The trials and triumphs of my keto journey

the trials and triumphs of my keto journey

Get the inside scoop of this low-carb, high-fat diet as I share the trials and triumphs of my keto journey. Note this a long read but I promise to be brutally honest.

In the past it was easy to manage my weight.  Being tall, I generally weigh more and my physique hides the fact that I am actually overweight. If I gained a few kilograms I would go on a quick weight loss programme to shed the excess weight. Yet it isn’t all that easy once you are in your 40’s and hormones and perimenopause becomes a contributing factor.  So the older I got, I started embracing my love handles, curves and have become comfortable with the way I look as long as my clothes still fit me. (more…)


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Heavenly Berry Cheesecake

heavenly berry cheesecake

Let’s be honest – not a lot of people opt to bake a cheesecake; they would rather do no-bake version. No doubt it can be a bit intimidating and stressful to get a baked cheesecake perfect without it sinking and the top burning or cracking.  But I’m here to share a few tips that will hopefully guide you to making the most delicious baked cheesecake. If I think cheesecake; three words come to mind – velvety, rich and heavenly and that is exactly what my berry cheesecake is. And can I let you in on a little secret – it is low in carbs and contains no refined sugars. Apart from this, the taste is still pure mouth-watering bliss. (more…)


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Milk Tart Horns

milk tart horns

Creamed horns has always been my weakness.  The layers of flaky pastry and the creaminess of the filling is just so scrumptious. But to keep within my low carb lifestyle, I recently made a batch of milk tart horns and decided not to make the horns too thick.  Instead of making thick overlays, I rolled the pastry and cut it in thinner strips which I then cut in half. Winding it on the horn moulds with a thinner spiral overlay.  I purchased the horn moulds at Cab Foods but it is also available from other baking suppliers. 

milk tart horns

Flaky horns are often filled with cream but I decided to fill mine with a milk tart filling. However, fillings like chocolate mouse, caramel and custard are also absolutely delicious.

Below I share my recipe for my milk tart horns.

 

Milk Tart Horns

  • Servings: 18
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

flaky and creamy

Prep time: 15 min
Baking time: 15 min
Servings: 18 horns

Ingredients


Horns
200g Puff Pastry (Shop bought – half of 400g packet)

Milk Tart Filling
½ cup cream
¼ cup erythritol
½ cup cremora creamer
1 Tbs salted butter
½ tsp vanilla essence
½ cup cold water
1 egg
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp psyllium husk

Directions

Place cream, erythritol, butter and vanilla essence in a saucepan on a low heat – stirring continuously until it resembles a condensed milk mixture. Take off the heat. In a mixing bowl, add cremora creamer and cold water and mix with a hand mixer until well incorporated. Then add the egg and mix well. Return the condensed milk mixture to the heat and slowly add the cremora mixture to it. Add the psyllium husk to thicken the mixture and then add the cinnamon.  Stir well. Transfer to a bowl and place clingfilm on top of the mixture to prevent a skin from forming on top. Allow the mixture to cool and thicken. For the horns, preheat oven to 180°C and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll 200g of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut pastry dough into thin strip (about 2cm in width and 30cm in length – then cut the strip in half again). Spray the moulds with Spray and Cook and wind the pastry on the moulds starting with the pointing end and then rolling it in thin overlapping spirals. Space horns on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until golden brown. Remove horns from oven and slide out the moulds. Allow horns to cool completely before piping the milk tart filling inside. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.


 

 


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Swirled Buttery Shortbread Cookies

swirled buttery shortbread cookies

The smell of freshly baked cookies that transcends through the house is absolute bliss.  I love baking biscotti or any kind of cookies for that matter. There is just nothing better than a homemade cookie and my swirled buttery shortbread cookies is decadent, light, slightly crisp and has that melt-in-your-mouth texture. (more…)


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FAMILY FUN WITH PICTIONARY AIR

The biggest takeway about the lockdown restrictions has definitely been the quality family time.  As a family we love playing board games and one such game is Pictionary.  Recently we sparked more family fun by discovering a new way of playing the game with Pictionary Air. With the classic version you have to draw quick sketches on a sheet of paper or whiteboard and then guess what it is. No more paper wasting or ink drying as Mattel has taken this classic quick draw game to the next level. The high tech version of Pictionary Air allows you to literally draw in the air with a light pen – which is so much fun. (more…)


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TASTY HOMEMADE GRANOLA {Low Carb}

tasty low carb homemade granola

In a previous post I mentioned that I am trying to cut down on my carb intake. I love granola but finding store bought ones that is not loaded with carbs or sugar is difficult. Therefore I decided to make my own, which is tastier and healthier. My tasty low carb homemade granola does not contain oats, honey or maple syrup. (more…)


