Low Carb Enchiladas

Every Tuesday night we have a Mexican themed dinner.  The kids love taco's:)  Tonight I thought I would mix it up and make Enchiladas.  I have made this recipe numberous times and the family loves it.  It is from the Dr. Atkins New Diet Cookbook that was Copyrighted in 1994. 

Enchiladas

1 recipe tortillas(recipe below)or 12 low carb tortillas
1 1/2 pounds ground pork
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tsp chili powder
3 Tbsp cider vinegar
1 Tbsp oil
3 Tbsp chopped onion
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup water
1/2 tsp Cumin
1 tsp chili powder
6 drops Tabasco sauce, or to taste
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Prepare tortilla recipe.  Place tortilla on wax paper and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degree F
In bowl combine ground pork, garlic, 2 tsp chili powder and vinegar.
Heat oil in skillet and saute onion over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until soft.  Add pork mixture to onion and brown.  Pour of fat.  Set aside
Sauce:
In saucepan conbine tomato sauce, water cumin, chili powder, tabasco sauce and salt.  Simmer for 1/2 hour.

Pour 1/2 cup sauce in 13x9 baking pan.  Fill tortillas with 2 Tbsp of pork and 1 Tbsp of cheese.  Roll up and place seam side down in pan.  Repeat until you use all pork.  Pour remaining sauce on top.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Top with remaining cheese.  Bake for 5 minutes more until cheese is hot and bubbly.  Serve with sour cream on top

Tortilla recipe
1/3 cup soy flour
1/2 cup water
3 egg

Put all ingredients in blender.  Blend until smooth.  Use a crepe pan or a 5-6 inch skillet.  Cover bottom of pan lightly with oil.  When pan is hot enought to sizzle a drop of water, pour about 3 Tbsp of mixture into pan.  tilt pan to distribute misture evenly.  Tortilla should be thin.  Lightly brown on both side, about a minute on each side.  Place on wax paper until all are made.  Tortillas are very delicate, so handle carefully.  Oil pan again if necessary.

I have made the tortillas once but they fell about, so I just buy the premade Low Carb Tortillas:)

12 Enchiladas
Each Enchilada made with Low Carb tortillas(store bought): Calories 336, Fat 20.5g, Carb 16.5g, Fiber 9g, Protein 25.7g, Net Carb 7.5g
Atkins Phase 2 and up,Only use in Grain rung of Phase 2


Each Enchilada made with homemade tortillas: Calories 273, Fat 19g, Carb 3.6g, Fiber 1.1g, Protein 21.4g, Net Carb 2.5g
Atkins All Phases

9 week Stall has finally broke!!

It has been a crazy few weeks.  Been working on orders(have one right now of 10, 7 inch doll outfits), getting ready for Girl Scout cookie go day, I am the Cookie Manager(last year I had NO GS cookies) for the second year.  Been taking care of sickies.  Just very busy, right now but I got some great news.  My 9 week stall has finally broke!!!!  This morning I am at 181!!  I was hovering over 186-188 for 9 weeks.  I slipped a few times in those 9 weeks, had popcorn, a few sugary alcoholic drinks, and a slice a pizza that made me very ill, but now I am back on track and the scale is moving again.  Only 31 more lbs to go.  I am skinnier now, than when I graduated.  I was a size 14/16.  Today I am a 14 almost to a 12. In the next few weeks I will be coming up with some great goodies.  My 8 year wedding anniversary is coming up on 2/14/12.  Yeap, Valentines day.  We got married in Vegas on Valentines day of 2004.  9 months later we welcomed are son Nicholas on 11-15-04:)  What happened in Vegas didn't stay in Vegas.  LOL  We are having are Anniversary at home with the kids.  Plan for dinner is a nice top sirloin steak with sauted mushrooms, mash cauliflower(loaded) and a green salad.  For dessert, I am going to make Red Velvet Cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting, all Low Carb Friendly:)  Then a week later, my Daughter will be turning 12!!   So, stay tuned!!

Low Carb Chocolate Chip Cookies

This morning I thought I would play around with my almond flour.  I just bought 25 yummy pounds of it:)  I also needed to warm up this house, it is -13 dregrees F in chilling MN, so I thought some baking would help.  I took a basic chocolate chip recipe and tweaked it.  These turned out cake like, chewy and very yummy.  Yeap, I ate one at 10:30am:)(see it missing from the photo)

Low Carb Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/4 cup stick butter, softened
1/4 cup Xylitol
1/4 cup Sugar Twin Brown
1 Lg egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cup almond flour
3/4 cup sugar free chocolate chips(I make my own as the ones from the store are over $5 a package) see below.

