What's in My Pantry?

There are a few "must haves" in my pantry for me to be able to cook (and bake) successfully on a "no sugar low starch" lifestyle.  I keep these things stocked all the time so I can successfully "whip something up."

1.  Whey Protein (vanilla, chocolate, and original)
Whey protein is called for in many recipes.  I also make some incredible shakes using it, including   whatever speciality seasonal shake McDonald's is offering - most recently the Shamrock Shake.  But whey protein is also used as a flour alternative sometimes.  I find my whey protein at Sam's Club for a very reasonable price.

2.  Ideal Sweetener (white sugar and brown sugar)
Ideal Sweetener is made of Xylitol and really doesn't have any funny aftertaste that I can notice.  Or anyone from my family has ever noticed.  Believe me, they'd tell me.  I have found the best price for Ideal on Amazon.  You can usually find it with no shipping.

3.  Coconut Oil
I use coconut oil not only in my baking, but also in place of butter.   My favorite and most common thing to use it for is Chocolate Delight.  There are too many health benefits for me to outline here. It's worthy of an entire blog entry.  Check out Dr. Mercola; http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/10/22/coconut-oil-and-saturated-fats-can-make-you-healthy.aspx

4.  Shirataki/Miracle Noodles
Have you tried these things?  **WARNING:  You have to make them properly or they are completely gaggable.  You MUST drain them, rinse them, drain them again, and then microwave them for 3-4 minutes before using them.  With that being said, these are a great addition to your cooking staples.  You can use them as a noodle substitute in whatever noodle dish you make.  They really don't have much flavor, they mostly just absorb the flavor of the sauce you are serving them with.  I love them best with pesto or Alfredo sauce.  A whole cup of these noodles are only 40 calories, 1 gm fat, 6 carbs and 4 fiber (equalling 2 "usable carbs."  I buy mine at Whole Foods for about $2.50 a bag.  They give you 10% off if you buy 12 bags or more at a time.

5.  Frozen Cauliflower
     I do SO MUCH with cauliflower!!!  Including make all kinds of rice dishes (using riced cauliflower instead), lasagna noodles,and even bread sticks.

6.  Baking Cocoa
     I have discovered Penzy's Spices baking cocoa and there truly is no replacement for that.  However, any baking cocoa will do the trick.  Add it to a little sweetener and you can make anything chocolate that you could ever want.

7.  Coconut flour
     This is a new find for me.  It can be used as a flour substitute.  I have made cookies, brownies, cakes, muffins, biscuits, and pizza crusts with it.  It can be found in the natural foods section of the grocery store, but I get mine at Whole Foods for about $8.00.  That may sound like a lot, but a little goes a very long way.  For example, 1/3 of a cup makes a dozen .  I bought a 16 oz. bag and finally used it up after 6 months of baking with it.  1 serving of coconut flour (2 TB) of coconut flour is 60 calories, 2 gm fat, and 3 usable carbs. 

8.  Veggies and fruit
   I don't want anyone to think that veggies and fruit are not a part of our lives around here.  HUGE.  PART.

9.  Cheese
All kinds.  All the time.

10.  Meats
Once again.  All kinds.  All the time.  We freeze them so we can pull them out and whip up dinner without ever requiring an emergency trip to the store. 

As you can see, with these 10 items always at hand, there is no reason to not be able to cook every day recipes. With these items on hand, I can always whip up noodle dishes, rice dishes, biscuits, desserts and even pizza!  I feel like there is nothing that I can't convert to a no sugar low starch dish.  Hmmm.  I think it's time to start thinking about dinner!

Happy shopping!

