In the past, I was a big bulletproof coffee drinker however since I am focusing on balancing my hormones, I am not drinking caffeine as it really affects the liver.

I was looking for an easy way to get fat into my diet since I’m currently on a Keto Paleo diet and immediately thought of creating Keto Fat Bomb Hot Chocolate. 

It’s quick, delicious and easy to whip up in my Nutribullet, which can be sourced inexpensively on sites like this.

If you’ve never heard of the Keto Diet, it’s a diet that recommends high fat, moderate protein and low carb.  The ratios vary from person to person by a guide is 60-65% fat, 30-35% protein and 5% carbs.

A high fat keto diet has been shown to be beneficial for weight loss  and in fact  the keto diet became a popular therapy choice for epilepsy management between 1920 and 1930 based on the research done at Johns Hopkins Medical Center.

An endocrinologist, Rollin Woodyatt, discovered in 1921 that starvation or fasting produced ketone bodies that are used as fuel for the entire body, including the brain. Later, he realized that the same results could be produced by ingesting a diet that was low in carbohydrates and high in fats.

This recipe is super simple simple and uses only 5 ingredients – Coconut Oil, Gelatin and Raw Cacao, Cashew Butter and Water –  however each ingredient is a powerhouse of nutrition.

Health Benefits of Raw Cacao

I use raw cacao in the recipe and I know there is often confusion about if raw cacao has caffeine it it or not.  Raw Cacao contains theobromine which is a chemical relative of caffeine but is not a nervous system stimulant.

Theobromine dilates the cardiovascular system making the heart’s job easier. This is one of the major reasons why cacao is an important part of a heart healthy diet. Thankfully cacao is a poor source of caffeine.

A single serving of it offers  offers 40% of our recommended daily intake of magnesium, 20% of our daily iron and 15% of our daily zinc needs. Also, the fiber in cacao helps optimize digestion and keep blood sugar levels balanced.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil 

Coconut oil contains what’s known as medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs for short. MCTs are part man-made, part naturally occurring fats.

That long-winded name refers to how carbon atoms are organized in their chemical structures. MCTs are made, usually, by processing coconut and other oils in a lab. Conversely, usual dietary fats contain long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) and minor dietary fats contain short-chain triglycerides (SCTs).

Those MCTs, unlike the other two fatty acids, help you increase ketone production, which is the goal of the keto diet. MCT’s also help because they satisfy you so you don’t get as hungry as you do on other diets. Plus, they provide the body and brain with tons of energy!

Among other perks, coconut oil helps with digestion. The antimicrobial elements in it help break down bacteria and even alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, among other digestion issues.

To further explain, coconut oil contains fungi- and virus-fighting lipids (or fat) and three different acids: lauric, capric and caprylic. Once you eat coconut oil, those four components work to strengthen the body’s immunity by directly attacking viruses, just like medicine.

Not only does it work for big problems, it also works very effectively against a regular cold. So if you feel the sniffles coming on, reach for the coconut oil.

At the same time, coconut oil also helps your body absorb even more vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and other nutrients.

Health Benefits of Gelatin:

If you look up”most helpful food in the universe in the dictionary”, most likely you will see a photo of gelatin. In addition to glowing skin, hair and nails, gelatin improves gut health and digestion.

The Glycine in gelatin helps restore the mucosal lining of the stomach and the balance of  digestive enzymes and stomach acid.  It also absorbs fluids which helps prevent fluid retention and stomach bloating as well as improving constipation.

My husband loves it because of how it helps lower joint pain while protecting the joints.  Gelatin has been shown to stall chronic inflammation responses so people who take roughly two grams daily tend to experience less inflammation, pain in the muscles or joints and even better recovery.

While I know I could make ahead a bunch of dairy-free fat bombs, I prefer to drink my fat in hot teas or with this Keto Fat Bomb Hot Chocolate recipe.    I admit it, I’m a fat drinker lol. I have tried several keto smoothies but I just prefer recipes where the fat is hot and liquid.

For more delicious Keto recipes check out my Keto Mint Chip Pudding Recipe and my Keto Peppermint Mocha recipe.

Fat Bomb Hot Chocolate

Yield: 2

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes

This rich, chocolatey hot chocolate is a decadent Keto drink!

