Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Truffel Trouble


A friend recently gave me a big bag of chocolate truffles.
Yikes now what do I do?
To keep them would mean I intend to cheat at some point.
Fortunately we had an dessert auction to attend later in the week.
My plan was to put the truffles in a mosaic glass slipper - but ...
that did not look as pretty as I had envisioned.
So I resorted to this adorable bear and bagged the truffles up in clear wrap and added a tag and a bow. One can never go wrong with a teddy bear bearing truffles.

Stuff that I know is likely to tempt me - I have to get out of the house. I kept them in a locked cupboard until I decided what to do with them.
I did not eat any desserts from the auction but I prepared by making Stella Style Cranberry Crips Pie. Yummy

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Halloween Treats



















Using Carolyn's 3 Minute Flour-less Chocolate Cake.
1 Egg
1/2 T Heavy Cream
2 T Cocoa Powder
3 T of Splenda
1/4 t baking powder
1 T butter softened.

Normally I mix it up spray a small bowl and cook it in the micorwave for 30-60 seconds until it puffs and the center is not wet. It's a great quickie treat. Carbs each 4 Calories 281

For my Halloween Treats (Change the icing design for other occasions)
I multiplied Carolyn's recipe times 4
And divided it into my pan of squares. (Spray the pan with Pam)
I then baked it in the oven for 15 min at 350 degrees.
Servings 1 square Carbs 1.25 Calories 79 A bit more with the icing.

Icing is made using Whey Low Powdered mixed with melted butter and a bit of heavy cream and food coloring. I put the icing in a ziplock bag and cut off the tip for decorating.

Ummmmm - Tastes like iced brownies!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Cookie Variations


I started with the Holiday Almond Cookies from
George Stella's Good Carb Family Cookbook on page 183.

Sugar Cookie Variation
I sub un sweetened coconut flour for the almond flour.
I don't take the time to chill the dough. I just make little balls and press them down on the pan.

Peanut Butter Variation
I sub un sweetened coconut flour for the almond flour.
I added 3T of un sweetened peanut butter. (Crunchy would probably be even better)
Roll in balls, press down with fingers and use a fork to make the cross hatch.

Chocolate Mint Version
I sub un sweetened coconut flour for the almond flour.
I added 3 T of un sweetened coco powder
1 T of Powdered Whey Low. (A little Whey Low always makes chocolate taste better)
A couple drops of Creme De Menthe Candy Flavoring Oil available from the link below.
http://www.anoccasionalchocolate.com/candy-flavoring.html
Roll in balls, press down with fingers

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The Correct Way to Weigh Yourself


I can't believe I was doing it wrong all
these years. WE MUST SPREAD THE WORD.
(Someone sent this e-mail to me today and it made me laugh so I had to post it. This is quite a revelation!)

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Birthday Cake at Last!

I have been trying to figure out a way to have low carb birthday that even my kids would be happy to have on their birthdays. This hits the mark.

I started with George Stella's Almond Flour Pound Cake page 187 Good Carb Family Cookbook.
Rather than almond flour I used coconut flour - but even beyond that I ran the food processor
2 1/2 cups coconut flour
1 cup of whey low granular
1/2 cup of splenda
1 1/2 t baking powder

In another bowl I mixed up 7
large eggs
3/4 smart balance or butter
6 oz of soft cream cheese
1 1/2 t vanilla
1 1/2 lemon juice

Then add the dry ingredients to the wet ones.
I made mine as cup cake but I think it would work in two round cake pans as well or one sheet cake pan. Bake at 300 degrees F. The cup cakes were done in about an hour the loaf pan took about 1 1/2 hours. Check it with a tooth pick to see if it is done.

I uses the Vanilla Butter Cream Frosting recipe from Wheylow.com I will try mine again I used smart balance rather than butter. It was not quite as stiff as I would have liked but it sure tasted like icing.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

3 cups Whey Low Powder

1/3 cup butter softened

1 ½ teaspoon Watkins Vanilla

3 Tablespoons milk

Food Coloring

1. Mix Whey Low® Powder and butter in medium bowl with electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and 1 Tablespoon of the milk.

2. Gradually beat in just enough remaining milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable. Tint frosting as desired by adding food coloring.


Thursday, February 19, 2009

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Looked to Good to pass up

I just posted a bunch of snack ideas that sounded to good not to post here so I would remember to try them. I can't wait to try the zuchini taco chips. The others looked good too so I posted them.

Low Carb Examiner: Be the biggest loser with these fun, low-carb Super Bowl foods

Low Carb Examiner: Be the biggest loser with these fun, low-carb Super Bowl foods

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Low Carb Examiner: Taco pizza on a zucchini pizza crust

Low Carb Examiner: Taco pizza on a zucchini pizza crust

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Low Carb Examiner: Nacho Chips? They're your chips! Mexican food on a low-carb budget

Low Carb Examiner: Nacho Chips? They're your chips! Mexican food on a low-carb budget

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Low Carb Examiner: Mozzarella Sticks-- The Big Cheese of Appetizers

Low Carb Examiner: Mozzarella Sticks-- The Big Cheese of Appetizers

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Good info on Flax and a Cracker Recipe to try

I found this article with great info about flax plus the cracker recipe sounds good so I have posted it her so I can find the info when I what it. I will edit the post once I get a chance to try out this find. Sometimes a cracker would be quite nice.

