Easy As Pie

Spent the weekend with my aunt & uncle and my cousin's son made these two delicious pies:

Tang Pie

INGREDIENTS:
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip
1 sm. can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 graham cracker crust

DIRECTIONS:
Blend together first three ingredients. Add 2 to 3 drops vanilla flavoring if desired. Mix well. Fold into crust and chill.


Key Lime Pie

INGREDIENTS:
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 oz.) carton Cool Whip
1 sm. can frozen limeade
Green food coloring (opt.)
1 graham cracker crust

DIRECTIONS:
Blend together first three ingredients. Add 2 to 3 drops food coloring if desired. Mix well. Fold into crust and chill.

My cousin doubled the recipe and had pies for each day. Not knowing that I had to run back to the store for 2 more crusts! But, it all worked out. My brother-in-law's grandfather died, so I had something to take them.

Atkins Induction - Day 3

Breakfast:
2 Oopsie Mock French Toasts
Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper




















Lunch:
Sugar free Black Cherry drink
Tuna Fish Sandwich (w/Oopsie Buns)















Snack:
Sugar free vanilla pudding















Dinner:




FYI: This was the first time that I've made Oopsie stuff. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but they were easy to make and are a great alternative to EGGS or WRAPS. This is what the batter on the pan looked like:

Sourdough Recipes

I found a recipe on Low Carb Recipes for Sourdough Waffles, but it didn't give the exchange information. So I googled around and found this one, but it has 30g of Carbs!

I also found a recipe for Sourdough Chocolate Cake (no exchange info there either).

The both sound interesting. Perhaps I can make them when I'm thinner (or I fall of the wagon - whichever comes first! ;o)

Atkins: Thai Coconut Soup

I think I'm going to run to the store and get some coconut milk and have this for lunch today. I hope it's good...


UPDATE: Well, it was pretty good. You can really taste the cilantro. But unless you're getting a bite of shrimp with each spoonful it's not very filling. This is definitely something that only skinny people could eat and call a meal!


I reheated some for a bite with my chicken, and I didn't care for it the second time around. Perhaps I was just REALLY hungry at lunch. ;o) I just don't have a taste for the exotic.

Speaking of coconuts, I found an original food blog called Cocounut&Lime. Looks promising.

Atkins Induction - Day 2

Breakfast:
3 Scrambled Eggs
Sugar free Black Cherry drink

Lunch:
Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup
Sugar free Black Cherry drink

Snack:
Sugar free chocolate pudding

Dinner:
I'm thinking of having the Broiled Orange-Chili Chicken Breasts. It sounds easy & delicious.


I found a Low Carb Recipes website that also had this recipe on it. Can't wait to see what else they have.

Snack:
Oooh, this sounds good - Basil Deviled Eggs. (I ♥love♥ Basil!)



Exercise:

Gulf Coast/Cajun

I found a recipe last night for Simple Crawfish Etouffe and another for Crunchy Fried Shrimp Dinner.

Indian Food

I found a great blog with Indian Food recipes. One of the interesting ones is Chicken-Peanut-Mango Curry: (Thai Style).

Then I found Curried Parsnip Soup with Blue Stilton on another site, which looks really good.


I also found a Pizzeria menu that I really like.

Atkins Induction - Day 1

Breakfast:
3 boiled eggs
Coffee w/Splenda & sugar-free Hazelnut creamer

Lunch:
Wraps - lunchmeat w/cheddar cheese slices
Crystal Lite sugar-free drink (Tangerine-Strawberry)















Dinner:
Salad w/shrimp
Diet Cherry Dr Pepper















Snack:
Sugar free chocolate pudding

Breakfast Recipe #1: Southwestern Omelet



Breakfast Recipe #2: Cheese Baked Eggs






My Day/Stats on AtkinsDietBulletinBoard.com

A blog I found for low-carb eating.

Atkins Induction - Acceptable Food List

I'm going to try and (re)start Atkins today, so I went to the website and copied their Acceptable Foods List and am highlighting the foods that I like, since I'm very picky.

I really like their new Two Week Meal Plan! As long as you like everything on the menu, it's a great resource.

Phase 1: Induction - Acceptable Foods List

Most fish, poultry and meat don't contain carbs so you can feel free to enjoy them, but be sure you're also getting your 12 to 15 grams of net carbs in vegetables as well.

