Kitchen Gadgets

I have been eating relatively "clean" for about a week now and I can already tell a huge difference. I am not as tired throughout the day and I just feel better. I haven't weighed in so I cannot tell you how much weight I have lost so far. Anyways, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about some of my favorite kitchen gadgets that help me to eat better, cleaner, healthier meals.

1. Food Scale-I bought a Weight Watchers brand food scale about a year ago and I cannot tell you how much I have used it. I still remember the first time I measured out the correct portion of chicken for dinner one night...it hit me how GINORMOUS American portions are (a correct portion of chicken is about 1/2 of a chicken breast-relatively the size of your palm).

2. Measuring Cups-Measuring cups are very helpful especially when you buy food in bulk.

3. Ninja Food Chopper- My mom bought me the Ninja brand food chopper/blender and I love it! It is easy to use and easy to clean. This little gadgets helps speed up food prep-who doesn't want that?

**As I am composing this blog, I am watching my little brother play Black Ops. I never realized how realisitic this game is-very disturbing. As I was watching my brother play this incredibly violent game, an interesting thought came to my mind-how many people play this game on a daily basis? And of those people, how many of them would actually go to the front lines? Probably not many. It is also weird to watch my little brother stab and shoot people without blinking an eye-I know it is just a game but it is still concerning. I would personally never play this game but watching it gave me a little glimpse of what it must be like to be a soldier...which makes me appreciate things just a little bit more.

Eating Clean

I am going to be completely honest-the past few weeks I have been eating and drinking like there is no tomorrow. School is out, summer has begun, and all my friends were still in town. Who wouldn't take advantage of all that extra time?

Basically I have gained back all the weight I lost last semester and feel like complete poop-as in a prego Buluga whale. The insanity had to stop and while I was reading one of my favorite blogs the other day, I stumbled across the idea of "clean eating".  I decided to go pick up this book from the local Barnes and Noble:

The book has some interesting tips and a full meal plan for 2 weeks. I think I am going to try the complete plan starting next week. The plan calls for fresh fruit and veggies, lots of lean protein, and healthy fats in moderation. Plus, the author is over 50 years old in the picture on the cover-she looks AMAZING. I want to look that radiant too, espcially since I am half her age!

Anywho-I have been on and off Weight Watchers for a few years now. The plan works well when you follow it-meaning planning meals and counting points. I really like Weight Watchers and they always have delicious recipes. Today I decided to try the WW recipe for Buffalo Chicken Sliders:

Now, my sliders did not look this pretty-partly because I kinda messed up the recipe but they still tasted AMAZING. And the best part is-these little pieces of deliciousness are semi-clean! I am pretty sure ranch dressing is not a "clean" food. Oh well-this dish is healthier than pretty much everything I have eaten in the past month.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things!

If you do not know this about me-I LOVE to cook. Brian told me that a recipe is just a set of guidelines for cooking-I couldn't agree more. People who follow a recipe exactly (besides recipes for baked goods!) are missing out on the joys of tasting food and marrying different flavors together. My friend Matt commented once that everyone loves eating-which is true however, cooking is just as much an experience as dining. That being said-here are just a few of my favorite recipies. These dishes and drinks are super easy and super delicious.

Homemade Fettucini Alfredo Sauce

***If you ever buy canned Fettucini Alfredo Sauce again...I will hunt you down! This recipe is too easy and too delicious!

• 2 blocks of parmesan cheese
• 1 quart heavy whipping cream
• large sauce pan
• whisk
• cheese grater

First, pour the entire container of heavy whipping cream into your sauce pan and heat SLOWLY on low to medium heat. As the cream warms, grate all of the parmesan cheese using a cheese grater and set aside. Watch the cream and when you see small bubbles start to form on the surface, you are ready to make magic happen. Add the grated cheese to the cream slowly while you constantly stir the sauce using your whisk. Once you have added all the cheese, taste the deliciousness you just created-if you want the sauce to have more of a garlic flavor, add more parmesan cheese and whisk. THAT IS IT. Pour the sauce over the pasta of your choice. Now, go get creative!

"You Can't Stop Eating It" Dump Cake

**I got this recipe from my good friend, Lauren!

• 2 cans of any canned fruit you fancy; drained
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• butter
• 8x8 pyrex dish

Once you have drained your cans of fruit, dump both cans into the pyrex dish. Next, dump the yellow cake mix on top of the fruit and spread it out so that it covers all the fruit. Then, place pats of butter all over the top-yes, use the whole dang stick of butter! Last but not least, bake for 30 minutes (or until the top is golden brown) in a 350 degree oven. Enjoy! Now play with this recipe-try different kinds of fruit, add nuts to the crust, eat a la mode (with ice cream), or even try a different flavor of cake mix. The possibilites are ENDLESS.

Daddy Clark's "I'm on a college budget" BEER-ritas

**WARNING: All of your friends will be asking for this recipe!

• 1 Can of frozen Minute Maid Limeaide
• Tequila
• Triple Sec
• Water
• 1 Can of Beer
• Pitcher
• Large Spoon for stirring

EASY PEASY!!!! Pour the frozen limeaide into the pitcher. Fill the now empty limeaide container with water all the way to the top-pour into the pitcher. Fill the same empty limeaide container about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way with tequila (depending on how strong you like your marg!) and then top off the container with triple sec-pour into the pitcher. Now, using that same limeaide container, fill to the top with beer and pour into the pitcher. Take your large spoon and mix everything together and add ice, cups, and good friends!

Now, all of these recipes are a little random when put together but I can promise you that they are all delicious. As of tomorrow, I will be back on my diet so I thought I would share a few of my favorite things with all of you! Enjoy!

My First Blog

So I gave in and got a blog. I have never been very good at keeping a diary or writing in a journal-hopefully I cant stick with updating this blog. As time goes on, I hope I can figure out how to make this blog even cuter too!

On another note, a few of my best friends compiled a senior bucket list and one of the items on the list was to eat at a legendary diner in Welborn, TX. The Hullabaloo Diner was actually featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive Ins, and Drives" and while the meal was no where near low cal-it was DELICIOUS! If you ever get a chance to visit this super cute throwback style diner-I would totally recommend it! Below are a few pictures of the menu and a picture of the inside of the restaurant.

I had the cheeseburger sliders (not on the menu yet) and a piece of homemade chocolate banana pie. My two friends sampled the 1/2 lb cheeseburger and the "Kitchen Sink" omelette. Mm Mmm Good. I think I might have a not so secret love affair with food....this could be an issue.