#I really like the way their vanilla yogurt tastes but this lemon one just is not good

[whisp3roftheheart]

I’m trying all of the chobani flip flavors and I’m eating the lemon meringue pie one rn and it is NOT good

[bakingtherapy]

Just Keep Baking #6 Grape Pie

Sul Sul, Gerbits. Today we are going to be making a recipe that is a little bit different from the ones that we have been making. We are going to be making a Grape Pie. 

Daphne and I were given a lot of grapes. So I was trying to figure out what types of recipes I could make. And I came across a recipe for Grape Pie. And it looked really interesting. I however, was not given concord grapes, we were given purple table grapes. So the texture is going to be different. 

Before we get started on the recipe, I want to tell you a little bit about the history of Grape Pie. Grape Pie originated in the Finger Lakes region of New York. This is because there are a lot of wineries around. However, don’t expect to find a Grape Pie in every small town, because they are not always made. 

The recipe will be down in the description down below. 

Making your pie crust is the first step. Feel free to skip this step if you prefer frozen pie crust.

For both pie crust you will need:

flour

salt

butter

Cold water

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the flour and salt.

The recipe calls for shortening, and I thought I could use butter. I shouldn’t have done that. The flavor of the pie crust was extremely different. And not really to Daphne or mine’s taste.

You are going to cut in the butter or shortening using a pastry blender. 

Now sprinkle the dough with 1 tablespoon, at a time. 

Gather the pastry into a ball.

Divide it in half, or fourths. Depending on how many pies you are making. 

Wrap the rounds in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for about 20 minutes. 

Because I had a bunch of grapes I decided to do this pie in two different ways; one grape jam, and one grape Jelly. And I wanted to see which one was going to be better for the type of table grapes I was using. 

For both recipes I used the amount listed in the recipe. It calls for: 4 cups of grapes, ⅔ cup of sugar, 3 Tablespoons of cornstarch, a teaspoon of lemon juice. And a double layer of pie crust. 

For the jam recipe, I blended the 4 cups of grapes. And then added the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. 

For the Jelly recipe, I cut the grapes in half, and boiled them. And added the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. 

I rolled out two of the pie crusts and placed it in the pie pan. Poured the pie filling into the crust. And I tried to do a lattice top, but alas it failed. 

For pie baking, I usually place a baking sheet under it, in case the filling spills over. Because the idea of cleaning pie filling from the bottom of the oven, is not a very pleasant idea. 

Bake them in the oven for 45 minutes or until the filling is bubbly in the middle and the crust is golden brown. 

This experiment was very interesting to do. Because I didn’t realize the difference between jam and jelly. And Daphne told me that the jelly recipe was actually better than the jam version. 

This is such an easy recipe. And it really tastes good with some vanilla yogurt or vanilla ice cream. I hope that you liked this recipe. Vadish, Dag Dag.  

Show the original author some 💖💖💖 Robby's Cookbook Collection

Show the original pie crust, author, some  💖💖💖 Betty Crocker

Printable version of this recipe: on the blog

Printable version of this pie crust recipe: on the blog

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[andstilliam]

today started off with a beautiful run. it was one of those mornings where i snoozed my 6am alarm, completely forgetting why i had set it in the first place. then i woke up around 8 ish and hit the road. i've been doing this thing on weekends where i go to the grocery store after running to get a few things. i went through a carton of almond milk in a week because of using 1 cup per day in my matcha lattes. i decided to cut that measurement in half (food is expensive and i'm not on a meal plan this semester). i ended up finding an unsweetened, SF vanilla oat milk on sale so i purchased that. needless to say, my matcha latte tasted like shit lol. i'm going to have to add heaps of stevia just to sweeten it the way i grew accustomed to. honestly, it's ridiculous. i can afford milk. i could've paid the extra $2. lots of times, i wrestle with myself in the grocery store. i spent maybe 10 minutes trying to decide which yogurt to get. at that rate, the yogurt is going to spoil because the refrigerator door is open for too long. "why don't you just get that one because you like it and maybe not opt for the nearly expired 50% off strawberry yogurt that you despise." anyway i ended up getting lemon meringue and key lime greek yogurt that i'm going to try tomorrow :). i'm just like my mom with the financial scarcity mindset at the grocery store. i always look for sales. i don't even have nutella, i have the cheaper brand. it tastes the same anyway, but yeah it is not the nutella brand.

i was more lenient with my calories today, which caused some minor additional stress, but didn't feel like i had that much of a choice. i always end up regretting it because anything minor that happens that causes emotional unease, i think about how i could've probably felt better or had the excuse of not giving into food to justify my poor emotional response to life. anyway, i finally had popcorn with 2 spoonfuls of marshmallow fluff and omg that was the best few minutes of my life. i had been craving it for some time. the additional calories i consumed could not have been more than 150 and i already eat like 270 additional calories of candy on a daily basis and that's lowballing it.......but that's really not a lot, first of all. secondly, i'm active daily. and i'm just not going to drive myself insane by coming up with a 3rd point. at the moment, i just can't see over 600 cal on my calorie tracking app even though i know i'm already consuming more than that.

i'm starting to break out again and overall feel super itchy and uncomfortable so that just makes being in my skin a lot worse. i also didn't go for my evening walk because i've been (trying) to study all day. i'm still going at it. but at least it's been a productive day on that front, which eases some stress because i know my next steps for the week.

i'm going home for reading week for an audiologist appointment, which i am looking forward to because i'm deaf afffff. like i'm super deaf and i need new hearing aids really badly. i was told that my hearing aids are so old, they've been discontinued LOL. omg. so i know i need an upgrade. the technology just rapidly improves by the year and i need the latest hearing aid. i am really struggling more than i could be to hear. it's pretty bad, i think, so i'm just trying to hold tight until i can get my new hearing aids. before the new year would be awesome, but definitely by january, i should have my new hearing aids.

[butterflymay]

the immediate switch from junkorexie to ortho is wild. (numbers below- slight vent)

how did i go from eating 700 of protein and junk food everyday to eating 1200 and buying like healthy food and avoiding junk is easy again.

its either this new strain or that i just got off my period.

i do feel sm better tho hopefully i can keep this up even when my period hits.

anyways gonna rant about the changes ive made rq

first off ive gotten lemon juice and started drinking lemon water again (like 2-3 liters a day). ive gotten really into tea lately and i think ill invest in some (i get free drinks at the cafe i work at. so many tea and coffee varieties) ive been taking supplements that actually help instead of just taking whatever im familiar with.

ive always had a thing for protein; eggs and protein powder are my favs. ive also branched out into other proteins like nuts, greek yogurt (finally found one i really like. the flavor is so bland lol) tofu, and greek yogurt. i rarely consume any meat which honestly i love it i wish i could, but the way its cooked and processed is so blah.

along with protein, ive also gotten really into fiber as well. i put unflavored fiber powder in my protein shakes and ive been eating more foods with fiber. greens and dates mostly (dates taste like vanilla ice cream if you havent eaten it in a few years lol) some nuts too but i have a peanut allergy and the brands that dont use peanut oil to roast their nuts get pricey. also hella apples lol its great when they taste like apple juice

ive also found lowcal snack foods i enjoy. ive always been avoidant of trying new candy, but trolli gummies and butterscotch hard candies are super yum and cheap too if you find them at the right places.

condiments. idk those are scary for me, but ive recently learned how to make my own with greek yogurt. i used to not like mustard, but ive found that i really do like it. idk i avoided it for a bit i think my tastebuds just evolved.

anyways wake and bake just did the zap thing to my brain so thats all for now lol

[thatonegaytheaterkid]

Ok ok so can I request headcanons for each male bnha character as a drink?

I don't know if you meant like alcoholic drinks or just drinks in general so I went with non-alcoholic and since you didn't specify what any particular characters you wanted I just did whoever I wanted!

There's a cap on the amount of images per post so if you want a second part I'd be happy to do it since making this was really fun!

Bnha men as drinks

Denki

- Ok but but tell me he isn't lemon juice or lime juice

- IF NOT THEN HE'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING SOUR OR OVERLY SWEET

- He's 100% taken a shot of it as a dare and actually liked it

- Every now and then he buys one of those tiny bottles of it (the ones that look like a lemon) and throughout the day he'll drink the whole thing

- His favourite thing to do with it is buying a small bottle with a ton of sour candy and mix all of it together and try to drink all of it in one go (he ended up vomiting it all out one time)

Aizawa

-So this one is pretty obvious but he's coffee (specifically black coffee)

- He always drinks it whenever he's tired or stressed

- He drinks about 2-3 cups a day, he's trying to slow down on how much he drinks so he doesn't get a caffeine addiction but he ends up just forgetting about it and by the end of the day he'll realise how much he drank and be like 'ok so I'll just not drink as much for the next couple of days' and surprise surprise, he ends up drinking the same amount, sometimes even more than the previous day

- When he's at home he even has a small mug collection, he gets mugs as gifts every now and then from his students and colleagues

Kirishima

- HA

- YOU WERE EXPECTING SOME KIND OF ENERGY DRINK WEREN'T YOU, WELL YOU WERE WRONG-

- It's specifically the strawberry banana flavour, he could also be the mango one but I just have an inkling this is the one he'd be

- He just really likes the taste of it

- Whenever he goes to small stores and whatnot for snacks, if he sees one of these on the shelves(the freezer looking ones with yogurt and stuff, i forgot the name) he always has a small smile

- He'll usually pick up about two of them and finish them in like 5 minutes

- Every now and then he gets a craving for it and heads to any store that he can just to find one (if it doesn't have his favourite one he looks like a kicked puppy and settles for something else)

- It's just one of those specific drinks that he'll only buy from a single brand because they make it the best

Izuku

- Ok so my first thought was actually Mountain Dew but the more I thought about it the more this made sense

- Well first off he just likes the taste of it, he doesn't get the whole 'milk tastes bad and you're weird for drinking it' thing, his mom used to give him a lot when he was younger and he just continued to drink it

-He also drinks it because it strengths bones and has lots of protein so it's perfect for him

- Sometimes he tries different flavours of it, he likes the strawberry and chocolate ones, he isn't a big fan of the banana and vanilla but his favourite is just the classic normal one

- He's tried almond milk and stuff similar to that, he doesn't like dislike it but he wouldn't buy it on his own if he saw it on a shelf in a store

Tokoyami

- He loves it but he hardly drinks it because the ones that are sold in stores taste way too artificial and he doesn't like them

- Just to be able to drink it he bought one of those fruit juice squeezer things (literally no clue what they're called, but it's that thing that you just put like an orange in it and it squeezes out all the juice from it)

- He just buys a good few pomegranates and just makes his own, he makes enough for two jugs since the rest of the class likes it as well

- He likes pomegranates just in general as well, a lot of people tend to spit the seeds out but he doesn't since they're edible and he actually likes them, he likes eating them as a small snack while studying

[no-footprints-in-the-snow]

My Recipes

Resharing my recipes to help out some people looking for foods to eat low-carb, low-cal options! <3 <3 <3 

My favourite foods for meals are hard boiled eggs (72 calories a piece - a dash of salt or pepper, as snacks or sandwich filler), tuna (120 calories a can), tilapia (80 calories a fillet), frozen salmon fillets (130/4 oz), romaine lettuce (5 calories for two LARGE leafs/10 for 4) for salads or in replacement of bread.

