Low-carb celebrity Dana Carpender gets us caught up on her life
Long before I ever even thought about going on the Atkins diet to lose weight in 2004, there was a woman who was championing the healthy low-carb lifestyle in a series of bestselling cookbooks. She tried the conventional high-carb, low-fat diet and it failed her, so that led her to livin' la vida low-carb--and the rest is history! Of course, I'm talking about the one, the only Dana Carpender.
In Episode 158 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore," Dana lets us in on what is happening in her life right now. She's got a new companion cookbook coming out this Fall to go along with Rob Thompson's The Glycemic-Load Diet and is currently dealing with a bit of a health scare herself with a fibroid in her stomach that she says makes her "look like I'm 20 pounds heavier than I am." And you NEVER have to worry about Dana coming up with an opinion--she's got plenty of 'em to go around!
Click on the "LISTEN NOW" link below or download it to your iPod to hear Episode 158:
"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 158 [39:03m]: LISTEN NOW | Download
We got Dana to open up in this podcast interview since she's so shy--NOT!!! One thing you'll never have trouble getting Dana Carpender to do is talk and she does it well. Hear her talk about the trials of the publishing world for a "low-carb" author, the dangers of low-calorie starvation diets like the Kimkins scam, diet soda, low-carb chocolate, and that recent "big breakfast" study that had all the media going crazy recently. It's never a dull moment with Dana around, so be sure to listen from start to finish.
Connect with low-carb celebrities like Dana Carpender anytime by:
What did you think about Dana Carpender? She has arguably had more influence on the way people view a low-carb lifestyle on the publishing and consumer side than anyone else ever has! I was privileged to speak with her and can't wait to have her join us on the 2009 low-carb cruse. Discuss today's show in the show notes section of Episode 158. And be sure to bookmark Dana Carpender's "Hold The Toast" web site and pre-order the The Glycemic-Load Diet Cookbook TODAY! :)
Coming up on Thursday we'll have fitness and nutrition expert Eric Morrison and then a special two-part podcast interview next week with low-carb chiropractor Dr. Peter Jo.
25 Invigorating New Low-Carb Diet & Health Books You Should Take A Second Look At
Finding a book about diet and health these days isn't difficult at all. Just go to Barnes & Noble or Amazon and you'll see title after title after title of people trying to tell you what you need to do to lose the pounds and get the body you've always dreamed of! Lemme tell you, no such book exists that can deliver on that, so you better not expect it from any book you ever read. You'll be in for a great disappointment.
But one thing books can help you do is look at your own personal weight problem and overall health to see if there are principles that can help you along in your own journey. I honestly believe most authors of these diet and health books truly feel they have some kind of positive message to share with their readers or they wouldn't have bothered spending months or even years of their life writing them.
When I wrote my debut book Livin' La Vida Low-Carb: My Journey From Flabby Fat To Sensationally Skinny In One Year in 2005, my intention wasn't to try to come up with some grand new diet that nobody had ever heard of yet to bring earth-shattering revelations to the public. As if! Nope, I simply wanted to share my low-carb success story in a fun, engaging, and entertaining as well as educating way that would give people the hope they needed to have so that they too could change their life forever like I did.
For the nearly 10,000 people who have purchased my first book so far, my goal was to leave them with a clear uplifting and encouraging message. It will ALWAYS be my aim when I write a book (and I'm working on one right now with a couple of more ideas for future books germinating in my head!) to motivate, encourage, educate and inspire all those who read it. That's what a GOOD diet and health book SHOULD be all about.
I've blogged about new diet and health books that I've read before and now I've got a collection of 25 more invigorating ones to share with you today. I thought you'd like to see what I thought about each of these books that have something to do with food, diet, health, low-carb, or cooking in some form or fashion. I liked most of these books and I think you should take a second look at them for yourself! ENJOY!
You gotta love the BBQ Queens Karen Adler and Judith Fertig! I first met Karen at the 2007 HPBA Expo in Reno, NV where I interviewed her for my podcast show and then I saw her again earlier this year at the 2008 HPBA Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. In that YouTube video I shot from this year's conference, she told me about this new book that was coming out and now it's here. If you like BBQ (and what low-carber DOESN'T?!), then you will enjoy this very colorful and loaded cookbook. Yes, there are a bunch of recipes (not all low-carb, but all super delicious!), but there are also tips about adding just a little something extra special to whatever party event you are having around the grill. If you wanna BBQ right, then you gotta trust the BBQ Queens. :D
When you want to get somebody's attention, sometimes that means using language that underscores the severity of a problem. That's precisely what Dr. James E. Carlson has done with his new book. Regardless of your stance about low-carb diets, you owe it to yourself to read this book and learn from a doctor who has seen unbelievable improvements in ALL of his patients who have implemented the low-carb lifestyle into their health routine. The more unhealthy and obese that you are, the better you'll feel when you are livin' la vida low-carb. Whether you have diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, PCOS, or any of hundreds of other health ailments, low-carb could be the answer you've been looking for and Dr. Carlson shares why in this masterful book. If you want to know the truth about why the dietary ignorance of your doctor is leading you on a direct path to the grave, then READ THIS BOOK! You'll be glad you did.
