freecycling

So I have some old throwpillows and a dog bed that Coco doesn't need anymore, and I thought to myself...NO ONE will want these, washed or not. But I just couldn't bring myself to throw into the trash where they'll end up in a landfill...

>>  Sidenote, did you know there is just a massive ocean landfill festering out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?  

Who do we think we are!??  So frustrating.

(For more info, go here.) <<

Back on topic.  Freecyle! Go to this website and see if your local area has a network!  If not, start one!  Such a cool idea.  This is the little blurb from their main website:

"The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,957 groups with 8,494,920 members around the world. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by local volunteers (them's good people). Membership is free." 

Check it out!  And if you're from Florida, this link has all the groups that are active here in our beautiful state!

Happy recycling! XO

Cake Pops!

Cake on a stick? Yes please.  

Back in January, Steven bought me this book:

...and I made the red velvet ones with cream cheese frosting and chocolate coating.

They were a big hit with everyone who tried them.  I, however, will not lie: I wasn't very impressed!

  One time is NOT enough to get the technique down, but I saw a lot of promise.   They were so much fun to make!  I was kind of sad when the process was over.  I will say this much - the book suggests that you use bakers chocolate, such as almond bark, to dip them in.  I don't like that stuff!  I think maybe if you dolled it up a little with some cinnamon, salt, cayenne, or a drizzle of caramel (depending on your cake/icing flavors) it would make a world of difference.  I mean literally, the whole world full of differences.  That stuff is just so sugary sweet!  The book also suggests candy coating - maybe it actually tastes a lot better...I wouldn't know, I went with what I could find!  It would probably be totally worth it to find it and order it online. 

The book is great though - so much good advice.  If you get it, read the whole thing before you EVER start trying to bake and roll and pulverize and mix and freeze...and well, there are a lot of steps...

I wish I had pictures to post of my adventure making them for the first time...I might have one somewhere....(useless!)

Anyway - my next attempt might be to make the Ice Cream Cone Sundaes Cake Pops!  Probably for myself.  To eat.  For my birthday :-) They're just precious and  the best part is they're supposed to look kind of drippy goopy and messy, just my style!  Who wants to join!?

Happy cake popping ;-)  XO

indulgence

In light of a heavy and stressful day, I decided to indulge a little bit...and I got more than I bargained for!  

First of all, did you know that Sephora gives away three free samples with every order? 

And that orders over $50 get free shipping?  

This may not be news to a lot of you, but apparently I've been living under a rock and had no idea...and the samples change daily!  They also carry Bumble & bumble now!  Furthermore, you can sign up for a gift registry!  

Pffttt who needs to register for china, crystal, or pots and pans when Steven and I can register for lip gloss, eyeshadow pallets, and cologne! ;-)   

Go get you some. 

XO

why hello!

Hectic could not even begin to describe my life since my last post.  I have no idea where I even left off.  I moved back to Florida from Colorado on May 14th and STILL haven't received my goods shipment (um yeah.) I've been to Pensacola from Orlando a few times, ordered my wedding dress, nailed down a TON of wedding details, visited Steve's parents, etc...it's just been a lot! 

OHHHHH and yesterday we found out we are going to be the proud aunt & uncle of a beautiful baby girl come October!!!!! 

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Regardless, I decided to post - not because I wanted to rant about how crazy things have been...but because I had a delicious breakfast!

I am sooooo not a breakfast food person.  I have to force it on myself.  As for making it healthy?  Let's just say I would be happy eating leftover lasagna or pork chops and mashed potatoes if I could - alas, I would weigh 397 pounds.  Give or take ;-)

 So this morning I tried a nod to berries and cream.  Berries & ricotta! (fat free of course - it's just made with skim milk instead.)

This is really complicated, so pay attention, ok?

***

>> Scoop 1/4 cup ricotta onto a plate - or bowl, some people like bowls better, I respect that.  Rinse strawberries and blueberries.  Hull and quarter strawberries.  Arrange on plate as desired.  Stuff your face. <<

It's so simple, so straightforward, and for every quarter cup of ricotta you get 13 g of protein.  Hello, yes, please, and thank you.

***

Now if you don't like ricotta but you like grits, here's another option for you!

First decide if you like your grits creamy or a little loose.  I'm a creamy girl.  This means you start with cold grits and water, as opposed to boiling the water first and then whisking in the grits.

I have a VERY hard time eating grits without butter, but you could always try smart balance or i think they even make butter extract or flavoring now, right next to your vanilla ;-)  And I always add some milk to my grits.  I like 'em shrimp n grits style at all times of day and night.  The secret here to getting some extra protein is to add about three tablespoons of eggwhites a couple minutes before they're done cooking.  It makes them a little fluffy but thick and VERY filling.  Like so filling you probably need a buddy to eat these with!

I tried this because my stomach does NOT like egg yolks and I soooo am not a big fan of just eating a straight up scrambled fried or poached egg.  Let me know what ya think :-)

XO