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What to do with all those EGGS?

Posted on April 7, 2016 by thesweetlifesugarfree

We love Easter in our home!

We love the reason behind it, and the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. We love the excitement of the Easter egg hunt, the wonderment, the family, the traditions, and yes, the FOOD.

What oh what to do with all those eggs you dyed? We used to hunt those dyed eggs as kids until the dog got sick on them :-).

Our children just hunt the plastic kind, but I still love the tradition of dying the boiled eggs on Good Friday! They love it too! But what do you do with all of them? This is where I can help! They are just sitting in your fridge, right? Well, don’t let them go bad. I have ideas for you! And, yes, they are still good to eat!

Take those beautiful pastel eggs and use them – ketofy them!

There are numerous uses for boiled eggs such as adding them to salads, (especially tuna salad and cobb salad), deviled eggs (an Easter favorite), add them to sautéed spinach or asparagus with hollandaise, or even just eat them for breakfast or a snack with a little salt and pepper.

My favorite Easter memory is creamed eggs though! Creamed eggs just scream Easter morning breakfast for me, and this is how my mom used our dyed eggs on Easter morning. She literally just used a Béchamel sauce and added the chopped boiled eggs. Of course she served it over well-buttered toast, and it was delicious, but when you are eating against the grain you need to modify. What do you do when you can’t use flour in your Béchamel? Did you know that if you simmer cream long enough, it will naturally thicken? This trick I did not know until I went Keto!

This is what I did:

Peel and cut up your boiled eggs and set aside.

Allow about 45 minutes for your cream to thicken.

Using 4 cups of heavy whipping cream, (add a Bay Leaf if you like), and bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Keep an eye on it because it will make a mess if it boils over, and it does have a tendency to do this. Keep the cream at a low boil for about 45 minutes stirring frequently over medium heat. When it reaches the consistency of a cream sauce, turn it off. It can take a little longer, but not more than an hour. (Yes, I would say this is a weekend treat unless you get up really early.)

Now, you can add salt (1 tsp Pink Himalayan) and pepper (1/2 – 3/4 tsp freshly ground) and keep it as it is or add some more flavor.

Now, plain is delicious, but I took it a step further:

I added a couple of Tbsp of fresh chopped parsley and 1/2 cup of fresh parmesan. Stir until melted. Lastly, add your eggs and gently mix them in. You can also add a few TBSP of butter for extra decadence.

My family loved it, but couldn’t figure it out the new taste with the cheese until I told them what I added. It was deliciously creamy and decadent. You don’t even need bread! Spoon it into a bowl and enjoy your new tasty, gluten free treat!

Posted in Breakfast, Brunch, Holiday Dish, Kids, Main Course, recipe, Sauces and Dressing, special Occasion, tips, Uncategorized tagged with breakfast, brunch, cream, Easter, eggs, gluten free, Holiday

Easiest Dinner Ever!

Posted on February 3, 2016 by thesweetlifesugarfree

Well life just got super crazy in our house! We were just getting into the swing of basketball season, and the craziness of baseball season smacked us upside the head. Little did we know that baseball started the day after the draft and looks to be 7 days a week between the two boys.

Pile that onto 3 ongoing basketball teams and a move! My head is spinning. We are regrouping to some very easy, fast meals that can be prepped ahead and thrown into the oven at go time.

This is something I made on a ski trip on the fly so I pulled it out today. It doesn’t get much easier than chicken, sauce and cheese!

Green Enchilada Casserole

2 Chickens or 6 Chicken Leg Quarters

1 jar of 505 Roasted Green Chili Sauce

3 cups Monterrey Jack Cheese

Sour Cream

Hot Sauce

Yes! It is that easy. I bought the precooked chicken quarters at Costco (Not the best quality, but as well as I could do in a pinch) and just peeled the chicken. We prefer the fattier dark meat chicken, but you can also use a rotisserie chicken, chicken breasts or boil or roast a couple of chickens. I was able to get about 5 -6 cups of chicken out of the Costco pack. I used 4 in my casserole dish and saved the rest for chicken salad.

