tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48047262794979020442024-03-12T16:26:47.716-07:00Balance SaladHealth, wellness, weight loss, recipes, restaurant reviews, fitness, workouts, yoga, bootcamp, Pilates, Zumba, and much more!Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.comBlogger1206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-40858006122804816302022-12-17T06:23:00.001-08:002022-12-17T06:23:20.150-08:00Wholesome Carrot Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEIHbm9PetbO8znfLF0dp7TLsn91geCxg589jG9YfwrbI2sfQBUpPDP5ZjOrkfgDmskC10RSmTjqlMd9-qdd7V0ff98oSqrTjW0QhjY8gG-fOZNGSGcooGOj2QOYieuEVXTMYqZnH1XsQqJQJkgbWHoEmXJU8jNH0a-NxVxVYK5tC7jogSMLaXAy7fQ/s4608/IMG_20221216_105855554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEIHbm9PetbO8znfLF0dp7TLsn91geCxg589jG9YfwrbI2sfQBUpPDP5ZjOrkfgDmskC10RSmTjqlMd9-qdd7V0ff98oSqrTjW0QhjY8gG-fOZNGSGcooGOj2QOYieuEVXTMYqZnH1XsQqJQJkgbWHoEmXJU8jNH0a-NxVxVYK5tC7jogSMLaXAy7fQ/s320/IMG_20221216_105855554.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I found this recipe several decades ago in a cookbook for new moms. I have no idea who wrote this book. I made a copy of the recipe, filed it away in my binder, but never baked these cookies. Until today!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLwtDPnP92faa4h4wZxtklV_wPP4982UosP4ox6LtiqIn_2X1BUxhz6p9k3WIasSuCP7tQAuYejr8QvUT7Ro_9OGPJ1cPnsM85iuW65A1kC5_cTERR7U54dU5RymLv8QWke9qKkWaYFuFggHdiQ3UyTy71v8tUCItRgBIaEZCsIT7zlDOWpJxecBSYQ/s4608/IMG_20221216_105940485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLwtDPnP92faa4h4wZxtklV_wPP4982UosP4ox6LtiqIn_2X1BUxhz6p9k3WIasSuCP7tQAuYejr8QvUT7Ro_9OGPJ1cPnsM85iuW65A1kC5_cTERR7U54dU5RymLv8QWke9qKkWaYFuFggHdiQ3UyTy71v8tUCItRgBIaEZCsIT7zlDOWpJxecBSYQ/s320/IMG_20221216_105940485.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I know these are not your typical Christmas or Hanukkah fare. In fact, I'm baking today for the World Cup Finals on Sunday. We're watching the match at mom's and have invited a couple of friends to join us. My hubby will be baking some savory treats, while I'm in charge of the sweets. Since the match takes place in the morning, we are thinking about brunch-style fare. I will probably bake some scones as well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcBoM3BSCoLYAADTFgSKtvoGV9xkRLKTIv_fPzJgR_IUYrbjjHYzRLQuHnrkaRnm1i_E6xhF68up3kJ4ABPHQiZtsOkVPuzSvXgb1Gbj-vZmhfnkQiR8eMV-kwGirD9S_QH2jwCOXVohSjj1iLrDhxDd9gONa7NtFPon_5jOlXfRKtqiCYCZ9Zx9jgg/s4608/IMG_20221216_105920692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcBoM3BSCoLYAADTFgSKtvoGV9xkRLKTIv_fPzJgR_IUYrbjjHYzRLQuHnrkaRnm1i_E6xhF68up3kJ4ABPHQiZtsOkVPuzSvXgb1Gbj-vZmhfnkQiR8eMV-kwGirD9S_QH2jwCOXVohSjj1iLrDhxDd9gONa7NtFPon_5jOlXfRKtqiCYCZ9Zx9jgg/s320/IMG_20221216_105920692.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I had a pound of parsnips in the fridge, so I substituted those for the carrots in these cookies. Parsnips are very similar to carrots. Also a root vegetable, parsnips are white instead of orange and possibly even sweeter than carrots. They're not as common, so don't worry if you can't find them. I got ours at Trader Joe's, but carrots will be fine or even sweet potato!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Cvo999XyOlmzUh8q_Y7Cmx4U4N--7kVtn0kIQUT1HoXWWvducMHguEmpcfnIDGsf0gfCGyK6PdDzFqXcHU5BD5teKsD0cNFLifbEhlAkT5h6aCN3LU-VtbEJ_uj9KXrRhtZjBmvk7vvhPAs9aYzAzBsh7tAZb7PjTQOnN37VKZKFn7I21NJT1dDq1g/s4608/IMG_20221216_105901626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Cvo999XyOlmzUh8q_Y7Cmx4U4N--7kVtn0kIQUT1HoXWWvducMHguEmpcfnIDGsf0gfCGyK6PdDzFqXcHU5BD5teKsD0cNFLifbEhlAkT5h6aCN3LU-VtbEJ_uj9KXrRhtZjBmvk7vvhPAs9aYzAzBsh7tAZb7PjTQOnN37VKZKFn7I21NJT1dDq1g/s320/IMG_20221216_105901626.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I like my sweet treats to be on the healthy side. If you prefer yours to be decadent and naughty, this recipe might not be for you. In fact, I realized halfway through mixing up the dough that these cookies are vegan! Not my typical choice, but I went with it this time. In the future, I will probably add an egg to the mixture for a binder. I believe these cookies are a little tiny bit on the crumbly side.</p><p><u><b>Ingredients:</b></u></p><p>1 cup whole wheat flour</p><p>1 teaspoon baking powder</p><p>1/4 teaspoon sea salt</p><p>1 cup rolled oats</p><p>1/2 cup sunflower seeds</p><p>1/3 cup raisins</p><p>1 cup shredded carrot (or parsnip)</p><p>1/2 cup maple syrup (or brown sugar)</p><p>1/2 cup coconut oil </p><p>1 teaspoon pumpkin spice</p><p>Preheat oven to 350F.</p><p>In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Stir and set aside.</p><p>In a small bowl, beat together oil and syrup or sugar. Stir the liquid into the flour mixture and combine thoroughly. Using a wet spoon, scoop rounded teaspoonfuls onto a well greased baking sheet. Flatten dough balls slightly. Bake at 350F for about 12-15 minutes or until golden on the bottom. Cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to a cooling rack. Let cool completely. Store in the fridge. Makes about 1-2 dozen cookies.</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-65206599572653766612022-11-24T03:06:00.002-08:002022-11-24T03:06:42.391-08:00Absolute Easiest Pumpkin Pie Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSk-cielCxnf9c-JTl6yF7UjSDJ53lqKNQs9NMwKD-tQmUHnDHoo8u56lb2HQwenUFRvcoxvaP1PQ2uwqdGws1UAYvsyYJcWOV7egvrW-evCxATygYe_7yzohut1Kz8DOaCAdDctqCaNWn8gNj_Wt7sm-32KalLr7uUpwHNWnQ0louoEcckb6Zn6C_Q/s2592/IMG_20181121_115506940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="2592" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSk-cielCxnf9c-JTl6yF7UjSDJ53lqKNQs9NMwKD-tQmUHnDHoo8u56lb2HQwenUFRvcoxvaP1PQ2uwqdGws1UAYvsyYJcWOV7egvrW-evCxATygYe_7yzohut1Kz8DOaCAdDctqCaNWn8gNj_Wt7sm-32KalLr7uUpwHNWnQ0louoEcckb6Zn6C_Q/s320/IMG_20181121_115506940.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Happy Thanksgiving!!</p><p>After Hurricane Ian, it took me a few weeks before I could feel thankful for anything. Even though our home is perfectly fine--if you ignore the decimated hedge behind the house--I was shell-shocked. Our neighborhood was hit hard. Nothing compared to Fort Myers Beach, of course. But so many huge beautiful trees down, sheds blown away, roofs damaged, fences destroyed. As people cleaned out their soggy homes, immense piles of trash began lining all the streets. While many things have slowly improved, the trash piles remain. Our little piece of paradise still looks like a war zone.</p><p>But Thanksgiving has arrived and I have much to be grateful for. I have made several wonderful friends down here. I have found an awesome studio near my home where I teach yoga, qigong, and Pilates. My mom--the reason I moved to Florida--is going strong: healthy, happy, independent, and still sharp at 93 years young. Luna, my sweet Akita, has turned 11 and, despite frequent seizures, she enjoys 3 walks a day and playing with her stuffed monkey. My daughters will be visiting together for Christmas. So life is very good.</p><p>I'm cooking dinner today for my hubby, my mom, and her next-door neighbor. We're having a boneless turkey breast from Aldi, along with mashed potatoes (my husband's job), corn bread soufflé, brussel sprouts with ginger, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. I thought I could share the pie recipe as it is officially the easiest, fastest, and least hassled way to throw a homemade pie on the Thanksgiving table.</p><p><u>Ingredients:</u></p><p>1 prepared pie crust (I used a graham cracker crust, but you can use any kind!)</p><p>15 oz. can pumpkin puree</p><p>14 oz. can condensed milk</p><p>2 large eggs</p><p>2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice</p><p>Preheat oven to 350F. </p><p>Using an immersion blender, blend pumpkin, milk, eggs, and spice thoroughly. Pour into prepared pie crust. Bake at 350F for about 40-50 minutes. Pie is done when no longer liquid in the center. Let cool and then refrigerate. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-19280706371913050442022-09-19T05:27:00.001-07:002022-09-19T05:27:45.979-07:00Victoria Sponge Cake<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjuqjIMdfpn-LAy7Wh_hMjlWBk18vuVqcfZX-fO9QdLAElOaxhThbw7ySQJXeQBHYWXAZanJ3PoL3FCTWSpiTI1M7x4CzzpvZpB1LBYQEsn2pDEOs42wXWp05aI4l3rktB8GaQoBNtYV7WXBU-8L-edkZeKg7lNQOCb7e8N3iVrFJ2jqbuMrLXmRYJg/s4608/IMG_20220918_144902754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjuqjIMdfpn-LAy7Wh_hMjlWBk18vuVqcfZX-fO9QdLAElOaxhThbw7ySQJXeQBHYWXAZanJ3PoL3FCTWSpiTI1M7x4CzzpvZpB1LBYQEsn2pDEOs42wXWp05aI4l3rktB8GaQoBNtYV7WXBU-8L-edkZeKg7lNQOCb7e8N3iVrFJ2jqbuMrLXmRYJg/s320/IMG_20220918_144902754.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My mom turned 93 yesterday. I asked her what kind of cake she'd like for her birthday this year and she told me, "Victoria Sponge Cake." You might remember that my mother grew up in England. She has begun to crave all her childhood favorites lately. Last year she asked me to make this same cake and I refused. Why? Because this is a VERY BORING cake! But who knows how many birthdays my poor mother may have left, so I am no longer insisting on making a cake that the rest of us might also enjoy. <p></p><p>That's a bit of an exaggeration. I prefer a more interesting cake, like a carrot cake perhaps, but I'm sure we will enjoy this one!</p><p>This Victoria Sponge is a basic butter cake, usually served as a "sandwich" or layer cake. The middle layer always contains jam, often strawberry but since my mom is allergic to strawberries, we are using raspberry. I found a recipe posted by the BBC which called for buttercream in the center, in addition to the jam. I asked my mother about that and she said no to the buttercream. So we're doing a simplified version. Just 2 layers of sponge with jam in the middle. The top of the cake gets a light sprinkle of powdered sugar, and that's it. Do you see what I mean by BORING?</p><p>If you watch The Great British Baking Show (and we would never miss it!!) you will see the contestants make all kinds of variations on the sandwich cake, all of which are much more interesting. But those are not what my mom wants, so I am sticking with the basics.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ufChiEWF4N9qbColq6WDH3B6v4GkQwg_nXcH_etdyfegpqUuBgAAeHSY6c3sbsH6etFWwQk4OETpzhRNgsInLvZR4_qCzgmmZ0ug5If5My0TUf9yaZyTBT-U8ywcnwmI-I6CbEN_E7YwQO52nJqEdjWtNFxlX4aeHHtC4jUuz2yz7WUdBGcos068YA/s4608/IMG_20220918_084454674.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ufChiEWF4N9qbColq6WDH3B6v4GkQwg_nXcH_etdyfegpqUuBgAAeHSY6c3sbsH6etFWwQk4OETpzhRNgsInLvZR4_qCzgmmZ0ug5If5My0TUf9yaZyTBT-U8ywcnwmI-I6CbEN_E7YwQO52nJqEdjWtNFxlX4aeHHtC4jUuz2yz7WUdBGcos068YA/s320/IMG_20220918_084454674.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I halved the recipe and will only make one layer of sponge, then I will slice it in half. This is because I don't have 2 matching cake pans! If you are better stocked than I am, and wish to bake 2 layer cakes, just double the ingredients!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_6w3pty8LdpTXya7zXeG7VJbhIBTK6CQ-bbbrQpiIHqZaiCFobJaJndhU_1DUTk4OZuzZ9jqTecEzIYcxXHC8DVdrzBo1_Lwi1F0suPDhtQWykF-B749I_5CurRU19BExMVBRHvQC7NA17qx-KoffkIT-XFqq8I39CebeSwJfZQHc3hDKOP7uy6_xA/s4608/IMG_20220918_072421485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_6w3pty8LdpTXya7zXeG7VJbhIBTK6CQ-bbbrQpiIHqZaiCFobJaJndhU_1DUTk4OZuzZ9jqTecEzIYcxXHC8DVdrzBo1_Lwi1F0suPDhtQWykF-B749I_5CurRU19BExMVBRHvQC7NA17qx-KoffkIT-XFqq8I39CebeSwJfZQHc3hDKOP7uy6_xA/s320/IMG_20220918_072421485.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>One more hint: ingredients in British recipes are always listed by weight, not measured in cups. You will need a scale to properly measure. This is really important for baking!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZPmm8k47JDitZfNBqVPGFyDR_lF9manEFJ5-ZoVfa9m019-7xaao1I0t3dxPJ5DWDLjeqZIYFSJfB8rrZRH_SNB8u6MbM4fOkhZ1PpewgSTQGQNRUp7PaX2fsWFQtoEZhlo4N2fn5kYICAJFySroaNe3rGDNZEEuf2k1etCSQLPh3UO9EhStwhhcOw/s4608/IMG_20220918_072431631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZPmm8k47JDitZfNBqVPGFyDR_lF9manEFJ5-ZoVfa9m019-7xaao1I0t3dxPJ5DWDLjeqZIYFSJfB8rrZRH_SNB8u6MbM4fOkhZ1PpewgSTQGQNRUp7PaX2fsWFQtoEZhlo4N2fn5kYICAJFySroaNe3rGDNZEEuf2k1etCSQLPh3UO9EhStwhhcOw/s320/IMG_20220918_072431631.