Testimony of the Day
“I purchased your 30 day accelerated meal plan package around November and have lost over 35 lbs. (I started cutting out carbs in August by reading your blog) My doctor had warned me about my weight gain so when I saw her in January for routine blood test she was ecstatic about my results, both in my blood numbers and my weight loss. Thank you so very much for all of your shared knowledge! Now, my naturally thin husband and kids are on board…BTW, hubby and 1 son have genetically high cholesterol, looking forward to their blood test results after 6 months on your program! My best friend and her family have purchased your assessment and books and are on their way to great health also! I praise God for you Maria! Thank you!” – Susan
To get the results fast, click HERE for easy to follow keto-adapted meals.
Doesn’t she look great ?! Why not start your journey today? A year from now, you will thank yourself!
Restaurant Ideas
I know a lot of you are wondering if Craig and I eat out at restaurants. Yes, on a rare occasion, we will. I enjoy getting out of my “yoga pants” (Micah says they are “pajama pants” but I swear they aren’t!) and dressing up to enjoy a nice restaurant while visiting with my best friend, Craig. We both work from home and we have the boys with us at all times, so being able to unplug from everything is a welcomed treat. So in order to help clients, I often take photos of what I would order (or modify) at a restaurant. I also always have a dessert in the freezer at home so instead of being tempted by the dessert cart, I have a cup of tea and visit with Craig and enjoy a piece of dessert at home. Even though I may be eating too close to bedtime and mess up the fat burning hormone, this trick keeps me from being tempted by the sweets at a restaurant and I don’t wake up with feelings of regret, bloating and water retention in the morning.
Are you wondering what to eat at a restaurant while eating the “Maria Way?” I have a very helpful video for clients on what restaurants we go to and what I would order. Dieting doesn’t mean deprivation! You just need to make the right choices and plan ahead of time!
If you are interested in watching helpful videos to help you stay on track, you can click HERE to choose the right path for you!
Avocado Sorbet
Before my revelation of our biochemistry of how food affects our mood, cravings, and weight, I was so proud of my “perfect” diet of whole grains, fruits, and fat-free desserts (including Fat-Free SORBET!), but I was still puzzled why I had uncontrollable cravings around food. By finding the correct supplements to change my biochemical imbalances, I started a high healthy-fat, grain-free, no starch diet; I finally found peace in my body. I no longer felt deprived or compelled to overeat.
Blue Bunny Raspberry Sherbet INGREDIENTS: Water, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Nonfat Milk, Raspberry Puree (Red Raspberry Puree, Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Carob Bean Gum, Sodium Benzoate as Preservative), Whey, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Raspberry Flavor, Methyl Cellulose, Beet Color, Carob Bean Gum, Karaya Gum, Pectin, Red 40, Blue 1.
What happens when you eat too many carbohydrates? No matter where the carbohydrates are being stored, liver or the muscles; the total storage capacity of the body for carbohydrate is really quite limited. Once the levels in the liver are filled with glycogen, excess carbohydrates have just one fate: to be converted into fat and stored. Even though carbohydrates are fat-free, excess carbohydrates ends up as excess fat. But that’s not the worst of it. Any meal or snack high in carbohydrates will generate a rapid rise in blood glucose. To adjust for this rapid rise, the pancreas secretes the hormone insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin then lowers the levels of blood glucose. The problem is that insulin is mainly a storage hormone; it works to put aside excess carbohydrate calories in the form of fat in case of a future food shortage. The insulin that’s stimulated by too many carbohydrates assertively promotes the accumulation of body fat. To recap, when we eat too much carbohydrate, we are sending a hormonal message, through insulin, to the body that states: “Store as fat”. They also tell it not to release any stored fat. When this happens, you can’t use your own stored body fat for energy. So the excess carbohydrates in your diet not only make you fat, they make sure you stay fat.
After you eat carbohydrates your pancreas releases insulin and your blood sugar increases. Insulin makes sure your cells receive some blood sugar necessary for life and increases glycogen storage. But, it also tells your body to use more carbohydrate, and less fat, as fuel. Insulin also converts almost half of your carbohydrate intake to fat for storage in case of an energy emergency. If you want to burn fat for energy, the insulin response must be decreased. Eating refined sugars release a lot of insulin, allowing less stored fat to be burned.
High insulin levels also suppress two important hormones: growth hormone and glucagon. Growth hormone is used for muscle development and building new muscle mass. Glucagon promotes the burning of fat and sugar. Eating a high carbohydrate meal also stimulates hunger. As blood sugar increases, insulin rises with an immediate drop in blood sugar. This results in hunger, often only a couple of hours after the meal. Cravings, usually for sweets, are frequently part of this cycle, leading you to snack on more carbohydrates. Not eating makes you feel ravenous shaky, moody and ready to “crash.” This cycle causes you to never get rid of that extra stored fat, and a decrease in energy.
