Week 2 - pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp

[BIWI]

Morning campers!

This is my favourite week of a new Bootcamp. Because for all those new to low carbing, and especially those who were so fearful about the amount of fat they're supposed to be eating, this can be a real revelation.

It's often a real leap of faith to commit to a way of eating which is against everything we've been told, for the last 30 or 40 years, is bad for us. And yet, all the recent science confirms that lowering our carbohydrate intake can only be good for us - and that embracing fat is also good too!

Here's a link to the Spreadsheet of Fabulousness

I look forward, very much, to seeing results of the first week. Somehow, from what people have already posted, I think it's going to be good!

@ShagMeRiggins I find the idiot moussaka v flavourful, but I do a bit different.

I use leftover roasted lamb cut in to tiny chunks and I dice the aubergine rather than layer on top. This adds to the flavour plus I prefer it that way.

I add nutmeg to the topping and when I serve, I sprinkle fresh parsley on. Just had leftovers for lunch.

Thanks, keylime spooks and della. Always helpful, this group.

I’m going to incorporate a bit from each of your suggestions and see what I come up with. Might do moussaka tomorrow, though, as the husband has checked in to say he’s really sorry but first meeting was a breakfast meeting and second meeting was a lunch meeting* and he’s happy to nibble on anything light.**

As I have ample lovely LCHF leftovers in the fridge and as the Hormoaners’ lives are like the hokey pokey I’m thinking hey, I’ll just finish work today and take the evening OFF! (Actually, I’ll probably make it anyway because I’m excited to try these suggestions and the recipe.)

WATER WATER WATER for everyone, just a bit or even more. Keep it going all day, Bootcampers. Water is your friend.

**where do I get a job like this, eh?
before anyone gets het up on my behalf, he’s always happy to cook and always has been
*meaning they’re in, out, in, out, eating all about...

@ShagMeRiggins if you want more 'umami', why not try using dried porcini mushrooms in the mince? I'd also add a beef stock cube too. Possibly some soy sauce as well as.

And perhaps replace some of the Feta with a good Parmesan.

Thanks, BIWI. Another great suggestion. I’m guessing my moussaka will end up entirely my own, unrepeatable combination.

If it doesn’t, I’ll march to the local pub whence we had my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday celebration catered at the weekend—by catered I mean takeaway—and demand his recipe under threat of...something really threatening.

It was so perfect, his moussaka. It was my one and only. (And now I’m worried that by making my own moussaka I’ll somehow be cheating on him.)

In other news, the non-alcoholic vodka has arrived. A sniff test is not akin to any vodka I’ve known, but evokes a bouquet of...cucumber water. Hmmm.

Will try tonight. Later, obviously, as I don’t want to let the non-alcohol go to my head.

Also—this was INFURIATING—why did I have to provide proof of age for a non-alcoholic product delivered by Amazon??!!

Jeff Bezos, are you listening to me...?! Well probably not but I am most put out!!

Yours from Planet Earth,

ShagMe

I mean, it's very appropriate and all, particularly seeing as it's you, @ShagMeRiggins, but isn't alcohol free vodka basically just

*WATER WATER WATER
*

Beautiful steak with lots of veg and Mayo
It was delicious
Lunch was from keto cook magazine , feta tomato and avocado I added some chirizo , all chopped with a dressing
So far so good

FusionChefGeoff shag water@shag
Fri 29-Oct-21 16:55:55
I mean, it's very appropriate and all, particularly seeing as it's you, @ShagMeRiggins, but isn't alcohol free vodka basically just

WATER WATER WATER
*
grin*

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂💦💦💦💦💦💦💦

I started my 15 minute meal at 6:10 and just had to leave it to come and collect DS from football so I reckon mine will end up being a 90 minute meal

I've eaten a lot today - had a nasty bought of bronchitis.
I think my calories today are about 2500.

The macros are 70% fat, 20% protein and 10% carb though.

I guess my question is - I've followed all the rules but I have eaten a lot - will this still help?

Specifically I've eaten a lot of cream and cheese ...

Just had a satisfying tea of home made meatballs and a whole FLGV. Was delish! Flaking out in front of the TV, been such a busy week. I would love to have a Gin but i’ll stick with all the water!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

missfliss if you have a reasonable amount to lose, don’t worry about calories or—generally—macros right now.

