Working Away.....

I have been working on my blog...adding pictures, links, etc. I'm sure it will be a work in progress, so bear with me.

Although I know that many bloggers on diets post recipes and menus, I thought on occasion I might do this as well. I also thought I would try to add pictures along with dialog and recipes.

Tonight for supper I am making a mixed meatloaf, faux mashed potatoes, and gravy.

Mixed Meatloaf - 8 servings

1 large egg

16 oz ground venison

16 oz ground beef

1 tbsp minced onion

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tsp black pepper

1 oz crushed pork rinds

5-6 slices bacon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan. Mix all ingredients by hand in a large bowl.

Here is everything before mixing.

Place in to greased pan and shape into a loaf. Lay bacon slices across loaf and secure each end and center with a toothpick.

Bake for approx. 45-55 minutes or until done.

Each slice is approximately 2 carbs due to egg and spices.

Faux Mashed Potatoes - 4 servings

1 pound of cauliflower

3 tbsp butter

1/3 cup sour cream

1/3 cup cream cheese

1 tbsp black pepper

1 tsp salt

In a saucepan or vegetable steamer, cook cauliflower until very tender, about 10-15 minutes.

Drain until all liquid is gone.

In a large glass or metal bowl, combine cooked cauliflower, sour cream, cream cheese, salt and pepper.

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, whip the mixture until smooth.

Each serving is approx 3.5 carbs.

Pan Gravy - 4 servings

Pour drippings from meatloaf into measuring cup. Add enough heavy cream to make 1 cup total liquid. Heat in a small saucepan over low heat until mixture just starts to boil.

Wisk in 1 tsp xanthan gum until mixed well. Allow to simmer until thickened to liking.

Carb count will vary depending on how much heavy cream is needed (1/4 cup = 2 Carbs)

Here is supper all plated up and ready to consume. YUM!!!!!

I also did a lot of cooking today to stock up for the week. I made black cherry jello, strawberry jello, whipped cream, deviled eggs, and fried the extra bacon.

Tomorrow night we are having Pulled B-B-Q Pork for supper. Carb count depends on the sauce used. I use Walden Farms B-B-Q sauce - carb free. The pork loin cooked all day in the crockpot.

Here is the pork loin pulled apart into large pieces to cool before pulling all the way apart. Not sure what the side will be tomorrow night.

Wow - this was a huge learning process for me. The pictures were fun to take, not so sure they are so fun to upload and get put into place. Do not think this will happen often. At least not so detailed.

Starting Out

I've spent a lot of time today looking at low-carb blogs, most of which have been deserted by their owners. I was very apprehensive about starting this bog because of time constraints. I will post at least once a week - more than that I cannot promise. My life is very full - work, husband, children, grandchildren, family....the things that most people deal with.

This blog will be a rambling of all those things. Sometimes life gets to all of us and we just need to take a few moments to look at things a totally different way...I hope I can help do that.

1) Atkins - I have been back on induction since Thursday of last week. My weight hit an all time high in January of 200 pounds. I am currently at 196.2. I have kept my carbs to under 20 since Thursday and am feeling pretty good. I am not a chef, just a plain old fashioned cook. Meat and veggies are the main staples of my house. My crockpot gets used at least twice a week and my grill is used as much as possible.

2) Work - I am a nurse in an internal medicine/pediatric practice with one doctor and one nurse practitioner. There are often days when patients get the best of me. I hope to be able to pass along some of the humor that gets me through the day.

3) Family - I have a wonderful husband who supports me no matter what I do. He is just happy that I cook most nights of the week. I have two wonderful daughters - one who is graduating from college in May with an education degree and the other who is a homemaker. I also have two wonderful grandsons - one by each daughter. The oldest is 3 and the youngest is just about 2 months. They spend every Sunday with Mi-Mi - as I am called. The family is of course rounded out with a dog (Bo-Bo) and a cat (meow) and the normal in-laws, brothers, sisters, and parents.

4) Life - I try to workout everyday. Right now I am doing EA Active 30 day challenge, an abdominal routine that I worked out, and walking on my treadmill. I play Wii as often as possible, especially the golf and the bowling. I love to watch movies and read. I am a solitare junky on the computer, as well as a blog junkie. I also love low-carb forums.

Other things may pop up from time to time and I will surely put them down here.

I hope Mi-Mi's Musings become yours as well.