I went to the grocery store this morning and eggs were 99 cents a dozen, butter and cheese were half price, and I got some bacon & pork chops to enjoy this weekend.
♥ PLUS: the Peanut Butter Keto Kookies were back in stock today! ♥
It’s a GOOD Friday indeed! ๐
I’ve been playing in the kitchen this week and want to show you some of the fun stuff I made. ๐
This fun little photo tour should give you some creative ideas to work with!
Not everything I make turns out like I expect it to, which is when I like to think up ways to change it up to suit me.
Here are the different variations of delicious low carb candies I ended up with… all of which were super quick and easy to make, but look kinda like I know what I’m doing in the kitchen!;) haha
This one (below) was actually “the end result” and my personal favorite, although Aaron liked them ALL “as is” before I started getting fancy with them.
Let me start by saying I don’t necessarily recommend the Creation Nation Energy Bite Mix that I used. It’s actually really good, “cocoa for coconuts” flavor (with a very rich cocoa flavor) and an easy no-bake mix to make bars or balls.
So I do like it yes, but it’s $9.99 + shipping AND it’s the ONLY product they carry that’s low enough in carbs for us. The rest of their products are vegan, paleo, etc – but much higher in carbs.
I got mine in the March Keto Krate, which is what I love most about Keto Krate – getting to try (and enjoy!) products I wouldn’t necessarily order otherwise. ๐
Note: The April Keto Krate boxes will be shipping next week, starting on Wednesday April 4th – and they always sell out FAST.
Be sure to use code FIVE2018 for $5 off your first box if you want to sign up for one. (You can cancel anytime btw, so if you just want to get one box and try it out you can do that.)
This full sized bag of Cocoa Coconut Energy Bite Mix was the product I got last month that intrigued me the most, and the one I couldn’t wait to play with!
If you get Keto Krate and got this “energy bite mix” in your March box too, here are some ideas for it. It’s fun to work with!
Looking over all the recipe options on the back of the package for liquids, binders & sweeteners you could use… I decided to use coffee and Pecan Pie Almond Butter to make quick little no-bake dessert bites.
There was also a jar of the Pecan Pie Almond Butter in one of the March boxes.
Getting cool, fun new specialty keto products to play with is what makes the monthly boxes so much fun!
I’m already a big fan of the Legendary Nut Butters though, and have been using them to make all sorts of fun Nut Butter Recipes lately!
(our coupon code for Legendary Foods is: LOWCARBTRAVELER )
The same batter for the Low Carb Waffles Recipe also makes beautiful low carb muffins, so I whipped up another batch of those this week too. ๐
I made a slight modification on the muffins this time…
I used the Apple Pie Almond/Cashew Butter and I used an extra 2 TBSP of that nut butter – and they came out even more moist with even more flavor!
If you’re using my pancake/waffle/muffin recipe, give that EXTRA two tbsp’s a try!
Anyway, so I was eating those delicious low carb apple pie muffins while I was making keto candy this week. ๐
Like I said, I just mixed the Creation Nation Energy Bite Mix with room temperature coffee and Pecan Pie Almond Butter according to the instructions on the bag of mix.
It wasn’t quite sweet enough to suit me, so I added 1 serving of Nature’s Hollow Sugar Free Honey to mine – which is one of the options on the back of the bag (to add a honey).
I rolled them up in balls, using 1 TBSP of the mixture per ball, and they came out exactly like they look on the front of the bag! ๐
What do they taste like?
To me they taste like a very rich Mounds candy bar – without the sugar. Or if you’ve ever had Keto Bars they taste like those, with a similar coconut texture too, but without the aftertaste.
They were quite rich with a very deep cocoa and coconut taste and texture, and not quite as sweet as I wanted them – although Aaron thought they were PERFECT as-is.
A quick trick: roll the balls in Sweet Like Sugar to add a pretty sugar-free but sugar-like sweet granular layer. ๐ YUM!
It has NO aftertaste, unlike other sweeteners.
My “Pecan Pie Cocoa Coffee Bites” came out to around 1.5 net carbs each, with each ball being at least two good bites of ooey gooey yumminess.
