I designed this broccoli cheese soup for the average cook. It only takes a few minutes to chop the veggies and then put it in the pot and let the magic happen. All you have to do is stir it. How easy is that?
Well, of course I’m not the only one who every dreamed of a celery salad so I found all kinds of them and formulated my own, simple version. Turned out great.
Everybody needs the perfect recipe that uses up the little leftover bits of vegetables you have in the drawer. Instead of letting them go to waste, you can whip up this quiche. I served it for dinner. You can serve it for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Some people even like it room temperature or cold.
Don’t start making potatoes every week. Keep this for special occasions. When you have fully stabilized and you are confident in keeping your weight in control you can consider eating a one cup portion of potatoes about once a month.
Since spinach is an unlimited, you can have as much as you like. It doesn't count towards your veggie portion which means you can have this and another veggie, too. YUM!
Dieter Rebecca first had this warm and rustic side dish while in Ireland on a road trip in 1994. These mushrooms where in every Irish B&B Dieter Rebecca visited. She loved the recipe so much she recreated it for Plan Z! Hope you enjoy.
Breakfast. Lunch. Brunch or even a light dinner. You can even serve this as a side dish at a family event. Even the kids who don’t like veggies will like this one.
If you love cabbage, you are going to freak out about how good this is. All we can say about this recipe is that if you hate cabbage this meal might convert you!
This recipe is designed for your barbecue needs. Of course you can eat it with anything but I had the Korean BBQ Sauce in mind when I paired these up. The Korean sauce is sort of sweet and then this is zippy.
Roasting the vegetables really brings out lovely caramelized flavors in the eggplant and tomatoes. Try pairing this side dish with my Halibut with Shallots and Bacon recipe for a light and tasty meal.
This is such a fabulous substitute for pasta. I promise you won’t miss it. You even get the same texture of the noodles from the spiralized zucchini and you get color and bits of carrot for fun.
This dish can be served with something as simple as a grilled steak or a baked chicken breast. If you want an American-Asian combo this is the way to go. It’s also designed to be served with the seared sea scallops for a more Asian-directed entrée.
This type of dinner comes together VERY quickly. The flavors of the asparagus make a very simple dinner taste fancy and pairs really nicely with a plain, grilled piece of meat.
Most granola you buy at the store has about 35-45 grams of carbohydrates per serving. This one has about 9. Your tummy will love this and you’ll be healthier for it.
I used to HATE Brussels sprouts. I couldn't even stand the smell of them cooking. I love them now, as long as they are caramelized which brings out the sweetness. This version is spicy!
This one is for the gourmet cooks in the group. You can do this with any standard mushrooms and make it less exotic but the gourmet cooks will appreciate the earthy flavor of the shiitakes.
Timing the side dishes to come out and be warm when served can also be a challenge. I am offering up this idea for an asparagus side dish because asparagus tastes good at any temperature.
Okay. This seems so simple. Everyone wants a fast breakfast or snack. Your kids will be giddy with this as their breakfast or their after school snack.
This mushroom dish was designed to go with steak but I am confident it will go well with chicken or even an omelet. The taste is rich so be ready for some big YUMs around your table.
This recipe is for all the vegetarians out there. Thank you dieter Nancy for this photo. For you non-vegetarians this makes a great side dish to go along with a grilled meat. We had this last night with grilled Andouille sausage and had a lovely meal.
Garnish with fresh basil cut into strips if you like, just to add more color. This is a simple yet fabulous flavor and Sea bass tastes like it’s been soaked in butter.
We had a big party the other day. I wanted to serve several items that are approved on Plan Z. This beef recipe can even be eaten on the ZReduction portion of the diet.
We had it last night and swooned through our whole meal. You can too. It’s so easy and even comes with a fabulous cocktail sauce you can eat with your “surf.”
This is a long description for an incredibly EASY meal to cook. So many people ask me the secret to a good steak, so I thought I’d throw in all the extra commentary.
This sauce will remind you of an upscale version of the sauce they use on Sliders at White Castle. I’m not positive, so be sure to let me know what you think!
This is the most-often requested recipe in my house. Whenever my husband is feeling happy, sad or anything in-between he’ll ask that I make “Wolfgang Chicken”. This dish is killer amazing!
