Turning over a new leaf

I can’t even remember when I started this blog, I was mainly using it as a tracker.  I started to follow the Simply Filling method of eating and had much better success with this than counting points.  The only thing I did find was that all the low fat product did not really satisfy my appetite.  Then I just seemed to plateau after a lot of reading I decided that I would concentrate more on the sugar and carbohydrate content of food.  I radically reduced my sugar intake and started using full fat products and I felt more satisfied and basically healthier.  At the beginning of this year though some changes in family circumstances led me to go back to old habits and turn to food for comfort.  On Friday as I got ready for work I pulled something out of my closet that I had worn in December last year and it was a little tight!!!  So I realized that I had to go back to making some healthier choices.  That little inner battle went on as one part of me said “why not wait until after Christmas”, but I went out and got some “low carb” food choices.

So here is what I have had today :

Breakfast: 331 calories/ 0.8 Carbs
2 eggs, scrambled with butter and 1 oz. cheddar cheese

Snack:  60 Calories / 0 Carb
1 string cheese

Lunch: 232 Calories / 3.9 Carbs
Chicken Salad – This came from Linda’s Low Carb.  I made up 1/2 the recipe, there is still some left for tomorrow.

Snack: 110 Calories / 1 Carb
1/2 Atkins Bar

Dinner: 290 Calories / 6 Carbs
6oz Fish, 2 servings of Summer Blend Vegetables, 3 tsp butter

Snack: 180 Calories / 21.7 Carbs
3 Candy Cane Cups

TOTAL CARBS = 33.4

NUTRIENTS:  60% Fat / 28% Protein / 12% Carbs

Well, I am a bit disappointed I ate those Candy Cane Cups.  I spent most of the day out of the house, so I managed pretty good.  I even took the grandchildren to Tim Horton’s for donuts and I didn’t get one!  But later in the evening a dish of candy kept calling my name.  My absolute upper limit is always 40 Carbs, so I was still under it, but they could have been healthier carbs i.e. more vegetables!!!!

Now I need to get my head around increasing my activity levels too.  I need to get my Fitbit charged up and set myself some fitness goals.

June 4 – Weigh Day

Today I was down another 1.2 pounds for a total of 10.8 pounds in 4 weeks.  I am thrilled particularly as I with my daughter’s wedding approaching (actually today!!!) I have eaten out more than normal.

Week in review

Friday May 30th – Busy day, went out for my daughter’s “hen” night and didn’t record my carbs for the day.  Although I did make good choices.

Saturday May 31st – My Birthday – out for dinner with friends, again did not record my carbs but made sensible choices.

Sunday June 1st – 15g Carbs / 1,864 Calories

Monday June 2nd – 13g Carbs / 1,138 Calories

Tuesday, June 3rd – 17.9 Carbs / 1,563 Calories

Wednesday June 4th – Attended Awards Dinner with my hubby, didn’t record but made good choices

Thursday June 5th – 11.4 Carbs / 1.433 Calories

Week 4 – Days 4 and 5

I had my grandchildren overnight on Monday night, so no computer time on Tuesday morning. So here goes for two days worth of meal plans.

DAY 4

Daily Totals: 13 Carbs / 1138 Calories

Fitbit: 8,249 Steps / 8 Stairs

Breakfast 3 Carbs

I had another piece of the bacon and Swiss Quiche that was already made and waiting in the fridge.  I have really enjoyed it this week.

Morning Snack 0 Carbs

1 cup Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk.  When I first started the low carb eating and stopped with milk and replaced it with Almond Milk.  I thought it was just okay.  I am now starting to really enjoy a glass of it.  This morning I was reading the benefits of drinking it on their website.

• 30 calories per serving
• Absolutely no added sugar
• 50% more calcium than dairy milk²
• Excellent source of vitamin E
• Absolutely no cholesterol or saturated fat
• Free of dairy, soy, lactose, gluten, casein, egg and MSG
• Verified by the Non-GMO Project’s product verification program
• No artificial colors, flavors or funny business

Lunch 2 Carbs

My husband and I popped home in the morning to do  little yard work.  He painted the fence and  I mowed the lawn.  So lunch was pretty much a grab and go thing.

Atkins Daybreak Cranberry Almond Bar
Cheddar Cheese Stick
1 cup of Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk

Afternoon Snack 3 Carbs

Atkins Advantage Caramel Chocolate Nut Bar

Dinner – 5 Carbs

Click on picture to take to recipe at Linda’s Low Carb Menus

Taco Salad – The taco meat was enough for two nights for my husband and I, so we can have taco salad again tomorrow.  I made his with some tortilla chips.

