Today I will share a favorite of my vegetarian/Mediterranean recipes that I enjoy regularly, especially when I can get the shrimp on sale. Over the past year, while most people were gaining weight, I have dropped 30+ lbs with not much effort at all. With so few distractions, I cooked and prepared new recipes, and found that to be my “peace” during the down time we all went through. Below are the main topics to my plan. I basically eat this plan regularly, and my lab work shows that to be the best way to go.

1. Two meals a day. Mid a.m. and before 5, usually by 4 pm.
2. I do not eat processed foods-actually never did, nor do I use take out.
3. Rare alcohol, if any, red wine-one glass. Alcohol metabolizes into sugar and calories we do not need. But daily, I drink iced green tea My “recipe” for that, is also included today.
4. I rarely eat meat, once a month, maybe chicken. Mostly I enjoy all seafood, and eggs for most of my protein.
5. Very small amounts of carbohydrates, and not everyday.
6. Most of all, make your meals colorful. The more color, the higher nutritional value, and less calories.

Cool Shrimp Salad

6 large/x-large fresh or frozen shrimp with tails/shells

Hydroponic green leaf lettuce

red cabbage -chopped

red onion-thinly sliced piece

green beans-raw or cooked

3 grape tomatoes- halved

1 tbsp walnuts

6-8 blueberries

2 tbsp feta cheese-crumbled

Boil shrimp until pink, remove shells and tail. Cut up all veggies. Add fruit. My dressing used was a raspberry walnut. Top with feta cheese.

Iced Green Tea-Antioxidant Brew

7 bags green tea

1 bag liver detox tea

1 bag jasmine tea

1 bag mint tea

lemon juice

Brew all bags. Chill. Serve over lots of ice with a squirt of lemon. So refreshing!