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To a remarkable mother-in-law

remarkable mother-in-law

Today has been a day of feelings. I felt broken-hearted, fragile, low, angry, overwhelmed and exhausted. I thought I had this grieving thing under control. After all I’ve been through this before.  No matter how many times you experience grief; it’s doesn’t get any easier. It’s flippen hard and damn complicated.It’s been 2 weeks since your passing and today has really hit hard. I had my moment, I was alone at home, the weather was pretty miserable. As the rain drops rolled down the window; so were the tears streaming down my cheeks. I had an uncontrollable reaction to what I have lost – a remarkable mother-in-law, a woman of strength and courage. I broke down and cold no longer suppress my feelings – I had to let go. (more…)


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Delicious Spiced Pumpkin Cake

delicious spiced pumpkin cake

How do you feel about vegetables in your cake?  I know some people are skeptical to use vegetables or fruit in cake recipes but belief me it can be so yummy. I once ordered a red velvet cake from a coffee shop and the baker used beetroot as the main ingredient. It was absolutely divine. The other is of course my ultimate carrot cake recipe. Those who have eaten it will always come back for another slice or three.  My carrot cake recipe has never been shared on my blog and I intend keeping it that way – it is my little secret. (more…)


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Snip the puppet strings of external validation

snip puppet strings external validation

Thinking back to 31 years ago when I was very young and naïve. How I wish I could go back in time and tell that young girl that she is enough, worthy, beautiful and have so much ambition. Having no idea how to snip it; I was once controlled by the puppet strings of external validation.

Ridiculed about my race, my background and my appearances (skinny, tall, flat nose and an array of other names); my self-esteem took a knock from a young age. There is absolutely no truth in the saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”.  Those words hurt and it left scars. I never valued myself, thought that I was good enough or beautiful. I was greatly affected by what people said to me or thought of me.  It became my truth as I murmured many uncaring words to myself whilst staring in the mirror.

I was shy and quiet – an introvert. At school I became an overachiever forcing myself to succeed, achieve and perfect. I had no personal boundaries and would say yes for everything. I didn’t know that the power of no existed. My self-worth was based on people-pleasing.  I relied heavily on the opinions and encouragement of others; seeking validation from my parents, teachers and friends that I am competent, capable and good enough.

In my early 20’s I came out of my shell a little bit but the self-doubt continued. It consumed every aspect of my life. Not only when I transitioned into adulthood but being an undergraduate at university, hanging out with friends, being in a relationship and applying for my first job. I would question everything – am I being responsible, am I intelligent enough, what if I fail, do I fit in, am I liked, what will they think of me when I say no, does he think I am beautiful, why didn’t he call me, is he really interested in me, did I do a good job, do they think I did a good job, what if I mess up?

The inner critic never left me. I lacked self-confidence, compared myself to others and constantly strived for external validation and acceptance. Receiving that validation made me feel secure and gave me a sense of belonging. If I didn’t receive it; my ego would be bruised, leaving me feeling rejected. Causing an even harder blow to my self-esteem.

It was only during Brent and I’s premarital counselling sessions when it came to light. We had to address issues that could affect our relationship negatively. Because ultimately you can’t pour into a marriage, with an empty cup. These sessions helped me to practice self-compassion and self-care. It was a process that I worked hard at every single day. It enabled me to stop being reliant on external validation and to slowly snip the puppet strings that controlled me. Today I control the strings as my values and beliefs matter the most.  I don’t have to pretend as I know that I am enough.

So today let me be that voice of reason that says stop trying to measure up. Stop second guessing yourself. You are enough – yes I know it’s a cliché but you are truly enough. Don’t try to change aspects of who you are just to fit in. Don’t showcase yourself to please others. We all strive to put the best version of ourselves out there but remember comparison is the thief of joy.  Focus on what you have, your abilities and your achievements.

Yes people will always have opinions about you but don’t let that become your truth.  Don’t beat yourself up and tell that inner critic to take a hike. It is ok to fail, not to be liked by everyone, to go through stuff, to get angry, to be crazy and to be loud. Be kind to yourself. Internalize it and take up your space because you are worthy, enough, capable and beautiful. You are in control so snip the puppet strings of external validation that dictates you.

 


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Lemon Coconut and Almond Cake [Low Carb]

lemon coconut almond cake

Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy. To me carbs symbolises comfort food.  But sometimes we tend to eat too much processed foods and refined carbs which is not good for our health in the long run. So since April I have significantly reduced my carb intake and are trying to incorporate healthier carbohydrates into my diet.  But finding healthy alternatives to substitute sweet treats is not always that easy. The options are very limited. Therefore I decided to experiment with a few low carb ingredients when baking. Don’t worry you will still find recipes containing wheat flour on my blog but there will be a few that have alternative flour options too.  (more…)


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