Italian Pizza Salad

I love to change up the salad bowl...

Greens, lettuce, romaine, or the salad you like

Pepperoni pieces

Olives, black or green

Shaved zucchini

Mozarella cheese chunks...the more the merrier

Grape tomatoes

Toss with oil and vinegar dressing

Pepperoni chips

Are you kidding, no...really worth a try.

Lay out pepperoni pieces on a paper towel on a paper plate and microwave for 3 minutes. They get crispy and mmmmm...so good

Use the pillow pack pepperoni like this...you could also try turkey pepperoni

Why I don't eat soy...

There is lots of research out there, but for me, I choose not to eat soy.  It contains estrogen like properties in your body and for anyone with a cancer risk or history, this can be dangerous.

I suggest this article

http://www.optimumchoices.com/Soy.htm

Salad greens...

Need to change up your salad?

Changing the greens is a great way. Consider a salad of

Iceberg, bib lettuce, mesculin greens, romaine, spinach

Now consider a salad with shredded cabbage or

Shredded zucchini

Salads are sometimes colored too, like purple cabbage or red endive

Try it all!

Grilled shrimp

Grilled shrimp are great and can be changed up with so many flavors...

I love marinating them in BBQ sauce, honey and hot sauce mixed together...yes, I know the BBQ and honey have carbs, but what you end up eating is minimal

How about mixing orange juice and fresh ginger and honey...equally yummy.

I also like eating cold grilled shrimp on salads!

Ranch Butter

Oh, the joys of butter. Here is something that will change your life.

Melt 2 or 3 sticks of butter.

Once it is melted, skim off the white film on the top. Take your time to get as much as you can off.

(You are making clarified butter)

Now add one dry package of ranch seasoning. Stir.

Use this to grill chicken, shrimp, steak, or put on top of veges.

Store the extra butter on the counter in a mason jar.

Oh, the joy!

Great kind of like ice cream substitute

When you realllllly want something cold and sweet, try this

Take a small amount of frozen fruit (yes, fruit has carbs, but use about 1/4 cup)

Use about 3 Tbsp of sweet creamer. I like the vanilla sugar free creamer.

Pour creamer over fruit and stir around. Now eat and enjoy.

I just had frozen blueberries...yeah, that's yummy!

Hard Boiled Eggs

Are your eggs gray around the yolk, or just not coming out right?

Try this cooking method.

Put eggs in a pot. Cover with cool tap water until the water is just above the egg.

Cook on medium until the water boils.

Then turn off the stove and remove from heat, cover, and do not peek...nothing will happen under there. Let eggs rest exactly 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, drain water, add lots of ice cubes and cool water. Allow to cool and refrigerate!

Egg Salad

Love egg salad? Haven't made it in a while? Try it again.

Chop eggs well

Add mayo and mustard to taste

Add salt and pepper to taste

I like to add celery seed...strange, but it works.

Parmesan crisps

Want something crispy?

Make Parmesan crisps...

I use the shredded Parmesan, not the finely ground kind.

Make a mound of Parmesan pat it down on a silpat or parchment paper lined pan.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 5 minutes. Allow to cool. If they are not crispy when cool, bake a little longer.

Low Carb Tacos

I love tacos, and without the taco shell they are quite tasty, here are some variations

Instead of the corn tortilla shell use...

Half a bell pepper

A lettuce leaf

Half an acorn squash

Use a smaller plate

This is the most SIMPLE concept in weight loss and health. Use a smaller plate with your meals. You will feel like you are eating more since it will appear as more on your plate.

Turkey Burger variation

Taco turkey Burger

Mix your turkey meat with dry taco seasoning.  Add taco sauce for moisture.  Turkey burgers have very little fat and moisture, so adding extra moisture is always helpful.  Grill your burger and top with your favorite "taco" toppings such as grated cheese, lettuce, tomatoes.

Add avocado and red onion to taste as well

Cheese steaks! Yes!

I love a good cheese steak, and it is a great low carb meal.

Sautee your veges ...onions, peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, summer squash...whatever you like,season to taste.

Now cook up your steak, top with cheese until it melts and serve on top of your sautéed veges.

Try this with different kinds of cheese !

Picture Inspiration

Sometimes I just need some inspiration...I head to Pinterest (Pinterest.com) and search "low carb". There's lots of inspiration to be had. Just click on at true you like for the recipe and more info!

String cheese and celery

Slice your string cheese long ways into 4 long slices, stuff your celery with string cheese for a protein snack on the go.

Turkey Burger Variations

Greek Salad Turkey Burger

Grill turkey burger

Top with Feta cheese, black olives and lettuce

Serve with a cucumber yogurt sauce for dipping