I stored them in the refrigerator in a sealed dish, and put parchment paper between the layers so they wouldn’t stick together, and they’ve held their shape nicely – even when sitting out for a bit.
Of course, I don’t usually get all fancy about making sweets or recipes or anything.
I actually prefer SIMPLE, and usually just eat my nut butter “straight” with cream cheese. ๐
That’s peanut butter chocolate chip almond butter also by Legendary Foods.
And yes, I realize nut butter is NOT photogenic.:) lol
People often ask me: “How do you eat that?”
My answer: one delicious bite at a time! ๐
Like I said, I’m good with simple – and actually prefer it.
But I have to admit it’s FUN to play in the kitchen sometimes and mix things up a little. And it keeps me from getting “food bored.” ๐
So with the “coconut coffee balls” being a bit rich for my taste, I decided to try something different – and add my nut butter candy recipe on as a second layer:
I just took two of the balls and mashed them each flat in a small round container, then mixed 1 TBSP of coconut oil with 1 TBSP of Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Almond Butter – I melted those together and poured them over the “mashed ball” I put as the bottom layer.
Actually it was 2 TBSP of coconut oil and 2 TBSP of nut butter – one for each, because I made two of these. Just to be clear. ๐
Now THAT was delicious!
It had a course coconut bottom layer with a rich cocoa flavor, topped with a creamy soft and sweet “peanut butter & chocolate” layer. ๐
The Creation Nation Mix was fun to work with, and it’s a GREAT product. Very good quality ingredients, no artificial sweetener or sugar alcohol, very low carb, etc. It’s just ten bucks a bag plus shipping – so I probably never would have tried it if it hadn’t been in my last Keto Krate box.
Everyone who got the March box that tried the mix so far has loved it! But that’s the thing I love about getting Keto Krate – it’s a great value when you get specialty products that cost too much to order individually, or that you may have never heard of otherwise!
Whether you got this mix or not, hopefully this post gave you some creative ideas to use depending on what you have to work with in your own kitchen. ๐
I had fun making different versions of low carb candy, and still have some left to play around with. If Aaron doesn’t eat them all first ๐ lol.
The Sweet Like Sugar trick was my favorite, because I loved that it just stuck right on and gave it a nice “sweet candy-like layer” on the outside. That gave it just enough “sweet” to really bring out the rich flavors!
It really is ‘sweet like sugar’, and granular like sugar, and then it melts on your tongue like a sugary snowflake!
The flavored nut butters are really fun to work with too, from muffins to blueberry fat bombs to thick rich waffles. Those have definitely become a staple in my low carb kitchen!
They are from Legendary Foods and our coupon code is LOWCARBTRAVELER
The next Keto Krate box should be here next week. They’ll start shipping them on Wednesday April 4th. If you aren’t signed up, you’ll want to do that quick if you want the next box because they always sell out super fast. Just like those Peanut Butter Keto Kookies!;)
See: Keto Krate for more info, and use code: FIVE2018 for $5 off
I first learned about Ketologie (maker of Sweet Like Sugar) in the keto boxes too.
That’s where I discover most of the new keto-friendly low carb products I try. Combining all the different products together to make my own creative treats is the FUN part!
TIP: You could probably make something similar to the “energy bite mix” if you look at the ingredients in it, because you might just have most of those ingredients on hand if you’ve been cooking low carb for any amount of time!
I think a homemade version of that mix would be VERY easy… ๐
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
p.s. Speaking of Ketologie, they JUST came out with a Keto Shake Sampler Pack so you can try their amazing keto shake mixes without buying a huge jug. ๐
I just got my package of those in the mail TODAY, while I was writing this for you.:) It will be super convenient to enjoy my keto shakes on the go now, and especially on my Spring hikes!
p.p.s. Yes, I think the Peanut Butter Keto Kookies are already sold out AGAIN. (sorry!)
