Eureka!

I decorated for fall on August 8, 2019. Our Idaho winters tend to upstage autumn, so I went on the offense. I started early. Not only was that day the 1½ year anniversary of Barry's passing, but the temperature had dropped significantly. Leaves had begun to yellow.

I adore all-things-pumpkin; however, I have been less than enamored by some of the keto options out there. Nonetheless, this creamer has me dazzled! There are so many options. Mostly, I have been pouring Tejava tea over ice and adding this delicious Maple Pumpkin Super Creamer over the top.

Amazon lists the following plusses: 

DELICIOUS: It's rich and full of flavor without making you feel slow and bogged down.
ENERGY BOOSTING: Healthy fuel for morning workouts and focused energy for those late nights in the library.

NUTRITIOUS: 3 grams of protein and 5 grams of healthy fat from MCT Oil in every serving.

VERSATILE: Whether you are making a flat white, cortado, matcha latte, or putting it in decaf, Super Creamer is the perfect pairing for all beverages, hot and cold.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT.

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Ghee Whiz!

4th & Heart
"Chocti Chocolate Ghee Spread, Coffee Guarana"

I used to hide jars of Nutella in my home like it was an essential emergency kit. When I needed a chocolate fix, this spread was my go-to. (My mom used to hide chocolate, too. I was a sleuth at finding her stash.) I eventually shared my treasured Nutella with my appreciative daughter, Briana.

One of the hardest things about becoming ketogenic was limiting my Nutella intake to occasional teaspoons-full. Nutella has 11 grams of carbs per tablespoon, and palm oil makes a significant contribution to that beautiful silky texture. Sadly, in the ketogenic community, palm oil is not considered a healthy fat.

Speaking of healthy fats, ghee has become a favorite fat component in my diet, and 4th & Heart is a prime resource! They share the following on their website:

Ghee is a healthier, more versatile, great tasting better butter. To make our line of Fourth & Heart ghee butters, we source the best milk from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows in New Zealand to make the purest, most delicious ghee possible. In addition to Original unflavored ghee, we offer a variety of mouthwatering flavors, including Original, California Garlic, Himalayan Pink Salt, and Madagascar Vanilla Bean. Sauté, sear, spread, and enjoy.

Not only have they added Turmeric to their flavors, but they now carry Chocti! Sweetened with date syrup and utilizing ghee as a healthier fat, Chocti is fulfilling longings. It is smooth and satisfying. The total carbs per tablespoon are 10 grams but with a better-for-you vibe. 4th & Heart shares this:

“Chocti” comes from the Sanskrit word shakti, meaning change and empowerment. Chocti honors those roots by empowering choice and facilitating change by offering a healthier alternative to ordinary, everyday chocolate spreads. Carefully crafted from cacao, dates, and our Madagascar vanilla bean.

"Chocti Chocolate Ghee Spread, Coffee Guarana" is the flavor I am presently enjoying. The date syrup adds a unique taste. Of course "coffee" is a no-brainer. The ghee satisfies me, so I seldom want more than a tablespoon's worth.

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Macaroons

Ketonia Keto Coconut Macaroons

Like you, I have tried many of the keto products out there that are advertised as a viable substitution for the "carby" comfort foods that I have given up. I wish my face could be filmed each time I take that long-awaited bite of something new. Most of the time, I display disappointment or disapproval.

I am realistic that the foods that took a lifetime to become attracted to don't always have an equal replacement. Mostly, the sweetness doesn't taste exactly like sugar, or the texture is off. (I have yet to discover a keto biscuit that mimics the flakey, butter-collecting crevices of the real thing.) Happily, the longer I have pursued a ketogenic lifestyle, I have acclimated to a new set of ingredients.

I just ordered these Ketonia Keto Coconut Macaroons with high hopes. One of my all-time favorite desserts is coconut macaroons. These Ketonia macaroons are made with healthy fats, no sugar or fillers, and they are gluten-free. Founded by a French pastry chef and her son, I have a good feeling about this product. I will keep you posted.

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Timing

Riding on the tracks of my last post (scroll down to "Change"), I received a phone call at 8:00 this morning. It was from my eyecare specialist. They have offered me a front desk job! My commute will be less than 10 miles away, 18 minutes from home, and ⅓ the distance of my former workplace. 