Pile the chicken in your dish and cover with about 2 to 3 cups of the green chili sauce and mix throughout the chicken. (I used 1/2 a large jar) I even mixed it in the baking dish.

Top with cheese!

That is it. Now you can either throw it in the oven or cover and refrigerate until you are ready to cook.
I cooked it on 325 degrees for 45 minutes. You could do 350 degrees for 30 minutes, but I had carpool and needed the time!

We like to top it with a healthy portion of sour cream, and if you like it spicy, add some hot sauce too.

It goes beautifully with broccoli and Kerrygold.

There you have it! A hot great dish in less than an hour!

Enjoy!

Posted in Dinner, Kids, Main Course, recipe, Sauces and Dressing, tips, Uncategorized tagged with chicken, dinner, easy, enchilada, Fast, meal

Teeth, Chemo, Cutting Sugar, and Keto

Posted on January 28, 2016 by thesweetlifesugarfree

Oh My!

This past week I went to the dentist, the hubs goes tomorrow, and our bright eyed 4 year old went today. She LOVED it!

Keep smiling sister!

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I was a bit anxious it has been a good while since I was in ‘the chair’ and really I was a bit anxious. The longer you put off the dentist the odds of serious scraping and further discomforts only increase. But the reality is, life happens. Back I went through my chemo lesson (this is when you are sat down and given a large booklet before round #1) there is a list of to-do’s and and definite to-don’ts. Right up there with no crowd events, wear mask while flying, wash hands often, don’t get pregnant, was NO DENTIST.

Seriously. Not during treatment.

Image result for no dentist

The nurse told me if I needed to go I would HAVE to clear it with them. And likely that answer would be no. We all have heard how dirty people’s mouths are and oncologist don’t want to add mouth infection on to a patient’s chart as well.

I’m a good student; so of course I listened. But then after chemo was surgery then expanders followed by a finish up surgery make things “normal-ish.” Again, the fear of infection pushes lesser pressing things, like going to the dentist, down the taking care of yourself totem pole.

But get this, last week I was told, “No cavities.” NOT. ONE.

This is kinda a big deal for me. For a few years(before my little dentist hiatus) it was a given, would go in for a cleaning and would be walk out with a follow up filling appointment OR maybe 2. I had come to believe that I just had wimpy teeth.

The reality is my teeth are great-Strong like Bull. But the sugar in my diet was even stronger.

Make that Grass Fed Bull (Guess where he is now…)

Even though I was bushing and floss like a normal and maybe even not so normal(for years I have kept floss in my purse and car at all times.) I was still getting cavities, it was not until I changed my diet and really cut out sugar, the obvious and the not so obvious, did my dental reality change.

Chemo can cause major side effects on your entire body and but your mouth can really be one of the hardest hit. The effects of the drugs can cause serious dry mouth, mouth pain, bleeding gums, infection, etcetera. Fun Stuff.

It was not until I changed my intake of SUGAR that my dental issues subsided. I have not wavered on my dedication to this way of life, but getting the all clear from the man holding the tooth drill gave me another reason to fall in love with our lifestyle all over again.

Posted in Cancer, Kids, Sugar, tips, Treatment

Increasing Evidence That High Fat Diets Lead to Better Health

Posted on January 14, 2016 by thesweetlifesugarfree

This time of year, the gyms are packed, and the low-fat aisles at the grocery store are jammed with shopping carts.

My reaction…”If they only knew they were spinning their wheels!” All I can do is sigh.

I know, and you know, they may drop 5 pounds, all the while starving, only to go back and gain 10. It is the endless cycle I was in most of my life. If only I had known then what I know now! I would have been a much happier and content individual. Not to mention, healthy and lean.

I have heard so many times these last two weeks, “Count your calories…” or “Eat more fruits and vegetables” and even, Agh, “Cut down on saturated fat.” Really?!?! Wake up to 2016 all of you morning talk show special guests. We have been in a downward spiral for over 50 years, and it is time to rise up and realize this low fat business was a really, really bad idea! It is okay to correct the bad advice!

I have heard nothing about eating more fat, so I am here to tell you; EAT MORE FAT!