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h2 class="mb-md section-heading-1" style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: corporate-s, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; line-height: 1.9375rem; margin-bottom: 20px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; scroll-margin-top: 100px;">Ingredients</h2><section style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: corporate-s, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"><ul class="list" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 100px;"><li class="pb-xxs pt-xxs list-item list-item--separator" style="border-bottom-color: rgba(68, 125, 117, 0.1); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-top-color: rgba(68, 125, 117, 0.1); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; scroll-margin-top: 100px; word-wrap: break-word;">100g caster sugar</li><li class="pb-xxs pt-xxs list-item list-item--separator" style="border-bottom-color: rgba(68, 125, 117, 0.1); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; scroll-margin-top: 100px; word-wrap: break-word;">100g softened butter</li><li class="pb-xxs pt-xxs list-item list-item--separator" style="border-bottom-color: rgba(68, 125, 117, 0.1); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; scroll-margin-top: 100px; word-wrap: break-word;">2 eggs, beaten (I used duck eggs, which are very rich and yummy!)</li><li class="pb-xxs pt-xxs list-item list-item--separator" style="border-bottom-color: rgba(68, 125, 117, 0.1); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; scroll-margin-top: 100px; word-wrap: break-word;">100g self-raising flour</li><li class="pb-xxs pt-xxs list-item list-item--separator" style="border-bottom-color: rgba(68, 125, 117, 0.1); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; scroll-margin-top: 100px; word-wrap: break-word;">1/2 tsp baking powder</li><li class="pb-xxs pt-xxs list-item list-item--separator" style="border-bottom-color: rgba(68, 125, 117, 0.1); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; scroll-margin-top: 100px; word-wrap: break-word;">1 tbsp milk</li><li class="pb-xxs pt-xxs list-item list-item--separator" style="border-bottom-color: rgba(68, 125, 117, 0.1); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; scroll-margin-top: 100px; word-wrap: break-word;">1 cup good quality jam </li><li class="pb-xxs pt-xxs list-item list-item--separator" style="border-bottom-color: rgba(68, 125, 117, 0.1); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; scroll-margin-top: 100px; word-wrap: break-word;">confectioner's sugar to finish</li><li class="pb-xxs pt-xxs list-item list-item--separator" style="border-bottom-color: rgba(68, 125, 117, 0.1); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; scroll-margin-top: 100px; word-wrap: break-word;">Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a medium-sized round cake pan.</li><li class="pb-xxs pt-xxs list-item list-item--separator" style="border-bottom-color: rgba(68, 125, 117, 0.1); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; scroll-margin-top: 100px; word-wrap: break-word;">Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add one egg at a time and beat until incorporated. Add flour and baking powder. Stir gently. Add milk.</li><li class="pb-xxs pt-xxs list-item list-item--separator" style="border-bottom-color: rgba(68, 125, 117, 0.1); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; scroll-margin-top: 100px; word-wrap: break-word;">Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350F for about 25 minutes, until lightly browned on top and a skewer comes out clean. Let cool completely before slicing cake in half horizontally. Spread bottom layer with jam. Place top layer onto bottom layer and sprinkle lightly with confectioner's sugar. Serve with a pot of strong black tea imported from England. No other tea will do.</li></ul></section><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3CQu5Era_RwMk87QeGuSLxSq6p5A2ZNJlHBUcnfbzbaOyFKQrr9KzxmphdpwU_is1thLteL5Vg9sIwoRoP0kZXxh_ThSU36PF_w4m4j3x1srqbqUANmYphARrbHF65Af_SQyQ1xDbbTxu5f_VYfRaHrkVGU7VkbF3FWVZ5ESpgxu3dbYi5eM53dxkg/s4608/IMG_20220918_144902754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3CQu5Era_RwMk87QeGuSLxSq6p5A2ZNJlHBUcnfbzbaOyFKQrr9KzxmphdpwU_is1thLteL5Vg9sIwoRoP0kZXxh_ThSU36PF_w4m4j3x1srqbqUANmYphARrbHF65Af_SQyQ1xDbbTxu5f_VYfRaHrkVGU7VkbF3FWVZ5ESpgxu3dbYi5eM53dxkg/s320/IMG_20220918_144902754.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-31051957445517043802022-06-22T04:48:00.001-07:002022-06-22T04:48:19.320-07:00Banana Ketchup!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5sZXvTQViNQZwCvtIYn-tKJvpsFfLwjtEbBEWJ24QeDI9loaYJThfokxEAOIQMb21Pi0qEvYX5piznse0DWxp7uGXAstIESRdYdDwheuNrf3tqRqRQOF9XJSYrMZKSS1Kq6v3rlUFzQjysBPN4mM_qIoomfWNgTlTRC7DaVA2j0mCTKBzG2BW72aMA/s4608/IMG_20220621_142909641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5sZXvTQViNQZwCvtIYn-tKJvpsFfLwjtEbBEWJ24QeDI9loaYJThfokxEAOIQMb21Pi0qEvYX5piznse0DWxp7uGXAstIESRdYdDwheuNrf3tqRqRQOF9XJSYrMZKSS1Kq6v3rlUFzQjysBPN4mM_qIoomfWNgTlTRC7DaVA2j0mCTKBzG2BW72aMA/s320/IMG_20220621_142909641.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>That's right! You can make ketchup out of bananas!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOawLle2uadnGxa7nqo1xhOPsVvftqvMTRihEZsZtOsf9TcdhDo4QodAvDEbnYnTwMyXMJHbVECWy3OKctepL6payuncM1o3Bkg_0iGfrNltZIyuj-lJ5qvA9Ij3Tw5A2Q5KwKx2crFSkMQxuIkr8Txb5LOpuwPU9t30wmFaELhkQM9txIruRq1HuaA/s4608/IMG_20220621_142841896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOawLle2uadnGxa7nqo1xhOPsVvftqvMTRihEZsZtOsf9TcdhDo4QodAvDEbnYnTwMyXMJHbVECWy3OKctepL6payuncM1o3Bkg_0iGfrNltZIyuj-lJ5qvA9Ij3Tw5A2Q5KwKx2crFSkMQxuIkr8Txb5LOpuwPU9t30wmFaELhkQM9txIruRq1HuaA/s320/IMG_20220621_142841896.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Right now, in my tiny back yard, my dwarf banana is blooming for the very first time. This plant was a gift from my mother's neighbor Annamarie who has since passed away. She was a plant expert and a nature lover. She warned me that my banana would only produce fruit if I put it in the ground. She had many banana plants in pots, but they never flowered. My husband was dead set against putting this banana in the ground for reasons unknown, so it took me quite a while to convince him. Once it finally made its way into the soil, my beautiful banana plant became happy and healthy and soon flowered! I am beyond excited! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAkEncB5Pvg-Zs5t5zZD1b4zsLBmhDsw75F4IVbnZ12hqDAwIZiUNqL9ChruotuD-sok4m20py4z4ckt7bc0XMSLAhMZ5arzPhExYxrD779SS96vnNyaIqZZqo3U6ZoKzq3JgZZ1_jv419ZZPW54gZrcFY3FCYdMWgHWWpjxyk53ivEbiT3A4fcH6lA/s4608/IMG_20220605_144550723_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAkEncB5Pvg-Zs5t5zZD1b4zsLBmhDsw75F4IVbnZ12hqDAwIZiUNqL9ChruotuD-sok4m20py4z4ckt7bc0XMSLAhMZ5arzPhExYxrD779SS96vnNyaIqZZqo3U6ZoKzq3JgZZ1_jv419ZZPW54gZrcFY3FCYdMWgHWWpjxyk53ivEbiT3A4fcH6lA/s320/IMG_20220605_144550723_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>My mom also has a dwarf banana plant which is currently a little further along in banana production. Since she's not a huge fan of bananas, she gave me her entire crop last summer, which had to have been more than 50 bananas, all of which ripened on the same exact day. I am now using up the final bananas that have been in my freezer for a year or so...</p><p>Hence my joy when I recently discovered this recipe for banana ketchup on the Serious Eats website. I adjusted the recipe slightly, eliminating the rum and reducing the honey as my bananas are very sweet.</p><p>Banana ketchup is simple to make, takes less than an hour from start to finish, and mostly includes ingredients you probably have in your household at this moment. My version tastes fairly sweet, slightly tangy, and a little bit spicy. You could tweak the recipe to reduce the sweetness by eliminating the honey, increase the tanginess by upping the vinegar, and play up the spiciness by increasing the ginger, jalapeño, or other spices! In other words, make it your own.</p><p><u>Ingredients:</u></p><ul class="structured-ingredients__list text-passage" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Inter, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; line-height: 1.59; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px;"><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tablespoons</span> extra virgin olive<span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> oil</span></p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1/2 cup finely chopped <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">sweet onion</span> (about <span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">small</span> onion)</p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoons</span> <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">minced garlic</span> (about 2 medium cloves)</p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded jalapeño (about <span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">small</span> <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">jalapeño</span>)</p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoons</span> freshly grated <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ginger</span></p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ground turmeric</span></p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ground allspice</span></p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1 1/4 cups mashed ripe bananas (about <span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">4</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">large</span> <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">bananas</span>)</p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cup</span> apple cider <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">vinegar<br />1 tablespoon honey</span></p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tablespoon</span> <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tomato paste</span></p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tablespoon</span> <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">soy sauce</span></p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.25rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">salt</span>, plus more to taste</p></li><br />In a large saucepan, warm the olive oil over low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent. Add the pepper, garlic, and spices. Stir for a few minutes until fragrant. Add all the rest of the ingredients. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 15 minutes. Using an immersion blender or food processor, blend thoroughly to create a smooth paste. Let cool slightly. Taste for seasoning and add more salt if needed. Store in glass jars in fridge for up to 2 weeks. Makes about 1 pint.</ul>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-72866086898858238252022-06-08T04:59:00.002-07:002022-06-08T05:14:41.377-07:00Alpine Steakhouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH4bVYOtAXz4lfXeddcFpVUN3Zc9nqNDYMxm5yMP4FznMo_CFvhlTZ7cf9hNw4PGNMof2dwQVovqjmiswIyzuZVeBVi_YvfGD0PvP1DOtgKbycYi1_WVEqalRhy64ph0BcX0Y0wFyz2Xa4DceSED_qv82uceuvQcwdDw_c-_NSLsPwi-LpxFSrAMfuQ/s4608/IMG_20220607_143408321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH4bVYOtAXz4lfXeddcFpVUN3Zc9nqNDYMxm5yMP4FznMo_CFvhlTZ7cf9hNw4PGNMof2dwQVovqjmiswIyzuZVeBVi_YvfGD0PvP1DOtgKbycYi1_WVEqalRhy64ph0BcX0Y0wFyz2Xa4DceSED_qv82uceuvQcwdDw_c-_NSLsPwi-LpxFSrAMfuQ/w400-h300/IMG_20220607_143408321.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>This year's birthday celebration lasted almost a week, and included several birthday dinners, lunches, burgers, and desserts. We concluded the gluttony yesterday at Alpine Steakhouse in Sarasota.</p><p>One of my yoga students said this place had the best burger she had ever tasted. And then my mom told me about their Tuesday burger special: $6 for a burger at lunchtime. My birthday happened to fall on a Tuesday, so the stars aligned! We had to drive up to Sarasota anyway, to pick up my mom's dog, so we figured we'd give this joint a try.</p><p>I have to admit, I take burger recommendations with a large grain of salt. I have visited and reviewed many burger joints that friends have suggested. And almost all have been disappointing. If you ask me where to get the best burger in Venice, I will tell you I haven't found a decent burger here yet. Sarasota is a little better. Shakespeare's English Pub has a great burger, but the fries are very mediocre.