#i just made 5 pounds of peanut butter balls

[sometimesanequine]

[great-horizons]

Pets--Dog Christmas Gifts--The Best Christmas Gifts for Your Pet

So currently you would possibly have already sent your Christmas listing to Santa however have you thought of what your pet may like to notice underneath the tree this year well our vet Scott Miller is here currently with his little bit of the simplest gifts and he is brought some some animal companions and skully jumper homeowners well it isn't a touch chilly therefore you recognize you are gonna get a little jump a couple of dogs however there is heaps of nice presents out there on the market therefore let's begin initial things initial exercising at Christmas time.

 It is often really necessary to form certain that they do burn off a number of that excess energy we all placed on we have a tendency toight so we have a tendency to do would like to get the pets out moreover this you might wish to demonstrate Phil could be a nerf table stop arm that is create why therefore basically it'll jettison a ball and they're extremely choose it provides it a touch of Willie means nicely done therefore it will go up to seventy five foot yea and it will lay your dog to be running around and it simply means it saves you your elbow from a touch of lateral epicondylitis there when 2012 ninety nine from Amazon Fred and Ginger pie isn't made from traditional suggests that as a result of truly raisins ar toxic  to dogs.

Therefore a great deal of other ingredients there and additionally i'd just say there is a ton of Christmas treats on the marketplace for pets however perpetually just ensure that your dogs not intolerant to things as a result of the last thing you would like could be a looseness of the bowels ring dog on Christmas four pounds fifty from John Lewis this is often a Christmas tales dog stocking from pets reception eight quid lots of various things in there once more sort of Mara bones therefore it's a supermolecule based factor therefore once more if your dog has like inflammatory intestine unwellness or dietary sensitivity in all probability avoid a touch there's even very little chewy Center in there for them to play with moreover currently I really love this whenever I actually have youngsters parties and that they have bubbles the dog goes goes crazy absolutely loves them.It's scully gonna go batty if you are doing this Martin am i able to place a full pit.

However can also are available in peanut butter and bacon flavor on-line yourself oh nice yea well she's simply returning to find you does not love it you do not like that nice she's not keen however that's yeah bubble dog bubble gun 799 from pet plan love this this is often a customized dog book that i'd say would be excellent for any dog lover that you just may grasp therefore this one has Alice beers dog Stanley a schnauzer it's sort of a Where's muggins Boag emoji of your dog and then they hide them within the page it's just reasonably sort of a Where's muggins book would be unremarkably it is so smart that is okay love that yea i feel you recognize that's that is a awfully low-cost very little stocking filler there $14.99 from yappy not therefore moving on to cats we've cat advent calendar here Ohio again cats have problems with dietary upsets.

Therefore simply take care thereon front but that's an ideal very little gift for Christmas for for cats at 5 pounds from Lily's room currently fully love this this is often a brief feed semiconductor unit feeder currently i am Holly if you would like to grab the little kitten and simply pop it in here therefore I've semiconductor unit this kitten therefore you see then it exposes case permits the rash affirmative therefore 100 and nineteen ninety-nine is that this one if there ar cheaper ones that a president Shaw feed at Shaw pet care calm this one can then close hopefully on its second currently this is quite smart if you have 2 cats and one of them's greedier than the opposite exactly right therefore if different people's cats into homeowners are available in precisely therefore it helps simply to prevent different cats from getting in and you've got got 2 cats and one of them's a bit bit chubbier yea and you employ it on your throw cat and then the trigger you would like cannot push them out and and acquire the food well and there's a very little hub that goes with it as well which implies that once they do eat this one truly weighs the quantity of food that they've eaten  then we'll send a message to your phone via an app Wow there you go of clever affirmative going on here.

So that is a bit a dog toy there another kind of a treat and toy I created a product there did you set therefore you may put treats in Treat in there then they pull them out then consume them that's it moving on to tiny animals currently who knew that guinea pigs just like the circus you reasonably imagine physically yeah you recognize will it will it is a trapeze creative person not specific short little legs however regardless there's a guinea pig circus a full set one hundred and one pounds from high pigs currently that is be value regarding 3 guinea pigs however say if you actually need to travel to city on your guinea pigs there is one behind here behind the cannon no Scully maybe hi to the guinea pig there we have a tendency to go do you like does one just like the circus a great deal as a Lady I raise you as a result of i am always quite stretched on a daily base and you do not mind that we have a tendency toll we simply get better at moving quicker and obtaining away from obtaining affirmative.

You will never be a hand model and be a vet right yea therefore you've got therefore you have the the Camembert affirmative so that is only for them to play in tilting tunnels affirmative there is a very little hey hopper moreover you'll be able to see that we've got the large prime there it'd be any pimples balls you've got different various things in here additionally with bunny rabbits homeowners of rabbits ar therefore cute and usually have such a detailed and tender relationship significantly house bunnies because they sleep in shut quarters with their homeowners countless nice very little treats and toys during this one that is that the happy bunny bakshish Christmas themed gift box with all the the bunny tree team i favor things to choose like potpourri affirmative for them to eat and to relish however truly the honey happy bunny club truly provides a monthly subscription therefore if you if you use a number of the apps that you just St. George there rabbit then you'll be able to truly get them sent a bit package of rabbit goodies for nineteen pounds each month i really like it will flip these very little bits down here just a live left on there by the team do a pet not greatly in the least currently look hi i am not suggesting that anyone out there ought to simply go hey i do know what we'll do is well get out youngsters a horse as a result of if my youngsters saw that then I would have to be compelled to get one instantly.

Therefore this is Tony taken care of by Hanano Tony the pony it was Tony the horse he was in huge Brother with reproductive structure : exactly therefore this is often Tony the horse from living things and he is truly have been here for your birthday there is a pony extremely if it's a imaginary creature currently he's a deer i am unable to wait to check these could be a miniature Shetland pony day today nowadays's what is it carrying therefore he's wearing hey guess what a deer i really like a deer a deer horns they seem to be a deer affirmative antlers and it's what is therefore cute regarding this business discount equestrians solely thirty pounds is that the corporate it is a terribly tiny family-run business and their eighty four year old dead were it had his birthday simply recently however still went in and worked to package all the product ensure they go out for our Christmastime ponies i have to mention this one down here it's extremely nice i am going to name my initial years it is a personalized grey lodge we will see that I'm out pet here is named Prince Philip and this is the the winter version of the pillow and you cannot truly flip it around for kind of there is summer months it's very nice we have a tendency to add our this morning Christmas party last night that got a little on the untidy time therefore does one need to do that yea i am going to try this you have got a little lie-down within the doghouse this your pets sorted however if you are still on the look for the proper gift for your loved ones Steve Wilson is here later with his best choose of Christmas.

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https://www.youtube.com/c/GreatHorizons

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[dontdowhatisayandnobodygetshurt]

Tell us about your ocs?

AHHHHHHHHHHH MAJI THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING ‘BOUT MY BABIES I LOVE YOU HI !!!!!!!

This is gonna be a lightning round for my Main Nine Ten but there’s a more in-depth one right here (+ my poly zombie bbs and their chaotic neutral daughter)!!

June

TINY AGENDER VELOCIRAPTOR DEMON. V BITTER N GRINCHY. LITTLE BALL OF PTSD AND SHARP WIT. HAS SHARK-LIKE TEETH, LONG SHARP NAILS, OLIVE SKIN, AND SHINY BLACK HAIR DOWN TO THEIR MID-NECK. LOVES FAST FOOD AND BEING ALONE. HIGHKEY ALLERGIC TO LOVE AND DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. OPERATES OFF FEAR AND SPITE. LEADER OF HELL’S PACK. BE CAREFUL BC THEY DEFINITELY BITE. CARES ABOUT ONLY TWO PEOPLE AND ONE IS A DOG. THEY’RE MY FAVOURITE BC I AM A SHAMELESS BAD DAD. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

Dante

SOLDIER BOI, SECOND-IN-COMMAND OF HELL’S PACK. FORMERLY HUMAN, DID SOME DARK SHIT DURING THE SINO-FRENCH WAR, THUS BECAME A DEMON. VIETNAMESE IN APPEARANCE, BUFF ENOUGH THAT HE COULD PROBABLY TROW A T-REX ACROSS A FOOTBALL FIELD. LOVES VIOLENCE BUT IS PRETTY EAST-GOING FOR THE MOST PART. MUCH SMARTER THAN YOU’D THINK. BRILLIANT TACTICIAN. EVEN BETTER FRIEND. ALSO HIS EARS STICK OUT A BIT AND HE’S ACTUALLY ADORABLE. ALWAYS TOO COMPASSIONATE FOR HIS OWN GOOD. LOST OF SCARS BC HIS JOB IS WRESTLING WITH 500 POUND HELLDOGGOS ON THE REGULAR.

August

AUGI MY REGAL ESTEEMED TRUTHFUL GENDERFLUID DISASTER BIRB. LIKES TO PUT ON A VERY CALM “I’M BETTER THAN YOU” AIR, BUT INSIDE THEY’RE JUST A PIPING HOT ANXIETY-AND-ADHD MESS. THEY MESS UP A LOT BUT THEY RECOGNIZE THEIR MISTAKES AND ALWAYS WORK TO RIGHT THEIR WRONGS. IS JAPANESE IN APPEARANCE BUT HAS WHITE HAIR AND BLUE EYES, OFTEN PUTS IN CONTACTS AND DYES THEIR HAIR SO AS NOT TO LOOK ‘UNNATURAL’. WOULD STILL LOOK BETTER THAN YOU WHILE WEARING A POTATO SACK AND KNOWS IT. LITERALLY EVERYTHING ON FLEEK.

Ben

SWEET FALLEN ANGEL WHO MADE A MISTAKE AND FELL FROM HEAVEN AND IS NOT WELCOME IN HEAVEN OR HELL ANYMORE SO HE LIVES ON EARTH AND WORKS AS A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER WHO WOULD DIE FOR HIS STUDENTS. HE MAKES NEXT TO NO EFFORT TO TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF AND IS VERY DEPRESSED, MOSTLY MUTE, WARY OF OTHERS, AND KIND TO A FAULT. HAS UNNATURALLY FLAMING RED HAIR AND BROWN EYES. VAGUELY SQUISHY. ALSO EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND VOLATILE DUE TO THE NOW OUT-OF-CONTROL ANGEL GRACE HE STILL POSSESSES.

Myriad

THE COOLEST GENDERFLUID SNEK. SMOOTH AS EXTREME SMOOTH PEANUT BUTTER. HOW THEY TREAT YOU DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON YOU, IF YOU’RE A GOOD PERSON, THEN THEY’LL LIKE YOU. IF YOU’RE A BAD PERSON, THEY’LL SHOW YOU WHAT BAD IS REALLY LIKE. DEMON OF PUNISHMENT, IT’S IN THE TITLE. ABSOLUTELY CHAOTIC AND ACTS ON THEIR WHIMS. DEFINITELY WANNA STAY ON THEIR GOOD SIDE BC NOBODY WILL DARE FUCK WITH YOU AND BEING ON THEIR BAD SIDE IS SUICIDE. THEY’RE 6′5, DARK SKIN, DREADLOCKS DOWN PAST THEIR SHOULDERS, FANGS AND MULTICOLOURED EYES AND INTIMIDATING AF. THEIR FAVOURITE ITEM OF CLOTHING IS A SOFT KNITTED KITTEN SWEATER.

Ginger

FEISTY “TEENAGED” DEMON CONSTANTLY IN HER REBELLIOUS STAGE. HUGE LESBIAN. OBSESSED WITH BREAKING RULES AND LAWS MOST OF ALL. LOVES FAST CARS, BEER, AND DOING WHATEVER THE FUCK SHE WANTS. SHE HAS A BIG HEART BUT CAN BE QUITE SELFISH AND TENDS TO ACT WITHOUT THINKING, ALWAYS MEANS WELL THO. HARDCORE 70S AESTHETIC. LOUD AND UNAPOLOGETIC AND YES HAS AN AUSTRALIAN ACCENT. LIKES TO LEAVE LIPSTICK MESSAGES. HAS NO PATIENCE FOR BORING OR STUPID PEOPLE. CHUBBY, FRECKLED AND CARROT-HAIRED WITH TURQUOISE EYES.

Mars

ABSOLUTE STINK MAN. MANIPULATIVE, CHARMING, AND ALWAYS THINKS HE’S IN THE RIGHT. CARES ABOUT HIS FAMILY VERY DEEPLY THOUGH. THINKS HE’S THE BEST. HAS A NASTY HABIT OF EXTREME DOMESTIC ABUSE. HAS AN EVEN NASTIER HABIT OF THROWING A TANTRUM IF A POTENTIAL LOVER TURNS HIM DOWN AND MAKES THE BRIEF REST OF THEIR LIFE AS CLOSE TO A LIVING HELL AS POSSIBLE. THE MOST SPOILT CRUEL BRAT YOU’LL EVER HAVE THE DISPLEASURE TO MEET. GOLDEN HAIR, FLAWLESS WHITE SKIN, GOLDEN EYES, UNNATURALLY HANDSOME FACE YOU WANT TO CAVE IN WITH AN ESKY.

