Chocolate Cheese Balls! - Friday 31 August 2012

B: 3 sausages & half tin tomatoes
L: 2 boiled eggs.  3 squares from carob bar.
D: Ham salad.  Blueberries & Cream

I am going away for a few days tomorrow so I will resume posting as soon as I get back. We are going to Scotland and it will be the first time we have been away by ourselves for over 10 years.    The hotel is beside a loch and looks absolutely beautiful.  Looking forward to a relaxing few days.  The hotel provides bed & breakfast so I have got together some low carb snacks I can use for lunchtimes. These include, pork curls, peanuts, pistachios and of course chocolate (as a treat).  

Today I intend to spend getting myself ready by conditioning, moisturising etc.   Still need to do Callanetics before I go.

Chocolate Cheese Ball

8oz cream cheese, softened                                    2 tbs brown sugar (optional)

1/2 cup butter, softened                                           3/4 cup 70% chocolate chips

1/4 tsp vanilla extract                                               3/4 cup of nuts

1/4 cup sugar  (sugar substitute can be used)

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy.  Gradually add the sugars; beat until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.  

Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.  Line a tray with greaseproof paper.  Shape mixture into small balls and place on paper.  Refrigerate for at least a hour.

Just before serving, roll each cheese ball in nuts.

3g Carbs - I intend making this without using sugar so I guess the carbs will be less.

Nut Clusters - Thursday 30 August 2012

B: Fried egg and 2 rashers of bacon
L: 2 Pork Burgers with stir fried cabbage
D: Chilli meat loaf, cauliflower cheese & green beans.  Blueberries & cream.


The chilli meat loaf last night was delicious and I will be making it again.  As you can see there is enough for two meals.     I had some pork mince left over so made pork burgers with them, using an egg and some ground flax to bind them together.

Made 5lb of Bilberry jam too.  It looks and tastes lovely (only tasted whilst testing for setting point).

Nut Clusters

2 cups of dark chocolate chips or dark chocolate broken into small pieces.

1 cup of nuts.

1/2 cup unsweetened dessicated coconut.

Melt chocolate in a microwave or in a bowl over a pan of boiling water.  Stir to combine.  Add nuts and coconut, and stir until well blended.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper or foil.  Cool.

12g carb per serving.  Makes 24.

Not as low carb as some recipes but a nice low carbish treat for special occasions. 

Jam Making - Wednesday 29th August 2012

B: Fried egg with 3 rashers of bacon
L: Tuna fish salad
D:  Chilli Meat loaf, mashed swede, broccoli, sprouts.  Blueberries & cream

Did 30 mins of Callanetics last night.

Hoping to get Bilberry jam made today and also to get some ironing done.

Tuesday 28 August 2012

B; Flax muesli with Greek Yoghurt
L: 6 oatcakes with lactofree soft cheese. Peanuts.
D: 4 slices of spam fried, a fried egg and roasted green beans.  Blueberries & cream.

Didn't have time to prepare a low carb lunch today.

Monday 27 August 2012

B; fried egg, 3 rashers of bacon
L: 4 slices of spam with stir fried cabbage
D: Chicken Cacciatore with green beans.  Blueberries with cream.

Did one hour at the allotment today and got half of the potato bed weeded.  Brought back some strawberry plants to put in planters on the patio.  Have decided I'm going to give the allotment up as I cannot keep up with it.  I just don't have enough energy to give it the time needed to keep it tidy.   Will bring some of the fruit back and put it in the garden and just grow on a smaller scale.

Sunday 26 August 2012

B: Fried egg and 3 rashers of bacon
D: Pork chop, mashed swede, cabbage, 6 sprouts, carrots & broccoli. Low carb Microwave sponge.
T: Indian omelette & vegetable bhaji

Chocolate Truffles - Saturday 25 August 2012

B: flax muesli with 6 raisins added.
L:Spam & stir fried cabbage.  Peanuts. 1 square 81% chocolate
D:Prawn curry and vegetable bhaji.  Low carb microwave sponge.

Dinner today depends on what I find on offer at Lidl.

I have set myself the task of changing one single bed.  I intend to use remainder of day to rest as last two days have been fairly active for me.

Chocolate Truffles

1/4 cup double cream                                                4tbsp butter at room temperature

2tbsp Grand Marnier or other liqeur                        Unsweetened cocoa

6oz 70% chocolate chips 

Carefully boil cream in a small pan until reduced by half.  Remove from heat, and stir in Grand Marnier and chocolate chips.  Stir until chocolate melts.

