Tag Archives: Low-carb

I am kind of flying by the seat of my pants this week. I drew up a quick meal plan, but I’m not sure if I’ll really stick to it.

My crustless pizza casserole was delicious, though! Next time I make it I’ll take measurements and photos and post the recipe. It really is a delicious way to get all the flavor of pizza without the extra carbs. (Plus, it was less messy to eat!)

Lunches are typically a big salad (my standard is organic mixed greens with goat cheese, poached chicken, walnuts, dried cranberries, and balsamic dressing). With the cold weather very clearly here I’m making a lot of soups, and often have a cup to go with that salad. For example, this morning I am roasting butternut squash and onions. I’ll add that to my homemade chicken stock along with some curry powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and whatever else sound good, puree it, and have a delicious autumn soup. Cream of broccoli is another favorite that is simple to make. I love soup!

Anyway, here’s the general idea:

• Sunday: Crustless pizza casserole, salad
• Monday: Cube steaks with mustard gravy, steamed broccoli, salad
• Tuesday: Chicken Marsala over cauliflower puree, green beans, salad
• Wednesday: Steak. Whether I cook it, order out, or go to a restaurant I am having a big old steak for my birthday! And a big salad. And probably broccoli. Maybe a baked potato if I’m feeling naughty. And this Atkins-friendly pumpkin cheesecake.
• Thursday: Roast chicken with vegetables, salad
• Friday: Reuben meatloaf, steamed veggies, cole slaw
• Saturday: Asian chicken lettuce wraps

For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.

It has been a pretty easy adjustment to the carb-restricted diet, and even though I don’t have to eat this way, I am and I’m enjoying a lot of benefits, specifically increased energy. I can’t believe the difference in the past week. I’m getting more done, I’m sleeping better, and I’m waking up more alert. The kids are also better behaved and more focussed. If only all transitions could go as smoothly as this one! The big hit last week was the cauliflower pizza crust. Mine came out a little soggy, but I think if I’d cooked it on my pizza stone the texture would have been great. I can’t wait to make that again! Our CSA pickup is this week, so the veggies toward the end of the week might change a little bit depending upon what’s in our basket.

Here’s what’s cookin’ in Carol’s Kitchen this week

• Sunday: Eat out
• Monday: Chili, green salad
• Tuesday: Crock pot gyros turned into a massive salad with romaine, tomato, red onion, feta, cucumber, black olives, and tzatziki
• Wednesday: Pork chops, roasted broccoli, “loaded” mashed cauliflower, green salad
• Thursday: White chili, green salad
• Friday: Burgers on Oopsie Rolls (gotta find another name because I feel ridiculous typing that), cole slaw or green salad, cut-up veggies, bacon-wrapped jalepeno poppers
• Saturday: Chicken fajitas (tortillas for the kids if they want them), black bean salad.

For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.

Drew and I embraced a low-carb lifestyle a few years ago and until recently were sticking to it quite well. Over the summer we slacked quite a bit, but now we are back and absolutely committed.

Per D’s doctor’s orders, we are eliminating sugar and back to low-carb living. I’m totally fine with it and the kids are enthusiastic about trying new dishes and eating healthier. Although I won’t be totally eliminating breads and sugar from their diet, we are all working together and they’re happy to eat more protein and veggies. (Thank goodness I do not have picky eaters!)

We are back to eating South Beach style, so if you’re looking for low-carb menu ideas, you’ve come to the right place! Mind you, these meal plans will not always apply to our kids, especially breakfast and lunch. As for D & myself, breakfasts will be some kind of preparation of eggs, or yogurt sprinkled with nuts. Lunches will be a large salad with a protein (chicken, tuna, or shrimp most likely). Dinners this week look something like this:

• Sunday: Chili, green salad
• Monday: Sausage and peppers on an Oopsie Roll, roasted tomato soup, green salad
• Tuesday: Lemon chicken, roasted broccoli with Parmesan, green salad
• Wednesday: Turkey taco salads with black beans, avocado and cilantro-lime vinaigrette
• Thursday: Roasted lemon garlic herb shrimp, roasted broccoli, green salad
• Friday: Grilled steak, loaded broccoli, Caprese salad
• Saturday: Pizza night! Trying out this cauliflower crust recipe. And a green salad, of course.

For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.