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Ingredients

• 2 cups water, boiling
• 1 tbsp raw cacao
• 1 tbsp raw cashew butter
• 1 tbsp gelatin
• 10 drops Stevia
• 1 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients to your nutribullet or blender and mix for 30 seconds. Serve immediately. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 35 Total Fat: 3g Saturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 18mg Carbohydrates: 3g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 1g Protein: 1g

Stay warm with this Keto French onion soup! With beef stock base, slow-cooked caramelized onions, pork rings, Gruyere and Parmesan cheese. Is there anything more comforting on a chilly day than a hot bowl of French onion soup?

The weather is drizzly and cold in Portland and all I’m thinking about is comfort food.

Truth be told, I’m not a big soup person however, I have a whole lot of love for French Onion soup.

When I went Keto, I knew I had to find a recipe to enjoy so low so I was tickled pink when I received Keto Essentials by Vanessa Spina and saw her recipe for Keto French Onion Soup.

This keto diet book is a MUST for every Keto kitchen and has so many amazing tasty recipes that will keep your belly happy.

Why we love this low carb french onion soup

• It’s packed with flavor from rich bone broth
• The caramelized onions add an umami flavor to the soup (yes, onions are keto!)
• It’s low in carbs – only 8 per serving!

What you’ll need for this recipe

• Salted butter
• Yellow onions
• Green onions
• Erythritol
• Garlic, minced
• Xanthan gum
• Beef bone broth
• Apple cider vinegar
• Aprigs fresh thyme
• Bay leaf
• Fine sea salt
• Ground black pepper
• Pork rinds
• Gruyère cheese, shredded
• Parmesan cheese, grated

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter.  Add the yellow and green onions and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until translucent.  Add the erythritol and continue to cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the onions brown, about 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and xanthan gum and blend well, then add the broth, vinegar, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.  Cover and simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.  Cut each pork rind into 3 or 4 “croutons.”

Divide the broth between 4 ovenproof bowls.  Cover each bowl with one-quarter of the pork rinds and 2 tablespoons of each of the cheeses.  Broil until the cheese is melted.

Do onions have carbs?

Yes, one medium onion has 10 carbs

Can I remove the gum from the recipe?

yes, however it will not thicken up.

If you like this Keto French Onion Soup recipe, you’ll love:

Low Carb Keto Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Keto Fried Chicken Taco Shell (Whole30)

Keto Calzone

Did you make and love this recipe?  Give your review below and make sure you share your creations by tagging me on Instagram!

Keto French Onion Soup

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Stay warm with this Keto French onion soup! With beef stock base, slow-cooked caramelized onions, pork rings, gruyere and Parmesan cheese. Is there anything more comforting on a chilly day than a hot bowl of French onion soup?

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Ingredients

• ¾ cup salted butter
• ½ cup sliced yellow onions
• ¼ cup sliced green onions
• 1 teaspoon erythritol, or 2 to 4 drops liquid stevia
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 4 cups beef bone broth
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 to 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 6 oz pork rinds
• ½ cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the yellow and green onions and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until translucent.  Add the erythritol and continue to cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the onions brown, about 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and xanthan gum and blend well, then add the broth, vinegar, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.  Cover and simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.  Cut each pork rind into 3 or 4 “croutons.”

Divide the broth between 4 ovenproof bowls.  Cover each bowl with one-quarter of the pork rinds and 2 tablespoons of each of the cheeses.  Broil until the cheese is melted.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1335 Total Fat: 101g Saturated Fat: 49g Trans Fat: 2g Unsaturated Fat: 41g Cholesterol: 354mg Sodium: 1897mg Carbohydrates: 9g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 2g Protein: 96g

This recipe post was sponsored by Avocados From Mexico in partnership with the Mom It Forward Influencer Network. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

My father is a huge Football fan and every year my parents would have a Big Game party where our house would be packed to the gills.  Growing up most of my memories had nothing to do with the game but instead, I remember the food.  Egg rolls, hamburgers, hot dogs, pancet, donuts, and 15 other dishes my mother would whip up like magic in the kitchen.  I knew without asking that there were two things that were guaranteed to be on the table – TABASCO® Sauce (my father is a tried and true fan on the condiment) and Avocado Milkshakes (betcha didn’t know that Avocados from Mexico are so versatile and delicious and can be used in sweet and savory dishes).

Now that I’m married and my husband is the big football fan, I’ve gotten creative on what I serve during the Big Game.  I’ve also discover why my father loved TABASCO® Sauce and my mother always had Avocados from Mexico in her pantry.

