cooking spray
1 1/2 cups canned black beans (although i forgot to measure and just dumped in a whole can) rinsed and drained
1/2 unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp espresso powder
3/4 cup egg substitute (liquid egg)
2 tbsp low cal, sugar free choc syrup (but i just used lite hersheys) and i added about an extra two tbsp
2 tbsp reduced fat sour cream
1 tbsp butter- unsalted and melted
8 tbsp splenda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 bag choc chunks (nestle or any even just semi sweet choc chips)
preheat oven to 350, spray 8x8 dish
combine beans, cocoa powder, espresso and egg substitute in food processor, mix until smooth about 2 minutes, scrappings sides halfway through
add syrup, sour cream, butter, sugar, vanilla mix until combined,
add choc chunks
pour into pan, bake 28-30 min turning dish halfway through . a toothpick inserted in teh center will come with soft batter clinging to it (for real, i over baked them b/c i thought it wasn't done enough but thats the right texture)
cool complete in the baking dish on a wire rack, refridgerate leftovers
these are based on crazy brownies to begin with but still these are hugely healthier!!
fat- before 70 grams, after 1.6 grams
calories- before 1500, after 53
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Diagnosis
well, I had my biopsy Friday for Celiac Disease and it came back positive- so no more gluten (found in wheat) for me. I liken this to smoking- I don't have alot of pain right now but if I keep eating gluten I am doing damaage and now that I know it I can't keep doing it. It will be a hard transistion but just like everything else in my life- I will dig in and get to it.
I survived a church potluck yesterday and wasn't totally starving so that was a good sign. And praise the Lord for the internet where I know I can find tons of recipes.
Right now I am ok with it but i know there are going to be some hard days and some cravings but I am going to trust God to give me the self- control to not give in.
In other news- finally a week with not much planned- well I say that but I have some people I need to visit, hopefully Dennae has the baby soon so we can go see them, and we have a mops meeting on Wednesday so we will stay busy but hopefully not as busy as the last two weeks!
I survived a church potluck yesterday and wasn't totally starving so that was a good sign. And praise the Lord for the internet where I know I can find tons of recipes.
Right now I am ok with it but i know there are going to be some hard days and some cravings but I am going to trust God to give me the self- control to not give in.
In other news- finally a week with not much planned- well I say that but I have some people I need to visit, hopefully Dennae has the baby soon so we can go see them, and we have a mops meeting on Wednesday so we will stay busy but hopefully not as busy as the last two weeks!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
wonderful root veggie stew
ok, when I see a recipe that uses turnips, parsnips, and rutabaga I don't run toward it but I did try this soup the other day and it was wonderful!! If you like potato soup you will love this.
Creamy Root vegetable Stew
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
3 tbsp garlic
1 tbsp fresh rosemary divided
1 lb yukon gold potato- diced
3/4 lb rutabaga- peeled and diced
1/2 lb parsnip- peeled and diced
2 cups veg/chick stock
2 cups water
2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper
cheese and bacon to top it
in large stockpot or dutch oven heat oil and saute onion (5 min) then add garlic and 2 tsp rosemary (1 min)
add potatos, rutabaga, turnip, parsnip, broth and water- brin to simmer cook covered 20 min.
place 3 cups veggies in blender/food processor (leaving center piece of lid off for steam to escape), blend until pretty smooth
return to pan, stir in whipping cream and salt and pepper to taste
top individual bowls with the cheese of your choice and some crisped up bacon
I had bought the smallest container of whipping cream and since I didn't know if I would make anythign else with just put the whole thing in so I didn't waste it. Serve with any type of crispy bread and a green salad
Give this a chance- you will get some different veggies (I had never acutally used rutabaga before) and it was pretty simply and very yummy!