Meet Susan Blech, a former 468-pound woman who backed on the pounds despite being healthy and fit as a kid and then a bodybuilding in young adulthood. But, as she says in her book, LIFE happened and the rest was history. Thankfully, at the age of 38, Susan took back her life and lost 250 pounds. But it wasn't before some rather humiliating circumstances in her life woke her up to this grave problem that she had been trying to deal with since the weight came pouring on. Anyone who has ever been obese will relate to these stories because they hit home. Susan moved to Durham, North Carolina to lose the weight...how did that go? This little square book reads like a riveting suspense novel and will entertain, educate, and motivate you to start doing some confessing of your own.
When you've been on diet after diet after diet in your life, you become somewhat of an expert on the subject. And they always say to write what you know and that's exactly what Charlie Hills did with this humorously-titled book. Struggling to lose weight and then gaining it all back got frustrating and Charlie finally figured out that he needed to find what worked best for him (which turns out to be a healthy low-carb diet, by the way!). He hopes by sharing about his ups and downs over the years that other people can finally find that plan that will give them the final answer to this lifelong problem. And he's kinda funny talking about it, too. :D
If you are one of the many who are flocking to grass-fed meats and wanna know how to cook them properly (yes, it's different than the grocery store meats you buy!), then you're gonna want to get a copy of this book. Shannon Hayes grew up on a farm and explains in great detail exactly why you should be eating grass-fed beef, lamb, pork and poultry, how to perfectly cook up those delectable cuts of meat so you can maintain all the wonderful nutrients in them, and shares some wonderful carnivorous recipes for your healthy low-carb lifestyle. What a gal!
This is one of the most intriguing books you'll ever read in your entire life. In just over 150 pages of text along with another 75 pages of references and charts, the author arms you with powerful evidence that dietary fat is not responsible for fat on the bodies and that healthy individuals need to be consuming higher amounts of fat than they currently are to stay that way. It's counterintuitive to our fat-fearing culture that hasn't got the first clue about what fats are healthy for them and which are not. This book should be your new go-to resource for anyone who still doesn't understand why fat is healthy. Get a copy for yourself and purchase extras to give away to your doctor, friends, family and anyone else who is stuck on fat being bad. Connie Leas clearly explains why it is not.
With the sudden influx of the Latin culture in the United States over the past couple of decades, this has produced a heavy influence on the kinds of foods that have entered into the category of healthy. Things like avocados, cinnamon, and garlic are now widely considered superfoods because of their positive benefits to our health and these came into prevalence because of Latinos. Noted Fox News health correspondent and OB/GYN Dr. Manny Alvarez introduces many of these foods to the American people with this book and uses it as a springboard for sharing his beliefs about various other diets, including Atkins, South Beach, and The Zone, among other low-carb ones. It shouldn't be too surprising to learn he's not very fond of the low-carb lifestyle on the grounds that the jury is still out about the long-term impact of this way of eating along with the supposed health side effects, high consumption of saturated fats, and the restrictive nature of the diet. Ho-hum--we've heard all this before, Dr. Alvarez. And yet those of us who are livin' la vida low-carb are still here going strong. Even still, mixing in these seven Latin powerfoods into your diet (ironically, most of which are VERY low in carbs, by the way) could be the change you need to get your diet moving in the right direction.
When I interviewed the author of this book for my podcast show recently, I was pleased to hear that he understands the critical importance of implementing a low-carb strategy for people who are dealing with obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and the like because it is the only way to "crack the code" to restore your body to maximum health. Far too often the medical community would rather choose to put someone with these conditions on a risky and oftentimes dangerous prescription pill rather than implementing a natural dietary routine to bring the condition under control. Thankfully, Dr. LaValle is NOT the kind of physician who thinks this way and instead uses specific supplements and low-carb foods to produce the necessary changes in health that patients are desperately seeking. There's no more fighting with your body to get it well when you unlock these keys to optimal health that Dr. LaValle shares.
This national bestselling book from longtime low-carber Jennifer Eloff contains over 350 deliciously low-carb recipes with 10g of carbs or less per serving. No matter how boring you think livin' la vida low-carb is, this book will prove to you that it only takes a little imagination to get those creative juices flowing to come up with some low-carb magic in the kitchen.
If you loved Splendid Low-Carbing, then this book simply continues on with that theme with even more recipes for your healthy low-carb lifestyle. Included in this book are specific recipes for Dr. Atkins' fat fast for those who are especially resistant to a standard low-carb plan. You get soups, salads, meats, and desserts galore all designed to help you stay on your low-carb lifestyle for good!
If you like making Splenda-sweetened desserts that contain just 10g carbs or less, then this is the book for you! This is the third in the "Splendid Low-Carb" series and Jennifer saved the best for last with these delectable desserts that will surely add a little something sweet to your low-carb lifestyle. Whether you like pies, cakes, cheesecakes, muffins, or cookies, then this cookbook has a little something special for whatever low-carb dessert you get a hankering for!
Who doesn't like Bob Harper from the hit NBC-TV weight loss reality show "The Biggest Loser?" That man has shown himself time and time again to have a heart of gold for average, everyday people who just need a little guidance to take off the weight they spent a lifetime putting on. When I interviewed Bob Harper nearly three years ago, he ended it by saying "You want to change, you need to change....let's get started. There is a whole life out there waiting for you.....GRAB IT!!!" With this new book, Bob continues that theme by asking "are you ready" to make those changes happen? If so, then he's ready to get you into shape like he does those contestants on television. First, he examines how and why you got to be overweight or obese in the first place and seeks to correct those issues before any diet or exercise is even introduced. Second, you get a low-calorie and lower-carb nutritional plan to follow designed to help you start shedding the pounds. Finally, Bob himself shows you in pictures the kind of exercises you can and should be doing to get your body into tip-top shape. If you ever wanted to know what "The Blue Team" has been through training under Bob Harper on "The Biggest Loser," then this is probably as close as you'll ever get to it!