For tuna wraps (two cans of skipjack drained (240 calories), tbsp of full-fat mayo (80 calories), pepper medley, (you can add chives or celery), wrap in lettuce (head of lettuce - 5 calories for two LARGE leafs/10 for 4) -- makes multiple 'sandwiches'. (325 calories - 205 calories for 1 can) Sometimes I just drain a can of tuna, throw on some Clubhouse ‘La Grille’ Pepper Medley and eat it straight out of the can with a fork. (120 calories)

Egg salad wraps (two-three-four eggs, depends on how hungry you are), tbsp full-fat mayo (80 calories), yellow mustard to taste (0 cals) -- you can add a dash of salt or pepper, wrap lettuce (5-15) around it to make multiple 'sandwiches'. (229-301-373 calories - 2-3-4 large eggs)

I typically boil an entire carton of eggs in one sitting, remember that it takes more time to cook a whole carton. I also get cartons of egg whites (two containers/250g a container/a cup a container), I use a whole carton, microwave for 2 minutes 45 seconds, and then mix in a big tablespoon of peanut butter. It's surprisingly delicious! And low-carb. (206-286 calories if you use 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter respectively) Veggies with dinner or any meal: Simply Steam Green Giant items (like cauliflower rice and broccoli with cheese sauce, broccoli and cauliflower with cheese sauce, and brussel sprouts in butter sauce). All of them are low-cal and delicious. I avoid corn. I'm more a veggie girl than a fruit girl (I've never really been a fan. I don't know why). (40-50-80 calories for half a package - 80-100-160 calories for a full package) You can even make an egg white omelette with one of those 250g cartons and Simply Steam veggies! Just add one cup/250g of egg whites into a frying pan (115 calories), I typically use the broccoli and cauliflower with cheese sauce package and it comes to 215 calories.

Snacks: Large hardboiled eggs (dash of salt or pepper) - (72 calories a piece), cherry tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, celery, (all great for salads as well), peanut butter, greek yogurt (don't get sweetened ones, they have a LOT of sugar in them). Sometimes, I just slice up a whole tomato (Beefsteak - 33 calories), and put some salt on it, and eat just that as a snack.

Get full fat dressing of your choice to dip or use as dressing. Smoked oysters (good healthy fat) with Clubhouse “La Grille pepper medley”. (130 calories) However, I get light peanut butter.

You can put peanut butter on your celery. Also, 15 almonds is about 100 calories – if you put them in water and in the fridge, they'll double to triple in size, much more filling that way!

Carbs: Whole grain brown rice (usually Uncle Ben's Express roasted chicken, vegetable medley, or mushroom), ready in 90 seconds! I typically only eat half a bag because the carb count can add up, for the second use -- you add a cup of water in the microwave, and heat up for 45-60 seconds. (130-140-150 calories) / (260-280-300 calories for a full bag)

Feel like pasta? They have low calorie options by Slendier – "Calorie Clever", which is gluten free, low carb, and a source of fiber. An entire package is 25 calories.

Feel like pizza? Get the whole wheat 7" tortilla wraps (the smaller size), a dash of tomato sauce spread around with the bottom of a spoon, mozza fat-free cheese slices (X2), top with low-cal toppings, spinach, chicken – 7 minutes in the oven at 400F. (235 calories)

Dessert or sweet tooth? A big spoonful of peanut butter (80-190 calories), or you can make a packet of maple oatmeal (Quaker), and a cup of cottage cheese, is REALLY good as a dessert. Mix it together, it's creamy-deliciousness! Great as breakfast/lunch/dessert, whenever. (271 calories)

Also, ICE CREAM. Plain. Chocolate. Vanilla. Nothing EXTRA in it, is what I mean. Chapman’s even makes a sugar-free, lactose-free kind. Chocolate and vanilla. And yes, Chapman's makes sugar-free chocolate and vanilla, and even ice cream sandwiches – so those are keto friendly! lol

I'm lactose-intolerant so I tend to avoid dairy products. I -love- ice cream, but ice cream does NOT love me. Chapman's makes sugar-free, lactose-free Chocolate, Vanilla, Maple Walnut, Butterscotch Ripple, and Black Cherry Ice Cream! And they taste AMAZING.

Not only that, I find I urinate most of it out, so it doesn’t add to the scale the following day for me.

Broth – I also like chicken bone broth with turmeric and black pepper. Easy to find on Amazon. I add a little bit of chicken bouillon and it tastes like a mug of spicy chicken soup. (75 calories)

I keep vitamins on hand: Essential Electrolytes, K2, Liquid Vitamin D (the pills don't absorb properly), B6, B12, biotin, and I have Apple Cider Vinegar pills (with 'mother') and Turmeric pills on hand. Keep in mind that for some people ACV helps acid reflux, for others it doesn't.

Turmeric is NOT a supplement. Do NOT take it on an empty stomach. I took two pills, then drank coffee. It was like I ate a ghost pepper, I could feel the heat in my mouth for the rest of the day and my stomach hurt. Only take Turmeric BEFORE you eat a meal. I also only take ACV before a meal. Never on an empty stomach.

Remember that the low-fat options typically have a LOT more sodium/sugar in them!

Drink LOTS of water, and don't count coffee or other liquids as your water intake. If you want to determine the exact amount you should drink according to your body weight, you can follow these steps: Take your weight and divide it in half and translate the lbs to ounces. Done.

Avoid sugar-free gum unless you're going to chew the same piece for 60 minutes + because that's how long it takes to burn off the calories in it by chewing it. If you’re going to exercise -- than sugar-free gum won’t matter, but it slows down your weight loss because it causes an insulin spike. You won’t stay in ketosis because of it. This is the same thing with sugar-free energy drinks unfortunately. I find changing your eating window around helps, because it confuses your metabolism. All of these things are easy to make, because I'm lazy. LOL

P.S. I'm a 'dirty faster', and put sweetener in my coffee, albeit I'm learning not to put sweetener in. And lime in my water (you can use lime or lemon), which is scientifically proven to kick your metabolism in the butt. Cool/cold showers instead of hot ones actually burns calories, and clears up skin from acne as well.

P.P.S. I've actually been clean fasting since early February. So now, black coffee, green tea, and water, are the only thing I intake while I'm fasting.

[pendraegon]

hey um... gotta ask... got any good baking recipes? 🥺

YES OF COURSE. Here are two really simple ones that I’ve made a lot and enjoyed! (:

General disclaimer though is that while I LOVE desserts, I actually can’t deal with very very sweet things so a lot of this has been tweaked to fit my taste so you might need to taste the batter just to be sure aoisjdfoasa. But in general, I like my things a lot more on the Korean sweet side of things rather than American.

[1] Olive oil cake (YES PLEASE bear with me here. It’s SO moist. SO SO SO moist and literally like. My 93 year old grandma with bad teeth can eat it. And it’s SO incredibly easy.) (Here’s a pic of it!)

-3 Eggs

-200 grams sugar

-240 ml milk (any kind I’ve made this with oat, almond, and like regular cow milk too)

-240 grams flour

-240 ml olive oil

-2 tsp vanilla extract

-1 tablespoon lemon zest

-2 tsp baking powder

-1 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 375F and grease your pan. I like using a skillet for this but like, anything works.

Beat together your eggs and sugar and lemon zest about 5 minutes on high. It’s way easier if you use an electric mixer rather than manually.

Add in the olive oil about ⅓ at a time and then whisk for two minutes on low. Then add in your milk, lemon juice, and vanilla.

Add in your flour and baking powder and salt and beat until combined. 

Bake for 40-45 minutes!

This cake is quite dense and plain so I like it with whipped cream (the ratio I like is 250 ml heavy whipping cream, 20 grams sugar, and 15 ml of rose water for a rose flavored cream to serve on the side) and some fresh fruit (: I make it a lot with candied walnuts on the side too.

[2] Cinnamon Streusel Bars (This is a 100% Ellian Original Recipe I made while fucking around and I LOVE it. Oh my god. My fucking MIND…) (I do not have a pic of this because every time I make it it just gets devoured aoifjdaosdas)

Streusel Ingredients:

-90 grams flour

-100 grams sugar (I like using brown sugar!)

-85 grams cold butter (6 tablespoons)

-Cinnamon and nutmeg to your heart’s desire<3

-Some salt

Batter Ingredients:

-112 grams softened butter (8 tablespoons)

-2 eggs

-100 grams sugar (I go half-half with brown and turbinado sugar)

-100 grams greek yogurt (you could make this with plain yogurt, it turns out well!)

-100 ml milk

-2 tsp vanilla extract

-1 tablespoon molasses (optional)

-113 grams raisins (substitute it with chocolate chips if you want but I LOVE raisins<3)

-240 grams flour

-1 tsp salt

-2 tsp baking powder

-Cinnamon and nutmeg to ur hearts desire<3

Preheat oven to 350F and grease your sheet. You could make this in like a loaf pan OR a brownie pan. Either one works, I’ve made it in both.

Make the streusel first. Combine all the ingredients until it’s crumbly. Put in the fridge so the butter doesn’t melt.

For the batter: cream the butter and then add the egg and sugar until light and fluffy with a mixer. Add in the yogurt and the milk and the vanilla extract and optional molasses (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) and beat once more. Add the flour and the raisins and the baking powder and the salt and the cinnamon/nutmeg. You could throw some cardamom in there too. It’ll be nice.

Transfer to your baking sheet and then put the streusel on top. It looks like a lot of streusel and you will THANK me for it because the streusel is SO fucking delicious.

Bake for about 30-40 minutes. (I say start checking in around 30 and go from there.)

[robbybirdy]

Generation D- Chapter 113: Just Keep Baking #6 Grape Pie x2

Sul Sul, Gerbits. Today we are going to be making a recipe that is a little bit different from the ones that we have been making. We are going to be making a Grape Pie. 

Daphne and I were given a lot of grapes. So I was trying to figure out what types of recipes I could make. And I came across a recipe for Grape Pie. And it looked really interesting. I however, was not given concord grapes, we were given purple table grapes. So the texture is going to be different. 

Before we get started on the recipe, I want to tell you a little bit about the history of Grape Pie. Grape Pie originated in the Finger Lakes region of New York. This is because there are a lot of wineries around. However, don’t expect to find a Grape Pie in every small town, because they are not always made. 

The recipe will be down in the description down below. 

Making your pie crust is the first step. Feel free to skip this step if you prefer frozen pie crust.

For both pie crust you will need: flour, salt, cold butter and 6 to 8 tablespoons. 

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the flour and salt.

The recipe calls for shortening, and I thought I could use butter. I shouldn’t have done that. The flavor of the pie crust was extremely different. And not really to Daphne or mine’s taste.

You are going to cut in the butter or shortening using a pastry blender. 

Now sprinkle the dough with 1 tablespoon, at a time. 

Gather the pastry into a ball.

Divide it in half, or fourths. Depending on how many pies you are making. 

Wrap the rounds in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for about 20 minutes. 

Because I had a bunch of grapes I decided to do this pie in two different ways; one grape jam, and one grape Jelly. And I wanted to see which one was going to be better for the type of table grapes I was using. 

For both recipes I used the amount listed in the recipe. It calls for: 4 cups of grapes, ⅔ cup of sugar, 3 Tablespoons of cornstarch, a teaspoon of lemon juice. And a double layer of pie crust. 

For the jam recipe, I blended the 4 cups of grapes. And then added the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. 

For the Jelly recipe, I cut the grapes in half, and boiled them. And added the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. 

