Wednesday, July 27, 2011

July 27, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

12:45PM
Spaghetti squash with butter and garlic salt, sweet potato fries with butter, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

4:30PM
Atkins bar

8:00PM
Bacon, pepperoni, mozzarella, low-sugar tomato sauce, Atkins bar

NOTE: We went back to the doctor today for our second ultrasound of our embryo adoption. Here's how it went:


http://youtu.be/E-_Kpm85aEM

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

July 26, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

10:15AM
5 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil

12:30PM
Sugar-free dark chocolate

6:30PM
BBQ ribs, spaghetti squash with butter and garlic salt, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

7:15PM
Weed eating/mowing grass

NOTE: Decided to move up Christine's ultrasound to tomorrow. She's been having major pain from the progesterone shots:


http://youtu.be/fgZ7wYekIn0

Monday, July 25, 2011

July 25, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

10:00AM
Atkins bar

11:45AM
1/4 pound beef with cheese, mayo and pickle, spaghetti squash with butter and garlic salt, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

5:30PM
Atkins bar

7:00PM
100-minute competitive volleyball

10:15PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce on a bed of spaghetti squash, Atkins bar

NOTE: Ahhhh, finally got my menus blog caught up. My apologies for getting behind on updating this site...between the embryo adoption stuff, my normal work with the blogs and podcast, and certain life circumstances, it just wasn't a priority to get the menus blog updated. But now I had a moment to get caught up. No, it's not going anywhere and I'm still writing down everything I'm eating. I've got some trips coming up in August that will take me away from home, but I'll do my best to update the menus blog as often as I can. THANK YOU for reading!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

July 24, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

2:15PM
BBQ chicken breast, spaghetti squash with butter and garlic salt, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

7:15PM
30-minute weight lifting session

8:00PM
Atkins shake

10:00PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce

NOTE: I had an impromptu bit of intermittent fasting today not eating before church and then waiting a bit after coming home from church today before I ate. I don't know why I didn't eat...just didn't need to. May be attempting some more IF soon just to see how I do since it worked so well for me earlier this year when I used it. We'll see. Got in a solo session in the gym tonight, too, since my muscles FINALLY recovered from the beating my personal trainer gave me on Tuesday. ARG! I go see her again this next week on Thursday. Gotta keep saying "hurts so good, hurts so good." Yep yep!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

July 23, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

10:15M
4 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil with cheese

2:45PM
1/2 rack BBQ ribs, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

6:30PM
Atkins bar

8:45PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce

NOTE: We got the test results from our latest HCG blood test for Christine about the embryo adoption and it wasn't very good. We would appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we look towards the August 1, 2011 ultrasound that will show us if our baby(ies) are developing the way they should. Here's a video update:


http://youtu.be/jOH1TwXTMkw

Friday, July 22, 2011

July 22, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

9:15M
4 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil

2:00PM
Spaghetti squash with garlic salt and butter, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing, Atkins bar

9:30PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce, sugar-free chocolate (with coconut oil and cream) covered bacon

NOTE: I've been teasing Christine about making some chocolate-covered bacon for her and I did it tonight. Mixed it in a double boiler with some coconut oil and heavy whipping cream for a delightful combination. Mmm mmm! The big results from my n=1 experiments comparing the Atkins shakes to other popular breakfast beverages was posted at my "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog today. Some surprises in there worth checking out!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

July 21, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

8:30AM
Raw whole milk



12:30PM
1/2 pound grass-fed beef with mozzarella cheese, butter and spices, sugar-free dark chocolate

4:00PM
Atkins bar

7:45PM
1/4 pound grass fed beef with mozzarella cheese and spices

NOTE: Today was the final day of my n=1 testing comparing the Atkins shakes and it was on a product that most people can't buy on store shelves--but you can here in my home state of South Carolina. It's raw milk and there's been a lot of talk about how healthy it is for people to consume compared to pasteurized and homogenized milk. But the carb counts in raw milk have kept many low-carbers away. Yet the results of my testing showed something quite shocking which you'll hear about in my analysis post tomorrow. Oh, wasn't that grass-fed beef burger a beauty today?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