One of the freshest new words to appear in the vernacular of diet and health over the past few years is the term "superfoods." This describes those foods that are very powerful for your body because of their superior nutritional content. Things like blueberries, walnuts, strawberries, and tomatoes have been elevated to a new level because of the high amounts of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. This book seeks to use these superfoods in combination to help with weight loss and improving health. Not all of these superfoods are necessarily low-carb, but you can pick and choose the ones that work best within your chosen nutritional plan.
If you have read The TNT Diet by Dr. Jeff Volek and Adam Campbell and wished there was a female version of that book, then this is it! In fact, the author Cassandra Forsythe works with Dr. Volek, a world-renowned low-carb diet researcher from The University of Connecticut, and has her name appearing on many of the latest low-carb research studies over the past few years. She believes in low-carb nutrition and was asked by Women's Health magazine to write a book about weight loss and fitness. Some have been critical of this book because they claim it focuses too much on low-fat and not enough on low-carb. But I think it does a good job of having people avoid the culprit carbs that pack on the pounds which is most important when you are looking for a diet plan that will actually work. The "secret weapon" behind this program is the glucomannan fiber that you sprinkle on your foods to make you fuller faster, take away your hunger, and to slow down the absorption of the food into your body. Again, critics say this is gimmicky, but it could be just what is needed to help someone struggling with their weight to get their body into shape. Forsythe is an avid weight trainer and provides specific exercises for women to get that "perfect body" they desire.
Have you struggled with wanting to change the way your body looks but not really knowing where to start? You are exactly the kind of person Stuart Schaefer was thinking of when he wrote this book. Helping you understand what needs to be done is only part of the process. First you must convince yourself that you CAN do this and that you WILL succeed. Until that happens, all the information about training your body and getting into shape is useless. Stuart helps you with this by offering mental focus that guides you to the point where you need to be so you'll be receptive to the message. When you get to the actual heart of Stuart's diet plan, I was disappointed to see some glorification of carbohydrates (supposedly the good kind) while saturated fat was vilified as the "bad" kind. This does not take into account the latest research that has come out in recent years and I'm surprised Schaefer chose to ignore this. In the section on the actual workout regimen, I was pleased to see he recommends working out LESS to achieve better results. Step-by-step pictorial instructions about what you do and when you do it are included so you're not left wandering on your own without having a clue about what you are doing (this is important for newbies to resistance training). It's not a bad book and the author seems like a nice enough guy. But some of his dietary advice is too caught up in the conventional wisdom that we now are learning isn't exactly right.
One of the hallmarks of the healthy low-carb lifestyle is avoiding not just refined carbohydrates like sugars, but also choosing to avoid those so-called healthy whole grains as well. For some people who have celiac disease, they don't have the luxury of choosing whether they eat grains or not--they cannot or they might die. Consuming gluten-free foods is invaluable for the health of people with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and celiac disease. This recipe book is not explicitly low-carb in nature, although there are many recipes included that are entirely appropriate for livin' la vida low-carb. The main thing you'll get is an education about why it is important to eat specific kinds of carbs, an explanation about why eating fat is good for you, and stocking your cabinets with the key ingredients necessary to make these delicious recipes. Bon appetit!
You know my adage by now if you've been paying any attention to the basic philosophy I espouse for people wanting to lose weight and get healthy--find the proven plan that will work for you (and that you'll enjoy!), follow that plan exactly as prescribed by the author (and don't try to figure it out on your own), and then KEEP doing that plan for the rest of your long and healthy life (with only minor variations to fit your individual needs). That's it! And that is what I was hoping this book did for people who are unsure about which plan they should choose. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. I will give them credit--if the diet exists out there, then it appears in this book in some form or fashion. But to see how reliable the information provided was, I decided to turn to the page about the Atkins diet since that is the plan that I ultimately chose to help me lose 180 pounds in 2004. I couldn't believe this registered dietitian author, an active member of the American Dietetic Association, made such a major blunder right off the bat when she claimed the title of Dr. Atkins' original diet book in 1972 was called The Atkins No Carbohydrate Diet. Ummmm, not exactly, Dr. Rodriguez. Actually, it was called Atkins' Diet Revolution. It makes you look like you didn't really do your research with such an obvious faux pas as this. Add to that under the list of "Resources" for people to get further information about the Atkins diet, she lists a well-known ANTI-Atkins web site run by the radical low-fat vegetarian PETA front group Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). That's not exactly an unbiased web site sharing information about the Atkins diet. As if those two strikes against the reliability of the information in this book in regards to the Atkins diet weren't enough, strike three came when I looked at the "Sample Menu" of a typical Atkins diet meal plan. Is she joking here?! Apple juice? Grapefruit salad? Pork and peach salad? Carrots? Peaches? Corn tortilla? White beans? Is it just me or do you get the feeling that Dr. Rodriguez hasn't got the slightest idea what the heck she's talking about regarding the Atkins low-carb lifestyle? That leaves me with no other conclusion but that you simply cannot rely on her to provide reliable, unbiased information about the various diet plans. FYI--the low-fat plans like Ornish and Weight Watchers are given GLOWING reviews without the use of any ANTI-low-fat propaganda web sites. Hmmmmm.
