Yesterday we had a Celebration of Life gathering to remember my son, Bob. It was exactly the kind of gathering he would have loved. The venue was my daughter and Son-in-laws Farm. The weather was almost perfect but could have been a little warmer. Everything was set up outdoors as a precaution against Covid.
I have to give a huge thank you to our friend Dee Dee. She went above and beyond to prepare most of the food. Thank you Denis for grilling the sausage. Thank you Dan for making some killer wings. Thank you to my grand daughter, Jessica for making the awesome salad. I would be remiss to not mention all the desserts that everyone brought, too numerous to mention by names. If I left anyone out I'm sorry, just know I thank you so much.
The roses you see above were given to me by my friend Deb. I met her through Tracy and Denis and she is like family to us. Our family is truly blessed to have people in our lives that have shown again and again that we are loved.
There were so many of those caring friends that came yesterday to honor Bob. Some of his friends from childhood that I hadn't seen in years. Some of Bob's newer friends that I had never met also came. Kurt and his wife brought a remembrance for all the ladies to take home (see mine here):
Each pot of flowers was a little different and each contained a packet of flower seeds (forget me nots) to plant next year. The flowers are all real and very cleverly kept fresh. She put a lot of effort into making these beautiful remembrances and I can't thank her enough for doing it.
We are a large family and therefore there were a lot of extended family. Nieces, Nephews, cousins, in-laws, grandchildren and even great grandchildren. I can't name you all but I am so very grateful to you for coming.
The day was spent sharing good food, and sharing memories and pictures. The only down side came when it started getting really cold. People started to head for home when suddenly a storm descended on us from out of nowhere. All of a sudden the wind kicked up and rain poured down on us. We all started grabbing the food and running for the house. I mean it was so strange, we had no warning. And just as fast as it came, it left. Could it have been some mischievous spirit who thought it would be funny to see us all getting soaked, I wonder!! 👻👻👻
In closing I'd like to share the poem we chose for the prayer cards:
His pain and suffering are over. His passing caught us all off guard because his cancer was stage two and he was responding to treatment. God had other plans for him it seems. Bob left behind his wife Donna and their daughter Ashley. He would have been 55 in November. Please pray for those of us who loved him..
I made this yesterday for the second time. It is so good, it's hard to believe it's Keto. The first time I made it, I used fresh blueberries. This time I used sugar free Cherry pie filling. The fruit topping can be your choice.
To get started you will need a 6 or 7 inch springform pan. I got mine from Amazon in an accessory bundle made for the instant pot. I recommend the bundle because it came with a trivet with handles for lifting the springform pan in and out of the instant pot.
Ingredients
The crust:
3/4 cup pecan meal
1/4 cup all purpose flour (not Keto but it's minimal)
1 Tablespoon Monk fruit sweetener
2 Tablespoons melted butter
The Filling:
2 8oz. pkg. of Cream Cheese (I use Philadelphia brand)
1/2 cup granulated Monk Fruit (I might cut this in half next time)
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 large eggs (I used jumbo)
1/4 cup all purpose flour (next time I might try coconut flour but half the amt.)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1 Prep the pan. Coat your pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom with a round of parchment paper. Pour 1 1/2 cups of water in the bottom of your instant pot. If you have a trivet with handles, make sure they are up. Otherwise you can make a sling out of aluminum foil.
2 Make the crust. Place the pecan meal, flour and monk fruit in a food processor or blender (I used a Ninja). Pulse a few times to mix. Pour in the melted butter and pulse again until mixed well. Transfer the crumbs to your pan and press into the bottom (I just use my fingers to press).
3 Make the filling. You can wipe out your blender. Add the cream cheese, monk fruit, heavy cream, eggs, flour, vanilla and salt. Pulse until smooth scraping down the sides as needed. Pour the filling over the crust and smooth out with a spatula.
4. Cover the pan with paper towels and a square of aluminum foil. Press the foil around the rim so it's tight. Place the pan in your trivet with handles or if you are using foil as a sling place your pan on that and lower into your instant pot making sure the pan is not touching the water.
5. Cook on high for 25 minutes. Lock the lid and make sure the pressure valve is set to seal. Use the manual setting to set the pressure cooker on high pressure for 25 minutes.
6. Natural release for 20 minutes. When the cook time is complete, let the pressure cooker naturally release pressure for 20 minutes. Then do a quick release if there's any pressure left. Gently remove the pan from the pot and uncover. The cake should be mostly set with just a slight jiggle in the center.
7. Let the cake cool on the counter for about an hour before putting it in the refrigerator to chill for about 6 hours. I add the fruit topping after about 3 hours. I don't remove the sides of the pan until I'm ready to serve.
