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trillian-anders · 5 years ago

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grilled cheese

pairing: chef!bucky x plus!reader

warnings: fluff, fluff, fluff, a little self-depreciation. mostly fluff.

word count: 2746

Description: chef!au; you can tell a good chef by how he makes his grilled cheese.

for @captainscanadian;; the cbc 1k writing challenge

just a taste masterlist

“May I have the… king burger and a side of the Parmesan truffle fries please?” This food truck was your favorite in the city, it just so happened to be parked right outside of your job, and definitely served up some spicy creole flavors. It had gumbo and jambalaya by the cup, a burger that shouldn’t work as an ode to kings bread but it did and fresh beignets straight from the fryer if you had a sweet tooth.

“Would you like something to drink?” The men who worked it were just a plus, the two of them both terribly handsome, the one currently taking your order was smooth. Impossibly smooth. The gap in his front teeth was incredibly endearing, but the wedding band on his finger and the sweet tone he usually used with you led to you believe his marriage was a happy one.

“We’ve got the Big Shot Pineapple back in,” A sweaty bottle placed on the ledge, “I know that’s your favorite.” And you did love some pineapple soda, but you’d been trying to eat healthier, and ignoring the fact that you were ordering a burger and fries you fought yourself for a moment on whether or not this soda would be too much.

“Stop pressuring her, Sam.” The man behind him joked, “She’ll get the soda if she wants it.” A smirk on his lips. Your heart skipped a beat. It was no secret to your coworker behind you, Nat, that you had a crush on Bucky Barnes. His strong jaw and bright blue eyes, that tight bun on the back of his head and his fucking biceps. Those strong arms that were wrapped in colorful tattoos. You’d sat near the food truck every Friday since it’d started parking here two months ago and watched him work.

The kind smile he’d give people, the funny remarks as he cooked their food. The sweat dripping down his face as he lifted the lid off the pot of jambalaya to spoon out a portion. You’d drool over whatever you’d ordered that day watching him work.

“You should ask him out,” Nat popped a fry into her mouth. “He likes you.” You rolled your eyes, taking a sip of the cheap pineapple soda that was just so fucking good.

“He’s nice to me because I tip well,” You wiped your fingers on a napkin, watching him powder beignets and hand them to a sweet little boy, icing sugar still on his fingers. You sighed, looking down at your burger. “Maybe once I lose some weight.” The burger was half eaten as you stare at it with despair. You had been doing so well today, but the sign on the side of the truck said they were only making it the week of Mardi Gras so they wouldn’t have it next week so you HAD TO get it.

It was a very good reason.

“What’s wrong with you right now?” The red headed goddess asked, being someone who hadn’t been a pound overweight her entire life. You rolled your eyes, “No seriously, you’re the same person whether you’re overweight or not. And I can tell when someone likes you and he likes you.”

“I know I’m the same person,” You took another sip of soda, “I’m just….” How do you say it? “Guys have to be into my body type, I guess. I can’t just go out and approach anyone for a date.” You popped a fry in your mouth, “They have to like fat girls.”

“I hate when you say that.” Nat shook her head.

“Say what?” You licked the parmesan truffle flavoring off your finger.

“Fat.” You laughed, rolling your eyes.

“Doesn’t mean I’m ugly.” You took a glance over at the subject of the conversation, Sam must have said something funny to him because he was laughing. That head thrown back, grab your belly laugh. Fuck he was so hot. His eyes met yours across the pavilion. And he winked. He fucking winked.

“Just go ask him.” Nat stole another fry. “He always gives you extra fries, he practically pays for your lunch,” There was always something they ‘forgot’ to charge you for after they swiped your card.

“No big deal.” Sam would say, he would elbow his buddy, “It’s on the house.” It happened more often than would be normal.

“I’m just saying, instead of thirsting over him, at least go give him your number.” Maybe next week. This week you’d spilled some juice from your burger all over your blouse.

“Next week.” You agreed, “New week I’ll give him my number.”

You’d been on track with your diet all week, the salads, protein smoothies, healthy snacks. That way, you reasoned, on Friday when the ‘Connect Nola’ food truck parked on the pavillion you’d be able to treat yourself with something good.

And something better than good.

He was wearing a black t-shirt today, his hair in a high bun on his head, strands framing his face. A clear plastic poked out of the back of his shirt on what looked like fresh ink he’d gotten since last time you’d seen him. The special was a boneless fried chicken breast and red pepper jam on a biscuit.

“That’s what you should get.” Bucky said from his place over the flat top. Two fryers working hard next to him. “It’s my recipe, so it’s good.”

“As opposed to mine?” Sam smacked his friend, scooting himself around him to pluck the pineapple soda from the cooler. Bucky laughed.

“I’ve got some fried green tomatoes for you too if you want them.” He winked. Your mouth watered.

“You’re going to kill me.” You sighed, “Of course I want them.” Bucky smirked,

“Good cause they’re almost done.” He was stirring some kind of sauce in a metal bowl that after he placed the four thick slices of fried tomato in the paper container he poured over top. The two paper containers were placed on the counter, pineapple soda sweating next to them. You pulled out your card, flipping it between your fingers when Bucky stepped in front of Sam to hand you your food.

“How much do I owe you?” Your voice was breathy, heart racing at the sight of him so close. He leaned over the side, crossing his arms on the counter.

“Dinner, tonight maybe?” A charming smile, almost bashful. Your heart skipped a beat.

“I was going to ask you out.” You laughed. His smile widened.

“Well now you don’t have to… so?” His number had already been scribbled on the take out container next to him. “I’ll see you later.” Nat elbowed you to respond.

“Yeah… yes!” You took the warm containers from him, his fingers brushing yours. “Yes, later. Okay.” You bumped into Nat as you stepped backwards. “Bye.”

He smirked in response, “Bye.”

“I have nothing to wear.” You groaned over the phone. Nat laughed from the other side,

“What about that black dress with the flowers?” The one you’d bought from the flea market in the summer. “Wear that.”

The doorbell rang and your heart dropped. “Fuck, he’s here. Hold on.” You quickly shifted through your closet finding the dress she was talking about. “Just a minute!” You called to the man behind the door. “I’m so fucking disorganized.” You said to your friend on the phone, “Where are those heels?”

“The black ones with the thick strap? They’re under your bed. You kicked them off when we got back from brunch last week. I’m sure.” She was right. The dress was soon slipped over your head, heels buckled. “Use protection, be safe, and if you need anything call me.” Your face flushed with the thought.

“Hey,” You panted, opening the door. Bucky stood on the other side, nice slacks and a dark blue button down. “Sorry, I was just…” You gestured behind yourself, catching your breath.

“It’s okay,” He laughed, “I uhh…” He raised a brown paper bag he’d been holding. “I figured I’d cook you dinner, if that’s okay?” So you put on the shoes for nothing, he laughed, “I’m sorry, but yeah, you put on the shoes for nothing.”

“Shit,” You covered your face with your hand, not realizing you’d said it out loud, “Sorry.”

“You’re fine,” Bucky lowered the bag, “Can I come in?” You stepped to the side,

“Of course, I’m sorry.” Being an adult you’ve taken a lot of time perfecting your living space enough that you didn’t need to go out if you didn’t want to. You were fairly proud of your home, the apartment you’d spent the last couple years in slowly collecting items to finally make it yours. From the soft velvety throw down to the little knick knacks that didn’t make it too minimalistic.

“You’ve got a really nice place here,” He put the bag down on the kitchen counter, he pulled out a bottle of wine and what looked like the ingredients to, “Grilled cheese,” He shrugged sheepishly, “You can always tell a good chef by his grilled cheese. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” You dug through the silverware drawer, pulling out the wine key. “I love grilled cheese.” Two stemless glasses joined you on the counter as you poured the red wine, Bucky opening two different cabinets before finding your pans.

“We’ve got to get you better pans than this.” He joked, waving your cheap Walmart nonstick pan in the air.

“That pan does exactly what I need it to do,” You laughed, “Sit and gather dust.” He rolled his eyes, quickly rinsing the pan out and drying it. You took a sip of your wine as he started.

“Have you always wanted to be a chef?” You asked, stealing a piece of cheese off the cutting board. It was a sharp cheese, tangy on your tongue. He cut another slice. Three different cheeses he had for this sandwich. Along with sun dried tomatoes and a slab of uncut bacon.

“My Ma was a really good cook,” He begins, “When I was a kid I would always be in the kitchen with her, cooking and baking.” A thick bar of chocolate, eggs and other baking ingredients had been set off to the side for later. A dessert he was going to make that he said would be a surprise.

“Cooking has always been love for me. It’s a good way to bring people together and a good way to show someone you love them.” His fingers stopped slicing the cheese, looking up at you through his lashes he backtracks, “Not that I love you, not that I don’t care about you because I care about you, but I don’t love you, but not like—“

“I get it.” You laughed, taking another sip of wine, the red in his cheeks in a full flush. He took a steady sip of wine,

“Have you always wanted to work for Stark?” The cheese was set aside, the thick crust bread sliced, he lay the slab of bacon on the cutting board, working your knife that he’d very expertly sharpened, down the slab, cutting thick slices.

“Not always,” You mused, “I kind of just fell into this job. My roommate from college, Natasha, had done an internship there during our last year and I originally wanted to go to graduate school, but I haven’t quite decided if I wanted to stick with my major or not, so she helped me get a job just doing clerical work and overtime I’ve just worked my way up a bit. Now I run my own department. So I guess I’m not going anywhere.” He nodded, laying the thick pieces of bacon on a baking sheet, the oven already preheated.

“What did you want to do?” He asked, placing the bacon in the oven. You sighed,

“It’s dumb,” He turned to you with an incredulous look,

“Try me.” He started making a batter for the dessert.

“I wanted to be a writer.” You shrugged, “Like books.” You gestured to the small library you’d collected for yourself. Stacks of books in your living room next to the shelves of books on your walls. “I have drafts of things, but nothing serious.”

“You should pursue that.” He poured batter into two medium size ramekins he’d brought himself, tapping the bottom against the counter. “You seem like you’d be an amazing writer.”

You scoffed, rolling your eyes. “Not good enough.” To tell the truth you’d sent out a couple chapters to some publishers and had nothing but rejection letters, you’d all but given up on it.

He told you more about his family, his sisters, how his parents were still very much in love. “Sam and I with our buddy Steve had all enlisted at the same time.” He flipped the grilled cheese revealing a perfectly crisped brown bread. “Steve decided to have a military career so he’s working in DC right now, Sam and I decided to own our own restaurant, right now we’re going the food truck thing until we have enough to buy our spot in the city, then hopefully we will have the truck and the home store.”

The grilled cheese was fragrant, the three cheeses melted together on a spread of the sun dried tomatoes, thick cut bacon in between. He took his chefs knife and cut the sandwiches down the middle, plating them with ease. “This is so fucking good.” You moaned, the first bite, the crunch, the cheese, the tang from the tomatoes, the bacon perfectly cooked and melty in the middle. Bucky smirked at you from across the table, finishing off his first half.

“I’m honestly surprised you asked me out.” You popped a piece of crust that had fallen onto the side of the plate. Bucky looked at you confused.

“Why do you say that?” Fuck it was the wine, making you feel a little shitty. You were a little drunk to be fair.

“You’re just…. You.” You gestured towards him, “So fit and handsome and like… I don’t know.” Bucky shook his head.

“You’re gorgeous,” He scoffed, “You’re literally the whole reason we even started coming to the pavilion every week. I don’t want to hear that shit.” You sat back in your chair watching him take another sip of his wine, stunned. “Guys really fuck me up because someone probably treated you like you needed to be a certain way to be loved and it’s just not true. I’m attracted to you, you’re kind and funny and smart.” He wiped his fingers on his napkin, “Doesn’t matter to me either way.” Your weight. Didn’t matter. “I like you.”

His eyes were intense and sent a shiver down your spine. “I’m sorry.” You said quietly, “I didn’t mean to—”

“You didn’t.” His hand gently grasped yours, pulling it up to his lips. “I just wanted you to know I like you, no matter what.” Okay. Okay. He leaned in, shifting in his chair to lay an arm over the back of yours, taking the hand he held and placing it on his cheek he softly pressed his lips to yours.

Your lips parted and met again. And again. And the timer went off on the counter. His phone shrill and loud letting you know dessert was done. “Hold please.” He whispered against your lips. You felt cold when he removed himself from you, puttering around in the kitchen you heard the stove being turned off and he returned a moment later. “Careful they’re hot.” Two perfect chocolate molten cakes, icing sugar and white chocolate sauce drizzled on top.

“Thank you for tonight.” The two of you stood in front of your open door, his shoes had been slipped back on, hair no longer in a messy bun it hung loose around his shoulders. You were sure it had been your fingers that had worked it loose, but you couldn’t be sure.

The hot and intense make-out session you’d just had on your couch, tongues mixing and tasting of chocolate. Heavy breaths and soft moans melding together, and just the appropriate amount of wandering hands.

“No,” He said, twirling a strand of your hair around his fingers, “Thank you.” A breath away he pressed his lips to yours again, slowly. Savoring it. “Breakfast tomorrow?” He breathed, resting his forehead against yours in your doorway. You grinned, running a hand down his arm,

“Same place?” He grinned before taking your lips once more,

“It’s a date.”

taglist// @bookish-shristi @saturnki @jennmurawski13 @geeksareunique @the-soulofdevil @tinmunky @captainscanadian @albinotigerpython

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #sam wilson #chef!au #plus!reader #the falcon and the winter soldier #captain america #the winter soldier #falcon #cbc1kwc

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purplesurveys · 4 years ago

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940

it’s a day before my internship starts and a day before my life gets eaten up once again so disclaimer!!!!! expect quite the shit-ton of surveys today (plus i haven’t been doing a lot of these lately and i miss surveys, so that too)

potato-themed asks

Has anyone ever accused you of being a couch potato? No. I never want to be one or be referred to as one anyway, so my workaholic ass is always looking for active steps to do things that would keep me busy.