One of the most brilliant diet and health writers of our day has got to be Michael Pollan. As a worthy follow-up to his instant classic The Omnivore's Dilemma, this book comes strongly to the defense of REAL food as opposed to the heavy reliance on packaged creations that dominates the typical American family dinner table. What if most of the diseases we are dealing with have more to do with the diet we are consuming in the fast-paced lifestyle of the 21st century and less to do with whatever the latest nutritional flavor of the day advice is out there? It's a rather thought-provoking exercise that is worth reading every glorious one of these 230-something pages of text. Pollan is on to something HUGE her and I can't wait to see what else he comes up with if he keeps writing about diet in the future.
Do you remember the classic television show Little House on the Prairie? What a great show that was and there were huge meals around the table to feed all the kids and adults in the household. Don't you know many of the meals that were served back in those days were much healthier compared to modern-day America? A big reason for that was the meticulous attention to detail that our American western ancestors paid to things like raising cattle properly by feeding them grass instead of grain. Grass-fed beef is a lost art these days despite the fact it is nutritionally superior to the mass-market beef you can buy in supermarkets. This book gives you some of the history behind where grass-fed beef came from, why it is so healthy for your body to consume, and over 100 mouthwatering recipes that are sure to please your low-carb palate.
If only it was as easy as writing your way to weight loss (typing does burn calories, right?!), then everybody would become a William Shakespeare overnight. But alas parting with that myth is such sweet sorrow. However, there is merit to the idea of getting your mind off of eating when you really don't need to by putting your thoughts down on paper. Gee, imagine that! The concept behind this book is a good one because it forces you to share thoughts with yourself that you may not even realize were there before. Being honest with yourself about how you choose to live your life, including the foods you stuff in your mouth, will open your eyes to a reflection of YOU that may have never manifested itself before. This book reaffirmed for me one of the major reasons I enjoy blogging so much--it's a creative release that allows me the chance to lay it all out there while taking my mind off of idle things that could drive me to eating that high-carb junk again. So maybe writing is a great way to weight loss after all!
What is about cardiologists that make them understand the importance of livin' la vida low-carb when hardly anyone else in the medical community has an inkling of a clue. Like Dr. Atkins and Dr. Agatston (from South Beach diet fame), Dr. Steven Gundry is a heart surgeon who realizes why people get fat--it ain't the calories, it ain't because you lack willpower, it ain't because you eat too much dietary fat! You might be pleasantly surprised to hear him say whole grain carbs may not be as good for you as we've been told, why the KIND of fruits and vegetables that you choose are vitally important to your weight and health, and how eating a diet lower in carbs and higher in fat while getting moderate amounts of protein can and will help you get healthy simply through nutritional changes. It's the evolution of the low-carb revolution and Dr. Gundry is leading the charge! WAY TO GO!!!
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz! Er, uh, what? Sorry, I was catching a quick nap there before writing this review because we all know about the importance of getting in a good quality night's worth of sleep to our weight and health, don't we? DON'T WE?! Well, if you haven't heard about it before, then lemme tell you--if you want to lose weight, then you really do have to commit yourself to rest. Otherwise, all sorts of biochemical reactions with hormones and stuff like that will wreak havoc on your system until you can't go any more. The body will get what it needs one way or another and it's up to you to do your part with sleep. You'll reap the benefits of that, as the authors from Reader's Digest magazine state, including looking and feeling better and healthier than you ever thought possible. Included in this book are ways to get to sleep (interestingly, when it comes to recommended foods for sleep virtually ALL of them are high-carb--IMAGINE THAT!).
When you look as good as the author of this book does, it's difficult to argue with the results. She's a perfect example of how her program can do exactly what the title of her book suggests. And I LOVE Dr. Lydon's emphasis on the fact that this isn't about going on a diet--it really is about changing your life through simple changes in your current habits. This is the only way to achieve a permanent lifelong solution to your weight and health issues. The best part is she understands the importance of eating like our early ancestors making sure we get adequate protein in our diet to aid muscle growth which leads to the burning of stored fat and she articulates beautifully why consuming fat will have a "slimming effect" that most people have no idea about because they are scared witless about eating any. Unfortunately, when it comes to carbs she's not quite on the same page as most low-carbers are and describes a low-carb ketogenic diet as "a recipe for disaster." That's too bad, but you might be interested in reading this book to see her reasons WHY she believes that as an intellectual exercise in challenging what you believe. Although she wasn't very flattering towards low-carb diets, Dr. Lydon does show how you can give your body a good workout without lifting a single weight or going to the gym (using your own body weight instead). It's not a bad book overall, so you might want to check it out.
If you are just starting off on the low-carb lifestyle and following Induction, then you may need some guidance about how you can cook up simple, easy-to-follow recipes that are low enough in carbohydrates for those early days of your brand new lifestyle change. For some of us, we have to stay pretty low with our carb intake ALL THE TIME, so having a cookbook full of recipes that contain no more than 6g carbs each is a real lifesaver. And these aren't boring recipes either--you get to make fried cheese sticks, low-carb fajitas, breaded pork chops, homemade vanilla ice cream, Bavarian cream pudding. The list goes on and on with delicious and nutritious foods that will keep you livin' la vida low-carb without the worry of eating too many carbohydrates. This is DEFINITELY a book that every new and old low-carber should have on hand when you need a creative shot in the arm for your low-carb lifestyle.
