I am not  really an advocate for dieting, & like to eat what I want when I want (always as healthy as possible) and I love to get creative in the kitchen; however, a Vegas girls trip is around the corner and a friend mentioned that a low carb diet worked well if it was for a short-term weight loss goal.  I have been trying this diet for the last 4 days and have lost three pounds & I feel amazing!!  It really isn’t that hard when you become aware of what you put in your mouth and cut out all bread, pasta, rice, and basically anything with a high amount of carbs like chips, pretzels, corn, cereal, etc.  It sounds hard but really isn’t!  Go to the grocery and substitute your normal snack foods with low carb items.  Example, instead of buying the same tortilla chips and salsa; buy celery, carrots, a vegetable cheese spread, and some turkey pepperoni.  This is a great snack and very filling.  Buy a bag of raw almonds or salted soy nuts.  Compare the low 7g net carbs in soy nuts to about 14g for potato chips or a whopping 21g for pretzels!  Nuts also have some “heft” to them,  so you feel more satisfied and full much faster. 

 I have included a quick simple dinner recipe that is first and foremost tasty, while also being nutritious, low in carbohydrates, high in protein, and can be prepared in less than 25 minutes.  Remember that cooking can be simple and I promise it’s better than eating out!

Broiled Balsamic and BBQ Salmon with Spiced Carrots and Sauteed Spinach

Yield:   4 servings

Price:  $30ish for the meal

• 4 Fresh or frozen Salmon Filets
• Fresh spinach (2 bunches) or 1 bag from salad section
• 1 bag carrots
• 2 -3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (  at least 15yr aged balsamic is preferred)
• EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
• 1 TBSP brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 TBSP butter
• Montgomery Inn BBQ sauce or favorite vinegar based BBQ Sauce
• Salt and Pepper

Fill a medium size stock pot or quart pan with water and bring to a boil. 

Place your salmon filets on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper on both sides.  Pour over the top of each salmon filet: 2 TBSP of BBQ Sauce and 1TBSP of balsamic vinegar and set aside.  Turn your oven on high broil and make sure the rack is in the middle.

Peel and bias cut carrots (diagonal) and put in boiling water for approximately 10 minutes. Drain and set aside in order to get a saute pan hot on a medium-high heat with 1 TBSP of olive oil.  Add your carrots and start sauteing!

Place the salmon in the oven to cook for approximately 10-12 minutes with the broiler on high.  The tops will blister a bit and the inside will remain a medium temperature.

Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter to the carrots.  Season generously with salt and pepper.  (If you like you can also add 1-2 TBSP of honey for a sweeter glaze)

Get another medium size saute pan and 1-2 TBSP of olive oil and put on a high heat.  Wait until oil is very hot and add your fresh spinach to the pan, continue stirring around the pan with a heat-resistant spatula for maybe 1-2 minutes or until the spinach is wilted.  Add 2 pinches of salt and pepper and remove from heat. 

Your carrots should be ready, turn off the heat, check your salmon, if medium temperature is not to your liking put salmon back in the oven under broil for another 3-5 minutes.  And enjoy a delicious meal of Balsamic and BBQ salmon, with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Glazed Carrots, and Fresh sautéed Spinach.  A meal you would easily pay $18-22 a plate for at a restaurant.  Enjoy your meal and cost savings and sit down at the dinner table!

Low Carb Quick Salad Fix or “Chunky Guacamole Salad”

• One avocado -scooped out and medium diced
• One roma tomato- sliced and medium diced
• 1/2 green pepper medium diced
• 1/4 of yellow or red onion- small diced
• A handful of cilantro- no need to chop
• 2 tsp of cumin
• Salt and Pepper
• A dash of my favorite “Franks hot sauce”

Toss all ingredients in a salad bowl or stir with a fork.  If this salad doesn’t provide enough substance you can easily add a grilled chicken breast- medium dice.  Delicioso!!  Hope you enjoy.