I have Moved!

Please visit me at These Two Hands

I’m moving!

You may have pondered my absense lately…or not but I wanted to share with you a tid bit of what’s been going on.

First, we had a major plumbing issue in our master bathroom in which the entire shower had to be demolished and replaced. Two weeks of house full of plumbers later we have a new (non-leaky) shower and we’re good to go.

I’ve also been plagued with feelings that this blog isn’t what I originally envisioned when I made the decision to get started. Crafting is something that I enjoy and it is definitely a part of my life but only one small part. There are many other things that fill my time (of which a few I have touched on here) and I really wanted a blog that reflected that.

I have struggled with content because I feel I have boxed myself in too much with the title that I chose. While I have deviated from crafting a few times to share recipes and other non-crafty things, I have not quite been satisfied with the overall look and vibe of this blog.

My point is, that in my absence, I have been in the process of creating a new look, feel, title and structure for a blog that I will, from this day forward, call home

These Two Hands is where I will share all of my new content from now on. Bear with me as I am still in the early phases of establishment. It looks very bare right now which is, in part, by design but also because it’s not exactly finished. I definitely want to keep things looking simple while also providing a wider range of varied content to better reflect me, my life, and my loves. I have created pages that will contain links to related content which, I think, make the blog easier to navigate.

I won’t go on and on but I would like to ask that you pop over and take a look around (try not to be disappointed ). Follow me there by entering your email address so you will continue to recieve new post updates and definitely look forward to some new exciting content very soon. In the coming weeks I will be transferring most of what is on this blog over to the new blog but I will also be adding new content that I think you’ll enjoy.

Have a great day!

Low fat Berry Banana Pancakes

These are not only low fat but, they are also low calorie and high in protien…and DELICIOUS! My 18 month old daughter loves these pancakes too and I love that she’s getting a full serving of fruit! Be careful though, if you are counting carbs and sugar because these cakes have no shortage that even though the sugar is from fruit. There are ways to reduce the sugar and carbs which I will discuss after the recipe.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp Oat bran

1 large egg

2 Tbsp 0% fat greek yogurt

1 packet stevia (or other 0 cal sweetener)

1/4 tsp baking soda (optional makes a fluffier cake but certainly not neccessary)

1/4 cup fresh ripe blueberries – washed

2 Tbsp Organic reduced sugar Strawberry Preserves

2 Tbsp Fat free cream cheese

1/2 Banana sliced

In a medium bowl mix together oat bran, egg, yogurt, stevia and baking soda. Fold in blueberries and set aside. In a small sauce pan (or a glass bowl in microwave) heat strawberry preserves until loose using a wisk to break up chunks. Once somewhat smooth add cream cheese and heat (stirring) until smooth then remove from heat. Heat griddle or saute pan to medium heat with your choice of oil (plenty of fat free cooking sprays – or you could just use bacon fat…ha!). Now cook your oat bran mixture like a regular pancake. This amount makes 2 medium sized cakes (about 4 inches in diameter) which is perfect for 1 person. Once cooked, top your pancakes with the strawberry/cream cheese mixture and then the sliced bananas. Yum!

Nutrition info:

Serving size 2 medium cakes

Amount per serving

Calories 367

Fat 3g

Carbohydrates 55g

Fiber 8g

Sugar 24g

Protien 21g

You can lower the carbs and sugar by using a 1/4 cup of fresh diced strawberries instead of the preserves (saves you 11g of carbs and 10g of sugar). OR you could eliminate the banana (saves you 10g of carbs and 7g of sugar). I have also done a fruit-free version by simply omitting all of the fruit and mixing the warm cream cheese with 1 Tbsp of maple syrup (saves you 16g of carbs and 9g of sugar).

Now find yourself a cutie pie to eat them with!

Back in the Saddle!

Please excuse my absense but, I’ve been too busy frolicking in the white sand and blue waters of Paradise Island, Bahamas. Paradise indeed. I miss it already!

I won’t go on and on about how amazing our trip was…but I’ll leave you with a few pictures (ignore the terrible quality, we used disposable cameras) and then I’m going to get to work on some new posts

Fresh off the plane and in serious need of a pina colada!
Remember this DIY maxi dress from my summery stuff post?

