18 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

 .. And just like that I dropped off the radar.

Thankfully it wasn't too long this time :)  This blog needs work, there's a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff I need to fix to make this blog more current and I'm trying, it's just taking extra time that I won't have until after the holidays, but again, I'm trying.

I have some time off work so I'll be working on things then but in the meantime it's almost Cookie time!

I'll be posting some of my favorite cookie recipes over the next few weeks for you all to enjoy :)

See y'all soon :) 

Trader Joes

I'm actually a little surprised that I've never professed my love for Trader Joes to you guys.

But honestly.  I freaking Love Trader Joes.  

I'm an early morning girl, I get up early, I leave for work early and I love to do my shopping in the morning because it's al little less "people-y" out there, the stores are clean and the employees are generally still in a good mood. (Once upon a time, in my teens I worked in retail and I've worked in some aspect of customer service since my twenties).

Anyway...

Trader Joes opens at 8am, which works great for me since I'm not technically supposed to be at work until 9, even though I don't think I've ever been there "that late".  Lately I find myself driving over to TJ's in the morning to grab something for lunch when there were no leftovers from the night before because I know that I can grab a really filling, not crap filled, moderately healthy lunch for less than $5 and nothing near my office is even remotely that inexpensive (Im' looking at you sandwich shop with the  $17 sandwich and the $7 fries (Oh, they're freaking amazing alright, but that's definitely a once in a while splurge).

Their Cold Brew is really damn good too and I am such a total coffee snob.  We have this bit fancy schmancy coffee maker in my office, but.. eh, the coffee isn't spectacular and whenever I find myself grabbing a cup of it, I never finish it.  I like my coffee strong and rich and TJ's cold brew hits that mark and you get 3 servings per bottle (which is more like 2 for me and my giant mug) for $5.49 and while I love my Starbucks, it's definitely not something I'm doing everyday because if I'm getting Starbucks it's gonna be 30 ounces of that lovely bean juice.  There are days I'll just go and grab a black iced coffee and get 2 coffees out of it when I just add my own milk at the office... because leftover coffee doesn't bother me.

Oh.. and the blueberry waffles, Oh, they're good.... they're really good and like $2.49/ box.  I paid $4.99 for Kodiak protein waffles at target last week.. NGL, they were really good, but that's kind of a lot for a box of 10 waffles.  I will typically get the big box of Kodiak flapjack & waffle mix at BJ's but the last few times I've gone they've been sold out.  Last April I started upping my protein and cutting down on carbs and lost 20#. TJ's also has little microwable protein muffin cups (just like the Kodiak ones) for $1.99.

TJ's might not be my "everything" grocery store, but around the holidays you bet your ass I'm gonna find some great extras for the table.  Last year I got the strawberry and I think mango "secco" wine.  I don't drink, but everyone said it was great, it definitely didn't last to the end of the day. Whenever I'm scrolling on TikTok I always stop at the "what's new this week at Trader Joes" ones, take notes, save it or whatever and hope i find it at one of the local TJ's.

I had always thought Trader Joes was expensive, it's not, it's honestly one of the best priced stores around, filled with stuff you'd never think to try.  My spice cabinet is FULL of Trader Joes spices and I keep a few stashed at work too.

Save up to 44% off Ninja appliances at Amazon

Black Friday Deals start now at Amazon 

Get Ready for the Holidays with KitchenAid 

All-Clad Cookware Products 

Breville Cooking Appliances

Save 50% off Keurig K-Compact Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, Black

Shop Great Holiday Deals @Amazon

Amazon Holiday Deals

Get a head start on your Holiday Shopping and get $30 back when you spend $30 with Rakuten!

Rakuten, Get cash back for shopping at your favorite stores! I like to shop, but I LOVE to save money and as I mentioned in my previous post, my son got married this past August to his high school sweetheart. I love my daughter in law, she's been in my family for so long now that it feels like she's always been one of us. ... and I have a LOT of nephews.. and two nieces, lol. Holiday shopping can be a HUGE pain and EXPENSIVE to boot so I love to use apps both on my phone and on my PC when I'm shopping. Rakuten is a big one that I use both for my personal shopping and I use it for work too because I'm in charge of purchasing so why not shop and save here too? Perks people! LOL. I also shop with Honey and you can cash out to Paypal once it's Approved, which I love... coffee money :)

Lets clear up some cobwebs here, shall we?

