But when it came down to choosing who the winner would be, the final decision made was to award it to SHARI W. from Tennessee for her amazing mini-quiches. CONGRATULATIONS, Shari! You just won that KODAK Printer all to yourself and I KNOW you will enjoy it immensely.
In case you missed it, here's the winning entry:
The vibrant and varied colors of this low-carb dish made it stick out
And here was Shari's description of her photo:
"These little Mini-Quiches are tasty and make the 'Picture Perfect' holiday appetizer. Simple ingredients and a simple recipe make for the most versatile of dishes. Remember simplicity is an added plus during the hectic time of the holidays. Just make your basic quiche mixture and then add your favorite veggies, meats, and extra spices to taste. A bonus with these quiches is not only are they 'low carb' but you get the added colors of Christmas on your table."
Special THANKS to everyone who entered this contest for sharing your delicious holiday dishes with all of us. I REALLY would have LOVED to given all of you the opportunity to own your own KODAK EASYSHARE 5300 All-in-One Printer, but alas I only had one to give away. But don't worry if you didn't win...there will be other contests in the near future here at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog (and you never know what may show up in your mailbox--HINT HINT!). :D
THANK YOU so much for your faithfulness to the mission of sharing the wonderfully healthy low-carb lifestyle with the masses! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
As expected, there was quite a flurry of submissions on the final day of the contest on Friday as people who waited until the very last moment got theirs in just the nick of time. The winner will be announced on Monday, but I wanted you to see these final three entries because they all included with their gorgeous photos the recipe for how to make their low-carb holiday favorites.
In case you missed any of the previous five photos entered into the contest, you can access those here, here, here, and here. See the final three entries right now along with the recipe for each one. ENJOY and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Submitted by MARCI W. from California
"I love cranberry sauce, but they don't put sugar-free cranberry sauce in a can. Good thing it is so easy to make from scratch!"
LOW-CARB CRANBERRY SAUCE
1 bag cranberries 1 cup water 3/4 to 1 cup Splenda or other artificial sweetener
Cook until berries swell up and pop. (this will happen by the time it comes to a rolling boil) Mash and serve. 30 calories and 5 net carbs per 1/2 cup.
Submitted by REGINA W. from Missouri
"A festive addition to your holiday dessert table, the chocolate-coconut snowballs are the perfect sweet treat to offer those watching carbs because it's rich with fat and light on insulin/glucose-spiking carbohydrates!"
LOW-CARB CHOCOLATE-COCONUT SNOWBALLS
1-cup heavy cream 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (good quality) 1/4 cup splenda granular 1/4 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract 4 teaspoons shredded, unsweetened coconut
Place heavy cream, cocoa powder, splenda and coconut extract in a large bowl. Using a hand mixer set to highest setting beat cream until whipped firmly. Slowly fold in 1/4 cup of coconut. Place bowl in refrigerator and allow to set up for 10-minutes.
Then transfer into 4 shallow serving bowls using a large spoon, rounding each to look like a snowball or use an ice cream scooper. Once each bowl has its "snowball" in it, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of shredded, unsweetened coconut on top to make it look like a snowball. You can use more cocoa and Splenda if you prefer more intense chocolate flavor or sweeter end result.
Makes 4 servings
Per Serving: Total Carbohydrate 9g Fiber 4g Net Carbs 5g
Submitted by KATE W. from Canada
"I made this recipe by combining some awesome ideas from the Sweet Treats section at the Active Low Carber Forums. The base is a standard low-carb cheesecake crust, the cake is a slightly tweaked version of the incredibly Bawdy's Cheesecake, and the topping is a higher-fat version of NancyLC's Lemon Curd."
LUSCIOUS LOW-CARB LEMON CHEESECAKE
CRUST 1.5 cups almond flour (if you have other nuts you like, feel free to throw a few crushed ones in - macadamia nuts are great for this) 5 tbsp melted butter 5 tbsp granular Splenda
Line an 8x8 cake pan with greaseproof paper. The easiest way to get the paper to "stick" to the pan is to smear a little butter from the butter wrapper around the pan and press the paper into place.
