The Carnivore Cookbook

Remember how iconic—or should I say "eye-conic"—the appearance of 2020 promised to be? As a Christian, I thought my widowhood was positioned for an overhaul. You know, more direction and purpose, greater insights into my future. Well, my eyes were opened alright, but not in the way I expected. God made me take a good look at this topsy-turvy world, not just skimming through the pages but seeing fine print. I'm not going to dig into that here but know that I will never be the same.

I had loads of sedentary and solitary time. I went through people-person withdrawal. I survived the shut-down, furlough, starting a new job, and catching the Big "C" while wearing a mask. Recreation was nonexistent as I sadly watched my favorite hangouts close permanently.

That "new job" ended up being a disappointment. Hence, I am currently searching for another paid adventure and, this time, it isn't happening so fast.

My low-carb/keto lifestyle may have taken a long walk on a short dock, but with my youngest son's May wedding, I'm grabbing hold of a life preserver.

Originally, my success of low-carb/keto lasted for 3 years with a gradual weight loss of 41 pounds. After my husband's passing, stress-induced cortisol waged war. Regrettably, I began to falter. This time, I plan to use my palm to gauge portions, and intermittent fasting will be a powerful tool. Although I love what healthy fats lend to a meal, I will cut back so my body will concentrate on my fat reserves.

This brings me to The Carnivore Cookbook by Maria and Craig Emmerich. There is much controversy regarding meat-eating, especially from those who choose a vegan diet. I've always struggled with a non-meat viewpoint because humans are a part of the food chain. I have stated that I'll stop eating meat once the animal kingdom removes me from their menu. And, the Bible makes it clear that God condoned the use of animal protein.

Many Native American tribes in Idaho ate berries, nuts, seeds, roots, and grazing animals. Meat contains the nutrients of the vegetation the animal consumes, which transfers to our own health and being.

Maria does a fine job addressing the opposition by discussing blood sugar spikes and other myths about meat. She also identifies unhealthy chemicals in specific plants. As with all of Maria's books, reference materials are diagramed clearly.

Let's take a look at some of the scrumptious fare offered in this book!

• Fried Goat Cheese Ravioli (prosciutto replaces the pasta)
• Meat Lollipops
• Breakfast Pie
• Salmon French Eggs
• Bacon Cheeseburger Scrambled Eggs
• Beef Pemmican
• Chicken Confit
• Sous Vide Pork Chop
• Creamy Parmesan Beef Tips
• Grilled Lamb Kofta
• Easy Carnivore Hollandaise Sauce (and several other sauces)
• Breakfast Kebabs
• Carnivore Mozzarella Sticks
• Meatballs (made without breadcrumbs)

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Keto Air Fryer | Maria Emmerich

Anyone familiar with keto understands that it encompasses higher healthy fat, moderate protein, and low-carb foods. Perhaps you reacted as I did when I saw "keto" and "air fryer" partnered together. After all, air fryers use minimal fat. So, how would this be beneficial?

First, I need to be transparent. Due to significant and emotional life-changes, it was necessary to relaunch my keto lifestyle. One of my epiphanies was that I was consuming too much fat. 

One of the truths Maria Emmerich shares in Keto Air Fryer is this: 

But it's a common misconception that you need to eat a ton of fat on keto. If your body is already "high fat," your diet doesn't need to be.

I was using healthy fat to keep hunger cravings at bay. And, the stress of becoming a widow caused my cortisol levels to escalate. It was time to tweak.

Happily, Maria's recipes capitalize on healthy fat consumption without overdoing it.

Having never used an Air Fryer, I invested in the model that Maria suggested, which is the Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection Toaster Oven Air Fryer with Light. Being single, I need faster food solutions when I return from work. I don't want to devote my entire evening to cooking and cleanup.

My first recipe was Maria's "Simple Scallops." I am a seafood lover, and this recipe was insanely simple! I was eating this delicious meal within minutes. Plus, the beauty of her recipes is that the ingredients often involve items that I already have on hand.

Keto Air Fryer includes these recipes:

• Coconut Shrimp with Spicy Mayo
• Marinated Turmeric Cauliflower Steaks
• Perfect Zoodles
• Burrata-Stuffed Tomatoes
• Crispy Brussels Sprouts
• Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
• Doro Wat Wings
• Keto Danish
• The Best Keto Quiche
• Meritage Eggs
• Easy Bacon
• Chicken Cordon Blue Meatballs
• Chicken Kiev
• Dry Rub Baby Back Ribs

STAY TUNED! I WILL BE GIVING AWAY

A "KETO AIR FRYER" COOKBOOK IN FEBRUARY!

