Post Weight Loss Surgery Menus: A day in my pouch

Yesterday was fun... wait I guess I should say... yesterday was smashing or brill. Some of you know I'm 1/2 Sicilian (my Pop was born & raised in Sicily) and 1/2 British (my Mum, Sis & Brother were born & raised in the UK) Me = only US born citizen in my family, born & raised in New York. So in honor of my Brit side we got up at 1:00 AM to watch all the royal wedding fun. I'm an insomniac so it really was not such a big deal for me. I'm up usually at 3 AM anyway. I sleep (on a good night) 4 hours so having a royal wedding to watch versus Turbo Jam or NuWave Oven infomercials was a bonus in my book.

It was a beautiful wedding. I loved Kate's dress, that style of dress would be perfect for me if I ever take the plunge (doubt it) because of the sleeves (would hide my post weight loss surgery plastics scars) and my favorite neckline. They both looked very happy (unlike Charles and Diana IMHO) and I think Diana :( would have been overjoyed. Overall I enjoyed watching though I couldn't take Diane Sawyer & Barbara Walters incessant chit chat. I just wanted to scream "shut the heck up and let us watch." I had to mute them a few times. I also thought Beatrice & Eugenia's hats were scary ugly and if I were the Queen I would have made them sit in the back pew ;) When it was over, I got an hour or so of shut eye then woke up to this yummy breakfast...

Breakfast: Loving that CLICK'n Granola I made. Sprinkled some on a dollop of Fage Greek Yogurt (2% plain) with a drizzle of Sugar Free Maple Syrup. Nom.

Lunch: Filled my super cool bento box and sat on the patio in the sunshine for a bit, weeded the garden, trimmed hedges, deheaded roses and in the process got stung by something on my lip. I didn't realize at the time but I came in and looked in the mirror my lip was swollen and red. It doesn't hurt but doesn't look pretty. It needs to heal before Vegas or I'm not taking any pictures ;)

Pink Box (top left): Ham & Turkey (Boar's Head Sweet Slice Ham and Salsalito Turkey) Cold Cut Roll-ups
Green Box (top right): Dill Pickles
Blue Box (bottom left): Caprese Salad (Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil with a lil' Pesto sauce drizzled on top)
Orange Box (bottom right): Cutie Mandarin

Dinner: In celebration of my British heritage I was going to make a batch of my potato-less Shepherd's Pie but I decided to take some of the similar components and make Shepherd's Pie Bites (crustless quiches) instead. I served them with Peas.

Shelly's Shepherd's Pie Bites

1 Yellow Onion, diced
1/2 lb. Ground Sirloin
5 eggs
2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped
2 Tablespoons Carrot, finely grated
1 clove Garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
1/2 teaspoon Dried Thyme
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Saute onion till golden. Add sirloin and cook till no pink is seen. Set aside to cool. When cool mix all ingredients together.

Spoon into lightly greased (Pam works great) mini muffin tins. Bake for 30 minutes at 350. Makes 24.

Snacks: The British fun in the early hours was responsible for making my already hellaciously long Starbucks order even longer: Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Soy Latte, No Whip, No Foam, Extra Hot, with an Extra Shot of Espresso (extra espresso courtesy of William & Kate) and a dollop of Black Cherry Fluff Stuff.

Overall a jolly good eating day.

Espresso Protein Granola

Shelly's CLICK'n Granola

1/3 cup Oatmeal, dry
1/3 cup Sliced Almonds
1/4 cup Pecans, chopped
1 scoop CLICK Espresso Protein Powder (your favorite flavor, I used Vanilla Latte)
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
3 Tablespoons Sugar Free Torani Syrup (your favorite flavor, I used Sugar Free Vanilla)
2 Tablespoons Almond Butter
1 Tablespoon Butter

Mix together with a fork till clumps form. Sprinkle clumps of the topping onto a baking sheet (I lined it with foil for ease of clean-up) and bake for 20 minutes at 350. Allow to cool. When cool store in sealed container for several days.

Makes a yummy crunchy topping on Sugar-Free Pudding and Custard (pictured), Greek Yogurt (pictured), Protein Ice Cream, Fruit or on its own... place a little in a snack size Ziploc for an on-the-go snack or breakfast.

Great with a Shelly's Iced White Chocolate Peppermint Protein Frappe or Coconut CLICKacchino. Waaaaay better for you than Starbucks high calorie, high sugar offerings.

