Keto Flu

Let me tell you about the Keto Flu. It's miserable. It is hard for a body to adjust to a life without carbs!

I was super tired, had headaches, I was really grumpy. So grumpy that it became funny! Grumpy becomes funny when you are so aware of it yourself. I hardly ever get annoyed, mean or even crabby. When I noticed myself saying something 'not so nice', I would then laugh at myself. It was so weird! Some of my co-workers seemed to sort of like this version of me... feisty and sarcastic.

It would have been so easy to feel better by eating some carbs. But I just sucked it up, toughed it out. Now, here I am feeling better and very happy to have made it through such a dark time (you hear my sarcasm, right?). I knew there would be a light at the end of the tunnel.

I did figure out one thing that seemed to help. I had read that reducing carbs depletes your electrolytes. I saw suggestions of different foods you should eat, vitamins to try. I thought to myself "Isn't that what Powerade/Gatorade is for?". I started drinking Powerade Zero, usually just one 20 ounce bottle spread out over the day mixed with water. I am pretty sure that it helped.

Right on the bottle.... it names those electrolytes that you start missing when eating low carb (not just from sweating).

What do I eat?

I have eliminated all bread, pasta, rice, beans, desserts, added sugar, and potatoes! That doesn't seem to leave much does it. Well, it leaves all meat/seafood, green vegetables, a few other vegetables, most nuts. And most importantly, I can eat bacon, avocadoes, cheese and steak!

I said before that I don't like to follow all the rules. Even though this diet generally calls for eliminating all fruit except berries, I am eating some fruit each day. Most days I eat a banana and some days I eat an apple as well. I would eat more berries if they weren't so expensive. Fruit is just good for you! I refuse to eliminate it entirely.

I like this plan so far because I don't have to count calories or calculate points. I just eat the allowed foods. At this point, I can tell that I feel more satisfied after a meal and don't go for snacks nearly as often.

I think it's true of most healthy eating plans, you have to do some planning ahead, you have to do some cooking. Very true of this one as well.

Here are a couple of simple pictures that helped me get started.  In addition, I did lots of reading (see link in previous post).

 

 

 

 

How about I make this a diet blog for a while?

I am currently attempting my version of the Ketogenic diet. I say 'my version' because I never follow the rules that well.

 

Low carb, high fat, low sugar....

 

What could go wrong with a diet on which I can eat bacon, avocado and cheese??

 

Well, first off, there's this thing called the Keto Flu .....Flu like symptoms you get as your body adjusts to living without carbs. It is miserable! After 2 weeks of reducing carbs and now one week of pretty much eliminating carbs and added sugar, I feel almost normal. I have also lost 7 pounds.

 

Clearly, my body was addicted to sugar and carbs.

 

 

This is where I started: 

 

https://www.tasteaholics.com/the-complete-keto-diet-guide-for-beginners/

 

 

This is also where I started:

 

 

 

I really don't like this picture of me.

 

It's time to do something about it.

P.S. Be sure to check out all the awesome recipes previously posted on this blog.... you know, the ones that made me fat!
 

 

Cuban Shrimp and Black Beans

                                  CUBAN SHRIMP IN SAVORY SAUCE                

3          pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4          tablespoon olive oil
1          large onion, chopped
1          green bell pepper, chopped
6          garlic cloves, minced
1/2       teaspoon sugar
8          ounces tomato sauce
1/4       teaspoon Tabasco
3/4       cup dry white wine
2          tablespoons white wine vinegar
1          bay leaf
1/2       cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

If using frozen shrimp, defrost under cold running water. Fresh shrimp may need to be peeled and deveined.

In a large pan on top of the stove, heat the oil over medium-high heat, and sauté the onions and green pepper for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining ingredients except the shrimp, cover the pot, turn the heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes. Add the shrimp, cover, and cook over low heat for 6-8 minutes until shrimp are just cooked through. Turn off heat and set aside until ready to serve with hot rice,

 

 

 

                                                  SLOW COOKER BLACK BEANS                                              

1          pound dry black beans

6          cups water

1          onion, chopped

3          garlic cloves, minced

1          bay leaf

1          tablespoon salt

Place the beans in a big bowl, cover with water, agitate the beans a few times to remove any dirt, drain in a colander and rinse again.

 Place black beans, onion, garlic, and bay leaf in a slow cooker. Add water.

Cook on high for about 3-4 hours, testing after 3 hours. Taste to make sure. If all the water has been absorbed, add more. Beans must stay completely covered to prevent them from burning. Add the salt and let cook, or sit with heat off for another 20-30 minutes, to absorb the salt. Remove the bay leaf.

 

 

 

Sausage, Red Beans & Rice

                                        

SAUSAGE, RED BEANS AND RICE

1 pound dry red beans

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

3 celery stalks, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

7 cups chicken broth

2 tablespoons Creole seasoning

1 1/2 pounds andouille sausage, sliced

    hot cooked rice

 
 

Combine all ingredients except sausage and rice, and cook in crockpot on high for 7 hours. About halfway through cooking time, add the sliced sausage. About half hour before it’s done, mash up some of the beans with a potato masher. Serve with rice.

A New Kitchen

I can't wait to get into my new kitchen! Although the house was built in 1972, it has a newly remodeled kitchen. These pictures are from the real estate listing on the web.

 

It's been a long time since I've cooked on a regular basis. Only a little more than a week until we are in. I'm thinking this kitchen will inspire me!

 

A New Adventure

Sooooo... This happened about 2 weeks ago!

 

 

And now we are living in Florida!

 

Hubby has been in Florida since January at his new job. I stayed behind until we sold our house in Georgia. That finally happened and I was able to join him. All of our belongings are in storage while we wait for the closing on our new place. I have joined Eddie in the condo where he has been living with roommates. Now there are 4 humans, 4 cats and 1 dog. It's actually not bad at all, it's a big place.

 

I was concerned about my 2 cats getting along with their 2 cats and small dog. They aren't friends, but they aren't fighting either.

 

We are here for 2 more weeks and then will move to our house. I can't wait!!