Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It

Gary Taubes newest book "Why We Get Fat And What To Do About It" is a well-thought out and researched book that scientifically proves the low carb lifestyle to be the ultimate solution for weight loss and better health. He will soon be appearing on Dr. Oz talking about this book. He proves through scientific research that the common knowledge of how to lose weight in America today is not exactly right. This book is very imformative and also easier to read than most nutrition or diet books because it flat out shows you what you need to know without out jumping around the point. I highly recommend this book and I'm sure it can give you a brand new look on nutrition and your daily diet. And for all those already low carb dieters you can tell all your friends "I told you so!" Enjoy!

Yes! To Cookies

Yes! To Cookies is the most yummy dessert that I have come across in a while in my search for Low Carb snacks. It is truly carb free, sugar free and gulten free! These cookies are so good and they don't taste like usual sugar free cookies. There is no aftertaste and there's a delicious glaze on top that keeps them moist. My favorite flavor is Cocoa-Licious because it's a perfect chocolate fix but there's also Strawberry-Banana Blitz and Old Fashioned Ginger Spice. My mom and I were trying to find a low carb dessert to make after dinner and she broke the Strawberry-Banana Blitz cookies into crumbs and made a mousse to go on top and it was awesome! Yes! to Cookies are so amazing because they are the only truly sugar free, gluten free, all-natural sweet baked treat on the market. Enjoy!

La Tiara 4 Carb Corn Taco Shells

Sometimes I just get fed up when my family decides to eat mexican for dinner because I feel like I have to cheat on my diet. I can only eat just taco meat and cheese so many times before I want to go ahead a eat a real taco. A few months ago I discovered the La Tiara Corn Taco Shells and now I feel like I can enjoy dinner with my family and be free from the guilt of not being strict. It's not the gross kind of shell that tastes like it was made out of cardboard either. It really does taste authentic! This also gives me away to make my family eat healthier without any drastic changes. Next time your watching someone enjoy a delicous taco don't give in because there's always another alternative. Enjoy!

Happy National Iced Tea Month!

If you go anywhere in the South, the one thing you'll see more of than Baptist churches is sweet tea. Sweet tea is one of the most important traditions in the South and is consumed daily during almost every meal. Until now, living a low carb lifestyle and craving sweet tea did not coexist but now Southerners can rejoice! The invention of Splenda and other alternative sweeteners have saved the day once again! And since it's National "Iced" Tea Month, I'm going to share with you some great low carb sweet tea secrets and the products that I love to drink!
Tips on Making Sweet Tea:
-Don't put the tea straight in the refrigerator after you make it. Let it cool to room temperature and then put it in the fridge. Trust me. It tastes WAY better and it's not as cloudy looking.
-Don't add ice to your tea while it's hot. Put ice in your cup and then pour the tea over it when you're ready to drink it .
-A little lemon never hurt anyone.

My Favorite Low-Carb Tea Products:
-Have you ever been to the Beacon? If you haven't, the first thing to know is that they have amazing food, but their sweet tea is heavenly. Here's that wonderful tea but w/ Splenda!
-Sugar Free Luzianne Ready To Drink Southern Sweet Tea
-Luzianne Tea Bags so you can sweeten it however you choose!

Best Sweeteners for Tea:
-Stevia
-Splenda
-Ideal

Enjoy!

Earth Day

We've Gone Green!

Here at the Low Carb Connoisseur we're showing that we care about the environment by using recycled boxes and packing peanuts in our shipping process. Don't be alarmed if you see your package arrive in a strange looking box or the packing peanuts are mismatched colors. Just know that we're doing what we can to lessen our impact on the environment and we encourage our customers to do the same by reusing our packing material or by dropping them off at your local recycling center.

Cool Down in this Hot Weather With Vanilla-Coconut Ice Cream

The coconut flavor really shines through in this ice cream. Pair it with sugar-free chocolate syrup mixed with a drizzle of rum for a tropical summer treat.

6 egg yolks
14 packets sugar substitute
2 cups heavy cream
1 can (13.5 ounces) Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk
2 teaspoons coconut extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup shredded NOW Foods Medium Shred Unsweetened Coconut

1. In a medium bowl whisk yolks and sugar substitute to combine. In a medium pot, bring heavy cream to a simmer over medium-low heat.
2. Slowly pour one cup cream into yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Pour yolk mixture back into pot. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut milk, coconut and vanilla extracts. Chill 4 hours.
3. Pour ice cream mix into ice cream maker. Process according to manufacturer's directions. About 5 minutes before ice cream is finished, add the toasted coconut.

