Review: Cheeburger Cheeburger

Aside from shivering our initial impression was favorable. Once seated the hostesses rattled off specials and we changed our mind. We didn’t catch a single thing she said. But we knew we were going to order from the menu anyway. Besides she was gone before we could say a word.

Moments later our charming waiter, Cam, arrived with menus in hand and a smile. We ordered and we waited and waited. And I continued to shiver. Note to self … bring a jacket next time.

Tom ordered the Serious Burger with onion rings and a side salad. We both liked the onion rings … crispy and especially good with their horseradish doing sauce.

I ordered the Build Your Own salad and neither of us was disappointed. Another note to self: be sure the waiter knows I want medium rare not well done.

The floor manager stopped by after she noticed we had waited a bit for our check and offered us a 15% off coupon. I’m good with that.

Off to Dreamland

Recently my husband and I, after careful research, purchased a Tesla Model S 90D. There are no words to describe the feelings we are feeling. Read about it here.

Cooking with Essential Oils

I love new recipes and as one who enjoys eating as well, I found some recipes I have tweaked to my own liking. Of course, being a blogger, I have gladly posted a link to those who originated the recipe. I mean, it’s only right. Right?

Here are a couple you might like:

Orange-Creamsicle Cheesecake Dip

from http://sunnysideups.org/orange-creamsicle-cheesecake-dip/) – be sure to check out her site for many more delicious recipes and information!

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• ⅔ cup homemade or organic full-fat Greek yogurt
• 6 tablespoons sugar or sugar alternative – omit if your yogurt is sweetened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla – omit if you are using vanilla yogurt
• 4 – 6 drops of Young Living orange essential oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium/high speed for about two minutes, until very smooth and fluffy.
2. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed during this any of the following steps.
3. Add yogurt and continue to beat for another 1 – 2 minutes until very creamy.
4. Add sugar and vanilla (if using), Young Living orange essential oil, and salt.
5. Beat for another 1 – 2 minutes, until very smooth and creamy.
6. Makes about 3 cups.
7. Serve with assorted fruits, cookies, or pretzels, as desired. Note: really good with strawberries!
8. Store leftover dip in a tightly sealed container, in the refrigerator, up to 2 – 3 days.

Chef Craig Chasky’s Feta – Olive Spread

Note: All recipes use 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils labeled for internal use. Do not follow recipe unless you have oils approved for internal use.

Serves 6- 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups Feta
• 1 can drained – Pitted black olives of choice
• 1 Drop of  Young Living rosemary oil
• 1/3 cup chopped Parsley

Directions

1. In a Food Processor – pulse till blended.
2. Serve with favorite chips and/or veggies.

Strawberry Lemon Water

Ingredients

• One lemon, sliced
• Quartered fresh strawberries
• 2 quarts water
• 2 – 6 drops of lemon essential oil, adjust to taste

Directions:

1. Add lemons and strawberries to glass pitcher
2. Add water
3. Chill overnight

Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients:

• One lemon, sliced
• 6 – 10 strawberries, quartered
• Sweetener to taste – I use liquid organic stevia
• 2 quarts water
• 2 – 6 drops of lemon essential oil, adjust to taste

Directions:

1. Add lemon slices and strawberries to glass pitcher
2. Add water
3. Add sweetener
4. Chill overnight

As if I didn’t already have enough to do …

Why is it that passion often overrides common sense? About six weeks ago I was approached by someone whom I believe will become a good friend. She asked me about designing a website for a local non-profit. Our local art center, in fact. A place I would love to call home and I’m not even an artist. But, something draws me there. Maybe it’s the people. Maybe it’s the building. Maybe it’s how I feel when I’m there – surrounded by the art of local artists, the almost musty smell … the kind of smell that reminds you of what once was. It’s a good smell. Comforting and yet, refreshing. High ceilings, wood floors, and the ever-present art on the walls. It’s a simple place. A place where one can breathe one of those enormous cleansing breaths that make you realize you’ve been holding your breath for too long. Our stressful lives can do that. Breathe. Suck in the aromas of yesteryear and let your creative juices run through your fingertips – maybe someday something you’ve created will find its way to the walls of the Ann Rudd Art Center in Ozark, Alabama.

