My husband and I embarked on a weight loss journey on January 1st of this year – We started with the nutrisystem plan and he stuck with it. I did not, because -all that processed food, loaded with gluten. I am not a celiac, but I have already proven to myself by trial and ERROR that gluten is not my best friend. When I eat it, as I occasionally still do because Cupcakes! Pizza! Fresh baked Bread!… I feel like crap the next day. Just really blah and the fibromyalgia flares. So that program did not work for me. I have lost -0- pounds since we began our quest – still have 15 to lose. M, however… has lost almost 60 pounds. Yes 60. He’s feeling fabulous, looks so much better, more comfortable in everything he does, I’m so very proud of him for his stick-to-it ability. I need to find some of that for myself.
Yesterday, out in the garden…. which looks quite pathetic lately due to all the rain.
My relationship with food is tricky. I LOVE FOOD – so many kinds of it. I don’t smoke and I don’t drink much. My go-to for comfort, for anxiety relief, for just pure enjoyment.. is good food. I love making good food for my people. Years ago that wasn’t an issue but now?…. because MENOPAUSE… I’ve got this darn spare tire around my middle and it feels gross.
There are so many worse things in life to be upset about though, so I will continue with my good intentions and the exercise I do manage to accomplish, and perhaps find a little more resolve to obtain my weight loss and better health goals.
When I visit Stella alone to mow the lawn or vacuum the cottage or water the plants (not necessary lately!!) I often bring Frasier and we walk the loop around the “island”. He has a bed and toys and bowls in the kitchen. He loves these trips, it’s almost as if I have a small child in tow again. * Ask me how much I look forward to having grandchildren to dote on some day. ** No pressure on my children!! OK maybe a little. ***But not yet! When you’re ready. Love you! (I can see the eye rolls from here)
*Frasier could use a little weight loss too. I keep saying he’s just fluffy, not fat.
Sharing today a recipe I found in Southern Livings new Best Drives and Dives publication…
Missouri’s Pint Size Bakery Oatmeal Creme cookie recipe. I plan to make this for the next family picnic …. it is suggested that they be kept in the fridge until served.
Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
Cookies
1 c unsalted butter, softened
1 c firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tbs light molasses
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
2 c unbleached all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 1/4 c uncooked regular oats
Parchment paper
Marshmallow Fluff Buttercream
1 c unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c powdered sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 7 oz jar marshmallow fluff
1. Prepare cookies: Preheat oven – 350 degrees. Beat first 6 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beating until blended. Combine flour, soda, and cinnamon. add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in oats.
2. Using a 1 oz scoop, scoop dough, 3 inches apart, onto parchment paper lined baking sheets. Chill 20 minutes or until firm.
3. Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes or until a medium golden brown with soft centers. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely.
4. Prepare Marshmallow Fluff Buttercream. When cookies are cool, beat first 4 ingredients until creamy and smooth. Gradually add marshmallow fluff, beating just until blended. Spon about 2 tbs buttercream onto bottoms of 20 cookies. Top with remaining 20 cookies.
Makes 20 cookie sandwiches.
After mucking stalls this morning and on my way back from the manure dump, I passed one of our favorite spots on the farm to relax and enjoy the summer breezes… the hammocks on the hill. While it’s drizzly this morning yet again and there’s more rain in the forecast, I’m reminded there are always, always things to be grateful for. In this picture, the hay is tall and thick, the grass is green, and the hammocks are there to enjoy in the summer days to come.
Till soon, friends –