Stir in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time until well blended.  Pour into a shallow bowl, and refrigerate until firm.

Shape chocolate mixture into 24 (1inch) balls, and roll balls in unsweetened cocoa.  Store in the refrigerator.  Bring to room temperature and serve.

5g Carbs per truffle 

Friday 24 August 2012

B: Flax muesli
L: Pork curls, peanuts & 2 squares  81% chocolate
D:2 sausages, 1 rasher bacon, 1/2 tin tomatoes, fried mushrooms.

Had a lovely 2 hours bilberrying yesterday.  I now know what a bilberry plant looks like!  Got enough to make a couple of pounds of jam.  Really needed more time to gather them.    My friend took me to a lovely Fell near my home which I'd not been to before, wish I'd taken the camera and the heather was out and it looked beautiful.  I now have another place where I can forage.  Think I may go again next month, (time permitting), and gather some brambles/blackberries.

Off out for a trip to Dumfries today.  Rest of the family will be ice skating whilst I either watch them (I can't ice skate) or wander round the town.  Not sure what I will make for tea, I know the children will be having McDonald's.

Thursday 23 August 2012

B: Flax muesli
L: 3 Sausages, half tin tomatoes and fried mushrooms.
D: Chilli on bed of cabbage. Blueberries & cream

Callanetics: 30 mins

Off to pick bilberries today, hopefully will get enough to make jam and perhaps a small pie for my mum.

Chilli Meat Loaf - Wednesday 22 August 2012

B: Fried Egg and 3 rashers of bacon.
L:
D: 3 chicken drumsticks and roasted green beans. Blueberries & cream

Callanetics: 30 mins

Not too sure what I'm having for the rest of today's meals.   Not had much spare housekeeping money so a bit down on low carb stuff at the moment.  Will have to see what is left when lunchtime comes around.  I'm thinking of making an Indian omelette but there are only 3 eggs left and someone else may get there before me. 

I got library books out whilst the Olympics were on to give me something to do.   Once I get into reading everything else goes by the wayside.   Last night I decided I'd wasted enough time and had to get back to work.   Today I need to get containers cleaned and ready for a bilberry picking tomorrow, pick blueberries (got a really good crop this year) from plants on patio,  sort out ironing pile (OH puts everything on there even if it doesn't need ironing), do callentics, make evening meal which is Lasagne for the rest of family.  I still need to take photos for ebay listings, change the beds, hoover and clean the bathrooms, and bake.   Here is a recipe I am thinking of making in the next week or two

Chilli Meat Loaf

2 tbsp butter                                                                             2tsp cumin

1 medium onion                                                                       4 tomatoes sliced

1 red pepper sliced (optional)                                                1lb minced beef

2 tsp crushed garlic                                                                  1/2lb minced pork

2 fresh jalepeno peppers, diced (optional)                             2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 tbp chilli powder                                                                   40z grated cheese

2 tsp salt

2 tsp oregano                                                                          Serves 10

Pre-heat oven to 350F

In a frying pan, melt the butter and saute the onion, bell pepper, garlic, jalapenos, chilli powder, salt, oregano and cumin.  Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes ( I think I may try tinned tomatoes for this) and cook another 10 minutes.  Remove from the heat and cool.

Combine the mince beef and mince pork.  Add cooked mixture, plus the eggs.  Press into a large loaf tin (11/2- 2lb size).  

Bake for 50 minutes.  Pour of excess juices.  Sprinkle with cheese and return to the oven until cheese melts.

I intend to substitute the peppers and jalapeno's for other vegetables ie. carrots as foods from  the nightshade family give me pain and inflammation of the joints.

 

9g Carbs per serving

Tuesday 21 August 2012

B: Flax muesli & Greek yoghurt
L: sardine salad.  Peanuts
D:Salmon fillet, broccoli, mushrooms & Lactofree cheese sauce.  Blueberries and lactofree cream

Apart from doing the weekly shop I spent most of the day watching TV.    This was a real treat.  Whilst most of the family is at home it is rare I get the opportunity to watch what I want.  I enjoyed watching an afternoon film, Australian masterchef, The Great British Bake Off and Secret Eaters.

