any advice on how to apply the same "brainwashing-strategies" on quitting smoking. Thanks

Marisa Peer said...

Dear Millie
you can get my CD on stopping smoking by emailing my office at info@marisapeer.com you can also take lobelia and vitamin B3 which stop you craving nicotine.

Dear Jen
the best way to give up diet coke is to replace it with purdeys which is much nicer and healthy or to buy
crazy jacks pure fruit cordial from holland and barret (the blackcurrant flavour is good) mix it with fizzy water add a little stevia to sweeten and it tastes a bit like a healthy version of diet coke.
You can buy stevia from www.red.23.co.uk.
Your skin probably is detoxing if you take out the raisins for breakfast and have a few cashews or almonds instead it will reduce the sugar in your diet and your skin will look a lot better. In the evning snack on fresh fruit or a few nuts and seeds instead of raisins as too much sugar (including the sugar in dried fruit)is not good for your skin
best marisa

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say a big thanks to Marissa. Since reading your book 2 weeks ago and listening to your cd, I have had no desire for bread, crisps, biscuits or sweets, and have cut out dairy from my diet.
I really thought that this would be so dufficult for me as I lived on toast, butter and cheese, amongst other processed culprits.
I have noticed a tremendous improvement in my skin, as well as the obvious shedding of the pounds so once again thank you

katie said...

Hi,
Loving new changes that are going on, Thanks Marisa and have not had any Wheat or cereal products, no diary and no spuds! But Im aware that some of the new foods are high in fat and it worries, me in that old school dieter way!!
Please can you reasure me that its ok in moderation, things like Tofu, hallomi cheese, Homous etc...on
lovely salads or with fish! I have been eating this new way for 3 weeks, I have not been on the scales but feel great, I am slow when it comes to dropping weight but I am going to do this and am excited but need some guidance. Many thanks Katie xxx

Anonymous said...

hi Marisa,

Love loads of your recipes thank you, yummy!Please can you tell me what you think of "organic Halva", used when fruit just doesnt do it??? Many thanks again x

Anonymous said...

I have read the book only recently, and have followed the book for the last ten days, I weighed after the first week and I have lost 10lbs!!!! I have never felt so good about dealing with cravings - that are almost non existent now! I have had no dairy at all since the start of the plan, and no wheat after lunchtime and feel so much better for it.
I am inspired by all the messages hear, and by the support from the team to readers of the book, even if we havent yet gone to a seminar.
For the first time I feel positive about my health and future, and although I have a long way to go, I will be enjoying the hourney instead of struggling against myself. Thanks Clare

Anonymous said...

Hi Marisa,
I have just got the book and am hooked! I have moved onto oatmilk, is this ok?
I did have cereal for breakfast this morning but i am going to stop this - i am not a cow! I am having tuna, avocado and salad for lunch and baked chicken with sweet potato mash and veggies for dinner. Having fruit for snacks.
I have 2 questions for you...
1) I am worried about not having enough carbs in my diet - especially cutting out pasta, cereals and bread. Is sweet potato enough?
2) I know you have thousands of people who follow your book and hypnotherapy, and i thought it might be a good idea to set up a forum, where we could keep each other motivated and exchange recipes and tips. I would be happy to set it up, would be great if you agreed as i find that having others in the same 'boat' to chat to really helps. What do you think?
Thank you so much xxx

Marisa Peer said...

Dear Katie
People get so hung up about fat making us fat but actually it is sugar that makes us fat because when you have too much sugar in your body it sends a hormonal mesage to your cells telling them to store it as fat. However the good oils in nuts,seeds, oily fish and avocadoes dont have that effect on us and they send a message of fullness to our brains. Futhermore more than half of the oil passes stright through our system (thats why people who are not used to oily food get the runs on holiday). So enjoy healthy fats and cut out sugar and refined carbs.
best
marisa

Dear Anon
You can enjoy a little halva sometimes, its basic ingredients are sesame seed paste, honey and lemon juice so it is much better for you than chocolate and as its not full of additives that stimulate appetite, you should be satisfied by a reasonable amount.
best
marisa

Dear Claire
Oatmilk is perfect for you and tastes great in tea. Dont worry about not eating enough carbs oats and sweet poatatoes are carbs but so are all fruits and vegetables. They are not refined carbs so our body can digest them unlike flour and all food made from it which are very hard for the body to digest. The Masai and Zulu warriors did lots of exercise on no refined carbs and are very fit. Until 10.000 years ago no one in the world ate refined carbs and yet they used up a lot of energy and were active every day.
I would be interested in talking to you about setting up a blog can you email me directly at info@marisapeer.com.
thank you
very best
marisa

Anonymous said...

Dear Marisa,
I've just noticed that you suggesting making oats with water and then adding rice/soya milk. I've been making my oats using rice milk or oat milk, is this ok to do because, obviously, the rice and oat milk contain calories unlike water. I've also been adding honey is that ok too?
Many thanks,
Tracy

Anonymous said...