(originally taken from Cooking Light magazine)
Creamy Root vegetable Stew
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
3 tbsp garlic
1 tbsp fresh rosemary divided
1 lb yukon gold potato- diced
3/4 lb rutabaga- peeled and diced
1/2 lb parsnip- peeled and diced
2 cups veg/chick stock
2 cups water
2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper
cheese and bacon to top it
in large stockpot or dutch oven heat oil and saute onion (5 min) then add garlic and 2 tsp rosemary (1 min)
add potatos, rutabaga, turnip, parsnip, broth and water- brin to simmer cook covered 20 min.
place 3 cups veggies in blender/food processor (leaving center piece of lid off for steam to escape), blend until pretty smooth
return to pan, stir in whipping cream and salt and pepper to taste
top individual bowls with the cheese of your choice and some crisped up bacon
I had bought the smallest container of whipping cream and since I didn't know if I would make anythign else with just put the whole thing in so I didn't waste it. Serve with any type of crispy bread and a green salad
Give this a chance- you will get some different veggies (I had never acutally used rutabaga before) and it was pretty simply and very yummy!
(originally taken from Cooking Light magazine)
Monday, October 18, 2010
taking the plunge
we did it... we put on offer on a house.
This is significant for several reasons: 1) of course financially it is a huge decision, 2) it is a short sale which will require lots of patience and trust in the Lord timing it all perfectly, 3) it means we are putting down roots here.
Yes it is a big decision but financially it isn't making much sense to keep renting when we could find something that has payments only about 30-40 dollars more than rent. Also b/c it is a short sale we have to wait at least 30-45 days(hopefully even longer for us) if not longer to hear if the offer was accepted or not. WE are in a lease until April so ideally if we could close in Feb our first real payment would be April and then we are only paying one month of double payments. We are just having to trust that God will make them actually take a long time deciding so we can push it that far (I know- every one else makes an offer and can't wait and here we are stuck waiting and wanting it to take a long time!)
Most importantly it means staying here for a long time. With today's economy people don't necessarily stay in one place for more than 5 plus years so yes we know we could move on but at the same time this feels pretty permanent. Brock's job is pretty solid so for us it is more about the question "is this where we want to settle and raise our family?". With my family being spread all out and Brock's family still in and out since two of his siblings are still in college we don't have any reason to move back toward family- cant move to be near people when they are all spread out! SO yeah, this is saying that we are staying in Atlanta and making this home. which i am ok with- it is looking like my dad and mom are moving to either SD or Montana so at least if we stay here we have a big airport to fly out of.
We are still looking for a new church but there are several good ones with in about 7 miles of the house so we know God will show us which one is for us (hopefully soon too b/c it is hard to not have a church home!)
If you would like to look at some pics of the house here is the link:
http://www.soldbykim.com/irw/printlisting.php?lid=18533&oid=0&aoid=&aid=218&cid=177
This is significant for several reasons: 1) of course financially it is a huge decision, 2) it is a short sale which will require lots of patience and trust in the Lord timing it all perfectly, 3) it means we are putting down roots here.
Yes it is a big decision but financially it isn't making much sense to keep renting when we could find something that has payments only about 30-40 dollars more than rent. Also b/c it is a short sale we have to wait at least 30-45 days(hopefully even longer for us) if not longer to hear if the offer was accepted or not. WE are in a lease until April so ideally if we could close in Feb our first real payment would be April and then we are only paying one month of double payments. We are just having to trust that God will make them actually take a long time deciding so we can push it that far (I know- every one else makes an offer and can't wait and here we are stuck waiting and wanting it to take a long time!)
Most importantly it means staying here for a long time. With today's economy people don't necessarily stay in one place for more than 5 plus years so yes we know we could move on but at the same time this feels pretty permanent. Brock's job is pretty solid so for us it is more about the question "is this where we want to settle and raise our family?". With my family being spread all out and Brock's family still in and out since two of his siblings are still in college we don't have any reason to move back toward family- cant move to be near people when they are all spread out! SO yeah, this is saying that we are staying in Atlanta and making this home. which i am ok with- it is looking like my dad and mom are moving to either SD or Montana so at least if we stay here we have a big airport to fly out of.
We are still looking for a new church but there are several good ones with in about 7 miles of the house so we know God will show us which one is for us (hopefully soon too b/c it is hard to not have a church home!)
