2016 Pinterest Party – Christmas Theme

I have been MIA for a little while. My Grandfather passed away a couple of weeks ago, and I had to fly to Georgia for his funeral. After returning, it was hard to get back on schedule, and then this week I was busy prepping for my Pinterest Party. But now I’m back, and I have so much to tell you about!

I love crafts. LOVE. I have a room dedicated to it. I’m almost always in the middle of at least 3 ongoing projects, not including quick crafts I can do in one sitting. Earlier this week (amidst getting ready for the Pinterest party and working a full time job) I also finished converting a standard bed frame into a platform bed. I live for creative projects. But you know what makes crafting even better? Other people.

I work from home, and I’m a self-confessed homebody, so adding socialization to one of my favorite pastimes is a recipe for success. I did one of these Pinterest parties in September 2014, and it was so much fun. So I decided to do another one, this time Christmas themed.

I wanted to choose crafts that my guests could use themselves or that could be given as gifts. In hindsight, I think I chose too many options, it was a bit overwhelming. For those of you who haven’t done a Pinterest party before, here’s how it works: the host selects crafts and purchases all supplies and provides steps/instruction of how to do those crafts. The guests bring a dish to share. I think some people have guests pitch in for cost. In my experience, it’s generally a good idea to choose crafts that can be done at any skill level.

For this party, I selected the following crafts. (Each one will have its own post later with how-tos and links)

Wine Charms

I had all the crafts set up in stations so that everyone could go at their own pace. I just wrote the instructions on poster-sized sticky notes, and included examples and extra inspiration. I pre-made the wire rings and the cards, although I’m sure both can also be purchased. I purchased (or already had) a variety of beads and charms and bells. These are such a great craft. 

Gift Tags

This is one of my personal favorites. There is an endless possibility of what you can do with these tags. 

Glitter Glass

This same technique can be done (and was today) on a votive (shown above), wine glass, or coffee mug. I had a variety of 12 glitters for guests to choose from. There was one Christmas tree votive holder that someone made that was particularly cute.

Marker Painted Glass

Once again, this same concept can be used on just about any material. This craft used paint markers. I only just discovered them, but they are amazing. I want to use them on everything!

Painted Snowman Glass

Look how cute these guys are!! This was the only craft that I didn’t write out the instructions for. Instead I walked everyone through this craft, as there were a number of steps. This was the most complicated craft we did.

Coffee Sleeves

I actually made the one with the buttons over a month ago and loved it so much that I included it in the party. The original pin instructed to sew these, but I opted for hot glue in order to make them doable for non-sewers. Non-sewing-people? You know what I mean. Hot glue made them easier. And faster.

‘Let It Snow’ Ornament

Guests really took off with this one, they were all so cute!

I also made chalkboard wine glass favors. Here are some additional photos from today:

Table set up with gift baskets that use the handmade items to demonstrate how they can be used as a gift.

Coffee gift basket featuring a Marker Painted Mug and Coffee Sleeves.

Spa gift basket featuring a Glitter Glass votive holder and a Glitter Wine Glass.

Wine gift basket featuring Marker Painted Wine Glass and Wine Charms.

Table 2 set up and the kitchen.

Table 1 set up. Both tables included paper towels, a trash basket, a bowl of candy, wax paper (to protect the table), and a wine glass favor at each seat.

Black chalk Wine Glass favors.

Teal chalk Wine Glass favors. The lighting is bad in this picture, they don’t actually look that green.

Extra crafting supplies.

Wide shot from the craft room.

Would you ever host a Pinterest party? What crafts would you choose?

Low Carb Pot Roast

I am a super lazy cook. I prefer meals that can go in the oven or crock pot. Even better if they don’t require much prep work. Pot roast is one of the many meals on that list, and now I found a recipe that makes it even easier!

On a low carb diet like keto you can’t have all the normal things that you might throw into a pot roast, like potatoes and carrots. The roast I grew up making, my mother’s recipe, even has seasonings that are too high in carbs. This one has only 4 ingredients and is super easy. I do make a few modifications, though.

At 6am I am way too tired to cut onions, and always forget to do it the night before. So I use a couple of tablespoons of dried minced onion. Also, I don’t keep bone broth on hand, so I use 2 cups of water and 2 beef bouillon. Then I put it in my crock pot on low for 8 hours and it’s perfect! 🙂

Served over mashed cauliflower, this roast is amazing. Add a little side salad and it’s a whole meal. You can find the recipe on Healing Gourmet.

I’ll have the Charcuterie, please.

 Pistachios, homemade beef jerky, cheddar, fathead crackers, mixed olive tapenade, broccoli, cucumber, pepper jack cheese, pepperoni bites, bell pepper, sugar free candied walnuts, celery, white cheddar, mozzarella, pickles and banana pepper rings, grape tomatoes, pepperoni, garlic and herb mixed nuts, more jerky, sun dried tomatoes, kalamata and green olives. Recipe links at end of post. 

