Eat Shrink And Be Merry

Holy Schmokes! We really can’t believe the effort that people go to when they write us, and how long and heartfelt their letters are. Recently, we got a letter that has to be ranked up there as one of the best ever. I was all choked up when I read it. The letter made me realize that my sister and I had better keep on doing what we’re doing, because it seems to be positively impacting people’s lives.

Thought I’d share it with you, just in case you’re looking for inspiration and motivation…

Hey Girls,

I don’t normally do this, but you probably don’t normally hear from anyone like myself. I’m a 44-year-old police officer. I have made a career out of making all the wrong food choices, along with creating a constant flow of traffic through many of the local drive thru windows located in my jurisdiction. And sometimes other jurisdictions as well. It was not uncommon for my colleagues to see me roll in for lunch with a twelve pack of tacos from you know who. I had one of the highest metabolism rates when I was younger, and I never seemed to gain weight. This did change. It became apparent when I reached the age of forty. I was now gaining a very noticeable amount of weight and then I quit smoking. I eventually ballooned up to 256 lbs. This weigh-in also occurred at my Doctor’s office. When I started Police College, I weighed 174 lbs.

I had recently been diagnosed with a severe sleep disorder and was now using a C.P.A.P. machine to sleep at night. This was mainly resulting from also being diagnosed with very high blood pressure. My Doctor was now telling me that my cholesterol level was a major concern. My bad cholesterol was much too high, while my good cholesterol was much too low. He insisted that I either leave his office with a prescription, or I could lose at least 25 lbs and start eating healthier. I insisted that I would try, and was given a referral to a dietitian at the nearby hospital. The class was not set for almost two months down the road.

This is where you girls entered the picture. I received your cookbook, Eat, Shrink and Be Merry, and began looking through many of the recipes. I can actually cook, which might be why I was able to get so fat. The recipes looked very enticing. More important were the margins, which contain all of the additional information and tips. I was immediately interested and proceeded to read the entire book from cover to cover. Honest. The pictures by Ted didn’t hurt either. Well done.

By the time I went to the healthy eating class with my better half, I had already lost over twenty pounds! I was constantly trying new recipes and certainly making note of how many favorites I had tried. I also realized that I enjoyed cooking these recipes for a number of different reasons.

Firstly, was the taste. There are so many low-fat recipes that taste absolutely fantastic. Whatever the recipe calls for is what I put into it. My shelves are full of unique cooking items and spices that I didn’t even know existed. It wasn’t hard to put the salt shaker away. I have not been disappointed with any of your ideas and recipes. I even enjoy going to the grocery store now.

Secondly, was the preparation time. I find the recipes very easy to follow and complete from start to finish. It doesn’t take long to make up enough food to easy maintain lunches and suppers for the upcoming week. This is very important for me, because of my always changing situations at work. It is not an easy life style for healthy eating. I’ve sometimes had to change gears regarding my food, because I’ve simply been at work for sometimes nearly 30 hours before finishing my shift. If a flat-footed Irishman can easily figure out how to make these great meals, so can anybody else.

Thirdly, was the change in mentality. By reading all of the information in your books, which obviously resulted from a tireless effort, I now make choices and think more about my health than ever before. As I just mentioned, the long shifts are now still filled with good food choices even with an extended shift or other new obstacles. I constantly read labels on all packages and then I hopefully make a good food choice. I am also making sound decisions when making my own creations in the kitchen now. I recently made a Mexican-style Shepherd’s Pie, with the mashed cauliflower recipe to put on top. It turned out well, but it still needs improvement. But I now know how to make it better. And it certainly is healthy.

I still went to my scheduled class and I’m glad that I did. There were many foods that I was avoiding and I should have definitely been adding them to my diet. Portions, choices, etc. It was all very good information.

I’m still working away at improvements. I’m exercising more than ever before, because I have the energy and encouragement to continue. I went back to my Doctor. I had lost a total of 30 pounds, but had gained a few pounds back due to my back problems. I was finding it very difficult to maintain my weight with little or no exercise. Even with this being the case, he was shocked with the results of my lab work. My cholesterol was excellent. My blood pressure has never been better, and I have never felt this great in my entire life.

I have already thanked my Doctors, and I have already thanked the health care people for my sleep machine (absolute life changer), so now I am thanking both of you. I appreciate all of the hard work and effort. Your determination to launch your books has benefited not only yourselves, but thousands of others including myself. I have already purchased Looneyspoons and I am enjoying it every bit as much. I have never read such tasty and inspiring books.

Congratulations. I know that you must be getting a great deal of positive feed back, but probably not receiving much from any 23 year police veterans. I see a much brighter future for myself and my future wife, and my three beautiful children.

I would be neglectful if I didn’t tell you my favorite dish thus far. It was the Rome on the Range recipe on page 63 of Eat, Shrink and Be Merry. It was worth the effort and the life span of the soup was very short. I didn’t even know that I could make soup before. I also appreciate the Lord of Wings recipe on page 30. Chicken wings have always been a serious Kryptonite to me. I become weak every time I’m near a large plate of wings. I can now enjoy them more often without the guilt. Thanks again for everything.

It’s always great to see some caring Canadian girls rise to the top. Good luck with the future. Take care.

Detective Constable Jim Brady