Press the cheesecake crust mixture into the bottom of the pan, and pop in the oven for 10-15 mins, until the edges start turning golden brown. I find the pre-baking stops the base soaking up the cake batter and becoming soggy.
While the crust is baking, make the cheesecake filling.
FILLING 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp lemon extract Juice of one lemon 1 1/2 cups sour cream 1/2 cup sugar-free vanilla syrup (or 1/2 cup of Splenda or equivalent sweetener) 16 ounces (2 packages) cream cheese (it's easier if the cream cheese is softened beforehand, and cut up into pieces ahead of time) 2 tbsp melted butter
Blend eggs, vanilla extract, lemon extract, lemon juice, sour cream, and vanilla syrup together until combined. Then add the cream cheese and butter.
I usually let the crust cool a while before pouring the batter on top. Then, I bake the cheesecake in my own improvised water bath. I plop the cake tin into a wok half-filled with water and then put the whole ensemble in the oven to cook. The water prevents the top of the cake from cracking.
Alternative methods: a pan of water placed below the oven shelf you use for the cheesecake. This isn't absolutely necessary, so if you feel intimidated by it or don't have the pans, don't worry about it - it just makes for a prettier overall result.
Turn the oven down to 325 degrees and bake for 35-40 minutes.
IMPORTANT: After the cooking time finishes, don't open the oven door. Just turn it off, otherwise the whoosh of cool air will crack your cake. Leave the cake in the turned-off oven for an hour (more if you can), before letting it cool at room temperature, and then moving to the refrigerator.
While the cheesecake is baking, it's time to make the topping.
TOPPING Lemon zest from 2 lemons Lemon juice from 2 lemons 3/4 cups of Splenda 2 whole eggs 2 egg yolks 6 Tbs of softened butter (optional)
Grate the zest of two lemons into a bowl (when you hit white, stop grating and move to the next section. Or, if you have a lemon zester, you're very lucky--are you reading this, Santa?). Add the juice of both lemons and stir in the Splenda. Now, add two whole eggs, plus two egg yolks, and stir everything up.
The next part is to very slowly cook the mixture so it turns to curd. Place your mixing bowl over a pan of simmering water, and keep the heat low to medium. If you cook it too fast, you'll get lemony scrambled eggs. (I always found this double-pan method intimidating, but give it a try, it's not as hard as it seems.) It should take around 10-15 mins to cook. Keep stirring so the heat moves through the mixture evenly. It should start thickening, and once it reaches a pudding-like consistency, remove it from the heat.
Add butter for a richer, creamier taste. It will melt and combine if you stir pieces of butter in immediately. This is optional, so you can skip it if you'd like to marginally lower the calories of the final product!
Put your lemon curd in a container and place cling wrap over the top so it's touching the mixture, otherwise a skin will form. Place in the refrigerator to cool and thicken. This can be used as a topping for more than just cheesecake--on low-carb yogurts, flax muffins and more. It tastes like an extremely intense lemon custard.
Once everything is cool, you can remove the cheesecake from the pan and spread the lemon curd over it. The result is a deliciously creamy, rich cheesecake with tangy lemon topping. This is pure heaven for lemon lovers.
Makes 14 good size slices, each one containing:
331 calories 31g fat 8.5 total carbs (7.5 net carbs) 6.6 g protein
STAY TUNED ON MONDAY TO FIND OUT WHO WON THE KODAK PRINTER!!!
Now, with Christmas and New Year's resolutions coming up soon, she has planned a special "How to Overcome Sweet Holiday Temptations" program coming up on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 3:00pm EST featuring four top low-carb bloggers, including:
If you need strength and tips for overcoming the sugary temptations of the Christmas holiday season, then you won't want to miss this special show. THANK YOU to Connie Bennett for inviting us to be a part of this yuletide special!
Eggland's Best eggs are both nutritious and delicious!
One of the most underrated health foods of all time has got to be those protein-packed morsels of yummy goodness known as eggs (I did a YouTube video on these recently). They're inexpensive, readily available, and chock full of so many healthy benefits for those who consume them. But not all eggs are created equal which is why I'm pleased to tell you about Eggland's Best eggs.