If you haven't been following this series of books from Fair Winds Press by Dr. Jonny Bowden the past couple of years, then you don't know what you've been missing. It all started with The 150 Healthiest Foods On Earth early last year followed by The Most Effective Natural Cures On Earth just a few months back. Now this new book incorporates many of the foods from those two books to provide some yummy to your tummy recipes that both taste good and are good for you. For those of you who are new to Jonny's books, you have to know that he wrote Living The Low-Carb Life--the book I believe is THE must-have book for every low-carber to own because it clearly outlines what this way of eating is all about. In these newer books, Jonny's fervor for healthy low-carb living has not diminished one bit. GET THESE BOOKS and tell everyone you know about them because they are heads and tails above what most nutrition "experts" are sharing nowadays. I can't wait for people to meet Dr. Jonny Bowden in person on the January 2009 low-carb cruise.
Got a new diet or health book that you think I should know about? Feel free to bring it to my attention by e-mailing me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. I will try my best to read it, review it, and then share about it here. Keep your eyes open for later this year when there will be a TON of new books about livin' la vida low-carb coming out. I CAN'T WAIT! :)
True Lemon products catching on with busy health enthusiasts
On a recent trip down to Atlanta, Georgia to visit with some friends there, they took us to the gym where they workout. When we walked in and started to sign our names as guests, I couldn't help but notice the counter display for True Lemon sitting right there with lots of little packets for the members to try this amazing product in their bottled water during their workouts. It made me proud to have them as a sponsor at my blog because they really do have an incredible product for anyone living a healthy and busy lifestyle!
In fact, True Lemon is looking for some enthusiastic stay-at-home moms and housewives primarily to join their True Crew--a group of wonderful people just like YOU who spread the True Lemon word by contacting select businesses and non-profit groups to talk about this amazing product. If you already love True Lemon (and who doesn't?), are excited and don't mind talking with people, know how to use Excel and aren't afraid to pick up the phone and tell somebody about the True Lemon products, then simply e-mail True Lemon at customercare@truelemon.com for more information about joining the True Crew team.
Oh Canada! You've asked about how to find True Lemon in your country and now you've got it! CLICK HERE for a store locater listing of the provinces where you can purchase True Lemon products. If you're still having trouble finding True Lemon products in stores there, then please visit this online store in Canada to order.
In my 2005 book entitled Livin' La Vida Low-Carb: My Journey From Flabby Fat To Sensationally Skinny In One Year, I dedicated an entire chapter to the subject of water. Water consumption is vital when you are livin' la vida low-carb because it "keeps things moving" so to speak. Anyone who complains about constipation on low-carb clearly is not drinking very much water. And the complaint about water is that it tastes disgusting. Two ways to improve that is to get filtered or bottled water and to flavor your water with True Lemon, True Lime, or True Orange. Read more about "The Benefits Of Drinking Water."
Christine and I have been traveling a lot this year taking many plane rides across the country. On a recent trip back from Phoenix, Arizona, my lovely bride thought of a neat new way to use her True Orange packets. When you're stuck on a plane for hours, there's not much you can do about the choices you are given for beverages. So when she decided on a Sprite Zero to drink, I watched her pull out some True Orange and mix it with her drink. Just one sip and she was raving about it! I tried it and agreed--pretty good stuff! Just last night we were watching television and Fresca now has an "orange-flavored" version of their product. Were they on that plane listening to Christine? :P
Don't forget about Operation Gratitude in support of the troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world. Every time you sign up for FREE SAMPLES of True Lemon products through the end of May, True Lemon will be donating 10 packets to send overseas to the troops to help flavor their water in the arid conditions there. Their goal is to send 1,000,000 packets and they're getting very close. If you haven't already, won't you go get your samples and help out the soldiers who are defending our nation? THANK YOU!
Brand new stores are adding the True Lemon products to their inventory every week, so check out the Store Locater to see where you can purchase it in your area. It's usually on the same aisle you will find Splenda and other artificial sweeteners (although True Lemon doesn't have any artificial sweeteners in it--just crystallized lemons, limes, and oranges!), in the powdered drink mix section, or next to the bottled lemon juice, usually in the juice aisle. But if you're still having trouble finding it in a store, then you can always get some from any of these online vendors. Get a special $1 off coupon by signing up here and it will be mailed to your home.
Wanna know why True Lemon products taste so incredible? Here's the secret behind the process that goes into making True Lemon. It's one of the reasons I was so impressed with them and support their products for use on the healthy low-carb lifestyle. With such concerns over artificial sweeteners along with the ever-increasing busy schedules that most of us have, True Lemon is such a convenience to have around. I LOVE IT!
Finally, would you like to be considered an official True Lemon Super Fan by expressing your love and devotion for this amazing carbohydrate-free, calorie-free product? True Lemon wants to hear from you if you do. Send your True Lemon love letter to Heidi Carney at customercare@truelemon.com. Tell her you heard about True Lemon here at "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" and how much you enjoy using it as part of your healthy low-carb lifestyle. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!
