Progress

I thought I would give a little update on my progress as it has been awhile and people have been inquiring.  I am now down a total of 67 pounds, about 15 of those since the first of the year.  I would really like to be down 100 in total by my one year anniversary in July so still an obtainable goal.  I have dropped 2 pant sizes and 1 top size.  My first 50 pounds were lost at an average of about 10 pounds per month.  I have seen that decline a bit the last couple of months losing 7-8 pounds per month.  This is still perfectly acceptable to me.  I recognize my body is adapting as I get lighter and I will hit stalls every now and again, it is just part of the process.  What has been important to me as the weight loss has slowed a bit is remind myself why I am doing what I am doing.  I have also started allowing myself to be photographed again.  I really hate having my picture taken but I also want to document my journey and how I am doing.  Sometimes I see myself in a photo and it doesn't feel like me.  I also sometimes step into pants which I am sure won't fit and they do.  It is a strange feeling when you're body starts to become smaller than you are used to.  This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago.  It was a nice angle so don't let it fool you, there is still a double chin under there! 

Low Carb Cheese Danish

I have a great recipe to share today.  It isn't often that I can eat things like cookies or pastries because they are typically not low carb.  I found a recipe online for Low Carb Cheese Danish so decided to spend my Saturday morning attempting to make them.  I wasn't disappointed in my efforts.  These definitely have a different texture from the normal Danish dough but I actually really liked the texture.  I doubled the recipe since I figured my girls would want to try them as well and if I was going to the effort may as well make some extras for later! 

Low Carb Cheese Danish Recipe.

Makes 3 danishes.  I doubled the recipe in the pic above.

Dough
1 1/4 C of full fat grated mozzarella cheese
6 Tbs Almond Flour
3 Tbs Coconut Flour
4 Tbs Sugar Substitute - Erythritol, Stevia, Truvia are all good options
1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
2 Tbs Oat Fiber (optional but I like the flavor and texture this adds)
4 Tbs melted butter
1 large egg

Filling
6 oz Full fat cream cheese
1 Tsp Lemon juice
1/2 Tsp Vanilla
1/4 c Sugar Substitute
1 Egg Yolk
Optional - Sugar Free/ Low-carb Jam or Jelly

Frosting
3 Tbs Powdered Sugar Substitute - you an turn your sugar substitute to powdered by running it through the food processor
2 Tbs Heavy Cream
2 oz Cream Cheese
1/2 Tsp Vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Filling
Add all ingredients other than jelly to mixing bowl and mix on high speed until fully mixed.  Set aside.

Dough
Add almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, oat fiber, and sugar substitute to large microwave safe mixing bowl.  Whisk ingredients together. Mix melted butter and vanilla together and then add to dry ingredients.  In a glass dish, melt mozzarella in microwave slowly ensuring it doesn't burn.   Add fully melted mozzarella and egg to bowl as well.  Using your hands, start to mix the dough, working it together until fully incorporated.  If the mozzarella becomes difficult to work with, heat the mixture up in the microwave again.  Wetting your hands with water may also help in combining.  Once the dough is fully mixed get out a cookie sheet.  You can either grease your cookie sheet or use parchment paper or a silpat to keep the danishes from sticking.  Separate dough into 4 parts.  Start to work each quarter into a Danish shape making the edges a bit higher to "hold" the filling in place.  Add the filling to the danishes by filling the "wells" you have created in the danish.  Do not add jelly at this time.  If you want to use jelly it is best to add in the last few minutes of the cooking time to keep it from burning and then closely monitor as the Danish completes the cooking process.  Bake danishes for 10-13 minutes until edges are slightly brown.

Frosting
Melt cream cheese in microwave until soft.  Add additional ingredients and mix well.  Put into a sandwich bag.  Once the danishes are done, clip the corner of the bag and pipe frosting across the danishes as desired. 

Let cool a few minutes and then enjoy.  I had mine with a nice cup of Chai & Mighty from David's Tea.

Keto Cinnamon Toast Crunch

I have another discovery for you -- Keto Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  I admit, cereal is one of the things I miss quite a bit.  The crunch of cereal in milk is something I just couldn't imagine being able to re-create on keto.  Until today.  I whipped this up in a couple of minutes and while not exactly the same as Cinnamon Toast Crunch, it satisfies the craving.  Now the pork rinds -- I know they aren't for everyone and even weirder as a cereal.  I was a bit on the fence myself but went for it and wasn't grossed out.  It's amazing the things I'll try now that I've been on a bread-pasta free diet for 8 months!