Pretty much one of my favorite quick meals to keep on hand is a charcuterie. Meals, snacks, spontaneous entertaining, pairing with wine or liquor, romantic dinner in front of the fire…there are a multitude of situations for which a charcuterie is perfect. Like all of them. All the situations. I mean, what’s not to love? Cheese, meats, nuts, olives, pickles, vegetables. The combinations are endless.

 Quick lunch of Cheddar, smoked Gouda, gerkin, olives and salami. 

Now, depending on what goes onto a charcuterie they can become quite expensive. Or they can be just the basics and remain more affordable. I’ve made way too many versions to count, but they generally have the same staples: at least 2 types of cheese, a cured meat, olives or pickles, and nuts.

 Fathead crackers (recipe at end of post), Brazil nuts, salami, pepperoni, pickles, Colby jack cheese. 

Even if I’m just making it for myself, having fun plating makes it feel like an elevated meal. Since I try to stay low carb, I don’t always get to have crackers with my board. In come Fat Head Crackers! This amazingly easy recipe by Ditch the Carbs is a lifesaver. So easy to make, and so tasty!

 Pickles, pepperoni bites, white cheddar, cheddar, Brie, salami, summer sausage, olives. 

Weekends are especially common to find a charcuterie in my house. My husband’s schedule and mine don’t often overlap on Saturday’s and Sunday’s, so it’s something we can both just grab when we’re hungry.

 Olives, pecans, cheddar, summer sausage, white cheddar, walnuts, muenster, salami and cream cheese roll ups with kalamata olives. 

Salami and cream cheese rolls are so good and so easy. Just dollop a little bit of cream cheese on a slice of salami, roll it up, and secure with a toothpick. Sometimes I include a kalamata olive, but not always. These tend to be big hits at parties and potlucks, and only take minutes to make.

 Crackers, Welsh cheeses, ginger cookies, bread, black currant jam. 

While traveling overseas I always manage to squeeze one of these in. Toss some cheese and crackers in your backpack and you’re good to go! You also get to try some exciting new cheeses. (I love cheese!!)

 Low carb Toffee and Dark Chocolate scone, Gouda, havarti, salalmi, pepperoni. 

So, I encourage you to go make your own charcuterie! What are your favorite items? Your cheeses of choice?

Recipe credits: Fathead Crackers by Ditch the Carbs, Olive Tapenade by Vanilla and Bean, Beef Jerky by The Art of Manliness, Sugar Free Candied Walnuts by A Clean Bake, Garlic Herb Roasted Nuts by Little Bits Of, Toffee and Dark Chocolate Scones by All Day I Dream About Food.

First Post and Beef Jerky

Happy birthday Marines! Even though I never enlisted and do not have any family that served, I still feel very connected to the marines on an emotional level. Today the USMC turned 241 and I couldn’t be more proud.

I’ve been struggling with feeling…..benign. I don’t love my job. I haven’t started enjoying running yet. I don’t feel particularly motivated to work on any craft projects (though I push myself to work on some for my Pinterest party anyway). I’ve done a lot of house chores and cooking this week, trying to feel more like I have a place or a purpose. But it just feels like my purpose is to get up and do the same thing tomorrow all over again. What am I working towards? 

Because of this, I started to write a bucket list for next year. It still feels like it doesn’t have a purpose except to actually get out and do what I’ve talked about doing for several years, but at least it will give me something I can focus on. I think being unhappy with my image really emphasizes these feelings. But I’m trying to lose weight and get healthy so hopefully J and I can start trying to have a baby.

One thing that sucks about trying to get healthy and cooking at home is all the dishes. So. Many. Dishes. But that hasn’t stopped me this week. So far I have made taco seasoning, taco salad, everything bagel topping, fathead crackers, olive tapenade, spaghetti squash taco bowls, brats with sautéed onions and mushrooms, crustless quiche with zucchini and mushrooms (for me), mini crustless quiches with onions and red peppers and sun dried tomatoes (for J), and cauliflower mash (to go with leftover pot roast that I had in the freezer), and a Mediterranean veggie wrap.

Then there’s today’s crowning achievement: beef jerky.

Yesterday I started the process with flank steak. I sliced it thinly and split it into two marinades (small teriyaki batch for me and bigger “other stuff” batch for J). I cut it against the grain, and I wouldn’t do that again. It kind of crumbled apart in places. Today I dried them, starting with the teriyaki as a test batch. Then I promptly ate half of them. 🙂 Some of them definitely got too dry, and the teriyaki didn’t create a glaze like I thought it would. But it still tasted amazing.

The second batch is sitting on the counter finishing drying. I dried that batch for an hour less to try and keep it more like a store bought level of moisture. I think we’re going to get a dehydrator, so that will probably completely change the cooking time. I would also like to have the butcher cut the meat next time to get a more consistent slice. And either get a thicker slice of meat or slice it on the diagonal for wider jerky pieces.

Today I have been contemplating starting a blog. I’ve started and failed at blogs so many times before. I can’t seem to keep a focus. If I start a baking blog, eventually I get burnt out on baking and start focusing more on crafting. If I start a crafting blog, I eventually get tired of crafting and do something with my dogs instead. Or there are the times when all I do is watch tv. Or the times I’m completely obsessed with exercise.

