WEEKLY FINDS.

I personally really liked this product.  

My kids were not as receptive.  (;

Good alternative for mashed potatoes.  

Costco

I have had a few people within my family who 

are missing potato chips!

We comprised with veggie chips.

Macey's Grocery Store

Everyone liked this mix!  Excellent.

I sauteed everything in oil and added meat to add to our fat content.

Costco

Good in moderation.  These are addicting!

Costco

Zupas includes items on their menu that are Keto Friendly.  In fact, it is even labeled on the menu...Keto! (Some items are protein heavy, so read up on the nutritional info)  We ate there this week and the soup was perfection for a cold fall night.  Add cheese and bacon for an added bonus!

HAPPY EATING!

WHAT IS KETO?  BASIC VISUAL BREAKDOWN.

I have had numerous people ask for a basic list of foods to eat and foods to avoid. Dr. Axe has given us that!  The following is a visual for you to download onto your phone.  Sometimes we need to just SEE something to remember it!

Also, I am going to start including new products and restaurants that I find during the week! This is a fun challenge for me.  If you find something great as well, email me!  Kari@brighthomesutah.com.  Happy searching!

GREEN.  Eat, Eat, Eat.

YELLOW.  Eat occasionally.

RED.  Avoid.

New Products & Restaurants.

The Smoking Apple is AMAZING.  Jon loves the ribs and I love the cheese steak!  They are great to customize your order and the service is REALLY good.  I also love their sweet potato fries, minus the sugar that they typically add for flavoring.  Jon and I eat here almost weekly.

Lindon, Utah

When I eat this bar, I honestly feel like I'm eating a treat.  Super tasty and obviously high in fat.

Costco

My neighbor and friend, Nicole Priddis, had me try the dip with celery sticks.  I was sold.  I will also serve it with crackers that are almond based.  This will be great for your Holiday celebrations!

Costco

INTERMITTENT FASTING.

When I first heard about fasting on a daily basis, my initial thought was...that can't be healthy, can it?  I was definitely skeptical.  However, the people that I knew who practiced intermittent fasting seemed to have energy, they were extremely active, fit, and overall healthy people.  So I looked into it.  The proof is in the pudding, so I decided to try it.  I'm hooked.  For life.

So once again, I am not an expert...of any kind.  But I have found that what works for me is to cram my nutrients together between the time period of 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm.  I have a great lunch at noon, a snack around 3:00, and dinner between 6:00-8:00.  I do drink a lot of water through this whole process.  I work out every morning, and I haven't felt effected by it.  I actually feel better.

There are several different ways to do intermittent fasting.  I prefer the 16/8 method.  It makes the most sense to me, and it fits my lifestyle.

Check out this quick outline to learn about different ways to fast!  Happy Eating...I mean Fasting...I mean Living! (;

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-ways-to-do-intermittent-fasting

My daughter had great success with intermittent fasting!  Her weight loss accelerated after she combined fasting with the Keto diet.  The trick to having teenagers engage in intermittent fasting is...a GREAT lunch.  Make sure they are packing a well balanced meal to school.  So many kids in high school either don't eat or head out for fries and pizza.  I get it...I was there.

  But there is a better way!

SUGAR.

What is the big deal?  We all love sugar.  It makes everything taste better.  However, as I have learned...it is ADDICTING.  And, for me, it effects my overall well being.  I definitely feel a crash after a lot of sugar.

So I am including a link to a documentary trailer entitled Fed Up.  I can't say it any better than this video can.  Please watch it with your families.  It is on Amazon Prime.  We need to be better educated about the long lasting and damaging effects of sugar.

Here is the trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCUbvOwwfWM

Please don't misunderstand me.  Of course I have sugar, on occasion, but it has to be really good and really worth it.  My biggest concern for my family, and myself, is that 80% of all of the products in our local grocery store have added sugars.  We don't even realize how much sugar we are getting on a daily basis.  Something to think about!

Also, added sugars vs. natural sugars.  Great explanation...