Did you used to play with Mr. (or Mrs.) Potato Head, growing up? No but I always wanted one of my own when I was a kid. I liked toys with customizable features so a Potato Head would’ve been perfect for me. The thing is I never knew it was a real, actual toy until I got older and always thought it was just a character on Toy Story, so I never really asked for my own.

Mashed Potatoes: Do you prefer them with or without lumps? I don’t really have a preference I guess. I’m pretty easy to please and just like my mashed potatoes milky and creamy.

Baked Potato: What topping do you prefer to have on your baked potato? Bacon bits and tons of cheese. I gotta say, I’ve only had baked potato once in my life and it was years ago, and it had those two toppings so that’s also part of the reason why I’m going with bacon and cheese by default.

Spud: Do you remember playing Spud with kids in the neighborhood or on the playground? I’ve never heard of that game before, actually. Must be at least a North American thing. We played other games outside but they’re all uniquely Filipino, so it’ll be a little useless to list some of them down.

Small Fry: How tall are you? Just a little over 5′1″. It’s the most average average height for Filipinos, so my height isn’t special at all lol.

Scalloped Potatoes: Have you ever tried to grow potatoes before? No. I’ve never tried to grow any crop or fruit or veggies of my own.

Tater Tots: What condiments do you use on your potatoes? Various ones, depending on what kind of potato dish I’ve got. I like mayonnaise with my fries, gravy with my mashed potatoes, ranch with my mojos, you get the idea.

Shoestring French Fries: How often do you eat potatoes? I’d say 2-3 times a week. My dad will sometimes mix in potatoes in our scrambled eggs and we always have a supply of potato chips at home.

French Fries: Do you consider potatoes to be a starch, a vegetable, or a starchy vegetable? I’m honestly not very knowledgeable when it comes to food groups, but ‘starchy vegetable’ sounds the most right to me. HAHA I could always be wrong though.

Steak Fries: What is your favorite “type” of fry to eat? Shoestring fries and curly fries.

Potato Wedges: Do you have a preferred method for cooking potatoes? (grill, oven, stovetop, air fryer, etc) Welp I don’t cook, so I wouldn’t be the most credible person to answer this.

Curly Fries: Where can you get the best fast-food french fries from, if you’re looking for some greasy goodness? Burger King, McDonald’s, or Jollibee.

Hash Browns: Do you prefer the thin shreds or the flat patties? I’ve only ever encountered flat hashbrowns, so I’m siding with them by default. I’ve never heard of shredded hashbrowns - that’s pretty interesting.

Potato Pancakes: Do you celebrate Hanukkah? Have you ever had latkes before? Nope, and no I haven’t. I’m open to trying anything though, especially when it comes to food :)))

Potato Salad: Do you prefer German, mustard, or regular the most? I don’t eat potato salad, so I’m not aware of these varieties to begin with.

Did you ever play Hot Potato as a child? We did but we called it a different name. It’s a popular kids’ party game and we usually used balloons, and on this side of the world we call the game Pass the Balloon. Very straightforward, lol.

Roasted Potatoes: Do you prefer red or brown potatoes? Do you eat them with or without onions? What do you use to season them? I only know of brown potatoes. I’ve never had roasted potatoes, but I imagine onions would sound very good with them.

Sweet Potato: Do you prefer sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie? I’ve never tried either but if both pies were offered in front of me, I think I’d go for the pumpkin pie first mostly because it’s more popular.

Poutine: Have you ever tried this before? I haven’t, but this is also because the market for poutine is soooo tiny here and other than Tim Horton’s we don’t really have restaurants that are Canadian in origin or offering Canadian cuisine. Poutine does look good as fuck and I’d love to try it out – I know @inchoate-surveys has a lot of praise for it, heh. :D

Chili Cheese Fries/Loaded Fries: What would you like on yours? I don’t really get loaded fries but I’d buy a dish if it says it has lots of melted cheese, bacon bits, ground beef, and jalapeños.

Have you ever made potato soup before? No.

[survey by bionic-beth/ohsh1t2wksl8]

#survey #surveys

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lovemesomesurveys · 4 years ago

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potato-themed asks Has anyone ever accused you of being a couch potato? Yeah, jokingly. There was probably truth to it, though haha. I’ve said that about myself. Did you used to play with Mr. (or Mrs.) Potato Head, growing up? Yeah, I had one. Mashed Potatoes: Do you prefer them with or without lumps? I don’t really mind either way, I just love mashed potatoes and gravy. Baked Potato: What topping do you prefer to have on your baked potato? Mmm, baked potatoes are delicious. I love to put butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, chives, and some black pepper. Spud: Do you remember playing Spud with kids in the neighborhood or on the playground? Hmm. No, that doesn’t sound familiar.

Small Fry: How tall are you? Like 5′4. Scalloped Potatoes: Have you ever tried to grow potatoes before? No. Tater Tots: What condiments do you use on your potatoes? Well, I already mentioned what I have with mashed potatoes and baked potatoes. I have tater tots, french fries, and hash browns with ranch. French fries gotta have salt or some kind of seasoning, too. Tater tots and hash browns go well with country gravy as well. If we’re talking about like roasted potatoes, then I like to add garlic and seasoning. Shoestring French Fries: How often do you eat potatoes? Not as often as I used to, but I do love ‘em. French Fries: Do you consider potatoes to be a starch, a vegetable, or a starchy vegetable? Starchy vegetable. Steak Fries: What is your favorite “type” of fry to eat? Standard, waffle, curly, potato wedges, garlic fries, sweet potato fries...

Potato Wedges: Do you have a preferred method for cooking potatoes? (grill, oven, stovetop, air fryer, etc) If made at home they’re typically cooked in the oven, unless my mom is making mashed potatoes, in which case they’re cooked on the stove. Curly Fries: Where can you get the best fast-food french fries from, if you’re looking for some greasy goodness? I honestly think Carl’s Jr has pretty good fries. Hash Browns: Do you prefer the thin shreds or the flat patties? I like both. Potato Pancakes: Do you celebrate Hanukkah? Have you ever had latkes before? No. Potato Salad: Do you prefer German, mustard, or regular the most? Mustard or mayo-based (includes herbs and hard boiled eggs). Is that one the regular kind? Did you ever play Hot Potato as a child? Yeah. Roasted Potatoes: Do you prefer red or brown potatoes? Do you eat them with or without onions? What do you use to season them? I like both with garlic and seasoning. Sweet Potato: Do you prefer sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie? I don’t like either one. I know I said I like sweet potato fries, but for some reason that’s the only way I like sweet potatoes. The kind I’ve had were of the fast food variety, so they were probably cooked in unhealthy oil and had added seasonings that made them good haha.

Poutine: Have you ever tried this before? Nope. Chili Cheese Fries/Loaded Fries: What would you like on yours? I can’t have chili cheese fries anymore, but I used to like them. Loaded fries for me now would just be like cheese, ranch, and green onions. Have you ever made potato soup before? Nope.

#personal #text #survey #surveys #food survey #potatoes

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lobsters-on-their-heads · 7 years ago

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Continuing Travels of Cophine, Chap. 7

They’ve cured all the Latin American Ledas, and they can go home for a bit now. This chapter starts a little differently, though.

You can find the entire work here: http://archiveofourown.org/works/12116799

Also, if you haven’t yet read A Galaxy of Women, the work that kicked this off, you should read it here: http://archiveofourown.org/works/11836590/chapters/26716833

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Toronto, early December

“So how's your class coming?”

Sarah looked up at Art and scowled. “You sound like me, talking to the kids.”

He grinned and held the door open for her, then followed her into the diner. It was the tail end of the dinner rush, so they had to wait for tables to be cleared before getting seated. The air was filled with the clatter of dishes and the smell of coffee and fried food.

“I am proud of you, though,” Art added. “Going back to school is hard, no matter what.”

“Yeah. It's not doing much for my self-esteem, though, I'll tell you that. I just keep reminding myself that it's for Kira. I can't just coast by without trying to improve myself, not with Kira watching everything I do.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I know what you mean. Kids change your perspective.”

Sarah had finally earned her GED in August, and spent a fruitless month searching for gainful employment that didn't involve a cash register, a deep fryer, or a toilet brush. She'd considered a few overnight positions, stocking shelves, baking bread, and doing security, but she could not leave Kira and Charlotte alone all night, and it was a lot to ask someone else to watch them for five nights a week. She didn't have the people skills for customer service or the physical strength to deliver packages. Even filing clerk positions usually asked for an Associate's Degree. It all reminded her why she had gone into drug dealing in the first place, but she would clean toilets before she went back to that life.

In early September, Alison tossed her a metaphorical bone and put Sarah on the Sadler and Daughter's Foundation payroll as a part-time administrative assistant, for minimum wage, ten hours a week. She still had that title, but within a week, it became plainly clear that Sarah wouldn't have gotten or kept the job working for anyone other than her sister. She'd never made a spreadsheet before, and she couldn't make head nor tail of the databases Alison had set up. Her main job duties quickly turned into running errands for Alison or handling last minute issues for Cosima and Delphine.

Then, just as toilet cleaning was starting to seem like a real possibility, Sarah checked her bank statement to see if she afford new shoes for Kira, and almost fell out of her chair. Just over $3 million had magically appeared in her account overnight, courtesy of MK, who'd set up her account to transfer the funds automatically in the event that she did not log in to her account for twelve months. Sarah's job search ended, and she enrolled herself in a ten-week Computer Applications course at the local community college. She'd just left the classroom when Art texted asking if she wanted dinner.

“Don't tell me this class is too hard for you,” Art said, as the hostess seated them near a window.

Sarah groaned and leaned against the cold glass. “It just about is. I think I can pass, but it's kicking my ass right now. It doesn't help that the teacher's two years younger than me, and most of the other students aren't even twenty yet. The only ones older than me are, like, seventy-five and taking the class because they're bored.”

“Don't worry about that. You focus on you.”

She sighed. “Some pimple-faced git in the class with me, one of those under-twenties, he told me I'm not detail-oriented enough for computer work. I wanted to slap him, but I think he's right.”

They ordered coffee and tea, and Art wrinkled his forehead at her. “Not detail-oriented? Don't give me that bullshit. You conned me, and the entire police department, for weeks as Beth, remember? You conned Beth's bank and her boyfriend. Didn't you once convince Ferdinand that you were actually Rachel Duncan? You don't do that kind of conning without being detail-oriented.”

“That's not detail-oriented, that's just paying attention and being flexible, isn't it?”

“Is it? You managed your way around the computers at the station while you were there.”

She laughed. “That's `cause I got Raj to help me with everything. How's he doing, by the way?”

Art said that Raj was doing fine just as the waiter returned with their drinks. They ordered – steak and a salad for Art and a cheddar bacon scramble for Sarah. Outside, the drizzle of the afternoon turned into steady freezing rain that tapped against the glass of the diner window.

She sighed. “You wanna hear something sad? I took my placement tests for the college, to figure out what levels I need to be in, you know, and I placed, no shit, I placed in fucking developmental math and English. Developmental, like, for the stupid people who can't handle regular classes.”

“It just means it's been a while since you took those subjects,” Art assured her. “You'll get back up to speed.”

She shook her head. “Doesn't feel like I will. And I've never been good at math. I took the same math class three years in a row in school, and I failed every single time. Meanwhile, my bloody clone is working on her bloody PhD and figured out how to cure all of us by her bloody self.”

As if on cue, Sarah's phone beeped, showing a message from Cosima. Opening the message, she saw a picture of Cosima and Delphine, smiling at each other in a garden at sunset, surrounded by banana trees and climbing vines with bright red flowers. They both wore short sleeves and Cosima had her arms around Delphine's waist. “God, she has to rub it in, doesn't she?” Sarah muttered. Before she could show the picture to Art, another message popped up, written in all caps.

SHE SAID YES

“Well, shit!” Sarah cried, “It's about bloody time!” Grinning, she spun the phone around to show Art. “She finally asked Delphine to marry her. Like she wasn't gonna say yes. Pssh.”

Art's face broke into the kind of grin he usually reserved for Helena's babies or his own daughter's accomplishments. “So we're gonna have a Clone Club wedding, then?”

The phone beeped again. Maybe don't tell everyone yet, Cosima wrote. Or is it too late for that?

No problem. Art's here, so I told him, but that's all. I'll let you tell everyone else. She sent the message, then added, Just don't wait too bloody long to tell them!

Sarah remembered Cosima when Delphine was missing, and when they thought she was dead. She remembered when Cosima herself had been dying, hooked up to an oxygen tank and coughing up blood left and right and all any of them could think about was survival. And now Cosima and Delphine were getting married. Looking back at the picture Cosima sent, she grinned, her happiness mostly overcoming her envy. Mostly.

“Excuse me.” She waved to the waitress when she passed. “Could you take a picture of us? Art, look miserable.”

The waitress agreed, taking a moment to sort out Sarah's phone. Sarah and Art slouched in their seats, elbows on the table. Art wore his best hang-dog expression and pointed at the weather outside just as the waitress snapped the photo. Sarah send the picture to Cosima with the message, It's a little less romantic up here. Good thing you asked her before you got back.

Then, in all seriousness, she sent another. Seriously, I'm thrilled for you both. You bloody well better invite all of us to the wedding.

