 Ossie-Sharon 12 years ago | Quinoa is a grain-like seed that resembles couscous in appearance, but is relatively rich in high-quality protein. To use it in baking, you can use either as is cooked, or in the flour form – it has a very mild flavor, and should not change the taste of baked goods usually made with white flour. Since it tends to be a big heavier than wheat flour, for more delicate items such as cakes, it has been suggested to use the following propotions: 2/3 quinoa flour, 1/3 wheat or rice flour. |
 judygab 12 years ago | What is Quuineau and does it change the taste of baked goods? |
| Ossie-Sharon 12 years ago | Try the 14-day sample menu plan in My Downloads (link above). That will give you a framework for your day. You can substitute similar foods (from the same food groups) from what you usually like – but a healthier, unprocessed, fresher, lower-fat version. You can get some ideas from the menu planner food group lists, and try making a field trip to a health-oriented supermarket such as Whole Foods or Trader Joes. |
 Toni 12 years ago | Still just reading over the info that I’ve bought into. Not sure any of it makes too much sense. Need to re-lose 25# but this program looks way too difficult. Where do I even start? Did the menu planner and, yuk! |
| Ossie-Sharon 12 years ago | First of all, welcome! We wish you well, and hope your years of experience will enable you to get a lot out of this program.
Popcorn is indeed a healthy snack if prepared well (i.e. with olive oil, as you noted). It is not on our list because the menu planner is geared more toward meals and meal-type snacks, but you can indeed exchange 2 cups of air-popped corn for every starchy carb (i.e. crackers, bread, rice, etc.), and a teaspoon of oil for every fat. |
 skinnyboater 12 years ago | Hi! I signed up last night and am anxious to begin. I have been hopelessly dieting for twenty years and my weight continues to go up, so I hope that Trim Down Club will be able to help me. I am a wife and mother of three. One of our favorite activities is to eat hot air pop corn on Friday night, while watching a movie. Can I still enjoy this treat? If so, how much can I eat? I didn’t see pop corn listed on the meal plan, but I thought it was considered to be a healthy snack. I like eating it with a little coconut oil or olive oil spray and some flavored salt. |
 Fuff 12 years ago | I think my weight gain is age related too, but I’ve had three cancer scares in 7 years, and I’d have to say the weight gain and health problems are caused more by the fact that I’ve been eating with a very rebellious, indestructible diabetic for that long. I have consumed more sugars and fats in 7 years than my entire family in 30. I’ve joined to get back to a healthy life style while learning hopefully some new recipes and foods to keep things interesting. I’m going to try agave syrup after reading these posts and I’m enjoying that input as well as the menu planner. I have kept my weight steady since I joined for the first time in 7 years!! Axed the guy along with his eating habits and am feeling MUCH better. Estrogen from eating and fluctuating weight, cortisol from stress. Not a good combination. No guy is worth dying for! |
 Plein d espoir 12 years ago | Bonjour my friends. I just joined up because I am hopeful (thus my username) about getting back to the me I used to be. I’ve always been a muscular individual, never one of those svelt, thin women. At 55, I’m a short, muscular, but active woman, who by today’s standards, the extra weight proves to be ‘old school’ and so very unlike the contemporary woman I really am. This program is new to me, so I would love to hear from others and possibly share in my journey towards my health/weight goals. |
| Ossie-Sharon 12 years ago | For the 14-day express meal plan, log in to your account and go to My downloads –> trimdownclub-program –> Special Bonus section |
 Winn 12 years ago | Where can I locate the 14 day express meal plan ? |
| Ossie-Sharon 12 years ago | Agreed. The best place to see what exchanges would be are in the lists used to build your menu in the planner. For the most part, exchanges are very similar in size, the main exception being that 1 tsp of butter or oil is equal to a fat exchange, where others such as cream may be 1-2 Tbsp. I have forwarded your comments/requests on to our technicians. |
 pattykeogh 12 years ago | Thank you for your feedback, I think the frustration lies in the fact that a lot of new dieters including myself would not know what exchanges equal what, you reaffirm the fact that we can swap out, but we don’t know what an appropriate swap would be! If butter is OK, then why is it not a choice. This might be a very simple plan to a more experienced person, but keep mind that this is a whole change of life for others and not that simple. |
| Ossie-Sharon 12 years ago | Patty – thanks for the input. Will do. Stay tuned…
In the meantime, all of you – please do feel free to rearrange the day as best suits you. You can also swap out foods in the same food group. Light cream = butter, whole grain crackers = potato w/skin, etc. |
| pattykeogh 12 years ago | I really like the 14 day express meal plan, it’s menus read like a normal meal/day should be, why can’t the menu generator, generate meals in the same format. Tdc if your listening, please review your 14 day express menus and try to get the menu generator to generate meals the same way. For me breakfast has to be breakfast, and dinner has to b dinner, lunch I can play with, I just can’t eat steak or beans for breakfast. |
| pattykeogh 12 years ago | I’m coming to the end of my 2nd week and have lost so far 16-lbs. I follow the menu the best I can. I do feel a frustration with the food choices in each group ex. Light cream, there has to be another fat. I’d rather see something like tsp of butter. I guess I still don’t understand the menus completely or why the weird combinations. I have selected foods like potatoes but in the 2 weeks I have not gotten one, brown rice or rice crackers seem to be consistent. One thing it has taught me is eat low fat, & carbs and fresh fruits & veggies and little to none processed foods. |