Monday 20 August 2012

B: Fried egg and 2 rashers of bacon
L: 1 chicken drumstick, lactofree soft cheese and salad
D:  Pork chop, cabbage, sprouts, carrots & cauliflower.  Blueberries & cream

Snack: Pistachio nuts.

Did 1 hour 30 mins at the allotment today.  Ended up with a terrible migraine tonight, which usually happens after a trip to the allotment in the summer.  Not sure if its the heat, pollen, a combination of both or just using too much energy which is causing the migraines.

Sunday 19 August 2012

B; 3 egg scrambled egg and 3 sausages
D: 3 chicken drumsticks & broccoli.  Blueberries & cream
T: small tub pistachios.  Pork curls.  2 squares 81% chocolate

Off to mum's this afternoon.   I probably won't feel like cooking much when we get back, so I'm planning on having a snacky tea.

I feel really exhausted after having the massage, my friend told me it would make me feel this way but I didn't believe her.   Still, I expect its doing some good getting rid of toxins etc,  trying to drink extra to help flush them out.

Saturday 18th August 2012

B: 2 boiled eggs.
L: tuna fish salad, small tub of pistachio nuts.
D: Salmon, cauliflower, cheese sauce.   2 squares 81% chocolate.

Callanetics: 30 mins


Well I had my first massage in 17 years yesterday and it was WONDERFUL!     I was absolutely shattered afterwards and once we got home I went to bed at 9pm and slept the clock round.   The Spa was in a lovely location surrounded by countryside.  It was very relaxing.   I'm hoping I can save enough Tesco clubcard vouchers to do the same next year.

Got weighed this morning and I've stayed the same.  I'm quite pleased with that considering I had a meal out and ate bread and all sorts or high carb stuff, hopefully it will start to come off again next week.

I need to do Callanetics today as I didn't have time yesterday.

May be going to visit my mum tomorrow which will be another challenge to the diet.

Friday 17 August 2012

B: Low carb blueberry cheesecake.
L: Bacon Sandwich, salad.  Caramel shortcake
D: 1 Packet pork scratchings.  Peanuts.

Drinks: 1 glass cordial, 2 small glasses bucks fizz
Snack: 1 Ferrero Roche

Off to the Spa today :D  Will let you know how I get on low carb wise tonight.  Really looking forward to my massage.  In fact, its just lovely to have a day out.
 

Thursday 16 August 2012

B: Scrambled eggs & 2 rashers of bacon
L:  2 tbsps peanut butter.  3 tbsps Greek Yoghurt.
D: 3 Chicken wings, BBQ ribs, spicy prawns, salad.
1 glass lemonade.

Callanetics 30 mins

DD2 received her A level results today and she has been accepted into Bangor Uni which is the one she wanted to go to.   We are going out for a meal tonight.  DD2 has requested we go to harvesters.

Tomorrow I am going on a Spa Day with my two daughters.  It is a treat for DD2 18th.  I'm really looking forward to it.  We are to be welcomed with champagne & chocolates and lunch is included.  I will try and have a salad or something low carb for lunch but I will still have the champagne & chocolate treats.  Thought I would spend the day getting ready and pampering myself.    Going to moisturise all over, shave legs etc. 

Flourless Chocolate Tiramisu Cake - Wednesday 15 August 2012

B: 3 rashers of bacon and a fried egg.
L: 3 slices of spam with salad
D:  Braised steak, 2 sausages, cauliflower, swede mash, cabbage & sprouts.   Blueberries & cream

Flourless Chocolate Tiramisu Cake

2 tsp butter                                                                     1/2 cup of sugar (optional0

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder                            1/2 cup sour cream

4 eggs                                                                              1 tsp vanilla essence

1/2 cup of ground hazelnuts.                                        2 tsp instant coffee

Preheat oven to 350F

Prepare a 8 or 9 inch springform pan with butter  and 1tbsp cocoa powder.

Using an electric mixer, beat eggs until fluffy and light.  In another bowl, combine remaining cocao powder, hazelnuts, sugar, sour cream, vanilla and coffee.   Carefully fold into beaten egg mixture.  Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 30 mins or until cake is dry on top.  Cool until warm.  Loosen the edges of the cake with a knife, and remove the sides of pan.

For a plain chocolate cake omit the coffee.

12g Carbs per serving.   Serves 12.                 

Raspberry Mousse - Tuesday 14 August 2012

B: Flax Muesli
L: 2 chicken drumsticks, salad, pork scratchings.
D: Pork chop & green beans.  Blueberries & Greek yoghurt.