I rolled out two of the pie crusts and placed it in the pie pan. Poured the pie filling into the crust. And I tried to do a lattice top, but alas it failed. 

For pie baking, I usually place a baking sheet under it, in case the filling spills over. Because the idea of cleaning pie filling from the bottom of the oven, is not a very pleasant idea. 

Bake them in the oven for 45 minutes or until the filling is bubbly in the middle and the crust is golden brown. 

This experiment was very interesting to do. Because I didn’t realize the difference between jam and jelly. And Daphne told me that the jelly recipe was actually better than the jam version. 

This is such an easy recipe. And it really tastes good with some vanilla yogurt or vanilla ice cream. I hope that you liked this recipe. Vadish, Dag Dag.  

Just Keep Baking Description

recipe: https://www.ediblefingerlakes.com/2013/09/25/monicas-grape-pie/

[scurybooween]

Would you answer all the autumn asks?

Going to try to do this...

AUTUMN ASKS

1. Apple pie: what’s cooking? (Or planned to cook?) 

Atm or Halloween??

I did a salad today, was easy and i’m lazy.  For halloween - Halloween cookies and maybe a huge fudge brownie.

2. Chilly air: are you a warm weather or cold weather person?

When i was younger i was cool weather, and since i live in the desert - i’ve become a warm weather person.  I do however adore the coolness of fall - and dream of moments waking up in crisp cool air.

3.Misty mornings: what time do you wake up? What for?

Depends, i dont have a set time.  I wake up super early for errands and cleaning atm.  So sometimes 4 am, sometimes 6 - and when i’m tired it’s like 10 am.

4.Oversized sweaters: what sweater weather outfit are you looking forward to wearing?

Definitely sweater dresses are a favorite item for me, but a fantastic jacket is also up there.

5. Carved pumpkins: what holidays (popular or pagan) are you celebrating this fall?

Halloween, Samhain, Dia De Los Muertos (Mexican Catholic, so it’s a family thing)

6.Ghost stories: what books are you reading?

The Invention of Murder: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime

7. Hot coffee: what’s your drink this fall?

I switch between my cafe latte, lemon grass tea, and hot chocolate

8. Cold hands: anyone to hold them?

Atm single and enjoying the freedom

9.Spooky shadows: any increased spiritual activity?

Nightmares or deja vu type dreams come to mind.

10. Crunchy leaves: what’s your favorite noise/sound to hear? 

Guess a tinkling of the piano, or some soft violin melodies

11.Scented candles: 5 favorite smells you love?

Usually any fall or autumn ones that contain apple, cinnamon, vanilla, pumpkin spice but very soft, and rose/flower ones.

12.Hurricanes: what do you do on rainy days?

Debating on when it’s raining or how hard - cause i actually live in fear of Hurricanes or heavy rains. 

When it’s a soft rain - i sometimes open the doors and windows to let the heat steamed water smell enter the house.

13.Cinnamon: what are your favorite spices?

Black pepper, nutmeg, cilantro, chipotle - too many

14.Boots: Favorite pair of shoes/boots you own?

15. Monster masks: what’s your makeup/morning routine?

I used to do a full face up of stuff when i was in high school and college - but now i keep it pretty simple.  Wash lightly with shea moisture bar, moisturize, simple products like lip balm or a fancy lip stick - vitamin e once in a while.

Then i get up and have water - which is my constant first drink.  Might make something to eat, which changes daily.

16 Black cat: what pets do you have/want?

Dont have any pets atm, though i had them for a lot of my life.  After my last cat disappeared i didnt want to own another pet cause it was hard to have a good enough space to keep them.

I want any animal, i would have a few different pets if i had enough room and a good financial situation.

17.September: What’s your favorite kind of weather?

A windy overcast day - like those that are cool enough to wear a jacket with - but not freezing.

18.October: Did you go trick-or-treating on Halloween when you were younger?

I went trick or treating for most of my teens - at first for myself only - then we took younger family members out during their time. 

19.Pumpkins: Have you ever carved a jack-o-lantern?

Yea - a few times.  I get that sorta hankering feeling that i want to both eat and cut one up.  We usually try to keep and use all the goods cut out - so we have to get things ready to make stuff with the seeds and the left over pieces.

20.Leaves: When the leaves change, what color looks the prettiest?

I never got to collect leaves - but when i was around Sycamore trees i wanted to.  I preferred a yellow green piece and also a pure orange one.

21.Rain: Do you wear a Raincoat or carry an Umbrella?

I dont have a raincoat or an umbrella.  I dont enjoy using Umbrellas - mostly cause i’m the fool that has one flip out when i’m walking around.  My state can have some really insane winds.

22.Caramel Apples: Favorite Halloween candy?

Can anyone only have one favorite Halloween Candy???  I guess a fight out between dark chocolate kit kat, twix, and taffy.

23.Candles: What’s your favorite way to cozy up on a rainy autumn day?

My favorite thing to do is curl up with a book by Barbara Michaels - she did sorta romantic crime solving stuff.

24.Pumpkin Pie: Share your favorite autumn recipe.

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie

25.Apple Cider: Do you drink your apple cider hot or cold?

Never had apple cider - cold or hot.  Been wondering if i should make my own this year.

26.Wind: Have you ever been outside your own country during Autumn? Tell us about your experience.

Only been to Mexico - but it isnt too far or different from my own Autumn.

It does get cool, but of course it’s usually hovering around 60.  There’s also rain on and off, it was much wetter in the 80s and 90s - but has become a lot more warm since then.

27.Books: What was the last book you read?

Ghost Children

I picked this up cause this was one of my childhood favorite books - i would check this out constantly and keep it for as long as i could.  Sadly the book i got didnt have the creepier tomb cover with the depressed child ghost on the cover.

28.Socks: What kind of socks do you like? Do you wear matching socks, fuzzy socks, tall socks, or no socks?

It seems like almost EVERYONE who adores Halloween has a million types of socks, from the witch black and purple ones, to the horror blood themed ones, or the bats and pumpkin covered ones.  I have any number which i sometimes mix and match when i’m in a hurry.  I dont wear socks when i wear shorts or dresses - so unless i flash my ankle at you - you wont see the silliness.

29.Coat: Is Autumn your favorite season?

Yes - followed by spring - as it is a nice cool time.

30.Jacket: how do you feel about pumpkin flavoured things in general?

Love so many of them.  Atm sad that Noosa isnt in my area anymore - as that was my favorite yogurt and they had an amazing pumpkin version.  I’m not a fan of all the pumpkin stuff - but there’s enough to cover everyone’s taste buds.

31.Gloves: Is the weather finally feeling more like autumn where you are now?

In the mornings i feel it - cause it’s usually around 60 or so.  During the day - NAH.  It’s from 50 to 90 every day, which is what happens in the desert.

32.Campfire: Do you like going outdoors for activities like camping, hiking, or mountain biking?

I want to like all of that stuff, as i used to love being in the woods.  Thing is - it depends on where you are going, what you have - and how close to people you are.  I dont feel i could be lumber-jacking it anywhere - but for a nice day thing i would be down.

33.Mini pumpkins:Best pumpkin design I’ve ever carved/plan on carving

Mine are simple cause i am sorta scared of knives - cant do a lot when i keep worrying about if i will cut too much or too fast.  I am not scared of people with knives - i’m scared of me using knives and cutting myself.  I did it fairly bad one time - and i get nervous about it.

34.Forest: What are five of your favorite things about autumn?

The smell in the air, the change of time and day length, how the plants will not burn as much under the sun, seasonal food, cooler days

35.hoodie: how different was your life five years ago?

Had a bit more money, was working out a lot more, had a few friends i was arguing with a lot, a certain orange wasnt destroying the world, was getting ready for Halloween festivities.

36. Tea: Favorite scary story or legend

There’s a few - La LLarona, Headless Horseman, Carved Mouth woman

37.Spices: Favorite character from a Halloween movie

Sam from Trick r Treat or Sadako from Ringu

38.Maze: Have you ever gone to a corn maze?

Have been meaning to go to one near me - though i went on a hay ride/corn maze ride as a kid.

39.Haunted hayrides: Tell a spooky campfire story (if you have one)

Had to look up what a campfire story would be or contain - and someone said the story of Bloody Mary.  I wonder if Elizabeth Bathory would work as one.  I’m the lame history loving person - so i might add in a ton of history tidbits to give more of a gore styled retelling.

40. Boo: Do you believe in ghosts? If so, have you ever had an experience?

I’m a spiritual person, so i cant rule ghosts out totally.  I have had an experience with something i thought might have been ghost like - it is hard to describe to anyone who didnt have it.  I also am not trying to convince anyone of it.

41.color: If you live in a climate where the trees change colors, do you like walking/driving around and looking at them?

Sadly none of my trees change - unless you go to a specific park where they planted these poor trees that shouldnt be here cause of our weather.  I dont see cactus and mesquite change - but they are nice plants.

42.Lights: Do you decorate your home for Halloween?

I do - i try to do it to the point where at least 70 percent of my house front is covered.  This year, i am not going to decorate as i dont want kids to trick or treat - i want people to be safe.  Atm though - i put up a wreath on my door with a spider and some bats.

43. Party: Do you hand out candy on Halloween, have/attend parties, or do something else?

My general Halloween day starts with me having family and friends come over, then handing out candy to kids, and at night going out to any clubs.  At 3 or 4 am i come back and spend time watching horror movies until we pass out from things.

Had been trying to change plans for 2020, i wanted to go to New Orleans - but that plan was scratched.

44. Movies: Favorite scary movie

Just like with music - my stuff changes every 5 years.  I would say atm i am in a toss up between the VVitch and Midsommar.  Before that was Let the Right one in.  Those are my favorite horror films, but my fav Halloween film atm is Paranorman.

45.Novel:Favorite spooky novel

I already know i need to read more, i dont know if i have read a scary enough novel that i have a favorite one.  I really need to get past my true crime and history stuff, cause those are scary to me.

[urrguide]

Gooey Pecan Pie Bars with Toffee

The most gooey and tasty Pecan Pie Bars in all the land! These bars taste like an extra caramel walnut pie, however with an exceptionally rich shortbread outside layer. (Also, no tragic tears, since you don't need to reveal a pie batter.) I adjusted my preferred Pecan Pie Recipe to make these. The toffee bits that soften into the filling are what separate it! 

Would someone be able to please remark immediately on the off chance that you read this post and see a few references to "Walnut Pie Bras." I swear I've 

scoured it like multiple times as of now and continue discovering to an ever-increasing extent! There are no bras to see here individuals, move along.

In case you're searching for Pecan Pie Bars, then again… I got your back.

Tuesday isn't past the point where it is possible to be sharing these bras, correct? (OK, that one was a joke.) Is everyone prepared for Thanksgiving on Thursday? We simply set up our Christmas tree, so we are thoroughly prepared. Try not to be a hater now, Thanksgiving is very in the not so distant future! In ordinary years everyone would have been setting up their tree a week ago as of now!

Advise that to Home Depot, however. I called ahead to ensure they had live trees, they said yes. So we pull up after supper, and can see the trees over the parking area, however it looks dull. There happened to be a representative strolling by, so we moved down the window and approached if the live trees were available to be purchased.

State what? Individuals today is November 26th. Thanksgiving is so in the not so distant future! A year ago it was on Nov 22! Also, a great many people set up their tree at the end of the week after, correct? Or then again was that simply my family growing up.

