What's with all this Keto mania, and why i'm blogging about it.

     So it's been a very long time since I really took a serious look at blogging again. Through personal struggle, personal failure, and just plain life throwing a wrench in whatever it is you want to accomplish. I keep on asking myself the same question over and over again: why try to join the seemingly millions of voices in the online health community. Keto has spread like wildfire, everyone's talking about it. I thought to myself, what could I possibly offer that would make my voice unique, or what could I possibly say that all the experts are saying. The amount of advice is staggering and almost unwieldy at times.
     The ketogenic diet has been around for quite some time, often called a Low carb, high fat (LCHF) diet, Nutritional ketosis, or whatever variation you choose. So why in the last few years has it caught on like wildfire? The short answer is, when its done correctly, it works. I can say from my personal experience that it has changed my life, literally. The long answer of how it works is something ill have to save for a time when I'm not at work and staring at the clock at 5:23 am.

     So getting back to why am I trying to do this whole blogging thing again. To be honest, from an expert in failing miserably in my old diet plans, from somebody who was almost 450 lbs exercising 5 days a week, tracking my calories, getting my daily recommended macro intake, intermittent fasted, tried liquid diets, went vegetarian for a few months... basically you name it I tried it, to very very minimal results. When I was practically killing myself hitting up an elliptical for an hour daily, seeing a change in my waist line nowhere in sight, I thought I was defective. I convinced myself that I was broken. To answer whatever questions might be forming in your head. No, I'm not a diabetic, no, I don't have thyroid problems, and I'm definitely not lazy. But what I am most certainly am fat (for now).
Something just wasn't right, it didn't add up that I was hitting point A, B, and C, and not losing a significant amount of weight, not even close.

     I caught wind of this ketogenic diet thing for the better part of 6 months, and I was telling myself "there's no way that works". Scoffing at the idea and not really doing any research, mockingly saying "oh great, the next fad diet is so friggin stupid, they have people eating fat to lose weight". I mean, what... every dietitian and health expert is wrong about how we lose weight? seriously, How the hell is eating MORE FAT supposed to help a fat guy lose weight. Seems to go against everything we've been taught in our natural born lives right? I'm sure you either felt that way at one point or still do now.

     I can tell you with confidence, that yes... They are wrong. Dead wrong even, to certain people. Dead wrong for someone like who subscribed to their way of nutrition. I mean I only went over by a few hundred calories on my food tracking app, which I purposely underestimated to account for such a time when I want to eat a tiny bit more... And boom 2 more lbs on the scale.

Ever since I tried keto, I've pretty much been telling people that I'm melting. 50lbs down without even trying. I feel better then I have in a long time. Simply put, it works. I'm going to end this little rant now but I just wanted to throw my story in the pool of success stories, and hope we can all continue to spread the word on the amazing benefits the keto diet has to offer

The easy low-carb side of your dreams: Provolone Cheddar Cauliflower "Mac"

I've been experimenting with Nutritional Ketosis for a little while, and it's worked wonders for the month I've tried it. What's been making Keto easier for me boils down to one thing, this is the most sustainable diet I've ever attempted. It shocks my friends time and time again just how good some of the food is that you can play with, and how easy it is to make. If you have about 20 minutes to prepare a dish, you can have a masterpiece on your hands. Made with 5 simple ingredients, this is most certainly one of them.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of Frozen Cauliflower (chopped)
• 1 1/2 cup, Shredded Provolone Cheese
• 8 oz, Mild Cheddar cheese- Block
• 2 large Eggs beaten
• 3/4 cup unsweetened Coconut Milk
• Salt to taste

The ingredients can be from a bag or shredded from a block. I prefer all fresh ingredients but honestly, when you're in a pinch, and just want to make something amazing, The bagged stuff will most certainly do. 

First thing you wanna do is boil the Frozen cauliflower for 10 minutes, let it cool and chop it to desired sizes. Next thing is.... wait a minute.

Let me say this first off... 

I rarely explain the prep portion, because if you don't know how to throw all the ingredients in an 8 x 8 baking pan and mix, then I don't know what to tell you. Its really that simple! 

Seriously.

It's not complicated and it doesn't have to be, and that's a good thing. less time doing rigorous meal prep, makes for a much more enjoyable diet.  Bake it in the oven covered for 15 minutes then uncover it and let it continue until desired browning of the cheese on top. If you don't love the taste of this dish, then you have no soul.

Cutting the final product into 6 servings makes it the perfect side dish and is especially low carb consider. The macros make it all the more satisfying. Here is a complete list of the nutrition facts to the right just give you a more detailed idea of what you're putting into your body.

Final product, this version had more cheddar than provolone

If you try it and love it please leave a comment and let me know what you think, better yet, if you have any ideas and suggestions please let me know. I always need new ideas on what I could make, and putting my own spin on things accordingly. Good luck on the weight loss journey. Let it continue to be a delicious one.