Without the use of any hormones or antibiotics, Eggland's Best creates superior quality eggs thanks to a nutrient-dense diet designed specifically for maximizing the vitamins and minerals that are produced in each egg. The difference you receive from these eggs is startling, too:
- 7 TIMES more of the antioxidant Vitamin E than regular eggs - 3 TIMES more essential omega 3 fatty acids for heart health than regular eggs - 185 mcg of lutein for excellent eye health - Studies show eating eggs lowers calorie consumption - Studies also show that eggs fill you up
With all these accolades, you would think a company like Eggland's Best would be going around boasting of their accomplishments and thumping their chest for producing superior products for a discriminating consumer. But they don't have to do that when the quality speaks for itself. These eggs are AWESOME and you really ought to try 'em for yourself to experience the difference.
Compliments of Eggland's Best, here are some healthy low-carb recipes fit for a king just in time for the holidays and New Year's resolutions that are coming up. If you are livin' la vida low-carb and want to enjoy the good life, then make eggs and active part of your healthy lifestyle change. Whether you use them in the following recipes or eat them fried, scrambled or even microwaved, just EAT MORE EGGS! :)
Matzoh balls are a holiday classic!
EGGLAND'S BEST FLUFFY MATZOH BALLS
7 Eggland's Best eggs separated 1/2 teaspoon salt dash pepper 1/2 cup club soda 2 cups Matzoh meal or low-carb substitute 1 tablespoon oil 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Blend six Eggland's Best egg yolks in bowl with salt, pepper, nutmeg, oil, and club soda at high-speed 1-2 minutes. In separate bowl, beat seven Eggland's Best egg whites until stiff. Fold yolks into whites. Fold matzoh meal in with a fork, 1/2-cup at a time, until mixture is of medium consistency. Cover bowl with foil and refrigerate at least 30-40 minutes. Boil water in a large pot. Form balls of mixture with hands. Drop into boiling water. Cover and cook over low heat for 30-40 minutes.
This is kinda like a spinach lasagna...ooey gooey good!
In a medium bowl, beat together all ingredients except spinach. Lay spinach in bottom of greased 1-1/2 quart casserole or baking dish. Pour mixed ingredients on top of spinach. Bake in a preheated 350° F oven about 30-35 minutes until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Garnish with pimentos.
Nothing puts you in the Christmas spirit like eggnog
EGGLAND'S BEST EGGNOG
6 large Eggland's Best eggs 1/2 cup granulated Splenda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 quart heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup sugar-free whipped topping (as desired) *Garnishes or stir-ins, (optional)
In a large saucepan, beat together Eggland's Best eggs, Splenda, and salt. Stir in 2 cups of the cream. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture is just to a boil and thick enough to coat a metal spoon. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining 2 cups of cream and the vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Just before serving, pour into a bowl or pitcher. Fold in whipped topping and garnish or add stir-ins, as desired. Serve immediately.
*Serving Ideas: Garnishes or Stir-ins - Low-carb chocolate curls, cinnamon, extracts or flavorings, ground nutmeg, or peppermint sticks.
To recap the basics of the contest, here's what you need to do:
1. Take a photograph of the most "picture perfect" healthy low-carb recipe or meal you eat during the holidays.
2. Write a description of 50 words or less of what the photograph is along with why it is healthy.
3. Submit your photo, description, name, and mailing address (no PO Boxes please) to livinlowcarbman@charter.net with "PICTURE PERFECT CONTEST" in the subject line no later than Friday, December 14, 2007 at midnight.
4. All photos submitted will be subject to posting on the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog and family of web sites.
5. Show off how healthy low-carb living can be!
Now isn't that easy? And I've got TWO EXCELLENT EXAMPLES from a couple of my readers who knew exactly what they needed to do to participate in this contest. These two photos will DEFINITELY be considered for the big kahuna prize that will be awarded in two weeks. You still have time to enter, but DON'T DELAY! Get me your pictures TODAY!
