Back from Syria

[kutibah]

Well, I'm back from Syria. After being on Atkins for 2 months in Syria, I lost about 18 lbs. I now weigh 209, compared to 205 last September. But in that time I have grown height and muscle and am now 15 years old. Here's my pictures before and after the 2 month trip:

[Brook]

Re: Back from Syria

You've definately thinned down! Good for you! Lookin' good and welcome back

Brook

[mirna05]

Re: Back from Syria

congratulations! Look at your face how thin it looks now.

[Bugaboo]

Re: Back from Syria

Lookin' good there! Any cool stories from Syria you'd like to share? I'm glad you're back safely!

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Back from Syria

Looking real good!

[kutibah]

Re: Back from Syria

Well, not many real stories. But I was nearby when the Terrorist Shootings occurred in June (Not sure if you heard about it). And other than that I inhaled the deadly poisonous oxygen that the country has

[Enchantedraisin]

Re: Back from Syria

Is your family from Syria? My boyfriend's family originates from there as well

[Finelly]

Re: Back from Syria

I'm so jealous that you got to eat Syrian food..........

[Elizellen]

Re: Back from Syria

Wow Kutibah!!

You have done so well while away in Syria

Your schoolmates won't recognise you when they see you next term - you look so grownup compared to your previous picture

BTW your sig still has you as a boy of 14 - not a young man of 15!!

[D3anna]

Re: Back from Syria

Wow, your doing really great! It must feel awesome for you to be back home and see that you had 18# loss!!! Keep up the good work!

[kutibah]

Re: Back from Syria

Is your family from Syria? My boyfriend's family originates from there as well

Yes. And I was born there as well, and moved to the US when I was 5.

[kutibah]

Re: Back from Syria

BTW your sig still has you as a boy of 14 - not a young man of 15!!

Oops. Thanks for noticing!

[Desertthorn]

Re: Back from Syria

Kutibah, Your looking really great my friend, and I am so glad your home. I think you promised to tell me all about your trip and both Finelly and I want to hear about the food. What great meal ideas can you give us.

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Back from Syria

I'm half Syrian and I make great Syrian food. My all time favorite is vine leaves. Unfortunately, they are not low carb due to the rice.

[kutibah]

Re: Back from Syria

Kutibah, Your looking really great my friend, and I am so glad your home. I think you promised to tell me all about your trip and both Finelly and I want to hear about the food. What great meal ideas can you give us.

Well, there's not too much to tell. I did go to Tartooise in Syria and took a very small boat standing up with no edges . Anyways, I finally got to the island of Arwad in the Mediterannean sea. It was pretty nice. Got some good views. Then we went back to Maaloola and visited a fault line and was able to go in between 2 mountains that were split apart. It is said that this was land where Christ had lived. But I don't know if any of that is true or not.

Now on to the food. Well, I ate alot of Tabouleh (Type of salad). I already knew this but it was Atkins friendly (if you leave out the bulgar). Here's the recipe:

• 2/3 cup bulgur wheat (You can leave out for atkins )
  1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped
  1-1/2 cups fresh parsley, chopped
  1 large tomato, diced
  1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
  2/3 cup green onions, chopped
  1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
  pinch of salt
  
  Soak bulgur wheat in cold water for 2 hours (or as directed
  on package). Drain well, squeezing out any excess water.
  Mix all ingredients together in large bowl. Cover and chill.
  Serve tabouleh mounded on a bed of lettuce, accompanied
  by extra lettuce leaves, and lemon wedges.
  
  I ate alot of kabobs which is Skewers of tender lean pieces of beef, grilled with tomatoes and onions. I also ate shishtawouk which is Skewers of marinated boneless chicken, grilled with tomatoes and onions. I also ate shawarma which is usually on a BIG BIG skewer which goes around a fire and has a big piece of sheep fat on top (So it drips on the meat). They then slice it thinly and serve in a plate. Chicken shawarma is also available. Of course, all of these food items are better with bread, but since I was Atkins, I ate them without bread, but they were still good!