Shed pounds eating soup… I’m serious

So like many of yous, I gained weight after the wedding (a shit load in my case). I’ve always been a bigger girl than average… but for some reason (luckily) I never looked my weight. People always gave me a good 20 lbs less. Hey, I’m not complaining. Now, I’m not one who is ashamed to say how my I weigh, and its for this reason I am going all out and sharing this info with you.

Before the wedding I weighed in at 168lbs and just a few weeks ago I was at 197lbs… I KNOW what the hell? oh yes, and I’m short too 5 3′ 3/4 (hey the 3/4 is really important!!!) so my height doesnt help… and well the results my ASS IS HUGE!

What did it for me? Well… the fact that I was heavier than my dad and I was getting close to the 200lbs did it for me, plus I was an in between size which is very very annoying. Basically the regular size 16 was too tight and the plus size 14 was too big. Le sigh

I actually started loosing random weight, 8 lbs… probably due to the stress of moving into our new home (which in my case NEVER happens since I gain when Im stressed) So since I was loosing weight, I felt motivated. A guy at my work was doing this soup diet and lost 15 lbs in a really short period of time. I was really interested so I decided to do it for 1 week. To be honest I didn’t completely follow it… and I had some dessert (not on the menu) and I lost 4 lbs.
Imagine if I had followed it.

The recipe is from a renown hospital here in Montreal and they feed their patients this soup when they have cardiac, stomach or weight issues. Especially if they need to go into surgery and need to lose a few pounds, before going under the knife. Hubby works in a hospital and knows of this diet. So it all checks out

Im doing one week soup, one week just healthy eating and another week of soup. I will know tonight if I lost any weight or gained since I have been eating “everyday foods”
So if you are interested… here is the recipe:

Drinks Allowed

• Unsweetened juices
• Tea (also herbal)
• Coffee
• Cranberry juice
• Skim milk
• Lots of water

Soup Recipe

• 1 or 2 cans of stewed tomatoes
• 3 plus large green onions
• 1 large can of beef broth (no fat)
• 1 pkg. Lipton Soup mix (chicken noodle)
• 1 bunch of celery
• 2 cans green beans
• 2 lbs. Carrots
• 2 Green Peppers

Season with salt, pepper curry, parsley, if desired, or bouillon, hot or Worcestershire sauce. Cut veggies in small to medium pieces. Cover with water. Boil fast for 10 minutes. Reduce to simmer and continue to cook until vegetables are tender.

The soup can be eaten at any time.

Day 1
Any fruit (except bananas). Cantaloupes and watermelon are lower in calories than most other fruits. Eat only soup and fruit today.

Day 2
All vegetables. Eat until you are full with fresh raw, cooked or canned veggies. Try to eat green leafy veggies and stay away from dry beans, peas or corn.
Eat veggies along with the soup.
A baked potato and dinner time with butter.
Don’t eat any fruits through today.

Day 3
Eat all the soup, fruit and veggies you want. Do not have a baked potato.

Day 4
Bananas and skim milk: Eat at least 3 bananas and drink as much milk as you can today, along with the soup.

Day 5
Beef and tomatoes: you may have 10 to 20 ounces of beef and a can of tomatoes, or as many as 6 tomatoes on this day. Eat the soup at least once today.

Day 6
Beef and veggies, eat to your heart’s content of the beef and veggies today. You can even have 2-3 steaks if you like with green leafy veggies but no baked potato. Be sure to eat the soup at least once today.

Day 7
Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and veggies, until full (and eat the soup).
You can add cooked veggies to your rice if you wish.

The soup is actually really really good. So thats my secret… I eat soup. Oh course you will need to change your eating habits and excercise won’t hurt in the equation… but it does work. Really. If you do it… keep me posted I would love to see how it’s going for you.

Yummy Cardboard

I heart paper in all shapes, forms and sizes. I love sweets from cakes to cupcakes. Whats the link between the 2? Something that I would of never thought about doing, but the amazing Patianne Stevenson did. She created an entire menu of goodies from cardboard. Talk about artwork!!!

