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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.

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Thread gallery
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Moanranger · 03/12/2021 22:49

Q of cauli so sorry for your loss. Difficult to both grieve & support others.
After large late dinner last night, I wasn’t very hungry today, just had SLC bread with some peanut butter around 11, then dinner around 7, six veg & left over halibut. Back to lots of plain water, fizzy water with dinner, & also plenty of herb tea.
I may pay for that meal in my next weigh in, we shall see. Now reading in bed.

FungalLurkins · 04/12/2021 06:13

Oooh sorry for late response @queenofcauliflower but I am so pleased to see you have made (and enjoyed) the za'atar cauliflower! That's really quite the endorsement given your title. Forgot to say when I originally posted that I enjoy it with Greek yoghurt (and mayonnaise) mixed with rose harissa - bloody delicious.

FungalLurkins · 04/12/2021 06:17

Also, very sorry for your loss and welcome from one lurker to another.

BestIsWest · 04/12/2021 08:49

@queenofcauliflower sorry for your loss. There is a very lovely ongoing thread on here for those who have lost a parent if you need some support from others going through the same thing.

Is next week the last one? Diet wise I have been steadfast but my water drinking has dropped off. I struggle with it in the cold weather. I can drink tea endlessly though - how much can I count? Decaf with a splash of no sugar almond milk in a very big mug.

NotwatchingSpooks · 04/12/2021 09:12

@queenofcauliflower so sorry for your loss, grief is so difficult and I have found it amplifies at Christmas.

I seem to be hoovering around the same weight, but in some ways that is really good as I feel like I am starting to learn my personal limits for trying to maintain.

We have in laws staying and that now involves a lot of cups of tea for them, water for me, but it’s just a couple of nights. We are out for afternoon tea today, which will be navigated in true bootcamp style, probably by picking out sandwich fillings etc.

Have managed some time on my bike this morning though so that is a help for me both weight wise and mentally.

Jollyholibobs · 04/12/2021 10:31

@queenofcauliflower sorry for your loss. Welcome to the bootcamp.

Wierd sort of NSV over night. I had a dream where someone brought out a box of tiny cupcakes to share and my response in the dream was to say oh but I don’t eat stuff like that any more. It may mean my subconscious self is expressing some sort of internal battle but I am choosing to take it to mean that an acceptance that I don’t want stuff like that to eat is embedded in my subconscious. Smile

Yesterday’s work team lunch was lovely. I chose cheesy garlicky mushrooms to start and did not touch the accompanying bread. Mains was sea bass, samphire and potatoes. I had the tiniest taste of the potatoes. Cheese for desert. Ate two of the tiny crackers mainly because they had brought so many I felt awkward leaving them. Anyway damage minimised and lesson learned is I should have asked for the things I had no intention of eating to be left off my plate. But I didn’t want to look wierd to my colleagues. Felt awkward to have wasted so much carby rubbish though.

L cheese salad using my mooli radish and kohl rabi to make coleslaw.
D smoked haddock and buttery flgv with sprinkling of Parmesan, poached egg.

Focus this weekend will be prepping for Christmas. Gift buying and food planning. Wondering about a low carb vegetarian main for me and SIL. I usually make a croute. Last year I had fish but there were only 3 of us cause we were locked down. Also fish didn’t go very well with all the trimmings. Welcome any ideas?

Various health issues now recovered so no more excuses to not run or go to the gym so will be starting back on that. It’s a nice morning so planning a short run.

Have a lovely day everyone.

prettybird · 04/12/2021 10:47

I've got someone coming over for lunch on Friday who is gluten free. I was just going to do a platter of meats (parma ham, bresaola etc) with torn bit of mozzarella and some salad. I was looking up gluten free breads to make her and then realised I was being silly: I can either (or both) make the low carb Tom Kerridge bread or make the special cheesy BootCamp muffins Grin

ShagMeRiggins · 04/12/2021 15:14

Andi2020 4” off biggest part of your mid-section is excellent. That’s such an important area as it contains the visceral fat (that strangles our internal organs, basically). Well done.

Oh, and WATER WATER WATER y’all!

WildMaryBerriesWithBrandyCream · 04/12/2021 15:30

Sorry to hear about your parent @queenofcauliflower. I hope you have good support around you.

Thanks for the water calls. It is still easy to forget.

No working scales here yet (This is 'Wildheartsease' under a new seasonal name) BUT trousers that pinched round the waist enough to give me indigestion at the beginning (and were unwearable) are now comfortable... even with the extra layer provided by my (much needed) thermal undies!

The other good news here is that we have a kitchen to use again. The sink is plumbed in - the surfaces are (roughly) in place and everything is now back in cupboards and drawers (rather than lost and in heaps all over the house).
Cooking ahead - 'camping' (without the wide open spaces) is over !

BIWI · 04/12/2021 15:49

Glad to hear it @WildMaryBerriesWithBrandyCream! I remember the upheaval when we were having our kitchen done and it was a nightmare!

