ArcaMax

There’s a new buzz phrase in the dieting community that is getting lots of coverage. It’s called intermittent fasting.

Intermittent fasting is the concept of going 12 – 18 hours without food. Some research is showing it’s a great idea.

When I first developed Plan Z, I designed it as two full meals, or two meals with up to 4 snacks per day. I reasoned (correctly it turns out), that most overweight people aren’t hungry in the morning and don’t feel like eating. I knew I didn’t feel like eating in the morning, and as I asked more and more overweight people, I found a trend brewing. I was not alone in my disinterest in food in the morning.

Whether thin or thick in body mass, it turns out in both camps there are people who are just not naturally wired to eat in the morning. Food actually turns them off.

We all learned that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? Turns out for some it’s not true...

Read the full column at PlanZDiet.com

Pork Chops with Thyme and Mustard

This is an easy and tasty meal that comes together in a jiffy. Big Yum!

Serving Size: Serves 2. Can easily be doubled.

Ingredients:

2 pork loin chops (6 oz each)
2 Tbl of fresh lemon juice
½ tsp of garlic powder
2 Tbl of Dijon mustard
2 tsp of dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste

Optional

A few garlic cloves (to roast in the pan…I love roasted garlic)

Instructions:

In a small bowl mix the juice, mustard and the spices. Stir.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a cast iron pan, lightly spray surface with olive oil spray. Spray the top of your chops and the brush the sprayed side with the seasoning mixture. Put the chop in the pan, flavored side down. Sear on medium high for two minutes. Then brush the rest of the seasoning on the top non seasoned side and turn it over. Throw in the garlic cloves so they will cook with the pork chops (optional). Transfer to your oven and roast until the chops are done to your liking. I check mine by using and instant read thermometer. When the chops reach 160 degrees they are fully cooked and no pink will remain but they will still be nice and juicy. This will take about 15 minutes depending on your oven and the chop size.

You can alternatively grill the chops to your liking, too.

You can serve with sautéed onions and a simple chopped tomato salad or with another ZReduction side of your liking. Serving size: Up to one and a half cups or eight ounces of meat max. One cup will be satisfying for most.

Enjoy!
Cheers,
Zola