Need Low Carb Recipes

Tia - posted on 08/31/2010

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4...

Tia - posted on 08/31/2010

Both of you ladies are so welcome! I really hope that some of these things help you and that you enjoy them. I made losing weight my 2010 New Year's Resolution (2009 was quitting smoking). I have always been chubby and decided this was the year to take control. In the past 8 months, I've lost 40 lbs. and have gone from a size 12/14 to a size 5. I had to completely change the way I ate. I used a low glycemic diet plan that I came up with on my own by going on a huge search for info through books, magazines and the web. I didn't really see the need to pay a ton of money for a NutriSystem or another premade diet plan.Dee, low glycemic is an option if you're looking to keep the good carbs. Beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, meats, yogurts....especially Greek yogurt and other low fat/fat free dairy products. These things help you stay full, keep your blood sugar from crashing (which helps prevent sugary cravings) by taking longer for your body to process and breakdown. I also stay away from highly processed foods and fried/greasy foods. I really wish you ladies the best! You can do it!

Dee - posted on 08/30/2010

thanks Tia.. I am going to snitch your recipes and thanks Lisa for asking. I have so much trouble trying to figure out what are good carbs/bad carbs. Your suggestions Tia sound so yummy. I have been having many health issues, I am finding alot of times the foods I eat trigger some of these issues. I am looking forward to trying some of your suggestions..thanks....

Lisa - posted on 08/30/2010

Thanks Tia, this all sounds wonderful, the trick with Carbs, is finding a variety and not getting burned out on the same ole thing!! I will be trying all this!!!! Yummy!!

Tia - posted on 08/30/2010

Hi Lisa. Here are a few ideas for you. I really try to watch what I eat and sometimes that means eating foods that aren't always very appetizing. After some trial and error, I have a few tricks that I use and love to help keep me satisfied on my diet.



One of the absolute BEST things I make (and enjoy as either a topping on meats, spread on breads/crackers) is a spicy onion jam. I had a dish at a great little Italian restaurant in Athens, GA. and fell in love with their balsamic onion pizza. I had to make it at home and I have adapted it to suit my own tastes...and have expanded what I use the onion jam on. I am pretty sure I'm addicted to it, lol. Here's my recipe..along with a few ideas on HOW to use it so that you can really enjoy it.



Tia's BBQ Grilled Chicken with Sweet and Spicy Onion Jam





Onion Jam

1 1/4 cup white onion, chopped



1 tsp. canola oil



1 tsp butter



1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional but it adds a great extra layer of flavor)



2 tablespoons light brown sugar



1 1/2 tsp. red wine vinegar



salt or salt substitute



ground black pepper





4 chicken breasts

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp. paprika

1 tsp crushed basil

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper



Additional Ingredients

8 Tablespoons KC Masterpiece Hot and Spicy BBQ Sauce *OR* 8 Tablespoons Regular BBQ Sauce PLUS 3 tsps. Hot Sauce

shredded mozzarella cheese, to taste

chopped chives, to taste



In medium skillet, heat oil and butter over medium/high heat. Add chopped onion and saute (stirring occasionally) for about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to med/low and continue cooking until onions are browned and caramelized (stirring occasionally) about another 7 minutes. You want the onions to be just a little deeper in color than golden brown but not burnt.



Add brown sugar, cayenne pepper and a dash of salt and mix well. Continue cooking/stirring for about another 5 minutes. Onions should start to thicken up. Add vinegar and a dash of black pepper, mix well. Cook/stir an additional 5 minutes until all vinegar is evaporated and onions are a thick jam. Remove from heat.



Season chicken breasts with a mixture of garlic powder, paprika, crushed basil, salt and pepper. Grill until almost done, then lightly top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Allow to melt. Remove chicken to plates. Top each breast with a spoonful of onion jam. Drizzle with BBQ sauce. Sprinkle chopped chives on top.



You can also add fresh peeled, chopped peaches to this recipe...or apples, cranberries, even pineapple. 1/2 cup of the peaches, pineapple, apples and 1/4 cup of the cranberries. Add your choice of fruit right before you add the brown sugar. Mix fruit in well with onions and cover with lid. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes, then add brown sugar and complete recipe as usual. The fruit versions are great on chicken, pork or turkey. Omit the BBQ sauce if you go this route.



You can serve this with a salad or...

Another great low fat/ low sodium/low carb food I love is Garlic Steamed Green Beans and they are so easy! Just get a pack of frozen steamer green beans and cook in microwave according to the package directions. Cut open top, add 1 tsp butter, 2 tsp olive oil, 2 tsps. vinegar, 1 tsp garlic powder, a few dashes of salt and a few dashes of pepper. Place back in microwave and heat additional 30 seconds. Remove to bowl, stir to coat beans evenly.



Also, try buying ready to eat grilled chicken or beef strips in the meat section of the grocery store. These are good on a salad with black beans, a little cheese, a squeeze of lime juice and your favorite salsa.



And for a GREAT guilt free dessert, I like to cut a fresh peach or nectarine in half, remove the pit...and microwave on high for 1 minute. Then I drizzle with a little honey and top with a spoon or two of vanilla yogurt. You can also do this with berries. Add some raw chopped almonds and it's a great light lunch. Hope these ideas help and inspire you. Best of luck!