News
We had 22 Ketonians attend the First Keto Picnic on September 15, 2018.
There were lots of old friends as well as a few new faces. There was tons of delicious Keto food. A particular hit was the smoked brisket provided by Brian. Below are the recipes I have available to me. Let me know if you would like your recipe added.
Slow Cooker Pepper Jack Cauliflower - Kristin
Let me know if there are any additions or corrections!
Awesome Brisket!!!
We had 12 Ketonians attend the September 8, 2018 meetup held at Thomson Reuters in Eagan, MN. Thanks to Ro for coordinating the ability to use this space.
We had small talk for a few minutes while people gathered.
We each introduced ourselves and answered the question: What is a recent keto success?
Several items were mentioned including an A1c going from 8.5% to 6.9%, lowest weight since starting keto, 65 pounds lost, no more knee pain and easy intermittent fasting.
Next meetups will be:
October 6 - North Regional Library in the South Half of the meeting room. Mary Jo and Ro will be running the meeting because John will be out of town.
November 3 - Plymouth Library in the Plymouth Meeting Room.
Picnic Updates:
The picnic will be September 15 from 11 AM to 3 PM at French Regional Park. See the corresponding post for details.
Mini Ketofest updates:
Due to everyone's busy schedules it's likely the mini Ketofest won't happen until after the holidays. John will try to contact Maria Emmerich to see if she would be interested in participating in some way. John will also try to contact Carrie Brown to see if we could use one of her ice cream recipes for the cooking demonstration. John will also look into setting up a Ketofest email address we can use to share information as we start to work on it. Ro is continuing to look at kitchen space we can use and figuring out the details we need in order to use Ketofest branding.
Lynn brought Easy Crack Slaw.
Recipe - Lynn walked through the Easy Crack Slaw recipe.
Keto Story - John shared his keto story of reversing his Type II Diabetes, getting off of 120 units of insulin daily, and losing over 150 pounds.
Main Topic - This meeting had an open main topic, but there was much additional discussion.
Other items mentioned over the course of the meeting were:
Berberine - a chemical found in several plants that has a similar effect to Metformin in reducing blood glucose. (info at WebMD, HealthLine)
Bad "Low-Carb" Study - A study published in the Lancet Public Health journal claims that a low-carb diet may shorten your life. Chris Kresser has a good rebuttal that shows may if the issues in this very flawed study. It was also discussed on Episode 84 of Keto Talk with Jimmy Moore and Dr. Will Cole.
Some low-carb wine options exist:
Sun Gazing - This practice promoted by Hira Ratan Manek helped one ketonian cure his depression. NOTE: Please research yourself there are several warning about this practice as well.
We had another mention of Gretchen Rubin's Abstainer or Moderator discussion.
Date and Location - October 6 at the North Regional Library in Minneapolis.
(1315 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411)
South half of the meeting room.
Main Topic - Fun Things to Take Do While Fasting
Recipe walk through - Amy
Keto Story - Ro
If I've forgotten anything or if there are any errors or updates necessary please contact MinnesotaKetonians@gmail.com.
When: September 15, 2018 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Where: Skyview Picnic Shelter at French Regional Park, 12605 Rockford Road, Plymouth, MN 55441
What: Join us with for a fun keto potluck picnic. We have a large shelter so feel free to invite your family and friends.
What to bring: Your own meat to grill and a ketogenic side dish to share. Also bring your own drinks, plates, and silverware. You could also bring sunscreen and/or insect repellent if you need.
Location Details: A large grill will be set up with hot charcoal so we can take turns grilling our food. There is a volleyball court and horseshoe pit next to the shelter for our entertainment. The nearby restroom has running water and flushing toilets and the area is wheelchair accessible. The park also has lots of beautiful walking trails.
Facebook: Use this Facebook thread to ask questions and to post what you plan to bring to share. (If you want to try to bring something different than everyone else.)
Meetup: Sign up on meetup.com for the picnic if you are coming. Guests welcome!
The next meetup will be on Saturday August 4 at Thomson Reuters in Eagan from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Show the guard at the main desk your ID to get a badge, then ask the guard to contact Rochelle Sitaram to escort you to the meeting.
We’ll have lots of ad hoc discussion, but we also have an agenda to give us a little structure.
9:30 AM – Small talk while people get settled
9:40 AM – Introductions
- Introduction question: What is a recent keto success?
10:00 AM – Announcements
- Updates for a keto picnic.
- Updates for a mini Ketofest.
10:10 AM – Treats
- Share keto treats if any (none required, but feel free to share if desired)
10:20 AM – Main Topics
- My Keto Story - Brenda
- Recipe - Lynn
- Open Main Topic
- Additional topics generated during discussion.
11:20 AM – Suggestions for next meeting topic
11:30 AM – Small talk until you are ready to leave.
Be sure to signup on meetup.com if your are interested in coming.
We had 16 Ketonians attend the August 4, 2018 meetup held at Thomson Reuters in Eagan, MN. This was the first time at this location, thanks to Ro for coordinating the ability to use this space.
We had small talk for a few minutes while people gathered.
We each introduced ourselves and answered the question: What is a recent keto success?
Several items were mentioned including making fried chicken breaded with psyllium husk, improved dexa scan results, staying keto while at a social outing with lots of carbage, making fathead pizza for the first time, having more energy during band practice and many more.
Next meetups will be:
Picnic updates:
Unfortunately I (John) didn't do any work on the picnic. If / when / where the picnic will happen is still up in the air. If you have any thoughts or ideas be sure to post them on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/MinnesotaKetonians/.
Mini Ketofest updates:
We would still like to host a mini Ketofest in Minnesota. Planning will likely start in September / October with locations and dates to be determined. Ro will be working on coordinating some of the efforts. Let her know if you would like to assist!
