Make the Switch I Did

It's been 5 days and I can say I like it.  I'm talking about my coffee. Yes, I can officially say I am now a black coffee drinker and yes, I really am enjoying it.  I never thought I'd be able to give up cream (real 10% cream) in my coffee. I generally drink 3 - 4 cups of coffee a day and for years upon years I have added cream to every cup and loved it.  

My husband recently kicked the cream habit several months ago and never looked back but I really didn't even consider giving it up as it is a small but extra amount of calcium that I thought I needed besides loving the way my coffee tasted.  

Five days ago after I went to the grocery store to shop for my list of items I came home without the cream. Of course it was on my list but as often happens I overlook one or two items and come home without it. This time I didn't feel like returning to the store to buy the cream so I decided to drink my coffee black.  

Not gonna lie, the first few sips well actually the first cup tasted slightly bitter and I cringed a few times while swallowing it down.  Then a couple hours later I tried again and eventually having another cup after dinner.  By the third cup I actually started thinking okay it's not that bad. I think I can do this.  So I carried on the next day and the next day and as I said now it's been 5 full days and I've made the switch.  I am a black coffee drinker.   

Now I know that many people love their fancy coffees like macchiatos and frappuccinos and of course lattes and that's okay but once you get started on real pure coffee made from a lovely berry growing plant from an exotic location you might find you don't need all that extra 'stuff'' in your drink.   

Sugary and sweet can mask the true taste of the coffee but then maybe that's how many people feel they can tolerate drinking it.  When you find the perfect blend or roast you should be able to drink it black and enjoy the true essence of the beans.  Coffee roasters spend hours developing the roast profiles. Growing, harvesting and processing coffee beans is a real art that takes a great deal of time.  Coffee can taste very different when it comes from different areas of the world.  

Black coffee has virtually no calories.  Yup, pretty much zero.  Added cream and sugar or even just one can add several calories to your diet depending on how many cups you consume in a day.  Just food for thought but maybe switching to black coffee is something you might consider.   Otherwise, Life's short, Enjoy the Coffee! 

 

Step Into Fall and Routines

September is here and with that begins many routines and getting back into the groove of things for most of us.  Kids head back to school, parents head back to work and we find the lazy days of summer have come and gone.  

Personally, I love the fall season. There are so many great things about this time of year.  The air just seems fresher and the beginnings of change can be seen in the trees and surroundings.  I can hardly wait to see all of the bright cheerful colors of the leaves.  

Today I got back into the routine of the gym.  My first indoor workout has begun.  Most of my fitness I prefer to do outdoors like cycling and walking but to keep my body in shape also requires some weight lifting and stretching too.  My husband and I just changed gyms as we had been going to the same one for about 14 years but found during the late spring and summer months we didn't utilize it properly as that is when we got on our bikes and I began outdoor walking again.  

The new gym worked out well, has everything we need to stay fit and healthy.  Along with working out I love to create healthy meals.  So I thought I'd share this dinner recipe with you. A simple easy 'wrap' for tonight's meal. 

Roasted yams and black bean wrap. I cubed 2 yams and roasted with a little olive oil and a pinch of salt at 400 degrees for about 35 mins. 

Lay out your tortillia wrap and layer it with some romaine lettuce, add a handful of roasted yams, rinsed and drained black beans, thinly sliced tomato, some thinly sliced peppers and red onion. Drizzle with a homemade dressing or just with olive oil.   Roll up and enjoy.  

Make Simple Cards and Tags From Supplies You Have

#crafting #cardmaking #creativebits

Nautical Posters

Porthole

Anchor

Swab the Deck

I enjoy using my travel photos to create items like these posters that can be framed or used as is to dress up a home or office. The messages you see on the posters can be changed to anything that you like.  These images can also be transferred to other available products. 

Take Advantage of Summer's Bounty

Summer time is the best time to enjoy the local produce. Wherever you live you should definitely take advantage of the fruits and vegetables that abound in your area. 

This morning I stopped at a corner fruit stand near my home and picked up some delicious fresh blueberries and some local corn on the cob.  My mouth is watering just thinking about them.  The price is also a little lower than what you'll pay in a super market for them too.  Where I live at this time of year wild blackberries are growing plump and juicy in easily accessed areas. My husband and I picked a big bucket full last week. I washed them and flash froze them on a cookie sheet and then put them in freezer bags. They are fabulous to have on hand in the fall and winter months to add to smoothies, or sprinkle on your yogurt. I made a blackberry &  blueberry crumble for dessert last night for my family.  So good! 

The cost of fruits and vegetables can be expensive especially when buying them out of there normal season so one should definitely take advantage of free wild berries when you can. After all they are organic and come with lots of health benefits. 

Fruit Theme Apron

Blackberry Jam Labels

Square Blackberry Label

Tourist Attractions in London and Edinburgh

Sharing some of the scenic tourist attractions I did on my recent vacation! Amazing views! 

London Eye is a popular paid tourist attraction. A little pricey but well worth it. Situated on the South bank of the River Thames in London is where you'll find it. This is Europe's tallest cantilevered observation wheel. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the round. Tourist's enter into air conditioned passenger capsules that hold up to 25 people. There is lots of room to stand and move around as well as some seating for those who are more comfortable sitting. Amazing views from every angle.  

Arthur's Seat is a tourist attraction in Edinburgh, Scotland. A must do on your list! This is an extinct volcano site located in Holyrood Park. Hike to the top of hill where you'll be at 251 meters above sea level.  Here you will find amazing views of the city.  This is a free tourist stop. Although you'll likely pay for parking.  It was really busy when we where there with a steady stream of people hiking to the top.  Very cool! 

City View of Edinburgh, Scotland

Summer Days

Summer days drifting away....