How much weight have YOU gained during the pandemic???
I'll come clean.
We've all been through so much these last few months,
let's lift one another up with our combined strength.
Whether we've been ordering out, buying comfort foods (chips, cake, cookies, Ben & Jerry's)
or making meals that have maybe one food group in them (carbs, carbs with a side of carbs) we've fallen back down the rabbit-hole and I for one have to something about this because the rabbit hole is too tight to climb back out of.
What, it's just me? Can it??? Seriously.
I've had to have a long talk with myself (VERY long talk) that said it was time to pull it together and value my health once again. With resolve (and a little whining) I knew I had to go back to beyond the basics. It was necessary to eliminate all sugar, most of my carbs and not to cry the whole time. To many it sounds like the Keto diet, but it's absolutely not. It's a brass tacks elimination diet to eliminate the refined foods, cheap snacks that are made with recycled fat from restaurants, sugar, sugar and lots more sugar. Then I'll begin to add foods a little at a time (one item at a time) to pinpoint the exact foods that give me problems. Like I don't already know, but I could be missing some things.
Honestly, the first couple of days were hell. Withdrawing from any addictive substance is not pleasant albeit downright awful. Remember, sugar can light up more parts of your brain than cocaine. By the 3rd day though the cravings were easing up and I slowly began my recovery.
Before I continue, I'd like to tell everyone the difference between the Keto diet and what I'm doing.
Because I research everything I tell you and as more research develops, I update. I try some of these (ugh) diets so no one can say I don't know what I'm talking about.
The Keto diet consists of 70 % fat, 15% protein and 5 % carbohydrates.
Have you ever tried to eat 70% fat in one day. Why not just chew a damn stick of butter. Then chew another one. Bulletproof coffee?? Full fat cream and MORE BUTTER! Butter in coffee? Kill me now. All it would take is a couple of cups of that coffee.
5% carbs consists of looking at a cracker and just walking on by it. I could eat a brick of cheese BUT NO CRACKER. Low carb bread? I've gotten several responses. YES, it's ok if there's enough fiber and protein to counteract the carbs. NO it's not ok! It has wheat in it. Low carb tortilla? Yes. No. Yea, no. Meanwhile, while I tried to figure this out, I'll just have my midday snack of A STICK OF BUTTER! That was the longest three weeks I never want to cry my way through again.
My one big issue is bread. I want a sandwich and lettuce wraps were not going to cut it. Thus, my experiments and possible product purchases began. I tried "the only low carb bread recipe you'll ever need". First of all, if the recipe starts with "the only one you'll ever need" trust me, you're going to need another one. It came out great if you like an omelet shaped like a brick loaf. I decided on grain free Ezekiel bread. It's a sturdy bread, but at least it doesn't taste like a quiche.
Not all of them quests to find new products and recipes worked out (anyone want my green banana flour?) however I did come across some wonderful ways to have my carb free cake and actually want to eat it too. The best part? It tastes like cake, because it is cake. I switched flour for almond flour and/or coconut flour. I slso add an extra egg for a finer crumb (that's what some bakeries do).
Below are some recipes that have made this new journey of mine much tastier. Once the "stuff" is out of your system, it's almost miraculous how quickly your body will heal and the cravings are completely gone. My food intake is back where it should be, my energy is returning and I actually have ambition to get things done. Laundry, however will never be one of those things.
As always, use organic when possible and make adjustments for your dietary preferences. (vegan etc.)
I"e been asked many times if I'd include some non vegetarian recipes so I've included a couple of fish dishes my family really enjoys.
IMPORTANT:
There is a big difference between total carbs and NET carbs. For every gram of fiber, it cancels out a gram of carb. These become the carbs your body cannot absorb.
EG: Carb balance tortillas have 19 grams of TOTAL carbs. They also have 15 grams of fiber. 19-15= 4 grams NET carbs. So all your body is absorbing is 4 grams! It's also important to have protein when you eat as it helps slow down the insulin spike.
Recipe for magic mix is at the bottom of the blog.
Walleye with fresh salsa Photo above.
(use any white fish you enjoy)
Salsa
1/2 chopped red onion or 1/2 c chopped scallion3 vine ripened tomatoes, diced
1 roasted (over a stove burner) pablano pepper (jalapeno if you prefer de-seeded and diced
1/2 finely chopped red pepper
1 handful cilantro sliced thin.
squeeze of fresh lime or more to taste
SET ASIDE
Fish
grapeseed oil
salt pepper garlic powder
fresh lime
Season fish with the salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste.
Heat frying pan to med heat. Add oil and heat a tiny bit longer then add fish. Turn heat up to med high.
Depending on the thickness of your fish, cook 2-4 minutes per side. Check half way through to see if it flakes. Don't overcook. Squeeze lime over fish.
You can also roll the fish and salsa up in a low carb tortilla. A good one I found is Mission carb balance. Add avocado if you like.
Serve with your choice of vegetable sides (don't forget the butter)
Insanely good!!
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