I lost an entire person, but I am looking for pizza.

I have always been overweight.  Always.  I don't remember a time that I wasn't teased or made to feel horrible about myself and my body because I am fat.  Someday, I might delve into the emotions of this, but for now.....an overview.

When Bryan met me in 1998, I weighed about 320 pounds.  The fact that he loved me and found me beautiful then is enough to secure my love and devotion for always.  Before the wedding, I lost 70 pounds!  That did not last.  We were both fat and happy.  We thought about losing weight.  We might even "be good" and lose 20 or 30 pounds, but eventually we would both be feeling weak at the same time and go have Thai food.  Or some other yummy verboten thing.

By December 2010, I weighed 328 pounds.  I was toying with making another New Year's Resolution to finally lose the weight, but I wasn't sincere.  Then I went to a Christmas party.

And then I saw pictures from the party.

And I was horrified.  That awful picture from the side.  People really saw that when they looked at me?  Mortified doesn't even come close to how I felt.

Something had to be done.

I had to get serious.

That New Year's Resolution?  It was happening.  This time, it was for keeps.  I couldn't live this way any more.  

January 2, 2011

328 pounds

Size 28W (4X)

I would like to say that this has been easy.  I would also like to say that I have stayed strong and had incredible will-power.  I would like to sell you some premium swampland in Florida.......

For the first year, I followed a low-carb plan.  By December 9th, I looked like this:

December 9, 2011

275 pounds
Size 20W (2X/3X)

Then I found Omnitrition Omni Drops.

And I lost an Entire Person.

 March 2013

198 pounds

Size 14 (XL)

I still have a ways to go.  I would like to be at a weight within the "normal" BMI range.  I am looking to lose another 50 pounds.  

So, what do I eat?  Well, when I am not on a round of Omni Drops, I eat low-carb.

Low-Carb is usually very satisfying food.  I have learned to make some yummy, healthy things.

BUT SOMETIMES YOU JUST WANT PIZZA!

Which brings me to today's experiment.

Pinterest has sucked me into the vortex.  I am a recipe pinning fool.

One of the best Low-Carb sites I have found is Your Lighter Side.  A few weeks ago, I pinned their Stuffed Crust Pizza recipe.  Today I tried it.

Recipe is here:  http://yourlighterside.com/2012/05/gluten-free-stuffed-pizza/

I followed the directions, and it came out of the oven looking beautiful:

I was really hoping that it would be crispy crusted like the blog promised.  It smells wonderful and looks wonderful.....

 ...........but in the end, it was a bit disappointing.  I baked this longer and at a higher temperature, but it did not become crispy crusted.  It was yummy.  It took care of the craving.  But it was not pizza. 

Oh, well.  I can live with yummy goo.  The search for the perfect low-carb pizza continues.

Let's Get This Started..........

Embarrassing fact number one for this former English teacher:  I have never kept a diary.

There.  I said it. 

The closest thing to keeping up a remembrance of my life has been random Facebook postings and pictures for the last couple of years.  As 40 is fast approaching, I have started thinking that maybe I would like to change that.  But what would I talk about?  I have always considered my life pretty average, normal, unexciting.  Sure, there has been fun, love, laughter, tears, and adventure, but I never considered it worthy of commemoration. 

I still don't.

But there are some things that I would like to remember. 

The visit from friends or relatives.  The weight I have worked so hard to lose.  The fun things my crazy, sweet, wonderful husband does and says.  The yummy low carb food I like to make..........like that awesome batch of no-bake cookies that I made tonight.  Okay -- not quite cookies.  I put them in a pan and cut them up as I want them, but they are still awesome!

Low Carb No-Bake "Cookies"

1 stick butter
1/2 cup Almond Milk (Or Coconut Milk, or Half N Half)
2 Cups Swerve Sweetner
1/3 cup Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup all natural (no sugar added) almond butter
1 12 ounce bag of Bob's Red Mill unsweetened shredded coconut
2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 to 1 cup of blanched almonds -- whole or slivered.

Cookie sheets lined with parchment paper or a glass pan

In a medium saucepan over medium to medium high heat, melt butter and add the milk, sweetner, cocoa powder, and salt.  Stir until smooth and continue stirring and scraping down sides until the mixture comes to a full boil.  Boil for exactly 1 minute.  Remove from heat and quickly stir in the almond butter, coconut, vanilla and almonds.  Stir until combined. Work quickly!

Either drop cookies onto parchment paper by the spoonful (They should set up in about 15 minutes) or pour mixture into a pan and spread it evenly.  I use the pan and then pop it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.  Then, I slice wedges for a fudgy brownie experience.

So there.  I started my blog about my life -- my great adventure.  Is this a bad sign that it starts with chocolate cookies?