Now…with that, goes cutting down on the sugar – way down. In fact, way way down! The sugar and the carbs have to give, to stop that spike in your blood sugar so you aren’t hungry every two hours. This means eating healthy fats and saying no to sugar and processed foods.

The good part is: you get to eat healthy, satisfying foods that will keep you going for hours and hours with endless energy AND boost your brain power. It is an awesome feeling to gain control of your health so that you never have to struggle with hunger pains and yo-yo dieting ever again!

I was beyond excited to read an article my sweet friend, Tina, sent my way. It is interesting, scientifically based, and best of all, everything we have been preaching for the past two years. I just had to share! Take a moment, read, comment, and share with those you love. And…EAT MORE FAT!

Read David Ludwig’s article here. It is worth the read!

Posted in articles, Health, Research, tips tagged with Article, Diet, Doctors, Evidence, Fat, health, new year, Research, science

Constantly Learning

Posted on January 12, 2016 by thesweetlifesugarfree

I met a lovely (newish) friend the other day for coffee. She is also a young breast cancer survivor and we both have young daughters, so naturally we have plenty to talk about.

I’m curious if anyone was to over hear us what they would think. Really. We were literally talking about hot flashes, changing bodies, diagnosis, and various other battle stories. I had tears in my eyes. Not the type you think, we were cracking up!

She and I are both passionate about health in general and (likely due to the cards we have been dealt) have taken extra steps to ensure that not only are we staying healthy, and have taken to poking those around us to make healthier choices too.

Both of us changed many every day choices that at one time may have been difficult and have turned them into second nature. Granted our motivation is a bit different than most. But what is really interesting, is we both making these changes not because of things we were told by our oncologists but rather primarily from research that we have done on our own.

Image result for too many books

My friend is a fitness instructor, is an essential oil connoisseur, and also sells a natural skin care line. So I asked her, “Do you have people interested in learning more, who haven’t had a major health issue?”

You can guess her response.

The reality is, people are not that motivated to change until something drastic and likely very scary happens. Looking back before my diagnosis, I ate basically garbage, worked out only when there was a special occasion approaching, and didn’t give much regard to labels (out side of price tag) on basically anything.

Image result for read label

I believe now, after enduring chemo, radiation, multiple surgeries, and countless scans, I am healthier than I have ever been due to the diet and lifestyle changes I have made. I just honestly wish I would have woken up to what I was doing to myself before I had to go through all of that. But would I haven listened?

A while back someone posted on a group I follow on Facebook- If you could give one piece of advice to yourself back when you were in middle school, what would it be? While thinking of my middle school self basically gives me the heeby jeebies. I really believe if I would have known when I was younger (like mid 20s) what I know now in regards to how to take care of myself; things likely would have been completely different.

Back in my early 20s 🙂

That is why today I am still constantly reading, researching, and making changes. So that in 10 or 15 years I can look back and again think how much I have learned.

Posted in Cancer, Health, tips

Home Cooking on a Cold Winter’s Eve

Posted on January 7, 2016 by thesweetlifesugarfree

I don’t know about you, but getting back into the swing of things has been tough this week.

We returned from vacation, had another Christmas at home, entertained family, Happy New Year, undecorated, reorganized, and now back to school and after-school activities! It’s a lot to jump into after a couple of weeks off!

The last thing I always want to do when we return from vacation, is go to the dreaded grocery store. This means a lot of experimenting and improvisation in our house because my crew expects three hot meals a day out of me, and Mom is pooped right now.

What to do? The freezer! This is a word I rarely use because really, all we use our freezer for is ice and meat. We purchased a half of a grass-fed cow in August, and we still have quite a bit left. We always crave red meat when we have been traveling which was obviously the case, because I went to the freezer and pulled out stew meat, a roast, and some steaks. The steaks we grilled right away, but the others required a little more effort. Not much though. On undecorating day, I knew I would be busy so I pulled out an old recipe, made a few changes, and prayed we would have something tummy warming good for dinner.

It was amazing! In fact, my ten year old has asked for stew in his thermos for lunch every day since that he has needed a lunch. We have had some moist bone-chilling days in South Texas recently, and there is nothing better than good, warm you up from within, home-cooked meals from the heart!

