Baking!

So I've discovered something. I think I like to bake just for the sake of baking.  I made 42 or so cupcakes, iced them, and sprinkled them without so much as licking the icing off my fingers.  I also made about 42 Pumpkin muffins without eating any. (I did taste a bite and spit it out to make sure it was the right recipe.) 

I thought it was going to be a nightmare to be on Atkins, because I wouldn't be able to safely bake.  Apparently, however, I'm totally good with baking and feeding stuff to others.  I'm not saying I don't want to taste it...but the urge is not so great that I can't resist it.

Next baking experiment?



BTW I LOVE that girl! She's perfectly adorable!

So instead of the Tetris design, I'm going to do MARIO! Since Finny is obsessed!

The Way to Go from Yum to OMG Yes!

Wrap it in BACON!!!

Yes, that's right! Bacon!

I like venison steaks fried. They are yummy. I'm not wild about the baked. However if you take a venison steak and wrap that puppy in bacon and bake it. We are talking SHAZAM!!!!

I enjoy salmon. It's quite good. Lots of Omega Fatty Acids. But wrap that salmon filet in bacon! Ohhhh yes!

Then to trick yourself into thinking you are getting pasta, sauté some shredded Zuke in butter and olive oil, drain it really well in a colander, put your bacon wrapped salmon on top of it, and then...

 

Wait for it...

Drench it all in Alfredo sauce!

Then. Just sit back and enjoy your Atkins friendly dinner!

Atkins Diet...GO!

I'm not going to post on more than one blog about my various interests. There just isn't that much extra time in my life. So here comes a diet post!

The hubby and I just started the Atkins diet. We both have a good chunk of weight to lose. I've been reading the 1991 book by Dr. Atkins himself and while it is probably a little outdated in the most recent scientific research, I started reading this one and loved his kind but firm style of convincing you to do the diet. He simultaneously makes you feel less guilty about your weight problem while still making it clear that you have to make changes.

Now I'll be honest, I was REALLY skeptical about even trying it. I LOVE bread and well you have probably seen my cake posts. It's really not as bad as I thought it would be. I've been taking the L Glutamine supplements he recommends for cravings, and I think they really help.

Coffee is an obstacle. Did you know that coconut milk in coffee is vile? Like gag a maggot vile? Well it is!!! Heavy cream has the same number of carbs and while not coconuty like my preferred creamer it is quite yummy. Also Splenda in powdered form has carbs to keep it from sticking together. I ordered some liquid Sucralose. I hope it isn't awful!  I will let you know!

I made a bunch of deviled eggs and got two handy deviled egg keepers that hold 20 each from Walmart.  They're very stackable and handy!

Also made a bunch hamburgers for dinner last night and to keep for today.  I think I'm making bacon wrapped venison steaks for dinner tonight.  I tell you all this fatty stuff really goes against everything I ever learned was bad for me!!! I'm swayed by all the scientific evidence though.  This book is SO heavy on the science.  It's not a motivational book, it's plain and simple science and success stories.  That appeals to my fact-craving mind.

Okie dokie.  That's about it for now. I'll try to keep updating regularly!

Lesley's Tips for Enjoying the Holidays

Tips for Enjoying the Holidays More:

1. Shop Early - Nothing spoils the happy holiday mood like last minute shopping. 
2. Don't expect it to be like a holiday movie - Accept perhaps National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ;)
3. Don't expect it to be like a Christmas Card - Expectations ruin the beauty of the experience you're having. Sure the kids throw clumps of icicles all over the tree, dump sprinkles in 3 inch high piles in the middle of the cookies, and decide halfway through that they're not remotely interested in making ornaments with you, but who cares. Enjoy what it is instead of mourning what it could have been.
4. It's the thought that counts - This applies to receiving as well as giving. If you get a gift you don't like, be happy that the person thought of you enough to spend their hard earned money or time on it. Same goes for giving, put some thought into the gift you give someone and if they don't like it well they can just suck it! Don't worry about it. They should be grateful and if they're not, then it's not your fault. 
5. It's not your responsibility to make everyone happy - There are people in everyone's life that no matter what you do, what lengths you go to, what money you spend won't be happy. It's not your fault. People chose whether to be happy or not (aside from clinical depression which should be treated) and if they chose to be unhappy or disappointed with a situation then it's not your fault. Do what you can. Don't kill yourself. The result will be the same!

And it's not about the presents! So don't go overboard.

New Game: Zombie Appocalypse!

Okay, so I don't know about you... But with all the Christmas presents I just bought, I'm broke!

So...New Game!!!

The zombie apocalypse is about to start!  There are signs.  Scattered reports of people attacking others and eating their flesh.  Bath salts? Or impending doom?

For the sake of safety you better stock up!  For at least the rest of the month!  (Trust me...it's the holidays so shopping in this mess is just like shopping in a real impending apocalypse.)

Once you make your stock up trip, society falls.  Don't worry. At least the power and water are still on and we have tv!

Okay, that's it! Don't buy anything else for the rest of the month!

What? Your kids need fresh milk, and you don't wanna bake your own bread? Hmm OK.  I guess then you can go out on the occasional salvage run.  But you're not allowed to buy more than a bag worth of groceries.  After all with anymore than that, you're going to be too weighed down to run from the zombies chasing you!

Now...GO!

I've been a Busy Little Bee

I know I promised to be better about posting here, but I've been so busy that I haven't been able to manage. There is something about this time of year! I swear I get SO overwhelmed by everything. Work has been crazy! And I just had Nicky's birthday party last weekend. He had a Halloween birthday party. I built a little haunted house in our barn. It was epic! And on top of all that, I've finished up publishing all the Women of Sithein books and Blood and Violets in print and Kindle editions. So here you have them! In suggested reading order, even!

 

Kindle

Print

 Kindle

Print

Kindle

Print

Kindle

Print

So that's why I've kinda had my hands full! I'm working on Dark Waters right now again.  The sequel to Blood and Violets.  

Contest: Slay Your Own Dragons Necklace

In celebration of the release of Dana of the Whispering Wood in both Kindle and Print formats, I'm giving away a Slay Your Own Dragons necklace!

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