HI! So it's been like... 5 years with no posts... sorry about that. Life happened and, well, I'm not gonna reflect on what happened and what didn't but lets say I'm not looking back. The blog is going to be getting an overhaul over these next few weeks. Old posts have to be gone through and broken picture links removed and some updating becuase I haven't even been a redhead since 2018! My kid graduated high school in 2014! AND HE GOT MARRIED THIS PAST AUGUST! Lots has happened since I was here last. There will be some changes, it won't be all cooking and chaos as I'm trying to figure out my little corner of the web again.

My Experience with Hello Fresh and why it's not even worth it to bother

We've been flip flopping about trying a meal delivery service for a while now and haven't because of the price but when I got a Groupon offer for 50% off a groupon in my inbox and Hello Fresh was one of the offers, I figured we should give it a shot.  The Groupon price was $50 for a family box which consisted of three meals for four people (the regular price of this box is $104, I don't spend that on a week's worth of groceries!) but for $25 with my groupon deal plus 50% off coupon it was a great deal so I went ahead with it and chose my meals... and hoped for the best. 

I chose my delivery date for Monday since it was the first available and was really excited when I saw that the box was delivered.

Except when I saw that it was delivered to the front door.. actually the delivery confirmation said it was "signed by the front door" Huh.. I never realized my front door could do that 😒.  I had made sure on the instructions I put to deliver to the back door.. packages have been known to go missing off my front porch which is why I get deliveries to the office during the week, Hello Fresh wouldn't deliver to my office so... I figured the delivery driver would deliver to the specified location... but the aggravation doesn't end there.

We carried the box inside and, well..  when I opened it the dry ingredients and vegetables were packaged in brown paper bags labeled with stickers and the meat was basically thrown into the bottom of the box with ice packs.  What really annoyed me first was two out of the three meals I ordered were wrong, including one with Spinach Ricotta Ravioli which is a meal that I can not even eat 😡 and there absolutely was not enough food for four people in there. 

I was a little more than annoyed at this point so I went to the app and tried to get customer service there was nobody available.. so my only other option from there was to write them an email but I wasn't satisfied with that so I went to facebook and left a message for them and then we called.  The customer service rep looked into my account and low and behold They messed up and sent me a classic box (three meals for two people) instead of what I ordered (three meals for four people) so there actually was NOT enough food in this box (Oh man was I glad I didn't pay full price for this!). 

The CS rep said it was now too late for them to send me a new box for the week (it was 7pm on Monday, but ok whatever) and there was nothing they could do for me except offer me two free meals for another week but it would still be $50 for the rest of the meals, that wasn't going to help me now because now I still have to go grocery shopping for a meal for myself to replace the Ravioli that I can't eat and buy more food to bulk up these meals that they sent us.   I told them to just cancel my subscription and thought it would end there. 

About an hour later I got a response to my FB message and I was offered a replacement box for another week, I declined since this was not helping me when I needed it for This week.  They told me they couldn't refund me because I made my purchase through Groupon.  OK, well.. They've lost a customer and I will not recommend them to anyone, that's for sure.  I was not happy. 

I had initially put the next few weeks on hold because 1. I didn't want to be charged $104 for three meals before I had a chance to see how these worked out and 2. they only give you five options for family meals and that's not enough variety for me.  I'm glad I did because Hello Fresh was a one and done for us. 

Nothing in this box was anything I couldn't get myself at any of my local grocery stores with the exception of the novelty of the little bottles of vinegar and maple syrup.

I can see why these can be so popular, but I also see why so many of these services have so many poor reviews, not only did I not get what I requested, I got the entirely wrong box and they did little to remedy the situation when I needed it.

Giving Tuesday

November 28 is Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving that kicks off the charitable season. Help others by supporting the following retailers that all pledge a commitment to giving back.