John brought Carrie Brown's Peanut butter ice cream with some Keto & Company brownies cut into crouton sized pieces to go on top.
Ro brought some pork loin cooked in an Instant Pot with gravy made using the juices from the pork, konjac flour, coconut milk and spices.
Lynn brought cheese crisps.
The main topic was: Ketofest Recap
Five Minnesota Ketonians went to Ketofest in 2018. It was bigger and better than last year. Over 60 attendees volunteered to help with various activities over the course of the festival. It helped us feel like we were part of Ketofest.
Other item mentioned over the course of the meeting:
If I've forgotten anything or if there are any errors or updates necessary please contact MinnesotaKetonians@gmail.com.
The next meetup will be on Saturday August 4 at Thomson Reuters in Eagan from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
We’ll have lots of ad hoc discussion, but we also have an agenda to give us a little structure.
9:30 AM – Small talk while people get settled
9:40 AM – Introductions
- Introduction question: What is a recent keto success?
10:00 AM – Announcements
- Updates for a summer keto picnic.
- Suggestion: Add a "My Keto Story" 15 Minute section to the agenda?
10:10 AM – Treats
- Share keto treats if any (none required, but feel free to share if desired)
10:20 AM – Main Topics
- What incentives or rewards do you use to help motivate you on your keto journey?
- Additional topics generated during discussion.
11:20 AM – Suggestions for next meeting topic
11:30 AM – Small talk until you are ready to leave.
Be sure to signup on meetup.com if your are interested in coming.
We had 20 Ketonians attend this meetup on July 7, 2018 held at the Brookdale Library in Brooklyn Center, MN.
We had small talk for a few minutes while people gathered.
We each introduced ourselves and answered the question: What is a recent keto success?
Several items were mentioned, improved A1Cs, reduction of diabetes medications, loss of weight, improved mental clarity, broken weight loss plateaus. One nurse practitioner is a keto convert after reading the Diabetes Code by Jason Fung. And there was more that I didn't get written down!
Next meetups will be:
Picnic updates:
Finding a picnic location on August 11 has proven to be challenging. I haven't been able to reserve a location. So we may have the picnic September 8 after the meetup. We will be discussing on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/MinnesotaKetonians/.
John brought some Coleslaw.
Beth brought some Smart Cakes.
The main topic was: What incentives or rewards do you used to help motivate you on your keto journey?
Improved health was a common theme. Some use apps (FasTrac app) to help motivate them.
Other items mentioned over the course of the meeting:
Our next main topic will be a recap of Ketofest. Bring your questions and those of us who went will try to answer.
If I've forgotten anything or if there are any errors or updates necessary please contact MinnesotaKetonians@gmail.com.
The next meetup will be on July 7, 2018 at the Brookdale Library in Meeting Room AB from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
We’ll have lots of ad hoc discussion, but we also have an agenda to give us a little structure.
9:30 AM – Small talk while people get settled
9:40 AM – Introductions
- Introduction question: What is a recent keto success?
10:00 AM – Announcements
- Updates for a summer keto picnic.
10:10 AM – Treats
- Share keto treats if any (none required, but feel free to share if desired)
10:20 AM – Main Topics
- What incentives or rewards do you use to help motivate you on your keto journey?
- Additional topics generated during discussion.
11:20 AM – Suggestions for next meeting topic
11:30 AM – Small talk until you are ready to leave.
Be sure to signup on meetup.com if your are interested in coming.
We had 20 Ketonians attend this meetup on June 2, 2018 held at the Oxboro Library in Bloomington.
We had small talk for a few minutes while people gathered
We each introduced ourselves and answered the question: What is a recent keto success?
This generated lots of motivational answers including elimination of fibroids, lots of weight loss, regulation of blood sugars, a half-marathon run, having antibiotics without getting sick, ability to get back on track after being sick, improved retinopathy, staying keto when at a wedding and a party and getting healthy enough to qualify for a kidney transplant. The answers were all very motivational and compelling I didn't take very good notes, but lots of great successes here!
Next meetups will be:
The main topic was: What are some of the biggest challenges for maintaining your keto lifestyle and how do you deal with them?
Public restaurants can be challenging, but there are usually keto options if you get creative (e.g. burger no bun.)
Finding a doctor to understand and help with keto can also be a challenge. Educating them and showing success seem to be a good way to deal with that.
There was more good discussion but my notes and memory are not good enough to capture any more here.
Other items mentioned over the course of the meeting:
At the last minute we hashed out details for a picnic. Here are tentative plans / ideas. Everything is up for discussion and subject to change. Let me know your thoughts or ideas. We can use the new facebook group to hammer out the details.
The next topic will be: What incentives or rewards do you use to help motivate you on your keto journey?
If I've forgotten anything or if there are any errors or updates necessary please contact MinnesotaKetonians@gmail.com.
The next meetup will be on June 2, 2018 at the Oxboro Library in Oxboro Meeting Room from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
We’ll have lots of ad hoc discussion, but we also have an agenda to give us a little structure.
9:30 AM – Small talk while people get settled
9:40 AM – Introductions
- Introduction question: What is a recent keto success?
10:00 AM – Announcements
- Updates for a summer keto picnic.
10:10 AM – Treats
- Share keto treats if any (none required, but feel free to share if desired)
10:20 AM – Main Topics
- What are some of the biggest challenges for maintaining your keto lifestyle and how do you deal with them?
- Additional topics generated during discussion.
11:20 AM – Suggestions for next meeting topic
11:30 AM – Small talk until you are ready to leave.
Be sure to signup on meetup.com if your are interested in coming.
