Old Timers and Newbies Challenge

[Ailuros]

Does anybody else like coconut cream? It's sort of milled coconut - no other ingredients, and about 10g carb, 65g fat per 100g. It tastes sort of coconut fudgy. You can cook with it, or you can just eat chunks of it. It's so tasty that I'm always surprised it doesn't seem to get mentioned much. I would have thought it would be a good way for those who don't like eating chunks of fat to get lots of coconut oil. Or you could melt it, add chocolate, and let it harden again, like the bark recipes.

Anyway, all this coconut talk here reminded me that I had some in the cupboard, so I took it out and snacked on it while I was cooking up some clarified butter - we ran out a couple of days ago, and I really miss it when there isn't a ready supply. I like it just ever so slightly over-cooked, so it has a slightly nutty flavour.

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by Ailuros

Does anybody else like coconut cream? It's sort of milled coconut - no other ingredients, and about 10g carb, 65g fat per 100g. It tastes sort of coconut fudgy. You can cook with it, or you can just eat chunks of it. It's so tasty that I'm always surprised it doesn't seem to get mentioned much. I would have thought it would be a good way for those who don't like eating chunks of fat to get lots of coconut oil. Or you could melt it, add chocolate, and let it harden again, like the bark recipes.

Anyway, all this coconut talk here reminded me that I had some in the cupboard, so I took it out and snacked on it while I was cooking up some clarified butter - we ran out a couple of days ago, and I really miss it when there isn't a ready supply. I like it just ever so slightly over-cooked, so it has a slightly nutty flavour.

I have never tried it. I'll have to check it out.

[winslow]

Originally Posted by Lost and Found

Speaking of our active group....where's Winslow? I hope that the tuna didn't get her!!! Seriously...I hope that she is all right!!!

I'm here! Sorry about being not checking in..... I've been busier than a 1 armed paper hanger!

It's a girl!!!! I'm going to have a grand-daughter!!!!!!!

[Ailuros]

Originally Posted by Tooter

I have never tried it. I'll have to check it out.

I've just checked the packed. It's actually called "creamed coconut." I think "coconut cream" is different. It comes in a box, with a polythene bag inside.

Originally Posted by winslow

It's a girl!!!! I'm going to have a grand-daughter!!!!!!!

Congratulations .

[Tooter]

IMBC, here are some pictures of me and "My Boy" at the reunion meeting when my son got back from Iraq.

I thought I would never find him (There were 100's that got off the buses) but I walked right up to him. I had been up for 28 hours and stood in the rain for 4 hours (thus the lovely hair), but as you can see from my smile, I was SOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo Happy to get my hands on him, hug him and smell him (only a mother could understand that).

I think in these pics I am a size 10 or 8?

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by winslow

I'm here! Sorry about being not checking in..... I've been busier than a 1 armed paper hanger!

It's a girl!!!! I'm going to have a grand-daughter!!!!!!!

Grand-daughers are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!

[winslow]

Originally Posted by Tooter

IMBC, here are some pictures of me and "My Boy" at the reunion meeting when my son got back from Iraq.

I thought I would never find him (There were 100's that got off the buses) but I walked right up to him. I had been up for 28 hours and stood in the rain for 4 hours (thus the lovely hair), but as you can see from my smile, I was SOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo Happy to get my hands on him, hug him and smell him (only a mother could understand that).

I think in these pics I am a size 10 or 8?

These photos warm my heart. ((((((Tooter))))))) Thanks for sharing!

[winslow]

Thanks!!! I'm so excited!

OK, so I had 2 ham-roll ups for breakfast.
Coffee
I have turkey breast in the oven on time cook, so I'll have turkey for dinner.
I have to be good. I ate toooooo many sugar-free chocolates last night. I was sick as a dog this morning....if you know what I mean. NEVER again!

[*Pear*]

Originally Posted by Tooter

Ok, When I got serious I was a size eight. I stayed that way for about a month and THEN things started jumping every 2 weeks (jumping the sizes). It's like your body has to heal up and get used to it first...Then it started quickly for me. Also, at this same time (of getting serious and doing clean low carb) I started Using the Coconut oil in my diet. Connection? Maybe, I think so. Maybe it was the fact that I had more fat in my diet.