More CLICKtastic Eggface recipes:

Shelly's CLICK Fondue
Shelly's CLICKcakes Espresso Protein Pancakes
Shelly's Espresso Protein Souffle
Shelly's Coconut CLICKacchino
Shelly's Tiramisu Protein Shake
Shelly's Banana Protein Mochacchino
Shelly's Espresso 5 Minute Cakes
Shelly's Espresso Protein Truffles
Shelly's Espresso Protein Fudge
Shelly's Coffee Toffee Crunch Protein Ice Cream
Shelly's Vanilla Latte Ricotta Cream-filled Crepes
Shelly's Strawberry Cannoli
Shelly's Peppermint Espresso Protein Truffles

I am a PROUD WLSer!

In response to the misinformed person who emailed me and suggested I cheated by having weight loss surgery...

Almost 5 yrs ago I made the best decision of my life: I had weight loss surgery (RNY gastric bypass 6/20/06), my BMI was 54 at the time, I was suffering from severe GERD, severe sleep apnea, dangerously high blood pressure.

Now: thankfully all medical conditions have been resolved, off all medications (I was on 8), went from a tight size 28 to 4.

Having surgery *is not a solution for everyone* it was the right one for me, it was the HEAD START I needed to change my life but as anyone who has had WLS knows it goes HAND IN HAND with HEALTHY EATING, DAILY EXERCISE & MOST IMPORTANTLY (the hardest part IMHO) working on the HEAD.

This is a LIFELONG WAR VS. OBESITY. Having surgery was just one battle every day I wake up & fight. My best wishes to everyone fighting the war with whatever weapon they choose to fight with.

I am a PROUD WLSer!


P.S. I debated responding but you are obviously in need of education ;) happy to help.

Got Eggs?

Wondering what to do with all those eggs leftover from Easter. If they are uncooked extra eggs. 5 can be easily used in making a batch of my Bites (aka Crustless Mini Quiches)

Shelly's Beef Fiesta Bites
Shelly's Italian Crab Bites
Shelly's Breakfast Bites
Shelly's Pizza Bites
Shelly's Bacon & Swiss Bites
Shelly's Stuffed Pizza Bites
Shelly's Spamtastic Bites with Tropical Dipping Sauce
Shelly's Foo Rangoon Bites
Shelly's Ham Fiesta Bites
Shelly's Philly Cheese Steak Bites
Shelly's Lovely Lox Bites
Shelly's Corned Beef Bites
Shelly's Sausage & Pepper Bites
Shelly's Denver Bites
Shelly's Beef & Bean Bites
Shelly's Bacon Cheeseburger Bites
Shelly's Turkey & Brie Bites
Shelly's Mexican Bites
Shelly's Ham It Up Bites
Shelly's Patty Melt Bites (pictured above)
Shelly's Broccoli Beef Bites
Shelly's Corned Beef & Cabbage Bites
Shelly's NY Bites

Shelly's Spinach & Feta Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Artichoke Florentine Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Zucchini Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Mushroom Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Bruschetta Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Southwest Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Green Chili Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Broccoli & Swiss Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Confetti Bites (vegetarian)

Bites freeze great. Defrost in the fridge and heat in oven or toaster oven (preferred), or microwave. They are fine up to three days in the fridge though... if they last that long. They are great for parties because tons can be made ahead and reheated when ready for serving, breakfasts on-the-go, or lunch or dinner with a scoop of salad or veggie.

or make a batch of Shelly's Chicken Egg Foo Young Muffins for dinner or one of these weight loss surgery friendly ideas.

or if you have already hard cooked your eggs turn them into this yummy crab egg salad...

Shelly's Crab Egg Salad

4 Hardcooked Eggs
4 oz. Crab Meat (Imitation Flake or Real)
1 Green Onion, diced
2 oz. Greek Yogurt (I used Fage Plain 2%)
1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper

Hard boil eggs, peel and slice in half. Remove yolk and set whites aside. Mix yolks, crab, yogurt, mayo, onion, salt and pepper together in a mini food processor till smooth.

Place mixture in a quart size Ziploc bag, snip off end and fill whites or pipe onto cucumber slices, into tomatoes, or celery stalks. Sprinkle with slices of green onion.

More Eggciting Eggface ways to use up your hardcooked eggs...

