Lose Weight Now – Eat Lots of This!

Panama has the perfect climate to grow fruits and vegetables of almost every variety. Many long-time residents of Chiriqui Provence and Boquete make their living growing, harvesting and selling these luscious fresh foods in outdoor street markets. These markets are plentiful everywhere in Panama. They remind me of growing up in Michigan and seeing the corn and cherry stands along the farm roads during the summer.

Not only are these fruits and vegetables beautiful to look at, but by eating them, you can see the pounds melt away. The more your eat, the more weight you lose. “How can I serve fruits and vegetables in innovative ways?”, you ask.

Buy anything at one of these many street markets, whether fruits or vegetables. Buy lots of them, pumpkins like shown over the peddlers head, ripe-red tomatoes you see piled high on his stand, peppers of every color, piles of carrots, stacks of melons, bananas and papayas, cases of potatoes, limes and plantains, and long strings of ripe and luscious pineapples. Eating lots of these fresh foods every day makes it easy to maintain a healthy diet, whether you live in Panama or anywhere else in the world.

First, try to serve them raw by preparing them in 12 easy ways. Can you name the different ways?

You can always steam them, boil them, candy, bake, dry, stir-fry, saute, or grill them on your barbecue grill. How about cooking them in a pressure cooker? Fruits and vegetables are so good steamed and mashed, stewed or microwaved. Try canning them, pickling or making fruit fritters. Make vegetable dumplings, compotes of mixed fruits, or make snows or sorbets of all sorts. You won’t need a recipe to prepare most of these dishes.

Using these fresh vegetables, why not make a nice tomato and basil sorbet or cucumber and mint sorbet? It’s easy, just find a recipe on Foodbuzz.com, learn how to make sorbet, and you’ll make it over and over. And remember, the more you eat fresh-from-the-market fruits and vegetables, the more your body will love it!

Now the 12 easy ways to serve raw fruits and vegetables:
– sliced and stacked high on a bed of bib lettuce,
– diced and tossed with vinegar and oil,
– juiced and served in a tall, thin glass over ice,
– chopped and mixed with lots of fresh herbs,
– julienned and sprinkled with shaved Parmesan cheese,
– grated and coated with yogurt,
– broken into segments and drizzled with agave nectar,
– mashed into a green goddess dressing,
– cut into wedges and topped with toasted sesame seeds,
– scored or semi-peeled, slice thinly and topped with sour cream,
– peeled using a peeler, then make curls to scatter over any salad,
– and Number 12, break into flowerets, add whole cherry tomatoes and top with ginger vinaigrette.

Make and serve lots of these foods using your imagination. Be creative and watch those pounds drop off!

Have fun!
Cora

How a Gourmet Loses Weight

If you are a “gourmet” and want to lose a few pounds, why not try my new “Boquete Gourmet Diet”. I’m a gourmet and I’ve lost lots of pounds by using ten simple steps, usually during times when I’m feeling like eating “gourmet-style”. The ten steps are easy, enjoyable and you won’t be hungry.

If you’re not sure if you are a “gourmet”, take my 10-question test on my recent blog, “Are You a Gourmet? – Take This Test”, at “www.boquetegourmet.com. If you score high enough on this test, congratulations, you’re a “gourmet” and this diet is for you!

Folks ask me how I lose weight so easily. Upon reflection, I have found it a pleasure to lose weight by following a few tips that are familiar to everyone who has been on strict diets before. But true “gourmets” do it a little differently.

“Gourmets” are too busy enjoying their meal, too busy to count points or grams, because they’re savoring every bite.  They’re cleansing their palates with fine wine, they’re enjoying pleasant conversation, and they’re too busy to think about such tedious details as calorie-counting.  They’re having fun with their friends and anticipating their “gourmet” meal.

This diet is totally unscientific, although I’m thinking of having it reviewed by a nutrition specialist for a professional opinion as to its healthfulness. I’ve lost weight by using it and I feel good when I’m on this diet. Sometimes, I go on the “Boquete Gourmet Diet” just for the enjoyment of it, not especially to lose weight.

OK, here is my ten-step diet:
1. Drink a full 8 oz glass of water before every meal.
2. Cook and serve only “beautiful” foods, and present them in the most appealing way possible using garnishes, variety of colors, lovely table settings, etc.
3. Arrange plates using “small” portions, like in an expensive “gourmet” restaurant, not “family-style” and no second helpings.
4. Enjoy a glass of fine wine with dinner each day, very popular in France where everyone is a “gourmet”.
5. Eat only those dishes you love, not something just to get “filled up”.
6. Have lots of apples, pears, oranges, raisins and nuts on hand for times when you feel like a snack.
7. While dining out, order the “specialty of the house”, it’s fresh and prepared especially to make an impression on the guest.
8. Use a sugar substitute (carry it with you) and eat only sugar-free foods.
9.  After every bite, put down your spoon or fork and don’t pick it up until after you’ve contributed to the pleasant conversation.
10. Take time to observe your surroundings and walk away from the table feeling satisfied, healthy and happy with your progress!

That’s eating “gourmet-style,” I guarantee you’ll love it!