No Grain...No Pain!!!

I like it better than potatoes. I boiled it then threw butter, pepper, and garlic in it before mashing. We told the kids it was mashed potatoes and they ate it up, didn't know the difference. I have made it as a side and put it on top of the hamburger pie I make, and everyone ate it. I think it would be something you have to try and see if you like it, but can be done anyway you make real mashed. I want to make sour cream and chive next. It has a mild flavor to it, nothing to strong.

I'm curious as to how many of you here have a family that eats like you do, or if they have not adapted.

I live with my fiance, and I've gotten him to cut out some of the sugar, but his favorite foods are bread and pasta, and he drinks like 4 glasses of nesquik chocolate milk every night. He's very supportive of me eating this way (because he see's how happy and well I am). I don't want to be a pain, because I believe in free will, and that food choices are very personal, and he has every right to eat all the carbs his heart desires- but he doesn't come from a family with the greatest health history. And he has family with diabetes on both sides- so I worry about him.

How do you all handle your eating lifestyle along with your family's?

I have a 3 year old, who eats what he eats - which is hardly anything, he seems to have no interest in food. Thankfully my son got my ex's metabolism (and not personality/insanity!) and I dont think will have any problem with his weight.

My fiance eats... well, he just got out of college, lived with 2 roommates, he is still coming out of his college eating phase. Not that its really hurt him, he's 6'3 and maybe 165lbs. Skinny. I'm sure we look comical because I'm 5'2 and sadly rounded :sad: But he is so supportive of how I eat, we have our meals together I just make adjustments for myself (regular pasta/bread for him and low-carb options for me). But he eats everything I make, and really enjoys it so he will be an easy convert if I can get himi to give up that Mt Dew!

Hey guys,

Sorry I kinda just dissapeared after making the group. I live in North Alabama and we have had a rough couple of days. The town I grew up in is destroyed. So far, all of my family is accounted for, but many are homeless. I don't have cable or internet at home (even though i'm not complaining b/c many don't have power at all), so i won't be on except during the day at work. Don't worry, I'm still all in for the challenge and am updating my spreadsheet now. So glad to see so many people involved. I will get around to responding to people when I can. Keep the group going for me

Oh my gosh! So glad your family is all safe. And a huge congratulations for you for not making it an 'excuse' to give up your healthy eating! My weakness is when things get a little crazy, I just say 'okay, i'll have time for this when things calm down.' But not you! Keep it up, we'll be keeping you in our thoughts. :flowerforyou:

So, tell me.... Just how good is mashed cauliflower as a substitute for mashed potatoes?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE mashed cauliflower! Just don't expect it to taste like potatoes. Similar consistency, but still, it's cauliflower

I never had success at making mashed cauliflower to the consistency of mashed potato... or as tasty as they make it at Red Robin... but I love "riced cauliflower"

Name: Marline Dorcinvil
Kids: none
Pets: none
Married/SO: single
Eating Lifestyle: Adkins (plan on starting on May 2)
Starting weight: 200 lbs
Goal Weight: 150 lbs
Goals for this 8 wks: lose 20 pound, work out 6 times a week and always log.

Name: Jessica
Age: 34
Kids: 5
Pets: 4 cats, 1 dog
Married/SO: yep, married
Eating Lifestyle: atkinsish
Starting weight: 136
Goal Weight: 125 (or 136 with 9 pounds less fat, LOL)
Goals for this 8 wks: continue to improve strength and muscle tone

Hi guys! I would love to join this group to share ideas and progress with you all! I lost 76 pounds over the course of about a year. For the last 6 months, I have been battling with the fat that never seems to go anywhere, and working on bettering my muscle definition. I did it all by traditional weight loss methods. Low fats, lean meats, whole grains, and tons of veggies and fruits. I had the "by the book" method down to an art. I was exercising 6-7 days a week. And I was seeing little to no progress, and worse than that, I felt run down, tired, and LIKE CRAP. I couldn't understand why I am in the best shape of my life, and feeling worse than ever. I was eating 1500-2500 calories, and I was starving all the time. I'd work out harder to earn more food, and then just be that much hungrier. On top of that, my cravings were off the charts, and periodically, I would have a complete break down and just binge on carbs for 3 or 4 days.