</p><p>How does Alpine Steakhouse rate? Absolutely fantastic!</p><p>First off, this is not a "fancy" burger. This is not an upscale, gourmet burger. This is your basic American staple done perfectly. Cooked to order. The juiciest burger I've had in ages. So fresh. And you can get it on Tuesdays for $6 at lunch. Or $10 if you want a side. </p><p>It was my birthday so I went for the side. I chose the parmesan truffle fries because I like to live dangerously. I am almost always disappointed by fries. I hate when they are dried out, cooked to death, basically tasteless. I want some actual potato flavor. And these fries were awesome! Coated in a generous sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan cheese, crispy on the outside, still moist in the middle.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xBRsEgcWUM7yAGnmcfddYEI7DUbGciFiPcKHw2Nx4Uk7Ika5AKLjjk5JJyj3yIW535VPrlDMMas5LZAU_attxwZnONfMby8KnmXMtPTGRL3Xj9Nq-VypF5lwKshdZe44T87QKXZPlCT5GXVf0Sc6S_T_cqf8qvukA1ZLggfPSXMNESr17Gt7EjSvTQ/s4608/IMG_20220607_143355907_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xBRsEgcWUM7yAGnmcfddYEI7DUbGciFiPcKHw2Nx4Uk7Ika5AKLjjk5JJyj3yIW535VPrlDMMas5LZAU_attxwZnONfMby8KnmXMtPTGRL3Xj9Nq-VypF5lwKshdZe44T87QKXZPlCT5GXVf0Sc6S_T_cqf8qvukA1ZLggfPSXMNESr17Gt7EjSvTQ/w400-h300/IMG_20220607_143355907_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>My hubby chose the onion rings. These were super juicy on the inside, fried in a luscious batter that reminded me of the county fair. They come with a yummy dipping sauce on the side.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY75WqnZO6VHwMEM-LOb4W0go2Nho4Ldsh4Qnu4CLTC2GJlmTRtxHMJP8ELPCC599EzPy3STUJRtZndfEMfeHC_bHyPNbCj3WbFsg0ph149y-ol54qkcrTMG73psUTevutMl0etsaEGZyn5vWfmGryRIhugPlpTPP2shqAAuQSRKyS5zQzGT3YcTOvA/s4608/IMG_20220607_142305296_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY75WqnZO6VHwMEM-LOb4W0go2Nho4Ldsh4Qnu4CLTC2GJlmTRtxHMJP8ELPCC599EzPy3STUJRtZndfEMfeHC_bHyPNbCj3WbFsg0ph149y-ol54qkcrTMG73psUTevutMl0etsaEGZyn5vWfmGryRIhugPlpTPP2shqAAuQSRKyS5zQzGT3YcTOvA/w400-h300/IMG_20220607_142305296_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We couldn't possibly think of dessert after this meal, so I can't report on that. But the place is totally adorable. The decor is a combination of 50s diner meets rustic hunting lodge. The booths are lined with cowhide! There's a full service deli and butcher shop where you can purchase housemade sausages, hand-cut steaks, and their speciality: turducken!</p><p>Alpine Steakhouse is a Sarasota treasure. We will definitely be back!!</p><p><br /></p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-64950163792642486712022-06-05T05:33:00.000-07:002022-06-05T05:33:01.778-07:00The Absolute Best Carrot Cake!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5XOdJ0N0PxbMIi8bvK7gCpO2T92ZtQ1PyeV9nSQ0UWgQujRhQngVlx4iL7RCJlX0sSV1_BD13S3x81t24-EPQLubkKcLwiRJfUs5xn1JlSIusY7ZniIsMxrFm-7PaTaw8lHTUkLveKgtUZlCGvomFEYCAffdpG4jSrLN04VcBaDpEHM43p5wJQ_I9w/s4608/IMG_20220604_184157873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5XOdJ0N0PxbMIi8bvK7gCpO2T92ZtQ1PyeV9nSQ0UWgQujRhQngVlx4iL7RCJlX0sSV1_BD13S3x81t24-EPQLubkKcLwiRJfUs5xn1JlSIusY7ZniIsMxrFm-7PaTaw8lHTUkLveKgtUZlCGvomFEYCAffdpG4jSrLN04VcBaDpEHM43p5wJQ_I9w/w400-h300/IMG_20220604_184157873.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I know, I know. You can't believe I'm posting another decadent recipe. But listen. It's CARROT cake. And it's my birthday, so I had to have a cake, right? And this one is a gem. Truly the best carrot cake you will ever taste, and this is no exaggeration. Plus it's easy to make.</p><p>The only part that I can't stand is grating the carrots. And they must be grated. If you have a food processor with those disc attachments then you are all set. Or if your husband, like mine, doesn't mind using a hand grater. I hate those things. I always end up cutting up my knuckles.</p><p>I've been celebrating my birthday early this year. My wonderful yoga students took me out for a delicious lunch. And we had a lovely dinner last night at our friends' home. I brought this carrot cake. Everyone agreed that it is the best ever. And so easy! Did I mention that?</p><p>I think this cake would be fantastic even without the cream cheese frosting. But it's traditional, so I added it. If you prefer your cake naked, this is the cake for you!</p><p>I found the original recipe in a massive cookbook called The Best Recipe. I got rid of almost all my cookbooks when I moved to Florida, but this one is a keeper. It contains recipes for everything from soups and salads to desserts. Written by the staff of Cooks Illustrated, it is the last word on how to prepare almost everything. I cut the recipe in half because I didn't need a giant sheet cake. You can easily double my recipe to make a 9 x 13 sheet cake instead of a single round layer.</p><p><u>Ingredients:</u></p><p>1 and 1/4 cup all purpose flour</p><p>1 teaspoon baking powder</p><p>1/2 teaspoon baking soda</p><p>1/2 teaspoon salt</p><p>1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice </p><p>1/2 pound grated carrots</p><p>1 cup raisins</p><p>1/2 cup brown sugar, packed</p><p>2 large eggs, beaten</p><p>3/4 cup avocado oil (or coconut oil, melted)</p><p>Preheat oven to 350F. Grease or spray a round cake pan and set aside.</p><p>Sift dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.</p><p>In a food processor or small bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until well combined. Add the oil in a slow stream, beating as you add, until the mixture is completely emulsified. Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring gently. Fold in carrots and raisins. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake at 350F for about 30 minutes or until the top begins to brown. Let cake cool on a rack in the pan for about 2 hours before turning it out. Makes about 8 servings.</p><p><br /></p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-24569044476554301832022-06-01T05:11:00.001-07:002022-06-01T05:11:09.424-07:00Apricot Almond Scones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPRRPm33eN_3zgLenkLZ0CWbXhCFYZHDZzIUiYNl704i4mNM9jrIPhyibIRP3mLcPP2D9wn15bVoPCzkdPhySs8b4210rF4lCtFAA3-MVpQnRRS6ZbnhdFuPWaAeJUtMCG--eZswP0aFsAyuS_Owdz3iUQbALQzEcWHDekG9tjTYgCSfLNzKyLqoeEA/s4608/IMG_20220515_112713714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPRRPm33eN_3zgLenkLZ0CWbXhCFYZHDZzIUiYNl704i4mNM9jrIPhyibIRP3mLcPP2D9wn15bVoPCzkdPhySs8b4210rF4lCtFAA3-MVpQnRRS6ZbnhdFuPWaAeJUtMCG--eZswP0aFsAyuS_Owdz3iUQbALQzEcWHDekG9tjTYgCSfLNzKyLqoeEA/s320/IMG_20220515_112713714.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>My mom is headed to England in a week, despite the fact that she's 92 years old and has been diagnosed with heart failure. She is an inspiration to me. She's not afraid of anything. I'm pretty much the opposite.</p><p>I made these scones for her twice before getting the recipe right. The first time I stuck with the ingredients as they were listed in a Kerrygold Butter recipe I snipped out of a Cooking Light magazine. Probably at least twenty years ago. Possibly thirty.</p><p>Back then, low fat was the way to go. All the cookbooks and magazines were retooling recipes to contain less butter. Many various substitutions were offered: applesauce, black beans, ricotta cheese, etc. If you were baking back in the 80's, you probably remember this phase. My scone recipe featured a small amount of butter along with nonfat yogurt. I gave it a whirl, but the texture and flavor were not great. I think my baking powder had expired so that did not help. </p><p>The next batch I made contained fresh baking powder. Instead of yogurt, I used sour cream. This substitution did the trick! You cannot underestimate how important fat is when it comes to flavor. When you remove the fat, you definitely reduce the flavor in your food. (If you're trying to lose weight, scones probably will not help with this!)</p><p>Ingredients:</p><p>1 cup rolled oats</p><p>1/3 cup sliced almonds</p><p>1 and 1/2 cup all purpose flour</p><p>1/3 cup brown sugar</p><p>2 teaspoons baking powder</p><p>1/2 teaspoon baking soda</p><p>1/2 teaspoon salt</p><p>pinch of nutmeg</p><p>1/4 cup Kerrygold butter (or any grass-fed butter) cut into small pieces</p><p>1/2 cup finely chopped dried apricots </p><p>1 egg, beaten</p><p>6 oz. sour cream</p><p>1/2 teaspoon almond extract</p><p>Turbinado sugar (optional)</p><p><br /></p><p>Preheat oven to 400F. Combine oats and almonds on a baking sheet. Bake at 400F for about 5 minutes or until lightly toasted. (This step will give your scones added flavor but in a pinch, can be skipped.)</p><p>Place dry ingredients (including oats and almonds) in food processor. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Transfer to a large bowl. Add apricots.</p><p>Combine liquid ingredients in small bowl. Add to oat mixture. Stir until just combined.</p><p>Turn dough out onto floured surface. Pat lightly or roll into a 1/2 inch thick circle. Cut circle into 8 triangles. Sprinkle tops of scones with turbinado sugar, if desired.</p><p>Baked at 400F on greased cookie sheet for about 18 minutes or until edges turn golden brown. Serve warm. Makes 8 scones.</p><p><br /></p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-36889927470656738782022-05-17T04:47:00.001-07:002022-05-17T04:47:52.137-07:00How Yoga Helps with Weight Loss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4XqpQVnfNfGDekdW0wEhA3uY0MQ7-T2KRAEoIZBdU2ujwYNOef8wJVlvEyTiFZRExmidoNAWTEKRZzbGcsRrL7NIbfT68lABenUzZ5KRU6G1edqvSdAmFMOCnnchS4SHYJMbKL7RE1W-O5OoFgooyqjAnlAABdD-XLhdWfpSlOML9vDTy0GTbopJfA/s198/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="198" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4XqpQVnfNfGDekdW0wEhA3uY0MQ7-T2KRAEoIZBdU2ujwYNOef8wJVlvEyTiFZRExmidoNAWTEKRZzbGcsRrL7NIbfT68lABenUzZ5KRU6G1edqvSdAmFMOCnnchS4SHYJMbKL7RE1W-O5OoFgooyqjAnlAABdD-XLhdWfpSlOML9vDTy0GTbopJfA/s1600/images.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>I recently began teaching a Yoga for Weight Loss class here in Venice, Florida. I immediately received a bunch of questions: is it "Power Yoga?" and "What will we do?" I understand the confusion! While yoga poses may not burn loads of calories, there are many ways in which yoga can assist with weight loss. <div><br /></div><div>1) Yoga creates a positive mindset. This is a vital first step to healthy, long-term weight loss. If you try to lose weight by hating on your body and punishing yourself with an overly strict diet and exercise regimen, you will find yourself failing every time.Yoga instills an attitude of self-love and self-respect. Respecting your body and its needs is fundamental to healthy weight loss.</div><div><br /></div><div>2) Yoga teaches you to deepen the breath. By breathing more deeply, you can instantly calm the mind and the emotions. This practice allows you to let go of frustrations and negative emotions that can get in the way during your weight loss journey. </div><div><br /></div><div>3) Yoga reduces stress. Stress hormones like cortisol are known to cause fat to deposit around the belly. Belly fat is particularly problematic as it is linked to serious conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. A regular yoga practice can combat this tendency.</div><div><br /></div><div>4) Yoga teaches patience. It takes time and effort to develop the strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and equanimity to hold various yoga poses. Some may come easily, and some may never become easy. Without patience, nothing worth achieving, including weight loss, will ever be accomplished!</div><div><br /></div><div>5) Yoga encourages acceptance. We need to accept where we are at this moment in order to move forward. Denial is a slippery slope. As long as we pretend everything is fine, there will be no change. </div><div><br /></div><div>6) Most important of all, yoga teaches mindfulness. When we practice mindfulness on the mat, this attitude transfers to the rest of our lives. We learn to be present in the moment, to notice, to be aware of ourselves and others. This is a vital skill when it comes to losing weight. Mindfulness when eating can result in successful weight loss.</div><div><br /></div><div>There you have it! Six ways in which yoga can assist with your weight loss journey!