Wow, interesting connection. I should try using more coconut oil. I am having a hard time adding fat to my diet. I'm so engrained in low fat, its super hard to make that switch. Although, it makes sense to me, the american diet is (mostly) very low fat, and starving our bodies puts them in starvation mode and it hangs on to what fat it can get. In the olden days, people hunted for their food and ate the vegetables they could grow. Crackers and bread didnt grow on trees. The meat was pretty fatty.

I'm not feeling so hot this morning. I havent had anything to eat yet, just waiting for the tylenol to kick in. Down .4lbs this morning (almost 2 sticks of butter).

Glad to see you back Winslow and ((((CONGRATULATIONS)))) on the new grandbabygirl.

[MomToEli]

Originally Posted by Tooter

Why don't we try and UP your fat some and see how you do, OK?

With Eggs, I'll cook them in butter and then put them on a plate. I let them cool off a little bit. Then I cut them up and add MORE butter and mash them together (with Salt and Pepper). Mayo is a great way to get more Fat in. Coconut Oil in your tea (Do you have any Coconut Oil)? The Fat will really cut cravings. Add more oil to your salad dressing (Make your own Oil and Vinegar).

I know what you are talking about with the "Standing there looking for something to eat". More fat in your diet (at least mine) tends to take those kinda cravings away and you go "Nah, I don't want anything" and can just move on.

Keep us posted, Ok?

Okay. I can do this.

For breakfast I had a grilled ham and cheese (without the bread - really! ). Two thin (sandwich thin, not deli thin) slices of ham with a slice of cheddar cheese between and fried. Didn't add any extra fat to it, though. The ham is the good stuff, still from Thanksgiving - not sugar cured. And all of the cheese in my house is REAL cheese - can't stand the processed stuff

Your version of eggs sounds really good. That will be breakfast tomorrow for sure!

I do have Coconut Oil ... It says 100% mechanically (expeller) pressed naturally unrefined organic coconut oil. Is that the good kind? I hope so - it cost me $9.19 for 14 oz at the time I bought it! Had it for awhile. Is there a shelf life on this stuff? And just how am I supposed to use it? Off the spoon doesn't sound all that tasty to me ...

For salad dressing I usually use Newman's Oil & Vinegar - 1 gram carbs per 2 tbs serving - I love the taste of this stuff...

I have to do the grocery store today - besides not having much left in the house to eat, we have big storm coming in tomorrow afternoon and live in the country. Any MUST HAVES I should add to my list besides the obvious? Things for those moments when I go hunting? Other than 8 X 10 photos of myself in my underwear up on my fridge ... trying to save my 8 yo ds's eyesite and mental health here ...

[MomToEli]

Originally Posted by Tooter

God Bless the Troops and keep them in your prayers.

Amen to that, Tooter.

On behalf of my family, would you please thank your son for his selfless service? The Bible tells us there is no greater love than to lay your life down for your brother. And how much greater is one who will lay his life down for those he does not know. Your son's life exemplifies love and sacrifice. I pray that will be expressed to him right here at home.

Because of young men like him I can go to the mall, the bank, wherever I go and not be in fear of terrorist attack.

Ok. I'll stop now. I can't see through my tears right now anyway.

[MomToEli]

Originally Posted by winslow

I'm here! Sorry about being not checking in..... I've been busier than a 1 armed paper hanger!

It's a girl!!!! I'm going to have a grand-daughter!!!!!!!

Congrats, Winslow! I adore my granddaughter. She is my only "girl" so needless to say, she can get just about anything out of Grandma she wants

ETA: Well, my dil in my "girl", too! And I adore her, too!

[jeanran]

On behalf of my family, would you please thank your son for his selfless service? The Bible tells us there is no greater love than to lay your life down for your brother. And how much greater is one who will lay his life down for those he does not know. Your son's life exemplifies love and sacrifice. I pray that will be expressed to him right here at home.