Shelly's Deviled Eggface Footballs
Shelly's Deviled Egg Spiders
Shelly's Confetti Egg Salad
Shelly's Bacon & Egg Salad
Shelly's Pesto Deviled Eggs

Eggs are one of my post weight loss surgery top 10 favorite protein sources and hard cooked eggs are a great because they are portable protein. I often toss them in my bento lunches, save salt & pepper packets from take-out.

Pink Box (top left): Cooked Shrimp & a Lemon Wedge
Green Box (top right): Salt & Pepper and Cocktail Sauce in the Little Blue Box
Blue Box (bottom left): Hard Boiled Egg and Cheesestick
Orange Box (bottom right): Pickles
Along Side: Peach Green Tea Drink Stick

Today's super cool bento box lunch...

Pink Box (top left): Shelly's Crab Egg Salad (Deviled Egg version)
Green Box (top right): Cucumber Slices
Blue Box (bottom left): Just the Cheese Crunchy Cheese - White Cheddar flavor
Orange Box (bottom right): Trader Joe's Mini Brie to spread on cucumber slices

Yum! Is it lunch time yet?!

Hope everyone had a nice Easter. If the chocolate bunnies, peeps, and jellybeans got the best of you. Remember: you can't rewind time, GET OVER IT, GIVE IT AWAY & PLAN your next healthy meal. Too many years I let one bad choice spiral into a day of bad choices, week, month, 50 pounds of them. Lesson hopefully learned: control your mind... or it will control you. Hope everyone has a GREAT week!

Happy Easter!

Beyond the religious meaning of the day, Easter to me represents spring, awakening, new beginnings. If you have lost your way a bit, it's a great time to make a fresh start.

On our menu today... I picked up a 3 pound Ham. I'm going to glaze it with some SF Apricot Jam and serving it with a variation of my Roasted Eggplant "Stuffing" and I bought some gorgeous artichokes at the Farmer's Market on Saturday so I'll be making those too. I serve them like this with a Roasted Garlic Yogurt Dip. I've got the King's Speech and the Glee Encore DVD to watch. And of course, we have some Easter goodies...

My traditional Sugar Free Chocolate Coconut Nests, a batch of Mini Coconut Protein Muffins and a couple of Sugar Free Storebought Candies (careful of the sugar alcohols - too many and the powder room will be your hang-out for the day, moderation is key)

Shelly's Coconut Protein Muffins

1 Egg, beaten
3 Tablespoons Coconut Milk
2 Tablespoons Sugar-Free Coconut Torani Syrup
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
3 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix
2 Tablespoons Almond Meal
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Jello Vanilla Pudding Mix, dry
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
Pinch salt
Unsweetened Shredded Coconut for the top

In a measuring cup mix egg, milk, syrup, and oil (applesauce or cottage cheese can sub for oil but 1 T divided between 12 muffins is really not a lot) and combine thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix pancake mix, almond meal, pudding mix, protein powder, and salt. Tip dry into wet and stir till combined. Pour into a nonstick mini muffin pan that has been sprayed with Pam. Optional: Place a few shreds of coconut on top of each muffin. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, until knife inserted comes out clean. Makes 12.

You have to make these muffins. Soooo good! Great on-to-go breakfast paired with my Coconut Cream Protein Shake or toss a couple in a snack sized Ziploc baggie and when your meeting friends for coffee at Starbuck's you'll have something yummy you can have too.

Q: What do you call ten rabbits marching backwards?
A: A receding hareline.

Ba dum CHING :)

Happy Easter to all my pals who celebrate!

P.S. The super cute Egg Cozie (pictured above) was a gift from my Mum last year. She made them.

Shelly's Gone Nuts Crepes

The day before I went to New York I was wide awake at 3 AM (as usual) and I decided to experiment with my crepe recipe. I normally use Spelt or Garbanzo Flour but I wondered hmmm what if I used Peanut Flour?


I get my Peanut Flour (aka PB2, partially defatted peanut butter, powdered peanut butter) at Trader Joe's (in the baking section) but you can sometimes find it in Whole Foods, bulk health food stores, camping or emergency supply stores, or online.

A warm peanut-y crepe, it's delicious...

