Some Call it Cheating, But I Call it Living My Life

It may not be the best idea to say, “I can never have that again,” when it comes to donuts, pancakes, sugary-whatevers...but I have a special list for those types of triggers:  my No-Can-Do list.  Sugar is toxic for me, and I don't plan to taste those poisons again.  I know that I can have anything I want…the choice is mine…but if a sugary thought crosses my mind, I say, “I’m not going to eat that today.”   Thus far, it hasn’t been a hard choice, nor a strong craving. 

The really great thing is, those things don’t shout my name like they used to.   Or if they are, I’m not hearing it.   Since I began low carb, co-workers have brought donuts and candy to work, and I didn’t think about them unless I saw them.   The first time donuts were brought in, I did catch a whiff of them…and still didn’t want them...and that is an amazing Godpossible feat!   It's definitely God's Freedom that I can smell baked/fried sweets and not be compelled to partake, nor even think about them in the next room.  Here's one freedom even better:  I haven't even been close to a binge!

I have to be honest and say that I will have pizza again someday (Lord willing).  I’ve always been a bread lover…of the white variety.  Since I have been low carb, I’ve had only two slices of whole wheat bread.   One slice had peanut butter on it (the only pb I’ve had) and the other was Cajun turkey.    I wanted to carefully watch my cravings afterwards…and there were none.   Apparently glucose levels were not spiked.   At some point, I expect I will eat (whole grain) bread again, peanut butter, too, but right now, I’m just not missing it.   The weekend of peanut butter and bread, I lost weight.  (If I find that pizza bothers me and I have strong sugar cravings afterwards, it will go on my no-can-do list.   No slice of pizza can ever taste as good as my sweet freedom does.)

I went out for Mexican one night.   I didn't eat any chips or salsa, and I ordered a taco salad.  I ate very, very little of the shell (couldn't help but eat a little of the bottom)...and I was two pounds up the next morning!   Sodium, I'm sure.   But Mexican was a little harder to deal with.   I love it...from now on, I will stick to the "safe" fajitas!

I have also had (folks outside of the south may be “grossed-out”) fried catfish (lightly breaded) and a few hushpuppies.  No fries. The weekend I had the fried fish, I lost a pound.   Again, no spikes, no out of control cravings.  I also didn't eat until I couldn't breath, a practice that has, thankfully, become common for me.

The Holidays are quickly approaching.   I am…aware…of all that comes with holiday entertaining.  At this moment, I feel I will be just as strong as I am today; but I am not arrogant enough to think I could never fall.   I will definitely be taking it one day at a time, and leaning on Christ for my strength.

What else am I normally eating? 

·       Meat…I usually choose lean cuts, sometimes I don’t (I don’t eat a lot of bacon/ham/other sandwich meat because of sodium/nitrates/nitrites)

·       Non-starchy vegetables…I don’t limit. I eat until I’m satisfied.

·       Fruit…fairly limited, lower carb fruits, in small amounts, not daily (mostly because I don’t like a lot of fruit)

·       Eggs…cooked anyway I choose

·       Cheese…keep it under 4 oz

·       Nuts/seeds…keep to 3 or less servings per day.

·       I use olive oil, other vegetable oil, salad dressings, butter as desired.

·       Low carb recipes…I’m willing to try some new things. There are tons of websites, I just google “low carb recipes” or something like “low carb ground beef recipes.”

·       Sugar free candy (important to limit these, for more than one reason!)

·       Atkins Bars (very handy for a quick breakfast or a light snack)

When I reach 50 pounds lost, I’m going to post before/after pictures.  Hopefully, that will be before Christmas.

Here's one new recipe the Mister and I enjoyed:

Low Carb Pepperoni Pizza Casserole (M-modified from a Primal Recipe)

For the Italian Beef Sausage

From Writing in White (click)

• 1 lb Ground Beef (I used sirloin)
• 1 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Fennel Seed
• 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1/2 onion, diced
• Brown the beef in a bit of oil with diced onion and spices to create the Italian beef sausage.  

For the Rest:

• 1/2 Large Spaghetti Squash (cut in half)
• 1 1/2 Cups Marinara of Choice (I chose a lower carb variety)
• 1 lb. Italian Beef Sausage  (above)
• 4 Eggs
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1 tsp Basil
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 1 Package Pepperoni (Turkey may be a better choice)
• 1 Package Frozen Peppers and Onions
• Additional Toppings of Choice (I used Shredded Mozzarella)

Preheat Oven to 375. Place Spaghetti Squash face-down on a baking sheet and cook for 30-45 minutes, or until the outside gives way to the touch. Take out, shred, and set aside.

Increase oven temp to 400. In a large mixing bowl, add marinara, beaten eggs, seasonings, and spaghetti squash. Add most Italian Sausage, saving a bit to top the pizza later on. Having allowed your frozen peppers and onions to thaw slightly, add most of this as well, saving some with the remaining sausage.  (If desired, you may want to toss in some shredded cheese and/or a few extra pepperoni as well, either whole, halved, or quartered, your preference.) Pour contents of the bowl into a greased 9×13 baking dish, placing in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until everything is firm and slightly browned on top.

Remove from oven and add remaining sausage, peppers, and onions, as well as your desired amount of shredded mozzarella.  Arrange pepperoni slices to cover the dish.
Broil for an additional 5-7 minutes, until a nice crust is formed and Pepperoni begins to get crispy.

Tomorrow:   "Grilled" Okra  Yum Yum!!