Looking a little crispy on our way to a company banquet. BTW, I made that dress (and belt) and I'll show you how later!

Me and my boy.

 

Hubby and Jonathan. The structure in the background is about 1/5 of the resort...it's enormous!

A different view of the hotel and my boys in the pool

:)

sunrise

Weekly Buzz: Shrink a size in 14 days?

According to this article in Prevention you can.

“The secret is in the program’s slow-motion strength routine. Instead of lifting and lowering for 2 counts each, you’ll double the lengthening “eccentric” phase of an exercise (i.e., straightening your arm during a biceps curl) to 4 counts. “Each muscle fiber works harder so you get firmer faster,” explains Freytag. An East Carolina University study found that women who did eccentric training increased their strength nearly twice as much as those who lifted weights at a normal pace after just 1 week. You’ll also build more muscle and rev up your metabolism to burn fat faster.”

I’m a skeptic about these things but I’m also open to trying almost anything as long as it’s reasonable and this seems reasonable to me.

After our daughter was born, my husband and I bought the P90X program and followed it 100%. In three months, he lost 3o pounds and I lost 25 (I also lost 15% body fat, 40 inches off my entire body and went down 3 dress sizes). The other benefits, I feel, are almost immeasurable. We both have so much more energy and just overall body strength that (I think) makes the hefty price tag of the program totally worth it. I have never been in better shape in my life (have I mentioned I can do FOUR pull-ups?)!

The downside for me (and perhaps others) is the length of the daily workouts. For me, not so much because of lack of time in the day but, rather, I get bored if I’m doing the same workout for an hour/hour and a half. I became bored with these workouts pretty quickly and now, even though I have a few more pounds to lose, I’d rather do anything than push-ups and pull-ups in my living room for an hour. We all got bikes for Christmas and that has been so much fun. I have a 6 mile route that I ride around the lake (towing behind crafty baby in her trailer) and it’s a great workout (with the added 30 pounds or so of baby and trailer and up and down hills) but, it’s not a complete workout.

Sooo, what I’m getting at is that I need a new routine to help me lose the last 15 lbs. Enter Prevention’s Shrink a size in 14 days.

I leave for the Bahamas in less than a week but I plan to use the facilities at Atlantis to keep up with my workout, why? Because when we return from our trip on the 23rd we will then have one week left until (drumroll please) TOUGH MUDDER. Of which, my husband and I signed up for in a workout induced stupor. If you watch the video on the main page of the site you will see that we are out of our minds for thinking we can do it. I blame P90X for making me feel like I’m some sort of hardcore athelete. HA! What I’m trying to tell you is that I’m doing that thing in less than 3 weeks and I do not, DO NOT feel ready for it!

Ok, so we’ve established that I get bored with workouts easily, I have 15 lbs to lose and I make spontaneous, unrealistic decisions that I must scramble to prepare for. I am writing all of this to you because I need an accountability partner. Anyone who is up for doing this Shrink a size in 14 days thing please please please write me and let me know. We can share goals, recipes, frustrations and successes! I’m starting today (as soon as I’m done typing!) so…

who’s comin with me?!?

Delicious Dinner: Chicken, Brussel Sprouts and Califlower

First of all, sorry. I lied to you last week by claiming that I would share these recipes with you on Friday. I unexpectedly had my 1 year old nephew all day Friday (which means I was outnumbered by babies) and then (also unexpectedly) went out for Hibachi that evening for dinner. Which was lovely because sushi is one of my favorite things to eat and I filled my belly with it before we ever got to the entree part! It was somewhat of a challenge, though, because crafty baby was so sleepy and was not just “a handful” but, rather, four handfuls! We pleasantly discovered that she is a big fan of miso soup which kept her happy but only briefly.

ANYWAY

Enough excuses. I apologize for not getting this to you sooner.

I found these recipes via Pinterest and thought they sounded soooo yummy and they were!! Hubby and I are always trying to figure out ways to fill up on tasty healthy foods for less money. It’s difficult to do when you limit carbs as we typically do so when I found these I was super excited. There are no processed or refined carbs, only the ones in the veggies. It’s also dairy-free if you’re into that sort of thing. I’m fine with it once in a while but a girl’s got to have her cheese! You’ll find that you don’t miss it though All three of these recipes come from Eat, Live, Run which I am now following because I love everything about this blog! I kind of followed the recipes (I never do exactly as I’m told, it’s a sickness, really) with a few exceptions…

1.) For the chicken: First of all, I omitted the pesto and mozzarella because it didn’t seem to fit with the sides I planned and it was great without it anyway. I had my lovely sauce wizard husband make a reduction of balsamic vinegar, chicken stock and dijon mustard. Once reduced by about half, we glazed the chicken with  it as we were grilling it and then drizzled the remainder over the chicken after plating.