* *

Delphine told Marie, the owner of the bed and breakfast, the news as soon as they returned for the night. They'd eaten dinner at La Nacional, recommended as the “best romantic restaurant in Monterrey,” which gave Delphine an excuse to buy a new skirt to replace the one with the salsa stain on it, and it really was quite romantic. All the same, Delphine would have been happy with a taco truck as long as she was there with Cosima, but Cosima wanted to spoil her, and she wanted to give Cosima what she wanted.

“Where's the ring?” Marie demanded, looking at Delphine's fingers once she'd ascertained that it was Cosima who'd done the asking.

“There isn't one,” Delphine replied.

Beside her, Cosima squirmed a little. “I'll get her once we're back in Toronto.”

Marie nodded, satisfied with that answer. “They might have a better selection there, and you'll have time to resize it up there if you need to.”

And then there were pictures and a bottle of wine brought out especially for them, and they drank to their future together.

In their room upstairs, they took their time getting ready for bed. Every few minutes, Cosima looked at her sideways, with those shining puppy dog eyes that melted Delphine's heart. Finally, seated on the edge of the bed, she wrapped an arm around Cosima's waist and her pulled her close, so Cosima had to wrap her arms around Delphine's neck to keep from toppling sideways.

“You know,” Delphine said, “you don't have to buy me an engagement ring at all.”

Cosima smiled and blushed a little. “Are you just saying that because I don't know what kind to get you?”

“No, not at all. I've given it a lot of thought.”

“Have you?” She twisted a little and sat sideways on Delphine's lap, one hand playing with Delphine's hair.

“Yes. For years after I left Jérôme, I thought about what he did that made me so upset, when everyone else thought I should have been happy.”

Cosima's fingers followed the line of Delphine's jaw from her ear to the slight divot in her chin. “You said he just wanted to show you off, like a possession he'd won or something.”

“Yes, that was most of it. And the engagement ring, well, you know that was him showing off, too.”

“Because it cost 15,000 euro.”

“Yes, partly. But also because he put it on my finger in front of everyone. He...” She searched for the right words in English. She'd explained this to her close French friends, but never to anyone else in English. “It was like when I bought that painting of you. He'd put a sticker on me and bought me for 15,000 euro in front of everyone.”

Cosima smiled at the memory of the painting. They had talked, and talked, and talked some more, for what ended up being hours, about commitment and autonomy and vulnerability both before and after Delphine bought it. They'd talked even more while planning their trip to Latin America, about entitlements and responsibilities and obligations.

“I guess engagement rings are like that, though,” Cosima said, “for straight people, anyway. It's a way for guys to, like, tag their women so other guys know she's off limits.”

Delphine nodded. She gets it. She gets me. “Yes. And it's telling, isn't it, that men don't wear engagement rings? That only women do?”

“Would it be, like, terribly unfeminist of me,” Cosima said, “if I kind of want that, though? Like, if I want people to know your mine? I mean, just walking down the street today after you said yes, it was so fucking hard for me to keep my mouth shut and not just shout it out to everyone we passed.”

Delphine giggled, because she'd had the same inclination before, just not today. Her first night with Cosima in Toronto had had that effect on her; she'd wanted to shout from the windows, “Cosima knows who I am and she still wants to be with me!” In the end, the only person other than Cosima who saw Delphine gloat in any way was Aldous Leekie. She couldn't keep from smirking too much that one of his subjects had so thoroughly outperformed him, but it took her several days to let the smirk come out. She kissed Cosima's hand, first the side, then the palm.

“No,” she assured her. “It wouldn't be terrible to want that. But you know, I was yours long before you asked me to marry you. That hasn't changed.”

With her free hand, Cosima brushed Delphine's hair back behind her ear and played with her earlobe. “I know. I was yours, too; I have been yours. I just... I just want everybody to know it. And you can give me a ring, too! Claim the hell out of me.”

A breeze came in from the cracked open window and made them both shiver. Delphine pulled Cosima closer and nuzzled her neck. “I will give you one when we get married. Wedding rings are a little different from engagement rings that way. We give them to each other, and we make each other promises. It doesn't matter even who goes first, because we both say the same words, the same promises, and we both lay claim to each other.”

Cosima leaned back, allowing the breeze to raise goosebumps on Delphine's now exposed chest. “You can be so romantic sometimes, Dr. Cormier.”

“Sometimes.” With a smooth motion, she deposited Cosima on the bed and stood up to close the window. “Sometimes I'm practical.”

The flight out of Monterrey left at close to four in the afternoon, leaving them time to stroll around the Macroplaza and the Palacio del Obispado before heading to the airport. Marie gave them a small gift basket full of local goodies when they checked out, winking to show them it was a special gift.

“Send me wedding pictures!” she told them.

On their way to the airport, Cosima watched the Mexican landscape go by, Delphine's hand in hers. Delphine watched her, seeing the small frown forming between Cosima's eyebrows. “Will you miss Latin America?” she asked.

Cosima took a deep breath and considered before answering. “Yes. But I'm looking forward to getting back. Seeing all the sestras again, having my own lab, you know. Flushing the toilet paper instead of throwing it away.”

They both giggled. “That will be our first culture shock when we get back,” she said, “put toilet paper in the toilet instead of a trash can.”

The airport check-in went smoothly; they had both flown enough times by now to have the routine down pat and to know exactly what measures to take to ensure a pleasant experience. They were accustomed to the panicking travelers running around them, the brusque security agents, and the variable selections of airport food. Over the past several months, Cosima had developed characters to go with common airport denizens, sometimes named after actual people.

“Looks like another Rodrigo up there,” she commented as they shuffled through the line towards security. Sure enough, when Delphine looked, she saw a man shouting instructions to the folks in his line, just like the original Rodrigo with his security line in Santiago had.

“Put the bins back on the stack when you finish!” this one shouted, first in Spanish, then in English. “If you put them back, the line moves faster!” Five minutes later, when he found more empty bins piling up on the conveyor belt, he yelled again. “You're not listening to me! Put the bins back on the stack!”

“How much longer do you think he has?” Cosima asked.

“Before he quits?”

“Before he gives himself an ulcer.”

“Too late for that; he probably already has one.”

They transferred in Houston with a ninety minute layover that gave them enough time to use the bathroom (and flush their toilet paper), grab some premade sandwiches and snacks from a kiosk, and find their next terminal. On the way, they shared a hallway with a girl in her late teens or early twenties, a Powerpuff Girls pillow strapped to her hiking backpack and tears streaming down her face. “This is such bullshit!” she cried out. “I can't believe it. Such fucking bullshit!”

Delphine would have ignored her, but Cosima cocked her head in the girl's direction and watched her as they all walked in the same direction. At the end of the hallway they were stopped by a set of sliding doors and sign asking them to please wait for the shuttle to take them to their terminal. The girl made a sound like her arm was being ripped off.

“What time does your flight leave?” Cosima asked.

“It leaves at four fucking thirty! And it's four o'clock right now! There's no way I can get there; I'm going to miss my fucking flight!” She grabbed her hair at the roots and yanked hard.

A Tabitha, Delphine thought, remembering the girl at the airport in São Paolo, named Tabitha by Cosima, who had come close to this level of drama. But worse.

“Where are you flying to?” Cosima asked the girl, smiling a little at her.

“Nowhere because I'm gonna miss my fucking flight oh my God!”

Delphine rolled her eyes. “You'll be fine,” she told her. “Freaking out never -”

“Okay, you don't know anything about me so don't tell me not to freak out, okay?”

Now Delphine just wanted to laugh. This is why she avoided interacting with strangers whenever possible. She could deliver babies and save lives, but emotional management was Cosima's wheelhouse, not hers. If the person didn't respond to Delphine's attempts to calm them in the first few seconds, Delphine gave up, and in this case, she had to admit she wasn't even trying. “Okay,” she said.

Thirty minutes later, she and Cosima were on their next plane, in seats a few rows back from First Class, and the Houston Tabitha, as they now called her, was off somewhere else. “I hope she got her flight,” Cosima commented as she settled into the middle seat. Delphine got the window seat this time.

“I hope she didn't.”

“Really? That's a little petty of you, don't you think?”

A middle-aged man with a salt-and-pepper beard sat in the aisle seat next to Cosima, nodding to both of them as he did. Delphine barely took note of him, and said to Cosima, “It's not petty. If she makes her flight, she might think that all of her dramatics led to her success, but if she misses her flight, she'll learn that life goes on.”

“She could be stranded here. We don't know what her situation is.”

“No, but I'm not convinced she knows her situation all that well, either. She shouldn't have been so rushed; she should have planned better.”

“Right. Like we've never missed a flight.”

Their flight from Lima to Buenos Aires, like most all of their flights, had been schedule last minute, with few options to choose from, and they ended up having less than an hour to transfer in Santiago. As a result, they missed their second flight by about ten minutes, and spent the night in Santiago, earning Cosima an unpleasant earful from Alison Hendrix.

“I don't recall either of us making that kind of scene when it happened,” Delphine remarked. “Do you?”

“Not the point, love.”

They settled into comfortable positions, with rolled up sweatshirts, travel pillows, water bottles, and portable entertainment situated in routine-tested places around them. Delphine was fishing a bag of mixed nuts from her bag when she heard Cosima gasp and exclaim, “Holy shit, that's awesome!”

“What? What's awesome?”

But Cosima wasn't looking at her; she was turned to the man in the aisle seat, who had removed his left leg from the knee down and propped it up against his shoulder like a rifle, the foot poking up beside his head. He grinned at Cosima's enthusiasm. “I've always got legroom,” he said.

The plane began to taxi toward the runway, and Cosima jumped into an animated conversation with her seat partner, who said his name was Amir. He asked about where she'd been and she told him, introducing Delphine with a grin as her fiancée and then leaning back to allow them to shake hands. He congratulated them and said he was returning from a year-long study on flesh-eating bacteria along the Gulf coast. At that, Cosima's eyes really lit up, and by the time the plane was airborne and the fasten seatbelt sign turned off, Cosima and Amir were pouring over charts and images on his laptop. Amir's prosthetic leg had moved to straddle both of their laps, and Delphine heard the women sitting in front of them expressing private, quiet discomfort at the topics under discussion.

“Babe, check this out,” Cosima said a couple of times, tapping Delphine's arm to show her something Amir had on his computer. “See this model shows the spread of nectorizing fasciitis in hurricane-prone areas, and this one-” Cosima broke off to grin at Delphine and hold her hand more closely. “Delphine's the one you should really be talking to. She did her dissertation on host-parasite relationships.”

Amir's eyebrows popped up. “Really?”

She squeezed Cosima's hand, trying to tell her without saying so that she loved her, but was looking forward to zoning out for the next few hours. Again, chatting people up was Cosima's gig, not hers. “Yes, really.”

“Well, I'd love to hear about your research if you don't mind sharing. Scientist to scientist, you know.” Amir had a warm smile, the kind that would understand a polite decline. Cosima, on the other hand, was beaming, showing the full force of her canines, and Delphine could never resist that grin. She gave Amir the overview of her dissertation work, now several years in the past, and tried to emphasize that she wasn't focusing so much on host-parasite relationships these days. Amir then asked Cosima about her research, and the conversation swerved into discussions of clone cells, stem cell lines, and the perils of doing research remotely. After a few minutes, Delphine felt safe turning away and leaning her head against her make-shift pillow. She watched the heartland of the United States pass beneath them and listened to the chatter of her lover – her fiancée – beside her, and before she knew it she drifted off.

* *

The blood was everywhere – on her hands, her blouse, the floor, even the walls of the antique dressing room. In her arms, Cosima twitched and gaped like a fish out of water, and Delphine screamed. Then, in a moment, it was over. Cosima went limp, her lungs ceased their struggle, and her eyes glazed over, fixed on nothing.

“Let her go, Delphine.” Siobhan's hand was gentle on her shoulder, but firm. Sarah was there, too, and with Siobhan's help she pulled Delphine back, took Cosima from her arms, and told her it was over, there was nothing she could do.

“We got him,” Sarah said. “He's dead now, too.” Turning, she saw it was true. The man she'd known as PT Westmoreland was dead in the doorway, pistol still in his hand. She couldn't even avenge her lover's death.

Time passed, and there were still clones to cure. Delphine went alone. She saw countless women with Cosima's face, but none of them were her. They didn't have her hair, her tongue-between-her-teeth smile, her brilliance, her humor. They weren't her. A few of them flirted with her, but she just stuck the needle in their arms, or their uteruses, and left. At night she went alone to her hotel, always a blank, business-oriented room. She drank whiskey and smoked cigarettes on the balcony and fell asleep with her clothes on. Eventually, she stuck a needle in the last Leda. The woman left without Delphine even learning her name, and then Delphine had nowhere else to go. There was nothing left to do, no reason to keep going...

BONG

“Attention passengers. We are now beginning our descent into Toronto. The captain has turned on the fasten seatbelt sign...”

Reality crashed into Delphine like a shock. She tried turning, but she couldn't move, and for a moment, she panicked. Then a gentle hand held her face, and she heard soft laughter.

“It's okay, baby. You're still on the plane.”

“Hnnnn?”

“You passed the fuck out. I don't think I've ever seen you sleep that deeply on a plane before. Usually that's my job.”

Her eyes adjusted to the fluorescent lights and her breathing returned to normal. She was indeed on a plane, and Cosima was not dead, but sitting and smiling right next to her. Outside the window, gaps in the clouds showed tiny winking lights of cars, buildings, and street lamps far below, clustering around neighborhoods and cities and outlining waterways. She could still taste the cheap dream cigarettes in her mouth, and it took her a minute to remember that she'd quit smoking over a year ago. Her face was damp. A look at the sweatshirt she'd been using a pillow showed a five inch wide wet spot right where her face had been.