Did you know that TABASCO ® Sauce is made with only 3 simple ingredients? Every bottle of TABASCO® Sauce is made from hand-picked, ripened red tabasco peppers, vinegar, and salt, giving it a taste like no other. It’s then marinated for three years in wood barrels before the sauce is bottled.  My father would put it on everything -eggs, hamburgers,  burritos, tacos, and pizza.  I think I once saw him put some in water.   It wasn’t until my taste-buds developed that I discovered how a simple splash of TABASCO® Sauce could kick a plain hamburger up a notch.   

My father’s love affair with TABASCO® Sauce is equally matched by my mother’s love of avocado.   She would be put Avocados from Mexico on mexican-style pizza,  burgers and eggs also.  When you put TABASCO® sauce and Avocados from Mexico together, it really is a match made in heaven.   I wanted to do something really fun for our Big Game party so I married the two together and came up with the Bacon Avocado Ranch Chicken Burger with TABASCO® Sauce.  This recipe will make you reach for seconds!  Also, don’t miss out on the chance to win $1,000 worth of prizes in the giveaway below the recipe.

Bacon Avocado Ranch Chicken Burger with TABASCO® Sauce

Yield: 5 people

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Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 tablespoon dry ranch mix
• 3 strips bacon, diced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsely, minced
• 8 dashes TABASCO® Sauce
• 1 Avocado from Mexico, sliced, you can put lemon juice on the slices to prevent browing

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl combine the ground chicken, dry ranch mix, diced bacon, minced parsley and TABASCO Sauce and blend until well combined.  Form 5 3"wide patties and set onto a plate. 
2. Place a skillet over medium high heat.  Add the burgers when the pan is hot and cook for 8 to 10 minutes per side, then flip and repeat. 
3. Serve on your favorite bun or lettuce wrapped with Avocado on top! 

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 5
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 257 Saturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 86mg Sodium: 374mg Carbohydrates: 5g Fiber: 2g Protein: 18g

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more tasty Big Game recipes grab one the following recipes below and Check out Avocados from Mexico’s Pinterest Board:

Bacon Avocado Grilled Cheese

Avocado & chorizo-stuffed wontons

Avocado and bacon deviled eggs

Santa Fe Steak Salad topped with guacamole

This is a sponsored conversation by Discountglasses.com. All opinions are my own.

Everything in life requires a makeover, from our diet to our eyewear. If you’re like me and care about your eye health and your style, you’ll want to find glasses that suit your personality. In this article, I’m going to share with you how adopting a keto diet opened my eyes to the link between diet and eye health, the top foods that protect your eyes, as well as as well as where you can find brand spanking new affordable glasses that make you shine.

Eye Health Is Fashionable

Glasses make the woman, am I right? If you don’t wear glasses that compliment your personality and let it shine, you’ll only get annoyed that you have to wear them in the first place. I might not have wanted to wear glasses when I was first told to wear them, but since not wearing them weakens muscles and can lead to long-term complications, I made sure to find glasses that suited my style.

Hipsters make a fashion statement with their thick black frames, artists scream their personality with their bright red frames, and thrill seekers play it cool with their suave and sophisticated aviator glasses.

But what does a lady who’s adopted a keto diet wear?!

Interesting question! I’m the kind of person who strongly believes in the power of change. Recently, I adopted a keto diet in a bid to get healthier and wanted to find glasses that matched my lifestyle. But as I began to learn about more the diet, I realised there’s a strong link between what we eat and the health our eyes …

Eye health is kind of a big deal. The health of our eyes depends on how we look after them, and this includes eating the right foods, wearing sunglasses and avoiding rubbing them too much.

The stats are surprising but scary: Advanced macular degeneration, which can cause irreversible blindness, currently affects 11,000,000 people in the USA. Thankfully, this disease is age-related, which means there’s still time to avoid it.

Turns Out, Mom Was Right About Those Carrots

When we were younger, our moms told us that if we ate more carrots we’d be able to see in the dark. Just like all the other kids, I was suspicious and sensed my mom was saying it just to get me to eat more vegetables!

As it turns out, however, she wasn’t far wrong. Carrots might not turn our eyes into a torch beam, but they contain a compound called beta-carotene that protects our eyes from damage, thereby safeguarding their long-term health.

Lots of other fruit and vegetables boost our eye health, too. And as anyone will tell you, eye health is massively important to us all. So how come we all don’t eat the right foods that will protect our sight?