2.)  For the brussel sprouts: I used organic raw sugar instead of brown sugar. As much as I love brown sugar, there is nothing that beats the full, nutty flavor of a good raw sugar.

3.) For the cauliflower: I used  a light sprinkle of my husband’s homemade blackening spice to season the cauliflower rather than what the recipe calls for and it turned out delicious. His recipe is as follows:

Mix together 2 tbsp ancho chile powder, 2 tbsp new mexico chile powder, 2 tbsp sweet paprika, 2 tbsp hot paprika, 2 tbsp cumin, 2 tbsp coriander, 2 tbsp onion powder, 2 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp chipotle powder, 1 tbsp cayenne. Store this in an air tight container like a small tupperware or large empty spice bottle and it will last basically forever. Taste it, if you like it spicier then add more chipotle and/or cayenne. Likewise, if you want it less spicy then reduce the amounts of those.

 

From Eat, Live, Run

Caramelized Brussel Sprouts recipe here

From Eat, Live, Run

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower recipe here.

From Eat, Live, Run

Grilled Balsamic Chicken recipe here.

You should try these out. Also, poke around on Eat, Live, Run, Jenna is a trained chef and really knows her stuff. I plan on trying more of her recipes and I’ll definitely share that with you when I do so.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday! I’ll be working on finishing up a dress that I’m making for an awards banquet we have to attend while we’re in the Bahamas. Can’t wait to share it with you!

 

Summery Stuff: Link Love

So, I haven’t mentioned yet that we are going on vacation in less than two weeks. Well, we are. I’m so excited!! We really never vacation anywhere (unless you’re counting the occaisional 4 hour trip to Austin to visit family and friends).

I feel very fortunate that my husband works for an amazing company that rewards it’s employees with a yearly trip for two if they meet or exceed that year’s goals. He earned the trip last year as well (which was to Hawaii!) but since crafty baby was only a couple of months old we decided not to go. ! I know! I have been kicking myself ever since. In my defense, I was under the influence of post-partum hormones and, at the time, couldn’t figure out how to get enough darn milk pumped to fill her little belly for an entire week.

We decided early on that if he earned the trip this year we would go, no matter what. I was happy to learn that this year’s trip is to the Bahamas resort Atlantis. We are taking Jonathan since he is definitely old enough to enjoy the fun, crafty baby will stay home with the grandmas (so thankful for that!).

Why am I rambling on about my vacation and how does this concern you?

Glad you asked

I’d really like to have some cute summery things to wear while we’re gone and (thankfully) my summer clothes from last year are a bit too large (still workin on those last few baby pounds). This prompted me to scour the globe (ok, the internet) in search of some ways to spruce up and add to what I’ve got on the cheap cheap. I found tons of great tutorials so I figured I would share the love with you and my fellow bloggers by compiling a linky list of my favorites. Here they are in no particular order

I’ll defintely be making this tomorrow. A super simple and super cute beach cover-up from Bored & Crafty. LOVE

fantastic print!

How about this gorgeous lemony skirt from Growing Home? Cute, huh?

Great color combo

I’ll bet you’ve seen this one on Pinterest, I have…a zillion times. This easy maxi dress from Sweet Verbena is cute and comfy!

I’m loving this Golden Oatmeal knit dress from Cation Designs. Sooo pretty.

This is probably the simplest of all and I love it! LeAna from A Small Snippet shows you how to make this dress long or short.

A must have beach bag from Elle Apparel. Cute Cute Cute.

I know there are so many more great ones out there but, I must say good bye and make dinner for my sweet family. On the menu tonight, Balsamic glazed chicken breast, caramelized brussel sprouts and spicy roasted cauliflower. I’ll share those recipes with you tomorrow

P.S. Please leave a link in the comments if you know of any good summer gear tutorials!