Pura Vida Bracelets

Every Pura Vida bracelet is handcrafted by artisans in Costa Rica and supports the creative community there. In an effort to share the Pura Vida philosophy with others, Pura Vida Bracelets has partnered with more than 190 charities worldwide to support important causes. By purchasing a unique bracelet from the charity collection, you can support a cause near and dear to your heart, like The Foundation for Women’s Cancer, Mental Health America, and The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. These bracelets make great stocking stuffers for women of all ages.

  



Warby Parker

For every pair of Warby Parker glasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need. Warby Parker has distributed more than 3 million pairs of glasses through its “Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program.” We love the Haley Eyeglasses for their wide fit and modern take on the cat-eye; perfect for someone with a prescription or just for fashion purposes. The Welty Eyeglasses are ideal for someone who is no-frills about their glasses, but still wants to make a statement. For the person who has it all, the classic Aubrey jet-black sunglasses are sure to wow.

  



TOMS Shoes

TOMS transforms everyday purchases into a force for good around the world. With every product you buy, TOMS helps a person in need. The Vista Boots are perfect for the person who loves to stay comfy but needs a functional pair of boots to get them through the winter. For the sharp-dressed man in your life, the Porter Boots check off all his boxes. The Navy Light Burst Tiny Toms Classics are sure to sparkle on the kiddo who wears them this season.

  



Ivory Ella

Ivory Ella was founded on the principle of living a life devoted to saving animals, helping others, and doing everything you can to support your community. Ten percent of the brand’s profits are donated to charitable organizations that benefit both humans and animals alike. The Snowflake Tee simultaneously keeps the busy student on your list comfy while supporting Save The Elephants. Jewelry fanatics love the fashion and social statement this ALEX AND ANI Rosemale Gold Charm Bangle makes in an effort to support Boston Children’s Hospital. Join the fight to cure breast cancer with the Breast Cancer Research’s Neon Pink Ribbon Tee, a great stocking stuffer for women of all ages.

  



Bombas Socks

With each pair sold, Bombas Socks donates a new pair to those in need. They have donated more than 5 million pairs to 650 homeless shelters throughout the United States. For the perfect stocking stuffer that comes packed into a beautiful gift box (no wrapping needed), Bombas Socks has options for the whole family. Shop the limited edition Holiday Sock 4-Pair Gift Boxes for kids, women, and men.

  



Little Lotus

Little Lotus donates a portion of proceeds from each product sold to ensure a pre-term baby in the developing world receives access to their infant incubator. Little Lotus has impacted more than 200,000 babies in 22 countries. Their Swaddles keeps preemies and newborns as safe and cozy as can be. For kiddos ages 3-24 months, the Sleeping Bag helps them sleep better and longer with NASA fabric that keeps them at the perfect temperature.

  



Love With Food 

Love With Food is the easiest way to snack smart and do good. For every box sent, a meal is donated to feed hungry children in America. To date, Love With Food has donated almost 700,000 meals. The Tasting Box includes 7+ snacks, a good option for the friend who doesn’t plan to share. The Deluxe Box packs in 15+ snacks, perfect for friends and family to enjoy with the gift recipient. There’s even a Gluten Free Box with 10+ snacks to introduce someone with the allergy to new and different snacking options. All snacks included are different every month and are either organic or all natural. They include no trans fats, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial colors or flavors.

  

Young Living Essential Oils

My Cousin April has been using Young Living for years and while I listened to her tell me about them I never really considered using them myself until last year, when I got a cold with a cough that just wouldn't go away.  It was bad, so bad that I could barely get a sentence out without having to stop and cough and try and catch my breath.  Not good considering I spend more than half my time at work on the phone with people.  Not good either that I'm one of the 33 million American's without health insurance.  I tried everything over the counter that I could and when it wasn't enough I asked my cousin what I needed to do.

Theives oil she told me, it will help.  She's got five boys, if anyone knows about how to get rid of one and to keep germs out of the house it's this girl.  She and her kids rarely, if ever, get sick.  So I mixed a few drops into some unscented body lotion and rubbed it into my feet and onto my chest.  I did this every night for about three days and I finally started to feel better from this cough that literally plagued me for weeks.  I started diffusing it in my office after that to keep the germs at bay since we work with high school students and there's always someone coming in with some kind of cold and if I can keep the air clean in my office it's honestly better for everyone.

