A slew of people are asking me how I'm losing weight and getting healthy. What's the "secret"? There is no secret except good old fashioned eating right and exercising. I'm also receiving some personalized coaching and getting my workouts (Turbofire, Slim in 6, Insanity) from here. I recommend it. Plus, I finally realized the need to overhaul the Western diet even more that I've been overindulging in along with many others. I, for the most part, do not count anything. Meaning I'm not meticulous about counting. I don't do "Points". I do try to stay within my calorie, fat and carbohydrate allotments for the day but by no means am I taking out a calculator or a scale every time I ingest something or even worse...a journal.
I can not do the food diary thing. To me it is more depressing, stressful and a bigger pain in the ass that leads to discouragement. It's not an easy transition as it is to change the way and what you eat and to me having to be reminded multiple times daily does not help. That's just me. I'm all for the Individual and individual ways, personalized ways, of achieving and doing things. If it works for you more power to you. Another tip, I don't count calories in vegetables and fruit. In my world these are free ( I wish I could make french fries free). Slightly anyway. I eat most of the fruit or any carbohydrates in the morning hours this way there is more of a chance of burning them off. Eating multiple times a day is also something else that I reformed as opposed to the standard three "squares" a day; 5-6 is more ideal. I also keep my body guessing. In other words I don't let it get used to a routine, one day I take in a little more calories or carbs, the next day drop it down a bit and so on. This way your metabolism, stays reved up, at least this is the deal with my circuitry. I have to stress the use of coconut flour, coconut oil, milk, water, palm sugar and coconut meat they are incredible additions to any diet. I am also a big fan of Greek yogurt (And not because I'm Greek).
I personally like it flavored with some Acai powder ( I jumped on that bandwagon too), that I really like the taste of and some blackberries. The darker the berry right? I don't drink milk, I drink almond milk. It is much cheaper and better for you to make it yourself. The other major change is I've adopted a sort of gluten free diet which goes hand in hand with a low-carb way of life nicely. I've given up potatoes, rice, corn, and some wheat products with the corresponding flours. Instead, I use coconut flour, flax seed meal, almond flour, wheat bran, some grains sparingly such as kamut and amaranth; and I do not miss traditional white flour products as much as I thought. I am not a doctor or nutritionist and would advise anyone that needs nutritional advice and help with weight loss to contact one appropriately. I am just sharing the changes I've made to my diet and some recipes that have helped me transition; and included my pictures of said recipes. Disclaimer-I am not a chef by any stretch of the imagination.
Focaccia-Style Flax Bread
2 cups Flax Seed Meal
1Tbs. Baking Powder
1Tsp. Salt
1Tsp. Splenda or Sweetner
5 Eggs or Egg substitute-I used Egg Beaters (However texture will be different)
1/3 cup Oil
Herbs of choice-I used Oregano and Rosemary
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine ingredients except for herbs. Spread onto rectangular pan greased or using parchment paper. Sprinkle herbs on top. Bake for 20 mins.
Coconut Flour Pound Cake (Orange/Walnut)
5 Eggs or Egg substitute-I used Egg Beaters (Texture and rise of cake will be different)
1 Tsp. Baking Powder
1 Tsp. Vanilla
1 Orange (Juice and zest)
2 Oz Cream Cheese or Cottage Cheese
2 Oz Melted Butter
1/2 cup Splenda
1 Cup Coconut Flour
Walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine wet ingredients. Combine dry ingredients. Incorporate together. Spread into loaf pan that's greased or lined with parchment. Bake for 30-40 mins. Sprinkle with walnuts or orange zest as garnish.
Coconut Flour Waffles
4 Tbs. Butter
6 Eggs or Egg Substitute
Sweetener to taste
Salt to taste
1/2 Tsp. Baking Powder
1/3 cup Coconut Flour
Vanilla
Combine all. Cook in Waffle maker according to instruction.
Coconut Flour and Wheat Bran Pitas
1 Egg or Egg Substitute
1/4 Cup Water
1 Tbs. Oil
1/4 Cup plus 2 Tsp. Wheat Bran
4 Tbs Coconut Flour
1/4 Tsp. Baking Powder
Salt
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine all ingredients except 2 Tsp. of Wheat Bran. On a rectangular pan spread batter into two 5-6 inch rounds. Sprinkle each with remaining Wheat Bran. Bake for 18-20 minutes.
Granola Bars-Lower Carb/High Fiber
1 Cup Wheat Bran
1/2 Cup Rolled Oats
1/4 Cup Flax Seed Meal
1 1/4 Coconut Flour
3/4 Dried Fruit
1/2 Cup Nuts
1/2 Cup Coconut
1/2 Cup Palm Sugar
1/2 Cup Oil
1/2 Cup Maple Syrup or Sugar Free Maple Syrup
Some extra Splenda to taste if desired
Pinch of Salt
Vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients. Add a little more syrup if consistency is too dry. Spread onto pan greased or lined with parchment paper. Bake for 25-35 mins. Cool for 10-15 mins. Cut, wrap or store in air tight container.
