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!!