Sorry Mom...

I had all the intention of flaying down to Cancun, Quintana Roo then jump in the bus for 4 hours to get to Chetumal, Quintana Roo then jump in a Cab and go to my mom's house for mother’s day on May 10th (in Mexico, mother's day is always on May 10th) but unfortunately due to some problems with my work permit and finances I wasn't able to go see you and give you the best surprise I could've ever imagined to give you.

I know that it's been over 9 years since I spent a mother’s day with my mom, but it's not that I haven't been trying. It just hasn't been possible. but maybe things happen for a reason. on July 20th it's my mom's birthday and on the 25th it's my anniversary. My wife and I have been planning on going back to Mexico for our anniversary, but we just weren't sure if we were going down to her hometown of Culiacan, Sinaloa or my hometown of Mexicali, Baja California or to my mom's hometown which is also where I was raised and my friends there in Chetumal, Quinata Roo. We had options, but we just where not sure on what to do.

Now based on the current situation, I've agreed to meet my mom up in Mexicali, Baja California for her birthday. That way I can still be with my mom and rest of my family, friends and still give my wife a few days in Disneyland like we want to for our anniversary.

I just hope that it all goes as planned and that this time we are able to do what we want to. Also, I finally did it. I donated all of my old clothes to the Diabetes society. I went from using up half of my closet to one quarter of the space. Now I really have to do some shopping. I know I won’t be able to replace everything over night. But I will get new nicer things as time goes by and as finish taking care of all the legalities of status in this country. Herbal Magic weight loss has most definitely changed my life and I’m certain I wouldn’t have been able to do so by myself. I just can’t wait until I’m able to show my mom what I’ve accomplish in just 8 months. 110 lbs down and only 10 more to go.

Is that really me?

So close, but yet so far. That's how I currently feel but I understand why. I went to Herbal Magic weight loss today after work and got on the scale I'm only 10 lbs away. I have to accept that I´ve plateau. It's hard to accept, but it's all part of the process. I've lost so much weight and so fast that I have to give my body size (inches) a chance to catch up with my weight loss.

Also, since I'm working out I'm starting to lose inches in certain parts of my body (my belly) but gaining a few inches in other parts (my leg muscle) Since I'm running 2 miles a day. My leg muscle is starting to grow. I've lost 110 lbs so far, and I've lost 103 inches overall. My size loss is finally catching up to my weight loss. I know I will get to my goal before I even know it.

This weekend I have a wedding to go to and I was planning on getting my old suit fix. I thought it would be an easy fix, but then again, I'm not a tailor. I went to visit my tailor with my old suit in hand and my tailor laugh when I asked him if it was possible for him to fix it. His answer? “it would be easier for me to make you a new one from scratch, you've lost so much weight that this has chance for repair” I felt bad, because I bought that suit a while ago and I really liked it. Look at it, I looked good in it!



I had to accept that I had to buy a new suit and I went on a Suit mission. I ended up at The Bay, I asked if Bonnie Brooks was in the building I was really disappointed. I asked one of the guys there if he could help me find a suit. I had no clue of what size I had to buy now since my last one was my tux for my wedding. He measured me and pulled the one I liked from the rack. I tried it on and to my surprise and for the first time ever NOTHING had to get altered, it's like Perry Ellis used me as a Model for that suit. I don´t recall when was the last time I was able to wear a suit and didn't had to get any alterations! And I have to admit that a suit makes anyone look good. I couldn´t believe that was really me reflected in the mirror.

I will show you pictures of me in my new suit next wee after we get back from my friends wedding. You'll be the one to tell me if it looks good or not.

Tomorrow, I go again to Herbal Magic weight loss, and whatever the number in the scale is I know it's a better number than the one I saw 8 months ago. It is not and will never be 340 lbs ever again! One step closer to the real me. I'm finally getting a chance to look the way I feel. Bring it on summer.

Life Happens...

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been super busy with projects at the station… by the time I get to go home my Herbal Magic weight loss clinic is already closed. And instead of being there my usual 3 or 4 times a week I’ve only managed to go there once this week!

I’m not usually this busy but the girls at Herbal Magic weight loss understand that life happens, and even though I haven’t been in for my consultation I try my best to stay on track with my meals and my water intake.