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"Easy Dairy-Free Ketogenic Recipes" by Maria Emmerich

I love cheese and heavy whipping cream. My family drinks milk—I do not. Occasionally, I substitute cottage cheese for french fries or mashed potatoes. I have never been diagnosed with dairy-related allergies, although I recall having trouble breathing after gulping down large amounts of chocolate milk as a kid. Honestly, because of my fondness for dairy products, I have been unwilling to investigate further.

So, International Bestselling Author, Maria Emmerich, writes this new book, Easy Dairy-Free Ketogenic Recipes. I began to think ... do I really want to forfeit dairy? Quickly, I realized that Maria's book was offering me choices and the freedom to explore. I recognized how dairy-free can be done intermittently—just like fasting. Best of all, I knew that I would never feel deprived.

Here's what you will find in Easy Dairy-Free Ketogenic Recipes:

• More than 200 delicious and satisfying dairy-free keto recipes, including slow cooker recipes to make life a little easier
• A 30-day meal plan to kick-start ketosis, with corresponding weekly shopping lists
• Egg-free, nightshade-free, and vegetarian meal plans and grocery lists
• Helpful information about which foods are keto approved and which foods can hold you back
• Lifestyle recommendations to help your body heal from poor eating habits and adapt to burning fat

Check out these recipes: Keto Brioche, Cabbage Pasta, Bundt Pan Chicken, Spanish Spiced Lamb Chops, Hawaiian Luau Pork, Fish in Puttanesca Sauce, Garlic Lime Broiled Shrimp, Ahi Poke, Salt-Crusted Fish, Classic Sherbet, and Dirt Cake. The recipe for Breakfast Fat Bombs appears below.

With ingenious substitutions, Maria has fashioned some mouthwatering, lip-smacking meals that will help generate ketosis while staving off feelings of deprivation.

The following recipe is usually prepared using cream cheese. Here, Maria proves how simple exchanges can be dairy-free and satisfying.

BREAKFAST FAT BOMBS

Maria Emmerich

Prep Time: 7 minutes (not including time to cook eggs or bacon)

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved
• 3 tablespoons store-bought or homemade mayonnaise (recipe in book)
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
• 1 cup diced bacon, cooked until crispy

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Remove the egg yolks from the whites and place the yolks in a bowl. Dice the whites and set aside.
2. To the bowl with the egg yolks, add the mayo, salt, and chives. Combine until smooth. Add the diced egg whites and gently stir to combine.
3. Take 2 tablespoons of the egg mixture and roll it into a golfball-sized ball. Roll the ball in the cooked bacon. Repeat with the remaining egg mixture and bacon and serve.
4. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

I welcome your comments! ↓

Keeping the "Comfort" in Keto

Keto Comfort Foods | Maria Emmerich

International Bestselling Author, Maria Emmerich, actually paid a visit to Boise, Idaho last Sunday! We are not always a high priority when it comes to book-signing tours. This is primarily because Los Angeles has a higher population than our entire state. Still, Maria blessed eager attendees—with her energy and inspiration—at our only Barnes & Noble.

Largely, my adult journey into the low-carb/ketogenic lifestyle has been narrated by Jimmy Moore via his remarkable podcasts on Livin' La Vida Low-Carb. Jimmy and his expert guests have given me much-needed guidance. Throughout Jimmy's 1300+ episodes, Maria Emmerich has been featured numerous times. Her testimony and sound advice led me to purchase iPhone Kindle versions of her books, one of which is The Ketogenic Cookbook, co-authored by Jimmy Moore.

Maria Emmerich and Karen June Miller
Boise Barnes & Noble

Maria is an engaging, transparent woman who exudes genuine interest in seeing others succeed. My first glance at her petite stature made me wonder how weight issues could have ever plagued her. Still, her adolescent struggles with weight became a catalyst for solidifying peace with food. She later became a wellness expert in nutrition and exercise physiology, with a mission for finding nutritive and delicious replacements for grains, starch, and sugar.

Maria Emmerich
Boise Barnes & Noble

Keto Comfort Foods keeps the "comfort" in Keto! With scrumptious recipes such as Browned Butter Mocha Latte, Garlic and Cheddar Biscuits and Gravy, Chicken Pot Pie, Taco Pizza, Smothered Pork Chops, BLT Stuffed Mushrooms... Am I making you hungry yet? Seriously, Maria kicks boredom to the curb.

Amazon shares this...