“Yeah, you were drooling.”

“Apparently.”

Cosima offered her some water, and she drank it with shaky hands. Her body was back in reality, but her mind could not shake the dream. The overwhelming sense of loss and despair lingered in the folds of her heart even as Cosima took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Are you okay?” she asked.

“Mm. Yes. Just... still sleepy.” She tried to stretch, but was thwarted by the carry on bag at her feet. She wanted to turn and wrap all of herself around Cosima, to feel her heart beat and her breath against her skin, but that would have to wait. She settled for leaning her head against Cosima's. “A bed will be nice.”

“We'll get you tucked in soon enough,” Cosima assured her. “Scott promised to put fresh linens on the bed for us today, and he said there's a new space heater down there now.”

She smiled and closed her eyes against the plane's lights. Children in the seats behind them cried out that they saw snow on the ground, and an adult told them it was not snow, but a white roof. “Weather says no snow,” the man said. “Just a lot of sleet and gross weather.”

As her body crept further into wakefulness, she felt her scar flaring up, itching and burning at the same time. It was a familiar sensation, with the symptoms presenting themselves far enough under the dermis that no amount of rubbing or scratching the area would ever help. In fact, it only made matters worse. She winced and tried to press on the site with the heel of her hand, trying to at least contain the discomfort until it passed or she could put an ice pack on it. She'd been sitting too long, twisted and crunched and using her abdominal muscles without really thinking about it because she'd been asleep, and this was the result. This was why she usually did her best to stay awake on plane flights, so she could at least change positions once in a while.

“What's wrong?” Cosima asked.

She almost brushed it off like she had with the nightmare. Physical pain, though, was easier to manage, easier to share. “My scar's bothering me,” she said. “You know how it is sometimes.”

“Hmm.” Cosima reached around their seat belts to rub Delphine's upper thigh. “It's been a while since it hurt you, though.”

She nodded. Images from the dream kept flickering in her mind, no matter how hard she tried to convince her brain that it wasn't real. She remembered Siobhan's hands on her shoulders, the smell of blood, the pervasive grayness and hopelessness of it all. It wasn't real. Siobhan had never put her hands on Delphine's shoulders, and Delphine had never wanted her to until now, when she remembered that Siobhan never would.

It could've been real. There was that little voice again, reminding her of how terrible things could have turned out. Like she needed to be reminded of just how lucky she was.

#cophine fanfiction #continuing travels of cophine #my fanfiction #my writing #orphan black fanfiction #post canon

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eazy-group · 2 years ago

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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries | Slimming World Friendly Recipe

New Post has been published on https://eazydiet.net/air-fryer-sweet-potato-fries-slimming-world-friendly-recipe/

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries | Slimming World Friendly Recipe

I am kinda crazy about sweet potato, I will happily throw it into a salad, casserole, curry or as fries! I just like something a little different occasionally rather than the same boring old spud! These sweet potatoes are perfectly crispy on the outside, soft in the middle and seasoned to perfection.

Don’t fret… if you don’t have an Air fryer don’t be scared away! They can be baked in the oven too.

Is this recipe suitable for Slimming World followers?

One thing you may not be too impressed with is.. these are not Syn Free but there is a reason for it. Frylight completely destroys your Air fryer.. and oil works much better with this recipe.

So we are going to use one teaspoon of oil (preferably olive oil) and this will make the recipe worth 1/2 a Syn per serving.

Why you’ll love this recipe….

Delicious and tasty

So easy to make

Only half a Syn per portion

Low in calories

Perfect side dish

Slimming World friendly

Crispy on the outside and soft in the middle

Vegan recipe

Looking for an air fryer?

I literally could not live without my Air fryer.. it is switched on every single day! From cooking full meals, to making toast or even just heating up croissants for the kids!

There are so many air fryers on the market and each has its good and bad points! However…. I can highly recommend the Cosori Air fryer which comes with a 100 recipe cook book.

Batch Cook – Storage Information

Fridge: These are best eaten fresh from the air fryer.

Freezer: These are best eaten fresh from the air fryer.

Looking for a delicious Syn Free dipping saucy dippy dip?

Syn Free tomato ketchup Syn Free BBQ Sauce

DON’T MISS A SINGLE RECIPE! SIGN UP TO FREE EMAILS BELOW.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Super easy to make and delicious sweet potato fries all made in the air fryer. Crispy and tasty, even the kiddos will love these too. This recipe has been created with Slimming World in mind but is also suitable for anyone following WW or a calorie deficit. Nutritional InformationSlimming World: ½ a Syn per portionWeight Watchers: Coming SoonCalories: 131 Per serving

Course Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

3 Large Sweet Potatoes [Peeled, Sliced into fries]

1 tsp Olive Oil

½ tsp Paprika

Salt

Ground Black Pepper

Throw your sweet potato into a freezer bag or a mixing bowl.

Put in 1 teaspoon of oil, paprika, 2 large pinches of salt and a good healthy seasoning of black pepper.

Shake the bag or use your hands to cover the fries in everything. Ensure they are well coated.

Pop into the air fryer at 170c for 10 minutes.

Remove, shake, season with a little more salt.

Put back into the air fryer at 200c for a further 5 minutes or until golden and crispy.

OVEN BAKE OPTION: Line a baking tray with grease proof paper. Place in the oven at 200c/Fan 180c/Gas 6 for 20 – 25 minutes, flip half away.

Have you created this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below or share a photo on Instagram tagging me at @fatgirlskinny__ and the hashtag #fatgirlskinny.

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bubursalmon · 5 years ago

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Movement Control Order MCO #5 Diary

Day #73 Fri 2020/05/29

Am pleased with the new and short crew cut hair style. Many thanks to my wife for cutting and styling my hair even though she had no prior experience to guide her. As hair dressing service is banned during this MCO period we had no choice but to cut hair DIY with the aid of a cordless electric hair clipper that we ordered online and learning the art on the fly by watching some Youtube haircut tutorials

\ MCO \ Haircut \ Crew Cut \ Hair Clipper \ First Time \

Day #70 Tue 2020/05/26

After the feed it is supposed to be bed time for baby Ellie but she refused to sleep and wanted to play. Without knowing how to speak a single word, other than uttering some incomprehensible infant sounds I don't know how baby Ellie can hold such a long pillow conversation and capture the attention of her mom and her grandma by her side at the same time. When baby Ellie is in good mood her sweet smile, expressive eyes and playful nature can literally melt your heart.

In my run today I passed by Taman Rekreasi Puncak Jalil. However the park is still closed to visitors. There is a yellow tape strung across the entrance to bar visitors from climbing the staircase to the top of the hill. Slow jogging log 06:59 am Distance: 7.11 km. Duration: 01:33:43. Average pace: 13'10"/ km. Burned: 766 kcal. Steps:11,126 . Average heart rate: 115 bpm. Max heart rate: 133 bpm. Average cadence: 120 steps/min. Max cadence: 134 steps/min. Average stride 63 cm. Max stride: 76 cm. Speed: 4.55 km/h Heart rate zones: Relaxed: 0 min. Light: 2 min. Intensive 28 min, Aerobic 42 min, Anaerobic 25 min VO2 max: 0 min. \ Slow Jogging \ Exercise \ Health \ Taman Rekreasi Puncak Jalil \ PUJ 5 \ First Time

Day #68 Sun 2020/05/24

Something to be happy and excited about. This morning, on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri I completed the longest run of 7.83 km. For the first time the run took me outside Taman Puncak Jalil to Pangsapuri Enggang located along Jalan 6F, Bandar Kinrara. Slow jogging log 07:00 am Distance: 7.83 km. Duration: 01:38:20. Average pace: 12'33"/ km. Burned: 793 kcal. Steps:11,526 . Average heart rate: 113 bpm. Max heart rate: 130 bpm. Average cadence: 116 steps/min. Max cadence: 133 steps/min. Average stride 67 cm. Max stride: 82 cm. Speed: 4.80 km/h Heart rate zones: Relaxed: 0 min. Light: 2 min. Intensive 27 min, Aerobic 1 hr 2 min, Anaerobic 8 min VO2 max: 0 min. \ Slow Jogging \ Exercise \ Health \ Pangsapuri Enggang \ First Time \

Day #67 Sat 2020/05/23

Although only 3 months old, Ellie likes plenty of attention and when left alone with her mom Amy out-of-sight for even a short time, can throw tantrums to show her restlessness. I created this vector art drawing from a photo that I took of Amy with a plastic fan in hand soothing her baby girl in the sofa. From the happy expression of a big smile in Ellie's face captured in the illustration you can see the instant rapport between daughter and mom whenever they interact with each other. \ Ellie \ Amy \

Day #66 Fri 2020/05/22

Making our way along the side lane in PUJ 3 that leads towards the main street where the grocery shops are located. \ Grocery \ PUJ 3 \ Side lane \

Day #65 Thu 2020/05/21

Day #64 Wed 2020/05/20

Day #63 Tue 2020/05/19

We are thrilled at the success of baking our first vanilla flavoured cherry sponge cake \ MCO 5 \ Food \ Sponge Cake \ Vanilla \ Cherry \ First Time \

Day #62 Mon 2020/05/18

With the unused curry chicken potato filling left over from making steamed buns, we used the paste and popia skin to make a few pieces of fried spring rolls and samoza. Usually these types of pastries are made by deep frying in oil. Instead of deep frying we experimented in making them by grilling in the air fryer. \ MCO 5 \ Lunch \ Food \ First Time \ Spring Rolls \ Samoza \

For lunch we made steamed buns with curry chicken and potato fillings. \ MCO 5 \ Lunch \ Food \ First Time \ Steamed Buns \ Bao \

Day #61 Sun 2020/05/17

Trying our hand at making Lo Mai Gai ( 糯米鸡）dim sum. Lo Mai Gai is steamed sticky rice with chicken meat fillings. After packing the bowls with cooked glutinous rice, cooked chicken meat, hard-boiled eggs and mushrooms the last step in the process is to place the bowls in the rice cooker for steaming. From this first time experience in making this dim sum we realised that we should use smaller containers instead of the standard rice bowls to pack and steam the food.

\ MCO 5 \ Lo Mai Gai \ 糯米鸡 \ Food \ Lunch \ First Time \

Enjoying the evening breeze which brought a cooling effect on my mind and body as much as the easy running at a relaxed jogging pace. Jogging slowly for about 1- 1/2 hours on the forefeet for minimal impact , at the average rate of 117 steps/min I ran the total distance of 6.45 km. The running log: Distance: 6.45 km. Duration: 01:32:24. Average pace: 14'19"/ km. Burned: 722 kcal. Steps:10,654 . Average heart rate: 112 bpm. Max heart rate: 127 bpm. Average cadence: 117 steps/min. Max cadence: 134 steps/min. Average stride: 61 cm. Max stride: 72 cm. Speed: 4.19 km/h Heart rate zones: Relaxed: 0 min. Light: 1 min. Intensive 31 min, Aerobic 52 min, Anaerobic 9 min VO2 max: 0 min.

\ Slow Jogging \ Health \ Exercise \

Day #60 Sat 2020/05/16

Day #59 Fri 2020/05/15

Indeed a very satisfactory 6 km run today. The Mi Fit tracker recorded the average heart rate of 113 bpm and the max heart rate of 131 bpm, a vast improvement in fitness and endurance level compared to my first outdoor run in May 11. Prior to May 11 all my evening outdoor workout consisted of brisk walking only, and no running at all because at my age, and after leading a sedentary lifestyle for a long time I didn't think that my heart and knees could withstand the stress of running. When I finally venture out to do my first 6 km run on May 11 the Mi Fit tracker recorded the average heart rate of 131 bpm and the max heart rate of 188 bpm! Today's running stats: Distance: 6.00 km. Duration: 01:23:46. Average pace: 13'56"/ km. Burned: 667 kcal. Steps: 9,633 . Average heart rate: 113 bpm. Max heart rate: 131 bpm. Average cadence: 115 steps/min. Max cadence: 168 steps/min. Average stride: 59 cm. Max stride: 66 cm. Speed: 4.30 km/h Heart rate zones: Relaxed: 0 min. Light: 1 min. Intensive 15 min, Aerobic 65 min, Anaerobic 3 min VO2 max: 0 min. \ Slow Jogging \ Health \ Exercise \

Day #58 Thu 2020/05/14

Day #57 Wed 2020/05/13

Today is the first day of MCO #5, an extension of MCO #4 which will run until June 9.

We are delighted at the result of our first attempt at making steamed bao with chicken and egg fillings. With 380 gm of flour we managed to make 7 pieces of dumplings. The taste of these home-made dumplings is almost the same as the commercially made ones that are bought from vendors. \ MCO 5 \ Steamed Chicken and Egg Bao \ Lunch \ First Time \

Today I ran 7.34 km, further and faster than yesterday. Yesterday I clocked 6.75 km. Even though I ran further than yesterday my heart was working at a lower rate compared to yesterday.

Duration: 01:29:30. Average pace: 12'07"/ km. Burned: 203 kcal. Steps: 10,658. Distance: 7.34 km. Max heart rate: 144 bpm. Average heart rate: 120 bpm Cadence: 120 steps/min Heart rate zones: Relaxed: 0 min. Light: 0 min. Intensive 4 min, Aerobic 51 min, Anaerobic 32 min VO2 max: 2 min.