To read more, check out Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism.
Insulin’s actions are countered by glucagon. Glucagon alerts the liver to slow down triglyceride and cholesterol production, for the kidneys to release excess salt and fluid, to the artery wall to relax and lower blood pressure, and to the fat cells to release stored fat to be burned for energy. But, insulin is a stronger hormone and when it is high, it suppresses glucagon’s actions. After a childhood of sugar and starch consumption, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance happen. This is why what we feed our children is so important.
To find lots of ‘kid-friendly’ meals and snack, check out my KIDS COLOR cookbook: The Art of Eating Healthy: KIDS.
Avocado Sorbet
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 2 ripe avocados
- 3/4 cup Allulose or other natural sweetener
- 2 TBS lime juice
- 1 tsp mango extract or other extract
- 1/2 tsp Redmond Real salt keeps it soft
Instructions
- Place the ingredients in a food processor (I use my beloved BlendTec blender, on sale now!) and puree until very smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to the chilled container of your ice cream machine (click HERE to find the one I love...I make ice cream so much, I broke mine and they sent me a new one for FREE! It is also 1/2 off now.) and make according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Once complete, transfer to a chilled container and store in the freezer.
- NOTE: If you taste the sorbet after freezing and find the amount of sweetness is not right, adjust the level of sweetener, and then refreeze the sorbet. The sorbet is not affected by thawing and refreezing
Notes
Haagan Daas Fat Free Sorbet = 240 calories, 0g fat, trace protein, 60g carbs, 2g fiber (58 effective carbs)
"Healthified" Sorbet = 146 calories, 13.2g fat, 2g protein, 8.2g carbs, 5.8g fiber (2.4 effective carbs)
If you would like to help out a small family, rather than large business, I am happy to announce that you can now get my books as a high-quality ebook that works on any platform. This is an ebook format that works on any computer or mobile device. It is a beautiful pdf that has all the full color pages and layouts as the printed books with a click-able table of contents and searching capabilities. This is extremely useful when trying to find a recipe. These books are much higher quality than the ebook platforms (kindle, apple). Plus, most of the profits don’t go to Amazon or apple! Just go here to get your copy!
Click HERE or select “My Books” above to get your copy now! Thank you so much for your love and support!
Don’t have an ice cream maker? Try these Push pops!
Happy Anniversary to you! Maria, I bought the Hamilton Beach food processor you recommend about 6 mos ago. I dropped both plastic parts on the floor once and they both now have cracks. Have you ever had this happen, and do you know if they will replace it in this case? Thanks for your ongoing help…
I haven’t had it happen to me, but I would contact the manufacturer and see if they will do anything under warranty. 🙂
And Thank you! 🙂
Love reading your messages. I am going to try this avocado sorbet recipe as soon as I get some ripe avocados! It sounds great! Where do you get mango extract?
I have one here:
http://astore.amazon.com/marisnutran05-20?node=16&page=8
I love your Shamrock Shake recipe using avocados so will be trying this one as well. Looks delicious.
Marie – What are your thoughts on HCG? Does the protocol really reset the hypothalamus or wreck your metabolism? I’m considering it to get the weight off and would continue maintaining the Maria way.
I prefer to eat and be satiated with my diet and loose the weight slowly. I think it is better on our metabolisms in the long run. Thanks! 🙂
Hi Tammy,
I did a several modified HCG rounds over 2 years; lost 100 lbs. I have more to lose, and am currently working on maintaining then moving into the Maria way to lose more. There are blessings and curses with HCG. I’m happy to share my experience with you: stwhitestone@gmail.com
I couldn’t click over to the ice cream maker. Is it the Cuisinart ICE-21 Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker that is $53.99?
Yes, this is the one I use. 🙂
http://astore.amazon.com/marisnutran05-20/detail/B003KYSLMW
How does one introduce swerve to avoid tummy upset? I made the sorbet, and had a violent stomach reaction.
Some people are more sensitive than others to sugar alcohols. You can try adding less and more stevia to lower the sugar alcohol content. 🙂
I happen to have 2 avocadoes in the fridge so I am thinking to try this. One of my avocadoes is not ripe, it felt softish and was dark but when I cut it, it’s not fully green, there are some yellow areas. Do you think it would still work in this recipe? And — Happy Anniversary!