Have a bottle of hot sauce on the side if anyone wants theirs with more heat. This is intentionally very mild for those that don’t usually eat Mexican food.
This is a throw it together FAST meal for any weeknight. It is not a spicy dish but you can if you wish, add hot sauce at the table for a little extra zing.
There are two stages to making burgers this way. The Rub. The Burger. If you are not a major cook don’t worry. This looks harder than it is. Stick with this and you’ll love your burgers!
This is a crazy burger. If you like your food full of flavor and spicy, this is for you. An Asian hamburger. Can’t beat it for variety. Surprise your friends with this one.
This steak salad can be made extra spicy or just with a kick. This version has a kick but I give you instruction on how to crank up the heat if you like your food spicy.
If we had a gourmet comfort food category this recipe would be the first one. Its easy to make, very satisfying, and tastes delicious. A great meal for a rainy day.
Most folks think of chicken wings as being a guy thing and even a sport fan thing but anyone can love this dip! I served it as a breakfast buffet item and it was hands down the dish that got the most comments and compliments. I think it was because it was so unexpected. The comments came from men and women alike but I must admit the guys were the ones who went gaga over this.
I found this recipe online. I didn’t have to do much to make it Zola. It tastes very much like a cheeseburger. The way to make it exciting though is to make sure you pile on the toppings that you like on your burger. You can feed the whole family with this and no one will miss the bun.
Made this tonight and was very happy with it – it would count as your vegetable and your meat although you could definitely add a green salad. I found it to be very filling.
"My mom wasn’t a cook which I think I’ve told you, so when she made pork chops she would put them in a dish, pour French onion soup (Campbell’s from a can) over them and serve it with applesauce.
The inside of this pie bake tastes just like Midwest comfort food. You won't even notice the potatoes are missing. It has just enough carrots to remind you how sweet they are. Same for the peas. The onion, celery and the mushrooms give it the depth of flavor you'll remember from childhood. The topping isn't your average pie crust. This one is low carb. So it's not like a biscuit either. I'm still trying to perfect low carb biscuits, so this is sort of a cross-breed.
Angela says, "I love pizza, so I was looking for alternatives. I was disappointed to find cauliflower crust is not much lower in carbs than a traditional pizza crust. I came across that recipe for a meatzza crust and was pleasantly surprised. It satisfied my pizza craving, and I could have a slice of pizza without needing a fork! For those pizza cravings, here’s a recipe for a meatzza crust."
Lobster thermidor is a classic dish. It’s decadent because of the cost of the lobster but it also has one of the dreamiest sauces you can possibly imagine.
These meatballs are my take on an authentic meatball recipe from New York city. These actually have a cheesy element to them that make them super yummy. BIG YUM!
At first you’d think chimichangas would be high carb. The good news is they have low carb tortillas at the grocery store that taste the same as the traditional. Look for the low carb versions.
We were really happy with the way it turned out and I think you could adjust the seasonings to your own taste if you want more garlic or more salt, etc.
Tastes very much like the traditional version but this one doesn’t include higher carbohydrate vegetables like carrots and potatoes. Still quite delightful, though. Brings back memories of grandma.
This dish is Italian comfort food. I curl up on sofa with a bowl of this and watch a movie. You can go totally low-carb with this one and make it without the pasta. Tastes just as good. This also makes a great casserole addition to a pot luck party.
Our Plan Z “cafeteria” smelled just like Grandma’s house today. This beef over noodles recipe is a hit. Serve this when you have family around at holidays or other times when there’s a crowd.
This is a famous chili that probably should not even be called a chili. It was invented by two brothers who emigrated from Europe in the 1920’s. Of course, they lived in Cincinnati. When finished this will look sort of like chili but it’s served on spaghetti. There are no beans and it’s not spicy. It’s flavorful for sure, but not “hot.” Don’t let the list of ingredients throw you off.
Serve in soup bowls with a protein of choice. In Z2 this is your veggie portion. You can have plain salad greens on the side if you need more. It’s very filling though.
This chicken casserole will remind you of chilies Rellenos. If you like those you’ll be a big fan of this low-carb dish. Simple to put together and toss in the oven. And Voila! Dinner. I serve with slices of avocado on the side dusted with a bit of grated sea salt.