All fish including:

• Flounder
• Herring
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Sole
• Tuna
• Trout

All fowl including:

• Cornish hen
• Chicken
• Duck
• Goose
• Pheasant
• Quail
• Turkey

All shellfish including:

• Clams
• Crabmeat
• Mussels*
• Oysters*
• Shrimp
• Squid

*Oysters and mussels are higher in carbs so limit to about 4 ounces per day.

All meat including:

• Bacon*
• Beef
• Ham*
• Lamb
• Pork
• Veal
• Venison

Some processed meat, bacon, and ham is cured with sugar, which will add to the carb count. Also steer clear of cold cuts and other meats with added nitrates.

Eggs are one of nature's most nutritious creations. That’s why eggs are a staple breakfast in the Atkins Nutritional Approach.

Feel free to get creative with your eggs: Add mushrooms and onions, or even green pepper. Top the dish off with feta cheese or add basil, oregano and other herbs.

Eggs in any style, including:

• Deviled
• Fried
• Hard-boiled
• Omelets
• Poached
• Scrambled
• Soft-boiled

Keep in mind that cheese does contain carbs, about 1 gram per ounce. You may have about 3 to 4 ounces of cheese per day. An ounce is about the size of an individually wrapped slice of American cheese or a 1" cube.

Cheese including:

Type	Serving Size	Grams of net carbs
Blue cheeses	1 oz	0.7
Cheddar	½ cup	0.0
Cow, sheep and goat	1 oz	0.3
Cream cheese	1 oz	0.8
Feta	1 oz	1.2
Gouda	1 oz	0.6
Mozzarella	1 oz	0.6
Parmesan	1 tbs	0.2
Swiss	1 oz	1.0

Vegetables:

You should be eating approximately 12 to 15 grams of net carbs per day in the form of vegetables, which is equivalent to several cups depending on the actual carb content of the veggies you select.

1 cup is roughly the size of a baseball. Measure the following salad vegetables raw.

Vegetable	Serving Size/Prep	grams of net carbs
Alfalfa sprouts	1 cup/raw	0.4
Argula	½ cup/raw	0.2
Bok choy	1 cup/raw	0.8
Celery	1 stalk	0.8
Chicory greens	½ cup/raw	0.6
Chives	1 tablespoon	0.1
Cucumber	½ cup	1.0
Daikon	½ cup	1.0
Endive	½ cup	0.0
Escarole	½ cup	0.0
Fennel	1 cup	3.6
Jicama	½ cup	2.5
Iceberg lettuce	½ cup	0.1
Mushrooms	½ cup	1.2
Parsley	1 tablespoon	0.1
Peppers	½ cup/raw	2.3
Radicchio	½ cup/raw	0.7
Radishes	10/raw	0.9
Romaine lettuce	½ cup	0.2

The following vegetables are slightly higher in carbs than the salad vegetables listed above. They also provide important nutrients and add variety to your daily foods. Make sure you stay within the 12-15 grams of net carbs. Unless otherwise noted, measure these veggies after you cook them.

Vegetable	Serving Size/ Prep	Net Carbs
Artichoke	¼ of medium	4.0
Asparagus	6 spears	2.4
Artichoke hearts	1 canned	1.0
Avocadoes	1 whole (raw)	3.5
Bamboo shoots	1 cup canned	1.1
Broccoli	½ cup	1.6
Broccoli raw	½ cup	1.0
Broccoli rabe	½ cup	1.3
Broccoflower	½ cup	1.4
Brussels sprouts	¼ cup	2.4
Cabbage	½ cup (raw)	2.0
Cauliflower	½ cup (raw)	1.0
Swiss chard	½ cup	1.8
Collard greens	½ cup	4.2
Eggplant	½ cup	1.8
Hearts of palm	1 heart	0.7
Kale	½ cup	2.4
Kohlrabi	½ cup	4.6
Leeks	¼ cup	1.7
Okra	½ cup	2.4
Olives green	5	2.5
Olives black	5	0.7
Onion	¼ cup (raw)	2.8
Pumpkin	¼ cup	2.4
Rhubarb	½ cup (unsweetened)	1.7
Sauerkraut	½ cup (drained)	1.2
Peas	½ cup with pods	3.4
Spaghetti squash	½ cup	2.0
Spinach	½ cup (raw)	0.2
Summer squash	½ cup	2.0
Tomato	1 (raw)	4.3
Turnips	½ cup	2.2
Water chestnuts	½ cup (canned)	6.9
Zucchini	½ cup	2.0