I needed to put mine up extra early this year since I'm 36 weeks pregnant. I'm using up all the available time! This infant could astonish us whenever essentially, and I would prefer not to need to stress over enhancing when I'm in recuperation! (I realize I've totally cursed myself now, and will have my child on December 21, precisely when he's expected.)

Anyway, we rolled over to the trees, just to check, and sure enough, there was a worker there prepared to support us. He was so overall quite inviting and even put our tree on the head of our van without any help while we were inside paying, that is completely compensated for the other person, who obviously has no clue about what's happening! Ha!

The most effective method to make the best Pecan Pie Bars

Well on the off chance that you are as yet scrambling about what treat to make on Thursday, I have you secured! These walnut pie

bars

are completely wanton and WAY simpler than pie.

Start by making a shortbread hull. It's exceptionally straightforward, simply margarine and sugar and flour essentially, with somewhat salt and vanilla for flavor. Do whatever it takes not to eat everything without anyone else. (There aren't even any eggs to stop you. As though salmonella hazards at any point halted us at any rate… )

While moving your mixture to the container, I like to split it up into pieces with the goal that it's simpler to squeeze it in equally.

Here's the manner by which I slashed my walnuts. You can hack them as large or as little as you need. On the off chance that you purchase pre hacked walnuts from the store, you can avoid this progression totally! I like to toast my walnuts before adding them to the

bars, yet you can avoid that progression as well. I love the way profound they make the flavor, and you are preheating the stove at any rate, yet on the off chance that it's worrying you, don't stress they are as yet going to taste great!

Try not to skirt blending in the toffee bits, however! They dissolve into the filling to make the gooiest, most caramel filling ever. I LOVE the flavor the toffee bits include, you are going to adore it.

Include your filling head of the hull, prepare, and presto! They are so natural. The hardest part is allowing them to cool.

The most effective method to store Pecan Pie Bars

Perhaps the best part about walnut pie bars

is that they are ideal for making ahead when you have one thousand different things to do on Thanksgiving. Truth be told, it's better on the off chance that you make them early, much the same as walnut pie. The occupying needs an ideal opportunity to set up. Have you at any point attempted to cut into a walnut pie directly from the broiler? It's a wreck! A flavorful jumble it's actual, yet at the same time.

Make these bars

as long as 2 days ahead of time. Store them on the counter, firmly secured so they don't dry out. On the off chance that you might want to serve them warm, put the entire container back in the broiler at 350 for around 10-15 minutes, until warmed through. This will make it overall quite warm for serving, however won't self-destruct the way that they would on the off chance that you served them hot from the broiler.

In the event that the walnut pie barsare not passed by day 5 (how??), at that point I would stick them in the ice chest, secured. You can likewise freeze them in a ziplock and haul them out later. You will truly cherish your previous self. Let them defrost on the counter, fixed. At that point scoop some frozen yogurt on top and shower with salted caramel. Yes.

Upbeat Thanksgiving my companions! I will be back tomorrow with a simple formula for how to make turkey stock from your turkey body! It's so natural and makes the BEST soup. Stay tuned!

More pastry and pie bars plans for these special seasons!

Cheesecake Pecan Pie (Make Ahead!) << The best of the two universes. It's SO acceptable.

Walnut Pie Recipe with Buttery Streusel Topping << I figured I didn't care for walnut pie until I thought of this formula. Try not to detest on my streusel. It doesn't make it excessively sweet, just includes the correct crunch top. I really gave a streusel a shot the present walnut pie bars on one of my tests, yet didn't feel like it required it.

Crusty fruit-filled treat Bars << perhaps the best pie to ever turn into a bar. No doubt.

Cranberry Shortbread Bars << These are so straightforward yet give all of you that cranberry flavor you need!

Earthy colored Sugar Snickerdoodle Blondies << love that cinnamon sugar besting!

Raspberry Cheesecake Bars << such a great amount of snappier than making a springform cheesecake!

Crème Brulée Pumpkin Pie << you will never return to non-bruléed pumpkin pie. I'm letting you know!

Blackberry Slab Pie Bars from The View From Great Island

Custom made Cherry Pie Bars from The Country Cook

Peach Crumb Bars from Live Well Bake Often

Cocoa Cranberry Crumble Bars from Snixy Kitchen

The most gooey and delectable Pecan Pie Bars in all the land! These bars

taste like an extra caramelly walnut pie, yet with an exceptionally rich shortbread outside. (Furthermore, no dismal tears, since you don't need to reveal a pie mixture.) I adjusted my preferred Pecan Pie Recipe to make these. The toffee

bits that soften into the filling are an all-out distinct advantage!

Fixings

For the shortbread outside layer

1 cup (2 sticks) margarine, relaxed

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup earthy colored sugar

1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla concentrate

3/4 teaspoon fit salt

2 cups universally handy flour, spooned and leveled

For the walnut filling

1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine

3 enormous eggs

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup earthy colored sugar

1/2 light corn syrup

1 tablespoon milk

1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla concentrate

1/2 teaspoon fit salt

1 and 1/2 teaspoons new lemon juice

1 tablespoon flour

2 cups walnuts, coarsely slashed

1/2 cup toffee bits

Guidelines

Preheat your broiler to 350 degrees F. Toast your walnuts: If you need, set aside the effort to toast your walnuts a piece before they go in your bars. I like the additional flavor this includes, and your broiler is preheating in any case, however it's a bit much. Spread 2 cups of walnuts out onto a dry preparing sheet and put it into the stove at 350. Mix the walnuts every 2-5 minutes. Leave the walnuts in the broiler for 7-10 minutes all out (How long it takes will rely upon on the off chance that they are as of now hacked.) When the walnuts are fragrant and hot, take them out and put aside to cool.

Make the shortbread: Line a 9x13 inch container with material paper, or foil that you shower with nonstick splash. (You can likewise splash the container itself no issue, yet I like to have the option to lift the bars out for simple cutting.)

In an enormous bowl or stand blender, beat 1 cup of spread nearly to death. You need it to be light and cushioned, should take at any rate 2-3 minutes, in addition to separates for scratching the sides and base of the bowl.

Include 1/2 cup sugar and 1/3 cup earthy colored sugar. Beat until the blend is smooth and rich, again making a point to scratch the sides and base of the bowl.

Include 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and 3/4 teaspoon genuine salt. Beat well.

Include 2 cups of flour. Beat it all in, it will feel like a lot from the start. Utilize your spatula to get the scraps at the base if essential. Don't overbeat, when the flour is fused, quit blending.

Move the blend to the readied 9x13 inch skillet. I like to area out the mixture into pieces and spread them over the base of the search for gold squeezing, see photographs. Wet your hands only a tad, and press the mixture equally into the container. Try not to shape an edge covering, simply press everything level, wetting your hands again as vital.

Prepare the shortbread at 350 for 18-20 minutes, until softly caramelized on the edges. Expel from the stove and put in a safe spot if your filling isn't all set.

Make the walnut pie filling: Begin by searing your margarine. This gives your bars that profound, nutty flavor that is so ideal for fall. In a little pot, include 1/2 cup margarine. Turn the warmth to medium and let the margarine dissolve. Keep the warmth on medium and don't leave. Mix once in a while. Before long the margarine will air pocket and structure a thick white froth on top. From that point forward, the froth will retreat a tad and you will begin to see minimal earthy colored "bits" framing on the base of the container. Work them up and take a whiff. On the off chance that you see earthy colored spots and your spread has taken on a nutty fragrance, your margarine is seared. Take it off the warmth immediately. It goes from seared to consumed genuine snappy, so focus! Put aside to cool.

In the interim, scratch out any morsels from a similar bowl that you blended your shortbread in. (It's Thanksgiving individuals, we don't possess energy for additional dishes!) Add 3 huge eggs to the bowl and beat on medium speed for 3 minutes, until the eggs have helped up in shading a piece. (You're whipping air into them. Utilize a whisk connection on the off chance that you have one.)

When the 3 eggs are very much beaten, include 1/4 cup sugar, 1 cup earthy colored sugar, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, and 1 tablespoon milk. Beat well.

At the point when your margarine has cooled a sensible sum, add it to the egg blend. On the off chance that it is still quite hot, you can risk everything and include the hot margarine while your blender is running, to ensure you don't sour the eggs. (That is the thing that I generally do. These are the sort of dangers that cause me to feel like I'm carrying on with a hazardous life.) But in case you're apprehensive, hold up until you can put your finger in the spread without it harming. Beat the spread in well.

Include 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla concentrate, 1/2 teaspoon genuine salt, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons new lemon juice (don't skip it! Lemon is the best mystery fixing to an extraordinary caramel sauce!), and 1 tablespoon flour. Beat everything together, racing out any flour irregularities.

On the off chance that you haven't as of now, coarsely hack your walnuts. Include the cleaved walnuts and 1/2 cup toffee bits to the egg blend, and overlap in with a spatula.

Pour the blend on the of the heated outside. It's alright if the outside is still warm, even hot. Spread the blend out equitably.

Heat the bars at 350 degrees F for around 30-35 minutes. At the point when it is done, the edges of the bars will be light earthy colored. The focal point of the bars may squirm a smidgen when you shake the dish, yet it ought not look sloshy. The bars from around 2 inches from the edges and farther ought not wobble. Your bars will prepare a couple of moments quicker in a metal skillet, a few minutes slower in a glass dish.

Let cool totally to room temperature. I mean it now!

See notes for the most ideal approach to serve these walnut pie bars to your visitors warm.

Present with a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt and a shower of salted caramel! Absolutely unnecessary...but absolutely debauched.

Formula Notes

Make-ahead directions: You can make these

bars

as long as 2 days ahead of time before serving. Store them on the counter, firmly secured so they don't dry out. On the off chance that you might want to serve them warm, but the entire dish back in the stove (revealed) at 350 for around 10-15 minutes, until warmed through. This will make it overall quite warm for serving, however won't self-destruct the way that they would in the event that you serve them hot from the broiler.

[nancypullen]

Heatin’ Up the Kitchen

You guys.  Am I the only one ready to throw in my apron and quit this job?  I love to cook, I especially love to try new recipes and twists on old favorites.  But something about not picking my own groceries, the fact that each day is just a repeat of the day before, and that it’s a thousand degrees here in Tennessee - well, I just don’t want to be in the kitchen.  I used to cook 21 meals a week.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week.  A couple of months ago I started skipping breakfast (most days) so every Sunday I make a week’s worth of these cups for Mickey.

There’s a little bit of diced (cooked) potato, green onion, bacon pieces, and cheddar cheese in them.  He cracks an egg into it, stirs it up, and zaps it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. He stirs it again, cooks it another 30 seconds or so and he’s got a yummy breakfast.  He usually has a piece of fruit with it and declares himself full.  They’re so versatile. I’ve made them with lots of veggies, different meats or no meat at all, but this is the combo the mister prefers. It’s easy for me and he’s happy.  For lunch he prefers soup and sandwich or leftovers.  Per his request, every week I make a pot of taco soup (seriously, who eats soup in the summer?).  So breakfast and lunch are pretty quick - I slap together a sandwich for him while the soup reheats, throw everything on a plate, and he’s satisfied.  Dinner is a different matter all together.  I need to start doing meal prep for dinner so that we can just grab something and reheat it without having to turn on the oven or stand over a hot stove.  Actually, this was my dinner tonight.  It was perfect for a 96 degree day.

