Summer is Coming to an End.....FINALLY!!

So it has been a LONG time since I've blogged, but I'm back at it again!!  So I have changed the name and look of my blog!!  Here's what's going on in my life:

Adam and I have starting the ketogenic diet, which is high fat, moderate protein, and low carb!!  It was hard to get rid of all my favorite sugary, carb filled food but I am soooooo glad I did.  I feel wonderful!!!  It seems like I have more energy and I feel more healthy.  I have realized that bad carbs are truly the DEVIL!!!  Trying new recipes and experimenting with new flavors and tastes.  I really wish I would have discovered this years ago because it has changed my life!!  I didn't know that I could eat like this and lose weight.  It is the most amazing feeling ever.  I will definitely be posting recipes and food ideas!!

So I start back to school in the next couple of weeks.  Can't say I'm too excited about it, but I know I have to do it.  I am going to try nursing one more time and then if I don't get into the program I am taking it as a hint that it's not what I'm suppose to do.  My back up plan is to be a nutritionist and work in a weightloss clinic and help patients with their meal plans.  I'm just not sure if nursing is right for me!!!  I use to want to be an ER nurse and maybe someday that will happen, but just not right now!!

What I am really excited about is that in less than 70 days Adam and I are headed to VEGAS for a much needed vacation!!  I cannot wait because I really need a vacation away from work, school, and life!!  We are planning on staying at the New York, New York hotel that has a king size bed and jacuzzi!!

Also in 72 days is officially FALL!!!  I cannot wait!!  It is my favorite time of year.  I love decorating for fall and I can't wait for my favorite holiday......HALLOWEEN!!  I can't wait for cooler weather, pumpkin spice, hoodies, sweat pants, decorating pumpkins, watching the leaves fall, and my hubby's birthday!!!  My diet is going to struggle because I LOVE baking fall time treats!!!  Maybe that will be a cheat day ;-)

So excited to post keto recipes!!!  Here is a current picture of us, a little skinner!!!

MARCH is HERE!!

I guess it's about time I update my blog.  Life has been so busy that it hasn't been a priority.  I have at least been updating once a month!! 

Why am I soooo excited that it is March???  Because it is our wedding anniversary month.  It's soooo hard to believe that it has been a whole year since we got married.  I guess time flies when you are having fun.  It seems like just yesterday spending all that time planning and March 17th went by sooo fast.  It was like gone in a blink of an eye. 

Well, today we are leaving and heading to the beautiful Lake Lure, NC!!  A lot of people have not heard of Lake Lure, but it is a beautiful part of NC.  It became really popular after 1987 when Dirty Dancing was filmed!!  We are only going for a couple of days, but I'm really excited to spend some much needed time with my sweet hubby.  Here is a picture of the view from out hotel!!  I am happy because the weather is going to be in the 70's this weekend!! 

Will post lots of pictures and blog about our trip!!  I know you can't wait!!! 

February.....my favorite month

So it's my birthday month.....YAY!!  Plus Valentine's day, which I could care less about but Valentine Candy is the BEST.  I LOVE RED candy!!!  But I need to cut out sugar ASAP because it is making me fat.  I am determined to lose 30-40 lbs before the summer.

So Adam and I are finally on the same shift, which is awesome because we sleep the same time and work the same time.  Things are still chaotic but at least we get to see more of each other.  Plus we started working out together.  Sunday morning we went to the fitness room at our apartment and we could tell that we were really out of shape!!  So this morning we tried something different.  We did Jillian Michaels 30-day shed program.  It's only 27 minutes, but it kicked our tail!!  It's cardio, strength training, and abs.  Our plan is to do it every day!!!

She makes it look so easy!!  Plus she is hard core, no wonder the contestants on the biggest loser lose 200 pounds and hate Jillian LOL

We also started eating healthier and hopefully in no time the weight will drop off!!

Here is one of our favorite veggie side!!  AND it's only 50 calories!!  Plus its so yummy!!

Ingredients:

Zucchini, 1 cup, sliced
Parmesan Cheese, grated, 1 tbsp
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, Original Buttery Spray, 10 sprays
Non-stick cooking spray

Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil, then coat with some non-stick cooking spray. Place the zucchini slices out on the pan, then spritz with them with the butter spray. Sprinkle on the parmesan cheese and then pop it in the oven. Broil for a few minutes - until the cheese starts to brown. Enjoy it while it's warm!

Make a larger batch for a delicious and healthy side dish for any meal! Your family will love it!

More healthy recipes and workout updates to come!!

Happy New Year

So, I haven't blogged since Christmas. The holidays were very busy for the Gardner's!! I will be posting healthy recipes because Adam and I are trying to change our eating habits and lose weight. We have cut out soft drinks, which is difficult for me because I am a die hard Cheerwine fan. I will have to drink some every once in a while!!

