Saturday, September 25, 2010

* Playing Hide and Seek With Carbs

This morning, I sent someone to get donuts for my employees. She came back with all different kinds and proceeded to tell me that she even got 2 for me. The were the old fashioned cake donuts. She said they don't have any filling or icing on top so you can have breakfast with the rest of us.
It dawned on me after I thanked her for thinking of me, that what carbohydrates are is still somewhat a mystery to a lot of people. They were to me. I always thought just like she does, that they are sugar. It has been the hardest thing to try and educate myself and others what they are and where they are. They are hiding everywhere!

All food that you eat turns to sugar in your body. Carbohydrate-containing foods alter your sugar levels more than any other type of food. Carbohydrates are found in starchy or sugary foods, such as bread, rice, pasta, cereal, potatoes, peas, corn, fruit, fruit juice, milk, yogurt, cookies, candy, soda, and other sweets.
http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000007000000000000000.html



They exist in virtually everything! The trick is to know what the source of the carb is. Is it a natural carb or a manufactured carb? I had to learn this quick, thinking I could supplement all sugar free or no sugar added for a lot of the foods I liked. I was sadly mistaken. Most of these products are full of sugar alcohols that simply are not all that good for you if you are on a low carb diet. I can personally say that I don't feel so good after eating food with them in. The body just does not digest them easily.        http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/whattoeat/a/sugaralcohols.htm



When shopping at the grocery store, stay away from the carbs that include the following words in their ingredients: bleached, enriched, processed or refined. These processed and altered foods are void of critical nutrient value and will do very little to fuel and energize your body.
Sugar substitutes are also suspect as they do contain a low amount of carbs. I do use Splenda, but I use it sparingly.http://www.caloriecontrol.org/sweeteners-and-lite/sugar-substitutes
Carbs are hidden everywhere, so you have to read the labels. The carbs that come from fiber are certainly better than the carbs coming from sugar but they must be counted in your daily intake.
Read the labels. If the label lists sugar, sucrose, fructose, corn syrup, white or “wheat” flour, they contain simple carbohydrates. If these ingredients are at the top of the list, they may contain mostly simple carbohydrates, and little else. They should be avoided.

Look for foods that have not been highly processed or refined. Choose a piece of fruit instead of fruit juice, which is very high in naturally occurring simple sugars. Choose whole grain breads instead of white bread. Choose whole grain oatmeal instead of packaged cold cereals.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/85180-calculate-net-carbohydrates/



When you read the labels on foods in your supermarket, it's no surprise that you find plenty of sugar in products like cake mix, ice cream, jelly, cookies, and soda. But it can be downright shocking to see 12 grams of sugar in bottled pasta sauce or barbecue sauce -- and even more so to find 50 grams of sugar in a healthy-sounding bottled tea!                                                           
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/sugar-shockers-foods-surprisingly-high-in-sugar

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/sugar-shockers-foods-surprisingly-high-in-sugar








                              

                              



Thursday, September 23, 2010

* My Secret Is No Secret!

People are asking me, what am I doing?
It’s as simple as this; I have cut 98% of carbohydrates from my diet.
I no longer eat ANY bread, flour, pasta, rice, starch, sugar, fruits and only a few vegetables.
It’s basically Phase 1 Atkins for an extended period of time!

What do I eat?
Eggs, fish, beef, pork, chicken, turkey, some cheeses. After the first 2 weeks I added in some vegetables
Food List:

I do not eat anything that has higher than 1 gram of carbs per serving. I read a lot of labels and I carry a carb counter with me at all times.
I’m pretty used to it now, and I can carry on with my eyes closed. My cravings for sugar and carbs have all but stopped. If I have a craving I know what I can have. I was allowing my self to cheat every 2 weeks, but that’s a cop out. This is working for me; to let myself cheat is stupid! I don’t need to cheat, I can live with this!
Carb Counter:

The recipes are endless!


My body no longer burns carbs for energy, It burns fat!
This is called Ketosis


The weight is coming off in places that I never expected. My face, (the evidence are the pictures)
My back, my fingers, my legs, my ankles were always swollen, not anymore! I went down a shoe size. (I’m not kidding) as well as 2 sizes in clothes. I can now wear my favorite jeans that I have not gotten by big A*# into  for 2 years!