</div><div><br /></div><div>Questions? Comments? Let me know your thoughts!</div>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-33752821847673914752022-05-16T04:33:00.002-07:002022-05-16T04:35:38.492-07:00Sweet Potato Scones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLTTOpHIwhTMr4WLT82wFTwy2viuaIoJ4MS8Q4zxid9uUxmgggd2MaQiCR6G3AO2T8MNicp1dlyV1pM2zdo977PWbkNo3OQ5h_SYp8tbw90pS1rADwkE0a9KKkEfB70Otc7bjz4Q5S_sKY70WpfU9Kas1854AYL0VSVpxQ4jRZ6nYbgEQWhEeDPY4QQ/s4608/IMG_20220515_112726281.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLTTOpHIwhTMr4WLT82wFTwy2viuaIoJ4MS8Q4zxid9uUxmgggd2MaQiCR6G3AO2T8MNicp1dlyV1pM2zdo977PWbkNo3OQ5h_SYp8tbw90pS1rADwkE0a9KKkEfB70Otc7bjz4Q5S_sKY70WpfU9Kas1854AYL0VSVpxQ4jRZ6nYbgEQWhEeDPY4QQ/s320/IMG_20220515_112726281.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This past weekend we kayaked with friends and had lunch afterwards in their lovely waterfront home. I wanted to bake something to bring and I had already cooked a bunch of sweet potatoes. So I googled a recipe for sweet potato biscuits and found one on Paula Deen's website that looked simple enough. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDjhXrfBP3SGSBq0ne8-JsyUN7fkabTmCkZLAlrwalm5ZIQLqyInRoC-YYyGK4S4bTfYaly6iShoJOk7l3viWAnukvSXR1Z0oQtWccbH3nkm-Yow8xaKAeKCdB9ndR6KJij-Qie21i5ZjbNf1LX3Fa5XUzGum249Q4blTx1ywf-MbhcQIxzc98D-MvA/s4608/IMG_20220515_112702762.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDjhXrfBP3SGSBq0ne8-JsyUN7fkabTmCkZLAlrwalm5ZIQLqyInRoC-YYyGK4S4bTfYaly6iShoJOk7l3viWAnukvSXR1Z0oQtWccbH3nkm-Yow8xaKAeKCdB9ndR6KJij-Qie21i5ZjbNf1LX3Fa5XUzGum249Q4blTx1ywf-MbhcQIxzc98D-MvA/s320/IMG_20220515_112702762.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The first time I made the recipe, I stuck to the ingredients that were listed (for the most part) and measured carefully. (This is not my usual M.O. but I didn't want an embarrassing disaster!) I thought the biscuits were good, but a little soft and boring in terms of the texture. I thought I could improve them by adding some crunch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmE-DlGN90VZc_Uf2CWP96tpHq5V2Az7e8Zv0UUNKFZjfO4AthHM6ukNirvOnutUUgkxaNka_T7JvE542vNmTEPFYN6Xaa4edFD4GVR0dZZsLVKRDCVY7fJ9dYUVAHg54P5R5C7VzyqMRGjpWcgaLl1_7odrMi_BFWnRlNTaX6INQjJGOKtFd5bwGqJA/s4608/IMG_20220515_112656593.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmE-DlGN90VZc_Uf2CWP96tpHq5V2Az7e8Zv0UUNKFZjfO4AthHM6ukNirvOnutUUgkxaNka_T7JvE542vNmTEPFYN6Xaa4edFD4GVR0dZZsLVKRDCVY7fJ9dYUVAHg54P5R5C7VzyqMRGjpWcgaLl1_7odrMi_BFWnRlNTaX6INQjJGOKtFd5bwGqJA/s320/IMG_20220515_112656593.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The recipe I'm sharing today is my doctored version. I don't follow the directions about using a biscuit cutter because I gave away all my cutters when I moved to Florida. I really need to hit some yard sales and restock my kitchen!!</p><p><u>Ingredients:</u></p><section class="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 4rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 22px; list-style: none;">2 heaping tablespoons sugar </li><li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 22px; list-style: none;">1 1/4 cups all purpose flour </li><li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 22px; list-style: none;">4 teaspoons baking powder </li><li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 22px; list-style: none;">1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter </li><li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 22px; list-style: none;">3/4 cup mashed cooked sweet potatoes </li><li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 22px; list-style: none;">1/2 teaspoon salt </li><li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 22px; list-style: none;">2-4 tablespoons (depending on the moisture of the potatoes) milk</li><li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 22px; list-style: none;">Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans</li><li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 22px; list-style: none;"><br /></li><li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 22px; list-style: none;">Preheat oven to 450F. Line a baking sheet with Silpat or grease well. Set aside.</li><li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 22px; list-style: none;"><br /></li><li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 22px; list-style: none;">In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or large fork, cut in the butter. When mixture resembles coarse crumbs, add sweet potato and bring dough together into a ball. (Add a little milk if dough is too dry.) On a floured surface, roll dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into triangles with a sharp knife. (Or use a biscuit cutter if you are lucky enough to have one.) Bake at 450F for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned on the top and bottom. Makes about 8 small scones.</li></ul></section><section class="directions" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 22px; margin-bottom: 4rem;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></section><p><br /></p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-28853865750843551502022-04-21T11:44:00.001-07:002022-04-21T11:44:45.094-07:00Salvage Food Stores<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48xFBHplBYs9snbkVFP7ACBc-8j_Oa0lO47J8hdPSlUgmUQPBl2tRBr4G9wTxXmV7LgQbWJ9jobpFsechkcgeeNlGf6vDL0943tJuM5-SWwLhZoF5BUPnaDRw8JA-46VoHdLYENIhlwAqtbM-I4bFBOcPTmy83C5t-O4dv_b0gtN2PZ8FpxhWDsVnzw/s4608/IMG_20220419_134646640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48xFBHplBYs9snbkVFP7ACBc-8j_Oa0lO47J8hdPSlUgmUQPBl2tRBr4G9wTxXmV7LgQbWJ9jobpFsechkcgeeNlGf6vDL0943tJuM5-SWwLhZoF5BUPnaDRw8JA-46VoHdLYENIhlwAqtbM-I4bFBOcPTmy83C5t-O4dv_b0gtN2PZ8FpxhWDsVnzw/s320/IMG_20220419_134646640.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>With prices at the gas station and the grocery store soaring, how are people making ends meet? Unless you can walk or bike to work and eat beans and rice for every meal, you are probably feeling the pinch. But I have a solution for you! Even if you have plenty of cash, salvage grocery stores might spark your interest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYRA3FyKnMFGhFIwFijoLPX8_erhG_9tNpFsoqmn7SrG0hbyikfGB2qo5bBTbkHpFLM3QnhR-0UUwCPsF0DfH_r_tEh8Cd0oefFamxNcXj7cbSCGq6uRuyqxZh_lxlZTYpQWzs95ANdQh90AnEzHaIM03nMVVQ6V5ONnFVlm9PPPleVBbyNk2dYD1nQ/s4608/IMG_20220419_134834309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYRA3FyKnMFGhFIwFijoLPX8_erhG_9tNpFsoqmn7SrG0hbyikfGB2qo5bBTbkHpFLM3QnhR-0UUwCPsF0DfH_r_tEh8Cd0oefFamxNcXj7cbSCGq6uRuyqxZh_lxlZTYpQWzs95ANdQh90AnEzHaIM03nMVVQ6V5ONnFVlm9PPPleVBbyNk2dYD1nQ/s320/IMG_20220419_134834309.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>They go by many different names--ours is called Sunflower Discount Market-- but salvage grocery stores sell food (and plenty of other stuff!) that has not or cannot be sold in regular stores. This might be food past the "best by" dates on the packaging, cans that are dented, boxes that have been crushed, or overstocks. There is a quick way to discover your local salvage food possibilities: <a href="http://www.buysalvagefood.com">www.buysalvagefood.com</a>. This website will lead you to the closest discount grocery options in your neighborhood. (All the product photos included in this blog were purchased at my salvage store!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHaCNtX1-KJPJi7zlp-ByUYnDwldx3n20qCqWeKosJ15OCqUchAu1ImQ8gSEa462GCGHfu1Ke7ZwwvSLAvveyVTp6GIZrxe0INc36qfh6YsXO1mgv13xjTGHVIPCrxKner9TR7ZyUx-ywMMTyLv3Wd_vjqiZQlo1fGS5xViUFC4MzsuEQksBlJVDAxw/s4608/IMG_20220419_134859458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHaCNtX1-KJPJi7zlp-ByUYnDwldx3n20qCqWeKosJ15OCqUchAu1ImQ8gSEa462GCGHfu1Ke7ZwwvSLAvveyVTp6GIZrxe0INc36qfh6YsXO1mgv13xjTGHVIPCrxKner9TR7ZyUx-ywMMTyLv3Wd_vjqiZQlo1fGS5xViUFC4MzsuEQksBlJVDAxw/s320/IMG_20220419_134859458.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>My local salvage grocery store carries tons of gourmet items, organic produce, fancy snacks, keto bars and granola, high quality chocolate, protein powder, supplements, shampoos and lotions, make-up, dog food, wine and beer, almost everything you find at your regular store. Prices vary widely and have recently been rising, along with prices everywhere else. But you can still find many items for approximately half of what you usually pay. For example, organic free-range eggs were $3.49 this week. Medium-sized regular eggs were $1 per dozen before inflation hit; they are now $2.09 per dozen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueYqtWoX2QDFxqFDOwVrzyGI0TqpR5yXswj2hmTZwt_fREUsOvO3Xkg_e31j9F-1i3i8SPPilGsc6vm6NW-ZLT51XcVybtLoZ4dSJbO2Z-uYY4v5Lg0NhG84ma8ol5TUr8usB0EEJjvxUzI8socmYVj6MKzWi4bb9kQEFwcMgJtoFjyMsvD-sbvOu7A/s4608/IMG_20220419_134810192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueYqtWoX2QDFxqFDOwVrzyGI0TqpR5yXswj2hmTZwt_fREUsOvO3Xkg_e31j9F-1i3i8SPPilGsc6vm6NW-ZLT51XcVybtLoZ4dSJbO2Z-uYY4v5Lg0NhG84ma8ol5TUr8usB0EEJjvxUzI8socmYVj6MKzWi4bb9kQEFwcMgJtoFjyMsvD-sbvOu7A/s320/IMG_20220419_134810192.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>When stuff sits on the shelves or in the coolers and doesn't sell, prices at my salvage store drop to ridiculous levels. I have been buying Nutpods Almond and Coconut Coffee Creamer for 25 cents. This is not a product I would normally use, but who can argue with this price! I plan to throw a couple of these creamers in the freezer and have plenty for months to come. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0N8r8vu6AO1v1-0CDzY5Z6UYQvslWxNlfIrvZHcag75aSK-Db583cfPXVbAQiF7FY-dt8NcAzr23cCwqvQ1faFCDIGcnCldIC3hX82nrMHB6x8P0ev0vmqxdxnXAP9VJKQZGh4Pk9gkoC4OVlGiJccs8EDGFctLp7fpItWq3PsSxLl4WpSX5THRtAQ/s4608/IMG_20220419_134749342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0N8r8vu6AO1v1-0CDzY5Z6UYQvslWxNlfIrvZHcag75aSK-Db583cfPXVbAQiF7FY-dt8NcAzr23cCwqvQ1faFCDIGcnCldIC3hX82nrMHB6x8P0ev0vmqxdxnXAP9VJKQZGh4Pk9gkoC4OVlGiJccs8EDGFctLp7fpItWq3PsSxLl4WpSX5THRtAQ/s320/IMG_20220419_134749342.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>In these crazy times, you never know how high grocery prices might climb. It doesn't hurt to hedge your bets and stock up on staples when you find a good deal. Canned goods last for years, as do dried beans, grains, and many other staples. Frozen foods are good for many months. I have even frozen quarts of half and half, then used them in my coffee. Milk can also be frozen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEI9eHpJpP1DDvcd2tZyv0p6MR01PGqgYM5yGdDInU5CsRqv6XrhhND4SVNM-fEFexkCovNrjhGrXi3_k9m4hBqtn8JwVnKQWzS2BqoLp1NyrwhA-e_a-VMyBA39Q33B_nOPBLIpjiM_jnFeAa_GRb37ePIrGhjKMaEcAkR397rsR-AjXp8oVi_jKvQ/s4608/IMG_20220419_134922922_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEI9eHpJpP1DDvcd2tZyv0p6MR01PGqgYM5yGdDInU5CsRqv6XrhhND4SVNM-fEFexkCovNrjhGrXi3_k9m4hBqtn8JwVnKQWzS2BqoLp1NyrwhA-e_a-VMyBA39Q33B_nOPBLIpjiM_jnFeAa_GRb37ePIrGhjKMaEcAkR397rsR-AjXp8oVi_jKvQ/s320/IMG_20220419_134922922_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>If you are concerned about the "best by" dates, do some research! Most products last well beyond these somewhat arbitrary dates, sometimes as long as months or even years. <div><br /></div><div>Salvage food stores not only save customers loads of cash, they also save the Earth! By avoiding throwing away perfectly good food, we can keep this usable waste out of landfills. So celebrate Earth Day this year by investigating salvage food stores near you!!<br /><p><br /></p></div>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-47516911608898342352022-03-30T03:23:00.000-07:002022-03-30T03:23:41.196-07:00Sugar-Free March is Almost Over!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuuQ40PLyRfEF1zTxx76Xe2RLTjYvd12vON2hodOqwJBEliHA4GFlNDvsDChKHrDLt72mHOFpoz7T-QiQgtUwqjo69a2uqmnRTwNQ8ERBWb2-1NSeoN0El0Ma7Z1aTwkp6GH0Lt0fm3EyyWfrndrj4KODGkdOs6hQPoyoEjS9xfwtafr-Z5En2AYV7Q/s360/DSCN1027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="360" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuuQ40PLyRfEF1zTxx76Xe2RLTjYvd12vON2hodOqwJBEliHA4GFlNDvsDChKHrDLt72mHOFpoz7T-QiQgtUwqjo69a2uqmnRTwNQ8ERBWb2-1NSeoN0El0Ma7Z1aTwkp6GH0Lt0fm3EyyWfrndrj4KODGkdOs6hQPoyoEjS9xfwtafr-Z5En2AYV7Q/s320/DSCN1027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I started the month of March with high hopes. A year ago, I gave up all added sugar for a month and lost 4 pounds. The winter weight seemed to come off fairly easily once I stopped eating sweet treats. I definitely had a different experience this year.