Norma’s Keto in a Coulee & a Book: Week Four Wrap Up! The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray #ketodiet #travelingsistersread #BookBloggers

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Norma’s Keto in a Coulee Progress

Hello Week Four!  So I am absolutely loving this keto lifestyle, and I am so happy to blog my progress to share with all of you.  It definitely helps me with accountability issues as well as keeping me motivated.

I am going to be doing something a little bit different this week and adding in my current book that I am reading to share my initial thoughts with all of you.  

Highlight of my week – Today (Saturday) I had the pleasure of spending the whole day with my hubby!  We went into the city and did some shopping, went for lunch, and purchased some new prescription sunglasses for him that he was so desperately needing because of some  health issues.  He is going to look so good wearing those new sunglasses!

Please feel free to join me or send me some encouraging words!

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray

Goodreads Description

The Mothers meets An American Marriage in this dazzling debut novel about mothers and daughters, identity and family, and how the relationships that sustain you can also be the ones that consume you.

The Butler family has had their share of trials—as sisters Althea, Viola, and Lillian can attest—but nothing prepared them for the literal trial that will upend their lives.

Althea, the eldest sister and substitute matriarch, is a force to be reckoned with and her younger sisters have alternately appreciated and chafed at her strong will. They are as stunned as the rest of the small community when she and her husband Proctor are arrested, and in a heartbeat the family goes from one of the most respected in town to utter disgrace. The worst part is, not even her sisters are sure exactly what happened.

As Althea awaits her fate, Lillian and Viola must come together in the house they grew up in to care for their sister’s teenage daughters. What unfolds is a stunning portrait of the heart and core of an American family in a story that is as page-turning as it is important. 

Publishing Date:  February 19, 2019

I am about halfway through the book and right away this book grabbed my attention and is definitely holding my interest.  I am really enjoying the authors writing style and the storyline.  The characters are all quite compelling to read about and I am really looking forward to seeing how the rest of this story unfolds.   This novel is definitely an impressive read and has been able to invoke quite a few different emotions from me.  I have a feeling that this is going to be a 5 star read from me!

Is this book on your TBR?

Norma’s Dinner Journal

Keto Chili

I eat my breakfast and a lunch, which usually consists of the same thing everyday so I thought I would only include my dinners in my food journal below.

Sunday – Keto Chili.  Our family rating 10/10 (Simply Keto cookbook).  This is the second time that I have prepared this dish.  It is so easy to make and is extremely tasty.  

Monday – Mary Brown’s Chicken 

Raspberry Cream Cheese Fat Bombs.  (Simply Keto cookbook) 10/10.  These are such a big hit that I made them again this week!  The little bits of raspberries in these fat bombs was beyond amazing.  My tastebuds were jumping for joy after eating these little morsels of pure heaven! 

Tuesday – Breakfast for dinner tonight.  Bacon, eggs, fried mushrooms & avocado slices.  This is probably one of my favourite easy and quick meals to make when I’m in a hurry.  I know that it isn’t all that creative but it is a tasty one!

Wednesday – Fish and cauliflower.

Thursday – Grilled Parmesan Garlic Wings.  Family rating 10/10 (Simply Keto cookbook).  Oh my goodness these were so darn tasty and was a huge hit with my whole family.  I think I said yum with every mouthful.  The recipe called for chicken wings but I didn’t have any so I substituted with chicken drumsticks and instead of grilling I baked them in the oven.  Will be definitely making this recipe again!

Friday – Fried chicken drumsticks, beef garlic sausage, broccoli & cheese bites & creamy mashed cauliflower.  This meal was extremely tasty too.

Saturday – Mary Brown’s Chicken.  I am kind of obsessed with Mary Brown’s Chicken and whenever we go into the city that is usually what I pick up to eat to bring home for dinner.  And, yes I eat the skin! LOL

Fried Chicken Drumsticks

So I have gotten up a little earlier everyday to prepare my Rocket Fuel Latte every morning to take to work with me.  I am not all that much for coffee but I am definitely loving this drink and look forward to having it every morning.  If anyone is interested in the recipe that I use (I kind of tweak it a little bit from the original recipe in the book) just drop a comment below and I will be sure to add the recipe next week.

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Norma’s Stats:

  • Weight:  ⬇️0.4 lbs
  • Start Date:  October 20, 2018
  • Sleep:  I don’t know my insomnia is still no better and it definitely is very frustrating to me.  I just wish that I could sleep. I’m extremely tired of not sleeping!  The good thing though is that I do rest throughout the night and for some reason my body is able to function the next day without actually feeling all that fatigued.
  • Energy Level:  My energy level is actually very good and I am happy with the way that I am feeling.
  • Difficulty Level:  Easy and I am not getting frustrated at all.  I am actually enjoying looking through my cookbooks for new recipes to try.  The Simply Keto cookbook by Suzanne Ryan is my favourite right now.  The recipes are actually really good and very similar to my families tastes.  
  • Goals:  Drink more water!  Only weigh myself once a week, Saturdays.  Same goals this week because I totally failed in following through with both of these goals.
  • Affirmation: I am in charge of how I feel and today I am choosing happiness.

