Where or where has the blogger gone?

Thank you to those who have inquired about the blog! I have not blogged in the last few months and have no plans to return any time soon. I have disabled comments. I do still try to maintain my Facebook page I've Lost It, My Low Carb Journey!

Developing new recipes is pretty time consuming and I am in a season of life when I need to cut back on some of my commitments to do justice to the important ones. All that to say, for now my plan is continue sharing on the FB page - motivation, encouragement, my original recipes (already published on this blog) and some of the many recipes that I try from other bloggers.

My sweet Mr. Dreamy and I still continue in our dedication to the low carb WOE and maintaining our losses.

For now this blog remains up with all the low carb content, although many of my recipes and photos were *borrowed* without my consent. If at any point I decide to remove it, I will issue a warning so you can print any you are interested in.

Again, I appreciate those who have asked about me - I try to answer emails if you need to contact me but be patient, it can take a couple days before I can -- and I always am encouraged to hear about your Low Carb Journeys so please share via email or on the FB page.!!! 

Blessings to you!!!

How Simple is THAT: Salmon Patties

Yes, we are talking SIMPLE food when we talk Salmon Patties -- BUT did you know that they could be low-carb?! With just a few simple tweaks, they are low-carb and pretty dang yummy too!

Turnip Gratin

Garden is doing great -- we harvested 120lbs of turnips!! You read that right and YES, that is a lot of turnips. Some were canned, some were frozen and some are being stored in our fridge to be used -- I have been trying turnips recipes like no ones business.

Blueberry Gelatin Dessert

Here I am -- been down with some computer problems -- grrr!! It doesn't look good and I have been very resistant to do anything about my dinosaur computer because I am not wanting to give up my old version of Windows -- dumb, huh!! I guess I will be stretching my comfort zone yet again, lol. In the meantime, what have I been doing? Why cooking and eating, low-carb of course :)

Until I am fully up and going again, I will attempt to post a few recipes -- warning: the photos will not be pretty but they will help get the idea across. Thank you for baring with me!

Tuscan Kale & Strawberry Salad

Mr. Dreamy is growing kale in his garden this year -- not just ordinary kale, but Tuscan kale.

Other names this variety of kale goes by are Lacinato Kale, Black Kale, Dinosaur Kale, & Palm Tree Kale -- but I like the sound of Tuscan Kale best.

How Simple is THAT: Poached Salmon (and some sauce recipes to top it )

As our weather continues warming up and I am wanting to spend more and more time outdoors, meals get lighter and less complicated. The grill comes into play a lot BUT I don't want to eat grilled food EVERYDAY -- I have found a solution to that -- poaching, salmon to be exact.

How Simple Is THAT: Taco Seasoning - Low-carb, Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, Grain-Free

It's Tuesday - must be tacos!! We love tacos, taco salads and all that yumminess. With warmer weather coming on, easy menus are on my mind and tacos and taco salads fit that bill well.

Did you know that a packet of taco seasoning has carbs? A LOT of carbs. The culprit is usually cornstarch -- a totally unnecessary ingredient! It can also have added sugar in the form of maltodextrin - also unnecessary. Don't even get me started on things like MSG, lol. 

Did Someone Say Low-Carb Stuffed French Toast?

Oh, yeah -- THAT is what I am talking about!! 

Sugar-Free Maple Flavored Syrup

In the beginning of my low carb journey, I never even considered eating  things like pancakes, waffles and such. They were never anything I was crazy about anyway -- then I met Mr. Dreamy!

How Simple is THAT: Chicken Salad w/Sriracha Mayo

I LOVE chicken salad and make a few different versions. In my catering days I made it by the tons, but this version just recently came to me -- something so simple and yet outstanding!

Reuben Casserole

A quick stop into our small town grocery store this morning netted me something I didn't think I would be cooking to usher in May -- a Corned Beef. Actually I picked up 3 of them because they were at cannot-pass-up pricing. I knew I needed to cook or freeze them today and only 2 fit in the freezer. That left one for cooking!

So I asked Mr. Dreamy, How do you feel about Reuben's?

Individual Coconut Custard *Pies*

Custard is a very old-school, English, Southern, comfort food kind of food -- BUT best of all, it is easily modified to fit into a sugar-free, grain-free, low-carb kind of life. 

