Low carb update & my first time at Marble Slab Creamery!

Most of you remember that at the end of last month, I decided to join my husband in his low carb endeavor. I figured, “Hey, I can do anything for 2 weeks.” I also had an underlying, nagging feeling that it would probably forever change the way I looked at food. As a food blogger with a passion to create in the kitchen, that scared me and excited me at the same time! I love learning more about food and how it affects my body (like why do certain foods cause me to immediately look like I’m 4 months pregnant?). And of course I love creating and making new recipes!!

So how’s it going? I started my experiment on Saturday May 28th, and tomorrow I’ll be at the 1 month mark. So far I’ve lost 9 pounds, and the inches seem to be melting off! I’ll admit I’m ecstatic!! It feels so natural to eat this way which makes it the easiest 9 lbs I’ve ever lost (not counting after giving birth!) I feel like I’ve found the last missing key to successful weight maintenance for life! I can mainly attribute this to the way I’m eating and NOT exercise as I’ve only managed to get out and walk 45-60 minutes a couple times a week. The last couple weeks I was so busy though that I only got out 1 night. So not much exercise though I hope to increase that. 

The last time I lost this kind of weight in a month’s time I was blasting away with my Firm Cardiosculpt dvd 3 times a week (intense cardio & weight training combined in one workout, and I lost 10 inches per month for a total of 20 inches in 2 months time). It’s been great to lose such a large amount of weight without working out so intensely, but I do highly recommend Firm Cardiosculpt as it forever changed my body composition and the shape of my muscles. I can still see certain lines in my upper arms and shoulders, though at times they’ve been covered up 🙂 Now they’ve reappeared! Yay!!

Honesty time ~ I’ve felt great and look slimmer throughout. I never go hungry, or have cravings. One thing I notice about cutting down on carbs is that food satisfies me after eating the correct portion whereas with carbs I would feel compelled to eat more. After the first couple days my sugar cravings were gone. They did however resurface when I knew I had a food event coming up because I did anticipate having something sweet (I think it was anticipation more than craving though). I planned for a treat & allowed myself to have it, and then got right back with very low carb the next day. It’s been working for me. Not necessarily how things work with the Atkins induction specifically, but I’ve always been one to put my own twist on weight loss endeavors and still be successful. 🙂

For instance last Monday night I was meeting with several of my good friends for dinner at Saito’s Japanese Steakhouse…it hit the spot for those of us either craving amazing steak or sushi. It’s so nice that we’re able to get a table in a side dining room so we have plenty of time to catch up and chat instead of sitting around the chef for his show. You know there’s a time and a place for those shows (like when you bring your kids), but a night with girlfriends is not one of those times! 😉

I knew I’d be getting their hibatchi steak with the incredible white dipping sauce that I’ve unsuccessfully still been trying to recreate at home. {Insert breaking news ~ I have a new lead on this sauce and will let you know as soon as I test it out. The closest I had gotten before was here, it was close but definitely sweeter than the Saito’s version.} Do you all know which dipping sauce I’m talking about? Have you had it before? Isn’t it the best?

I ordered the hibatchi steak. I ate a few bites of the salad and soup. I ate the steak, 2 shrimp and the veggies with white dipping sauce, and did not touch my rice which actually saved me $2.95 as I didn’t upgrade to the fried rice from the steamed like I usually do. Everything was delicious, and fairly low carb except for things that may have been sneaking in…but no bread, pasta, or rice. Nothing blatantly carb loaded. Yay…that was very easy and I didn’t feel deprived at all!

I also had a glass of Castle Rock Pinot Noir which was very smooth. I don’t drink wine often, but was happy to learn that 4 oz. of red (or white) wine is around 2 carbs. Seriously amazing….and a relief since I enjoy a good glass of red wine. Normally I only drink water and hot tea…so it’s nice that the occasional glass of wine is low carb friendly. My preference is red wine, and there are health benefits all over the place about the moderate use of red wine. I don’t claim to know all there is to know about wine, but I’d like to periodically share about the bottles I buy since I like a good smooth wine (not sweet) on a budget ($9 – $12, but occasionally up to $15).

Dessert time came and nothing they offered was calling to me. First of all, nothing had chocolate, and though there was ice cream, it wasn’t like I could handpick my ultimate ice cream flavor. Some choices like the fried cheesecake sounded interesting but not all, and I remembered there was a Marble Slab Creamery right there in the same plaza. I’d never been to one before, and it sounded like the perfect way to remedy the situation…those that wanted dessert could get it, and also there was a nice place to sit outside near the fountain. Win/win!

As we walked over I found myself getting excited! I had never been to a Marble Slab or Stone Cold Creamery before. As a family of 5, it had been beyond our budget, and for the price of serving one person we could serve the entire family a half gallon at home with leftovers for another night. Frugal or cheap…you make the call, but it was better for my family not to venture into the world of gourmet ice cream. 🙂

Over the years my taste buds have changed…has that happened to you? I find them maturing actually. 7 – 8 years ago I would have preferred candy over ice cream, and not even chocolate candy. Given the choice at the mall for a treat I’d walk into the bulk candy store instead of choosing ice cream. I was into fruity or sour candy….jelly belly jellybeans, sour balls, those german raspberries, the sour fruits and mini gummy bears and dark chocolate covered raisins.