Jesse

SOFTEST FIGHT ME SWEETHEART. A GAY TRANS GUY BORN IN 1919, LOST HIS PARENTS TO INFLUENZA AND EVENTUALLY SUCCUMBED TO THE INTENSE HATRED DIRECTED TOWARD HIM AND COMMITTED SUICIDE. DESCENDED TO HELL BY CHOICE BC HE FOOLISHLY BELIEVED HE DESERVED IT. ENDED UP IRONICALLY FINDING HIS SOULMATE THERE. NOW THEY LIVE TOGETHER SICKENINGLY HAPPY. THE CHILLEST NICEST GUY TO HANG OUT WITH, TOTALLY A SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIOR WHO IS ALWAYS DRAGGING HIS BOYFRIEND INTO FIGHTS. LOVES PAINTING AND SKITTLES AND LOUD ROCK MUSIC. IS BLACK AND KEEPS HIS HAIR NATURAL MOST OF THE TIME, WITH A CRAP TON OF FRECKLES AND A SMILE THAT MAKES YOU FEEL SAFE.

Vrox

NATURAL-BORN DEMON WITH A BUNCH OF ANGER AND DEPRESSION ISSUES. ONE OF THE MOST UNSTABLE HELLHOUNDS, OFTEN HAVING TO BE CONTAINED FOR WEEKS ON END IF HE LOSES HIS COOL. GENUINELY TRIES TO BE BETTER THOUGH. WOULD DIE FOR HIS BOYFRIEND JESSE. PICKS FIGHTS A LOT FOR FUN AND ALWAYS WINS THEM. KIND OF LOOKS LIKE A DISNEY PRINCE, BUT A DISNEY PRINCE COVERED IN SCARS AND WITH THE WORST RESTING BITCH FACE IMAGINABLE. IS NORMALLY PISSED OFF ABOUT SOMETHING. HAS A VERY HARD TIME DOING WHAT HE’S TOLD AND OFTEN GOES OFF ON HIS OWN. DEFINITELY A BIG SAP DEEP DOWN. HAS STRAWBERRY BLOND SHORT HAIR AND BLUE EYES AND IS BUILT LIKE ADONIS.

And finally, my best OC… the one you’ve all been waiting for…

Taco

LESSER HELLHOUND WHICH BASICALLY MEANS A BABY HELLHOUND WHICH BASICALLY MEANS A HELLHOUND THAT IS JUST A REALLY SMART DOGGO THAT HASN’T ACHIEVED HUMAN INTELLIGENCE OR A HUMAN FORM YET UNLIKE VROX. TAKES THE FORM OF A LI’L BLACK PUG WHILE ON EARTH. JUNE’S CONSTANT COMPANION. LOVES COLOURFUL JACKETS AND MAKING FRIENDS AND BITING HIS MASTER’S FEET. BIG PAT SLUT. HATES PIGEONS, THEY’RE HIS MORTAL ENEMY. VERY LOYAL UNLESS SOMEBODY ELSE HAS FOOD, THEN THEY’RE HIS FAVOURITE PERSON. V PROTECTIVE OF HIS MASTER. LIKES DANTE, EVEN THOUGH HE LAUGHS AT HIM AND BURRITOS HIM IN BLANKETS SO HE LOOKS LIKE E.T. DOESN’T KNOW HIS TONGUE IS SUPPOSED TO BE KEPT INSIDE HIS MOUTH. ABSOLUTE GOOF BALL. I LOVE HIM.

[consulting-celiac-in-the-tardis]

57 Easy Gluten Free Recipes for Summer Picnics and Potlucks

New blog post! Now that the weather is finally (sloooowly) warming up and holidays like Memorial Day and Fourth of July are right around the corner, I know that summer picnics and potlucks are just as close. But when you have celiac disease or dietary restrictions, summer entertaining can feel a little more complicated.

That's why this year, I thought I'd scope out some of the best gluten free recipes for summer picnics and potlucks. Whether you're looking for healthy appetizers, gluten free lunches fit for a picnic or easy paleo desserts, this round up should give you some delicious ideas. Not to mention, it should make bringing a yummy and gluten free dish to every summer get-together a whole lot easier!

Gluten Free Sides

1. Bacon Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread (Nut Free, Refined Sugar Free) - Raia's Recipes  

Trust me. If you show up with gluten free bread at a summer potluck, you're gonna be the life (or at least the taste buds) of the party.

2. Easy Potato Salad with Egg - Bubba Pie

Give your potato salad an extra boost of protein with hardboiled eggs.

3. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Vegan, Soy Free) - Spabettie

Pineapple, vegan mayo, sweet pickles and pickled carrots give this macaroni salad a unique, Hawaiian twist.

4. Broccoli Apple Slaw - Noshtastic

Change up the traditional cabbage slaw recipe by using broccoli and apple instead!

5. Creamy Pea Salad - Recipes From a Pantry

If you're looking for a seriously easy low carb side dish that is still sure to peas (ahem...please) a crowd...this is it! All you need to make it are fresh (or frozen!) peas, bacon, cheese and a few other ingredients for the sour cream dressing.

6. Black Bean and Corn Salad with Balsamic Vinegar (Dairy Free) - The Welcoming Table

Add grilled chicken or pork to make this gluten free salad a meal, or serve it as a side dish or dip!

7. German Cucumber Salad - Casserole Crissy

For any gardeners out there, this is the perfect recipe to use up any leftover cucumbers.

8. Asian-Inspired Sesame Cilantro Carrot Salad (Paleo and Vegetarian) - Natasha, The Artisan Life

Even carrot haters will be won over by the Asian flavors in this gluten free salad dressing.

9. Bone Broth Pesto (Nut Free) - Casey the College Celiac

Enjoy the creamy, tanginess of pesto with the added protein and nutritional benefits of bone broth. Serve with veggies, gluten free crackers or roasted sweet potato rounds (which are also included in the linked recipe above)! 

10. Watermelon Mint Salad with/out Feta (Dairy Free Option) - Finding Zest

Who knew that watermelon and balsamic vinegar made such a tasty pair?

11. White Bean Salad (Vegan, Soy-Free, Nut-Free) - Happy Healthy Mama

Fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, avocado and lemon juice turn plain white beans into a side salad everyone will be digging into.

12. Zucchini Roll-Ups (Vegan, Paleo) - Claudia Canu 

These roll-ups are super simple to make but that doesn't make this combo of veggies and gluten free hummus any less delicious!

13. Goat Cheese Cucumber Bites (Keto, Low Carb) - The Keto Option

Gluten free Everything But the Bagel Seasoning dresses up these mini goat cheese and cucumber sandwiches.

14. Creamy Sweet Potato Salad (Paleo) - Cathy's Gluten Free

Is there any occasions sweet potatoes aren't perfect for?!? I don't think so...

15. Focaccia with Olives, Sundried Tomato & Rosemary (Grain Free, Paleo, Refined Sugar Free) - Emma Eats and Explores

Like I said before...you seriously can't go wrong with bringing homemade gluten free bread.

16. 5-Minute Guacamole (Vegan, Keto, Paleo, Oil-free, Whole 30) - Veg Annie

Homemade salsa gives this homemade guac an extra kick of freshness and flavor.

17. Mexican Street Corn - Confessions of a Fit Foodie

Like corn on the cob, only a lot tastier and less messy to eat!

18. Spicy Mango Dip (Vegan) - Fun Food Frolic

Serve this gluten free and vegan dip with some gf bread or pita, and it'll disappear in no time. You can whip it up in 15, minutes, too!

19. Easy Tuna Spread - Goodnesst 

This gluten free spread only requires three ingredients, five minutes to make and is delicious when served with crackers, veggies or tossed in a salad.

20. Red Potato Salad with Avocado and Egg - Attainable Sustainable

Typical potato salad gets an upgrade with some healthy fats from avocado in this gluten free side dish.

21. Curried Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (Vegan) - Casey the College Celiac

If you want to add some hidden veggies to a family classic, you'll love my curried cauliflower mac and cheese, which only takes five ingredients to make.

Gluten Free Mains

22. Avocado, Asparagus and Chicken Salad (Paleo, Mayo Free) - Tasting Page

If mayo ain't your thang, you'll love this paleo chicken salad, which gets its creaminess from avocado and a homemade dressing.

23. Corn and Zucchini Pie - A Simple Pantry

If a quiche and a frittata had a baby, this would be it. Plus, this cheesy pie only takes an hour - including 45 minutes of it doing its thang in the oven - to make.

24. Melon Mozzarella Prosciutto Salad with Arugula - Taste and See

Combine classic Italian ingredients with a traditional Caprese salad, and you end up with an ideal summer entertaining dish.

25. Grilled Balsamic Lamb Kabobs - Foodal

I'll admit, I've never tried lamb before, but these kabobs would definitely have me digging in.

26. Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad - Spice Cravings

Traditionally, tabbouleh salad is a Middle Eastern vegetarian salad featuring ingredients like parsley, mint, Bulgar wheat, tomatoes, onion, cucumber and a lemon dressing. This gluten free version replaces the bulgar wheat with quinoa, which not only makes it allergy friendly but also packed with extra protein!

27. Zesty Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich (Vegan) - Moon and Spoon and Yum

The best kind of sandwiches have a mix of different textures and flavors...and this smashed chickpea salad has ALL the flavor punches you're looking for.

28. Southwest Quinoa Salad (Dairy-Free Option) - Mama Knows Gluten Free

You can't go wrong with a bowl of quinoa dressed up with avocados, black bean, corn, grape tomatoes, mozzarella and a cilantro honey lime dressing.

29. Shrimp Pasta Salad - Hot Pan Kitchen

Olives and sun-dried tomatoes give this cold gluten free salad an extra boost of flavor.

30. Spanish Waldorf Salad - Zestful Kitchen

This Spanish twist on a classic Waldorf salad complements a variety of different meals, and you can prepare all of the different ingredients ahead of the time.

31. Easy Cheesy Loaded Cauliflower Casserole (Low Carb) - Wholesome Yum

This gluten free casserole has all the flavors of a baked potato, minus the carbs. And you can't go wrong with bacon!

32. Tuscan Pasta Salad (Nut Free, Egg Free) - Meaningful Eats

Just 'cause you're gluten free doesn't mean you can't enjoy a very delicious pasta salad on a pretty summer day.

33. Cauliflower Salad (Vegan, Low Carb, Keto) - Cooking Journey

Cauliflower just got a very tasty upgrade with this easy, raw salad recipe.

34. Easy Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad (Vegetarian) - Mom Foodie

You can't go wrong with a classic...

35. Kale Quinoa Salad + Cider Vinegarette - Pass Me Some Tasty

Make sure you use gluten free cranberries and walnuts, and the sweet and savory mix of flavors will be a major winner in this salad.

36. Chickpea Thai Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing - V Nutrition and Wellness

Add a creamy peanut sauce to a salad with quinoa, chickpeas, carrots, cabbage and cilantro and you have a Thai feast tastier than any take-out.

37. Prawn & Avocado Salad (Whole 30, Paleo) - Recipe This

If you know Whole 30 or paleo diners will be at your summer picnic, this salad is sure to be a hit.

38. Broccoli Salad with Bacon (Keto, Low Carb) - Whole Lotta Yum

Broccoli has never looked so good...

39. Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger (Vegan) - Evolving Table

This black bean quinoa burger only takes an hour to make and is easy to personalize for whatever beans, sweet potatoes or spices you have on hand. 

40. The Best Homemade Chicken Salad (Paleo, Keto, Whole 30) - The Organic Chicken

Serve this salad on greens, gluten free bread or even half an avocado.

41. Loaded Potato Wedge Nachos (Paleo, Vegan Options) - Casey the College Celiac

'Cause who wouldn't want to dive into a plate of nachos on a beautiful summer day...especially when the base is fluffy roasted potato wedges?!?

Gluten Free Desserts

42. Paleo Strawberry Rhubarb Pie (Low Carb) - The Banana Diaries

I don't know about you, but I will always say yes to a slice of gluten free pie!

43. No Bake Peach Cheesecake Bites (Vegan) - Delightful Adventures

Make sure you use gluten free oats and almonds, and you'll have one heck of a tasty gluten free dessert.

44. Chewy Pumpkin Popcorn Balls (Vegan) - Casey the College Celiac

There's something crazy addictive about that sweet and salty combo. 

45. Pink Lemonade Cupcakes - Fearless Dining

Because is there anything more summer-y than pink lemonade anything?!?

46. Red, White & Blueberry Shortcake Parfaits (Paleo) - Living Loving Paleo

No one will believe that you whipped up these paleo shortcakes from almond flour and a handful of other ingredients you threw in your food processor!

47. Avocado Brownies (Vegan) - Vibrant Guide

Even avocado haters won't be able to get over how thick and fudgy these brownies are...

48. Cream Cheese Pound Cake (Low Carb, Keto) - Fit to Serve Group

Who says you can't eat a keto or low carb diet and eat cake too?!? 

49. Scotcharoos - My Gluten-Free Kitchen

Gluten free puffed rice cereal, peanut butter, chocolate and butterscotch combine into one heck of a tasty no-bake bar.

50. Oatmeal Creme Pies - Hunny I'm Home

Chewy gluten free oatmeal cookies + delicious buttercream icing = dessert heaven.

51. Orange Cake with Almond Meal (Dairy Free) - The Foodie Journey

This cake is only made with a few ingredients and can be prepped to bake in just 10 minutes!

52. Blueberry Muffins (Vegan) - Rhian's Recipes

You can't go wrong with a fluffy blueberry muffin, especially when it's gluten free, vegan and only takes 35 minutes to bake! Plus, there are tons of ingredient options and swaps, so you can probably whip up these muffins with whatever is already in your pantry.

53. S'mores Ice Cream Cake (Vegan) - Pink Fortitude

Ummm...a gluten free and vegan ice cream cake?!? I don't think I need to say anymore...

