Day 365….

So, when I initially started my carnivore trial I had absolutely no idea if still be eating this way a year later! I will say, it’s crossed my mind several times over the year that I really no want to write more of my experience, then I reflect on what new I have to share and realize it may be pretty boring! I LOVE blogging about food and now that I really only have about 5 regular foods that I eat, with now sauces, or bright colours, there’s not really much you can do to make beautiful food photos! So… yes I still eat meat. Yes I still feel fantastic!

Some changes I have noticed that are worth sharing would be:

1. I definitely have better digestion
2. My skin is consistently clear
3. Inflammation is way less than it used to be
4. I actually tolerate heat and cold better than I used to… that one is a really BIG deal for someone who’s lived with an autoimmune disease for years!

So hears the thing – at the end of the day, the best diet for YOU is the one that makes you happy and feel your best!  If you can stick to eating real food, especially if you aren’t currently, your health and life will improve, potentially in a really big way!  I talk about the carnivore diet passionately because for a good portion of my life I felt like crap and didn’t really know if I’d ever feel good and like myself again.  Drinking ketones were the start for me, my brain turned back on after years and years of feeling trapped.  The keto diet helped as well with some other symptoms I had been carrying around, but it’s the combination of ketones and the carnivore diet that have been a total game changer for me.  That being said, as I near the end of earning my holistic nutritionist designation, I have quite a strong understanding that finding out what works best for each individual body is the trick to overall optimal health and well-being.  Start with real food.  If you still find there are symptoms, then it’s time to try eliminating some trigger foods to see if you feel better.

I need to say this – often I hear “yeah, I get bloated after I eat, but that’s just me.” or “yeah, I get itchy a couple times a month, but that’s just my allergies.”  Etc, etc, etc… NO!!  We are not meant to have regular symptoms!  Just cause you’ve had them for weeks, months or years does not mean that’s just the way things are!!  If the smoke alarm went off a couple of times a month would you just turn it off and ignore it?  NO!  Symptoms are warning signs that something is not right in your body!  If this is YOU, please reach out or find a nutritionist/naturopath in your area.  

Check this out if you’d like more info or like to book a time to chat – More Info

The carnivore diet is the ultimate elimination diet in that it eliminates EVERYTHING, then gives you the option to start reintroducing foods one at a time to see what works and what doesn’t.  Maybe one day I too will bring things back, maybe not.  I feel better than I could remember going into this.  This is going to sound crazy, but I honestly feel lucky for my MS diagnosis in my 20’s because it directed me on a path to the healthiest life possible!  Hopefully you’ll pay attention to the gentle nudges your body is giving you and don’t have to wait for a giant kick in the butt to start doing your research and making some changes.

Are you ready for better?

What would your life be like if you woke up every day energized, focused and feeling comfortable and happy in your body?

Have you ever felt like you’ve lost confidence, you don’t feel sexy anymore, you feel judged and don’t really want to go out with your friends? Have you felt embarrassed shopping for clothes or worried you’re not setting a good example for your kids?

Well, I know I have and it sucked!  All I really wanted was to fit into my clothes again, and to see the weight drop off. What I really needed was to have less fuzzy brain, to stop craving sugar and treats all the time and have energy again!

Think for a moment what that could feel like in your life!  You wake up with more energy, and a clearer mind, now you crush it at work and can’t wait to get active again. You lose the weight, now you can rock the bikini at the beach.

Ok, how could that happen?  If you’re like me, I had tried pretty much everything!  I tried the complicated diet programs.  The 14-part cleanse, squishing my food into the time containers, the laundry list of pills and potions… it was frustrating AND exhausting!  I also tried working out, then working out more (and MORE) when that didn’t work.  I just ended up feeling like a failure.

UNTIL… a friend who I totally trusted and respected tried Ketones.  I was the biggest skeptic.  I wasn’t ready to waste more of my money and feel like a failure yet again!  I also had other health challenges, so I was even more resistant than most!  If any of this resonates, I totally get it!  Maybe I’ve been in your shoes, and if that’s the case, what if I could help?  I know how crappy this feels, and thankfully NOW I also know how much BETTER life can be!

