Lower Mainland BC?

[Grizzy]

Originally Posted by Mallory

Not sure if this is a bit of a threadjack, but I am travelling to BC in a few days and will be in Vancouver and Nanaimo..any good shopping there for low carb stuff?

You can find coconut flour at Choice market in Vancouver. And a great thick yogurt called Liberty. And I stock up on cheese at costco. Their pre made burgers are good too, the thick sirloin ones are low carb for pre made patties.

Where are you from? Here in BC?

[Grizzy]

Originally Posted by SherBel

Hi, Mallory!

Not sure what kind of products you're looking for? The store Roots Naturals in Maple Ridge carries a few things like Thick n Thin, nut flours....stuff like that. For things like sugar-free Davinci's syrups and so forth I order online from Netrition. Shipping to Canada is a bit of a killer, so I get as much stuff as I can in each order.

Slightly off topic but the Cash and Carry in Bellingham has a huge selection of Da Vinci's sugar free for under $4 a bottle. They go on sale every few weeks for $3.17 a bottle. They also carry Torani and one other brand of SF syrups as well as the big train low carb mocha mixes which I adore in the summer. And I think they have the low carb hot chocolate too.

[babetteq]

We have meat here too. Lots of meat.

[Mallory]

I am coming from Manitoba..have never been to BC and will be visiting my son who is in culinary school in Nanaimo!!! Thanks for all the tips..I am very limited here so anything new would be valuable.

What/where is Bellingham? Off to do some research..

[SherBel]

I remember a few years ago there was a Low Carb store in South Surrey, it was right beside Ricki's restaurant in the Rona mall on KG Highway. Went in there once...the smell was just horrid. *Ick!!*. I think it was the smell of "soy things with added chemicals" baking....just nasty.

I think they only stayed open for a few months, unsuprisingly.

The Netrition website will blow your mind, though, it's fun to browse through, just the selection of syrups in mind-boggling.

[CaitSith]

Hi ladies,

What a topsy turvy day..it was pouring rain this morning, then in the afternoon was lovely in Delta. Hmm

I'm afraid I can not contribute much to the "where to find LC stuff" conversation. I mainly eat LC food in its natural form or lightly cooked...avacados, fish, other proteins, veggies etc..I have always found LC recipes a bit tricky for me to master. I feel like a mad scientist when trying to create LC treats. ...truthfully, I am just not a very inventive cook.

My hats off to you ladies who can use nut flours, xanthum gum and thickeners to create beautiful LC foods

[babetteq]

I don't use any LC 'products' either. I've never seen them!

Yesterday and today we started insulating the attic of the house we rent. Today we went up there to start, brought the light up, heaved a couple of bags of fiberglass (all scavenged from craigslist) and started work. Before we had even gotten started, my partner tripped, and put her leg through the ceiling!!

I ran downstairs, the birds were traumatized and one had launched himself into the kitchen to avoid the frightening 'sky is falling' rivers of vermiculite coming into our living room.

There was a hole 4'x2'. We both stood there for about 5 minutes just looking at it trying not to cry.

Then I remembered that in my past life (like when I was 20) I used to drywall. I thought "hey, I know how to do this!". We went and got some supplies at the home depot across the street (I live in a mall vortex) and we now have no more gaping hole in our ceiling. It still needs umpteen coats of mud and we'll need to get the paint matched, but it will be good as new in no time.

That being said, I didn't eat any bad food even though I had knots in my stomach. My partner did succumb and bought some ...lil debbie? is that the name? fake chocolate with weird white stuff with sugar cakes and ate 6 of them. I think she was wracked with guilt even though it was an accident.

I made hamburger patties coated in pork puffs and romano. I am feeling very virtuous. Very virtuous indeed.

And, my partner did not fall all the way through the ceiling and bonk her head and die. She still doesn't see the humour in the whole situation, but I figure if I tease her enough, she eventually will see it my way.

[CaitSith]

Hello..

