MIRACLE BROWNIES

HERE IS MY RECIPE FOR MIRACLE BROWNIES THAT I HAVE ADAPTED FROM THE RECIPE FOUND HERE. 

Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 stick of butter
• 1 cup Stevia
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
• 2 eggs (room temp is best)
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted
• 1 cups flax seed meal
• 1/2 T. baking powder
• 6 T. heavy whipping cream
• 1/3 cup water

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a 8X8 pan.

1) Cream the butter until fluffy.

2) Add the stevia to the butter and cream them together until fully combined (aim for a fluffy texture).

3) Add the vanilla and beat the eggs into the mixture, one at a time.

4) Add salt and cocoa, beat well.

5) Add chocolate, beat until fluffy.

6) Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well to combine.

7) Pour into a pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until top springs back. (You can also test if they're ready by sticking a toothpick in the brownies. If it comes out clean, or almost-so, they're done.)

Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
• 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted
• 1 T. butter 
• 4-5 T. Stevia
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 c. Chopped Pecans 

• Preparation:

  
  
  1)Heat all ingredients (except for nuts) in a small pot on the stove over low heat until melted and thickened. 
  2)Spread over top of cooled brownie and top with nuts. 
  When cooled, cut into squares.
   

 

~ CARB COUNT BREAKDOWN ~ 

Actual Brownies:

• 1/2 stick of butter ~ 0g net carbs
  
• 1 cup Stevia ~ 25g carbs, but I am counting 0g net carbs -All the "carbs" in stevia / erythritol are sugar alcohols, so they have a net count of 0.
• 1 Tbsp vanilla ~ 0g net carbs
• 2 eggs (room temp is best) ~ 1g net carbs
• 1/4 cup cocoa ~ 4g net carbs
• 1/2 tsp salt ~ 0g net carbs
• 2 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted ~ 6g net carbs
• 1 cups flax seed meal ~ 0g net carbs
• 1/2 T. baking powder ~ 0g net carbs
• 6 T. heavy whipping cream ~ 3g net carbs
• 1/3 cup water ~ 0g net carbs

Topping:

• 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream ~ 4g net carbs
• 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted ~ 6g net carbs
• 1 T. butter  ~ 0g net carbs
  
• 4-5 T. Stevia ~ I am counting 0g net carbs -All the "carbs" in stevia / erythritol are sugar alcohols, so they have a net count of 0.
• 1 tsp. vanilla ~ 0g net carbs
• 1/4 c. Chopped Pecans ~ 1g net carbs

TOTAL CARBS FOR THE ENTIRE BROWNIE RECIPE IS ~ 25g Net Carbs

Divide the  25g. of net carbs by the number of squares to figure the net carb count in each brownie.

MY DAILY ROUTINE

This is what has been working for me over the past 6 weeks. I fell on and off the wagon in the first 2 weeks and still lost 18 lbs. because I got right back on. Let's face it, those Holidays make it a little rough, but they don't have to be. The key is to plan ahead so you know what you'll be eating when everyone around you is eating carb filled foods. I'll always have meal plan ideas for EVERY holiday here on my blog. Even little items you can bring with you to parties you can stash in your pockets or purse!

~ 6 WEEK LOW CARB DIET PLAN ~ JUMP START THE WEIGHT LOSS ~

If you do what I did, I GUARANTEE you will loose at least 15 lbs.  

The key is STICKING WITH IT!! 6 weeks is not very long when you think about it. 

FIRST OFF - DRINK WATER!!!!
I drank 8-12 glasses daily. Yes, there are many trips to the restroom, but you are consuming more protein than you have before, so it's a good idea to amp up the water intake. Don't be crazy and drink it all at one, spread it out throughout the day, just try not to drink too much after 5:00pm, you don't want to have to go in the middle of the night right? 
Ok, let's get started...
 

1.) 2-3 Whey Protein Shakes a day. With about 2 grams of carbs per shake & 32g of protein they kept me feeling full. I definitely had one for breakfast and one for lunch. Sometimes I had one before bed if I ate an early dinner. If I felt I needed to consume some sort of actual food between breakfast, lunch & dinner it would be a hard boiled or scrambled egg, cucumber slices, celery, berries, nuts or other low carb food that wasn't huge in calories or fat. They key is PORTION CONTROL!!  Those nuts can reall sneak up on you!

2.) My main meal was dinner. This totally ranged for me in calories.
The norm was:
 ~ protein: steak, fish, seafood, etc.
 ~ green veggie: spinach, kale, squash
 ~ whole grain: flax bread/muffin
 ~ dairy: cheese to top by bread, goat, mozzarella, parmesan, etc.

3.) Dessert: Sugar free jello is awesome!!  No carbs, just fruity deliciousness. There are a BUNCH of flavors too! Add some whipped cream for an indulgent low carb trea!

HERE IS ATKINS CARB COUNTER WHICH I USE ON A DAILY BASIS. THIS IS HOW I MEASURE MY NET CARB INTAKE AS WELL AS NET CARBS IN MY RECIPES POSTED ON MY BLOG.