My starting wage is a few cents less than what I was earning at my last workplace, but I won't be filling up my tank 2 times a week to trek to Boise! The office is located directly off of the Interstate. I go in to observe for 2 hours this week, and I start on Monday!

The timing is even better because I am also beginning another 7-Week Keto Fast to redeem what my last job tried to steal from me. 

Gratefully,

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Change

We are all familiar with the phrase "hang it up," which basically means "to quit." Interestingly, the word "change" embodies the word "hang," and frequently, change can't happen without quitting something. 

Nothing in this world would exist without change. Heraclitus was quoted as saying, "Change is the only constant in life.” Do we always welcome change? Heck no! Many people deny it, some overreact to it, while others choose to be proactive and positive.

I never dreamed that, at 61 years of age, I would be living alone. Barry passed away 1½ years ago as of August 8, 2019. I have since become an empty-nester. My previous Kia Soul, MamaKia, was totaled and MiaKia has taken her place. Change is ongoing. 

I recently quit my job. I was dealing with passive-aggressive leadership and was wary of the time it took to daily rebuild my self-esteem. Toxic spills were becoming too familiar. I continued my ketogenic lifestyle, but stress and cortisol were undermining my success with losing 41 pounds.

Quitting often gets a bad rap, but I took a jumbo-jump of faith into the unknown. Remarkably, I was rewarded with instant peace. Change is a way of honoring ourselves.

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Still Standing My Ground

Cream Cheese and Bacon Mushrooms
Orchard House, Caldwell, ID

Stress is still a nemesis in my life. Work pressures have escalated, and I was in a car accident 2 Thursdays ago. I have not received a definite answer as to whether MamaKia will be fixed or totaled. In the meantime, I am tweaking my low-carb regime and exploring vocational options that are closer to home.

It is frustrating to have experienced something that worked beautifully only to have it shipwreck in a crisis—and not because I stopped doing what I knew to do. The best news is that my weight is headed in the right direction again, even when the scale gets stuck on one number for a series of days.

I have not signed up for deprivation. Except for an occasional reset through intermittent fasting, I am still enjoying the adventurous low-carb fare.

I spent my Sunday afternoon in the Caldwell vineyard country. The Orchard House patio offered a pleasant mix of shade, breeze, and sunshine. Music from the ’70s had me oscillating in my chair. There was even a Conversation Jar should I get tired of talking to myself.

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Me-TLC

Rarely are my food adventures visually unexciting. That's part of the fun, isn't it? Even at home, dining by myself, I endeavor to keep things interesting. I always know when it's time for some Me-TLC.

Thai Food has been a recurring theme lately. Also, appetizers served in lettuce wraps have been ultra satisfying.

Salads have taken on new meaning by adding a fried egg. This adds a new dimension, and I find that different dressings transform each dining experience.

Any bunless burger is fun, but I find this Swiss and Mushroom burger to be delectable!

When it's time to Thai one on, does it get prettier than this?

Traditional Phở can go noodle-less. I find bean sprouts to be a satisfying substitute.

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Intermittent Fasting

This fabulous book is a collaboration between
Jason Fung & Jimmy Moore

Anyone who has been following my story since February 8th, 2018—the day my husband succumbed to a "widow-maker" heart attack—knows that the sudden shift in my circumstances unraveled some of my ketogenic success. I had lost 41 pounds, and although I remain devoted to my lifestyle, I managed to gain 25 more!

I recall one depressing day when I spotted my reflection in the window of my Kia Soul. I was not happy with what I saw. I suddenly felt like Fat Old Widow Miller. As I became emotional, I heard an internal voice say, "Can we talk?" I knew that Father God was not going to allow me to build a case against myself. He reminded me that I was in pain and grieving. He pointed out that I had left a more active job to sit in a cubicle for 8 hours and that my commute time had increased from 25 minutes a day to over 2 hours. I felt His assurance that all of these things were being worked out.

I soon realized that my stress had a name: cortisol. This stress hormone, cortisol, is associated with fight-or-flight and is often regarded as more of a foe than a friend. At its best, cortisol has anti-inflammatory properties, supports the immune system and sex drive, and aids in digestion. The adrenal glands release cortisol and, via the bloodstream, converts amino acids into sugar and glucose. Cortisol increases insulin, also known as the fat-storage hormone.

