Here's to a Healthier New Year

Aaaah. That time of year again. Evaluation of our successes and failures the past year. Resolutions and promises. I don't know about you, but I am a planner. I need to have goals, something good to work toward. Thus, this month's Diner News is focused on some extra things we low carbers can do to up the nutrition of our meals. The world may think we eat only bacon and eggs, but we know better. The ideas I put forward do not require strict regimens or lots of pill popping. Just some creative and still tasty ideas that just might increase your feeling of wellness. Yes, I tend to make up for the excesses of the holidays this time every year. But for 2015, I don't want it to be so much like a purge.

I could use some of those feelings of wellness myself. Stress is everywhere these days. That takes a toll on our health. My duties at school stress me like never before, both financially and emotionally. I have shed many tears this past year over relationship problems with my youngest son. Life is hard sometimes. I pray a lot. While I wait for that resolution, I know I need to devote more time to counteracting the stress I have been under. For me, it gives me a proactive plan that is positive with high hopes. As busy as I am, it can't take hours and hours!

I have added in a few things that I have dabbled in before, but never practiced routinely. I am taking some green foods powders to add to my meals Granted, that tastes like hay, but there are ways to work around that, especially when you know how much good stuff is in there. So go ahead and pair in with chocolate like I did. I am adding in more easy chia seed nutrition. Trying to buy more organic. I am exploring the benefits of gelatin and planning more bone broths. I am making sure the drinks I have during the day actually have health benefits. Say hello to healthy teas, good for you spices and apple cider vinegar. I am scheduling in some intermittent fasting. There are lots of ideas to include with a low carb diet.

It seems like there are so many things that are out of my control, it is beneficial in more than one way to be intentional about what I put into my body. Not legalistic or judgmental. Just steps in the right direction...more often. For instance, why not have Oolong tea to drink rather than a diet soda? Why not add some greens powder to soup or smoothies? I am really hoping small changes will result in feeling better physically and emotionally. Will it make my problems go away? Not likely. Maybe it will help me face them with a better attitude.

You might have read about Bulletproof Coffee, that insanely delicious creation of Dave Asprey. I love that. Did it often last year until the hot coffee broke my bullet blender cups. I do seem to kill more than my share of blenders. With another new immersion blender, I went back and made some again with butter and MCT oil. Then, to make it even better, I added some Great Lakes Grassfed gelatin. What a fun breakfast when you don't want hot. Or you just want a spoon. I adapted this idea from  Stevia Sweet. You do know that MCT (medium chain triglycerides) are used rapidly by your body as energy rather than stored as fat, right? MCT oil is flavorless and enhances your metabolism. Win. Win.

Spoonable Bulletproof

Mocha Cup

 

1 cup strong brewed coffee

2 tbsp grass-fed unsalted-butter

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tbsp MCT oil

2 tbsp. Great Lakes unflavored gelatin

1-2 packets stevia or equivalent sweetener

It’s very simple, put all ingredients into a blender or process with a stick blender until all ingredients are well combined.

Pour into a mug or 2 smaller cups and refrigerate until set.

2 servings:  231 cal   <1 net carb   26 g fat

This sets up really well. If you aren't looking for the intermittent fasting benefits, it would make a great pudding cup for brown baggers.

If you want to see the other health ideas I have featured this month, order the Diner News. It is just $6 for the whole 2015. http://www.247lowcarbdiner.com/html/newsletter.html

The 2014 bundle will be ready soon. Gotta get the hubby on that this weekend.

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