Week 5 - summer low carb bootcamp

[WillieWaggledagger]

Right chaps, while BIWI is drinking prosecco in sunny Italy away being busy and important, I'm your supply teacher for the next couple of days. BIWI has given me temporary responsibility for the Big Stick, so no messing about at the back there!

Well done on getting to week five, it's not easy and despite the fab support on here you've done this yourself, so remember how far you've come.

Please record your weight on the spreadsheet and marvel at your progress!

Temptations will come along, especially over bank holidays and half term treats, but remember that you're doing this for yourself, so be kind to yourself by not giving in to the temptation from things that do you harm and risk derailing you, as every time you look after yourself in this way it get easier. If you have a wobble, post on here - we'll remind you of all the tasty things you can have instead and why.

Have a lovely week!

Thanks for the cheese sauce pointers! Cooking with double cream! (deep breath)

Cabby - 3.9g sounds quite low for almonds anyway - the Collins gem carb counter gives flaked or ground as 6.8g per 100g

nappyaddict the lidl yoghurt comes in a blue and white bucket with a greek name that begins with an E. It is full fat, slightly lower carb even than total and very rich and creamy.

I read the phrase "lidl low-carb sausages" on here and went searching the labels - I found pork and spring onion ones that are 2.5 carbs per sausage. There may be other flavours that are as low or lower but i stopped right there. . They are big and very flavoursome.

Had been away for the weekend (somewhere exotic like BIWI'S; just to the North West for ds to participate in 3 days of cycling races) so am only catching ip now.

Despite being out all day spectating and then having to pull together easy meals in the house we were staying in, I managed to keep pretty much to Boot Camp rules with the exception of some (well deserved) wine I even resisted all the home-made cakes at the catering on Sunday although I did succumb to a bacon butty

After a final day getting soaked on Blackpool Promenade (fortunately had taken my ski, my SKI jacket, which was soaked through and took a dry to dry out!!) a group of us stopped off for a fish supper before trekking back up to Scotland. I had a small one and let dh have most of the chips

Anyway, my virtue was rewarded with a further 2lbs off; I am now 10stone 10lb and now officially have a (normal) BMI of 25. . ok, I have the scales positioned in the spot that gives the most flattering weight

Hi all. Sorry the nuts are driving you all nuts! Amazing how the info changes.

B - yoghurt, flaxseeds, blueberries and cream
L - broccoli and blue cheese soup, ham and cream cheese roll-ups
Snack - cheese
D - courgette ribbons, meatballs, tomato sauce and some feta
S - cheese

Have downloaded an app on my phone to keep track of my water intake. Managed 9 big glasses today.

Felt rotten midafternoon. Felt like cystitis. Was also a bit constipated. And couldn't get warm. Wanted to go to bed but decorators are here. Took some bicarbonate in water and that helped. Snuggled on the sofa for a while. Seems ok now.

I am supposed to be going to bed, and instead I have noisily lifted my assorted packets of almonds out of the cupboard to check carb contents per 100g.

Whole, with skins: 6.5g
Blanched: 6.5g
Flaked: 6.5g
Toasted flaked: 6.5g
Ground: 6.5g

All Sainsbury's own brand.

It's official, no matter what you do with an almond, it will always be 6.5g carb/100g.

Now I'm going to bed.

As an aside, my Burmese cat (we still think of her as a kitten) has been missing since last night. She never does that. I have worried and worried about her all day, and DD had designed 'missing' posters. She has just turned up, very excited to be home, and smelling of engine oil. I am very relieved.

Massive challenge this weekend. My brother is getting married and we are going to my parents for 3 days. They are vegetarian with a shockingly high carb diet. Dinner will be something like this: pasta with garlic bread, dessert: healthy option: activia yoghurt unhealthy: cheesecake. There will be no meat in the house and 'healthy' sweetened muesli for breakfast or coco pops, lashings of white bread on the side.

I think you all get the drift!

I cannot afford to do bad carbs over 3 days ESP as I went overboard for my b'day. Am going to have to turn down their carby food even if they get offended. You'd think being vegetarian they'd understand but they will think im totally deluded with my fancy faddish, london ways!

Have packed: macadamia nuts, almonds, mini salami, mini chorizo, tub of fage and a Tupperware of my own muesli made of flaxseed, toasted coconut, ground almonds and walnuts. I'm bound to slip up at one meal as there really are no options at my parents but am going to do my best to rein it in for 90% of the time.

