I'm still here.

How's everyone doing? I had a very cheaty weekend, but am back on track.

Michelle

Birthday party? Those tend to be the demise of most. I have one this weekend - my baby will be 4! Gotta find a Dora the Explorer cake.

Im not from Iowa but just came back from there... It sure is beautiful there....I was in Ida Grove what a pretty town loved it..Im from North Dakota and although it is green right now..seeing all that green grass and trees were something different for me....lol good luck in Iowa

Oh wow-I forgot all about birthdays! Two of my children have birthdays in August. Maybe by then I will have come up with a low carb version!

Dakotagirl-I used to live in Detroit Lakes, by Fargo ND. I sure do not miss the snow!

Michelle

Hi Everyone! I'm new to the sight and thought this would be a great place to post my first message! I am from the Mason City area. I decided May 1 would be the beginning of the new me! I started following the Atkins diet and have lost an amazing 14 pounds in just a short period of time! The best part is I do not have any cravings and feel satisfied longer. We have a great GNC in Mason City! Half of the store is filled with all of the low carb food selections..I only wish other stores would carry low carb since GNC is EXPENSIVE! Hey Subway Girl, I go through Mount Pleasant all the time! We travel down to Fort Madison to visit my Grandma a coupld times a year. Is the construction done with the Avenue of the Saints! That really changed the look of the town. I look forward to talking with all of you! have a great Friday!

Welcome fellow Iowan! (nice name - don't try and steal my thunder )

I've never been to the Mason City area - how's the weather up there?

GNC is overpriced EVERYWHERE, in my opinion. Isn't there an alternative/off beat kind of market in your area?

Iowagal-there is still construction going on! I can't wait until it is all done. The GNC in Burlington has next to nothing. Maybe I will check out one in Iowa City.

Michelle

New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City might have some things as well, at least know of somebody that would. Good luck!

Hey IowaGirl...nice name I did my name before I got into the message boards and did not know you had such a similiar name! We really don't have many choices in Mason. GNC is the only place that I have found low carb items. Pretty pathetic for the size of town.

Has anyone tried almond flour? I just ordered some from online...it is GREAT!! I'm looking forward to substituting it for the soy flour!

One of our local stores just started selling the almond flour _ I've been wanting to try it. As I recall it was selling for an outrageous price. How much did you pay for it online, if you don't mind my asking?

A 5 pound container cost $19.95 + shipping and handlling (which was an outragous $11.95!!) You can actually make your own almond flour. Just put in a food processor until it is a fine powder and BEFORE it turns to Almond butter. I really love the flavor! Here's a great recipe:

1/2 cup Almond Flour
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 or 2 packets splenda

mix together and microwave for approx 30 seconds. This is a great alternative to Cream of Wheat and Oatmeal.

Sounds good. I've heard of making your own flour but.....I have a blender, not a food processor - would that be good enough?

I do miss oatmeal on those cold Iowa mornings.

I live near Davenport, and have been LC since one week before Xmas. Have lost 48 lbs (as of this morning). When I started, I set a goal to RUN the Bix 7 road race at the end of this month. (I walked it last year) I am proud to report that I ran a seven mile training run several weeks ago.

fyi, Walmart does carry some of the Atkins candy bars and shakes but haven't seen the products like baking mixes.

MMM pork chops!

So - are you gonna run the Bix? I myself am interested in walking it (stress that - WALKING it) but things didn't quite go as planned this year.

Greatest Grains has the Atkins baking mixes, though I wouldn't encourage anyone to buy them!

Yes, I am definately running the BIX. The training run was on the actual race course. They block of the streets on the Thursday nights prior to the race and hundreds (thousands!) of people run and walk it.
The course is hilly, starts with a very steep ascent up Brady street, but the worst is a series of hills around the midpoint, and a loooong continuous rise from mile five to six.
I walked it last year in 1hr 45 minutes. The training run I did was in 1 hr 18 minutes, not really competative, but I weigh twice as much as the Kenyans who typically win it. Let them try running it carrying someone piggyback and let's see how fast they are!

mmmm bacon!