Help me replace a family food tradition?

[tcv]

(Note: I am not sure if this message belongs here. I asked in Chit Chat where I should post this and waited a couple of days. No responses, so I am going for broke -- or flames. I apologize up front.)

In my preparation for Atkins, I am now faced with something that's going to be the toughest test for me once I start it.

My wife and I started a food tradition years ago that has now grown to include more members of her family. It's called "Popcorn Night." Every Friday night, everyone converges here. We make a lot of popcorn, eat it, and each have a pretty big bowl of ice cream.

When I was last on a meal plan, I did not abstain from this event. I would, however, eat very well the rest of the week.

I think I am faced with replacing the foods with Atkins friendly stuff or abstaining entirely. The latter is achievable, but sounds dreadful.

Will I simply have to abstain?

Cheers,

Mike...

[ValidRouge]

Unfortunately Mike, you're going to have to abstain. It's tough. I LOOOOOVE popcorn. So, I know! You can still enjoy the movie and the company, just not the popcorn. Make you a big bowl of chopped up "salad" veggies like jicama, celery, cucumber, etc. and just munch on that. Chop the pieces very small so you have a bunch to finger and pop like you would do the corn.

[tcv]

I don't mind replacing the popcorn and ice-cream. I'm hoping for suggestions, like you just did!

[ValidRouge]

You could also put pepperoni slices and some cheese cubes in that 'trail mix' too

Some might think I'm weird weird for doing this, but I might be tempted to put the butter and salt on that veggie mix too. Heck the butter and salt is what tastes good anyway!

[tcv]

Pepperoni? Wow! That's not a bad idea at all!

Anything else guys? Cheese?

[inhisgrip]

Hey tcv,

I've never actually made this but it sounds kinda interesting! I've tried several of Linda's recipes before. She's never steered me wrong... Check this out!

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/cauliflower_popcorn.html

[tcv]

Hmmm... is that Atkins Friendly with 7g Carbs? More to the point, is it INDUCTION friendly?

I realize that some of these questions will be answered once I read the book. (It's on its way!!!) Does Atkins allows for moving your carbs to various times of the day? For instance, if I eat 5 in the morning and my goal is 20g for the day, can I eat 15g at dinner? Or does Atkins require one eat the carbs at certain times of the day?

m

[colleenieweenie]

What about pork rinds?

[Sheepie]

I LOVE popcorn! At Halloween, my ds and dh carved pumpkins together and then roasted the pumpkins seeds with lots of butter and salt. They were soooo good! I've never bought pumpkins seeds in a package, so I don't know how those are, but these were so buttery and salty and crunchy and delicious. Almost better than popcorn. Once you get to the nut and seed rung, it might be something that would work for you, but you have to be careful...they're very addictive!!

Also, there are lots of low carb ice cream recipes that you can make. I haven't tried any of them but this one looks intriguing and I'm going to try it. I've read this recipe elsewhere, but a quick search found it here--
http://www.lowcarb.ca/recipes/rrecipe011.html
It could be fun for everyone to do...a new tradition!!! Liquid splenda would lower the carb count even more.

Here is an ice cream recipe that is a little strange sounding...But the ice cream is really good. Wear gloves when shaking or your hands may freeze!
1 3/4 cup heavy cream, or half and half
1/3 cup Splenda
1 tsp. vanilla.

We put the cream, splenda and vanilla in a zip lock bag... (quart size). Then we put that bag into a 1 gallon size zip lock bag and cover it with ice and rock salt.

Then you shake it for 10 minutes...(by hand) The ice cream is great tasting, you get some exercise, and the kids love doing it.

It makes about 2 cups ice cream, I divide that into 4 servings at about 5 carbs each.

Yes it really does set. I think you could use the same recipe in a maker... it would just set faster then normal ice cream. I used to work in the Biology class and we did this with the students each summer as one of the heat energy experiments.

Oh, edited to add another similar recipe.
http://members.fortunecity.com/bosto...annex/id7.html

Ziploc Ice Cream
(a low carb classic)
Makes one serving at 6 carbs

4 oz heavy cream (4)
1 t vanilla (trace)
2 packets Splenda (2)
1 sandwich size ziplock bag
1 quart size ziplock bag
ice
4 T rock salt

Mix cream, vanilla and splenda together and pour in sandwich bag and seal. Fill quart bag half way with ice and add rock salt. Put sandwich bag into quart bag and seal. Shake bag for about 5-6 minutes (burn some calories, put your favorite song on and dance). Open bag, remove ice cream (rinse off sandwich bag before opening).
Serves 1, 6 carbs.

It sounds like so much fun! Everyone could do their own ziplock bag. You'll be a hero for coming up with this!! It's probably a little more cream than you should have, so just have a little.

[inhisgrip]

Originally Posted by tcv

Hmmm... is that Atkins Friendly with 7g Carbs? More to the point, is it INDUCTION friendly?

I realize that some of these questions will be answered once I read the book. (It's on its way!!!) Does Atkins allows for moving your carbs to various times of the day? For instance, if I eat 5 in the morning and my goal is 20g for the day, can I eat 15g at dinner? Or does Atkins require one eat the carbs at certain times of the day?

m

Yes, the cauliflower popcorn is induction friendly. It's actually only 4g "net" carbs. You have to subtract the fiber. Cauliflower is an allowed vegetable. I eat it all the time to make "Mock Mashed Potatoes." Just be careful not to overeat them.

Pork rinds would be another good option. Good thinking Colleen.