Day 153

Day 153

- Low carb pizza on oopsie crust
- Cheesy bread on oopsie crust with ranch dressing
- Fried fish
- BBQ Ribs with a small amount of BBQ sauce
- Pizza gondolas

Day 152 Low Carb Cheesy Bread

Day 152

- Swiss cheeseburger with tomato, onion, mayo, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup on an oopsie bun
- Bratwurst with onions, cheese, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup on half an oopsie bun
- Pizza on oopsie pizza crust with No Sugar Added Hunt's spaghetti sauce, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, mushrooms and red peppers with oopsie cheesy bread (pictured below)



To make the cheesy bread, I baked an oopsie pizza crust and brushed it with alfredo sauce (you could also use butter) and added mozzarella and cheddar cheese. I baked it for about 12 minutes at 350 degrees. It tastes just like cheesy bread!

Day 151 Low Carb

Day 151 Low Carb

- Two brats with onions, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup on oopsies
- White pizza on oopsie crust
- Pizza gondolas

Day 150 Low Carb White Pizza

Day 150 Low Carb

- Easy chunky chicken vegetable soup
- Low carb NY cheesecake with 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- White pizza made on an oopsie crust
- Bratwurst with cheese, onions, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup an oopsie
- One pizza gondola

Here is the pizza with the oopsie crust.... This is the first time I've ever made it. I just used a regular cookie sheet (without sides) because I don't have a proper pizza pan. I sprayed the cookie sheet with non-stick spray and made big mound of the oopsie batter... then kind of pressed it down a little bit with a big spoon. My crust was the same size as when I slid it in the oven; it did not settle at all like a cookie would... and it's shockingly sturdy and very low carb. What more could a girl ask for in a pizza crust??


Caution: enlarging photo may cause pizza cravings!

Day 149 and doin' fine!

Day 149

- One egg, scrambled in butter
- Meatloaf sandwich with swiss on an oopsie roll
- 2 pc. fried fish with breading peeled off
- Meatloaf sandwich with swiss on an oopsie roll
- 1 tsp. natural chunky peanut butter

Low Carb - Day 148.... Still feeling great

Day 148 Low carb

- Meatloaf with reduced sugar ketchup
- Josie's spaghetti squash monterey
- Low carb New York cheesecake
- Ribeye (off the grill) with mashed cauliflower

Progress Pics! Progress... not perfection, right?

I'm nearing my 5 month mark and Nancy did mention wanting to see Progress pics... So here goes nothing:








Do I look skinnier than before?

I'm going to lose 50 more pounds in the next 5 months....

Have a seat, grab some scrambled eggs and hop on this wild ride with me!

Day 147 - In low carb mashed potato heaven!

Day 147

- Meatloaf with reduced sugar ketchup
- Josie's spaghetti squash - made with hot pepper jack cheese
- Mashed cauliflower, drowned in sausage/hamburger alfredo "gravy"

I really love the mashed cauliflower. I put in some Parmesan and chives and wow! When I ate a spoonful of them, they really tasted just like potatoes... not cauliflower. Crazy, huh?? These will definitely be a staple around here. Thanks for the tip, Harry!

Day 146 - Doing my high kicks

Day 146

- Two cheeseburgers with all the fixin's on oopsie rolls
- Meatloaf with reduced sugar Heinz ketchup
- Josie's spaghetti squash

More than anything lately, I've noticed how much energy I have. I swear eating low-carb gives me all this energy.... So, if you think you need to "carb up" to get energy.... you are crazy. Even at my highest weight, I've been able to do "high kicks" (kick my hands with my feet), but now I seem to do them all the time and like 15 in a row at least.... I know it sounds crazy... but I'm bursting at the seams with energy.

Before, when I was eating all kinds of carbs, I was lucky to get through the day without a nap or two.

Day 145 and Still Alive!