This recipe is compliments of Dieter Rose. Rose loves cooked cabbage and this does the trick for her. You can take this to work cold and reheat in the microwave too.
Dieter Claire invented this recipe by modifying the fruit parfait recipe and adding extra frozen strawberries. She says, "it's as close to ice cream as you can get." We agree.
I adapted this dish from one I saw in a recipe site. I had to change it quite a bit to “Zola-fy” it but it was just so decadent and creamy I had to share.
Pasta doesn’t have to be banned from ZLife. You just need to limit it and monitor how you use it. If you keep in mind that a FULL portion is a half cup cooked you’re on the right track. And just eat it on a special occasion.
This is a throw it together FAST meal for any weeknight. It is not a spicy dish but you can if you wish, add hot sauce at the table for a little extra zing.
These crepes are very low carb and EASY to make. You can even make them ahead and store them in the refrigerator or freeze them. I made them at the same time I was working on my seafood and sauce for the stuffed crepes but if you’re not that coordinated in the kitchen, you can make the crepes first and just store them. You do have to keep a close eye on the crepes as they cook. Don’t get distracted. It’s much less stressful to make the crepes and then make the sauce. Both come together really fast so you’ll be out of the kitchen in a jiffy anyway.
Just like the one your mom made, only healthier. Everyone loves the green bean casserole. Here I'll show you one one that doesn't take much longer to make and it’s real food, not processed!
Chris’s cousins sent us a HUGE box of fruit as his get well wish. There are only two of us, so in order to use the fruit I have had to get creative! Oh, my, these are yummy!
Talk about easy to make. This soup is done in a flash. If you’re like me you’ll make a triple batch. You can freeze the portions and just add shrimp bits when you go to serve it.
You could call this the “adult version” of Sloppy Joes. It does have some ZIP to it. Don’t be intimidated by the length of the ingredients list. The recipe is worth it. And you probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry.
Marinating lamb beforehand adds a depth of flavor that can't be beat. And when it's grilled, it's phenomenal. So, if you like lamb, this recipe is a home run.
A spicy and refreshing salsa can jazz up any dish. Dieter Lois shared this recipe for her ZReduction-friendly salsa verde. She whipped up a batch to put over her eggs, but this would be good on just about anything.
In ZReduction, limit yourself to 2 Tbl per serving. This sauce is normally served along with a gyro or other Greek lamb dish. I got creative and served it with my simple crusted salmon and it was divine! We ate every morsel!
Chris’s cousins sent us a HUGE box of fruit as his get well wish. There are only two of us, so in order to use the fruit I have had to get creative! Oh, my, these are yummy!
Most folks think of chicken wings as being a guy thing and even a sport fan thing but anyone can love this dip! I served it as a breakfast buffet item and it was hands down the dish that got the most comments and compliments. I think it was because it was so unexpected. The comments came from men and women alike but I must admit the guys were the ones who went gaga over this.
A traditional Waldorf salad has grapes or raisins and lots of walnuts -- but it doesn’t have to. This one worked great as a side dish. Be sure to cut your fruit portion for this meal in half.
This looks like a lot of ingredients, but you’ll see it’s sort of a dump and cook recipe. Not difficult at all. If you love making Asian food you probably have many of these ingredients in the house.
This looks like a lot of ingredients, but you’ll see it’s sort of a dump and cook recipe. Not difficult at all. If you love making Asian food you probably have many of these ingredients in the house.
My favorite technique for cooking low-fat burgers is to quickly sear the burger and finish it by roasting it in the oven. Here’s the recipe for seared burgers that are then oven-roasted.
One of the tricks to making good burgers when you’re in ZReduction on Plan Z is to find a way to keep them as moist and juicy as possible. This is my favorite technique and recipe for cooking a low-fat burger.
This dish comes together in a flash. If you are doing beef enchiladas, I recommend red sauce. If you are doing chicken, I recommend you go wild and use a green sauce.
Traditional orange juice is not allowed on Plan Z because when you remove all the pulp (the fiber) what's left is a whole bunch of sugar. But, if you have a magic bullet or a high-powered blender, you can enjoy a liquefied, blended orange - as long as you blend the whole orange and don't strain the pulp.
This makes a lovely lunch or dinner with a salad on the side. Tastes very French or Italian. Vegetarians who eat dairy will love it. This can also be served as a side dish with grilled meat. It really does stand well on its own though.