I still have a photo-phobia, I will try to get over it, and post full-length photos, not just my head shots.
I just never saw myself as so fat! The pictures show me as just that, so I stopped people from taking my picture. For me to show any picture of myself is a breakthrough!

This takes a little extra preparation, but it’s well worth it. You don’t starve yourself at all. You are never hungry; the only starving is that you are starving your body of carbs.
I count calories to keep me in check, but if your good at portion control you don’t have to. (I’m not)


I took into consideration the lack of fruits and vegetables and I take 2 multi-vitamins each day
I use Benefiber unflavored crystals (1 net carb) and
I use Nature’s Secret Super Cleanse 3 days a week
 
I feel great, I have tons of energy, I have passed the need to stop for take-out, or order out with everyone at work. My little fridge at work suits me fine!
I drive past fast food places everyday without blinking, or thinking.
I can now stick to my plan, and not sacrifice fun with my family and friends.
When I have slipped and had a lot of carbs I feel terrible, lethargic, bloated and FAT!
No turning back for me!
The only thing I miss is CRUNCHY STUFF!
Big Deal! I’ll burn something and eat it if I want something crunchy that bad!
(my friend just gave me a recipe for Parmesan chips ) no carbs!
Oh and bad breath. Thank goodness for Listerine strips!

This is not for everybody, my body responds well to this. It responded poorly to carbs and I never realized it. 
I never realized carbs were doing the same thing to me that sugar was!
For me, it was not about calories and that’s what I have been consumed with all my life. It’s all about Sugar!
http://www.rheumatic.org/sugar.htm



The Glycemic Index Is The Key!
http://2eb0d7o97dlo0t97ynf5v4ns17.hop.clickbank.net/%22%20target=%22_top%22%3EClick%20Here!
Avoid All Bad Carbs!
http://78f0f9ya57nlcpcfonr6t6rhp1.hop.clickbank.net/%22%20target=%22_top%22%3EClick%20Here!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

* Low Carb Cookin'

*


 Low Carb Recipes

http://www.locarbrecipes.com/


If you´re looking for low carb ideas, here´s the place. Get a variety of sample menus to try and personalize.
10 Atkins Breakfast Ideas star
Looking to go on a low carb or Atkins diet? Here are 10 great ideas for breakfasts, to start each day in a delicious way!
10 Great Low Carb Office Lunch Tips star
You´re on a low carb diet, and it´s doing wonders for your waist. But you need to stay low carb while you eat lunch at the office. Here are some tasty, great low carb lunches that can make your lunchtime healthy.
An Atkins Anniversary Dinner Menu star
My boyfriend and I just celebrated 8 years together. Our anniversary dinner was delicious, low carb, and thoroughly Atkins. Here´s a menu plan for celebrating the low carb way!
An Atkins Sports Watching Menu star
You´re getting together with friends to watch a game, or just hanging out at home to see one on your own. What kinds of low carb meals can you make while you watch the game?
Atkins Low Carb Summer Picnic Menu star
Having a summer get-together, picnic or family reunion? Here´s a great low carb menu plan that will have the entire group eating healthy and having fun!
Free Low Carb Recipes star
Easily construct a low carb menu to suit any occasion by looking at the hundreds of free online low carb recipes I have here!
Low Carb Chicken Recipes star
Do you have some chicken in the fridge? Here are some easy low carb recipes that have chicken as their main component. Perfect for low carb or any healthy lifestyle.
Low Carb Dessert Recipes star
Sometimes a menu is all about desserts. If it's an afternoon get-together or a dessert themed party, here are some options that are entirely low carb.
Low Carb Meal Planner star
Many diet plans make you plan out your meals with a meal planner. With low carb, it's really not necessary to plan out your daily meals.
Low Carb Side Dishes star
Some people think low carb is about slabs of meat. Not true! You are always supposed to have vegetables as a key part - if not the main feature - of every meal. To get you started, here are many low carb side dish options.
No Cook Low Carb Recipes star
If you don't feel like using a stove or a microwave - or are in a location where you don't have access to one - here are great healthy recipes to keep you happy!

