Gluten Free Banana Coconut Flour Bread and Soup Sabotage!

A low-carb diet is the only way of eating that ever helped me lose weight as a mom. I have lost 25 lbs twice in my 30s doing this type of diet which is why I know it works. It may seem ironic or counter-productive but whenever I decide to switch back to a low-carb diet, the first thing I do I make some low-carb baked goods. You see, carbs are my weakness- bread, cookies, pasta, bread, caramel, potato chips, bread. So, I guess my baking initiative is a pre-emptive strike against my natural cravings. Usually, I'll bake some almond flour cookies or a loaf of coconut flour bread. Bread won this time. I found this recipe online here. If you're not used to baking with non-wheat flour, this may taste strange or have an off texture to you but I think that it's an acquired taste that you will be happy to get used to or even enjoy if it's the only way to reach your healthy, happy weight. Plus, I think it's worth it for the health benefits from the bananas, cinnamon and coconut oil, which happens to be a weight-loss wonder fat. Here's the recipe for your convenience:

Coconut Banana Bread

4 eggs
2 bananas (mashed)
1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
1 TBS honey, or a pinch of stevia--optional(I used a squeeze of honey, I'm guessing 1 tbsp.)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup coconut flour
cinnamon (used one teaspoon)
chopped walnuts (optional--but bet this would be yummy)

Blend eggs, bananas, and coconut oil (make sure coconut oil is not too hot or so it won't cook the eggs). Mix the dry ingredients, then blend w/ the wet.

 Put into a greased bread pan, and bake on 350 for 40-45 minutes.

Lately for breakfast I just have a slice of this with some French-pressed coffee indulged with some heavy whipping cream because, oh yeah, you can live it up with the heavy cream on a low-carb diet! In other low-carb news, I almost got sabotaged by some "healthy soup." I was so excited to try my Campbell's Gourmet Bisques in "tomato roasted garlic bacon" So I heated up a bowlful and prepared to be impressed. As I ate it, it seemed kind of on the sweet side. I tried some more thinking that was just an initial reaction, but no- I felt like I was eating sugar soup. Imagine my dismay when, after finishing the entire serving, I finally read the label  (which I usually ALWAYS do at the store) and see that 1 cup has 33 carbs and, gulp, 25 grams of sugar. I don't know if you know this but that is A LOT, like a can of sugary soda a lot. I will not be buying this again since I like to keep my daily intake of carbs at least under 100 grams a day for weight loss.

There's the soup culprit in the background looking all sophisticated yet innocent but it is not...
 

An Easy Way to Spice Up Your Life: Homemade Chili Powder

One thing I've really embraced since deciding to cherish my home-life is making things from scratch.  Not everything, mind you, but whatever I can that is convenient for me.  Homemade chili powder is one of those things. I already try to keep my spice cabinet stocked with as many herbs and spices as I can so that I'm ready to try out many new recipes without having to make a special trip just for a little bottle of dried something. I use this chili powder for a few of my family's favorites including chili, of course, taco meat and Indian butter chicken! It consists of many common spices that you probably already have at home, and each one of them is antioxidant powerhouse- nice.

This makes just a few tablespoons worth so it will fit in an empty spice bottle. Feel free to double, triple the recipe whenever you like.

Homemade Chili Powder

2 teaspoons paprika
4 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons oregano
4 teaspoons garlic powder

Put them in an empty jar/bottle and shake, shake, shake!

I even wrote the recipe on the jar with a permanent marker so I can recreate it anytime.  I will be posting recipes using this flavorful concoction in the future. Hope you make the time to try this soon!