Week 5 - Leaving Lockdown Low Carb Bootcamp

[BIWI]

Welcome to Week 5!

Here's the spreadsheet

Hopefully we can now put the horrible weeks 3 & 4 behind us, and get on with the serious job of shedding the pounds of fat

By now, hopefully, low carbing eating should feel like it's the 'new normal', and you should be getting used to it. However, there's also the opposite danger, that you're seeing carbs creeping back into your menus.

This is a good time to take stock. Have a think about the things you've been eating over the last week and ask yourself if they are really 'in the spirit' of Bootcamp. Are you really keeping your carbs low, and focused mainly on vegetables and salad? Are you really eating enough fat? And, perhaps most importantly, are you drinking all the water?

From now on, you should see the scales move again - albeit that the weekly loss should be in the range of 1-2lbs a week (possibly more if you have a lot to lose).

I really hope that you are finding that you're settling into this WOE, and that you're enjoying the food, not feeling deprived, and are seeing the scales/tape measure reflect your commitment.

At the end of this week we will be half way through Bootcamp!

I think the usefulness of a food processor depends on how you cook, I have one lurking in a cupboard that I never use. I have a jug blender and freestanding mixer that I use all the time but the food processor feels like a lot of cleaning when I can chop things as quickly by hand - in saying that, my dad was a chef and I pretty much grew up in the kitchen so my knife skills are pretty good. I also don’t tend to make huge quantities of things and quite enjoy standing chopping veggies.

I do use it when I’m doing a huge batch cook but otherwise it gathers dust.

I'd say for the price that looks like a really good choice @Random789. Especially having the blender option.

When we had our kitchen redone, it was my aim to have as little stuff out on the worktops as possible - the only kit I do have is my food processor, the toaster and the SodaStream. (No kettle as we have a Quooker tap)

I don't use the food processor a huge amount - possibly only once a week? - but it needs to be 'to hand' when I do want to use it. There still needs to be cupboard space for the all the accessories though!

I love my food processor @Random789, although I definitely make coleslaw more than anything else with it. It's also fab for some of the fancier potato dishes that I now make with celeriac or turnip, like dauphinoise.

Honestly I think it's worth it just for the coleslaw as I love home made and find the shop bought stuff really nasty in comparison.

I also use it for ratatouille (on the veggie recipe thread) and the odd cake/sweet recipe. I am lucky to have lots of kitchen storage but I think I would prioritise the processor if I didn't. Mine is an ancient magimix. Not sure how old it is but it was my mum's originally and she died over 20 years ago. Have been very impressed with it, it's well built and I think it's probably at least 25 years old. I had to replace the bowl this year as it broke but that's literally the first penny I've spent on it and I've had it in my kitchen for at least 15 years.

I use my food processor (the more expensive Kenwood one) to blitz cauliflower for cauliflower rice and mixed veg for sofrito when I'm making mince, or large amounts of grated cheese.

I have to keep it on my counter though only my old one (which had given up the ghost after 20+ years ) which was lighter and lower so could fit in the under counter cupboard.

I have a KitchenAid for baking which I use a lot

I lust after a KitchenAid food mixer @prettybird - but as I might bake a cake less often than once a year I really can't justify it!

I have a Magimix too although this model is no longer available.

One thing I really wish I had done though was to buy the 4200XL as it has a wide feeding tube, meaning that you don't have to cut the food up so much before processing it.

Well done on all the losses this morning

@Rayna37 thanks for peanut butter suggestion. I have never eaten peanut butter so might give it a go.

@Covid10lbs I agree the thread is good for keeping us motivated and let's people help each other with health houses beauty kids flowers lambs.
It's not all about food which I like.

@Timetobuckup teen mental health no magic wand. I have 3 teen. 1 would be very anxious gets chest pains ( on medication for these) it all started with her group of friends leaving her out.
If you can find out the root of the problem it could help.

@venusandmars that was funny about underwear drawer, I was taking out washing hanging on line and pair off DH boxers with top rim coming away like who could wear them (men)
Hairdressers opened here yesterday so have apt for Saturday

My 16yo food processor broke recently, I'm on the lookout for a replacement too.

Just back from a run, managed 4k in almost exactly 30 mins. I definitely need to increase the pace

Had pork loin, broccoli and asparagus in a buttery mustard sauce last night. Delicious. Asparagus purchase was inspired by BC

Well done @ouchmyfeet I hope you're chuffed!

One thing I really wish I had done though was to buy the 4200XL as it has a wide feeding tube, meaning that you don't have to cut the food up so much before processing it.

@BIWI the new bowl set I had to buy for my old 3100 recently is fab. It has a much bigger feeding tube section than the original bowl and lid. It was a lot of money for a new bowl but came with a new set of accessories too (as the old ones aren't compatible with the new bowl)

www.magimix-spares.co.uk/Magimix-3100-3200-Compact-Complete-Bowl-Lid-Set-17671/product/17671/17090/

Thanks @Oneborneverydecade , I really am!
Buttery mustard sauce sounds delicious 😋

@Thinnerlikeachickendinner and anyone struggling with water, I really like my Waterlogged App, I paid the little bit for ad-free and like the feeling of ticking it off through the day. My new Garmin watch has a similar function which I'm yet to explore. I count a couple of teas/coffee daily but make up the rest from chamomile/peppermint tea or water. I have a couple of 500ml water bottles that I fill at the water machine and drink from a glass. I definitely drink less at the weekend when I'm out and about more so have been trying to at least track it now; don't always bother at the weekend but it shows!

