Win $300! Kimkins Essay Contest 2009

Kimkins Essay Contest
Win $300! $150! $50!

We're celebrating our 3rd Anniversary with the 2009 Kimkins Essay Contest! The Kimkins diet principles began in 1997. Over the past 12 years many Kimkins diet participants have shared heart warming stories of what losing weight has meant to them. New self esteem, a new social life, improving health conditions or discovering self-confidence are indeed the benefits they reap.

Now is your chance to share how Kimkins has helped improve your quality of life. Tell your personal story and express yourself! The deadline is short to encourage natural and spontaneous writing. Don't over think it. You don’t need to have reached goal weight. Just speak from the heart and have fun!

Not sure what to write about? What diets did you try before Kimkins? How did your life change after (or during) weight loss? Has the Kimkins website helped in your diet journey? Have you experienced health improvements or need less medications? Do you find reading the personal journals, seeing weight loss photos and getting support from Kimkins friends or challenge groups inspiring? Do you feel more confident about career opportunities?

Here's your chance -- tell us!

• TOPIC: Why I Like Kimkins
• PRIZES: $50-300
• ENTRY FEE: None
• DEADLINE: May 15, 2009
• WORD COUNT: Minimum: 250 Maximum: 1,000
• WINNERS ANNOUNCED: June 15, 2009

GUIDELINES:

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• Open to current and former Kimkins members and their families if they also followed the Kimkins diet.
• Entries will be judged on originality, sincerity and how well your message is conveyed.
• Essays may be typed, emailed or handwritten.
• Before/after photos may be included to demonstrate your message.
• Entries will be blind judged. Personal identifying information will be removed before forwarding to the Selection Committee.
• Entries must include first name, last name, Kimkins user name, email address and home address. Please write or type the information on your essay.
• Winners will be announced on June 15, 2009. Certified checks will be mailed to the winners by June 30, 2009.
• Winning essays may be published at Kimkins.com and personal information removed.
• Kimkins staff members, vendors and consultants are ineligible to enter or judge entries. The decision of the Selection Committee is final.
• Submit entries by email to webmaster@kimkins.com or mail at Kimkins, 575 Calhoun St., Corona, CA 92879.
• Entries and photos must be received by email or postmarked by May 15, 2009 12:00 a.m. Entries received after the deadline will not be considered.
  

PRIZES

• 1st Place: $300 cash & free Kimkins gift membership
• 2nd Place: $150 cash & free Kimkins gift membership
• 3rd Place: $50 cash & free Kimkins gift membership
• 5 Honorable Mention: Kimkins gift basket & Kimkins gift membership
  

Questions? Send an email to webmaster@kimkins.com

Kimkins Faux Garlic Mashed "Potatoes", Tex Mex Fritters & More!

Delicious Cauliflower -- Who Knew?

Try these low fat Kimkins friendly comfort foods courtesy of the underrated star of the vegetable world -- cauliflower!

Cauliflower is cruciferous (a cancer fighting pal) along with its distant cousins broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts. Overcooking these nutrient dense morsels not only alters vitamins and minerals, but entirely changes their taste -- not to mention the horrid kitchen odors!

You're sure to find high fat variations of these, but we've adapted these favorites with calories in mind. Even in low carb dieting, calories do count!

Cauli Souffle (serves 4)

2 cups cauliflower
2 eggs, beaten
1 tbsp chives, minced
1/2 tsp each garlic powder, white pepper & salt

Preheat oven to 375 F. Mash cauliflower. Mix all ingredients until well blended. Divide into 8 ramekins coated with nonstick spray. Place filled ramekins in baking pan, add 1" boiling water. Bake for 30-45 minutes until puffed. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Info: (per serving)

• Calories: 48
• Protein: 4 gm
• Carb: 3 gm
• Fat: 3 gm
  

Parmesan Crisps

Preheat oven to 400 F. Using a tablespoon, placed rounded mounds of shredded (not powdered) parmesan cheese on nonstick baking liner. Bake 2-3 minutes until beginning to brown (check often!) Remove from oven & let cool briefly before serving.

