The lemon boosts your metabolism, stabilizes your blood sugar levels, and acts as a natural dietetic.
The ginger is for bloating and water retention, and it boosts your metabolism. Ginger is also great for any kind of stomach or digestive issues.
Cucumbers are natural diuretics, help to curb sugar cravings and flush out toxins.
Mint helps to suppress your appetite, helps to detoxify and helps to get rid of flatulence. It also makes you sweat because it is a natural diaphoretic.
However, even if all that was not true, this is an excellent way to jazz up your water. When you get tired of drinking plain water, it helps you to drink more - because the flavor is amazing!
Other ideas to add: strawberries, berries, pineapple, tangerine, lemon balm, bee balm, lavender.
NOTE: Use fresh ginger.... keep it in the freezer to make it easy to grate and easy to clean up. It will keep longer that way.
Servings - makes eight 8-oz glassesPrep Time: 10 minutes
Net Carbs: 0 carbs
Potential Allergens: citrus
Free of Wheat, Gluten, Soy, Sugar, Nuts, Tomato, dairy, egg, meat
Ingredients:
one lemon, sliced
one cucumber, medium
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
10-12 mint leaves
8 cups of water
2-4 green tea bags
Preparation:The night before, boil 8 cups of water, add the green tea bags, let steep. Once it is cooled, pour into a large glass pitcher and add remaining ingredients.
Stir, and put it in the fridge overnight, leaving all ingredients in the picture, including the tea bags.
The next day, simply pour yourself a glass and drink throughout the day. They say to drink one pitcher's worth each day for maximum results.
Nutritional Data:
Per 8-oz - 8g calories, 0g fat, 0g carbs, 0 fiber, 0g protein
Estimated Glycemic Load - 1
Inflammation Factor - 19
Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Sassy Water
Photo credit: Catherine McDiarmid-Watt
All rights reserved
Shopping List:
• lemon
• cucumber
• fresh ginger
• mint leaves
• green tea
Which Diet Is Right for You?
- Are you thinking about starting a diet? Take this quiz to find out which fits your personality!TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Flat Belly Diet! Cookbook-- Belly fat is not only unsightly, it's deadly; it has been linked to a long list of adverse health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and breast cancer.
Prevention's Flat Belly Diet, a revolutionary plan that's already helped more than one million people lose weight around their middles, may help target dangerous belly fat with monounsaturated fats (better known as MUFAs)—found in delicious foods like nuts and seeds, vegetable oils, olives, avocados, and dark chocolate.
"The food...tastes so good, and there's so much of it!"
On the Flat Belly Diet, it's important to enjoy these foods, in the right amounts, with every meal. The Flat Belly Diet! Cookbook makes that easy.
All of the recipes were carefully developed to make sure every meal includes just the right amount of MUFAs and meets the plan's 400-calorie guideline, so readers can mix and match meals to suit their taste. And there's no need to count calories. All the work has already been done!
Click to read more
I came across this recipe on Pinterest, and I am in love!
I found several versions - kalynskitchen.com, snackinginthekitchen.com, and cheeseslave.com.
So, as usual, I had to play with the recipe - of course I made some changes. I tried it first in regular muffin pans with muffin papers - don't do it!
The muffins stick to the muffin papers and are impossible to remove. So next I tried them in large silicone muffin pans and they popped out beautifully!
Servings - makes six large muffins
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Net Carbs: 3.4g carbs per muffin
Potential Allergens: dairy, egg
Free of Wheat, Gluten, Soy, Sugar, Nuts, Tomato
Ingredients:2 cups of Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 TBSP Parmesan Cheese, grated
1/3 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
4 slices Bacon - reduced salt
6 TBSP Peppers, yellow, red, green, chopped
6 large eggs
1 tsp baking powder, gluten-free
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp pepper, black
Preparation:
Cut up bacon into small pieces and fry till well-cooked.
Distribute evenly in muffin cups.
Chop peppers and put 1 TBSP in each muffin cup.
Distribute the cheddar cheese in the muffin cups.
Mix eggs, cream, baking powder and spices together. pour into muffin cups, about 3/4 full. Stir lightly.
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and bake at 350 F for 30-35 minutes - until muffins have risen and are lightly browned and set.
