Month: October 2019

Snacks

Powerful Bites (double chocolate)

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When I started keto, I knew sweets were going to be a huge problem for me because they are my absolute weakness. I would always have something sweet each day after dinner or before bed (sometimes both) before keto, so I was so nervous if I could stay on track.

The first two weeks I didn’t have even a lick of something sweet because I was so afraid! In the past, one taste would lead to a second, and a third, then the whole pack of Oreo’s were gone! Oopsie! I was at one of my tattoo appointments when my artist, (and best friend) Jake mentioned these little snacks to me. He is crazy about things high in protein, and isn’t much of a cooking guy due to his busy schedule. So after a few more questions, I learned they were cookie dough bites at Walmart in the yogurt section, they were under $5 and tasted good.

The second I left the shop, I went to Walmart to find them. Sure enough, Jake was right! Keto friendly, only two grams of net carbs in four pieces, six grams of protein, and one gram of sugar. I couldn’t believe it! My other thought was that they were gonna be full of ingredients that I couldn’t pronounce, but I was wrong. First ingredient was peanut butter, followed by erythritol (my favorite sugar substitute), whey protein, coconut oil, cocoa powder, applesauce, and a couple more I won’t bore you with.

That was the double chocolate flavor, and they also have a peanut butter one and a blueberry one that I know of. The net carbs, sugars, and ingredients are very similar in those ones as well. Me being the sweet tooth I am, I started eating them in the car. I couldn’t tell if they were actually good, or if it was because I hadn’t had anything sweet in two weeks. I stuck to the serving size and brought them home for my mom to try. She said they were really good! I was SO excited.

Since you have to keep them refrigerated, I always keep a container of them in my fridge at all times for those days I need to kick that sugar craving. They stay good for a few weeks too, so that is another plus. I hate wasting food! Hope you enjoy!

-Ashley, Not Without Sweetness

My Story

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I struggled with my weight since I was eight years old. There hasn’t been a time that I actually remember being a normal size. Neither of my parents were overweight, but we didn’t eat healthy what so ever. In fact, we had pizza every Friday night, and sometimes Saturday too. Through the week, my mom worked nights, so unless she made something in the crock pot, my dad would take my brother and me to get some form of fast food. That was a terrible habit that continued for a very long time.

Unfortunately, I did not have the same metabolism as the rest of my family. When I started to get self conscious about it in middle school, I wouldn’t eat breakfast or lunch, thinking I would lose weight that way. However, I would go home and binge eat because I was starving by the end of the school day. I ate as much as my stomach could handle before my dad came home so I wouldn’t get yelled at.

My parents tried to help me, but didn’t exactly go about it the best way. I remember on my twelfth birthday, my parents got me workout videos. I was absolutely humiliated. I know they were just trying to help, but I took it so hard. Shortly after that birthday, my dad started portioning my food. I think that was even worse than the present. For example, everyone would get their plates full of food, and I was given one slice of pizza. I would be so hungry at night, as soon as my dad went to bed I was in the fridge. I’m not saying that if they’d gone about it a different way I would have been “cured” but I think I would have has a better chance to succeed.

Through the last 10 years I have never lost more than 20 pounds and kept if off. I tried low fat diets, low carb diets, low calorie diets, you name it! Nothing worked, I just couldn’t stay motivated. In 2017, I decided to try my hand at a vegan diet. I did it for a year and lost 35 pounds. I kept that weight off ever since, but still had a lot to lose.

Finally, with my brother’s wedding coming up, I decided to give this weight loss thing one more try. On August 20th, 2019, I was ready to make a lifestyle change. I looked into, and started a “keto” / low carb plan. As of today, it’s been two months since I’ve started, and I’ve lost 26 pounds already. I haven’t been this weight since either late middle school or early high school! I work out five to six times a week, for at least 30 minutes or more. Mainly cardio, and it gets easier and easier each day. I still have about 50-60 pounds left to lose.

I hope I can inspire and help others with my knowledge and experiences.