Cold Brew Coffee ❤❤❤

If you haven't tried cold brew coffee... youre seriously missing out.

With temperatures coming in the 100s this week, ice told coffee is what I need and it's beyond easy to make.

All you need is:

1 cup coffee

8 cups water 

Add to container that fits it, mix well. We use a mason jar and shake. 

Put in fridge for 24 hours. 

After 24 hours, pour through filter into carafe. We use a metal filter, then pour through a second time with the metal filter lined with a coffee filter. 

Once it's ready pour over ice and enjoy. 

I personally like it with some heavy whipping cream or sugar free coffee creamer. 

My Ketoade

Just a quick post to talk about one of my favorite things to help me from suffering from any keto flu or muscle cramps.

Keeping up electrolytes is super important when starting and keeping up on keto. Electrolytes are necessary to maintain normal body functions.

I like to make a ketoade in the morning before work and sip it in the mornings.

My Ketoade:
2t Natural Calm 350mg magnesium.
1/4t No Salt 650mg potassium
Pinch of sea salt
1 packet no carb no calories drink flavor
Ice
Water to fill 32oz cup

Mix and enjoy.
This helps me to avoid muscle cramps and headaches.
I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. It's just what works for me.

Costco and Trader Joe's: Keto Shopping

Yesterday I took my kids to Chuck E. Cheese's and afterwards we hit up Trader Joe's and Costco.

I usually go to these two stores every few weeks; they are about an hour drive from my home.

I wanted to share the items that I purchased this trip. These are some staples I usually try to grab while I am down the hill.

Trader Joe's:

First off I love to buy my macadamia nuts at Trader Joe's. These are one of the lowest carb nuts and high in fat. I like to pack a couple ounces in my lunch to snack on if I get hungry and need something cruncy.  This bag is about $8.99

 

Next I really love these little cheese chips! They are less than one carb per serving and also great for a crunch. 

I also love these olives to snack on! They have zero carbs per serving.

And for when I want chocolate and don't want the sugar, this is my choice:

Next we went to Costco. All of these items I found at Modesto Costco, but Costco stock does tend to vary by store.

My first pick is something that I buy every trip! These bacon crumbles are perfect to add to eggs, veggies, or pretty much anything! They do not have to be refrigerated until opened and last us a pretty good amount of time. They are chewy but get crisp when you cook them with something. These are a staple at my house.

Because I am lazy I have been buying riced cauliflower rather than making it myself. It was found in the refrigerated section of Costco. Trader Joe's also has a nice frozen version but the bag is smaller. This bag I will portion out and freeze to use when needed.

Again, here I am being lazy. I am perfectly capable of hard boiling eggs and peeling them, but let's face it... it is a pain in the butt. I grabbed these for easy snacks or lunches. I don't do this regularly, but thought it would be nice to have for the next couple weeks. They shelf life was actually pretty long, these don't expire for about a month. I usually hard boil "old" eggs in my pressure cooker.

And finally, I picked up this almond butter. It has no sugar and 2 net carbs per 2 tablespoons. I plan to put it on celery and maybe that chocolate I picked up at Trader Joe's. It does have to be put in the fridge after opening and does require to be stirred. It is delicious though. The only ingredients are salt and almonds.

 

And that is it! What do you like to pick up exclusively at these two stores for your keto life? 

At Costco I also usually get a huge rib eye side and slice it into steaks on my own. They also carry large bags of no sugar added frozen cooked chicken breast strips and shredded chicken. These are great for lunch. I also like to get salami and cheese at Costco, but stocked up on my last trip. 

Something I like but didn't find this Trader Joe's trip is Parsnip Chips. They are low carb and super yummy.

My Keto Food List

It has been awhile since I've posted... My revised food list now that I am keto rather than low carb... I keep seeing lists on Pinterest and they suck.

Snacks:
Cheese Sticks - I buy all kinds, cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack. Babybel.
Pork Rinds
Nuts - remember they are HIGH calorie. Macadamia are very low carb. I also eat almonds and peanuts sparingly.

Cheese whisps

Proteins:
Lunchmeat - roast beef, pastrami, salami, pepperoni, etc.
Chicken Breast Tenders - these are about 1-2oz per piece. I buy frozen.
Chicken Thighs - more moist than the tenders, for long cook times. I buy frozen.
Eggs
Bacon
Pork
Beef
Tuna, canned in water or oil
Wal-Mart Great Value Brand honestyle meatballs.
Foster Farms frozen chicken strips.

Vegetables:
Asparagus
Celery
Broccoli
Bell Peppers (used sparingly)
Green Beans
Onion (used sparingly)
Zucchini
Mushrooms

Cauliflower
Tomatoes (used sparingly)
Lettuce

Grains:
Mission Low Carb Tortillas - the whole grain ones have less carbs and come in fajita to burrito size.

Condiments:
Mustard
Mayonaise
Kosher Dill Pickles
Peanut Butter - I use both creamy and chunky.
Raos Marinara Sauce
Mt. Olive sweetened with Splenda relish
Low Carb salad dressing

Other:
Butter
Cheese - better to shred your own. All types but watch carbs.
Sugar Free popsicles.

Heavy whipping cream

Coffee
Enlightened Ice Cream for a special treat.
Great Value Brand Queso Blanco
No Salt (potassium)
Natural Calm (magnesium)
Knorr bullion cubes - I prefer chicken.

You may notice that there is one big food group missing from my list... That food group is fruit. I do not regularly eat fruits. I do have them on occasion as a dessert. Berries have the lowest sugar.