What did I get for Christmas?? I'm so glad you asked!! I got an empire red Artisan series, kitchen aid mixer!!! I will post a picture. I haven't used it yet but I am using today!!!! I can't wait!! I have been wanting one since I got my first easy baked oven. I just want to bake all the time!! I think I'm in the wrong profession.

Today I'm going to make a homemade apple pie and a red velvet bunt cake for a dinner party with friends. I will definitely post pictures later.




Isn't it sooooooo pretty???
More posts to come!!

Christmas Hard Candy

So I haven't posted in a couple of days, but today Adam and I made our Christmas hard candy.  I took pictures so I can put the recipe on here and step by step instructions.  We made 11 batches of candy today and let me tell you, it is HARD work!!!  I will post the recipe at the bottom of the post.

Here is the finish product:

Pour sugar, water, and light corn syrup in a pot and boil until 300 degrees.  (We used a candy thermometer)  **Warning*** When it hits 250 degrees, watch it carefully because the temperature rises FAST.  Trust me we have burned MANY batches in the past!!

While the candy is boiling, you need fix your container with powdered sugar with ditches.  You can uses 3- 9x13 dishes or I used a large cupcake carrier (it worked GREAT).  I used several bags of powdered sugar.  It needs to at least cover the bottom and be at least 2 inches thick.  Then I use a wooden spoon and make sure the sugar is flat.  Then use the other end of the spoon and make ditches, like a snake.  I have pictures of me pouring it and after it is poured so you will understand what I am talking about.

Here is a picture of me pouring it in the ditches:





Then you take CLEAN, kitchen shears or scissors and cut the candy into small pieces.  It usually takes about 10 minutes until it gets hard enough to cut.  It also helps to have another helper to help cut!!!

Then you roll it around in the powdered sugar and use a sifting spoon (I guess that is what it is called, a spoon with slits in it)


Here is a picture of the flavored oil that we used and food coloring

***** BEWARE: When making cinnamon, be careful because it is VERY strong!!  Strong enough to burn your nose hairs.  Just ask Adam, he didn't believe me!! *******

Hard Candy
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
3/4 cup light corn syrup
powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. flavoring oil (can buy at AC moore, but we bought some on Amazon a lot cheaper!!)
Liquid Food Coloring
Candy thermometer

Pour sugar, water, and corn syrup in a pot and boil until it reaches 300 degrees.  Remove from burner and stir in flavored oil and food coloring pretty fast.  Pour into the ditches and then wait about 10 minutes and cut into small pieces with clean, scissors or kitchen shears.  Place in a seal tight container!!

Nice for Christmas presents!!!  Your finished product!!
We made:
Lime, Lemonade, Orange Cream, Cinnamon, Strawberry, Grape, Blueberry, Cotton Candy, and Pina Colada

Don't be afraid to post question on here or Facebook!!!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner

So this Wednesday night our church is doing a Thanksgiving meal where everyone brings a covered dish.  Question is, what am I going to make???????  I'm thinking some kind of chicken casserole because that is pretty easy.  I am definitely going to make my crock pot macaroni and cheese because it makes a WHOLE lot!!  I've got plenty of asparagus, so I may take some of that.

Now, what kind of dessert?????  I'm thinking of something very Thanksgivinging (don't think thats a word, but oh well).  So I think I will go with a pie of some kind.  There is Pumpkin, Apple, Sweet Potato Pie, but I think I want to make my favorite!!!  CARAMEL PIE with cool whip topping and chocolate drizzle!!!   Guess how you make this delicious pie??  By boiling cans of sweetened condensed milk for a few hours.....who knew that it would turn into caramel??  Here is what it will look like:

Making my eyes water as I look at this picture!!!  

Also I am making homemade Lasagna for thursday night!!  Haven't had it in a while so I am kind of excited.  We are having my Aunt and Uncle - in-law over!!  Also making apple dumplings.....PICTURES to come soon!!

More Pumpkin.....

I found a recipe on Pinterest for Pumpkin Scones.  I wasn't sure how they would turn out, but they were surprisingly good.  They kind of taste like a sweet biscuit.  They are pretty easy to make.  The first picture is from the website I found these from:

I made mine into hearts because I have some heart shaped cookie cutters.  These are the ones that I made:

Here is the recipe and the link for the website I got these from:

Pumpkin Scones

These moist and delicious pumpkin scones, with the sweet taste of pumpkin and spices of fall, are brushed with a scrumptious powered sugar and drizzled with a spicy glaze. If you love pumpkin, this sweet and spicy scone is sure to please!

YIELD: 12 Scones

                              Ingredients:

For the Scones:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
3 tablespoons half-and-half
1 large egg
For the Powdered Sugar Glaze:
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons milk

For the Spiced Glaze:
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch ground ginger
1 pinch ground cloves

http://sweetpeaskitchen.com/2010/09/pumpkin-scones/