54. Chocolate, Beetroot & Raspberry Cupcakes - Attachment Mummy 

In case you want to sneak a few veggies into your gluten free dessert.

55. No Bake Cheesecake (Keto, Low Carb) - Low Carb Yum

You can't beat a no-bake cheesecake base topped with fresh summer berries.  

56. Chocolate Chip Coffee Cookies - Think About Such Things

Chocolate chip cookies just got a caffeinated twist! 

57. Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake (Dairy Free) - Allergy Free Alaska 

I was sold at blueberries...

What I Hope You Remember During This Summer's Potlucks, Picnics and Parties

I know that when you have celiac disease or food allergies, the words "picnic" or "potluck" can cause more fear than excitement. But rest assured - as long as you use one of these gluten free recipes for guidance, you know you'll have at least one delicious meal you can happily enjoy. What are your favorite summer meals or recipes? Tell me in the comments! via Blogger http://bit.ly/2E6xmYR

[felicitylovesfood]

Peanut Soup

One of my all-time favorite Ghanaian dishes! Peanut butter soup and Rice ball! A peanut soup with smoked turkey, chicken, and sautéed mushrooms.

History of Peanuts in West Africa.

Peanuts are not indigenous to Africa yet are well-traveled; originating from South America, Europe, Asia, and back to North America through African slaves in the 1700s. Teri's introduction to Africa came via the Portuguese in the 16TH Century, as early as 1502; possibly to the Senegambia region of West Africa or the Angola and Congo regions, Central West Africa. The use of peanuts in culinary applications spread throughout the continent and is an important food today throughout West, East, South, and Central Africa.

It is interesting to note that peanuts are not nuts, but legumes are closely related to peas and beans. Peanuts may be introduced to Africa, which is popularly known as groundnuts. Peanuts are much loved today and used as thickeners, spice or flavor, and simple snacks. Their acceptance and adoption into African cuisine are remarkable, even though they are the original goober in Africa.

Ingredients.

4 bones in, skin-on chicken legs (roughly 2 pounds)

1-pound smoked turkey

½ tablespoon cayenne

2-3 tablespoon oil

½ tablespoon smoked paprika

6 large tomatoes or 8-10 mins smaller tomatoes

1 ½ cups crushed tomato

1 large or 2 medium onions

2-inch piece ginger, peeled

4 scotch bonnet peppers or to taste

Additional 2-3 scotch bonnet, for garnish

2 garlic cloves

2 chicken bouillon cubes (Maggi)

½ tablespoon dried parsley

1 ½ cups peanut butter

Salt and green pepper to taste

Oyster and brown button mushrooms (optional)

Method

1. Season chicken and turkey with salt and pepper set aside in a large pot, heat oil on low heat, then add the chicken and smoked turkey to the pan and brown on both, scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot.

2.    Blend, blitz onions, garlic, parsley, 4 Scotch bonnets, cayenne, paprika, and ginger.    

3. Pour the mixture into the pot, add about 1 cup of water and bouillon cubes to the pot, reduce heat, cover, and let simmer until tender (depending on the chicken)

4. Blend whole tomatoes and strain through a sieve to remove pulp. Pour-over       Chicken and cook at medium heat.

5. Add the peanut butter and I cup of water to the blender and unit smooth. Alternatively, add peanut butter and ¾ cup of water to a small saucepan, mix  and heat up until smooth. 

6. Add mixture to chicken and top with 5 more cups of water or until pot almost full top, add crushed tomatoes and add 2-3 scotch bonnets whole to the soup. Additional scotch bonnets add some heat but are mostly there for garnish in my opinion

7. Soup simmer for 45minutes.

8. Taste and adjust ingredients to your liking. Everyone prefers things to taste slightly different. I like my soup very peanut forward, example includes more pepper, more blended onions, more peanut, less salt, and more mushrooms. 

9. Oil separating from soup you will know your soup is ready. Taste and adjust seasoning

10. Add mushrooms, I usually sauté the desired number of mushrooms, in title oil and season with a bit of salt and then add to soup when serving.

Sensory Evaluation

Sensory evaluation of soup serves was medium spicy, and the ingredient use to prepare the peanut soup gives natural gold color. There was sauce aroma, flavor and tasty.

How it Tastes

My Aunty and the husband came over to my house to taste my peanut butter soup. Surprisingly, my Aunty whose specialty is peanut soup tasted my soup and said it taste very delicious, and her husband confirmed that my peanut soup and the rice were tasty. They were amazed and said it was well prepared, not too spicy, the chili was just perfect as they knew me as a chili lover. They were grateful to enjoy my peanut soup and the Rice balls Sunday evening as their dinner and my Aunty said am a good cook because the soup blows them away. As a bonus, all spices and aromatics made my house smell amazing! In all the soup was so enjoyable to cook, there was so much flavor, warmth, and nutrients, it truly incredible recipe. We enjoy it so much.

Challenges Involved

Huh! the biggest challenge that confronted me while preparing peanut soup this Sunday is my two-year-old daughter, who was seeking negative attention as preparing the meal. Preparing peanut soup involves much attention when the mixture of the peanut butter is poured on the steamed chicken and turkey. Because during the boiling period it started to ooze out making the stove messy and have to take some out from the pot and add gradually as the soup continues to cook at low heat. This is one of the processes that I hate preparing peanut butter soup and it is also time-consuming getting all the ingredients ready.

My Experience

It was great experience for me to cook in the house with measuring spoon and cups because in my real life I don’t normally measure ingredients in to prepare peanut butter soup. With the idea growing up with my mother cooking food with measurement was not an option. With my studies on culinary arts course has help me to use the right amount of ingredients.

By comparing the recent soup prepared on Sunday to my previous peanut butter soup, this tastes much better than the one I have been preparing without measuring the ingredients. I am going to make a habit to use measuring scale in all your cooking in my house and the field.

[365-money-diary]

days 63-69

day sixty-three [mar. 5]

8:00 am - Notice my tax refund has hit +$1213! Make a chemex. Try to be chill for this am’s call. It’s kind of a big one.

10:00 am - Well it went really well. I was asked to be a decisionmaker on the call so that’s a nice boost to my ego. Eat the final piece of pineapple pie to celebrate / also just to eat breakfast.

2:00 pm - I have a giant monthly report that I’m delivering next week, so I get started on that. I get ¼ of the way done and decide to cut work early to exercise. 

5:30 pm - We try to order from Monroe’s – the hot chicken place I picked up food from for M’s birthday but it’s closed / not taking online orders. We decide to get Cornish Pasty instead. K gets a veggie Mexican and I get the vegan Guinness stew. We also share an order of oven chips with garlic & jalapeno. K pays for this one.

8:30 pm - I am so so full. I have a phone date tonight with C - I think in my last diary I referred to him as BFF? Either way, he’s moved to Seattle and we chat probably every month or so for a few hours. I am feeling so so full from pasty that I take a really long walk to settle my stomach. I walk to the lake and then across and down to campus. At some point I stop to buy a water from a vending machine but it gives me a Dr. Pepper. Find a different one and buy a water instead. $4.25

11:30 pm - Realize I need to go to bed and let C go.

day sixty-three total: $0

day sixty-four

8:30 am - Wake up and make a chemex. Read a few chapters of The Guest List and start to move all of the furniture in the living room into the center of the room for the trim. Spend the next hour cleaning/prepping while K walks to the lake.

11:00 am - Last time I did the kitchen my quads were so sore so I decide to do a pure barre class prior to starting knowing that I’ll be way too sore tomorrow.

12:30 pm - K and I are determined to get this hot chicken. We place an order at the downtown location and I go over there to pick it up. We both get vegans - extra hot + hot + fries + 2 orders of pickles. $48.18

3:00 pm - Finally start taping the living room.

6:45 pm - That took 400 years. Start the first layer of paint.

9:45 pm - Second layer of paint.

11:45 pm - Eat some chips and salsa. Manage to bolt the door closed and head to bed. What a day.

day sixty-four total: $48.18

day sixty-five

8:45 am - Wow my legs. I am so so sore. I want to try to get the living room put back together as soon as possible so I don’t delay in making my coffee and ripping up tape. 

11:00 am - Why does this take 800 years? It’s not fair. Make us tofu/egg tacos for breakfast with low carb tortillas.

12:00 pm - K helps me put the room back together. We really take our time sweeping and dusting and even going through all of our things. He is a big help! 

2:30 pm - The living room is put back together! Rejoice.

3:30 pm - K and I go hit golf balls. We both do a lot better than the first time we went out and have a lot of fun. He pays for the bucket of balls.

5:00 pm - Toss beans in the instant pot.

6:00 pm - Pour a glass of wine and meet with K’s family on zoom.

7:30 pm - Big burritos for din with beans, rice, lettuce, cheeze, & jackfruit with chips and salsa.

8:00 pm - idk what’s up with me but i am in a huge snacky mood. Eat chocolate and a few spoonfuls of peanut butter. 

9:00 pm - K walks to the lake and I start scoping out clothes/sales again. I have a $100 gift card from Everlane for Christmas from K’s parents and decide to use that. I buy 2 dresses and a pair of pants. ($18.27) I also stumble across a pair of boots that are just beautiful. I want them so badly but they’re made of leather. I scope out Poshmark and find a pair in my size and they’re ACTUALLY used and in my size. They’re listed for $80 and I offer $70. The seller accepts ($83.12) $101.39

day sixty-five total: $101.39

day sixty-six

8:00 am - I am so sore still. Ugh. Pure barre charge comes thru. $15

10:00 am - Officially done with pie for breakfast so I eat yogurt instead. 

12:00 pm - Finish the last of the BBQ chicken salad for lunch. Continue my shopping adventures and find a pair of mules from Madewell on Poshmark. Offer $50 and it’s accepted. $61.50

4:00 pm - I’m still pretty sore but I stretch out a bit and do a pure barre livestream. 

5:30 pm - The weather is really nice out and so I decide to read on the porch. It doesn’t take long before K asks me to come with him to his office so he can clean out his stuff. Background: he was furloughed in August and the place he works isn’t renewing the lease. 

7:00 pm - We arrive home. I think K feels defeated. I kinda do too.. Feels like the end of an era. He isn’t up for dinner. I heat up some pozole for myself.

8:00 pm - K decides to go for a walk and I want to finish Season 21 of The Challenge (Rivals) so I stay home. Make a rum drink with soda water, a tiny agave squeeze and some limes. It’s very good.

day sixty-six total: $76.50

day sixty-seven

7:45 am - up early today. I have a meeting at 8:30 today to pull some data/talk about KPIs for the project I’ve been put in “decision-maker status” for. The meeting goes well and I feel good about the data alignment.

9:30 am - I get sent a zoom link without any warning. I tell them to give me a minute so I can pee and heat up my coffee. On my way to the kitchen I knock over a glass and it shatters EVERYWHERE. I take a few minutes to clean it up and forget to pee.

10:45 am - run to the restroom. K asks me to join him in the spare room where his “office” is. I work on reporting for a while in there. Eat plant yogurt.

12:30 pm - i wait too long to eat and am feeling overwhelmed and stressed. K rubs my back and helps me clean the kitchen. I swear these dishes never end.

1:15 pm - i have to pee again and this time it burns. Fuck fuck fuck. Not sure if it’s yeast or urinary tract but either one can’t be good. I pay some more attention to my body and realize that i can feel my bladder swelling which means i’m in uti territory. I have a super sensitive bladder and this puts me in a panic. Change my underwear, dig through my supplies and find a test strip, and AZO. Pound a bunch of water to keep things moving. 

1:45 pm - Fears are realized. At home UTI test comes back positive. I am able to land a prescription very quickly through undisclosed sources. In the meantime, I take AZO for my symptoms and advil for my bladder inflammation.

5:45 pm - Finish working for the day and all I want is a glass of wine but I know that will fuck up my urinary tract even more. Stick to water and such. Decide not to work out tonight either given I don’t have the antibiotics yet and any agitation to my bladder will harm my current state.

6:15 pm - Roast potatoes in the oven and the text from CVS comes that my prescription is ready. Roll on over to pick it up. $1.02

7:00 pm - Buffalo chicken sandwiches is the vibe for dinner. Continue drinking water, take more AZO. 

day sixty-seven total: $1.02

day sixty-eight

8:00 am - wake up feeling like my body did some solid healing work. Make a chemex and QA some stuff for a 9:30 meeting where I have to present.

11:00 am - plant yogurt. Definitely feeling a lot better today already AND my calendar is clear for work aka def going to work out before 5. 

11:45 am - Buy vitamin D on amazon but it’s free since I have the gift card from my boss. Eat leftover cauliflower fried rice for lunch.

3:00 pm - work is actually slow today and my urinary tract is feeling on the mend. Take a barre class recording and shower all before 4 PM.

6:00 pm - tonight we’re doing leftover big burritos with roasted potatoes. We’re out of tortilla chips and honestly dipping the potatoes in salsa is pretty dope.

8:00 pm - i kinda ease in and out of feelin’ tired. Read some of The Guest List before turning in.

day sixty-eight total: $0

day sixty-nine

8:00 am - wake up feeling again like i was in a deep deep healing mode sleep. Make coffee and get to work.

11:30 am - make pad thai for lunch.