Big NSV in that I just didn't have breakfast yesterday. I aim for a 16hr fast on swimming days but when it got to 11:15 and I still hadn't eaten decided just to wait until lunch. My main problem is being out at work; I can happily skip breakfast or just have a late brunch at the weekend but out at work I haven't got the flexibility. I realised there's no reason I can't just stick my boiled eggs in the fridge and eat them or not and they'll keep for a few days at least; my main issue was having an option with me that isn't wasted if I don't eat it that day.

[quote ouchmyfeet]One thing I really wish I had done though was to buy the 4200XL as it has a wide feeding tube, meaning that you don't have to cut the food up so much before processing it.

@BIWI the new bowl set I had to buy for my old 3100 recently is fab. It has a much bigger feeding tube section than the original bowl and lid. It was a lot of money for a new bowl but came with a new set of accessories too (as the old ones aren't compatible with the new bowl)

www.magimix-spares.co.uk/Magimix-3100-3200-Compact-Complete-Bowl-Lid-Set-17671/product/17671/17090/[/quote]
That's brilliant @ouchmyfeet! I have just gone down a rabbit hole of different sites trying to justify buying myself the bigger one - but they're so expensive! Will see what I can source from that site instead.

Morning all. Went off radar last week apologies.

Hope yesterday went well @ZiggZagg it sounds like you have a fantastic attitude, but remember to take time for yourself and any emotional needs. I often don’t let myself be sad and then it all splurges out badly.

Re hairy toes, I too have them and hairy insteps. I have a Philips Lumea which has essentially eradicated all leg, arm, stomach, underarm, bum and bikini line hair, but I can’t get it to work on my boney uneven feet. And because I no longer really shave I forget them and then suddenly realise I’ve got the trotters of Mr Tumnus. I’ve bought a footner peel and some new foot mask cream so this week is pedicure week. I also use and electric sander thingy from boots and a foot spa with peppermint oil.

Re food processor, I love mine. I use it for slaws and salads and cauliflower rice. I also make a large batch of pizza dough (800g plain flour, 7g quick yeast, 1tsp salt and 500ml of warm water whizzed up and left for a few hours) which I then split into 8 and freeze in bags. I defrost them when I do pizza for the kids. So quick easy and cheap and everyone loves them. I do myself stuffed mushrooms and don’t feel like I’ve spent ages on food I can’t eat. I also use a mandolin for thinly slicing shallots/onions as I find the processor is still too chunky and I like a hint of onion taste and not to be breathing it for the following 3 days!

Re Muck It Out May I’ve allocated the whole day tomorrow 9-3 and 9-12 Thursday to do a massive sort out. Re husbands pants when I’m hanging washing I discreetly bin the ones which are more like a string bag round the coin purse area. I don’t know how wearing them can be comfortable

I’m 11st 13lb today so quite happy with that. Drank a lot of wine the weekend, so am going dry this week.

Loving the look of those curry recipes - will def give them a whirl. I have paneer & aubergine in the fridge....

Just catching up, very sleepy. Possibly electrolytes so just had that in my water. Can definitely tell that I need them when I'm being strict.

OK for anyone tackling their feet I can heartily recommend a Microplane Collossal Foot file, plenty (new) on eBay. So effective, use on dry feet and you'll have PILES of skin off! maybe on a Sunday before the weekly weigh in?! My sister and best mate both got one on my recommendation and raved, it's the sort of thing you want to tell everyone about, as long as they're those kinds of mates, which of course you all are.

I'll do a proper catch up in a minute but just had to jump on and shout to the high heavens

I JUST MADE MAYO!!!!! AND IT TASTES LIKE AND LOOKS LIKE MAYO!!!!!!!

Oh my God, this is a proper game changer thanks @BIWI for the recipe!!

Lots of high-quality food processor chat. Thanks everybody. It's all really useful.

Jellycatspyjamas you sum up my fears about them. I'd love to just be an expert manual chopper like your dad helped you to be.

And it was also useful to hear the more pro-food-processor views of BIWI, ouchmyfeet, and others.

The importance of a wide feeding tube was a v good point. It peeves me when my little smoothie maker refuses to chop things up for me unless I chop them up first. Uppity gadget.

I'd love to make mayo, fusion, that sounds fab. Might make it the first task with my new food processor if I do get one.

@Rayna37 definitely do the Garmin water I've got it as my 2nd screen option so it's really quick then set up 3 options based on the glasses we have so it's really easy to quickly mark off water and very satisfying!!

Also love the idea of physically removing flesh in order to weigh in lighter

Can I be an honorary big stick holder for all the runners??!!

I'm wielding it seeing as you are starting to do longer distances and I want to make sure you are all warming up and stretching out properly! Bad knees etc can be a symptom of something much further up the body eg lower back / hips / hamstrings / quads.

I use a mandolin for coleslaw / dauphinois and really only bother with my processor for cakes and cauli rice but then it's an arse to get out of the cupboard. We're hoping for a redesign soon and will definitely be working on giving it surface space so I use it more.

L: HOMEMADE MAYO on homemade coleslaw with pickled beetroot, feta, mint & parsley salad
D: saag paneer omelette and mushrooms

@Random789 it's a stick blender recipe if you've got one of those?

Ah yes. I have a stick blender. Perhaps a really good mandoline would be a better way of supplementing it than a food processor would be.

Thank you to everyone for the good wishes after yesterday’s clinic visit, it means a lot.

My go-to curry recipe is based on Nadija’s vegan jackfruit one but I use chicken instead of jackfruit and chuck in a bit of Greek yoghurt at the end. Oh and less salt. Never fails me.

Our magimix stays firmly in the cupboard. DH uses the Kenwood chef a lot but I have a couple of stick blenders (a Braun and a Bamix) which I use quite often. It’s the washing up that defeats me with the magimix (and it’s so damned heavy).