Callanetics; 30 mins

Raspberry Mousse

1 tbsp or 1 sachet of geletin                                                2 egg yolks

2 tbs cold water                                                                     2 cups double cream

1/4 cup orange juice                                                             1/4 cup of sugar

1(10oz) bags frozen raspberries, unsweetened. 

Soak the gelatin in cold water in a saucepan for 5 minutes.  Add orange juice and raspberries, and bring just to boiling, stirring constantly.  Cool to room temperature.

Beat egg yolks and sugar until pale yellow.  Put egg yolk mixture into the top pan of a double boiler or into a bowl over a pan of simmering water.   Stir until slightly thickened.  Cool to room temperature.

Add egg yolk mixture to raspberry mixture.  Stir until blended.  Whip double cream into soft peaks, and fold into egg yolk and raspberry misture.  Divide among 10 small ramekins or other serving dishes. and chill.

10g Carbs per serving.  

This can be made with any froxen or fresh berries.

I intend to try this recipe omitting the sugar and so reducing the amount of carbs.

Monday 13 August 2012

B: Fried egg, 3 rashers of bacon
L:  3 chicken drumsticks, salad.
D: Chicken breast, 1 sausage & broccoli.   Blueberries & cream.

Sunday 12 August 2012

B: Flax muesli
L: 2 chicken drumsticks, 2 sausages wrapped in bacon, salad, bacon, 1 crispy wanton.   Blueberries & cream
D: chicken drumsticks, salad, peanuts.  2 squares of 84% chocolate.

Saturday 11 August 2012

B; Fried egg with 3 rashers of bacon
L: Fried spam with salad. Peanuts
D:  Indian Omelette.  4 squares of 84% chocolate

Orange Cream - Friday 10 August 2012

B: Fried egg & 3 rashers of bacon
L: Fried spam with salad
D: Chilli con Carne (without rice) with cabbage.   Berries and lactofree cream

Callanetics: 25 min

Fresh Berries with Orange Cream

1 pint of Berries

Sweetener (optional)

2 tsp of grated orange rind

1/2 cup of Orange Juice

1 cup double cream

Wash hull and chop berries.  Combine sweetener, orange rind and orange juice in a small saucepan.  Bring to the boil, stirring only until the sugar dissolves.  Simmer for 10 minutes without stirring.  Cool completely.

Whip cream until soft peaks form.  Gently fold in orange syrup.    Serve over berries.  

This recipe is enough for 4 servings.

18g carbs per serving.

Thursday 9 August 2012

B: Fried egg & 3 rashers of bacon
L: Sardine Salad
D:  Bolognese on bed of cabbage.  Berries & Greek Yoghurt.

Callanetics: 25 mins

Chicken Liver Pate - Wednesday 8 August 2012

B: Scrambled eggs & 3 rashers of bacon
L: Tuna fish salad
D: Chicken in cheese sauce, Broccoli.  Berries & lactofree cream.

Had my nose in a book for the last few days hence not posting much.   Books are finished now so back to the real world.   Off to the allotment sometime today.   Even if I do give it up it still needs to be weeded & tended until the end of the year.   OH is talking about doing digging and cutting the grass/keeping paths tidy so all I have to do is look after the plants.  It sounds like a good idea but he has so much to do already I doubt he'll be able to keep it up.   I just feel so unmotivated for the allotment this year.  I feel I am fighting a losing battle and all my time is spent keeping the paths cleared.   The area around the compost bins is a mess and  I don't have the strength/energy to clear it.   The allotment just feels like a burden to me instead of the pleasure it used to give.

Decided I would add another of the recipes I found.  Since becoming lactose intolerant I have not been able to eat pate as most shop bought ones contain milk or cream.   Whilst reading these low carb books I realised I could have pate if I made my own and used lactofree cream.   So here is a recipe which I have adapted

Chicken Liver Pate

1/2 cup butter                                                  12 large fresh mushrooms

1 lb chicken livers                                           1/2 cup brandy

1 medium onion, chopped                               1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp  dried thyme                                         1/8 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp dried rosemary                                     fresh parsley to garnish

1 bay leaf 

In a large frying pan , melt butter.   Add chicken livers and onion.  Stir over medium heat for about 10 minutes.  Add thyme, rosemary, bay leaf and mushrooms.  Stir frequently while cooking for 5 mins.