Nut Flour May Save My No Sugar No Starch Life

Yes, I have an overgrown sweet tooth.  In fact, I think much of my weight issues in life are a result of my love of sweets.  I think I've always (okay, mostly always) eaten quite healthy  - I LOVE veggies and have always eaten a TON of them, I generally don't eat fried foods (only on special occasions at restaurants), I don't eat red meat and I drink diet soda and diet drinks -- never sugar filled drinks -- not even juices.  Noodles and other starches have been occasional, but certainly not a lifestyle.  So it was always sort of a mystery to me why I was having weight issues.  During the last 2 years I have discovered a lot about my health and a lot about how my body responds to different foods.  Noodles and white flour directly impact my mood, water retention, my carpel tunnel syndrome, and my weight!  Also, I've learned that my total weakness is sweets.  I had some every day!  And if I didn't have them, I craved them like crazy and would eventually binge on them!   So I've worked hard to squelch my sweet tooth and get rid of it.  To some degree, I've had a lot of success.  In fact, at home, I rarely crave sweets any more.  Restaurants are no problem either.  Although, I will admit, then when I do start to indulge in sweets that I have out at home, I do struggle to stop and only have a moderate amount.  I've had some success with this minimizing this issue, but am still working on it. 

Also, I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but my husband is trim and has a calorie inferno for a metabolism. He is, quite literally, the same size and weight he was 20 years ago, with no effort in any way to maintain that weight.  And his favorite foods are brats, potatoes, chips, and brownies.  He always needs to have some sweet option at home.  Ugh for me.

Anyhow, I have pretty much learned to shun those things in my house for the most part.  Some days I crave them at home, but for the most part, I've conquered that issue in my (home) life.  However, when it comes to holidays and parties, just the thought of all those goodies makes me panic. If I am in a different environment and sweets are out, I find that it is like being reunited with a prior lover that I never "got over."  Those sweets seduce me and call my name, luring me closer and closer until we become close enough to touch -- that chocolate, those cookies, that candy, whatever it is ---- and suddenly I am caught in a passionate "moment" with it. Just like a secret affair, often I find I am sneaking around, finding time to be alone with a treat, looking forward to that time together,eating more and more, but always out of sight of others.  Of course, in the morning, just like a forbidden love affair, I and am regretful of that secret fling and vow I'll never do it again.  But then when we meet again, I find myself in the same cycle, caught in my lover's trance. 

UNTIL NOW!!!!!

I have recently discovered NUT FLOURS; almond flour, peanut flour, hazelnut flour, etc.  These are simply nuts -- ground so fine that they have become a powder.  I have come across and number of recipes that calls for them instead of regular flour.  Mixed with whey protein, they create wonderful tasting cookies, cakes, and other treats.  HALLELUJAH!  I am saved!!!!  Last night I made chocolate chip cookies -- to die for!   And between the nut flour and they whey protein, the sugar substitute (I've discovered Ideal Sweetener, which is my new favorite) and sugar free chocolate chips- they are all protein and no sugar no starch!  Who knew??? 

You can find almond flour at any health food store.  You can also make your own nut flours, although I have heard that it is a tedious thing.   I recently ordered peanut flour from http://www.proteinplusflour.com/ for half the price of the almond flour I bought at Whole Foods.  I bought a case of it and it shipped immediately.  So I now have enough peanut flour to last me, quite literally, the whole year!

So now, instead of falling victim to the parties and treats during the holidays, I just need to bring my own goodies to share to help create my own "no fail environment" that I talked about in my last blog.  The chocolate chip cookies are definitely a keeper.  I still need to make my peanut butter balls (which also uses nut flour.) 

So.....I think I may survive this no sugar no starch life after all.  Even during the holidays.  And parties.  And my in-law's house.  And I'll still respect myself in the morning!  What more could one woman ask for?


To order peanut flour, click here!

Sa-weeeet!

I recently discovered Ideal Sweetener.  I seriously LOVE this stuff.  I can't believe how good it is, and no after taste.  I don't think anyone would know that you used something other than sugar in a recipe that you used Ideal Sweetener for. 

Ideal is made out of Xylitol.  According to the Ideal website, Xylitol has been used worldwide in foods for over 40 years, having received FDA approval as a food additive in 1963.  You’ve probably seen it in foods like sugar-free gum, lozenges, puddings.


Xylitol is a natural sweetener that is:

• As sweet as sugar with fewer calories
• Safe for pregnant women and children
• Endorsed by dental associations* and other medical professionals
• Not safe for pets, especially dogs

I've been using Ideal in desserts, sugar free chocolates, hot chocolate, and anything else that calls for sugar.  It measures the same as sugar too. 

Check out the website: 
http://idealsweet.com/


To order Ideal through Amazon, click here.