Chipotle Cauli-Rice

Cauliflower rice is a staple in my home. It is the beginning of anything you can imagine! Everlovin' LowCarb has already featured 3 riced cauliflower recipes:

• Cauliflower Tabbouleh with Pomegranate Seeds
• Asian Goulash
• Curry Cauli-Rice Salad

Whether you are a riced cauliflower enthusiast or still on the fence, I think you will enjoy Tracy Saelinger's piece, Is Trader Joe's cauliflower rice better than homemade? Tracy compares 2 popular prep methods to Trader Joe's Organic Riced Cauliflower. She also includes 2 how-to videos for stir-fry rice and a cauliflower pizza crust.

Chipotle Cauli-Rice is simple, yet perfect for variations. I love to pick up a roasted whole chicken at the natural market, tear it apart, and stir it in. This takes little time to prepare.

CHIPOTLE CAULI-RICE

Ingredients

• 2 12-oz. packages of frozen Trader Joe's Organic Riced Cauliflower
• 1 lime, juiced
• 3 green onions
• 1-2 teaspoons of chipotle seasoning (I get mine in the bulk section of a natural grocer.)
• 2 Tbsp. Organic olive oil
• Maldon salt or sea salt to taste

Instructions

1. Microwave the riced cauliflower according to the package directions and allow to cool.
2. Juice the lime and cut the onions into small pieces.
3. Add the olive oil, lime juice, chipotle, and salt. (If including roasted chicken, add it now.) 
4. Toss everything together and refrigerate.

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Saving Money

Do high prices keep you from eating healthier? I am sometimes stunned by the investment. If I were the only one eating in my family, maybe I could justify it. It is true that cheaper products are often inferior because manufacturers have cut corners, added sugar and chemicals. It costs more to do it right, but is this a reasonable explanation for huge markups?

I occasionally shop at Whole Foods. The store inspires me despite their preference for carbs. I buy hard-to-find products and food items that are on sale or have a store coupon. My aim is to leave without having spent $40 for just 3 things.

I tried couponing in my early 40's. I was never extreme enough to become a ninja, but I worked up a sweat. Just my low-level commitment gobbled up my life. Even then, I rejected junk and I had no interest in storing up needless bulk items. I also had a pet peeve for being stuck behind the shopper with 50+ coupons. If patiently watching the scanning process was not enough, there were always discrepancies between coupons and what was actually purchased.

Couponing is no longer a hobby, but I still use them. I have found that I can buy high-quality, healthy products in discount stores—even those without membership fees. Grocery Outlet is a prime example.

Here are some of my recent Grocery Outlet finds . . .

Chosen Food's Avocado Oil Mayo with Harissa; Tejava bottled tea; Bragg's Liquid Aminos and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil; bacon, andouille and beer brats without nitrates and nitrites; organic chicken thighs; natural avocado dip without additives; huge packages of chicharrones; Chobani Mezé Dip with Smoked Onions and Parmesan; grass fed ground beef; and provolone cheese slices. (I make taco shells out of the provolone.)

I paid $62 after $54 was deducted! I bought a variety of items without buying too much of any one thing. I read labels for carb counts and hidden sugar. If one of my favs had gone up in price, I chose a less expensive similar product.

Unless the aisle is crowded, I usually make the NOSH isle (above) first on my agenda. I then head for the meat and cheese section. After I have selected things from these locations, I check my budget before moving to other sections.

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Keep Your Eye on the Prize

We all get sidetracked in a grocery store, especially when it is important to stick to our goals. I regularly don my earbuds and plug into a low-carb podcast while I shop. The facts, advice, interviews, testimonies, and latest news keep me excited and focused. I am less inclined to purchase something that is not beneficial.

My iPhone is loaded with low-carb, keto, and paleo podcasts. Before upgrading my iPhone, I used the Stitcher Radio app. I began having issues with it and switched to the Overcast: Podcast Player. I have not returned to Stitcher since the upgrade, only because my Overcast app is organized and performing beautifully!

Consider these low-carb suggestions . . .

• Jimmy Moore's "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show", "Keto Talk", and "Fasting Talk"
• "Low-Carb Conversations"
• "The Ketovangelist Podcast"
• "Ketovangelist Kitchen"
• "The Paleo View Podcast"

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Cloudy with the Chance of a Hug

I captured this threatening skyline yesterday afternoon. I did not realize that I was taking a photo of the bank that my son was simultaneously visiting. So, I got a hug as a bonus!

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