July 20, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

8:45AM
4 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil with cheese

1:15PM
Spaghetti squash with garlic salt and butter, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

5:30PM
Atkins bar

9:15PM
Mozzarella and bacon, sugar-free dark chocolate pudding

NOTE: We had an appointment at the reproductive endocrinologist's office today to find out how many babies Christine has growing inside of her. But the news was inconclusive as you'll see in this YouTube video:


http://youtu.be/8X2Hn6Dvsm4

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

July 19, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

9:00AM
2% milk (for my n=1 experiment comparing the Atkins shakes)

11:00AM
4 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil

11:15AM
60-minute weight lifting workout with personal trainer

1:45PM
1/4 beef with cheese, mayo, mustard, and pickles, spaghetti squash with garlic salt and butter, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

4:30PM
Atkins bar

9:15PM
Mozzarella and bacon, sugar-free dark chocolate

NOTE: Drinking the 2% milk for my n=1 experiment today was not as bad as I expected. It felt good getting a GREAT workout from my personal trainer today. I know I won't be able to move for a week afterwards. LOL! Just kidding (or am i?).

Monday, July 18, 2011

July 18, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

8:45AM
Simply Orange orange juice (for my n=1 experiment comparing the Atkins shakes)

11:00AM
Mozzarella cheese and bacon

1:45PM
1/4 beef with cheese, mayo, mustard, and pickles, spaghetti squash with garlic salt and butter, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

6:45PM
Atkins bar

7:00PM
75-minute competitive volleyball

10:15PM
Mozzarella cheese and bacon

NOTE: Continued my n=1 experiments today with the dreaded orange juice...UGH! That wasn't very much fun at all.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

July 17, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

7:45AM
Atkins bar

12:00PM
BBQ chicken, spaghetti squash with garlic salt and butter, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

4:30PM
Sugar-free dark chocolate

7:45PM
Heavy cream with (non-aspartame) diet soda

8:00PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce

NOTE: Since I had church today, didn't have a chance to do an n=1 test today. But I'll resume with ORANGE JUICE tomorrow. ARG!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

July 16, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

7:00AM
Kellogg's Special K Strawberry Protein Shake

9:00AM
Atkins bars

2:30PM
1/4 beef with cheese, mayo, mustard, and pickles, spaghetti squash with garlic salt and butter, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

6:30PM
Atkins bars

8:45PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce

NOTE: Continuing my n=1 experimentation today comparing the Atkins shakes with what other people may be consuming for breakfast. Today I chose to test my blood sugar on those Kellogg's Special K protein shakes since they're in the same section where the Atkins shakes are. The carb counts on these shakes are much higher because they have sugar as the #3 ingredient behind water and protein blend. I've got OJ, 2% milk and raw milk coming up over the next week before I blog my results. Should be fun!

Friday, July 15, 2011

July 15, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

8:15AM
Atkins Day Break Chocolate Shake

10:30AM
4 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil with cheese

2:00PM
Spaghetti squash with garlic salt and butter, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

5:00PM
Sugar-free dark chocolate

9:30PM
Grilled chicken, bacon, mozzarella cheese, American cheese, and Ranch dressing

NOTE: Continued my n=1 experiment on the Atkins shakes today...got some "interesting" comparisons coming up in the next few days. Plus, we got the results of our third and final blood pregnancy test today. And the news is VERY good!


http://youtu.be/gV3mpEsr8TE

Thursday, July 14, 2011

July 14, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

9:15AM
Atkins Wild Berry Shake

12:00PM
Bacon and mozzarella cheese

7:15PM
4 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil with cheese

10:15PM
Sugar-free dark chocolate

NOTE: We went back to the reproductive endocrinologist again today one more time for a blood pregnancy test to see if this is for real or not. Here's a video we made about the visit (test results coming tomorrow):


http://youtu.be/aFUKxPymyeQ

Plus, I started back my n=1 experiments again testing the Atkins shakes starting today.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

July 13, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

10:30AM
4 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil, sugar-free dark chocolate