I am not a dietician so I will not post nutritional values. I use an app to figure out carbs for my own personnel knowledge. I hope you try this, if you do please let me know how you liked it. 💕
Good morning, I know it's been a long time since I posted anything. I guess I've been in a rut, LOL! I'm posting this morning because I just read a very good Keto article on Facebook. The credit goes to Health Insider. I'm sure it was meant to sell something on Facebook, but the "7 mistakes" had some really good advice so I'm reposting for anyone interested in starting Keto. I will be the first person to tell you I have been guilty of several of these mistakes. I am recommitted to doing better and reaching my goal. So here's part of the article:
" Is it really possible to eat whatever, don’t watch calories and melt away stubborn fat from the comfort of your home without doing strenuous exercise at the gym?
What to do in these cases of “stubborn” fat?
According to health & wellness experts, the ketogenic diet is the one of the best solutions for transformation.
No Hunger, No Cravings, No Belly Fat…
You can have it all. The ketogenic diet allows you to enjoy delicious meals and lose weight fast, yet feel incredibly energized.
While AVOIDING sugar and carb withdrawal.
One of the main reasons so many people fail on the keto diet…
Is that they try to cut out too many carbs and sugar too fast, which then puts the body into shock.
If you want to smoothly transition into a keto diet and lose fat fast (and keep it off), keep reading.
What you’re about to read are 7 mistakes to avoid to be successful on your keto journey.
Mistake #1: Rushing Into KETO
Surely you’ve heard of the stories: Yes, the keto diet can melt 20lb per month or even more if you’re doing it right.
Thousands of men and women, all over the world, have used this eating strategy. It’s proven, and the results speak for themselves. People transform completely, losing flabby arms, big thighs, and stubborn belly fat quickly.
But before you get too excited, be careful. You can actually end up off worse than you were before.
According to health and wellness expert Dr. Alexander H. Blackwell, “Keto is a very knowledge-based diet.”
“Rushing in without a plan is short-sighted as it will most likely fail,” Blackwell says.
If you rush in without a plan, here’s what might happen:
You will keep craving sweets because you won’t know enough about healthy dessert substitutes.
You will keep snacking unhealthy food because you won’t have a well-thought-out meal plan that keeps you pleasantly full.
The weight won’t go down. It might even go up!
Instead, Dr. Blackwell recommends a professional, custom plan based on your body type, age, and eating preferences.
“Look for support and ideas on how to manage the diet correctly,” he says. “Your health is the number one priority. Invest in it now so you can save money and time in the future.”
Mistake #2: Not Getting Enough B Vitamins
Have you reduced carbs and then felt tired? Not enough vitamin B might be the reason why.
“B vitamins are mostly found in whole grains,” explains Blackwell. “Lacking them can make you feel tired, lower your energy levels, and slow down your weight loss progress.”
Fortunately, you can still get plenty of B vitamins from keto-friendly foods. You just need to eat the right stuff.
Here are our favourite options: meat, eggs, and dairy products. Combine those with seeds, nuts, and dark, leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli for a more complete nutritional profile.
What to do if you still feel tired? Talk to your doctor about taking a B vitamin supplement to boost your energy levels.
Mistake #3: Eating Too Many Carbs
The big secret behind why the ketogenic diet works so powerfully at any age is ketosis.
Ketosis is an intense, fat-burning state. Instead of using carbohydrates for energy, our body starts to use our fat as fuel. This can double our weight-loss results.
But to enter ketosis, we need to limit carbs.
And here’s the problem. “Many people don’t realize how many carbs are in common, healthy foods,” says Dr. Blackwell.
Eating too much fruit is a common example. You think you’re doing a great job, but actually, you’re blocking yourself from entering ketosis. Keep reading to see how to avoid such mistakes.
The recommended carb intake is around 5% of our total calories. Finding this carb reduction tough when first getting started on the keto diet is normal.
However, it is essential if we want to reach and maintain ketosis. That’s the only way to start burning 20lb every month.
And thankfully, things get easier after the first week or two because our body starts to adapt.
Don’t give up early!
Registered Dietician and Wellness education specialist Nare Davoodi, says: “It is a common misconception to think you are in ketosis after doing the Keto diet for 7-14 days. But what often happens is people are not calculating their intake correctly.”
How to make sure you reach your intake goals? Consider tracking your macronutrients through an app like Keto Cycle.
Mistake #4: Eating Too Much Protein
Protein is great for you, but too much protein can cause problems too.
“When our body digests protein, it converts a small amount to glucose,” says Dr. Blackwell, which can then slow down your body’s ability to go into ketosis, he adds.
That’s because glucose is a sugar, and sugar is a carb.
Instead of using the keto diet as an excuse to eat as much bacon and steak as you’d like, remember that your main goal on keto is enjoying healthy fats.
Thankfully that includes delicious foods like nut butter, olive oil, and avocados.
So remember to have some form of healthy fat with every meal, and keep your protein intake in check.
Mistake #5: Not Eating Enough Fiber
There’s a lot of fiber in fruits and whole grains. But you can’t have many of these on the ketogenic diet.