Here are the eligible entries so far:
Submitted by GAYLE O. from Oregon
"For many, the Thanksgiving star is a turkey, but I prefer a capon. Capons are male chickens that have been castrated. These hormone-free guys don't waste energy showing off for ladies. Instead, all energy goes to becoming meatier and tastier. They have a higher fat content, and far better flavor than any other holiday bird."
Submitted by SHARI W. from Tennessee
"These little Mini-Quiches are tasty and make the 'Picture Perfect' holiday appetizer. Simple ingredients and a simple recipe make for the most versatile of dishes. Remember simplicity is an added plus during the hectic time of the holidays. Just make your basic quiche mixture and then add your favorite veggies, meats, and extra spices to taste. A bonus with these quiches is not only are they 'low carb' but you get the added colors of Christmas on your table."
See how easy this is? Now all you need to do is send me YOUR favorite holiday recipe photo and a 50-word description of what it is to livinlowcarbman@charter.net NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 14, 2007! Hurry and enter because this contest will be gone before you know it! Wouldn't a KODAK EASYSHARE 5300 All-in-One Printer make a great surprise last-minute Christmas present for that photogenic person in your life? Of course it would! So ENTER TODAY!!!
Who wouldn't want to win a KODAK EASYSHARE 5300 All-in-One Printer?
The holidays are coming beginning this Thursday on Thanksgiving, so you know you're gonna be taking a lot of photos with your digital camera. But then you've got to go down to the drugstore or Wal-mart and use that fancy-schmancy little machine to spit out your pictures for you at about 25 cents a pop! Yikes!
Forget about all that and print your own at home with a KODAK EASYSHARE 5300 All-in-One Printer. That's right, you can print your own photos from the comfort of your own home and for pennies compared with driving down to the store and paying a bundle. And I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!!
I'll be posting my own personal review of this printer soon, but I wanted to share an opportunity for YOU to WIN ONE FREE just for reading the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog. Isn't that cool? You know with the popularity of scrapbooking and with the holidays coming up, there will be PLENTY of pictures that will need developing. What a great chance to win a REALLY nice early Christmas present.
The name of this contest is the Kodak "Picture Perfect Low-Carb Holiday" Photo Shoot and here's what you'll need to do to enter the contest:
1. Take a photograph of the most "picture perfect" healthy low-carb recipe or meal you eat during the holidays. Although it is difficult to eat right at this time of year, we all know it is not impossible. So let's see it by snapping a quick picture of that Thanksgiving Day plate of delicious low-carb food, your best low-carb pie, a homemade low-carb side dish, or whatever else you can think of. Be creative and let's see those beautiful photos!
2. Write a description of 50 words or less of what the photograph is along with why it is healthy. Again, be as creative as you can and let's see some personality.
3. Submit your photo, description, name, and mailing address (no PO Boxes please) to livinlowcarbman@charter.net with "PICTURE PERFECT CONTEST" in the subject line no later than Friday, December 14, 2007 at midnight. Winner will be selected and judged on originality, creativity, and personality and subject to a random drawing among the top entries in the event of multiple submissions. ONE PHOTO PER FAMILY PLEASE.
4. All photos submitted will be subject to posting on the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog and family of web sites. Your name and contact information will remain anonymous and only provided to the sponsor if you are selected as the winner. All others will be discarded at the conclusion of the contest.
5. HAVE FUN and be sure to show off how healthy low-carb living can be!
So get those cameras aimed and ready to takes lot of photographs of your delectable dishes as you keep on livin' la vida low-carb throughout the holidays. One of those photos could win you a FREE KODAK EASYSHARE 5300 All-in-One Printer. Good luck everyone and THANK YOU for reading my blog!
The worst two months of your weight loss journey is here
It happens the same time year after year. Technically, it begins on Halloween and runs all the way through New Year's. Yes, it's the holiday season with all the temptations that come with it. You know what I'm talking about--food, especially very high-carb ones, are EVERYWHERE this time of year and it can seem overwhelming to your low-carb lifestyle.
What is most disappointing about this is how people rationalize eating whatever they want during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays because they want to feel a part of the festivities and to not make grandma upset because they didn't have a slice or two of pecan pie. It can be difficult, no doubt, but what's more important--appeasing your family temporarily by eating what you shouldn't or refusing to give in to the temptations for the permanent improvements to your weight and health.