Keto Cinnamon Toast Crunch Recipe

1 serving of plain pork rinds - broken into bite size pieces
1/2 tsp of cinnamon
1 Tbs sugar substitute
2 Tbs heavy whipping cream

Directions:  In a cereal bowl combine first thing ingredients mixing well to cover the pork rinds in dust.  Add cream and mix together.  Eat quickly so pork rinds don't turn mushy. 

Goat Cheese Stuffed Sweet Peppers

I have another great keto side or snack to share today.  As you know, I am on a goat cheese kick right now and was trying to think of ways to incorporate it with other foods I can eat.  I sometimes struggle to find a creative snack or side to go with my meals as the same old cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels get old.  While at the grocery store the other day it hit me... Goat Cheese Stuffed Sweet Peppers.  So tonight, I made that thought a reality.  It is super easy to make and turned out awesome.

Cut sweet peppers in half, rinse and remove seeds.  My grocery store sells sweet peppers in bags.Stuff goat cheese inside each half of pepper, as much as you like.  Place on baking sheet.  Bake in oven on 425 for about 12 minutes or until peppers and cheese start to brown.  Once removed from the oven, sprinkle lightly garlic salt over the top.  Enjoy.

Deadpool

Over the weekend my husband talked me into seeing Deadpool.  Well to be honest, it was more of a negotiation.  He help me with some cleaning and I go see the movie with him.  I fully expected to dislike the film. In fact I negotiated seeing it in the balcony so I could eat at the same time in case I did hate it, I would at least be fed and occupied. I'm not into superhero films and it just didn't strike me as something I would enjoy.  I was so wrong. The film was awesome. Full of snark -- great writing.  It was R-rated so I don't recommend for children but if you aren't easily offended, love pop culture, and may have grown up in the 80's and 90's, you'll likely love it too.  They are already making a sequel and I can't wait.

Low Carb Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana

I recently went to dinner with a friend and she chose Olive Garden.  I've never been a huge Olive Garden fan but since my diet, I'm not so finicky about where I eat out at as long as I have some keto options.  Strange how that is, give me fewer options and I care less!  I checked the menu ahead of time to determine what options I would have and ended up not being disappointed.  I skipped the bread sticks (the horror) and ordered the Zuppa Toscana to start. Olive Garden's version comes with chunks of potatoes but I figured out I could just eat around them, so I did.  I could also have done the salad but I eat a lot of salad already so wanted something different.  For my entree I got some baked talapia with a side of steamed broccoli. It wasn't the only option I had either but a good choice.  The soup was the best though.  In fact my waiter told me if I had told him up front he would have just got me more broth and skimped on the potatoes.  Next time.  As I was eating the soup, I thought, I bet I could make this low-carb at home.  And so I did.  Below is my recipe for my low-carb version of Zuppa Toscana, which turned out so good that my family had a hard time staying out of it.  Next time, I think I'll double the recipe.  Also to note, my version has more veggies and sausage... I had to make up for the potatoes somehow.

Low-carb Zuppa Toscana

Ingredients:
2 Tbs Real Butter
1/2 Chopped Onion
1 Tbs Minced Garlic
1/2 Tsp Red Pepper
1 LB Sweet Italian Sausage
1 Pkg Frozen Spinach
5 C Chicken Broth
Heavy Whipping Cream
Grated Parmesan Cheese
Salt & Pepper to taste


On the stove in a large soup pot, add your butter and chopped onion.  Stir until onion is translucent.  Add frozen spinach and mix together with onion until spinach breaks down.  Add garlic and red pepper.  Add sausage and cook until sausage is fully cooked.  Add chicken broth, salt and pepper.   Let cook on stove for at least 30 minutes.  Ladle soup into serving bowl and a splash of heavy whipping cream and stir together.  Top with grated Parmesan.

Believe me, you won't be disappointed.

I did consider adding cauliflower as a potato supplement. My family isn't big on cauliflower so I decided not to this time but will probably give it a try next time.

Goodbye Harper Lee

A Southern literature legend, Harper Lee, passed away today.

"You never really understand until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." -- To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee