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!

To make courgette less watery, slice it a few hours before needed and leave it on some kitchen roll in the fridge to dry out a little before cooking.

@AthelstaneTheUnready and @nowlook, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve both lost family members. Take care of yourselves 💐.

Is anyone else having trouble with the spreadsheet, or is it just me?

I have skin on chicken thighs and celeriac in the fridge so am planning on a tray bake with harissa. I haven’t cooked celeriac before so any tips would be welcome. Will it roast the same way as potatoes?

@BIWI

Is anyone else having trouble with the spreadsheet, or is it just me?

I've inputted something on the weight loss but it's given me an error reading? Could be that I'm doing it on my phone? Anyway. I've lost 2lbs. Huzzah!!

@KeyLimePies

I have skin on chicken thighs and celeriac in the fridge so am planning on a tray bake with harissa. I haven’t cooked celeriac before so any tips would be welcome. Will it roast the same way as potatoes?

@KeyLimePies Celeriac roasts really well, although it will never go crispy like potatoes do.

It takes a fair time to cook though, so I might blanch it first for a couple of minutes (cut into chunks). Let them air dry before you add to your roasting tin.

I might even roast them separately and then stir into the rest of the tray bake.

@BelladiMamma good going!

Have you got the Google Sheets app on your phone?

Spreadsheet seems to be working for me now, but I can see that there's a cell saying 'error' @BelladiMamma - probably best to wait for @ouchmyfeet to come to the rescue!

But I also notice that @cakeintherain has lost 8lbs in the first week! Fanastic

Wow well done @cakeintherain!

I had gone down to 10st12 yesterday, SO exciting, back to 10st13 today but I remember that as long as overall the wobbly line wobbles downward it’s all good.

Made hollandaise in the blender yesterday was terrifyingly easy and yummy over poached eggs. Will do it again over eggs, ham and asparagus, or salmon fillet.

Scrambled eggs just now, yogurt etc for lunch, Fish later. All with veg. Away for weekend tomorrow ao using up all in cupboards/fridge

@BIWI

Spreadsheet seems to be working for me now, but I can see that there's a cell saying 'error' *@BelladiMamma - probably best to wait for @ouchmyfeet* to come to the rescue!

But I also notice that @cakeintherain has lost 8lbs in the first week! Fanastic

Spreadsheet should be sorted now

Can I please appeal to everyone to only put your weights in the white cells and don't touch the blue ones. It's easily fixable so not a big problem, but if you stick to the white you shouldn't go wrong. I'd love to lock all the blue ones down but there was some reason lost in the depths of my memory why I couldn't...

Thank you, @Rayna37 and @venusandmars. I’ll give it a go!

So sorry Athelstane and nowlook, look after yourselves x

I've been cooking a lot of chicken korma from Ainsley's Meals in Minutes, its basically an onion fried then blended with double cream and greek yogurt, garlic turmeric, chilli and ground almonds, poured over chopped chicken breasts and baked in the oven. Bloody delicious, and I've been eating it with cauliflower chopped into small florets rather than cauliflower rice ( too much faff to make)

This is the recipe in the book, I've doubled the spices, and used 1kg chicken plus 500g yogurt / 250 or 300ml cream and it feeds loads, or keeps in the fridge for lunches afterwards.

If you can actually read it...🤓

Sounds lovely - but don't forget in these first two weeks we're not allowed nuts!

[quote BIWI]@BelladiMamma good going!

Have you got the Google Sheets app on your phone?[/quote]
Yes I do but I think I need to be a little more careful with making sure it's all loaded onto the screen before fiddling with it!

Thanks 😊

@BIWI oh yeah tbh I reckon they could be left out altogether without spoiling the end results. I haven't been adding the flaked almonds so not all bad...

But almonds are a key part of a korma! However, it does sound like it would a be a lovely, creamy curry even without those.

I’m late to the show this time so will be on catch up. I need to get back on track after a few weeks of severe slippage from this WOE. I’ve added my name just need to add weight …..🙈

We’ll done to those with early losses.

I'm hoping that 'The Curators pork puffs' are bootcamp friendly.

I had some with my egg salad (to add crunch ) and found them good. The ingredients list is: pork rind, salt yeast extract. The carb count is under 0.1g per 100g.

They are new to me and less hard on the teeth than many pork scratchings. I can see them fitting into my emergency bag (along with dry pack olives) - for impromptu cafe stops - train delays etc.

Thank-you @BIWI your veggie day sounds lovely. I'm tempted to try that later this week.

(Very glad to see that streaky bacon is properly classified as a vegetable - I'm right behind you on that :).)

@Wildheartsease

I'm hoping that 'The Curators pork puffs' are bootcamp friendly.

I had some with my egg salad (to add crunch ) and found them good. The ingredients list is: pork rind, salt yeast extract. The carb count is under 0.1g per 100g.

They are new to me and less hard on the teeth than many pork scratchings. I can see them fitting into my emergency bag (along with dry pack olives) - for impromptu cafe stops - train delays etc.

These sound right up my street, I have just added a bag to my next online shop. Thanks

@Wildheartsease

Thank-you *@BIWI* your veggie day sounds lovely. I'm tempted to try that later this week.

(Very glad to see that streaky bacon is properly classified as a vegetable - I'm right behind you on that :).)

Yes, I did notice that after I'd posted it!

@ditavonteesed I'm the same have to ask for no chips as I don't trust myself!

@Glenthebattleostrich I've noticed that LC really helps my PMT and general symptoms and although I still want to eat everything like I used to the physical cravings / crashes aren't there so it's easier to resist most of the time

@fluoropostit definitely going to pop my homemade hollandaise cherry when I'm off in a few weeks. Any tips / recipes?

All going well for food today and feeling much lighter and brighter generally. Almost don't care if it doesn't translate into the scales!

@BIWI, thanks for the celeriac tips. I’ve had an early dinner and it was blummin’ lovely

I coated chicken thighs in an oil, harissa and creme fraiche mix, with some preserved lemon and cherry tomatoes (using up what was in fridge). Left to that to marinade while I started roasting celeriac chunks in oil and harissa. After 20 mins I put the chicken in the oven. Left it 25 mins. Added the thighs to the tray with the celeriac, then reduced the chicken juices and marinade right down in a pan and added some cream for a lovely creamy sauce. It was delicious.

I think I’ve avoided celeriac as I don’t like celery and thought it would have a similar taste, but what a revelation! It’s lovely.