Keto Ice Cream!

I can finally say I have found the most amazing ice cream that is Keto and LOW CARB friendly!!!
If you are like me and with the Summer upon us you're craving ice cream then you need to check out Rebel Creamery! The crazy thing is this is not only just keto and low carb friendly, it's probably the best ice cream I've ever eaten. There's no weird aftertaste, no chalky flavor, and the ice cream is super creamy - almost like velvet. The chocolate chips in the ice creams I have tried have the most amazing chocolate taste. It tastes how chocolate SHOULD taste. It's incredibly rich and melts right in your mouth. When I was eating this ice cream I actually felt guilty... guilty because there was no way this could be low carb with the way it tasted. I was actually blown away. I urge anyone living a Keto or Low Carb lifestyle to check out this brand. I fully stand behind them as a company because they are doing it right and they are literally helping me live my lifestyle! That's the best part about living Low Carb - I am able to find healthy alternatives to my cravings and to everyday food. That is my main reason for this blog and what I try to do every day in my life!  Check out my video above to watch me taste test a few flavors on camera- I had so much fun filming that video and hope you all enjoy it too!

Flavors I tried and loved: Mint Chip, Peanut Butter Fudge, Cookie Dough, and Coffee Chip. All are phenomenal!!!!

Coffee Chip (left), Cookie Dough (right)

Intermittent Fasting Routine & What I Eat in a Day

*May 2019*

My fasting window is 7pm-11am (when I DONT eat)

My eating window is 11am-7pm (When I DO eat)

Before 11am:
1 or 2 Cruise Control Coffees
This is how I make mine:
Brewed coffee, 1 Tbsp unsalted Kerrygold butter, sprinkle of pink Himalayan sea salt, 1 tsp of MCT oil, and 1 Tbsp Heavy Cream

11am: small snack to break the fast

3-5 macadamia nuts 

12:15pm: Lunch

 Today I had a nourish bowl

 1 cup roasted butternut squash, 3 oz grilled chicken, 1 cup of spinach with 1/2 tsp extra virgin olive oil and 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar

3pm: Snack 

3 Tbsp whipped cream, 4 chopped raw almonds, 2 Tbsp almond butter

6:30pm: Dinner 

Tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves with salt, pepper and balsamic drizzled on top

*Water with a sprinkle of Himalayan sea salt and 1/2 of a lemon juiced OR club soda with 1/2 a lemon and 1/2 a lime juiced.

*No wine but if I did have wine I would have had 1 or two 4 oz glasses at most of red wine.
My favorite is a blend by 19 Crimes. I would finish all wine the same time as my food so none after 7pm.

As my diet evolves I will update you again with what I am eating each day! Subscribe to my youtube channel and this blog so you don't miss any updates or new recipes!

2018 Holiday Gift Guide For MEN

We are officially in the Holiday Season! 
I don't think anyone realizes the joy I get when I walk into Wegmans and Christmas Music is playing... its unreal! 

I just love this time of year and while I usually bring you yummy recipes to cook up I thought some might need a little help in the "gift-idea-department". Especially for the men in our lives. 
There's a ton of videos about gift guides for woman and kids but what about the boys!? They're always my hardest to buy for so I compiled a list and here it is! All the links to the products are below as well. Happy December everyone!

-Kat

*Some links are affiliate links they do not affect you as a consumer but if purchased I do receive a small commission which helps support my channel*

Copy and paste the links below into your browser:

Digital Photo Frame: https://amzn.to/2PgpJ4Y

Picture Frame with Clips: https://www.michaels.com/white-savannah-window-frame-with-clips-by-studio-decor/10477363.html

Beard Trimmer: https://amzn.to/2KUGkuH

Sonicare Toothbrush-Mens: https://amzn.to/2StbzPT

Beats Pill: Old Model: https://amzn.to/2Suc3VQ

Beats Pill: New Model: https://amzn.to/2Qd9KKp

Bose Speaker: Old Model: https://amzn.to/2UerraH

Bose Speaker: New Model: https://amzn.to/2Eaqzis

Apple Air Pods: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEF2AM/A/airpods

Knock-Off Air Pods: https://amzn.to/2QzHr8a

Beats Wireless Headphones: https://amzn.to/2PjuiLZ

iHome Alarm Clock: https://amzn.to/2SsevMz

Under Armour Sweatshirt: https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/pid1320743-357-XL

Under Armour Beanie Hat: https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/pcid1219736-390-OSFA

North Face Slipper/Shoes: https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/shoes-mens-casual/mens-thermoball-traction-mules-iv-nf0a331e?variationId=5PY#hero=0

Kohls $15 Slippers: https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3393475/mens-urban-pipeline-felt-scuff-slippers.jsp?color=Light%20Gray&prdPV=14

Pottery Barn Robes: 

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/winslow-plaid-plush-robe/?pkey=e%7Crobe%7C77%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C48%7C%7C15&sku=1690051&group=1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/cozy-fur-robe-gray-ombre/?pkey=e%7Crobes%7C77%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C48%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH

Silicone Wedding Rings: https://amzn.to/2PjILXY

Double Picture Frame: https://amzn.to/2UcOiU0

(Great quality!)