So, this is me. All of it. Inconsistencies and all, because I’m only human.

A Low Carb Love Story

This is not what you might think. I’m not going to preach to you about why you should go low carb (even though you should). But, rather, this is my sordid battle with trying to live a low carb lifestyle.

A little over 2 years ago I was doing Clean Eating, and my husband discovered keto. I was a skeptic. That’s not what our food pyramid raised us to believe. Fat was bad and raised your cholesterol. He was on keto for 3 months and I couldn’t fathom how he could do that to his body. Until he lost 30lbs and his bad cholesterol actually went DOWN. What?

So there I would be, eating my little salad with almost no dressing and a lean protein, while my husband was eating a pork chop with a mustard cream sauce and sautéed Brussels sprouts. I lost less than 10lbs in the same amount of time he lost over 30. I was jealous, but still not sold. I was still convinced that he was going to have adverse effects down the road.

Then we both faultered.

We both lapsed back into our old unhealthy ways. Pizza, fast food, bread with every meal, soda to our hearts content. And I got high blood sugar. It was in my physical blood panel that fall. It registered in the pre-diabetic range, but my doctor wouldn’t give me that diagnosis until it was consistently at that level and I had more tests. So, I decided that going low carb was my only option. With a long family history of diabetes, I refused to let it take me, too. It was keto time.

That first time on keto was magical and intimidating. Religiously logging my macros, watching in marvel as the scale dropped, and loving all of my rich satisfying meals. Why wasn’t everyone eating like this??? My weight went down, my blood sugar went down, my happiness went up. I was very dedicated and had very few slip ups for 3 months while I was waiting for my next blood test. Then my blood sugar came back normal, and all my motivation flew out the window.

I know, it was very likely normal because of my lifestyle change. But, see, I had accidentally “cheated” the day before my blood test and ate some chips and salsa at a Mexican Restaurant. That was all the reasoning I needed. “I guess if I ate that and my sugar was still normal then my first test must have just been a fluke. Some random spike that was caught in my test.” I still had a third test to go, and the fear was still looming in the back of my head somewhere, but it had been reduced to a faint whisper, only raising its voice at the most inopportune times. And was silenced easily with pizza or alcohol.

During this period I gained back 12lbs. It was just a couple more than where I was when I started keto, but I knew I could work that off. My third blood test came back normal. More slipping, another 2 or 3 pounds gained. Over the next year and a half this would happen every few months. I also injured my knee and had to stop running. So, here I sit in 2016, after failing countless times at keto or clean eating or “just making good decisions” with an extra 30lbs to my name.

The thing about low carb is that when you stop you gain it back extremely fast – and probably plus some extra, too. It took me 30lbs to learn my lesson.

Looking back through all my failed attempts, I know a few things that led to my mishaps. 

1) I missed vegetables. Carrots and tomatoes and sweet potato and so many other great things that you can’t have on keto because they have too many carbs. But, on the other hand, they have so many vitamins and nutrients, could they really be that bad?

2) I have a serious sweet tooth, and I was indulging it. Cheesecake fluff, sugar free syrups, diet soda, sugar free candy, various (and large quantities) of keto baked goods. Apparently in some people some of those sweeteners can actually trigger an insulin reaction as if it were regular sugar. I was one of those people. Consuming these things just made me want more. Made me hungrier. Until eventually I just needed a real sugar or carb fix.

3) Alcohol stalls weight loss. I’m not proud to say that during this period of my life I consumed a lot of it. Going out, at home with dinner, while I was cooking or cleaning on the weekends. It culminated earlier this year and I finally stopped, but that’s a story for another post.

4) Don’t follow my husband’s lead. He can eat more than I can because he’s bigger. He’s a foot taller than me, to be precise. So getting the same portion size, and getting a second helping when he did, means that I was consuming WAY too many calories. And there’s a point where the macros don’t help if you’re just eating 30% more food than you need. Needless to say, I wasn’t dropping lbs like he was. Or at all.

5) It is imperative to find a way to still go out and socialize. For the first several times on keto we felt like we never saw anyone. Some friends didn’t want to hang out because of our food limitations. The area we live in is very food-centric, and we were struggling to be a part of it. Part of this was just not wanting to go to our old favorite places because we couldn’t get our favorite dishes. But we should have gotten over it. On more than one occasion we cheated so we could eat out with friends, using that as justification.

But there were a lot of great things about being low carb. I didn’t feel bloated, had less headaches, lost weight, had more energy. Last week I decided it was time to go low carb again, but this time not specifically keto. I’m going to worry less about fitting into those macros. Im going to eat more vegetables. I’m almost through my second week, and I’m feeling pretty good. I’m trying to not have any sugar substitutes except in my coffee (liquid stevia), or when the occasional recipe calls for it to offset acidity or something. I’ve limited myself to one alcoholic drink a week, and hopefully once my carb cravings subside I can even go less than that. 

So, here I sit, eating my low carb quiche for breakfast, feeling hopeful. I can do this. I can lose 50lbs.