Today would have been my father-in-law's 73rd birthday, but he passed away in February. In honor of his life and accomplishments family members from California and Indiana joined us in Arizona for a final day trip to Tonto National Monument. Yes, we have had excessive heat warnings. Yes, it was a half mile straight up a mountain. Yes, it was difficult for some of us who are aging, carrying extra weight, and have artificial knees. But, we all made it to the top to spread his ashes and say our final goodbyes, and I discovered a couple of powerful things along the way.
First, my gentle giant of a son made the lower part of the trek twice because after we started, a couple of us realized we should have carried more water and fewer packs and purses. Thus, he gathered all the extras and took them back to the car returning with several large and cold bottles of water. Since we kept walking while he accomplished this maneuver, he had to do it all in double time to catch up. While some of the younger members of the group made their way quickly to the top, my mother-in-law struggled. When my son overtook us again, he held her hand and lent her support as she made the trek, encouraging her that she would get there and that he wouldn't leave her behind. Later, coming down the mountain, my husband's aunt had difficulties with her knees, and Jade provided the same calm, unwavering assistance to her. This kind of support for family members in need tugged at my heart, and I watched the young man my son has become knowing he will be there to help me and my husband when the time comes.
After leaving the ruins we drove down to Roosevelt Lake and had a picnic under a large shade ramada. During lunch - which was not low carb since it came from a grocery deli - I discovered that a month of low-carb eating is changing how I look at food. My plate held a piece of baked (not fried) chicken, one spoonful of each side dish, and a biscuit (because I couldn't resist its golden fluffiness). However, one bite of the biscuit was enough for me to know that I didn't want it. As a matter of fact, the bite of potato salad wasn't nearly as delicious as the coleslaw nor as tempting as the broccoli salad (of which I had seconds). Unfortunately, lunch did not fully teach me the lesson. After a long drive back to the valley, we all convened at Culver's (home of the butter burger). This time, I couldn't pass on the bad stuff, so I ordered a patty melt and fried cheese curds. Though I ate the dinner (after all, I had ordered and paid for it), I was almost immediately sorry. I found the bread to be heavier than I remembered and the breading to be less tasty than I expected. My experiences with food today showed me that watching the carbs will become easier with time, and will help me reach my long term goals (eventually).
Finally, one of my low-carb creations from yesterday's get-together was the topic of conversation with a family member requesting the recipe, which I am sharing with you tonight. At the end of this difficult day - which included laughter and tears, boisterous discussions and silence, beautiful music and prayer, I am thankful for the opportunity to learn and live and love. Enjoy!
2 small heads cauliflower (32 net carbs)
2 cups roasted squash (8 net carbs)
1 can cream of chicken soup (22.5 net carbs)
4 ounce can of sliced mushrooms (3 net carbs)
4 tablespoons butter (0 net carbs)
4 tablespoons carbalose flour (4.8 net carbs)
1 1/2 cups heavy cream mixed with 1/2 cup water (0 net carbs)
6 ounces grated Swiss cheese (0 net carbs)
First, my gentle giant of a son made the lower part of the trek twice because after we started, a couple of us realized we should have carried more water and fewer packs and purses. Thus, he gathered all the extras and took them back to the car returning with several large and cold bottles of water. Since we kept walking while he accomplished this maneuver, he had to do it all in double time to catch up. While some of the younger members of the group made their way quickly to the top, my mother-in-law struggled. When my son overtook us again, he held her hand and lent her support as she made the trek, encouraging her that she would get there and that he wouldn't leave her behind. Later, coming down the mountain, my husband's aunt had difficulties with her knees, and Jade provided the same calm, unwavering assistance to her. This kind of support for family members in need tugged at my heart, and I watched the young man my son has become knowing he will be there to help me and my husband when the time comes.
After leaving the ruins we drove down to Roosevelt Lake and had a picnic under a large shade ramada. During lunch - which was not low carb since it came from a grocery deli - I discovered that a month of low-carb eating is changing how I look at food. My plate held a piece of baked (not fried) chicken, one spoonful of each side dish, and a biscuit (because I couldn't resist its golden fluffiness). However, one bite of the biscuit was enough for me to know that I didn't want it. As a matter of fact, the bite of potato salad wasn't nearly as delicious as the coleslaw nor as tempting as the broccoli salad (of which I had seconds). Unfortunately, lunch did not fully teach me the lesson. After a long drive back to the valley, we all convened at Culver's (home of the butter burger). This time, I couldn't pass on the bad stuff, so I ordered a patty melt and fried cheese curds. Though I ate the dinner (after all, I had ordered and paid for it), I was almost immediately sorry. I found the bread to be heavier than I remembered and the breading to be less tasty than I expected. My experiences with food today showed me that watching the carbs will become easier with time, and will help me reach my long term goals (eventually).
Finally, one of my low-carb creations from yesterday's get-together was the topic of conversation with a family member requesting the recipe, which I am sharing with you tonight. At the end of this difficult day - which included laughter and tears, boisterous discussions and silence, beautiful music and prayer, I am thankful for the opportunity to learn and live and love. Enjoy!
Creamy Vegetable Bake
2 small heads cauliflower (32 net carbs)
2 cups roasted squash (8 net carbs)
1 can cream of chicken soup (22.5 net carbs)
4 ounce can of sliced mushrooms (3 net carbs)
4 tablespoons butter (0 net carbs)
4 tablespoons carbalose flour (4.8 net carbs)
1 1/2 cups heavy cream mixed with 1/2 cup water (0 net carbs)
6 ounces grated Swiss cheese (0 net carbs)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cut the cauliflower into small pieces and steam.
- While the cauliflower cooks, make a white sauce by melting the butter in a medium saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook for a minute or two. Add the heavy cream and water all at once. Stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in the chicken soup and Swiss cheese.
- Add the cooked cauliflower, squash, and mushrooms.
- Turn into a large casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes.
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