2:30 pm - try on all of my clothes that came from ann taylor/loft plus the boss boot shoes from poshmark. Everything fits really well and I’m happy I took the plunge to figure out what my new sizes actually are. I am still really self conscious of my belly… it’s like a ledge and i really don’t get it because i am otherwise very thin. It could be a hormone thing or it could be a gut thing but i decide to try to tackle both at once. Vitamin d and zinc for horomones (which I already have on hand) i do some research and find a supplement from hum nutrition to try and decide to start taking ACV shots to see if anything changes. $25.45

4:50 pm - do a pure barre live stream recording. Shower and eat too many snacks.

7:00 pm - start a new season of the challenge while k goes to hit golf balls. Upon his return I make him a burrito with potatoes and myself some leftover pozole.

11:00 pm - finish the guest list. Didn’t see the ending coming at all! Get some sleep for vaccine #2 tomorrow.

day sixty-nine total: $25.45

[thereseg55876]

5 Strategies Of Success Inside The Ketogenic Diet

Dr. Atkins has left the establishing. We have lost our high fat guru, so available being a foil for the people tofu munching, arugula crunching, low-fat health fanatics. Who will champion the main cause for the all-you-can-eat lard smorgasbord straight away? Fear not, his legacy lives on, and you can still consume the chocolate cheesecake in front of close friends while mumbling something about doing The atkins diet.

The case is different between a bodybuilder or athlete and the children putting up with epilepsy. Disorderly has been used towards the cyclical ketogenic diet for roughly two as well as ending a Keto Advanced diet plan may have severe effects particularly when perhaps not performed as it should be. Just like when you began is not diet, the weaning period also requires a lot of guidance and support against the parents. You must make toddler realize there presently exists likely staying changes once more but this time, their youngster will extended get back to the ketosis diet. Ask your doctor about it. When you terminate or curb expense of carbs, your body starts spending its glycogen reserves. Following a few days that 1600 grams (3.5 pounds) of glycogen and water are consumed. Also, the upshot of the refusing of carbs, your body makes most likely referred to as ketones. Ketones also,look like have got a diuretic outcome, may possibly keto diet facts mean a fair bigger associated with water. In a word, no you needn't. For every rule that's made, there's another rule that will be splintered. The simple truth is the Atkins eating plan will in order to lose weight like a like a popped balloon loses the atmosphere. But it isn't something that can be sustained over an extended period of your time. So, I had to as well as beat it on my own. The dizzy spells, the panic attacks, the hypoglycemic episodes, the weakness, the fatigue, the shakes, center palpitations. and, well, I did! The case is different between a bodybuilder or Keto Advance Diet Advance Review athlete along with the children having epilepsy. Disorderly has been used to your ketogenic diet for about 2 years and Keto Advance ending a ketogenic diet can have drastic effects especially when they are not performed properly. Just like it is far more started out with the diet, the weaning period also needs a bunch of support and guidance from the fogeys. You require make your child understand presently there are in order to be changes once more but this time, your child will more time go in order to the ketogenic diet. Ask your doctor about it. Yes, you have to spend some time putting together a sensible plan, brand new wii console turn it into some massive study that prevents you from ever getting the ball wheeled. Procrastination manifests itself in many ways, and "analysis paralysis" is just one of the most concrete. Depending in the day, and exactly how intense your workout will be, you might want to possess a quarter to half associated with a sweet potato at lunch with butter and a tablespoon of coconut engine oil. Along with each meal, have some protein and fats like steak, cottage cheese, whey protein, peanut butter, therefore. (I have a sample diet on my own website.) Avoid using want consume small, frequent meals about every 2 to 2 and a half hours. Your body will adjust and these items be to be able to feeling fine.

[mensbodybuildingtips]

Transformation Stories: How Eli Sapharti Lost The Weight And Kept It Off!

Transformation Stories: How Eli Sapharti Shed The Weight And also Kept It Off!

Eli's Story:

This year I turned 42 years old and I am in the most effective form of my life. Just a little over 3 years ago I was in the WORST form of my life. Not only literally, but additionally psychologically and also mentally. I think these all go hand in hand.

In 2008 I had actually swollen to practically 300 pounds standing at 6′ and also my body fat percentage was more than 40%. My high blood pressure rose, I really felt exhausted constantly, if I strolled a trip of steps I would lose my breath, my joints were harming, as well as I was constantly getting some kind of influenza or cold.

Around March of 2008, soon before the end of a nearly 18 year marital relationship, I had what lots of would call a surprise. Someday I checked out myself in the mirror as well as couldn't believe exactly how unhealthy and also simply ordinary fat I had enabled myself to obtain. Then I understood I had to do something to change this downward spiral. As I thought of previous attempts to drop weight I realized that the 'quick fixes' and also craze diet regimens I had attempted, although effective short-term, were not mosting likely to function if I intended to make LIFE-LONG changes.

That is when I determined to attempt a various method as well as thought of the concepts of ONE ACTION Each Time = SUCCESS! Little, consitent modifications enabled me to acheive the body I have today 180 EXTRA POUND with 10% body fat. I am additionally a devoted jogger having finished my last 10K in 47:43 and also my last 5K in 23:10. Both being my individual best times.

My drive as well as interest today is in helping inspire, encourage and also teach others the best ways to acheive health and fitness success too.

1. Just what would you state is the top change you made that aided you shed a lot weight as well as keep it off?

Let me start by saying that the word DIET PLAN has an adverse connotation to me and also I am certain to a lot of you too. Several people consistently ask me if I am STILL on a diet plan. I was NEVER on a "diet plan". I merely changed my unhealthy consuming behaviors to life-long HEALTHY eating habits.

Proper nourishment plays a key function in shedding body fat and also getting muscular tissue. Like the stating goes ..." You cannot out educate a negative diet regimen" I believe most individuals would answer this inquiry by calling some kind of diet regimen or connect it to some sort of work out program. Although appropriate nutirtion as well as everyday exersice were definitely component of my success, I would certainly need to state the # 1 modification I made to shed the weight and also KEEP it off, has to be taking little steps everyday.

Taking one action at a time in making weekly adjustments in nourishment as well as adding exercise slowly is what lead me not just to acheiving terrific fat burning, however additionally getting fit and maintaing it now for practically 4 years.

Like they state, 'Bad habits resist', so we need to eliminate them SLOWLY!

2. Do you believe exercise or diet plan makes the biggest impact on weight loss?

There is no uncertainty that if one consumes much less calories than they put in (' weight loss'), weight management will be acheived, but diet plan alone will just get an individual so far. The body will obtain made use of to the restricted calorie intake and also will make modifications and now is where many individuals plateau in their weight loss.

Also, someone with a great deal of weight to shed (more than 30-40 pounds), that does not exersice will certainly more than likely experience flabbiness on their body as well as will be doing really little to boost their cardiovascular health and wellness. I am a company believer that the only means to acheive a correct, healthy and balanced and life time weight reduction is to include appropriate nutrition with ample physical activity.

2. How do you control any type of yearnings you might still obtain as well as have any type of suggestions for our readers?

My food cravings today are very different than the food cravings I had when I first started my healthful trip. At first my yearnings were for the most unhealthy foods such as french fries, potato chips, pastas with GREAT DEALS OF cheese etc. As my eating habits came to be healthier and as more time passed feeding my body healthy foods, the yearnings began to fade. This is not to state that I do not long for pizza, chips and also salsa or a nice juicy cheeseburger today, yet they are definietly not day-to-day cravings as well as I allow myself to indulge very moderately in these from time to time.

The ideal suggestion I could give your viewers on the best ways to manage yearnings, is by not entirely removing them. Go ahead and allow on your own tiny amouonts of your preferred foods periodically. The essential word right here is OCCASIONALLY. For instance, if you are utilized to having 2 -3 pieces of pizza, have 1 piece. If gelato is your weakness, have a couple of doses rather than a whole bowl.

You do not have to eliminate all foods you hunger for, just ensure to consume them in small amounts OCCASIONALLY instead of regularly.

3. Exactly how has your diet regimen altered before your healthy transformation?

The initial word that comes to mind is WOW! I could guarantee you that for me to virtually get to the 300 pounds mark on the scale I was consuming really harmful and fattening foods and also A LOT of them. When I began on this journey, I knew that taking place a 'diet plan' was not going to get me long-lasting success.

I had dieted sometimes prior to and had lost 20,30 as well as 40 pounds, just to acquire everything back as well as much more when I discontinued 'the diet plan'.

So this time around I realized I had to change my eating to the way I would certainly consume for the remainder of my life. Today I eat the very same foods I did when I first began. For instance, hen and also turkey busts, very lean meats, lots of veggies as well as fruits, whole grains such as wild rice, oat meal, entire wheat bread, and low-fat milk products and percentages of nuts and nut butters. That's essentially just what my daily diet contains. Sounds boring, but truthfully, there are great deals you could do with these ingredients.

4. What sorts of exercise do you do (weights, cardio, plyometrics, and so on)?

I do some sort of exersice 5-6 days weekly. Mostly my workouts contain weightlifting as well as cardio. I split my weight training days by body components. I workout chest with biceps, back with triceps, legs, shoulders with abs. I do cardio everytime I weight train and also I mix it up a lot.

I love to run as well as have actually tested myself to several races 5K's,10 K's and also most just recently I am training for my initial 1/2 marathon, so you will locate me running outdoors a minimum of 3 times each week. I additionally like to do the stepmill (in my viewpoint, this is among the finest cardio equipments in the gym). Occasionally I will utilize the elliptical machine and do high intensity periods on there or the treadmill.

5. What does your present workout routine appearance like?

My training regular adjustments up a lot, however I will certainly detail below exactly how I am presently training.

Day # 1:

3 establishes x 12-10-8 representatives Slope Bench Press Superset with 3 sets x 10-8-6 Barbell Arm Curls. 3 sets x 12-10-8 associates Decline Bench Press Superset with 3 collections x 12-10-8 representatives Inside Hammer Curls 3 sets x 10-8-6 representatives Machine Breast Flyes Superset with Alternating Dumbell Curls. End with 45 minutes Interval cardio either on Treadmill or Stepmill.

Day # 2:

Ab circuit. I do the complying with workouts together for the associates specified. When I end up the very first circuit, I relax 2 mins and begin 2nd circuit, rest 2 mins and do 3rd circuit. 50 Crunches on mat. 20 Jackknives with 20 pounds medicine ball 20 Leg increases with reverse crunch 50 Bicycle crunches End with 45 Minute outdoor run

Day # 3:

3 sets x 12-10-8 Weights Squats, 3 sets x 15-12-10 Leg Expansions, 3 collections x 12-10-8 Leg Curls, 3 sets x 20 representatives calf bone Raises End with 20 mins Ellipitical Machine

Day # 4:

3 sets x 12-10-8 Dumbell Overhead Press, 3 sets x 12-10-8 Lateral Elevates, 3 collections x 12-10-8 Front Elevates, 3 sets x 12 Lateral Row, 3 collections x 12-10-8 Reverse Fly on Machine End with 45 min Stepmill intervals

Day # 5:

Same as Day # 2

Day # 6:

3 establishes x 10-8-6 Lat Pull downs Superset with 3 sets x 12-10-8 Seatsed Tricep Press 3 establishes x 12-10-8 Sittinged Cable Row Superset with 3 Collections x 12-10-8 Cord Tricep Push-downs 3 sets x 12-10-8 Bent Arm Weights Pull-over Superset with 3 Sets x 12-10-8 Wire Opposite Tricep Push-downs 3 establishes x 10 assisted vast hold pull-ups Superset with 3 collections x 12 identical bar dips. End with 30 minutes Stepmill Intervals

Day #7:

1 hour outside run. In some cases I take now as a rest day.

6. How around your current diet?

My current diet plan is rather simple. Below is an instance of a day in the consuming practices of Eli Sapharti ...

Meal #1:

1/2 mug completely dry oat meal prepared in 1 cup water. 1/2 cup Low-fat home cheese.

Meal # 2:

2 scoops MAX Healthy protein by SEI Nourishment with 12 oz of water.

Meal # 3:

6-8 oz barbequed chicken bust, 1/4 cup brownish rice, 1/2 mug black beans, lettuce. 4 tbsp fresh salsa

Meal # 4:

2 scoops MAX Protein by SEI Nourishment with 12 oz water.

Meal # 5:

6-8 oz barbequed poultry breast or 6 oz turkey bust hamburger. 1 huge salad that includes. lettuce, tomatoes, eco-friendly beans, chick peas, red peppers, low-fat goat cheese, 6 tbsp low fat dressing.

Meal # 6:

I do not constantly consume this meal yet when I do it is typically 2 scoops MAX Protein by SEI Nourishment or 2 saltless rice cakes with Organic peanut butter with Flax seeds.

7. Do you take any supplements and also did they help you in losing the weight?

When I first got started on this journey, I did not take any type of supplements whatsoever for the exemption of protein drinks or bars. Today I take CLA (Congugated Linoleic Acid) which helps to lower fat, especially in the stomach location. This supplement is specifically crucial when one is eating primarily low-fat foods. I additionally take B-12 for energy and MAX TS3 by SEI nourishment (Testosterone booster). I am 42 and also at my age testosterone degrees begin to go down so the testosterone booster has aided me.

8. Who are your largest duty models for losing weight?

I never ever had any duty models prior to acheiving my weight management success. Via my Facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/FatBoyFitMan I have had the pleasure of meeting a group of exceptionally motivating and inspritational people. They are MY function models.

9. Any kind of favorite motivational quotes?

I have numerous faves, yet below are simply a couple of:

' Though nobody can go back and also make an all new begin, any person can start from currently and make a brand name brand-new finishing.' ' It remains in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.'

' There's a difference between rate of interest and also commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it just when it's hassle-free. When you're dedicated to something, you accept NO JUSTIFICATIONS: ONLY RESULTS!'