Lemon curd is the perfect spring and summer dessert ingredient. You can serve this very simply by dipping cookies in it or use it like icing dividing layers of a cake. I like to make a tart or even mini-tarts.
I am a huge fan of English shortbread. When I traveled a lot in England on business, the hotel usually left a package or two by the coffee maker. I used to make that my little breakfast while I worked at the desk.
The inspiration for this recipe came from a new one offered up by Bon Appetit. I must give them some of the credit. I changed it enough to make it my own, but the original is in a cookbook by Molly Baz called Cook this Book.
This chicken casserole will remind you of chilies Rellenos. If you like those you’ll be a big fan of this low-carb dish. Simple to put together and toss in the oven. And Voila! Dinner. I serve with slices of avocado on the side dusted with a bit of grated sea salt.
I’ll lay out the instructions with chicken, but it can also be made with ham, tuna (canned or fresh cooked) smoked chicken or even a pulled apart rotisserie chicken.
This award-winning chili recipe won best Verde Chili by the International Chili Society in 2018. "Texas Chuck," the creator of this awesome recipe, made this chili using Mild Bills Spices (in case you're trying to get his authentic flavor).
If you don’t use liquor in your cooking you can leave that out. You can also flavor them with stevia flavorings. You could have coconut, vanilla or other flavors.
This whole dinner comes together in about 15 minutes. There are just days when you can’t make everything from scratch. You need something you can get on the dinner table quickly.
From Dieter Claire: Make this in bulk and store it in a jar. It's less expensive than taco seasoning packets and has no fillers. Plus, I can tweak the flavors to suit my family.
Flank steak needs to marinate to give it full flavor and to make it tender. It just needs a little attention to make it shine. I cooked this in my air fryer but if you don’t have one you can just toss it on the grill and follow the same basic instructions.
This is a very versatile dish! it can be made spicy with the addition of cayenne. You can serve it with rice or with a side of vegetables. My trick to use less rice is to make an “island” of rice in the middle of your plate. Just a rim and put the curried shrimp in the middle.
This time of year I make many casseroles. First reason is it makes for great cold weather comfort food. Second reason is so many people need a dish to take to a party or potluck.
This makes a quick light appetizer that's pretty in the summer. Or it can be a side salad or even an Italian side dish to go great with grilled summer foods.
This dish is full of vitamins. One cup of Swiss chard has over 700% of the vitamin K you need in one day. Over 200% of the vitamin A you need and over 50% of your vitamin C.
The broiling of a tomato lends a special sweetness to it. The garlic adds an Italian zing. Serve with any simple grilled, baked, broiled or roasted meat and you have dinner in a flash.
This recipe was submitted by Plan Z dieter Karen, who is a huge fan of Charlie Trotter. She found this recipe in Charlie Trotter's first cookbook. Thanks Karen!
This is my favorite recipe development in quite some time. It’s so simple. It’s so satisfying. Sort of like a warm version of bruschetta sauce or a chicken parmagiana with no cheese.
This makes a very authentic tasting meal that is satisfying and still diet food! Because of the breading on this dish you’ll skip your bread portion for this meal.
The leftovers for this meal will travel well so make extra and you can take some to work for lunch! This is not an overly spicy dish. If you want it HOT you can add some cayenne.
We had a big party the other day. I wanted to serve several items that are approved on Plan Z. This beef recipe can even be eaten on the ZReduction portion of the diet.
A STRUCTURED, COACHED, DELICIOUS REAL FOOD DIET PROGRAM.
At Plan Z, we give dieters education, recipes, counseling, support and a patented homeopathic spray called the ZR50 Crave Control spray, designed to suppress the cravings and discomfort associated with dieting. Our goal is to educate consumers on how to eat as healthy as possible, without compromising taste and to teach dieters to lose weight – and keep the weight off. One round of Plan Z is 3-1/2 months long.
Our dieters lose an average of 31 pounds in the first 50 days, without exercise.
This is what our clients are saying...
