FRIED RICED Cauliflower

 I am grain free, sugar free, low dairy, high protein, low carb, "good" fats only in my food consumption.  While that sounds really restrictive, I enjoy looking for and cooking alternative foods.  One of my favorite side dishes is Fried Riced Cauliflower.  A favorite meal of mine is fried riced cauliflower, roasted boneless skinless chicken breast, and stalks of celery stuffed with cream cheese.

FRIED RICED CAULIFLOWER

This recipe makes 4 servings

1 Bag Frozen riced cauliflower, defrosted and excess liquid squeezed out

1 Medium onion diced

1 Medium green bell pepper, diced

2 large eggs

Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper to taste

In a large non stick skillet melt 2 tablespoons butter

Add onion & bell pepper sauté until medium tender

Add cauliflower cook until slightly golden

Add eggs and seasonings cooking and stiring until eggs are thoroughly cooked through

Plate and enjoy !

BONUS:

This recipe is only 90 calories per serving as compared to 350 calories for traditional fried rice 

5K!

 I am not in any way, shape, or form a sports minded individual, however I am working on conditioning myself to be ready to participate in a local 5k this fall.

Since I have lost nearly 200# I decided to challenge myself and go outside of my comfort zone and involve myself in this first ever for me sports endeavor.  This decision is so outside my comfort zone that my sons, daughter-in-law, wife, grandson, and even our dogs will be joining me.

I have been training on my treadmill for a couple weeks and have achieved the 5k (3.1miles), but slower than I like.  

73.33 minutes is slower than I want.  I have set a goal of 60-65 minutes to reach the 5k marker.  I am a sweaty mess after I complete this daily task, but have a great sense of accomplishment as this is something I never thought of accomplishing and am really proud of myself that I have accepted this challenge

Why do I push myself for this self-imposed time and distance goal?  Simple, if you do not challenge yourself, you will never grow.  

Growth can be a mental state, a spiritual state, a physical state, or simply a state of well-being and self-worth, I encourage everyone of you to look for something that is a challenge to you, something that is outside of your comfort zone, formulate a plan of attack and go for it.

We have been given so many opportunities and so many avenues to explore we are doing ourselves an injustice if we do not attempt new things.  Will we succeed at everything, of course not; but if you do not start and attempt you will never know what you can do!

2024 Review, Plan, Improve

 Never and I mean NEVER would i have thought I would feel like I do at 61.

It has taken 2 years, but I have reached, and more importantly maintained my goal weight of under 200# for over 6 months.

So, what's next?   Well for me it will be physical conditioning. exercise, and endurance training.  I plan on participating in a local 5K in November and for a former 385#, sedentary, non-competitive minded individual, this is a huge change.  This action is so different for me that my wife, my sons, and my daughter in law, have stated they want to join me in the race!  I am working on my one grandson and hope he can be with us as well.  3 generations in the race, and I am so proud of it!

I truly enjoy exercising now, LOVE THE KETO LIFE, strive to find the best tasting keto dishes I can create, and telling everyone how my life has changed with this new regime.

Many times, I have been told that I am such an inspiration to people, I hope to build on that in 2024 with expanded articles on the Keto lifestyle, the benefits of simple exercises, how to improve your mental and physical health, and how to enjoy life.

I am feeling better at 61 than ever before in my life, I want everyone that can to experience this high and see how great life is.  I am working on myself daily and with God's help I want to show as many individuals as possible, how great life can be!

Onward and upward friends!!

Just Try It!

 You will never grow mentally, spiritually, or emotionally unless you simply try something new!

The easiest path to follow is the one with least resistance.  If you never challenge yourself, you will never grow or improve yourself.

Not fond of the saying new year new you but I do understand the thought behind it.  What do you want this year to entail? 

What do you want to leave in the old year?

What are your dreams, what do you want to accomplish?

This is what I suggest.  Begin with a list of everything you are thankful for or feel blessed to have in your life.  

Next, list what can be improved, what can you help others with what are your goals for the upcoming year?

Map out a monthly schedule that is challenging, attainable, flexible, and accountable.  Keep this schedule in full view, post it to keep it in your forethoughts.  (I suggest by the coffee machine, your bathroom mirror, or by where you prepare for your day)

Find an accountability ally.  We all need someone to confide in, brag to, bounce ideas off, and most importantly, bounce us back into play when we stray.

Make this year your year of change and maximum personal growth!!

I Can't Afford That!

 I hear many complaints about the Keto food regimen, the #1 complaint is the cost.  To that I say if you want to succeed you will find a way, if you are lukewarm, you will find excuses.

Make a list of what you currently consume a week and estimate the costs.  Include EVERYTHING, eating out, snacks, coffees, drinks, etc... (Yes, even those things you sneak at work on in the car)

The following is a list of a typical week's worth of food I consume that is high in protein, low in carbs, high in nutritional value. (Estimate of cost in my area is included in bracket)

1 Dz large eggs                                                                            ($2.00)

7 Boneless/Skinless Chicken breasts, approx. 8 oz each            ($11.00)

1 Pkg, 6/pkg Multiseed Keto wraps                                            ($3.00)

Asst. Cruciferous Veggies                                                           ($10.00)

Asst. Leafy greens                                                                       ($5.00)

1 Sm Keto Salad Dressing                                                           ($3.00)

1# Butter                                                                                     ($3.00)

1# Shredded Cheese                                                                    ($3.00)

TOTAL                                                                                       $40.00

Yes, this is a simplified meal plan, but you can see it is very affordable.  I limit myself to 1,000 cal/day and work to get 100g of protein a day.  My carbs have an upper limit of 20g/day

So, that is the takeaway?  To achieve a goal, you need to have a plan, fortitude, and a desire to succeed.

KETO has changed my life, I have dropped nearly 200# pounds, and have never felt better in my nearly 61 years.  I encourage you to try this food regimen, you will not regret it! 

KETO Ginger Snaps

I am not a big sweets eater, but I do enjoy these cookies with a strong cup of coffee!

INGREDIENTS:

2 ounces unsalted butter, melted

2 ounces Swerve Brown (I use monk fruit powder)

1 large egg

3-1/2 ounces finely ground almond flour

2 tsp ground ginger*

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon*

1/2 tsp baking powder

Pinch of ground cloves*

2 ounces Swerve Brown, set aside

*I like my cookies STRONG and typically double the ginger, cinnamon, and cloves

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a mixing bowl, add the melted butter, 1/4 cup of Swerve brown, and egg. Mix well.
2. Add the remaining ingredients, except the extra sweetener, and mix into a soft dough.
3. Put the extra Swerve brown onto a plate or into a flat-bottomed
4. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of cookie dough and coat them in the Swerve Brown. (As the dough is quite soft, we recommend using gloves to handle it.)
5. Roll and press into discs, and place onto the cookie sheet. Ensure to leave room around the cookies as they will spread.
6. Sprinkle the cookies with any leftover sweetener.
7. Bake for 18-25 minutes, the cookies will be quite brown around the edges but still feel quite soft to the touch.
8. Leave to cool and crisp up before enjoying.

KETO Gravy

Although I no longer partake of potatoes, bread, grains of any kinds, or any carbs for that matter, I still enjoy gravy on my meat dishes.  This is by far the best gravy I have ever had, BONUS its super easy!

To 1 cup meat drippings add:

1 block cream cheese

1 can evaporated (NOT SWEETENED) milk

Whisk together over medium heat until smooth*

*I add fresh ground black pepper at this point as I am a big fan of pepper in my gravy

That is the entire recipe, it is fantastic, easy, and you will never have lumps in your gravy again!