Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Low-carb bootcamp

Join discussions about low-carb bootcamp plans, meals and progress. Consider speaking to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Week 7 Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp

156 replies

BIWI · 28/11/2021 23:11

So we come to our final fortnight.

From here you can decide what you want to do. If you like, you can move to Bootcamp Light - or if you feel you need to be super strict you can stay on/move back to full-on Bootcamp.

Here's the link to the Spreadsheet

I promised that I'd post another vegetarian recipe, so here's one of my favourites (which is on the vegetarian recipe thread), from Simon Hopkinson:

Grilled aubergines with olive oil, garlic, parsley and feta cheese

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 long, thin-skinned purple aubergines (alternatively use the ordinary plump, pear-shaped variety available from most supermarkets)
1-2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
handful parsley leaves, finely chopped
5-6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
a little sea salt and black pepper
150g/5oz feta cheese
lemons, for serving

Preparation method:

Preheat the grill to high.
Run a small, sharp knife round the top of the aubergine, 1cm/½in or so below the stalk and only just cutting through the skin; then make four evenly spaced, similarly shallow cuts, along the length of the aubergine right down to the end.
Grill the aubergines for about 20 minutes, turning every 5-7 minutes or so, until evenly cooked with charred skin, and until the aubergine feels soft, but not too collapsed within. In the case of the purple aubergines, the skin will also have turned a dull brown colour. Transfer to a large, oval, white plate and allow to cool for two minutes.
Peel away the aubergine skin in four long, narrow sheets using a small knife. Without cutting right through the stalk end, cut the aubergines in half lengthways and gently prise apart until you have two horizontal halves remaining attached at the top end
Mix the garlic and parsley with the olive oil until well combined and spoon the mixture over the aubergine. Season lightly with salt (not too much - the cheese is salty anyway) and pepper, and crumble the feta cheese over the top. If liked, trickle over more olive oil to finish.
Serve warm, or at room temperature with lemon squeezed over.

Although this is lovely, it is a bit faffy - so sometimes I just cut the aubergines in half, cut a deep criss cross in each aubergine half and then drizzle very generously with olive oil (as the aubergine soaks up the oil like a sponge), season well and then roast till soft.

In a small saucepan I also gently warm some finely chopped or crushed garlic in more olive oil, sometimes with chilli flakes, and when the aubergine is pretty much cooked through, I pour this flavoured oil over it and roast for another 10 minutes or so, with the Feta cheese crumbled on the top.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
ShagMeRiggins · 29/11/2021 14:38

Transfer to a large, oval, white plate...

ODFOD

Any recipe that prescribes shape and colour of plate without explaining is not a recipe for me.

Thanks, BIWI for simplifying it at the end of your original post. Aubergine and feta sounds delicious. I’ve heard similar with a marrow recipe that also includes a bit of tuna, though that’s not vegetarian.

StuntNun · 29/11/2021 16:38

Urgh I had to eat a socially mandated biscuit today. What a waste of carbs. Still it's not as bad as the mums and tots group where I lied to told one of the helpers that I was gluten intolerant so that she'd stop offering me biscuits and after that she specially bought me gluten-free biscuits every week that were so nasty I couldn't even secretly feed them to my toddler.

BIWI · 29/11/2021 17:46

I sometimes also crumble some crispy smoked streaky bacon over the top @ShagMeRiggins - obviously when I'm not wanting a vegetarian day!

I'd missed the instruction about the type of plate to use Grin. A surprise really, as Simon Hopkinson isn't really a fussy/cheffy type of writer.

OP posts:
BestIsWest · 29/11/2021 19:07

Tape measure showing 1/4 inch off my hips so I’ll take that.

I can definitely relate to posters on the last thread saying about loss of appetite - I haven’t wanted breakfast for the last few days.

HM chicken soup for lunch

Then sausages with swede mash and some green veg. Needed gravy but couldn’t think how to thicken it.

