MEET DARLENE GARCIA aka @KINDKETOMAMA

How long have you been keto?

1.5 years

What led you to this way of eating?

I gained 60lbs from my back to back pregnancies and I had no energy to keep up with my babies. I knew I needed to change something but I also knew I didn’t want to starve myself and feel deprived. I had also tried “The Atkins Diet” before but I was turned off from all the shakes and bars they offered. Even though I was seeing results I didn’t like the way I felt after having them. While researching recipes for Atkins/Low Carb I started seeing the word “keto” and I began to research and realized this was the way of eating I’d been looking for.

What are some of your go-to meals at home?

My Low Carb Chili and Cornbread Skillet is always requested by my fiance. It’s very cozy and comforting. 2. Egg Roll in a Bowl is delicious and easy. 3. Zuchinni Pizza Casserole is also one of our favorites!

What about when you eat out?

We rarely eat out. Maybe one meal a week unless we’re really busy. For fast food we love The Habit. I always get their “Santa Barbara Char Burger” lettuce wrapped, it’s packed with fresh mashed avocado. So good! For a sit down restaurant we love ramen. Our favorite place is Shin Sen Gumi. I ask them for no noodles and pretend bean sprouts are the noodles.

Favorite keto snack?

Well, I just tried the vanilla almond Stoka bar last night and it was incredible! It reminded me of those granola bars in a green wrapper that I used to eat when I was little. For a fresh snack, my go to is usually pork rinds with my Sour Cream Dill Pickle Dip! Ever since I started practicing eating keto I really began craving pickles and anything briney. Maybe that’s my body’s way of telling me that I need more electrolytes.

What is one thing that has helped make your keto journey a little easier?

Honestly, opening my @kindketomama account on IG has really helped me because it helped hold me accountable. The community there is also really positive and helpful. They root me on and visa versa. I’ve also learned so much from everyone there. We all post helpful tips and recommendations on how to ketofy your favorite foods.

Do you have any tips for people who are just starting keto?

People message me all the time for tips and I always tell them to make electrolytes a priority from day 1! When we cut down our carb intake, our body flushes out a lot of fluids and in turn it flushes out electrolytes. I supplement by adding extra himalayan salt to my meals and also adding “Nu Salt” potassium to my apple cider vinegar drink. I have the recipe for that in my highlights on my instagram. I drink that 1-2 times a day.

KETO RECIPE: SOUR CREAM PICKLE DIP

I mentioned this dip above. It’s really good with pork rinds, flax crackers or even sliced veggies. It’s a big hit at parties, not just for us keto folk but everyone else too!

INGREDIENTS

• 8oz full fat sour cream

• 7 pickle slices, diced

• 1/4 cup dill pickle juice

• 1 tbsp fresh dill

• 3/4 tspn onion salt (You can also substitute with onion powder, garlic powder and additional salt)

• Salt to taste (I used 1/4 tspn)

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl combine the sour cream and pickle juice. Continue stirring until completely combined.

2. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.

3. For best results cover and chill in fridge for at least 1 hour before serving, to allow flavors to marry. (picture below)