Pizza, Pizza, Pizza ...

I tell all family and friends that if you are ever asked a million dollar question "What is Debbie's favorite food" the answer is PIZZA! It is my absolutely 100% favorite food to eat!! The best thing is, pizza is the one food that you can easily transform into low carb deliciousness. You will see ALOT of pizza posts here on my blog.

There a variety of ways to keep it low carb by the type of pizza crust you make, sauce, and your toppings . Which is so easy to do. I love fat head dough (recipe below) and is my usual go to when making pizza for family.

You can purchase a low carb pizza sauce (look the nutrition value on the back of the can/jar) or you can make your own.

As for toppings, pretty much anything that goes on top of a pizza is already low carb (cheese, meats, veggies). So this part ins not hard. Be creative. Make an "Everything Pizza", "Taco Pizza", "Chicken Bacon Ranch", "Veggie Loves", "Kale & Ricotta", etc.

Today I'm am featuring: Taco Pizza, and an Everything Pizza. Yum! Yum! and Yum!

Taco Pizza

Top your fat head crust (recipe below) with a drizzle of Taco Sauce, Cooked Ground Beef Taco Meat, Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese, Bake. Then take out of the oven and top with Shredded Lettuce, Chopped Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Onion/Green Onions, Olives, etc. (however you like tacos)

Everything Pizza

Top you fat head crust (recipe below) with a low carb Pizza Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese, Pepperoni, Sausage, Green Peppers, and Onions (should be some mushrooms on her too but forgot)

Fat Head PIZZA!

Fat Head Pizza Crust

Referred to as "Fat Head Pizza - The Holy Grail"

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

3/4 cups Almond Flour (I prefer fine grain almond flour)

2 Tablespoons Cream Cheese

1 Egg

pinch Salt to taste

1/2 tsp Dried Rosemary/ Garlic or other flavorings (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix the shredded/grated cheese and almond flour/meal in a microwaveable bowl. Add the cream cheese. Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute.

2. Stir then microwave on HIGH for another 30 seconds.

3. Add the egg, salt, rosemary and any other flavorings, mix gently.

4. Place in between 2 pieces of baking parchment/paper and roll into a circular pizza shape Remove the top baking paper/parchment. If the mixture hardens and becomes difficult to work with, pop it back in the microwave for 10-20 seconds to soften again but not too long or you will cook the egg.

5. Make fork holes all over the pizza base to ensure it cooks evenly.

6. Slide the baking paper/parchment with the pizza base, on a baking tray (cookie tray) or pizza stone, and bake at 220C/425F for 12-15 minutes, or until brown.

7. To make the base really crispy and sturdy, flip the pizza over (onto baking paper/parchment) once the top has browned.

8. Once cooked, remove from the oven and add all the toppings you like. Make sure any meat is already cooked as this time it goes back into the oven just to heat up the toppings and melt the cheese. Bake again at 220C/425F for 5 minutes.

Yum Yum Brownies from Gnom Gnom

Sometimes a girl needs Brownies. And then bam! You stumble across a fantastic low carb Fudgy Brownie recipe from Gnom-Gnom. They are only 1g net carbs per serving. She topped hers with a flakey sea salt (which I totally need to try), however I topped mine with walnuts because that's what I had on hand. These are delish, and have been taste tested by myself, daughter and her friends.

The trick to these is to use room temperature eggs, and do NOT over bake in an 8x8 baking dish. And be careful on what artificial sweetener you use because it will make a difference in the end result.

Fudgy Brownies (from Gnom Gnom)

I used different brands of ingredients as her, so I'm posting her recipe with the products I used. Results may vary depending on what you use. I advice you to click here to see her recipe, video and notes on making these.

Ingredients:

9 tablespoons unsalted butter

14 tablespoons Swerve (highly recommended, other sweeteners can effect the results)

11 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs at room temperature

3/4 cup almond flour

Optional Garnish:

flakey sea salt or chopped walnuts

Directions:

Position a rack in the lower third of your oven and preheat to 350°F/180°C. Line with parchment paper the bottom and sides of a 8x8-inch baking pan. Set aside.

Add butter, sweetener, cocoa powder and salt to a medium heatproof bowl. Melt over a water bath or using the microwave. You will want to heat it up until all the butter and sweetener has melted and the mixture is well incorporated. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.

Add one egg at a time, stirring well after each one until completely incorporated. Add almond flour, stirring vigorously until fully blended (about a minute). Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 15-25 minutes (we do 23), or until the center is just set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out slightly moist. This really does vary (a lot!!) from oven to oven (think convection etc), so give them a check from minute 15 the first time around.

Sprinkle with flakey sea salt (optional) and allow to cool completely on a rack. Lift brownies using the edges of the parchment paper and cut into desired size (we do 16!). To get extra clean edges, place in the freezer for 10 minutes prior to cutting.

Enjoy with a cold glass of almond milk, or cup of coffee!

Fitness Begins In The Kitchen?

Have you heard the term "Fitness Begins In The Kitchen"? Well if you haven't, now you have. After changing my way of eating 20 months ago, I am a true believer that fitness really does all begin in the kitchen. Many people who are unsuccessful in weight loss believe in the old "move more, eat less." It's come to my understanding that nothing could be further from the truth. My belief is "it's all in what you eat". I am not a doctor, scientist, trainer, or dietitian. I'm just someone that has followed this rule and have had success in loosing over 60 lbs. It is said and proven that 80% of weight loss battle is in your nutrition. I do exercise weekly 3 to 5 times a week, but the kitchen is wear my fitness begins. I eat protein, healthy fats, vegetables, (some) fruits, and keep my carbohydrates low. I plan all my meals and snacks, prepare foods ahead, I try to be creative and think outside the box, and I make my foods appeal to they eye (we eat with our eyes first). So far good success.

Think Outside The Box ...

In the mood for a sandwich? Then think outside the box by making a salad from your favorite once upon a time sandwich. Turn a plain old roast beef sandwich into a well balanced, delicious meal that will last you all afternoon.

Roast Beef Salad

• Roast Beef Roll Ups (beef rolled around shredded lettuce, red onion. and horseradish sauce)

• Hard Boiled Egg

• Black Olives

• Mixed Greens

• Faux Corn Muffin

Eye Appeal ...

Be Creative ...

Meal Preparation ....