Weight

\ Slow Jogging \ Exercise \ Health \

During lunch time I went to a hawker stall in a kopitiam to buy take-away food today and immediately noticed the anomaly. Although dine-ins are allowed no tables and chairs are laid out for customers who want to eat in to sit down because most of the kopitiam operators here are still adhering to the take-away food business concept. I believe the kopitiam operators find the social distancing SOPs including having to register dine-in customers' names and telephone numbers and having to bear the consequences of anyone contracting Covid-19 in their shops too problematic to manage. Furthermore at the present time amid the Covid-19 pandemic I believe most people are still reluctant to eat inside a restaurant. \ MCO 5\ Social Distancing \ SOP \ Dine-in \ PUJ 3 \

Day #56 Tue 2020/05/12

Today is supposed to be the last day of MCO #4. However instead of lifting the MCO the government has decided to extend it by a further 4 weeks from May 13 ro Jube 9

Today is supposed to be the day when the extended MCO should have been be lifted. However, as everyone knows the government has decided to extend the MCO by a further 4 weeks to end on June 9. Coincidentally jogging 6.75 km and 9,806 steps today, it is furthest distance that I have accomplished since the start of the MCO 56 days ago on Mar 18. Duration: 01:22:42. Burned: 184 kcal. Steps: 9,806. Distance: 6.75 km. Max heart rate: 141 bpm. Average heart rate: 118 bpm. Heart rate zones: Relaxed: 0 min. Light: 0 min. Intensive 17 min, Aerobic 39 min, Anaerobic 25 min VO2 max: 1 min. Weight \ Slow Jogging \ Exercise \ Health \

#MCO 5

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benjamingarden · 5 years ago

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Weekending

Happy Sunday friends! So, we are told that spring will arrive early this year - who's with me on the excitement for that??? Part of my excitement is the warmer temps but a BIG part of my excitement is getting started building my new gardening area. I've got plans people, and I know it will be a struggle to get my better half to help with some of it but I'm determined to do just that. After my win on the cattle panel trellis last year I'm feeling confident in my persuasion abilities. I'll share more about garden plans in the next month or so.

We received a winter storm Thursday and Friday. It started with snow, then switched to sleet and rain, then back to snow. The snowfall at the end, on Friday, was stunning. It was wet and heavy and stuck to the trees so beautifully. The temps quickly dropped below freezing so the trees remained adorned with their white coating. I walked out of the house Saturday morning to let Oliver out and spent a couple of (very cold) minutes just reveling in the beauty of it all.

Saturday is food prep day so an hour or so was devoted to that. I try to get my salad ingredients and anything else that makes sense to do, prepped on Saturdays. I also prep all of our Sunday meals since we have the farmer's market that day. I roasted some sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and beets for a delicious addition to this week's salads. As I was prepping the beets my husband walked through and his eyes lit up. He asked what the beets were for and I said for my salad. He looked at me, then the beets, then me and said "well, I like beets". I laughed. I said I would put some aside for him to eat without salad, which made him quite happy. I don't serve beets as much as I should because they are a pain - red getting all over everything. I like to bake them and then slip the skins off and cut them up. It's a bit messy but not too terribly bad. I never was a fan of beets but I've incorporated them into my life because they are so good nutritionally. I still don't love or crave them, but I don't mind them anymore.

I also prepped all our products on Saturday, cleaned and packed eggs, did a light cleaning in the house, worked on taxes (yuck!), and listened to the first day of a (free) health/weight loss summit I signed up for. I signed up specifically for 3 speakers which includes one who claims to have a way to break the craving for sugar (seminar is on Wednesday). I've pretty much broken my craving but sugar is a serious pull for me so any additional tips and tricks I learn would be great! (not an affiliate link and a heads up that it is plant-based focused - just sharing if you are interested)

Reading - Breasts: The Owner's Manual, by Dr. Kristi Funk (affiliate link). So I've had this book for about a year I think. I picked it up at a flea market. I've never read it until this week when I devoured it over the course of 2 days. Why? Because it scared the heck out of me. In a good way. (if there is a good way?) Here's the thing - I knew the risk for breast cancer increases with age and I knew that I have a couple additional factors making my risk a bit higher, but I did not know the specifics, and reading it made it very real. VERY real. For instance, did you know that if you are between the ages of 50 and 59 your chances of breast cancer are 1 in 43?? If you're in your sixties, your chances are 1 in 29. And that's just the risk due to age, it's before additional potential risk factors are factored in. Ugh... It was actually the perfect timing for me to read it because I was struggling just a bit with my fairly new plant-based lifestyle. Every once in a while I go through just wanting to be able to eat "normal" - meaning, I'd like to just go out to dinner and not have to worry about whether or not a restaurant is going to have something I can eat. Anywhoo, reading this is keeping me on course with my new "normal" because Dr. Funk gives the following details as part of her book: eating a plant-based whole food diet + regular exercise + maintaining a healthy weight = reduces your risk by 80% (for women 50 and older, which is a group I'm newly part of). Plant-based eating aside, I highly recommend this book for all women of any age to read. It's very well written and full of information on breast health and details her recommendations for lifestyle changes (including info on what to add to your daily diet, plastics, cosmetics, deodorant, radiation, myths, risk factors, stress, etc.), the why's behind it all. She also includes quite a bit of information for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer.

Learning - about my own personality. So I decided, on a whim of course, to take the (free) Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test here. I really didn't think much about it as I clicked through the test. Until I read the results...… huh, I thought. Honestly, I'd never thought of myself as an advocate but that is indeed who I am. After reading the turbulent versus assertive I am definitely turbulent, definitely an introvert and the information under diplomat and constant improvement are fairly spot on as well. Interestingly, good or bad, for the most part it was me in a nutshell. Who would of thought? It was very funny reading that friends and colleagues often believe this personality type is a quiet extrovert, not understanding that instead it's a true introvert. I've tried to explain this to others who just didn't believe me. Have you taken this test? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Cooking - we've been loving taquitos in the air fryer for lunches. For mine, I take some refried beans and chopped canned chilies, roll a bit up in a corn tortilla, and throw them in for 6 minutes. For Jay's I use pre-cooked ground beef, cheese, and canned green chilies. Crispy, chewy, and delicious! I make a guacamole dip and a side salad to go with it. I could honestly eat this everyday but the man says he needs variety so I've been making it only a few days a week. Saturday was one of those days. For dinner on Saturday it was one of Jay's favorites - seared scallops, gnocchi with sage butter, and steamed broccoli, and a big old delicious raw salad with balsamic dressing for me. Sunday's are usually oatmeal for me for breakfast, and an egg sandwich and air fryer hash browns for Jay. For lunch I brought veggies with hummus dip and avocado toast. Jay gets a burger at the farmer's market. I bring fruit and (healthier) cookie dough balls for a snack. The cookie dough balls I make up as a large batch and store in the freezer so they are easy to grab and go Sunday mornings. Dinner for Jay tonight is slow-cooker Mississippi pot roast with potatoes and beets, and a big salad with veggies, beans, seeds, & quinoa for me.

Oliver is sleeping on the couch (and hogging all the blankets) while I write this post

Planning - a few outings to local museums or other attractions. We've talked about going and have only been to a handful. We typically only think about visiting local sites in the summer, when we get too busy, so I'm trying to get the husband to go visit a few before winter is over. If I have to, I'll entice him with lunch at his favorite local restaurant (that also offers vegan options for me - hooray!!)...... A girls gotta have a few tricks in her back pocket, you know? Link Love: Take Back Your Online Privacy (prjvs) - an interesting read. Online privacy, or all privacy for that matter, no longer exists it seems. Most Of Your Stuff Is Worthless: 3 Things You Should Be Doing NOW To Reduce What You Own (dallas moms collective) - this is so spot on. After going through my MIL's home when she passed it was a relief that my mom had pared her stuff down to what she really loved. The False Promise Of Morning Routines (atlantic) - I, personally, feel better having a morning routine, but I get that it isn't for everyone. 3 Kids. 2 Paychecks. No Home. (California sunday magazine) - eye opening. Say What You Mean To Say (modern mrs darcy) - because we don't get do-overs in life, a lesson to learn. p.s. while you're there, if you're a reader, check out some of her book recommendations. How was your weekend? Did you read or do anything interesting?

Weekending was originally posted by My Favorite Chicken Blogs(benjamingardening)

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seederturnip4-blog · 6 years ago

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AK Gift Guide: Home & Kitchen Favorites

Nov 21

31 of our home & kitchen favorites that are perfect for anyone on your list! Treat friends and family members to a kitchen gadget they’ve always wanted, the perfect serveware for entertaining, or a new way to keep their space clean & organized.

I’m back with a truly Ambitious Kitchen gift guide for you guys: all of our go-to home & kitchen favorites! As you can imagine this guide was the easiest (and one of the most fun) for me to put together. I included my absolute favorite items that I stock in my kitchen, plus a few bonuses that are on my wish-list this year.

You’ll find everything from kitchen gadgets for your dad who’s been dying to try out an air fryer, to a cute recipe book for your grandma to share her family favorites with you. I’ve got my eye on that new Keurig for Tony and I (bye, Starbucks) and can’t wait to try the recipes in the cookbook I picked out for you guys.

You know what to do, browse these amazing home & kitchen items and pick out all of your favs! Leave a comment with any of your go-to’s — I’d love to hear what you use in your own home.

Enjoy, xo!

1. Air Fryer: skip the mess of stovetop frying and air fry all of your favorite foods. This method requires no oil for delicious, crispy homemade fries and your favorite meats. $99

2. Beautiful Glass Storage Jars: gorgeous glass storage jars to stock up anyone’s kitchen. Perfect for cooks and bakers who are storing flours and dry ingredients. $13-18

3. Marble Topped Cheese Board and Knives: how cute is this knife & cheese board set? The perfect gift for your friend who loves to entertain. $49

4. OXO Avocado Slicer: equally as cute as it is handy in the kitchen. Pair it with my go-to method for safely cutting an avocado! $9

5. Nonstick Square Griddle: a go-to griddle for all of their pancakes & sandwich needs. Nonstick for easy flipping and cleaning! $57

6. Utensil and Tablet Holder: moms and dads will love this handmade holder that can hold up their tablet and store all of their utensils. They can prop a recipe up to keep it clean while they cook! $60

7. Vitamix: in love with my Vitamix and your mom, dad, siblings, and everyone in-between will be, too. It blends all of your favorite fruits and veggies so smoothly for delicious soups and smoothies fast. $289

8. Double Waffle Iron: no kitchen is complete with a good waffle iron (because fluffy pumpkin waffles, of course!) Snag this one for someone who’s always wanted one. $72

9. Electric Wine Opener: the easiest way to entertain? A chic, cordless electric wine opener. MUST have. $19

10. Anthropologie Floral Oven Mitt: every home cook or baker should rock a cute oven mitts. Love the pretty pastels in this one! $14

11. Food Processor: make your fav no bake treats, homemade nut butters, and so much more in a quality food processor. One of my go-to kitchen gadgets! $99

12. Hello, Beautiful Doormat: a little message on this fun doormat to warm anyone’s home and make guests feel welcome! $45

13. Branch Basics Natural Home Cleaners: I’ve been using this all natural cleaning set for a couple of months and I’m obsessed. The starter kit comes with a concentrate and spray bottles that you can mix up yourself, plus a laundry bottle for all of your clothes. $59 Use the code ‘AK15’ to get a starter kit for 15% off now through 12/17!

14. Meat Thermometer: a kitchen essential, especially during the holidays. Whether you’re making a big turkey or just meal prepping some meats for the week, this small thermometer is super helpful. $17

15. 10-Piece Copper Cookware Set: this copper cookware set is absolutely stunning and a great investment set to stock your kitchen. The copper heats & cools quickly for easy handling – I use these every day! $499

16. Sonder Cutting Board: I got this chic cutting board a few months ago and use it for everything from regular chopping to arranging beautiful cheese boards. Any guy or girl will love the look and feel of this board. $59

17. Instant Pot: give the gift of easy meal prep with an Instant Pot! Whoever you give this to is going to be obsessed (and will hopefully invite you over to use it). $89

18. Skinnytaste One and Done Cookbook: my girl Gina came out with an incredible cookbook filled with recipes to make in your instant pot, slow cooker, air fryer, sheet pan, and skillet. The home cook in your life will love this book. $19

19. Old Havana Set of 4 Dinner Plates: in love with these gorgeous dinner plates. They come in 4 great colors and are the perfect accent pieces for anyone’s table. $72

20. Wustof Classic 7-Piece Knife Set: this classic knife set makes a wonderful gift that will last for years. Good knives are a game-changer in the kitchen, and whoever receives this set will become a kitchen master! $349

21. Le Creuset Skillet: a good quality skillet is essential for anyone’s kitchen. I make all of my one pan meals in here and it’s great for popping in the oven, too. $169

22. Stasher Bags: I use these reusable bags to store anything and everything. They’re an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags and are great for traveling. $11

23. Polka Dot Cat Spoon Rest: okay this is just the cutest spoon rest I’ve ever seen. The best gift for cat lovers. $14

24. Ice Cream Maker: love love using this ice cream maker for yummy treats like this wild blueberry lavender ice cream. Such a great gift for newlyweds or friends with kids. $59

25. Life is What You Bake It Towel: an absolute must for the bakers in your life. The cutest kitchen companion. $24

26. Stovetop Popcorn Machine: know anyone who LOVES popcorn but keeps buying the microwave bags? This easy, fun stovetop machine is for them. $29

27. Roomba: with all of the cooking I’m doing during the week I don’t know where I’d be without my Roomba. The absolute perfect gift for new home owners (or your son’s new apartment). $249

28. Recipe Journal: love this little journal for storing all of your favorite recipes. They’re sectioned into meal types so that you can easily find everything. $28

29. Keurig K-Cup Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker: who needs Starbucks when you can make coffee, lattes and cappuccinos all with one machine? This gift is perfect for the coffee snobs in your life (we all know them). $199

30. Insprialized Spiralizer: my go-to for sweet potato & zucchini noodles all season long. Grab one for your siblings or friends and then share this recipe with them! $29

31. Pie Dish: I got this beautiful pie dish for Friendsgiving and I can’t wait to use it for all of the holidays. Your mama or sister can serve everything from pies to mashed potatoes in this dish. $48

SHOP THE POST:

Shop the rest of the AK Gift Guides:

Gifts For Him

Self Care & Natural Beauty Gifts

Gifts for the Fashionista

My Natural Skincare Products + my morning skincare routine!