Nutrition Info: (each)

• Calories: 21
  
• Protein: 2 gm
• Carb: 0 gm
• Fat: 1 gm
  

Faux Garlic Mashed "Potatoes" (serves 4)

2 cups cauliflower
2 tbsp parmesan cheese
2 tbsp plain yogurt
1 tbsp green onion
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp pepper

Mix together hot mashed cauliflower & butter until well blended, then add other ingredients. Blend well, check for seasonings and serve!

Nutrition Info: (per serving)

• Calories: 59
  
• Protein: 3 gm
• Carb: 4 gm
• Fat: 4 gm
  

Spicy Tex Mex Cauli Fritters (serves 4)

2 cups cauliflower
1 egg white, beaten
1/2 cup onion, finely minced
1 tbsp green onion, minced
1 tsp jalapeno, minced
1 /2 tsp cumin & chili powder
1/2 tsp salt & black pepper

Mash cauliflower. Mix all ingredients & form into 8 patties. Cook in a nonstick pan treated with cooking spray until golden brown on each side. Serve hot & enjoy!

Nutrition Info: (per patty)

• Calories: 27
  
• Protein: 2 gm
• Carb: 5 gm
• Fat: 0 gm

Leek, Spinach & Mushroom Soup

Keep these basic ingredients on hand and whip up a soul satisfying elegant soup on a minute's notice! Yet another "freezes wonderfully" dish. Make a double batch, freeze in portion containers and enjoy at your leisure.

Ingredients (makes 4 generous servings)

• 3 14-oz cans chicken broth
• 8 oz water
  
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach or 1/2 cup frozen, chopped
• .5 leek, white part thinly sliced
  
• 1.5 cups brown button mushrooms, sliced
• 2 oz white wine (optional)
• 1 wedge feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sun dried tomatoes, minced (optional)
• .5 tsp dried thyme
  
• 1 tsp white pepper & salt
  

In nonstick saute pan heat olive oil on medium. Add leek and garlic, saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook over medium until mushrooms give off their liquid and are lightly browned.

Add chicken broth, water, wine, thyme, feta cheese, pepper and salt. Heat through until cheese melts. Taste and adjust seasonings. Whip with an immersion blender if a smoother consistency is desired.

Ladle into warm bowls. Garnish with reserved feta, sun dried tomato & chives. Enjoy!

Nutrition Info (per serving)

• Calories: 88
• Protein: 8 gm
• Carbs: 5 gm
• Fat: 4 gm

We did a nutritional analysis of this Kimkins friendly recipe. The nutrition numbers are impressive! One serving has 40% more potassium than a banana!

Percentage of RDA (per serving)

• Vit A: 19%
• Vit C: 16%
• Vit B6: 14%
• Vit B12: 15%
• Riboflavin: 26%
• Niacin: 24%
• Calcium: 11%
• Iron: 11%
• Phosphorus: 19%
• Potassium: 519 mg (banana has only 361 mg)

Kimkins Chocolate Caramel Protein Shake

For hectic mornings on the go or a refreshing lunch shake after a workout make a quick protein meal in a glass!

Perfect for special evening treat if you're doing the Kimkins Shake It Down diet option. Easy as 1-2-3!

Ingredients

• 1 scoop chocolate peanut caramel protein powder
• 8 oz cold water
• 1 oz light cream
• 1 tablespoon chocolate extract
• 1 packet artificial sweetener
  
• 6-8 ice cubes or 2 cups crushed ice
  

In a personal smoothie maker or blender add all ingredients and blend on HIGH until desired consistency. Enjoy a quick high protein breakfast!

Nutrition Info

• Calories: 142
• Protein: 18 grams
• Carbs: 3 grams
• Fat: 6 grams