A new low-carb support thread for 2016

shysal this is the one I would probably choose. It can go in the place of my bread maker which is gathering dust!

Fallen off the wagon whilst away for the weekend.

Have to say the toast and marmalade was delicious this morning.

Back to low carb tomorrow.

Don't worry NanKate. Toast and marmalade top treat here!
Last night we had delicious tarragon chicken (tarragon and butter rubbed over, roast, fat poured off, roasting pan de-glazed with cream and more tarragon) with cauliflower mash and roasted carrot.
Followed by first of our strawberries, now I have netted them, having worked out that it was the bloody pigeon eating them not the slugs.

Thanks Mamie at least I am looking forward to returning to my new eating plan and feeling less bloated.

Just had egg and bacon I will have toast and marmalade when I have gained my target weight. Drool, drool

Is cauliflower mash just boiled/steamed cauliflower mashed ? With butter perhaps ?

Yes, NanKate. I whizz mine in a food processor, and sometimes (usually!) add grated cheese. I have just bought a piece of Lidl Extra Mature Ghouda, which is quite strong so only a little needed, and it has zero carbs. Thanks to whoever recommended it on this thread.

Try putting some whole grain mustard in with the cauliflower mash - really perks it up

Or saffron "melted" in a drop of milk.
Yes, I just boil or steam it for five minutes then use my stick blender, adding butter, salt and pepper. It is delicious; all the texture of mash, but you don't feel stuffed afterwards.

Back from camping weekend with friends and family. A bit soggy but all good fun

Still off etc (day 18?) so only another 82 to go. Roll on September 4th...

Tonight, mutton tagine with cauliflower couscous.

You are doing so well abstaining Anya. Will you come clean if you do fall off the wagon? I am psyching myself up to it, well for a month at least, as my weight is static and fear it's the beer. Do you feel better for it? Do you miss a drink at social gatherings and are your F & F sympathetic?

Yes, I'll come clean...no point otherwise.

PS the cauliflower couscous (no couscous, just cauliflower and bits and bobs) was delicious. I had hoped to save some for lunch tomorrow but DH went back for seconds and scoffed the lot!

Lazigirl there's never a good time, as there's always some event.. The first weekend in June was GD2's 5th birthday and last weekend the camping where lots of alcohol was on offer. So just have to enjoy my diet ginger beer instead

Yes, I feel better. F & F are supportive, if that means they don't offer me a drink, but they do drink in front of me. I think they're used to my odd little challenges by now.

You're obviously a determined woman? Anya. Am having blood sugar checked next week so am off alcohol and will see how it goes. Can anyone help me out with lunch food ideas not involving much prep or bread? Am starting to resemble boiled eggs...Evening meals are easy.

Ham, cheese, cream cheese, hummus, celery, cucumber. Low sugar baked beans. Soup.( home made so no sugar). Etc. Hope this helps a little Lazigirl. I usually have lunch on my own so it is often an omelette or soup.

I make seeded crispbread, with nuts, seeds, eggs and physillium, then lunches are easier with for example cream cheese and smoked salmon, home made mackerel pate etc.

Recent lunches:

'Risotto' made with cauliflower rice, few lardons, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley.

Tomato & basil soup (homemade, no thickener) cheese & 4 water biscuits.

Butternut squash noodles, diced cold chicken, parmesan, generous drizzle of olive oil.

All very quick to assemble and eat!

Our very quick lunches are soup, omelettes or chickpea crackers with cheese. Mostly we have salad. I keep salad leaves (from the garden now), avocados, celery, apple, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, nuts, dried fruit (using only small amounts) and beetroot in stock. I also have ham, garlic sausage, tinned tuna, goat's cheese, and smoked duck. I pick and mix from these to make different salads. If we have leftover beef, pork or chicken I use that too.

Mamie and Pippa, please may I have the crispbread recipes? I expect you have given them before, but there are a lot of pages to trawl through! I bought some chickpea flour to make Socca Pizzas as seen on Hemsley and Kemsley TV programme. Don't know if you are able to watch where you are.
www.hemsleyandhemsley.com/socca-pizza/

Here they are..
food52.com/recipes/28121-za-atar-spiced-chickpea-crackers-with-maldon-sea-salt
Tonight OH is cooking his favourite chicken casserole recipe with peppers, tomatoes, carrots etc.

Thanks for suggestions everyone, really helpful. I know it has been discussed before but ditto Shysal - lots of pages. I would be interested in crispbread recipes too. Looks like I will have to get my baking hat on, gulp.?

My lunchtime salad today:

Leaves (unlike Mamie mine are from a bag!)
2 hard-boiled eggs
8 baby plum tomatoes
Half an avocado
Feta cheese

Drizzled with olive oil and a dash of balsamic vinegar

Very tasty and substantial

Thank you Mamie I look forward to trying them.

I have adapted this from a recipe I found somewhere, but can't remember where.

Crispbread -
1 and 3/4 cups of mixed seeds
2 oz grated strong cheese
2 oz caraway seeds (if liked, I have also used dried herbs of various sorts to vary flavour, or even chilli flakes!!)
1 tablespoon psyllium (light coloured)
2 large eggs
1/2 - 1 teaspoon salt

Oven 180 C

Mix all ingredients together, spread thinly on to parchment or silicone sheet (the thinner the crisper it is)
After about 20 min remove and 'cut' into desired sizes, turn oven down to 140C and leave for a further 40 min. Depending on thickness may need longer to crisp up. If so I turn oven down to 120C. I check to feel when crisp enough.

Keeps for about 2 weeks in air tight container in fridge

Enjoy