hCG Diet low Carb Lemon Bites

by In Deserts Tagged , , , ,
Low Carb Keto Lemon Bars Recipe

-INGREDIENTS IS ALL YOU NEED IN OUR KETO LEMON BARS CRUST

  1. Almond Flour
  2. Low Carb Powdered Sweetener (We link in our recipe card the type we used and like the best. It is erythritol based which is our preference when using low carb sweeteners.)
  3. Coconut Oil – Rather use this than butter please – it works out just the same

INGREDIENTS

Lemon Bar Crust

  • 2 1/4 cups almond flour
  • 1/4 cup stevia powder
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil for dairy-free diet, melted

Lemon Bar Filling

  • 5 whole eggs
  • 3/4 cup Stevia powder
  • zest of one lemon
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice apprx 2 lemons
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 Tablespoons coconut flour

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 180c
  • Prepare 9×13 pan by greasing with weight watchers cooking spray
  • In a small bowl mix together almond flour and powdered sweetener. Add melted coconut oil and combine with your hands to mix together until it forms into a dough. Push dough into bottom of greased 9×13 pan.
  • Bake for 15-17 minutes.
  • Mix eggs, stevia, lemon zest, lemon juice, baking powder and coconut flour in a blender. Blend for 10 seconds, scrape the sides and blend for 5 more seconds. Pour filling mixture into baked crust.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until filling has a crust and bounces back in the center when touched. Sprinkle additional low carb powdered sweetener over bars at this time. Allow lemon bars to cool 10-15 minutes before slicing. 

hCG Cucumber Dill Salad

by In Salads & Dressings, Uncategorized Tagged , , , ,

This recipe is safe for Phase 2 of the HCG Diet and counts as 1 veggie serving.

This is a ‘customer favorite’ because it’s so crisp and fresh. A lot of dieters like this recipe because it amps up the flavor of the otherwise boring cucumber and reminds them of pickles and summer-time. We hope you like it!Ingredients

  • 1 large cucumber (about 2 cups when chopped)
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp dill seasoning, fresh or dried
  • 1-2 packets powdered stevia* (or to taste)
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
  • ¼ tsp sea salt (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Start this recipe by washing the cucumber. This is an important step, especially if you do not by organic produce. Wash off as much pesticides and chemicals as possible. If the cucumber still has a waxy coating, you may want to peel the cucumber before making this recipe.
  2. Slice the cucumber lengthwise into quartered sections. Chop the long cucumber pieces into ¼-inch chunks (see the photo for example). Set aside.
  3. Add the rest of the ingredients: apple cider vinegar dill seasoning, stevia, sea salt or himalayan salt pepper in a small bowl.
  4. Stir together until the powered stevia is completely dissolved into the vinegar.
  5. Place the cucumber into the mixture, gently stir.
  6. Add more salt and pepper, if desired.
  7. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

This recipe is also great to make ahead and refrigerate for later because as this recipe chills, the vinegar acts as a pickling agent. Just make the day before, cover, and place in the fridge and the next day you will have a cold, pickle-like cucumber dish that will delight your taste buds.

hCG Diet Apricot Chicken

by In Main Meals Tagged , , , ,

Ingredients:

  • 140g chicken breast
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • 1tsp minced garlic
  • 2tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 apricots, remove the stone & chopped
  • ½ onion chopped
  • 2tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Heat a pan (with a lid) over a medium heat.
  2. Add oil & chicken.
  3. Season with salt & pepper.
  4. Lightly brown the chicken a few minutes on each side.
  5. Add the onions & garlic & cook for 5 minutes.
  6. Add the vinegar & lemon juice to the pan & cook for 5 minutes.
  7. Add the apricots & stock, when the stock comes to a bubble, cover the pan & reduce heat & simmer 10-15 minutes.

Foods That Boost Your Immune System #1

by In Blog, Salads & Dressings Tagged , , 18 Comments

Elderberry

It’s an old folk remedy. This fruit is loaded with nutrients called antioxidants, and it may help fight inflammation. In some lab studies, an extract from the berries appears to block flu viruses. But scientists caution that more study is needed. You definitely still need to get a yearly flu vaccination!

