Cabbage and Salami Scramble

Despite the huge snowstorm yesterday, I was determined to make it to my doctor appointment, my one month follow up at ReforMedicine, where I have been working Drs David Usher and Christina Funk and their medical weight loss program. So far, I have been more than pleased. I knew that I was feeling better physically and that my thinking was sharper. My clothes have fit better as well.

Even with all of those benefits, what I have been most pleased with--because it is an entirely new experience for me--is that I no longer have cravings for sweets. I don't recall a time in my life when my sweet tooth was so thoroughly quieted and that foods that were triggers for me were not only not temptations, but frankly unappealing. I have no desire to eat a doughnut. Let me say that again...I have no desire to eat a doughnut.

Now, some folks will be interested in numbers. I started 29 days ago weighing 328.5 pounds. Dr Usher did body composition analysis at my first appointment and my "body fat mass" was 132.1 pounds. I recognize that is more than many adults weigh.  Yesterday, my weight was 305.6 pounds; in other words, I lost 22.9 pounds*. Interestingly, yesterday's body composition revealed a loss of 1.3 pounds of skeletal muscle and 1.5 pounds water weight. If you're good at math, that means I lost 20.1 pounds of body fat.

The last month has also allowed me to play with different foods and recipes. I have picked up many great ones on Pinterest, though I am also creating quite a few of my own. Today, for example, I made up a wonderfully tasty recipe, which I have interestingly labeled "Cabbage and Salami Scramble" (Trust me, the recipe is better than the title).

Cabbage and Salami Scramble

1 T. Butter
1-2 T. Olive Oil
1 c. chopped cabbage
1/2 c. sliced mushrooms
~10 pieces of salami, quartered (I used the pieces that were about the size of a 50-cent piece).
Salt & Pepper to taste
shredded Parmesan cheese

1) Heat butter and oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2) Cook cabbage until tender. Add mushrooms and salami to the pan. Cook until browned (that's how I like it). Season to taste.
3) Top with shredded cheese.

*Results not typical, but it does work really awesome for a lot of people. 

Want to learn more? Check out ReforMedicine

Reuben Stack

Reuben sandwiches are one my favorite foods. Following a LCHF eating plan, it makes it difficult to eat reubens. Rye bread and thousand island dressing are carb-loaded. So...how to meet my craving. I decided to try making a reuben stack.

Reuben Stack
4 slices corned beef
1/2 c. sauerkraut, rinsed
2 slices Swiss cheese
1 T. mayonnaise
paprika

1) I start by rinsing my sauerkraut. Why? I think it removes some of the bite, but keeps the taste. Don't rinse it if you don't want to, it's up to you.
2) heat 1/2 cup of the sauerkraut in the microwave for 45 seconds or so, to take the chill off. (I have an old microwave. I paid 10 bucks for it 20 years ago. Maybe yours is more powerful and you don't need 45 seconds).
3) Lay the slices of corned beef on a plate, spread the sauerkraut over it, and top with the Swiss cheese. Microwave until the cheese is melted.
4) Spread mayonnaise over the top and sprinkle with paprika.

I absolutely loved it!

Cauliflower pancake

This morning, I threw together a quick "cauliflower pancake."
 I shredded a half cup of cauliflower on my box grater, mixed in an egg and whole milk mozzarella and seasoned it with salt and pepper. I cooked it in butter in a frying pan over medium heat. I topped it with herb butter and ate it with some sliced pastrami.

Cauliflower Pancake
1/2 c. grated cauliflower
~1/3 c. shredded mozzarella (I prefer whole milk)
1 egg
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 T. butter


1) Mix all together in a small bowl.
2) Melt butter in a saute pan over medium heat. When the butter is good and bubbly, put in the cauliflower mixture and spread around to make a pancake. As it cooks, the top will begin to bubble and the edges will dry slightly. Flip it and cook it a few more minutes.
3) Top it with herb butter and enjoy!

Superbowl Sunday Breakfast: Buffalo Chicken Omelette

Nothing says Super Bowl like buffalo chicken, am I right? I'll be honest, I am not even sure if today is Super Bowl Sunday. I mentioned the Super Bowl to my 7 year old today and she asked, "what's the Super Bowl?" Given that my 11 year old son didn't know who Brett Favre was yesterday, I shouldn't be surprised I suppose. However, I do know that a lot of people eat buffalo wings on the day of the big game, so I thought what a perfect opportunity to try a buffalo omelette.

Buffalo Chicken Omelette
3 eggs, scrambled.
1/2 c. onion, diced
2 T. Butter
1/2 c. shredded chicken
1/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese
Gorgonzola crumbles
Buffalo hot sauce.

Method:
1) Sautee onions in 1 T. of the butter over medium. Set aside.
2) Cook the eggs over 1 T. butter over medium-low to medium heat. Feel free to tip the pan to allow some of the undercooked egg to flow to the edges of the pan. When the eggs are nearly set up, put cheddar, blue cheese, onions, and chicken on one half of the eggs.  Remove to plate and fold in half.
3) Drizzle buffalo sauce over the top.
4) Enjoy!

*In hindsight I may have added a little bit of bacon to the mix.