If YOU have had enough, are tired of the frustration, and are ready to make a change, click the link below to book a call!  We can see if we could be a good fit to work together and if Ketones may be a good solution for you too!

***My ONE ask… if you’re not ready to commit to yourself and improving your health and your life, take a look, drop your contact so I can send you more info, but please wait until you’re ready to book a call!  I’m here to help as your tour guide to improve your life, but I can’t do it for you 😉  I am only one person and I try to keep my time available for those who are READY to ACT!

I’m READY to take action!

New things coming!

Well, hello! I initially designed this site as more of a store front and education sharing platform for ketones and the Keto life, but I have been more of a storyteller-style blogger for so long and I really miss that! So I’ve decided to go back to doing what I love most, sharing my random humour and chaos and motivation, mixed with occasional sarcasm. Hope you enjoy, if not I’m sure you will find others who speak your language 🙂

I’m going to start with a brief little bit about me and how I got to the point of living a life of the best health and well-being I’ve felt after many years of quite the opposite. My story of overcoming emotional and physical trauma, riding myself of all the complications of autoimmune troubles from 3 different autoimmune conditions and actually finding gratitude in how all I’ve been through has shaped me into the person I am now is a pretty good one. I’ve learned that we are responsible for advocating for our own health, our struggles can be an inspiration to others when we can find the courage to share, and that going against the grain and being yourself is the best possible way to happiness and living a life beyond your wildest dreams!

Sound good? Drop a follow for more! This won’t be for the faint of heart if you’re looking for our own transformation. I tell it as it is, and I’m not going to wipe your tears. If you’re ready for change, I’m here for you! If you’re willing to put in the work, I’ll be your guide and cheerleader. If you don’t want it bad enough yet to set aside your excuses that’s fine too, I’ll be here when you’re ready.

Meet Judy

Many have a misconception that exogenous Ketones are JUST for athletes or people looking to lose weight!  I want you to meet Judy.  Her story is one that you may be able to relate to 🙂

I have been dedicated my whole life to being active and living a healthy lifestyle. I don’t know how it happened but I just celebrated my 64th birthday!
I am still active and try to eat well. In the last years I’ve noticed my body is changing and not for the better. I was starting to feel my age. It was becoming harder to stay fit and feel healthy. I was getting arthritis especially in my right wrist. I had a painful lump of inflammation on it. It prevented me from doing some actions and activities.
For about 3 months I have been on a product called Ketones. I’m happy to say the inflammation in my body has improved especially in my wrist. Some might find this odd but I am excited I can do burpees and push-ups again! (Yeah). I enjoy doing more yoga moves. I feel I am stronger. My mind is clearer and most nights I sleep like a baby. Though I didn’t need to lose weight I have lost belly fat and have gained muscle tone.
I have more energy. Recently on a trip to Florida I was able to run around the island the first day without feeling exhausted or overheated. It used to take me several days to build up to that.  Long story short, I’m grateful I found this wonderful drink!  I’m not getting any younger according to the calendar, but I love how great I feel since I started drinking this stuff and I’m excited to continue being healthy and active for many years to come!

Want to know MORE about how this product might be able to help YOU?  Reach out!  Happy to answer your questions and share information!

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Low Carb Sausage Pasta

Sausage Pasta

Ingredients:

8oz sausage, mild or spicy
1/3 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic
1/4 roasted tomatoes, chopped
1 cup broccoli, chopped
1/2 cup cream
1/2 water
1/2 cup parmesan, freshly grated
Salt + pepper
Spaghetti squash*

 

Instructions:

1. Over medium heat, sauté sausage, breaking it up into crumbles, for 4 minutes
2. Add in onion and continue to cook
3. Once onions are translucent, add garlic, tomatoes, and broccoli
4. Add in cream, water, and parmesan cheese
5. Simmer until sauce thickens
6. Season with salt + pepper to taste
7. Serve over top spaghetti squash