Source: https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/home-kitchen-favorites/

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bestofrepices · 5 years ago

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Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Breast – No Breading!

This foolproof recipe for making boneless chicken breast in the air fryer with give you perfectly juicy chicken every time.

The secret to making the juiciest, most flavorful chicken breast, with no breading in the air fryer is brining. This is perfect for anyone following a keto, low-carb, or Whole30 diet. If you are new to air frying, you can see more air fryer recipes here.

How do you cook boneless breast?

Most of you know I prefer chicken thighs over breast meat because they are juicier since they have more fat. Using this method of bring the chicken first, then seasoning the chicken with lots of herbs and spices results in the most flavorful end result. I love adding this to salads, for meal prep, or simply served with a side dish.

How does brining add moisture to meat?

When you salt a chicken breast, the meat absorbs extra liquid and salt during the brining period. Some of this liquid gets lost during cooking, but by soaking in salted water, it results in a juicier and more flavorful final dish. This is particularly great for lean cuts of meat, such as chicken breast and turkey breast that tend to dry out during cooking. Basic brine ratio: The basic ratio of salt to water for a brine is 4 tablespoons of salt per 6 cups of water.

How To Make Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Start by pounding the thicker end of the chicken to make both sides leveled out so they cook evenly.

Fill a large bowl with about 4 cups of lukewarm water and add 1/4 cup kosher salt, stirring to dissolve. Although this may sound like a lot of salt, only a small amount is absorbed. Add the chicken breasts to the water and let them sit at least 1 1/2 hours or up to 6 hours to brine. Remove from water, pat dry with paper towels and discard the water.

Spritz or rub the chicken breast with olive oil. Make a dry rub with your favorite herbs and spices, then coat. Air fry 380 degrees F about 10 minutes, always turning halfway.

More Air Fryer Recipes:

How To Make Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Soak Time: 1 hr

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins

This foolproof recipe for making boneless chicken breast in the air fryer with give you perfectly juicy chicken every time.

kosher salt

4 boneless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each

olive oil spray

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

3/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/8 cayenne pepper

Pound the thicker end of the chicken to make both sides leveled out so they cook evenly.

Fill a large bowl with 6 cups of lukewarm water and add 1/4 cup kosher salt, stir to dissolve. Add the chicken breasts to the water and let them sit, refrigerated at least 1 to 1 1/2 hours to brine. Remove from water, pat dry with paper towels and discard the water.

In a small bowl combine 3/4 teaspoon salt, with the remaining spices. Spritz the chicken with oil and rub all over, then rub the spice mix over the chicken.

Preheat the air fryer. Add the chicken to the air fryer basket and cook in batches 380F turning halfway, until browned on the outside and cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Oven Method:

Preheat the oven to 350F. Heat an oven safe or cast iron skillet over high heat for 5 minutes until it is very hot. Place the chicken on the hot skillet, and cook for 1 minute. Turn, and cook 1 minute on other side. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear and a thermometer reads 165F inserted in the center, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Be sure your salt is Kosher. I use Diamond Crystal, Mortons has twice the sodium. Table salt will be too salty.

Serving: 1breast, Calories: 208kcal, Protein: 39g, Fat: 4.5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 124.5mg, Sodium: 200mg

Blue Smart Points: 0

Green Smart Points: 3

Purple Smart Points: 0

Points +: 5

Keywords: air fryer chicken breast, air fryer chicken breast keto, air fryer chicken breast no breading, air fryer chicken breast recipes, chicken breast in the air fryer

Photo Credit: Plays Well With Butter

posted June 9, 2019 by Gina

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josephlrushing · 5 years ago

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2019 Holiday Gift Guide: There’s Something for Everyone and for Every Budget!

2019 is quickly zipping by, and you know what that means — the holiday season is now upon us! If you’re now faced with trying to figure out what to get for the people on your gift-giving list, take a look at these items we’ve rounded up; we have something for everyone and for every budget!

Activ5

The Activ5 is a $129.90 (and up) portable isometric fitness device that allows you to get in a workout regardless of where you are. Paired with a smartphone and the companion training app, you can reach your personal fitness goals in as little as five minutes per session in your home, office, or even sitting in an airplane (I’ve tried it!). This would be a perfect gift for anyone who is interested in fitness but has a hard time making time for it, and it’s great for those New Years’ resolutions to start off 2020.

Google Nest Hub Max

If you’ve been looking for a great ecosystem for your home that works with an unlimited amount of third party accessories, Google’s Nest products are a fantastic start, but most specifically the $229 Google Nest Hub Max. Great for the nightstand or even your kitchen, its built-in Nest cam can recognize your face to give you personalized messages, including how long it will take you to get to work, the weather for the day, and more. And if you are one to cook in the kitchen, you can follow Youtube recipes, or just play Spotify to set the right mood.

Ninja Foodi Grill

A do-all kitchen device that’s shown its value just in a few months, the $199.99 Ninja Foodi Grill is a perfect gift for someone who has everything else. Even if they have an Air Fryer, or a Sous Vide, the Ninja Foodi Grill is a 5-in-1 device that looks incredible on your countertop all while making your food be the highlight. The Food Grill is virtually smokeless, allowing you to Grill, air crisp, bake, roast or dehydrate your foods with ease. If you or someone you know is an apartment dweller but wants that char-grilled taste to their meats, or simply want to eat a bit healthier, the Ninja Foodi Grill is the device to have in your checkout bin.

Helm Audio True Wireless 5.0 Headphones

Named the most awarded headphone brand at CTA, the Helm Audio True Wireless 5.0 are the only headphones on the market that not only feature Qualcomm APTX with AAC low latency audio, but feature noise isolation, deep bass, Bluetooth 5.0, and a secure fit that doesn’t hurt after wearing for hours (averaging 9 hours on a single charge). Did I mention that at $89.99, they are significantly cheaper than any of their competitors including Jabra and AirPods?

Gourmia GCM7000 Coffee Maker

Whether you like to use Nespresso pods, Starbucks Verismo pods, or even your own freshly ground espresso beans, the $129.99 Gourmia E-Z Espresso Machine can handle it! The E-Z Espresso has four adapters so that one machine can do it all with two cup sizes. Brighten someone’s mornings and afternoons with a properly made cup of joe!

Philips 3200 LatteGo Super Automatic Espresso Machine

For the espresso connoisseur in your life, the Philips 3200 LatteGo may be the way to their heart. At $799, it’s not an inexpensive gift, but it makes a damn fine espresso as well as many other espresso drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos all with the push of a button. Our full review is coming soon, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t recommend it for the holiday gift giving season.

Soul Ultra Wireless

An affordable over-ear pair of headphones, the Ultra Wireless by SOUL Electronics are headphones whose sound and price will knock your socks off. At only $69, the Ultra wireless headphones boast 36 hours of playtime on a single charge, dynamic sound, and Bluetooth 5.0 for superb connectivity to your devices. These would be the perfect gift for a student in your family to have waiting under the tree!

Saxx Underwear

Perfect for the man of the house, or even the active teen in your home, Saxx Underwear has been voted the World’s best underwear and for good reason. Saxx Underwear feature a “Ballpark pouch” to separate the “meat from the potatoes,” they feel incredible, they don’t chafe, and they won’t rise up inexplicably. You can pick up singles for as low as $25 a pair, or get a multi-pack for as low as $40.

Cleer Ally

Nowadays the standard for truly wireless listening is about 4.5 hours on a single charge. But what if I told you that there’s a pair of headphones that could get you through an entire workday without needing to be charged? That’s the $149.99 Cleer Ally. With ten hours on a single charge and touch-controls, the Ally are designed for every situation. Since they’re also IPX5 water and sweat proof, you can rock them in the gym; they won’t fall out thanks to the Freebit ear wings that give a secure fit so they don’t fly out when you shake your head.

Huawei Watch GT 2

Last year I reviewed the Huawei WatchGT, and I really enjoyed the experience. The $299.99 Huawei Watch GT 2 is the successor to that watch, and I’ve been wearing one for the past month — my review is coming soon. The Watch GT 2 builds upon the features I liked (like the 2 weeks of battery life), and it adds storage capacity for up to 500 MP3 songs to listen to during workouts, Bluetooth connectivity for calls at up to 150 meters, sleep tracking and analysis, and movement tracking with analysis. The watch looks great, and it’s a good fitness tracker with extra tricks.

Cleer Enduro 100

There are a lot of over-ear headphones on the market, but how many of them can boast over 100 hours of use on a single charge? Only one, and that’s the Cleer Enduro. Great for any audiophile, at only $179.99 the Enduro comes with Google Fast Pair, and the ability to be charged quickly with Fast Charge is also a highlight; ten minutes of charging will give you up to 13 hours of listening. Cleer Enduro’s lightweight design make these headphones great for listening in the office, or on the go. Definitely consider these for that family member who wants to tune out the world but often forgets to charge their cans.

Corkcicle

This is the Poketo colorway.

Corkcicle’s long been one of my favorite ways to carry my hot and cold beverages every day. With the ability to keep items hot for six hours or cold for up to 12, the triple-insulated canteen or tumbler comes with over 25 different designs to fit you or a family member’s style; they are completely dishwasher safe and are modestly priced starting at $23.95. Personal suggestion: The Unicorn Magic colorway looks great, but if you’re feeling a bit artsy, grab yourself the Basquiat.

FIFA 20

With plenty of days off around the holidays, get your football fan the 27th installment of FIFA for virtually all platforms including PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. With lifelike gameplay, at $59.95, FIFA 20 raises the bar by offering the new VOLTA FOOTBALL mode, that allows you to customize your player and gear to express their own personal style.

Hex 4-in-1 iPhone 11 Pro Max case

Yes, you can have it all! If you want an iPhone 11 case that can operate as a protective case, a folio, and as a wallet, you’re going to love the $99.95 Hex 4-in-1 iPhone 11 Pro Max case. It has 4-in-1 Functionality; you can use it as a Hybrid Case (Hybrid Case alone), a Wallet Case (Hybrid Case + Card Wallet), a Folio (Hybrid Case + Folio), and a Wallet Folio (Hybrid Case + Folio + Card Wallet). The Hybrid case even works with most magnetic car mounts and stands. The Card Wallet has 3 card slots with RFID blocking for fraud protection, and the offset magnet design allows for wireless charging when using the Hybrid Case. Perfect!

Madden 20

Even though we are more than halfway through the NFL season, there’s going to be plenty of opportunities to play the $59.95 Madden 20 over the Christmas Break when your favorite team isn’t playing. You can become the Face of the Franchise and control their NFL superstar’s journey starting in the College Football Playoff, competing against or with friends online or side by side. Players can take the league by storm, leading their team from pre-season to the Super Bowl at the center of every play. The brand-new X-Factor features let players feel the power of NFL Superstars, unleashing unique abilities that make stars feel like stars.

Traeger Pro Series 575 Pellet Grill

The $799.95 Traeger Pro Series 575 Pellet Grill combines a high-quality smoker with state of the art technology to create an amazing product. WiFi with WiFIRE technology will connect your grill to the internet allowing temps to be monitored and changed from a device anywhere in the world. The new D2 Direct Drive includes a direct drive variable speed fan and auger to compliment the Pro D2 Controller to provide consistency and precision which are integral in making great food. 575 sq. in. of cooking space should provide plenty of area to cook for the family or small party. Dad wants this.

NHL 20

Available for PS4 and Xbox One, NHL 20 introduces cutting-edge gameplay, revealing the next major innovation in RPM Tech-powered gameplay with Signature Shots. NHL stars now look and feel truly authentic with the trademark shooting-styles. New gameplay modes, including the battle royale-inspired Eliminator Mode, provide more ways for players to become kings of the ice. The $59.95 game is now available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Metomics

Metomics designer building blocks are made from precision-cut anodized aluminum; they connect together to form creations that are only limited by the number of building blocks you have and your imagination. Metomics blocks are colorful, fun to build with, and they articulate so that you can pose your creations. There are multiple sets and colors available — this $69.99 kit is for the gold T-Rex 3-in-1; the same kit will also build a Mecha (robot-looking dude) and a sparrow. T-Rex plans are included in the reusable box; you can scan the in-pack QR code to access digital instructions for the Mecha and Sparrow. Also, if you buy before December 2, you can take advantage of their Black Friday deals:

• Get 20% off everything with code BLACKFR19• Free shipping on all orders over £65 / US$85 (automatically applied after other discounts)

The Sims 4: Realm of Magic

Something magical is brewing this holiday season in The Sims 4: Realm of Magic game pack ($19.95). Sims fanatics can step into the spellbinding world of Glimmberbrook and experience the magic this supernatural pack has to offer: master the art of wizardry by learning to cast spells, summon a familiar for protection, collect and cast spells, or create various potions on platforms such as Origin for PC and Mac, and consoles like the PS4, and Xbox One.

