I grew up a product of the 80’s, an era when calorie-free and fat-free foods became confused as healthy. I have become savvy to the real truth around much of those faux foods, but for some reason I have had a hard time shaking the belief that: non fat = low calorie = lose weight.
It was not until recently that I got it through my ‘fat head’ that essential fats are exactly that, essential. Mono and poly unsaturated fats found in foods like butter from grass-fed cows, avocados, coconut oil, and nuts are vital to boosting metabolism, lowering cholesterol and supporting healthy hormone function.
Recently I became curious about a diet referred to as a nutritional ketogenic diet that recommends eating a high volume of (healthy) fat, moderate protein, and low carbs (mostly from vegetables).
This formula naturally tricks the body into ketosis, which means the body’s metabolic system converts to burning fat as fuel instead of burning glucose (blood sugar) as fuel. To do this is basic: you simply feed your body fats instead of carbs, and the body responds buy going into fat burning mode. It doesn’t require being a physicist to understand that fat burning mode is awesome which is why many top athletes use this technique to get cut and keep muscle. I am also fascinated by medical research claims that the low-sugar aspect of this diet starves many sugar hungry diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s, thus reducing their pervasiveness. You can learn more on the subject from one of my favorites, Dr. Mercola,here.
Since having introduced healthy fats to my diet, my experiment has resulted in radiant skin and hair as well as clear, focused thinking. My food cravings have quieted and my blood sugar has regulated and digestion improved. Even though most of my calories are coming from fat, to my very pleasant surprise I lost a couple inches around my waistline!
I have also gotten more creative… especially in the kitchen. Here is a delicious and nutritious treat that I like to call Green Keto Kookies.
RAW Green Keto Kookies
70 calories per kookie
10 minutes prep time
Ingredients:
1 tbsp honey
4 tbsp nut butter
4 tbsp coconut butter
2 tbsp flax meal
1 tbsp cacao nibs
1 heaping tbsp Vitamineral Greens Powder
Mash coconut butter, nut butter and honey in a mixing bowl until you get a creamy, gooey batter. Next mix in dry ingredients: greens powder first, flax meal second and lastly, cacao nibs.
Use a ½ tbsp measuring spoon to scoop out half round servings onto a wax paper sheet.
Depending on how much batter you taste test, this recipe should make about 16 kookies.
For the final touch, press a nut into the center of each ball.
Refrigerate to harden and set….serve chilled.
Feel welcome to experiment with different kinds of nut butters.
I prefer raw almond butter or Brazil nut butter for their flavor and low-carb, high-protein constitution. Different types of nut (or seed butters, such as sunflower) will give a variety of flavors to this recipe.