Dear Marisa,
I've just noticed that you suggesting making oats with water and then adding rice/soya milk. I've been making my oats using rice milk or oat milk, is this ok to do because, obviously, the rice and oat milk contain calories unlike water. I've also been adding honey is that ok too?
Many thanks,
Tracy

Anonymous said...

Dear Marisa,
You mention making porridge with water, is it ok to make it with rice or oat milk? And is it ok to add honey for some sweetness?
Many thanks,
Tracy

Marisa Peer said...

Dear Tracey
I would recommend making your oats with half water and half soya or rice milk as you dont need the extra calories. A small drizzle of honey is okay, but not too much as you dont want your first meal of the day to be very sugary as when you have too much sugar in your blood it makes your body store fat instead of burn it.
best
marisa

Anonymous said...

Dear Marisa,
Thank you so much for the quick response, I think it's great that we can all ask our individual questions and you'll answer each and every one of us!!
I just have one other question (sorry, should have asked it first time round!) I know you can eat sashimi, but can you eat sushi? There is a local sushi shop near where I work and they do a fantastic salmon and avocado sushi wraped with sticky rice and seaweed, but I was a bit concerned about the 'sticky' white rice, is this Ok to have?
Thanks again,
Tracy x

Marisa Peer said...

Dear Tracey
Sushi is an excelllent food, while sticky white rice is not great the salmon, avocado and seaweed are peerfect and balance it out. Sushi is always better than pasta, sandwiches or baked potatoes so you can enjoy it without any guilt.
Very best
marisa

Anonymous said...

I have read your book and followed it well for a year. i was always quite healthy and have enjoyed the new easting plan and dont really have any cravings. i havent lost any weight and i think that could be down to my portion size. i find it difficult to cut this, do you have any tips?

lally said...

Hi Marisa,

I have been on your diet for a couple of weeks now and am 5 pounds lighter, which is great> I am 5 foot 5 and weigh 10 stones 4pounds. At what rate should I expect the weight to drop off? I am also a bit worried that I am over doing the nuts...I have also been eating dates are they full of too much sugar?


One other thing I finished a course of chemo 5 months ago for breast cancer...is there anything else you would suggest I do? Thanks

Marisa Peer said...

Dear Lally,
You can drop about 2lbs a week. Aim to have a handful of nuts as a snack and add tangerine segments or berries or chopped apples or pears to bulk them out. Air popped popcorn is a great snack containing very few calories, the recipe for this is another post under healthy alternatives. Dates are very high in sugar so limit yourself to just two a day.
The best thing you can do after chemo for breast cancer is to take co-enzyme Q10- it's used in Sweden to shrink breast tumours. Also keep to a very low sugar diet, cut out dairy and read your life in your hands by Dr Jane Plant it's such an amazing book on breast cancer and should be given out on the NHS.
good luck with your recovery
best
Marisa

Charlotte said...

Hi Marisa

I discovered your book two years ago and can honestly say since cutting out wheat and dairy, and eating in the way you recommend, I have never felt better. I always felt very sluggish and bloated after eating and since coming across your book, i've forgotten what that feels like....so thank you!

The question I have relates to conceiving and pregnancy whilst eating this way. I'm 31 and planning to start trying for a baby when I get married in April this year. I've often read that it's important for mums to be to eat lots of dairy and wholegrain etc. for the development of the baby, however the thought of going back to eating dairy (and wheat if necessary) after not having it for so long is not a nice thought!

I just wondered if you had any advice? Is it ok to stick with soya milk throughout pregnancy and continue to cut out wheat whilst pregnant?

I would also be very interested in buying your conception CD as I discovered I had Polycystic Ovaries last year.

Thank you.

Charlotte

Marisa Peer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marisa Peer said...

Dear Charlotte
The most important thing to eat if you want to get pregnant is good quality lean protein- things like fish, eggs, lentils, poultry, lean meat etc. Its fine to stay wheat free throughout your pregnancy as wheat is not a good food. You can eat wild rice, amaranth, barley, rye, quinoa and oats instead. Japanese people dont eat dairy or wheat and are both healthy and fertile. Throughout your pregnancy continue with good quality protein fruit, vegetables and salad and avoid refined foods, sugar and flour as they raise your insulin levels too much which is not good for the developing baby.
I have just recorded a 3 CD programme on conception, perfect pregnancy and easy birth, if you call or email the office on info@marisapeer.com we will be happy to send one to you.
good luck with your wedding
love from Marisa x

Anonymous said...

Hello Marisa,

Well...last year/18months ago i read your book listened to my cd as i was meant to and was amazed at how much actually represented me and my eating habits, i did so well and cut diary and wheat from my diet and followed your plan 99% of the time, i SHED 1st2lbs and was so happy, healthy and full of energy.
As the year has gone on (moving house, work comitments) my mind set has slipped, meaning i am now back to lots of my bad habbits that i thought was a distant memory, craving chocolate, bread and things i know i can go without, IVE DONE IT BEFORE!

So, today i have been back onto your blog, have dug your book out and am about to embark on reading again, hoping to get back on track....any suggestions to help kick start my self control once again?