10. Just what are your future health and wellness goals?

My next few goals include running my initial 1/2 marathon in January and also training to contend in my very first body building program in the Body category.

11. Any type of last item of guidance for our readers?

The suggestions I offer any individual wanting to acheive any objective whether a novice or a pro is ONE STEP AT A TIME = SUCCESS!

Do YOU have a remarkable transformation story you would love to share? Please send out a short story with images and/or video clip about your improvement as well as we could select you to be featured on Directlyfitness.com! Send it here!

Website:

www.fatboyfitman.com

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/FatBoyFitMan

[rebel-rednexk]

Story number 2 for today. I hope y'all enjoy....let me know what y'all think.

You Belong To Me

On her knees, wearing nothing but her collar. Her leash in hand, she knew it was time for Daddy to walk through the door. His cup of coffee and the days mail are on the table beside the door, as instructed.

She can hear his car pull into the driveway. She has gone 9 hours without pleasing him, and the anticipation of seeing him has made her wet. Daddy walks through the door and places his briefcase on the floor. He takes off his suit jacket and hangs it up. She is perfectly still, because she knows she's not allowed to move until instructed to do so.

"Good evening babygirl. Did you have a productive day?" "Yes Daddy, ive missed you." "I've missed you too little one."

He grabs his coffee, the mail, and her leash and starts walking to the living room to his chair. She is on all fours, crawling beside him as he walks. Once at his chair, he sets the mail and coffee on the table and leans down and kisses her. "I love you babygirl...as soon as i look through the mail, i want to hear about your day" "Yes Daddy, I love you too."

She is on her knees, sitting on her feet, watching him look through the mail. Her nipples are getting extremely hard and its becoming more and more difficult not to move as her pussy is wet and tingling.

Daddy notices her shifting around and she is sitting there. "Anything wrong babygirl?" "You seem to be having trouble sitting there " "Ummmmm, its just, I havent seen you in sooooooooo long, and I REALLY missed you." "Here in a few minuites you will have your chance to show me just how much you missed me." With hearing that, her pussy started gushing, knowing full well what Daddy meant. "Yes Daddy."

"OK babygirl. Im done reading the mail. You may tell me about your day now." "Yes Daddy. It started off doing my list of chores you gave me. I did half of them before lunch." Daddy asked her how she liked the lunch he fixed her. "It was the best Daddy. You know peanut butter and jelly is my favoritest. And you even cut the crust off for me!!!!!!" Daddy just nodded. "Thats because Daddy knows. What about after lunch. Did you finish all of your chores?"

What came next was just a bunch of mumbles "I cant hear you babygirl." Again, inaudible mumbles. "Im not going to ask you again young lady, now use your big girl words and answer my question!!" She started crying, and between the sobs she told Daddy she ran out of time to finish cleaning up the bathroom. "Im so sorry Daddy. I just .....i just had to start getting ready for you coming home and didnt have time to sweep and mop the floor." She had her head in between his knees crying. "Why did you run out of time little one?" She told him that she got caught up watching Rugrats while eating lunch, and lost track of time. "You know thats not a valid excuse, dont you?" "Yes Daddy, im so sorry" "You know what happens now dont you babygirl?" "Yes Daddy, its time for spankies." "Thats right, now assume the position and lay across my knees!" "Yes Daddy." She stood up and did as she was told. "You are being punished because you didnt finish all of the tasks I gave you and you need to learn time management." "Yes Daddy."

Laying naked and fully exposed on his knee, she felt so small on Daddys lap. Now count along with me *smack!!!* "One Daddy" the sound of his hand on her ass was loud. *smack!!!* "Two Daddy." With each contact of his hand on her exposed flesh, she is finding it more and more difficult to count without moaning.

After 5 smacks on each side, Daddy reaches down with his right hand and slightly spreads her legs. Her wetness has started to drip on his knees. He takes his two middle fingers and opens up her eager pussy lips. He slides his middle finger inside her and begins to finger fuck her. His left hand is on the small of her back so she cant move.

With his fingers sliding in and out of her, she is moaning and pushing back against his hand. He continues this until she is really getting into it and quickly pulls his hand away from her and *smack!!* The spankings continue. This process repeats several times. When her ass is a beautiful shade of red, Daddy tells her to stand. "Yes Daddy." As she is standing there, she starts to reach back and rub her ass. "Did I tell you that you could rub your ass to ease the sting??" "No Daddy, you did not" "Now you are to go stand in the corner with your nose on the wall, hands behind your back, and do not move until I call for you." "Yes Daddy." She walked to the corner and did as instructed. She could hear Daddy walk past her and into the bedroom.

After what seemed like a lifetime... "Come into the bedroom little one " Daddy yelled out. She starts to walk into the bedroom and remembered something very important. She got on her hands and knees and crawled the rest of the way into the bedroom where Daddy was waiting for her.

Daddy was sitting in a chair and he was naked. The sight of him sitting there, all of his manliness exposed, she started to get wet all over again. She kept eye contact with him and dared not break it as she crawled to him. Once she got right in front of him he told her to stop. "Arent you forgetting something Babygirl?" She was trying her best to remember, then it came to her. "Thank you Daddy for my punishment and teaching me." "And what did we learn from this babygirl?" "Ummmmmmmm......I learned that I need to learn how to manage my time better and finish my chores that you give me" "Good girl." Everytime she hears this her heart smiles. "I love you Daddy." "I love you too babygirl."

"Now that your punishment is over its time to show Daddy how much you missed him." He grabbed the back of her head and pushed it down to his cock. She grabbed the shaft and began licking the head. She placed her lips on his head and eased her mouth onto his cock until she had all of him in her mouth. She began playing with his balls as she moved her head up and down his cock. Growing quickly in her mouth, she started having a hard time getting all of him in.

She starts gagging when she gets close to having all of his cock in her mouth. He places his hand on her head and pushes her the rest of the way down. Holding her head still, he begins to face fuck her. His hard cock sliding in and out of her open mouth. Spit coming out of her mouth as she is sucking every inch of Daddys magnificent rod.

"Who's Daddys little whore?" She mumbles "I am", but with her mouth so full, he couldnt understand the words she said. "You will be my cumslut tonight. You will be my personal fucktoy and I am going to abuse you."

"Now be a good little whore and get ready for Daddys cum." Upon hearing that, she knows Daddy is close and closes her mouth around him and begins to suck hard. "Thats it, relax your throat and get ready." His body tenses, he pushes his cock all the way in, and unloads his cum straight down her throat. She is gagging as she is trying to swallow every drop, but some escapes her mouth and runs down her chin. He finishes and pulls out, more cum spilling out onto her chin. She licks his cock clean and uses her finger to push what came out back into her mouth. She knows that Daddys cum is the best treat ever, and she is not to waste a single drop.

He stands up, picks her up and walks to the bed. Once there, he throws her down and tells her to get on her hands and knees. She can hear the sound of buckles behind her, and she knows whats going to happen. He stands beside her and pushes her head to the bed. He then places a wrist restraint on and attaches the other side to her ankle. He repeats the process on the other side.

He walks away again and comes back with a blindfold and places it on her eyes. Walking behind her, he reaches down and places his hand on her ass. She jumps when he touches her. He takes her princess plug and places a small amount of lube on it and eases it into her ass. She pushes back, making it easier for the plug to slide in. Its a bright shade of green. Its sparkling from the light hitting it just right.

Once the plug is inside her, he stands behind her and places the head of his cock into her wet pussy. Slowly and steadily, he eases himself into her until he is all the way in. He begins to fuck her. Hands on her hips, his hard cock sliding in and out. She is biting the pillow to keep from screaming too loud. With each moan, he pushes harder and faster into her. His balls smacking against her clit with each thrust in, sending waves of pleasure with each contact.

SMACK!!* The feeling of pain mixed with pleasure is almost too much to handle and her pussy tightens around his cock. "No you dont babygirl. Youre not allowed to cum. Im not done with you yet." She tries to speak but nothing comes out. The plug in her ass, Daddy in her pussy, she is trying her best not to cum but its becoming difficult.

"PLEASE DADDY!?!?!? I cant hold it much more. I NEEEEEEEEED to cummies!!!! Can I cum???? Pweeeeeese?!?"

"Not yet little one." He pulls out of her and reaches down and starts smacking her pussy. "This is mine, not yours." "Yes Daddy, its your pussy."

Her legs are trembling as she is so close to cumming. She is fighting every urge and she hears Daddy unbuckling her restraints. Once free he flips her on her back and spreads her legs wide. Once her legs are open, he slams his cock back into her.

"OH DADDY.......fuck me like the little whore I am!!!!" He takes his hand and starts smacking her breasts. First the right, then the left. "Each time you look in a mirror, you're going to remember this night and who you belong to." "Yes Daddy....I am yours. I belong to you."

With him pounding her pussy, and smacking her breasts, she begins grinding against him. Her hips pushing back with each thrust in. "I know you're getting close arent you?" "Yes Daddy, I am really close." "You may cum now." And all of a sudden she feels teeth on her. Daddy has a mouthful of her breast and is biting down.

As soon as she feels his teeth sink into her, her pussy tightens, body stiffens and she squirts and covers Daddys cock and stomach.

"OHHHHHHHH MYYYYY GODDDDDDD!!!!!!!!" She keeps cumming and keeps cumming as he picks up speed. His cock slamming in and out of her so hard and so fast now.

"Yes Daddy......FUCK ME DADDY." He takes his mouth off of her breast, a perfect mark of his teeth is left behind. He places his hands on her knees and bears down for leverage. He lifts himself slightly and is getting his cock the deepest its been yet. Her breasts swaying as he fucks her. She is biting her lip so she isnt too loud.

"Reach down and start rubbing your clit. You must cum two more times before I finish."

Her fingers find her clit and she furiously starts rubbing it. She cums instantly. Her breathing gets faster and her moans get louder as she is being pleasured. A huge wet spot is on the bed as she can not stop cumming. Over and over and over. Each time she does puts that much more pressure on his cock. She can hear the difference in Daddys breathing and she knows he is close.

"Please fill my pussy with your thick cum Daddy. I am your cumslut and my pussy is yours to do with as you wish, but I reaallllyyyy need your cum in me."

All of a sudden he stops, his cock is pumping all of his cum deep inside her. With feeling him cum inside her, she cums one last time with him. They both finish and he falls to the bed breathing heavily and exhausted.

Daddy reaches his hand down and sticks his fingers in her pussy. This makes her tense and she has a mimi orgasam when he pulls out. He takes and places his fingers in her mouth and she sucks both of their cum off of them.

He leans in and kisses her tasting himself and her on her lips. He wraps his left arm around her and pulls her close. She starts to speak and he places his finger on her lips. "No words little one. Just lay there with your head on my chest and listen to my heart beating. Do you hear that?" "Yes Daddy, I do." "That sound is my heart beating for you. I love you so very much babygirl." "I love you too Daddy." The sound of his heartbeat puts her to sleep very quickly. Daddy kisses the top of her head. "Goodnight princess." And he drifts off to sleep

[atombail7-blog]

Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Home > Recipes by Category > Main Dishes > Beef Recipes > Beef Stroganoff Recipe

This easy Beef Stroganoff recipe is the absolute best! Super tender beef, a creamy, flavorful sauce and on the table in under 45 minutes!

Now that Labor Day is behind us, can we go all-in on warm and hearty comfort foods? Yes? Wonderful!

Beef stroganoff is one of my all-time favorites in that category and for the longest time, I thought it was a crazy complicated dish to make. Spoiler alert: it is not at all.

However, I have had my fair share of dry, tough meat in beef stroganoff; I’m thrilled to share this recipe with you because the meat in this dish is so wonderfully tender and the sauce is rich and flavorful. This is going to easily become one of your go-to favorite easy recipes, just as it has for me!

How Do You Make Beef Stroganoff?

Beef stroganoff looks (and tastes!) like a luxurious bowl of fancy comfort food, but the best part is that it has a simple list of ingredients and comes together incredibly quickly, which makes it a perfect choice for weeknight meals or an easy dinner party staple.

This is a fast rundown of how it’s done:

Sear thinly sliced ribeye until it’s browned, then set aside.

In the same pan, brown onions and mushrooms until soft.

Sprinkle the mushroom mixture with flour and stir, then gradually stir in beef stock. Season with salt, pepper and paprika, then simmer until slightly thickened.

Stir in sour cream and serve over cooked egg noodles with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

The Best Meat for Beef Stroganoff

The beef that you use is what takes average or good beef stroganoff to absolutely phenomenal.

The trick?

Using very thinly sliced boneless ribeye steaks. The meat is so tender and melts in your mouth; it’s the same cut of meat that I use for my Philly cheese steak sandwiches and everyone raves about how juicy and tender they are. No one wants to bite into beef stroganoff and find a tough, stringy piece of beef that gets stuck in your teeth. Ribeye can cook up super fast at high temperature and stay crazy tender.

If you want a quicker/less expensive option, I’ve also used ground beef, which works really well. Obviously, you won’t get the same consistency as you do from whole pieces of beef, but it’s still a great shortcut!

How is Beef Stroganoff Served?

The most traditional way to serve beef stroganoff is over egg noodles (and it’s seriously delicious), but there are tons of other options, too! For something different, try:

Rice

Mashed potatoes

Pan-fried potatoes

A bed of greens

Steamed green beans or broccoli

Can Beef Stroganoff Be Made Ahead and/or Frozen?

Yes to both!