If you would like to look at some pics of the house here is the link:
http://www.soldbykim.com/irw/printlisting.php?lid=18533&oid=0&aoid=&aid=218&cid=177
Thursday, October 14, 2010
playground milestone
So I don't tend to think of myself as a panicky mom when it comes to Claire getting hurt- what I mean is I know she is going to fall and get some scrapes and bruises and I know I can't protect from eating dirt. However I may have waited a bit to long to let Claire do something at the playground...
Today she went down the big twisty tunnel slide by herself!! To me this is a big milestone. I haven't let her go down them so far b/c I was afraid she would get stuck and I would have to get her and I don't like those slides. However, considering how much fun she had and the squealing that occurred- I should have sucked it up and let her do it before now!! She loved it and I loved listening to her laugh and enjoy it.
It's also a big milestone for me b/c once again it is one of those reminders that she is growing and now as a toddler is NOT a baby anymore which I think every mother misses. While I am loving each stage and enjoying each stage I still miss the ones that have passed.
I know some of you will read this and think "well that just means you're ready for the next one"- and I have thought of that but not quite yet. I want her to follow basic instructions better and we would love more space. ( I will be happy if we decide to stay in the apt for another year if we need to- but having more space would make having another baby a lot easier too!).
Anyway, we had lots of fun at the playground today and can't wait to go back.
Today she went down the big twisty tunnel slide by herself!! To me this is a big milestone. I haven't let her go down them so far b/c I was afraid she would get stuck and I would have to get her and I don't like those slides. However, considering how much fun she had and the squealing that occurred- I should have sucked it up and let her do it before now!! She loved it and I loved listening to her laugh and enjoy it.
It's also a big milestone for me b/c once again it is one of those reminders that she is growing and now as a toddler is NOT a baby anymore which I think every mother misses. While I am loving each stage and enjoying each stage I still miss the ones that have passed.
I know some of you will read this and think "well that just means you're ready for the next one"- and I have thought of that but not quite yet. I want her to follow basic instructions better and we would love more space. ( I will be happy if we decide to stay in the apt for another year if we need to- but having more space would make having another baby a lot easier too!).
Anyway, we had lots of fun at the playground today and can't wait to go back.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
possible house
Well, as mentioned in the update we have started looking at houses and this weekend we found one that might work. Brock is running the numbers and if they work out the way he thinks they will we might put in an offer. It is a short sale which would be great for us since we are in a lease until April. It is small but in a cozy way not a cramped way and the kitchen isn't perfect but it would work and it has a fenced in backyard, and sits right behind the playground which would be perfect! So anyway, Pray for us please as we think about whether this is the house God has for us!
In other news we had story hour at the library today- which is always fun- Claire loves it. I have some housework to finish up and some reading to do about the Celiac/Wheat thing since no matter what I need to give up wheat and gluten. So I got some books from the library to help me learn what to do and get some good meal ideas (I can't live off of salad!)
Happy Columbus Day!
In other news we had story hour at the library today- which is always fun- Claire loves it. I have some housework to finish up and some reading to do about the Celiac/Wheat thing since no matter what I need to give up wheat and gluten. So I got some books from the library to help me learn what to do and get some good meal ideas (I can't live off of salad!)
Happy Columbus Day!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Life Update- October 2010
Well it has been a while, I let this drop but I want to keep this up at least every once in a while as a place to just keep track of what has been happening in our lives.
We are actually in the middle of a few somewhat large changes so here is the update:
We are looking at houses! Woo hoo, after being in an apartment for the last 10 years this is very exciting to me. It isn't even the space issue (well it would be nice to have more space) but for me the real issue and reason I am ready for a home is that I can't wait to PAINT!! I am not a white walls type of person and of course in apts all you get are cream colored plain walls. Plus I just enjoy painting (and yes I know I am weird), you put on some good music and let me go and I will be happy. I am also ready for a feeling of permanence. Being in an apt has it's pluses but now that we have Claire (who is 18 mos btw) and are thinking of when we would like to have another one we are feeling like we need to pick a place to call home. We know God can move us whenever He wants but as of right now it is looking like we will be in Atlanta for a while. I do wish we were closer to family but with Matt and Amber in the marines and being stationed a different place and with Dad and Mom waiting to find out where God is going to put them in the ministry we don't even know where everyone else will be. Unfortunately for Brock's family we are not planning to ever go back to Saginaw so we are ready for a place to call home. I think for the most part we are enjoying looking at the pics of all the different houses and yes you can get some great deals. It is also an up and down process so we trying to be patient and to wait on the Lord to show us the home He has for us. It is hard to find the amenities we want with a price that will be good for us (we won't buy something we can't afford!). It is exciting though, so keep us in prayer that we would find a sweet home!
