We added a new flavor to our pallets the other day at our house. We tried a new seasoning mix by SunBird called "Thai Red Curry". It was pretty low carb and I know that curry can be a different taste that is all its own so that's why we went for it. I have to say, It was excellent and definitely something we will do again. And for you curry haters out there, don't worry, its nothing like you would expect.

Its basically chicken, sliced peppers, and onions cooked in a pan and then you simply add the sauce that you mix up. The sauce mix called for some water, soy sauce, and sugar which we just subbed out for some splenda and it was fine. Only took about 15 minutes to make too. Great spice but not too hot, with a fun sweetness that follows.

    I was expecting a much higher curry taste but when we tried the final product it was much sweeter than expected. It was closer to a sweet and spicy chicken dish then what most people think of a curry. I wouldn't even use the word curry in it. I guess it makes sense since its a Thai thing and not an Indian dish.This would be great over cauliflower rice or if you had some low carb noodles to throw in I think you might really have a hit meal here. Next time we make it we are going try to add some noodles to make it feel even more Thai inspired.

This will be back at our house for sure.

One Sauce Packet (May be lower with splenda)
Carbs - 4
Fiber - 1
Net Carbs - 3

    For lunch today I had egg salad wrapped in low carb tortillas. It was very yummy. And the eggs help keep the carb count down plus the right mix in an egg salad can be pretty filling. There is a place down the street that sells eggs salad lettuce wraps. I shall try them soon, but I have to be careful not to over do egg salad. It is a taste that although delicious, can wear out its welcome very quickly. 

P.S. I think I am having carb withdrawals on my second day back on hard-core Atkins. I feel my body being cleansed, and it wants to fight back. I shall "diet coke" it into submission.

    Sorry for the hold up. I realize that it's been a while since I have done any new posts. They would come sooner but I was in a bit of a bloggers lull. Plus, a lot has happened over the last few days which has busied things up for me. Namely, I had to travel back home to my folks house because my big brother got married. Of course this meant a whole world of festivities that derailed my eating habits and lifestyle. I have never been that good at sticking to my guns when I go home for holidays and visits. Its hard enough to say no to certain foods that show up on home stays(caramel rolls) but to stack those temtations on top of wedding festivities only leads to greater disaster.

    I also had a birthday last week which started off the week with trouble. So with birthday cake, rehearsal dinners, wedding bbq, wedding cupcakes, and dessert gift openings its no wonder I feel as bloated as someone attacked by a swarm of bees. I will say this though, when you fall off the wagon, or leap off it, sometimes the carb binge hangover is just the thing to get you back on track again. 

    It's as if I got all the cravings and the need for sweets out of my system and reminded my body why working out and eating healthy feels right. I feel sluggish and bloated when I eat carbs, and the sugar just causes me to want more sugar. I am constantly looking for something to put in my body that is bad for me and I fill the time with snacks. Its not a good way to live. And to be honest, most of the carbs I had didn't even taste good. 

    All that to say, I am getting back on the wagon today and I look forward to doing it. Getting back on track with my walks will be nice. I wish I didn't need to have the 1-2 weeks of catching back up to where I was by cleaning out the carbs. But its the price I pay. 

    I am going to try to put up some new posts over the next couple days showing the process of getting on track again. But I decided not to weigh in for a week. I don't want to get depressed right after my trip home. Better to get back on track without knowing how bad the damage done has been.

    -By the way, to get a better idea of the type of wedding my brother had, this robot was directing traffic at the event.

Beep Bop Boop.

    There just something about seasoned meats that have been dried to a chewy sweetened treat. I am talking about jerky of course. I love the stuff. When I first started Atkins I always had some on hand. It was a great snack that was low in carb and a great way to help get through the day when the tummy is rumbling. Problem is, the stuff ant cheap. Meat is expensive in the first place, but when you let it sit out all day and dry out it apparently raises the price and value of the stuff. 

    Several weeks ago I made the impromptu purchase to get a food dehydrator. $35 dollars seemed like a small investment for the savings I would acquire in the long run. I have had friends that have had them and had great luck, and plus I was raised watching Ron Popeil show me how easy they are to use. I went for it. 

    So far I've made a couple things. Zucchini chips have been a hit in the house, along with apple chips, dried mango, and of course beef jerky. The zucchini chips are put in the machine and covered in a light cajan salt so they come out salty and spicy. Mango and apples we just let dry on their own for a couple hours, but the jerky is really where I have shined. I usually go buy some beef that on sale, cut it up into small pieces, and marinate it over night. I have done hickory and teriyaki and both have been great.Then you just lay it in the machine, close it up, flip the switch, and in eight hours you have jerky. It's kind of tough when you cut the meat yourself to know how long to let the machine run, because if the machine is full it may take longer, and if the pieces are thick they will require a little more time. Just use your watchful eye. Its the easiest thing to do in the world. I make big batches and then just freeze the extra and pull it out as I need it. 

    My only issues with the machine is that it is kind of loud and it gives off some heat. Plus, our apartment smells like jerky for a day when I make the stuff. That's a little trade off for yummy cheap snacks though. heres the link to the machine I got...

Nesco Food Dyhydrator

    My wife returned for a couple days between her tour and all hell has broken loose. The garbage that has gone in my body is outstanding. I wish I could say I was making it up, but I literally have eaten some of the the most diliscously wonderful carb things which include Pizza, Sushi, Dairy Queen, and a Peanut Butter and Jelly Bacon Burger (yes you read that right). Although my workouts have remained steady, my eating habits have struggled. 

    A friend at work and I often take turns buying lunch for one another. Usually from one of two places. Chipotle or Cafe Rio (the other chipotle). Today we did Cafe Rio and I did the pork salad. Its a wonderful blend of green lettuce and sweet pork that is place above a fresh flour tortilla. I usually skip the tortilla if I can, but lately I can't. Its all juicy and soft and so delicious. 

    It's not like I have put any weight on. I am still in a great place to be, but I get so mad at myself for not having better balance. There isn't anything wrong with eating the occasional treat, but when you jam a bunch of carbs together that's when they start to really effect me. If it was an occasional low carb item It would be fine, but one thing leads to another and the door to temptation is wide open. Ugh!

    I know I will get back on track here soon and that I shouldn't beat myself up, but I just want to stay strong and not make stupid spontaneous decisions. I need to think long term here. 

    All that to say, its 12:50pm and I have already surpassed my carb count for the day. :(

I have post holiday depression. I also want ribs.

I also am procrastinating doing a blog post.