So far in seven and a half months I’ve lost 112 pounds. 112! I’m only 8 lbs away from my weight goal. I don’t weight 340 lbs any more, I’m no longer wearing 52 inch pants; I’m no longer using XXL shirts! I honestly feel on cloud 9 - So many changes happened so fast, it seems like this is all a dream.

I get to go to Herbal Magic on Saturday and if I’m not closer to my goal weight I know it’s not the end of the world; I just have to be patient and keep doing what I’m suppose to be doing. Just focus, eat healthy, the right portions, work out and drink lots and lots of water.

How is your journey going? Remember that a bump on the road is just that, a bump on the road. It might slow you down but it won’t stop you. It takes more than that to stop us, especially when we are doing this together.

10 More Baby!

I can’t believe I’ve lost officially 110 lbs! I honestly have no words that could express how I feel. I’m still in disbelief that 7 and a half months ago I was weighing 340 lbs! If you have no clue on what 110 lbs looks like or even feels like, try this:

The last time Justin Bieber and I talked, and by “I” I mean Chelsea Handler, he said on her show that he weighs 110 lbs! So I’ve officially lost a Justin Bieber!



Like I said in one of my Mini Blogs, on Friday I went out shopping to Zellers at Sunridge Mall for new undershirts and socks. I was shocked when I realized the size I had to buy. Seven and a half months ago I was wearing XXL. This Friday I bought LARGE; I took 2 X’s off my size! And to my surprise they’re not even snug! I can’t remember when was the last time I bought a Large ANYTHING!

Seriously I don’t know where would I be if it wasn’t for Herbal Magic weight loss. I know that I’ve added years to my life, years that I’m using to be with my family. I have energy now that I didn’t have before, energy that I will use once my wife and I have kids.

Let me know how you are doing on your journey, my road trip is almost getting to the point I want to get to and I’ve never felt better.

Mmmm Pizza!!

Oh My God!

It's hard to believe that only 7 months ago I was joining Herbal Magic weight loss and I got on the scale and saw a number that I've promised not to see ever again. 339.4 lbs.

Over the long weekend my wife and I drove down to Seattle and did some serious damage in the outlets. I actually enjoyed shopping! I can't recall when was the last time I actually walked into a store and had fun shopping! I walked into Kenneth Cole and bought a couple of shirts. What size? LARGE! I'm not longer using XXL! I don't know if how else to say how excited I am. I wish you can feel and see my excitement.

This hasn't been easy, but it really hasn't been hard either. Herbal Magic weight loss has given me all the tools that I need to help me get to my goal. Today I don't weigh 339.4 lbs. I weigh 233 lbs. 233!!! I've lost 106.4 lbs in 7 months!!! A friend of mine told me that these last 15 lbs where going to be the hardest, and I can see that he was right, but with my determination and with the help of Herbal Magic weight loss and their coaches and most importantly their recipes I know this is possible.

I'm a big BIG fan of Pizza so big that when I was younger (7 years old) and lived in Toronto for a month they are only two phone numbers I remember: 967-11-11 and 241-0-241. If you recognize these numbers, you probably are a BIG fan of pizza too and I'm actually high-fiving you right now! :)

I've been able to eliminate this craving thanks to the Pizza recipe that they have on the Herbal Magic cook book, and I'll share it with you, it’s easy to make and it takes 20 minutes to get it done:

- Ingredients:

1 Weight watchers tortilla wrap
¼ Cup of Healthy Choices Pasta Sauce
½ Cup of pineapple
50 grams of Fat Free Deli Meat
1 Oz of Cheese

- Cooking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF
Pour the pasta sauce over the tortilla wrap
Cut the Fat Free Deli Meat into squares and toss it over the tortilla
Grate the cheese and toss it over the tortilla
Cut the Pineapple into bite size pieces and toss over the tortilla.
Just bake for 10 - 15 minutes and you have a great, healthy personal pizza!

If you want to make it "ala Carlos" just add Jalapeño slices over top or if you feel BOLD add Habanero Pepper Salsa to it. Give this recipe a try and let me know how you like it.