"Added sugars are essentially any sugars added during the processing of foods, including refined white sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and slightly better sugars (which are often described as “natural” but are still added, not naturally-occurring!) like maple syrup, honey, and coconut sugar."  This quote is taken from the article below...educate yourself. 

https://nutritiouslife.com/eat-empowered/natural-sugar-healthier-added-sugar/

TREATS.  YES, PLEASE!

Let's be honest with each other.  It feels great to eat healthy.  It feels so good to not have a sugar crash.  But...everyone needs a treat occasionally!  My family especially LOVES to have something sweet on the weekend, myself included.  So I knew going into this lifestyle change that some form of treat would not only be realistic, it would be necessary.

My 'go to' sweet is melted dark chocolate, with virgin coconut oil, and coconut flakes.  I love to dip in all types of berries!  I also don't need much to feel satisfied. (unlike that amazingly addicting Oreo cookie!)

Here are a few of my other favorites.  And I plan on continually adding to this list.

This bag doesn't last very long in my home.  These are amazing and have all of the right ingredients to make up the perfectly balanced treat.

Costco

This is what my 'candy jar' at home now looks like.  I don't have chocolate daily but it is nice to have on the weekend or after that really LONG day!

I try to look for chocolate that is 70% or higher but for these chocolate chips I will definitely make an exception.  They are REALLY hard to beat.

Walmart

Rebel Ice Cream

My hubby loves ice cream and so this is the perfect find.  VERY Keto friendly and tastes great.  It obviously isn't as creamy as your typical ice cream but it is a great alternative.

Good Earth

These are hard to beat. I love them because they are frozen and they are extra large raspberries!

(very low in carbs)

Costco

For your cookie fix!  Save these for a carb cycling day!

Costco

We love to eat these...frozen.  I have convinced my little people that they are candy bars.

 Mom for the win.

Amazon.

Because we have a BROWNIE obsession at our home, I have tried quite a few Keto brownie recipes.  I'll be honest, I can't get over the almond flour texture.  Just can't.  I happened to see this product at the grocery store and decided to give it a try.  My family requests it now!  I also add a glaze of dark chocolate mixed with coconut oil on top! 

 (add chocolate chips for even more chocolate...never too much, right?!)

Walmart

Keto Cakes!

https://www.ketocakesutah.com/

The frosting alone is worth trying!  Your average Keto Cake has 2-3 net carbs and ZERO sugar.

I did some research for all of your bakers out there.  This book has the best reviews and is obviously looking out for your Keto lifestyle.  I'm planning on buying it myself!

Here we are partying with one of my dear friends.  Both of our families are living a Keto lifestyle...so what to do for her birthday?!  In the past, these type of events stressed me out.  Staying healthy and hosting, or even attending, social events...seemed really tough.  Not any more!  She got to have a sugar free brownie, sugar fee/carb free whip cream, fresh fruit, and a chocolate glaze...

So party on my fellow Keto peeps!

(I take my birthday chants very seriously (; )

SNACKS.

When 3:00 in the afternoon rolls around in the Traveller household...the kitchen suddenly becomes very crowded.  I love fresh fruit and veggies but the following snacks can usually be found within our cupboards as well...

Just add salt and pepper. School lunch winner too!

Costco

Costco

Costco

These are on my kitchen counter.  They used to be filled with sugar and flour.  Loving the change.

Costco

Amazon

A great alternative for a cracker for the kids.

  My girls love them with some shredded chicken and salsa.

Costco

These are a great alternative to a chip.  Slight 'kick' to them!

Costco

Costco

I personally LOVE this mix.

Costco

This snack is actually pretty sweet.  Thank you COCONUT!

Costco

Great for school lunches.

Costco

Jon loves to take and wrap these sticks with pepperoni.  

School lunch idea as well!

Walmart

I love these chips with guacamole.

Walmart

These chips have some serious flavor!  Ranch is my favorite.  My family naturally broke into them before I had a chance to take a picture. (;

Macey's

Walmart

And for my FAVORITE snack of all.  You just can't go wrong with pumpkin seeds!

Walmart