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Low Carb Cinnamon Tortilla Chips with Cinnamon Pecan Cream Cheese Dip

Tell me if this sounds familiar…

You find yourself REALLY wanting a sweet snack but knowing that you REALLY don’t need all the sugar?

That’s like my whole life right now! Managing my tendency toward gestational diabetes means that I really can’t deal with sugar or carbs so I’ve been experimenting!

Here’s my latest creation!

Low Carb Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

4 Low Carb Tortilla (I LOVE this one!)
1 Tablespoon of Butter melted
2-3 Tablespoons of stevia blend
1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon read more

Baked Avocado Breakfast Recipe

If you are trying to follow a low carb or Keto lifestyle, getting healthy fats every day is so important!

Here’s a simple recipe for a delicious and healthy breakfast with only 2 main ingredients!

Ingredients

*1 Large Whole Avocado

*2 Eggs

*Salt and Pepper

*Fresh Herbs (Optional)

*Fresh Lemon (Optional)

Instructions

1. Cut the avocado, remove the seed and open up the inside of the avocado a bit to hold the egg.

2. Crack the egg and pour into the opening of the avocado (1 egg per half avocado). read more

5 Tips to Lose Belly Fat

ditch your sugar cravings
ditch your sugar cravings

Here are 5 Tips to lose belly fat if you want to target your results and start losing weight.

All of us carry our weight differently.

I know that for me, I tend to gain weight below my waist first… but then slowly my waistline starts expanding too.

 

When I was pregnant… I developed diastasis recti (a gap between the abdomen muscles), I was limited to the exercises I could do to flatten my stomach. Then, with my second pregnancy my diastsis got worse… ouch!

 

I was beginning to lose my self confidence. My clothes didn’t fit exactly right. I didn’t feel like myself at all. read more

7 Ways to Help a New Mom

 

It is a special time for a new mom following the birth of a child.

So many emotions are going through a new mom’s head: I’m not pregnant any more! This is the cutest baby I’ve ever seen! Will I get my waist back? I’m already exhausted! Will I ever sleep through the night again? Are they breathing? Am I doing this right? They are so tiny! Oww I need a Tylenol… And this is just in the first 5 minutes!

Everyone wants to help a new mom out, but sometimes we forget what they need the most. Moms need to relax and recover for at least 2 weeks following birth. Having a baby is no easy task for a mom’s body to go through. If they push themselves too soon, they could hemorrhage or develop mastitis.

This is the perfect time to offer to help them out and let them do what only they can do: Take care of the baby. baby postpartum new mom dad birth help

Here is my list of ways that my family and friends helped me the most following my births: 

1) Keep the older kids entertained. 

Aidalyn was 2.5 years old when Annaleigh was born. Luckily, Aidalyn did well with the extra TV time that she had while we were all recovering from Annaleigh’s birth. My mom was such a huge help to us before Annaleigh was born and right after. She stayed with us for about 5 weeks total, helping me with Aidalyn and the house. Not having to worry about Aidalyn helped me give my full attention to recovering and taking care of Annaleigh.

2) Cook meals for the family

Following both of my births, my church family really helped me out by cooking meals for 2 weeks. Having a hot meal coming each night was so amazing. I didn’t have to worry about what we were going to eat and it helped us all recover by being able to relax at dinner time. We used Sign up Genius to schedule meals and it made the process so easy.

3) Do laundry

Births and babies generate a lot of laundry. Adam’s mom and my mom both helped me with laundry following the births of my girls. It is not glamorous by any means, but it is such a HUGE deal to a new mom to not have to worry about.

4) Clean the kitchen and put dishes away.

Just like the laundry, this is not a fun job to do… but some things just have to get done and we don’t want our new mom to feel like it is her job. Ask her what would make the biggest help to her (maybe it is unloading the dishwasher or wiping down the counter tops). Everyone has that one thing that bugs them, see if you can scratch that off her “to-do” list.

5) Let Mom get a shower

Getting a shower and feeling normal again is so important to a new mom. She will be pouring all of herself into this new little baby and forget she needs to care for herself too. Newborns will want to be held all the time, so showers and baths become a luxury.

6) Text her to see if she needs anything from diaper cream to coffee. 

New moms don’t always know what they need until after the baby arrives (or they run out of something faster than expected!) Don’t call, just in case she is sleeping or dealing with the baby. A text allows her to get to your message at her convenience. She can reply and let you know if she needs anything from the store.

7) Let her know you are there if she needs to talk or ask advice.  read more

How Kitchen Nightmares has Changed Eating Out

Kitchen Nightmares is one of my favorite TV shows. I think I have a secret crush on Gordon Ramsey because I watch almost every show he is on.

Kitchen Nightmares is so appealing because it lets you go behind the scenes of failing restaurants and sends you on a journey as Gordon Ramsey steps in to solve their problems. Usually there are management issues, over ordering of food, menu issues, and sometimes it is just plain dirty!

Broadcasting this “never seen before” view of a restaurant has changed how people eat out. Let me tell you how Kitchen Nightmares has changed how I visit a restaurant.

I always look at how clean the restaurant is kept. Are the floors clean? Is the decor updated? Do the worker care about their job? “What would Gordan think???”

I now know to judge a restaurant based on their menu.

Does the menu have pages and pages of items?

When a menu is very large and varied, the cook is probably using too many frozen foods or already prepared dishes. Mimi’s Cafe recently updated their menu. They reduced it down by several pages and sections of foods being offered.

Is there a special of the day?

The kitchen probably has a food that they are trying to get rid of (food about to go bad) or something that was bought cheap (in season vegetables). This may not be the case of a very high end restaurant, but for the average restaurant this is what happens.