Vanilla yogurt, delicious plump raspberries, and a sprinkling of walnuts. It was plenty.  I sauteed some chicken for Mickey and tossed it over a big salad.   We’ve been eating a lot of roasted broccoli, though that requires turning on the oven. Ugh.  It’s so easy and yummy.  Just chop off some florets...

Why yes, those are brownies in the background - those were actually worth turning on the oven, trust me.

Anyway, toss your florets with a good drizzle of olive oil, and treat them to some salt and pepper. Then spread them on a baking sheet.

Pop them into a 400 degree oven and then mop your brow with a handy dish towel.  Roast them for about 25 minutes - more if you like them softer.  Toss your florets with some grated parmesan (Mickey’s favorite) or with a tablespoon of lemon zest (my favorite) and enjoy.  It really is that simple.  Great side for anything off the grill this summer.

If you’re willing to stand over a hot stove, at least keep the pots and pans to a minimum.  This meal requires just one pot and one skillet.  It’s a delicious pasta dish and if you’re a single or couple, provides plenty of leftovers which is always a win. I start by filling my pasta pot with well-salted water and bringing it to a boil. Then I heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add sliced onion and green pepper.  

The herbs and spices are key in this dish.  It’s full of big flavor.  You can use Italian seasoning (use plenty!) or this mix that I found online.  It’s easy to mix up a big batch and keep with your spices. 

I use a tablespoon of that mix in this recipe.  Half a tablespoon goes in with the onions and peppers, the other half goes in later.  Here’s a tip.  If you’re using Italian sausage, you really don’t need the extra fennel, but it doesn’t hurt. You could just use Italian seasoning and pepper it up.  If you’re using ground beef or ground turkey, you’ll want the fennel in there.  Either way you’ll want a little zip to it, so if you’re not using cayenne, black or white pepper to taste.  Can you tell that this is one that I made up as I went along?  But it’s good! Once the onion and peppers are tender, add your meat.  I had Italian sausage this time.  After I dumped it in I remembered that I only intended to use half because it was something like 19 ounces. Oops. We had a very meaty dish this time.

You’ll need a can of good crushed tomatoes.

Add the tomatoes to your meat and veggie mixture and stir in the remaining half tablespoon of Tuscan Spice (or whatever you decided to use).

Your water is surely boiling by now, turn the heat down on your sauce and drop your pasta into the water.  I can’t stress enough how much better this is with fresh pasta.  It makes a world of difference.  It’s still quite yummy with any dry pasta you have handy, but fresh pasta elevates it. If you’re using fresh, it’s only going to take about two minutes to cook,  If you’re using dry pasta, probably 9-11 minutes depending on the pasta you choose. Once your pasta is cooked and drained, put it back into the pot and pour the sauce over it. Toss that all together before serving.   In the past, depending on the amount of liquid in the crushed tomatoes, I’ve added a splash of good chicken broth.  If you want to make the sauce extra delicious, take it off the heat and stir a tablespoon of butter into it before tossing with the pasta.  That’s REALLY good. Would you believe that I forgot to snap a picture after putting our dinner into pretty white bowls and giving everything a sprinkling of parsley and grated parmesan? Dang it.  You’ll have to look at this photo of the leftovers being plopped into a container for the next day’s lunch.

Since this is sort of a made-up recipe anyway, tweak it to your tastes.  It’s not fancy, it’s not difficult, and you probably have everything in your pantry. Ingredients you’ll need -  1 green pepper

1 yellow onion

1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes

pasta

ground meat - Italian sausage, ground beef, ground turkey, your call! The spice blend is up to you, whether or not you finish the sauce with butter is up to you, whether you use fresh or dry pasta,etc.   Any way you go, it’s a quick dinner with big flavor.  It heats up the kitchen, for sure, but you’re not in there long.   Could this post be more confusing?  I said I’m tired of cooking and then shared more recipes.  One of the recipes is all over the place and I hardly even gave measurements.  Pffft, you guys get it, right? I think I may stick to yogurt for dinner from now on.  At least until October or November.  

Stay cool, stay well, and remember that ice cream is a dairy and dairy builds strong bones. Fight osteoporosis with a sundae!  Also, I’m a terrible life coach. Don’t listen to me. XOXO - Nancy

[dietsauthority]

25 Indulgent Dairy-Free Recipes You Need To Try

Whether you are just one of the approximated 30-50 million Americans that experiences lactose intolerance or you're attempting to prevent milk as a method to boost your overall health and wellness, the adhering to 25 indulgent dairy-free recipes will certainly make you eagerly anticipate meal time!

Why Would Someone Ditch Dairy?

Along with far better digestion wellness, dropping milk has been connected to a variety of health and wellness advantages, such as improved sinuses, clearer skin, and also enhanced energy levels. Some researches also reveal going dairy-free could strengthen your bones. I recognize that violates every little thing you probably discovered as a young kid since milk is referred to as a wonderful source of calcium. According to a 2014 study published in the British Medical Journal, scientists who complied with more than 100,000 people in Sweden over a duration of 20 to 30 years discovered milk drinkers really experienced extra total bone fractures and also hip cracks. This isn't the only research study to reach these findings.

What Is Dairy Exactly?

By interpretation, dairy products are foods and drinks that are made from the milk of mammals, such as cows and goats. Popular dairy items consist of milk, yogurt, cheese, as well as butter.

So what about eggs?

For some reason, individuals enjoy to glob eggs into the 'dairy' category. Eggs are not a dairy item and could most certainly be included in a dairy-free diet. That's terrific information given that eggs are a remarkable resource of healthy protein, healthy fats, and various other nutrients that benefit the body.

Recipes

Dairy-Free Breakfast Recipes

1) Healthy Yogurt and Granola Parfait - As I just mentioned, yogurt is normally a no-go when you're eating dairy-free. However, much like exactly how there are dairy-free milk alternatives, there are additionally dairy-free yogurt choices. A few of them consist of soy yogurt, almond yogurt, and also coconut yogurt. In this dish, the developer layers coconut yogurt in between fruit, hemp seeds, as well as chia seeds! It takes just minutes to toss together and is an easy grab-and-go breakfast.

2) Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats - Overnight oats are incredibly simple to prepare, you can consume them on the move, and also they're loaded with healthy components. To make your own, all you have to do is load a Mason container with oats, fluid, some add-ins, and garnishes. Pop it in the fridge overnight as well as the flavors will fuse together by the morning. No cooking required. This specific recipe is loaded with healthy protein and also fiber that will certainly assist maintain you really feeling full for longer. And also, making use of either almond or coconut milk maintains this recipe dairy-free approved!

3) Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins - Are you someone who delights in baked goods for morning meal? If so, these cinnamon sugar pumpkin muffins are a must-try. They're bursting with flavor and also are extremely damp, many thanks to the coconut oil and pumpkin puree. If you're viewing your sugar consumption, you could constantly avoid the outer covering of cinnamon sugar!

4) Banana Muffins - These banana muffins are dairy-free, gluten-free, and also refined sugar-free. Bananas and coconut flour include the mass, chia seeds work as the binder, and numerous various other active ingredients (like honey, vanilla, and also cinnamon) develop a durable flavor.

5) Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Banana Pancakes - No issue what age you are, pancakes are constantly an enjoyable breakfast food. Since they're normally full of gluten-laden flour, milk, and butter, it's rather fair to claim that pancakes can make your palate desire to do a little dance. However, the same can not be stated for your midsection. With a few straightforward component swaps, pancakes are in fact simple to healthify. Take this gluten-free as well as dairy-free dish. Utilizing bananas, oat flour, coconut oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and also a couple of other components, a tiny stack of these pancakes is really a guilt-free breakfast!

6) 3-Ingredient No-Bake Cereal Bars - Are your mornings typically as well frantic to appreciate a sit-down breakfast with the family members? No concerns! Whip up a batch of these no-bake cereal bars on Sunday night so you have a nourishing on-the-go option during the job week. With simply three ingredients - a grain of your choice, peanut butter, and also a liquid sugar of your option - it does not obtain any simpler compared to this!

7) No-Bake Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites - Cranberries, walnuts, oats, coconut shreds, as well as flaxseed are all held together by almond butter and also pure maple syrup. Simply roll the ingredients into little spheres, pop them in the fridge to establish, and appreciate them on the move. Each bite offers a strike of healthy protein, vitamins, minerals, and also craveable flavor.

8) Instant Pot Coconut Yogurt - Yogurt is a terrific morning meal or snack choice given that it's packed with real-time societies, Also Known As probiotics, that benefit the gut. Did you recognize that researchers connect the gut to nearly every function in the human body?

9) Dairy-Free Frittata With Spinach and Tomatoes - Many times, frittatas are made with some dairy products to develop that light and also cosy structure. It's really not required. This dish uses eggs, coconut milk, peppers, spinach, tomatoes, and also some type of meat (if you comply with a vegan or vegan diet regimen then simply leave the meat out). Pop your mixture in the oven for a few mins and dig in.

10) Environment-friendly Vegan Healthy protein Healthy smoothie - Green smoothie mixes are loaded with nutrients that sustain general health. When you throw some plant-based healthy protein into the mix, also much better! This dish asks for a range of superfoods - spinach, chia seeds, hemp seeds, almond butter, and banana. And also, maintaining with the dairy-free motif, the maker used bitter almond milk instead than lactose-filled cow's milk. A few days add natural sweetness to the drink, but if you need more you could constantly press in a little bit of raw honey.

Dairy-Free Lunch/Dinner Recipes

11) Cauliflower Fettuccine 'Alfredo' - This super light vegan alfredo pasta sauce is made with cooked cauliflower, olive oil, and spices! A little dietary yeast gives it a nice cheesy flavor. It's a win on taste and also win on texture. If you do not desire to offer it over pasta, pour it over a bed of rice or use it as a veggie dip.

12) Dairy-Free Mac N Cheese - It is feasible to ditch dairy products and enjoy mac n cheese, you just need to obtain creative. The 'cheese' sauce in this dish freezes well so you can conveniently double the recipe and also place fifty percent in a freezer-safe container. Simply heat it up when you prepare to dig in again.

13) Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches - Potatoes, carrots, onions, cashews, coconut milk, and also dietary yeast typically aren't normal 'grilled cheese' ingredients, yet the end result really tastes a great deal like your childhood years preferred grilled cheese sandwich.

14) Mushroom as well as Kale Pasta - Cashews are used as the base of a creamy sauce that will make you absolutely ignore celebrity in standard lasagna. With just 30 minutes to prep and also an additional HALF AN HOUR to cook, it's most definitely worth a try.

15) Avocado Quesadillas - Cheese quesadillas are fantastic. Pass on. But so are avocado quesadillas. Along with the remarkable preference, this Mexican-inspired meal is actually quite healthy and balanced. Avocados are filled with healthy and balanced fats and healthy proteins that nurture the body in more ways compared to one.

16) Dairy-Free Pesto - While pesto isn't really normally considered as a 'milk food,' lots of dishes do ask for parmesan cheese. While dairy products pesto is excellent, it actually doesn't require celebrity to please your palate. This dish celebrates simplicity with cilantro (you can likewise use basil), olive oil, garlic, want nuts, lemon juice, as well as a little salt and pepper. Once you work up a bowl of this delicious pesto, use it as a dip, spread, pasta sauce, or dressing.

