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What to Gift When Bread Pudding ISN’T an Option

What to give? What to give?

 

We all have those friends, family, and acquaintances that we would like to share some seasonal cheer with this time of year. The ideal gift is personal, thoughtful, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. (Bonus points for items purchased or produced in bulk!)

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That’s why homemade treats are the best! But, once you know how bad sugar and most store bought “goodies” are, it’s hard to give them to people you care about.

 

There are plenty of great recipes out there where you can swap out sugar for a natural sweetener. But, mass producing can be tricky and can also get pricey, especially if you are still experimenting with almond flour, coconut flour, and various sweeteners.

 

So what are other options besides gift cards?

 

Coffee or tea-Have a variety that you love? Share it! People don’t often branch out once they find their morning companion.

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Lotion or other self care item-Some people spend money on these items, other’s really don’t see the need, or don’t know which to try. There is something to be said about a nice shave butter/creme.

 

Candle or candles- I recently received a small soy candle as part of a hostess gift, it was purchased off Etsy and it was AMAZING. I know the moment I have people coming over I run around the house lighting candles.  They just make a home more homey, and with 2 dogs and a cat, one can never be too careful.

 

Marie-Antoinette Candle Bust

 

Stationary, thank you cards, or desk note pad-it doesn’t have to be personalized and I can almost guarantee it will get used.

 

Small succulent or super easy house plant-think aloe vera or “mother-in-law’s tongue”

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If you do want to try your hand at food items, think about pickles, cheeses, olives, nuts, cured meats, salsa, or the like.

 

Remember wine and various alcoholic beverages can be keto-friendly too!

 

This year we are getting together with extended family on my fathers side. It’s been a few years since we have all seen each other; new cities, new babies, new jobs, chemo, life… Years ago we stopped doing traditional gifts and now just do a “White Elephant” it’s a good time! I’m sure our version is likely different than other’s-only 3 “hand changes” then the gift is essentially frozen and the person that drew #1 gets to pick at the end.  Every year couples end up plotting their moves, the occasional bribe gets tossed out, and it gets oddly competitive. This year will be no different I am sure. However this year, the $25.00 gift must be at least partially consumable. I have gone around and around in my head about what to bring. Of course I have to purchase two gifts one for me and one for the hubs- he tends to let me do most of the leg work in these situations. But I would love some suggestions! Please, if you have any ideas for a group ranging in ages from 25 to late 60’s, I would love to hear them. We are an eclectic (but fun) group, and of course, I want to win the best gift (or 2) in the pile both given and received.

Why was this not our Christmas card?

 

Week Night Dinner Tip-Think Frozen

School is officially in! I am working basically full time and at multiple doctor appointments during the week as well. I’m healthy, but doctors don’t place a whole bunch of stock in changing diet as a means to keep me cancer free. (I COULD GO ON FOR HOURS ON THIS!)

 

Getting dinner on the table is still important to us! I have very little time to get something on the table after finishing work, getting the kiddo from school, the hubs usually works out for an hour or so, mail, dogs, life…you all know!

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So our meals are less than creative but still have to be Keto.

 

I am working on mixing it up, but for the most part, fall into a pattern. Veggie and protein with a cream sauce or butter.

 

 

I am a huge advocate for the organic frozen veggies at HEB and Costco, I buy them at almost every trip to the store. They are cost effective, stay fresh, and can be ready in minutes.

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Frozen veggies are typically flash frozen right off the plant and can often be just as good for you or even better than items found in the produce section. Top with KerryGold some pink salt, pepper and you are set!
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So next time at the store, toss in a few bags of the frozen cauliflower, broccoli, and chopped spinach! It’s one of the easiest and fastest ways to get a veggie on the table, and keep your weeknight sanity!

 

Swap the Salts

Here is another SUPER simple and painless way to improve the health of your family.

 

Swap out that blue can of chemicals: either the salt, lite salt, or salt free can that has been gracing your dinner table.    For one of these two:

Himalayan Salt

 

Containing all of the 84 elements found in your body, the benefits of natural Himalayan Crystal Salt include: Regulating the water content throughout your body. Promoting healthy pH balance in your cells, particularly your brain cells. Promoting blood sugar health and helping to reduce the signs of aging.

I buy the grinder from Costco for around $4.00.

The richer and more varied the colors in the salt the better!

Add this to everything! Top your eggs, finish your protein and veggies! EVERYTHING.

 

The also amazing but less easy to find is The Grey Celtic Salt:

Grey salt is a “moist” unrefined sea salt, usually found in the Brittany region of France’s Atlantic coast. Its natural light grey color comes from the minerals absorbed from the clay lining the saltponds. The salt is collected by hand using traditional Celtic methods and wooden tools.

Grey Celtic Salt

 

 

These two completely blow away the competition! They will not break the bank and once you switch you will notice the pure real, healthy, and difference of good quality Salt.

 

We are need salt!So make sure its a good one!

 

New (School) Year Resolutions

The kids are heading back or have headed back to school, and in so many ways it feels like a new year in general. The new school year brings on thoughts similar to that of the new calendar year.

What are you going to do differently?

One of the easiest things you can do is to add in healthy fats.

Toss the margarine – along with any other vegetable oil spread or Crisco type products.  What is that stuff anyhow?!