Image courtesy of : Living Creatively

Tortes, Coconut cupcakes, Petit Fours on a dessert stand and more. The attention to detail from the icing to the toppings are outstanding. Even if they are made of cardboard… my mouth is watering. mmm cupcakes. (said like when Homer Simpson talks about donuts.)

Visit her blog filled with inspiration, recipes and newly added items to her unique menu. Go ahead and Dig-in!

Glamnuptials: Cake

Good morning everyone!!! Are you ready for the next episode of the Glamnuptials? Its cake time people it’s cake time

Our wedding cake was so beautiful! It was literally a show stopper, or should I say a conversation starter. All our guests commented on how unique and glamorous it was, and it made me extremely happy to know that people actually paid attention. We wanted something unique, and thanks to all the weddingbee  readers, we finally had the perfect balance of brown, ivory and design.

For our cake topper, we used a vintage crystal glass that my step-mother had, and used the remaining arylic crystals that we used for our escort cards. (more to come on that) I put a tealight candle in the glass so that way at night our cake would have its own mini chandelier.

We had a chocolate Ferrero Rocher crisp dessert included with our meal, so we served the cake later on with the sweets table. Since I figured not everyone would eat cake at night, I decided to make cake flags to go with our oh-so yummy dessert.

Sorry for the blurry picture, this is the only proof with our cake flags.

For the portions, we decided to make a cake for only 70 people (though we had over 150 guests), and I have to say it was still too much because we had tonnes left over. We had more than half the cake untouched… but we even forgot the leftover cake at the hotel. Oh well… just another excuse to get a cake made for our 1 year anniversary

Style Guide: A Class Act

Wedding Style Guide’s downloadable templates are easy to use and such a great way to personalize your bridal shower, rehearsal dinner and/or wedding. Since they are pretty new at this you can only find about a dozen projects (which are amazing by the way.)10

I’m a tea lover and love sweets as well for that matter (but I’m not the best baker in the world) with that being said, this idea of having a baking party is a great one. Plus, why not ask your guest to each bring one of their favorite recipes, that way not only is it a great get together, but you don’t leave empty handed. I sure need some recipes to make my culinary skills better…. so this idea is perfect for that.

A Class Act
Invite your friends into the comfort zone, the kitchen. A bridal shower around the kitchen bench is a nicely, homely thing to do; throw in a cooking class and it will become a sensational day of cooking secrets and freshly baked treats.

A pink on pink theme has the retro fun of the Stepford Wives without the computers. Make the menu no-fuss. How about pink frosted cup cakes, iced doughnuts, filled vol au vents, scones, curried egg sandwiches and vanilla home style cookies? Yes, please.

Guests could bring a small practical gift for the bride’s kitchen. Or if the bride already has well stocked gadget drawers, pool some money to pay for a chef to host a short cooking class for the group. Cute prizes for all cooking efforts will add a sporty edge.

Chapeau de Gâteau

Cake toppers isn’t something I’ve really blogged about. I’ve talked about cakes many times but haven’t paid much attention to its toppers… and I apologize. They are as important as the cake itself, so today I was to introduce you Chateau de Gâteau a unique cake topper company.

Image courtesy of : Chateau de Gâteau

Alison Dawson, owner and creator of CDG was nice enough to give me a little information about herself.

I’m originally from Vancouver, and have lived in Brussels Belgium, and currently reside in Toronto. Chapeau de Gateau seemed very fun name and appropriate for this product: the top of the cake! I’d love to develop the line further emphasizing ribbon in each creation.

Image courtesy of : Chateau de Gâteau

You can find one of her super cute orange cake toppers on the well know Matthew Mead ‘s website. Plus, she is extending her line and working on place card holders and on an accessory line of ribbon brooches for the bridal party called C’est Joli (that’s pretty)

For additional informaiton visit her website. I have a feeling this is just the start of the success of Chateau de Gâteau. Hats to you Alison!!!

Eating your design

Finding the perfect cake design can be hard. Hey, Im speaking from experience. When I was looking for images for cake ideas, I realizated that I liked almost everything… so try and mesh everything together. I thought I would share some cake designs I’ve accumulated with the months.

