Friday, March 29, 2013

Wheat Belly Recipes #7


Wheat Belly plan continues.  Bought the cookbook which is a little disappointing because at least 1/3 of it is restating the theory from the first book and listing the ingredients and descriptions.  Kind of useful, but still wish it was all recipes.  Of course I had to try a dessert first.  Its the hardest thing to give up for me.  I have learned to appreciate 85%cocoa chocolate, but there are times you just want a cookie or cake.  Especially when the house if FULL of girl scout cookies!
First trial run from the book, Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting and Cheeseburger Soup. I could not get a great shot of the soup; it looks rather unappetizing but it is really yummy.


Recipes:
Cheeseburger Soup:
4 c. chicken broth                                             1/2 tsp sea salt
     1/2 head cauliflower, cut into florets           1/4 tsp paprika     1 tbsp butter or coconut oil                            1/8 tsp ground black pepper     1 small onion, chopped                                    1 tbsp coconut flour     1/2 lb ground beef                                            1/2 c shredded sharp Cheddar cheese     1 tbsp minced fresh parsleyCombine 31/4 c of broth and cauliflower into large saucepan; cover and bring to boil.  Reduce heat and cook 15-20min, or until cauliflower is tender.Meanwhile, add butter or oil to medium pan over medium-high heat. Cook the onion, stirring until golden.  Crumble in ground beef and cook thoroughly.  Stir in parsley, salt, paprika and pepper.  Remove from heat and set aside.Transfer the cauliflower and broth to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.  Return to the saucepan. In a small bowl, whisk the coconut flour with the remaining 1/4 c of broth until smooth.  Gradually add the coconut flour mixture to the cauliflower mixture and return to heat, whisking constantly for about 3 min, or until slightly thickened.  Whisk in cheese just until it melts.  Remove from heat and stir in the reserved meat mixture.  Serve.

Cupcakes:
2 cups almond meal                              1/3 cup xylitol (I used powdered splenda)
1/4 cup coconut flour                            2 tblsp buttermilk
1/4 cup ground flaxseed                        1 tblsp vanilla
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda                                Frosting
1/2 tsp sea salt                                         1 square semisweet baking chocolate
2 eggs separated                                       4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted                    1/4 tsp stevia powder (splenda)
Preheat oven to 350. Place 10 liners in muffin pan. Whisk almond meal, coconut flour, flaxseed, and dry ingredients together.  In another bowl whisk egg yolks, oil, splenda, buttermilk, and vanilla.  In large bowl, beat, with electric mixer, egg whites until stiff.  Gold egg whites into egg yolk mixture.  Add to flour mixture. Stir. Divied among paper liners.
Bake for 20 minutes or toothpick comes out clean. 
For frosting. Melt chocolate in saucepan, with electic mixer beat cream cheese until smooth. Add chocolate and splenda and beat on low til smooth.  Spread over Cooled cupcakes.
Pin It Now!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Vacation Hats

Beach vacations are meant to be carefree.  I take that seriously, little or no makeup, little or no jewelry. Easy light clothes that pack well and lots of bathing suits.  The other item, besides sunglasses, that are a must are my hats.  I love a fun hat!  I think I've referred to that in a previous post.  These are my two favorites from Cayman. A straw fedora with black and white band from Tulips in Little Rock and my old and trusty straw cowboy hat.  






Pin It Now!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Spring Break Part 2: Travel Day

Sun is shining and we are heading farther south. First flight takes us to Miami where we spend a long layover in the duty free shopping and Don Schula's Steakhouse at the airport. Well fed and getting restless, we board our plane for Grand Cayman.

Pin It Now!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Spring Break Part 1: Road Trip

On the road kicking off Spring Break family trip. Feeling the sunshine in DIY denim vest, Target wedges and new necklace from Tulips in Little Rock.

DIY GAP denim vest, Sanctuary denim, Forever XXI floral, Target wedges

Target Wedges
Necklace from Tulips in Little Rock
Pin It Now!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Preppy Spring

Pin It Now!

Make It Your Own - options


A week or so ago I passed a jewelry tree in Anthropologie and it grabbed me.  My dresser is awash with jewelry accessories that get left there as I dress and undress.  I have some nice hanging storage in the closet, but find that the things I see are the ones I wear.  Well, the Anthro tree was almost $100 which seemed an extravagance.  Moved on.  Then in Target this weekend, I happened upon a similiar tree with a sweet bird perched on top. At $20 it was a score and I'm so happy with it.  Point is there are options. Sometimes its the investment piece and sometimes its the less expensive version. Pick what you love and can't live without or wait...
Target Jewelry Tree $19.99
Anthropologie Jewelry Tree $98
My tree, quite lovely and practical.  Love it.  Happy Day Light Savings!



Pin It Now!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Maxi with a Maxi

Get it? Yes, one of those "days" when something dark on bottom is a safe bet and preferably nothing restricting either.  The black maxi skirt seemed a good bet paired with new clearance top from Target and chambray shirt.  Mixed metal accessories and Cowboy boots because you never know when you may need to kick some A, even in a skirt. Sidenote - these are the most comfortable cowboy boots ever.  thanks to the EVA innersole.  No tired feet in these kickers.
Old Navy Chambray, Target Sweater, Black maxi similiar , Ariat boots

Here's to lighter days! 
Pin It Now!

Monday, March 4, 2013

Entertaining on the Fly

I do love to entertain friends and family.  And I probably don't do it enough because it seems overwhelming unless I've put weeks into planning an "occasion."  But it doesn't have to be so.  Sometimes the simplest evenings are the most fun.  The last three weekends I have been entertained by friends in their homes.  Relaxed, casual, laughter, no one looking for dust bunnies in the corners, or white-gloving the buffet!  I left my girlfriends homes with a warm heart and full belly.  I jumped in Saturday night, a bit unprepared due to hectic week, to host my aunt, uncle, cousins and parents.  Going into my "What I Didn't Do" mode, I cleaned the downstairs but not the upstairs.  Vacuumed but didn't mop.  Made a lovely centerpiece. Bought cooked chickens from the store, made a nice salad and simple pasta. Voila.  Done.  Sit back, open the wine and enjoy.  Or something close to it anyway...there are still the dishes to wash!
Took a picture of the centerpiece the next day with natural light.  This was relatively inexpensive to assemble using "Manager Special" discounted flowers from the grocery store and produce that will be recycled into edibles after the party. In fact I had to retrieve an apple from my arrangement for the salad that night!
Happy Monday!   

Pin It Now!