Maybe it’s because I’ve been wearing glasses for a while that I’ve started to think more about eye health recently. And now that I know what I know about the keto diet, including how raw vegetables reduce the risk of macular degeneration, I’m going to share with you the top foods that can improve your eye health:

1. Spinach

This dark leafy green is one of those that mom tried to foist on us when we were kids, usually when we weren’t looking.

“Um, mom? What’s that piece of spinach doing on my burger?”

“I HAVE NO SHAME.”

The thing is, spinach is one of your best friends when it comes to eye health. It’s only got your best interests at heart, and contains both zeaxanthin and lutein, two key nutrients that are stuffed with antioxidants that help to reduce your risk of macular degeneration.

Don’t like spinach? Add it to a tasty smoothie along with kale, cucumbers and apples.

2. Salmon

Salmon is an oily fish that’s rich in those omega-3 fatty acids that are found in your retina. These acids support your cell membrane’s structure, and the more you eat of them, the more you can delay or prevent macular degeneration altogether.

Salmon is great at breakfast when combined with scrambled eggs, but it can be cooked in a variety of ways. A popular lunch is salmon and cream cheese on a bagel, while eating it raw is the best way to make the most of its nutrients.

3. Egg Yolks

The yolk is crammed with nutrients that power your eyes, including good fats, protein, zeaxanthin and lutein.  Personally, I prefer to cook my eggs for as little as possible, as this is the best way to maintain as much of the zeaxanthin and lutein as possible. Alternatively, you can still soft boil yours and get a lot of goodness out of them.

4. Almonds

Almonds are a staple on the Keto diet and like other nuts and seeds, they are good for eye health.   They contain vitamin E which can help prevent age-related macular degeneration.  

These are some key foods for eye health. 

If you’re also thinking about jazzing up your eyewear like me, here are two sites I’ve tried and used myself to find new lenses:

DiscountGlasses

I know how important it is that we find the right glasses that are durable but affordable. In hot pursuit of a pair that would match my style personality, I came across Discount Glasses, a site that’s offering lenses from just $9.95. The website is super easy to navigate, there are a variety of neat styles on offer and a cool 30% discount.

There’s free shipping with each order (no matter the size) and you can return them for free anytime within the first year of ownership.

If you live in the USA, orders are processed and shipped overnight, which means you can get your new lenses delivered to your door the next day.

DiscountContactLenses

Mr. Bejelly has been wanting to get contact lenses so I also checked out DiscountContactLenses, a reputable contact lens company that stocks all the major manufacturers. As a wholesalers, they can offer the lowest price guaranteed, new customers get 20% off, and shipping is free on orders over $99.

They also have a 365 day free returns policy which means that, if your prescription changes within 12 months, you can return your lenses free of charge.

All in all, remember that healthy eyes are cool and that, if you find glasses that you’ll love and suit your personality, your eyewear will be cool, too.

Now, where did I put my glasses … I’M KIDDING.

Now on to a fun recipe using almonds.  I discovered Fat head’s mozzarella dough two weeks ago and thought, well, it had too much stuff in it.  I tweaked the recipe and got it down to 3 ingredients-  4 if you count water.   The dough recipe is the AMAZING and I’m planning on making a sweet treat next week with it.  Since pizza is a first love for me, I had to make a keto calzone recipe to see how well it would hold together.  It worked perfectly and got crispy as it cooled down.

Keto Calzones

Yield: 4

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Ingredients

Dough

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 tablespoon psyllium husk powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano leaf
• 3 tablespoons water, very hot

Filling

• 2 tablespoons pizza sauce
• 16 pepperoni
• 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Dough

1. Add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella to a microwave safe bowl and cook for 30 seconds.  Stir with a spoon until it is smooth. 
2. In a separate bowl combine the almond flour, psyllium husk, garlic powder and oregano and mix with a spoon until well blended. 
3. Add the flour mixture to the mozzarella  and then add in 3 tablespoons of hot water.  Mix well with a spoon until you have a smooth dough.  You may need to knead with you hands to get it to fully combine. 

Keto Calzone

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll until it's roughly 10" x 14" and 1/4 thick. Remove the top sheet but leave the bottom sheet and place the dough on a baking sheet. 
2. Slice the dough in half.  On each side add 1 tablespoon pizza sauce,  8 pepperoni and 1/3 cup of mozzarella cheese.
3. Fold the dough in half and pinch it completely closed.  Put the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.  Remove when golden brown and let cool before serving. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 350 Saturated Fat: 8g Cholesterol: 45mg Sodium: 473mg Carbohydrates: 10g Fiber: 5g Sugar: 1g Protein: 18g