And then spring came and I didn't think much about the oils.

Until I started having stomach issues from everything I was eating.  I found out I was lactose intolerant and everything I loved to eat was making me absolutely miserable, even coffee.  I switched out to coconut milk and finally settled on almond milk for my coffee and morning smoothie but I still wasn't 100% after that, until I realized there was lactose in the mix I use... but I wasn't really happy with any of the alternatives so I just dealt with the constant audible gurgling and popping that was going on in my stomach all day long on a daily basis and taking a lactose pill or two every morning with my smoothie and whenever I felt I was eating something that was going to give me grief of some sort and taking more pills for gas pains multiple times a day.

Try DiGize she told me, it tastes awful, but take two drops with a carrier oil in a gelatin capsule... I didn't have any the day I got my DiGize, so I put two drops in a small glass of water and downed it in one shot. Oh God it was awful.. but, I didn't have any rumblings in my stomach all day.  Not one audible gurgle or pop, I wasn't bloated or uncomfortable.. I was just ...  fine.  All day. For the first time in months.  That night I stopped and got myself some gelatin capsules at the Vitamin Shoppe on my way home from the office though because I'm no dummy, lol.  The next morning I put three drops of DiGize in a gelatin capsule and filled the rest with coconut oil, put the cap on and downed it with the first sip of my morning smoothie and expected to feel something weird.

I felt nothing but comfortable... normal even.  I went about my morning and I was fine, I had my coffee, ate my lunch and afternoon snack, had dinner and I was still fine.  That right there made me a believer.  I was spending a ton of money on pills for lactose intolerance that were barely working and still taking more pills for the gas pains and it was exhausting.  I was stressed every time I ate anything I didn't make myself.  One capsule of an essential oil and a carrier and it kept me free of any issues all day, and has kept me from issues ever since.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I still have to stay away from dairy, this hasn’t cured my lactose intolerance, not by a long shot. Milk and cheese still make me miserable. But by taking three drops of this oil in a capsule with coconut oil has helped me tremendously from the daily gas and bloating I was suffering from.

It took me months of misery to finally become a believer and finally take some sound advice from someone I really trusted who really knew what she was talking about.

If you're interested in learning more about what Young Living is all about click here.

You Can Get Free Gift Cards For Shopping, Searching and Discovering What's Online at Swagbucks.com

Slow cooker French Onion Soup.. Better for you recipe

As I mentioned in my last post I've been working on a better me.  Working on being healthier and cooking healthier not just for myself but my family.

I had a request for French onion soup for dinner for a Sunday night and I went about searching for a recipe that wasn't so full of fat and calories and in the end wound up tweaking a recipe to make it healthier (because honestly, there's no need for 2 Tbs oil and 2 Tbs unsalted butter).  Time and Patience, yes.. all that extra fat, no way.

I have this pan I love, like, I absolutely Adore it and use it for just about anything I can.

It's only a 2Qt, but I love that nothing sticks to it, and if I do get some sticking a little soak in hot water and scrub a bit with baking soda and it's good as new.  I've had this for over a year and a half and It still looks good as new inside.

I was making my soup in the crock pot, but to get the onions properly caramelized was either going to take me 12 hours in the crock pot, or just about an hour on the stove top.  I don't like leaving the crock on overnight (especially with four legged critters in the house). The recipe that I based mine off used 3 pounds of yellow onions, plus oil and butter.  Since becoming lactose intolerant butter isn't really my friend and all that fat is really unnecessary in this recipe (as well as 12 hours for the onions in the crock pot, that's not happening).  

I started out with three pounds of yellow onions plus one big vidalia onion, cut into quarter moon slices, one tablespoon of vegetable oil, 1 Tsp Sea Salt and set it over medium-low heat.   I knew this was going to take a while, so I had a project I was working on while this was going.

                                                                     15 minutes in...