In Episode 13 of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube" today Christine and I hit this issue head-on and offer some suggestions about how you can stick with your low-carb lifestyle and get through this all-out assault on your low-carb diet in November and December. You know it's coming, so GET PREPARED WITH A PLAN to deal with it NOW. :)
Watch our YouTube video for tips and suggestions on how to do it:
Need some help finding some low-carb alternatives for the holidays:
Still need a pep talk about some practical ways to beat the inevitable holiday season weight gain? Check out this blog post I wrote a couple of years ago with my own personal advice about how you can overcome the cravings, refuse to give in to temptation, and begin 2008 feeling GREAT about your weight and health. As good as that little sugary dessert may look, it can't even come close to how amazing you will feel for refusing it by the time January gets here. Share your low-carb holiday tips at Episode 13 at YouTube and help your fellow low-carbers triumph over the holiday weight creep.
DON'T FORGET to enter my 100th podcast contest for your chance to win 38 incredible low-carb prizes. The contest is open through Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 11:59pm. Winners will be announced on Friday, November 16, 2007. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!
Have you seen all our YouTube videos yet? If not, then get to watching:
- Promo video--A half-minute promotion of the new video series - Episode 1--Introduction of Jimmy & Christine Moore - Episode 2--What kind of fruits can you have on a low-carb diet? - Episode 3--What kind of veggies can you have on a low-carb diet? - Episode 4--What does a low-carber do for something sweet? - Episode 5--Why is fat so healthy for you on the low-carb lifestyle? - Episode 6--Which restaurants can you go to on the low-carb lifestyle? - Episode 7--What are the best new low-carb books you need to read? - Episode 8--Why should you be eating a lot more eggs? - Episode 9--If you're gonna do Atkins, do it by the book - Episode 10--What supplements should you take while low-carbing? - Episode 11--What are some of the foods you eat on your low-carb diet? - Episode 12--How should you respond when you weight loss stalls?
We recorded this video early this week and will likely do another BONUS one at the end of the week because my podcast show is on hold right now since my producer was in a bad car accident last week. Pray for Kevin Kennedy-Spaien because he's in a lot of pain right now and has some broken bones. In the meantime, ENJOY the extra YouTube videos!
Subscribe to our videos if you haven't already and you'll never miss a single episode. In fact, you'll be the first to see 'em just like all the other subscribers. Don't hesitate to send me your comments and suggestions at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. We appreciate you watching "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube." SEE YA! :D
The Easiest Low-Carb Pumpkin Cheesecake You'll Ever Make
Do you want a quick last-minute low-carb dessert recipe to make just in time for the holidays? Then you will want to try this very easy low-carb pumpkin cheesecake recipe that one of my readers sent to me.
It looks amazing and the directions for making it couldn't be any more simple. Let me know how this works out for you if you decide to do it. ENJOY!
LOW-CARB PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
1 16 oz can of pumpkin (not the pie filling) 2 cups of Ricotta cheese 1 package of orange flavor sugar-free Jell-o 1-2 Tablespoons pumpkin pie spices to taste Whipped cream
Mix all ingredients in a microwavable bowl until well mixed. Cook in the microwave at full power for 3 minutes. Remove and stir. Cook for another 3 minutes and stir again. Pour bowl contents into a serving dish and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to set. Serve in slices or as scoops with a whipped cream dollop on top.
Who can resist homemade low-carb fudge around the holidays?
I don't know about the Christmas traditions you had in your family, but one of the things my mom always did was make fudge and lots of it. I remember seeing what seemed like an endless supply of chocolately fudge coming out our ears in the weeks leading up to December 25th. It was a tradition that my mom still does to this very day.
Now that I'm livin' la vida low-carb, that tradition can still continue with this incredible recipe for creamy homemade low-carb fudge that will tantalize your tastebuds compliments of our friends at Low-Carb Connoisseur.
So, whip up a batch of this stuff for your friends and family and start a Christmas tradition of making this healthier alternative to the sugary fudge we all grew up eating. ENJOY!
