KETO TIPS & TRICKS INTERVIEW SERIES: MEET @LOWCARBDELIGHTS

NAME: Connie Gutierrez aka @lowcarbdelights

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

Los Angeles, CA

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF:

I am a 41 year old Los Angeles native, type one diabetic, Libra, Pilates addict, animal lover, food safety instructor, coffee drinker, vodka/wine drinker, happy camper, lover of life, and LCHF/Keto food eater!! I’m married to my best friend, Justin; he does the cooking and I do the baking and together we are @lowcarbdelights!

YOUR KETO JOURNEY:

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN KETO?

3.5 years

HOW DID YOU COME TO THE KETO WAY OF EATING?

In July 2013, I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. I researched and found that I could possibly benefit from a LCHF/Keto lifestyle so I tried it and it worked and I stuck with it.

WHAT KIND OF RESULTS HAVE YOU GOTTEN FROM EATING KETO?

Keto has helped me maintain stable blood glucose levels, maintain a healthy weight, and has given me more energy. I have never felt healthier.

HAVE YOU HAD ANY SETBACKS OR CHALLENGES IN YOUR KETO JOURNEY?

Living with a chronic illness can take a toll on your mind, body, and spirit. My setbacks and challenges have been, completely, emotional. There are times when I can’t help but feel sad. I miss not having to worry about what I’m going to eat, carb counting, high/low blood glucose, injecting insulin, but the one thing I do NOT miss, is feeling crappy. My goal is to have a good quality of life! I’ve started that journey and there is no way I’m turning back now.

LET'S TALK ABOUT FOOD!

WHAT ARE A COUPLE OF YOUR GO-TO KETO MEALS?

I cannot live without salads! I was that kid/adult that hardly ate veggies but now, I crave them. I am also, forever, a fast food junkie and a self proclaimed Wimpy (from Popeye) and I am grateful for protein style burgers and other LCHF/Keto options when out and about. But my one true love is dessert and baking is my hobby, it is very therapeutic. I had just purchased a Kitchenaid mixer when I was diagnosed with T1D and was certain I would never be able to bake again. But thank goodness for Pinterest! I learned to bake low carb and gluten free and I think I’ve baked more goodies in the last 3.5 years than I have ever baked before. I can have my cake and eat it too! Oh...and coffee….LOTS of coffee.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KETO ESSENTIALS YOU ALWAYS HAVE ON YOUR GROCERY LIST?

The essentials include

Eggs
Kerrygold butter
Heavy cream
Coffee
Cheeses
Bacon
Avocado
Pork
Chicken
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Asparagus
Spring mixes
Coconut oil
Almond milk
Almond flour
Coconut flour
Swerve sweetener

and when I’m feeling lazy, I have some @GoodDeesMix on hand to whip up a quick treat to satisfy the sweet tooth without falling off the wagon. https://gooddees.com/ also available on Amazon.

WHAT SITES, BLOGS, IG PAGES, FACEBOOK GROUPS, ETC… DO YOU GO TO FOR INFORMATION AND/OR INSPIRATION?

I am an avid Pinner and it’s how I was introduced to LCHF/Keto. All Day I Dream About Food (@fooddreamer) was my salvation when I was learning to bake diabetic friendly goodies. I’m also very lucky that my husband is an amazing cook. I tell him what I’m craving and he magically whips up our delicious meals. I always take ideas, here and there, from all the profiles I follow on Instagram; I’ve learned so much from all of them. My husband and I also enjoy going out to eat and we tend to study the restaurant menus and figure out how to make the dishes Keto/Diabetic friendly at home. We’re always having fun in the @lowcarbdelights kitchen!

WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 TIPS YOU WOULD GIVE TO A KETO NEWBIE?

Do your research and learn what works for you. Every body is different, what works for some may not work for others.
Don’t be afraid to try new things and improvise, if necessary.
But whatever you do, don’t be hard on yourself, it’s the easiest way to give up and you don’t want to do that.

YOU CAN ONLY EAT 5 KETO APPROVED FOODS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT ARE THEY?

This question is like having to choose a favorite child...LOL!!

Eggs
Meat (pork)
Veggies (cauliflower)
Dairy (heavy cream)
Beans (coffee!!!)

EXERCISE! DO YOU DO IT?!

DO YOU EXERCISE IN ADDITION TO YOUR KETO WOE? IF SO WHAT IS YOUR WORKOUT PLAN AND WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE MOST SUCCESSFUL?

Yes, Pilates is my torture of choice!! I’ve tried many types of workout classes and routines but reformer Pilates is what my body craves. I, actually, look forward to going to the studio, which I do about 5x a week. Pilates has made me mentally and physically stronger and I can see the difference.

DO YOU TAKE ANY SUPPLEMENTS?

WILL YOU SHARE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE KETO RECIPES WITH US?!

There are so many so I’m going to have to post 4 quick and easy recipes and great for LCHF/Keto newbies!!!

Chicharron Pancakes
Fathead Bagel Dogs
Cheeseburger and Fries: Grassfed burger cooked in Kerrygold butter on a cast iron skillet and topped with cheese of choice (toppings optional). Butternut squash crinkle fries from Whole Foods/Trader Joe’s baked and seasoned to your liking.
Scallops and Caulimash: Pan seared jumbo scallops in Kerrygold butter and sautéed asparagus. With a hand blender, whip the cauliflower with butter and heavy cream, and salt and pepper to taste.