Low carb chocolate lava cake

I thought I had posted this already, but I sure can't find it. Recently I've had several people ask for the recipe, so here goes:

Chocolate Lava Cake:

Cake:

• 1/4c almond flour
• Sweetener equivalent to 2T sugar*
• 1T coconut oil melted
• 2T dry coco powder, unsweetened
• 1 large egg
• Low sugar dark chocolate (ie 2 squares Lindt, 1/2 ChocoPerfection* bar)

Frosting:

• 2T cream cheese
• Sweetener equavalent to 2tsp sugar*

In a small bowl or large coffee mug, mix egg, sweetener, almond flour, coconut oil and coco powder until well mixed. It will be a bit lumpy. Add the chocolate in chunks/pieces to the top.

Microwave on high for about 1 minute (ovens may vary. It will puff up and look a bit moist in the center). Immediately turn cake out onto a plate or bowl (it sticks to the cooking bowl/cup, so turn out immediately.

In separate bowl mix softened cream cheese with sweetener. Blend well.

Once cake is cooled off a bit, spread frosting over all and enjoy!

In the picture above I sprinkled a little shaved chocolate on the top...just to make it pretty.

*I use oligofructose, Sweet Perfection, which is mostly fiber. SweetPerfection measures the same as sugar and is almost 100% fiber. 1 cup = 127 g carbohydrate with 122 g fiber.. I also used ChocoPerfection dark chocolate bar for this recipe. Calculation is based on this sweetener and chocolate.

Nutritional Info

Servings Per Recipe: 1-2

Numbers Per Recipe:

Calories: 638

Fat: 53 g

Saturated: 24g

Carbohydrate: 43 g

Dietary Fiber: 33 g

Protein: 17 g

The cake part was yummy enough, but when you got a glob of the chocolate! YUMMMMM!!!

Recipe is for 1 serving. A lot of carbs, but most are fiber.

Number of Servings: 1-2 I've been known to eat the whole thing, but it is a lot. As a snack or desert, it's probably best to share.

Sonoma County CA separates elderly gay couple and sells all of their worldly possessions

Sonoma County CA separates elderly gay couple and sells all of their worldly possessions

Product review: Tropical Traditions Virgin coconut oil, (Gold label standard)

Tropical Traditions, Inc is located in Springville CA and you can access their site here: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/

Tropical Traditions has been posting notices on Twitter and Facebook asking for writers and bloggers to sample and evaluate their product at no cost. About 10 days after signing up, the jar arrived.

According to their web-site, their coconut oils are Non-GMO and certified organic. No solvents are used in processing. The Gold label is made by hand, in small batches, from fresh coconuts with no refining.

Coconut oil is largely saturated fat, medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are felt to be highly beneficial to health. It is stable for long periods of time at room temperature, so needs no refrigeration.

When you first open the box and pull out the jar (which weighs over 3 pounds!) you notice the pearly white color of the oil in the glass jar. Coconut oil should be pure white when solid and clear when liquid. Coconut oil should become liquid at about 76 degrees (F). Because of the way it cools in the jar it has a pearly quality to it....but no grays or other colors are evident.

Opening the jar and smelling the oil isn't much. This particular brand does not have a strong coconut smell to it like some brands do, but it is a pleasant smell! (The web-site says there is a mild scent of coconut, but I couldn't detect it and neither could my son).

When you use Tropical Traditions coconut oil you will notice how smooth it is. Even when solid it has almost a creamy texture to it. Your spoon scoops out the oil with little effort. When you place it into an already hot pan it melts almost immediately into a clear oil. (Occasionally you will see tiny black flecks, which is normal as this is not refined)

Coconut oil has a higher smoke point, usually around 360 degrees and is very stable, so it an excellent oil to use for pan frying and baking.

There are a few things I make and do to test different oils.

First, I make candy! Yep, chocolate candy with nuts. Melt about 1 T coconut oil and add about 1/2 ounce of pecans or walnuts. When nicely browned, add 2 squares of 85% dark chocolate and a little sweetener (to taste). Mix well to be sure oil and chocolate is well blended with sweetener. Pour mixture onto foil or silicone and allow to cool. Break in chunks and enjoy! As expected, TT coconut oil blends well and doesn't have a coconut taste.

Second, I pan fry something. For testing this oil, I cooked hamburg patties, pork chops, steak and lamb chops. All browned nicely without sticking to the pan.

Last, I use the oil as a moisturizer! Put a little oil in the palm of your hand, then rub hands together to melt the oil. Smooth over face, neck, arms, etc and let sit for 5-10 minutes, then blot off excess oil with a tissue. Some oils will have hard pieces that don't melt well, or feels gritty on your skin, but Tropical Traditions is smooth and creamy feeling and melts quickly at skin temperature.

All in all, I'll gibe Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil a big thumbs up!

Disclosure: I was sent a 32 fl oz jar of this from Tropical Traditions at no charge so I could evaluate the product and post a review.

Low carb or Paleo, which is best?

Low carb or Paleo, which is best?

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Restaurant Review: Crazy Fire Mongolian Grill, Cary NC

Restaurant Review: Crazy Fire Mongolian Grill, Cary NC

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Is a low carb diet right for you?

Is a low carb diet right for you?

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National Seafood Month - Parmesan Fish

National Seafood Month - Parmesan Fish

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The Cure - Week 4

I have been bad about posting.....sorry. I completed all 3 of the first 3 weeks and am doing great!

I haven't lost a ton of weigh like some others doing the plan, but I am very happy with the weight I've lost and the inches I've lost!

Here are the figures:
Week 1: weight loss = 0.4 pounds
Other measurements not taken

Week 2: Weight loss = 1.4 pounds (total 1.8 pounds lost), waist = down 1.25 inches, hips = down 1.5 inches.

Week 3: Weight loss = 0.2 pounds (total 2.0 pounds lost), waist = down 0.5 inches, hips = no change.

Other changes: Almost no indigestion, heartburn etc. Arthritis fairly stable, taking naproxen as needed, about 3-4 times each week. Also taking occasional aspirin for headaches, about once daily (I have a history of headaches due to neck problems)

BP started at 124/76, down to 113/68

Clothes fit better and I have a whole lot of "new" clothes I can wear! Clothes that have been hanging in my closet for a year now fit again!!

Week 3 & 4 are pretty much what I've been eating on low carb all along. Three to four times a day I have meat (meat/fish/fowl) along with a vegetable or two. Several days I've had my shake in the morning, simply because it's easy.

I posted several of the meals I've had on WebShots...you can see them here. No registration or sign in should be needed. (Berry cobbler and White pizza are old meals, not ones I've eaten on the plan)

All in all, I'm feeling good! Very happy with the results so far.

As per the book, I think I'm going to continue with weeks 3 & 4 for a while as I still have more weight to loose and weeks 5 & 6 are more for maintenance. Maybe do a week of shakes on occasion too.

Why we eat too much and how to get control - Part 2

Why we eat too much and how to get control - Part 2

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Why we eat too much and how to get control - Part 1

Why we eat too much and how to get control - Part 1

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