God is also moving us to a new church. We loved being at Metropolitan for the last two years and for reasons known only to God He told us about 2 weeks ago to start looking for a new church. We knew we were going to need to start looking b/c where we are looking to move isn't close to the church but God moved us on sooner. It has been hard b/c the people there were truly like family but when God says go you go. On one hand it is fun to go to different places, meet new people and see how God is working in other churches, at the same time it is hard leaving the place that felt like home for the last two years, the place where Claire was born and dedicated... however we know God is leading us to a great new church where we can settle down and become active in ministry.
Claire is doing well. She is 18 months old now and a sweet funny girl. She isn't talking really yet, although she was a bit later to walk as well and very independent. I think she will be one of those children who are late to talk but when she does it won't just be "cup" it will be a whole sentence that will be clear as day. We read all the time and I am trying to get her to point out objects... I know she hears me and she understands WAY more than she lets on! lol. I am not really worried about it even though the doctor wants her to be saying more. I just think when she is ready she will and we are doing what we can as far as talking, reading and labeling things for her.
and last but not least, I am having some health updates- I have suffered from eczema my whole life and no one has been able to really do much about it. I try not to let it impact my life but it does, even on good days (meaning I am pretty clear) I am never completely cleared up and scratching all the time is miserable. So I had an allergy test done in college that said I had a reaction to wheat and gluten (which can either be an intolerance or an actual disease called Celiac Disease). Celiacs actually kills off the villae in the intestine which means you can't absorb nutrients properly leading to lots discomfort and eventually other serious issues from malnutrition. So if you eat gluten you are killing the lining of the intestine, while an intolerance just means your body doesn't process wheat well and you should still cut it out of your diet but if you do eat it the damage to your body isn't the same nor as dangerous. Ok, so anyway the allergy prick test said gluten but I was in college and who really can cut out gluten in college- so I let it go, then last summer I had a biopsy of my skin done b/c a side effect of Celiac disease is skin rash and we thought maybe I had that rash instead of or with eczema but it came back negative. Well I have been on steroid creams for years now b/c they are the only thing that even remotely works but you can't be on those forever and they also have bad side effects. So last week I went to the doctor and got the blood test to prove for sure whether I have eczema (which really doesn't have a cure) or the Celiac. The panel came back positive which means I am reacting to gluten. So I went to the GI specialist and am having an endoscopy on October 29th. That means they will put a tube down my throat and take a little biopsy of my intestine. Please pray that the results would show an intolerance only and not the Celiac Disease. Also, please pray for us as we transition to a wheat and gluten free diet. I will post more on what that entails later, just know that it is a large undertaking and while I am ready to feel better and know that the diagnosis could be worse (both with the intolerance and Celiac, diet changes will take care of everything, there is no pill or something which is good news)- it still a lot to take in.
So there you go- lots of changes. I am feeling like things keep spinning and every time I try to get my feet planted something else changes but I think that is just God's way of keeping me on my toes and reminding me to keep focusing on Him, His plan for us and His goodness.
Now, since I am writing this at 5 am (I have been up since 4- wide awake...) I am going to sign off and try to go back to bed.