Just the Flax, Ma'am

June 22, 12:19 PM
by Jamie Van Eaton, Low Carb Examiner
Start a regimen without carbohydrates and with lower carbohydrates on Monday, and by Tuesday (or Friday or the next Monday) you're not necessarily going to jump for joy at the prospect of never having something 'crackery' again.


People still miss their crunchies and their munchies.

Enter our friend, flax.

The Flax plant, mentioned in Home Ed sewing classes across America for its use in clothing among indigenous peoples of North America, produces a seed which, when milled, is an outstanding addition to healthy kitchens everywhere.

Flax, also known as linseed, is a seed known for its lignans and Omega-3's for health. Adding to this, you're heard-pressed to find something that contains about as many fiber grams as it does carbohydrates. With an effective net of 0, flax is an acceptable fibrous staple for people in Atkins induction or following any plan where fiber can be employed.

Because flax is a binding agent in cooking, eggs can be replaced with flax in a recipe (just replace each egg with 1 Tbsp flax seed meal and 3 Tbsp water).

Use caution, however. Flax, while a blessing for people who use it in cereal, yogurt and in other recipes, can be overdone when care is not employed. Ingesting too much flax can cause stomach discomfort, especially when dehydrated. Flax works its magic in the digestive tract in partnership with fluids, so using flax judiciously and combining with a healthy amount of water for your body are two ways to ensure that flax remains a valuable tool and not a lump in the stomach.

Flax crackers are some of my favorite things ever. The picture of the cream cheese and fresh dill poised atop this flax cracker will make you slap yourself in the forehead (put the frying pan down first) and say, "Gadzooks! (because all cool folks say things like this, and 'huzzah'), and wonder why you'd never tried this before.

If you are a fan of crisp breads, and miss having something to hold your food, and want to even put your little pinky up in the air, because you're that cool eating one of these with the many savory toppings you could use, then have at it!

source: wikipedia.org Flax


Better Than Crisp Bread Flax Cracker
2 Tbsp flax seed meal
2 Tbsp water
spices to taste (optional)

In a bowl, mix flax seed meal with water and spices (I use a fork). Let rest 2-3 minutes.

On a piece of parchment, press and gently spread the mixture with a fork, until the shape desired (usually a 4" X 8" cracker, but can be round or other shapes as well). Microwave for 2.5 minutes or until cracker is solid.

Let cool.

Top with cream cheese, taco dip or anything you might be hankering for.

Makes one cracker.

Tips: I reuse parchment paper to make more crackers.

The crackers store beautifully when loosely bagged, so you can make some for the road.

Nutritional information: Technically, this is almost 0 carbs per cracker due to fiber, but you should count it as 1, just to remind yourself that with great food comes great responsibility. Calories: 118, Carbohydrates: 8 g, Fiber: 7 g, Net Carbohydrates: 1 g, Protein: 4.5g, Fat: 8 g

Thanks to the very amazing megs for this recipe which has saved many a low-carber everywhere!

More Facts about Flax:

Find flax seed meal at your local grocery store in the baking aisle with specialty flours.

Flax seed meal has a shelf life of 2-4 months before going rancid. Storing in the freezer extends the life of flax at least by 3 times.

Flax seed is useful if you have a food mill and have the ability to grind into meal. Otherwise, buy flax seed meal for convenience.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Pumpkin Bites - by Margot

I mixed up 4 batches of the recipe below and cooked half in my mini microwavable muffin tins for 5 min. The other half in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 min. The microwave ones are more like pumpkin pie in texture and the oven ones are a bit more like a muffin. My family devoured them all and were divided half liked the microwave ones and half the oven ones.
Each little muffin is aprox 1 carb and very yummy.

Would make a nice breakfast or could be used as a dessert or snack. You can also make one or two larger muffins cooking times may change.

Pumpkin Bites
1 egg
1/2 T Heavy Cream
2 T Canned Pumpkin
3 T Splenda
1/8 t Baking Powder
1T Soft Butter

Friday, January 30, 2009

Individual Breakfast Bake


This recipe is so simple and easy to modify to suit the picky eaters in the family.
For this Breakfast Bake I used individual baking pans. I sprayed them with Pam.
Then I added to each about a 1/4 cup of sliced ham (you could use any meat)
Then I added 1 slice of med cheddar cheese cut into strips.
In a separate bowl mix 3 eggs and a table spoon of yellow mustard. Salt and pepper optional.
Then I baked them at 350 degrees for 30 min.
You can make these and re warm them in the microwave or they are even good cold to take along as a breakfast on the run. The carbs will very depending on what you use so I will leave the carb and calories counts to you. This makes for a filling meal that is pretty to serve. My baking dishes came from Princess House in the Fantasia line. They are fun to cook in and always beautiful dish to serve from. They still have them too! http://www.princesshouse.com/products/product_detail.aspx?pid=1607 I used to sell Princess House and I love cooking with it. I am sure you could use any individual size oven proof bakeware.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