Nutritional Data:
Per muffin - 432g calories, 37.3g fat, 3.6 carbs, 0.2 fiber, 21.1g protein
Estimated Glycemic Load - 1
Inflammation Factor - 0
Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Low Carb Egg Muffins
Photo credit: Catherine McDiarmid-Watt
All rights reserved
Shopping List:
• Eggs
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Red, yellow, green peppers
• Cheddar Cheese
• Comal County Bacon
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Baking Powder, Gluten Free, Sodium Free
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Ground Black Pepper
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
1,001 Low-Carb Recipes: Hundreds of Delicious Recipes from Dinner to Dessert That Let You Live Your Low-Carb Lifestyle and Never Look Back-- This tasty collection draws on the best 1,001 recipes from Dana Carpender’s bestselling books including 500 Low-Carb Recipes, 15-Minute Low-Carb Recipes, 500 More Low-Carb Recipes, 200 Low-Carb Slow Cooker Recipes, The Low-Carb Barbeque Book, and Low-Carb Smoothies.
You’ll find delicious and varied options including recipes for "high-carb" foods you thought you had to give up forever such as Cinnamon Raisin Bread and Mocha Chocolate Cheesecake.
Staying the low-carb course will be easy with choices from barbecue to slow-cooker to internationally-inspired dishes.
Click to read more
Two months into my low carb/high fat diet.My weight loss for this month is another 6 lbs (2.72 kg)!
Which means I have lost a total of 23.2 lbs (10.52 kg) since New Year's Day.
The first month was kind of hard, but I am getting into the groove now, and with all the great recipes I have been finding, I am really enjoying my meals.
My husband is getting a bit jealous, because I give him a taste of what I make for myself, and he wants more! Now if I could just find the time to write down all my recipes for you!
How are you doing - how much weight have you lost so far?
An Update:
I started a low calorie/low fat diet (1,400-1,600 calories/day) right after New Year's, and in three month's time, I lost 8 pounds (3.63 kg). An average of 2.67 pounds (1.21 kg)/month.
On March 22nd, I started the Low Carb / High Fat diet (1,800-2,000 calories/day, 20-30g carbs). In just one month's time, I lost an additional 9.6 pounds (4.35 kg)!
Stock Photo credit: Gastonmag
Modified by Catherine McDiarmid-Watt
All rights reserved
Ozeri Touch Digital Bathroom Scale-- With the ability to provide instant weight measurements and calculate body fat, hydration, muscle mass and bone measurements, the Ozeri Touch 440 lb Digital Bathroom Scale is one of the most advanced bathroom scales.
With embedded StepOn technology, it automatically powers on upon contact. No more tapping needed to activate the scale. It features 3 Touch Sensitive Buttons for easy operation, and 4 icons that automatically illuminate on the screen for Body Fat, Hydration, Muscle and Bone measurements.
The Ozeri Touch includes built-in memory for up to 8 user profiles. Each profile stores weight, gender, height, and age data so that your family members can each track their progress. The Ozeri Touch Digital Bathroom Scale combines advanced algorithms with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BI), incorporating a person's age, height, gender and weight to accurately calculate advanced measurements.
Click to read more
Yesterday was my birthday, and so I was looking around online for a low carb birthday cake.While I did find a few, they all used artificial sweeteners and since I am still experiencing a headache from the Yogurt Bites I made the other day with yogurt sweetened with Splenda - I thought I would pass.
But I did come across a recipe for Low Carb Pancakes, so I thought I would make a treat for my lunch!
Mine didn't come out as pretty as her's, but they still tasted good!
1/4 cup (56ml) cream cheese
2 large eggs
1 tsp (2ml) date palm sugar (optional)
1/2 tsp (1ml) cinnamon (optional)
1 tbsp (15ml) butter
Preparation:
Blend all ingredients in a blender, until smooth. Heat butter at medium in frying pan. Pour 1/4 of the batter into a hot pan. Cook for two minutes until golden, flip and cook one more minute on the other side. Repeat with the rest of the batter.You can serve this with sugar free syrup (or any syrup of your choice) and fresh berries. If you do, you don't need to add the palm sugar, it is sweet enough with the syrup.
I didn't have any, and I am not going to try artificial sweeteners again, so I always add the palm sugar and cinnamon. I have tried both a dollop of butter on top of my panckaes - or - I add a teaspoon of Cinnamon Spread (2.4g carbs) to my plate and eat a bit of it with each bite of pancakes.
