All posts tagged: low carb

Low Carb Stir Fry

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Low Carb Asparagus Pepper Stir Fry 1 # grass fed ground beef, or ground pork 1 large shallot chopped or green onions (4), chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced (if large, use one) 1 tbsp. fresh minced ginger 1 red bell pepper, diced large 2 cups asparagus, chopped 3 tbsp. coconut aminos 1-2 tsp. Asian red chili paste** (see my go to below) 1/4 cup Thai basil or regular fresh basil For “rice”: 1 head cauliflower, riced (see below) 1 small onion, diced 1 garlic clove minced 1 tbsp. coconut oil (or ghee) 1 T chicken bouillon base (I LOVE “Better than Bouillon” brand, organic) ¼ cup hot water Instructions Prep cauliflower rice. Chop the cauliflower into florets and add to a food processor with the onion and garlic. Pulse into fine rice like pieces. Do this in batches so that the pieces stay fairly uniform. Start the stir-fry: Add the beef to a hot saute pan on medium high heat. Using a chopper or spatula, break up the pieces until cooked thoroughly. Add in the …

Time2Thrive Crabcakes

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I adapted this recipe from one online that used crackers, and I’ve made it gluten free.  They are even better than the one I posted a few years back!Just in time for the holidays! The most important thing is that you have good crabmeat. If you like spicy, you’ll have to add some cayenne or sriracha.  These are tasty with a lot of flavor, but not too spicy. Ingredients: serves 4-8 depending on size and other meal items 1 large egg, beaten½ cup olive oil based mayo or your favorite mayo1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard1 T Worcestershire Sauce½ T hot sauce OR 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning (I use Sriracha)¼ teaspoon salt (more if your crackers don’t have salt)¼ cup crushed gluten free saltine type crackers (I used GF Matzoh!)1 stalk celery finely diced¼ cup diced fennel (optional)2 T finely chopped fresh parsley1 lb. jumbo lump crabmeat, drained well if you use canned I use 1 – 3 T coconut oil for cooking them, may have to add more if you have two batches. Combine all …

Low Carb Keto Lamburgers, T2T Original

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One of Mark Hyman’s original cookbooks is still one of my favorites. The Ultra-Metabolism Cookbook (scroll down for link and image) has lots of amazing healthy recipes. I’ve taken the recipe for lamburgers and added my twist, subtracted what I didn’t like and violá! So, let’s get on with it. Keto/Low Carb Lamburgers Ingredients: serves 4-6 | *optional | printable recipe w/o pics here 1 lb. organically fed ground lamb, locally sourced if possible 2 roasted red peppers, skin removed, chopped fine (I use ones that come in a jar) 1 bunch mint, stems removed 1 bunch cilantro*, chopped fine stems okay (see below how I use food processor) 12 leaves basil, stems removed and cleaned 5 stalks fresh parsley, stems removed and cleaned 1-2 large fennel pieces, chopped into quarters 1 large slice red onion (see photo), chopped 1 teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon cumin, ground 2 teaspoons ground coriander 4-5 “grinds” black pepper, preferably freshly ground 1 tsp aleppo pepper, if you have it (or you can use red pepper …

Kale and Fennel Gratin Casserole

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My husband hates kale.  Almost all kinds.  But he thought this was good. That should tell you this isn’t your average kale recipe!  I adapted this from my local organic farm CSA, and it was a hit at our house.  You can make it dairy free without the cheese, it just won’t be as thick.  Enjoy, it’s like a great spinach quiche sans crust. Fennel, Kale and Rice Gratin Gluten free, Low Carb, (can be dairy free, see below) Serves 4-6 click here for a PRINTABLE RECIPE large bunch kale, stemmed and washed (you can use curly kale, like above OR lacinto kale, which looks more like a flat big leaf  spinach, either one works.  I like the flat one best) 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped 2 medium bulbs fennel, trimmed, quartered, cored and chopped (about 2 cups chopped) Freshly ground pepper to taste 2 large garlic cloves, minced ¼ cup chopped fresh dill  (or 1½ T dried dill) 4 eggs ½ cup coconut milk (the kind in …

