I am not a millionaire

My new favorite thing to do is watch the Secret Millionaire show. Randy and I have a big screen tv in our guest house, but we don't have cable or an antennae, so we don't actually watch it.

What we do happen to have is a cable that connects our laptop to the tv, and that allows me to watch Hulu on something other than a 17 inch screen.

So, Monday nights, we head to the guest house and I watch Secret Millionaire while Randy works on the jet skis. Yes, we have a jet ski and trailer in our guest house.. (it's a disaster right now).

Speaking of disasters, have I mentioned our back yard? We (well, mostly Randy) have torn up our backyard so we can lay down sprinklers for our future sod.We've been working on this for a few weeks (and when I say weeks, I mean every evening and each weekend). We're finally close to being finished, and we had someone come and give us a quote for the sod. Our tentative sod date is May 17th...whoohoo

 

I am loving spring. Once the temperature gets warm enough for short sleeves, I get the itch for planting. About two weeks ago, I went to Lowes and bought some plants for the two planters in our front yard. Rand and I also purchased 6 (yes, 6) planters for the back yard and I have placed my transplanted gardenia in one and some lavender, rosemary, and pineapple sage in another. My mom is coming down for a week around Easter, and I can't wait for us to work on the rest of the gardens!! I'll post pics once it's finished.

grilling and cleaning

I decided to be brave: I purchased my first whole chicken. Some people might think that's no big deal, but for someone who hates the though of sticking my hands into a cavity of a dead animal and taking out it's organs, it's a big deal.

Thanks to some factory worker, my chicken came with it's organs in a little plastic baggie (inside the cavity, of course). I promise you that sold it for me. I threw some garlic and onions into the cavity, rubbed it with olive oil and spices and then cooked it in the crock pot for 4.5 hours. Nice!

I learned that Randy will eat things with bananas in them as long as he can smother it with honey. Yep, he got jealous and decided he wanted my banana cake (which is really glorified banana bread without flour). So, I am now learning that when I make something for myself, I might as well make double of whatever it is, b/c my husband (who hates healthy), will want it.

We grilled turkey dogs last night (which happen to be gluten free and casein free). I can honestly say they def. weren't as good as hot dogs, but it's better than nothing. Thanks to Applegate Farms for making them.

Today, I am going to make an apple cinnamon cake. Keep in mind, this cake will be made without flour, so I'm interested to see how it goes. I'll post a recipe if it's good.

flourless cake

So, I've never been a huge sweets person, but not being able to eat something makes me want it more (of course). I found a recipe for a gluten free, sugar free cake. I know it doesn't sound real..how can you make a cake without sugar or flour?

Well, you use coconut flour, almond flour, add two eggs, a few other ingredients *like bananas, peanut butter, vanilla, and agave* and voila- you have cake!

The best part is, Randy doesn't like desserts with bananas. That's right, I get to eat the whole darn thing by myself, and it's so healthy I can eat it for breakfast, snack, or dessert. It's quite moist from the 4 bananas I smashed in the batter, and next time I may try 3. Other than that, not bad for a first time flourless, sugar free cake!

Smells like poo

I know you're reading this b/c the title says smells like poo.

This week has been a tougher week so far..my symptoms have been worse, but so far I have been able to accomplish the things I do on a regular basis.

Because I've cut out all things bad for me, I am jealous of my husband who gets to eat vegetable chips and kettle chips..I like crunchy things!!

I found a recipe last week (if you can call it that) for kale chips. It honestly sounded gross to me, but I said, why not? Monday I bought a huge bag of kale at Publix.

Today, I decided to make kale chips..the recipe is pretty easy:
wash and dry kale, set on foil on cookie sheet, sprinkle with olive oil and sea salt and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Uhm, the kale was ok...I ended up eating all that I made (I think I was just hungry) but my house smells gross!! Apparently cooked kale smells like poo. Great, right? I still have 3/4 of a bag of kale left. Any ideas?

The dirt fairy

I am totally convinced the dirt fairy lives at my house. I can't see her when she sprinkles it onto my floors, but I know she's there...I see her effects. I seriously don't know how my floors get so dirty..I clean them all the time. I guess it's because we live near the beach, and the strong winds somehow blow dirt into my house??? (Or it could be that R and I have about 12 trenches in our backyard for the sprinklers..we can't get away from dirt).

On another cleaning note, I have a new favorite cleaning item. It's Mrs. Meyers Clean Day. I purchased the Lemon Verbena scent, and I am enjoying spraying it on my countertops and then wiping them clean. In fact, I'm about to clean our bathroom..

No butter?

I admit it, I am scared of real butter. I know it sounds stupid, but butter contains lots of fat and saturated fat, and I've been taught in the past to loathe the stuff.

I asked Randy if we could go to Outback for dinner b/c they have a gluten free menu. Looking at their website a little closer, I noticed the steaks and vegetables are cooked in butter! No wonder they taste so darn good!

Another reason I am hesitant to use real butter is that it is made from cream and that means cows milk. UGH! So, what's a girl to do?

I ordered my Outback Special with no butter and my steamed veggies the same way..did I mention no croutons, cheese or dressing on my salad??

The steak was great..in fact, I questioned whether or not they left the butter out. The manager came and talked to us and said he'd make me another one..I politely declined and told him I just didn't see how it could be so good. He said they are using more oil now (hmm...).

I may try the chicken on the barbie next time we go, and see how that is. At this time, Outback is still a winner in my book.

My fake ice cream treat...

Before I knew I had Crohn's, I wondered why I had the symptoms that I was experiencing. Now that I know, it's an every day battle to try to feel good. Each day is a new day, and I never really know how I am going to feel. Today has been ok;  not my best day, but not my worst.

Randy and I used to each Chick Fil A twice a week (bad, I know), and now that I know Chick Fil A uses MSG on their chicken, I will no longer eat there. R on the other hand doesn't care about MSG, and of course wants to still eat there. I've been making my own chicken breast and bringing it with me and placing it on a side salad from CFA. Unfortunately, the salad contains cheese, and dairy is officially out for me. I told Randy that I'm going to have to start bringing my own salad too..good grief!!

On a side note, I made a GF/DF ice cream type treat for a snack today. I used a recipe I found in a cookbook, and next time I make it, I will play around with the flavors more.

Banana Nut Butter Mush

1 ripe banana sliced and frozen
1/4 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter
1/4 cup milk substitute (I used coconut milk)
dash of cinnamon
1/8 tsp of vanilla or almond extract
 *I also added about a tsp of unsweetened coconut to mine*


Blend ingredients until smooth. Eat fresh or freeze 10 minutes


I thought it was pretty decent, but I will add more vanilla and a touch of honey or agave next time I make it.