Ooler Sleep System

Using the latest hydro-powered technology, Chili’s OOLER Sleep system ($699) is one of the best holiday gifts for couples. The mattress topper allows you and your spouse to adjust their own side of the bed to their desired temperature. So if you sleep hot, but your wife wants her side of the bed to feel like a freezer, the Ooler Sleep system can do this with a simple tap of the control unit or through the companion Ooler app.

Braven Flye Sport Rush

A truly wireless spin on their popular Flye cordless headphones, the $79.99 Braven Flye Sport Rush not only do away with the cable but boast a total of ten hours of playback time with two additional charges in the case, totaling 36 hours. Available in Black, White, or Blue, these are great wireless headphones.

Braven BRV-X/2

If you know someone in need of a Bluetooth Speaker, Braven’s BRV series is a GREAT purchase for yourself, or a gift for someone else. The $99.99 Braven BRV-X/2 is one of the few speakers on the market that floats in water thanks to its IPX7 waterproof rating. Perfect for sitting poolside or a winter tailgate, you can even pair it with another BRV-X/2 speaker for room rocking sounds for up to 18 hours.

Soundboks

If you’re looking for a larger speaker that is fitting for any Christmas Party this year, it has to be the all-new Soundboks. At $999, it’s not the cheapest speaker on the market, but you certainly can say its the loudest. The only PERFORMANCE portable speaker on the market, the Soundboks will blow you and your party guests away. With a swappable battery, you can keep the party going even when the juice is almost gone. Soundboks is also extremely durable, with its steel honeycomb grill, ball corners, and IP65 coating, it will easily fit in your car or trunk for easily transporting to a friend’s house for a house party.

V-Moda CrossFade M-100 Master – $249.99

V-Moda has long been known as “the high-fidelity headphone brand with a dynamic soundstage”, and there’s no better way to showcase that than with the $249.99 V-Moda CrossFade M-100 Masters. Co-engineered by Roland, the V-Moda CrossFade M-100s were created via crowdsourcing and fine-tuned by audiophiles, producers and DJ’s alike and the result is headphones that feature natural and active noise isolation, guaranteed fatigue-free listening for hours, a multitude of cables for virtually every occasion including a boom microphone which is great for phone calls and podcasters alike. It’s also worth noting that the V-Moda M-100s can be personalized with your name or logo so you can fully “Endorse” you or your brand. Now, if only your job gave these away as Christmas gifts!

Nomad Slim Wallet

Dad might tell you he doesn’t need a new wallet, but don’t believe him. The $59.95 Nomad Slim Wallet is a gift that eliminates a problem most men have — a bulging wallet that carries way too many cards. With the ability to hold four cards as well as space for cash, the slim wallet also comes complete with a quick access pocket for your ID or most important card. But what’s worth mentioning is that the wallet has a pocket that’s hidden and dedicated for a Tile Bluetooth tracker; perfect for that special someone who always misplaces their wallet in their jeans, they can easily find it using the Tile app on their phone.

Zippo HeatBank 9s

With a run time of nine hours and six heat settings, you can get warmth from both sides of the $49.95 Zippo HeatBank 9s hand warmers. Not only that, there’s a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and it can charge any USB device, truly a double threat.

Zippo Fight Fire With Fire

A new windproof lighter, Zippo joins forces with WOODCHUCK USA creating 10 unique designs including a brushed chrome lighter with real wood cedar emblems. Not only will you get a great lighter, but you will contribute to the restoration and protection of forests around the world by just purchasing one. The Zippo Fight Fire with Fire Collection ranges between $45.95-$62.95.

Anker Wakey

A fantastic alarm clock for anyone in the family, the $99.99 Anker Wakey not only comes complete with a wireless charger on top for any Qi-enabled device but has additional ports for your Apple Watch or any external device. It’s also one of the few Alarm clocks I’ve seen that has a built-in FM Radio.

CLEER Halo

A wearable neck speaker, the $149.99 Cleer HALO is great for someone who is always on the phone around the house, or that teenager who tends to lose their AirPods. With a great soundstage, the Halo is great for gaming; they pair easily to that new Nintendo Switch and with 12-hour battery life, it’s designed to give you all of the immersive sound a normal pair of headphones would give you without blocking your ears.

Logitech MX Master 3

Logitech’s latest flagship in the MX Master series offers instant precision thanks to its new MagSpeed scroll wheel that can scroll through 1000 lines in less than a second. Great for a student, or even in your study, the $99.99 MX Master 3 is the most advanced mouse yet.

Blue Yeti X

Perfect for any beginning Podcaster or Gamer, the $169.99 Blue Yeti X is a USB microphone allows you to stream all of the things. With a new four-capsule condenser, you can get broadcast sound with a crystal-clear focus with each of the four pickup patterns. You can “switch between cardioid for recording and streaming, omni for conference calls, bi-directional for podcast interviews and stereo for immersive experiences like ASMR recordings,” with Blue’s latest microphone.

Jaybird Tarah

With six hours of battery life on a single charge, the $99.99 Jaybird Tarah is a great gift for the active person in your life. Designed for fitness, the Tarah is fully waterproof and comes complete with one-touch access to Siri or Google Assistant, allowing you to manage calls in the middle of any activity.

Jaybird Vista

A truly wireless headphone, the $179.99 Jaybird Vista cuts the cord completely, allowing 16 hours of battery life in-ear, with two additional charges from the case. If you’re running late to the gym, the Vista will give you an hour of playtime with a quick five-minute charge making these sweat and waterproof headphones a MUST-have in any gym bag.

Ultimate Ears myBoom 3

Probably one of my personal favorite Bluetooth speakers, the $179.99 Ultimate Ears myBOOM 3 can be personalized with a range of cool fabrics and patterns so you can truly make the speaker your own. The myBOOM 3 is made to order, and if you order now, the order should ship right in time for Christmas.

Jackery Explorer 500

A Do-All portable power station, the $499.99 Jackery 500 can charge ALL of the things. It will be a great emergency device for the car or as a home backup power source; the 518Wh lithium power station features three USB ports, an AC outlet, and a 12V car output, which makes this an item great for ANY circumstance. In bad weather, the last thing you’d want is for the power to go out and for your loved one to be unable to stay connected; the Jackery Explorer 500 will give your loved one (and you) peace of mind.

Crossrope

If you have aspirations of getting back in shape with the new decade approaching, the $88 Crossrope might be a great way of getting things done. Possibly the quickest way to burn calories, it’s said jump roping for 15 minutes with a weighted rope can burn up to 300 calories for you, and with Crossrope’s weighted ropes, you can easily get yourself in tip-top shape with their “Get Lean” starter set.

Nokia Beacon

There’s nothing worse in a home than spotty WiFi, and the $99.99 Nokia Beacon wants to be the solution for you and your family this holiday season. A whole-home mesh router, it works in tandem with your existing router, or separately if you opt to save a few bucks. Combined with the Nokia WiFi app, you’ll get intelligent WiFi coverage for your entire home that you can monitor anywhere, as well as send the WiFi code to your Christmas guest that you plan on hosting.

TCL 6-Series 4K TV

Photo courtesy of TCL

To go with that new Disney+ subscription, don’t you think you need a nice new ultra high definition TV? The TCL 6-series 4K TVs start at $529.99 giving you a lot of bang for your buck thanks to its great picture and its incredibly easy to use smart TV features with Roku built-in. You can quickly and easily get that Disney+ app on your TCL and start streaming.

Vizio M-Series Quantum TVs

Speaking of great 4K TVs, here’s one that we plan to review in 2020. The Vizio M-Series Quantum offers up 80% more color than standard 4K TVs while featuring brighter LEDs, 90 local dimming zones, and deeeeep blacks. They also feature a 120Hz refresh rate so you can play video games to your heart’s content without the picture blurring. Prices for the Vizio M-Series Quantum TVs start at $349.99.

Vizio 36″ 5.1.2 Home Theater Sound System with Dolby Atmos

If you’re gaming, you’ll want immersive, surround sound audio to help you stop someone from creeping up on you. Vizio is here to help with their 36″ 5.1.2 Home Theater Sound System with Dolby Atmos; it retails for $499.99. This new soundbar provides immersive new dimensions of surround sound for cinema-inspired sound from every angle so you don’t miss a thing.

Crate Club Subscription

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Crate Club is the perfect gift for the outdoors person in your life, featuring curated gift boxes chock full of tactical, survival, and outdoor adventure gear. The boxes come in three levels, including Lieutenant, Captain, and General. Lieutenant crates come with smaller gifts for the home or auto for $49.99. Captain crates come with great gear for outdoor adventures, including hiking and camping for $99.99. General crates are the holy grail of subscription boxes, coming with really cool and practical custom gear like lightweight bulletproof bag inserts, travel bags with hidden pockets, tools, and much more for $399.99 per delivery.

PureCo Socks

There is NOTHING like a good pair of socks, and PureCo does good … GREAT. Regardless of whether you’re playing sports or just need a bit of warmth while in the house on a wintery day, PureCo’s socks are available in multiple styles both long or short. All of their socks are created to prevent sprains thanks to their multisport halves, with grip zones that are great for athletes or anyone who wants a bit more comfort; they start at €30.00.

APL Shoes

A great shoe option for women, men or children — Athletic Propulsion Labs has created a variety of comfortable, affordable footwear that’s sustainable build quality and stylish aesthetic. I personally suggest the $250 TechLoom Breeze.

from Joseph Rushing https://geardiary.com/2019/11/27/2019-holiday-gift-guide/

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targetcolor20-blog · 6 years ago

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Easy Vegan Soft Pretzels

High in protein, low in fat, these vegan soft pretzels are hearty and delicious. You can be enjoying them in less than an hour!

Happy 2019! I’m really off to a late start this year thanks to a lot of non-edible stuff happening in my life. Some of it involves saying goodbye to one canine family member and hello to a new one.

As you long-time readers know, I consider this a “blog” in its original meaning of “web log:” An online account of my life, especially, but not exclusively, the part of it that takes place in my kitchen. Many of you have seen my daughter grow from a 9-year old child to a senior in college and have been here with me as I went through everything from cursed vacations to cancer.

But I understand that there are those that want to skip all the chit-chat, and for those I offer this link to skip right to the info about the recipe:

Skip the Dogs, Take Me to the Cooking!

For those of you who are still with me, I have to break the sad news that we lost Bandit in November. There’s no easy way to describe what happened, but it boils down to he was staying with a sitter, got out of the yard, and was attacked and killed by at least one other dog.

As you can imagine, we were grief-stricken and traumatized. I couldn’t fully enjoy the holidays because of the pain of losing him and the thought of what he must have suffered. This wasn’t the kind of news I wanted to burden my readers with right in the middle of the holidays, so I didn’t mention his death in my newsletter. I still can’t write about him without breaking down.

Foxley didn’t understand what had happened to Bandit, and we could tell that he missed his big brother. So toward the middle of December we started looking for a new dog to adopt, and we found Salem through the same Pomeranian rescue that had given us Bandit and Foxley. Because of the timing, we had to wait until after Christmas to meet Salem, but when we did, it was love at first sight:

Salem was a stray on the streets of Texarkana (sounds like the beginning of a country and western song!) We don’t know anything about his background, but the vet that examined his teeth estimated him to be around five years old. He was definitely somebody’s baby at one time because he’s fully housebroken, knows what a pet door is for, and will sit and offer his paw on command. He loves long walks and treats (too much) and has a few pounds to lose to be in better health. Foxley, after some initial jealousy, LOVES him and can’t stop licking him. He’s been a wonderful addition to our household.

So there you have the Voisin Pet Update. If you want more dog and cat-related news, be sure to follow Foxley on Facebook and Instagram. (He posts a little more often than I do!)

I’ll now get to the business at hand, making these easy pretzels.

First a confession that is going to irritate some people: For the past year, I have been following Weight Watchers. I don’t talk about it because I don’t want to endorse it or any other diet, but I’m not going to apologize for it, either. I’m doing what works for me to regain my health when nothing else did. I’m down 55 pounds and 30 cholesterol points and back to a regular blood pressure. It’s been easy to do as a vegan and works well with whole-foods plant-based eating.

Anyway, if you wondered why I’ve been putting Weight Watchers points on recipes and started a category for Zero Point Recipes, that’s why.

Because if this, I’ve been hanging out in Weight Watchers groups and learning some of the standard “low-points” recipes. One of them is a 2-ingredient dough that can be used to make bagels, pizza crust, and pretzels. The non-vegan version uses self-rising flour and fat-free yogurt. On WW, fat-free yogurt is a “free” food, meaning you don’t have to count it toward the points you’re allowed each day. There is no corresponding vegan yogurt that’s fat-free, so vegans often substitute silken tofu, which is also zero points.

I decided to try substituting silken tofu in this pretzel recipe, and it worked great.

Now, before someone jumps in to tell me, yes, real pretzels are yeast-raised; these baking powder pretzels are a quick bread, and because of that their flavor may be more like a biscuit than a traditional bread. But they were delicious enough for me to consider them a real treat. And vegan Weight Watchers will be interested in knowing that each vegan soft pretzel is 3 points.

How to Make These Easy Vegan Soft Pretzels:

Making these pretzels is pretty simple, but to guide you through the process, I took photos of each step.

First, blend the tofu with a little lemon juice (exact amounts are in the recipe below) until it’s completely smooth. The lemon juice adds some of the tanginess that yogurt would have and silken tofu doesn’t. I used a food processor because I thought getting the tofu mixture out would be easier than from the container of my Vitamix. Next time I will use my Vitamix to get it silky smooth without the starting, stopping, scraping down, and repeating that I needed to do in my food processor.