1. In a double boiler melt the cocoa butter then measure it. Grate or chip the unsweetened chocolate then add to the cocoa butter in the double boiler and allow to melt and blend. Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly.
2. Soften the cream cheese and blend with the sugar alternative. Add the vanilla and blend until smooth.
3. Add the hot cocoa mixture and whip with an electric mixer until smooth and shiny and just beginning to thicken. Add the walnuts.
4. Pour into an 8X8 Pyrex pan lined with waxed paper. Chill completely. Cut into 36 squares. Keep refrigerated.
36 servings Carbohydrates per piece: Less than 0.5
Our friends at dLife have diabetic-friendly recipes for YOU!
The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is chock full of festive celebrations of the season with friends and family. But for people with diabetes who have to be mindful of what they eat because of their disease as well as low-carbers, seeing all those scrumptuous desserts and dishes at all these parties is enough temptation to cause you to give in and put your weight and healthy in jeopardy.
That's why our friends at dLife have come to the rescue with a very special Holiday Recipes link at "The Quintessential Diabetes Links Resource" blog featuring over 1,200 recipes of all kinds designed specifically for people with diabetes to help them enjoy the holidays without jeopardizing their health. You'll find all the ingredients and even some special how-to videos about how to make these recipes using this resource.
Here's a sampling of the kind of recipes you'll find there:
BBQ BACON-WRAPPED SHRIMP W/BASIL STUFFING
32 fresh or frozen large shrimp in shells Basil Stuffing 32 basil leaves, coarsely chopped 2 teaspoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese 2 cloves garlic, minced 16 slices bacon, cut in half 3/4 to 1 cup bottled barbecue sauce
THREE KINGS COLORFUL QUESADILLAS
8 ounces cream cheese 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 8 small flour tortillas (try La Tortilla Factory) 2 cups fresh spinach leaves or 9 oz. frozen, thawed and squeezed dry 1 cup chopped sweet red pepper 1 cup crumbled feta cheese or other cheese
SILVER BELLS SPINACH DIP
1 10-oz package frozen chopped spinach or broccoli, thawed 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 Tbsp fresh minced mint 1 cup sour cream Fresh ground pepper to taste
Find out all the directions to these yummy holiday recipes as well as full access to the complete diabetes recipe archives compliments of dLife by clicking here.
Combining a classic taste of the holidays with low-carb bread
Tis' the season to be egg-noggin', fa la la la la, la la la la...
Hey low-carb officianados, you caught me in the mood for singing carols today because I've got a peculiar recipe to share with you that takes a popular flavor of the Christmas season and infuses it into a breakfast favorite.
Egg nog is one of those uniquely Christmastime pleasures that make waiting for the holidays to come worthwhile. So how about treating your family and guests in your home this year to an Egg Nog French Toast? Oh yeah, and it's low-carb, too! You better believe it, baby!
1. Mix cream mixture, eggs, Da Vinci Sugar Free Egg Nog Syrup and salt in a shallow bowl. Dip bread slices into mixture until saturated.
2. Heat butter and oil in a large nonstick skillet. Cook slices in batches 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown. Do not crowd skillet. Add more butter and oil to skillet as needed. Transfer cooked slices to baking sheet to keep warm while cooking remaining slices.
3. Sprinkles slices with cinnamon and Splenda. Finally, garnish with fresh strawberries.
Healthy low-carb party planning has never been made easier
Holidays. What a frightening moment for anyone who is livin' la vida low-carb! These special occasions are the one time that most people let their low-carb plan flail in the wind like a freshly plucked feather. Casting all your cares about your weight aside, you stuff your face with all the wrong kinds of food and then later regret that decision when you attempt to get back on track again.
Sound familiar anybody?
Well, enough already with the games we play around parties and holidays when we should be celebrating. How about an all-in-one low-carb resource guide to offer up some healthy low-carb recipes that are oh-so-yummy and delicious while packing a powerful nutritional punch as well? I think I've found it for you with The South Beach Diet Parties and Holidays Cookbook: Healthy Recipes for Entertaining Family and Friends.