This takes a little forethought, but get it going, and forget about it all afternoon. Before you know it, it is dinner time and it’s ready to go. Perfect for those basketball practice nights when everyone is coming home at different times.

Hearty Beef Stew

3 lbs Stew Meat chopped

16 oz bacon

2 cups beef broth

14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes, drained

1 green bell pepper

1 cup baby carrots

1 small onion

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp tomato paste

2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

2 tsp pink Himalayan salt

2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dried oregano

Instructions:

Slice your bacon into small pieces and cook in a large dutch oven.

Once your bacon is cooking and you have a nice layer of grease, add your stew beef. Cook until browned, and then add your onion, pepper and garlic.

Cook these for about 5 minutes. Add your remaining ingredients, stir, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 3 hours or until you are ready to serve.

My family prefers their stew runny, almost like a beef soup.

If you are used to a stew with potatoes and a thicker sauce, this will not turn out like that. If your family likes the thicker stew, dust the top of your stew with just a pinch of xanthan gum. As it sits and you stir, it will slowly thicken. This will give you a more stew like consistency.

Enjoy!

Posted in Dinner, Groceries, Kids, Lunch, Main Course, recipe, Soup, tips tagged with bacon, Beef, dinner, fast meal, make-ahead, recipe, stew

Resolutions: Your’s, Mine, and Ours

Posted on January 4, 2016 by thesweetlifesugarfree

This is my first post of 2016 and I’m a little nervous. I have been thinking about what to write all day. The start of a new year means the start of a new you. Right?

Image result for new year san antonio 2016

The reality is I doubt any single one of us will 100% succeed on all of the things we vow to do better this year. But I still think we should try.

That is why we make these New Year’s Resolutions: To do better, to see part of ourselves that have room for improvement, and set a goal to do something about it. I read today that people who write down their goals are 60% more likely to achieve them and those that tell the people around them their goals are also very successful in their achievements. I think this was an article in “Real Simple.”

So here goes, here is what I am planning on improving this year:

Image result for new years resolution 2016

Put the phone down. I want the people around me especially my family to know that they are more important than what is going on on social media, email, Pintrest, You Tube, all of it.
Work out again-I ran yesterday Go ME! I know this is one of the MOST common resolutions but… Hey- what if it sticks?
Be a better friend. I am TERRIBLE at calling and texting back. I love my friends dearly, and have every intention of keeping in better touch, then I realize a week (or three) has passed and I forgot to reply to a message or return a call. Friends/Family I’m sorry-this year, I’ll work on it.

I think many people are starting to give up on even making “New Years Resolutions” especially ones in the eat better and work out more (see #2 above) category. I totally get why. Resolutions require commitment, change, and a commitment to change. If it was easy we would all be able to slip on our skinny jeans, complete the 5k, call our girlfriend back within the month, and maybe walk through our living room in the dark without stepping on a My Little Pony or Frozen accessory.

These cute ponies are taking over my living room.

But I noticed something today that sort of irritated me a bit. In the office I work there are a number of super duper fit people, fit people, truly lazy folks, and everyone in between- the spectrum is wide. But those super dupers and the standard fit people were talking loudly about how crowded the gym (yes, there is a gym in my office) was going to be, how annoying it was, how these new gym go-ers weren’t going to last a month, and various other not nice things. While I understand their annoyance-we all have our routines and preferences in how we like our day to go, the conversation came off callous.

We all have the odds stacked against us when it comes to making changes in our lives and lifestyles. But the last thing any of us wants to hear is that we can’t do it or that our effort in making a change is “annoying” to people- even those that don’t know us. I realize to some, this will spur a “I’ll show you” attitude but for others it won’t, and it may even prevent them from trying because we don’t want to look like a failure.

So here is my thought, if someone has a Resolution and especially if they share it with you; be supportive.

new-years-resolutions-twentysomethings

We all have things we want to improve and with the help and encouragement of those around you, that bread basket or Diet Coke could be easier to decline.

