Almond Kick...

I'm on an Almond Kick. Tim and I are trying to eat healthier, and by that, we are cutting out some of my favorites, like by beloved pastas. gasp.........I might need a moment of silence......

  We are trying to cut back on eating less carbs in general and I find that Almonds are providing me with a wonderful satisfying taste and so, I'm using it to kick it up a notch to my everyday staples.





With that in mind, I have tried to come up with side dishes that are pleasing and light. But let's face it, you have to eat a ton of steamed or roasted "greens" to fill up, and it still just doesn't satisfy like the carbs.



Let me introduce to you the cauliflower....

I have served it up a couple ways (that i didn't record or take pics of, sorry), and have become found of the tasty filler it provides. We have used it as a substitute for several of my usual carb sides like, potatoes or rice.


I do love me some bread dipped in a blend of spices and olive oil, but that has left our table as well. It will return I am sure of it; but for now, I am on a mission and I refuse to buy it, because I don't need any distractions!



Baby Portabella Mushrooms are meatier and therefore give you more satisfaction when eating them, and that is why I paired the two.


Here is what I did-


Wash your Cauliflower, mushrooms and green beans.


Add two cups of water to a very large skillet and add two chicken bullion cubes. Turn to high and bring to boil. Whisk the cubes until dissolved.

Add your veggies and boil/steam for 7-10 mins (desired tenderness). Place your lid over the top and drain broth, leaving veggies in pan.

Crank the heat back up and sprinkle with salt, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle about 1/2 cup of Almonds. Sautee' to get a nice brown coating for about 3-5 mins.

Place veggies on a large baking sheet and pre-heat oven to 450 degrees (this is to pop the veggies in right before serving to warm them back up).

I needed the skillet for the next task!


Almond Crusted Tilapia.

Season both of your sides of Tilapia with salt (to taste).



In your large skillet add about 4 tbls of Olive Oil and turn heat to med high.

Chop about a cup of almonds and place on a plate.

crust one side of the fish with almonds by laying over almonds and pressing firmly down.

Place Tilapia crust down in hot oil. Keep temp high as to create a nice toasted crunchy crust. Squeeze juice from one Lemon over all pieces. Cook for 8 mins.

Flip and sear for another 3-4 mins.

When you flip your fish, place the veggies in the pre-heated oven to warm up!

Enjoy! 

Bananas.....

This morning we were 30 mins early in getting ready before heading off to school. This doesn't happen often. As we all sat together in the Living Room while Tim and I enjoyed our morning cup of joe, we set goals for the day. Each one set one, I set four. The fourth being blogging.


This post doesn't mean I completed 1,2 and 3.


In fact.

I only accomplished number one so far. Which is not even this recipe that I am blogging about.



Sometimes, that's how I roll.

Some of you know, we decided to Homeschool Elizabeth the last part of this year.

That is another topic, for another day.



Today, when working on math, I decided we should wrap up our fractions, by putting them to good use in the kitchen.

So we did.




I think Math and Home Economics are very important.

That is also, another topic for another day.

I had some bananas, shall we say, maturing...ack hem; so I ventured to this site for a good ol' Banana Bread recipe; because we all know she is going to produce a good one.

I laughed at her first line on this blog post, because I can relate. Besides being one of the longest words (besides Mississippi) that I felt a sense of accomplishment by spelling it at an early age, I detest bananas. Hate them (yes, I know that is what detest means. Just really trying to get my point across here). I think they are disgusting and I as well, have never eaten a whole one. And because of that, I made my girls eat them since infancy and they like them. That is something that I am proud of, and can hopefully add that to the list of "I'm glad my mom made me do it".

But, even though my fondness of despising the monkey's favorite grows yearly...... I LOVE Banana Bread. Go figure.

I followed the recipe to a "t", except.....

There is only one thing that stood out as being odd in this recipe. The lack of salt and vanilla extract.