MomToEli, I have never heard it put so eloquently and meaningfully but you have really touched my heart. I could not agree more and I am going to save your comments.

As mentioned previously, my grandson, James, graduates from boot camp on the 21st and I just wish I could be there. I'm not sure when I will get to see him again but he knows I'm with him in spirit and support his choice.

I, too, cannot thank those in uniform and their families enough for the safety and freedom they provide. What a wonderful country we live in, thank God.

Jean

[jeanran]

Congratulations, Winslow, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy my granddaughter. She is the light of my life. I am sure she will bring you many years of joy.

I'm on my way to run some errands for an elderly neighbor but will post pictures of her when I return.

Jean

[sorenkkg]

Originally Posted by jeanran

Welcome, Soren, I love the name, is it your real one?

It sounds like you are an old hand at this low carb eating.

I look forward to getting to know you.

Jean

Hi All!

Tooter-- I'm so glad your son came home... is he still at home or did he get sent back? I heard they're extending and doing all sorts of stuff... I hope everyone gets out of there ok Canadians aren't in Iraq but they are a major part of the force in Afghanistan, and here in Toronto, we hear about every soldier who didn't make it, and then they come in to the city for autopsies... they renamed the highway from the closest AFB to here "Highway of Heroes" and every time they bring someone in, a LOT of people line the highway (at least a couple hours away, so 120 miles or so?) to honor them... brings tears to my eyes just typing... sigh...

Jean-- yes, I've been doing Atkins since January 2003!!! I originally lost about 60lbs in 18 months, prior to my wedding in 2004... but since then, carb creeep, cheating, and too many LC or SF extras have crept into my life, and I've regained a big portion of that weight I'm not too happy about that, so since 2008 marks my 5th year of LC, I'm going to really do it right!

Winslow-- congratulations on the grand-daughter!!! In your picture, you look sooooo young, I had to read your post 2x!!!

Oh-- yes, Soren is my real name

Food yesterday-- didn't have much veggies with dinner, and b/c of my big after-work snack, I didn't eat the whole steak either-- I'd say I had about 5-6 oz, and some mushroom/onions that DH did up. I stayed away from his red wine too, and for dessert, just had some Celestial Seasonings English Toffee tea! YUM!!

Today:
B: i wasn't hungry, but I finally had a mini english cucumber
2 cups of herbal tea (i feel really congested again today, so I'm trying to lay off the dairy, and no caffeine b/c it makes me super hyper, and it's supposed to be bad for my throat too)

L: I have 4 more cukes, the other 4oz of my steak (sliced, cold), some mayo with seasoning for a dip (wasabi ginger), and some cabbage/tomato soup

D: uh oh, I think I forgot to take anything out of the freezer Ok, I'll work that out later.

And finally-- you guys must be rubbing off on me the right way b/c the scale showed 241.2 this morning!

I'm off to change my sig!
Soren

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by MomToEli

Okay. I can do this.

For breakfast I had a grilled ham and cheese (without the bread - really! ). Two thin (sandwich thin, not deli thin) slices of ham with a slice of cheddar cheese between and fried. Didn't add any extra fat to it, though. The ham is the good stuff, still from Thanksgiving - not sugar cured. And all of the cheese in my house is REAL cheese - can't stand the processed stuff

Your version of eggs sounds really good. That will be breakfast tomorrow for sure!

I do have Coconut Oil ... It says 100% mechanically (expeller) pressed naturally unrefined organic coconut oil. Is that the good kind? I hope so - it cost me $9.19 for 14 oz at the time I bought it! Had it for awhile. Is there a shelf life on this stuff? And just how am I supposed to use it? Off the spoon doesn't sound all that tasty to me ...

For salad dressing I usually use Newman's Oil & Vinegar - 1 gram carbs per 2 tbs serving - I love the taste of this stuff...

I have to do the grocery store today - besides not having much left in the house to eat, we have big storm coming in tomorrow afternoon and live in the country. Any MUST HAVES I should add to my list besides the obvious? Things for those moments when I go hunting? Other than 8 X 10 photos of myself in my underwear up on my fridge ... trying to save my 8 yo ds's eyesite and mental health here ...