Thanks! I would make sure any dark parts are not included. They will add some bitterness, not good in a sweet treat. 🙂
Congratulations on your anniversary. Enjoy your day! Hubby and I just had our 22nd on the 3rd 🙂
Happy anniversary and many more…….
Thank you!
Hi Maria, THANK You soooo much for sharing this valuable information with all of us. I own all your books in hard copy and kindle version (going to order the slow cooker one this week). What is your opinion on Coconut sugar from palm flower nectar? I’m also looking for the post on what you eat “what I eat”. Okay, thanks Maria
Thank you so much for your support!
It is still just sugar. Avoid it. Craig has a post in the forum here:
http://marianutrition.com/forum/index.php?board=4.0
Hi Maria, I couldn’t help but notice what you said above about messing up your fat burning hormone by eating too late at night. Maybe I just haven’t gotten to that part in the book, but what time would you suggest not eating after? I didn’t know about the fat burning hormone thing. Thanks!!
Don’t eat at least 3 hours before bed. 🙂
Hi Maria (and Craig),
My husband & I have 3 of your books now–2 of your new PDF versions, which ARE very nice. Our question, after reading “Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism,” is regarding the supplements recommended in the supplements chapter. You have a number of antioxidants listed as appropriate to be taken before bed. Did you intend that each of them be taken each night–or, would you recommend some sort of rotation of them? We appreciate your insight on best “before bed” course of supplements.
Thanks!
Thank you! It depends on what areas you are deficient or what symptoms you might have. Also, the longer you eat this way, the less oxidative stress on your body and the less need for antioxidants overall. 🙂
Excellent! Our triglyceride/HDL ratio has been close to 1.1 for a while. We’ve been taking a quality Omega 3 for years and a product called Protandim (Nrf2 Synergizer–some proprietary blend of antioxidants . . . ), so we’re going to try a rotation of your recommended nightly supplements. Our triglyceride/HDL ratio has been close to 1.1 for a while. Thanks! P.S., your comment about 3x benefit for exercising before breakfast has my husband very motivated 😀
Thank you!
Do you know of any good avocado substitutes? I’m allergic and haven’t had any luck finding good substitutes for your shamrock shake.
For sorbet, you can do a different one that doesn’t have avocado. I have a couple. For the shake, you could try more cream cheese.
Thanks!
I just got my ice cream maker and I want to make this alvacado sorbet. However, I want to make the mango e tract to use in this recipe. Can you tell me what part of the mango to use for the extract (skin, seed or pulp).
From the looks of this recipe, I would try the peel with the pith removed.
http://www.spoonforkbacon.com/2012/12/homemade-extracts/
Just made this and it is so yummy!!! I used orange extract because that’s the only fruit flavored extract I had on hand. It tastes exactly like orange sorbet. I thought I would get more of the avocado taste but you don’t get that. Thanks for another great healthy dessert option!
Thank you! 🙂
The second time I made this, I decreased the Swerve to 1/2 cup. It was plenty sweet and without the GI side effects. When frozen, it is like a rock. Is that the normal consistency?
Linda
Yes, erythritol will make ice cream solid. You can either just let it melt a little before eating or use just like sugar which doesn’t make it hard. Another options is just stevia glycerite for sweetness to taste. 🙂
Been dying to try this and finally did today, used 2 tlbs of coconut extract as I did not have any fruit extracts, oh my gosh, it is so good!! Tastes like coconut cream my daughter and I were very pleased with the results. Thank you so much. Our avocados were not completely ripe but it was not bitter at all.
Thanks!
I made this today, and it was AMAZING. I wish I could find mango extract. I used orange since I had it on hand. I’ll have to order some…yum-yum!
Thanks!
Any other extracts you can recommend? We can’t do mangos or any citrus. Thank you!
I have some options here:
http://astore.amazon.com/marisnutran05-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=16
Made this last night, used the Bakto Natural Pistachio flavor and it was GREAT!!!! Thank you.
Thanks!
do you think I could make a peach sorbet? I’m trying to fool my kids, but if it’s not ‘orange’ in color I’m not sure what to do with that? I bet it will taste fabulous though!
Yes, you could use a peach extract. 😉
Just made this with orange extract (didn’t have mango). It’s delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks!
Hi Maria,
Love all of your recipes, thank you! Quick question about homemade ice creams. I bought an ice cream maker and have tried a couple of recipes now and although they are great right out of the machine they get really hard once in the freezer. My freezer is at the right temperature so I don’t want to lower it. Is there any way to keep the ice cream soft? Thanks again!
A little vegetable glycerine (like 2 TBS) can help. 🙂
Can this be made without an ice cream maker?
Yes. 🙂
http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-ice-cream-without-an-ice-cream-machine-171060