Conversation Cards: https://amzn.to/2SrUiGQ

IQ Bars!

Happy Sunday!! If you haven't heard I have a promo code for some delicious protein bars from the brand IQ! I want everyone who is needing a new bar to try to go to the link below and use my code HART15 for 15% off of your order.

*Click the video above to see what these bars look like and why I like them!*

Why do I love these bars?

-They taste delicious! Picture a chewy granola bar meets a taste that uses real flavors and no 

"protein-bar-y" taste either. 

-There are 3 very different flavors and they are all delicious for different reasons. They all taste so fresh and the chewy texture with big chunks of nuts is SO GOOD! Check out the 3 flavors below.

-2 out of the 3 bars include caffeine as well for a nice afternoon pick me up.

-They only have 4 grams of carbs per bar! What whatttt?!

Give them a try and let me know what you think! Don't forget to use HART15 in the promo code box!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER!!

5 Tips to Jumpstart Your Low Carb Lifestyle

We have all been there. You eat a few carbs one day and then a couple more the next day and before you know it your "low carb diet" is not so low anymore. You might begin to feel sluggish or see the scale going up so you want to kick your butt into gear and get back on track. Here I have 5 tips to help you out and jumpstart your low carb lifestyle.
If you are new to low carb these tips will also be helpful to get you started and begin your journey!
Just always remember- getting off track is not the end of the world but getting back on track is what will show what you are made of!

Tips:
1. Do your research- Even if you have already researched the low carb diet go ahead and research some more. There might be new information out there. If you are new to the low carb lifestyle it is always good to research and see if it is right for you and if you can see yourself sticking to it. Remember this is a lifestyle and if you are serious about losing weight or changing your life then you should research and find the best plan for you and your body. I recommend the book that got me started on this journey- The 100 By Jorge Cruise.  This book has so much information included in it as well as weeks of meal plans- let me be more specific- EASY meal plans. If you are struggling with where to start, want to learn more, or you want to get back to basics and really lose some LBs then I highly recommend this book.

2. Clean out your kitchen & pantry- If you have low willpower for junk food and sweets or carbs in general then you should definitely clean out your pantry and fridge. Anything that is unopened and not expired you can donate, gift to friends, or bring to your work for the break room. Having these items out of your site will definitely help curve the craving for them. If you don't have it in your house then you can't eat it!

3. Stick to it! The longer you stick to a low carb diet the more results you will see. For me it wasn't only about my visual results but also about how my body felt. I had more energy, I slept better at night and I was overall happier in general. I think sometimes we get complacent with our diet and our appearance and we don't realize how great we can feel. I always urge people to be the best version of themselves they can be. It is not always the easiest thing to do but I think it has the biggest payoff to finally feel healthy and comfortable in your body. Make a promise to yourself that no matter what you will stick to your new lifestyle for a certain amount of time. I like the 2 week rule. Say for 2 weeks I will stick to this and I will not cheat or give up. After those 2 weeks not only will you have stuck to your promise but I bet you will have seen results and will be even more motivated than ever. If not, that is ok too! It is all about finding what is best for you and your body.

4. Remember: Detoxing is normal- Depending how many carbs and sugars you eat on a daily basis your body will go through a short detox when you are beginning the low carb diet. This is important to know before you get started because this can sometimes be debilitating. For me it wasn't that bad it was about 4 days in total day one was not so bad, days 2 and 3 had me feeling very "off", and day 4 was better and by day 5 I felt great. If you know this going into it you know it will subside and you will be on the other side of it soon enough. For me detoxing felt like I had a weak flu virus. I was tired, I had a mild headache, I felt warm even though I didn't have a fever, and I definitely didn't feel like myself. Knowing that I was detoxing almost had me welcoming these feelings because I knew I was getting the processed sugar and carbs out of my system and just like that- it was over.

5. Download an app or start a food journal- For those of you that are into your phone and tablets like I am I find it veery helpful to download an app to help keep track of your food intake throughout the day. Often times I think I am doing well and eating low carb but then once you sit down and really track every food you put into your mouth you could be surprised to find you are not as low as you want to be. Apps and food journaling can really help hold you accountable too! Sometimes I would not want to log something so I just wouldn't eat it! Silly yet effective!

I hope this short list of tips helped motivate you to get back on track OR test the waters and see if low carb is right for you! I am an open book as always so if there are ever any questions please leave them below! More tips to staying on track with maybe some meal plans coming up soon!

Watch my video below for the tips on video as well as a tour of my spooky house decorations. 

Happy October!

lil carb Crunchy Snack Favorites

I am always on the look out for new low carb foods literally whenever I am at any place you can purchase food... I"m obsessed! I have been tasting a whole bunch of new stuff lately and decided I had enough new snack favorites to make a video for you guys!

I have 5 snacks here that I am in love with right now- check them out below!

