Low Carb Almond Flour Pound Cake

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) softened at room temperature
• 1/2 cup full fat cream cheese
• 1 cup Splenda
• 5 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup Cake-Ability Baking Aid
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream butter, cream cheese and Splenda together, mixing well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.

In a separate bowl, mix almond flour with Cake-Ability Baking Aid and baking powder, breaking up any lumps. Add egg/butter mixture to flour a little at a time while beating. Add lemon and vanilla extracts.

Pour into greased 9"-10" Springform pan, bundt pan, ring pan, (or 9" round cake pan) and bake at 350°F for 50-55 minutes.

You can change flavors for this cake by using different extract flavors and even food color if you like!

Makes 12 servings. 6.1 net grams of carbohydrate per serving. 

Link to original recipe.  

Low Carb Red Velvet Cake

This cake is as deep a red as there ever was and it is something to see. The layers are flavored with chocolate and the frosting is made from cream cheese, a delicious and unusual combination. Most everything about this cake is a surprise — especially that it can be made so low in carbs and sugar and rival its high-carb counterpart!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oat flour
• 1/2 cup vital wheat gluten flour
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/3 cup Dutch processed cocoa
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1 cup Splenda
• 1/2 cup Erythritol
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 large egg whites (at room temperature)
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
• 1/2 cup soured cream
    (make "sour" with vinegar — see directions.)
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/3 cup oil
• 2 1/2 Tablespoons red food color
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon liquid sweetener

Grease and flour (use gluten flour or oat flour) two 8" or 9" round cake pans. Preheat oven to 325°F.

In large mixing bowl, sift together oat flour, gluten flour, almond flour, granulated Splenda, Erythritol, baking powder, cocoa, and salt. Set aside.

In another large bowl, whip egg whites until soft peaks form. Pause and sprinkle cream of tartar over egg whites, then continue beating until stiff peaks form.

In a small bowl, mix cold water with egg yolks and whisk well. Add oil, vanilla extract and liquid sweetener. Mix cream with vinegar in a small cup to get a mock-sour effect. Then add red food color and stir well. Mix into egg yolk mixture and incorporate fully.

Add egg yolk mixture to flour mixture and beat till smooth.

Add 1/2 of the whipped egg whites to the batter mixture and beat again until well blended (but no more than a minute.)

Then carefully add batter to remainder of whipped egg whites and mix gently using a rubber/plastic spatula, being careful not to break down whites, until batter is fully incorporated.

Pour into cake pans evenly and bake at 325°F for 20-30 minutes turning half-way through. Keep an eye on them and don't over bake. Baking time can vary a bit depending on oven, elevation, etc. Cake is done when lightly golden brown on top and puffed and cracked at edges. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to cool on cake racks. When fully cool, assemble and frost with your favorite low-carb frosting or use the following:

White Frosting

4 oz. package of cream cheese, at room temperature 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened 1/2 teaspoon white vanilla (to keep frosting pure white)   or regular vanilla for a "cream" color 1/2 cup Splenda 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream Whip all ingredients together until smooth. Frost cake as usual. Total net grams of carbohydrate in whole cake: 110. Cut into 20 pieces for 5.5 net grams of carbohydrate per slice or 16 pieces for 6.8 net grams of carbohydrate per slice.  Link to original recipe

Dreamfield's Penne with Mushrooms and Artichokes

Vitamin D has been known to provide a host of health benefits including warding off diseases like osteoporosis and high blood pressure, but new research says that it could also help to burn fat. The mushrooms and artichokes in this pasta dish provide 267 IUs of vitamin D per serving. As an added bonus, it’s low-calorie!

Link to original recipe

Ingredients

6 oz Dreamfield's penne pasta

1 tbsp olive oil

8 oz fresh D-fortified mushrooms, sliced

1 onion chopped

3 cloves, garlic

16 cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/4 cup Pesto

4 tsp grated Romano cheese

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to the package directions. Drain.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the mushrooms have released their liquid and start to brown slightly. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes and artichoke hearts and cook for another 1 to 3 minutes, or until tomatoes just begin to soften.

Add the pasta and toss to combine. Remove from the heat and stir in the pesto.

Divide among 4 bowls and top each serving with 1 teaspoon of cheese.

Low Carb Double-Coconut Popcorn

Ingredients

Serves 8

1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste

4 tablespoons coconut oil

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

Pinch of cayenne

Directions

In a large pot over medium heat, toast the coconut flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt until the coconut is golden, about 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.

Add 2 tablespoons oil to the pot and stir in the popcorn and cover pot. After a few minutes, the popcorn will begin to pop vigorously. When the popping begins to slow and several seconds pass between pops, pour the popcorn into a large bowl.