Nutritional Data:
Per pancake - 122g calories, 11.2g fat, 2.3 carbs, 0.3 fiber, 4.1g protein
Estimated Glycemic Load - 1
Inflammation Factor - 0
Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Low Carb Gluten-Free Pancakes
Photo credit: Catherine McDiarmid-Watt
All rights reserved
Shopping List:
• Eggs
• Cream Cheese
• Cinnamon
• Organic Coconut Palm Sugar
• Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
1,001 Low-Carb Recipes: Hundreds of Delicious Recipes from Dinner to Dessert That Let You Live Your Low-Carb Lifestyle and Never Look Back-- This tasty collection draws on the best 1,001 recipes from Dana Carpender’s bestselling books including 500 Low-Carb Recipes, 15-Minute Low-Carb Recipes, 500 More Low-Carb Recipes, 200 Low-Carb Slow Cooker Recipes, The Low-Carb Barbeque Book, and Low-Carb Smoothies.
You’ll find delicious and varied options including recipes for "high-carb" foods you thought you had to give up forever such as Cinnamon Raisin Bread and Mocha Chocolate Cheesecake.
Staying the low-carb course will be easy with choices from barbecue to slow-cooker to internationally-inspired dishes.
Click to read more
I was looking for something to make with chicken soup and the low carb cracker recipe I found on DiabetesForum.com used Almonds, which I cannot due to an allergy.
So I played with it a bit and made some no-carb crackers - and they taste great! The only thing is, I did not measure the cheese I grated - I did 16 strokes on the grater and guessed that was 2 ounces? I will have to measure it next time. But no matter how much cheese, it was still no carb.
Servings - makes 5 crackers
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Net Carbs: 0g carbs per cracker
Potential Allergens: dairy
Free of Wheat, Gluten, Egg, Soy, Sugar, Nuts, meat.
Ingredients:
5 tbsp Mozzarella cheese, whole milk, whole fat
5 - 1/4 tsp Parmesan cheese, grated
Garlic Salt (optional)
Preparation:
I used a small plastic cutting board and covered it with parchment/baking paper - so the cheese didn't stick. You could also use a plate.
Don't use waxed paper, it will stick and be a mess!
Grate any cheese of your choice, sprinkle 5 piles (about 1 tbsp each) on baking sheet.
Sprinkle 1/4 tsp of Parmesan cheese on on each pile.
Shake a tiny amount of garlic salt on each pile. (Or any herb/spice mix you would like)Place cutting board or plate with the cheese piles in microwave, for 1 minute. Let cool.
Nutritional Data:
Per cracker - 36g calories, 3g fat, 0 carbs, 0 fiber, 3g protein
Estimated Glycemic Load - 0
Inflammation Factor - (-6)
Nutrition Facts and Analysis for No Carb Cheese Crackers
Photo credit: Catherine McDiarmid-Watt
All rights reserved
Shopping List:
• Fresh Mozzarella (BelGioioso)
• Kraft 100% Real Parmesan Cheese
• Garlic Salt
• Wilton Parchment Paper
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION
300 15-Minute Low-Carb RecipesHundreds of Delicious Meals That Let You Live Your Low-Carb Lifestyle and Never Look Back
-- Eat well, stay fit, and maintain your low-carb diet with these 300 delicious and easy recipes that can be made in 15 minutes or less from start to finish. Simple and speedy cooking methods will lead you to a fabulous finished product every time.
Studies show that low-carbohydrate dieting works to take weight off and improve cholesterol. But 300 15-Minute Low-Carb Recipes proves that low-carb doesn't mean you have to sacrifice flavor and taste. All of these low-carb recipes by bestselling author Dana Carpender will provide you and your family with delicious, nutritious, and filling meals that will keep you feeling healthy and leave your stomach stuffed.
Length: 360 pages
Click to read more
I tried out a Low Carb Bagel recipe given to me by JWag on the DiabetesForum.com and I am so proud of how these turned out! And they do taste delicious with butter!
Flaxseed - Some call this seed one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet. It may help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes.
Chia Seeds are superior to other plant and marine sources of essential omega-3 oils. It is also high in antioxidants and fiber. It is high in protein and lipids, low in sodium, and has fewer net carbs than most other grains.
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 22 minutes
Net Carbs - 2.3 per bagel
Potential Allergens: egg
Free of Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Sugar, Nuts, meat, no added salt.
Ingredients:
6 tbsp (90 ml) Golden Flaxseed, ground
4 tbsp (60 ml) Chia Seeds
2 tbsp (30 ml) Coconut Oil
2 large eggs
2 tsp (6 ml) Coconut Flour
1/2 tsp (3 ml) Baking powder
Preparation
I melted the coconut oil in the microwave for 20 seconds.
Then I added in the ground flaxseed, chia seeds, baking powder, and coconut flour.
Stir everything together, add eggs and mix with dry ingredients.Then I poured the batter into a donut pan, and baked in a 350 F oven for 20 minutes.
