It's All Good

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Just received Gwennie's new cookbook (I love Amazon). So far, looks fantastic! I have been toying with going Dairy Free / Gluten Free. Not for any reason other than, I feel 110% when I do not eat dairy or gluten. I will keep you posted on how the recipes turn out. I plan on making a few this weekend. 

Click the photo credit to read a funny review. It was highly entertaining to read reviews of this cookbook. So many people have pretty intense feelings about GP. People either love or love to hate her. I happen to love her.

Our dinner tonight was gluten-free, dairy-free. Not a GP recipe, Whole Foods made it for me.

Salmon with Mango Salsa 

& Cajun Roasted Sweet Potato

xoxo

Chocolate Banana Almond Butter Smoothie

Chocolate Banana Almond Butter Smoothie

1 cup Silk Light Almond Milk

1 frozen banana

1 packet Justin's Classic Almond Butter

1 packet WW Chocolate Smoothie Mix (order here or available at WW)

Blend and enjoy. 

The frozen banana is the key. It functions as ice, but makes the smoothie so errrr smooth? Super creamy. I always keep frozen bananas on hand. Once the bananas get a bit too ripe to eat, I pop them in a freezer bag and toss them in the freezer.  Justin's is available in the jar, but I always buy the packets. That way they are always perfectly portioned and ready to go. I go with the classic, but the maple is equally yummy. This smoothie is perfect for a protein filled breakfast (17 grams!). 

Cheers!

National Dog Day

Scout has brought so much joy to our lives. She loves cuddling, giving kisses, and guarding her pack. She still does not bark or growl, but has a defensive stance when looking out the windows. She loves rolling in the grass, chasing bunnies, and trying to sneak a pinecone snack. She loves to cuddle with her favorite pink blanket and her raccoon (see above).

We love you, Scout!

Mini Goals for September

- finish Gone Girl

- begin new book (suggestions?)

- lose 10 pounds

- clean baseboards

- walk Scout daily

- 100 oz of water daily (or bust) (or is that literally bust?)

- fresh hair cut

- research granite options

- research back splash options

- attend mass weekly

cheers to the weekend, y'all!

Scout's Favorite Things

There are two ladies in this house. Scout is every part a ladylike, Southern Belle. Here are Scout's Top 10 favorites that she thinks your canine children will love too!

1. Nature's Logic "Canine Lamb Meal Dinner Fare"--- My girl does not enjoy gluten or funky synthetics. She LOVES Nature's Logic. 

2. Wholistic Pet "Wholecran Intense" --- Natural support for the urinary tract. Scout got several UTIs within the first weeks of being home. Since we started supplementing her diet with this 100% cranberry extract, she has never had another UTI.

3. Katie's Bumpers "Frequent Flyer" --- Made from durable fire hose material, this toy squeaks, flies, and floats. Durable, even for the most hardcore chewers (Scout). 

4. Westpaw Design "Bumi" --- Fun "S" shape that stretches to make tug of war more fun. 100% recycled material, BPA and phthalate free, non-toxic, and dishwasher safe. 

5. Deer Antlers --- No Southern dog's life is complete without a deer antler to chew on. Super durable and great for my girl.

6. Complete Natural Nutrition "Cheese Please" --- Scout loves these! They are (supposedly) yummy for humans, too. 

7. Lupine "Plum Blossom" Collar and Leash --- 100% guaranteed, even if chewed!

8. Gentle Leader "Easy Walk" Harness --- Great for our longer walks, this totally revolutionized our walks. It "gently leads" Scout in the ways of walking in a ladylike manner. Scout has the hot pink (obvi).

9. Dog is Good "Dogism" Treat Jar --- I swear she can hear it opening from across the entire house.

10. Unleashed --- All of these (and more!) can be found at Scout's favorite hangout, Unleashed. (see here). We love supporting local businesses and Scout loves the personal attention that she gets there. The staff are super knowledgeable and friendly. They heavily research any product that they put into their store. I tell my friends it is Scout's version of Whole Foods.

What does your dog love?

xoxo,

and Scout

Wifely Wednesday

Eric will basically eat anything that I put in front of him (within reason). However, this meatloaf is his absolute favorite. Recipe from "Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook". (get your's here) I try to select recipes that serve 4, so that Eric can have an extra serving if he is still hungry. That leaves 1 extra serving for a great leftover lunch option. 

Our Favorite Meatloaf

2 tsp canola oil

1 cup finely chopped white mushrooms

1 finely chopped onion

1 finely chopped carrot

1 pound extra lean ground beef

1/2 cup quick cooking oats 

2 large egg whites

3 Tbsp ketchup

1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce 

1/2 tsp dried thyme 

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

3 minced garlic cloves

1/4 cup tomato sauce

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Heat oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, and carrot; stirring, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to large bowl.

3. Add all remaining ingredients except tomato sauce to vegetables in bowl; mix well. Press meat mixture into loaf pan.

4. Bake for 30 minutes. Brush tomato sauce on top of loaf. Bake until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meatloaf registers 160 degree for well done, 30-45 minutes longer. Let stand about 5 minutes. Cut into 8 slices.

Serving Size is 2 slices (6 points). 

Bon Appetit, Y'all!

Health is Wealth

The new normal, the way I should have always been eating. It seems so obvious. Just eat less, move more. I find that it is so much more than that, especially as a Southern woman. We express (or seem to) all emotions and events with food. We grieve with food, we celebrate with food, we comfort with food, we mourn with food, food dulls boredom, the list goes on. At a certain point we have to realize that we are worthy of good, clean, healthy food. Eat to live, not live to eat.

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." --- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Breakfast
Oatmeal (Oat Fit from Oat Revolution - 3 points)
1/2 oz almonds or walnuts (Blue Almond - 2 points)
Banana (0 points)

Midmorning Snack
Chobani 0% Raspberry Yogurt (3 points)
Grapes (0 points)

Lunch
Leftovers or Smart Ones (5-7 points)
Steamable Veggies (0 points)

Midafternoon Snack
Popchips (3 points)
String Cheese (Part Skim - 2 points)

Dinner
Lean Protein (4 points)
Green Beans with Almonds (Green Giant - 1 point)

Snack
Weight Watchers Ice Cream Sandwich (4 points)

Daily Musts
100 oz of water (if I'm not tinkling every hour, I'm not doing it right).
Multivitamin
Walks with Scout
8 hours of sleep

Typical day has me at anywhere between 27 and 29 points. That is the best for me. I am supposed to have 26, but end up gaining on that little. Weight Watchers is the only sane way I see of doing things. I am down 35 pounds and hope to lose about 15 more. Again, we all know what to do and what to eat. It is a matter of making yourself and your health a priority. I have been up, down, and all around in my life. This go round I am emphasizing to myself that this is a lifestyle CHANGE. A permanent change. Not a diet. Not a fad. Not a quick fix. I deserve to be at my best.

xoxo