Low Carb Shepherd’s Pie

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I am fortunate to have a spouse who has been willing to “eat clean” the way I need to.  This has been a godsend, as I don’t have to come up with two dinners each night!  Last week, we were in a rut of what to do with our grass fed hamburger, and he came up with this, combining an old favorite with new “go to” replacements for our carbs.  Specifically, cauliflower mash for potatoes, and green beans for peas.  It was a hit!  We made a double recipe and then didn’t have to cook for a few nights.  WIN-WIN! Steve’s Low Carb Shepherd’s Pie  (printable copy here) 1 Lbs grass fed ground beef or ground lamb 1 Tbl Oil 2 cloves chopped garlic 1 chopped green onion 1 medium chopped yellow onion 1 Tbl arrowroot (you can use cornstarch, but it adds carbs) 1 tsp Salt ¼ tsp Thyme 1 tsp Pepper (black, or aleppo, both work well) 1 cup Water 1 T organic tomato paste 2 T organic fresh parsley 1 cup steamed …

Chicken Kebabs

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Chicken Keema Kebabs Healthy doesn’t have to be bland.  These Pakistani inspired Chicken Kebabs are an example of healthy and delicious.  “Keema” is somewhat of a catch-all in South Asian cooking for most ground meat mixtures. Spices and meats can vary wildly from one keema to the next, and then they can be prepared in many different ways, including stewing, pan frying, or skewering and grilling.  We grill this recipe, but you could also use the broiler or a stove top cast iron grill.  Create your own version by experimenting with spices! Prep Time: 20 Minutes (with 20 more optional for frig/freezer time) Cook Time: 12 Minutes Total Time: approximately 1 hour Yield: 4 kebabs (feeds 2-4 based on side dishes) Ingredients 1 teaspoon cumin seed 1 teaspoon coriander seed 1 pound ground chicken breasts or thighs 2 tablespoons finely grated onion 1½ tablespoons fresh garlic, minced (2 large or 2-4 small cloves) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 2 teaspoons finely diced Thai green chilies or jalapeno if you can’t find Thai 1 ½ teaspoons …

Low Carb Stuffing

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Cauliflower is becoming a miracle vegetable in our house.  We’ve made pizza dough, mashed potatoes, cheese bread and now stuffing out of it!  This recipe is from Delish, a website devoted to recipes.  I have the link at the end, but their site doesn’t include the nutrition info I’ve posted below.  We LOVE this recipe! Ingredients 4 tbsp. butter (preferably pasture butter — butter from grass fed cows) 1 onion, chopped 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped or thinly sliced 1 small head cauliflower, chopped 1 c. chopped mushrooms kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper ¼ c. Freshly Chopped Parsley 2 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary 1 tbsp. chopped fresh sage or 1 tsp. ground sage ½ c. vegetable or chicken broth (we use chicken) Directions In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion, carrot, and celery and sauté until soft, 7 to 8 minutes. Add cauliflower and mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook until tender, 5 to 10 minutes more. Add parsley, rosemary, and sage and …

Low Carb Grain Free Bread

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I went to a conference last weekend, and asked my husband, who is hands down the better baker in our family, to find a grain free bread recipe.  He found one and modified it a bit and made this for me when I returned home on Sunday (what a guy!) and it was very good.  It is hard to find “bread-like” consistency without using grain or yeast, and this bread is denser, more like pound cake consistency, but it worked for my craving to occasionally have almond butter on bread!  I have used it as a quick snack this week, and it has survived for 7 days now in our frig in a ziploc.  Sharing with you, and I’d appreciate feedback! Pros:  amazingly low carb (3 net carbs!), high protein (7g) and easy to make, especially for non-bakers! Cons:  not “tall” like sandwich bread, and denser, and less flavor that flour based bread Low Carb Grain Free Sandwich Bread 2 cups + 2 T blanched almond flour (we use Honeyville) ½ cup coconut flour 1 …