45 minutes in

60 minutes in...

an hour and 15 minutes in...

                                             90 minutes and they're ready for the crockpot

This was the most time consuming part of this whole recipe, but really, it's so worth it because the end result is absolutely delicious.  I started this at 9am on a Sunday morning, my son was sleeping, my BF was at work so I had the time and while I was doing this I was working on a needlepoint project so I only got up every so often to give it a stir, plus this is a nice heavy bottomed pan that doesn't burn as long as you've got he heat set nice and low.

I don't have soup crocks, so in the end I ended up toasting the bread and cheese in the oven and topping the bowls of soup with it like that, it was amazing either way.

So now, without fail, here is my recipe, adapted from the Kitchn's recipe.

Ingredients

3 pounds yellow or Vidalia onions, peeled, sliced, and cut into quarter-moons

1 tablespoon oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed

Freshly ground black pepper

10 cups reduced-sodium beef broth 

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

4 to 6 toasted baguette slices per bowl

1/3 cup grated Swiss cheese per bowl (1 1/3 to 2 cups total)

Instructions

Since I started my recipe on the stove top as stated above, these are my directions:

Cut the onions into quarter moon slices and place in a heavy bottomed pan with 1 Tbs oil and 1 tsp Kosher salt.  Sweat the onions over low heat and continue to cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until caramelized.  Mine took just about an hour and a half to be right where I wanted them.

Add to Crock pot along with the broth and vinegar. 

Cover and continue cooking on low for 6 to 8 hours. Longer cooking will only intensify the flavors and add richness to the soup. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.

Portion the soup into oven-safe bowls. Arrange a rack in the upper third of the oven and heat to 350°f and place the bowls on a rimmed baking sheet.

Top each bowl with a slice of toast and about 1/3 cup of shredded cheese.

Bake until the cheese is completely melted, 20 to 30 minutes and then broil for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the oven to broil. Broil until the cheese is bubbling and browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Serve with chopped fresh shallot or onion if desired.

This makes a lot of soup and it was enough for dinner sized portions for the three of us, plus seconds for my kid and lunch for myself the next day

Sometimes life just gets in the way...

No, I have not disappeared, I haven't fallen ill or anything like that.

I've just been... So. Damn. Busy!

I know, I know you're probably going "Really Ashley, it's been over a year since you've posted Anything at all!" While that may be true that nothing has been posted here, the Facebook page stays fairly active when I have a minute to post something there.  It's not any help right now that Blogger hasn't updated it's App so it'll work with my iPhone or iPad either.

I still cook, pretty much every night, although I've had to change some things around since becoming lactose intolerant recently. (Seriously it's like I'm being punished for something, I had a klondike bar a few weeks ago and thought I was going to need a visit to the ER the stomach cramps were so bad).  It all started when my morning smoothie started not really agreeing with me so I cut down the milk and I was still getting "the gurgles" so I just cut it out completely replacing it with water (yuck) and finally turning to coconut milk and then finally unsweetened almond milk as a suitable replacement.  Not having milk in my coffee was not an easy change for me, but since I'm officially addicted to Stök coffee (Black, unsweetened, OMG it's the best coffee) I've been okay with just a little Soy or almond creamer and no sugar.

I started to cut sugar out of my diet in March when I decided I was almost 40 and it was time to change the way I ate for good.  It started with cutting out sour candy (I was addicted, I'm talking a bag a day, and not the little bags you find in the checkout either, the bigger bags you find hanging in the candy aisle O.o).  I started using MyFitnessPal and logging everything I ate, and it wasn't easy in the beginning but I lost 8# in the first few months just by managing what I ate and trying to squeeze in walking workouts on the weekends (I absolutely love Leslie Sansone walking workouts as well as Tracy Campoli and Jessica Smith workouts on youtube).

I feel better, I fit into my clothes better and I look better.

I am way more conscious about not just what I eat, but what we buy when grocery shopping and what I’m feeding my family. I may never break my Bf of his diet soda habit but I can’t say I haven’t tried🤷🏻‍♀️

Moving forward the blog will feature recipes that my family loves and that I’ve worked to make healthier for everyone.