How Simple is THAT: Chicken Breast w/Wine Reduction Sauce

Every cook should have a quick-prepare recipe in their repertoire -- something that you always have the ingredients on hand for and can make at a moments notice. Chicken Breasts w/Wine Reduction Sauce is my go-to dish. I can have it from frozen ingredients to *on-the-table* in quick order and it seems as though I've gone to A LOT more effort than I actually have. Best of all, a perfectly low-carb meal when paired with a salad or veggie (or both).

Almond & Chocolate Tart

There is hardly a more wonderful combination than almond and chocolate. As a little girl, my most favorite candy was a Hershey bar with almonds -- guess I still am in love with that combination! 

Coffee Cake & MANY THANKS!!

Almond and Coconut flours are staples in our low carb pantry. Imagine my delight when I was contacted by 

Cathy from Wives with Knives and told that I had won her give away from Bob's Red Mill. 

How Simple is THAT: Ranch Dressing (Low Carb)

Salads are HUGE in our house. We grow as many salad fixins in our backyard garden as we can and when we can't, we bring in the bestest and freshest available to us. 

So, just what do we dress these salads with....

How Simple is THAT: Egg Salad

Yeah, I know everyone has their version of egg salad -- and in my years I have eaten a lot of versions. Since going low-carb for life in 2010 Egg Salad has become one of my ultra low carb, go-to foods! Especially in the warm weather months. Since we've only now arrived at spring, it has been a while!

Recently I was browsing some of my favorite blogs and visited Kitty's Kozy Kitchen -- she had posted her version of egg salad -- and some pretty dishes and a sweet story too. Then I looked closely at her recipe -- I felt like I was peeking into my own kitchen. Her technique for cooking the eggs -- the same as mine (well, actually I learned that from Martha Stewart decades ago). Her technique for cooling the eggs -- the same as mine (again, may be M.S.'s). Her technique for mashing the eggs -- the same as mine (pretty sure Martha's also, lol). I NEEDED to make this recipe, because it wasn't the same as mine and it looked a whole lot more interesting (and originally hales from Cook's Illustrated and I know you can't go wrong with them)!

Low-Carb Puff Pancake

Have you ever heard of a Dutch Baby? How about a Swedish Puff? German Pancakes? If you haven't, then you might be wondering just what that is -- well what it is, is a cross between a soufflé, an omelet and a pancake. They are all puffed (the egg mixture billows up to unbelievable heights) and crispy around the edges while retaining a custardy, pancake-like tenderness in the middle). Other names this terrific (and simple) dish goes by are Bismarck Pancake, Pannenkoeken and David Eyre's Pancake and akin dishes are popovers and Yorkshire Pudding. AND they are easily made into low-carb wonderfulness!!

Thai Fish Curry w/Thai Cauli-Rice

One thing that keeps us going strong on our low-carb way of eating is variety!! LOTS of variety!!! I love both trying new recipes and developing new recipes (and Mr. Dreamy LOVES being the guinea pig, lol). And sometimes inspiration for a new dish comes practically out of nowhere -- like this Thai Fish Curry!!

Phil's Clam Chowder - Low Carb Recipe

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind! We wrapped up some BIG home improvement projects, had a slew of company, got married, took a honeymoon trip to Dallas and are now settling into some new normal....at least for a bit! 

My beloved, Mr. Dreamy, who's given name is Phil (although he does like being called Mr. Dreamy, lol), decided to take on the monumental task of feeding a crowd the evening before the wedding -- by himself (isn't he a dream come true?).

Irish Spud Candies - Low Carb & Sugar-Free

Happy St. Paddy's Day!! Growing up in Southern California, I remember each year as St. Patrick's Day approached one of the most wonderful of treats -- See's Candies Irish Potatoes!! I haven't thought of those in years. Until today!! Now why can't they be low carb? Glad I went experimenting because they are YUMM-O!! 

Basic Almond Flour Muffins & Variations - Grain-Free, Sugar-Free & Gluten-Free

Long time no post. I have been a little busy -- you see, Mr. Dreamy and I were married last weekend and that has had a lot of my attention lately (look to the end of this post for a photo) Hope you understand, now back to regular posting :)

Muffins -- I love them! As a low carber, I avoided them for a long time - then I wanted to add them back into my diet and have tried and developed a lot of different recipes. But something always was a little lacking. In my prior life I had a wonderful basic muffin recipe that was the base of all the *flavored* muffins in my bag of tricks -- THAT was what I wanted.