Salad Garnishes
Crumbled bacon	3 slices	0.0
Hard-boiled egg	1 egg	0.0
Grated cheeses	(see above carb counts)
Sautéed mushrooms	½ cup	1.0
Sour cream	2 tbs	1.2
Herbs and Spices (make sure they contain no added sugar)
Basil	1 tbs	0.0
Cayenne pepper	1 tbs	0.0
Cilantro	1 tbs	0.0
Dill	1 tbs	0.0
Garlic	1 clove	0.9
Ginger	1 tbs sliced root	0.8
Oregano	1 tbs	0.0
Pepper	1 tbs	0.0
Rosemary	1 tbs	0.0
Sage	1 tbs	0.0
Tarragon	1 tbs	0.0
Salad Dressings - Any prepared salad dressing with no added sugar and no more then 2 grams of net carbs per serving (1-2 tablespoons) is acceptable. Or make your own.
Blue cheese	2 tbs	2.3
Caesar	2 tbs	0.5
Italian	2 tbs	3.0
Lemon juice	2 tbs	2.8
Oil and vinegar	2 tbs	1.0
Ranch	2 tbs	1.4

Fats and Oils

There are no carbs here, but keep in mind that the serving size is approximately 1 tablespoon.

1. Butter
2. Mayonnaise – make sure it has no added sugar
3. Olive oil
4. Vegetable oils – Those labeled “cold pressed” or “expeller pressed” are especially good and olive oil is one of the best.
   • Canola*
   • Walnut
   • Soybean*
   • Grape seed*
   • Sesame
   • Sunflower*
   • Safflower*

*Do not allow any oils to reach overly high temperatures when cooking. Use olive oil for sautéing only. Use walnut or sesame oil to dress cooked veggies or salad, but not for cooking.

Artificial Sweeteners

• Splenda – one packet equals 1 gram of net carbs

Beverages

• Clear broth/ bouillon (make sure it has no sugars added)
• Club soda
• Cream, heavy or light.
• Decaffeinated or regular coffee and tea*
• Diet soda (be sure to note the carb count)
• Flavored seltzer (must say no calories)
• Herb tea (without added barley or fruit sugar added)
• Water – at least eight 8-ounce glasses per day including...
  • Filtered water
  • Mineral water
  • Spring water
  • Tap water

* You may have 1 to 2 cups of caffeinated tea or coffee if you can tolerate caffeine without experiencing cravings or symptoms of hypoglycemia. If you are truly addicted to caffeine, it's best to break the habit during the Induction.

Alcohol:

Alcohol is not allowed during the first two weeks of Induction. If you remain on this phase longer, you can have a glass of wine, a low-carb beer, or a small amount of spirits mixed with water or club soda, but be sure to avoid mixers that contain carbs, including fruit juices and tonic water. Understand that consuming alcohol may slow your weight loss.

Biggest Loser Finale

Wow, Jerry! The only person who looks better than Jerry does tonight is Allison Sweeney! She looks HOT! It's hard to imagine that she recently had a baby.



So, I'm sitting here eating my sugar-free Jello pudding in a recycled Beneful container. (These are great - they are small enough for 2 servings of pudding. The pudding doesn't get watery this way because they're small and have Ziploc/Tupperware-like lids. I love the different colors they come in to.) I use my plastic lunchmeat containers the same way for larger items like shredded carrots. I was thinking for recycling the yogurt containers for my sugar-free pudding or jello, but I've only washed a couple and never actually tried to fill them.

I found a person online who uses her Beneful containers to plant seeds in. From there they go in her raised beds she built. (Looks like the raised bed design from Bonnie Plants.)

Time to get back on my Gazelle. These people are SO inspiring. I voted for you, Ron! You rock!

Baked Tortilla Maker

I found these at Sav-a-Lot for $2.89 (set of 2). So we had Taco Salads with our lunch.


Honestly, they weren't as good as the FRIED version from Taco Bell or a good restaurant, but if you used a low-carb tortilla, then these would be perfect for someone on a diet. I did try baking a corn tortilla basted with olive oil, but I don't think I got the edges coated well enough or let them bake long enough because the center didn't taste good and the edges were browned and hard, but the sides of the shell tasted pretty good.