To toast coconut, spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350º F for 5 minutes.
Servings: 8
Prep time: 5 minutes
Bake/Cook time: 5 minutes
Chill time: 4 hours

Carbohydrates: 6 grams, Net Carbs: 4.5 grams, Fiber: 1.5 grams, Protein: 4 grams, Fat: 32 grams, Calories: 326

Square Foot Garden

It's that time again at the Connoisseur to fix up our square foot garden. We originally embarked on this journey early last spring with the help of Mr. Mel Bartholomew's wonderful gardening book. We were all filled with the hope of fresh vegetables from our own backyard, but sadly we started too late and it didn't turn out as well as planned. We did manage to get some very delicious, but small, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, onions and potatoes. This time we're more prepared and ready to buckle down and take care of our garden. We'll also be sure to upload photos and keep you updated with how our garden is doing.

What the Connoisseur Recommends:

All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space!

This book by Mel Bartholomew is fantastic! His square foot gardens are perfect with any sized yard, large or small. This book saved us a lot of grief over our garden and gave us some great money-saving tips

9 Piece Gardening Tool Kit with Foldaway Stool with Backrest and Detachable Tote

This tool kit is the coolest thing! It has all you need to garden with, like a trowel, transplanter, and a rake, but then it has a neat collapsable stool with a backrest. So after planting all of your new flowers in your flower bed in the hot sun, you can just conveniently relax and take a break with back support. Can it get any better?

Love Catherine

Amazing Low Carb Pasta!

"The man who sticks to his plan will become what he used to want to be" - James Richardson

A very simple but true quote that I feel applies to me as I embark on my low carb diet. As long as I stick to my plan and try hard, I can become the person that I envision. Even though it's easy to stray from my plan, I've found some things to help keep me on track.

A few nights ago, I was so hungry and dreading dinner because I thought "There's not going to be anything other than meat and cheese, same as any other night". I walked into the kitchen and I saw my mom cooking pasta (which is definitely against the rules as any good low carb dieter knows). Turns out it was Dreamfield's Angel Pasta and it tasted exactly like the real thing!

I'm so glad there's alternatives that you can eat while doing a low carb diet because I don't feel deprived at all! I can still eat chicken alfredo for dinner and even have a bagel for breakfast when I want, all while losing weight!

Dreamfield's Pasta - True to it's name, it's like a dream to anyone who hasn't had any good pasta in a really long time.

Carb Krunchers Bagels - These were so great that I totally forgot that they were low carb products.

Sugar Free Mexican Hot Chocolate

It's February and it's freezing outside, so why not warm up with a cup of yummy sugar free hot chocolate?

Chocolate and cinnamon mixed with warmed milk then frothed with a molinillo. A Mexican Molinillo is the Mexican chocolate "whisk" or "stirrer". It is made of "turned" wood and it is used to froth warm drinks such as hot chocolate, Atole, and Champurrado. A normal wire whisk works too. It's great for people who are enjoying a low carb lifestyle!

Ingredients

2 cups Blue Diamond Almond milk or WestSoy Soy Milk

3 Tablespoons Ghiradelli Unsweetened cocoa

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

4 tablespoons low calorie sweetener

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

Instructions

Warm the milk, cocoa, cinnamon and sweetener in a saucepan. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add the seeds and bean to the milk. Stir with a molinillo or whisk until the cocoa is disolved and the mixture begins to boil. Remove from the heat and froth the chocolate with the molinillo or the whisk. Serve immediately in ample sized mugs and ENJOY!

New Erythritol Sweetened Dark Baking Chips!

New Low Carb Specialties ChocoPerfection Dark Baking Chips are finally in stock!! These low carb chocolate chips are made with Erythritol and perfect for snacking or any low carb baking needs. They're all natural and completely sugar free. Here's a great low carb recipe that incorporates these delicious baking chips! Even though you're low carbing, you can show your family how much you love them when you pull a pan of warm, melt in your mouth chocolate chip cookies out of the oven.

Ingredients:
-2 1/4 cups Carbquik (note, start with 2 cups and add additional as needed to form a nice cookie dough)
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-2 cups (12-ounce package) Low Carb Specialties ChocoPerfection Dark Baking Chips
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1 cup (2 sticks, 1/2 pound) unsalted butter, softened
-3/4 Splenda 3/4 cup packed brown sugar twin
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-2 eggs
-1 cup chopped nuts

Directions:
-Combine Carbquik, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, Splenda, brown sugar twin and vanilla in large mixer bowl till butter is well creamed.
-Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; gradually beat in Carbquik mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts.
-Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
-Bake in preheated 375ºF oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Valentine's Day is Almost Here!

Have you thought about what are you're doing for Valentine's Day yet? How about cooking a romantic dinner for you and your valentine? The Connoisseur Recommends is here to help with a delicious four course meal that shows your valentine you really care! Start off with Pomegranate Champagne Cocktails and Baked Brie with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and finish with Strawberry Cheesecake Crepes.

For all the recipes of a perfect Valentine's Day Dinner check out our web page.

