Ruth Anne Benziger's Blog, page 14

Reading Slump!

I’m hit a reading slump this year and I think it has become a problem. I love to read and it keeps me sane. However, I’ve had so much going on that I just haven’t been able to sit down and enjoy very many books.

As of now, I’ve read 19 books and I’m reading my 20th. It’s already April and this is unheard of.

I think that I’ve given my weight loss journey a priority but that has been giving me stress and anxiety. I also have been homeschooling my children. That is a full-time job in itself.

So, I’m going to attempt to read a book a week and see if that helps get me back into reading.

I have a few Book of the Month books that I haven’t read yet. I really want to get to them. I just need to made a list.

I have so many books on my shelf, in my kindle, and on google play. I think I listed over 1,000!!!!

So, I have tons of things to read. I love that. I just hate that I don’t have time.

Anyone else have this issue?

If so, please tell me how to get out of it.

Recent Keto Meals

I’ve been doing well on Keto this time around. I wanted to share some meals that I put together to share with you. These are things I’ve either gotten ideas and expanded on or come up with on my own.

I’ll start sharing more stuff that I cook, but I often forget to take pictures. I realized that if I tend to make the food look good, I’ll pay closer attention to what I put on the plate.

Also, the portion sizes are based on my personal goals that I worked out in my doctor’s office. So, I would check with your doctor before eating this amount. I’m a big girl and that changes things.

Enjoy!

If you have meals you put together, share them with us. I’d love to get more ideas. It’s fun to put stuff together and expand on the boring meals we tend to eat.

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Introducing My Pet Mice

I have 6 mice and it has been a crazy journey of owning them. Let me start by saying that I started with 2 and it exploded. Let’s start with the two I got from the start.

I started with Minnie and Venus on January 22. They were aged approximately 6 months old at the time. That puts them at around 8 months now. They were bonded already and were put into a small cage temporarily. Just to get acquainted and to quarantine them to ensure they were healthy. They did come form a pet store and you never can be too sure.

They were very shy and not tame at all. I expected this as they had not been handled. However, they have come a long way. These show the tiny space they were in. They got accustomed to our sounds and smells. I kept them in here for about two weeks or so. I then moved them to a 20 gallon bin cage.

I kept them in here for a bit to ensure they had more space but would not be aggressive toward each other as I added new things. They had little fights over toys in the smaller cage. So, I moved them in here and kept watch. However, after about a week or so, they started to try and get out. They were not thrilled about not being able to see out of the cage. This was a dark grey tub and had wire on the top. I moved them shortly after this to their current enclosure.

I also acquired two new girls on March 1, Nibbles and Amelia. However, Amelia soon died without any explanation. We aren’t sure what happened and I didn’t have notice to take her to a vet. So, sadly we lost her. To ensure Nibbles was not alone, we put her in with the other girls and they bonded quite nicely.

Here are some pictures of the two new girls before Amelia passed on March 9.

When we put Nibbles in with Minnie and Venus, I added a bunch of enrichment and toys. Here is what the enclosure looked like at the time. It looks similar now, but everything is buried so I’m posting these photos.

Things have been added to this enclosure since these pics. There has been a bridge or two and more hanging toys. I have some ropes coming that I’m going to string up so they have more to climb on. They absolutely love the wooden bridge right now. They are using Aspen and kiln dried pine bedding. There is some shredded paper in their hides for warmth and there is some hay sprinkled around too.

If these three weren’t enough, when we lost Amelia, I got three sisters because my kids were sad. I felt so bad that we lost her and it was a sad day here. So, we went down to the local Reptile store where they breed for feeders, we found these three females who were six weeks old. They were too old to be fed and were a bonded group. So, I took all three of them. We can’t really tell them apart other than Summer is the biggest one and Dot is the smallest. But when they are all running around, I can’t tell them apart. They look exactly the same. lol.

They are still very small and have been put into the 20 gallon bin cage that I used when we first got our other girls. As you can see, there are some houses and toys in there. The pink house is where they have chosen to make their nest. There is a coconut and other hides but they don’t seem very fond of them. The picture of the girls was taken on March 9. Summer, Polly, and Dot were so small they fit in the center palm of my hand.

As of now, they have grown. So, I will be purchasing another large bin cage and cutting out the top to wire it like I did the other one. They will have so much more space to burrow and to run around. I’ll update you once I’ve done that.

For now, I wanted to just introduce you to my mice.

8 months old- Minnie, Venus, and Nibbles

9 weeks old- Summer, Polly, and Dot

If you have mice or small pets, please share them with me.

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Undereating on Keto

I’m not sure how many times I’ve been told that I don’t eat enough and that is why I can’t lose weight. It sounds bizarre, right?

Gross exaggeration

Let me tell you…for a woman who is overweight like I am, it is very hard to hear and understand this. I’ve been doing keto for a few of months, I guess. I was pretty strictly doing dirty keto. I kept my carbs under 27g a day. I kept my protein at about 70g per day. My doctor said that these were just fine.