Originally Posted by babetteq

I made hamburger patties coated in pork puffs and romano. I am feeling very virtuous. Very virtuous indeed.:

What a great dish..and you ARE very virtuous..for being strong and not indulging in the "lil' debbie's" and making a good wholesome meal for you and your partner, in spite of the stress and chaos. Well done

Originally Posted by babetteq

And, my partner did not fall all the way through the ceiling and bonk her head and die. She still doesn't see the humour in the whole situation, but I figure if I tease her enough, she eventually will see it my way.

Glad to hear she is not hurt and will live to fight another day with the drywall. I am sure you both will look back on the incident and laugh one day. It will definitely be something you both remember for the rest of your lives, thats for sure! Hope it works out with matching the paint etc..keep us updated...

[SherBel]

Originally Posted by babetteq

Yesterday and today we started insulating the attic of the house we rent. Today we went up there to start, brought the light up, heaved a couple of bags of fiberglass (all scavenged from craigslist) and started work. Before we had even gotten started, my partner tripped, and put her leg through the ceiling!!

O.M.G. I'm glad that no one was hurt, and that you can fix it!

[SherBel]

Just a fast additional note on LC products....even if you're eating more 'real' food, (which is what I'm doing these days...mostly meat, eggs, and cheese), the ONE thing that I really love is the Thick n' Thin stuff. You only use a tiny amount, and for me, sometimes I want a pan sauce with just a wee bit of body; a tiny bit of clingy-ness. I also use it in 'brothy" soups.

Not enough to really thicken, just enough to take the away the "water" consistency. I had a bottle of it for ages, and I was a bit too freaked out to use it....I thought it would be gross or weird. But it's not, it's tasteless and clear. I've heard horror storys of people using too much, so I use increments of tiny amounts to be sure to not overdo it.

[babetteq]

"Thick 'n' Thin" you say?

Where did you get it? did you order it online? or is it something that we can get here?

I tried to make a bit of sauce for some bok choy today by reducing cream, and adding bacon, but really, the cream didn't turn into anything 'clingy'. It was good, but not exactly what I was looking for.

[SherBel]

I got it at Roots Naturals here in Maple Ridge, I'd read about it, but I was really suprised to find it there. It was VERY expensive as I recall....like 15 bucks? For 100g. It's not carb-free, it's 2.1g per teaspoon, but half a teaspoon thickens a cup of liquid. It's a natural product, gum arabic and locust bean gum. (I thought it was xanthan gum! but whatever...)

It comes from Baker's Supply House in Port Coquitlam...I just noticed that on the label! I'ts Canadian! Netrition sells it too, but then you have to pay shipping. Okay, I just checked Netrition, it's MUCH cheaper. Next time I'll order it from them.

[SherBel]

Good morning, everyone! I'm off to the dental surgeon....oh joy!!

[babetteq]

In looking at Think 'n' Thin on netrition it's 14.99. Is it much more expensive in town? I'm going to check out Choices up the road next payday and see if they have it (although they are often horrendously expensive).

I'm going back down again, after my little gain. It's nice to see. Hopefully I'll keep it up. I wonder if I'm not losing the ginormous amounts of initial weight because I had already cut wheat out of my diet several months ago, so was already lower carb and maybe my body is already a bit used to it?

[Grizzy]

Someone make the rain go away so I can cut my grass and finish painting please and thanks!

[babetteq]

Someone make the rain go away so I can cut my grass and finish painting please and thanks!

LOL! good luck on that! I had to turn the furnace on today. Twice this year so far. I wouldn't have, but the birds were all fluffed up trying to stay warm. I felt kinda sorry for them and they won't let me put socks on them so... furnace it is.

It's really coming down right now and a bit windy in s.surrey/whiterock. I feel like wrapping up in a blanket and watching old movies today! I have one more month off before I'm back at work, so really, I have the luxury. Perhaps I'll make tea!