Dairy-Free Dessert Recipes

17) Raw Chocolate Cake - Most of the times, abundant and also indulgent cakes include full-fat milk and also butter. Of program, I can not fail to remember the frosting, which typically has, even much more, milk or cream and also butter. But it doesn't need to be in this way, and this cake verifies it! One bite of this Raw Delicious chocolate Cake by the famous Jamie Oliver and also you could be misleaded right into thinking it's the actual deal. Sweetened with Medjool dates, honey, as well as raw cacao, it's extremely wonderful without using any refined sugar. For the frosting, coconut oil, agave, honey, and even more cacao are placed on display.

18) Delicious chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake - Making a dairy-free milkshake is way less complicated compared to you might even recognize. All you need to do is exchange out the routine cow's milk for a nut milk. In this dish, the designer used almond milk, however you can use hazelnut milk, coconut milk, and even rice milk if you choose. Given that numerous refined chocolate items do contain dairy, this dish makes use of chocolate powder.

19) Healthier Dairy-Free Cheesecake - This dish is a lightened-up variation of standard cheesecake with a 3rd of the calories as well as sugar ... and no dairy. It combines dairy-free lotion cheese with coconut yogurt, vanilla remove, a sugar, lemon juice, as well as a little corn starch. You will certainly need to cook this set, but it's still very simple to whip up!

20) Vegan Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake - This recipe is excellent during Fall as well as the colder winter season months. Something about the combination of pumpkin as well as cinnamon simply makes this much healthier dairy-free cheesecake taste like comfort.

21) Yellow Cake Donuts - I'm not going to sugar layer this - there is a great deal of sugar in this dish. While donuts aren't something you'll want to consist of in your day-to-day diet regimen, they're definitely an enjoyable reward from time-to-time. If you're trying to find a dairy-free version of your favorite yellow cake donut after that this dish is perfect for you. Instead of milk, the dish requires unsweetened coconut milk, instead of butter, it includes healthy and balanced avocado oil.

22) 3-Ingredient Double Delicious chocolate Mousse - The structure of whipped coconut lotion is absolutely amazing. So it's not surprising that by adding a little powdered sugar as well as cocoa powder you would develop an outstanding dairy-free mousse.

23) 3-Ingredient Dairy Free Fudge - This is the ideal no-bake reward. Utilizing coconut milk, confectioner's sugar, as well as dairy-free chocolate chips, this treat will take you about 10 mins to make and it's sure to excite a crowd.

24) Edible Cookie Dough - Is it just me or is there something addictive concerning cookie dough? It's a lot more lip-smacking great compared to a baked cookie! The only problem is - given that many cookie recipes require eggs, the raw dough isn't all that safe to eat. Enter this edible cookie dough dish. Simply make sure to use dairy-free delicious chocolate to maintain this recipe entirely devoid of dairy.

25) No-Churn Dairy-Free Ice Lotion - I yell, you shout, all of us shout for dairy-free-ice-cream! A bowl of this smooth and also creamy treat is made from coconut milk, sugar, as well as simply a touch of powdered gelatin. A few doses as well as you could be fooled right into assuming it's the actual deal!

[estfortis]

Book Review: Fizz Boom Bath! by Isabel and Caroline Bercaw

Fizz Boom Bath! is an adorable book written by two young sisters, the creators and founders of Da Bomb Fizzers bath bomb company. The book opens with the story of their success -- they started making the bath bombs in 2011, when they were 10 and 11 years old, and selling them at craft fairs. By the time they graduated high school the whole family was participating in the business (both parents quit their day jobs! They are now the CEO and CFO of the company) and they had contracts with Ulta, Hot Topic, and Target as well as a thriving online shop. And now a book! 

After the introduction, they don’t waste any time getting right to the point. A short explanation of the ingredients needed (including a resource list of where to buy things like citric acid online, in case you can’t find it locally) is followed by dozens of recipes for bath bombs. They use fragrance oils but do mention that essential oils can be used instead. I’m not sure where you’d get banana or grape essential oils (they are big on fruit flavors, it seems!) but you could certainly use EOs for some of the other scents. The bath bomb recipes are divided into sections such as ‘Fruity,’ ‘Nutty & Spicy,’ and ‘Floral,’ but really all are variations on the same recipe. They do give instructions on how to make multicolored bombs and how to paint with eco glitter for different aesthetics, but the base recipe appears to be the same across all of the bath bombs. 

About half the book is dedicated to the bath bombs -- they are the foundation of their success, after all-- but to be honest, my favorite part was in the second half of the book where they give recipes for face masks, lip scrubs, and hair products. Perhaps it’s my love of instant gratification, or simply that the ingredient lists are shorter and made up predominantly of things I keep in my kitchen (avocado, strawberries, yogurt, even Emergen-C vitamin supplement!), but I got pretty excited about this section. Some of the recipes are uber-simple such as the recipe for rose water (literally just rose petals and water) but others, such as the Curly Q Conditioning Spray, containing water, witch hazel, fractionated coconut oil, and vitamin E oil as well as fragrance (they suggest coconut but I imagine you could use anything!), are less obvious and a bit more intriguing to me personally. There’s even a bug repellent bar that uses lemon and eucalyptus EO in addition to fresh thyme and lemon zest and has the added benefit of moisturizing your skin while deterring the bugs! 

I do have a few small critiques of the book, like the fact that they mention how customizable the bath bombs can be but then go on to change only the color and scent in the recipes they give. They mention using things like kaolin clay, different kinds of butters (shea, cocoa, etc), but they really stick to one basic recipe throughout. This is fine in itself -- there’s nothing wrong with sticking with what works -- but they don’t even change the language from one recipe to another so it seems repetitive to the point that maybe they didn’t need to list the whole recipe every time. They could have put the base recipe and then just followed up with ideas for color and scent combinations. On the other hand, most people probably don’t read a book like this cover to cover like I just did -- the average reader will probably pick the recipe they want to make and focus on just that-- so maybe it’s not really a problem. Further, writing the whole recipe out every time means more pages which translates to more room for pictures. I love this, because they feature perfect spheres as well as novelty shapes like hearts, stars, and even skulls -- but these are also intermingled with simpler shapes like cubes that could be cut out of a cake pan, or cylinders that look like maybe they were made in a sippy cup (or at least, they could have been). This makes it all feel more accessible, and a reminder that aesthetic is only one part of the process. The only other critique I have is that there are names like “Tiki Time” and “Witch Doctor,” which rub me the wrong way, and an over-emphasis on gendered scents and colors which is really unnecessary. 

Overall, I thought this was an impressive book to come from such young authors, but after reading the story of how they built their company it’s hardly surprising. Ironically, I probably wouldn’t buy it for the bath bomb recipes (though I do plan to try their basic formula, with my own scent combos) but I might consider it for the other body care potions and tips. For now, I’ll leave you with their recipe for a bath milk, which is something I’ve wanted to try for ages anyway. If you want to know how to make a bath bomb... well, you’ll have to get the book. ;) It was officially released today, August 7, so you should be able to find it online or ask for it at your local bookstore. 

Bottom line, 4/5 stars. Might not buy for myself, but would probably get as a gift for a friend! Many of my critiques are personal style/taste rather than objective criticisms. 

Milky Way Bath Milk from Fizz Boom Bath! page 103

5 drops fragrance (your choice)  1/2 tsp vanilla extract 10 drops Vitamin E oil 3/4 c powdered whole milk 1/4 c baking soda

If using right away, add each element to the tub under warm running water. If you’re making it ahead of time, mix well and store in an airtight container.  Makes enough for 1 bath.

[blasphoeme]

I Love You More Than Ice Cream

Gotta credit my girl @midqueenally for this mood board again hehe XD.

Chapter 2/?

Ratings: M (for now will most likely go up later)

Chapter Summary:

Jon's POV! XD Just a short chapter showing Jon's side of this story. Watch him navigate his crush on a certain silver haired beauty, filled with mild awkwardness and a lot of feelings. Oh and a very adorable puppy.

Ao3 link to this chap as well as chapter one here. Just click Previous if you haven't read chap 1~

Enjoy! XD

“Okay... okay... play it cool. Don’t act weird. We got this right?” A question he posed to the lump, wriggling slightly against his chest, its little black wet nose poking at his neck. All he got in reply was a shrill whine and a languid lick.

“Good enough.” Nodding to himself, he tucked the furry lump more securely within the confines of his hoodie. With one hand under the puppy’s bum, Jon slung his guitar case onto his shoulder, setting off down the street towards the quaint little ice cream parlour that he had come to love. The ice cream was delicious but it was for more than that. Hell, even his family knew about it.

His uncle had been badgering him so hard for frequenting “enemy” territory. Well, more like teasingly niggling him endlessly about going over whenever he could just so he could catch a glimpse of that pretty ice cream lady.

“You’re not going to see the competition again are you?” Ned asked, flinging an arm around his nephew’s shoulder and pulling the smaller man into a snug side hug. His prominent brows wriggled cheekily at Jon. Those kind knowing eyes of his uncle, gleaming with mirth always reminded him so much of his mother, Lyanna, Ned’s baby sister. Under the scrutiny of their identical grey eyes, Jon always felt like a child. A boy who could keep no secrets from them. Their eyes saw right through him, always.

See, Jon’s Uncle Ned was the current owner of the local diner and the bed and breakfast above it. It was a family run business passed down from his parents. Besides providing warm meals for the people, the diner was also well known for its range of milkshakes, warm dessert classics like their bestselling rhubarb pie and of course ice cream. It was a place that travellers who were passing through town loved and a place the town folk grew up with. Including, a certain pretty ice cream lady.

Since Dany opened her shop, the two establishments had started a friendly rivalry to see who could attract the most customers by the end of her first year. The time was almost up. Ned had been in the lead due to the fact that he had his diner and bed and breakfast to account for, but now Dany seemed to be catching up. Which may or may not be thanks to him secretly recommending his customers to visit her if they ever wanted a more modern twist to their frozen desserts. Ned wasn’t one who particularly cared for winning. He only wanted his friend’s little girl, whom he watched grow from a spirited little thing with skinned knees and leaves in her hair into a smart, capable young woman to strive and some competition would do her good.

“When are you going to strike up a conversation with that girl, boy? Daenerys is not gonna wait forever!” Ned yelled out at Jon as he made his way to the door.

“I don’t know what you’re indicating at. I’m just going for a walk with Ghost, uncle.” Jon feigned ignorance, feeling rather flushed and discomfited. Was he really that obvious? Ned’s bellowing laughter followed him as the diner door shut behind him.

Daenerys. Dany, the other lady at the shop had called her.

She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Jon was sure she could have her pick of any man anywhere. Would she even want to bat an eye in his direction? A lady like her must be accustomed to all manner of pursuits from men. What if him going after her would be unwelcome? What if she found him too forward and he’d just chase her away? She might even be taken already! The thought had his heart clenching unpleasantly. For now, he was content with just admiring her from afar and dreaming of how their future interactions would go. Moreover, if he kept going, she was bound to take his order one day, right? That would be a start.

The second day he arrived at the town he had only heard his parents wistfully reminisce about through the stories they told him regarding his extended family, Jon went out exploring with his camera. Taking in the sights of this scenic little seaside town. His wandering lead him further and further into town. Sitting just at the edge of the town centre, at the junction of a street that seemed to lead into the more residential area was a cottage. Its cheerful exterior with its pale pink walls and white roof caught his eye. Curious, he decided to check it out. The closer he got, the noisy chatter of people and the smell of vanilla bean and waffle cones awoke his senses. The sign by the pathway under a fragrant lemon tree, leading up to the house read “Sweet Summer Chilled Ice Cream Parlour”.