How I get back on track

I have been doing this low carb way of life for nearly 10 years. Some years have been better than others. I have have learned how to quickly get back on track. When I first started I used the Atkins induction rules any more my getting back on track rules are very simple.
1. Eat protein when you are hungry (as much as you want)
2. Drink lots of water (more than you want)
3. Weigh and measure yourself - begin a journal write down what goes in your mouth.
4. Expect to feel lousy for 2-5 days. (try to pick a window that not too much is expected of you)
5. Expect to feel great soon. (make a list of things you want to do because you will have more energy than you know what to do with)
6. Start looking at low carb recipes that you want to try. Get inspired and have some meals you are looking forward too once you are off this little protein fast.
7. Keep every thing simple. Read articles or books or blogs, or forums on low carbing. It helps to know you are not the only one facing the various struggles you will encounter. I follow the Stellastyle plan once I am past the first week. www.stellastyle.com
8. Remember it is a journey so enjoy it.

Ps - I am not a doctor and I am simply sharing what I have found to work for me.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Biscuts and Gravy


This morning I decide it might be fun to try and make a substitute for biscuts and gravy.

I made some 1 Min Muffins that I had found on the Stella site.
The took 2 minutes for me and I did not think they needed the salt.

Together it is a bit high you would have to watch it the rest of the day.
Total of 11.5 carbs and 374 calories
I would have been just as happy 1 a half muffin and half the gravy.






1 Min Muffins


3 T Almond Flour
1 T Flax meal
1 Beaten Egg
1/4 t salt ( I will leave it out in the future)
1/4 t baking powder

Cook for 1-2 min in small bowl on high in microwave.
According to my calculations the muffin has 6.5 Carbs and 220 cals

Margot's Gravy
1 T butter
1 T minced garlic
1 C unsweetened Almond Milk
1 t corn starch
4oz cream cheese sliced
1 T low sodium soy sauce
I added some chopped up sausage too.

Heat skilit with butter and minced garlic,
Add corn starch
then stir in Almond milk - stir constantly and add cheese and soy sauce
When all the cheese has milted you are ready to serve.
Total Recipe has 19.3 carbs and 613 calories
I divided it by 4 for the photo above carbs would be 5 and calories 154

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Checking In

I'm checking in - I have been trying to post and blog regularly at www.stellastyle.com and have not gotten over here as often as I would like.

I had a wonderful low carb birthday. Cai and Marco made wonderful low carb cheese cake. It was so yummy. I would have loved to have had another piece the following day but unfortunatly our dog April May decided to help herself. I suppose she saved me some calories.

I am setting myself to have a wonderful low carb holiday season. Last year I thought I could take a low carb vacation and it took me many months to get back on track. So as a result I am having to re loose some of what I had previously lost. I did learn from the whole episode.
I know I can't think of this as a diet where I will cross over some goal and be able to go back to the old ways of eating. I have to make this work for the long haul.

So far so good. I've lost 15lbs since mid August.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Egg & Turkey Cups

I make these in an 8 well muffin tin. These are quick and easy and the kids can fill the cups with their choice of fillings. The following is the basic recipe.

I spray the muffin tin with cooking spray.
Fill with chopped up turkey slices. ( You could fill them with any meats)
I put 2 pieces of artichoke in each of mine. (You could use other veggies)
Crack a whole egg over each muffin well.

I cooked mine at 375 for 15-30 min depending on how well done you like your eggs.
Then top with shredded cheese.
For my family of 4 the serving size was two.
Carbs per serving: 3.75 and Calories 290 (again this is for a serving of 2 egg cups.)
For one muffin cup it would be just under 2 carbs and 145 Calories.

Pizza Burgers

My family loves these they are like little individual pizzas. I'm not sure anymore where the idea originated but it is a family favorite. It is a great substitute for high carb pizza. A trick to successful low carbing is finding acceptable substitutes for your favorite foods.
I use hamburger for my family but for me I use turkey burgers saves some me quite a few calories.

I cook the burgers in the oven and drain any grease form the pan.
Then we top each with a spoon of spaghetti sauce. (I look for sauce with no added sugars) Tomatoes are high in carbs so on mine I am a bit skimpy on the sauce. Then we top them with your basic pizza toppings and cheese. Put them under the broiler long enough to melt the cheese.
For my family I make two each and serve them with salad.

A variation on this recipe is to press the hamburger into the pan to make a big pizza. Remember to drain well before adding toppings.

Cowboy Eggs

This is my own recipe. We have a variation of this for breakfast almost every day.
I use 2 -3 eggs per person,
Chopped up meat, (left overs work great, or bacon, sausage, ham)
1 Chopped up Zucchini or other veggies.

Spay pan with cooking spray. Add the chopped up meat and veggies. Mix up your eggs in a bowl. Add salt, pepper and garlic salt. Pour eggs into pan and scramble with the veggies and meat.
Sometimes we top it with shredded cheese.