I also exercise regularly: Cardio & Weight Lifting.
I joined Planet Fitness, which honestly has helped me so much! It's also SUPER AFFORDABLE!!  

LOW CARB PIZZA RECIPE

 I have adapted my pizza crust recipe from the one found HERE.

JEN'S LOW CARB PIZZA CRUST RECIPE ~

Ingredients:

1 1/2 C. Golden Milled Flax Seed ~ 0g net carbs

1/4 c. Parmesan cheese ( in the can, not fresh) ~ 0.8g net carbs

2 tsp. baking powder ~ 0g net carbs

1 tsp. salt ~ 0g net carbs

2 tsp. garlic powder ~ 0g net carbs

1 tsp. Italian seasoning ~ 0g net carbs

3 T. olive oil ~ 0g net carbs

3 eggs ~ 1.5g net carbs

1/2 C. water ~ 0g net carbs

Preheat oven to 425 F.
Mix dry ingredients together then the wet ingredients and mix well.

Let sit for about 5 minutes to thicken.

Spread on pizza pan lined with greased parchment paper.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until cooked through, then add toppings and cook an additional 5-8 minutes or until they are done.

~ CARB COUNT BREAKDOWN ~

Golden Milled Flax Seed ~ 0g net carbs

Parmesan cheese ( in the can, not fresh) ~ 0.8g net carbs

Baking powder ~ 0g net carbs

Salt ~ 0g net carbs

Garlic powder ~ 0g net carbs

Italian seasoning ~ 0g net carbs

Olive oil ~ 0g net carbs

Eggs ~ 1.5g net carbs

Water ~ 0g net carbs

The whole crust has 2.3 grams of effective carbohydrates!! So load up those low carb toppings and ENJOY!! 

VARIATIONS:

ADD PESTO TO THE CRUST IN PLACE OF THE OIL TO AMP UP THE FLAVOR!!

LOW CARB PIZZA TOPPING IDEAS:

RANCH MARGHERITA ~ (shown in pics) ~ Ranch sauce base, sprinkled with chopped garlic, topped with fresh Parmesan, Buffalo Mozzarella, tomatoes & basil.

GARLIC CHICKEN ALFREDO ~ Alfredo sauce base, sprinkled with chopped garlic, topped with fresh Parmesan, Mozzarella & grilled chicken.

MEAT TRIO ~ tomato sauce base, sprinkled with chopped garlic, topped with fresh Parmesan, Mozzarella, pepperoni, canadian bacon and italian sausage. 

FLAX IS MY NEW BEST FRIEND!

From crackers to pizza crust it's your new go to whole grain.  
It might take some getting use to, but well worth it! With 0g impact/net carbs it's almost a MUST for low carb dieters. I do like the Wild Roots Milled Golden Flaxseed pictured above the best. I buy mine at Wal-mart in the cereal aisle at a reasonable price and use it often, almost daily! Here's a link to the BENEFITS OF FLAX SEED. 

SUPER EASY MICROWAVE PESTO BREAD RECIPE

As anyone who has ever been on a low carb diet knows, the idea of not being able to consume bread is a HUGE issue. Here is a recipe for a QUICK FIX. Satisfying, good for you and I must say DELICIOUS!! Here is my recipe I adapted from this ONE MINUTE FLAX MUFFIN  recipe:

JEN'S YUMMY MICROWAVE PESTO BREAD: 2.15g net carbs (includes goat cheese spread)

Ingredients:
1 Egg
1 T. Heavy Whipping Cream (optional, the consistency is better with it though)
1 heaping T. Pesto (I buy mine at Sam's Club since I use it often, the brand is Artisan Fresh)
2 T. shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 c. Milled Golden Flaxseed (you don't have to use Golden, but I prefer it's flavor)
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Spread:
1 oz. Goat Cheese

In a 2 cup microwave safe glass container (i use a pyrex measuring cup) combine the wet ingredients.
Add the dry to the wet ingredients and mix until it is all incorporated.
Microwave for 1 minute 25 seconds until it is firm. (microwave times may vary)
It may look wet at first, but it dissipates upon standing. I then invert it onto a plate, slice & enjoy warm! I spread it with a bit of goat cheese for an AMAZINGLY gourmet flavor!

Total net/impact carbs are 2 for the entire loaf with an ounce of goat cheese to use as a spread. It is extremely filling. You could probably eat half and still feel full due to the fiber and protein levels.

~ CARB COUNT BREAKDOWN ~

1 egg ~ 0.5g net carbs

1 T. Heavy Whipping Cream - 0.2g net carbs

Pesto ~ 0.75 g net carbs

Mozzarella ~ 0.4g net carbs

Flax ~ 0g net carbs

Baking Powder ~ 0g net carbs

1 oz. goat cheese ~ 0.3g net carbs

LOW CARB LIVING

So, I've decided to create a blog about my new eating habits. It has changed my life dramatically, as well as my waistline! Being the owner of Jen's Specialty Cupcakes has caused me to pack on quite a few pounds that I haven't been able to shed by just "eating right" & exercising. Having 2 kids hasn't helped the equation either. Take a peak at what I've been doing and see if it works for you!