1:30PM
Spaghetti squash with garlic salt and butter, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

7:30PM
30-minute weight lifting workout

8:30PM
Bacon and mozzarella cheese, sugar-free dark chocolate

NOTE: Another day in low-carb paradise.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

July 12, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

9:00AM
Atkins bar

12:30PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce

5:45PM
Sugar-free dark chocolate

9:15PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce, sugar-free dark chocolate

NOTE: I can't believe my muscles STILL ache five days after lifting with a trainer. CRAZY! Gonna try to hit the gym tomorrow sometime. It's been a crazy busy time since Christine got pregnant--good practice for when the kid(s) come next year.

Monday, July 11, 2011

July 11, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

10:00AM
4 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil

1:30PM
1/4 pound beef with cheese, pickles, mayo and mustard, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

7:15PM
60-minute competitive volleyball

8:45PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce, Atkins bar

NOTE: Christine threw up a couple more times, so we did end up getting her some medication to help after all the "home remedies" didn't help much. Here's our update on Day 102 of our embryo adoption:


http://youtu.be/9SQ7jdxYZNU

Sunday, July 10, 2011

July 10, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

9:00AM
Atkins bar

12:00PM
BBQ chicken, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and Ranch dressing

4:15PM
Atkins bar

8:00PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce

NOTE: Christine is pregnant for sure now...she had her first vomit tonight and it all came out. Probably gonna have to get her a prescription to help with the "morning sickness" (which can actually happen ANY time!).

Saturday, July 9, 2011

July 9, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

10:15AM
4 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil

12:15PM
Atkins bar

4:30PM
Babybel cheese, Atkins bar

7:15PM
1/3 pound grass-fed ground beef cooked in grass-fed ghee with cheese and various spice, sugar-free dark chocolate

NOTE: My muscles are feeling it today from that workout with a personal trainer on Thursday. UGH! My biceps, calves and back are feeling it the most. Funny how much it hurts compared to when I train on my own. Perhaps doing it the super-slow style is what keeps my body from having such enduring soreness in the days after. This one's gonna take a while to recover from.

Friday, July 8, 2011

July 8, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

10:00AM
4 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil

1:30PM
Babybel cheese, Atkins bar

5:00PM
1/2 pound grass-fed ground beef cooked in grass-fed ghee with cheese and various spice, Quest Bar

9:00PM
Sugar-free dark chocolate

NOTE: We got the news today about Christine's second blood pregnancy test and the HCG number rose from 141 to 318...a VERY good sign she is pregnant and quite possibly with multiple babies. WOO HOO! We'll know in a couple of weeks.


http://youtu.be/dJKCxO0b2Pw

Thursday, July 7, 2011

July 7, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

10:00AM
4 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil

11:00AM
Full-body weight lifting workout with a personal trainer

12:15PM
Atkins bar

3:45PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce, Atkins bar

7:00PM
135-minute competitive volleyball

10:00PM
Beef meatballs with mozzarella cheese and a little low-sugar tomato sauce

NOTE: We went back to the doctor today for Christine to have more blood drawn for a second pregnancy test to make sure everything is progressing along with her pregnancy (still can't get used to that being a reality!):


http://youtu.be/LDdtwDZRIJU

I also dove back into the weight lifting hot and heavy with a personal trainer who kicked my tail. I'm going to continue lifting on my own with a session from a personal trainer every week or so to get into a groove. Although I probably shouldn't have played so much volleyball tonight. I'm gonna be feeling this for a few days.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

July 6, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

8:15AM
Atkins bar

12:30PM
1/4 pound beef with cheese, mayo, mustard and pickles, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, and Ranch dressing, spaghetti squash with garlic salt and butter, Atkins bar

9:00PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce

NOTE: Yesterday was just one big "blur" as we found out we're pregnant. Christine's HCG number was 141...which we've been told is KILLER good. We'll be going back to the doctor tomorrow for another blood test to see if that HCG number doubles.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

July 5, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

8:45AM
Omelette with bacon, sausage, onions, green peppers, and cheese, tomato slices, strawberries with whipped cream

1:45PM
1/4 pound beef with cheese, mayo, mustard and pickles, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, and Ranch dressing, spaghetti squash with garlic salt and butter, Atkins bar

9:45PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce, Atkins

NOTE: Today was our big day...16 years in the making to find out if we got pregnant or not. Here's the video of how it all went down:


http://youtu.be/RMiXaR46Faw

And here's my follow-up blog post about all we've been through to get to this point:
The Agonizing 16-Year Pursuit Of A Baby To Call Our Own Is Over: We’re Pregnant!

