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The end of April, I discovered the Keto diet and learned from many YouTube posts on the topic. I decided to try it. After all, I knew I was addicted to sugar, chocolate and always felt like I needed to eat something…for most of the last eighteen years.
Of course, during that time I hit menopause and got older, much older. Twenty pounds crept onto my body, despite my demanding physical chores here at Swallowtail Cottage, and finally I said, “STOP!!”
Reboot.
What appealed to me about Keto was the meat factor. And bacon. I was brought up on the notion that fat is bad for us. Some are. Yet with my new market neighbor, who raises only grass fed/finished chicken, beef, and pork I am in Keto heaven.
For the past twenty years I stuck to organic/sustainably raised produce and other foods, mostly from Whole Foods Market. Now I seek even more, locally raised food and enjoy supporting this effort. In the last post I mentioned Harmony Hill Farm. If you have not visited their web site, do. Quickly you will learn how hard it is to be a real farmer. Yes, I whine about weather conditions here on my half-acre, but when one speaks of hundreds of acres, dozens of animals of variety…now that takes pride, dedication, patience of a saint, and stamina.
Revelation:
Since I live alone, smoothies are the quickest way to ingest veggies, supplements and not so perfect produce. I rarely prepare a sit down meal during warmer months. Upon more food research, I learned that some veggies are not absorbed properly if consumed raw…like spinach and broccoli. Yet one can miss essential enzymes if veggies are steamed…so, this morning as I prepared my AM smoothie, I steamed a large handful of organic spinach for two minutes, then for good measure, added a handful of raw spinach to the pitcher. Then,
Back up to the beginning of this smoothie. Two weeks ago, I discovered a brand of organic bacon that is also sugar free at Whole Foods Market. And, wow, is it delicious! Since I am always looking to have fast food at home, I render 4 oz. at a time, save the drippings in a glass jar, store the uneaten portion in the fridge, and this way I always have cooked bacon at the ready.
Now my go to breakfast is bacon and egg(s), and a green smoothie. This morning was my one-step-closer to a wholesome, fast food breakfast.
Warm two strips of cooked bacon in the microwave, 5 seconds.
Pour 8 OZ unsweetened almond/walnut milk into Vitamix pitcher. (I make my own)
Add any not-perfect raw lettuce.
Add one large handful of raw organic spinach.
Add steamed spinach (two handfuls raw, steamed two minutes)
Add any prescribed supplements (I open the capsules)
Add 1/4 t. each of ground cinnamon and ginger (for inflammation)
Add 1 T. nutritional yeast (B vitamins)
Add 1/4 t. Matcha powder (organic)
Add 1 or 2 organic hard boiled eggs (depending on my morning activity)
Add 1 t. Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (with the Mother)
Add one dipper of organic wheat grass juice powder (MAJU Superfoods, Amazon)
Pinch of Himalayan pink salt
When I reached the egg portion of breakfast, I thought, since I have boiled eggs in the fridge (great go-to snack), I would just toss a peeled egg into the Vitamix…and will not need to fire up the stove-top. Yes!
Adding the boiled egg to the pitcher created a lovely texture to the overly veggie mix.
I am not a Vitamix saleswoman, but after trying every smoothie maker at Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I bit the bullet and ordered the highly rated, yet pricey Vitamix 5200. To soften the cost, I rummaged down in the basement, and posted many items no longer used on FB marketplace and voila! in just hours, I raised enough cash to offset the cost of the mighty Vitamix! And no yard sales necessary! Good creates good.
So to end this tale of breakfast, I am moving along in Keto. No longer do I crave sweet chocolate or carbs. I have suffered with leg cramps recently, and from the Keto Reset FB Group (of hardcore Keto folks who follow their macros), I learned that this is one side effect of Keto. Onto the new learning curve of balancing electrolytes and moi as I transition away from a life of carbs and sugar. Solo water, made at home using Himalayan pink salt, appears to be fixing the leg cramp issue.
Let me know if Keto is a way of life for you. If not, this smoothie, I promise is one for the menu.
Disclaimer: I do not receive any compensation for mentioning brands in this post.
In the meantime, it is a sunny 80F, the blueberries are ripening under the tulle,
and eager market customers await my organic berries come Saturday.
At any rate, I always love hearing from you.
Copyright © 2019 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved
home, garden, life 
Really enjoy the dialogue you’ve created here. I’ve heard a little bit about getting the ‘keto flu’ during the adaption period. Did you experience this and if so how did you manage?
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Hello Joe,
No I did not have the Keto flu, but did have a small headache the first three days without sugar. This showed me how addictive sugar really is! Then the only other side effect of Keto was leg cramps in upper calves, which were quickly remedied by upping my electrolytes. 1/4 c of Himalayan salt dissolved in one pint of water makes a perfect additive (1 T. at a time) to smoothies, drinking water, or the like when doing heavy exercise…in my case, gardening during hot, humid weather here in central VA. Our bodies are amazing and tell us much, if we only listen.
Perhaps the fact that for the past twenty years, I have eaten carefully, from home, and organically helped to transition to this Keto lifestyle.
I do know that my body, mind, and spirit have all improved.
Thanks for your question. Diane
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I’ve found cutting full sugar drinks helps with a lot of things, especially concentration. I do like the Keto diet and probably will start again shortly! Never had leg pains from it – that’s a new one!
Great post!
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Thanks for stopping by WPB. Yes the leg cramping is weird, yet Himalayan salt (saturated solution) seems to help, as well as magnesium malate. I must pay special attention during hot/humid months to stay hydrated, as gardening chores leave me wringing wet. Cheers!
PS: Quitting sugar is the best part of Keto. 😉
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I’ve cut out a whole lot of sugar from my diet – but not quite Keto, yet. It is stunning how much sugar one can unwittingly consume in a day! Best of luck to you, as you continue on your healthful journey!
Love your blueberries! My strawberries are just beginning to fruit up – getting the row cover ready! 😉
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Musette, when I went cold turkey with sugar, I had a wee headache for three days. That passed and I no longer crave ANY sugar or chocolate.
Sometimes I make chocolate milk with unsweetened cocoa powder and no sugar almond milk. IF I want a little sweet, I add a squirt of agave. I know, still sugar, but so rare, I permit myself. The main success is that I no longer feel hungry, am eating many more greens and smoothie helps me attain that.
Enjoy your strawberries!
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Love your posts. Why do you cover the blueberries?
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To keep birds off and many insects at bay.
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Very good! It seems we go through a phase of being more health conscious and try to eat better. It is so easy to backslide even though we are aware. I am going to look into the Keto Diet. This is definitely a great post and the blueberries look great! Thanks for sharing!
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Glad you enjoyed this post. I am learning so much from the Keto Reset FB Group. Made my first almond/walnut milk this AM and love that I can create another food at home…no more store bought almond milk! This way I know where the water comes from. Also making electrolyte water to soften leg cramps often associated with Keto. All in all, Keto is working for me one month out and I no longer crave sugar, carbs or chocolate. Let me know if you have questions. Diane
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