1. Coconut Chips

2. Cheddar Cheese O's

3. Herbed Cashews

4. Jicama Chips

5. Somersault Snacks

As always- if you guys have products or food that you love please share it with me! I love trying new things! 

lil carb Grocery Haul

My latest YouTube video features my Wegmans grocery haul!  I stocked up on low carb goodies for meals for the upcoming week.

I also included 3 tips for staying sane and stress free when going to the grocery store. 

I hope you guys enjoy this latest video!

My first Q&A!

Wine?! Exercise?! Low Carb FOREVVVEERR??!

After being on YouTube for over a year now I get some of the same questions asked so I did a quick Q&A of my top 7 questions for you guys! I hope you like it and as always- ask away! I love answering your questions about my recipes, low carb diet, and anything else you wanna know.

From my video here are the links I talked about:

My Spice Containers

the book - The 100 by Jorge Cruise

lil carb Wrap Hacks

Now that you have some low carb wraps in your pantry after watching my LOW CARB Pizza video what else can you do with these wraps?!

In the video above I give you my low-carb-wrap hacks of the moment! 

LOW CARB WRAP HACKS:

1. Hot Dog Bun! 

I layer my all beef hotdog with spicy brown mustard and lots of chopped raw onion.

2. Toast Alternative

My toast consists of mayo, a sliced hardboiled egg, salt, pepper, and Cholula sauce

3. Soft Taco Shell

I fill mine with seasoned beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and my favorite taco sauce

4. Baked Tortilla Chips

Baked at 375 degrees for 9 minutes then dip them in whatever your heart desires

Low Carb Diet- Grocery Store Salad Dressing Favorites

Click on the video above to see me talk about my favorite salad dressings of the moment.

All low carb and all taste tested by me!  I love every one of these and I eat a TON of salads so I use them all!

Kens Steakhouse Blue Cheese

Hidden Valley Original Ranch

Kens Italian

Olive Garden Italian

Newmans Own Creamy Caesar

Raos Roasted Garlic Dressing

If you are interested in making your own salad dressings OR if you want some salad inspiration click HERE to get to my YouTube playlist with a list of salads and homemade dressings!

Happy Cooking everyone!

*This post and video are not sponsored*

Low Carb Diet Favs of the Week! Part 3

Check out the products I'm in to at the moment!  Low carb favorites of mine that fit perfectly into my low carb lifestyle!

1. Margaret Holmes- Canned Tomatoes & Okra

https://www.wegmans.com/products/grocery-food/vegetables/tomatoes/tomatoes-and-okra.html

2. Wegmans Sliced Cheese

https://www.wegmans.com/products/dairy/cheese/snack-cheese/cracker-cuts-extra-sharp-cheddar.html

3. Alouette Spreadable Cheese- Available is many flavors

https://www.wegmans.com/products/dairy/cheese/cheese-spread/cheese-soft-spreadable-garlic-herb.html

Low Carb Diet Favorites of the Week 2

Check out what I'm eating this week!

If you have products that you love please leave them in the comments!

Happy Cooking Everyone!

Truvia Talk

Watch the video above for explanation on why I love to use Truvia as my preferred sweetener on my low carb journey. 

As always- if there is something you would like me to Chat about please leave me a comment here or on YouTube.

ENJOY!

Low Carb Diet Favorites of the Week

Check out the video below to see what low carb grocery items I am eating this week! The list is always changing but I want to keep everyone updated on what I eat as I go!

All the links to the products I mention above are in the description box below the video on YouTube!

lil carb Avocado Toast

I love trying out new products whether it be skin care related, makeup, kitchen utensils and especially food!  In my latest Chats With Kat on YouTube I talk about Thin Slim Foods.  I absolutely love their plain bread aka white bread. It is the answer to my low carb food prayers.  Check out my video above where I tell you WHY I love it and check below for my favorite way to eat it - as a base for my avocado toast. So yummy.. really how can you go wrong with that list of ingredients?!

lil carb Avocado Toast
1 Slice of Thin Slim Bread, Toasted
1/2 a small avocado OR 1/4 of a large one, cut into chunks
1/2 Tbsp mayonaise
1/2 Tbsp Choloula sauce
1/8 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp salt

To assemble toast up the bread to how crispy you like it.
Then top with mayo and sprinkle with onion powder.
Arrange the avocado chunks on top in a single layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper to your liking. (My preferred measurements are above)
Then pour on some Choloula sauce and dig in!
Enjoy!!!

Low Carb Diet- Before and After

Here is a quick vid that I made for anyone who was wondering how I got started, where it all began, and why I decided to switch to a low carb diet.  Click on the link below and you will be taken to YouTube- underneath the video is a section where you can comment.  If there is anything that anyone is wondering about my journey or really, any other questions you have please leave them there in the comments!  Or comment on this post!  I would love to answer as many questions as possible!

I hope you guys enjoy! :)

Chats with Kat - Low Carb Drinks

Let's be honest- water can get boring sometimes. But sometimes it can be hard to follow in a low carb lifestyle when one sugary drink could be your entire carb count for the whole week!  I have learned that it is really important to read your food labels and try new things!  In the video below I share with you my favorite drinks of the moment.  I'm sure this list will change and update so check back for even more Chats with Kat!