Low Carb High Fiber Chocolate Chia Pudding

I don't remember where I heard about this but I had to try it for myself.  So I found some chia seeds and unsweetened almond milk.  I heard it tastes like tapioca pudding(I love tapioca pudding).  Chia seeds are high in fiber and a great source of Omega 3.  I found numerous recipes online to get an idea of how much milk to seed ratio.  Here is what I came up with:

Chocolate Chia Pudding
2 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
3/4 cup chia seeds
3 Tbsp xylitol
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Put all ingredients in a quart glass jar, put lid on and shake or you could use a bowl and stir. I made it fun so my little ones could help.  Put in fridge for 4 hours or overnight.  Shake up once in a while.  spoon into dishes and top with what every your heart desires(berries, whipped cream, nuts, flaked unsweetened coconut, etc) or just plain.
It was very good.  Texture like tapioca, and a little crunch from the seeds.  My kids loved it too.  They topped theirs with whipped cream and berries:) 

6-1/2 cup servings
Each serving: Calories 94.5, Fat 2.8g, Carbs 9.1g, Fiber 8.2g, Protein 4.9g, Net Carbs 0.9g
Atkins: Can be used in all phases

Low Carb Protein Bars

These homemade protein bars are very easy to make and you can make them to your liking.  Very versatile.  These are great for a post workout, cravings, or if your bulking up muscle.

Homemade Protein Bars
200g protein powder, any flavor
200g all natural, no sugar added peanut butter or other nut butter with oil
100g Sugar free flavored syrup(DaVinci or Torani)

Add all ingredient to bowl and mix until combined.  Should look crumbly.  Line a 8X8 inch baking pan with parchment, leaving some go up the side so you can remove easily.  Pour mixture in and press down until all even.  Put in fridge and chill for an hour.  Remove from pan and cut into 10 even pieces.  I cut in half one way and then cut the other way to make 5 rows.  Wrap in saran wrap and store in the fridge.  You can add nuts,dried unsweetened berries, SF chocolate chips, unsweetened coconut.  I add oatmeal and raisins (pic above)for my husband as he is bulking up muscle.   One of my favorite flavors is chocolate raspberry.  I use chocolate protein powder and raspberry syrup.
Makes 10 bars.  Nutritional value may very due to products used.

Atkins Phase 2 and up.

Frozen Coffee protein drink:)

This has been my go to drink when I need a little pick me up.  It fills me up and I get my much needed caffine.  It would be great on those hot summer days too:)  I am so looking forward to warm, sunny days at the beach with friends.  Right now it is 51 degree F and cloudy in MN. 

Frozen Coffee Protein Drink
2 cups of brewed coffee of choice, chilled
a hand full of ice
one scoop of vanilla protein powder(I use Pure Protein brand)

Throw everything in blender and blend until all ice is slushy.  Pour into 2 big glasses and enjoy with spouse. 
All Atkins Phase acceptible

I HIT MY GOAL!!!

This Morning I hit my goal and passed it!!  Weighed in at 149.4!!  Total lost to date: 135.6lbs.  I also took my measurements and have lost 80.5+ over all inches.  I started measuring my progress in July of 2011 after losing 50.5 lbs.  I have made a new goal to maintain now and to keep working out 5 times a week. 

Also, keep an eye out for some new recipes.  I have been in a baking rut and have been to busy with orders(I am self employed.  I do custom sewing and alterations), so it has been the same old boring food for the last month.  In the next week, I have planned some new foods on our supper menu chart.  Hope you all have a great low carb day:)

More Photo's From my Photo Shoot:)

Here are some more photo's from my photo shoot.  I still can't believe they are me!!!  All I can say is, WOW!!! 

Had a Fun Photo Shoot today!!!

I am 4lbs away from my goal!!  This Morning I had a fun professional photo shoot.  I still can't believe this is me.  Here are a few shots!!

Low Carb Lemon Meringue Pie

I made this for Easter.  Was very good and we had no leftovers:)  It was sweet and lemony.  I didn't get a picture, I forgot my camera:(

Low Carb Lemon Meringue Pie
Preheat oven to 350 F
Crust:
2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup xylitol
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Mix almond flour with xylitol, stir in melted butter and pat evenly and up the sides into a 9 inch glass pie plate.  Bake at 350 for 13 minutes.  If useing a metal pie plate you may need to bake a little longer.  You want a very light golden brown color.  Remove from oven and cool completely.

Filling:
5 eggs, seperated
3/4 cup xylitol
1/2 tsp stevia
1/4 cup Real Lemon lemon juice or 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp butter

Separate eggs into 3 bowls as follows..5 yolks in one bowl, 2 whites in one bowl and 3 whites in last bowl.
Cream egg yolks, xylitol, stevia, and lemon juice in a small sauce pan.  Cook on very low heat and stir continuously until thick. (it took a good 20 minutes to thicken up). Remove from heat and add butter and stir until combined.  Let cool slightly.  In the mean time, beat the 2 egg whites until stiff peaks.  Then fold into cooled lemon mixture.  Spread over cooled crust.

Topping:
3 egg white, from egg above
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 Tbsp xylitol
1/4 tsp stevia
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine the above and beat until stiff peaks are formed.  Pour onto filling and shape with spatula.  Bake at 350 until top starts to brown, about 10 minutes.  Be careful not to overcook the crust.
Let cool completely before serving.

8 Servings
Each serving: Calories 392, Fat 28g, Carbs 5.1g, Fiber 3g, Protein 11g, Net Carbs 2.1g
Atkins Phase 2 and up

This Morning I hit the 150's!!

This morning I weighed in at 159.  I am in the 150's!!!  Only 9 more lbs to reach my personal goal.  It has been a long road but who said it was going to be easy.  When I started back in October 2010 at 285, I never thought I would reach my goal, but with a lot of hard work and discipline I am almost there.  When I started back in October I was at my highest weight of 285 wearing a size 24/26.  I was unable to walk far as my knees and ankles hurt all the time.  I would be out of breathe doing simple chores.  The summer of 2010 I was at the in-laws and we did family photo's as Father in Law was dieing.  When I got home, I looked at the photo's to send them off.  I was displeased with my self.  I was thinking, am I really that big.  I didn't see myself like that.  I decided it was time to change my self.  I started with watching my portions and counting calories.  I lost 6 lbs though December of 2010.  On Janurary 3rd, 2011 I started the biggest loser challenage on my mom forum and started Atkins.  My first month I lost 15 lbs.  I have falling a few times, but got back up and kept moving forward.  I have had stalls, but kept chunging away.  In November of 2011 I hit my 100lb lost mark and then stalled for a good 8 weeks.  In December of 2011 my husband and I joined the gym.  Kept working out and eating to plan, no weight loss.  Was not lossing inches nor weight on the scale.  So in Janurary I decided to cut all cheese, sweenters, and processed foods.  With in a week the scale started moving again and has been going down since.  I have added sweenters and cheese back in, in moderation.  It has been a trail and error.  I have learned what my body likes and dislikes.  I am Happy and enjoying life once again.  Today, I am a size 12 and very happy where I am.  Next week I am getting photo's done.  I am going to add my success story, before and after photo's on the Atkins website.  Maybe some day they will use my photos and story.  I love Atkins.  It has giving me my life back.  Thank you Atkins and for my Family and Friends that have been there for me.  Love you all!!