Beef stroganoff reheats extremely well and you can freeze it by allowing it cool, then placing in a freezer ziploc bag or freezer-safe container and freezing for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

I hope you enjoy this dish as much as my family and I have!

If You Like This Beef Stroganoff, Try These:

Four years ago: Slow Cooker Spicy Beef Queso Dip Five years ago: Matzo Ball Soup Six years ago: Buckeye Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Beef Stroganoff

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Prep:15 minutes

Cook:30 minutes

Total:45 minutes

This easy Beef Stroganoff recipe is the absolute best! Super tender beef, a creamy, flavorful sauce and on the table in under 45 minutes!

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

1½ pounds ribeye steak, sliced ¼-inch thin against the grain, and then crosswise

8 ounces white mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups (480 ml) beef broth

1½ teaspoons salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon paprika

⅔ cup (151 grams) sour cream

12 ounces egg noodles, cooked and drained

1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped

Directions:

Season the beef with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and add the beef to the skillet, spreading it into an even layer. Cook for 1 minute, then use tongs to toss the beef until mostly browned. Remove to a plate; set aside.

Melt the remaining butter and add the mushrooms and onions to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are soft and the onions are translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Sprinkle the mixture with the flour and stir, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, until no raw flour remains and it emits a nutty aroma. Gradually stir in the beef broth, then add the salt, pepper and paprika. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened. Add the beef back to the sauce, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 2 or 3 minutes, until the beef is warmed through. Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream until completely combined.

Serve with cooked egg noodles and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!

All images and text ©Brown Eyed Baker, LLC.

Source: https://www.browneyedbaker.com/beef-stroganoff-recipe/

[ferociousqueak]

@tetrahedrals tagged me to list my current WIPs, and as I’m going through some serious editor’s block, I think this might help! Thank you!

Instructions: “List all the things you’re currently working on in as much or as little detail as you’d like, then tag some friends to see what they’re working on. This can be writing, arts, gifsets, whatever.”

1) Family Resemblance. Allistair Shepard, the Butcher of Torfan, had to get it from somewhere. This long fic explores the influences that shaped Shepard into the woman who takes on the Reapers and saves the galaxy. (I know, I know. There are some good reasons I’m stuck where I am and haven’t updated in for-freakin-ever, but I promise they’re not permanent!)

Instantly, Alli’s heart began to race. She’d never heard Mom yell before. Why was she yelling now? What had Dad done? Was he in trouble again? Was it the batarians?

She didn’t want to go inside so much anymore.

Alli stood rooted to the stoop in front of their door, the blood rushing so loudly through her ears she could hardly hear herself think. She swallowed and raised a trembling hand to the access panel. She walked slowly through the entryway until she reached the kitchen, taking each step with equal measures of hesitation and the need to know what was wrong. Her mouth had gone dry, and her heart felt like it was trying to pound its way out of her chest.

2) Not Widow, Not Orphan. This one picks up at the beginning of ME2, when Hannah gets The News. To say she doesn’t take it well is something of an understatement. And Garrus makes an appearance :D

“Mr. Vakarian,” Hannah said, catching his attention. “Captain Hannah Shepard. I believe you served with my daughter.”

He stood awkwardly with a salute. “It’s an honor, ma’am.”

She waved away his salute and moved to sit next to him. After a brief moment of hesitation, he took his seat again. His hands clenched and unclenched and he seemed to be floundering for something to say. Hannah decided to help him out.

“I’ll save you some awkwardness, Vakarian,” she said, letting out a small sigh. “You don’t have to say anything at all. When something like . . .” Her throat began to tighten, and she coughed to clear it. “Let’s just say I’ve had my fill of platitudes. You’re off the hook.”

His posture relaxed, but his mandibles flared in mild confusion. “The hook?”

“She does that,” Dess said as she approached them from behind. “She thinks it’s funny to use as many idioms as she can around turians.”

3) Once More, with Feeling. Wouldn’t you like to know what this one’s about ;) I can tell you there’s an Armistice Day Gala for which Hannah gets all dressed up, someone unpleasant from the past makes an appearance, and Sana loses a bet.

By the time she finally got home for the evening, she wanted nothing more than to change into the loosest clothes she owned, grab a bottle of wine (after a day like the one she’d had, who needed a glass?), collapse on the sofa, and watch something mindless until it was time to crawl into bed and forget the entire day had happened.

She got as far as changing her clothes when she heard the front door open and a flanged voice announce her presence.

Fuck, it’s Thursday.

She groaned as she pulled out her running clothes and changed again, ignoring the constant complaining coming from her knee.

Dess flared out her mandibles when she saw Hannah descending the stairs. “Bad day?”

“That obvious?”

Dess pointed to Hannah’s knee. “You only wear your brace when it’s been a bad day.”

Hannah sighed as she reached the bottom of the stairs and turned into the empty space of the living room to start stretching. “I’ve had a lot better days, that’s for sure,” she said as she sat on the ground with her legs extended out to each side and reached to her left to touch her toes.

Dess flicked her mandibles in concern. “Why don’t we skip the run. I’ll help you stretch and take care of dinner. Is Alli home from school?”

4) The Girls’ Night Out Job. Vetra and Peebee plan to get up to meaningless hijinks in Kadara Port during shore leave, but it seems like trouble always finds the Pathfinder. Ryder stumbles into some shady dealings and Vetra and Peebee have to help her out of it. f!Vetryder, pre-relationship

Vetra noticed for the first time that Peebee was holding a long box in her arms, which she shoved into Vetra’s without further preamble. The sound of crinkling paper came from the box and Vetra could guess what she’d find inside. How Peebee had even come across something like this all the way out here—and without Vetra knowing about it—was a mystery.

Without opening the box, she set it down and shook her head. “I appreciate it, Peebee,” she said, “but I have clothes of my own.”

“Sure, you do!” Peebee said, waving a hand dismissively. “But Drescilla doesn’t! Trust me, it’s gonna be great! Unless . . . no, it’ll fit, I’m sure.”

Vetra sighed but couldn’t help her mandibles from twitching into an amused grin. “Okay, Peanut Butter. I’ll give it a try. No promises, though.”

Peebee was already flitting out of the room with a wave behind her and a retreating, “Keep telling yourself that. Drescilla’s gonna love it!”

Vetra glanced back at the box sitting in front of her console, and both curiosity and regret made her stomach do somersaults. Why had she told Peebee she was in?

5) Light in the Dark. Vetra was scared of the dark. Sid was scared of space. Not unreasonable fears, as it turns out. But there’s always someone there to turn the lights on. Papa Nyx makes an appearance :D

A keen that could wake the dead jolted Vetra out of a deep sleep for what felt like the hundredth time. She wasn’t sure why she was surprised anymore, but it still took her a moment to compose herself. She looked at the clock and sighed. Only two more hours until she had to be up and headed back to the construction site. The mine would be ready for operations in only a few more weeks, so she had to get as many shifts in before she had to leave this asteroid and look for another one.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and pushed herself up and out of bed.

“It’s okay, Sid,” she said as she turned on the lights to their lowest setting and shuffled across the room to her sister’s bed. “I’m here.”

Sid had curled up in a ball so tight, Vetra wondered if she’d ever unfurl again. She held her head between her knees, her hands clasped tightly over her crest. Vetra didn’t even have to be near her to notice how much she trembled.

She eased herself down next to Sid and slipped an arm around her. Sid clambered into Vetra’s lap and practically molded into her carapace.

“Same?” Vetra asked, hoping only the comforting notes were in her voice, not the exhausted ones.

Sid nodded against Vetra’s chest. “Same.”

I have a few other onesie twosie fics I’ve played around with, but these are the ones that have been taking up the most mental space recently. I’m … seeing a few patterns.

Now for tagging! Again, I’m not sure who’s done this, so feel free to skip if you’ve already done it. @bloomingcnidarians, @continuousspec, @thievinghippo, @servantofclio, and @tarysande. Only if you want to, of course!

[thisveganthang-blog]

Midnight the Vegan Dog

Look at that cute face; would you ever think this miniature poodle was vegan. I know, I know it is hard to believe but he is. And his transition to the lifestyle has been superb. His diet does not come up in conversation very often until people begin to ask me questions about him.

Let me give you a little background; Midnight has always been a picky eater and I later learned that is the nature of the breed. But his food would change pretty regularly because he would decide that he was not interested in that particular food any longer. This can be very frustrating to any pet owner. You want to feed your pet the best possible food you can and you also want them to enjoy it. Midnight did not appreciate this and when he does not want something he will not eat it; unless he has gone all day and gives in to his hunger.

When Midnight began to live with me full time (end of January 2015) he was eating Pedigree for Small Breeds. I had purchase a 16lb bag back in December 2014; he liked it and I figured it would last him about 3-4 months. He only eats about 1 - 1 ½ cups per day so I was thinking longevity and saving myself some funds.

Once my brother moved; Midnight had run out of treats and I decided to do a little research to find out what would be the best treats for him. In my research I discovered a few of his favorite treats had been recalled and it made me look deeper into the ingredients that were in some of the treats and ultimately his dog food. What I read scared me; I thought this is really sad. I am feeding someone who I love and consider apart of my family BS. My first mind told me do not go out and buy all this new stuff because he is not staying; my brother will come and get him and so there is no need to feight. But that little voice in the back of my mind told me how can you not.

Sooo, to the web I went searching for ways to transition Midnight to a vegan diet. Some of the information that I read was conflicting but a lot of it was promising. I knew that for him to be successful I needed a game plan. I decided the plan would be a slow transition using rice, peas, pinto beans, and blueberries. I know you are thinking what??? But let me explain. The “human food” will be my buffer so that I can lessen the Pedigree and begin to replace it with the dry vegan food (Natural Balance) that I purchased for him. The end result I was hoping for was to just have the vegan food left and him eating that by itself.

The transition went beautifully, I could not have asked for anything better. We did have a few rough patches with him not wanting me to grab his food bowl. But we worked through it and came out on the better end. Now with said I had the food thing down and every week I would treat Midnight to a meal of vegan food. It was the usual suspects but I always made sure it contained a grain, plant protein, veggie, fruit, hemp & flax seeds, and coconut oil. He loved it with a usually second helping.

The last thing to tackle was his treats. Midnight is treat hound and yet very particular about the treats that he will enjoy. So I had to be creative and since I could not find what I was looking for in the stores I decided to make his treats. His everyday treats and ones for fresh breath. The great thing about making your dog’s treats is that you usually have all of the ingredients at home. The upside is your costs are pretty low; the downside is the shelf life is not very long. With that being said I had to find a few store brand treats that I could have on hand when I did not feel like making treats, have time to, or just because it is nice to have variety in your diet. I was able to find 5 different treats that he likes which I purchase pretty regularly. They are not the cheapest but he enjoys them. I purchase the 2 bag treats plus 2 dental treats once a month and the other dental chews every two weeks (I only give these to him once or twice a week) because I cannot find them in a bag. We also rotate frozen peanut butter in a kong for him as well. I only give him these specifics treats during the week while I am at work. On the weekends his treats consist of frozen broccoli and mango (he loves them so much).

Now for the bad Auntie part; because Midnight has transitioned so very well. I indulge him in some meaty treats every so often. I purchase 1 or 2 bags and just keep them in the house. I do not give them to him often and so because of this it is definitely a high value treat for him. To be honest he usually gets the bag when he goes to my sister’s house for overnight visits because he gets to share them with her dog.

This has not tarnished his diet in any way; with his new found diet Midnight managed to lose 3 lbs and has maintained his weight loss for over two years. I know 3 lbs may not seem like a lot but for a miniature poodle it definitely is. His vet kept telling us that he needed to lose a pound or two and overuse of the treats were contributing to his weight gain. Now Midnight is in his ideal body weight category for his breed, he has so much energy that when I tell people he is 7 years old they will not believe me. His treats habits have not changed and he has yet to gain a stitch of weight. He still eats the same amount; I do not measure his food any longer but his bowl only holds 2 cups of food. He eats twice a day with about 5 treats (4 chewy and 1 dental stick). He is happy, playful, vibrant, and his coat is shiny and grows very quickly.

Like I have said he has a ton of energy and I have to manage this or he will drive me crazy. Exercise is how we manage his energy, he goes for a walk three times a day. In the morning we walk 45 - 60 minutes, in the late afternoon we walk 45- 60 minutes with a trip to the park to throw around his ball and see doggie friends, and then in the evening before bed 15- 20 minutes. For some owners this may seem like quite a bit of walking but for our lifestyle it works. He enjoys going for his walks, seeing old friends and meeting new ones, and fresh air never hurt nobody. In the very near future I would like to get Midnight a dog walker for the middle of the day. I work a full 8 hours which means I am away from the house for about 9 give or take. He has never had any bathroom issues but I do not think it is a bad idea and one that we could both benefit from.

Now you know the whole story of my vegan dog-phew Midnight. I am totally in love with him and do everything in my power to give him the best life I possibly can while he is with me. He may be a bit spoiled with his doggie clothes, shoes, plenty of toys, and whatnots. But he is a member of my family and I would not have it any other way.

[strmyweather]

RP Cut #2: Non-Scale Victories

I will freely admit that I’m posting this ‘timeline’ mostly for my own benefit, so that I’ll have it to refer back to at a later date; it may not be of tremendous interest to anyone else. But as I type this, I have 24 hours to go until the ‘finish line’ of my second Renaissance Periodization cut. I’m once again feeling pretty satisfied, proud of the journey, and, in most ways, dramatically more prepared and mentally ‘settled’ about the endpoint than I was after my first cut. However, the one concept that continues to make me (irrationally) anxious is the prospect of slightly higher bodyweight potentially impacting my CrossFit movements—thus this post.

