Every Now and Then...

...I just like to say it. I'M RIGHT! Ok, there are those who would say that I like to say it a lot. That may very well be true, or at least it may seem that way. Most of the time when I know I'm wrong, I just keep my mouth shut.

People (friends, coworkers, family) have been poo pooing me for weeks ever since I decided to remove processed sugar and processed flour from my diet. "Well that's just crazy!", they say. Well, thanks to a recent study and the New York Times, it turns our I'm not so crazy after all. Something I knew all along.

Check out this article from them regarding how all calories are not created equal. I found it fascinating and pretty much right in line with my way of thinking. I love it when main stream news sources agree with me!

Yep. you read it here!

In a nutshell, for those who don't feel like reading the entire article, they put 3 different groups of people on 3 different diets, yet all the diets consisted of  the same amount of calories consumed. One group was on the strict Atkin's Diet, another on the "Low Fat" diet that has been shoved down our throats for years, and the 3rd group on a low glycemic diet that cut out overly processed foods. The results? The 3rd group burned more of their calories and maintained that burn much more so than either of the other 2 groups. That, my friends, is why I have been able to shed almost 20 pounds in 2 months without doing a lick of exercise. Most importantly, I did it even while I was lying in a hospital bed. It's not hard!

Not trying to be preachy, just saying, "I'm RIGHT!"

Cookography: Pots De Creme

I can't take credit for this recipe, although I did augment it just a touch. I found it on one of my favorite Blogs, The Pioneer Woman Cooks. I made it for my families "Father's Day/Nieces Birthday" dinner this past weekend. As I've mentioned in the past, my family doesn't celebrate any holiday on the day that it falls...Oy!

Anyway, this quick and easy dessert was just what we needed.

Perfection!

You just can't go wrong with chocolate and whipped topping. These little gems took all of 10 minutes to create and all of 2 seconds to eat. You start with eggs, chocolate chips, a dash of salt, and your desired flavoring (I used Amaretto) in a blender.

The Oster of my heart!

You mix this on low until it's well combined. Then you take a cup of strong, very hot coffee and you pour it through the lid while mixing on high. The hot coffee melts the chocolate and tempers the eggs until you have chocolate goodness you just want to pour on someone and lick it off (I digress)! You then pour it into whatever vessels you have handy. I had these little deposable shot glasses just sitting around.

An empty shot glass is no good to anyone!

I also wound up grabbing these small ramekins for the excess.

The rest I drank from the blender.

Then your refrigerate them until they are set and serve them with your favorite whipped topping. I used the Cool Whip seasonal flavor, French Vanilla.

My Mom's Boston Creme Pie in the background. Also Yummy!

These were a total hit with the family. Well, except for the family members who don't ever drink coffee. They found the coffee taste too much. Those who drink coffee didn't notice the coffee flavor at all. They focused on the chocolate...as did I. In the end these are great low sugar desserts that pack a powerful chocolate punch without being overly sweet.

Hotter Than H E Double Hockeysticks!

As some of you might have heard, it's little warm here on the East Coast. As I was driving back from lunch today this is what I saw.

Yeah, almost 12:30pm. I better hurry.

OMG! 100 degrees!!! It's freaking June...we shouldn't have temps like this here until Mid-August! What is up with this weather???

Down the Primrose Path

I am a huge fan of blooming flowers, I just can't grow them. Thankfully I have The Hubby to grow them for me. These are Evening Blooming Primrose. Around 9pm every evening, you can stand at the plant and watch them bloom.

They smell good too!

It's like watching those time-lapse nature videos...only it's in real time. It's an amazing sight! Here is a video I filmed last evening.

Nirvana

On Saturday Tod and I went here...

Heaven on earth!

We don't have one in the area yet so we had to trek to Chamberburg. But it was well worth the trip. The Hobby Lobby is better than any craft store I have ever been to. Not only do they have the supplies for any craft project you might enjoy, but they also have a huge amount of home decor and accents, as well as, a bunch of furniture.

It's like Michael's and Pier 1 got married and had a beautiful child.

Fishy

It's time to talk about food again. Since I've given up processed sugar and flour, I have been looking for  food items I can enjoy that are quick and easy to prepare. Recently, I ran into these.

Yum!

I'm not a huge fan of fish. I think this is partly due to the number of breaded fish sticks I was force fed as a child. To this day, I can't eat breaded fish! I do enjoy a good fillet from time to time.

These individually packaged Tilapia fillets come packaged in their own little parchment envelope. All you do is place them on s baking sheet and throw them in the oven for 20-25 minutes. They heat and steam in the parchment pack and the sauce permeates the entire filet.

I enjoy them alone as a snack, or pair them with a vegetable to make a meal of them. Tastey, tender, and flaky!

I'm Seeing Spots

I love Pier 1. I remember when it was a great, cheap place to buy home accessories. Of course, now it isn't cheap anymore...they've gone up-scale. But you can still find some great stuff there. I usually shop the clearance sections. But these were not on clearance and I hope you can see why I had to have them.

I know! Right???

My dear mother made that runner years ago with fabric that I picked out. Now 4 years later, to find this glassware that works so well with it...providence! See why I had to buy them at full price. I just knew they would never make it to the clearance shelf. I think they will also make great tea light candle holders. I am all about things that can have a dual purpose. Sort of makes me feel like I got a 50% off coupon for them.

I know, I know...whatever I have to tell myself. I can rationalize just about anything!