All of the above apply at the moment.  Having been 'good' so to speak and staying on the fts wagon, even though it has been so frustrating at times. Not the food, or staying the course, but for the fact my body doesn't want get rid of the excess weight I am still carrying - no matter the tweaks!!!!

Good things come to those that persevere I tell myself.  This lifestyle really isn't that much of a hardship.  But life has other plans for us at times and while we try to reconcile those factors, the little sneaky carb creepers come sneaking their way in. My job hours have been cut to zero for the next 6 weeks at least;  I am so stressed and am not sure whether to wait and see if my hours pick up or I look for more work - I think the more work option has to kick in as -as much as I would like to be independently wealthy and only working for the fun of it, I am not - I need money to live on.  My car has its moments and I really can't afford repairs.  I need work around the house done. (On the plus side, if I am home and not working I will have time to do some of these overdue jobs.)  Family crisis aside - they are hiccups, but nothing too serious (I sincerely hope) at this stage.

It all adds up and it seems I loosen the reigns slightly.  Thankfully nothing serious, but still at times I feel like diving head first into the next sugar-laden thing that is presented to me.  It really is good that I have limited stuff of 'no no' items at home.

It will all work out the way it is supposed to - this is what I tell myself.  Doors close and others open.
I just have to get those proverbial 'big girl panties' on and deal. Thanks for listening.

Maybe there should be a section on 'falling off the wagon' or 'oops' or 'what was I thinking'.

Yesterday did not turn out the way I had planned it.  Such is life.  I ate a reasonable breakfast thank goodness.  2 cups coffee later - no lunch in sight, delays, delays, delays.  Dinner time coming on quick.  Hallucinations of pizza started kicking in.  No no, my sane self said - go to McDonald's and skip the bun - you've done this before, it will get you through till you get home (was far from home).

Now maybe I wouldn't have done this if my friend wasn't with me (I would like to think that).  I don't think I would have bothered.  But in the end, it was ME and no one to blame but me.  So 3 slices of pizza later (it wasn't just any pizza - it was from my favourite place before fts (not that I went there often as it is far from home) and as good as I remembered.  I got home and had another 2 slices (even though it doesn't taste anywhere as good as just out of oven). The rest is in freezer (I hate it once it's frozen) to feed to daughter when she visits or to toss when freezer burn hits.  I followed up with broken bits of kit kit from a birthday cake I had made for my daughter.  The cake was covered in icing, maltesers and kit kats of which I did not so much as lick the spoon.

Now to pay the price - usually when I go to bed I just fall asleep.  Last night I didn't sleep well.  I felt like the pizza soaked up all of the moisture in my body.  I felt so bloated and just kept waking up.  I didn't feel ill really just like a balloon.  I had reconciled myself somewhat by saying the crust was really thin, very little tomato sauce, mainly ham, little onion and an egg (called an Aussie).  What got me was that I thought it out beforehand and decided that it really wasn't okay, but did it anyway.  A conscious
decision. 

It just goes to show that things can go awry no matter how long you have been on fts.  Or maybe it's just me.  Back on the bandwagon today.  It's just a hiccup on the road, nothing else.  Just thought I would share.

Great over steak. 
After you cook your steak, remove and keep warm.  Into the pan drippings add  some butter/bacon grease and some sliced mushrooms, fry till softened or to your preference.  Add a tiny bit water to lift anything stuck to pan.  Add some cream- enough for the quantity you want make, add seasoning (my steak is usually coated in lemon pepper seasoning so I don't add anything else.  Just continue to simmer and reduce down. Can add a dash more water.  Add tiny bit of your favourite thickener ( mine is glucomannon powder) just sprinkle on top and quickly stir in. Too much and U got gravy flavoured jello and it not pretty.

And voila as the French say -your gravy/sauce is ready.

I've noticed as I've gotten older that my hair has gotten drier and a bit coarser.  I don't usually use a hairdryer, straightener or curler.  I do put a color every so often though. Has anyone got a helpful hint to put some shine into lacklustre hair.  Been toying with the idea of coconut oil but don't want to be caught out during the day with greasy hair or staining my pillowcases at night.   The commercial products aren't that great and are really quite expensive for what U get. Or you end up with 'icky' hair and have to wash it out.  Thanks

Never paid much attention with regards to tummy issues with xylitol as didn't really use that much UNTIL  made a cake with it. I now understand what happens. Could not unleash that on unsuspecting friends/family.  Though if you need things to move along, would recommend using this in cooking.  Think will use zero in future efforts.  Oh dear ....

Managed to buy a jar of coconut oil today.  I know of it's many uses, but can't seem to find a recommended daily dose.  Anyone know?

I think I must be getting cynical in my 'old' age.  I submit to a low carb site which sends me low carb info.  They were proud to announce a new chef and he gave a sample of one of his recipes - a cake.  (I don't wish to give names/sites).  I was intrigued as it stated it was 5carbs (for the whole cake with frosting - WOW).  I scanned down the list and I thought 'how?'.  I listed the carb count against each ingredient (they were specific in brands, except for the eggs and baking powder -

nonstick cooking spray                                                        - 0 carbs
3⁄4 cup + 1 tablespoon ** White sugar replacement                 - 0 carbs
5 eggs                                                                              - 3.5 carbs (based on .7/egg)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract                                                  - 0 carbs
2+1⁄2 cups ** Blanched Almond Meal                                     - 18 carbs
                                                                                         (3c/ 1/4cup lc alm flr)
1 tablespoon baking powder  (carb count off nutrition site)        - 12 carbs
                                                                                         (3c/tspn - 4c/tablespn)
1/3 cup ** Frosting Mix, made as directed on package              -  0 carbs
                                                                            EQUALS - 33.5
Serves 12. 

I thought perhaps it was 5c per slice, but that equals 2.79c.  I was at a loss so I wrote to the site asking for an explanation and that I kept my carbs to around 10 and no more than 20, who then passed the message onto the chef who was kind enough to reply.  Even so - no explanation, no mention of any carb counts per ingredient,  just an excerpt from his cookbook stating (do not quote me on this) carbs are counted many different ways by people, nutrition sites and carb software, even between brands (which we all know) - but they were specific about the main brands (and I went straight to the site of the products to check the nutritional info). In his reply he stated all carb counts were per serve, yet the carb count on the recipe was 5c for the recipe not per serve.  Even 2.79c is doable for a slice (1/12) of cake (it would be pretty small though).  I just hate the 'deception' for want of a better word.

Ending with -   "you absolutely can trust me, as we BOTH (as in chef and site mgr) live low carb right along with you! "

I'm just wondering if I should pursue the matter (as I am not very confrontational) or just not bother with the hassle.  Though what have I got to lose?   Any thoughts?

Is there an easy explanation as to why there are different carb counts on the same product?  Take brazil nuts (as this is my latest bugbear).  They are a raw product, yet I picked up a different bag as I was at a different supermarket and checked the nutrition label - my usual ones state 0.2c/30g and these state 3.5-1.1? fiber and yet another said something else and when I went on a nutrition facts site it was 3c-2 fibre = 1c.  It is a raw product, how can they vary so much?    Any ideas?