 

BEST Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients:

1 squash
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 clove garlic, chopped finely
Salt
Pepper

 

Instructions:

1. Mix together oil, garlic, and seasonings in bowl.
2. Cut spaghetti squash in half and remove seeds
3. Rub oil mixture over flesh of spaghetti squash
4. Place squash cut side down (so it lays flat) on foil lined baking sheet
5. Baked for 20 minutes at 420º F, until tender.
6. Use fork to remove squash from skin

Simple Keto Treat

Peanut Butter & Swiss Cacao Frappeketo™

Servings: 1
Per serving: 6.7g Net Carbs, 18.5g Fat, 9.2g Protein

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons peanut butter (Or favorite nut butter)
1 cup almond milk
1 packet KETO//OS® Max Swiss Cacao
1 -2 cups ice

 

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients together until smooth
2. Enjoy!

Carnivore continues… and Some Exciting Discoveries

So, if you were just assuming I’d given up on my carnivore challenge, you’d be wrong 😉 I’ve lost track of what day it is, but I do know it’s been more than 2 weeks.  Ok… my goal was NOT weight loss, and I don’t really care about the number on the scale as much as how my body feels and how my clothes fit.  That being said my work jeans, which have been snug for the last little while around my strong crossfit thighs were actually feeling a quite a lit looser last week so I stepped on the scale.  In 11 days I was down 11 lbs!  Much of which is likely less inflammation, but still pretty interesting in my opinion.  Especially for someone who has followed a keto diet for nearly 2 years!

I went back to crossfit yesterday after nearly 2 months of focusing on yoga while a foot injury healed.  Almost 2 months and I was impressed with how good squat cleans, push-ups and air squats felt!  The workout was a good one, so I added a second serving of ketones to my day to help with recovery and feel not too bad today considering!  Usually I’d be walking funny and terrified of stairs…

I still enjoy drinking ketones every day.  They have made such a huge difference in eliminating the annoying brain fog I used to deal with, and improved my mood and energy to the point I have no plan to stop.  A friend of mine was at the Metabolic Health Summit this week and heard some incredible information from doctors, scientists and top researchers in the benefits of ketones in the body for a wide range of metabolic conditions as well as performance on many levels.

Carnivore diet – What I EAT in a day

Why do you care?  Cause there really isn’t that much information online with this way of eating yet, so I thought I’d share.  Yes, it varies.  On days where I don’t have to get out the door to work or school, I typically don’t eat breakfast and just listen to my body and eat when I’m hungry.  Do you know all the benefits associated with Intermittent fasting?  Here, this is a quick summary:

That’s just an additional fun fact lol!  We have been trained and conditioned since childhood that we NEED to eat at specific times of the day, but if you really think about it, that couldn’t be farther from how our ancestors would have lived!  What you eat definitely matters too, but when you eat can also play a very important role as well!

Anyways, I’m rambling a bit!  When I DO eat breakfast, it has been 2-3 eggs + either ground beef or naked pulled pork + generous pink salt.  Lunch is either steak or a beef burger patty, possibly grass fed butter, definitely more pink salt.  Dinner is the lunch option I didn’t eat, or salmon, or some chicken with skin on.

Long story short – eggs, ground beef, pork shoulder, salmon/trout, chicken (w/skin), butter, salt, water and Ketones.  THAT’S IT!!  It’s a short list, but very filling and satisfying.  The strict version of the carnivore diet is JUST beef, salt and water, but although I’m pretty dedicated when I decide to do something, I’m not sure I’ll get to the point of that strict of limitation.

p.s… I lost 9lbs in 8 days! My yoga pants are getting loose!

If you’re interested in learning more, email me anytime!  katemcdowell@mac.com

Toasted Cinnamon Vanilla Coconut Cereal

Cinnamon is a natural sweetener, so when you’re missing cereal, look no further than this crunchy alternative to sugary breakfast bowls. All you need is ½ cup with unsweetened almond milk. The fiber-rich coconut will fill you up all morning.