Monday, July 4, 2011

July 4, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

9:00AM
4 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil

1:45PM
1/2 rack BBQ ribs, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, and Ranch dressing, spaghetti squash with garlic salt and butter, Atkins bar

5:15PM
Atkins bar

7:00PM
120-minute competitive volleyball

9:30PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce

NOTE: After a few challenging days leading up to finding out if Christine is pregnant or not, I decided to hit the volleyball court for some much-needed stress relief and enjoyment on this Independence Day. Christine's idea of chilling out involves watching hours of shows on The Food Network. Tomorrow's the big day!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

July 3, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

7:45AM
3 pastured eggs cooked in coconut oil

1:45PM
BBQ chicken breast, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, and Ranch dressing, Atkins bar

9:45PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce, Atkins bar

NOTE: Christine nearly passed out at church from a panic attack, came home and wanted to take a pregnancy test, and all the emotions that come in the final moments of an embryo adoption come quickly to the surface. Here's how it all went down:


http://youtu.be/T5qy0E4LDl8

We watched movies together and enjoyed being with each other the rest of the day...but what a morning!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

July 2, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

9:45AM
Atkins bar

2:30PM
1/2 rack of BBQ ribs, bacon-wrapped BBQ jumbo shrimp, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, and Ranch dressing

3:15PM
45-minute hammering fence and digging up a pole

8:30PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce, Atkins bar

NOTE: Me and my new podcast co-host Mindy Noxon Iannotti did a marathon session of upcoming episodes of "Low-Carb Conversations with Jimmy Moore & Friends" today and I was starving by the time those four hours were done (lots of technical glitches and stuff didn't help, but we made it). When I was finished with my late lunch, I got the bright idea to hammer some nails that had gotten loose on my fence. While I was in the yard, I took the hammer to an old birdhouse that had been in the yard since we moved in a decade ago. Just a slight tap and the whole thing disintegrated on me--showering me with a lovely mix of dirt and God knows what else. Ahhh, yummy! Now I had this big metal pole sticking up out of the ground and thought I could wiggle it out. Nope. I borrowed the neighbor's shovel and dug about three feet down while occasionally pulling and prodding that pole. It would move around but not up and out. Exhausted from all the 45 minutes of futile efforts I asked my neighbor Jerry to give me any insights about what I could do to remove the pole. He looked at it for a moment and then said, "Just twist it back and forth while I lift up." Within three seconds that pole was out of the ground! HA! Hey, at least it got done. THANK YOU Jerry!

Christine and I are coming into the home stretch of our potential baby news. Here's the latest video:

http://youtu.be/b65Klcl2d_A

Friday, July 1, 2011

July 1, 2011 Low-Carb Menu

1:15PM
2 ribs from a rack of BBQ ribs, spinach salad with eggs, cheese, bacon, and Ranch dressing, 1/4 pound hamburger patty with cheese, mayo, mustard and pickle

3:45PM
45-minute weed eating yard

5:15PM
Atkins bar

8:00PM
Pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a little low-sugar tomato sauce, Atkins bar

NOTE: The weeds were starting to get pretty nappy in my yard, so I decided to take a whack at them with the weed eater today. I recently bought this weed eater and it's been an incredible device for keeping the grass and weeds that grow up around my fence, air conditioner and house all neat an manicured. But I had no idea how much of a workout that gizmo was gonna give me in just 45 minutes of use. My right arm was twitching and numb for hours after I was finished and it felt like I tried lifting 300 pounds in a super-slow lifting workout! OUCH! I don't think I'll need to lift weights this weekend now!