Objectively, I do recall from my last cut-to-maintenance transition that the concept of improved fueling / increased glycogen stores pretty effectively offsets any slight bodyweight bump. However, I’ve been CrossFitting for over five years and just gained the bulk of my gymnastics skills within these past six or seven months. In other words, I’m still so new to this ‘toolbox’ that any performance fluctuations (which I’ve long been accustomed to with a barbell) still feel irrationally frightening on this new playing field—like, but I could do FIVE strict pull-ups yesterday, and today FOUR feels hard; therefore THE WORLD IS ENDING! (…My coach is continually talking me off the ledge in this regard. :))

At any rate, this is one reason why I kept track of certain gym accomplishments (a.k.a. ‘non-scale victories’) as the cut progressed. I am definitely not someone who PRs barbell movements on a cut (quite the contrary; my strength has suffered significantly this year), but my gymnastics have improved literally beyond all recognition, of which I am very proud. As such, I wanted to keep track of my performance milestones at various bodyweights along the way, so that I’ll have this mental tool for the inevitable struggle bus days. When sets of handstand push-ups feel impossible, it might help to be able to look back at this post and say to myself, no, your bodyweight is NOT the issue, because you did this same thing in a metcon when you were TEN POUNDS heavier! It’s just time for a rest day, that’s all. :)

Without further ado, I give you RP Cut #2: the Non-Scale Victory Edition! :)

Week 1 average: 148.4 lb (although, admittedly, about a pound of this was Bagel Bloat from my massive cheat weekend in NYC just prior to starting the cut—I had been averaging 147.4 prior to the trip) Non-scale victory: recaptured a 193# back squat (which is only 7# off my all-time best despite weighing 20-25# less than I did at the time I achieved that PR).

Week 2 average: 146.4 lb Non-scale victory: 2 sets of 5 unbroken handstand push-ups (single abmat, no plates) in a metcon setting!

Week 3 average: 145.3 lb Non-scale victorIES: five unbroken strict pull-ups! three unbroken ring dips! 4 sets of 50 unbroken double-unders! ...It was a big week :-)

Week 4 average: 144.2 lb Non-scale victory: PRed Fran at 8:28. Definitely still on the slower side, but I was thrilled by consistently large-ish sets (thrusters as 14/7, 8/7, and 9 unbroken; pull-ups as sets of 3-5 the whole way!). Afterward, my coach made the point that I likely could have gone faster for competition purposes by doing smaller sets, but that this was the right approach/stimulus to use for training.

Week 5 average: 142.6 Non-scale victory: basically blitzing through a metcon that included both TTB and HSPU (two relatively new skills for me), and staying consistent with both. Did all the sets of 10 TTB as 6/4, and sets of 5 HSPU as unbroken 5s (albeit again to just one abmat, no plates).

Week 6 average: 141.2 lb Non-scale victory: weighted pull-ups with a 10# plate! Also, sets of 4 HSPU with 10# plates—something I had struggled with as recently as three weeks prior—felt EASY. (The high point of this week was the moment when my coach grinned at me after a particularly sharp set of those and said, “See, this is why, when you get salty about stuff, I say to you, ‘remember when you couldn’t do a handstand push-up negative?’” :-))

Week 7 average: 141.0 lb (but this was a bit artificially inflated because it was the week that I ‘should have gotten’ my period; in reality, this was also the week I broke the 140 barrier / saw a couple of weights in the 130s for the first time ever in my adult life!). Non-scale victory: not a big flashy accomplishment, but I was pretty pleased when I felt basically fine / barely sore at all after doing the equivalent of about 90 pull-ups in one training session.

Week 8 average: 140.9 lb (but again somewhat artificially inflated, this time by being home for the holidays) Non-scale victory: non-gym-related, but: going home for 2.5 days for Christmas and meeting both of my goals, which were (1) getting my protein in every day and (2) eating and enjoying normal food without ‘cracking out’. I was also proud that I could recognize the exact moment (on the morning of the third day) when I was starting to lose my restraint, and was able to use the clock as a tool to reel myself back in.

Week 9 average: 138.7 lb Non-scale victory: there were three this week: (1) got my first truly RXed handstand push-ups (abmat + 25-lb plates), on New Year’s Eve, (2) did 50 burpees in 2:58 (!), and (3) did a set of 10 easy unbroken toes-to-bar that felt as though I could’ve kept going!

Week 10 average: 138.1 lb Non-scale victory: ‘graduated’ to performing official muscle-up attempts! I have all the ‘pieces’—five strict pull-ups, three strict dips, sharp transitions on the low rings, strong hollow swings on the high rings—I just have to figure out the combination of mental cues that allows me to put it all together.

Week 11 average: 137.2 lb Non-scale victory: sets of two RXed HSPU in an EMOM setting—that actually felt dramatically easier than the singles I had done two weeks prior! Also, coach started programming my wallballs with the 20# ball—which I obviously despise, but also secretly love, because it feels like a vote of confidence. :)

Week 12 average: 135.4, with a nadir of 133.7 lb (!!!) Non-scale victory: sets of 3-4 unbroken false grip ring pull-ups (which feel weird and uncomfortable, but several of the boys in the gym spontaneously commented on how good they looked and how “you just add a little kip in there, and [you’ve got your muscle-up]!”, which felt really good to hear. :)

…I’ll soon link this post back to the fuller/longer one detailing more of the multidimensional ins and outs of this second cut, but thought that the above timeline deserved its own section (in the interest of partitioning the various aspects into manageable ‘chunks’, rather than writing my usual rambly novel :)).

I’m very much looking forward to maintenance—to sleeping through the night again, to having more than one tablespoonful of peanut butter per day, to NOT feeling freezing cold all the time, to watching my butt and legs reappear, to having creamer in my coffee once in a while—but honestly, the biggest reason is that I truly cannot wait to ‘feel strong’ again. This cut has served its purpose and I’m grateful that I tackled it when I did, and with the degree of dedication that I did—but, as CrossFit athletes, we ‘specialize in not specializing’, and I have felt rather one-dimensional for the vast majority of the past year. Objectively, I’ve knocked FORTY POUNDS off my bodyweight in the past 11 months (whaaaaat?!?)—so now let’s see about sticking some of that weight back onto the barbell, shall we? :)

[aloveafare]

Quick to make Thai Style Turkey Meatballs

These meatballs are made with lemongrass, ginger, hoisin sauce, and Panko breadcrumbs. And to add to the bevy of flavors we serve it with a homemade 6 Ingredient Thai peanut sauce.

Growing up we rarely ate meatballs. It just wasn’t on the radar. As an adult, I found out how easy they are to make and I put them in the rotation in the cooler months. The weather is starting to change over to chilly nights and that means more comfort food that doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or time. This dish is it. And don’t get me started on the homemade peanut sauce. Ok, well you can!  It has a creamy texture and is ideal for dipping. Add a bit of cilantro for garnish and a lime wedge for some green on the plate. Presentation is so important when serving appetizers. 

Makes 18-20 meatballs

INGREDIENTS for Thai Style Turkey Meatballs

1.2-pound package ground turkey

1 tablespoon sesame oil

2 cloves chopped garlic

1 tablespoon lemongrass stir in paste ( I buy this one) or use fresh lemongrass

1 tablespoon ginger stir in paste ( I buy this one) or use fresh ginger

1-2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

½ cup Panko breadcrumbs (can substitute for regular breadcrumbs)

3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1 teaspoon salt

sprinkling of pepper

extra cilantro for garnish and a few lime wedges

INGREDIENTS for 6 Ingredient Thai Peanut Sauce

½ tablespoon ginger paste ( or use fresh ginger )

1 small garlic clove

½ cup creamy peanut butter

2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari

juice from 1 lime

1 teaspoon maple syrup

½ cup water

Makes approximately 1 to 1 ½ cups of sauce

DIRECTIONS for Thai Style Turkey Meatballs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. To make the meatballs add all ingredients to a large bowl. Mix until combined. Using a tablespoon scoop out a ball of meat and roll into a ball. Place each on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until meatballs are fully cooked and the internal temperature of meatballs reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Serve with Thai Peanut Sauce and a lime wedge.

DIRECTIONS for 6 Ingredient Thai Peanut Sauce

Place all ingredients into a high powered blender and blend until smooth. This will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

[appletable80-blog]

falafel

Until recently, if you’d asked me if I ever wanted to make falafel at home, I’d have said “sure, one day” but what I meant was “nah, why bother?” I was certain that falafel was fussy to make and had a long ingredient list. It probably related in some way to a fritter, meaning that it was bound with eggs and flour, and probably had breading on it too, all pesky steps and this is even before you get to the peskiest of all: deep-frying them. I figured that it’s one of these things that there as many recipes for as there are people who make it, thus whatever I came up with would be wrong by default – too firm or too soft, with chickpeas instead of favas or vice-versa — no matter what. But this isn’t the whole truth. The fact is that below 14th Street, there are two locations each of Taim and Mamoun’s every time I even distantly considered whether I needed a homemade falafel recipe in my life, I knew I could get a perfectly executed sandwich in my hands before I even wrote out a grocery list.

Hey, I’m not proud of this. I pride myself on being a curious person in the realm of cooking so it’s pretty pathetic that I had falafel all worked up in my head as this highly complex thing and never once, you know, read a few recipes. Had I, I’d have learned many extremely cool things about falafel such as the fact that while you do need to start with dried chickpeas (come back!), you don’t even have to cook them, or not in the classic long-simmered way, to make it. You soak them overnight in cold water, grind them up with seasonings and herbs, pack them into spoonfuls, fry them in less than an inch of oil in merely a few minutes, and that is it. There’s no egg. There’s no breading. It’s vegan, it’s gluten-free, it’s dirt cheap, and it’s easy, I mean criminally easy, to make. And I had to do it immediately.

In real life, however, I waited until the first night of Hanukah for two reasons, one, fried food is basically the only rule of the holiday, and two, a family member has recently gone vegan and I weirdly love the challenge of trying new menus (obviously, the meal ended with this cake). Making falafel for 10 people was so easy, I had spare time to kill and so I decided to make pita bread too. Okay, I’m a little nuts but the fact is that 90% of storebought pita is dry and terrible and even the worst homemade pita, the couple that refuse to puff or puff erratically, as you see here, is still delicious.

Previously

One year ago: Dutch Apple Pie Two years ago: Union Square Cafe’s Bar Nuts, Homemade Irish Cream, Three years ago: Pull-Apart Rugelach and Tres Leches Cake + A Taco Party Four years ago: Decadent Hot Chocolate Mix and Gingerbread Biscotti Five years ago: Sugared Pretzel Cookies and Eggnog Florentines Six years ago: Cashew Butter Balls Seven years ago: Caesar Salad Deviled Eggs Eight years ago: Iced Oatmeal Cookies Nine years ago: Cream Biscuits, Coffee Toffee and Vanilla Roasted Pears Ten years ago: Feta Salsa and Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting and Cranberry Vanilla Coffee Cake Eleven years ago: Tiramisu Cake, Rugelach Pinwheels and Chicken and Dumplings Twelve years ago: Blondies, Infinitely Adaptable, German Pancakes, and Winter Panzanella

And for the other side of the world: Six Months Ago: Linguine and Clams 1.5 Years Ago: Grilled Pepper and Torn Mozarella Panzanella and Crispy Spiced Lamb and Lentils 2.5 Years Ago: The Consummate Chocolate Chip Cookie, Revisited, Charred Eggplant and Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad, and Strawberry Milk 3.5 Years Ago: Crispy Frizzled Artichokes and Saltine Crack Ice Cream Sandwiches 4.5 Years Ago: Coconut Brown Butter Cookies and Pasta and Fried Zucchini Salad

Falafel

Servings: Makes 19 falafel fritters, for 4 to 6 pitas sandwiches

Time: 30 minutes plus an overnight and 30 minute rest

Print

I know many of us dread frying foods but for whatever it’s worth, making falafel involves none of the headaches that other fried foods do. You don’t need a lot of oil (3/4″ depth is fine.) You don’t need to stress over anything burning on the outside while still being unsafe to eat (fried chicken, I’m looking at you) in the middle. You don’t need to use an entire roll of paper towels and every counter in your home to drain the falafel because they weirdly don’t pick up much oil at all. In fact, I measured the oil I used before and after making falafel and found that each ball picked a scant half-teaspoon of oil. You put 3 to 4 in a pita. They are shockingly unheavy and ungreasy.

This makes 19 pieces of falafel about 1.5 inches in diameter, using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop to measure. I estimate 3 to 4 for each medium-large pita sandwich portion, to make 4 to 6 total, but we preferred only 3 in each. This recipe scales easily; I’d recommend doubling it for a crowd or even just to stock your freezer for a future falafel night.

1/2 pound (1 1/4 cups or 225 grams) dried chickpeas

1/2 a large onion, roughly chopped or 1 cup chopped scallions

2 to 4 garlic cloves, peeled (I use 4 but adjust to your tastes)

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, if you’re measuring, or a big handful

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, if you’re measuring, or a big handful

1 teaspoons fine sea salt or 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes or mild ones such as urfa biber or Aleppo

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Peanut or vegetable oil for frying

To serve: Pitas, tahini sauce (below), tomato-cucumber salad, harissa (homemade or storebought) or another hot sauce (such as zhoug), and any pickled vegetables you wish, such as cucumbers, red onion, or mango (amba)

The night before: Place chickpeas in a large bowl and add enough water to cover them by a few inches. I like to put 1 tablespoon of kosher salt per pound of chickpeas in this water too; it will not toughen the beans or slow down their cooking time, it simply seasons them. Let the chickpeas soak overnight.

