Post by shedds4him on Oct 12, 2013 9:41:32 GMT -5
Hi Everyone,
I just recently discovered THM and am about halfway through the book. Now that I've gotten to the recipes I'm finding that I really can't get most of the low carb, substitute sugar items. I just joined the board today
I live in Ecuador and we can't ship things to here (cost of shipping and customs fees make it very prohibitive, assuming it arrives). So to get things from outside of the country, we must bring it in a suitcase...and each person gets one free suitcase weighing 50 pounds or less when they travel...which means that it's easy to bring in, for instance, some Nu Naturals Stevia, or even an occasional jar of Coconut oil, but when you start thinking about bringing in flours, etc, it becomes almost impossible.
For instance, there is no almond flour or almond milk available here. There are almonds--and they cost about $4.50 for about 1.5 cups...not cheap. I've heard you can make your own almond flour and milk from almonds, but that it doesn't turn out as fine as what you can buy....I will have to try it, although the cost will be prohibitive. I do have a Vita Mix blender...
However, we do have banana flour and quinoa flour available here, among others like Haba flour. I've tried to do some research on them, but am not finding consistent answers. Does anyone know if these flours could work as substitutes for coconut flour or almond flour? Obviously they would not have as much protein as almond flour...but my concern is more keeping the carbs down, and I could add something else with protein for the meal.
I also have had undiagnosed breathing problems for the last year--but we are getting close to a diagnosis. My limbic system (deep part of the brain) appears to be staying in "fight or flight" mode so we are trying to calm it down. The Limbic system also controls breathing, and since mine tends to be occupied with "emergencies" (somehow perceived...even though I don't feel stressed or anxious), apparently it is not regulating my breathing correctly.
I am not allowed to lose more than one pound per month, because more than that can put the Limbic system back into a tizzy! I tried the Trim Healthy Mama way of living (basically had to drop all bread items and treats since I don't have the items needed for these things) and lost 2 pounds in 4 days. It was amazing, especially since the medicines I'm on promote weight gain, and I've been gaining about 1-2 pounds a month (never struggled with weight much before this). However, I did notice an increase in breathing issues while following the THM plan and realize that taking out the carbs and losing 2 pounds in 4 days was most likely the cause.
So knowing that I have to try to keep my weight loss to one pound a month, should I do mostly crossovers and maybe stick to S or E one day every 3 days, and forget the Fuel Pull meals? Obviously everyone is different...and I'll probably just have to try it and see how it goes. My biggest fear is putting on more weight...so I don't want to overdo it!
Any thoughts on these two issues (substitutions since I can't get most low carb items here in Ecuador, and not losing too much weight each month) would be greatly appreciated!! Although I have the will power to survive with no baked goods or goodies, I think I would be able to embrace the THM lifestyle more if I had some options for treats made with flours, etc.
Thanks for any thoughts you veterans might have!!
Sheryl in the Andes
I just recently discovered THM and am about halfway through the book. Now that I've gotten to the recipes I'm finding that I really can't get most of the low carb, substitute sugar items. I just joined the board today
I live in Ecuador and we can't ship things to here (cost of shipping and customs fees make it very prohibitive, assuming it arrives). So to get things from outside of the country, we must bring it in a suitcase...and each person gets one free suitcase weighing 50 pounds or less when they travel...which means that it's easy to bring in, for instance, some Nu Naturals Stevia, or even an occasional jar of Coconut oil, but when you start thinking about bringing in flours, etc, it becomes almost impossible.
For instance, there is no almond flour or almond milk available here. There are almonds--and they cost about $4.50 for about 1.5 cups...not cheap. I've heard you can make your own almond flour and milk from almonds, but that it doesn't turn out as fine as what you can buy....I will have to try it, although the cost will be prohibitive. I do have a Vita Mix blender...
However, we do have banana flour and quinoa flour available here, among others like Haba flour. I've tried to do some research on them, but am not finding consistent answers. Does anyone know if these flours could work as substitutes for coconut flour or almond flour? Obviously they would not have as much protein as almond flour...but my concern is more keeping the carbs down, and I could add something else with protein for the meal.
I also have had undiagnosed breathing problems for the last year--but we are getting close to a diagnosis. My limbic system (deep part of the brain) appears to be staying in "fight or flight" mode so we are trying to calm it down. The Limbic system also controls breathing, and since mine tends to be occupied with "emergencies" (somehow perceived...even though I don't feel stressed or anxious), apparently it is not regulating my breathing correctly.
I am not allowed to lose more than one pound per month, because more than that can put the Limbic system back into a tizzy! I tried the Trim Healthy Mama way of living (basically had to drop all bread items and treats since I don't have the items needed for these things) and lost 2 pounds in 4 days. It was amazing, especially since the medicines I'm on promote weight gain, and I've been gaining about 1-2 pounds a month (never struggled with weight much before this). However, I did notice an increase in breathing issues while following the THM plan and realize that taking out the carbs and losing 2 pounds in 4 days was most likely the cause.
So knowing that I have to try to keep my weight loss to one pound a month, should I do mostly crossovers and maybe stick to S or E one day every 3 days, and forget the Fuel Pull meals? Obviously everyone is different...and I'll probably just have to try it and see how it goes. My biggest fear is putting on more weight...so I don't want to overdo it!
Any thoughts on these two issues (substitutions since I can't get most low carb items here in Ecuador, and not losing too much weight each month) would be greatly appreciated!! Although I have the will power to survive with no baked goods or goodies, I think I would be able to embrace the THM lifestyle more if I had some options for treats made with flours, etc.
Thanks for any thoughts you veterans might have!!
Sheryl in the Andes