Remember to sign up for FREE SAMPLES (after all, they're FREE!) and let me know what you think about them. I appreciate the support you have given this outstanding sponsor who helps me continue to bring quality low-carb diet and health information to you on a daily basis. They're a company I KNOW you can trust and feel good about. THANK YOU! :)
Nope, this ain't no Egg McMuffin. It's an Oopsie--seriously!
Some of the best food creations to come out of my kitchen have happened almost by accident. Just when you think you've totally messed up the perfect recipe and you're kicking yourself for not following it by the letter, along comes a pleasant surprise to totally blow you away. Of course, you really MEANT to do that, right? *wink wink*
Remember this low-carb "magic shell" recipe that sorta fell in my lap last Fall. I couldn't believe it when I saw it because all I was trying to do was come up with a nice chocolate syrup sauce for my low-carb ice cream. But lo and behold, looky what happened when I poured it on top of my ice cream--a sweet, delicious hardened topping just like that magic shell stuff. OH MY GOSH!!! What an amazing find that was--despite it being an "oops."
Well, today I have another "oops" recipe for you from a wonderful low-carb blogger I told you about on Monday (see #12 under this post) named Cleochatra who runs the fantabulous blog called "The Lighter Side Of Low-Carb." If you haven't already bookmarked this blog, then DO IT NOW! She is one incredibly funny and entertaining writer and a pretty awesome low-carb cook, too, if you like recipes (and who doesn't?!).
But even the best sometimes experience the trials and tribulations that hit our inner Paula Deen where we're a whole lot close to Paula Abdul instead! Ah, but never fear because fate always has a way of turning that lemon into lemonade and the birth of a new and exciting recipe awaits. Or, something like that.
In the case of Cleochatra, that lemon would be the appropriately named "Oopsie Rolls." It's obvious why she named them this because they were supposed to be one thing and ended up another. But the flexibility of these oh-so-yummy low-carb bread roll thingys is quite evident in a series of recipes I'll share in just a moment. First, let me show you this neat little recipe compliments of Cleochatra.
CLEOCHATRA'S BEST EVER REVOL-OOPSIE ROLLS
3 large eggs 1 packet of Splenda A dash of salt A pinch of cream of tartar 3 ounces cream cheese (not Tbsp!) Do not soften!
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Separate the eggs and add Splenda, salt, and cream cheese to the yolks. Use a mixer to combine the ingredients together. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff (if you're using the same mixer, mix the whites first and then the yolk mixture).
Using a spatula, gradually fold the egg yolk mixture into the white mixture, being careful not to break down the whites. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray and spoon the mixture onto the sheet, making 6 mounds. Flatten each mound slightly.
Bake for about 30 minutes (You want them slightly softer, not crumbly). Let cool on the sheet for a few minutes, and then remove to a rack and allow them to cool.
Storage and freezing:
I store them in a Ziplock bag with the bag open partially (this way they breathe and don't get too moist) and keep them in the fridge after the first day. Then, when you want to use them, take them out and set them on the counter for 15-30 minutes or until they are room temperature. This makes them more "dry" and less sticky.
As for freezing, I tried freezing and they do freeze. This time you want to close the Ziplock when storing (I only store two per bag). To thaw, let them rest on the counter until room temperature in the bag with the bag open. When they're close to room temperature, set them outside of the bag so that they can "dry" out slightly for use.
Makes 6 "Oopsie Rolls" Calories 85 each Carbs Less than 1g each (WOWee!!!)
So there you have it--the world-famous "Oopsie Rolls" (not to be confused with the high-carb copycat candy known as Tootsie Rolls). Oopsie mania is sweeping the nation now, so do you wanna see some fabulous recipes using the "Oopsie Roll" as the centerpiece? SURE YOU DO! Check these out:
Think you can come up with an "Oopsie" recipe to add to Cleochatra's collection? Post it in the comments section below and Cleo might just share your recipe with her readers at her blog in the very near future. "Oopsie" mania is running wild! AAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!
The True Lemon products are a low-carber's dream come true
I'm excited to introduce you to something you may not even be aware of for your low-carb lifestyle--but you will be now. It's called True Lemon and is one of the most amazing new low-carb products I've seen come out in years because it has ZERO sugar, carbs, calories, and sodium and will add so much dynamic flavor to the foods and drinks you consume as you'll see in a couple of YouTube videos my wife Christine and I recorded about it.
True Lemon is a crystallized substitute for three specific flavors: Lemon, Lime, and Orange. These products are 100% all-natural and made from the juice and oil of the various citrus fruits. Since those of us who are livin' la vida low-carb need to stay away from these high-sugar fruits for the most part, the True Lemon products enable us to add the flavor of lemon, lime, and orange to just about anything we eat or drink.
In Episode 21 of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube" as well as Episode 22, Christine and I had a little bit of fun with True Lemon products by taking our cameras to what Christine calls our "one butt kitchen." Yesiree, we had some fun making all sorts of recipes with these outstanding new low-carb flavoring substitutes.
See the True Lemon creations we came up with in today's videos:
In case you want to make these recipes we featured, here they are:
LEMONADE, LIMEADE, AND ORANGEADE
3 8-ounce glasses of filtered or bottled water 6 packets of True Lemon, True Lime, and True Orange 6 packets of Splenda or stevia to taste (optional) Ice cubes
Pour water into three glasses and add 2 packets of the True Lemon, True Lime, and True Orange products. If you desire more sweetness, then add Splenda or stevia. Drop some ice on top for a refreshing beverage anytime!