Does the menu have something boxed or highlighted in some way?

The chef wants you to order that dish. It could be the item that makes the most money per ingredients. Menu pricing is very intricate. People want to think they are paying what the food is worth, without over paying.

Is the food a good quality?

I am also more critical of food that is being served after watching Kitchen Nightmares. I know what to look for in dishes. Has the dish been reheated? Did it sit under the food warmer lights too long? Has a sauce been over-cooked? Are the vegetables cold? Is the meat RAW!?!

Lastly, you know who to blame when something goes wrong.

Did the expeditor let food leave the kitchen that should have been recooked? Did the waiter not write down the order correctly? Should the manager get involved?

Don’t be fooled in the next restaurant you go to. Keep an open eye and pretend to be Gordon Ramsey out on the hunt for a Kitchen Nightmare – hopefully you won’t find one!

More tips on Eating Out Here:  read more

Cucumber Tomato Avocado Relish

 

Salmon Cake Spinach Salad

I’ve shared previously with you my Waffle Iron Salmon Cake recipe using coconut flour like  Bob’s Red Mill Organic Coconut Flour.

Today I’m going to share an awesome relish that goes perfectly with the Salmon Cakes (or burgers or grilled chicken… the uses are endless!)

Cucumber Tomato Avocado Relish

This relish is a great compliment because of all the textures and flavors it adds to any dish.

The cucumber adds a nice crunch with a clean fresh flavor.

The tomato adds a mild sweetness.

The avocado adds a smooth, creamy texture to hold it all together.

I hope you enjoy this relish as much as we do!

 

Salmon Cake Spinach Salad

 

Low Carb Broccoli Tuna Casserole Bake

 

Low Carb Broccoli Tuna Casserole Bake

This Low Carb Broccoli Tuna Casserole Bake is a special request for my dad. He loves tuna casseroles and is really trying to eat healthier these days along with our whole family. I made a similar recipe for Thanksgiving that was just a broccoli casserole. This adds in some great protein from the tuna (or salmon) to get good Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet.

I love broccoli. I love it in casseroles, in stir-fries, and as a simple side dish. Broccoli is so healthy for your too, full of vitamins and minerals. read more

Is your pH making you Fat?

Is your pH making you fat

Is Your body’s pH making You Fat?

 

Most people learned about pH in school. The difference between acids and bases can be shown on  Ph Test Strips (affiliate link). It was fun to discover where certain liquids would fall on the scale. What most people don’t learn is how important pH is to your health. Did you know your pH could be making if more difficult to lose weight?

The optimal pH level is between 7.2-7.4. “pH (potential of hydrogen) is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14—the lower the pH the more acidic the solution, the higher the pH the more alkaline (or base) the solution. When a solution is neither acid nor alkaline it has a pH of 7 which is neutral.” (Natural Health School)

Symptoms of poor pH balance

From the Center for Advanced Health:  read more

Whole Foods Valentine’s Day Round Up

Whole Foods Valentine's Day Recipe Round Up

Whole Foods Valentine’s Day Round Up

Valentine’s Day may be tomorrow, but you still have time to get your plans in order to make the day special for everyone. Here are some great recipes and ideas from all my friends across the web. Are you planning a special dinner? Maybe you need some tips for saving money this year? Do you want to bake something special for dessert? You will find everything you need right here for having the best Valentine’s Day yet.

I hope you enjoy this Valentine’s Day round up!

Valentine’s Date Ideas

acts of service, 5 love languages, serve your spouse, show your spouse you love them

6 Ways to Save this Valentine’s Day from Grassfed Mama

30 Ways to Serve Your Spouse Today from Grassfed Mama

Valentine’s Dinner Ideas

Whole Foods Valentine's Day Recipe Round Up

Here is a Full list of Healthy Recipes to build your own Healthy Valentine’s Day Dinner from the Granola Mommy

Spaghetti and Meatsauce from Joyful Thrifty Home

Sugar Free Spaghetti Sauce from Rohnda Sue

Valentine’s Dessert Recipes

trim healthy mama, healthy desserts, healthy valentine's day desserts, sugar free valentine's day treats

7 Trim and Healthy Valentine’s Day Treats from Grassfed Mama

Gluten Free Cake Round Up from Grassfed Mama

Raw Lime Coconut Chocolate Bliss Balls from Keeper of the Kitchen

Sweetheart Brownies from Accidentally Green

Chocolate Covered Bacon from Simple Foodie

Raw Brownie Bites from Simply Smiles

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons (Raw and Real food) from Your Thriving Family

Dessert for Two: Chocolate Lava Cakes from Joyful Thrifty Home

Sugar Free Coconut Cookies from the Holistic Mama

Sugar Free and Gluten Free Valentine’s Recipe Round up read more

7 Trim and Healthy Valentine’s Day Treats

Valentine’s day treats for me represent Chocolate! A close second would be Cheesecake… and the ultimate treat would be chocolate drizzled on a cheesecake.

This Valentine’s Day don’t be tempted by sugar laden chocolate treats. 

There are plenty of options to enjoy when you are trying to eat like a Low-Carb lifestyle (Like Trim Healthy Mama or KetoEating carb conscious hasn’t looked more delicious! All these treats would be considered satisfying treats (or S desserts). You can enjoy these after a scrumptious satisfying meal like steak and cauliflower “faux” tatos.

 

Check out my top picks for this Valentine’s Day!

 

Salted Brown Butter and Pecan Pie  – Living Low Carb One Day at a time

BrownButterPie

Low Carb Snickers Bar – Ruled.me

low carb snicker's bar

Old Fashioned Chocolate Cream Pie  – Satisfying Eats read more