Hope to see you all back here soon and the first recipes to be shared will be some great ones that I’ve made this weekend 😁

PinPix Decorative 30x20 inch Bulletin Board, Framed in Satin Black, Handmade in the USA

*This post contains affiliate links*


Of all the things I love about my new office is the cleanliness of everything. As much as I once loved my old job, the place was in a constant state of disarray, and no matter how hard some of the ladies tried to keep it neat, it was just never was.


This office is the complete opposite in so many, many ways (first and foremost I do not have any annoying co workers who chat incessantly on their phones or to themselves all day long). My office is clean, bright and I love what I do.


When I was offered the opportunity to purchase this lovely bulletin board at a discounted price I jumped since having these few things pinned to the wall beside me wasn't the most appealing option. When it finally arrived I was in love. It's pretty big, so I was glad I have all this open space on the wall to get creative with. The color is gorgeous and a nice contrast to the pale green walls here and it's big enough to hang all the things I want to without it looking cluttered thanks to it's generous 30" x 20" size

PinPix Decorative 30x20 inch Bulletin Board, Framed in Satin Black, Handmade in the USA

This Gorgeous bulletin board came with all the hardware I needed to hang it anywhere I wanted, which was great because you never want to have something to hang and then be frustrated and have to go running to the hardware store to grab the hardware you need, I ended up using some command picture hangers we had here in the office instead of hammering the walls in the middle of the day.

HI!

HI!

I know,  y'all are probably thinking I've abandoned the blog.

But, if you follow the FB page you know that's not true.

I've had some stuff going on, keeping me busy busy, I'll make a quick rundown...

The Kid Turned TWENTY!! I love my kid, he's the sunshine in my every day no matter what, his school schedule drives me insane most of the time and last semester he had two insanely long days where he'd leave at 6:30 am and not get home until 1:30 the following morning with a break in between.  It was hell.  His new semester starts this coming week, it will be much better than the winter session, Thank God!

Also...   I quit my job!


It's no shock that I'd been unhappy there for some time and there is no denying that they're not going to make any changes. After being fed up with a toxic co worker who was supposed to be let go months ago, It was going to be her or me and since they are literally afraid to fire her it was ultimately an easy choice for me.


After eleven years it was hard..... BUT y'all ever have a co worker that just got on your last nerve every single day?  Well, if you've been following me since the beginning you remember the office witch... this lady was a thousand times worse.  She was obnoxious blasting music from her iPad every morning, then sitting with headphones on at her desk and not even paying attention to people talking to her or the phones ringing, her constant running commentary to herself and her disappearing act... not to mention she claimed to work more hours than she actually did, so she was paid for time she wasn't there... not as if she was actually working for most of the time she sat at her desk anyway since she spent most of her time texting and messaging and scrolling around Facebook, when I noticed she was watching TV and movies on her iPad and the boss acted like he didn't notice I'd had enough.. I'd never in my life worked with someone so lazy and entitled.

I got tired of complaining about her and my boss being too chickenshit to do anything about it, so when I got an offer for a new job I went and interviewed and was hired on the spot. It was not an easy decision because I honestly loved most of my co workers, but this lady... I had it with her and her BS every day.  When I went in and told my boss that I was offered a new position with better pay and benefits I initially thought he'd at the very least ask me what he could do to make me stay...  but nope, he wished me well and then a few days later asked me to write a guide book for the person who would be taking over my position.  That guide book ended being eighteen pages long and detailed everything from the businesses we ordered supplies from with all the passwords and links to how to check the voicemail in the office.  It was extremely detailed and they ended up getting Two people come in and interview and then hiring one literally 5:30 the night before my last day.  She came in for a few hours on my last day there and I trained her as best I could.

After eleven years it was weird leaving there, but my new job is so much better!  I went from working in a law office to working in education and it's so different but it's also kind of the same thing and I really like the people I work for and with, they're a great bunch and for the first time in a long time I don't dread going into work every day and rush my life away wishing for Friday anymore.

I'm still cooking.... every night.  My kid had requested a Rainbow cookie cake for his birthday and it came out amazing.