</p><p>After 3 weeks of eating no added sugar, I had lost exactly zero pounds. I was feeling confused and frustrated. Why did something that worked so well a year ago now stop working completely? I can't tell you the answer.</p><p>But I decided to step it up and cut back on ALL carbs, not just sugar. </p><p>BOOM! Instant weight loss. After counting carbs for a less than a week, I was down 4 pounds. Yes, this is mostly water. But a low carb program always begins with losing water weight. Once the excess water is gone, the weight loss becomes mostly fat.</p><p>Since that initial drop, I have been holding steady. I feel happier at my current weight, but I'm still hoping to drop another couple of pounds. As many of you know, the closer you get to your goal weight, the more difficult it is to shed those pounds. Your body fights to hold onto every ounce!</p><p>I don't really have a plan for April. I know I'm looking forward to some type of cheat meal. So is my husband, who has been strictly keto for weeks. But I'm pretty happy with the food I'm eating on Atkins and I'm not having too much trouble sticking to it. </p><p>So after a cheat meal involving something sweet, I will get back on this horse and ride it to the finish line. I have no clue how many miles that will be! </p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-42307410112026024712022-03-24T05:24:00.002-07:002022-03-24T05:24:48.299-07:00What Can You Eat on Atkins?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh3k6xERJivex5dZGSmZJtUpwVTIvB0wlrP32HI6-H2pBT48uki7r82x5MbQ-f5qIEJuiIPSoMJsCigFTjkFOR-tdFEbJHiRpvcnyUivm5Y1tD3lx0Wu0gwzqERcI-TebZ3uq-aW1JWksrxdG1xmyJ3wazxWX3qeh25cPdGc4zkmZgnqp3J6lEuqx1w/s2048/IMG_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1530" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh3k6xERJivex5dZGSmZJtUpwVTIvB0wlrP32HI6-H2pBT48uki7r82x5MbQ-f5qIEJuiIPSoMJsCigFTjkFOR-tdFEbJHiRpvcnyUivm5Y1tD3lx0Wu0gwzqERcI-TebZ3uq-aW1JWksrxdG1xmyJ3wazxWX3qeh25cPdGc4zkmZgnqp3J6lEuqx1w/s320/IMG_0060.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><p>For those who have never tried the Low Carb Lifestyle, I'm going to share some of the meals I've been eating this past week. I think you might be surprised!</p><p>I'm on Atkins 40, which is a program for people looking to lose less than 40 pounds. Of course, anyone can choose to use this program, but if you have more weight to lose, you might want to start with Induction. This is a more extreme version of carb cutting, where you have 20 grams of carbs or less per day. This is what most people think of when they hear "Atkins Diet." However, Induction is usually only a 2-week program followed by small increases in carbs in order to determine how many carbs you can eat while still losing weight.</p><p>On the Atkins programs, you will count "net" carbs instead of total carbs. Net carbs are determined by taking the total grams of carbs per serving and subtracting grams of fiber. Fiber is not counted as it doesn't affect blood sugar levels. In fact, fiber is extremely helpful! Fiber helps you feel fuller when you are on a diet. Fiber also helps food move through your digestive tract at a healthy pace, so you don't get clogged up. This can be an issue on low carb diets. Atkins recommends drinking plenty of water, which also helps you stay regular.</p><p>There are recommended carbs on Atkins, but I am not worrying about this. If you choose to start with Induction, you should follow these recommendations because this will assure that you begin burning fat as quickly as possible. Eating foods that are higher in natural sugars--foods like corn or sweet potatoes--could stop some people from entering ketosis--the fat-burning zone. </p><p>The Atkins Food Tracker app will help you dial in exactly how much of everything to eat. It gives you a range to aim for in terms of protein, fat, fiber, calories, and net carbs. By keeping all your numbers within this range, you can be sure you are getting enough of all your macro nutrients. AND you will be sure to lose weight!</p><p>For breakfast, I only have a cup of coffee. This is normal for me. I stopped eating breakfast on the day after Thanksgiving, 2016. It was an experiment in intermittent fasting. The experiment worked! I found that I could skip breakfast with no deleterious effects. I always workout in the mornings and I never have an issue. However, I do use several supplements in my coffee, including half and half, unsweetened cocoa powder, Celtic salt, collagen, a drop of heavy cream. The cream is a new addition. It adds a little extra fat, which is very helpful on Atkins. (Helpful in terms of keeping me satisfied and helpful in terms of burning fat.)</p><p>For lunch, I always have a salad. However, I am now very careful about what I put on my salad. I calculate every ahead of time so I know how many carbs I am eating. I usually start with about 3 cups of organic salad mix (baby lettuces, spinach, arugula, kale, etc.) and some kind of dressing. I have been using Sprouts Balsamic Vinaigrette made with avocado oil. (I avoid all the heavily processed seed oils like canola, soy, corn, etc.) It's easy to find bottled salad dressing made with avocado oil, but you can also make your own. On top of the greens, I add some type of protein. It might be about 4 oz. of roast chicken, tuna salad, sardines, or an omelet made with 3 eggs. Then I add a few extras, like grape tomatoes, slices of cucumber, pumpkin seeds, etc. I might choose to add a slice of sprouted wheat bread, toasted, if I feel like it!</p><p>For dinner, I have been eating plenty of protein. I start with 4-6 oz. of meat or fish. This might be slow-cooked pork shoulder, salmon fillet, roast chicken (with the skin!), a beef burger (no bun), or a grass-fed beef sausage. I'm aiming for about 90 grams of protein per day, so I check my Food Tracker to make sure I'm getting enough. Protein is crucial when you are trying to lose weight. Without enough protein, there's a very good chance you will start losing muscle mass instead of fat. This is the opposite of what you want! In addition to the protein, I have several veggies: steamed broccoli, half a roasted sweet potato, mushrooms sautéed in butter, and mashed avocado on top. Of course, you can substitute the veggies you like best. </p><p>After dinner is the time that I usually ruin my diet! This is the witching hour, when my sweet tooth rears its ugly head and demands cookies! To combat the ugly sweet tooth, I've made a tahini and cocoa powder spread. It's completely sugar-free and low carb, but delicious. I added ground flax seeds and psyllium fiber to beef up my daily fiber count. I have a few berries (the lowest carb fruits are berries) with about a tablespoon or so of my tahini spread. And a large mug of herbal tea to help fill up my belly. This has been working great!</p><p>There you have it. That's my food plan. Pretty simple. Very doable. I'm eating foods that I love and feeling very happy about my choices. I'm really not thinking about sugar or cookies at all these days. And I'm losing weight.</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-74923308594835226822022-03-23T04:50:00.002-07:002022-03-23T04:50:32.781-07:00Zero Added Sugar BUT Zero Weight Loss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VImTwYA1ZzpMYmFle-ZISB3QiGq0ad9Seu255ccYTll4SHPNfMpXGOOYTvXOwyYYLUbkLSXAzlWcwxqrQNLl66dHhBTlReUKmfSjlJ1KMM4S1ItZmicD4bSfYdM-zUIXfEfDT-0r6jondU36Y6agX8ygPmGDz2oG-8KaPxNN29QXX50MfSwzpsMRnQ/s2048/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VImTwYA1ZzpMYmFle-ZISB3QiGq0ad9Seu255ccYTll4SHPNfMpXGOOYTvXOwyYYLUbkLSXAzlWcwxqrQNLl66dHhBTlReUKmfSjlJ1KMM4S1ItZmicD4bSfYdM-zUIXfEfDT-0r6jondU36Y6agX8ygPmGDz2oG-8KaPxNN29QXX50MfSwzpsMRnQ/s320/DSC_0060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>If you've been following this blog lately, you know that as of March 1st, I removed all added sugars from my diet. I had hoped to see some excellent results, like less joint pain and a little weight loss. I'm not trying lose much, but I thought 5 pounds would be nice!</p><p>However, after almost 3 weeks of zero added sugar, I had lost exactly zero pounds. I decided the program was not working for me. I needed to tweak it. </p><p>So I went on Atkins.</p><p>I've tried Atkins before. I had always started with Induction, which is the most extreme form of Atkins, where you eat 20 grams of carbs or less per day. After 2 weeks, you can start gradually adding the carbs back, a little at a time, and see if you continue to lose. Some people are very carb-sensitive and need to keep them extremely low in order to lose weight.</p><p>This time, I discovered Atkins has a new program for people who want to lost less than 40 pounds. This includes me! It's called Atkins 40 and includes 40 grams of net carbs per day. (Net carbs are calculated by determining the total carbs per serving and subtracting the fiber. Grams of fiber are not counted as they simply pass through the system without raising the blood sugar.)</p><p>When you visit www.Atkins.com, you are invited to enter your details--gender, height, weight, waist circumference, and age--and you will be guided to the program that will work best for you. You will also discover some very useful tools, like the food tracker app which keeps track of everything you eat or drink and the nutritional data. And yes, all of this is FREE.</p><p>The bottom line: Atkins WORKS. It's been less than a week since I started and I have already lost 4 pounds! Sure, it's probably mostly water. But that's fine. That's how the process starts. Once I begin losing mostly fat, I'm sure things will slow down quite a bit. But in the meantime, I'm eating foods that I like. I can have a slice of bread, a half of a sweet potato, a handful of berries. So low carb doesn't mean zero carbs!</p><p>I have cut out the wine for now. I will probably try adding a glass of wine once or twice a week in April and see what happens. Right now, I'm losing weight and not feeling like I need it. According to the Atkins website, whenever you have alcohol in your system, your body will burn off the alcohol first. So that means you will not be burning fat. But once the alcohol is out of your system, you will return to burning fat. Good to know!</p><p>Are you frustrated with your weight loss? Looking for a program that is easy to follow, lets you eat your own food, and costs absolutely nothing to join? Atkins might be for you!</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-75571743427619894312022-03-05T05:43:00.002-08:002022-03-05T05:43:28.683-08:00Detox Headache?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4UAp0Wxuw0iArrvJLkpSh3IX9yuDQz__tuR073uP6oflMes8_DTlkmSu5xvBt6e7AD_MX9EX6m26hMpaeqZVEO4FP58qSNvThLnAtcuvrdJw4BuKbn7YH4jAVhRGzNkSndbg4Ag1HReuufB___AoMgH06G3DNzbXJWI57AUGkdx4WkRYBdyWMcz_pcw=s360" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="360" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4UAp0Wxuw0iArrvJLkpSh3IX9yuDQz__tuR073uP6oflMes8_DTlkmSu5xvBt6e7AD_MX9EX6m26hMpaeqZVEO4FP58qSNvThLnAtcuvrdJw4BuKbn7YH4jAVhRGzNkSndbg4Ag1HReuufB___AoMgH06G3DNzbXJWI57AUGkdx4WkRYBdyWMcz_pcw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Yesterday I had a very mild headache all day long. Could this be a result of my zero added sugar diet? Maybe.</p><p>Along with sugar and sweeteners, I have also been avoiding grains for the past few days. I'm eating plenty of veggies and fruit, so I doubt my total carbs have been super low. This headache could be allergy-related. But it could also be a product of my new regimen.</p><p>Detoxing can cause a few undesirable symptoms as the accumulated toxins leave the body. Headaches, muscle aches, acne, fatigue, and trouble sleeping can all occur when detoxing. Although these symptoms are not particularly fun, they will pass quickly! </p><p>If you are experiencing unwanted side effects to your detox, try to stick with the program and be patient. Sugar is not the answer to the headache! Instead, try drinking plenty of water and exercising until you work up a sweat, thereby eliminating more toxins more quickly. Another method for sweating out toxins is taking a hot bath, sauna, or steam. Use a handful or two of epsom salts in your bath. Your body will absorb the minerals through your skin. While you are warm, do some gentle yoga stretches or qi gong. Then relax completely.