When you begin following the ketogenic diet, whether your goal is to promote weight loss, improve blood markers, or just enhance overall health and well-being, it’s easy to forget to enjoy food. Some people fall into a drab routine of consuming the same dishes over and over, which can lead to boredom and frustration—and ultimately to the desire to fall back into old, poor eating habits. With Keto Comfort Foods, Maria Emmerich reassures everyone on the keto diet that it isn’t difficult at all to recreate those favorite foods and meals in healthy ways—you just need to use a little creativity. By using clever low- or no-calorie substitutions for sugar and scrubbing all recipes clean of gluten-containing additives, Maria has created an incredible resource for comforting home-cooked meals that are safe enough for everyone in the family and delicious enough for the most discerning eaters. These recipes are sure to become new family favorites! 

In Keto Comfort Foods, Maria Emmerich has compiled her most soul-warming, happiness-invoking recipes. The book’s more than 170 tantalizing, hearty comfort food recipes include everything from cinnamon rolls to steak fries, and from chicken cordon bleu to tiramisu cheesecake. Maria has covered all the bases, giving you the recipes and tips you need to make delicious and healthy versions of your favorite dishes.

I love having a trove of cookbooks on my phone, but I am renewing my relationship with the tactile experience of holding a beautiful book. Stay tuned, I will be promoting Maria's future cookbooks right here at Everlovin' Low-Carb.

Smiles,

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How does Oprah's new cookbook speak to me?

Weight Watchers stock surged by 300% in 2016 when Oprah Winfrey took a high-profile role in their company. Having purchased 10% of their stock, Oprah became the company's second-biggest shareholder. She captured the world's attention with her premiere commercial, asking the question, "If not now, when?" This was followed by a rapturous video tweet where she says repeatedly, "I LOVE BREAD!"

Kevin Fallon, from Daily Beast, is indicative of those who adulate Oprah Winfrey. On February 11, 2016, he wrote:

"And here is Oprah Winfrey, our most trusted confidante, telling us that not only is eating bread OK, but that, with the help of Weight Watchers, she managed to lose weight without sacrificing it. Glory be to God. Glory be to O."

Kevin is not alone. Oprah's following clamored to hear more, feeling as if a revelatory word had loosed the shackles of poundage. Oprah was giving people a mandate by basically saying, "Are you with me or not?" And the bread thing? It was a prod at the paleo and low-carb community.

Oprah Winfrey and I have 3 significant things in common: we share the same birthday, we love bread, and we have battled weight gain for most of our lives. I'm sure she, like me, desires a satisfying relationship with food without deprivation. I have watched her score incredible weight loss victories, often through arduous means, only to plummet backward. I can certainly relate.

Oprah has published a cookbook titled, Food, Health and Happiness. The website, Prima, wrote an article highlighting the book's "10 best weight-loss cooking tips". So, I was curious. What new cutting edge information does Oprah's cookbook have to offer?

THE 10-TIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Her cookbook features a soup recipe with "white wine, bay leaves, and cashew cream". 
• She carries truffle zest in her purse.
• Oprah is not enamored with mashed cauliflower, so she adds "two boiled Yukon gold potatoes".
• She loves turkey and pulses whole white or dark turkey pieces in a food processor.
• Fatty salmon has been replaced with lower calorie monkfish.
• Butter lettuce is used instead of tortillas.
• She recommends quinoa, using mango chutney for flavor, and disses cheese sauce.

MY TAKEAWAYS

• I will definitely be checking out her soup recipe (which might be low-carb) and experimenting with truffle zest. 
• We just had mashed cauliflower with lemon butter and herbs. It was amazing! If I was to add high carb potatoes, I might as well skip the cauliflower.
• I do prefer whole, shredded turkey over ground turkey.
• Butter lettuce is nothing new. Low-carbers and dieters alike have been replacing bread and tortillas with lettuce leaves for decades.
• Oprah counts calories or points, not carbs. So, fat—something that adds much flavor to food—is naturally omitted. Salmon does not need to be sacrificed on a low-carb diet.
• Quinoa is very high in carbs and I have never found it filling.
• Mango chutney is flavorful but can add substantial carbs.
• Cheese sauce is quite beneficial in a low-carb lifestyle—as long as it does not contain grains or unhealthy additives.
• As for bread... I have explored many low-carb bread recipes that are incredibly satisfying, contain the texture I love, and have a healthy fat content that fills me up.

Overall, the cookbook is not written for low-carb individuals, although I'm sure there are recipes that can be adapted. I wish Oprah the best, but I am sticking with my Everlovin' Low-Carb.

To watch Oprah's "I Love Bread" Video, click HERE.

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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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Holy Moly!