Don't let the bright red color of this sixth book in The South Beach Diet series fool you into thinking it's just for Christmas! While it certainly provides recipes that are perfect for Christmas Day, including a unique Wake-Up Breakfast menu as well as Christmas Dinner, all of the other major holidays feature low-carb recipes as well, including New Year's Day, Valentines Day Dinner For 2, Passover Seder, Easter Gathering, Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Mother's Day Luncheon, Fourth of July Revel, Thanksgiving, Hannukkah, and Christmas Eve Dinner.
As for parties, The South Beach Diet Parties and Holidays Cookbook has so many recipes for virtually every party you can think of, such as a South Beach Phase 1 Kickoff Party (good to think about come January when people make New Year's resolutions), a Family Buffet, Baby Shower, Weekend Brunch, Super Bowl Bash, Tuscan Feast, French Bistro Party, Backyard Grill Fest, Hors d'Oeuvres for a Crowd, and a Rite of Passage Party.
Above everything, South Beach diet creator Dr. Arthur Agatson encourages low-carbers to get back on their weight loss plan if they do decide to indulge at parties. Resist the urge to stay off the diet and get yourself back on track. He gives some very practical advice to help you combat the urge to splurge during the holiday season that every low-carber won't want to miss.
If you are the host or hostess for your party or special dining event, then Dr. Agatston helps you think about the ambiance you want to convey. How many guests and what do they like? What style of serving do you want? Will this be format or informal? Do you want to present a theme? Additionally, don't forget to take care of yourself despite the stress these events can place on you. You'll want to use the convenient "Checklist For Success" provided to help you plan many weeks ahead of the party to make it as perfect as it can possibly be.
In fact, each holiday and party featured in this book includes a full menu listing with a "Party Game Plan" about how to best prepare for the big day, including pre-planned preparation to make sure the special attention you have given pays dividends on the day of the event. As for the recipes themselves, you get all the "Nutrition At A Glance" as usual for The South Beach Diet books as well as pertinent tips from Dr. Agatston.
As we have come to expect from The South Beach Diet books, there are some absolutely stunning pictures of many of the recipes in The South Beach Diet Parties and Holidays Cookbook that will make your mouth water and get you in the kitchen to whip up any of these 150 recipes right away! Who needs a holiday or party to start eating healthy right now?! Cooking low-carb recipes that will keep you and your guests happy is all you can ask for and this book delivers on that in the most delightful way!
It's almost November, can you believe it?! Before you know it, we'll be in what has been commonly referred to as "the most wonderful time of the year." That's right, it's the holiday season with all the festive fellowships, family gatherings, and...oh yeah, LOTS OF FOOD to add a little temptation to your low-carb lifestyle! EEEEEEK!
Human beings have a strange way of letting things like social pressures and the innate desire to feel connected to those around us that keeps us from staying committed to our diets during the holidays. Oh, don't play dumb with me, you know what I mean: buffets of high-carb foods, tempting desserts, and food constantly at your fingertips defines this time of year. Good thing it only lasts a couple of months or we'd all be a bunch of bouncing beach balls walking around!
But this is a good lesson in sticking with your low-carb plan through the holidays by staying focused on the lifestyle changes you have made. You know you will want to continue on with your success long after Thanksgiving and Christmas are gone, so why give in during these 6-8 weeks of the year? Don't fall for the trap that you must eat, eat, eat away at all that junk food you will feast your eyes on during the holidays just to "fit in." That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of!
To help us better understand how to survive the holiday season, we have another video from veteran low-carb dieter Kent Altena who addresses this delicate subject head-on with easy-to-implement solutions for dealing with the potential problems that you will face.
THE HOLIDAYS--PLANNED PROBLEMS OR PLANNED SOLUTIONS?
That's some outstanding advice, Kent! You and I both know how important it is to keep your eye on what is best for you because that is a decision you have to make ahead of time when you start livin' la vida low-carb. Nothing (and I do mean ABSOLUTELY nothing!) should ever get in the way of your low-carb lifestyle. That's why it is called a "lifestyle change" and not just a diet.