So you need to be extra careful in order to get a nice amount of fiber during the day.
According to Dr. Blackwell, “Fiber is essential to help regulate digestion, hunger and fullness cues. It helps provide long-lasting energy and a steady blood glucose level.”
In other words, fiber is critical. If you don’t eat enough, you may feel hungry, overeat, and ruin your hard work.
The recommended approach is to eat more vegetables. All leafy greens are great. Follow this simple rule: the darker the color, the better.
Don’t like eating vegetables all the time? Consider trying fiber supplements to refresh your body.
Mistake #6: Leptin Resistance
Leptin is a powerful fat-controlling hormone.
It sends a signal to your brain that says, “you’re full,” so you know when to stop eating. If your body produces leptin properly, your appetite will stay in check.
But when your body produces too much leptin, your brain stops receiving the signal.
So you don’t feel full easily which causes overeating and eventually excessive weight gain. How to avoid that? Fix the underlying root causes of leptin resistance:
Irregular or poor sleep patterns.
Processed foods and overeating.
Too much stress
One of the many benefits of keto is that it can help fix leptin resistance. That’s because it consists of whole foods.
“Healthy sources of protein, fat, and fiber are proven to help improve sleep, decrease sugar pangs, and combat snacking habits.”
Mistake #7: The “Google Curse”
With a bit of light research on Google, you’ll find thousands of keto weight loss transformations. The proof is everywhere, and it’s easy to get excited.
Many people read a few articles, note a few keto recipes, then try to get started on their own."
Just to be clear, this is not the entire article, I left out the part where they get into selling their plan. If you want to read the full thing you can see it on Facebook.
I once read a book called Changes. I believe it was a Danielle Steel novel. It was about how in our lifetime many forces bring about change, sometimes good and sometimes bad. Today's post is all about how life can change in a split second. No one can foresee when something is going to happen to us or to a loved one. That's what happened to me last Friday. Don, my son had an accident at work. He trains Race Horses for a living. He wouldn't be too happy if he knew I was putting this out on the web for everyone to see. He's a very private person and doesn't even have a Facebook account. This isn't about him or even about me, it's about how fragile life can be. I'm sure when he got behind that horse, he wasn't expecting to end up in an ambulance on his way to the hospital. 🏇 I'm grateful his injuries weren't more serious. He has broken ribs and is still in the hospital. He spent three days in ICU but is now in a regular room. I expect him to be there for a few more days. Once home, his recovery will take some time.
When something like this happens, it makes you stop and think "What If". What if, it had been worse? What if it was me that got hurt? At my age a broken hip is a real concern. One miss step can lead to disaster. Accidents happen, there's no getting around that. We can however, do everything we can to prepare for something like this. First and foremost is to have good health insurance. Take a good look around your home and make sure there are no dangerous obstacles. Like throw rugs and electrical cords to trip on. Steps are especially dangerous so make sure you have a hand rail to hold onto. These are just a few things I've thought of. If you have any other suggestions, please comment below. I would love to see some discussion. Stay safe 💓
Yesterday marked a year since my son and I were mandated to quarantine. I can't help but reflect on all that has happened since that day. We lost so many friends to this horrible virus and are still losing more. Just two weeks ago a man my son knew passed from it. No one knows how he was infected. The really sad thing is how hard it has been on his family left behind. He was in his 50's and lived alone, except for his dog. The family had to find a new home for the dog and deal with emptying the man's house.
I watched the President last night and he talked a good talk but in reality a lot of what he claimed has happened since January just isn't true. If it is so easy to get vaccinated, why are so many people unable to find appointments. He made it sound like his Administration has implemented a fantastic plan. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This whole Covid Vaccination plan is in chaos. He said there will be a website where you can put in your zip code and find available appointments. Hey, Joe there already is one.......here's the link findashot.org.
Enough about politics, don't get me started on the economy, unemployment and the National Debt. I'm too old for all the crap. The Golden Years, what a joke that has become. I thank God everyday for my family and the few friends I have left. In looking back over this past year a lot has changed in my life. I lost friends (not from Covid) that I trusted but I was betrayed by them. True friends don't talk behind your back and lie to your face. True friends will ask "what's wrong"? Not assume they know why you are troubled and upset. Yes, It's true I met with two of these so called friends. I listened to them but they had their minds made up before I explained myself. I was disappointed that out of a group of approximately 12, only two showed up to meet with me. It's also true that I told those two to "go to Hell". Apparently the rest of the group assumed I meant them too. So I lost a whole group of friends; but life goes on and although I miss some of them I still have true friends I love and care about.
When I started this blog it was to share my journey to get healthy and lose weight. It's been two years since I started following the Keto Diet. I admit that this past year has been challenging to stick with it. I've gained back about 10 pounds. But I'm still trying my best to lose them again. My son is doing much better than me. He's lost close to 150 pounds and looks terrific. He's my inspiration. Till next time, if there is one....take care!