I must thank you though for opening my eyes to a wonderful way of life, not obsessing about food etc, last year i was the happiest and most comfortable weight i have been in years, would love to get back there with your help.

Thank you.

Charlotte

Marisa Peer said...

Hi Charlotte
Moving is very stressful but I imagine you wont be doing it again for a while. You can get back on track and the second time you won't make the mistakes you made first time around because you now know how addictive sugar and white flour are, they are as addictive as drugs for many people.
Re-read the book and when you are stressed find some better comfort foods like potatoe wedges or falafel or oat bars so you don't need to feel deprived. It's also a good idea to take Astralagus and B complex when you are stressed as they stabilise and strengthen the nervous system.
Keep in touch and if you need any more help do contact me and don't feel a failure -I gave up chocolate three times and went back to it again before I finally became totally indifferent to it.
best
Marisa

Anonymous said...

I have been taking a good B complex for the last few weeks and I definitely feel better on it, even in those few weeks. I feel less anxious and I am more controlled in my eating and don't have particular cravings. It supports the nervous system and I find it very good.
Regards
Julie

Anonymous said...

Hi Marisa,

I came to see you last year for hypno and you have cured me of my sugar addiction :) Thank you so much!

I just wanted to know whether spelt is ok or whether it is too similar to wheat? I eat rye bread but really prefer the taste of wheat bread. I generally avoid it so am looking for alternatives.

Thanks, Sarah

Anonymous said...

Hello Marisa,
I had struggled for years to sched a stone, after reading your book and 4 months later I feel great and have scheded a stone. I feel satisfied and eat probably more than before. I still eat an occasional slice of cake, guilt free! I am however allergic to nuts, what do you suggest to be a good substitute? Thank you, Lola

Marisa Peer said...

Hi Lola
The best alternative for nuts is air popped popcorn with a little soya sauce, the recipe is on this blog. You can also eat soya nuts which are not nuts at all. You can make your own trail mix and pret now sells light salted popcorn which is really good
well done for shedding so much weight that is fantastic
very best
Marisa

Anonymous said...

Hi Marissa,
I followed your book and advice in Feb this year and shed 7lb easily within a week. I kept this off for a few months but have slipped back and have now regained the weight. I am going to get back on track now but am concerned that as I have started the menopause I will not be able to lose the weight. I think that since being told I am in the menapause i have convinced myself that I will gain loads of weight and that is what is starting to happen. Do you have any advice for me? Thanks Sherrie.

nicola said...

Dear marisa,

I started your diet just 6days ago, I am taking part in it for a magazine.After I received the email detailing everything I searched online and came across your website and realised this is not a diet but a complete life change. I have ordered your book and cant wait for it to come. i have lost 7lb so far but what I am wondering is:

The diet they sent me basically said everything was plain so thats what I have been doing and today have came across all these great recipes but I am now in the mindset of not having anything on anything.

Breakfast is 3 egg scrambled. Lunch is plain type of meat salad and the same again for dinner or soup.

Can I have any type of sauce for dinner to give it some flavour? All my cravings have gone but the thought of another dry dinner makes me feel ill.I feel like if I have.anything now I am letting myself down

thanks

Nicola

nicola said...

Dear marisa,

I started your diet just 6days ago, I am taking part in it for a magazine.After I received the email detailing everything I searched online and came across your website and realised this is not a diet but a complete life change. I have ordered your book and cant wait for it to come. i have lost 7lb so far but what I am wondering is:

The diet they sent me basically said everything was plain so thats what I have been doing and today have came across all these great recipes but I am now in the mindset of not having anything on anything.

Breakfast is 3 egg scrambled. Lunch is plain type of meat salad and the same again for dinner or soup.

Can I have any type of sauce for dinner to give it some flavour? All my cravings have gone but the thought of another dry dinner makes me feel ill.I feel like if I have.anything now I am letting myself down

thanks

Nicola

Marisa Peer said...

Hi Nicola
You dont have to have dry food you can put olive oil or sesame oil onto salads or use proper mayonnaise but not too much. On hot food you can use sauces made from light soya sauce. I cook food in cambells V8 or coconut milk all the time and I also make a base with marigold bouillon to cook fish, chicken or meat in. Remember that your body will always use protein as its a building food but it will store carbs as fat unless you burn them off with exercise. When you limit carbs your body starts to break down fat and use it so any sauces must be oil based like olive oil or vegetable based like coconut, tomatoe etc. Sauces containing carbs like flour and sugar cant be used but you can make a gravy using meat juices and flour free gravy powder and you can make lots of curry and thai sauces using coconut milk and spices. I hope this helps you. Please keep me up to date on your progress its fab that you are doing so well. Very best Marisa x

nicola said...

Thanks very much. it does help. Finished your book which was great and gave me more ideas. I will feature in Love It! Magazines 12 of May addition (just a wee section Lol) about your diet. I hope to see the article before it goes to print because I want to make sure they get the point across about your process. I don't think they could believe I lost 8lb in the week and did not feel the need for carbs, sugar or dairy. By the time it comes out I hope to have lost another stone. Hopefully you will see it.

Thanks very much!!

Nicola