But over the last 5 years or so I’ve developed a deep affection for ice cream….it’s creamy sweet goodness. It’s the “absolute irresitable” for Tammy, a very good friend of mine…I’d like to think she rubbed off on me! She was right all along. Thankfully, ice cream has redeeming nutritional qualities that candy does not. Though it has sugar, it also has calcium. Though some aren’t of the opinion of healthy fats that I have…to me it makes perfect sense that the sugar is accompanied by fat to slow it’s absorption into the bloodstream. That’s another big plus. Candy is full of pure sugar…and dyes galore…no nutritional value at all and will also send your blood sugar skyrocketing. Can you relate to a love of ice cream?

Am I saying go out and eat ice cream daily? No…but the occasional treat and the key word is “portion controlled” then I give a resounding YES! And I can’t wait to have my try at homemade ice cream at home this summer. I’ll admit I have issues with portion control at home. I can’t keep ice cream in the house or it calls to me. I can’t have one cone…I have to have two! Publix premium chocolate chip cookie dough is really good, but it’s not full of pure ingredients…..and that ingredient list is really long! So I remedy that by buying the Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough in those ½ cup size containers for my freezer. The perfect portion, and I can make it last like nobody’s business with a tiny, tiny spoon! That’s my secret!

Back to Marble Slab….oh, I could be in trouble! I ordered the small which looked really small until my mixture of choice was mixed in. I was able to sample several flavors before I chose “Sweet Cream” ice cream as my base with the mix-ins of what else…cookie dough and chocolate chips. Heaven in a cup!! Yes…this could be bad. I have to admit I’ve relived this event in my mind several times since then, and I’m already plotting planning my next splurge *insert evil laugh.*

I also thought it’d be fun for an individual date with each of my daughters…and we could “share” the small! They would love it!! In fact for purposes of research (we needed these pictures after all), I took both my girls after church yesterday and the 3 of us shared these! On the left cheesecake with M&M’s & heath toffee and on the right…my fave, the sweet cream with chocolate chip cookie dough and chocolate chips. What do you think….creamy, right?

Before you smack me for torturing you with ice cream during my low carb update post, let me just remind that life is about living…moderation and balance. I’ve done extremes before, and if I’ve learned anything by age 40 it’s this, “life is meant to be lived, thoroughly experience each and every moment, fully embracing the moments God has gifted us with for we have no knowledge of tomorrow.”

Some moments are food-related…the creamy goodness of cold ice cream on the tongue or biting into an amazing square of dark chocolate, and some moments are snuggles and cuddles on the couch with each and every one of my children spaced throughout the day. My 3 year old’s small hand resting on my leg, and her bed tousled head up under my arm. My 8 year old’s arm wrapped around my waist while leaning into me, and my 12 year old’s full embrace while standing almost the same height as this once “7-week premature infant at 3 lbs 10 oz” is now almost fully “my size.”

And I’m not being morbid…tomorrow is promised to no one. So if it’s been too long since you’ve indulged…give yourself permission to take a loved one and share a serving! 😉

Stay tuned as I attempt to stay low/controlled carb on my upcoming vacation ~ 16 days, 2,000 miles, 3 kids and ONE mama in a minivan!! This should make for some interesting blog material 😉

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11 Responses to Low carb update & my first time at Marble Slab Creamery!

  1. Robin says:

    I was wondering how you were able to combine low-carb and ice cream! 😉 I like your philosophy of savoring each treat and indulging in moderation.

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  3. Viveca says:

    Funny how I find out more of what is going on in your life in these posts! I’m glad your’re enjoying your food and still losing weight.

    That night you were at Saito’s, I was at Christopher’s Kitchen. I went right after work (around 7:30, I think). I was eating out in front–if you had crossed over to go to the Marble Creamery at that time, we would have spotted each other.

    I always try to end my meal there (or at The Green Wave Cafe) with a bowl of fresh vanilla or strawberry raw vegan ice cream. It is made with cashews and so creamy, cold and smooth just like real ice cream, but no dairy.

  4. You INSPIRE me. I would love to go low carb – but I always think of some great excuse to eat them. I should just man-up and give it a shot. 9 lbs without working out? Amazing. You are a rock star!

    Thanks for this post and keep up the great work!
    Heather

  5. Peg4Jesus7 says:

    I can totally relate with your “maturing tastebuds” … I have progressed in my life from overly sweet candy to chocolate, to dark chocolate, to fine organic dark chocolate 🙂 Ice cream, however, has always been on my A-list, thanks to a bowlful almost every night growing up in my family. Guess it’s in my genes … and in my jeans 🙁 lol

    You know I love Saito’s too! I have tried their cucumber-wrapped sushi rolls, and they were very good, but I did miss the sushi rice. So I had some of each 🙂

    I am having the HARDEST time staying low-carb this time. Not sure what the problem is. I’ll be doing well until something tempts me (special event, holiday, party, PMS, whatever). Then when I fall off, I have the hardest struggle getting back on … ugh! I keep losing and gaining the same 5 lbs.

    So glad to hear you’re doing so well! Way to go, keep up the good work!

    • Denise says:

      Peg,

      Thanks for the encouragement & for sharing. I’m sorry you’re having a tough go this time around & am here to cheer you on!! Keep on, keepin’ on!! 🙂

  6. Christine says:

    I just started back on a lower carb plan myself. Not Atkins, way more vegetables. But I’m going to limit my carb meals (pasta, rice, couscous, etc.) to one per week. So far it’s going well, but it’s only been a week. I’ve done this before with some success, but as I get older it gets more difficult and takes longer. Best of luck, and congratulations on your success so far!
    Christine recently posted..Stuffed Chicken Breast

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  9. Rommy says:

    I don’t think you remember me, but I was the one that made you and your daughter those ice creams! How funny I found this article without knowing it was you that I was following on twitter. Crazy!

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