I know Ree knows what she's doing, but I love, love some extract. Since using salted butter , I didn't add salt, but when going for the vanilla; opted for it's lovely companion, Almond extract. And of course, if you are like me, I love nuts added to anything. I added the extract (1/2 tsp)after the butter and sugar was creamed for those that want to know.

Therefore, I toasted some almonds (with a little butter and a sprinkle of salt) for taste and beauty. Sprinkled the almonds on top with a sprinkle of sugar as well and waaaaaa laaaa....

Because I used loaf pans instead of bundt, my cook time was exactly an hour, instead of 1hr 10min.

Loaf pans make it easier for sharing :)

Serve it up with a nice cup of joe or cold milk!

Enjoy!

because i said yes.....

This post might not be one of what you are thinking.


It's not a love story.

Well, scratch that.....

It kinda is.


But, it's not of the knight in shining armor, with a damsel in distress, love story.

Well, on second thought, scratch that too.....



because it kinda is.

Satan and I had a throw down tonight.


yes, I said Satan.

And before you think I hit the bottle tonight, let me explain..


You see, from the very beginning, because I said yes, someone got really jealous.


So jealous that at times, I feel like he is attacking me because of his jealousy.


No; scratch that, I KNOW he is attacking me because of it.


I have said yes, many of times to things he hates. Which in return only makes him more vicious.


So why didn't I realize that when I said yes back in October, I also signed up for war.

The other day, my daughter spoke truth to me. Truth she didn't even know would minister to me. When talking about local businesses with a friend; they were sad discussing how businesses would close, because they would "run out of money" as they say. When her friend looked sincerely at Elizabeth and said..."yeah, like...your....", Elizabeth piped in and said "Oh no! My mom closed because God told her to".


So bold, so confident, so real.

That spoke wonders to me.

It reminded me...."Oh yeah God. You did tell me too. You did press that on me. I did have peace.You did want me to close. It is, and will be good."

My eight year old, in her sweet child like faith, faith that was much greater then her mama's, declared to her friend and to me, truth. Declared God's provision, mercy, love and goodness.

Tonight I told Satan that he could go back to Hell where he belongs, and asked God to forgive me for not kicking his butt awhile ago and preaching truth to myself daily.

And because I said yes, I have an armor to carry. And it's shiny and heavy and strong, and it does rescue damsels in distress.


God doesn't promise easy; but He does promise victory.

And victory is sweet my friends, victory is sweet.

BMV

"B"ible "M"emory "V"erse

This is our BMV for the week.


Maybe I think my kids need it, because they think their mama needs it..........


my heart has been yucky this past week. really yucky.



I keep wanting to blog "Happy" thoughts, but I need some revival!

praying this verse over and over again this week in hopes it will break the complaining in my heart, which in return will stop the arguing. Those two go hand and hand ya know. Funny how God words things isn't it :)

 I am getting there, it just takes awhile sometimes with me. I am stubborn. I want control and God takes it from me sometimes...or was it even mine to begin with....hmmmmm... Thankful God is Faithful and His Mercies are new every morning.



Check out these cards. They have blessed and been used to convict my heart and to Glorify God in the process. (and they're super cute as well!)

Have to/Want to, and a PARTY!

You know that "Have to"- "Want to" thing I talked about yesterday??


Well, it's going to make it's way to the screen again today, except in a different light...

I've been meaning to blog about this. It was a HAVE to on my list, but also, a very much WANT to.


If you haven't figured it out yet; I do love to plug a local when I can, and Landmark Park, is a local.

A very much LOVED local. Especially on beautiful days like today :)


A local, in need of, like all local businesses; the continued support from our faithful community.

Please consider joining us for this fun filled evening; but if the date and time won't cut it for you, then please, oh please consider ordering some yummy Ribs. We will have the Rib pick up at 3 different locations as a convenience to you and a thank you for your support. You can call the number above, or email me kcpilcher@gmail.com and I will hook you up with some tickets!