Outdoors all Day.....

   It helps that we enjoy our meals outdoors every day. We love the sunshine, the views of the mountains, and the temperatures ranging from seventy-five to eighty degrees. Sometimes we cook burgers and Italian sausage on the grill, which is totally keto and lots of fun. I enjoy my meats with lettuce, cheese, homemade catsup, brown mustard, and onions. Sometimes I add bacon. Also, I'm finding lots of uses for turnips. They make an excellent, low-carb substitute for potatoes, and in my opinion, taste much better than cauliflower. My favorite recipe is Turnips au Gratin. Turnips work well in this recipe, maintaining that potato crunch and perfectly accompany the cookout items. Of course, we add all types of vegetables and salads. Tonight we'll use some very nice avocados we found at Costco to accompany a pork asada bowl. That should be delicious. So, I guess what I'm leading up to is the idea that ambiance matters and the keto items must vary, else the keto diet becomes drudgery, and you can't let that happen. I realize that we're very fortunate to reside in beautiful places, but cookouts can happen anywhere, as can candlelit dinners and picnics. Actually, some recent studies demonstrate that ambiance affects food desirability and might make choices more delectable. Moreover, the perfect ambiance may help individuals maintain diets, including keto, by connecting the meals with enjoyable places and experiences. Therefore, eating locations, temperatures, and lighting all contribute to meal enjoyment, and it is essential to treat yourself to the best possible mealtime climate. Begin by planning how and where you will have your meals. If you don't have time to do this planning daily, do it all over your available time, and execute your meals in ways that are lovely and enjoyable. Menu variety matters, as does the location of your meals. Even the lighting can take you away from the drudgery and bring you into a relaxing, satisfying mealtime event. I suggest investing in battery-operated candles to accompany meals so that even though they might take place in the same space every day, they make the space as perfect as possible. I read lots of input from people beginning keto who quickly become discouraged or develop cravings. I submit that most of these feelings come from a lack of planning and surroundings. Keto success depends upon menu variety and meal ambiance, and thus, requires thought and effort. My advice is to do everything you can to enjoy the keto ride!