Fat is Back and it's Epic!

If you have never tried a sweet potato—flash-fried in duck fat—it is time to explore. Fat translates mundane into FUN-dane! It nurtures our brains and bodies back to how they were meant to function! (There's that "fun" word again.) Fat is fuel to burn and flavor to love!

I cannot imagine returning to a blasé, low-fat diet. Can you? Healthy fat is the key ingredient to low-carb satiety, pleasure, and weight loss success! After consuming enough healthy fat, I can go for hours without being hungry!

I just ordered this fatty trio from Amazon. Epic's Animal Cooking Oils Variety Pack (featuring 1 Beef Tallow, 1 Pork Lard, 1 Duck Fat) takes delicious to a new level! It is perfect for baked goods, roasted or sautéed veggies, and fabulously flaky pie crusts. Check it out HERE.

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A Wok-Up Call

Oh, what fun it is to whip up a meal using only what is in the fridge and pantry! In this case, I incorporated onions, green peppers, andouille sausage, and a package of shredded coleslaw mix. All ingredients were stir-fried with bacon drippings, Bragg Liquid Aminos, Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, and Toasted Sesame Oil! I then served it up with a soft boiled egg. 

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Mini Asian Meatballs in Lettuce Cups

MINI ASIAN MEATBALLS IN LETTUCE CUPS

From: Martha Stewart Living

I have been reading Martha Stewart Living for years, always tearing out the 4 recipe cards that come with each issue. I have quite a collection and the recipes are simple to prepare. Nowadays, I sort through them looking for recipes that are naturally low-carb or can be easily adjusted.

Here is one that needs no tweaking. I have no recollection of what year or issue this was from. The cards are not dated. I scanned this recipe for your enjoyment.

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The Pros of Low-Carb

Smiles,

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90-Second Microwave Paleo Bread — Louise Hendon

90-Minute Microwave Paleo Bread | Louise Hendon
Photo Credit: Karen June Miller

Most low-carbers lament the absence of bread. I understand. Prior to LCHF, I became weak-kneed for buttered sourdough and biscuits. In a moment of clarity, I recognized that I loved the butter more. There is no butter deprivation in this lifestyle. Still, I want that occasional slice of buttered bliss.

After dabbling with gluten-free bread, made primarily of rice flour, I was not impressed. Once I committed to low-carbing, I began to explore grain-free recipes. Keto Bread Loaves (by Rule.me) was the first baked bread that met with my approval.

I then tried 90-Second Microwave Paleo Bread (by Louise Hendon).  I was skeptical because it seemed improbable that any bread could taste good with only 90 seconds of baking, especially in a microwave oven. Well, I was delighted! Not only is the recipe easy to create and quick to cook, it gives me the bread fix I crave!

90-Minute Microwave Paleo Bread | Louise Hendon
Photo Credit: Karen June Miller

I cook each 90-Second Microwave Paleo Bread loaf in a large mug (without beveled sides) and allow it to cool slightly. I prefer an English muffin style thickness, so I cut each loaf into 3 slices. I prepare the slices 2 ways: pan toasted in butter or broiled. 

The pictured slices were slathered in garlic butter and topped with Bragg Organic Sprinkle. Today, I placed the bread under the broiler. 

90-Minute Microwave Paleo Bread | Louise Hendon
Photo Credit: Karen June Miller

There is no limit to what can be done with these. Just think outside the breadbox. Whatever you can do with grain bread, you can do with these gratifying slices!

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6 Tips for Foiling Fake Followers

FAKES

I love social networking . . . except when I don't. As social media platforms become more sophisticated, so do the tactics of those who wish to intrude, manipulate, and use people.

My online socializing began in an AOL chatroom. It was a cozy hideaway and I formed some excellent friendships. Aside from the occasional imposter, we had little to fend off. Many of those AOL friends migrated to Facebook with me. I have since expanded my online presence through Blogger, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. 

I have a personal Instagram account that I share with friends and the Hipstamatic community. It includes low-carbing, but not everyone is interested. So, I created a specific Instagram account just for Everlovin' Low-Carb. 

I was excited by the immediate follows I received. I use hashtags generously, so I assumed they were attracting likeminded souls. I was happy to reciprocate. To my dismay, once I followed suit, they promptly unfollowed me.