In a small skillet over medium heat, or in the microwave, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons coconut oil.

Season the popcorn with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; sprinkle with coconut flakes and the melted coconut oil. Toss gently to combine.

Tips to ensure that it won't burn:

• Use a pot large enough so that all the popcorn kernels fit in a single layer. This helps them cook evenly without scorching.
• Use a heavy pot; this might be harder to shake but also helps keep the kernels from burning.
• Listen to the popping: If it’s been 4 seconds since you heard a pop, immediately transfer the popcorn into a bowl. Don't let it sit in the pot, where the residual heat could burn it.

Serving Size 1-2 cups per serving

Link to Original recipe

Hungry Girl’s Cheeseburger Mac Attack ft. Dreamfield's Pasta

Found at health food stores, low-calorie, high-fiber pasta such as Fiber Gourmet brand has 40% less calories than regular pasta and 70% of your daily value of fiber. TV host, author and "foodologist" Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien uses this substitution along with lean turkey and cauliflower for a dish that’s less than half the calories of a traditional mac and cheese with beef meal.

Added to Recipes on Tue 05/08/2012

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

5 oz (about 1 1/3 cups) uncooked Dreamfield Pasta (available at Von's and Wal-Mart)

10 oz raw lean ground turkey

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

2 tbsp ketchup

3 cups frozen cauliflower florets

2 tbsp sour cream

2 slices 2% American cheese

5 wedges light creamy Swiss cheese

2 scallions, thinly sliced

Optional seasonings: salt, black pepper

Directions

In a large pot, prepare pasta very al dente, cooking for about half of the time indicated on the package. Drain well.

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix turkey, onion, and ketchup. Stir in cauliflower and cooked pasta. Transfer mixture to the crock pot.

Cover and cook on high for about 3 hours or on low for about 7 hours, until turkey is fully cooked.

Add remaining ingredients, breaking the cheese wedges and slices into pieces. Thoroughly stir. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, or until cheeses have melted.

Stir until contents are thoroughly mixed and cheese is evenly distributed. Dig in!

Link to original recipe

25 Fruits for the Low Carb Dieter

#1 CASABA MELON!
It contains 3.5g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half cup of cubed casaba melon
contains 5.5g of carbs. Casaba melons are an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium. They are also a good source of vitamin B6, which can reduce levels of homocysteine — a key risk factor for heart disease.

#2 is WATERMELON!
It contains 4g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half cup of diced watermelon contains
5.5g of carbs. Watermelon is packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and lycopene, which has been shown to reduce the risk of several forms of cancer. It also contains citrulline, which our body needs to create arginine, an amino acid that has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity.

#3 is STRAWBERRIES!
They contain 4g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half cup of sliced strawberries
contains 6.5g of carbs. Strawberries are loaded with phytonutrients, which makes them heart-protective, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory fruits. They contain ellagic acid, which may inhibit tumor growth. The anthocyanins found in strawberries block the pain and inflammation-causing compounds, COX-1 and COX-2.

#4 is CANTALOUPE!

It contains 4g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half cup of diced cantaloupe contains
6.5g of carbs. Cantaloupe is a potassium, vitamin A, and beta-carotene heavyweight. Potassium is key for maintaining healthy blood pressure and may lower the risk of stroke. Vitamin A and beta-carotene are essential nutrients for good vision.

#5 is AVOCADO!
It contains 4g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half cup of avocado contains 6.5g of
carbs. Avocados are high in monosaturated fat, which actually helps lower cholesterol and has been linked to a lower risk of cancer and diabetes. They are a good source of lutein, an
antioxidant that helps your eyes and skin stay healthy, and a wide range of anti-inflammatory nutrients that may help prevent arthritis. They are high in fiber — one
avocado has between 11 and 17 grams of fiber — which makes them great for blood
sugar regulation.

#6 is BLACKBERRIES!
They contain 5g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half cup of blackberries contains 7g
of carbs. Blackberries may inhibit metalloproteinese enzymes. When found in high amounts, these enzymes play a significant role in cancer development. Blackberries are also packed with polyphenols and anthocyanins, which can help prevent cancer and heart disease.

#7 is HONEYDEW MELON!
It contains 5g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half cup of diced honeydew melon
contains 8g of carbs. Honeydew melon is a high volume fruit. For its weight, it contains a high amount of water, fiber, and air. It contains few calories but makes you feel full, so it's good for weight loss. It is also an excellent source of potassium, which can lower blood pressure
and the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

#8 is GRAPEFRUIT!
It contains 5g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half medium grapefruit contains 10.5gof carbs. Grapefruits are a great source of Vitamin C, which supports the immune system. The red and pink colors of grapefruit are due to lycopene, an antioxidant that may have antitumor effects. In addition, they contain liminoids that also prevent tumor growth. Pectin,
a soluble fiber that may slow the progress of atherosclerosis and lower cholesterol, is also
found in grapefruit.