Shelly's Gone Nuts Crepes

2 Eggs, beaten
1/2 cup Almond Milk
2 Tablespoons Water
2 Tablespoons Sugar-Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Caramel)
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
1/2 cup Peanut Flour (aka Powdered Peanut Butter, PB2, defatted Peanut Flour)
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
dash of Salt

For savory crepes: leave out SF Torani and use 1/4 cup water instead.

Blend all ingredients on low till thoroughly combined. Pour into a bowl, cover and refrigerate for a half-hour.

Spray non-stick 8-10 inch crepe pan with Pam non-stick spray. Pour 1/4 cup of the batter into the pan and twirl it around to spread the batter in a thin circle.

Cook till top appears dry and flip. Cook a minute or so on other side. Repeat till all batter is used. While you are making them you can keep them warm in a low oven 200 degrees or nuke 20 seconds before serving. Makes 8-10 crepes depending on size of pan.

Refrigerate up to 3 days. Nuke 20 seconds to warm or they even taste yummy cold from the fridge.

Sweet Filling Ideas:

Sugar Free Torani Sweetened Ricotta Cheese
Storebought Pineapple Cottage Cheese
Sugar Free Torani Sweetened Greek Yogurt
Greek Yogurt with added Protein Powder
Ricotta with added Protein Powder
Defrosted Frozen Fruit
Sugar Free Whipped Cream
Fresh Fruit (Peaches, Blueberries or Strawberries with Sweetened Ricotta or my Apple Pie Innerds)
Sugar Free Maple Syrup
Sugar Free Jelly or Jam (like a PB&J)
Protein Ice Cream
Peanut Butter or Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
Sugar-Free Chocolate Sauce (Mmmm warm with Banana its heaven)

Smear some Peanut Butter or Sugar-Free Jelly in the middle, wrap in foil and you have a great grab & go breakfast.

I'm thinking of making a savory version this week sometime with a Thai-inspired Chicken Salad or my Lettuce Wrap Mixture filling.

NYC Wrap Up & Brooklyn Bridge Walk

The past few days have been confirmation that having weight loss surgery (RNY gastric bypass, June 2006) was the best gift I ever gave myself. It was a weekend full of WOW moments!

On Thursday I left a still dark Southern California and flew on a non-stop flight to New York City to attend "Obesity Online" a blogging/social media conference hosted by Etho-Endicon Surgery. Travel and hotel was provided for by EES. Sweet. Here's a picture of all the attendees. Click on the pic to get a closer look.

The first of many WOW's was packing 3 days worth of clothes into a CARRY-ON bag. Pre-weight loss surgery, clothing took up a lot more room and carry-on was just not an option... and of course there was always the fear that the big bag I had to check wouldn't get to my final destination in time. It wasn't like at my tight size 28 I could just run to the nearest clothing store and get something off the rack. I'd have to find the nearest Lane Bryant. If they had one in the town. My heart races just thinking about it.

Now I still hate to fly but it sure makes it better packing lighter, not having to ask for a seatbelt extender, being able to order a drink because my tray table can come down and not have to "hold it" because I can't fit in the restroom. I remember.

Got to JFK with my one carry-on bag and was picked up by a driver and taken to the Mondrian Hotel in the Soho area. It's a chic, French-movie inspired hotel... fancy-shmancy and very blue.

I spotted a few pals in the hotel lobby and after some hugs, hellos and introductions to new friends. I went upstairs to my room to change for a Welcome Reception at Mister H's, the hotel's lounge. At the reception I finally ate my first real food of the day. I left without breakfast and just had some nuts and CLICK while on the plane. They served some super yummy weight loss surgery friendly tidbits. Two of my favs were a seared scallop with a killer tomato chutney and Ahi tuna with a lime vinaigrette I plan on trying to recreate them. After the reception, a few of us, walked to Little Italy and had dinner. I had an antipasto platter with lots of yummy cheeses and meats (delicious, well what I could eat of it) and a meatball (not impressed at all)

The next morning after a much needed Starbucks run I head to the conference room for the event. The CEO/President of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), Joe Nadglowski, Dr. Robin Blackstone, MD and President-Elect of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), Jeff LaConte and David Shaffer from Etho-Endicon Surgery and Pam Davis, Bariatric Program Director at Centennial Medical Center presented a ton of great information. They'll be lots more posts coming about the info I learned. If you aren't already a member of the OAC, I'd like to highly encourage you to join. They are some of the only advocates in Washington DC and across the US giving a voice to those affected by obesity... plus you get a great newsy magazine. Do it.