Bring back butter! The real stuff – preferably grass fed. Have you heard of Kerrygold? It’s amazing, and I know more than a few people who eat this stuff straight off their knife.

 

Try coconut oil.  If you have not heard of the amazing health benefits of coconut oil, there are countless websites that are singing the praises of this superfood! Authority Nutrition has a top 10 list. Add it to your coffee, use it place of your conditioner or moisturizer – really this stuff is down right great.

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Bring back whole milk and cream. Quit using sugar water skim milk in your coffee, enjoy your coffee and/or tea with heavy cream or at least half and half. You will enjoy the cup so much more. Reading the ingredients on the bottle of non-dairy creamer likely requires a degree in chemistry.

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If the kiddos are on skim and are whole milk phobic, try to stair step them up. Up it to 2% and then whole. Before they realize it, they will be in whole milk Heaven.

 

We will post more ideas in the upcoming days and weeks!

 

Have a great new school year!

 

A Little Weekend Adventure

A couple of weekends ago, I made a trip down to our local Farmer’s Market in San Antonio at the Pearl Brewery.  I have been wanting to to go for months to pick up some fresh eggs, but something always seems to get in the way – usually the kiddo’s sports games:-).

I finally had the opportunity at the end of June, and I was not disappointed.  I grabbed my two youngest, yanking them away from their iPad screens almost kicking and screaming, strapped them into the car, and off we went!

As soon as we got there, my son looked at me and said, “Wow!  This isn’t what I expected! It is like a carnival.”

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I have to admit, he wasn’t too far off.  It was much larger than I remembered from a few years ago.  It is very nicely set up, and there were many foods and vendors from which to choose along with music, an information booth, and LOTS of dogs!

I highly recommend going (EARLY) if you have the chance.  I say early because when we arrived around 9:30 there were many options and plenty of stock.  By the time we left at noon, after seeing everything, I was scraping at the remnants of what was left.  I saw there was plenty when we arrived so I didn’t see the need to purchase anything right in the beginning just to carry it around with us.  My recommendation would be to take a cooler, buy as you go, and then stash your items in the car so you can keep shopping and grazing.

And grazing you can go!  My children tasted everything there you could possibly taste!  Look at these happy kiddos!  These do not look like the same children I tortured by pulling them away from their electronics!  These are my happy children.

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Of course, what is not to like after you have just tasted fresh Greek yogurt from grass-fed cows.  There was no more kicking and screaming.  After a bite of yogurt and some tasty cheese, they asked me if they could come back every weekend.

Like I said, I went for eggs, and there were many suppliers for eggs.  The supplier that I liked the most after talking about the hens only had 2 dozen left at noon so I cleaned him out.  Next time, that will be my first stop!

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While I was in the Wholesome Harvest Farms booth getting my eggs, I picked up some delicious yellow squash as well, to make my yummy squash casserole!

The kids favorite booths were the ones with the yogurt and the many artisan cheeses.  They were delicious.  All were made with milk from grass-fed cows.  You can’t go wrong with those nutrients.  Even though I don’t eat yogurt, I certainly let my children eat this fresh one made with all fresh ingredients.

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Right next door was the cheese lady.  Her products were amazing, and the milk was from a farm in Schulenburg, Texas.  Supposedly the best milk in the Lone Star State coming from Jersey Cows that graze the green grass of our great state!  We bought two of the four flavors and they are devine.  My favorite is the black pepper, but the other one was a cumin flavor that was also out of this world!

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We hopped across to the goat milk people and purchased some jalapeño and artichoke cheese made from goat’s milk that is just incredible!  So fresh and smooth.  I spread it on some parmesan crisps for a crunchy snack.

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Moving on, we made it around to the mushroom farmers!  This may be the best yet, but oh how hard to judge.  I bought some portobellos and white mushrooms, all of which I used for stuffing!  Amazing!

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Then on to the meat…Pork and Beef.  There were two pork ranchers, both of which were organic and grass-fed.  The one lady I spoke with seemed to know all about the different farmers and ranchers at the farmer’s market so she gave me some tips, and I purchased from her.  I ended up going with some pork belly.  I had never cooked the pork belly before, but have loved it as a delicacy in restaurants.  It fulfills our fat intake necessity, and actually turned out pretty yummy.  It is almost impossible to find except directly from those who raise pigs so this was the place to find it.

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Then, on to beef!  I found three vendors, and referred to my nice new friend at the pork booth.  She recommended one cattle ranch that has been owned by the same family for generations.  The meat was fantastic.  It was pricey, but worth it!  I purchased some steaks and some ground beef that were all devoured.

We also did buy some beef sticks and dried sausage from one other cattle rancher that the boys ate in no time for a quick snack.  Those beef sticks are one of their very favorite snacks!

When it was time to go, we still had lots of smiles, and a request to return every weekend!  If not for all the samples, just to watch the puppies tour around the market.  There were many.  This was a great outing not only for healthy food, but for family togetherness – away from those mesmerizing flat screens.  I actually got to see my children enjoy each other, nature, great food, and a little culture all mixed in together.

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If you have a chance, try to get out to your local market on a weekend.  It is quite an experience and a great haul at the same time!

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Happy Friday!