If you’ve followed the rules then you’re fine in the long run. This Bootcamp is eight weeks, not one day.

Hope you enjoyed your meals.

Also...WATER.

Good advice @ShagMeRiggins - just goes to show how many years of counting things I've had eh .
I'm just really hungry and peckish today.
Usually I get out and do an ok amount of exercise ( running, sea swimming) - but I've just been really poorly this week with bronchitis so have barely moved and have been eating loads ...!

Good to hear that harissa sprouts are already on the recipe thread, saves me adding them!

I've just added ricotta fritters to the vegetarian recipe thread and will copy it here too. Mine were a bit eggy as I only made half the recipe but still used a full egg but they were still tasty. Not as pretty as Jamie's but I'll make them again. The courgette salad was really fresh and tasty and the tomato sauce was surprisingly tasty for such a short cooking time.

Ricotta Fritters - from Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/cheese-recipes/ricotta-fritters-with-tomato-sauce-courgette-salad/

Ingredients

SAUCE
25 g dried porcini mushrooms
4 anchovy fillets, from sustainable sources , optional
1 dried red chilli
2 cloves of garlic
700g passata
8 black olives (stone in)
½ a bunch of fresh basil (15g)

FRITTERS
1 large free-range egg
400 g ricotta cheese
1 whole nutmeg , for grating
1 lemon
40 g Parmesan cheese
1 heaped tablespoon plain flour
olive oil
balsamic vinegar

SALAD
400 g firm green or yellow baby courgettes
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 fresh red chilli
½ a bunch of fresh mint (15g)
1 lemon

Method

Put the porcini into a mug and cover with boiling water.

Crack the egg into a mixing bowl, add the ricotta, finely grate in ¼ of the nutmeg, the lemon zest and Parmesan, add the flour, then beat together.

Put 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the frying pan, then use a tablespoon to spoon in 8 large dollops of the mixture, turning carefully when nice and golden.

Put the anchovies (if using) and 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the casserole pan, crumble in the dried chilli, and squash in the unpeeled garlic through a garlic crusher.

Finely chop and add the porcini with half their soaking water and the passata, season with sea salt and black pepper and bring to the boil.

Squash and add the olives, discarding the stones. Pick and reserve a few basil leaves, then chop the rest and add to the sauce.

Grate the courgettes in the processor (you could use a box grater here) and tip into a bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper, the juice of the zested lemon and the extra virgin olive oil.

Finely chop and add the chilli and the top leafy half of the mint, then toss together.

Place the fritters on top of the sauce, then scatter over the reserved basil leaves and serve with lemon wedges.

@missfliss listen to what your body is telling you - it needs to rest and repair. At the moment that is your number 1 priority. There is absoloutely no point at all in losing weight if you are sick and ill - the aim is to be strong and vibrant (and yes, a little less heavy), but strong and vibrant is more important.

@ShagMeRiggins you make me laugh

Very busy middle-of-the-day so I had a lovely big breakfast: left over shakshukka (including baked egg) topped with cheese, with added left over green veg in butter (broccoli, green beans, cabbage), all topped with fried egg. Delicious.

I often fast and have no breakfast but I knew how my day was shaping up, so that seemed like the most sensible plan.

Had a few bits of chicken for a late lunch, then lovely creamy green veg soup for dinner.

Just had a very unappealing naked burger in Frankie and Bennies but needs must and it was a) close b) quick c) I didn't have to cook it!!

I'm off tomorrow for my 2 week work trip. God knows what's in store for me - I'm an event manager and will be at the mercy of 'crew food' and very limited free time. I've got a cool box being delivered to my room and am taking a knife / chopping board and my trusty collapsible lunch box so hope to be fairly self sufficient from local supermarkets for lunch but no doubt there will be times when dinner will be have a burrito or starve!

Definitely won't have time to keep up on the thread so I'll see you afterwards!

@ouchmyfeet glad the ricotta fritters were nice! I bought ricotta specially to try them 🙂.

Last nights dinner was extraordinary, the most enormous portion of meat! Didn't stay entirely on plan but this was an expensive place we'd booked a table (and babysitter) for weeks ago! We shared a slow cooked shoulder of roe deer, honestly there was enough for four or more people. Delicious but not actually very nice feeling so uncomfortably full. Very patchy service too, we won't rush back. They didn't leave the water on the table either just kept refilling the glasses, but not at the required bootcamping speed! Unfortunately quite a few of our local favourite places are temporarily closed right now though.