Back to the day. Lunch was served. Here's what I ate...

The rest of the afternoon was pretty much dedicated to a presentation on social media and blogging. The event ended and we said goodbye to a few pals. A few of us had chosen to stay an extra day. There was no way I could do a long cross country flight after a full day... waaaaaay too much sitting. I think my assbone would have needed surgical repair. We gathered in the evening and after much debate we ended up eating at a nearby French Bistro. I had a yummy mushroom and goat cheese omelet with a salad. We head back to the hotel and I called it a night around midnight because I had my big Brooklyn Bridge walk planned for 9 AM.

I got up bright and early Saturday morning and flipped on the Weather Channel and was happy to hear that the predicted rain was going to hold out till the afternoon. Got ready and met up with a few fellow bridge walking pals for pre-walk Starbuck's run. We met most of our walking group in the lobby of the hotel and cabbed it to the bridge, was going to walk to the bridge but it was pretty windy and cold, so we thought better of it. We met a few more pals at the bridge and began our walk!

You guys know I was just in NYC last year for the Progresso Soup Makeover so I did a lot of touristy things on my list with my Mum then and I was born & raised on Long Island so there isn't a museum or attraction I haven't been to at least once. When I found out I was going back to NYC for the "Obesity Online" event and would have a day to explore I immediately thought about walking over the Brooklyn Bridge.

While watching the news coverage during 9/11. I remember listening to Charles Gibson on Good Morning America reporting that people who worked in the towers were having to evacuate the building, some people were having to walk down 86+ flights of stairs, trudging down floor after floor, in single file, having to squeeze past firefighters in full uniform carrying hoses and emergency equipment on their way up to help those on upper floors. He said with no cabs, subways, or buses running to the area the workers were forced to walk home across the Brooklyn Bridge. I remember thinking... I can't walk the length of the mall without needing several breaks, there is NO WAY I could do that at this weight. It took 5 more years till I had weight loss surgery but the horrific events of that day and that news report was definitely was a major factor in my decision to change my life.

So I walked the Brooklyn Bridge this weekend because... I CAN!








I'm thankful for the pals that braved the wind and cold (official temp was 44° F) to keep me company on the walk and celebrate this AWESOME post weight loss surgery WOW MOMENT with me.


Adele, Andrea, Kaitlin, Teresa, Rachel, Haley, my two favorite Beth's and our trusty photographer Lance (not pictured, Adele's husband) Love you guys xo

It was a great weekend and I have tons more pictures to share. I'll post them throughout the week.

Join us! Brooklyn Bridge Walk

Join me and some fellow weight loss surgery pals as we walk across the Brooklyn Bridge because we can!

Meet at the Mondrian Soho (9 Crosby St, NYC) at 9 AM, Saturday, April 16th. Will start walking by 9:30 AM. If you are unable to or don't wanna walk the 25 minutes to the bridge from the hotel. It's a 5 minute cab ride. Just give the walkers a head start and then meet us at the bridge pedestrian/bike walkway entrance on the Manhattan side.

It may rain. I bought a $1 rain poncho at K-mart/Walmart in the camping section I plan on using. Warning: there are no restrooms on the bridge. So once you are on the path you are SOL ;)

Hope to see you there! Feel free to tweet me if you plan to come @eggface

Drum Roll...

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Farmer's Market Morning

Just got home from the Farmer's Market. It's a gorgeous morning well if you stay in the sunshine. I wandered into the shade a bit and brrr nippy. Scored a great haul: baby patty pan squash (stuffing them again, soooo good), fresh peas, strawberries (making a batch of my Fluff Stuff), onions, leeks, garlic and avocados (thinking about my Mexican Layered Salad Monday or Tuesday)

I took some pictures. Hopefully, they will inspire you to seek out a Farmer's Market in your area. You can click on the pics to get a closer look. If you don't know where your local FM is sure to hit this link to find out.




Now I'm going to take a hike... literally. My super cool bento box lunch in tow filled with some of my this AM purchases.

Pink Box (top left): Just the Cheese Crunchy Cheese - Grilled Cheese flavor and a Cheesestick
Orange Box (top right): A Red Ripe Strawberry
Blue Box (bottom left): Fresh Peas
Green Box (bottom right): Shelly's Pesto Greek Yogurt Dip (for peas)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.