Unfortunately, after you receive the initial so-and-so-is-following-you alert, there is no obvious indication that they are still on board. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, Instagram account pages do not display whether or not someone follows you. This information can only be discovered by clicking on their "Following" list and typing your user name into the search window.

Christine followed me. She has 43,379 Followers. I could feel flattered that a prominent account was interested in me, except that I was suspicious that she only follows 3,220 people. She unfollowed me soon after I followed her. She was obviously only interested in beefing up her numbers. Even if she was using an automated app, it reflects poorly on who she is. Bye-bye, Christine.

6 TIPS FOR FOILING FAKE FOLLOWERS

1. Follow your interests... There are celebrity and high profile accounts that I follow because I am interested in their brand and/or content. I do not expect them to follow me back. However, if they pull the pretend-follow-trick on me, I can live without them.
2. Monitor activity... I picked up the "Followers" app in iTunes. (There are similar options.) This gives me the ability to see: new followers; who has unfollowed me or is not following me back; those who have blocked me, deleted likes and comments, etc. Once I know they have unfollowed me, I unfollow them, but beware. They often come right back with another follow!
3. Look at the numbers... If you see an enormous amount of followers on an account that barely follows anyone back, think twice. Often, they have purchased followers or have an app doing their dirty work. They may be totally unaware of you. If they do know you exist, you are just a number.
4. Check out profiles and posts before you follow.
5. Bait and ditch... A fake follower might bait you by complimenting your posts. Still, once you follow, they unfollow.
6. Minimal posts... A small number of posts is often a giveaway that you are dealing with a spammer.

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Shelf-Help and Instagram

SHELF-HELP

Having spent 53 years in Southern California, I never had the impetus to take on spring. Compared to Idaho, seasons tend to blur into one another. After a record-breaking winter here, which included 9 snow days, I was understandably eager to be productive. (We even had snow this morning.)

One project was to reorganize my 2-tiered Lazy Susan cabinet. When I began low-carbing, I did an initial purge, but there were still some culprits. So, I emptied the shelves and reordered my low-carb life. I was quite pleased with the results and it seemed to reinforce my progress and continued determination. 

GOOD NEWS!

Everlovin' Low-Carb is now on INSTAGRAM! I have had a personal account for some time. Although I share low-carb adventures there, most of my followers are friends and Hipstamatic enthusiasts who are not into LCHF. So, I created everlovinlowcarb. You are welcome to join me there. I will follow you, too. You can also connect with me on my Facebook Everlovin' Low-Carb Page.

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Another Bonanza at Grocery Outlet!

Grocery Outlet {Click to Enlarge}

In anticipation of today's paycheck, I circled Grocery Outlet ads using my iPhone Flipp app. Of course, I had some knowledge of what I would find. Even so, if you have any experience with Grocery Outlet, you know that there are always surprises. 

I love healthy products! I do not appreciate the high-end prices of a natural market. I have been spending $4.79 for one Bragg Organic Sprinkle with a local mom-and-pop grocer. I found it for 99 cents today! The only difference was that the label was written in both English and French.

Here is a summary of my bonanza...
Retail value: $125.01
Total savings: $66.69
Balance due without tax: $58.32

What I bought...

• 3 - 12 oz. packages of Natural Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon
• 3 jars of Bragg Organic Sprinkle
• 2 - 2 lb. packages of Organic Valley Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 2 - 1 liter bottles of Tejava Tea
• 1 Earthbound Organic Baby Spinach and Spring Mix
• 1 Earthbound Organic Baby Romaine
• 1 jar Kordatos Kalamata Whole Olives
• 1 jar Organic Peanut Butter
• 1 carton of Meadow Gold Whipping Cream
• 1 package of Aidells Organic Cajun Style Andouille 
• 1 package of Wensleydale & Cranberry Gourmet Cheese

Just a 2 lb. package of Organic Valley Sharp Cheddar Cheese was over 50% less! I would have spent around $19.00 for each brick at a natural store. I also try to stock up on nitrate and nitrite free bacon whenever they have it . 

I was told that the owner of my local Grocery Outlet loves Tejava Tea, so it will probably stick around. It sells for $1.29 each! This makes me smile.

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I stopped dieting...

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And the winner is...

The Cookbook Giveaway ended at midnight. I placed the names of giveaway entrants on slips of paper and had my son draw the winner.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

JUDITH FULTON!

Private message your address to me on Facebook and I will send "The Complete Low-Carb Cookbook" your way.

Big Blessings,

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