We are actually in the middle of a few somewhat large changes so here is the update:
We are looking at houses! Woo hoo, after being in an apartment for the last 10 years this is very exciting to me. It isn't even the space issue (well it would be nice to have more space) but for me the real issue and reason I am ready for a home is that I can't wait to PAINT!! I am not a white walls type of person and of course in apts all you get are cream colored plain walls. Plus I just enjoy painting (and yes I know I am weird), you put on some good music and let me go and I will be happy. I am also ready for a feeling of permanence. Being in an apt has it's pluses but now that we have Claire (who is 18 mos btw) and are thinking of when we would like to have another one we are feeling like we need to pick a place to call home. We know God can move us whenever He wants but as of right now it is looking like we will be in Atlanta for a while. I do wish we were closer to family but with Matt and Amber in the marines and being stationed a different place and with Dad and Mom waiting to find out where God is going to put them in the ministry we don't even know where everyone else will be. Unfortunately for Brock's family we are not planning to ever go back to Saginaw so we are ready for a place to call home. I think for the most part we are enjoying looking at the pics of all the different houses and yes you can get some great deals. It is also an up and down process so we trying to be patient and to wait on the Lord to show us the home He has for us. It is hard to find the amenities we want with a price that will be good for us (we won't buy something we can't afford!). It is exciting though, so keep us in prayer that we would find a sweet home!
God is also moving us to a new church. We loved being at Metropolitan for the last two years and for reasons known only to God He told us about 2 weeks ago to start looking for a new church. We knew we were going to need to start looking b/c where we are looking to move isn't close to the church but God moved us on sooner. It has been hard b/c the people there were truly like family but when God says go you go. On one hand it is fun to go to different places, meet new people and see how God is working in other churches, at the same time it is hard leaving the place that felt like home for the last two years, the place where Claire was born and dedicated... however we know God is leading us to a great new church where we can settle down and become active in ministry.
Claire is doing well. She is 18 months old now and a sweet funny girl. She isn't talking really yet, although she was a bit later to walk as well and very independent. I think she will be one of those children who are late to talk but when she does it won't just be "cup" it will be a whole sentence that will be clear as day. We read all the time and I am trying to get her to point out objects... I know she hears me and she understands WAY more than she lets on! lol. I am not really worried about it even though the doctor wants her to be saying more. I just think when she is ready she will and we are doing what we can as far as talking, reading and labeling things for her.
and last but not least, I am having some health updates- I have suffered from eczema my whole life and no one has been able to really do much about it. I try not to let it impact my life but it does, even on good days (meaning I am pretty clear) I am never completely cleared up and scratching all the time is miserable. So I had an allergy test done in college that said I had a reaction to wheat and gluten (which can either be an intolerance or an actual disease called Celiac Disease). Celiacs actually kills off the villae in the intestine which means you can't absorb nutrients properly leading to lots discomfort and eventually other serious issues from malnutrition. So if you eat gluten you are killing the lining of the intestine, while an intolerance just means your body doesn't process wheat well and you should still cut it out of your diet but if you do eat it the damage to your body isn't the same nor as dangerous. Ok, so anyway the allergy prick test said gluten but I was in college and who really can cut out gluten in college- so I let it go, then last summer I had a biopsy of my skin done b/c a side effect of Celiac disease is skin rash and we thought maybe I had that rash instead of or with eczema but it came back negative. Well I have been on steroid creams for years now b/c they are the only thing that even remotely works but you can't be on those forever and they also have bad side effects. So last week I went to the doctor and got the blood test to prove for sure whether I have eczema (which really doesn't have a cure) or the Celiac. The panel came back positive which means I am reacting to gluten. So I went to the GI specialist and am having an endoscopy on October 29th. That means they will put a tube down my throat and take a little biopsy of my intestine. Please pray that the results would show an intolerance only and not the Celiac Disease. Also, please pray for us as we transition to a wheat and gluten free diet. I will post more on what that entails later, just know that it is a large undertaking and while I am ready to feel better and know that the diagnosis could be worse (both with the intolerance and Celiac, diet changes will take care of everything, there is no pill or something which is good news)- it still a lot to take in.
So there you go- lots of changes. I am feeling like things keep spinning and every time I try to get my feet planted something else changes but I think that is just God's way of keeping me on my toes and reminding me to keep focusing on Him, His plan for us and His goodness.
Now, since I am writing this at 5 am (I have been up since 4- wide awake...) I am going to sign off and try to go back to bed.
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