Look at all that delicious food

Where I’m lacking in this diet, is fats and calories. Before you tell me that Calories don’t matter when it comes to keto, let me stop you right there. If you are undereating, my doctor tells me, it very much matters. Keto makes me feel full and I don’t get hungry like I used to before doing this diet.

What I find odd is that I’m not eating carbs and I’m not eating very much food. So, why did my weight loss stop? My metabolism has stopped because my body is in “starvation mode.” What?! The science of how the human body works boggles the mind. I’m going to try to explain it the way my doctor did.

I ate less than 1200 calories a day for a week (not in a row, but basically in the last few months it averaged to this). I didn’t intentionally starve myself, I just ate the same diet I have been until I’m full. Since the intake of calories and fats are so low, my body stopped burning the fat and is at a standstill. So, I have to increase my fats to 144g a day and increase my calories to around 1700.

I’m going to try this for a month and see what happens. My body needs to get out of this standstill and get moving. So, I’ve devised a plan and my doctor is there to intervene if need be.

I will admit that last week was spring break and it all went out the window. I did not stay on keto. Not even a little bit. So, here’s getting back into the game again. Today was a good day.

Work it, girl.

Exercise isn’t required according to my doctor, but I feel like I need to. I’ve been working out 3 times a week for 40 minutes of cardio (not during spring break and I’ve not been consistent either). She suggested that if I’m going to do that, I add resistance training or weights twice a week as well. So, I’m going to attempt to do this thing. However, diet plays the biggest role and I will make sure to continue eating well. Hopefully the scale numbers will change and my weight loss will continue.

I loathe weighing myself.

Tell me, has this happened to you? Do you not eat enough and pay the price?

If you have, tell me how the heck you got through it and how you were able to overcome the plateau of keto.

Until next time,

Ruth Anne

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Keto Indian Butter Chicken Wings Review

https://www.dietdoctor.com/recipes/keto-butter-chicken-wingsIngredients

Chatpata dip
¾ cup Greek yogurt
2 tbsp cream cheese
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp chaat masala
1 tbsp finely chopped, fresh cilantro
salt

Chicken wings
2 lbs chicken wings
1 tsp salt
1 tsp tandoori seasoning
1 tbsp ghee

Butter sauce
2 oz. butter
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp coriander, ground
½ tsp garam masala seasoning
½ tsp ground cumin
½ cup tomato puree
¼ cup water
1 tsp dried fenugreek (kasoori methi)
1 tsp salt
fresh cilantro, chopped, for serving
¼ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro

InstructionsChatpata dipIn a medium-sized bowl, mix together the yogurt, cream cheese, garlic powder, chaat masala, and cilantro. Season with salt, to taste.Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or more, until serving.Chicken wingsPreheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Set aside a rimmed baking sheet with a fitted rack, lined with parchment paper.In a large bowl, whisk together the salt, tandoori masala, and ghee. Add the chicken wings, and toss them together to completely coat.Using tongs, place wings on the baking tray rack, and bake for 25 minutes. Transfer wings into a large bowl and set aside. Meanwhile, prepare the butter sauce.Heat the butter, ginger garlic paste, chili powder, turmeric, ground coriander, garam masala, and cumin in a small saucepan, over low heat. Whisk together until butter is melted and combined.Add the tomato purée, water, and fenugreek. Stir together, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.Stir in the salt, and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the cilantro and cream, whisk together, and cook uncovered for a few minutes, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.Pour 3/4 sauce over the wings, and toss to coat. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, return wings to the baking rack and bake for 10 minutes, or longer for desired crispiness (reserve the leftover butter sauce in the bowl).Transfer baked wings into the bowl containing the 1/4 reserved butter sauce, and toss to coat.Sprinkle extra cilantro over the wings, and serve with the chatpata dip on the side.Review

The instructions were easy to follow, the ingredients were easy to find. I found the recipe to be delicious. My kids loved it and so did I. I plan to make this again for our family.

We’ve been on keto now for some time and it seems to be working for us. I feel fuller and have more energy.

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Weight Loss and Keto Update

I’ve taken a leave of absence from posting so much and I have to say, I regret nothing. I often put too much on myself and end up feeling pressured. So, it has felt amazing to just be. To just live and not have to worry about what I have to post and when. I’m glad to be back.

I’ve been on the keto diet for a little over a month and let me tell you…it was hard! The first two weeks, I wanted to quit. I wanted to eat carbs, I wanted sugar, I wanted all the foods the doctor said I couldn’t eat. I cheated quite a bit the first week.

Then, at some point, I was suddenly fuller, had more energy, and didn’t crave all those pesky foods. After the two weeks, I felt better. It became easier to plan out meals and I didn’t eat as much as I did before. I started eating less and only eating a couple of times a day with a snack or two in between.