Day 145

- Burger on an oopsie roll with swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard, mayo and reduced sugar ketchup
- Sausage patty
- Low carb pancakes with Walden's zero carb - zero calorie pancake syrup
- Alfredo meat sauce with mushrooms served over spaghetti squash

I Cured My Acanthosis Nigricans!!! No more dirt ring!

It's embarrassing to admit, but I had what looked like a "dirt ring" around my neck for at least 15 years. No, it was not really DIRT, but a condition called Acanthosis Nigricans. I remember it being there when I was 12 years old, but I'm sure it showed up sometime in the years before.

It turns out that it was due to a build-up of INSULIN in my blood. I was pre-diabetic! My body was showing insulin resistance on my skin! The thought of me having to poke myself with needles and all the crap the comes with having Diabetes scares the shit out of me. It just seems like such a horrible life-long cross to bear. I know that people have turned it around and quite frankly, I may be one of them!

Now, I have never had my blood sugar tested (that I know of) and this is horrible! Looking back, I think I've just been in complete denial because I didn't want to find out I was a diabetic... or any bad news, really. Ignorance is bliss, right?

It actually caused me a lot of grief. Everybody knows how sensitive teenage girls can be about their perceived imperfections. I would really hate wearing my hair in a pony tail (and I had to sometimes) because I hated the thought of anybody seeing my seemingly "dirty" neck. In fact, when I worked in food service and had to wear my hair back, I always wore a collared shirt to make sure that I would not have a problem with anybody seeing my dirt ring.

Tonight, I have my hair in a high ponytail, and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

"Where is my dirt ring?" I thought.... I leaned in closer in the mirror, inspecting my neck. It's virtually gone! It was very gray/dark and now it's so light that I really can't see it at all. My mom told me a few weeks ago that she didn't see it, but I thought she was just being nice and I could kind of still see it.

Do I care what my neck looks like? Maybe a little bit, but more importantly, I am no longer on the way to becoming Diabetic!!! That is the biggest non-scale victory that I could ever hope for. If you are plagued by this "dirt ring," being on a very low-carb diet has proven to cure acanthosis nigricans for me! It really makes sense when you think of it on a solely biological level. I LOVE what this low carb diet (and by diet I mean what I eat on a daily basis; not fad-diet) is doing to apparently regulate my blood sugar.

I know this is a crazy question, but can I test my own blood sugar without going to the doctor? I really have a phobia of doctors (which I must get over), but really, where could I better spend my money now that I'm thinking about it? Yeah, I will find a good primary care physician that I'm comfortable with and get all my labs done.

This is what I found about it over at AOL Health:

"Experts suggest that AN may be a skin manifestation of insulin resistance, which is a condition characterized by impaired biological responses to insulin. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, regulates blood glucose levels by promoting the movement of glucose into cells for energy production or into the liver and fat cells for energy storage. (Glucose is a simple sugar that is the body's primary source of energy for cell metabolism.) Some clinicians suggest that insulin resistance causes a build-up of the hormone in the blood, and then it finds its way into skin cells. Insulin resistance may be associated with various disorders, including obesity and non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetes mellitus. In individuals with type II diabetes mellitus, the pancreas produces insulin but the body becomes resistant to its effects, leading to insufficient absorption of glucose and abnormally increased glucose levels in the blood (hyperglycemia) and urine. As a result, there may be a gradual onset of certain symptoms, including excessive urination (polyuria) and increased thirst (polydipsia), and the development of particular complications without appropriate treatment."

Full article here.

I just want to take this sappy moment and thank all my blogging friends for essentially saving my life! No, I take that back. I'm saving my own life... with your support! So thanks for reading and being on this wild ride with me... ;)

Day 144 - Low Carb

Day 144 Low Carb

- Nancy's chunky chicken vegetable soup
- Chicken salad with deluxe American cheese on an oopsie roll

Day 143

Day 143 Low Carb

- Side salad with ranch dressing
- One chicken strip with ranch dressing
- One mozz stick with ranch dressing

I wasn't hungry today because I was feeling so sick. Even water was not staying down.... then I had to attend my stepmom's 40th birthday dinner. Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do. I figured I wasn't contagious since I've been sick for days now. It was definitely fun to see everybody and I feel much better now.

