ABOUT.....

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS.....

 

Every year toward the end of December I start contemplating my resolutions.  I have these ideas and projects that I want to do -- but by the end of January I have lost my way and I am lucky if I am successful at maintaining any of my resloutions.

 

Any of you have this same problem?

 

 

 

Well I am serious this time-- I have chosen a few resolutions that I am DETERMINED to stick with and fight for this year.  One will be to blog MORE - as you can see .... it has been sometime since I have posted.  The rest well.... we will see at the end of 2013 if I was successful!

 

Will you be successful with your resolutiions this year?

ABOUT......

YELLOW PLUMS!

Delicious yellow plums in my yard!  So now I have plum on the brain.  What am I going to do with all this yummy goodness.

Anyone have any Yellow Plum ideas?  RECIPES WANTED!!!

ABOUT...........SALAD!

My Favorite....Greek Salad  YUMMY!!'

This recipe is easy and delicious!  Perfect for dinner for a summer night!


Clean Eating's Greek Salad

Ingredients

4 chopped tomatoes
2 medium cucumbers or 1 English, seeded and cut into chunks
1 small purple or vidalia onion, chopped
2 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped fine
4 oz. low-fat feta crumbled
2 cloves or garlic, pressed through a garlic press
2 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

2 Tbsp. Lemon juice
2/3 cup kalamata olives
Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions:

Toss ingredients together and enjoy!

Number of Servings: 4

That I Need a TuTu and a Paint Brush......

I found this video incredibly inspiring!  I need to get my crafty space cleaned up and add a Tutu to my wardrobe!

THAT......  today is a SADE kind of day!

Windows down + sunroof open +SADE at top volume = Happy Me! 

Her voice is so soothing. Perfect for a Saturday Afternoon drive.

ABOUT.....

Chocolate!!!!  

Photo from: http://blog.sweetique.com/

 

Amazingly Moist Low-Fat Brownies

(By Bethany Frankel)

Serves 8

• 1 cup raw sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons part skim ricotta cheese
• 6 tablespoons egg whites
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon oat flour
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350° F
2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl
3. Pour into a small brownie pan Serves 8
   
   • 1 cup raw sugar
   • 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
   • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons part skim ricotta cheese
   • 6 tablespoons egg whites
   • 1/8 teaspoon salt
   • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
   • ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon oat flour
   • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
   • Cooking spray
   
   Preparation
   
   1. Preheat oven to 350° F
   2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl
   3. Pour into a small brownie pan - bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean (check after 30 minutes).

Amount Per Serving: Calories 184.1   Total Fat 5.3 g       Saturated Fat 3.2 g       Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1 g       Monounsaturated Fat 0.9 g   Cholesterol 9.5 mg   Sodium 55.8 mg   Potassium 205.2 mg   Total Carbohydrate 31.7 g       Dietary Fiber 1.9 g       Sugars 0.2 g   Protein 5.6 g  

WHAT THE HECK AM I READING???

Yes I am one of the masses who fell for the sexified Twilight ripoff.... and I am so mad at myself for it!

I am even madder at myself for reading the 2nd book in the trilogy..... in about 2 days I will really hate myself for reading the 3rd book in the trilogy.

Did you cave to peer pressure and read the Fifty Shades Trilogy too?

ABOUT...

HUNGER GAMES.....
May the odds be ever in your favor.

source

So excited that The Hunger Games was made into a movie. Though I was extremely apprehensive about it - fearing that the movie would not do the book justice.  Expectations Exceeded!
Time to read the books again! If you haven't read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, what rock have you been living under?  READ IT!   (then see the movie!)

.

                                           

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

GUINNESS STOUT BEER JELLY 

makes: 7 half pint jars
(recipe from growitcookitcanit.com)

Ingredients:

• 2 12-ounce bottles of stout beer
• 1 package powdered Sure-Jell pectin
• 3 ½ cups sugar

Directions:

1. Bring canner to a boil. Wash jars and lids. Put lids in a bowl and cover with boiling water with the canner.
2. In a large, non-reactive pot, bring the beer and powdered pectin to a rolling boil. It will be very frothy, that’s normal. Stir in sugar and bring back to a rolling boil. Cook on high heat for two full minutes.
3. Pour hot jelly into jars. It will still be very frothy. I decided to leave a thick layer of foam on top of the jellies to imitate the way dark beer looks in a glass, but you could certainly skim it off with a spoon if you like. I only wanted a little froth on top, so I ladled the jelly into jars and led the air bubbles rise to the top for a few minutes before I screwed the lids on.
4. Wipe rims clean, screw on lids, and process half pint jars for 5 minutes.

I haven't tried this recipe - but I am completely intrigued by it and think I may have to make some soon..... maybe today!!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Cheers!

ABOUT......

how I could listen to Florence Welch sing all day!

"And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back So shake him off!"

ABOUT.......

Photo source



photo source



When was the last time you got lost in the stacks at your local library?

Keep Calm Read A Book!

ABOUT........

Albert Einstein