C'mon now. We all have horrible diet-food memories that have scarred us. I anticipated that a low-carb lifestyle would affect some of my favorite comfort foods, I was never willing to settle for bad?

I have observed my husband, Barry, and 17-year-old son, Brock, gobbling pancakes with gusto. Memories of Saturday morning pancakes or high school kidnap breakfasts raced back. I found that I missed the comfort food connection. 

George Stella's book, The Complete Low-Carb Cookbook, features a recipe for "Maple Silver Dollar Pancakes". The ingredients include eggs, maple extract, almond flour, milled flax seed, and substitute sugar (I use a stevia blend). Until today, I had not flirted with a low-carb pancake. It was time to change that.

Neither Barry or Brock are strictly low-carb, but they both eat what I prepare. As pancake lovers, they knew ahead of time that these pancakes were not traditional. With maple extract and a sugar substitute in the recipe, it is not necessary to use syrup. Nonetheless, the guys wanted some maple syrup on top. 

I had them rate the pancakes.

Barry-o-meter: 10

Brock-o-meter: 13

What did I think? Holy moly! It felt like I had been reunited with an old friend. Nothing tasted fake or compromised. The flaxseed added enough fiber that I was full after 4 3-inch pancakes. The texture was wonderful; and the baking powder and baking soda added enough fluff. All I added to the top was butter and a squirt of whipped cream.

Guess what! I'm giving one of these cookbooks away! To enter, click HERE.

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COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY!

THIS GIVEAWAY 

HAS ENDED.

Everlovin' Low-Carb was launched on June 28th of 2016. I am approaching my first year anniversary! If you are familiar with operating a blog, you know that the hardest work is in the building and decorating. Once that is accomplished, the fun begins!

This is my 66th post. I have not invested in paid advertising, but I have shared my enthusiasm on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This exposure alone has generated 6200 visits to my blog. I may be tootin' my own horn, but I think this calls for a GIVEAWAY!

George Stella, veteran Food Network chef and author, recently published The Complete Low-Carb Cookbook. I have the digital version on my iPhone. Now, I am giving away a hardcopy version!

Amazon writes...

The Complete Low-Carb Cookbook is not just George Stella's best collection of recipes, but his definitive word on low-carb eating. With hundreds of helpful tips, you aren't just following along; you are learning how to use Stella's techniques to reinvent any of your own recipes without the use of processed foods. You are also learning how these techniques helped his family of four lose over 650 pounds. 

Over 60 full-color photos will help you present dishes that look as good as they taste. All 130 recipes are made without any wheat or added sugar, making them gluten-free, and great for diabetics as well.

How you enter...

1. CLICK "COMMENT" BELOW.
2. LEAVE A MESSAGE.  (a.) Mention your favorite Everlovin' Low-Carb posts. (b.) Leave your NAME and STATE. (c.) Enter only once.
3. PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT.
4. EARN EXTRA ENTRIES. Have your FRIENDS mention you in their comments and I will give you a bonus entry!
5. DEADLINE TO ENTER:  Friday, March 31, 2017 at 11:59 P.M. PST. The winner will be selected on the next day through a random drawing.

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Hot Garlic Sauce | Mojo criollo para viandas y carnes

Most sauces, marinades, and dressings are naturally low-carb as long as they are sugarless and grainless. Of course, cooking from scratch gives us complete control over carbs. Think of sauces, marinades, and dressings as wardrobe and accessories. (That is, after all, the real reason I enjoyed my childhood Barbie.) Any dish can undergo a dramatic quick-change with little fuss.

Chef George Geary wrote a cookbook called 500 Best Sauces, Salad Dressings, Marinades & More. Seriously! We could eat chicken breasts for 16 months straight and never duplicate a flavor profile!

Here is a versatile Cuban sauce. It is borrowed from In a Cuban Kitchen by Alex Garcia, published in September of 2004. Although carbs are central in Cuban cuisine, I have not met a carb that cannot be tweaked. Garcia's dishes are irresistible and use the freshest ingredients!

HOT GARLIC SAUCE | MOJO CRIOLLO PARA VIANDAS Y CARNES

From: In a Cuban Kitchen

By: Alex Garcia

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 medium white onion, chopped fine
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/2 bunch fresh parsley, stems removed and chopped fine
• 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, stems removed and chopped fine
• Juice of 3 limes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and cook until fragrant.
2. Remove from the heat and let sit for 2 minutes. Add the parsley, cilantro, lime juice and salt.
3. Serve hot over vegetables or meat dishes.