This recipe is for one serving and all the ingredients count as a daily intake of 1/2 Protein, 1 Dairy, 1 Fruit, 1 Starch and 1/2 of your free exchange.

Be fearless, accept change

The weather is changing, that means it’s time to do some Spring Cleaning! I started on Sunday by gathering shirts (size XXL) and pants (size 48) that I don't use anymore and put them into a bag for donations, and then I ended up bagging winter coats. In one way it was hard to say goodbye to my old stuff, but it was just one more step in realizing that I’m not the guy that I used to be six and a half months ago.

Sometimes it’s hard to accept that we are actually changing, but its all part of the Herbal Magic Process. They help you see and accept the changes you are making to a healthier new you.

This week’s recipe is the Fearless Chicken Fingers, it’s easy to make and it takes 25 minutes to get it done:

- Ingredients:

4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts (Pechugas dehuesadas y sin pellejo)
½ Cup Corn Flakes (Corn Flakes)
1 Large Egg White (Yema de Huevo)
2 tbsp Fat-Free Salsa (Salsa baja en Grasa)

- Cooking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF
Cut chicken breast into strips
Coat chicken strips in egg white then roll in Corn Flakes crumbs. To make the Corn Flakes into smaller crumbs I bought a cheap coffee grinder at Wal-Mart for 10 dollars and I granulate my Corn Flakes for my chicken fingers. You’ll see that you won’t use all of the crumbs, but you can still eat them, I put them on top of my vegetables, or you can mix it in with you salsa to get the consistency of a dip.
Arrange chicken strips on a nonstick baking sheet and bake for 20 – 25 minutes. Serve with Salsa for dipping.

This recipe is for one serving and all the ingredients count as a daily intake of 1 Protein, 1 Starch and ½ of your free exchange.

This is a picture of how my Fearless Chicken Fingers ala Carlos looked like at the end with a side of vegetables portions that I was saving for supper, its ala Carlos just because of the Jalapeños that I added to my veggies and to make the Fat-Free Salsa taste even better, I added Habanero Pepper Salsa to it. YEAY! It’s like a Spicy Explosion in my mouth and I Love It! Give this recipe a try and let me know how you like it.

Herbal Magic’s Italian Chicken Bake.

Back in September when I just starting rolling on the healthy lifestyle I thought I wasn’t going to be able to quit fast food. With 16 pounds to go and entering the home stretch of my program, I’ve noticed that I really don’t miss it they way I thought I would. Herbal Magic has taught me that there are ways to still eat all the food that I love, but made in a healthy way.

I’m going to share with you my top recipes for healthy items, items that I love and still taste just as great as the regular fast food items you would get at any other place.

Today’s choice: Italian Chicken Bake:

This recipe is really easy to make. It actually serves 4 portions so you will basically make supper for 4 nights, or if you are cooking for your significant other, you’ve made supper for 2 nights.

- Ingredients:

4 - 5 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts (Pechugas dehuesadas y sin pellejo)
Black pepper to taste (Pimienta negra)
Garlic powder to taste (Ajo en polvo)
Thyme to taste (Tomillo)
Basil to taste (Albahaca)
1 Cup of Healthy Choice pasta sauce (Salsa de spaguetti)
4 oz shredded mozzarella cheese (Queso Mozzarella)

- Cooking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375ºF
Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet, sprinkle with black pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and basil.
Bake for 10 minutes and then flip them over.
Sprinkle same spices over the other side and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Pour pasta sauce over chicken breasts.
Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over and heat up until cheeses melts.

Like I said earlier, it serves 4 and all the ingredients count as a daily intake of 1 Protein, 1 dairy and ½ a free exchange per portion.

I can’t stress enough that we all need to start reading the nutritional value on the food that we eat. Everything that we learn of the food that we put into our bodies will make us a little more conscious on making better decisions that are going to help us in the long run.

Based on the Nutritional Value of food I really encourage you to start eating Healthy Choice Pasta Sauce you can find this at any grocery store.

This is a picture of how my Italian Chicken Bake ala Carlos looked like at the end with a side of vegetables portions that I was saving for supper, it's ala Carlos just because of the Jalapeños that I added to my veggies. Give this recipe a try and let me know how you like it.