Category: Product Review

Journal, Product Review, What I'm Doing Now

2020: It’s Almost Over!

brendanolen

What a year this has been! Despite “all of this” I have been busy! First, I want you to take a look at my shop. I have finally figured out how to list products properly!

My newest product is a pizza pan. I know, that doesn’t sound very amazing but watch Emmy’s video!

SEE?????

Lloyd Pans Kitchenware 10 by 14 Inch Detroit Style Pizza Pan (here’s the link) is AMAZING! We made the pizza exactly like Emmy and, I’m telling you, this is just amazing! Look!

Not only is the crust crispy (not tooth-breaking hard) BUT none of the cheese stuck to the pan. I can’t wait to try low carb pizza or lasagna in this!

I have a few more items to add to my store (and some videos to make) but this year has been a focus on me.

  • My coturnix quail are doing fantastic and I have added some Chinese Ringneck Pheasants to the mix.
  • I now have a she-shed! She isn’t pretty but she’s mine! I can add my toys (like yard work tools, my bird supplies, and maybe my wood working tools) without worrying about them being moved. It’s currently water-tight, so now I just need electricity.
  • I am finally getting my official high school diploma (I got California’s equivalent to a GED the year I was supposed to graduate but it is only recognized in this state), with the goal of getting my AB degree (free through my husband’s union).
  • I am also dipping my toe into tattooing! Yes, I know that sounds random but this is my way to finally give myself permission to tap into my creative side. I’ll be making a video of my tattoo machine preference once I test them all out. I began with cosmetic tattooing but am planning my first body tattoo in a few weeks. I can’t wait to show you all!
  • I also took a break from micromanaging my food intake and exercise. I had been tracking all of my food for almost 10 years and exercising for 2 hours/day for over 3 years. I needed this break AND I can still fit into my jeans, so I haven’t done too bad! 🙂

I can feel the weight of 2020 lifting a little, though I know the world outside of my house will still be fraught with trials and tribulations. I am thrilled I was able to accomplish (or begin) as much as I have while maintaining my sanity. I hope you all have been able to do the same this year. If not, you can always start today!

Dinner, Levels 2 And Above, Lunch, Product Review

Product Review: Real Good "The Supreme" Pizza

brendanolen


So, I have been seeing these everywhere (and even have a few friends who have tried these and liked them). I had a rebate coupon and, since I had to go to Walmart (broke my neighbor’s coffee pot while trying to clean it), I bought one. This is what I bought: Real Good “The Supreme” Personal pizza. I have never made a chicken pizza crust so I thought this would be the best way to test it out.
First, at Walmart, the price for this tiny pizza was $5.95. That is quite a bit of money for me to pay for something that can be considered a light lunch (and I was really happy I was going to get a $2 rebate).

Second, I baked this in the oven, on parchment paper (I don’t particularly like the taste of cardboard). This is what happened (it’s not the first time I have made ugly food):

Now, onto the flavor: the sauce. Remember back when frozen pizzas had the worst heartburn-inducing tomato-based sauce? Yeah, that’s what this had. I took one nibble of the melted cheese and knew there was no way for me to eat the entire pizza without paying for it all day.

So, onto the crust (since that was really why I bought this). I cut a bit and took a bite with all the toppings on there. The texture wasn’t bad and it definitely tastes like chicken but between the crust and all the toppings, it was way too salty for me. I then cut another bit off and scraped off the toppings. I don’t want to be rude but that “chicken breast” crust has to be mechanically separated meat. It tastes like a slab of ground, pressed cheap lunch meat (but it obviously is not cheap). It reminded me of the “turkey” in Swanson’s frozen Turkey dinners I had as a kid.

That crust has tainted my views of all their products. Not only will I never buy any of their pizzas again but I will never buy any of their other products.
 