Went on to a local pub with live music, probably the first time we've been able to do that since before Covid! Lovely. Scales have put me back to Monday's weight so the pressure is on for a good weekend with LOTS OF WATER! Can't see me making parkrun in the pissing rain and yet another kids party before DH steps in to give me a free afternoon around town.

Just catching up with the thread. Some lovely sounding recipes.

My youngest offspring has had covid so I have been trying to entertain a (thankfully completely well) child stuck in the house without getting too close..

We have managed a belated/ delayed half term weekend trip. Spent most of yesterday in a traffic jam and completely failed to plan for the journey. Ended up going completely off the rails eating a variety of carby crap. Which is frustrating as it feels like self sabotage- I have form for this.
Today is a new day and it’s made me realise the importance of planning. Also Interesting that I didn’t find any of it particularly satisfying so I need to remember that if I start to get carb cravings

Hi all, sorry I haven’t checked in, had some bad news so everything’s gone to pot this last week, I weighed in on at the same last Monday and imagine I will do this week as well as I’ve not drank all the water and had a few carby options. I haven’t forgotten though and I will be back with a better mindset over the next few days!
Just had a quick scroll through, well done to those who have lost and the recipes you’ve posted look delicious, will definitely be adding that ratatouille to my list!
Enjoy the weekend all

@FusionChefGeoff Good luck with the work trip, very impressed with all the planning!

@Rayna37 That is one really impressive piece of meat. Looks delicious

@ayooplass I know what you mean about having the carby crap in desperation when you haven’t planned. I travel a lot for work, so service stations can be my nemesis when I’m tired and haven’t got a plan in mind. Hope you enjoyed the weekend trip and glad your kiddo wasn’t struck down too badly.

@Kerplunkk Sorry to hear you’ve had some bad news, hope you are okay 💐 Have a good weekend.

I did a cheeky weigh in this morning and am buzzing to see 4lbs lost since starting on Monday 😍 Let’s see if those 4lbs are still missing this Monday, but it’s given me a massive boost and encouragement to keep on going.

I was away at a funeral yesterday (left the house at 7am as it was a c3 hour away) but managed to stay roughly on course, although didn't have the FLGV I should have had and struggled with the water. Tried to make up for it when we got home but was too tired.

Had a lot of few chicken satay sticks (no sauce), a couple of cocktail sausage and the ham from the top of two ham rolls at the purvey. And two glasses of water rather than a drink.

Another funeral to negotiate on Monday It's not been a good few weeks

The one yesterday was sad: a lovely lady who died suddenly (so hopefully painlessly) from a brain haemorrhage while having a meal at home with friends and family (so doing what she loved most: being the hostess with the mostest).

The one on Monday just seems so pointless : a lovely guy (who ds used to coach alongside, so he's coming down for it) with a big personality and a big heart who was knocked over in a hit and run allegedly by a 17 year old at 11.35pm in a shut supermarket car park as he was walking home It will be standing room only at the crematorium and afterwards at the rugby club.

@prettybird Really sorry to hear about your losses, so dreadful and sad 💐

Gosh I'm sorry@prettybird. How awfully shocking both of them but the hit and run is really galling.

How sad prettybird, funerals can be gruelling, particularly when they aren’t old people, take care of yourself.

Not a great week here food wise, no disasters but half term has seen us have 2 family meals out. Unusual for us we haven’t eaten out much since first lockdown. DH’s firm does annual reviews all week, it drags on and on, he hates this time of the year so he wanted to do something fun. Mainly sticking to bootcamp but at my age I need to stick to it 100% or it won’t work. My fat is very reluctant to go from my tummy.

I have meal planned for today and tomorrow and next week they are back in school so I can get back into a routine and be strict again.

Lunch is poached egg and spinach
Dinner is steak, mushrooms, rocket and feta

Have a lovely bootcamp weekend everyone.

@prettybird sending hugs, so sorry for your losses.

Just did my stock up at lidl, Morrisons and Iceland food coming so set for the month.

Out for dinner tonight, but loads of good low carb options. And i have swishy new hair!!

Cheeky weigh in this morning shows another lb off, virtually unheard of during period week!!