Everyone comments about my weight loss and how I look like a totally different person from this time last year….Being a guy who has tried literally every other diet out there I’ve never lost as much weight as I did on Plan Z.Josh "Biggie" Ellinger, WKRR-FM Lost 250 pounds
I lost 30 pounds and have kept it off and my blood pressure is below 120/80 (I have never had the blood pressure reading I do now). Since I’ve lost the weight, I’ve said goodbye to some other things: sore knees, aching back, and a chronic foot problem. I attribute this all to losing weight on the Plan Z Diet.Rob Siems, KLAD-FM, Lost 30 pounds
[My doctor] had nothing but raving reviews for me. He said A+++++. Shook my hand three times and said he’s never seen a change like this in anyone….I don’t think I’ve ever seen him at a loss for words in the 25 years I’ve known him. He said that according to my numbers I’m healthier than some 25 year olds.Harry O'Neill, KLSS-FM, Lost 175 pounds
Thankfully, I found Plan Z by Zola and made a life-changing investment in myself. This is truly the first time I’ve been able to lose the weight and keep it off. The best part is that I’m not worried about gaining it back, because the education I received with Plan Z has taught me what was really keeping me fat!Aleese Fielder, KTFX-FM, Lost 45 pounds
In June of 2009, I was a mess. That’s me in the pink top. I’m sitting there thinking, “I wish I had shown up late for the family photo so I could have hidden in the back row. Then only my face would show.” That’s how much I disliked having my picture taken. As it turns out, having a front-row seat was a blessing in disguise. Seeing that picture made me vow to take control of my weight. I wanted my body back, even if it meant doing something drastic. I started dieting at 12 years old and have been working at it (in one form or another) ever since. I went to ridiculous measures to lose weight or stay thin. At age 15, I was so fed up with being fatter than other girls that I decided to eat every third day. At 16, I worked a job that required me to ride my bicycle across town all summer long. I worked two shifts so I had to do it twice every day. In between shifts I came home and had one single, solitary, fried egg and a glass of milk. One school year all I ate was a hot dog with no ketchup and a diet soda every day. Any of this sound familiar to you?
One year, at my job, my assistant went every day to a take-out joint and bought me a Chef Salad and a large diet Coke. That was my calorie consumption per day. On weekends I ate a half of a peanut butter sandwich per day and 3 diet orange sodas. Then, as I became more successful I started paying for diets.
I did Dietene, the “shakes only” plus 10 raspberries or half a banana a day diet that was prescribed by diet doctors. It’s the same diet that Oprah Winfrey did. She lost 40 pounds and on her show dragged her fat around in a wagon to show her point. I lost 52 pounds. Although I don’t know Oprah, she and I have yo-yoed in an almost identical concert ever since. She loses weight. I lose weight. She gains it back. So do I. The reasons I gain it back vary. The lack of long-term success stays the same.
I tried and failed on Atkins to Weight Watchers to Slim Fast, Acai Berry etc. You name it, I’ve done it. I spent 40 years and a small fortune dieting.
I even went to the Obesity Clinic at the University of Wisconsin. They studied me and declared my metabolism a disaster. Nothing left. They put me on experimental meds. Then the head of the department left and the program disbanded. I was left hanging. I went to an eating-disorder psychiatrist for 3 months. They even hypnotized me and found nothing wrong. I went to a dietician who reluctantly put me on a 750 calorie a day diet. After one month and a one-pound loss he resigned. I hired a trainer and worked with her 3 days a week for 7 years. No weight loss, but I sure got strong. I took Phen-Fen for 18 months before it had that nickname and before they found out it could kill you. They came and found me two years later to get my heart tested. I was fine, but it was not a success for me. I had only lost 8 pounds in all that time.
Then there are the diets I didn’t do: Jenny Craig, Nutra-Systems, and Seattle Sutton. Anything that required me to buy pre-packaged food, frozen, shrink-wrapped and shipped to me in boxes was out of the question. I figured with those, that as soon as the boxes quit coming, and I had to go back to regular food, the weight would come back.
It made no sense to do a “regular” diet again. I didn’t know what to do, but I was intent on doing one more diet. I got hold of an old diet with some ideas that made sense then my husband discovered an obscure book about obesity written by a science writer and targeted at doctors. I watched the book’s author deliver a mind-blowing lecture on why we get fat. The author convinced me that most of the diet advice we have been sold and told for decades is wrong. At last, I was connected to some credible, brand new weight loss information. For the first time in my life, I knew why I got fat, and more importantly, what to do about it. This is when I started designing a new way to diet and developed a new mindset about eating. I dropped 28 pounds in a little over five weeks and I kept it off. My doctor took me off my blood pressure meds and the weight kept coming off.
