January Reading: The Case Against Sugar

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My first read of the new year, The Case Against Sugar by the man whose done more to influenced the nutrition debate over the last 10+ years than anyone else, Gary Taubes.

I try avoiding sugar as much as possible. It jacks up my blood sugar and insulin levels too much. It’s why I don’t eat fruit (with the exception of the occasional berry).

The only way to really avoid it is to not eat any processed foods — it’s loaded with sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup or the more than 50+ names sugar goes by.  But is sugar really the new tobacco?

Today I start Gary Taubes’ new book, The Case Against Sugar. As readers know, I’m a huge fan of Taubes. His Why We Get Fat is the book that saved my life and set me down my ketogenic path.

Taubes did a great job taking down the bad science behind the idea that dietary fat (saturated fat in particular) was causing heart attacks, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and recent growth of cancers. Looks like he’s putting the spotlight on the real culprit.

Post Holiday Purge Begins

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Time for my annual After Christmas Purge of all things unhealthy or furry in my pantry and fridge.

After a festive Christmas it’s a blur of activity in my kitchen. No I’m not cooking. It’s my annual After Christmas Purge. Between my 2 pantries and refrigerator I’m discovering lots of strange items – some green and furry, some smelly and squishy. Others decidedly not low carb.

Two full trash bags later my kitchen is back to normal (other than all the food storage containers in the sink). And I’m starting to feel that way too. The mindfulness is helping with my stress levels. That doesn’t mean the rage monkey doesn’t escape the cage. Nor are those depressing thoughts fully at bay. But I’m working on both.

On January 1 I start a different type of purge — my 7-day fast begins. I can’t wait. After the rollercoaster of the last 6 months I can’t think of a better way to kick off 2017.

Dear News Media: Saturated Fats Are Healthy, Fatty Fast Food Isn’t

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Why do the press equate healthy fats with fast food? Most news reporters and editors are intellectually lazy. That’s why you should always question any health “news” you read.

This is one of those subtle things that the news media does that really annoy me.  The New York Post published a short news story about a study out of Norway showing that saturated fats are healthy.

Awesome! However, the opening paragraph of that story is wrong. “Fatty foods” are not necessarily good for you. After a bit of eye rolling on my part, I continued reading and was pleasantly surprised. The rest of the story seems spot on about healthy saturated fats.

What really caught my attention was the photo the editor chose to use.  A greasy, triple stack cheeseburger. Really? 

It completely undermines the news in the story.

Anyone reading that story who buys into calories in/calories out is going to think either: 1. The story is “fake news” or 2. I can eat a big ass cheeseburger and lose weight.

Why choose a photo that conjures up unhealthy fast food in one’s mind? The only thing potentially healthy with that burger might be the meat (and only if it is 100% pure beef). Everything else in that burger is highly processed and should be tossed.

The photo is so misleading.  The story doesn’t say eat fast food burgers all you want. Healthy fats like butter, cream and healthy oils are specifically mentioned.

Here’s a novel concept, why not depict the actual healthy fats mentioned in the story you are publishing? It’s not that hard to find in Shutterstock.

If your job is to provide news to the public, why half-ass it?

 

 

LCHF Sunday Brunch Idea: Eggs Benedict Caprese

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I love eggs benedict but alas I don’t eat English muffins anymore. The solution? Try replacing those muffins with tomato, mozzarella and basil. This is a delicious dish you can enjoy for breakfast, lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch.  Total carb count? Only 4g…that’s pretty awesome.

Getting Into Ketosis By Year’s End?

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What’s your plan? It’s holiday season. Which means lots of celebrations, food and weight gain.

I mentioned to husband yesterday that I didn’t want to hand out any tasty Halloween candy this year. He laughed and said “Oh, yes we are. Leave it to me I’ll pick out the good stuff.”

How can I even suggest such a thing? I’m not in favor in handing out terrible tasting treats that no kid enjoys — I’m thinking of you candy corn! No, I just don’t want any candy that would tempt me. Snickers does nothing for me. Neither does Twix, Three Musketeers or Butterfingers. But we always get the stuff I like and I don’t want that temptation this year.

It’s part of my effort to navigate the upcoming holidays, where the one sure thing is weight gain. Read More

Fox In The Hen House! Surviving Our Cookout

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We’re having friends over today for a cookout. For the first time in more than 4 years, I’m allowing these types of foods in my house. Ugh!