Chronic stress makes the body believe that it is "surviving," hence, storing weight around the midsection like an innertube. One experiences symptoms such as carb cravings, sleepless nights, a lower libido, and inflammation. Suddenly our digestion and the immune system are under attack. We become vulnerable to the sickness that our bodies should be defending.

Enter Doctor Rosie Main of Main Health Solutions in Meridian, ID. I love it that as a chiropractor, Dr. Rosie treats the entire human and is not merely focused on adjustments. She held a seminar today on intermittent fasting. She is launching seven weeks of prescribed fasting, based on Jason Fung's book, The Complete Guide to Fasting, and has invited her entire patient base to participate.

Currently, I have begun to drop weight again, but it is typical to wake up several days in a row weighing the same regardless of what I ate the day before. I plan to begin this 7-week fasting regimen on Monday, January 14th. The beauty of this is the water fast does not ensue until Week 6 of this program. A ketogenic lifestyle will be the main attraction during the other six weeks.

WEEK 1

Use the principle of 2-2-2-2 to move your body into ketosis.

Ketosis is when the body burns fat for fuel; instead of glucose. 

Your diet must follow these criteria:

• High in fat
• Moderate to low in protein
• Low in carbohydrates

Consume the following every day:

• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp grass fed butter or ghee
• 2 tbsp of olive oil or avocado oil
• 2 tsp of sea salt (Himalayan or Celtic are best—not table salt

I plan to add a distinct spiritual element to this fast for it to encompass body, soul, and spirit. You are welcome to join me. I would love the company and support! I will be posting the guidelines for each week on Saturday or Sunday before the new week.

In the Fast Lane,

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Keto Instant Pot | Maria Emmerich

If you have ever acted onstage, you know that the key to great comedy is timing. I also like to think that the key to thriving involves timing as well. For instance, I attended a Ketogenic consultation last Saturday, hosted by my Chiropractor, Dr. Rosie Main. She subscribes to the philosophy of Dr. Josh Axe and Dr. Ben Lerner, CEO of Maximized Living. Since my husband's passing, I have been intent on rescuing my body from the grips of grief, stress, and loneliness. You might call it a reboot!

So, today I received Maria Emmerich's newest publication: Keto Instant Pot. I am honored to review and promote her books here at Everlovin' Low-Carb. I not only have hard copies of her works but keep some them on Kindle, too. Life is too short to be sacrificing flavor, and Maria intuitively understands how to create satisfying meals with real food and innovative tools.

I bought my first Instant Pot in April of this year. Even though my cooking, since February, has been limited because I have fewer people to cook for, I have been collecting new ideas and inspiration.

Amazon writes...

The Instant Pot is one of the hottest cooking tools around these days. With its ability to pressure-cook foods in mere minutes, all in one pot, it is a huge time-saver for busy home cooks. You can even bake a cheesecake in it! A ketogenic diet that eliminates processed foods sometimes require a little more effort in the kitchen, so any time saved is a plus. In this book, international bestselling author Maria Emmerich presents more than 160 delicious low-carb, high-fat keto recipes designed to be cooked in an Instant Pot or other multi-cooker. The recipes run the gamut from appetizers and sides to soups to main dishes to sweet treats and even a few drinks, along with some handy keto basics. As a bonus, Maria also includes slow-cooking instructions (which can be done either in the Instant Pot or in a separate slow cooker) for each recipe for those days when set-it-and-forget-it convenience takes precedence over the need for speed.

Recipes include:

• Pumpkin Coffee Cake
• Easy Baked Eggs
• Buffalo Meatballs
• Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
• Italian Chicken Chili
• Curry Beef Stew
• Philly Cheesesteak
• Pork Lettuce Cups
• Amazing Asian Pulled Pork
• Chicken and Bacon Lasagna Roll-ups
• Garlicky Tuna Casserole
• Lemon Ricotta Torte
• Chocolate Almond Fudge
• Homemade Root Beer
• …and much more!

I am definitely in a soup-mood lately, plus leftovers are a cinch to freeze. So I will be trying the following recipes first: Reuben Soup,  Pumpkin Chili, Cioppino, Seafood Chowder, Broccoli Brie Soup, African Nut Stew, Belgian Booyah,  Egg Roll Soup, Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup, and Lasagna Soup!

Check out Maria's new book HERE!

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