Yep! That's the Good Coconut oil. Some people eat it off the spoon *shiver* Not me. Some people put it in their coffee. *shiver* Not me (LEAVE MY COFFEE ALONE) But I will put some in some tea with some sweetener. It is a little oily, but not bad. It gives you energy after you drink it. The Best way (in my opinion) to get it in your diet is to make coconut oil bark. Melt the coconut oil, add some cocoa powder and sweetener. Mix it up and taste it (to see if it's sweet enough). Then line a pan (I use a bread pan) with foil and pop it in your freezer. The freezer makes it harden quicker. When it's hard, break it up like you would "Bark". It's like a candy bar. Store it in the fridge and it will stay hard. I sometimes add different flavorings to it...or Unsweetened Coconut and chopped almonds (It's like a mounds candy bar).

Coconut oil is Great to fry foods in. Mine has a slightly coconut oil taste to it, so I like it best frying fish or doing stir frys.

Coconut oil has a very long shelf life. I'm sure yours is just fine.

What about making sure you have a little "Cream Cheese" on hand? Like I said, I will take a tablespoon or two and add sweetner to taste, and it's like a fast Cheese Cake. The fat really fills me up. Oh, sometimes I will add a little peanut butter to the mixture and it's between a peanut butter cheese cake and peanut butter fudge.

Hang in there, we are gonna help you find what works for ya!

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by MomToEli

Amen to that, Tooter.

On behalf of my family, would you please thank your son for his selfless service? The Bible tells us there is no greater love than to lay your life down for your brother. And how much greater is one who will lay his life down for those he does not know. Your son's life exemplifies love and sacrifice. I pray that will be expressed to him right here at home.

Because of young men like him I can go to the mall, the bank, wherever I go and not be in fear of terrorist attack.

Ok. I'll stop now. I can't see through my tears right now anyway.

Thank you. I will tell him.

I feel the same way you do. I will never be the same. Each morning when I wake up and have my first cup of coffee (quiet time) I think of our Troops and how wonderful and safe my life is because of all of them. Then I send out my prayers, for them and for their families. All Gave Some, Some gave All.

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by jeanran

MomToEli, I have never heard it put so eloquently and meaningfully but you have really touched my heart. I could not agree more and I am going to save your comments.

As mentioned previously, my grandson, James, graduates from boot camp on the 21st and I just wish I could be there. I'm not sure when I will get to see him again but he knows I'm with him in spirit and support his choice.

I, too, cannot thank those in uniform and their families enough for the safety and freedom they provide. What a wonderful country we live in, thank God.

Jean

Amen!

[Ailuros]

I've just put a moussaka in the oven for tonight's dinner. It's not ultra low carb, because of the tomatoes, aubergine and onions, but I think it's worth it .

[Tooter]

sorenkkg, my son is now home and out of the Marines. In fact he works for our business now. He still has a lot of buddies still in (and they still come and visit me and believe it or not...They call me "Tooter").

One of his best friends Died in Iraq (2nd tour) last year. IED "Gary" did manage to save other Marines by yelling and warning them before it exploded, but it was too late for him.


I think the biggest shock to me was when he came home from Iraq and things seemed so normal. He was going out to party with his friends (like young people do) He said "Mom, I have some dirty clothes in my backpack, could you wash them for me"? Sure!! I was just so thrilled to have him home. I hate laundry, but it was a joy to do it for him.

I go to get in his backpack and it's riddled with bullets. My hands just started shaking. I Knew alot of what he had been through in that battle, but to actually see those bullet holes was surreal.

This gets me all misty eyed.

I need to change the subject.


OH, Hey............CONGRATS on the Scales moving! It sounds like you are doing Great and getting in "The Zone".

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by Ailuros

I've just put a moussaka in the oven for tonight's dinner. It's not ultra low carb, because of the tomatoes, aubergine and onions, but I think it's worth it .

What is aubergine?