BLessOMe

A Ketogenically Inclined Journey

Thoughts and  Ramblings...

Hello and happy September 10th, 2019! 

Eating ketogenically isn't hard.  It isn't complicate and despite what others might think, it isn't feeling deprived of anything.  In fact, I'm eating less now than I ever did before; I have no cravings, I'm rarely hungry and I'm eating delicious foods now that I avoided for years!   What I'm no longer eating are things that are touted as being healthy and good for you when all they really did for me, was cause problems like hunger, "a taste for something" after eating, weight gain; inflammation and high blood pressure, and while not diabetic, I was starting to see blood glucose readings that were heading in that direction.

 

Yes, I eat the Keto ABC;s of avocado, bacon, butter, cheese and coconut oil but I also eat eggs, wild caught fish, beef, dark chicken and turkey as well as pork.

 

Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, dark leafy greens, some squash and radishes have always been and still are among my favorite vegetables and I have been known to bake a pretty good cheesecake or loaf of bread; a half dozen rolls or an amazing chocolate cake occasionally.  True, they aren't made with the typical ingredients most people use to make their version, but they taste just as good or better and they don't leave me feeling bloated or sick or lazy; they do't raise my blood glucose to a level outside of the "norm" and best of all, smaller portions are not only more satisfying but more satiating.  Interestingly enough, it took eating keto for me to understand the difference between the two and to feel what those feelings actually are!!

 

With fall about to set in, the things I'm looking forward to most, are making a huge pot of rich, salty, cheesy or creamy and soooo very delicious soup or chili, stocking the fridge with full single serving sized mason jars that I can just grab and go as I want to and filling my slow cooker with at least a week's worth of meat (if not more)on meal prep days that I then break down into single servings of 2 to 5 ounces and freeze.  Fall also means casseroles, whether made in the oven or in a skillet; always hearty, warm and inviting and welcome any time! 
 

Another interesting thing I've found is that while a favorite fall pastime of mine is collecting recipes for warmly spiced keto or low carb baked goods like scones or donuts, breads or rolls and sometimes cookies for that "one of these days I'm going to make this" thing, for the most part I know what I like, what goes well together and love to experiment with taste and texture.  I find that most of what I do make is what I call a "one bowl (or pot )wonder".  They can be sometimes quite surprising and are known to be made with pretty much everything but the kitchen sink!! 

 

While all of these can be made with S.A.D. ingredients, the ones on my menu now are so unlike those made in my old days of low fat, low sodium or fat free cooking and I'm losing weight, to boot!!!!   Could it be any more perfect??!!

Hello and happy September 9, 2019! 

From somewhere near the end of August when I first feel the underlying coolness in the breeze that blows during the heat of a still summer day, my favorite time of year begins.  With it, comes a sense of excitement and hope and the possibility of new things to come in a time when others see an ending of sorts and perhaps even feel a bit of sadness.  I can't wait for the trees to turn, the skies to be a different kind of sunny and blue and the air to be filled with the scent of a little bit of smoke, falling leaves and something I can't quite put my finger on, but is only present in the fall.


I also can't wait for all things pumpkin and cranberry and warm; the flavorful soups, stews and side dishes and while the way I make these things has changed in the last few years, having them, enjoying them and being satisfied by them has not.  In fact, I think the Keto/low carb versions of my fall favorites are even more satiating and flavorful than those I was making when I was eating the way I used to.  Different methods along with better tasting and "cleaner" ingredients really do make a difference!


This year, I'm especially looking forward to being able to wear things I've not fit into for years (or at all)since purchasing.  New sizes, new styles and colors, weights of fabric and other little things I'd not taken into consideration before because I had to make do with what I could find, (but in every color)in my size.  And, interestingly enough, it took almost a good 2 years for me to realistically see that that was no longer my size and it was time to let go (despite what my sister(s) told me).


Letting go was not easy at first and it took several attempts for me to "get" that just because I could still put a piece of clothing on did not mean it fit or looked passable, let alone good and once I got that, it was easier to part with those really ill fitting things.  I am still wearing pieces that are a bit big, but I have quite a way to go and I'm not in a position to or at this point care to, replace everything but it's been exciting to say the least and the most exciting thing I'm going to get to do this fall is wear a pair of boots I bought that go up to the knee and I can finally zip!!! 


I'm hoping that this next leg (ha, ha!!) of my journey will be with fewer bumps and setbacks.  After much experimenting and communication with some extremely helpful and knowledgeable YouTube and Facebook folks, and having established a few of my own rules, I've finally found my version of keto and what works for me. 

 

It took about a year and a half but who cares!!  The photo at the far right down below shows where I was last summer on the left & where I started this summer on the right.  I'm happy with how far I've come & know what I need to do to be even more consistent & healthier which means having even more success with the side effect that is weight loss even if it's at a slower pace than others and regardless of how long it takes!!  I feel so much better than I have in years!! 

Previous Ramblings...  (coming soon)