Several schools in SW Michigan have been closed, due to illness. I don't think I've ever heard of such a thing!

Be well, everybody! I swear what got me through this illness quickly was water, water, water!

Day 142

Day 142

- Two sausage patties
- Cheesy scrambled eggs
- Meatballs, fried chicken breast, kielbasa, green bean casserole and small scoop of chicken w/ dumplins**

**This was what I found at the post-funeral luncheon. I should have omitted the dumplins! My first cousin lost her battle with cancer at the young age of 42. She was a daughter, mother, neice, granddaughter and friend. RIP, Helen.

Day 141

Day 141 Low Carb

- Meat sauce (marinara) served over spaghetti squash
- 1/2 chicken salad sandwich on an oopsie roll

Day 140 Tips from a Spaghetti Squash Lover

Day 140

- Bratwurst on an oopsie roll with sauteed green peppers & onions, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup
- Swiss cheeseburger on an oopsie roll with romaine lettuce, tomato, purple onion, mayo, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup
- Low carb New York style cheesecake
- Meat sauce served over spaghetti squash noodles*

*I learned a little trick when I baked the spaghetti squash this time. Before, I was baking it a full hour, which were making the strands of squash more squash-like that noodle-like. This time, I only baked it for 45 mins at 350 degrees and it was soooo much better, texture-wise.

To bake spaghetti squash, wash it and cut it in half. Scoop out all the seeds inside. Place rind-side-up on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes and scoop out "noodles" with a fork. This is a fantastic pasta alternative. I even like them better than traditional noodles because they are kind of sweet and just awesome tasting. They are awesome with both tomato sauces and also Alfredo or other white sauces.

If the rind starts to get brown while baking , be sure to pull it because that means it's actually on the over-done side, so pull the pan!

Advice from Yoda

Do or do not. There is no try.

Day 139 Low Carbohydrate

Day 139 and feeling fine - Low carb journey

- Roasted chicken leg
- Burger on an oopsie with tomato, onion, mayo, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup
- Low carb New York style cheesecake
- Half a bratwurst on an oopsie with sauteed green peppers, onions, mustard and ketchup
- Ribeye steak, grilled with mushrooms and onions
- Just like stuffed baked potato
- Broccoli with butter

Day 138 Low Carb

Day 138 Low Carb

- Pizza gondolas
- Meatballs on an oopsie roll with cheese and onions
- Low carb New York cheesecake
- Bratwurst on an oopsie roll
- English steak
- Just like stuffed baked potato

Day 137 Low Carb

Day 137 Low Carb

- Cheeseburger with onions, tomato, mustard, mayo and reduced sugar ketchup on an oopsie roll
- Spaghetti squash with hot pepper jack cheese
- Pizza gondolas
- Raw almonds

Day 136 Meatball madness

Day 136 Low Carb

- Meatball sandwich: meatballs in sugar free spaghetti sauce on an oopsie roll with deluxe American cheese and purple onion
- Meatballs in sugar free spaghetti sauce with spaghetti squash
- Raw almonds
- More meatballs with more spaghetti squash, an oopsie roll, and another slice of deluxe American cheese

Day 135 - Low carb lifestyle

Day 135 Low Carb for Life!

- Cheesy tuna casserole
- Cheeseburger with onions, romaine lettuce, mayo, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup on an oopsie roll
- Raw almonds
- Baked meatballs with low carb marinara sauce served over spaghetti squash with a buttered oopsie roll and a slice of deluxe American cheese

Day 134: Low Carb Galore!

Day 134 Low Carb Lifestyle

- Tuna casserole with reduced sugar ketchup
- 4 oz English steak, pan-fried
- 2 oz raw natural almonds
- Baked meatballs with a tiny amount of No Sugar Added Hunt's spaghetti sauce

Another pound gone.... yay!