He ended up having class on his birthday and getting home really, really late so we went out to dinner the following day after work and then had cake after dinner (ie, Late!)  I made the cake on his birthday after coming home from work and  let the finished cake sit in the fridge overnight.  It came out really good and I'm going to make regular rainbow cookies with this same recipe today once the butter softens :)  I'll share it here, it's not my recipe, but it's good, really, really good.  I hadn't made a rainbow cookie cake before and while it came out kind of dense, that was my error and I know what I did wrong and how to remedy it.

So, that's what's been going on..... I'm sorry I haven't been around much, I will try to be here more often.  In the meantime check out the Facebook page and comment once in a while :)

Alterre Holiday Launch Giveaway

Almond Paste

You do NOT have to spend big bucks on the canned stuff to get good almond paste.



Almond Paste
1 3/4 cups (175 grams) ground blanched almonds

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 large egg white

teaspoon almond extract

1/4 teaspoon salt



Directions

Place almonds in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. 

Add the confectioners' sugar, egg white, extract and salt; cover and process until smooth.

Divide almond paste into 1/2-cup portions; place in airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 1 month or freeze for up to 3 months. Yield: 1-1/2 cups.

Pignoli Cookies

PIGNOLI COOKIES

makes 30-36 cookies

INGREDIENTS
8 oz. almond paste
2 egg whites, slightly beaten
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup flour. .
pinch of salt
1 cup pine nuts


DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, using an electric mixer break up almond paste. On low to medium speed, beat in egg whites until mostly smooth.

In a separate bowl, sift together confectioner’s sugar and granulated sugar. Beat into almond mixture. Then add flour and salt and mix until well combined.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pine nuts in a shallow bowl.

Using parchment paper, cover a cookie sheet. With wet fingers (this prevents the dough from sticking to your hands), roll dough into small balls, about 3/4 inch in diameter. Then roll the top and sides of the balls in the pine nuts. Place balls on a cookie sheet about 1 inch apart.

Bake for 17-19 minutes. Do not brown. Cookies should be pale on top and barely brown on the bottom. The centers should be soft.

It's that time of year already! Sign up for The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap!

I'M IN!!!

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, check out Glamulet

http://www.glamulet.com/breast-cancer-october-2015

The Charms brand Glamulet was launched in 2014 to offer to every women a new range of trendy and elegant quality jewelry at an affordable price. We believe that every woman should be allowed to express herself and to feel pretty. We design glamorous Charms and bracelets and we use quality materials to manufacture them. Each woman can mix and match the Charms to create her own Bracelet. Glamulet empowers women by giving them affordable accessories to state their fashion sense, commemorate an event or symbolize a special meaning. Two years after its launch, Glamulet is working hard to spread this vision worldwide and to better the life of every woman.

October is breast cancer awareness month and I'm teaming up with Glamulet to help spread the word about #PinkOctober and let you all know that 50% of sales from every charm sold by Glamulet will be donated to breast cancer charities.  Unfortunately Breast Cancer has touched so many lives and will continue to until they find a cure "Right now breast cancer is at a tipping point. More women are surviving. But more are being diagnosed than ever before. And every 45 minutes, another woman dies from the disease." These are staggering statistics, and we need to work together to make a change.

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Hi there :)

I know I seem to disappear for months at a time, I'm really sorry -_- Things will be more active around here soon, I promise :)

My Facebook page for the blog is updated pretty much daily with recipes and shared tips, take a look and give me a follow.

I'm preparing to move so things are a little hectic. After four years here the kid and I are moving to a bigger place where the kid will have his own room again, two cats and a dog on loan whenever we want (he belongs to the landlords). :) Pretty much anywhere we've lived hasn't been pet friendly, so it's nice to be able to have pets again.

I'm sure this isn't a shock to anyone that I hate moving, I don't know anyone who really does. This will be the 4th time I've ever moved and hopefully after this there will be just one more where we can finally set our roots down for good.

I'll be back in a few weeks once the move is all done and I'm settled back into a normal schedule... whatever that is, but I know it will be a lot less driving back and forth and that is always a good thing.