Cream together butter and sugars.  Add egg and vanilla.  Then add baking soda, and almond flour. 
Drop on cookie sheet(I used a cookie dough scoop, looks like a small ice cream scoop).  Bake in a 350 degree pre-heat oven for 10-11 minutes or until golden brown on top.
Makes 19 cookies
Each cookie: Calories 96.5, Total Fat 9.1g, Total Carb 2.4g, Fiber 1.5g, Sugar 0.4g, Protein 2.3g, Net Carbs 0.9g
*Atkins Phase 2 and up

ENJOY:)

Sugar Free Chocolate Chips.
I make the ones that Candice's makes.  Here is her blog: http://www.ticklemysweettooth.com/blog/
Candice’s Low Carb Sugar Free Chocolate Chips
Ingredients:
1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder *
1/4 cup(2oz) unsalted butter
8 drops liquid Sucralose (I use EZ-Sweetz)**
Instructions:
In heat proof bowl, melt butter in microwave.
Add cocoa. Stir until smooth.
Add liquid sucrose and stir well. If you want a little sweeter, you can add a few more drops. 8 is enough for me though.
Put chocolate mixture into a pipping bag**** and pipe out chips on a parchment lined cookie/baking sheet.
You can pipe as small or large as you like. I make about the size as a normal chocolate chip.
Put the cookie sheet in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to set up chips.
Peal off chips and store in air tight container or baggie in the freezer until you need to use.
Makes approx. 3/4 cup of chocolate chips.

Low Carb Crustless Key Lime Cheesecake

I found this recipe last March online.  I was looking for a no-bake cheesecake.  I copied a few but this one is my all time favorite. 

Low Carb Key Lime Cheesecake
1 small package of sugar free lime jello
1/2 cup boiling water
8 oz package of cream cheese
1 Tbsp key lime juice
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Grease a pie plate.
In a small bowl add boiling water and jello and stir until completely dissolved.  In a meduim size bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Gradually add jello, and lime juice until smooth.  In another bowl whip cream until stiff peaks.  Fold into cream cheese mixture.  Pour mixture into the greased pie plate and smooth out.  Chill until set.
You can use any flavor of jello and juice to change it to your desire.  I personally love Key Lime. 

Servings 8
Each serving: Calories 146.3, Total Fat 13.5g, Total Carbs 0.5g, Protein 2.8g
*Atkins All Phases

Low-Carb Clam Chowder and Low Carb Garlic and Cheddar Biscuits

Came up with this as my husband wanted New England clam chowder.  It is very creamy.  Even my little picky eater ate his whole bowl:)  I also made it with Low-Carb garlic and cheddar biscuits.  My Husband said "Restaurant quality" and the whole family gave it 5 thumbs up:)  YOU HAVE TO TRY IT!

Low Carb Clam Chowder
3 pieces thick-sliced bacon
2 celery stalks, chopped small
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder
3/4 tsp Old Bay seasoning
3/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup half and half
3 cups cauliflower, chopped and cooked until tender
1 10oz can whole baby clams, drained, reserve juice
1 tsp dried thyme
2 TBsp minced fresh parsley
1/2-1 tsp guar gum(thickner)

Chop bacon into small cubes and cook until crisp.  I cooked it right in my soup pot.  Remove bacon with slotted spoon and drain on paper towel.  Pour off all but a tablespoon of rendered fat.
Saute the celery in the bacon fat until softened.  Add garlic, onion powder, pepper, Old Bay seasoning.  Stir and cook for about a minute.
Add the heavy cream, half and half, the reserved clam juice, and stir,  Bring until an almost boil.  Add the clams, cauliflower, thyme, parsley and bacon, turn down heat to medium and cook until warmed.  Sprinkle the guar gum on top and stir.  Simmer for 1 minute.  I only used 1/2 tsp of gaur gum, but if you want it thicker add more.  Makes 4 servings
Each Serving: Calories 309, Total Fat 25g, Carbs 12g, Fiber 5g, Protein 12g, Net Carb 7g
*Atkins All Phases


Low Carb Garlic and Cheddar Biscuits
1/2 cup butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 cup almond flour
4 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
2 TB minced fresh parsley

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.  Grease cookie sheet with shortening. 
Whisk together eggs, butter, salt and garlic powder.  Add almond flour and baking powder and whisk until there are no lumps.  Fold in cheese.
Drop batter using a ice cream scoop onto the greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart.  Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Let cool in pan for 5-10 minutes before removing and serving.  Makes about 12 biscuits
Cool completely before storage or they won't stay crisp.   These biscuits are flatter then "normal" biscuits and taste just like the biscuits from Red Lobster:)
Each Biscuit: Calories 213, Total Fat 19g, Carbs 2.2g, Fiber 1g, Protein 8g, Net Carbs 1.2g
*Atkins Phase 2 and up

Don't get discouaged!!