#9 is ORANGES!
They contain 5g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One medium orange contains 15.5g of
carbs. Oranges contain more than 170 cancer fighting phytochemicals and 60 flavonoids. This includes liminoids, which may fight cancer and lower cholesterol. They have a variety of
heart-protecting nutrients, including blood pressure-lowering potassium, cholesterollowering
pectin, and homocysteine-lowering folate. They're also an excellent source of
vitamin C.

#10 is PEACHES!
They contain 5g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One medium peach contains 14.5g of
carbs. Peaches are a good source of calcium, potassium, beta-carotene, and vitamins C, K, and A. They also contain beta-cryptoxanthin, a carotenoid with some anti-cancer and antiinflammatory properties.

#11 is PAPAYA!
It contains 5g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One medium papaya contains 30g of carbs.
Papayas are a good source of 3 powerful antioxidants — vitamins C, E, and A — that
prevent the oxidation of cholesterol and may prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease.
They're one of the best sources of digestive enzymes that break down protein and may
help reduce inflammation.

#12 is CRANBERRIES!

They contain 6g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One half cup of cranberries contain 6.5g
of carbs. Cranberries are best known for their ability to protect against urinary tract infections, due to their proanthocyanidin content. But they also contain at least 5 key categories of health-supportive phytonutrients and have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.

#13 is PLUMS!
They contain 6g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One medium plum contains 7.5g of carbs.
Plums have a high content of phenols — antioxidants that help prevent oxygen-based
damage to fats. These include the fats that make up a substantial portion of our brain
cells, the cholesterol in our bloodstream, and our cell membranes.

#14 is RASPBERRIES!
They contain 6g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half cup of raspberries contains 7.5g
of carbs. Raspberries are a fiber powerhouse — there are 8g of fiber per cup. They're also one of the best sources of ellagic acid, an antioxidant that may inhibit tumor growth and the
spread of cancer. They're rich in a group of flavonoids called anthocyanins that have unique antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

#15 is CLEMENTINES!
They contain 6g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One medium clementine contains 9g of
carbs. Clementines are rich in vitamin C, which helps support the immune system. They're also a good source of calcium, a necessity for bone health, and potassium, which can help
lower blood pressure.

#16 is PINEAPPLE!
It contains 6g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half cup of pineapple chunks contains
11g of carbs.Pineapples contain bromelain, a rich source of enzymes that aids digestion, speeds up wound healing, and reduces inflammation. They're also an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese, which is necessary for healthy skin, bone and cartilage formation,
and glucose tolerance.

#17 is NECTARINES!
They contain 6g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One medium nectarine contains 15g of
carbs. Nectarines are a good source of vitamin A, potassium, and beta-carotene. The peel is rich in bioflavonoids — antioxidants that may help prevent cancer. They're also a good source of fiber, which is necessary for good digestive health.

#18 is BLUEBERRIES!
They contain 7g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half cup of blueberries contains 11g
of carbs. Blueberries are antioxidant powerhouses that help protect against heart disease and cancer. They're packed with anthocyanides, which prevent free radical damage to cells
and tissues. Blueberries help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the
effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's and dementia. They also contain
ellagic acid, which blocks metabolic pathways that can lead to cancer.

#19 is APPLES!
They contain 7g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One medium apple with skin contains 25g
of carbs. Apples are loaded with phytochemicals that give them plenty of antioxidant power. They can decrease oxidation of cell membrane fats, a risk factor for atherosclerosis and other
cardiovascular problems. Polyphenols found in apples influence digestion and absorption
of carbs, which means they may help regulate blood sugar levels. Studies have shown
that apples may protect against lung cancer.

#20 is PEAR!
It contains 7g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One medium pear contains 27.5g of carbs.Pears are a good source of fiber, which has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels.
They're also a great source of vitamin C and copper, both of which are antioxidants that
help protect against free radical damage.

#21 is KIWI FRUIT!
It contains 8g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One medium kiwi without skin contains 11g
of carbs. Kiwis contain twice the amount of vitamin C as oranges. They've been shown to protect DNA in the nucleus of cells from oxygen-related damage. Kiwis are a good source of
fiber, which can help lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. They may also lower
your risk for blood clots and reduce fats in your blood, therefore helping to protect
cardiovascular health.

#22 is CHERRIES!

They contain 8g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half cup of cherries contains 11g of
carbs. Cherries are loaded with anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties.
Cancer fighting compounds include quercetin and ellagic acid, which may inhibit tumor
growth. Cherries have also been shown to lower levels of uric acid in the blood, the
leading cause of gout pain.