http://allrecipes.com//Recipes/healthy-cooking/low-carb-diet/Main.aspx 
http://www.lowcarb.ca/recipes.html 
http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/low_carb/ 


Back to Protein: The Low Carb/No Carb Meat Cookbook
1.  Back to Protein: The Low Carb/No Carb Meat Cookbook by Barbara Doyen
The list author says

"Down to basics with protein- quick, easy recipes"

4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)



The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook: Over 120 Delicious Low-Carb Recipes That Cook Themselves
2.  The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook: Over 120 Delicious Low-Carb Recipes That Cook Themselves by Kitty Broihier
The list author says:
"For thoses slow cookers with low carb- great idea for the busy cooks."

4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)





The Everything Low-Carb Cookbook: 300 Delicious Recipes to Help Reduce Your Carbohydrates and Stay Healthy (Everything Series)
3.  The Everything Low-Carb Cookbook: 300 Delicious Recipes to Help Reduce Your Carbohydrates and Stay Healthy (Everything Series) by Patricia M. Butkus
The list author says:
"One of the best cookbooks for low carb eating, easy recipes."

3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)





The High-Energy Cookbook: Good-Carb Recipes for Weight Loss, Health, and Vitality
4.  The High-Energy Cookbook: Good-Carb Recipes for Weight Loss, Health, and Vitality by Rachael Anne Hill
The list author says:
"Low carbs brings higher energy- recipes for weight loss and happiness"

3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)




Carb Counter's Diabetic Cookbook (Better Homes & Gardens)
5.  Carb Counter's Diabetic Cookbook (Better Homes & Gardens) by Better Homes and Gardens Books
The list author says:
"One of the best cookbooks for diabetics- easy recipes"

3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)




Low Carb Recipes Fast & Easy (Revised Edition)
6.  Low Carb Recipes Fast & Easy (Revised Edition) by Belinda Schweinhart
The list author says:
"Good cookbook for fast meals with low carbs"

3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)





7.  The High-Performance Cookbook: 150 High-Carb Recipes for Peak Performance by Susan M. Kleiner
The list author says:
"Well written cookbook with lovely pictures and good recipes for low glycemic raings."



Everyday Low Carb Cookery
8.  Everyday Low Carb Cookery by Alex Haas
The list author says:
"For people who want simple, day to day recipes and advice"

4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)




The Quick & Easy Low-Carb Cookbook for People with Diabetes
9.  The Quick & Easy Low-Carb Cookbook for People with Diabetes by Nancy S. Hughes
The list author says:
"Learn how to change eating habits to save your life if you have Diabetes"

3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)





The Ultimate Low-Carb Diet Cookbook: Over 200 Fabulous Recipes to Add Variety and Great Taste to Your Low-Carbohydrate Lifestyle
10.  The Ultimate Low-Carb Diet Cookbook: Over 200 Fabulous Recipes to Add Variety and Great Taste to Your Low-Carbohydrate Lifestyle by Donna Rodnitzky
The list author says:
"Over 200 recipes from eggs and ham to beef and onion dip"

4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)





The Carbohydrate Addict's Cookbook: 250 All-New Low-Carb Recipes That Will Cut Your Cravings and Keep You Slim for Life
11.  The Carbohydrate Addict's Cookbook: 250 All-New Low-Carb Recipes That Will Cut Your Cravings and Keep You Slim for Life by Rachael F. Heller
The list author says:
"Learn how to change your eating habits to lose weight and to eat high fat foods without guilt."

4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)





The Low-Carb Comfort Food Cookbook
12.  The Low-Carb Comfort Food Cookbook by Michael R. Eades
The list author says:
"Low carb and comfort foods is not an oxymoron - pizza, bread, baked goods, breakfast foods"

4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)


 

Lauri's Low-Carb Cookbook: Rapid Weight Loss with Satisfying Meals! (2nd Edition)
13.  Lauri's Low-Carb Cookbook: Rapid Weight Loss with Satisfying Meals! (2nd Edition) by Lauri Ann Randolph
The list author says:
"10 grams of carbs per meal cookbook, pitch perfect appeal, lovely to look at and recipes are wonderful"