Last night while I was getting dressed for my Friday night MNO(mom night out), My hubby was helping me pick out a top.  He picked out this little hot number.  It is form fitting and I was just not sure about wearing it as it is form fitting.  He kept on telling me I was "HOT" and that I should wear it.  I was just going to put on a t-shirt and a hoodie.  Well, I ending up wearing it.  He took some photo's(added the new photo in my weight loss photo album) and then I went out with the girls.  Got complinments from my all my friends.  I have been at a stall for 6 weeks now.  The scale goes up and down the same 2 lbs(185-187).  I also started working out at our local gym since December 3rd, 2011.  On January 2nd 2012, I started the Body 4 Life work out routine.  Mondays are upper body, Tuesdays are cardio, Wednesdays are lower body and abs, Thursdays are cardio, Fridays are upper body, Saturday is cardio, and Sundays are rest day.  My body has been sore.  This morning I looked at the photo's hubby took last night and could really see the transformation of my body.  Also my pants are a little losser, So I took my measurements.  I have lost a few over all inches.  Either though the scale has not moved my body has and I am gaining more muscle.  So don't get discouaged when that stuipid scale just won't budge.  Take measurements and photos monthly!!  

Classic Chicken Fricassee and Low Carb Vanilla Ice Cream

Tonight I made a recipe out of my new Atkins cookbook.  I motified the recipe to fit my tastes.
Here is the original recipe:

3 TB butter
4 lbs bone-in chicken parts
1 medium yellow or white onion, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried marjoram
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups chicken broh
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

Melt butter in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add chicken an brown on all sides, about 10 minutes
Reduce heat to medium, add onion, celery, thyme, and marjoram.  Saute until vegetables are soft, about 6 minutes.  Add garlic and saute unti fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add broth.  Increase het to high and bring to a boil.  Reduceheat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until chicken is tender, about 45 minutes. 
Transfer chicken to platter.  Stir cream into saucepan, increase heat to medium and simmer until sauce thckens slightly, about 10 minutes.  Add salt and pepper. Pour over chicken and serve.
6 Servings
Each serving is 410 Calories, Fat 20g, Total Carbs 3g, Fiber 0g, Protein 52g, Net Carbs 3g

Here is my version:  I used 6 chicken breasts, omitted the onion(Hubby don't like them), add 8oz sliced baby bella mushrooms, used 2 cups of broth, 3/4 cup of heavy cream.  I also used 1 tsp of guar gum at the end to make it more thicker.
6 servings
Each serving is 435 Calories, Fat 19g, Total Carbs 3.9g, Fiber 1.4g, Protein 57.6g, Net Carbs 2.5g
*Atkins All Phases

I LOVE Ice Cream.  Last year in March my Hubby bought me a Cuisinart Automatic Ice Cream maker for my birthday.  It was one of the best present I got:)  So I looked though the recipe book for ideas to make a Low Carb Version.


Low Carb Vanilla Ice Cream
1 cup half and half
1/2 cup xylitol
pinch of salt
2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 TB vanilla extract

Whisk all ingredients together.  Cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours or overnight.  Then add mixture to Ice Cream maker as instructed in manual. 
Makes about 10, 1/2 cup servings.
Each Serving: Calories 222, Fat 20g, Carbs 2.5g, Fiber 0g, Protein 2g
*Atkins Phase 2 and Up.
Yesterday, I was at my local Wal-mart and seen that Atkins came out with some new bars.  One caught my eye: Chocolate chip cookie dough.  I then bought a box.  Then last night as I was eating my ice cream I thought about those bars.  Next time I make a batch of my ice cream I am going to add a cut up bar of the chocolate chip cookie dough and throw it in while it is mixing. I will then have my favorite flavored blizzard treat in a low carb ice cream!!!!