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ShagMeRiggins · 04/12/2021 19:23

Exellwnt news re trousers round the waist. That’s so much more important than scales to me!

WildMaryBerriesWithBrandyCream are we meant to be adopting Christmas handles now? Not sure I can add anything to my To Do list Confused but glad the water reminders help.

It is so easy to forget in the bleak mid-winter (or whatever we are now—it’s not officially winter but it’s occasionally bleak).

Tonight’s dinner is fine but nothing special. Nice sausages with last minute salad. I’ve been cooking so much I wish everyone would just have anything homemade or leftovers. I think that’s tomorrow’s menu!

WildMaryBerriesWithBrandyCream · 04/12/2021 23:49

@ShagMeRiggins Smile(shagMeSleighbells? ShagMeSanta !)

Christmasy name fun is easy (and unlike everything else at this time of year) doesn't require any shopping or washing up.

Andi2020 · 05/12/2021 00:05

@ShagMeRiggins thanks. Wouldn't have known if I hadn't bothered to tidy up my work area and found the piece of ribbon I used away back when I started but my stretchy jeans are defo too big.
@BestIsWest I'm the same with the water drinking more tea ( ginger) to help stay warm.

nowlook · 05/12/2021 08:48

Hello lovely campers!

Hope it's been a successful 7 weeks for all. Just swinging by briefly to wish you all a Merry Christmas (I've gone early) and to say I saw a reference to gnudi in today's Observer restaurant review. It's gnocchi but with ricotta rather than tatties.

gnudi

Made me think of you all!
See you soon

BIWI · 05/12/2021 09:06

Lovely recipe @nowlook (and lovely to 'see' you!) but it still uses flour, which we're not allowed to eat ... Xmas Wink

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BIWI · 05/12/2021 09:08

Semolina, btw, is 71.6g carbs per 100g - so without any of the other ingredients, that would be 40.3g carbs per person.

I wonder, though, if you could substitute almond flour? I wonder if that might be too heavy?

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Jollyholibobs · 05/12/2021 09:30

Hello @nowlook and early merry Christmas to you too.

I made celeriac purée last night. Very rich but delicious. www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/vegetarian/celeriac-puree/

My Facebook memories tell me that 10yrs ago I spent the weekend cooking and filling the freezer in prep for Christmas. I just can’t quite get the worked up about it this year. No plans for the day but the cat has appeared to tell me it’s time to get up. I’m just sat in bed reading with a coffee. Actually my plan is to extend my fast today as yesterday a bit too much rich food.

Have a nice day everyone.

nowlook · 05/12/2021 09:31

Ha! I didn't even see the flour @BIWI Grin

I'll stick with my omelette then...

nowlook · 05/12/2021 09:34

It sounds like you're winning @Jollyholibobs...I slept in a "naked" bed last night because I forgot to dry the bedding. Cut yourself some slack Wink

BIWI · 05/12/2021 09:36

At least your cat just appeared @Jollyholibobs. Mine shot into our room, jumped on the bed and proceeded to attack my feet - with claws out. That woke me up!

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prettybird · 05/12/2021 09:48

We're now having a "problem" with one of our cats: we got a call from a vet on Thursday asking if we had a cat called Niles my heart jumped into my mouth at this point as the last time we got such a call, Cosmo had been killed in a hit and run Shock I said yes, so she asked if he was lost, to which I replied no, he'd been on my lap that morning. Apparently he'd been visiting the back door of somewhere local asking to be fed and the guy got concerned he might be lost so captured him to take him to be scanned thank goodness he is chipped

Vet wouldn't pass on details, so he was just brought back and "released" and came trotting home shortly later.

Now we're concerned every time we don't see him for a few hours like now Hmm

The guy probably doesn't know that a) Siamese cats are naturally slim, b) they're cats, they lie Wink and c) there are two of them that look the same so the "cat" asking for food might actually be two different cats Confused

BIWI · 05/12/2021 10:12

At least your neighbour was concerned though, @prettybird!

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prettybird · 05/12/2021 10:17

We know that Smile - but now we're worrying when Niles disappears for long periods of time (like last night to today) and we don't know where he is Sad and suspect he's being taken in and fed Hmm

If only we knew which house it was, we could go over and retrieve him.

Frenchpoodle · 05/12/2021 10:19

@queenofcauliflower the muffins and pizzas look great! So sorry to hear about your loss, sending good wishes to you and your family. Well done for focusing on looking after yourself with some lovely, healthy eating.

I’m away on holiday at the moment, five day Christmas break in London. Have been managing to keep LC with the help of champagne and some lovely restaurant meals including chicken with fennel salad and a gorgeous steak last night. Been finding it harder to do water, water, water - but back on that for a final push when home next week.

BIWI · 05/12/2021 10:41

Hopefully now that the guy knows he's chipped/not a stray, he won't feed him any more @prettybird?

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