Making his way up the front steps to the door, Jon snuck a glimpse inside from the porch windows. His eyes took in the matching pastel aesthetics of the interior decor, the numerous patrons lounging about, the freezers with the ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt on display before landing on a woman behind the counter talking to a patron. The sight of her forced a quiet ‘whoa...’ from his lips.

The woman had a head of silver curls that she wore in a fish tail braid, draped over her left shoulder. Her cheeks were tinged with the slightest hint of pink. As for her eyes, he couldn’t discern the colour from where he stood but they were large and doe like. The edges crinkled as she laughed at something her customer said. She was absolutely stunning and that smile of hers took his breath away.

The shop was fairly busy that afternoon and yet despite that, the woman bustled about serving her customers with the biggest, brightest smile on her face. The enjoyment and passion she had for her profession was captured in the twinkling of her eyes. Her never faltering grin was like the sun, so warm and radiant, infectious. Without knowing, his own lips had quirked up to smile along with her. It was that very instant, standing by the door watching her, Jon knew that he was lost. Completely and utterly besotted with this gorgeous stranger.

Upon his return to his uncle’s diner, he tried desperately to be subtle. Casually, as best as he could, he brought up the house at the end of the street to his younger cousin Arya. Thankfully, she did not disappoint. He found out that her name was Daenerys, she grew up in town but left for college. After graduating, she had a job in the big city for a while but decided to return home to open an ice cream parlour. The cottage it now resided in used to belong to her grandparents who left it to her before they passed.

Since then, he’d found himself being drawn to that fairy-tale-esque ice cream parlour, drawn to the lady inside. He didn’t know why but he knew he wanted to be around her. He wanted to learn how to draw out those lovely smiles of hers. He wanted to know what her favourite ice cream flavour was. He wanted to know every single detail that shaped the woman she was.

In theory, wanting something was easy but the process of achieving said goal, sometimes won’t go as smoothly as one would expect. The same goes for wanting to be in a relationship with someone. Jon was learning that now. His dating experience wasn’t much to brag about. His last girlfriend was an acquaintance of his best friend. After their first meeting, the two of them engaged in on and off hook ups and attempts at dating for three months until she broke it off when he hinted at the possibility of them becoming an exclusive couple. After that, Jon gradually shied away from relationships. His job kept him well occupied and he even picked up a new hobby of creating music. That was three years ago.

As each footfall took him closer to the cottage, under the warm pressure of his puppy curled up and dozing on his chest, his heart began to play a game of jump rope. Would she be just as pretty as she was three days ago? Oh, who was he kidding, of course she would be. Would she be wearing that beautiful smile today? Stepping up the steps like he had done so many tines this week, his stomach did a flip at the thought of seeing her again. Ghost began to stir from his nap, whining a little by the jostling of his owner’s steps. “Shhh....” Jon snuck a finger into the collar of his hoodie to scratch between his puppy’s ears.

Pushing the door open, the warmth of the interior and the now familiar scent of vanilla and waffle cones washed over him once more. This place really was lovely. The cosiness of the layout was a nice counterbalance to the slight chill of the house. The shop was quiet that day, with only two of the booths occupied. Scanning the shop with his heart in his throat, his eyes searched for that glimmer of silver that he longed to see.

There she was!

How odd the phenomenon of having a crush was? Just a simple glance could reduce a sane person into a star struck, fumbling, bumbling mess whose brain and body just refused to coordinate. All he could do was stand and stare with his mouth agape. It would appear that he underestimated the degree of his feelings for that woman before him.

That smile she had refilling an empty ice cream tub was like a bolt straight to his heart. A flurry of goose bumps scurried across his skin. What would it feel to kiss that smile of hers, he wondered? Would her lips taste sweet like strawberries and cream? What would it be like to tangle his fingers in those curls that swayed as she moved? How would it feel like to kiss her under the stars, to hold her in his arms? His hands craved to touch her pale skin, to glide over the curves he could see through the confines of her clothes. What would he have to do to make her tremble and call out his name? Perhaps a kiss to her pulse point? One that he longed to find. How would it feel to have her writhing under him, above him, to move within her warmth?

Good lord, snap out of it man!

Running a hand down his face with a groan, this was not the time nor the place for thoughts like that, he berated himself. Jon subtly slung his guitar case to the front of his pants. A little hot under his collar and it wasn’t because of his puppy’s body heat, unsteady steps took him to the freezer display in search of something to cool him down.

Key lime pie, raspberry jelly donut, blueberry cheesecake, peach cobbler....

What should he go for today? Out of the corner of his eye, he noted Dany and her friend whispering in quiet tones to one another. Dany’s cheeks were looking a bit flushed as she clutched her hand to her chest whereas her friend with her back to him was giggling so hard she was shaking.

Chocolate swirl, cookies and cream, black cherry chocolate chip, rum raisin, mint chocolate chip....

I suppose my default wouldn’t hurt, Jon thought with a shrug. Besides, he had more important matters to worry about. Reaching for the bell on the counter he gave it a tap.

Ding!

Shuffling a few steps back from the counter, he started to fidget, adjusting the strap of his guitar case to lie higher on his shoulder. Anxiety swirled to life in the pit of his stomach. Would Dany finally take his order today? If she did, what was he going to say? What was she going to say? Would she look at him strangely like the weirdo she must think he was coming to her shop so often, getting the same ice cream every time?

“Hello there again!”

His head shot up just in time to see her silver pony tail bob out of view as her petite figure hurry off to the back of the house. Jon’s heart dropped. It wasn’t Dany today.

Averting his eyes to face Dany’s co-worker, he gave her a timid wave. “Umm... hi again.”

From his brief interactions with the lady, he could tell that she had a charmingly friendly demeanour and a very pleasant smile. She looked like a person you could be comfortable around and confide your deepest secrets to without the fear of her leaking them out.

“You’ve been coming around a lot. You must really like ice cream huh?”

“Amongst other things....” Jon muttered quietly to himself. Tugging at his ear lobe, his eyes darted away from her. If only she knew. Although, that elusive smirk she wore and her teasing tone hinted that maybe she did. With that mildly mortifying thought in his mind now, a flush quickly spread like wildfire up his neck.

Missandei had her suspicions as to why this good-looking fellow came by so recurrently. His look of disappointment at seeing her and the futile glance full of longing over her shoulder just confirmed it. This man standing right there opposite her clearly had a crush on Dany! The poor guy had no idea that his feelings were very much reciprocated. She was really having the best time observing the reactions from these two lovebirds. Lovebirds who didn’t even know that all they needed to start something beautiful, was to just go for it. They were going to need some help and she was going to give it to them whether they liked it or not.

To start, she needed some information. Clearing her throat, Missandei asked: “So, what’s your name? It’s always good to know our customers and you’re already very much a regular here.”

“Oh. I’m Jon. Jon Snow.” Being the cordial gentleman that he was, he stuck out his right hand in greeting.

Taking his proffered hand in hers, she gave it a quick shake. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Jon, properly this time. I’m Missandei.”

Deciding that it was time to wake up, Ghost poked his furry head out of Jon’s collar. Pushing down on the zipper to free his head, a white ball of fluff emerged from the depths of Jon’s hoodie to address the humans outside with a huge yawn.

“Aww.... and who’s this?” Missandei cooed. Her heart melted into a puddle at the sight of the little puppy in Jon’s hoodie. Its white fur matched his owner’s last name perfectly. Inquisitive ruby red eyes blinked sluggishly as he roused himself fully from sleep to glance about at his surroundings.

Fondly, scratching the puppy under his chin, Jon said to her: “This is Ghost. As you can see he’s an albino pup. He was the smallest of his litter when I adopted him from the shelter. And... he likes to hide out in my clothing for some reason.” Ghost’s eyes narrowed into a squint at Jon’s pleasurable ministrations.

“He’s lovely.” Rubbing a tiny paw under her thumb, Missandei melted even further as Ghost’s mouth tried to gnaw at her. He was the cutest little thing.

Eventually, when Ghost gave up his attempt at chewing and settled for just licking her, Missandei shifted her attention back to Jon to ask him for his order. “Are you having the usual today? Or would you like to try out some new flavours?” Just then, an idea struck her. “Oh, and this puppy’s getting a treat too! On the house.”

“You don’t have to. Just a bowl of water will be fine for him please. I’ll umm... yeah. I’ll have my usual.”

“Nonsense! A puppy that cute deserve a treat! I insist.” Missandei implored, dismissing any possible protests of his.

“Well.... if you insist.”

“I absolutely do! Go wait outside at your table!” Missandei waved her hands at him to shoo him out playfully. “I won’t be a long with your order,” she added with a smile.

Jon watched her work for a moment before exiting the shop to take up his usual bench. Sighing, he lay his guitar case down on the table. Unzipping his hoodie, he lifted Ghost out and plopped him on the table too. Did bringing his puppy with him in hopes to attract the attentions of a girl? Sure. It worked, the girl just wasn’t Dany.

A man with babies or puppies always gets the ladies. That’s what his best friend had said.

Once again, he didn’t get to talk to the woman he went to see but he did make a new acquaintance and possibly a new ally.

“Well, that was something huh?” He asked his furry companion, stroking a finger gently through his snowy white fur.

Little did he know, Ghost the puppy would be the catalyst to his first conversation with the girl of his dreams.

[bladesofyuri]

Blades’s Get Fit Diet: What I’m Eating, Tips, and Recipes

Follow-up of this post as requested. =)

Disclaimer: As it’s stated in the original post, you have to find something that works for you. What works for me may not be the same, though if you haven’t found a way to eat that seems to be working to your benefit, you might give this a try. As a side note, I’m not vegan and am not knowledgable enough with vegan diets to suggest good alternatives to these meals. 

Obviously, if you have an allergy to or cannot eat some or any of these foods, don’t try them. 

Below you’ll find some of my favorites for snacks and meals. Some are healthier than others, but hey. We’re being realistic here, and so far eating like this is helping me. It’s also very similar to how I was eating when I reached my fittest at seventeen. There are also tons of other options out there, but these are the things I either make or get most regularly. This is also how I was eating when I reached my fittest before, so hopefully, they can help you too.

Some of these below are my own recipes. None are complicated, which in my mind is a definite plus!

Breakfast Options:

Ham (or Turkey) and Poached Egg Avocado Toast and a Side

This is pretty much exactly as it sounds. Toast a slice of whole wheat bread to your liking (no butter), cover with 1/2 mashed avocado, and an egg poached to your liking. I like to place the ham (or your choice of meat) on the toast before I put it into the oven, which makes it nice and warm and extra delicious once the other ingredients are added on. Lightly sprinkle sea salt and pepper over the top. I also like to sprinkle a bit of paprika over it. For a side, opt for the second half of the avocado, your choice of fruit (I like a banana with mine) or a small mixed fruit bowl, and if you’re really feeling hungry, add a small, lean yogurt (something like a Yoplait Light or Greek yogurt works well).

Note: You can also turn this into just a plain, toasted sandwich if you wish, though the less bread you eat, the better. For the sandwich option, I like to add spinach and tomato.

Egg Beaters and Turkey (Breakfast Burrito Filling Only, No Tortilla)

Only the most skilled and dedicated chef can properly prepare this meal. 