Low Carb Salmon Patties

I came up with this recipe last summer when I was in the mood for some salmon patties.  I just grabbed a can of pink salmon and through some stuff in it and fried them. So here is my recipe:

Salmon Patties
1 14.75oz can of pink salmon
1 lg egg
2 TB parmesan cheese, grated
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp rosemary, crushed

Mix all ingredients until combined.  Form into 4 equal patties.  In skillet on medium heat, add 2 TB olive oil and 2 TB unsalted butter.  When butter is melted, add patties.  Fry for about 4 minutes or until crispy brown on side and then flip, Fry for another 4 minutes or until crispy brown.  Then add to plate and pour pan drippings on top.

4 servings. 
You can make a sauce for on top with equal parts of mayo and spicy brown mustard.  I just squeeze some lemon juice on top with some mayo on the side.
1 patty: Calories 177, Total Fat 8.3g, Total Carb 0.7g, Fiber 0.1g, Sugar 0.2g, Protein 23.3g, Net Carbs 0.6g
*Atkins All Phases

Challenge-Going out with family or friends

One of my biggest weight loss challenges is going out with friends or family.  Most entertainment evolves around food and drinks.  While sitting at MNO(mom night out) this last friday at our local Applebee's and wondering what I want to nibble on and drink.  While, I was good that night(had water and a serving of Classic Buffalo wings), if that was me a year ago I would of ordered the spinach and articoke dip with chips and a few long island ice teas.  While I still spulge on drinks/food once in a while, I tend to have will power and say "no" and have found other alternatives that are low in carbs and sugar-free.  It has been hard watching other people eat desserts as I LOVE DESSERTS but as long as I have something to nibble on that is lower in carbs and within my calorie intake I am good.  Also sugar-free gum has been my life saver.  When I have the urge for something sweet while out, I throw in a peice of gum and sip on water.   Most of my friends are amazed with my will power.  It was like I switched it on and it has stayed on.  I have been over weight my whole life and never had this much will power with food until last year.  Something in me just kicked in.  I am glad it did and it shows!! 

Low Carb Waffles

Good Morning!!  While I love eggs, there are some morning I like something different.  Who said you can't have WAFFLES!! 

Low Carb Waffles
6 eggs
1 tsp oil
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1 TB Xylitol
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 TB protein powder(10g), any flavor
1 TB almond flour
1 TB flax meal(ground flax seeds)
Blend all together in a blender.  Pour into preheated waffle maker.  Cook according to waffle maker's instructions.

Makes about 8 waffles

Each waffle
Calorie 110, Total Fat 8.5g, Total Carbs 0.9g, Fiber 0.4g, Sugar 0.1g, Protein 6.7g   NET CARB=0.5g

Add butter and any sugar-free flavored syrup. I used sugar-free maple syrup:)

Taco Seasoning

Here is my recipe for Taco Seasoning.  Most pre-packages you buy in the store have added sugar or fillers.  So I make my own.

Taco Seasoning
4 TB chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes(add more if you like)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 TB ground cumin
3 tsp ground pepper
4 tsp salt(optional)
I use an old spice jar and add ingredients and shake.  Add 2-3 TB to one lb of ground meat.
                                                     My Taco Salad from Dinner

My First Post

Hello, My name is Charity and I am a work at home mother to 3 wonderful children.  I do custom dewing and alterations.  I started my weight loss journey back in October 2010 weighing in at my all time highest of 285.  Lossing 6lbs though December tracking calories and portion control.  On January 3rd, 2011 I kicked it up and started The Atkins lifestyle along with a Biggest Loser Challenge on my Mom forum(I didn't win, but I am still a winner in my book).  My first month I lost 14lbs.  It has been hard but I have alot of great support from my wonderful husband, children and all my wonderful friends.  My friends are the ones that told me I needed to start this blog:).  There have been time I have falling off but I got back on, the next meal, the next day.  There has been weight loss stalls, but I kept going.  As I say and I say it often "I CAN DO IT" or "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming".  I am doing this for me.  I want to be happy, healthy and full of life.  Well I am almost there.  On November 18th, 2011 I hit 185.  100lbs LOST!!!  Since then I have stalled and my weight has been staying at 185-187.  On December 3rd, 2011 my Husband and I joined the local Gym here.  I have gone almost every day.  We did miss a little over a week as we where out of state for the Holidays. I did end up gaining 6lbs but I am almost back down to where I started when I left(187).  This morning I was 188.  I will be posting photo's, recipes, and just other things about me and my journey.  Hope you have a wonderful evening:)