Thing is I hate the thought of ' slipping up' over something as grim as pasta or garlic bread forced on me due to vegetarian fridge/cupboards

Wish me luck!

I am creeping in. I had a shocker of a weekend last week involving too much beer and a 4am bedtime ( I cannot cope with this)! And was a bit slack On Sunday too. However, somehow, I managed to stay the same. I am back on the wagon but need to drink a LOT more water.

I saw someone I haven't seen for a few months yesterday, she sidled up to me and complimented me in how much slimmer I'm looking so it was a bit of well timed inspiration!

sammi, can youoffer to do some of the cooking? Then you could make a big low carb veggie meal or something.

zimbo - heres the link to the article about the 7 minte workout - well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/09/the-scientific-7-minute-workout/ If you have an android phone or tablet, just search for an app that will help you time it. There is probably an iphone version too.

Making egg clouds for breakfast :)

Willie, can you keep me as couch25cakes, many thanks (getting different forum names confused).

Another day ahead, have had my bacon and eggs, tbh I'm getting a bit sick of eggs and will need to plan more interesting breakfasts. Lunch is gammon salad with avocado, and dinner will be decided later - dh is out so I can please myself :)

sammisatt - in that situation I'd definitely do some shopping locally so that you can cook your own meals. You have to stick up for yourself and your needs. After all, why should your parents impose their views on you, if you know it's to your detriment? You don't have to cook for them, but neither do you have to eat what they prefer.

Sammisatt....are they offended by meat in the house?

I cooked for myself when I went to my parents. Lots of raised eyebrows all round which I ignored.

Wondered if you could buy a steak and some veg?

Waitrose was mega for reductions last night!!!,

I have a mahoosive pile of mushrooms which DH and I love!

2 bags spinach
2 bags chard
2 huuuuuge basil plants that Waitrose paid me 35p to take home!

Any ideas for mushroom recipes?

I have a lovely recipe for mushroom pate, if you want that?

Here - I'll assume you do anyway :

Mushroom Pate

250g mushrooms
30g butter
3-4 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
250g cream cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Serves 10-12 as a canapé

1. Clean and trim the mushrooms, and chop them finely
2. Heat the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Saute the mushrooms and garlic, stirring frequently for 10 minutes or until all the moisture has evaporated. Leave to cool for a few minutes
3. Blitz the mushrooms in a food processor until smooth, then add the cream cheese and blitz again until well blended
4. Season to taste and then leave to cool completely
5. Refrigerate for at least an hour for the garlic flavour to develop

Keeps very well in the fridge for up to a week

This is a Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall recipe

Good luck Sammisat that is a big challenge! Do they tend to have much salad in the vegetarian fridge? (thinking you could make yourself a salad + cheese or omelette etc while they all tuck into pasta).

Morning all. Breakfast this morning was same as yesterday. Haven't decided on any other meals yet. I think it's going to depend on appetite really. Last night had no dinner, just a bit of yoghurt with double cream and a few hazelnuts stirred in

black did you enjoy your eggs?

Am definitely making the pate! Yum!

And I will serve it with parmesan shortbread!

Oh and sammisat are your parents the kind of vegetarians who never seem to eat any actual vegetables? SIL was vegetarian for many years, but basically just seemed to eat jacket potatoes, pizza and loads of junk all the time, never just a nice healthy veggie meal.

Queen, those eggs are delicious! I added a sprinkle of parmesan to mine. I posted a photo on Facebook and have had 5 people ask me for the recipe

haha, brilliant to hear it. I really like them as well!

Queen. Yes!! How did you know?they eat veg buying quite small quantities as an add on to that bloody pasta!
Thanks for the tips guys. They are vegetarian for ethical reasons so I won't be frying a steak( they have an aga too which is crap for frying) but I reckon ham, tuna etc will be fine. I will also sneak out with my very carnivorous partner and score some animal.

Thanks for the tips everyone. It's stressful isnt it? I dread the conversations with them about it. They will think I'm gwyneth bloody Paltrow with my uppity metropolitan ways. Sigh.

Just remind yourself that their beleifs are not more important than yours :)

Ugh! Am on my 3rd PINT of water and I cannot stop going to the loo!!

Am trying to drink a pint before I have a coffee (from my new, free, courtesy of Mumsnet, Tassimo machine !!)

So true BIWI.