Kalua Pig (Pork)

Hawaiian fare ... hard to find a Hawaiian restaurant that doesn't offer this.

"Kalua" refers to a traditional way of cooking in an "imu" or underground oven. In this context, it refers to a salted pig wrapped in banana or luau leaves.
I learned this recipe many years ago when I was a cook in Hawaii. I've adapted it to crockpot cooking.

• 5 LB boneless pork roast (pork butt) 
• score the roast all over
• rub with 1 tbsp coarse salt
• place in crockpot
• sprinkle 2 tbsp liquid smoke over roast
• cook on high about 8 hours until it falls apart (I baste about every two hours, optional)
• shred the roast
• add 2 tbsp shoyu (aka soy sauce), some freshly ground black pepper, and 2 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce
• reduce to low and cook another hour
• if you like ... at this point add in about 3/4 head of shredded green cabbage and cook another 1/2 hour
• (all measurements are approximate and can be adjusted to taste ... but it should be slightly salty)

Almost no carbs in this ... but it is usually served with rice, so ...

Get the most bang for your carbohydrate buck

Many of us struggle to improve or maintain our blood glucose levels by way of some form of low carbohydrate eating and based upon my interactions with other type 2's, many (most?) pursue the low-carb way of eating with little to no concern for total nutrition. I'm not talking about balancing your macros (carbs/proteins/fats). It is about making sure you are spending your carbohydrate "bucks" carefully so as to get the optimal intake of vitamins and minerals  (your micronutrients).

Honestly, it wasn't until I had my stroke that I really started looking into this. My approach has been simple. I look at the food I eat and ask myself, "why am I eating this" ... if it is meeting my nutrient need and my carbohydrate goals then it's on the "menu", otherwise I will most likely pass. 

Links:

Making Your Carbs Count 

The 11 Most Nutrient Dense Foods on The Planet

What Are Micronutrients?

Frittata

My son Jason's creation ...

• Eggs (of course)
• Polish Sausage
• Sliced Mushrooms
• Whole Cherry Tomatoes
• Cheddar Cheese
• Smoked Provolone

Seriously yummy! and low carb to boot (estimating less than 8 carbs per serving)!

Enjoy!

My kind of "breakfast"

• Eggs (3)
• Red & green bell peppers
• Pork sausage
• Pepper Jack cheese
• Low carb tortillas (2)
• Frank's Red Hot

Heat sausage and peppers in butter, add eggs and scramble.
Pile it on to flame warmed tortillas, top with cheese and hot sauce ... simple and delicious. Packed with protein and this concoction was less than 20 carbs.

To make this as simple as possible to prepare I will cook up a 1/2 pound of bulk pork sausage in advance and refrigerate. Having precut peppers (I use them for my salads too) makes this a great "spur of the moment" healthy meal.

Enjoy!

True Inspiration. Me? Not so sure about that

I was interviewed a few months back for an issue of Health Monitor called "Guide to Diabetes".
Get me talking about diabetes and health and you are in for an ear full ... fortunately, the writer was able to boil it down to a concise piece.

content page

issue cover

Look for me in your doctors waiting room.

(thanks to my friend Connie for sending me this copy)

I call it ... delicious!

Others may call it "boring" or "lacking" or even LCHF, but a well prepared pork roast with some roasted Brussels sprouts carrots and parsnips is just ... well ... Yummy!