If you feel tempted and want to pig out during the holidays, then the transformation in your mind towards eating healthy has not happened yet. That's okay because you WILL get there the longer you stay on low-carb. But giving in because you think you are too weak to resist is UNACCEPTABLE because you will only make yourself MORE depressed when you put on 10, 15, or 20 pounds during the holidays. Don't allow that guilty feeling to hit you and simply dedicate yourself to your low-carb life.
Because this can be difficult for some people to handle, Kent offers you some practical strategies for dealing with the inevitable confrontations you will have with those high-carb foods and the well-meaning folks trying to peddle it to you:
- Be the cook or bring your own low-carb food to holiday functions - Do more socializing with others instead of mindlessly eating - Keep yourself busy with activities during the family functions
SUPER TIPS, Kent! Holidays can be stressful, but that doesn't mean your low-carb plan should suffer. Who knows, you may just impress some of your friends and family who may not even know you've lost weight. In fact, don't be surprised if they ask you what you've been doing to shed the pounds so effectively. That's when you can look back at them with a twinkle in your eyes and proudly declare, "I've been livin' la vida low-carb, baby!" You tell 'em! :D
As of Saturday, we are now officially in one of the most interesting times of the year when the weather changes abruptly and the cool breeze of autumn blows in to change the color of the leaves as they fall to the ground. I for one enjoy the Fall because it signals a change of pace from the constant go-go-go of summer.
The kids are back in school, football is everywhere, state fairs happen, and so much more. What's not to like about this amazing season of the year?
Hmmm, how about the inevitability that people begin to stop thinking about what eating healthy is all about in anticipation of the upcoming holidays, including Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas? You know you are already thinking (and dreaming!) about all the candy, turkey & dressing, pumpkin pie, and so much more that awaits you in the next three months. Nobody can be expected to stay on a diet this time of year, can they?
In a word, YES you can and should. If you have committed yourself to start livin' la vida low-carb and were serious about it, then you can't start backtracking on that just because it's "that time of the year." I have never understood this line of thinking among people that it's okay for them to stop paying attention to what they eat just because it's a holiday.
Why not make holidays the time when you test to see how well you have overcome your temptations to eat the plethora of high-carb options that await you? You might just amaze yourself to see how far you have come to overcome your carb and sugar addictions. I know I'm still amazed.
In fact, just today a co-worker was telling me how much she admires what I have done to lose weight and keep it off for as long as I have. I thanked her for making the comment and said that I don't know how and why I am able to resist the urge to eat something I shouldn't, I just don't anymore. I have learned new habits and they have taken a strong hold in me.
One of my regular readers wrote the following e-mail about this topic of the changing seasons and what impact it can have on your diet:
"There is something about the Fall season that stirs up memories and desires of eating good food. Something triggers it, I don't know what. Is it the body signaling the brain that it needs a layer of warmth for the winter?
I'm approaching the time – October – when I lost 44 lbs. (262 to 218) last year – when a simple egg, bacon, and cheese sandwich on a roll was the start of a grand period of recividism that lasted until March 21, when I regained my senses and control and reembarked on my current low-carb course. I cannot deny that the experience of glubbing down that sandwich was a Proustian, peak experience, or maybe it was more akin to what an addict feels when he gets his fix.
So now I imagine that the hallway here in the office building smells of warm apple pie, and when I go to the butcher to get my grilled hamburger with mayo on a bed of lettuce and tomato, I cannot avoid coveting the pile of ham and cheese baguettes stacked high on the top shelf of his meatcase.
Yet I know that this time I am not going to fall, I'm just going to keep on going. This is for life. I'm at the crossroads plateau of 230 on my way to 170 and I'm just going to keep on going."
Now there's the spirit of livin' la vida low-carb that we should all strive for as we enter the Fall and upcoming holiday season. You know it's coming, so prepare yourself even now for it. Don't fall prey to the pressure of eating what you can't have just because everyone else is. You've done so well the other nine months of the year, don't blow it all in three months!
Does Fall make you fall from low-carb living? Over my dead body!
. That's right, you can print your own photos from the comfort of your own home and for pennies compared with driving down to the store and paying a bundle. And I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!!