Ingredients

2 cups unsweetened shaved coconut

½ cup crushed walnuts

1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped out

Ground cinnamon

Powdered stevia

Unsweetened almond milk

Directions Preparing:

STEP 1 Preheat the oven to 350°F.

STEP 2 Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

STEP 3 Spread out the coconut and walnuts in an even layer on the prepared sheet. Toast in the oven until light brown, about 5 minutes.

STEP 4 As soon as the coconut and walnuts come out of the oven, sprinkle them with the vanilla bean seeds, cinnamon, and stevia and toss to evenly coat. Taste and adjust the flavor as desired with more cinnamon, stevia, or both.

STEP 5 Put ½ cup of this cereal in a bowl and pour in your preferred amount of unsweetened almond milk. Serve immediately. Store any unused cereal in an airtight container at room temperature.

 

Is Fear Peventing You From Losing Weight?

There are 4 fears that actually could be getting in the way of your success! Understanding them could be the key to healing them and reaching your full potential. When I speak with someone about Ketones and all the benefits a person could experience just from drinking them, a lot of these same fears are triggered.  Change is hard for people, even when they know what they want.  Addressing the “why” behind your hesitation to become a better version of you can often be helpful.  Which of these fears resonates with you? Let’s set up a conversation to help you move PAST this fear and towards your ideal self.

Making the jump into healthy eating is difficult for those who are ready to change, and feels impossible for those who struggle with fear and psychological issues with food.

Having coached many people on their journey to reclaim their health, I have found four common fears that block the path to health.

1. Fear of failure

Many people have done countless fad diets in an attempt to get healthy. They see short-term success but find themselves back where they started. This endless yo-yo cycle can be deflating and humiliating. I get it; no one wants to be a failure.

The truth is that the idea of being at square one is an illusion. Each experience that didn’t turn out the way you hoped is a learning experience. You’re stronger and wiser because of it. If you need to lose weight, stop trying to lose weight to get healthy. Instead, get healthy so you can lose weight.

When you deal with these issues, weight loss is a natural byproduct of getting healthy.

2. Fear of success

Some people aren’t ready to get healthy because of an unspoken fear of success. For years, they’ve found their identity in their health condition. They mistake their weight or their health condition for who they truly are. This fear can make the success of healthy changes seem daunting and scary.

I’ve also seen many people fear that others would reject them if they lost weight. If they got healthy, they feel like they wouldn’t be able to relate to their friends.

Don’t fear healthy success. You are more than your outer form. You have a long, abundant life to live. Live it.

3. Fear of admission

I speak to a lot of people who are in denial about their health issues. They’re in denial about the severity of their issue. They compare themselves to someone who’s worse off than they are, deflecting their own issues. These people often equate how they feel with how healthy they are. They think that because they can function during the day, their health is decent enough. If this is you, you’re only hurting yourself and your loved ones by not admitting you need to reclaim your health.

4. Fear of responsibility

Possibly the most nefarious of them all, this fear can seem debilitating to confront. The idea that the food they eat, or don’t eat, contributed to their lack of health can be scary. It can be so much easier to take a medication, ignore your declining health and hang your hat on genetics, believing nothing can be done about it.

The fact is, everything you eat will either create health or destroy it. Feed disease or destroy it. Eat as if your life depended on it, because it does. The foods we eat can turn off and turn on genetic expression. I have seen the worst cases of autoimmune and chronic diseases with genetic components become completely reversed with healthy lifestyle changes.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” For your life and health, this is a deep resounding truth. So what are you waiting for? If you were waiting for the right time, it’s now.

Thank you for taking the time to read this! Step 2 – stop letting these fears control your outcome.  Drinking ketones has been an absolute game changer for hundreds of thousands of people, many of which have been in YOUR shoes! The only thing I regret about working on my own self-doubt, fear and self-limiting beliefs is that I didn’t do it sooner. Now I’m passionate about empowering others to do the same.

You can email me if you have any questions or we can set up a phone call. Email me at katemcdowell@mac.com