About two weeks ago, a friend talked me into upping my fat and cutting my carbs somewhat. I cut back to about 100 a day. And in doing that, I dropped about 3 pounds that had crept back on in the last few months (crept back on despite the fact that I was still continuing with my "healthy eating/workout routine.") Then the cravings hit, and I had another 3 day binge. That's when I decided to cut my carbs drastically, as clearly even 100g was way too many. I am not following Atkin's per se, but you could probably call it that since I am essentially following his rules. Today was my third day, and I feel FANTASTIC!!! My energy has skyrocketed, I feel great, and for the first time in probably a year I don't feel like I am hungry! Even if I don't lose another ounce, eating this way makes me feel fabulous, and hopefully the cravings will just stay gone! I must admit, it had always been so engrained in my head that low carb HAD to be bad. But I had no basis for that belief! So, I am anxious to see what happens.

I never had success at making mashed cauliflower to the consistency of mashed potato... or as tasty as they make it at Red Robin... but I love "riced cauliflower"

My mashed cauliflower has always had a weird consistency too... last time it kind of separated out after it cooled.

I can't wait to get a food processor to try the "rice"!

Name: Jessica
Age: 34
Kids: 5
Pets: 4 cats, 1 dog
Married/SO: yep, married
Eating Lifestyle: atkinsish
Starting weight: 136
Goal Weight: 125 (or 136 with 9 pounds less fat, LOL)
Goals for this 8 wks: continue to improve strength and muscle tone

Hi guys! I would love to join this group to share ideas and progress with you all! I lost 76 pounds over the course of about a year. For the last 6 months, I have been battling with the fat that never seems to go anywhere, and working on bettering my muscle definition. I did it all by traditional weight loss methods. Low fats, lean meats, whole grains, and tons of veggies and fruits. I had the "by the book" method down to an art. I was exercising 6-7 days a week. And I was seeing little to no progress, and worse than that, I felt run down, tired, and LIKE CRAP. I couldn't understand why I am in the best shape of my life, and feeling worse than ever. I was eating 1500-2500 calories, and I was starving all the time. I'd work out harder to earn more food, and then just be that much hungrier. On top of that, my cravings were off the charts, and periodically, I would have a complete break down and just binge on carbs for 3 or 4 days.

About two weeks ago, a friend talked me into upping my fat and cutting my carbs somewhat. I cut back to about 100 a day. And in doing that, I dropped about 3 pounds that had crept back on in the last few months (crept back on despite the fact that I was still continuing with my "healthy eating/workout routine.") Then the cravings hit, and I had another 3 day binge. That's when I decided to cut my carbs drastically, as clearly even 100g was way too many. I am not following Atkin's per se, but you could probably call it that since I am essentially following his rules. Today was my third day, and I feel FANTASTIC!!! My energy has skyrocketed, I feel great, and for the first time in probably a year I don't feel like I am hungry! Even if I don't lose another ounce, eating this way makes me feel fabulous, and hopefully the cravings will just stay gone! I must admit, it had always been so engrained in my head that low carb HAD to be bad. But I had no basis for that belief! So, I am anxious to see what happens.

Curious reading this you lost 76lbs wonderful ... curious how?

Name: Jessica
Age: 34
Kids: 5
Pets: 4 cats, 1 dog
Married/SO: yep, married
Eating Lifestyle: atkinsish
Starting weight: 136
Goal Weight: 125 (or 136 with 9 pounds less fat, LOL)
Goals for this 8 wks: continue to improve strength and muscle tone

Hi guys! I would love to join this group to share ideas and progress with you all! I lost 76 pounds over the course of about a year. For the last 6 months, I have been battling with the fat that never seems to go anywhere, and working on bettering my muscle definition. I did it all by traditional weight loss methods. Low fats, lean meats, whole grains, and tons of veggies and fruits. I had the "by the book" method down to an art. I was exercising 6-7 days a week. And I was seeing little to no progress, and worse than that, I felt run down, tired, and LIKE CRAP. I couldn't understand why I am in the best shape of my life, and feeling worse than ever. I was eating 1500-2500 calories, and I was starving all the time. I'd work out harder to earn more food, and then just be that much hungrier. On top of that, my cravings were off the charts, and periodically, I would have a complete break down and just binge on carbs for 3 or 4 days.