Break up chocolate in a bowl, scoop out the coconut oil, and then sprinkle True Orange on top. You'll want to microwave on high for about a minute (make sure you don't overcook or the chocolate will burn). Stir this liquid for about a minute until all the chocolate chunks have melted. Can be pour on top of your favorite low-carb ice cream immediately for a "magic shell" effect or you can refrigerate or freeze for a delightful orange chocolate treat in about an hour.
DIET RITE WITH LIME
1 can of Diet Rite or other Splenda-sweetened soda 1 packet of True Lime
As an alternative to the diet sodas made with lime that contain aspartame (aka NASTYtame!), open a packet of True Lime (or even True Lemon if you like that flavor) and pour in the bottom of a glass. Slowly pour the diet soda on top being careful about it fizzing up on you too quickly. When it dies down, pour the remaining contents of the diet soda on top and enjoy a different flavor to your diet cola.
SUPER SIMPLE LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN
2 tablespoons of butter 2-3 frozen chicken breasts 3 tablespoons of Nutiva brand coconut oil Shaker bottle of True Lemon Black pepper
On medium to medium-high heat, melt the butter in a large non-stick skillet until melted making sure it fully coats the skillet. Place the frozen chicken breasts into the butter and allow them to begin cooking. Scoop out a tablespoon of coconut oil and spread across the top of each chicken breast (still frozen). Then shake desired amount of pepper and True Lemon on top. Allow the chicken to continue cooking until golden brown on the bottom and then flip. Add additional pepper and True Lemon on the bottom and cook until fully cooked. Serve and enjoy!
LOW-CARB TRUE LEMON, LIME, OR ORANGE CHEESECAKE
1 8-ounce whipped Philadelphia cream cheese 4 packets of True Lime, Lemon or Orange 6 packets of Splenda or stevia Heavy whipping cream Whipped topping 1 packet of True Lime, Lemon or Orange
This will be the fastest cheesecake you've ever made. Empty the contents of one container of the cream cheese into a bowl, add your favorite True Lemon flavor on top along with the sweetener and as much or as little heavy whipping cream that you desire for the desire thickness. Stir until smooth and creamy. Pour into dessert dish and put a dollop of whipped cream on top. Sprinkle one packet of the same True Lemon flavor of your cheesecake. Eat up!
So there you have my five recipes and the possibilities are truly endless. I encourage you go use the TrueLemon store locator to find out where this incredible product is available in YOUR area because you'll want to add it to your low-carb lifestyle. I LOVE this stuff and I know you will too. Be sure to request your FREE SAMPLES so you can try all three flavors for yourself. You WON'T be disappointed!
I was happy to get the YouTube video series out of the studio with these True Lemon videos, although it was pretty funny lugging around my iMac into my kitchen. One of these days I'm gonna get me a digital camcorder to start recording videos anywhere. I'd love to be able to do that when I'm a little more financially able to. If you missed any of our previous YouTube videos, then check 'em all out here anytime at my links blog. We'd love to have you subscribe to our videos and e-mail us your feedback at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. THANKS for watching!!!
Dana Carpender still reigns supreme in the low-carb community
When you stop and think about who the most influential voices in the low-carb community are in the mainstream of public health, only a handful of people come to mind. I mean people who have been out there in the trenches working to help change people's lives for the better with the positive and healthy message of low-carb living in the midst of a world that still believe the low-fat diet hung the moon.
Who pops in your mind on a short list of low-carb champions like this?
Immediately, I think of people like Drs. Michael and Mary Dan Eades from Protein Power who are some of the strongest and most consistent voices for livin' la vida low-carb on the planet. And Dr. Jonny Bowden, author of Living The Low-Carb Life and The 150 Healthiest Foods On Earth, who is dedicated to getting people to eating less sugar and refined carbohydrates for the sake of their weight and health.
Then, earlier this year there was a fabulous study released by researchers from Stanford University and published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that found the Atkins diet was best for weight loss and health improvements among a list of popular diets, including the Zone diet, a high-carb, low-fat diet called LEARN, and the ultra-low-fat Ornish diet. The results of this study precipitated a unique discussion presented by Revolution Health which I shared on my podcast show in two parts here and here. Wanna hear classic Dana Carpender? Just take a listen to that audio and you'll see exactly what I mean!
For the sake of those who have never heard of her, Christine and I share about all of Dana's bestselling book in Episode 19 of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube." Seriously, anyone who is living the low-carb lifestyle should be aware of who Dana Carpender is and they'll be a lot more familiar with her contributions to the low-carb community after watching our latest video. And pay a visit to her web site LowCarbohydrate.net sometime for more from Dana!
Allow me to introduce you to the one, the only Dana Carpender:
There were a bunch of books listed on that video, so here's a link to each:
Coming up in January, I'm going to give you a chance to win your very own Dana Carpender library with all of the books I featured in Episode 19. Additionally, I'll be featuring my review of each of these books, although I've already written a review for Every Calorie Counts. That's all coming up really soon, so keep reading for more information about this!
The winner of the THREE DOZEN EGGLAND'S BEST EGGS from the contest on Episode 17 was announced, so be sure to tune in to see if that winner was YOU! :) And leave your comments for Episode 19 of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube" to share what you think about Dana Carpender and her dazzling set of books to help you on your low-carb lifestyle change.
