DYI Vinyl Gutter Bookshelves

We love books. Having books facing out helps keep them noticed and easier to find for a quick read. This formally unusable wall in between the children's bedrooms makes a great space for these vinyl gutter bookshelves. I didn't bother getting the end-caps, as each pair costs as much as a 10 ft piece of gutter. The end caps would make these a little more sturdy though. The kids love having their books out in a common area and in plain sight! Find these titles and more at r3844.myubam.com

Pretty straight forward and easy to make.  I asked the attendant to cut the gutters for me at my desired length, these are 35 inches each.  I could drill a few holes to screw them in, but I purchased those 3M sticky things and so far they are doing well!

"Life-Changing" 2 Minute Flax Bread

"Life-Changing" 2 Minute Flax Bread
 *original recipe, see my notes at the bottom for adjusted recipe

2 slices 1 carb.

1/4 cup flax meal,
1/4 cup coconut flour, almond flour, or equivalent,
1 tsp baking powder,
1/8 tsp salt,
2 beaten eggs,
1/8 tsp vinegar,
2 drops liquid stevia

Combine dry ingredients, add eggs+vinegar, spread in greased 8x8 and microwave for 2 min.

2 slices, 195 cal, 13g fat, 9 carbs-8g fiber, 12.29g protein.

*  I substituted baking soda for baking powder. I used a dinner plate so mine was round. It was pretty big and can be sliced for portions and for sandwiches.
Enjoy!  

Usborne Books and More "Wordle"

Private Selection Moroccan Burger with Mint-Pepper Glaze

Freshly Ground 100% Angus Ground Beef blended with Moroccan spices and finished with Havarti cheese and a fresh mint-pepper glaze for a gourmet burger experience!

Private Selection Moroccan Burger with Mint-Pepper Glaze

Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6

• Mint – Pepper Glaze1/2 cup apricot fruit spread
  1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  1 Tbsp Private Selection Organic Fresh Mint, chopped
  Zest of 1 lemon + 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• Burgers
  1 tsp Private Selection ground coriander
  1 tsp Private Selection ground cumin
  1 tsp Private Selection fancy paprika
  1 tsp Private Selection California garlic powder
  1/2 tsp Private Selection ground red pepper
  1 tsp Private Selection sea salt
  1/2 tsp Private Selection freshly ground black pepper
  11/2 lb Private Selection Angus ground beef *
  Cooking spray
  6 grilled or toasted Private Selection jumbo whole wheat sandwich buns
  6 Slices Private Selection Havarti cheese
  *For a more authentic taste, use 1 lb. of Private Selection ground lamb and 1/2 pound of Private Selection ground beef.

Directions

• For mint-pepper glaze:
  1. Combine all ingredients in small bowl. Cover and chill.
• For burger:
  1. Combine first 7 ingredients in small bowl; mix thoroughly. In a large bowl combine ground beef and seasoning blend . Mix gently with fingertips or fork just until incorporated. Form into 6 (4 inch-wide) patties.
• 2. Place burgers on platter. Burgers can be made up to 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
• 3. Preheat grill (medium-high heat). Lightly coat with cooking spray. Grill burgers to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Grill buns, cut side down, just until lightly toasted, about 1 minute.
• 4. To assemble the burgers, spread the mint-pepper glaze on the cut sides of the buns. On each roll bottom, place a cooked burger and Havarti cheese. Add the roll tops and enjoy. Refrigerate any leftovers.

DYI Make-up kit box with mirror

My family was recently involved in a community theater event.  My make up was in a cardboard box.  Some people had some nice make-up storage devices!  I felt a little inferior.  I then went to Target to see what they had.  Caboodle seemed overpriced for a little doohicky thing and it didn't even have a mirror! 


So I purchased a mirror and some contact paper and went home and got to work.  I had a stack-em tackle box tucked away not being used, I was all set!

The contact paper says it doesn't stick very good to bumpy surfaces, so I used a little extra strength glue stick to help it along.

I started covering the inside and decided to stop after getting just the bottom covered and a little accent.

Looks cute!  I then hot-glued the mirror on to the inside lid.

Now it's time to fill it!

A note:  I showed this to my 13 year old son and he grabbed the mirror and ripped it off.  So, I'm thinking a stronger glue might be in order.  Or...never let him touch my stuff again!

Update:  Two strips of sticky velcro works much better than hot glue.  Mirror is removable and then stores nicely inside the lid.  This converted tackle box holds all my make-up supplies!  

Cocoa-Coated Almonds

I enjoy those cocoa roasted almonds from the store, but they have a little sugar and potato starch in them.  Not protocol for no-sugar, no-starch diet during maintenance.  So I decided to try them myself!

Cocoa-Coated Almonds

• 2 cups raw almonds
• 1 tsp. coconut oil, in liquid form, butter, or grape seed oil
• a few drops of liquid stevia, plain or flavored chocolate
• 2-3 Tbsp. cocoa
• 1 Tbsp. sugar substitute like zero calorie brown baking "sugar"
• 1 Tbsp. coconut flour, or almond flour
• 1/8 Tsp. kosher salt, crushed in a mortar and pestle

Preheat your oven to 275 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and grease your sheet using spray or oil.

Place almonds in a bowl and coat with the oil with a few drops of stevia. Use a spoon to ensure all almonds are evenly coated.

In a separate bowl, combine cocoa powder, sugar-free sweetener, GF /starch-free flour, and pinch of salt.

Add almonds to the dry mixture and stir until almonds are well coated.

Roast in your oven for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes

Let cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

This recipe is new for me and not in my book regarding the hCG protocol with instructions and 100 recipes.  Use code # PC3QSNSM to receive $2.00 off your order from here, HCG Awesome - Success Secrets Revealed.

Make Your Own Cola

My seven year old is in Brownies and part of her earning her snack badge has to do with making our own snacks. They have a recipe for making your own cola. How come I have never heard of this? We got busy with it even when we didn't have all the ingredients as listed. I recommend being sure that you use club soda as opposed the grossness that we used. All we had in the fridge was tonic water with lime. 

Make Your Own Cola
makes 6 cups
Ingredients:
3 cloves
1/2 cup molassas
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cinnamon stick
4 cups seltzer water/soda water
cherries - optional

Directions:

1.  In a medium saucepan, heat the cloves and molassas on low for about 15 minutes.

2.  In another saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cinnamon, and cinnamon stick.  Bring the second pan to a boil and then turn on low and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes.

3.  Take out the cinnamon stick.  Allow both pans to cool for about 10 minutes.

4.  Place the molassas and the cinnamon syrups in a large pitcher and mix well.

5.  Add the seltzer and mix again.

It foamed up A LOT!

6.  Pour into a glass filled with ice.  Add cherries, if you like!

Enjoy!  How did we like it?  It smelled like cola.  It was strong tasting and I suspect it was because we used tonic water with lime, it has high fructose corn syrup in the ingredients as well.  Next time, we're using plain ol' soda water!  All in all, it was tasty, especially after the ice started to melt.  ;)