About two weeks ago, a friend talked me into upping my fat and cutting my carbs somewhat. I cut back to about 100 a day. And in doing that, I dropped about 3 pounds that had crept back on in the last few months (crept back on despite the fact that I was still continuing with my "healthy eating/workout routine.") Then the cravings hit, and I had another 3 day binge. That's when I decided to cut my carbs drastically, as clearly even 100g was way too many. I am not following Atkin's per se, but you could probably call it that since I am essentially following his rules. Today was my third day, and I feel FANTASTIC!!! My energy has skyrocketed, I feel great, and for the first time in probably a year I don't feel like I am hungry! Even if I don't lose another ounce, eating this way makes me feel fabulous, and hopefully the cravings will just stay gone! I must admit, it had always been so engrained in my head that low carb HAD to be bad. But I had no basis for that belief! So, I am anxious to see what happens.

Curious reading this you lost 76lbs wonderful ... curious how?

Essentially by sticking to the basics. Cutting out all sugary foods. Plenty of lean protein, and tons of fruits and veggies. Also cut out refined products and ate whole grains. I cut waaay back on fat, most days around 20 grams total. I worked out 7 days a week most of the time, anywhere from 1-3 hours. A mix of strength training and cardio. And at first, it worked great. The weight came off fairly quickly. And I felt ok... for a while. But then the weight loss dropped off. It took me 5 or 6 months to lose 5 pounds. I was tired and run down and hungry. Just miserable! And working my butt off, it was monopolizing all my free time!

I changed up my style of workouts, and now most days I only do 30-45 minutes. Usually an hour of working out at most. Even still, I was lacking energy and feeling too tired to work out! I still pushed myself through, but it started to just feel like torture.

So, the change to low carb is not a huge stretch for me, since I had cut out most refined foods and snacks and junk anyway. (though without restricting myself from them totally, and the handful of the kids goldfish here and there was taking it's toll I think!) IMO, the reason for my success up to that point probably had to do primarily with eliminating those really bad carbs. Just the absence of fat in my diet was killing my energy! So now I have flipped things around, and am "fat loading." Meaning, I have drastically upped my fat intake to see how it affects me. And for now I am severely limiting carbs for a short period, just to get my body into the practice of fat burning ketosis for energy. I think after things have stabilized a bit, I will up my carbs somewhat so I can eat more veggies and fruits, since I miss them so dearly. They are my true love. But the change in my energy levels has been drastic, so I think the fat was the missing piece to the puzzle. I really just want to eat well, look great, but more importantly, feel fantastic.

I am curious to know what the consensus here is on animal fats and saturated fats. It seems there is such conflicting information. I have been reading up and watching videos of the speaking engagements of Gary Taubes, and the evidence that those fats are not dangerous is quite compelling. But, there's this little voice in my head saying that I have been taught otherwise all my life for a reason...

I am curious to know what the consensus here is on animal fats and saturated fats. It seems there is such conflicting information. I have been reading up and watching videos of the speaking engagements of Gary Taubes, and the evidence that those fats are not dangerous is quite compelling. But, there's this little voice in my head saying that I have been taught otherwise all my life for a reason...

I am on a paleo forum and several people have posted blood panels and their numbers are very much improved eating lots of fat. Blood pressure and cholesterol go down, diabetes become less of an issue if not a non issue altogether and many of these people are able to get off of their medications for these problems. This is not uncommon in the least. Definitely do some research and you will find that really, they aren't as bad as they've been made out to be. More and more research is showing this, too. Hopefully research will continue to develop in this area and clear up the misconceptions about fat further, but people are so well trained that fat = evil that it will definitely take some time.