Q&A with Quick Keto author Martina Slajerova

Martina Slajerova’s new cookbook, Quick Keto Diet in 30 Minutes or Less hits shelves today! We caught up with the KetoDiet Blog and KetoDiet App founder to learn more about when she started following a ketogenic diet and where she got inspiration for her third book.

For our readers who don’t know, what is the Keto Diet?

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, moderate protein, low-carb diet. When you follow a keto diet, you essentially become a fat burner. What happens is that your body enters ketosis and switches from glucose to fat as fuel. While in ketosis, your liver produces molecules known as ketones and that’s where the word “keto” comes from. A well-designed ketogenic diet can help you lose body fat and maintain a healthy weight.  Additionally, the ketogenic diet can help treat or manage several health conditions such high blood pressure, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy and even cancer.

When did you first learn about/begin the Keto Diet?

I’ve been following a low-carb diet since 2011, shortly after I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s which is an autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid. Despite taking medication, I was always tired and it became a challenge to maintain a healthy weight. After some trial and error, I learned that a whole food based low-carb diet was the best way to manage my condition. For me it’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle.

What was the inspiration behind your new cookbook, Quick Keto Meals in 30 Minutes or Less?

Just like many others, I have a busy lifestyle and I know how challenging it can be to eat healthy. My aim was to create a book for busy cooks who don’t have more than a few minutes to prepare healthy meals. I included some of my favourites that I make on a regular basis. I focused on using fewer and easy-to-find ingredients and creating recipes with few simple steps.

What have been the benefits of eating this way for you personally?

When I was 16, I followed what most people considered to be a healthy diet. I avoided fat and ate plenty of whole grains. To my surprise, I had zero energy and was always hungry. Looking back, I can’t believe how wrong I was! Now I have plenty of energy and I never feel like “dieting”. High-fat foods are not only healthy – they are delicious! I don’t count calories and I exercise a lot less than I used to. I’m maintaining a healthy weight and I’m successfully managing my condition.

What’s your favorite recipe from the book?

I love Mediterranean cuisine and if I was to pick my absolute favorite from this book, it would have to be the Greek Meatball Soup. It’s also my partner’s favorite and it’s based on a family recipe.

When did you know you wanted to become an author?

I never thought of becoming an author until Fair Winds Press offered to publish my first cookbook a few years back. I’m really enjoying the experience and I’m fortunate to work with an amazing group of people who are always ready to help.

What advice do you have for potential authors?

Be organized. Always leave plenty of time to write your book. Sometimes it can take twice as long as your initial estimate and there are always unexpected delays.

What is your favorite part about writing a book?

Without any doubt, it’s the process of creating recipes. From making a list of favorites and testing recipes, to food styling and finally taking photos of my creations.

What is the kitchen tool you simply can’t live without?

I can think of quite a few kitchen tools that I use regularly but if I should name just one, it’s definitely a good food processor!

Tell us something unexpected about you that our readers would find fascinating.

Before becoming a food blogger and author, I used to work in financial auditing back in 2011. Giving up my old job was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. It was a major career change and although it was tough at the beginning, it was totally worth it. I knew I would have never been happy working in finance. Now I do what I enjoy most – cooking, eating, photography and learning about nutrition. Everything started with a spontaneous idea of developing an app. My fiancé is a software developer and we worked together to create an app for low-carb eating. At first, it was only meant to be a personal project but over the years, the app and blog have become our full-time occupation.

Get a sneak peak of the book here:

Get your copy of Quick Keto Meals in 30 Minutes or Less today!

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The keto diet is being regarded as the go-to eating plan for weight loss, to keep blood sugar stable, or simply staying healthy.

However, adapting recipes to make them keto-friendly means adding cooking time, preparation, and hard-to-find ingredients. Things that aren’t possible when you need to get a meal on the table after a busy day — and even keto followers can’t live on avocados and bacon alone.

Keto Meals in 30 Minutes or Less presents you with 100 delicious recipes rich with healthy fats for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks that are quick, easy, varied, and delicious.

Don’t spend two hours making one meal! All of these ketosis recipes take a half hour to hit the table, can be made in large batches, or built into other dishes, like casseroles, slow cooker entrees, and more. Plus, all ingredients are easy to find, so there’s no searching specialty stores.