An hour or so before you’d like to eat falafel: Drain the chickpeas well. In the bowl of a food processor or a really strong blender, place the onion, garlic, and herbs and pulse the machine until they’re coarsely. Add the drained chickpeas, salt, and spices and process until blended to a fine chop but not pureed. You’re looking for a texture like cooked couscous plus some slightly larger bits throughout. You should be able to pinch it together into a shape that holds.

Transfer chickpea mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic, and place in refrigerator for a few hours, if you have it, but I find even 30 minutes is helpful in getting the mixture to thicken and hold shape better. [This is when I like to get everything else ready.]

To shape the falafel: Form the chickpea mixture into walnut-sized balls. You could use a falafel scoop, if you have one, tablespoon measuring spoon, or even a cookie scoop, as I did. The most important thing is that you press it into the scoop tightly to compress the ingredients, then gently roll it in the palm of your hands to form a ball. Repeat with remaining chickpea mixture. (If you’re like me, you imagine you can just do this as you add them to the pan, but they cook so quickly, you’ll be happy to not have to multitask. Trust me.)

To cook the falafel: Heat 3/4 to 1-inch of oil in a medium-large frying pan to 375°F. Fry about 6 falafel fritters at a time, turning them over once they’re a nice toasty brown underneath, and removing them once the second half has the same color. This took me about 3 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels and repeat with remaining fritters.

[Don’t have a thermometer? Well, 375 is very, very hot. It takes my frying pan of oil on high heat about 5 minutes to reach this temperature. You can also test a small ball; if it cooks in about 3 minutes, it’s probably about the right temperature.]

To serve: I like to split open a pita and start with a little tahini sauce (below) and a spoonful of salad at the bottom before adding 3 to 4 falafel fritters. Stuff and finish with a more generous scoop of tomato-cucumber salad, more tahini sauce, a hot sauce of your choice, and pickles, if you wish.

Some extended notes:

To make tahini sauce: I have trouble nailing down precise measurements measurements for tahini sauce because you really want it to taste, and tahinis vary between brands. But, it’s roughly this for this amount of falafel: 1/2 cup well-stirred tahini + 1 clove garlic, minced or finely grated + Juice of half a lemon, plus more to taste + salt, to taste + water, as needed, to thin tahini into a sauce. It’s not strange to need at least as much water as you do tahini to keep it loose and spoonable, but I add it a tablespoon at a time, whisking to combine, tasting along the way.

Some falafel recipes contain flour (to make it heavier and more firm), some contain baking powder (for fluff), but after making a batch with both, I found I preferred the purist route, with neither. Should you wish to add flour, add 1 tablespoon at time, frying off a ball after each addition until you get the texture you wish, not going further than 4 tablespoons or it will be excessively leaden. To add baking powder, you could use 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons for the whole recipe below, but personally, I found the change in fluffiness nominal, and the texture without it not lacking at all.

I’d forgotten how easy it is to make pita bread and have proceeded to make it 4 more times in two weeks, sometimes for falafel and other times just to go with a really great soup or stew. The recipe was fine as written but I’ve cleaned it up and simplified it because it’s easier than it made it sound. They rewarm well or can be kept warm in a basket lined with a napkin or cloth towel for a while. You know you wanna.

You guys, I am that weird home cook that finds chopping things cathartic which is why in the 10 years since my mother-in-law bought me one of these (she uses it to make picture-perfect Salad Olivier and vegetable soups), I hadn’t once used it. Well, I looked at the great mass of cucumbers and tomatoes I wanted to chop on Hanukah and decided there was no time like the present to give it a spin. It bashed up the tomatoes a bit but I regret nothing.

Source: https://smittenkitchen.com/2018/12/falafel/

[stempisces83-blog]

focaccia sandwiches for a crowd

Last year, Alexandra Stafford published a very good book about bread. It sprang from a recipe for the peasant bread her mother made often when she was growing up. When she shared it on her site, it went viral, which is no surprise given that it’s no-knead, comes together in under five minutes, rises in about an hour, and after a brief second rise, you bake it in buttered bowls that form it into a blond, buttery crusted bread that she boasts is “the antithesis of artisan.” Because there are no hidden tricks; no steam ovens, special flours, lames to score the crust, or bannetons to shape the loaves. Her central tenet is that “good bread can be made without a starter, without a slow or cold fermentation, without an understanding of bakers’ percentages, without being fluent in the baking vernacular: hydration, fermentation, biga, poolish, soaker, autolyse, barm.” (None of those words appear in the book.) She knows that there are a lot of no-knead breads out there, but this is the only one that can be started at 4pm and be on the dinner table at 7.

I realize you’re thinking, as I briefly worried before I read it, how does one write an entire cookbook based on one recipe? But Stafford is a gifted recipe developer, and there isn’t a thing in this book — one part breads (with all types of flours, grains, and shapes, including pizzas, flatbreads, rolls and buns), one part toasts (including sandwiches, tartines, stratas, panzanellas, soups, summer puddings and so much more), and one part crumbs (a celebration of crunchy gratin toppings, stuffing, burgers, eggplant parmesan, fish sticks, meatballs, and brown bettys) — that I didn’t want to make. (I suspect that having four kids to feed ensures that these recipes were vetted by the most finicky of reviewer classes.) It’s also a gorgeous book, with a focus and format that my inner, long-surrendered organized person finds deeply pleasing.

My favorite thing in the book, and the one that I come back to again and again, is using the core bread recipe to make a focaccia that can be split and filled to make a sheet pan’s worth of sandwiches.* File this under things I never thought about pre-kids but obsess over now: Picking up sandwiches to go to the beach/park/pool/wherever your summer weekend takes you for a family or group of friends can be staggeringly expensive. I might even forgive the price if the sandwiches were usually better, but I’m sorry-not-sorry, they’re usually not. Either the bread is lousy and processed to the hilt, or they just don’t make them the way I want them, which is heavy on the vegetables and with a good mix of fresh, salty, crunchy, and pickle-like ingredients. Let’s fix this.

Below is the recipe for the simplest, quickest focaccia you’ll ever need to make and several sandwich filling suggestions (many vegan, too) I hope you’ll find good jumping off points.

* If you have Smitten Kitchen Every Day at home (do you? I bet you’d love it, I’m just saying) you probably already know about my slab-sized sandwich fixation. In the book, I use roasted tomatoes and more to stuff a focaccia *before* it is baked, inspired by a foccia ripiena we ate in Rome several years ago. This is concept is similar, but there’s no need to pre-commit to fillings.

Previously

One year ago: Blackberry Blueberry Crumb Pie Two years ago: Summer Squash Pizza and Peach Melba Popsicles Three years ago: Raspberry Crushed Ice Four years ago: Three-Ingredient Summertime Salsa and Blueberry Crumb Cake Five years ago: Charred Corn Crepes and Burst Tomato Galette with Corn and Zucchini Six years ago: Pink Lemonade Bars Seven years ago: Tomato Salad with Crushed Croutons Eight years ago: Nectarine Brown Butter Buckle and Sweet and Smoky Oven Spare Ribs Nine years ago: Best Birthday Cake, Arugula Potato and Green Bean Salad and Peach and Creme Fraiche Pie Ten years ago: Garlic Mustard Glazed Skewers and Huevos Rancheros Eleven years ago: Quick Zucchini Saute

And for the other side of the world: Six Months Ago: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies and Slow-Roasted Sweet Potatoes 1.5 Years Ago: Broccoli Pizza 2.5 Years Ago: Spaghetti Pie with Pecorino and Black Pepper, Banana Puddings with Vanilla Bean Wafers, and Taco Torte 3.5 Years Ago: Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Biscuits and Charred Cauliflower Quesadillas 4.5 Years Ago: Garlicky Party Bread with Cheese and Herbs and Fennel and Blood Orange Salad

Focaccia Sandwiches for a Crowd

Servings: About 12 sandwiches

Time: 2 hours

Source: Bread Toast Crumbs

Print

Servings will vary by how you cut the focaccia, of course. Here I show 12 small/medium sandwiches. Depending on how hearty your fillings are, each person may eat 1 to 2 sandwiches.

You can choose your own schedule with this bread, by proving it for 1 to 1 1/2 hours at room temperature, overnight in fridge, or 10 hours at room temperature. For the last option, you want to make the bread with cold tap water.

To use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, add it directly to the lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar to proof it for 10 minutes (it will get foamy) and then add it below where you will the water.

For more of a traditional focaccia flavor, you can sprinkle 1 tablespoon chopped or minced fresh rosemary over the top with the salt before baking it.

4 cups (520 grams) all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon instant yeast

2 cups lukewarm water, made by mixing 1/2 cup boiling water with 1 1/2 cups cold water

4 tablespoons olive oil

Flaky sea salt

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast. Add the water. Using a rubber spatula, mix until the water is absorbed and the ingredients form a loose, sticky dough. Cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap and [choose your schedule]:

Quickest rise: Set aside in a warmish spot for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until doubled.

Overnight in fridge: Set inside your refrigerator overnight, about 8 to 10 hours.

Overnight at room temperature: For this method, you will need to use only cold, no lukewarm, water. Leave the bowl on your counter at room temperature for 10 hours.

When you’re ready to make your focaccia: Pour 3 tablespoons oil onto a rimmed sheet pan (can use a 13×18, or half-sheet pan, but if you have something more 11×17-ish, as I use here, will make for slightly thicker loaf; you can line it first with parchment paper for maximum nonstick security).

Heat oven to 425°F.

Using two forks, deflate the dough by releasing it from the sides of the bowl and pulling it toward the center. Rotate the bowl in quarter turns as you deflate, turning the mass into a rough ball. Use the forks to lift the dough onto the prepared sheet pan. Roll the dough ball in the oil to coat it all over.

Let dough rest for 20 minutes (for Quickest rise or Overnight at room temperature) or 1 hour (if you used the Overnight in the fridge rise, so it warms up) without touching it. Then, drizzle last 1 tablespoon of olive oil over and use your fingertips to stretch and press the dough to the edges, leaving it intentionally dimply. If your dough resists being stretched all the way, get it as stretched as you can, wait 5 minutes, and return to stretch it the rest of the way, repeating this rest if needed.

Sprinkle with flaky sea salt all over and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, checking in on the earlier end, until lightly puffed on top and golden and crisp underneath. Remove from oven and let cool completely (this will go faster if you transfer the bread to a cooling rack) before assembling sandwiches.

To make sandwiches: If you’d like, you can trim off the very outer edges — this exposes the crumb and makes it a little easier to halve. (I didn’t do this because I like to make things hard, also I like edges.) Stafford recommends you begin the halving process by cutting through each corner, then running the serrated knife through the short end until you get to the midway point, then starting from the other short end until I get to the midway point. A sharp, serrated knife is helpful. Try to keep your knife as parallel to the bread as possible. She says she finds if she hugs the top layer as opposed to aiming for the center, she gets a more even cut.

Some ideas for sandwich fillings:

Avocado + Crispy Kale [Shown]: First, crisp your kale. I used a 5-ounce clamshell of curly kale leaves, tearing out and discarding any thick ribs. Rub/toss them with 1 tablespoon olive oil, spread them on a large baking sheet in one layer, seasoned them with salt and pepper, and baked them at 375&#176F for 10 to 15 minutes, until crispy and just barely brown at the edges (keep an eye on it). Then, scoop out and slice 4 avocados, fan the slices across the bread and mash/spread them smooth. Coat with olive oil, lemon juice, flaky salt, and red pepper flakes (like we do here). Spread crispy kale over avocado.

Hummus + Cucumber + Pickled Carrots [Shown]: First, coarsely grate 1 pound of carrots. Pour 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup cold water, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 to 2 teaspoons (to taste) of granulated sugar over it and stir to combine. (You could also add mustard or dill seeds or fresh chile peppers here.) Chill in the fridge for as long as you have — 30 minutes, an hour, and up to a few days. Carrots will get more pickled the longer it soaks. To make your sandwiches, schmear the bottom half of the bread with about 1 1/2 cups hummus (storebought or homemade). Squeeze out little handfuls of pickled carrot and sprinkle this on as your next layer. For you final layer, use a y-peeler to shave long ribbons off 1 large (1/2 to 3/4 pound) seedless cucumber. Tousel these on top; season them with salt and pepper.

Walnut pesto + grilled zucchini ribbons (skip the parmesan in the pesto to make it vegan)

This grilled pepper and torn mozzarella panzanella, minus the croutons

This crunchy asparagus and egg salad

Pickled vegetable sandwich slaw + anything else you love on sandwiches

This salsa verde + any grilled or roasted vegetables

This zucchini carpaccio salad, as a sandwich filling

Any of the sandwiches from the archives

Many of the salads from the archives, such as this egg salad, this chicken salad (not vegetarian, of course), that chicken salad, or even (I love this as a sandwich) this chicken caesar, with the dressing spread on both sides of the bread, the chicken thinly sliced, and the romaine cut into thin ribbons. I wouldn’t be sad to have a broccoli or cauliflower slaw between bread, either.

Or, of course, endless slices of peak-season tomatoes + mayo + salt, or the same plus sliced mozzarella + basil pesto

Source: https://smittenkitchen.com/2018/08/focaccia-sandwiches-for-a-crowd/