</p><p>Remember the reasons you decided to do this detox in the first place. You are moving in a positive direction. You are becoming healthier. </p><p>In the meantime, give yourself some extra pampering. These side effects are temporary. You will be through the difficult days in no time and come out stronger on the other side!</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-56657582859559732212022-03-04T05:43:00.002-08:002022-03-04T05:43:26.729-08:00Red, Red Wine...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBw14qD_8Bnv29I_yYVfZ7cmTlrNPrYKh4kkCIas6g1LzU8k58yJU7SajPOviM4VLfNoHg5DfF717qjaQxRPecN9hnJ7Fcaz6NDBWTirabL0YV0UxV51UL0EW5cXBMJxQFEc0bl08QI2RUVROwuDLN1VfjKY2PdoNU1yjJQ5tQGNMv0y67qRhZkK6Qbg=s802" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBw14qD_8Bnv29I_yYVfZ7cmTlrNPrYKh4kkCIas6g1LzU8k58yJU7SajPOviM4VLfNoHg5DfF717qjaQxRPecN9hnJ7Fcaz6NDBWTirabL0YV0UxV51UL0EW5cXBMJxQFEc0bl08QI2RUVROwuDLN1VfjKY2PdoNU1yjJQ5tQGNMv0y67qRhZkK6Qbg=s320" width="255" /></a></div><p>You may have heard that I am doing a detox for the month of March. Most of my recents blogposts have been about giving up sugar, cleaning out the pantry, stocking up on healthy whole foods, etc. Today I want to discuss all the delicious and wonderful treats I can still enjoy during this month of detoxing!</p><p>1) Red wine!!! Did you know a glass of dry red wine has less than a gram of sugar? And of course, no added sugar. I swear I don't drink much at all, but I do enjoy a small (about 4 oz.) glass of red wine most evenings with my dinner. My husband doesn't drink at all, so a bottle of wine will last me an entire week. I'm not a wine snob. In fact, I'm pretty much the opposite. I like to discover the cheapest wines that are still drinkable!! Costco has a LARGE bottle (1.5 liters) of Frontera Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot from Chile, made by Concha Y Toro for $6.79. Fantastic deal for a nice dry red wine. If you want to spend more, Meiomi Pinot Noir is fantastic! But Costco charges $15.65 per bottle.</p><p>2) Coffee!!! I am never going to give up coffee. Let's not be ridiculous. Coffee is packed with antioxidants and studies show that coffee drinkers live longer. They are also happier. This is a proven fact! Studies show coffee helps women especially with depression. So drink up and enjoy without guilt!</p><p>3) Cocoa!!! I'm talking about UNSWEETENED cocoa powder which I add to my morning cup of coffee, along with a pinch of Celtic sea salt, collagen, coconut oil. Yes, this combination is a tad bitter, but I actually enjoy the bitterness. So yeah, maybe I'm a little weird.</p><p>4) Fruit!!! Because I mostly attempt to eat a fairly low carb diet, I often skip fruit. Sometimes a few berries on my salad, but I rarely eat a whole piece of fruit, and I usually avoid dried fruit. But not this month! My treats now include bananas, apples, strawberries, raspberries, dried apricots, prunes, etc. Because I am substituting fruit for treats like cookies, I can still lost weight on this program. Watch out for dried fruit, though, because the natural sugars are highly concentrated. Same for fruit juices--high in sugar and calories, so best to tread lightly!</p><p>5) Nuts!!! I love almost every type of nut and seed. I always top my daily salads with whatever seeds I have on hand, including sesame, poppy, pumpkin, sunflower, and hemp. Nuts and seeds contain healthy fats which your body needs. However, you can easily go overboard and eat a disastrous amount of calories if you go crazy with the nuts. A small handful, about a quarter cup, is plenty for a serving if you want to lost weight.</p><p>These are my go-to treats on my zero added sugar plan. What types of treats to you enjoy? Can you lost weight while eating nuts? Fruit? Let me know!</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-28780218572965909302022-03-03T03:10:00.002-08:002022-03-03T03:10:44.408-08:00Spring Cleaning for Mind, Body, and Spirit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3kbOqpsrAjQeR1sm9jrwY9TBgM5S9gEKIqhleNlA3HEoEuaKiUEX4veFNXpfAUmd1lHhL6sCuR-iPoa1gF03odl9AG4sZfaQ7eeE-wenCEEWlGNaTt5uvnuR5Bl1BkHVVL9zsWMx0Wzgjm4lcnXuW4oKVKowvh5GwUJN0pDsP8tHjDBbmxfEyDOyxiw=s244" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="244" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3kbOqpsrAjQeR1sm9jrwY9TBgM5S9gEKIqhleNlA3HEoEuaKiUEX4veFNXpfAUmd1lHhL6sCuR-iPoa1gF03odl9AG4sZfaQ7eeE-wenCEEWlGNaTt5uvnuR5Bl1BkHVVL9zsWMx0Wzgjm4lcnXuW4oKVKowvh5GwUJN0pDsP8tHjDBbmxfEyDOyxiw" width="244" /></a></div><p>What is a detox? Detoxing can mean many different things. </p><p>Some people believe in a total fast--that is, water only and nothing else. There are many benefits to fasting, including autophagy which is the process of ridding your body of old, dead cells. This might prevent old cells from hanging around too long and perhaps becoming cancerous. If you are interested in a total fast, I'd recommend doing plenty of research first and maybe even getting medical support. A water-only fast can result in loss of minerals that are vital to your body's functioning, so please be prepared to replace those minerals when you are fasting for long periods!</p><p>If a total fast is not your cup of tea, then there are juice fasts or liquid-only fasts. Again, do your research and be sure you will receive all the minerals needed to stay well hydrated. </p><p>Maybe fasting is not the type of detox you are looking for. Detoxing can also mean removing substances from your diet that are interfering with your health and happiness. This is the type of detox I am following for the month of March. I am deleting added sugar and sweeteners from my diet in order to improve the health of my joints, reduce pain, and hopefully lose a few pounds. You might choose to give up sugar, but other options are alcohol, fried foods, processed foods, grains, gluten, dairy, or another substance that you feel has gotten in the way of your health. </p><p>And while you are detoxing the body, you might also give some thought to detoxing the mind. Negative thought patterns are extremely toxic to your psyche! Do you ever catch yourself in the middle of a negative thought? Do you talk to yourself in a way that is hurtful? Maybe for the month of March, we can also work on eliminating these thoughts that cause us harm. Instead, learn to become your own cheerleader. Notice all the positive things you do. Stick up for yourself!</p><p>In addition to negative thought patterns, we allow all kinds of negative influences to enter our minds. Think about the television shows you watch, the books and articles you read, the people you hang out with. Do they make you feel happy, uplifted, supported? Or do they leave you feeling sad or angry? March is a great time to experiment with cutting out influences that are basically harmful. Your health and happiness depends on it.</p><p>So let's start our spring cleaning a little early!</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-56572220725134769222022-02-25T08:08:00.002-08:002022-02-25T08:08:43.210-08:00Creamy Carrot Soup with NO Cream!<p>As we move into March, I'm testing out recipes for delicious dishes that contain no added sugar. This soup is so sweet and yummy, you would swear it had loads of sugar. But no! The sweetness comes from carrots, a root vegetable that contains natural fructose, along with loads of vitamins and minerals, plenty of fiber, and flavor! It's also creamy without any added milk or cream. I like to add a dollop of Greek yogurt to the finished soup, but this is optional.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3eTEIg99sYJrJVOws69-ACPSY3V45T0_IEsh-DPcJ8h_cVpTebJro4_bN7JVBgyVX1f7EuCA9Reu4dyh9pzsSv59KIqPsIJSn2wCbC3q8DFn1sS5WYfkXR2rwwolQAtmabtSciCL1CGn1biFw0k5D_VwdgFZ9dWi6PaBXSgIkIVjLzoeaUmSXKzPOEQ=s2592" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3eTEIg99sYJrJVOws69-ACPSY3V45T0_IEsh-DPcJ8h_cVpTebJro4_bN7JVBgyVX1f7EuCA9Reu4dyh9pzsSv59KIqPsIJSn2wCbC3q8DFn1sS5WYfkXR2rwwolQAtmabtSciCL1CGn1biFw0k5D_VwdgFZ9dWi6PaBXSgIkIVjLzoeaUmSXKzPOEQ=s320" width="180" /></a></div><p>I found this recipe in my inbox. It was created by Serious Eats, which is a fabulous site for finding interesting and international recipes. Sign up on their email list and you can receive recipes like this in your inbox daily! I tweaked their recipe a tiny bit (of course) so check out the original if you prefer an untweaked version!</p><p>I used homemade chicken stock instead of vegetable broth. If you are vegan, you can go with homemade veggie broth instead. Chicken broth has loads of collagen, a protein which is great for your skin and joint health. I make my own regularly, so I always have extra to use up.</p><p><u>Ingredients:</u></p><p>2 and 1/2 pounds carrots</p><p>3 TB olive oil </p><p>Salt to taste</p><p>1 large onion, chopped</p><p>2 cloves garlic, chopped</p><p>3 sprigs parsley</p><p>4-5 cups stock (I used chicken stock, but veggie will work, too!)</p><p>1-2 cups carrot juice (I used 2 cups along with 4 cups of stock.)</p><p>4 TB butter (optional; I did not use butter as I had plenty of fat in my chicken broth.)</p><p>2 TB lemon juice</p><p>Preheat oven to 375F. Slice carrots into rounds. Toss half the carrots with 1 TB olive oil and lay them out on a baking tray. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Roast for about 25 minutes and remove from oven.</p><p>In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 TB olive oil. Cook onions until translucent. Add garlic and cook another minute or so. Add raw carrots, roasted carrots, stock, parsley, and carrot juice. Bring to boil, turn heat down and simmer over low heat for about 25-30 minutes, or until carrots are soft. Using an immersion blender (or regular blender) puree the contents until smooth. Add butter and lemon juice and blend some more. Serve hot with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top, if you like! </p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-49878923309905003382022-02-24T03:21:00.002-08:002022-02-24T03:21:15.793-08:00Sugar Substitutes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga84f_Z_VQFRqKObbp1SD01iyxxdz8rBJBUGDgbdjW4rT0ElpycA7ggJQAd79e4v3lv3MSytcGgw2N5Lzu5CDFrXZy8uN3TtBlG-kNSYI3BGxG1WXTwV4sTixPVnO98HaFe5pb1nIxh_LXhGOlAn1Zxogi97raFPoeXBPsSFrXh26_AxomoZqAHJU-fA=s606" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="606" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga84f_Z_VQFRqKObbp1SD01iyxxdz8rBJBUGDgbdjW4rT0ElpycA7ggJQAd79e4v3lv3MSytcGgw2N5Lzu5CDFrXZy8uN3TtBlG-kNSYI3BGxG1WXTwV4sTixPVnO98HaFe5pb1nIxh_LXhGOlAn1Zxogi97raFPoeXBPsSFrXh26_AxomoZqAHJU-fA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>What about sugar substitutes?</p><p>This is a tricky question. Some people feel that a little honey or maple syrup is just fine, even on a detox regimen. Others might opt for stevia, a natural sweetener that contains no sugar. Then there is erythritol, a sugar substitute which might even have some health benefits. And the list goes on: monk fruit, lucuma, sucralose, etc...</p><p>Of course, each of us will make our own choices. </p><p>But here's some food for thought: that "sweet tooth" just might be an addiction. If eating sugary treats feels like a compulsion and gets out of control, going "cold turkey" and ditching absolutely every sweetener could be the way to go. After a month of sugar-free eating, your taste buds will be reset. An apple or a strawberry will taste plenty sweet. And you will be in the habit of skipping dessert.</p><p>For me, reducing joint pain and losing a few pounds are at the top of my list of priorities. So I will focus on eating lots of whole foods, especially veggies and fresh fruits, while decreasing refined carbs and processed foods. I have a few bars of stevia-sweetened chocolate in my pantry. Last March, I did not consume any products sweetened with stevia, but I have these on hand in case of emergency. Hopefully I won't need them!!</p><p>In order to have maximum impact on reducing cravings and fighting sugar addiction, I would recommend no sweeteners of any kind, as well as reducing naturally sweet foods like dried fruit. But I realize this might be too stringent for some people. So take this advice with a grain of salt--not sugar!--and make your own decision.