Aderyn21 · 29/11/2021 20:43

Is there such a thing as a low carb gravy. Because that would be awesome

Moanranger · 29/11/2021 21:31

I have a carb free thickener that’s made from castor bean, works a treat. I bought on Low Carb Megastore

ouchmyfeet · 29/11/2021 21:38

@BIWI

Uh oh! Hopefully *@ouchmyfeet* will be able to sort that for you Smile
I've done what I can on my phone but need to laptop to sort it properly so it'll be tomorrow evening before I can fix the rest of it. @KeyLimePies is fixed I think but a few others at the bottom need sorting out

Sorry I have been totally absent for a fortnight Blush. I'm still bootcamping, just haven't had time to post. Should be back by next weekend!

BIWI · 29/11/2021 22:06

@Aderyn21 when I roast meat/chicken, if I want gravy then I add water (sometimes a bit of wine) into the bottom of the roasting tin, and that makes a (thin) gravy - or 'jus' to be posh! I don't mind the juices being thin.

But if you want a thicker gravy, make a trivet out of sliced onion or shallot, possibly a sliced carrot, as well as the liquid, and then you can blitz the cooked veg into the rest of the juices when you're finished.

OP posts:
Aderyn21 · 29/11/2021 22:44

Thank you Biwi

ShagMeRiggins · 29/11/2021 23:58

ouchmyfeet thanks for sorting and I think we are all in that run up to holidays where BUSY is the word. (Instead of GREASE.)

Do you know what? This is the first time I’ve realised it’s called Grease because of the car obsession. I kid you not. And I was the one who repeatedly called the local radio station requesting them to play Summer Lovin’, in 1977. God, talk about a delayed connection!

Anyway, the threads have been a bit thin but I’m grateful to all posters who keep it going. It’s one of my Happy Places. Would encourage everyone to pipe up more, because it helps more people than you realise.

Most are probably asleep now, but start your morning with WATER WATER WATER!!!

BestIsWest · 30/11/2021 07:30

I always thought it was because of the slicked back hair (Grease).

Thanks for the gravy tips.

H1Drangea · 30/11/2021 07:42

Made pork meatballs last night , which tbh were a bit disappointing
I think I over cooked them , and the sauce was a bit … I don’t know , something was missing

Booster jab booked in for today , and a hair cut ,

Will call at Tesco for a food shop , I quite fancy something like fajitas , without the wrap ( always reminds me of cardboard , I won’t miss that at all ) with a side of avocado and sour cream

Jollyholibobs · 30/11/2021 08:20

Morning all. Another day in the office. Only the third since March 2020. Meeting with lunch booked. It will be sandwiches. I will maybe pick out a few fillings depending what they are. Or swerve altogether.

Pizza night in our house on Tuesdays. DH has a fancy sourdough one and I have portobello mushrooms used as bases. I am going to experiment with Kohl Rabi and Mooli radish in a coleslaw.

Wearing a smart suit which would not have fitted at the start of bootcamp. NSV. Glad it’s warmer today.

@H1Drangea little gem lettuce leaves make good wrap alternatives.

Have a lovely day everyone.

FusionChefGeoff · 30/11/2021 08:37

I will catch up properly after my run but I'm just toooooo excited to share this!!! Homemade LC bread in the bread maker

Week 7 Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp
BIWI · 30/11/2021 08:50

That looks good @FusionChefGeoff! Share the recipe with us if it tastes as good as it looks, please Smile

Although we didn't get battered by Storm Arwen here, it's very chilly, and I hate the cold. We've had a very mild autumn so far, which seems to make it even more noticeable just how cold it is - although it does start to make things feel a bit more Christmassy, I suppose.

I'm starting to plan my meals for Christmas, as we have my BIL coming to stay for four days, and also DS2 will be coming home (Boris permitting, of course, Hmm). I had been going to make porchetta for Christmas day, but DS2 has firmly refused that idea. He really doesn't like fatty meat. Not great for a (mainly) LCHF household! We never have turkey as neither me nor DH grew up having turkey for Christmas, so it isn't a tradition for either of us. So it's usually always beef in some form or another. Usually fillet - but prices for a whole fillet seem to have jumped quite significantly since last year.