So back to passion vs common sense. I knew I already had a full plate with working part time, volunteering for the Ozark-Dale County Humane Society (ODCHS) as their treasurer and calendar fundraiser chairman, handling my aging mother’s monthly financials, grandchildren, yoga, meditation, cooking, cleaning, blogging, walking/hiking with my dear husband, Tom, and there are always those grandchildren. Life is good. Busy, but good, very, very good.

But, I have a passion to help and I love to design websites and help non-profits develop a presence. So, there you have it … I’m hooked. And, it’s not always easy but I’m up for the challenge and like ODCHS, the people are awesome … so there you have it.

And, no … I cannot design a site for you. But, ask me another day.  Who knows?

Random Thoughts

Why is cat litter scented? I mean, really, do people really want to smell floral scented cat deposits? Just scoop the deposit and move on. I can’t imagine the cat deposit stinking any longer than a humans once the source of the odor is removed.

Have a pacifer-using child? How about removing the gadget before snapping a picture? I can’t tell you the number of pacifier-pusses I see on Facebook. OK, I’m old and my children didn’t use pacifiers so I am biased but I would sure like to see a lovely toddler smile without a gadget. Say Cheese!

I am one of those annoying people who drive the speed limit – well, most of the time. I drive in the right lane leaving the left lane open to pass. Yeah, it’s the law – slower traffic keep right. So, the next time you pass me, please refrain from flipping me the bird because I’m not speeding like you. And, thank you to the most recent speeder who showed me how karma works. Hope you have the cash to pay your ticket.

 

You Are What You Eat

This is a collection of graphics, TED and YouTube videos, and other items I’ve gathered as I discover just what our food ISN’T in today’s supermarkets … make those markets not super at all. The pictures below speak volumes about how we are nourishing our bodies … or not.

Many of the pictures have been taken from a multitude of sites and Facebook pages I follow. I credit those who run the sites and have left any reference to another site on the graphic or video. And, I thank them wholeheartedly for working so diligently to educate people about the dangers in today’s foods.

VegKitchen, Extreme Health Radio, The Real Farmacy, GMO Free USA, Alabamians Against GMOs

Press the button

Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a “simple button” you could press to instantly simplify your life? I fear it would be like all those gadgets we buy to make life easier and as fabulous it would be to press a ‘simple’ button I’ll bet it would end up in my ‘er’ drawer … you know … slicER, gratER, peelER, etc.

What did he say?

Why is the background music so loud these days? When I watch a television program I find myself raising the volume when there is dialogue and lowering the volume when there’s music. You can imagine my frustration when there is both dialogue and music! What’s up with that?

1.29.2015 / Again … back on track

I love to eat out and I’m relatively careful when I do. What is it about French fries that makes it so damn difficult? Could it be the process in which the potatoes are prepared? The oil? The salt? Or what else is in them? Bottom line … I love fries but my waistline does not like them. Dr. Phil’s book says not to treat myself for a job well done … but that’s all I want … food.  Will the madness every stop?

So, oatmeal for breakfast which I enjoy … the daily crossword puzzle … coffee with real 1/2 and 1/2 – not on Dr. Phil’s plan, but it’s sure on mine, birds chirping in the relatively warm morning, dogs and a cat at my feet waiting for their breakfast … and life is good.

I’ll have some green tea at 10am. And what is it about green tea that gives me heartburn? I can drink black coffee all day (I only have cream in the morning) without a problem. What’s up with that??

And, so it is … lunch will be out but I know what to do. Dinner will be a Dr. Phil concoction leftover from last night’s dinner.

It’s all good.

1.22.15 / Back to it …

As expected I reverted to my old ways. It happens and I’m not beating myself up over it. Today is a new day and I’m on it. Breakfast was a smoothie … plain Greek yogurt, 5 organic prunes, cinnamon, turmeric, protein powder, water, ice. Done. That was at seven this morning and it’s ten-thirty now. I’m starting to get hungry and lunch will be mayo-less egg salad (oh, don’t groan, it’s actually really good) on RyKrisp. Apple on the side. Weird, I think, that it will fill me up until my raw almond/raisin snack mid-afternoon.

My obsession with food is my battle. But, staying busy with any and everything NOT food is the trick for me.

Who’s with me? Who battles food as I? Talk to me … feeling rather alone in all this.