Random Thoughts:  I am totally surprised that my body didn’t go through any sugar withdrawals and very thankful that it didn’t.  I have gone through them before and they aren’t all that fun to deal with.  Another great week for me and I am so pleased with the way that I am feeling and how clear my head feels.  I still go through some bouts that I feel like I am out of it but not anywhere near like I was before starting this keto lifestyle.  

Do you have a recipe to share with me?  Do you have any sleep recommendations?  What book are you currently reading?  Any comments are welcome! 

Published by mycoulee

19 thoughts on “Norma’s Keto in a Coulee & a Book: Week Four Wrap Up! The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray #ketodiet #travelingsistersread #BookBloggers”

  1. Sleep recommendations – they say a glass of warm milk, though I never liked that. Scientifically sleep or retire 2 hours post dinner as it takes 2 houelrs for digestion to happen in stomach… So then the organs too can slow down. Basically no digitals an hour before bed. Soothing music. I used to listen to Audiobook on scribd app, I found myself drifting off faster. Otherwise, tire the body physically, eat healthy drink lots of water.
    My grandfather used to say if a man is honest and guilt free, he would sleep well after a day of hard work… Well, I am trying that..

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks so much for sharing some thoughts on sleep recommendations, Shalini! I am allergic to milk so unable to try that one. LOL One thing that you mentioned that kind of did a little ding ding ding in my head was “tire the body physically”. I think I might try exercising in the evenings again and see if that helps! I have a job that I am on my feet all day but maybe something a little more vigorous in the evenings will be beneficial to me. Plus, I do need to drink more water!!

      I just read that saying in a book recently but cannot remember which one though. I do take meds in the evening that quiet my mind and it really does and that is how come I can’t read in the evenings after taking that pill. So I know that isn’t my problem that I am worrying or stressing about anything.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I am so glad to hear that you love following along this journey with me, Mackenzie! Well if you do decide to try Keto then please let me know! We can keep each other motivated and on task! LOL

      I finished the book and it was an absolutely excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would definitely read more books by Anissa Gray.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much, Marialyce! That is the best thing about a healthy lifestyle and not a diet per se as when there are special occasions it is definitely okay to enjoy yourself without feeling guilty about it. That is my new way of thinking anyway!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I don’t know anything about keto (though I hear this term all the time!), but sounds like it is working in your favor! Wishing you good health and lots of energy!!

    Liked by 2 people

  5. These little bits of conversation and feeling add to my day and inspire my decisions in food choices. I never drink enough water, I have a serious relationship with coffee. I am a affirmation lover, since I was a teen. They work incredibly well so I’m so glad you have that in your Journal. Keep up the good work! I always trust my body will let sleep take over, I feel when I am stressed about something and sleep is a huge factor I have less. So deep breathing and affirmation “I am Sleep” really helps me drift off!
    Good Luck Norma!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh, I am so happy to hear that this helps inspires you as well, Tiffany! I definitely need to drink water, I have a serious relationship with Diet Pepsi. I am going to use that affirmation this week as well, “I am Sleep”…..I love it and thank you so much for sharing with me!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. I’ve heard the 4-7-8 breathing exercise, which is based on yoga, helps you fall asleep.
    Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
    Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
    Hold your breath for a count of seven.
    Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
    I’ve tried it at times but I seem to lose concentration and my mind wanders off. It sure makes me yawn though! Good luck with the Keto diet. We tried low carb for a while but I couldn’t seem to manage without bread and since I don’t like eggs it was a bit difficult. Right now I’m reading up on the Scandi Sense diet.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Carol, I so am going to try that breathing exercise. I have never heard about it before and I will definitely let you know if it helps me. Thank you so much for sharing it with me and for your kind words! I really appreciate it! Also, I haven’t heard of the Scandi Sense diet. I’ll have to look that one up.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. This post was full of so much good stuff. I love that you are still enjoying the Keto lifestyle. That shows that it is not just a passing fancy. I would love your smoothie recipe. That parmesan chicken you had on Thursday sounds amazing. I love chicken so am always looking for another way to cook it. I hope your husband rocks those sun glasses and the his healthy issues improve. I will have to look for your review of that book. It looks and sounds really interesting. I am way behind on reading blog posts, so hopefully I will come across your review as I catch up. Have a great rest of the week Norma.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much, Carla! I will add both recipes to my post on Saturday. That chicken was really yummy! I am quite fond of chicken myself as you can see I have it lots. LOL
      I finished The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls and thought it was an excellent book. My review has been posted to Goodreads but won’t be posted to blog until pub date. I hope that you have a wonderful rest of your week too, Carla!

      Liked by 2 people

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