Level 1, Levels 2 And Above, Product Review

Gluten Free Baking Mixes are NOT Low Carb

brendanolen

O.k. I’ve been seeing more and more “low carb” recipes that call for the use of gluten-free baking mixes. I would like everyone to know that you MUST read the labels! Just because it’s gluten-free does NOT mean it’s low carb!
Here are some examples, just so you know I’m not blowing smoke:
King Arthur Gluten Free Baking Mix Label (.pdf)
In 1/3 cup, there are 30 grams of total carbs with 4 grams of fiber.
Arrowhead Mills All Purpose Gluten-Free Baking Mix
In 1/4 cup, there are 31 grams of total carbs with 3 grams of fiber.
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour
In 1/4 cup, there are 22 grams of total carbs with 4 grams of fiber.
And this, which I have seen added to a “Gluten Free Baking Mix” used in “Low Carb Recipes”: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oat Flour
In 1/3 cup, there are 26 grams of total carbs with 4 grams of fiber.
Now, I know there are many out there who either are intolerant or downright allergic to gluten and these mixes are wonderful substitutes as long as you are not on a low carb/keto diet (well, that is, unless you want to eat those gluten free treats and no other carbs for the day). Please, do not just blindly follow a recipe that’s posted here or anywhere else. Investigate to determine if that recipe really is low carb or not.

Level 1, Levels 2 And Above, Product Review

Product Review (kinda) – Foster Farms Hot and Spicy Wings

brendanolen

So, we’re wandering around the store, wondering what we’re going to have for dinner (since we were out so late). Hubby looked at the carb count on Banquet chicken (which we knew would be high) but it got me thinking. So, I started looking at all of them. These only have 1 carb per serving with approximately 5 servings per package. Even if I scarfed the whole thing, it would only be 5 carbs total! I’m tickled!
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http://www.fosterfarms.com/products/product.asp?productcode=90970
Now, I know I like the wings above (because I used to buy those all the time) but there was another kind that only had 2 grams of carbs (total) per serving. They are Tyson Tequila Lime Chicken Wings. Now, the only package they had was larger than the Foster Farms but ONLY 2 CARBS PER SERVING!!!

http://www.tyson.com/Products/Anytizers-Tequila-Lime-Chicken-Wings.aspx

Journal, Levels 2 And Above, Product Review

Product Review – Low Carb Tortilla and Carb Balance Tortilla

brendanolen

Well, when we went to the store, I was going to get some more tortillas (I don’t eat them often but it sure is nice to be able to grab one if I want it). Well, they didn’t have the same brand! How dare them! So, I grabbed two others, so I could try them out.
Tortilla #1: La Tortilla Factory High Fiber/Low Carb tortillas

The first one (which I mentioned in that other post) is La Tortilla Factory High Fiber/Low Carb tortillas. These come in a 10 count package and each tortillas weighs 36 grams (I’m sure that’s important to someone since either a ton of people input the wrong data into My Fitness Pal or there are different weights/sizes out there. For those using it, here’s the link to this tortilla on My Fitness Pal: La Toritilla Factory – Low Carb High Fiber Whole Wheat Tortilla Notice the misspelling? That’s why it took a while to find this). This is the other one I mentioned that contains soy.  This was good, though tasted dry and less wheat-like than the Sol Del Oro.  The carb count is 10g total with 7g fiber.  So, 3 net grams carbs (one more that the Sol Del Oro).  These can also be purchased from their website (if you can’t find them in local stores … I have no idea how far and wide these are carried): La Tortilla Factory High Fiber/Low Carb tortillas.


Tortilla #2: Mission Carb Balance Soft Taco Flour Tortillas.

These do not have soy but have wheat protein isolate (I had no idea that even existed) and sucralose (Splenda).  Now, these have DOUBLE the carbs of the tortillas above (19g total carbs, 13g fiber) but dear Lord!  These are flour tortillas (like normal, store-bought flour tortillas)!  Unfortunately, their website is awful: (This is the closest link I can give you, and it’s not even the right product) Mission Low Carb Tortillas and they have no links, such as “Buy Online” or “Where to Buy” so your best bet is to just Google the dang things. We bought ours at Smart Foods (Save Mart Foods) but some of the Google results showed Walmart and Netrition (online).  BUT if you can find these (and spare the carbs), they are well worth it!  Real Tortillas!