Discard bay leaf, and pour mixture into a blender.  Pour in brandy, salt and pepper.  Blend for 2 mins.   Pour into ramekins or other suitable containers.  Chill.

Garnish with parsley before serving.

This can be covered and stored in the fridge for a week.

Of course I intend to replace the butter with lactofree butter.

Tuesday 7 August 2012

B: Flax muesli
L: Sardine salad
D: Salmon in cheese sauce, cauliflower & roasted green beans.  Berries & Greek yoghurt.
snack: Pork scratchings
Hoping to get back on track today.   I just hope I haven't put on any weight because of going off the rails the last two days.  Off shopping today so hopefully get some low carb stuff I like.

Monday 6 August 2012

B: 2 boiled eggs
L: 6 oatcakes, lactofree cheese and lactofree spread.  Pistachios
D: Fried egg, 3 sausages and baby leaf spinach.   Berries & cream
snack: 2 squares of 85% chocolate.

Went off rails a bit last few days.  Not got much energy so couldn't be bothered doing much cooking.  Yesterday I ate far too many pistachios.  I usually measure them out and stick to that, but yesterday I ate straight from the packet - big mistake!

Sunday 5 August 2012

B: flax Muesli
D: Roast chicken, cabbage, carrots, sprouts, broccoli.   Egg Custard.
T:  Cheese salad with pistachio's.  2 squares 70% chocolate.

Got some books from the library earlier this week so will probably spend quite a bit of today (once dinner is cooked) with my nose in a book.

Saturday 4 August 2012

B: flax muesli
L: Scrambled egg and 3 sausages
D: Cajun flavoured kangaroo steak and cauliflower cheese.  Egg custard.
Snack:  2 squares of 70% chocolate

Saw DD2 off on her church trip to Wales early this morning and collected DD1 from the station this afternoon.   DD1 is returning from Uni for 3 weeks.   It's lovely to have her home.

Spiced Nuts & Seeds - Friday 3rd August 2012

B: 2 boiled eggs
L: Indian omelette with baby leaf spinach
D: 3 Sausages, swede mash, cauliflower, savoy cabbage & carrots.  Egg custard with 4 blackberries.

25 mins Callanetics

Weighed myself today instead of tomorrow as I need to be out early and won't have time. Last week I put on 2lbs, this week I have lost 3lbs so back on target. Also lost another 0.5" off my hips. Only another 3lbs and I will be in another stone.

Here is a great sounding recipe I found yesterday.

Spiced Nuts and Seeds

1/2 cup sunflower seeds                             1/4 tsp cumin

1/2 cup peanuts                                            1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds                   1/8 tsp cayenne

1 tsp chilli powder  

Heat sunflower seeds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, chilli powder, cumin garlic powder, and cayenne in a frying pan for about 5 minutes.  Stir frequently.

Each serving has 7g carbs.

Thursday 2 August 2012

B: flax muesli
L: tuna fish salad
D: Bolognese on bed of green beans. Baked egg custard (without sugar) with four raspberries on top.

25 mins of  Callanetics

Today I  went to the library and got a few books out on Low Carbing.   I have found a few recipes for treats which I will make nearer Christmas to keep from other temptations.   I will post a few of the recipes I've found over the next few days.

I'm feeling really proud of myself as today I have made custard from scratch for the first time, and it was DELICIOUS!    I think I've got the baking/cooking bug at the moment so I'd better make the most of it.  Got some raspberries from Father-in-law today so I'll be making jam sometime next week.   The jam is not for myself but presents for some of our older relatives and also to complete an order for a friend.

Wednesday 1 August 2012

B: 2 boiled eggs
L: Tuna fish salad
D: Salmon, cauliflower &baby leaf spinach in a cheese sauce.  Berries & Greek yoghurt

Got a baking day ahead of me.   Must make sure I don't sucomb to temptation.  Baking for father-in-law and church friends.  Hoping to make 2 corned beef & potato pies, 2 cakes and if there's time 2 rhubarb pies.  I'm absolutely sick of the Olympics there is not much else to watch on TV, even the news is not proper news, so I might as well make use of the time.

Must do my callentics today too.

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed my tea/dinner tonight, I'll definitely be having that again. Got the pies and cakes done, but got too tired to do the rhubarb pies too.    I only had a little lick of the whisk, so was very good.