Today we’re having a cookout with some new friends who don’t eat low carb diet. What’s a girl who eats LCHF to do?

I’m not the type of person to force my LCHF ways on people. That’s just rude. I’m inviting people into my home. It’s my job to make them feel welcomed. Yes I’ve had a hard time getting back on track since surgery and treatment.  But all I need is a little planning to keep my guests happy and allows me to avoid any temptation.

Avoiding That Fox In The Hen House
The key for success when hosting non-LCHF friends is simplicity. Foods that my guests and I can eat without feeling deprived. Tonight we’re making burgers and dogs, an easy meal for me to stay LCHF. They eat buns. I prefer wrapping my burger in lettuce. We all come out happy. Score!

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Fat V Carbs: They Still Don’t Get It

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Sometimes you really can’t see the forest for the trees.

The most surprising thing in this video for me isn’t that a low carb, high fat diet works when it comes to improving your health. It’s the number of medical professionals who still don’t have a clue.

I believe most of today’s ills (chronic health problems and skyrocketing health care costs) are caused by the rise of carb-driven fake food over the last 40+ years. The medical community better wake up. Thanks to the Internet, we’re reaching the tipping point where the majority of people will find this information on their own. If that happens, GPs, nutritionist and dieticians just may find themselves obsolete.

 

September Food Challenge: The Whole30

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My monthly food challenge is back. This time around I’m trying the Whole30.

I planned to temporarily give up dairy in August. Unfortunately I have a lot more of it in my fridge than I first thought. With September right around the corner, my dairy stores are pretty much gone. So it is a good time to start my monthly food challenges once more.

Which leads me to the Whole30.

I’ve thought about doing a Whole30 challenge, but the idea of giving up dairy just seemed more like madness. I mean, cheese is just too damn awesome. And butter! No one is taking my Kerrygold away.

But here I am, months later taking a hard look at dairy.

Since the Whole30 doesn’t allow dairy, I decided to give it a shot. Staying ketogenic is easy with the program.  What really sold me on the idea is that I don’t have to give up my Kerrygold completely. I can turn it into clarified butter (which is allowed!).

And of course this means I get another health/cookbook book to read!

So today I’ll work on a Whole30 compliant menu and head out to the grocery store.  The recipes I’ve spotted look really good. I just need to stay within my keto guidelines.

Feeling Sorry For Yourself & Fasting Don’t Mix

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My cucumber water was no match for my stomach. There just wasn’t enough water to keep hunger at bay.

Well my scheduled 3-day fast went up in smoke. Once again I was super tired after my radiation treatment. I planned to take an hour nap then start on my chores (you know, keep busy so I don’t think about my rumbling stomach). Turns out I couldn’t nap. And when I tried to get up, I had no energy. So I lay in bed for a couple of hours  listening to my stomach get louder and louder.

There wasn’t enough water, bone broth or tea in my house to quell my hunger.

I broke down and ate a hard-boiled egg.

Yes I technically broke the fast with that egg, but the amount of food was so small compared to a normal day. I thought if I could hold out until the next morning I can kick my fast into high gear.

I chased the egg with 24 ounces of water. But my tummy persisted. Rather than spend the rest of the day staying close to the bathroom, I admitted defeat and ate dinner.  Read More

After Whipping Obesity, I’m Now Fighting Cancer

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June 12th was the last time I posted an update on my weight. A few days after that, I received some of the worst news I’ve ever had in my life, and stepping on the scale was the farthest thing from my mind. While running errands, I got a call from our fertility doctor and was told the reason for my constant spotting. I have cancer.

I remember pulling off the side of the road, but not much after that. The second I heard “cancer” my mind sort of went on autopilot. I vaguely remember hearing something about “survivability” and “cure rate.” The only thing I could think of was getting back home – fast.

Once home, I made it to my front door before the doctor called me back, letting me know the oncologist he told me about would see me next week. I don’t even remember him talking about an oncologist, but I said fine, sure, and we hung up.

I spent the rest of the day crying my eyes out. The news was a double whammy. Not only were our hopes of having a child via IVF dashed, but now I’m googling “survival rates” to see what my chances of living were. That weekend (yep, I got the news Friday morning) I spent most of my time vacillating between stewing in my emotions (sadness, fear, anger) and Googlepalooza. Read More