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Saveur Magazine

Saveur is my absolute favorite culinary magazine! It reminds me of Disney's It's a Small World—only in the warmth of an ethnic kitchen. The photos and personal perspective invite me into its pages, making me a mealtime guest.

Saveur's website shares the following...

This magazine truly speaks to people who are enthusiastic about creating artful cuisine. It explores the authentic cuisines of the world, tracks recipes and ingredients to their places of origin and illuminates their history, traditions and local flavors. In addition, it contains informative news about the latest in culinary trends, kitchen tips and techniques and a calendar of culinary events. If you are an adventurous eater who loves tasting all different kinds of food and exploring their heritage, you will love what Saveur has to offer.

This blurb describes me, too. I view myself as an "adventurous eater" and for the very reasons listed. Being raised on a traditional American diet left a plethora of exotic foods off of the shopping list. There are so many cultures, regions, and foods to explore; and Saveur inspiringly provides the transportation.

World cuisine recipes obviously include some grains and sugar, but most of Saveur's recipes can be easily modified with real food. It is true that using substitutes like almond or coconut flour will alter the texture of certain recipes. If done right, though, flavor will not be sacrificed.

The Saveur website is currently offering a year's subscription for $19.95—a 62% savings! However, I picked up a copy of their Summer 2016 edition at Barnes and Noble and the enclosed subscription card is a far better deal. For a 73% savings, you can subscribe for only $11.97! Plus, you will receive 2 gifts: Italian Classics Vols. 1 & 2.

♫ "It's a small world after all..."

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And the winner is...

Thanks to all who participated in my BLOG LAUNCH GIVEAWAY! Birthing a blog and then attracting an audience can be an arduous task. It is wonderful to see people like YOU showing up on my front porch! I do hope that you will come in for a spell, visit often, invite your friends, and share your own thoughts and experiences!

Without further ado, below is the individual who won The Primal Low Carb Kitchen cookbook! Congratulations! My husband blindly selected the entry from a basket. This person happens to be on Facebook, so I will be verifying the address and having the item shipped directly from Amazon.

Smiles, Karen

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Waxing Poetic

Smiles,

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Blog Launch Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS OFFICIALLY OVER. 

SEE MY JULY 31ST POST.

Say what?

What is a Blog Launch without a GIVEAWAY? Anticlimactic, I say! And what if the winner received a cookbook containing delicious comfort-food recipes that just happen to be low-carb? Are you salivating yet?

The Primal Low Carb Kitchen by Kyndra Holley (founder of Peace, Love and Low Carb), might soon be inspiring your culinary leanings. Whether you are a current low-carber or wanting to investigate further, this book of recipes is certain to change your meals!

Here is what Amazon has to say about it...

Give Your Low-Carb Diet A Healthy, Primal Makeover Without Sacrificing Taste 

The healthy, low-carb recipes in this cookbook taste so good you'll forget you're on a diet! Think you have to give up biscuits and gravy, waffles, rich sauces and pizza? Think again. 

The low-carb diet has proven itself effective, but when it's done with highly-processed low-carb alternatives, it is not always as healthy as it sounds. That's where Kyndra Holley comes in. She is the mastermind behind the blog Peace, Love and Low Carb, and has melded the best of both worlds: a time-tested low carb approach with healthy, whole-food Primal ingredients. 

Following the Primal template, Kyndra cuts out grains and gluten and emphasizes whole, unprocessed, "real" foods. A lifelong foodie with personal experience losing weight on the low-carb diet, Kyndra brings you mouthwatering comfort food recipes such as Caramelized Onion and Prosciutto "Mac" and Cheese, Italian Meatballs with Tomato Cream Sauce, Chili Dogs, Eggplant Lasagna and more. 

After all, who says dieting has to be about sacrifice? You'll feel fuller, radiant and satisfied thanks to these healthy, nutrient-dense low-carb meals.

How to enter... 

I recently tweaked the comment preferences on this blog, so entering should be a piece of cake, uh, make that low-carb cake.

1. CLICK ON "COMMENTS" BELOW.
2. LEAVE A MESSAGE TELLING ME... a.) why you low-carb or b.) why you are interested in knowing more. Please leave your NAME and STATE in the actual comment. Enter only once.
3. SIGN IN TO PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT. There are several ways to sign in, even Anonymous.
4. EARN EXTRA ENTRIES BY REFERRING FRIENDS. If your FRIENDS do enter, please make sure that they mention you in their comment. This way I can give you credit.
5. DEADLINE TO ENTER:  Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 11:59 P.M. PST. The winner will be selected on the next day through a random drawing.

Best Wishes,