Image result for no diet coke

Posted in articles, tips tagged with new year, resolution, tips

Christmas Morning Traditions

Posted on December 18, 2015 by thesweetlifesugarfree

It is hard to believe that Christmas is only a week away. We are all busy preparing for the day, and I have had questions about what to serve for Christmas morning breakfast. Growing up, we always had the same thing. We started with grapefruit that my grandfather bought at the produce market. Then, we moved on to breakfast casserole and either coffee cake or cinnamon roles. I carried on this tradition with my own family, but need to revamp the pastry portion.

You can always make the breakfast casserole which is a favorite around here! Check out that recipe here. You can use any meat…bacon, chorizo, crumbled browned breakfast sausage or grilled links. They are all delicious. You can use many breakfast casserole recipes. Just swap out the milk for cream and do not add any bread. I promise it will cook just as well.

Now for the pastry! I have dabbled around with a few recipes, and we have found a winner for a special occasion. It takes a little time, and is a little different, but it turned out “amazing”, and that quote is coming from the kiddos! I hope you enjoy it!

Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

Crust:

2 cups almond flour

2 T coconut flour

3 T Swerve granular

6 T butter softened

6 egg white whipped very stiff (you want those mountain tops)

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp xanthan gum

Filling:

12 oz cream cheese

3/4 cup Swerve confectioners

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 cup Swerve granular

2-3 T melted butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all your dry crust ingredients:

Cut in your butter:

Meanwhile, beat your egg whites:

They should be very stiff!

Once beaten, fold in your eggs whites. Losing the volume is normal as you fold, but be gentle. You want it even and fluffy.

Place half of your “dough” in a parchment lined 8×8 pyrex or other baking dish.

Bake for 10 minutes, just until it is slightly firm.

To prepare your filling:

Combine your softened cream cheese, vanilla and Swerve. Beat until it is smooth and creamy.

After your crust has baked 10 minutes, remove and let cool for 5 minutes.

Spread your cream cheese filling on top of your crust.

Then add the rest of your “dough” and smooth over the top.

Finally, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping over the dough, and drizzle the butter over the top.

Bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes until you have a deep golden brown crust. It should get dark and crispy. The “sugar” will caramelize! YUM!!!!

Let cool for 30 minutes before serving or it can sit overnight at room temperature.

Slice and serve!

Just as a note, we will be taking the next two weeks off to spend time with our families. We wish you each a safe, joyous, and blessed Christmas filled with lasting memories, new family traditions, and most of all, love! God bless, and Merry Christmas!

Posted in Breakfast, Brunch, Holiday Dish, Kids, recipe, special Occasion, Sugar Substitute, tips, Treat tagged with breakfast, Casserole, Christmas, coffee cake, morning, recipe

What’s in a Mason? Christmas Giving Continued…

Posted on December 10, 2015 by thesweetlifesugarfree

We are still going along with the theme of Christmas gifting!

My mother always told me, “It is better to give than to receive,” and I truly believe that giving someone a gift from the heart is a tremendous blessing! It really is better to give!

My problem…What to give when you don’t give sugar or bake?

Since I was a small child, I baked with my mother, and then more recently on my own and with my own children. It is a Christmas tradition. I have given homemade cookies as gifts for as long as I can remember. This will be the first year that I do not hand out over 35 dozen iced sugar cookies for Christmas, and I am already hearing about it! I am known as the “Cookie Lady”, “the friend that gives us the green trees” and am often told, “My (fill in the blank) looks forward to your cookies all year long.” So, for those of you expecting cookies from me, I apologize in advance. I just felt it was hypocritical to deliver something that I know is harmful to your body. I am on track for a healthier gift this year.

Erin talked about things to give that are not necessarily edible. I want to talk about things that can be delivered in a mason jar. Why mason jars? First, they are practical, stay fresh, and reusable. Second, they can be dressed up with cute ribbons, bows, stickers, you name it – go for it on the creativity! That is, at least, half the fun. Lastly, the options are endless! We have posted many recipes that you can use in a mason jar that I will link you to below. Have fun trying out some new fun recipes that you can give to others to enjoy.

So go get your mason jars, and get ready to get creative!