Kielbasa, Turnip & Cabbage Soup

This week's soup is based on a German recipe I saw -- except that recipe called for potatoes instead of turnips. I cannot imagine it tastes any better made with the potatoes and Mr. Dreamy and I did not miss the extra carbs either.

Caramelized Onion & Beef Soup

This week's low carb soup is Caramelized Onion & Beef Soup -- really a take on French Onion without the bread. Who needs the bread with all these flavors working together?

Kale & Brussels Sprout Salad

Okay, so this isn't technically my invention -- I first saw this on Nancy Fuller's Farmhouse Rules program. I was hooked on the thought of this combination of flavors. I did some research and found very similar recipes from bon appetit and Epicurious. I took those recipes, put my own twist (lowering carbs) and came up with a salad that is YUM!!

Steak Parmigiana w/Garlic Sauteed Spinach

Hearty and filling -- that is what winter suppers need to be. This recipe fits that bill perfectly -- C.O.M.F.O.R.T. FOOD!!

Crunchy, Nutty Cole Slaw

I am sure you are familiar with the salad recipe that has ramen noodles in it -- that stuff is very addictive and sorry to say, FULL of carbs. Not only the noodles but also (depending on your recipe) lots of added sugar. BUT it is oh, so good. Well, suffer no longer.....this recipe will make you forget all about that bad stuff, lol.

Sausage & Kale Soup

Winter and soup are like peanut butter and jelly (sans the bread of course, lol) - they just go together. All that warming, bubbly goodness -- problem is soup can be a bit tricky at times when you're way of eating is low carb. So many include pastas, potatoes or beans to make them hearty. I have a few low carb soups in my regular line-up but am challenging myself to come up with a NEW soup recipe every week for the rest of winter.....so without further delay, SOUP'S ON!!

Blueberry Crumble - Grain-Free and Low-Carb

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I love keeping frozen berries on hand -- putting a treat together in less than an hour is a super bonus!! Oh, and did I mention that any dessert that is *pie-like* is always a hit with me -- especially with a cup of coffee!

As far as berries go, I love blueberries most of all but this recipe would work for blackberries or raspberries or a combination of your choice.

Blueberry Crumble

1 16-oz package frozen blueberries

1/2 c granulated sweetener

1 tsp Xanthan Gum

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp lemon extract

Spray a 9x9-inch (or equivalent size) baking dish with non-stick spray or grease with butter or coconut oil. Place above ingredients in pan and stir around. Top with topping.

Topping:
1-1/2 c almond flour
1/4 c fine macaroon coconut (or whirl shredded or flaked coconut in a coffee grinder to achieve fine texture)
1/2 c granulated sweetener
1/4 c softened butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp lemon extract

Mix together well and top berry mixture.

Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 25-30 minutes or until browned on top. Serve hot or chilled with whipped cream. Serves 6. Each serving contains 219 calories, 16.88g carbs, 6g fiber = 10.88 net carbs.

Journey Update

Happy New Year!! I took a blogging break over the month of December and am eager to get back to the business of Low Carb recipes but thought I would take a moment to update you on my journey -- since we are in the season of resolutions and all. If you are not familiar with my story you can read it here.

First, I want to say that 2013 brought lots of changes for me -- seems I am always writing that, lol. I found love again, relocated a couple hours away, changed jobs and seems my head was always in a spin. But in June I stepped on the scale and saw 119 -- that was the same number I saw on the scale 35 years prior in June when I graduated from high school!! Wow -- I could hardly believe it. I had gone from a high of 240 to 119 -- more importantly, I had dropped my BMI to 22% - THAT was my goal. Since June and amidst all the the changes, I maintain a range of 118-123. The way I do that is pretty much eat the same way I did to lose -- grain-free, sugar-free and low-carb.

Okay, the next thing I ALWAYS say is IF I CAN DO THIS, ANYONE CAN!! I know that is trite expression, but it is so -- the greatest gift I gave myself was just sticking to it long enough that my thinking changed -- not a diet, a lifestyle -- not temporary, but everyday, -- not a sacrifice but a way of living that provides all I need in a body that is so much healthier and happier.

Wishing you the same happiness and health in this new year. We're all on the journey together!!