Day 133 Low Carb

Day 133 Low Carb Daily

- Salad with romaine lettuce, bacon, cheese and Ranch dressing
- Burger with mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup on an oopsie roll
- Cheesy tuna casserole
- Two pieces low carb pound cake
- Two sausage patties

Day 132 Low Carb

Day 132

- Mushrooms stuffed with sausage and cheese
- Cheeseburger with purple onion, romaine lettuce, mayo, mustard and low carb ketchup on an oopsie roll
- Low carb pound cake
- Sugar-free creamsicle
- Two tacos on cauliflower taco shells with seasoned ground beef, romaine lettuce, salsa, sour cream and hot pepper jack cheese

Day 131

Day 131

- Cheeseburger with lettuce, onion, tomato, mayo, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup on an oopsie roll
- Mushrooms stuffed with sausage, cream cheese and cheddar
- A spoonful of peanut butter (teaspoon) with whipped cream on top
- Turkey and deluxe American cheese with mayo on an oopsie roll

Progress is being made! 15 more pounds to go and I will be at my lowest adult weight... And that was like six years ago when I was 21. Before, I lost 64 pounds, only to re-gain every single one back. I think the real key is making whatever you are doing a lifestyle so that you can sustain it for more than just losing the weight... the real work is to keep it off.

What am I going to do differently this time to keep my weight off? Well... I am NOT going to ignore the scale. I will NOT fool myself into thinking "I'm done" with my weight loss and getting TOO COMFORTABLE and eat whatever I want, thinking I'm invincible to re-gaining the weight. I think it's a real fear... re-gaining our weight back.... I even have nightmares about it sometimes.

What do you do to make sure you don't gain the weight back?

Day 130

Day 130 Low Carb : Day 130 already??

- Cheeseburger on an oopsie roll with romaine lettuce, purple onion, low carb ketchup, mayo, mustard and low carb ketchup
- Mushroom caps stuffed with sausage, cream cheese and cheddar cheese
- Two tacos with seasoned ground beef (taco seasoning recipe here), sharp colby cheese, salsa, sour cream and romaine lettuce on cauliflower taco shells
- Low carb strawberry shortcake: pound cake made with EZ Sweetz, strawberries sweetened with Splenda and whipped cream

For a while there, I was going to have to change the title of my blog to "cheeseburger a day" blog... I am clearly burger-obsessed. Well... they are just so cheap, low-carb and perfect on an oopsie roll! *sigh* The truth is, I've always loved burgers. I think you really have to do low-carb in your own way... kind of switching up your current high-carb staple recipes.

I have cut way back on the amount of onion I was using... I really wasn't using that much, but only a tiny amount of onion can go a long way. I find myself cutting a ring of purple onion into little pieces and sprinkling it on my burger. Well... I do that with a couple of the little rings. I've been reading a lot about the wondrous properties of onions and kind of not thinking about the carbs when I pile them on my burgers. This has to change. I think sometimes, as time goes along, we get a little "sloppier" about our carbs as Dr. Eades would say. What is your secret little item that you are sometimes a little sloppy with? Confession time!!

The mushrooms are very good... but they are really rich. I think they would go nicely with scrambled eggs or broccoli or something with not as much bite. I can only eat 2-3 at a time.... and at one carb each... who can argue them? These little babies give you a LOT of bang for your buck on the carb count end. My uncle used to make these, back when he was on Atkins and I just kind of remembered his and threw them together. I think I will pair them with turkey on Thanskgiving. They are kind of stuffing-esque.