Used for its antioxidant activity to lower cholesterol, improve vision, boost the immune system, improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis. Elderberry juice was used to treat a flu epidemic in Panama in 1995.

Beneficial components in Elderberries

Elderberries contain organic pigments, tannin, amino acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, sugar, rutin, viburnic acid, vitaman A and B and a large amount of vitamin C. They are also mildly laxative, a diuretic, and diaphoretic. Flavonoids, including quercetin, are believed to account for the therapeutic actions of the elderberry flowers and berries. According to test tube studies these flavonoids include anthocyanins that are powerful antioxidants and protect cells against damage.

Health Benefits of Elderberries

Elderberries were listed in the CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs as early as 1985, and are listed in the 2000 Mosby’s Nursing Drug reference for colds, flu, yeast infections, nasal and chest congestion, and hay fever. In Israel, Hasassah’s Oncology Lab has determined that elderberry stimulates the body’s immune system and they are treating cancer and AIDS patients with it. The wide range of medical benefits (from flu and colds to debilitating asthma, diabetes, and weight loss) is probably due to the enhancement of each individual’s immune system.

At the Bundesforschungsanstalt research center for food in Karlsruhe, Germany, scientists conducting studies on Elderberry showed that elderberry anthocyanins enhance immune function by boosting the production of cytokines. These unique proteins act as messengers in the immune system to help regulate immune response, thus helping to defend the body against disease. Further research indicated that anthocyanins found in elderberries possess appreciably more antioxidant capacity than either vitamin E or vitamin C.

Studies at Austria’s University of Graz found that elderberry extract reduces oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Oxidation of LDL cholesterol is implicated in atherogenesis, thus contributing to cardiovascular disease.

Elderflowers are also used for their health benefits.

hCG Phase3 &,4 Low Carb Cauliflower Hummus Recipe

by In Side & Sauces Tagged , , , , 2 Comments

I have been missing hummus in a major way lately, and finally got around to trying this experiment with cauliflower to stand in for the chickpeas.  I noticed recently that my low carb cauliflower puree has the consistency of hummus when cold, and thought if I added just the right ingredients I could mask the cauliflower flavor enough to convince people that it was the real thing.

INGREDIENTS
  • 3 cups raw cauliflower florets
  • 2 Tbsp water
  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 whole garlic cloves
  • 1.5 Tbsp Tahini paste
  • 3 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 raw garlic cloves, crushed (in addition to above)
  • 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • ¾ tsp kosher salt
  • smoked paprika and extra olive oil for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Combine the cauliflower, water, 2 Tbsp avocado or olive oil, ½ tsp kosher salt, and 3 whole garlic cloves to a microwave safe dish. Microwave for about 15 minutes – or until softened and darkened in color.
  2. Put the cauliflower mixture into a magic bullet, blender, or food processor and blend. Add the tahini paste, lemon juice, 2 raw garlic cloves, 3 Tbsp olive oil, and ¾ tsp kosher salt. Blend until mostly smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
  3. To serve, place the hummus in a bowl and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika. Use thinly sliced tart apples, celery sticks, raw radish chips, or other vegges to dip with.
NOTES
Approx. nutrition info per ¼ cup: 141 calories, 14g fat, 3.5g net carbs, 2g protein

hCG Phase 2 Fennel, caper and smoked salmon Fritatta

by In Breakfast, Main Meals Tagged , , , , 6 Comments

FENNEL, CAPER, AND SMOKED SALMON FRITTATA

BASIC FRITTATA

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Heat 2 t coconut oil in a 22cm non-stick cast-iron pan over a medium heat.
Beat 4 free-range eggs (4 whites 2 yolks – for 2 people), season and pour into the pan.

Cook for 2 minutes, then add the topping of your choice.

Place into the oven for a further 3–5 minutes, or until set and golden brown. Serves 2.

Scatter 2tspns over fritata and season.

Serve hot topped with 4–6 smoked salmon ribbons and a handful of crisp shaved fennel.

Drizzle with a little coconut oil (optional).