I have loaded up on tomatoes, Serrano peppers, cilantro, garlic and onion for some red hot Texas salsa. This will be my main gift for teachers, helpers and neighborhood friends this year. You can find the salsa recipe here.

Another great one is the Refreshing Cukes!

They look gorgeous in a mason jar!

Another favorite is some Sugar Free Bar-B-Que Sauce! Yum!!!

Or how about a homemade salad dressing or Ranch Dip?

One of Erin’s family favorites is the Marinated Black Olives. They were amazing and gorgeous in a mason jar!

Of course you always have mixed nuts or some kind of nut medley. You can always season a roast your nuts as well. There are some fabulous recipes out there for roasted nuts.

You can also season up some cream cheese or pimento cheese and place it in the mason jar.

Last, but not least, is a touch of sweet! We can’t leave out the fat bombs!

These are so delicious, it is hard to just eat one. Best of all, you can tailor these to your needs based on what you or your friends like.

There really is no going wrong. Who ever receives your gift will certainly love it, and you will know it is healthy as well. Enjoy the holiday season filled with miracles, joy, love, and best of all, giving from the heart. Rejoice in this season of wonderment!

Posted in Dessert, Dip, Groceries, Holiday Dish, Kids, recipe, Snacks, special Occasion, tips tagged with Christmas, Gifts, Mason Jars, Olives, Sauces

What to Gift When Bread Pudding ISN’T an Option

Posted on December 8, 2015 by thesweetlifesugarfree

What to give? What to give?

We all have those friends, family, and acquaintances that we would like to share some seasonal cheer with this time of year. The ideal gift is personal, thoughtful, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. (Bonus points for items purchased or produced in bulk!)

Image result for christmas goodie bags

That’s why homemade treats are the best! But, once you know how bad sugar and most store bought “goodies” are, it’s hard to give them to people you care about.

There are plenty of great recipes out there where you can swap out sugar for a natural sweetener. But, mass producing can be tricky and can also get pricey, especially if you are still experimenting with almond flour, coconut flour, and various sweeteners.

So what are other options besides gift cards?

Coffee or tea-Have a variety that you love? Share it! People don’t often branch out once they find their morning companion.

Image result for bag of coffee

Lotion or other self care item-Some people spend money on these items, other’s really don’t see the need, or don’t know which to try. There is something to be said about a nice shave butter/creme.

Candle or candles- I recently received a small soy candle as part of a hostess gift, it was purchased off Etsy and it was AMAZING. I know the moment I have people coming over I run around the house lighting candles. They just make a home more homey, and with 2 dogs and a cat, one can never be too careful.

Marie-Antoinette Candle Bust

Stationary, thank you cards, or desk note pad-it doesn’t have to be personalized and I can almost guarantee it will get used.

Small succulent or super easy house plant-think aloe vera or “mother-in-law’s tongue”

Image result for house plant small

If you do want to try your hand at food items, think about pickles, cheeses, olives, nuts, cured meats, salsa, or the like.

Remember wine and various alcoholic beverages can be keto-friendly too!

This year we are getting together with extended family on my fathers side. It’s been a few years since we have all seen each other; new cities, new babies, new jobs, chemo, life… Years ago we stopped doing traditional gifts and now just do a “White Elephant” it’s a good time! I’m sure our version is likely different than other’s-only 3 “hand changes” then the gift is essentially frozen and the person that drew #1 gets to pick at the end. Every year couples end up plotting their moves, the occasional bribe gets tossed out, and it gets oddly competitive. This year will be no different I am sure. However this year, the $25.00 gift must be at least partially consumable. I have gone around and around in my head about what to bring. Of course I have to purchase two gifts one for me and one for the hubs- he tends to let me do most of the leg work in these situations. But I would love some suggestions! Please, if you have any ideas for a group ranging in ages from 25 to late 60’s, I would love to hear them. We are an eclectic (but fun) group, and of course, I want to win the best gift (or 2) in the pile both given and received.

Why was this not our Christmas card?

Posted in Health, Holiday Dish, Shopping, special Occasion, tips, Uncategorized tagged with fun, gift, holday

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