Does anyone have any fillet recipes to share? I did Wellington last year, but would prefer to avoid pastry as much as possible. There will be Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes, so that's carby enough!

OP posts:
BestIsWest · 30/11/2021 09:00

Fully team turkey here!

MotherBuckets · 30/11/2021 09:01

OMG @FusionChefGeoff that bread looks amazing! I would love a slice of toast, although I suppose marmalade is still not allowed...

MotherBuckets · 30/11/2021 09:06

BestIsWest we are team turkey too although I don't think we had it as kids, am so old I can't remember Grin

My sis is vegan and my DS won't really eat meat unless it's been mushed up some way (he is 13 Hmm ) so a big chicken would do us, but my step bro could eat a chicken to himself so turkey it is... plus a huge pile of pigs in blankets. I can swerve the stuffing (aldi paxo) and Yorkshires, might do a celeriac dauphinoise just for me . Hungry now!

Dellabob123 · 30/11/2021 09:19

Oh wow @FusionChefGeoff that bread looks amazing. My bread maker has been gathering dust for 6 mi this now so a LC recipe to use it would be amazing - please share.

On the appetite threat, I’m now in my 6 month of LC (Yey) and staying in the zone has been the easiest ever. I’ve firmly realised how ill and rubbish o feel when not. My mindset has firmly changed this time. I had coffee and cream on the road and didn’t eat until 1.30. Not even bothered. I tried to ‘hear’ my body and it wasn’t even grumbling, not like the crashes you get on carbs. Just amazing.

Anyway, we’ll done on the inches @BestIsWest @Jollyholibobs @Wildheartsease

Dellabob123 · 30/11/2021 09:19

Thread. Not threat!!

prettybird · 30/11/2021 09:28

Ooh - I have a lovely beef fillet recipe which is also dead easy : essentially semi-roasted, semi braised, left to rest in the cooking oven and then rolled in herbs. When I've got more time (Zoom Pilates class shortly), I'll write it down.

H1Drangea · 30/11/2021 10:12

Storm Arwen caused destruction here
No snow or long powe cuts , but we lost lots of trees in the paddock

Week 7 Pre-Christmas Low Carb Bootcamp
FusionChefGeoff · 30/11/2021 14:11

Drum roll please....... IT'S AMAZING!!!!!!

I bought everything from buywholefoodsonline.com

These weights are enough to make a 2lb/1kg loaf.

40g of Oat Fiber
70g of Flaxseed Meal/Milled Linseed
190g of Vital Wheat Gluten
0.5 tsp Xanthan Gum

240ml slightly warm water (24C/75F)
2 large eggs (lightly beaten)

1 teaspoon approx salt (4g)
30g room temperature butter - cut into small lumps
1 teaspoon honey (8g)

1 tsp active dry/easy bake yeast granules

————————————————————

Mix dry ingredients (oat fibre/flaxseed/wheat gluten/xantham gum) together thoroughly.

Grease/butter inside of bread maker tub

Put water and beaten egg into bread maker tub.

Gently tip dry mix on top of water - try to ensure dry corners and edges

Spread the salt around the edges of the tub.

Gently add small lumps of butter around edge of dry mix.

Drizzle honey around edges of dry mix.

Make well in middle of dry mix and gently pour yeast into well.

Put tub in bread maker and switch on. Normal programme for white loaf.

HazelNuttyElf · 30/11/2021 14:37

Everyone's losses are great! I had a gain this week, but AF is due a visit this week and I did have more alcohol than usual due to Thanksgiving. Back on track fully though now. Increasing my water again as my consumption had gone down on Sunday (was working my 2nd job, not readily available to me there) and had a terrible headache Monday because of it. On Sunday, I had only coffee (2 cups) with cream until dinner that night at 6pm, and wasn't starving like I would have been with carbs.

HazelNuttyElf · 30/11/2021 14:38

Oh, this is HauntingHazel with a more festive name!

Swipe left for the next trending thread