Day 129 Low Carb

Day 129

- Mushrooms stuffed with sausage, cream cheese and cheddar cheese
- Roast beef with reduced sugar ketchup
- Three strawberries with whipped cream
- Turkey & cheese pannini grilled with butter on an oopsie roll, with tomato and mayo
- Root beer float: whipped cream with Diet A&W root beer
- Cheeseburger with onions, lettuce, mayo, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup on an oopsie roll

Day 128 Low Carb

Day 128 Low Carb

- Sausage and cream cheese and cheddar cheese stuffed mushrooms
- Two tacos on cauliflower taco shells with taco meat, salsa, cheese, sour cream and romaine lettuce

Day 127 Low Carb

Day 127 Low Carb

- Roast beef with reduced sugar ketchup
- Oopsie roll
- 1/4 cup peas*
- Low carb pound cake with splenda-sweetened strawberries and whipped cream
- 100 calorie pack cocoa roasted almonds (I'm glad these are gone)
- Peanut butter cheesecake with whipped cream
- Turkey, cheese, romaine lettuce, tomato and mayo on an oopsie roll

*Peas are not low carb! However, they seemed like the best option at the roast beef luncheon I attended. My grandma takes us every year and it's usually a total binge-fest for me and the home made pies! Peas are an old favorite of mine. I skipped corn, cole slaw, apple sauce, rolls and all of the home made desserts. Trust me, I ate a lot of roast beef and I told the pea man, "half a scoop."

Day 126 Low Carb Food Log

Day 126 Low Carb Daily

- Sausage, egg and cheese on an oopsie roll
- Just like stuffed baked potato
- Cheeseburger with onion, tomato, mayo, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup on an oopsie roll
- Better Cheddar bratwurst on an oopsie roll with mustard, onions, cheese and reduced sugar ketchup
- No bake low carb peanut butter cheesecake

Day 125 Low Carb : Linda Sue's Update

Day 125 Low Carb

- Cheeseburger with tomato, onion, lettuce, mayo, mustard & reduced sugar ketchup on an oopsie roll
- Just like stuffed baked potato
- Cheeseburger with tomato, onion, lettuce, mayo, mustard & reduced sugar ketchup on an oopsie roll
- Spaghetti squash pizza
- Low carb strawberry shortcake: pound cake, strawberries sweetened with Splenda and topped with whipped cream

Please read the update on Linda Sue's site. She and her family are facing some unforeseen problems and need your thoughts, prayers and well wishes now more than ever.

Personally, Linda Sue has changed my life and that is not an exaggeration in the least bit. I make her recipes almost daily and she never asks for anything back from the low carb world. She publishes her recipes for free, with pictures, ratings and she just has such a lovely spirit about her. I don't know her personally, but what she shares with the world without asking for one thing back is simply inspiration in itself.

Please consider using her paypal button for a donation if you can spare a few dollars. If not, prayers and thoughts definitely needed and kindly appreciated.

Day 124 Low Carb Lifer & Strawberry Shortcake

Day 124: Low Carb Galore and Strawberry Shortcake... oh my!

- Just like stuffed baked potato
- Cheeseburger with hot pepper jack cheese, tomato, mayo, mustard and reduced sugar ketchup on an oopsie bun
- 100 calorie pack cocoa roasted almonds
- Spaghetti squash pizza: cooked spaghetti squash mixed with sour cream and cheese, topped with 1 cup sugar free spaghetti sauce, mozzarella cheese, sliced deli ham, mushrooms and pepperoni, baked in a pie plate (getting creative with the leftovers)
- Strawberry shortcake: pound cake, strawberries sweetened with granular Splenda, topped with whipped cream

Day 123 Low Carb Plan

Day 123 Low Carb

- Sausage patty, egg and deluxe American cheese on an oopsie roll
- Cocoa roasted almonds (2-100 calorie packs)
- Hamburger with deluxe American cheese, tomato, romaine lettuce, mustard, mayo and reduced sugar ketchup on an oopsie roll
- Spaghetti squash mixed with sour cream and cheese and baked
- Hamburger with deluxe hot pepper jack cheese, tomato, romaine lettuce, mustard, mayo and reduced sugar ketchup on an oopsie roll