I know what you’re going through. I’ve lived through more than my fair share of dieting horror stories - but you don’t have to make the same mistakes I did.
Today Plan Z has dieters in over 42 states and ten countries. The reason our program is so successful is that I’ve taken the education that I’ve learned along with all of my diet failures and have developed a program that truly works.
YES! If you are overweight and struggling with obesity related health issues then you’re covered.
You can pay for Plan Z with your HSA or FSA card, or you can order Plan Z and get reimbursed through your insurance company.
HSA/FSA Debit Card:
You can use your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) debit card to pay for Plan Z as long as it has a MasterCard or Visa logo on it. Order online just like you would with a regular credit card. Keep a copy of your packing slip for your records.
Health Insurance Reimbursement:
If you have an obesity related illness and your doctor recommends you lose weight, Plan Z is likely covered by your insurance. Ask your doctor to give you a letter of medical necessity on their letterhead saying they recommend Plan Z. Click here to download a sample form of what the letter should look like. Or you can have them fill out this form. Take both forms to your doctor and let them decide which one they prefer to use. Submit the paperwork and your Plan Z packing slip to your insurance company for reimbursement.
All insurance coverages are different, so check with your insurance provider for more info or call us at 800-255-9853.
This two day phase is your time to say goodbye to all the foods you’re going to miss while on ZReduction. You’ll also start taking your ZR50 Crave Control spray. It takes a couple of days for the formula to kick in, so by starting the diet with a binge you won’t be hungry when you start reducing. Don’t worry, the weight comes off fast.
Phase 2: ZReduction
Follow the rules and the weight drops off.
ZReduction lasts for 48 days. You will eat lean meats, fresh fruit and non-starchy veggies. You will avoid heavy fats, complex carbs and sugars. The ZR50 Crave Control spray manages your cravings for sweet and fatty foods. Hunger like you experienced on other diets is a thing of the past.
Once you stop eating processed foods and start eating real food, your insulin levels begin to normalize. Your fat cells can release fatty acids into your bloodstream. This stored fat contains calories you ate years ago but your body never used.
Once stored fat is able to be released, your body will happily burn it; without exercise. Plan Z shows you how.
Phase 3: ZReboot
Eat like royalty without gaining the weight back.
Over the next six weeks on ZReboot, your food choices expand. Your calorie intake increases. You’ll eat, drink and merrily maintain your weight, and you’ll have the secrets to getting yourself back in check if you start to weave off track.
We teach you what to eat going forward – and why. You’ll discover the pitfalls of the processed food industry and what to watch out for. You’ll be amazed how much food your body can handle with no weight gain. ZReboot proves to you, through your own experience, that Plan Z works – and it works for the long haul. At the same time, you’ll discover your relationship with food can be fun. No more guilt trips. No more back slips.
Phase 4: ZLife
Your thinner future.
Phase four of Plan Z is called ZLife, and yes, it can last indefinitely. You can eat what you want, but you won’t crave the foods that make you fat. You will have new, lifelong habits that will keep you thin. Imagine feeling in control of your body again and knowing your life of dieting is in your past. You’ll know what foods your body is sensitive to, and you’ll know how to course correct if you start to gain.
Our goal is to help you never think about dieting again. You will love the way you look and feel; and you’ll have more love to give your family. Plan Z is an eating plan for the rest of your life.
It made no sense to do a “regular” diet again. I didn’t know what to do, but I was intent on doing one more diet. I got hold of an old diet with some ideas that made sense then my husband discovered an obscure book about obesity written by a science writer and targeted at doctors. I watched the book’s author deliver a mind-blowing lecture on why we get fat. The author convinced me that most of the diet advice we have been sold and told for decades is wrong. At last, I was connected to some credible, brand new weight loss information. For the first time in my life, I knew why I got fat, and more importantly, what to do about it. This is when I started designing a new way to diet and developed a new mindset about eating. I dropped 28 pounds in a little over five weeks and I kept it off. My doctor took me off my blood pressure meds and the weight kept coming off.
