Amazon.com: Easy Low Carb Cooking: Over 150 Delicious Recipes for Everyday Use (9781553694977): Patricia Haakonson, Michael E., M.D. Platt: Books

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2002

THIS BOOK IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM TRAFFORD PUBLISHING. PLEASE EMAIL HARV@SLOWCARBFORLIFE.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NEW TITLES: SLOW CARB FOR LIFE (1-55022-680-0) AND ALL NEW EASY LOW CARB COOKING (1-55022-681-9)

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The author grew up in a home where both parents were interested in food and food preparation. From her mother, Angela Tompkins, she learned the basics of cooking and baking. From her father, Greg Tompkins, she learned about using her imagination when preparing food, and experimenting with different tastes and food combinations. Ms. Haakonson has taken many cooking and specialty courses over the years. She decided to develop a low carbohydrate cookbook after succsessfully losing 30 pounds while following a low carb diet. The author lost the weight in only three months, and has successfully kept it off for over a year. The weight loss, coupled with more energy and general feelings of well being, are what prompted the author to decide to keep to a low carbohydrate meal plan and to develop this cookbook.

Ms. Haakonson worked for 25 years within government before retiring to pursue other interests. She has always had an interest in cooking and food preparation, having taken many courses over the years in chocolate and candy making, as well as Chinese and microwave cooking. Many of her family and friends gladly acted as "taste testers" during the development period required to test the recipe ideas developed for the cookbook. Other friends tested the recipes and intructions in their own kitchens.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

"This cookbook has recipes every occasion and food group. From very simple to somewhat sophisticated, there are recipes for every budget and taste.

Under Appetizers you will find selections like Avocado Dip, Curried Crab, Spicy Chicken Wings, Tangy Shrimp and more.

Soups include standards like Chicken Soup and Gazpacho as well as soups with a little more imagination like Cauliflower, Chive & Garlic Soup or Creamy Asparagus Soup.

There are many delicious salads. Whether being prepared as a meal or an accompaniment, you can choose from Broccoli Salad, four different varieties of Coleslaw, Greens with Pecans and Blue Cheese, Curried Chicken Salad, Waldorf Salad and others.

The vegetable dishes present some interesting new approaches to veggies including Garlic Cauliflower with Pine Nuts, Green Beans with Bacon & Mushrooms, Lemon Cabbage, and Spicy Oven Baked Zucchini among the many choices.

The Poultry section contains chicken and turkey dishes from the simple (Orange Chicken or Chicken Tenders) to the somewhat more sophisticated (Chicken Roulade or Chicken with Citrus Cranberry Sauce). With over 20 poultry recipes to choose from, you are bound to find many that will become favorites.

The Fish section has many light and delicious dishes such as Baked Whole Salmon, Broiled Halibut, Salmon Poached with Vegetables and Sole with Herbs and Spices.

In Meats you will find beef dishes as well as lamb and pork. Choose from standards like Meatloaf or Chili to something a little more imaginative like Steak with Roasted Vegetables or Beef Bourguignon. For a special occasion you might want to splurge with the Rack of Lamb with Herbs and Spices or perhaps the Pork Medallions with Cream Sauce.

In the Dessert section there are many items to tempt you. Try the delicious Chocolate Indulgence, a rich dark chocolate cake that serves 10 and has only 1 tablespoon of flour. Or perhaps you would like the Warm Spicy Peaches with a dollop of whipped cream. There is a little something for everyone here, from a smooth and creamy créme brule called French Cream to Strawberry and Rhubarb Crumble. And for everyday meals try the Quick and Easy Mousse in your favorite flavor."

from the forward by Dr. Michael E. Platt

Restriction of carbohydrates for weight loss is enjoying a resurgence of popularity. It is not a new concept as it's been around for over 150 years. What's unique about it is that it can be utilized for anyone who wants to lose weight since it automatically reduces insulin levels, the main culprit for creating and maintaining fat.

Please keep in mind that not all low-carb approaches to weight loss are the same. People that are true over-producers of insulin (i.e. those who nod off between 3 and 4 p.m. or while driving in a car) cannot succeed with "reward meal" approaches, diets allowing yams or unlimited protein etc. The benefit of this particular low-carb cookbook is that it is a truly generic approach, suitable for anyone desiring to lose weight by burning fat.

from the introduction

I was skeptical about this approach to eating and weight loss, and worried that I would not be able to stick to the stringent requirement to give up my beloved breads, bagels, potatoes and pasta. I had adopted a diet that was almost exclusively carbohydrate in my efforts to reduce my fat intake. What I unwittingly did was sabotage my body. I was overproducing insulin. This resulted in loss of energy, and periods of lethargy induced by insulin highs and low blood sugar.

To my delight I lost a total of almost 30 pounds which I have successfully kept off for one year, and which I plan to keep off permanently. I have progressed to a maintenance type of daily carbohydrate intake (which varies from day to day but overall averages 40-50 grams of carbohydrates a day).

I will never go back to my old eating habits. I have made this decision because I feel so much healthier than I have in years. This lifestyle change has made it easy to maintain the weight loss. In addition, I have seemingly endless amounts of energy, with no "low" spots during the day.

For every recipe in this cookbook you will find complete Nutritional Information provided on a per serving basis. Again, some other low carbohydrate cookbooks provide the number of grams of carbohydrate for each serving without any idea of the calories or fat content. While I don't count calories, I do like to be able to balance my intake. If I have one menu item which is highly caloric, then the other items on the menu will be less so, to balance my daily intake. This just makes common sense to me. I am not interested in the grams of carbohydrate in a dish, in isolation from other considerations like fat and calories.