I’ve picked up on recipes, snack ideas, exercise and more. I just weighed in with the doctor and I’m down 11 lbs! I kept feeling like I wasn’t losing anything. I didn’t feel all that different. I’m so happy to learn that I lost that much and that I’m doing pretty well. I’m excited about this weight loss because I haven’t lost anything for almost 2 years. So, this is big for me.

My doctor did suggest taking a probiotic daily, so I’ll be starting that next week. I have some inflammation from my Crohn’s disease that I’ll have to deal with if it doesn’t get better, and she thinks this might help. I’m working out three times a week right now. I’m doing a cardio, HIIT, and yoga session. I don’t do them all in one day. I spread them out to do each three times a week. So, essentially I work out six days a week. I also do about 500 sit-ups a day because my primary doctor suggested it. I can’t get on the floor with my flatblob of a body, so I sit on the edge of my bed and do them that way. I cheat…oh well!

I’ll update you next month and let you know how the keto diet, probiotics, and exercise have been going. I feel great and I know that I will continue to do well if I stick to the program.

If you are on a weight loss journey too, let me know. Let’s discuss and motivate each other. And don’t forget to drink lots of water.

If you want an accountability buddy, let me know.

Until then, keep on keepin’ on.

Ruth Anne

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Bizarre and Funny Laws in New Mexico

Ruth Anne Garcia

I thought it would be fun today, to bring you a topic that is a bit of a head scratcher, will make you laugh, and make you say, “Really?”

Here are some crazy laws in my state that are still effective today. I’ve attached a few of the actual law numbers, if I could find it. Others I’ve found on some other resource sites.

Laws:

It is a petty misdemeanor to spit on any public property building or sidewalk. 30-8-12

It is a 4th-degree felony to challenge someone to a duel with a deadly weapon or to accept a duel even if that duel never happens. 30-20-11

It is a misdemeanor if you trip a horse. It is also a 4th-degree felony if the horse is injured. 30-18-11

It is a petty misdemeanor if you sing the state or national anthem incorrectly in public. 30-21-5

It is a petty misdemeanor…

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Scotch Broth

Ruth Anne Garcia

Ingredients

1 1/2poundslamb shoulder or shanks (or beef with bones)2tablespoonsquality lard or butter1medium yellow onion, diced3cloves garlic, minced1/2cuppearl barley1/3cupdried green split peas4sprigs thyme2bay leaves1teaspoonsalt6cupsquality chicken broth (I use and recommend Aneto)1large carrot, diced1turnip, peeled and diced1rutabaga, peeled and diced1parsnip, peeled and diced1/2cupshredded green cabbage1medium leek, chopped, rinsed and drainedFresh chopped parsley for garnish

Daring gourmet. Com

Instructions

Cook the onions and garlic in the lard or butter until softened, 4-6 minutes.  Add the lamb, herbs, barley, split peas, salt and broth.  Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 hours.  Skim off any foam.  Add the carrot, turnip, rutabaga and parsnip.  Simmer for another hour.  Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs.  Remove the meat, shred it and discard the bones.  Return the shredded meat to…

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Keto Steak and Pastrami Bombs

Ruth Anne Garcia

https://www.wickedstuffed.com/keto-recipes/low-carb-steak-pastrami-bomb-keto/

1/2 chopped onion2 tbsp ghee (or olive oil, coconut oil)A pinch of rosemary or a tsp of rosemary olive/grapeseed oil (optional – a nice touch)1 lb shaved beef steak1/2 lb red pastrami (cut into 1-2 inch pieces)

Steps:

Turn oven to 350 degrees, place green peppers (either top cut off standing up, or leave the tops on and cut in half like shown in the photo) on a baking sheet and put in the oven.
In a large frying pan, melt ghee (or oil) and cook onion until translucent on medium (5 minutes or so).Add a pinch of rosemary or a tsp of rosemary olive/grapeseed oil (optional)Add steak and continue to cook on medium until browned.Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper over the steak as it cooks. I used grapevine smoked salt.Once cooked, add pastrami and cook for another 5…

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Author Interview with Susan Old

Ruth Anne Garcia

Bio

I grew up in SoCal a hybrid Valley Girl/Hippie. I got a degree in Psychology and went to the Congo as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I grew up in Africa in many ways. I began writing fantasy there. When I returned to the U.S., I got a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psych and became an Addiction Therapist. I was married with kids, and my late husband had Multiple Sclerosis. I began writing about vampires as an escape from stress. Luckily, my family was very supportive. My first book was lost when lightning fried my computer. Maybe it was for the best because I really like the book, I completed 30 years later. Through breast cancer X2, young widowhood, lupus, etc. my kids and friends kept me going and encouraged me to write. One of my kids made me a refrigerator magnet of a vampire with bloody fangs for Mother’s…

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