We're building up quite a listing of YouTube videos now, so be sure to go back and watch any of them you might have missed. We work hard to make these as entertaining and informative as possible on a wide variety of subjects pertaining to diet, health, nutrition, and practical low-carb living. Subscribe to our videos e-mail us your feedback at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. It's our pleasure to serve you and we look forward to continuing our videos for you in 2008. By the way, you'll be pleased to know "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" podcast will be returning in January. WOO HOO!
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!!!
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.
I don't know how many of my readers realize this, but I am a bona fide cooking nut! Yes, I'm sure you already figured out the "nut" part (HA!), but I also absolutely LOVE to cook. I credit my mom for instilling in me at an early age how much fun cooking can really be. In fact, I used to enjoy surprising her by having dinner ready when she got home from work when we were growing up. She was a single mom with three kids, so it was practical for her to have a kid who could actually cook. That was ME! :)
In fact, ever since I got married to my cherished Christine in August 1995, I've probably done about 90 percent of the cooking. I just plain enjoy it because it relaxes me and I can't wait to experiment and try new recipes. When I started livin' la vida low-carb almost four years ago, I had to adjust some of my recipes to make them low-carb. It's a tricky thing sometimes when recipes call for lots of sugar or white flour, but it can be done.
Although I am so grateful to people like Dana Carpender, Judy Barnes Baker, and Jan McCracken, for example, because they have taken their cooking talents and created outstanding low-carb cooking resources for all of us to enjoy, it's still kinda neat to take a look at some more traditional cookbooks and try to transform the recipes into low-carb ones.
Today I wanted to share seven brand new cookbooks from 2007 that are sure to dazzle you. With a little finagling and substituting of ingredients, just about ANY recipe in these books can be made low-carb. You might find something new to enjoy among these tantalizingly delicious selection of recipes! ENJOY!
Just in time for the holidays, this picturesque cookbook with gorgeous photos will have you welcoming in Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's the right way. With creative drink and hors d'oeuvres recipes to main dishes, sides, and desserts, there are recipes to treat your friends and family in style found in this cookbook. There's even a section with homemade gifts you can make in your kitchen that you won't want to miss. This is one holiday cookbook you won't be able to resist!
Are you a cook who is a "little of this, little of that" kinda chef? Then this is the cookbook for you! The author Dian Garris encourages you to "talk to your food" and let it tell you what the final product is supposed to look and taste like. If you put the new age funkiness of the "channeled message" aside, there are some really stimulating recipes in this book (whether you buy into the spirituality of the author or not!).
A very practical cookbook with an easy-to-read format that clearly show the serving size for each recipe, a brief explanation of the origins of the recipes, precise listing of all the ingredients involved, detailed listing of the instructions about how to make it and some tips you can use to make the recipe as good as it can possibly be. If you like to be held by the hand as you cook, then this is the book for you. There's even an extremely educational look at some common cooking ingredients at the beginning of the book that will make anyone a better cook.
Personally, I wasn't holding out much hope for this book since I am not a fan of Indian cuisine. But Hari Nayak and Vikas Khanna make the mysteriousness of these recipes very mainstream by infusing common ingredients to formulate some really tasty dishes. In fact, many of these are quite suitable for people who are livin' la vida low-carb with very few substitutions required. For something a little different while still mouthwatering, the recipes in this book will do the trick.
More and more people are suffering from a condition called celiac disease which means they have a severe and potentially deadly aversion to any wheat products. That's why they need to eat what is known as a "gluten-free" diet. This book of recipes from Dr. Carol Fenster is sensitive to the needs of this special sect of people because she is an outspoken leader on their behalf. She explains how to prepare your kitchen for a gluten-free lifestyle and then serves up some of the most tantalizing recipes that will rival those you'd find in any cookbook anywhere. There are even suggestions in the back of the book about how to substitute key ingredients in traditional recipes with gluten-free ones.
I've never seen a book that contains two-thousand five-hundred recipes in it! Well, yeah I have--THIS ONE! WHOA! There are FIFTY chapters with FIFTY recipes each that run the gamut when it comes to cooking--from snacks to grilling and stir-frying to stews and fish to fruit and chocolate recipes to homemade pies--and would make the cooking king or queen in your life a very happy person. From simple to complex, these recipes will keep that cook in your life quite busy (enough new recipes to have one brand new one every single day for the next EIGHT years!!!).
Do you like to cook on the grill? I mean REALLY get down and dirty barbecuing like you were born to do it. Oh yeah, baby! Then THIS is the book for you. Authors Andrew Schloss and David Joachim don't play around and mean serious business with this hands-on grilling cookbook. With vibrant photos of their sensational BBQ recipes, each page of this book provides helpful hints about how to maximize your grill to make the perfect dish. Temperature recommendations, full ingredients listing, cooking directions, estimated preparation/grilling time, and recommended grilling equipment is provided for each recipe. Fire up the grill and let this book help you become the BBQ king in your neighborhood!
That's all the cookbooks I have to share with you for now, but I'll keep my eyes peeled for any more that tickle my fancy and capture my attention. Let me know if you decide to pick up any of these books and experiment a bit in the kitchen. Half of the fun of cooking is figuring out what you want to make next. HAPPY COOKING! :D