I heart all sorts of bows and not to forget cute dots – source
I love contrasting colors – source

Floral patterns, lines, dots, even embellishments… I love them all . -source

Having edible lace on a cake is such a great idea. It looks stunning too.
I also love the mixture of simplicity paired with a bold piece. -source

These cake designs, you have all seen before. source

I love the idea of having shapes made with fondant. source

Do you want a round cake or a square one? Do you want a pattern, or do you go simple? Do you want embellishments or no? These are just a few questions you have to answer. If you are like me and cant seem to find the perfect cake design, then why not work with your baker and design your own.

Thats what I did for my own cake…. and I was really happy with the outcome. Did you design your cake or planning to?

{Good Thing} Framed to Please

I thought these framed drink recipes was a fab idea. Whether you decide you use them to display recipes or simply to make a drink list, the beauty of these shadow boxes will surely attract your guests.

Image courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Raise the bar with a drink-worthy-recipe display that does double duty as a decoration. Start with an inexpensive cardboard shadow box from a crafts store, and line it with pretty fabric or paper. Have your calligrapher create a card (or make your own) detailing the ingredients of your signature drink, and pin it inside the box. Stand the box on end at the bar, using a few rocks inside to weight it, and you’ve got a very good sign. Calligraphy by Elizabeth White-Pultz.

Cake-a-licious

If your not a cake lover than, skip this post all together. But then again… who doesn’t like cake? Brides.com is having it’s first official win America’s most beautiful wedding cake contest. Its quite simple, you go here and vote for your favorite.

Images courtesy of Brides.com

Unfortunately us Canadian brides, can’t participate in the awesome give-away but that doesn’t stop me from spreading the good news with you lucky american brides. Don’t forget to place your vote. Good luck!

{Good Thing} Knead a favor

When choosing what type of favor will be given as a token to your guest, the choice is really up to you. These days, favors come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so its best to opt for something that is either meaningful, or something your guests will adore. Its important to know, that at times, favors can be left behind … but I doubt that these sweet favors, will:

Image courtesy of marthastewart.com

Take a cue from the Milanese, who serve panetonne, a sweet bread made with dried fruit and citrus zest, on special occasions. The loaf is traditionally made in a large panetonne mold, but we baked ours in attractive mini paper ones. Each treat is then wrapped in a cellophane bag tied with a letterpress tag by Austin Press. Bellissimo!

Unique, Stylish Cakes

When it comes to choosing your weeding cake, the task can be very difficult. With certain criteria to follow… you must stop and ask yourself what is it that you want. What shape, size, flavor, color… the choice and be overwhelming. So why not go for something less traditional, something which reflects you…. with one of these unique, stylish cakes.

Images courtesy of Marthastewart.com

There is no right or wrong when choosing your cake. As long as it is something you both love. Please yourself, since it is your big day! I personally love the Parrot-Tulip Quartet. Four buttercream cubes topped with brilliant colorful parrot tulips. Or for all you chocolate lovers, why not try a White Chocolate Tower Cake. The white chocolate curls add a special touch the this cake and not to mention is looks so yummy.

Square cakes are quite popular, but having A different stripe cake is taking the popular and making it one-of-a-kind. The color combination is so sweet, and they can be used in various elements of your weddings, for example your flowers. The next cake is a cute one…although it’s not often served at weddings, angel food cake never disappoints. Guests will be delighted by these individual versions of the heavenly confection.

Images courtesy of Marthastewart.com

I’m a sucker for anything coconut, it reminds me so much of the summer/vacation time…so these Coconut Souffles definitely caught my attention. Cute individually baked Souffles with a tag with the couples name. A unique touch which your guest will love. Or what about the neat idea to have a Doughnut Dessert. Cute for a bridal shower or for the sweet table… this idea is one I will be sure to keep in mine. What about this oh-so adorable Citrus Sorbet mini cakes, or these yummy Individual Baked Alaskas.

See… its not very complicated to have a unique, stylish cake. Simply put your imagination to the test. Everything is possible, just let your taste buds guide you.