Crispy Pepperoni Chips

fried pepperoni?!
Originally uploaded by misfitgirl

Since eating better, I've noticed that I've been missing textures. I know that probably sounds weird, but there's just something about the light fluffy texture of fresh bread or the crunch of a potato chip. At the same time, chips are a good scoop too -- dips, chili, etc.

I decided to look around for low carb chip substitutes and I stumbled up Crispy Pepperoni Chips over at the Food Network. Honestly, the recipe couldn't be more straight forward -- take sliced pepperoni and put it in the oven until crispy. They definitely were crispy and worked well as a chip and a cracker. I ate them with cream cheese but next time I might find a low carb dip to add a little more flavor.

Through this recipe hunt, I found out that the Food Network used to have a low carb show, Low Carb and Lovin' It. Apparently it was on during the height of the low carb craze when every food related company was trying to cash in.

For all those who have struggled to lose weight and failed: Meet George Stella, the low carb chef. Once weighing in at 465 pounds, George transformed his life with controlled carbohydrate eating. Now he shares his secrets to successful weight loss, proving that the low carb lifestyle doesn’t have to be boring.

It is a shame the Food Network doesn't have the old episodes of the show available on their website, I'd love to watch them.

Candy Canes to the Rescue!

Illusion!
Originally uploaded by *PaysImaginaire*

I've been having trouble this weekend with the holiday goodies. Between the cookie potluck at work and all the things my wife has baked, my waist got a few gifts of it's own. Thankfully it seems that one treat may offer some help surviving the holiday season.

A study at the Wheeling Jesuit University recently revealed that the scent of peppermint may help control appetite. Results from the research indicated that participants who inhaled peppermint consumed significantly few calories and also rated their hunger lower. Bryan Raudenbush, Ph.D., the author of the study, gave a possible explanation for these results.

Smelling or eating peppermint seems to increase activity in the area of the brain responsible for alertness so you won't experience a slump that prompts you to seek out a snack.

While being full of peppermint, candy canes aren't exactly health food. A one ounce candy cane has a little more than one hundred calories, so it seems best to get a small candy cane to appease the holiday cravings.

A Sly Bald Guys' Quest

MyWeigh Phoenix bathroom scale
Originally uploaded by D.L.

Tomorrow will be the halfway point of December and I plan to fill you in on how I feel my eating plan is going. I thought tonight I'd peek around the web to find out how other people have faired on this eating plan and I found one man's quest to lose 20 pounds in 30 days.

After reading over his summary, I realized that the author had the same trials and tribulations I am having now. It's tough to prepare snacks on this diet, although I suppose celery sticks would work if I cut them up and put them in Ziplock bags.

I would find myself in situations where I was hungry but hadn't prepared anything ahead of time that was within my plan. This caused me to snack on mixed nuts, peanut butter, and cheese.

Overall, the author considered the eating plan a success and attributed his failure to lose twenty pounds to his own behavior. He was able to lose weight while enduring Halloween and Thanksgiving, two of the three most fattening holidays each year.