#23 is TANGERINE!
It contains 8g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One medium tangerine contains 12g of
carbs. Tangerines contain beta-cryptoxanthin, a carotenoid that may significantly lower the risk of lung cancer. The peel contains a compound called polymethoxylated flavones that has
the potential to effectively lower cholesterol.

#24 is MANGO!
It contains 8g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One-half cup sliced mango contains 14g of
carbs. Mangoes are a high volume food, so you get a lot of food for the amount of calories you consume. They're an excellent source of potassium, vitamin A, and beta-carotene, as well
as a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and calcium.

#25 is PERSIMMON!
It contains 9g of carbs in a 50-gram portion. One medium persimmon contains 8.5g of
carbs. Persimmons are rich in vitamin A, beta-carotene, and iron. They contain compounds
known as shibuol and betulinic acid, both of which have anti-cancer properties. The peel
contains phytochemicals known as proanthocyanidins that may protect cells from oxidative stress due to aging. The nutrition information in this slideshow is adapted from The George Mateljan Foundation's "World's Healthiest Foods" website (www.whfoods.com).

Do you cleanse? Detox your body....

Good morning good people. What I notice is when on a low carbohydrates diet I tend to be a bit on the irregular side, so I chose one day on the weekend to you know....cleanse. I know you all are thinking why is this woman telling us about her regularity of lack there of. Wait a minute now...irregularity is not as uncommon as one may think. According to www.gutsense.com in general, women are more affected by colorectal disorders than men because of the long-lasting and mainly irreversible impact of pregnancy and vaginal delivery on the colorectal organs. Even the best and most well-meaning physician may not be fully aware of these profound differences, so you have to keep them in mind.

Women must also recognize that their constipation and related disorders may be more severe than the same in men of the same age for all of the reasons mentioned in the video. This means you'll have to work harder and more assertively to anticipate and overcome constipation, and prevent further damage. Your body can hold anywhere from 5-10 pounds of waste; now you don't want the digested food sitting in your gut rotting away do you???

A major factor to this accumulation is eating a low fiber processed food diet. This is why we are such a big proponent for high protein, high fiber, and low carbohydrate diets. Some of the worst foods that a person can eat are those made from flour, especially white, such as breads, doughnuts, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, and other baked goods. These foods are very low in nutritional value, have a high sugar content, and are either very low in, or have no fiber. Flour is extremely fine, both whole grain and white, and acts like a glue sticking to the wall of the small intestine and colon reducing nutrient absorption and elimination of waste. Foods made from flour also enter the bloodstream too fast contributing to blood sugar fluctuations and gallstones in the gallbladder and liver reducing liver function. 

The average American may only take in 5 to 12 grams a day of fiber. The digestive tract cannot function properly and be healthy unless a combination of 30 grams of soluble and insoluble fiber is obtained daily. An amount that people in the United States were eating in 1850. There are people in other countries that get as much as 60 grams daily and are far healthier.

How Fiber Helps Us

•	Prevents diverticulosis, appendicitis, hemorrhoids, polyps, and varicose, veins.
•	Protects against cancers such as colon, breast and prostate by removing excess hormones testosterone and estrogen.
•	Removes and normalizes cholesterol level.
•	Supports healthy blood pressure level.
•	Protects against heart disease.
•	Helps control the appetite and losing weight as it slows digestion and the release of glucose and insulin preventing fat storage.
•	Prevents diabetes by supporting healthy blood sugar level.

http://www.livewellnaturally.com

So what do you do....

Well here is what I do. I use a product called The Cleaner for Women. It is a 7 day cleanse in a pill form. No I do not take it for 7 day cause your girl has to go to work everyday. I usually take it Friday evening and by the time I wake up the next morning...I'm ready to go if you know what I mean. Click here for a link to the pills http://www.vitaminworld.com/digestive-aids-015/the-cleaner-14-day-womens-formula-068568. There is a 14 day and 7 day size. Choose what will work best for you. I have used this product for about two month and it is effective and gentle.

If you are looking for a fast solution you can use Magnesium Citrate which is available at your local drugstore, WalMart or Target. The fizzy drink will do the trick in a matter of hours. You have to be sure to drink plenty of water with both methods. Click here for information on Mag Citrate http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-2202-MAGNESIUM+CITRATE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=522&drugname=Magnesium+Citrate+Oral&source=0


Until next time good people. Make sure you check out our Facebook groups at Low Carb Dieter and Everything In Between. Be sure to add yourself to the group, and please submit your comments and questions here. You can also send me a private message at erikacole25@gmail.com. I will be sure that you remain anonymous unless otherwise stated, and answer your question to the best of my ability. 

Remember to love yourself and be open to being loved.

Erika