New Blog?

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that I am going through some life changes right now and that's one of the reason why I haven't posted much lately... I just haven't been putting much effort into my gardening and blogging. I don't feel it's fair to share all of my personal issues on the blog that is supposed to be about gardening.... so I have started a new blog called "Rock On Ruckus" that will take the job of my personal blog. Soooo... If you are interested, you can check it out, become a "follower" and I would gladly follow you back!

Thanks Everyone!

10 more Thank You's...

I am also thankful for: (Continued from here)

11... the way the kittens neck hair vibrates while she purrs.

12... avocado, corn, and cumin.

13... the hint of mint in my hot chocolate.

14... the smell of wood burning stoves in the air.

15... the rosiness of cold cheeks.

16... overdrive.

17... the moment a song pops into your head and you can't help but sing it for the rest of the day.

18... the feeling of relief.

19... girl talk.

20... auto save.

Whip It!

Halloween Costume!

Halloween is undoubtedly my favorite time of year! Unfortunatly, I work this Halloween weekend, so I wont get the opportunity to go to any parties or partake in festivities - and I work Halloween night too. I have decided to dress up for work as a pirate tho! Then when I ring in someones groceries, I can say "That'll be 14 shillings, yarr!" I even have a wooden parrot that I can bring to work as my 'pet'! When I told my boss my costume idea, she ended up bringing over some pieces to a pirate costume she had! Now all I need to find is a good pirate shirt. The one that she gave me looks like this:

I'd ideally like to find one that looks something more like these (a vest would be nice too):

I'm not going to wear a skirt cause I would just freeze my ass off, lol - Lets get serious! The costume that my boss lent me came with long black and white stripped pants that have fake boot legs at the bottom! So if I wear them with my all-black converse, I think they will actually look like boots! I have some long scarves I can tie around my waist if I cant find a cute kinda vest/shirt this weekend. I also have a red bandanna with black and white roses on it, and a cap with a skull and cross bone on it! I even have a plastic sword!

So, that's what I'm going to be this Halloween! What are you going to be?

(I'll post pictures after it's all said and done!)

What I found online...

Are you tired of reading about weight watchers yet? I have more info to share for those that are interested!

There are many calculators and food lists for the weight watchers point systems online. Not that I want to cheat the system - but to be honest, the weight watchers website doesn't exactly say a whole lot about what my $85 is going towards (that is the first 3 months and start up fee) except the fact that I get to use their online tools. What do I get after I pay? How do I learn what foods are how many points? Is it only online? Do I get a book mailed to me for my at home reference? The user agreement online says that my subscription isn't transferable... does that mean if I'm not happy with the online system, that I wouldn't be able to switch to the in person meetings without paying again? So far the online weight watchers website has not been that great of a help. (Not to mention, I can think of a few better ways to spend that $85!!)

I have however found many helpful resources on other websites that may allow me to do it on my own. I found a write up here that shows you how to calculate your allowed points (I'm allowed 29, thats almost 10 per meal. Not bad!). I also found this helpful point calculator here so that you can keep track of everything. There are multiple food lists that other people have compiled online for quick reference, for example, here, and here. If you eat out at restaurants often, you can check points for menu items here. One site that has been helpful when looking for foods that I cant get the nutritional value for (when baking and such) is here. I can look up anything (eggs, spices, flour, fruits, veggies) input the Calories, Fat and Fiber into the calculator, and viola! Points.

I may even start compiling my own list with foods that I eat often for quick reference, and might start keeping a food/points journal that I can share with you - if you're at all interested! I'll start writing down everything I eat today anyways, and we'll see how many points I consume! Wish me luck!! I might need it!

Here is an example with the Whole Wheat Banana Muffins I made yesterday (this recipe can easily be halved):

Cream together:

1/2 cup butter (I didnt have any margarine left...) - 25 points (eek!)

1 cup white sugar - 16 points

Mix in:

3-4 bananas, mashed (I used 3) - 6 points

2 eggs - 2 points (I only had one egg, so I used 1 tbs of EVOO for the other one - 4 points + 1 point for the egg)

In a separate bowl, combine:

2 cups whole wheat flour - 16 points

1 tsp baking powder - 0 points

1 tsp baking soda - 0 points

1 tsp salt - 0 points

1/4 tsp cinnamon - 0 points

1/4 tsp nutmeg - 0 points

Stir wet ingredients into dry just until combined, then add:

1/2 cup chocolate chips - 12 points

1/2 cup walnuts - 6 points

Drop into 12 paper lined muffin cups, and bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Mmmmm delicious.

This recipe with my substitutions has a total of 86 points, which equals just over 7 points per muffin. Already I can see ways to bring down the point value, using margarine is a big one and maybe even just using walnuts or raisins instead of chocolate chips. Of course the EVOO didn't help out as much as I had hoped... Apparently I need to go grocery shopping! But they are delicious! And it was a lot easier than I thought to figure out the point value of everything with the help of the links I shared above!

So far this looks promising!