DAY 5

Daily Total 17.9 Carbs / 1,563 Calories

Fitbit: 10,919 Stes / 6 Stairs

Breakfast 3 Carbs

Bacon & Swiss Quiche, 1 cup Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk

Morning Snack 0 Carbs

Cheddar Cheese Stick

Lunch 5.5 Carbs

2 Tuna Muffins , Everyday Easy Salad

Click on picture to take to recipe at Linda’s Low Carb Menus

Last night while making dinner I made up and cooked the Tuna Muffins for lunch.  Really easy to put together and very yummy too.  I forgot to make the Tartar sauce to serve with them.

Afternoon Snack 1 Carb

Atkins Endulge Chocolate Candies

Dinner 8.4 Carbs

Taco Salad, No Bake Jello Cheesecake, 1 Tbsp Whipping Cream

The Weekend

I had a really busy weekend.  I was barely in the house all day on Saturday.

I am petty sure that I managed to stay within my carb count, although I didn’t actually record anything.  I am stating to figure out what I can and what I can’t have.  Lifetime choices made today instead of weight loss choices.

On Sunday back to recording everything ….

Daily Totals 15 Carbs / 1864 Calories

Breakfast:  3 Carbs

Bacon & Swiss Quiche

Click on this picture to take to recipe at Linda’s Low Carb Menus

Lunch: 1 Carb

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

I made the grain free sandwich bread recipe that I had found at Beauty and the Foodie.  I made 4 slices in a 8 x 8 pan.  Then I used two of the slices with some cheddar cheese to make a grilled cheese sandwich.

Dinner 8 Carbs

Swiss Mushroom Chicken, Bacon Green Beans, Broccoli Crunch Salad – all very family friendly recipes.

Dessert 3 Carbs

No Bake Jello Cheesecake

 

 

 

Week 4 and we are off ….

I am still sat here trying to figure out my carbs for yesterday. I know I definitely went over. I was out for dinner for my daughter’s bachelorette evening.

We had two appetizers ..

Deep fried panko crusted pickles. Roasted garlic and chipotle dip. – I had one just to try!

Lobster, artichoke hearts, spinach, cream cheese. Pasta chips. – Again I had one just to try!

 

Louisiana Burger – Housemade ground beef, Andouille sausage, peppers, red onion, grainy mustard aioli, corn relish, dusted onions, leaf lettuce, tomato, jalapeno Jack cheese, butterdrop bun. Steakhouse fries.

I changed the fries up for salad and I didn’t eat the bun or the corn relish.  I did however eat the dusted onions!

Special night out they had a small dessert called Chocolate Banana Spring Roll.  My daughter and I split one.  The spring roll was only about 4″ long so it really wasn’t that big.  The little ball of gelato probably wasn’t even 2″ diameter.

Banana, cream cheese, Nutella, deep fried spring roll. Chocolate peanut butter gelato.

That was first sugar in three weeks.  I had quite the tummy ache after.  My poor bowels reacted big time!!!!

Straight back on the good stuff tomorrow morning!!!

May 30 – Weigh Day – 2.2 Pounds – Total 9.6 Pounds

First things first – it is weigh day ……. 2.2 pounds for a total of 9.6 pounds in three weeks. I am beyond shocked. It goes against all my ideas of what I need to do to lose weight. My calories are up, my fat content is up, my carbs are down and I am losing weight. Hurray.

Week Three Review

Day 1 – 18.7 Carbs / 1,997 Calories

Day 2 – 16.8 Carbs / 1,578 Calories

Day 3 – 15.1 Carbs / 1,044 Calories

Day 4 = 16.9 Carbs / 1901 Calories

Day 5 – 15.1 Carbs / 1730 Calories

Day 6 – 22.5 Carbs / 1478 Calories

Day 7 – 12.1 Carbs / 1455 Calories

Week 3, Day 7

Somewhat of a hectic day. Didn’t actually get to eat my dinner until around 9pm Thank goodness for leftovers!

Daily Total: 12.1 Carbs / 1,455 Calories

Fitbit: 4,774 Steps / 8 Stairs

Breakfast 0 Carbs
Egg in a Hole

I spotted this recipe yesterday when I was looking for something a little different for breakfast.  We always called this Eggy Bread.

 

Click on picture to take you to recipe at Beauty and the Foodie

The recipe makes two slices of bread using golden flax meal.  So I used one for breakfast and kept the other for a snack later in the day.

Lunch 2.1 Carbs
Flax Burger Bun, 2oz Tuna, 1/;4 Tbsp Mayo

I spotted a leftover Flax Burger bun in the fridge before leaving for work, so cut one in half and had with some tuna mayo.

Snack 1 Carb
Slice of Grain Free Bread, 1 Tbsp Boursin

I took my leftover slice of bread to work and had with some Boursin cheese.  I think the bread would have been better toasted to have with the cheese.

Dinner 9 Carbs
Grain Free Nacho Pie, 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce, 1 Tbsp Ranch Dressing

Click on picture to take you to recipe at Beauty and the Foodie.

Raspberry Cheesecake Bar, 1 Tbsp Whipped cream (my last piece!!!)