I’m joking. You buy a carton of egg beaters (of your choosing), put a dash of olive oil in a pan to prevent sticking, pour as much of the egg into it as you like, and stir regularly to scramble to your liking. When there’s very little “runniness” left, throw some thinly-sliced turkey (I use a regular, oven-roasted turkey breast from the deli section of the store) or ham in with it and mix with eggs until they’re cooked just how you like them. In all seriousness, this takes absolutely no time whatsoever to prepare and it’s amazing. You can also cheat just a bit and add a small pinch of cheese over the top. I like to eat it just like that, but you can also add your choice of salsa to really bump it up a notch. This is also my current go-to late-night snack, though my portion size is smaller for snacks. You can also add onions and peppers to this mix, though note that egg beaters also has a southwestern option with peppers already in them. 

Note: You can also scramble the egg beaters to your liking and whip up some turkey bacon or a couple slices of low-sodium bacon to have with it. 

Egg Beaters Omelette

An omelette with as many veggies (I like onion, peppers, tomato, and spinach) as you want plus your choice of lean meat. I recommend not using cheese at all, but if you must, go light on it. 

BLT Breakfast Salad

Breakfast Stuffed Peppers (I skip the cheese, but if you’d like to add cheese than go ahead, just maybe go a bit lighter than this recipe suggests)

On the Go:

Egg White Grill - Chick-fil-A (without hashbrowns) 

Southwest Wrap - Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Lunch and Dinner Options:

Whole Wheat Pita (Turkey OR Ham OR Chicken)

Whole wheat pita with your choice of lean deli meat, a dash of mayonnaise, and as many vegetables as you like. 

Whole Grain Chicken Southwest Wrap

Whole wheat tortilla, a dash of chipotle mayo, chicken seasoned to taste. Note: For seasonings, I use paprika, ground cumin, a pinch of cayenne pepper, minced garlic OR garlic powder, ground black pepper, and a pinch of sea salt. I cut up bell peppers and onion and prepare them with the chicken. I typically prepare three chicken breasts at once in my slow cooker in this way.

Turkey and Swiss Lettuce Wrap

Just like it sounds. Your choice of lean deli turkey and swiss cheese with tomato, onion, and any additional veggies you’d like to add. I change up the condiments I use on this regularly. Sometimes, it’s just a hint of mayo. Others, it’s avocado (can I consider that a condiment? I will in this case). 

Meal Prepped Salad (I like the Southwest one, but skip the cucumber)

Cajun Blackened Chicken (A Blades Favorite!) 

I love this recipe for so many reasons. This chicken goes with EVERYTHING--veggies, potato, on a salad (my personal recommendation) and really packs that delicious, juicy punch we so often lack when we’re trying to eat well. I’m a bit heavier with my spices than what’s recommended here, though other than the amount I use of each I stick to this recipe to a T. That’s something you can just kind of figure out through trial and error. Note: I use chicken breast tenderloins for this and make the whole pack at once. This is a great meal prep recipe! My favorite thing to do is to put it on a salad with fiesta corn and light ranch, but you can also serve it with steamed or grilled vegetables. Or, if you want to be really unhealthy, fried squash (in olive oil and with a dash of seasoned salt). You can also use this same recipe in the crockpot, and while it won’t give you quite that same “blackened” effect, it’s still very good. Remember I did say not all of these were as healthy as others, but hey.

Grilled Shrimp with Roasted Garlic Cilantro Sauce

I admit I haven’t tried this yet, but my bodybuilder friend who loves to cook says it’s fantastic and it’s definitely on my list.

Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken

Lean chicken breasts topped with onion and minced garlic. Seasoned with sea salt, oregano, basil, and a dash of paprika. I like to get a caesar salad pack and put the chicken over the top with just a dash of parmesean, a little added paprika, and caesar dressing on the side. Note: You can add hard-boiled eggs if you like!

Quick Eats: (Note: Not big on these because they’re expensive and the portions are small, but if you need something quick and convenient...)

Annie Chun’s Entres  (I like the Thai style green curry)

Tasty Bites (add proteins and vegetables of your choosing)

Healthy Choice Meals of Your Choosing

On the Go:

Chick-fil-A: Grilled Sandwich (NO fries, opt for side salad, fruit cup, or no side), Spicy Southwest Salad, or Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap

Chipotle or Q’doba: Kids’ portion quesadilla or burrito bowl (without rice or ask them to go easy on the rice). Grilled chicken or shrimp. Opt for light or no cheese and no sour cream. Go for guacamole. Pile the veggies on at will.

Kentucky Fried Chicken: grilled chicken breast with green beans. Note: This is messy and not exactly “quick,” but it’s a good meal that you don’t have to cook.

Panda Express: String bean chicken and mixed veggies.

Subway: Offers pretty straightforward menu guides in each store, but I recommend the 6″ turkey on wheat. Turkey, American cheese, and your choice of veggies with light mayo. If you’d like chips, opt for baked. Salads are also a good option here.

Snacks:

Fruits or steamed veggies. You can eat a lot with little to no consequence.

1 slice of whole wheat toast + peanut butter + banana

Greek yogurt 

Refried or Black Beans with Salsa

Hard-boiled eggs

Guacamole Deviled Eggs (I skip the lemon/lime)

Fruit Smoothie (nonfat milk, vanilla or plain Greek yogurt, fruits of your choosing, dash of Stevia)

*As always, drink plenty of water throughout the day. It really will help you feel better! Avoid sugary and soft drinks.

[no-footprints-in-the-snow]

Low-Carb and Low-Cal Recipes for Intermittent Fasting

Okay, I kinda spazzed and deleted a bunch of my posts. I started my Intermittent Fasting journey December 18th, weighing-in at 302 LBS. I am now 242 LBS. So far I’ve lost 60 LBS exactly. My doctor is keeping an eye on me, and I’m doing my blood tests this week. :)

My weight loss has been melodramatic, but I quit drinking, switched around my entire eating habits (I used to order out with my husband 3-4 times a week - he’s a chef and hates cooking when he gets home). Now he orders out on his own, and I stick to my low-carb options that I keep at home.

I use Intermittent Fasting. I use Fastic as my Fasting program. My Fitness Pal to record my food intake, and Monitor Your Weight to well, duh, monitor my weight. If you’re looking for low-carb recipes, I have some great ones.

My meals are all low-carb and low-cal

Like, hard boiled eggs (a dash of salt or pepper, as snacks or sandwich filler), tuna, tilapia, salmon, romaine lettuce for salads or in replacement of bread.

For tuna wraps (two cans of skipjack drained (240 calories), tbsp of full-fat mayo (80 calories), pepper medley, (you can add chives or celery), wrap in lettuce (head of lettuce - 5 calories for two large leafs) -- makes two sandwiches.

(325 calories)

Egg salad wraps (two-three-four eggs, depends on how hungry you are), tbsp full-fat mayo, mustard to taste -- you can add a dash of salt or pepper, wrap lettuce around it to make 'sandwiches'.

(229-301-373 calories - 2-3-4 large eggs)

I typically boil an entire carton of eggs in one sitting, remember that it takes more time to cook a whole carton.

I also get cartons of egg whites (two containers/250g a container), I use a whole carton, microwave for 2 minutes 45 seconds, and then mix in a big tablespoon of peanut butter. It's surprisingly delicious! And low-carb.

(210 calories - 290 calories if you use 2 tablespoons of peanut butter) 

Snacks: Large hard boiled eggs (dash of salt or pepper) - (72 calories a piece), cherry tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, celery, (all great for salads as well), peanut butter, greek yogurt (don't get sweetened ones, they have a LOT of sugar in them).

Sometimes I just slice up a whole tomato (Beefsteak - 33 calories), and put some salt on it, and eat just that as a snack.

Get full fat dressing of your choice to dip or use as dressing. Smoked oysters (good healthy fat) with Clubhouse “La Grille pepper medley”.

(130 calories)

You can put peanut butter on your celery. Also, 15 almonds is about 100 calories – if you put them in water and in the fridge, they'll double to triple in size, much more filling that way!

Carbs: Whole grain brown rice (usually Uncle Ben's Express roasted chicken, vegetable medley, or mushroom), ready in 90 seconds! I typically only eat half a bag because the carb count can add up, for the second use -- you add a cup of water in the microwave, and heat up for 45-60 seconds.

(130-140-150 calories)

Feel like pasta? They have low calorie options by Slendier – "Calorie Clever", which is gluten free, low carb, and a source of fiber. An entire package is 25 calories.

Feel like pizza? Get the whole wheat 7" tortilla wraps (the smaller size), a dash of tomato sauce spread around with the bottom of a spoon, mozza fat-free cheese slices (X2), top with low-cal toppings, spinach, chicken – 7 minutes in the oven at 400F.

(235 calories)

Veggies with dinner or any meal: Simply Steam Green Giant items (like cauliflower rice and broccoli with cheese sauce, broccoli and cauliflower with cheese sauce, and brussel sprouts in butter sauce). All of them are low-cal and delicious. I avoid corn. I'm more a veggie girl than a fruit girl (I've never really been a fan, I don't know why).

(40-60-80 calories for half a package - 80-120-160 calories for a full package)

Dessert or sweet tooth? A big spoonful of peanut butter (80-190 calories), or you can make a packet of maple oatmeal (Quaker), and half a cup of cottage cheese, is REALLY good as a dessert. Mix it together, it's creamy-deliciousness! Great as breakfast/lunch/dessert, whenever. (271 calories) Also, ICE CREAM. Plain. Chocolate. Vanilla. Nothing EXTRA in it, is what I mean. Chapman’s even makes a sugar-free, lactose-free kind. Chocolate and vanilla. Over 95% of it transfers into your urine. Having a hard day? Have a sweet tooth? And yes, Chapman's makes sugar-free chocolate and vanilla, and even ice cream sandwiches – so those are keto friendly! lol I'm lactose-intolerant so I tend to avoid dairy products. I -love- ice cream, but ice cream does NOT love me. Chapman's makes sugar-free, lactose-free Chocolate, Vanilla, Maple Walnut, Butterscotch Ripple, and Black Cherry Ice Cream! And they taste AMAZING.

Broth – I also like chicken bone broth with turmeric and black pepper. Easy to find on Amazon. I add a little bit of chicken bouillon and it tastes like a mug of spicy chicken soup.

(75 calories)

I keep vitamins on hand: Essential Electrolytes, K2, Liquid Vitamin D (the pills don't absorb properly), B6, B12, and I have Apple Cider Vinegar pills (with 'mother') and Turmeric pills on hand. Keep in mind that for some people ACV helps acid reflux, for others it doesn't.

Turmeric is NOT a supplement. Do NOT take it on an empty stomach. I took two pills, then drank coffee. It was like I ate a ghost pepper, I could feel the heat in my mouth for the rest of the day and my stomach hurt. Only take Turmeric BEFORE you eat a meal. I also take six pills of ACV X 2 a day to kick my metabolism into gear. Spicy food is your friend and so is Apple Cider Vinegar.

Remember that the low-fat options typically have a LOT more sodium/sugar in them!

Drink LOTS of water (3L a day), and don't count coffee or other liquids as your water intake. Avoid gum, and keep changing your eating window around, because it confuses your metabolism. All of these things are easy to make, because I'm lazy. LOL

P.S. I'm a 'dirty faster', and put sweetener in my coffee, albeit I'm learning not to put sweetener in. And lime in my water (you can use lime or lemon), which is scientifically proven to kick your metabolism in the butt. Cool/cold showers instead of hot ones actually burns calories, and clears up skin from acne as well.