Valentine's Day Gift Baskets


Show your love with a Low Carb Russell Stover Valentine's Day Gift Basket! You'll get Chocolate Marshmallow Hearts, Conversation hearts, Russell Stover Private Reserve Chocolates and other assorted Russell Stover candies. It's a great gift for anyone who likes to eat chocolate and candy but is still doing a low carb diet. As low as $29.99!

New Low Carb Pizza Meatloaf Recipe!
Miss the taste of pizza but not the carbs?
Try this tasty low carb recipe for dinner to satisfy your cravings!


Ingredients:
1 envelope of onion soup mix
2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 cups Dixie Diner Carb Counters Bread Crumb Mix
2 eggs
1 small green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup water
1 cup Colavita Garden Style Pasta Sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine all ingredients except 1/2 cup Pasta Sauce and 1/2 cup cheese in large bowl.
2.Shape into loaf in 1 B3 x 9-inch baking or roasting pan. Top with remaining 1/2 cup Sauce.ake 50 minutes. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until done. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Sugar Free Chocolate Drizzled Caramel Popcorn

Did somebody say sweet and salty? There's something here for everybody to love. This recipe brings together the salty, crunch of popcorn with the savory kick of caramel and the sweet drizzle of chocolate!

All you need is:

2 bags microwave popcorn

1 cup Steel's Powdered Maltitol

1/2 cup Steel's Vanilla Syrup

1 teaspoon vinegar
3 ChocoPerfection Bars

1 tablespoon butter

Makes 10 Servings

Pop the corn and remove the unpopped kernels. Place into a large mixing bowl. Mix the Maltitol, syrup and vinegar together in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium heat, stirring constantly to a temperature of 240°(soft ball). Immediately turn off heat and add the butter. Stir until blended and then pour over the popcorn. Using a long handled wooden spoon, quickly toss the popcorn with the hot mixture. You have to work fast before the candy sets up and be careful not to touch the hot mixture.

After the corn is well coated, spread the popcorn on a buttered baking pan and allow to completely cool.Separate the popcorn into pieces or clumps using your hands coated in a little butter.

Take the ChocoPerfection bars and break into several pieces. Place in a microwave safe glass dish and microwave until melted, heating for 30 second increments at a time and stirring when necessary. When chocolate is completely melted, using a spoon, drizzle chocolate over the popcorn and allow to cool.

Effective carb count per serving: 8.8

See other sugar free Fall Recipes!

Congratulation to the winner of our Halloween Trick Or Treat Contest!

We have a winner in our Halloween Trick or Treat Contest!
Congratulations to Kellie Z. of Bethesda Maryland! She will receive our special Halloween Gift Basket, chock full of delicious low carb chocolates and candies!

Happy Halloween from Low Carb Connoisseur!

Sugar Free Caramel Apples

Halloween is that special time of year when we think of trick-or-treating, bonfires, haunted houses, Jack-o'-lanterns, costume parties, and of course lots of sweets and sugary treats! This is the first in a series of recipes to help satisfy your sweet tooth, while keeping your carb count low!

Sticky, sweet caramel apples are a must have treat this time of year! Enjoy this recipe that calls for brown maltitol instead of brown sugar. Make them extra special by rolling in sugar free chocolate chips, chopped toasted pecans or toasted, shredded coconut!
See the rest of the recipe!

Halloween Pumpkin Peeps - Now in Sugar Free!

Halloween is almost here, and Sugar Free Pumpkin Peeps are back in stock at Low Carb Connoisseur!

If you are a fan of the cute, yellow Peeps that are available at Easter, you'll be happy to know that these ooey, gooey treats are now available year round in a variety of shapes to suit the season.

Purchase them here!

Halloween Trick or Treat Goody Bag Give Away!

We are pleased to announce our annual Halloween Trick or Treat

Goody Bag Give away!

When you place any order in October, simply type the code "Treat" in the comment section of your order and we will send you a mini Treat Bag with samples of our low carb candy inside.

For every order you place that includes the word "Treat' your name will be entered into our big Halloween Gift Basket Give Away!

Get yours!

Carb Kruncher Low Carb Brownies

Who doesn't like the rich, moist taste of a chocolate brownie? Carb Krunchers Low Carb Brownies are a ready to eat treat- perfect for the low carb dieter who is looking for a delicious sugar free dessert. Carb Krunchers brownies are pre-packaged in single serving portions, so you won't be tempted to over indulge!

You can choose either the Original or Walnutty flavor with more varieties to follow.

Check out all our great new low carb bakery products at http://www.low-carb.com/cakrretoeatb.html

The Connoisseur Recommends Carb Krunchers Bagels!

I'm excited to announce the addition of a new line of low carb bakery products to our product line-up - Carb Krunchers New York Style Bagels! These bagels are huge - a full 5 inches across and there are 6 bagels per package.

The taste and texture is truly amazing and the net carb count is an incredible 5.7 carbs per bagel. This week we have in stock: Rye, Plain, Sesame and Everything.

Check them out here!