[Grizzy]

Originally Posted by babetteq

LOL! good luck on that! I had to turn the furnace on today. Twice this year so far. I wouldn't have, but the birds were all fluffed up trying to stay warm. I felt kinda sorry for them and they won't let me put socks on them so... furnace it is.

It's really coming down right now and a bit windy in s.surrey/whiterock. I feel like wrapping up in a blanket and watching old movies today! I have one more month off before I'm back at work, so really, I have the luxury. Perhaps I'll make tea!

OMG that wind and rain was freaky! I was up by Rona driving and I actually pulled over for a few minutes until it lightened up a bit.

I put socks on last night to keep my feet warm and I never do that, I wear flip flops year round in the house. I am still hoping we have a mild winter.

[babetteq]

well, mizz grizzellda, we'll see what happens this winter. I do think that winters are going to be getting colder and summers warmer. It doesn't bother me, but I spent quite a bit of time up north and in the interior. I love hard winters.

I'm off to choices in white rock to see what they have in the way of coconut oil.... tra la la

[msmoon]

We had sun today and it was nice! Hang in there, I hear the weather is going to be good for at least 6-7 days starting tomorrow.
Those wind storms scare the crap out of me.

[SherBel]

Supposed to be nice on the weekend, according to CBC...

[msmoon]

babetteq....I like the 'spin' you put on Grizzy's name. Way better than the one I used a while back when I referred to her as Grizzly!

[babetteq]

well I'll believe it when I see it. There's quite a thick cloud cover over this way.

...and the house is getting chilly again!!

[Grizzy]

Originally Posted by babetteq

well, mizz grizzellda, we'll see what happens this winter. I do think that winters are going to be getting colder and summers warmer. It doesn't bother me, but I spent quite a bit of time up north and in the interior. I love hard winters.

I'm off to choices in white rock to see what they have in the way of coconut oil.... tra la la

Try the Liberty greek type yogurt! it is to die! I love choices market.

Originally Posted by msmoon

babetteq....I like the 'spin' you put on Grizzy's name. Way better than the one I used a while back when I referred to her as Grizzly!

I have been called that more than once

[babetteq]

We had sun today and it was nice!

You sunshine coast people are big show offs!!

Actually all I see through the curtains is blue sky and sunshine! Maybe we'll all get out for a walk!

Alright time for my coffee before I do anything productive.

[Grizzy]

I am eyeing that blue sky and wondering if I should toss sheets in the wash and hang them on the clothesline to dry. The wind is great but I hate having to race out and bring them in if it starts to rain

[CaitSith]

Hello ladies,

What a lovely day it is today! Its bright and a bit crisp. Today is my Monday..back to work. What are you all up to this weekend?

[msmoon]

Originally Posted by babetteq

You sunshine coast people are big show offs!!

They don't call it the Sunshine Coast for nothing ya know!

[babetteq]

Alright, I've added all 'o' ya to my buddy list. Take THAT!

[SherBel]

Sigh. I went to Ikea yesterday, and had meatballs. And gravy. And mashed potatoes.

I am a worm.

(Back on the straight and narrow Monday! Arggghhhhh!)

[babetteq]

I am a worm.

Don't be ridiculous.

Worms don't eat mashed potatoes OR meatballs.

So what? Dont' eat them tomorrow (why wait until monday?) No shame lady. No shame.

I'm going up to a friends cabin next week for 4 days. I'll only have limited control over what we eat. I KNOW that I will kick my body right the heck out of ketosis. When I come back, I'll go back into it and live to tell the tale. Honestly, I know that she'll be doing much of the cooking, & much of the cooking will involve foods that our birds can eat (it will be 3 women and 3 parrots in an 800sq ft cabin - the birds will help themselves to our plates and they shouldn't be eating much in the way of meat or dairy if any so you have to have veggies & some whole grains for them or they steal your steak - and they're quick!) Again, I'll get back on track when I come back.

Don't beat yourself up. It doesn't help you.

True story.