You can add all sorts of things to this, I have to remember to buy some poppy seeds, I love poppy seed bagels!
Great with cream cheese too!
Nutritional Information:Net Carbs - 2.3
Per bagel - 184g calories, 14.9g fat, 10.5g carbs, 8.2g fiber, 7.3g protein
Estimated Glycemic Load - 1
Inflammation Factor - 0
For more information:
Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Low Carb/Gluten-Free Bagels
Photo credit: Catherine McDiarmid-Watt
All rights reserved
Shopping list:
• Bob's Red Mill Organic Golden Flaxseed
• Health Warrior Premium Chia Seeds
• Nature's Way Coconut Oil
• Bob's Red Mill Organic Coconut Flour
• Baking Powder, Gluten Free, Sodium Free
• Wilton Nonstick 6-Cavity Donut Pan
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
500 Low-Carb Recipes: 500 Recipes from Snacks to Dessert, That the Whole Family Will Love-- One of the toughest challenges of any diet is having enough variety and choices to keep the dieter from losing interest. The most common reason that people abandon their diet is boredom but 500 LOW CARB RECIPES: 500 Recipes, From Snacks to Dessert, That the Whole Family Will Love by Dana Carpender has more than enough recipes to keep even the most finicky dieter on track.
With recipes for everything including hors oeuvres, snacks, breads, muffins, side dishes, entrees, cookies, cakes and much more, this is an endless supply for creating meals for the whole family night after night. Whether everyone in the family is on a diet or not, these recipes are proven winners with adults and kids alike.
Click to read more
I tried to make Low Carb/Gluten-Free Pizza last night for dinner - it worked OK, but I think it still needs work.I used the recipe from "Low Carb and Gluten Free Comfort Foods" with a few changes.
To make the crust, the recipe says to fry 1 cup of shredded cheese in 1 tsp of olive oil in a large frying pan.
I think frying the "crust" in oil is too greasy, no matter what oil you use. Next time, I am going to try in the oven and then in the microwave and see what works best.
In the past I have made some wonderful "Taco Shells" out of cheese in the microwave, but that might be too crispy for pizza crust? I will keep you updated on this experiment!NOTE: I used too much meat this time - the recipe called for much more than I needed. This time I used 2 strips of bacon and an 11" (28 cm) pepperoni stick.
Next time I will use half that and it will be plenty.
Random Activities That Burn Calories
- There's really no substitute for working out. Check out how many calories you burn doing random things like skydiving!Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Net Carbs - 1.5 per slice
Potential Allergens: Meat, dairy, tomato
Free of Wheat, Gluten, Eggs, Soy, Sugar, Nuts, no added salt.
Ingredients:
1 cup (250 ml) shredded cheese (for crust)1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
3 tbsp (45 ml) of Bruschetta (instead of pizza sauce)
1 gluten-free pepperoni stick (5.5 inches - 14 cm)
1 strip of bacon, cooked
1/3 cup (84 ml) shredded cheese for topping
For a total of 6 carbs for the whole pizza!
Preparation:
Warm up oil on medium heat. Add 1 cup of shredded cheese. Cook till edges are hard and crisp. Spread on Bruschetta and top with meat and remaining cheese. Continue cooking till cheese topping begins to melt.
It tasted great - just very oily.
Nutritional Data:
One slice - 199 calories, 18.4g fat, 1.5g carbs, 0g fiber, 7.4g protein
Estimated Glycemic Load - 0
Inflammation Factor - 0
For more information:
Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Low Carb Pizza
Shopping List:
• Miller's Fancy Shredded Mozzarella/Cheddar Cheese
• Pepperoni Snack Sticks
• Comal County Bacon
• Don Pomodoro Bruschetta Tomato Topping
• DaVinci Extra Virgin Olive Oil
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION
Low Carb and Gluten Free Comfort Foods-- Numerous studies show that people can lose significant weight when eating low carb, even when they do not cut back on the number of calories!
Of course, as always people will debate this as they will debate anything that has to do with the human diet; but, the fact remains that it appears that you can eat more calories on a low carb diet and lose the same amount of weight.
So, if your aim is to simply lose weight without starving yourself, a low carb diet may be a good choice for you.
Like eating low carb, one of the major benefits of a gluten free diet is that it has been shown to help people lose weight; but, that is overshadowed by the massive benefits that can be had by removing the gluten. Gluten is a protein that is toxic to many of us and because it is toxic to our systems it can have many different harmful effects.
Length: 49 pages (estimated)
Click to read more
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