Pour the blended tofu into a bowl and add the flour (self-rising or a mix as noted in the recipe below.) Mix it well, turn it out onto a floured board, and kneed a few times until it sticks together. Cut it into 5 equal pieces.

Roll each piece of dough between your hands to form 5 ropes of dough between 12 and 14-inches long.

Form each rope of dough into a pretzel shape. Make an “O” with a twist at the top. Then twist again and bring the ends over the “O.”

Place the pretzels on a parchment-covered baking sheet. Brush each one with a little aquafaba (liquid from cooked or canned chickpeas) and sprinkle with coarse salt or Everything Bagel Sesame Seasoning. Bake in a preheated oven as directed below. At the end of the baking, turn your oven to broil to slightly brown the tops and watch constantly . Don’t leave or they may burn!

Serve with mustard or your favorite pretzel condiment!

I used unbleached white flour with baking powder and salt added, but you can make these even more easily by using self-rising flour. I’ve included instructions for both. White whole wheat flour may also work, but I haven’t tested them using it.

Easy Vegan Soft Pretzels

In less than an hour, you can be enjoying these light, oil-free pretzels. They're the perfect snack for Weight Watchers or any low-fat vegan diet.

Ingredients

12.3 ounces extra-firm silken tofu (or 1 1/4 cups plain vegan yogurt)

1 teaspoon lemon juice (omit if using yogurt)

1 1/4 cups unbleached flour (or self-rising flour and omit baking powder and salt)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (omit if using self-rising flour)

1/2 teaspoon salt (optional if using self-rising flour)

2 tablespoons aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas)

coarse salt

Everything Bagel Seasoning (optional)

Instructions

Place the tofu and lemon juice in a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the container to get all the bits blended. (Skip this step if using plant-based yogurt.)

Place the flour in a mixing bowl. If you're using plain flour, add the baking powder and salt and mix thoroughly. Pour in the tofu mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead gently about 10 times or until the dough holds together. Divide it into 5 equal pieces.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Lightly flour your hands. Roll each piece of dough between the palms of your hands until a rope begins to form. Put it down on on the floured board and roll it back and forth between your hands until it's between 12 and 14 inches long (longer is better.)

Form the rope of dough into a pretzel shape (see photo above) and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with all the pieces of dough. Brush the tops lightly with aquafaba and sprinkle with coarse salt or Everything Bagel seasoning.

Bake at 350F for 22-25 minutes. Then, leaving the pretzels in the oven, turn the oven to broil and WATCH THEM until the tops begin to lightly brown, 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn them. Remove from oven and serve warm.

Refrigerate any leftovers. May be reheated in a toaster oven.

Notes

Using silken tofu, each pretzel is 3 points on Weight Watchers Freestyle program. Using yogurt will increase points, calories, and fat.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Vegan Soft Pretzels

Amount Per Serving (1 pretzel)

Calories 152 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 1g 2%

Saturated Fat 0g 0%

Sodium 423mg 18%

Total Carbohydrates 26g 9%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Protein 8g 16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I baked the pretzels on the Bake setting in my Breville Smart Oven Air. The air fryer setting might also have worked. If anyone tries air frying them, please let me know what settings worked for you.

I’m eager to try this dough as a pizza crust and perhaps as a bagel or bun. I’ll update the post to let you know how that goes.

Please Pin and share:

I participate in Amazon’s affiliate program; if you buy something through one of my links, I may receive a small commission. I’m not affiliated with Weight Watchers in any way, other than being a paying customer.

Source: https://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2019/01/easy-vegan-soft-pretzels.html

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number06fan · 6 years ago

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All About Air Fryers & Food Safety

Air fryers are one of the hottest cooking trends currently. People are using them in the hopes that they are eating in a more healthy manner but a lot of people are making critical mistakes when using their air fryers that can lead to some major health concerns. Here is what you need to know about Air Fryers and Food Safety.

First things first though: What is an air fryer?

An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks by circulating hot air around the food using the convection mechanism. A mechanical fan circulates the hot air around the food at high speed, cooking the food and producing a crispy layer via the Maillard effect. The Maillard effect which occurs between an amino acid and a reducing sugar in the presence of heat. It leads to alterations in the color and flavor of foods.

Cooking times vary so much with an air fryer compared to an oven or traditional deep fryer and while many people preheat their air fryer many opt to just toss the food in and set the timer. We experienced using an air fryer several years ago through some market research, but honestly it was tiny and wasn’t even worthwhile for a household of 3. Since then things have changed so much and the newer versions feed a family quite well, but the real question is: how safe is this?

There are websites that tell us things that we should avoid but a lot of those include but are not limited to allowing the air fryer space to “breathe” when you decide where to place it. Personally I like mine to have the most room it can have so I make sure that it isn’t too close to any walls or anything. I also like to use it near the vent in the kitchen just because I am not really big on food smells.

Air Fryer Reviewed really hit on some legit food safety concerns though:

Cooking Several Times Without Cleaning In Between

Ever been to a fried food takeaway joint and been hit by that unattractively strong smell of seasoned oil? It’s not pleasant at all. If you treat your air fryer like a deep fryer, expect it to smell like one. Cleaning it out once a month will have your kitchen smelling like a deep-fried take-out restaurant.

You may also notice your deep fryer will smoke a lot more if not cleaned after every cook; this can negatively affect the taste of the food. And lastly, you’ll put yourself at a much higher risk of food contamination if you do this. Aim to clean your air fryer after every meal that’s cooked in it.

The air fryer isn’t difficult to clean. Just use hot water with a bit of dishwashing liquid. Let the basket soak as long as it needs so you don’t have to scrub off baked-on food. Three minutes of your time will keep your air fryer fresh, your tummy safe and your kitchen won’t stink.

Cross Contamination Concerns

Many people worry about cross contamination in air fryers as well. This is a definite alarm for anyone who suffers from food allergies. It would be very hard to clean all of the internal parts of a fryer if say for example you have a shellfish allergy and someone air fried some breaded shrimp. A strong consideration for anyone looking into the possibility of air frying.

Temperature Concerns

For those who think that there is no need to check internal temperatures when you air fry this can lead to major disasters such as foodborne illness. You want to make sure that you are practicing the same sanitary precautions as well as cooking precautions as you would with any other method of cooking. While I personally do not cook a lot of raw meats in the air fryer aside from an occasional steak (and the entire unit gets washed after this because of the meat and wanting to be careful about things like Salmonella and Ecoli) I know many people who cook chicken wings and other small meat portions inside their air fryers. A traditional internal thermometer works wonders when checking the temperatures just like when using a deep fryer or even the oven.

A Healthy Option

Healthline features a lot of great health benefits of using an air fryer.

Some manufacturers claim that using an air fryer can cut the fat content of fried foods by up to 75%.

This is because air fryers require significantly less fat than traditional deep fryers. While many recipes for deep-fried dishes call for up to 3 cups (750 ml) of oil, air-fried foods need only about 1 tablespoon (15 ml).

This means that deep fryers use up to 50 times more oil than air fryers and, while not all of that oil is absorbed by the food, using an air fryer can significantly cut down on the overall fat content of your food.

One study compared the characteristics of deep-fried and air-fried french fries and found that air-frying resulted in a final product with substantially less fat but a similar color and moisture content.

If you’re looking to trim your waistline, swapping your deep-fried foods for air-fried foods can be a good place to start.

Clocking in at 9 calories in every gram of fat, dietary fat contains over twice as many calories per gram as other macronutrients like protein and carbohydrates.

Air-fried foods may be healthier than deep-fried foods in several ways.

They are lower in fat, calories and even some potentially harmful compounds that are found in traditionally fried foods.

If you’re looking to lose weight or lower your fat intake without modifying or cutting down on fried foods, switching to an air fryer may be a good choice.

However, keep in mind that just because it may be a better option than deep-frying doesn’t mean that it’s a great option when it comes to your overall health.

Conclusion

Compared to deep-frying, using an air fryer can reduce the amount of fat, calories and potentially harmful compounds in your food. You still have to practice food safety protocol when handling foods prior and after being cooked.

Air-fried foods are still fried foods and eating them on a regular basis may be associated with adverse health conditions.

Although air fryers may be a better alternative to deep fryers, limiting your intake of fried foods altogether is the best option when it comes to your health.

Everything in moderation.

By: Samantha Cooper, Contributing Writer (Non-Lawyer)

The post All About Air Fryers & Food Safety appeared first on The Lange Law Firm.

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tebbyclinic11 · 6 years ago

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Crispy Turnip Fries - Slender Kitchen

New Post has been published on https://kitchengadgetsreviews.com/crispy-turnip-fries-slender-kitchen/

Crispy Turnip Fries - Slender Kitchen

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Baked Turnip fries are the perfect side dish for any low carb, Paleo, or Whole30 dinner. We love serving them alongside these Healthy Ranch Turkey Burgers and Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes. And when it comes to dipping, you can’t beat this Skinny Ranch.

Looking for a lower carb, Paleo friendly, or lower calorie fry? Look no further and try these turnip fries. For those who have never had a turnip, it has an earthy flavor with just a touch of bitterness. A bit like a cross between a radish and a potato in my opinion. Sliced thin and baked until crispy, they make a terrific fry. And this is coming from someone who loves French fries, like seriously loves french fries.

Lately I have been experimenting with all kinds of vegetable fries to try and up our vegetable intake, especially for the kids and my husband who aren’t huge veggie eaters naturally. We’ve had Parmesan Zucchini Fries, Carrot Fries, Baked Barbecue Onion Rings, and this week we tried these yummy baked turnip fries. And I have to admit, these rank up there as one of my favorites and the whole family loved them.

The cool thing about turnips is that the texture is almost identical to a potato. I would venture to say you could even forget to tell everyone these were made with turnips and they may not even notice. I waited until everyone had scarfed down at least one serving before breaking the news. Plus turnips have all kinds of health benefits that make them an especially healthy option for fries.

Do turnips taste like potatoes?

Any time I post a recipe for turnips, people always want to know what a turnip tastes like. Turnips have a mild flavor, somewhat similar to a potato but with a mild bitter flavor almost like cabbage or radish. When they are cooked, the bitterness gets less intense and the turnips get slightly sweet. For the best turnips, you want to choose smaller, younger turnips. The larger and older a turnip is the more bitter it will be.

How do you make turnip fries?

The best way to make turnip fries is to cut the turnips that are crispy is to start with the right turnips. Choose smaller turnips, which tend to be less bitter. Then peel the turnip and remove any green stems. Cut the turnip into planks and then slice those into smaller fries. You can also make large, wedge style fries but they will take longer to cook. Then toss the turnips with olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil. Toss with your favorite seasoning and bake in a 425 degree oven for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through.

A few important notes. If you try to flip the fries and they are sticking to the baking sheet, they are not ready to flip. Wait until they brown on the bottom and can easily be flipped. You can also line the baking sheet with parchment paper if you are worried about the turnip fries sticking. Also depending on how you slice the turnips, they may take a bit longer. You want the fries to be crispy on the outside and tender inside. Lastly make sure to lay the fries in a single layer without overlapping the fries. This ensures they get nice and crispy and don’t steam.

Can I make turnip fries in the air fryer?

Turnip fries are a great option for the air fryer. Follow the same directions below for preparing the fries. Then cook them in the air fryer at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes. If they still have become crispy, turn the heat up to 400 and cook them for an additional 3-5 minutes.

Are turnips better for you than potatoes?

It’s difficult to make a blanket statement that turnips are better for you than potatoes since it will be heavily dependent on your diet and needs, however turnips are lower in calories and carbohydrates, which makes them a preferred choice for anyone looking to lose weight or cut down their carb intake.

Calories: Turnips have about 19 calories per cup versus about 60 calories per cup for potatoes.

Carbohydrates: Turnips have only 4.2 grams of carbohydrates in a 1 cup serving versus 13.5 grams in a cup of potatoes.

Fiber: Turnips slightly edge out potatoes with 1.2 grams of fiber per cup versus just 1 gram in the same amount of potatoes.

Vitamins: Neither potatoes or turnips are nutritionally dense when it comes to vitamins and minerals. Turnips are a good source of Vitamin C and calcium where are potatoes are a good source of potassium and some B vitamins.

Sodium: If you are watching your sodium intake, turnips have slightly more sodium than potatoes. Since they have more sodium naturally, you can cut back on the salt in recipes that call for turnips.

Can I use Rutabaga instead?

Rutabaga, also known as yellow turnip, is another great option for these fries and tends to be slightly sweeter with a less bitter taste. Technically speaking, a rutabaga is actually a cross between a turnip and a cabbage and much like turnips, it is a great low carb alternative to potatoes. If turnips aren’t your favorite thing, you may just like rutabagas since the flavor is definitely milder. Additionally, when you cook rutabagas, like in this turnip fry recipe, they get sweeter.

Seasoning Ideas

Like many good fry recipe, these can be seasoned in a million different ways to create all kinds of flavor combos. Here are some of my favorites:

Buffalo Blue Cheese: Drizzle the finished fries with buffalo sauce and sprinkle with blue cheese! There are so so good.

Garlic Parmesan: Season the fries in the same way the recipe suggests but then finish everything with Parmesan cheese. You can use nutritional yeast for a similar flavor for Paleo/Whole30.

Seasoned salt: I know so many people who are addicted to using seasoned salt for french fries and this is another great opportunity. Just make sure to check the ingredients if you are low carb/Paleo/Whole30 since many popular brands of seasoned salt contain some sugar.

Spicy: For spicy turnip fries, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the fries or some chili powder.

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