The Most Ultimate Meatloaf

One of my favorite bloggers and now food network stars is the Pioneer Woman.  She has a hearty, rustic style and I love every recipe I try of hers.  This meatloaf was no exception.  I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a huge fan of meatloaf, but after trying this recipe, I can definitely see myself making it again.  The only suggestion I have is to use a broiling pan and not the grate that I used because you will be left with a big mess! -E

Recipe Link: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/meatloaf-recipe.html


You will definitely get your daily serving of protein with this meal

Be sure to put a pan underneath to catch all of the messy drippings

Use the extra sauce to pour on the meatloaf. Also try her mashed potato recipe for a perfect pairing!

Mashed Potato Recipe: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/delicious_creamy_mashed_potatoes/

Green Machine Pancakes

So I get that the color of these might be a turn off…but seriously they are REALLY good.  I was given this recipe from Kaity, who was one of my friends in college.  They are packed with nutrients and are surprisingly super yummy. I usually double the recipe since I make it for my L and me.  Give it a try!

Ingredients
1 heaping handful of spinach
1/4 cup egg whites
1 packet truvia
1/2 scoop vanilla protein
2 T almond milk
1/4 t baking powder
1/4 cup oats

Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth
Spray a frying pan/griddle with cooking oil
Pour 1/4 cup of batter on to pan
Flip when bubbles start to form on the top of the batter
Enjoy :)

-E

Myth or Magic: "Military Diet" Day 3

Here is my day three of this diet I have been trying.  It says not to weigh myself until the morning of the fourth day, so tomorrow I will have the results for you tomorrow :) 

Breakfast--5 Saltine Crackers, 1 Slice of Cheddar Cheese, and 1 Small Apple

Lunch-1 Hard-Boiled Egg, and 1 Slice of Toast

Dinner--1 Cup of Tuna, 1/2 of a Banana, and 1 Cup of Vanilla Ice Cream

Myth or Magic: "Military Diet" Day 2

Day 2 of my "Military" diet wan't too bad. I will have to say that I have been craving brownies all day... I think I have chocolate deprivation from two days ;) Anyway here we go with Day 2.

Breakfast--1 egg, 1 Slice of Toast, and 1/2 Banana

Lunch--1 Cup of Cottage Cheese, 1 Slice of Cheddar Cheese, and 5 Saltine

Crackers

Dinner--2 Hot Dogs, (no buns), 1 Cup of Broccoli, 1/2 Cup of Carrots, 1/2 Banana, and 1/2 Cup of Vanilla Ice Cream

Stay posted for Day 3
-E

Myth or Magic: "Three Day Military Diet" Day 1

Ok so I am always one of the first people to say that all of these cleanses and crash diets are completely ridiculous.  However, I have never really taken the time to try any of them out (mostly because they are actually just starving you). So my friend sent me this 3 day "military diet" that she had heard of and after looking it over I decided it didn't seem to be anything that would harm my body or deprive it too much of nutrients.  I understand that this is not a real military diet and I am pretty positive that it will not make me lose ten pounds in 3 day, but hey why not give it a try??  So this diet claims that all of the food combinations if consumed properly without any extra additions will work together and help you lose weight. One of the first things I noticed was that ice cream was included in this diet....very strange. Anyway if you want to look it over here is the link 3 day Military Diet

I tracked my meals for the day and I will let you know in three days how this diet works out ;)

Day 1
Breakfast--1/2 Grapefruit, 1 Slice of Toast, 2 Tablespoons of Peanut Butter, and Coffee or Tea

Lunch--1/2 Cup of Tuna, 1 Slice of Toast, and Coffee or Tea (any brew, as long as it's caffeinated)

Dinner--3 ounces of any type of meat, 1 Cup of Green Beans, 1/2 Banana, 1 Small Apple, and 1 Cup of Vanilla Ice Cream (YUM)!!!

I ended up eating the fruit and ice-cream a little later for dessert

Stay posted for day 2 and 3
-E

Hello October!!!!!

Happy October!

I love October! Not only does it mean that the unbearably warm Florida weather will be gradually cooling down, but it is also the start of the holiday seasons! Even though halloween isn't really one of the "holidays" people generally associate with the holiday season, I think that it's perfectly acceptable to start busting out some of those apple cinnamon candles and wintery comfort food recipes.

I have especially been looking forward to this October because it means that I get to be back in California for a whole week!  I cannot wait! While Florida definitely has it's perks, and I am so grateful for all the great opportunities and people I have out here on the East coast, nothing compares to my home state, California.

October is also a great month because of the Food and Wine festival at EPCOT. I mean I can't think of anything more amazing. Samples of food from all over the world with alcohol? Yes please. I'm sure one of us will do a whole post on our Food and Wine experience this year, but here are a couple of pictures from last year.

With the colder weather also come one of my favorite clothing items. BOOTS! All day every day. Boots boots boots.

I know L will get mad if I don't add this to the list....

I know we are also both looking forward to carving some pumpkins since we missed out on that last year

So as you can see, October brings many awesome things to look forward to!  So here is to making this month amazing. and hopefully receiving some cooler weather (fingers crossed)
-E

Oreo and Peanut Butter Brownies

So this is something I saw on Pinterest and it looked amazing! I am peanut butter lover, and I am down to try anything that contains it.  These were super easy to make.

Just make sure you get the layers. Ore, peanut butter, oreo, peanut butter, and the the brownie batter!

Ingredients
1 box brownie mix (and ingredients to make it)
1 package Double stuff oreos
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 T melted butter
Foil cupcake liners

Directions
1. Make the brownie mix according to directions on box and preheat oven to 350
2. mix peanut butter and melted butter until smooth
3. Place one oreo in the bottom of the cupcake liner
4. scoop a teaspoon off peanut butter on top of the oreo
5. Place another oreo on top of peanut butter layer
6. repeat step 4
7. Fill the empty spaces in the cupcake liner with brownie batter
8. Bake for 20 minutes on middle rack
9. Eat up!