Support and ideas for those on low-carb diet

I keep my celery in a big old mug on the windowsill too, and chop it into things like millet instead of parsley.

Speaking of millet, I ran out of quinoa, so decided to use millet instead. I put a pound back on this week, I was really cross!

I agree about the vegetables. I don't keep mine in the fridge as one part of my kitchen is very cool and they are usually all used up in a couple of days.

Instead they all go into my old 2-storey iron veg rack. They do make a colourful display and I get comments about them from visitors who can't believe we get through so much and varied vegetables.

Things like celery I keep in a vase on the window sill so they don't droop. And we have our own lettuce and spicy salad mix just outside the back door in a big trug.

Same here with salad, veg and fruit here Merlot. (I know others don't eat much fruit on this diet). We seem to go to Lidl (freshest fruit and veg and getting better at organic) almost every other day. However, we have our own lettuces now which helps. We have put masses of stuff in this year so I suspect we will do nothing but pick, prepare and process huge amounts of food in the summer, and we still haven't finished last year's ratatouille and minestrone!

I noticed a loss in fluid retention right from the start, Mamie. I think that's why it's important to drink lots of water. I also think that's why my joint pain has eased.

I can't believe how quickly we get through vegetables and salad ingredients. I can hardly shut the fridge door after I've unloaded a shop but by Wednesday it's all gone. My larder shelves are looking empty as well and now I can't remember what was cluttering them up!

Has anyone else noticed the impact of fluid retention / loss on this diet? We are having an asparagus fest at the moment (last night I made an asparagus and fresh pea frittata) and it definitely seems to have a diuretic effect. I find that I retain fluid in the heat (unsurprising) and also when travelling. My weight has stabilised on 9 stone but I go up and down by about 3lbs depending on the fluids.
Looplou, remember that the theory of this diet is based on low carb but some fat (you don't have to go mad). The evidence seems to be that low carb low fat doesn't work.
By the way the latest low carb bootcamp has just started on Mumsnet. We never did this bit of the diet, but it may be of interest to some.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/low_carb_bootcamp/2375868-Week-1-May-Low-Carb-Bootcamp-Off-we-go

I've been using soya mince actually! Great minds etc. Half and half mince and soya when DD is here, as SiL can spot a lack of enough fattiness at 100 yds. My food has always been way too healthy for his liking.

I know, this is sugar-free from the wholefoods shop, the contents don't include sugar or sugar substitutes, less then 2 grammes of carb and serves 6.
You can always leave that bit out, I only add it if feeding the hoards

Beware of the sugar in jars of pasta sauce, loopylou Hidden Carbs!!

DH is sensitive to tinned tomatoes. They make his tongue sore but he's OK with cooked fresh ones.

I make spag Bol with Quorn mince -no fat - and use very little oil to sauté the onions janer, we can't tell the difference from beef mince. I add garlic, mushrooms, courgettes, tomatoes, peppers and a couple of tins of chopped tomatoes plus a jar of pasta sauce if feeding a lot of people.
I don't think it has much fat at all and is pretty much carb-free.
Try it!
I did it with courgetti and spaghetti for DH.

Well done! And to merlot, I do hope her jeans don't fall down.

We have had a morning off from the garden to visit the art gallery in Le Havre, which was excellent. Had lunch in a little bar / restsurant in the Pays d'Auge on the way back and ate a very nice salad "terroir" of cheeses (of course), andouille, apple, lettuce, tomatoes etc. We ignored the toast and bread but succumbed to a small beer!

I had a mini lentil loaf and coleslaw on salad. Back to roasted chicken thighs, roasted veg and quinoa for tonight.

Well done Merlot

Just had an early lunch of cold roast chicken thighs and coleslaw. Don't need much of that to fill you up.

Off now for talk on Fulke Greville.

It's hot outside today so I've come in for a quick coffee (and a sneaky look at Gnet) I keep telling myself that digging out nettles is good for the waistline - actually my jeans are telling me it is but boy, I wish I was ten years younger.

I've lost another 2lbs so I'm

Avocado and prawn salad for lunch.

I think that is what I am most looking forward to, a spag bol that doesn't make me feel guilty. When DS is at home it's his favourite meal, but I look at all that fat and all those carbs and remember that it was after eating it that my ulcers (caused by diclofenac) first showed themselves - I thought I was having a heart attack.

Cod with fennel, bacon and leeks tonight, delicious.
Had courgetti last night with a vegetarian bog. sauce, that was lovely too.

23C here, I wish I had thought of eating outside! I have a huge mixed roast veg tray on the go, with that we are having chicken breasts stuffed with garlicky cream cheese and chopped prunes and wrapped in bacon. The chicken breasts are huge, so should stop DBH asking where the potatoes are.

Goodness it's hot. Had to come in from the terrace as it must be about 28 out there.
We are having barbecued rib of beef marinaded in oil and fresh herbs, with roasted courgettes, onion, garlic, carrots and tomatoes.
Strawberries to follow.

Mine sticks well to wooden work tops.

That's the same make as mine River it's very simple to use and easy to clean.

Do you have any problems with the feet sticking? That seems to be the main complaint, maybe it's the surface you use it on that makes the difference.

I have this one
www.amazon.co.uk/Lurch-Attila-Hildmann-Vegetable-Spiralizer/dp/B00E9SW4IA/ref=sr_1_10?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1431195879&sr=1-10
It was cheaper on amazon.fr though!

It's got good reviews.

I've the one that has a bowl underneath and acts as a grater, mandolins and juicer as well. My courgetti and carrot spirals puttanesca was really good. I'm doing it again later this week.
Only ever tried beetroot pickled but I'm going to try it spiralised, roasted with feta and olives on Monday. I've some golden and candied beet to try.

This is the one that I have in mind

sprialiser