</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-80356253338774823052022-02-19T05:08:00.001-08:002022-02-19T05:08:10.096-08:00What to Purchase for the Spring Detox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbO9QJKO_Z-P_7x3sUj9iw_VTNp1hkMy1kgO-0yu3hGvms5wGY4Gg0gTdwyrWik4aA0gGjC1ssNO9zugNCFY6G3yp2BoUAuyUHU4ARMRAYxBmA2Tw1InE9SQQ_wEaqJAAwTfCqSOpxGBDoPh3kRXt57XjwWNay8OWGJX8VqFSAlaL74eNgiRcy-nnJMw=s136" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="136" data-original-width="126" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbO9QJKO_Z-P_7x3sUj9iw_VTNp1hkMy1kgO-0yu3hGvms5wGY4Gg0gTdwyrWik4aA0gGjC1ssNO9zugNCFY6G3yp2BoUAuyUHU4ARMRAYxBmA2Tw1InE9SQQ_wEaqJAAwTfCqSOpxGBDoPh3kRXt57XjwWNay8OWGJX8VqFSAlaL74eNgiRcy-nnJMw=w296-h320" width="296" /></a></div><p>If you're reading this, I am guessing you plan to join me for a month of NO ADDED SUGAR this March! Yay!! I'm psyched to clean up my diet, feel better--less joint pain--and probably lose a few pounds. </p><p>In my last post, I talked about what we want to get rid of during the detox. We will be avoiding all ADDED sugar, including cane sugar, honey, maple syrup, high fructose corn syrup, etc. But there are plenty of whole foods--like fruit, veggies, juices, etc--that contain naturally occurring sugar. I'm not going to cut any of these foods from my diet. Of course you are welcome to make up your own rules!!</p><p>I've already stopped buying products with added sugar. I'm finishing off the last few packages of cookies I had in the pantry. During the month of March, I'll be eating other kinds of "treats" such as fresh berries, nuts, dried fruit (just a small amount because there's quite a lot of fructose in these) oatcakes (these contain zero sugar) and rice cakes. A rice cake or oat cake with peanut butter (no sugar added!) and a few berries will make a delicious dessert!</p><p>But what else should I have on hand to help me through the month?</p><p>1) Protein and plenty of it! Getting plenty of high quality protein will keep us feeling satiated and reduce cravings for sugar. Where can I find high quality protein? Wild caught fish and seafood, grass-fed beef, lamb, venison, bison, pasture-raised chicken and other poultry, pastured eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and tofu are all examples of food high in protein. Try to get at least 20 grams of protein per meal to keep the sugar cravings at bay.</p><p>2) Fresh veggies! After choosing your protein, the rest of the meal should consist of mainly veggies. Some examples: a big salad with grilled chicken or shrimp, a stir-fry with broccoli, carrots, beans, and tofu, or minestrone soup with tiny meatballs. Get some raw veggies and some cooked veggies every single day. I like to do a salad for lunch and cooked veggies for dinner. Ayurvedic medicine tells us that the digestive enzymes are strongest earlier in the day, so choose raw veggies early as they take more effort to break down.</p><p>3) Fresh fruits! Berries are lower in sugar than many other fruits and might be the best choice for a treat during this month. If you want to be stricter than me about your sugar intact, you might choose to avoid dried fruits for the month. </p><p>4) If you follow a Paleo or ketogenic diet, you will want to avoid grains and legumes, but I feel fine about adding whole grains and beans. These are high in fiber which is so important for detoxing. Fiber acts like a scrubbing brush for your insides, cleaning out all kinds of toxins including excess estrogens. Fiber keeps your digestive system working properly. </p><p>5) Nuts and seeds! These are fantastic for a quick snack or a treat. Nuts are high in healthy fats, but also have some protein and fiber. They are great to have on hand when you're starving and need something fast. If you eat too many, you might not lose as much weight, so I plan to limit my consumption. I love peanut butter and could easily eat an entire jar in one sitting, so I definitely have to restrain myself!</p><p>6) Coffee, tea, and cocoa powder! I could not go a single day without coffee, but I start each day with a cup of green tea. This is a more gentle way of waking up. Then after a walk with the dog, I have coffee doctored up with cocoa powder, collagen, and spices. Adding cocoa powder (unsweetened, of course) to your coffee mellows out the buzz, allowing you to become alert but never jittery. If I have coffee with cocoa, I notice a very big difference!</p><p>That's my pantry list for now. I might think of more later!</p><p>We have a little more than a week to prepare for our March detox. Questions? Leave a comment below! </p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-32282882835707749032022-02-11T13:38:00.002-08:002022-02-11T13:38:37.108-08:00Prepare the Pantry for Spring Detox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdFrDpUugbM8n2tkEpkJ2qc0p7K7Z7DkHwQby7nvWfCPt4G4Ku3y7PdYh1V4L2jd61lKuNqFCO4Fap_vDidpS3YHH_PMmVoEEqXWDg_IbGt7SpbPSNyKDog7cAM68ps7i4E6b_RW3NC9w-CGf-rOIy0kis5xFlKKwTisqE4-_aoKk_Kqu30Gm5x9X1CQ=s2592" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="2592" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdFrDpUugbM8n2tkEpkJ2qc0p7K7Z7DkHwQby7nvWfCPt4G4Ku3y7PdYh1V4L2jd61lKuNqFCO4Fap_vDidpS3YHH_PMmVoEEqXWDg_IbGt7SpbPSNyKDog7cAM68ps7i4E6b_RW3NC9w-CGf-rOIy0kis5xFlKKwTisqE4-_aoKk_Kqu30Gm5x9X1CQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Are you with me for a spring detox? If so, it's time to start planning! </p><p>If you want to give up sugar and sweeteners for the month of March, the first step is to start reading labels. Sugar hides behind a long list of names such as dextrose, fructose, glucose, glycerin, maltose, etc. You might not realize products like mayonnaise, salad dressing, ketchup, frozen dinners, boxed grain mixes, and tons of other processed foods contain various types of sugars and sweeteners. It's possible to purchase some of these products without added sugars (I found ketchup made with only fruits and veggies!) but you might have to look a little harder!</p><p>Start with the items in your pantry and fridge. Read those labels carefully! If you don't know what an ingredient is, google it! Remember: sugar is sneaky! It makes it's way into almost every processed food! </p><p>A good strategy for avoiding added sugar is to make your own dressings, sauces, and condiments from scratch. Mayo is easy and quick to make in a wide-mouth jar with an immersion blender. Salad dressings are easy, too. If you just don't have the time or energy to make these from scratch, check out a natural food store like Sprouts, Whole Foods, or Trader Joe's for healthy, sugar-free options.</p><p>For me, giving up sugar is enough of a change to see noticeable results. Last March, I noticed a marked reduction in joint pain due to reduced inflammation caused by the sugar in my diet. I really didn't expect such a big difference, but it was definitely there. I also lost about 4 pounds. This may not sound like much, but it feels significant to me. I'm hoping to do the same this year, or possibly even better.</p><p>30 days is long enough to create a habit. So after a full month of zero added sugar, it is very possible that we will want to continue! Treats like cake, cookies, and muffins will taste ridiculously sweet. Naturally sweet fruits might become our preference, even after the 30 days are over...</p><p>SO let's get ready!</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-36300189481838354722022-02-09T05:18:00.000-08:002022-02-09T05:18:08.286-08:00Join Me for a Spring Detox<p>Who's ready to detoxify? Anybody? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMAP3MeXyvJxEUMAbwe_X3x9nl1cWX59zYaKsSOAozd4Sd0TiSvEEoR66bXxSflDxbGYCGWIRQNBn21Kxh8gEFAUZl5cbk9xMEZw7Y5gsR7bflzNt1ZZgLSI637flAtuOLeyJLyTF9UlHTx5wcrtLdL_FRl4n09gJTuNVKhFTjyhZdhpM3Op1I5jKRFA=s360" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="360" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMAP3MeXyvJxEUMAbwe_X3x9nl1cWX59zYaKsSOAozd4Sd0TiSvEEoR66bXxSflDxbGYCGWIRQNBn21Kxh8gEFAUZl5cbk9xMEZw7Y5gsR7bflzNt1ZZgLSI637flAtuOLeyJLyTF9UlHTx5wcrtLdL_FRl4n09gJTuNVKhFTjyhZdhpM3Op1I5jKRFA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Is it just me or has this winter included too many cold, gray days? Too many days when baking seemed like the natural antidote? Too much sugar and carb-loaded treats?</p><p>Maybe, like me, you have put on a few extra pounds this winter. That's natural. I haven't been riding my bike, or kayaking, or swimming in the Gulf very much lately. Although Florida weather is normally good year-round, we've had a colder winter and quite a few cloudy, rainy days. </p><p>With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I know there will be more sweet treats to eat. So let's get through this holiday before we make a commitment to ditching the sugar.</p><p>I propose we take the month of March and make it sugar free.</p><p>I did this last year. March is a long month--31 days, to be exact--but we can do this! If we plan ahead, we can clean out the pantry and prepare for a month of delicious whole foods that contain no sugar, no sweeteners, no corn syrup, no honey, no maple syrup.</p><p>Sugar is sneaky and it gets into just about every processed food. So we need to be vigilant. Start reading labels and making choices now, so when March rolls around, you will be ready!</p><p>I will be here for you! I can offer support, ideas for snacks or meals, substitutes for sugary stuff, or just a person to commiserate with.</p><p>Last March, I lost several pounds without really trying. I'm ready to shed those pounds again! How about you?</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-39537702569807686812021-12-30T04:46:00.002-08:002021-12-30T04:46:32.589-08:00The Star Thai Sushi Restaurant in Venice<p>My daughter visited us for Christmas this year and we wanted to make her time here as special as possible. We went out to eat three times in the span of one week, which seems like a lot to me! And she loves sushi, so we returned to The Star Thai Sushi Restaurant in Bird Bay Plaza. We took her there a year ago, but I didn't write a blog about it. So here is our review!</p><p>We started our meal with Fresh Rolls. I forgot to take a photo of them, but they were gorgeous! And oh so fresh! Wrapped in rice paper, which is chewy, they were stuffed with bean sprouts, grated carrot, lettuce, and shrimp. The dipping sauce was a warm peanut butter concoction. Delicious! I would highly recommend this as a starter. </p><p>My daughter ordered sushi (of course) and allowed me (grudgingly) to taste a piece. Yum! She tried two different types of rolls, one containing raw tuna and the other yellowtail. In addition, there was avocado, asparagus, and some tiny orange fish eggs. No way could she finish two whole orders. It was a ton of food. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJ2EfSxWNMrExzIzFWJEspcvPTbX3gHjYRaY5tStNMlhQWTd7ei0S-WPn_HT2nkvsDHUGgg5JQuu9SaqRJju2hVU-EOUulbwboe1RYhPZonsziWf98Kl_9K3dC14av1uPwrcmRotbgIWMFrxmKP1Ua045NnlXLAZHXK7V6UQuMsrwhOyiv2FgrSXT97Q=s4608" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJ2EfSxWNMrExzIzFWJEspcvPTbX3gHjYRaY5tStNMlhQWTd7ei0S-WPn_HT2nkvsDHUGgg5JQuu9SaqRJju2hVU-EOUulbwboe1RYhPZonsziWf98Kl_9K3dC14av1uPwrcmRotbgIWMFrxmKP1Ua045NnlXLAZHXK7V6UQuMsrwhOyiv2FgrSXT97Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>My hubby and I both ordered Pad Thai, which is my go to. I can't even try anything else because I love Pad Thai so much. And this version did not disappoint. The rice noodles were coated with a slightly spicy and very sweet sauce, topped with plenty of fresh shrimp (for me) and chicken (for my hubby.) The portion was so large, I have eaten it at home for 2 more meals and I still have enough left for lunch today!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1EnRhJ33FFYeBQQeR4osbfCtPKzZy4U3e4IENXSk-ilw5ZG56eP3Yv4je2r4tnQDh1qmL6M0SHqw8XkWkORl30fgWEGlkKEVVyZKxVZOe7Y_4UExbvRkhhreYjG-43ak5p1veMvlbHSDjPlzCURKItUXPvTTcLdON-6ATtb6KSsv0Gs9aS5vIPrLPrA=s4608" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1EnRhJ33FFYeBQQeR4osbfCtPKzZy4U3e4IENXSk-ilw5ZG56eP3Yv4je2r4tnQDh1qmL6M0SHqw8XkWkORl30fgWEGlkKEVVyZKxVZOe7Y_4UExbvRkhhreYjG-43ak5p1veMvlbHSDjPlzCURKItUXPvTTcLdON-6ATtb6KSsv0Gs9aS5vIPrLPrA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>If you are in Venice and looking for a delicious Thai meal, look no further than The Star! The food and service are impeccable.