The Zone Diet
By Madelyn Miller
 In a perfect world, everyone would have their own personal
chef to prepare, healthy, tasty meals that would be instantly ready when you
were hungry.
The next best thing might be Zone Delivery USA. I signed up
for a three day sampling as a way to get the new year off to a healthy start...
PLANNING AHEAD: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The day before my shipment was scheduled to arrive, a
company representative called and said it would arrive by DLS—a good thing to
know because DLS delivers early morning in my loft building. That mean I had to
be out of my pj’s before 9am—not part of my usual schedule.
 I asked if I needed to have space in my freezer—and
discovered it was all refrigerator –friendly
THE ARRIVAL.
When my Zone arrived in huge Styrofoam box carefully packed
with ice and bubble wrap, it was sort of like unwrapping holiday gifts. These
little jewels meant I did not have to cook or go to the store and there would be
ready made food just waiting for me in the frig.
THE TASTE TEST
 The first thing I tried was a lunch salad—a crispy
combination of chicken strips, vegetables and tomato wedges atop lettuce with a
tangy raspberry dressing. No chopping, no rinsing—I just opened the clear
plastic box and poured it onto an elegant plate. Oprah had nothing on me. My
invisible chef provided a perfect meal.
The thing I liked best was you get two snacks a day. I
decided to save the most tempting one—something that looked like cheesecake.
Instead I did the balance Gold Nutiriton Energy Bar in triple Chocolate Chaos. I
was surprised how satisfying it was.
DISCOVERY NUMBER ONE
I could eat like this and enjoy it.
MY FIRST DINNER
 Having of stash or pre-prepared meals is like having money
in the bank. Even with my three day supply, it was like being in a restaurant
and having 3 menu choices for dinner.
My first choice was a chicken kebob on a bed of nutty rice
with zucchini and summer squash.
I added my second snack as dessert. I chose the Zone
Perfect All Natural Nutrition Bar in Chocolate Peanut Butter. It was crunchy and
creamy and very satisfying. Maybe because it has 16 grams of protein.
I called my mother who has limited mobility and part time
aids. I told her to order these meals since there was no shopping, no
preparation, and virtually no clean up (if you heated the meals in their
microwave ready containers) I like to put mine on a nice plate and pretend I am
eating someplace fancy—like my loft.
FIRST BREAKFAST
 I was going to yoga class—so I decided to choose what
appeared to be the heartiest breakfast. It was sort of like an egg mcmuffin—a
muffin slice, scrabbled egg in a custard-dish shape, bacon and cheese plus a
slice of tomato.
I nuked it for a minute. There were no directions and this
may have been too long. The egg was a little rubbery. But it was better than the
egg mcmuffin at the golden arches place—and a whole lot healthier.
LUNCH NUMBER TWO
I realized the nice pile of boxes in my frig is moving out
fast. I had the fresh apple and cheese wedge snack after yoga and then had a
late lunch of a turkey wrap and tangy three bean salad. As I write this, Dallas
is under an ice-alert and everyone is staying in. Normally I would have nothing
in the house to eat except the yummy chocolates I brought back from Hawaii (and
it is a testament to the Zone satisfaction level that I have not nibbled on them
yet.
I realized the Zone delivery would be wonderful for
increment weather.
SECOND SNACK
This was one of the most interesting items. It seemed to be
a snack of cold meat loaf rounds and potato slices. It made me think of having
delicious leftovers from something I made or from a restaurant (more likely). It
was well seasoned, hearty and supremely satisfying.
SECOND SUPPER
 Lamb chops! What a treat. Something I would never make for
myself. Three luscious little lambchops nestled on a bed of pearl barley and
surrounded by crispy al dente green beans (obviously fresh and not frozen).
The only disappointment was the side dishes seemed a little under seasoned
I have passed the halfway point and not cheated once.
SECOND BREAKFAST
I wish I had eaten this one first. It was a cheese filled
crepe with fresh fruit. The fruit might have been better two days ago—but the
taste was still wonderful. When I stacked the packages in my frig, I put this in
a different pile.
SUGGESTION: take a minute when you get the package and
decide what you will eat each day. I ate all the chocolate bars the first day
and now my snacks for today are a crispy apple bar and a cheese-like custard.
Somewhat similar to my breakfast.
LAST LUNCH
Another crispy salad of Chicken slices with artichoke
hearts, tomato wedges and zucchini slivers and a creamy ranch dressing.
Delicious but I am craving carbohydrate. Decide to go for the next snack NOW so
I don’t get tempted by anything not on the diet.
LAST SNACK
The almond cheesecake is a total winner. I am completely
satisfied now. I wish I could get the recipe. No—maybe it is better to have Zone
Delivery bring me a slice everyday.
MY LAST SUPPER
 This was the big surprise. Not something I would have
ordered off a menu—but I loved it. A fish dish with beets and green and red
lentils. It was great.
Tomorrow my refrigerator will be bare.
LAST BREAKFAST
Would you believe a whole wheat waffle with maple syrup,
blueberries and a sausage patty.
Would I do this again? I was so impressed with the quality
of the food and the packaging that I called my Mom to suggest it to her. While
the service was designed for people who travel—I enjoyed mine while staying
home.
WHAT I LIKED BEST
This was so convenient.
It did not taste like pre-made food—everything was fresh
with interesting flavor and texture combinations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
WWW.zonedeliveryusa.com
1-866-343-8321
Madelyn Miller is a food and travel writer who likes eating
more than cooking. She also likes writing about food. Read her stories on
www.chocolateatlas.com,
www.cocktailatlas.com,
www.TeaAtlas.com, and
www.travellady.com and
www.carladynews.com
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