Welcome me back ! I took some time off from talking/writing to change my relationship with food. I am probably not there all the way but its been a learning experience for sure. A process where I actually took the time to learn about my body and my mind because what you eat, your level of activity and the amount of exercise, all contribute to the mind-body sync. Cliched, but easier said than done but like they say, wisdom comes to the old. Oh well better late than never.
One part of my journey towards good health involved talking to friends and reading up on the subject. Very often we equate losing weight with a healthy lifestyle, and end up looking for quick fixes. We listen to the weighing machine more than our body. The mantra has always been been the two P’s ; Persistence and Patience. It’s a work in progress for me…. 3 months and counting – almost like an AA program but with food and exercise. Everyday is a new challenge that you have to overcome ,but play it like a game of Snakes and Ladders (remember those!) and its fun. Up a ladder one day and slither down a snake another.
The Keto diet has been trending for a while now and people have successfully lost weight but I personally, my body does not react well on a meat and high fat diet. I decided to go the low carb route so I took the Keto guidelines for carbs and incorporated it into my version . To lower my carb intake I use almond and coconut flours instead of wheat or all purpose, Xanthan gum and eggs for binding and flax seeds and psyllium husk for fiber. As for fruits and vegetables, I pretty much eat everything other than potatoes and bananas, more berries though. My biggest challenge was eating out but to my pleasant surprise most restaurants have low/no carbs alternatives on their menu. It’s difficult, an uphill climb both ways, but well worth it. My food has to be delicious and interesting, so its been fun trying to cook with all these new ingredients. Its almost been like out with the old and in with the new in my kitchen adventures. Its not all roses, what I miss most is bread and wine but I am learning to restrict myself to a couple cheat days a month and that too within limits.
And yes, I will be posting non- Keto recipes too! Wish me luck!
Here is one recipe for a soup I cooked up.
Keto Kadhi. (Indian Buttermilk soup)
450 ml Buttermilk
2 1/2 tbsp Almond flour
A few sprigs of cilantro
1 jalapeño
1/2 pc ginger
2 pods garlic
Salt as needed
Blend all the ingredients together well till fully smooth and pour into a heavy bottomed pan. Bring to a boil on a low flame, stirring all the time so the buttermilk does not split. Take out in a soup bowl.
Tempering
2 tbsp avocado oil
1/2 tsp mustard and cumin seeds each
2 dry red chilies
In a small saucepan, heat oil, add the seeds and when they sputter add the chilies. Pour over the soup .
Serving Suggestion:
Hot with riced cauliflower
As a cold consommé .
Side Bar :
Add zucchini roundels to the soup as it boils and cook till al dente .
Happy Cooking!