Click on picture to take to recipe at I Breathe I’m Hungry

Week 3 – Day 7

Can’t believe I have just about completed three weeks of low carb eating.  I have felt completely satisfied and have been able to turn away from the high carb sugary stuff with no problems.  Weigh day tomorrow!!

Last night with our Young Women group we made yeast dough with them which was turned into cinnamon buns, pizza rolls and buns.  The cinnamon rolls smelt amazing, but I didn’t have any of it.  There was plenty to take home.  My hubby is away right now, so I didn’t being any home.

Daily Total:  22.5 Carbs / 1,478 Calories

Fitbit:  5,612 Steps / 7 Stairs

Breakfast 3.6 Carbs

2 Jalapeno and cheddar cauliflower muffins (they are all gone, so I am going to have to make some more, they are so-oo good), 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

Click on the picture to take you to the recipe at I Breathe I’m Hungry

Morning Snack 2.8 Carbs

1/2 cup sliced peppers, 1 Tbsp Renees Southwest Ranch Dip

Lunch 4 Carbs

Slice of flax pizza (that is all gone too and I really enjoyed it)

Click on picture to take you to recipe on I Breathe I’m Hungry website

Afternoon Snack

3 Celery Sticks, 2 Tbsp Boursin Cheese (Boursin cheese which I love has only 1 Carb!!!)

Dinner 6.8 Carbs

Grain Free Nacho Pot Pie, 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce, 1/2 cup diced cucumber

Click on picture to take you to recipe at Beauty and the Food

This was so good.  I know this is something I will make again and again.  I found the website www.beautyandthefoodie.com yesterday and found some great looking recipes to try out.

Dessert 3.4 Carbs

Raspberry Dessert Bar, 1 Tbsp Whipping Cream

 

 

Double Success today – Week 3 – Day 6

I scored twice today!

Score to me – trip to Costco and I did not sample one single thing. They pretty much had a buffet going on there and nothing!!!!!

Score to me – attended my daughter’s bridal shower this evening and there was some pretty yummy looking food. I took a few small pieces of cheese and other best looking option were some small slices of sausage and a couple of pickle slices. I cannot believe I managed to pull that one off!!!!

I am running a little late this morning, so this is going to be short and to the point ……

Daily Total: 15.1 Carbs, 1730 Calories

Fitbit: 6,446 Steps / 7 Stairs

Breakfast: 1.9 Carbs
2 Scrambled Eggs, Protein Shake (1 cup Almond milk, scoop of whey protein powder)

Morning Snack 2 Carbs
Atkins Endulge Caramel Nut Chew Bar

Lunch: 4.1 Carbs
Paprika Chicken Drumstick (leftover from Sunday), 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 2 Tbsp three cheese ranch dressing

Afternoon Snack 1.4 Carbs
Slice of Sausage, Spinach and Feta Bake

Dinner 4 Carbs
Slice of Flax Pizza (leftover from Saturday)

Evening Snack 2.1 Carbs
1″ cube of cheddar, few slices of sausage, couple of dill pickle slices

Week 3 – Day 4

Such a beautiful day today.  I managed to get out for a short walk and enjoy a little of the sunshine.  Met my daughter at lunch time and enjoyed an hour sat in the sunshine.  Another good day, although my carbs were a little lower than I like them to be.

Total Carbs:  16.9 Carbs / 1,901.9 Calories

Fitbit: 7,542 Steps / 11 Stairs

Breakfast 3.8 Carbs

3 Johnsonville breakfast sausages, Jalapeno and cheddar cauliflower muffin

Click on picture to link to recipe at I Breathe I’m Hungry

I am seriously loving these!!!

Morning Snack 4 Carbs

1/2 cup Anti Pasta Salad

Lunch 4 Carbs

Another piece of that delicious pizza with the flax meal bases!

Click on picture to take you to recipe on I Breathe I’m Hungry website

Afternoon Snack 0 Carbs

Cheese Stick

Dinner 1.7 Carbs

Dinner plans changed at the last minute, so I decided to try the flax burger buns.  I divided the recipe into 4 bun shaped rounds and baked for 10 mins as instructed.  The intention being each piece would make 1/2 burger bun.  Anyway I decided to try each one as it’s own burger bun, they actually cut in half really good.  Didn’t break at all when filled with my burger contents.  I didn’t even make a salad to go with it and I was plenty full enough.  Great recipe.

I love the Salmon Burgers you can buy at Costco, when I checked the package they are 0 Carbs!

Click on picture to take to recipe on I Breathe I’m Hungry

So I made a Salmon Burger, filled with lettuce, cheese, sliced avocado, and mayo.  Yummy!!  I can see this is going to become a firm favorite this summer.

Evening Snack 3.4 Carbs

Still had some of the raspberry dessert bar left over from yesterday, so had that with a small dollop of whipping cream.