10 Days, 10 Ways to Lower Carbs, Day 10

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Ok, Day 10 of 10!  For my “finale” (thank God, this has been hard to post 10 days in a row!),  I’ll talk about supplements to add to your regimen and some general guidelines and links to articles that I think have important information about insulin resistance, weight loss, and staying healthy.   Here are a few supplements that can help stabilize your insulin levels and lower your blood sugar: It’s important you take a good multi-vitamin, even if you are eating totally healthy.  (read why here and more here).  I take Multigenics Phyto Multi which contains vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.  It is widely available. Vitamin D is not really a vitamin, but plays a very important role in metabolism.  Many of us are Vitamin D deficient.  As you doctor to check your level.  Taking 1,000-5,000 units/day of Vitamin D3 is considered pretty safe in most people. read more here There are a few other things that can help your insulin levels stabilize if you’ve struggled with your weight, or if you want to lose …

10 Days, 10 Ways to Lower Carbs, Day 9

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Today is simple.  The next time you want to reach for potato chips, try one of these low carb snack alternatives!  In general, I’ve avoided cheese because I don’t eat dairy.  You can add cheese in small amounts if you can tolerate dairy. The key for a snack is this:  you MUST have some protein, some fat and some flavor!  Then, you won’t feel deprived! Protein  +  Good Fat = Good Snack! Olives – high in healthy fats, they’ll keep you feeling full. Celery with Nut Butter Cucumber chips with guacamole Hard Boiled Egg!  A little salt and pepper and you’re set A handful of almonds, cashews, pecans or walnuts. High fiber, low carbs, good fats ½ cup berries, and if you can do dairy, ½ cup greek plain yogurt One or two of my strawberry cookies! Half an avocado with tuna or chicken salad (home made if possible) Half an avocado with ½ tomato with salt and pepper Organic lunch meat without fillers (read your label) with asparagus or dill pickles Egg salad in …

Strawberry Cookies GF, DF, Low Carb

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I had a bunch of organic strawberries last weekend, and I didn’t want them to go bad, so I made this recipe based on a paleo recipe I saw.  You can also substitute blueberries, blackberries or raspberries.  And, because of their nutritional value, they make a great breakfast! This makes 36 small cookies.  You can freeze them too. The one thing our family has learned is once you stop eating processed food, most of it taastes too sweet once you try it again.  So, these cookies have only ½ cup of raw honey for 36 cookies.  I like using natural sweetners vs. others, but you may want your carbs even lower.  There are websites you can look up substituting Stevia for the honey, I just haven’t done it.  Each cookie has about 5-6 carbs and they are full of protein from the almonds, and net carbs are probably lower due to the fiber. preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) Ingredients 3 cups blanched almond flour (Honeyville is my fav) ½ cup raw honey 1 tsp sea …

10 Days, 10 Ways to Lower Carbs, Day 8

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Condiment Caution! It may seem negligible, but ketchup can sabotage you!  Hiding behind it’s pretty red “I’m a vegetable” mask is actually a food that has a fair number of carbs.  Let’s look at condiments, some of the common ones.  Everybody knows jam and jelly have sugar, so I won’t address those.  Just the usual common condiments we eat every day with food. I did NOT use the same measurement for each one, for obvious reasons.  You would probably not eat 3 TBS. of mustard, but you could easily have that much mayo with tuna salad, or dipping french fries in either ketchup or mayo (yes, some people prefer mayo to ketchup on fries!). So, here they are.  Now, the calories are important, but not NEARLY as important as what happens to your blood sugar and insulin levels after you eat anything.  Yes, calories matter, but carbs are the driver behind the steering wheel of your insulin response.  More carbs, more insulin.  More insulin, more fat storage, more hunger.  In order to break the cycle, …