</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-13023291795873757982021-11-21T06:37:00.001-08:002021-11-21T06:37:25.586-08:00Merlin, Our Newest Family Member<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKGIQfG8Lcw6rwmPaAv4c_FpOMNt1qI5RsPwSr8y1Mll7CF4M8dDpCpMQmF8gEO7HYlq_P9H_cnOWEMyBHjgNTTlq8UzTa6ygLXADTEbw2DSxcqUXPvKRNbk1cURkaMNXUhKEBbl-xG7r/s4608/IMG_20211121_074133705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKGIQfG8Lcw6rwmPaAv4c_FpOMNt1qI5RsPwSr8y1Mll7CF4M8dDpCpMQmF8gEO7HYlq_P9H_cnOWEMyBHjgNTTlq8UzTa6ygLXADTEbw2DSxcqUXPvKRNbk1cURkaMNXUhKEBbl-xG7r/s320/IMG_20211121_074133705.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Yesterday, we drove a total of 9 hours round trip to adopt a senior akita! </p><p>Merlin, a senior guessed to be somewhere between 8-10 years old, was rescued from a shelter in Atlanta by Dorie Sparkman and the Akita Rescue Society of Florida. He was literally pulled from the euthanasia room where he was scheduled to be put to sleep! Hence the name Merlin!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHeRxzzdDgwOc1lutV4W-K3JWbj1z9ULad0CZhX60bP3jQe8gMFD-XvX-SrmBC1gTK25n6ChoX5McN5bd9qexzT7eZ8pWbkjHYFOsRO3pak06fovta3Z1iV4v7ERPJLLyZ5bF4mrM0hU5/s4608/IMG_20211120_132219847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHeRxzzdDgwOc1lutV4W-K3JWbj1z9ULad0CZhX60bP3jQe8gMFD-XvX-SrmBC1gTK25n6ChoX5McN5bd9qexzT7eZ8pWbkjHYFOsRO3pak06fovta3Z1iV4v7ERPJLLyZ5bF4mrM0hU5/s320/IMG_20211120_132219847.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>He was taken by a volunteer to a vet's office where they removed a growth from his eyelid, pulled several teeth that were hanging by a thread, removed 2 bladder stones from an infected bladder, and performed a gastropexy to prevent gastric torsion which akitas are prone to. He spent about a week recovering at the vet's office before being transported to Jacksonville.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlsQSeJfEEt8Kq6yQtletPJfbBMH_pNqYFiON-J6yqyifI9KZL28x0InlAFvIF_iphonmlzZKEk24rwyV1GQ3Q2k_AMci_QBDvjYlKBDd3tEjc1jHLX0oJ1CjugvvnZhzwaYbZmd6EO3B/s4608/IMG_20211121_074204691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlsQSeJfEEt8Kq6yQtletPJfbBMH_pNqYFiON-J6yqyifI9KZL28x0InlAFvIF_iphonmlzZKEk24rwyV1GQ3Q2k_AMci_QBDvjYlKBDd3tEjc1jHLX0oJ1CjugvvnZhzwaYbZmd6EO3B/s320/IMG_20211121_074204691.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>We met Merlin yesterday. This poor boy has clearly been through hell. He's a skeleton covered in fur. And that fur stank to high heaven from diarrhea and urine. We drove home with all the windows open, enduring the roar in our ears as the stench was so bad.</p><p>After a meal and meds, Merlin got his first bath out on our lanai where we have a shower that works great for this task. He stood patiently while I scrubbed him, not trying to get away at all. When it was time for bed, we put him in his brand new extra large crate with a comforter and pillow. We turned out the lights and closed our bedroom door. He cried for a minute or two, then everything was quiet.</p><p>In the morning, my husband got up first. He couldn't understand why I had let Merlin out in the middle of the night! But I didn't!! He somehow magicked himself out of that crate with the door still locked!!! So the name Merlin is going to fit him perfectly.</p><p>This morning, he had a long walk at the park, followed by breakfast and meds, then another bath. He is still a tiny bit stinky so I must have missed a spot. He seemed to enjoy the facecloth cleaning his ears. I think baths are going to be a regular part of our routine.</p><p>Luna, our female, is still not quite sure why we have invited this giant smelly boy into our home. With time, I hope they will become good friends. For now, they seem to be tolerating each other.</p><p>Thanks to Dorie Sparkman for saving him! If you are looking for a worthy cause to support, the Akita Rescue of Florida could really use your donations. They spare no expense when rescuing this beautiful and noble breed.</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-73266444734007166032021-11-02T05:25:00.001-07:002021-11-02T05:27:14.985-07:00Sour Cream Pumpkin Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMA2en7HTzXXvDPML5G5TEhGm1b095SY5vfl7BkIC0T2p_WSmBF5H4AUQrjwNLl8VpoEqSPPDwtvxBGWIZTytO5R3VIG9G7G79VybSDaFcFFR4bTRgSeATfYRO7X3EHzPTpo_wZOPtLAMd/s1600/IMG_20211101_074412906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMA2en7HTzXXvDPML5G5TEhGm1b095SY5vfl7BkIC0T2p_WSmBF5H4AUQrjwNLl8VpoEqSPPDwtvxBGWIZTytO5R3VIG9G7G79VybSDaFcFFR4bTRgSeATfYRO7X3EHzPTpo_wZOPtLAMd/s320/IMG_20211101_074412906.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>For Halloween, I baked a pumpkin pie to bring to a friend's house. I have baked so many pumpkin pies in my life, it's ridiculous. When I was a kid, pumpkin pie looked gross to me so I never even tried it! Now I love it, maybe more than any other kind of pie. It's delicious, fairly healthy, and super easy to make.</p><p>I had a couple of containers of sour cream in my fridge so I googled recipes for pumpkin pie using sour cream. (Every time I google some strange combination like green tomato and apple pie, someone else has already posted a recipe!! I swear, you can find a recipe for ANYTHING on the Internet!) I found numerous recipes for pumpkin pie which make use of sour cream in the crust, in the filling, and in an additional topping. All sounded good to me. I based today's recipe on one created by Kraft. I doctored it a bit, of course.</p><p>I used to make the classic pumpkin pie using evaporated milk. The filling always seemed too runny to me, and I always ended up with too much filling. Does this happen to you? I have also used condensed milk (this has LOTS of added sugar) which works great, as does canned coconut cream for those who are lactose intolerant or just enjoy something a little different. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JK3FtGImoRG6qEwWcbqeJr2xTx-IucwlDGFEb-YCimR9poUvsCTGO-bhOdQ8dIVzbAwBidLSV7W6DS0VtyUBIHYlSSoh_MJwcAYFuoT6B0RruRIvR81pERDUviXP4LuccEDfwf61viTT/s1600/IMG_20211101_074441148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JK3FtGImoRG6qEwWcbqeJr2xTx-IucwlDGFEb-YCimR9poUvsCTGO-bhOdQ8dIVzbAwBidLSV7W6DS0VtyUBIHYlSSoh_MJwcAYFuoT6B0RruRIvR81pERDUviXP4LuccEDfwf61viTT/s320/IMG_20211101_074441148.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I was very happy with the way this pie turned out. Sour cream balances the sweetness, and the filling ends up creamy but not runny. </p><p><u>Ingredients:</u></p><p>Chilled pie crust (make your own or purchase a premade crust)</p><p>15 oz. can pumpkin puree</p><p>8 oz. sour cream</p><p>2 large eggs, beaten</p><p>1/2 cup brown sugar</p><p>1/2 cup white sugar</p><p>1 TB pumpkin pie spice</p><p>1/2 teaspoon salt</p><p>Chopped pecans (optional)</p><p>Preheat oven to 450F. Blind bake pie crust for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Let crust cool while you make filling. Reduce oven temperature to 350F.</p><p>Using an immersion blender, mix ingredients together in order given. Set aside pecans. Blend thoroughly. Pour filling into prefaced crust. Sprinkle pecans around the edges. Bake at 350F for 45-55 minutes. Filling should no longer be runny in the center, but will still be soft. Remove pie from oven and cool. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Makes at least 8 servings.</p><p><br /></p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804726279497902044.post-29815803085575907302021-10-17T08:37:00.003-07:002021-10-17T08:37:40.508-07:00Pumpkin Spice Muffins<p>It's autumn here in Florida and you know what that means? NOTHING. Absolutely nothing has changed. We have temps in the 90s and leaves do not change color here. So we have to do something else to mark the changing of the seasons. The solution: pumpkin spice.</p><p>I've been adding a sprinkle of pumpkin spice to my morning cup of coffee. Some folks like to light a pumpkin spice candle. And pumpkin muffins go great with a pumpkin spice latte.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-xF-2jZfXL6pausEYFxehc14xJIWaU5hgLwHB8Yg1jM0MAoRaY1jEOzZrsDyjnIgc5wGrL5RcKKYwMEM3dNuK95jkSwp8CnoyP8XJUo2sNqM5sudTxeS0ohHWsFwqf6-tIu5OUaqBujk/s1600/IMG_20211017_110339462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-xF-2jZfXL6pausEYFxehc14xJIWaU5hgLwHB8Yg1jM0MAoRaY1jEOzZrsDyjnIgc5wGrL5RcKKYwMEM3dNuK95jkSwp8CnoyP8XJUo2sNqM5sudTxeS0ohHWsFwqf6-tIu5OUaqBujk/s320/IMG_20211017_110339462.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I adapted this recipe from one I found on the Serious Eats website. You can go there to check out the original, but that one doesn't include chocolate chips. I find the combination of pumpkin spice and chocolate irresistible.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholoMlGdESxOT1xiw6mcckygDMXN3hmK3SKrkguQgFTxSO4l_AROosw3ZbGnuRL3F-g9JL6R3ShIeT1y9oXrmo1d9RLoybVEMxvX9S6a1WfPjVAw-i0GdTQesrIINqtbR5NAN1y7sXRc9i/s1600/IMG_20211017_110314846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholoMlGdESxOT1xiw6mcckygDMXN3hmK3SKrkguQgFTxSO4l_AROosw3ZbGnuRL3F-g9JL6R3ShIeT1y9oXrmo1d9RLoybVEMxvX9S6a1WfPjVAw-i0GdTQesrIINqtbR5NAN1y7sXRc9i/s320/IMG_20211017_110314846.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>I used half a can of organic pumpkin pie filling that was sitting in the back of my cupboard. If you don't have this product, you can substitute a cup of pumpkin puree (canned or fresh) plus a tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice mixture and a half cup of brown sugar. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEcDaoJvOlFn9KF-covQPj8sWE5udYPrOD_ede0842sJSiPajH0m2uYxNCuh2a_xKeH_0E21H_285sTaL-CEgjfb9QowOhyphenhyphenICnJ5IyxVmk1UW46opFyEzVRbnG8BKaEgSnzJBZux1qkoD/s1600/IMG_20211017_110304853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEcDaoJvOlFn9KF-covQPj8sWE5udYPrOD_ede0842sJSiPajH0m2uYxNCuh2a_xKeH_0E21H_285sTaL-CEgjfb9QowOhyphenhyphenICnJ5IyxVmk1UW46opFyEzVRbnG8BKaEgSnzJBZux1qkoD/s320/IMG_20211017_110304853.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>I also added about a half cup of sourdough discard, just to use it up. My hubby bakes sourdough bread and keeps the starter in the fridge. He needs to feed it weekly, to keep it healthy and robust. But every time he feeds it, he has to either make a loaf of bread or end up with some discard. I hate to see it go down the drain, so I like to throw it into any baked goods. Sourdough discard is basically flour and water that has fermented. It adds a tangy flavor, and helps to balance anything sweet. If you don't have it, just leave it out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lcQi5qIy3g2XePgnAiqAFUovGqWQ1mPB47Yk-3JY7dCToxXIGyRhjie2twiBaVXHNPiWnl-wsYUurNPRtmRtBBmlUxuf9ApAo9YaPGcxFmsyMt_IiH6Qe1vd0jhUYj9A1idm7sk8GRrK/s4608/IMG_20211017_105424023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lcQi5qIy3g2XePgnAiqAFUovGqWQ1mPB47Yk-3JY7dCToxXIGyRhjie2twiBaVXHNPiWnl-wsYUurNPRtmRtBBmlUxuf9ApAo9YaPGcxFmsyMt_IiH6Qe1vd0jhUYj9A1idm7sk8GRrK/s320/IMG_20211017_105424023.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>I made half the recipe without the chocolate chips because my mom is not a fan of dark chocolate. She will get 6 muffins with just pecans. The other 6 are for me!</p><p><b><u>Ingredients:</u></b> </p><p>1 stick unsalted butter, melted</p><p>1 cup pumpkin pie filling (see above paragraph to modify)</p><p>2 large eggs, beaten</p><p>1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt</p><p>1/2 cup sourdough discard (muffins will be fine without this!)</p><p>1 teaspoon vanilla extract</p><p>1/2 teaspoon salt</p><p>1 teaspoon baking powder</p><p>1 teaspoon baking soda</p><p>1 cup rolled oats</p><p>1 and 1/2 cups whole wheat flour</p><p>1/2 cup pecan pieces</p><p>1 cup chocolate chips (optional)</p><p>Preheat oven to 350F and grease or spray muffin tins.</p><p>In large bowl, mix liquid ingredients and beat well to combine. Add the dry ingredients in order given. Be sure to incorporate well. Gentle stir in flour and chocolate chips. I saved some pecan pieces for the topping. Scoop batter into well greased muffin tins. Sprinkle pecan pieces on top. Bake at 350F for about 25 minutes or until tops are firm to the touch. Let muffins cool in tins for 5 minutes, then continue cooling on a wire rack. Makes 1 dozen muffins.</p>Balancing Acthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.com0