Discount Code: LOWCARBTRAVELER
While I love reading your posts, I just can’t comprehend how you get away with all those treats. For me in maintenance, it is mainly fatty meats, veggies and healthy fats (avocado, butter, dollop of sour cream) You GO girl, but at 62, short, not real active except for walks, post menopausal… I sure wish I could eat like you. My 2 meals are much smaller with no extras.
My top goal right now is to get more active again, and start building core strength and muscle tone like I was doing last year.
I don’t actually eat a LOT of sweets. More than half of this batch of candy is still in the sealed container. ๐ Aaron is the one with the sweet tooth around here! lol
I had 2 of the energy bite balls the day I made them, to try them out. And also to test them on myself – even though they didn’t have any questionable ingredients. And then I had one of the layered versions yesterday to try it so I could share the details on it here – but the other one is still in the freezer. ๐
Thursday all I had was eggs for breakfast, eggs for lunch, then leftover ribeye steak & veggies for dinner. Last night I had bacon & eggs for dinner.
I tend to eat more like you, or prefer to, for the most part. That’s what kicked off this whole “clean testing experiment” series though – the products I have to review, and how they’re affecting my body and my weight.
I do love having good healthy low carb replacements for foods I used to love – like waffles & blueberry muffins for example. That definitely keeps me on track and makes this easy long-term as a lifestyle, and I know that’s the case for A LOT of people, since it makes it seem less restrictive and you don’t feel deprived that way.
My goal is to test/review those types of products for everyone – and put them to the test! But I prefer a simple steak for dinner topped with butter, or just eggs for breakfast. I’m big on easy “mono meals” actually. ๐
You had a discount code for Ketologi shakes and I can’t find it. Could you post that discount code again? Thank you!
Hi Debbie ๐
I haven’t had a discount code for Ketologie, unfortunately. BUT they do now have the single shake packs available! I was SO happy to see that option, because a lot of people didn’t want to buy the huge jug (a great value) without trying both flavors first. You can see that on the main page at: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/ketologie
I had stopped doing keto for awhile (stopped drinking and HAD to have sugar!) Now that I’m gaining weight, I know that I have to go back to this way of eating. Thanks for all your good advice!
That’s a BIG lifestyle change, to quit drinking. Kudos for making it through that phase!! Welcome back to the low carb lifestyle. ๐ You’ll feel AMAZING once you start and those pounds are melting right back off of you!
Hey, Lynn,
Have you been having trouble with MFP this week? I can’t log any of my recipes, or myfoods, into my food diary. I’ve emailed them a couple times already this week, they just keep adding information they want about my operating system, my Windows program, where I live, what steps I take before I get the error messages, and so on. I’m not getting any answers, or any improvement, and I’m falling behind on my food diary.
Hi Susanne,
My MyFitnessPal is working just fine using the Android app on my Samsung phone, and the Firefox browser on my PC desktop computer. I haven’t tried other browsers or my macbook lately, but I haven’t been having any problems with mine at all.
Are you using the mobile app? If so, try uninstalling it, reinstalling it and logging back in. Assuming you’ve already tried rebooting your mobile device (phone or tablet).
Can you tell me how many carbs are in the protein/ chocolate chip peanut butter nut butter invented by you?
Hi Denise,
The flavored nut butters are by Legendary, and each has a different carb count based on the ingredients. You can view them individually here: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/legendary If you decide to order some, we have a special discount code for those. Use: LOWCARBTRAVELER for the discount. Enjoy! ๐
Hey do you have to track and weigh food on this way of eating
Hi Anne Marie,
The way a ketogenic low carb diet works is through the science of food combining. On a low calorie or calorie based diet, you have to count calories. On a keto diet you count or track macros. Specifically: 20 net carbs a day max, and 70% fat minimum. So yes, either way it’s ideal to measure your portions and track what you eat. ๐
Not everyone does of course. I didn’t in the beginning, I just kept track of my carb counts on paper as I went. But it wasn’t until I started tracking with an app that I stopped stalling out and starting losing weight consistently.
See: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/4448/myfitnesspal-hack/ That’s how I track, and how I have mine set up. It’s really easy.
Also see: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/7006/macronutrients/ That’s a very simple explanation & illustration of “macros” ๐