Almost August

Summer 2020 sure is a whole lot different than other summers.  I was looking for some pictures of summer vacations from the past and reminiscing.  When my kids were still kids and before their Dad died, we took them to Virginia.  We arrived in Williamsburg late in the afternoon and decided to buy tickets for the following day to get a head start on touring the Olde Village.  The next morning we woke up to pouring rain.  Change of plans, we toured the Carter Plantation instead.  No relation to my family.  It was interesting and very beautiful.  Virginia is a nice place to vacation but I prefer the Jersey Shore.  We had a few vacations there too.  Once in Avalon and a few times in Wildwood.  My most cherished memories though are the vacations in North Carolina on the Outer Banks.  From left to right, Avalon and three of my grandkids, Wildwood and my daughter and Granddaughter, and last OBX- Tracy, my daughter-in-law Donna

and me.

 

It's nice to go back and remember the good times we had as a family.  I guess we won't have very many from this summer, which makes me sad.  The only travelling I'll be doing is via books and TV.  It's just not the same as going there. But, I'm thankful that my family is safe and all are healthy and there's always next year.

More upsetting news

It's official, our PRS Pool will not be opened this summer.  I'm not really surprised.  The guidelines were pretty specific and would have been hard to enforce.  I'm disappointed as I'm sure many of you are as well.  Here's an alternative you might want to consider:

If you're laughing, you still have a sense of humor.  I was starting to think that it was okay to loosen up on staying home.  I was so ready to start living my life again until last night.  I watched the World News and saw the piece about the man who went to a BBQ.  He contracted the virus and the same day he was admitted to the hospital, he died.  There's only one sure way to not become another statistic, and that's to stay away from people.  So, as much as it hurts me, that's what I'm going to keep doing.  To repeat a quote, "I'd rather be 6 feet apart, than 6 feet under".  Keep yourself informed and do what you feel is right for you.  Better days are coming, I hope.

Dust off your grill

I'm back Folks, sorry for the long absence.  I had some unpleasant drama going on but life is too short for that nonsense.  Moving on and it feels good. 

The weather has been gorgeous here in the Garden State and my son and I were gifted the grill you see above.  It's a combo gas, charcoal and smoker grill.  We've been using it almost everyday.  Summer is perfect for being Keto.  All the fresh produce available and grilling is the perfect partnership.  We haven't used the smoker yet but there's a Brisket in the freezer along with a whole chicken that will be smoked before too long.  Like a lot of you, during the stay at home order, I gained back almost 10 pounds.....yikes!  But I'm happy to report that I got serious and managed to lose it again.....yeah!  So far in the past week we have had Salmon on the grill, London broil, Baby-back ribs, Smoked Sausage, Beef Kabobs and Fresh Tuna Steaks; all served with salad and grilled vegetables.  I'm also cooking with fresh herbs that I'm growing in my herb garden.  I'm more than happy to share the herbs if anyone wants some.  I have Parsley, Chives, Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Tarragon, Rosemary and Mint. Desserts in the summer tend to be light.  I've shared some of those recipes in past blogs.  Cheesecake in a jar with strawberries is one that we like alot.  Sugar Free pudding made with almond milk and heavy cream is like mousse.  If you get a cool day and don't mind lighting the oven, Impossible Coconut Custard Pie is one of our favorites.

Impossible Coconut Custard Pie

4 Tbls. melted Butter

4 large eggs

2 Tbls. coconut oil

1/2 tsp. coconut extract

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. baking powder

3/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

2 Tbls. All Purpose Flour (Not strict Keto I know)

2 Tbls. Coconut Flour

1 Cup Light Cream

1/2 Cup Heavy Cream

1/3 Cup Water 

1/8 cup Jordan's Skinny Syrup (I used coconut flavor)

2 Tbls. Golden Monk Fruit sweetener

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

To sprinkle on top

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

ground cinnamon (just for color)

Preheat oven to 325º.  Spray a 9" pie pan with cooking spray.  Melt your butter and let it cool a little.  Crack your eggs right into a blender jar.  Add the cooled butter and turn on for just long enough to mix well.  Now just dump in all the rest of the ingredients.  Blend again until everything is smooth.  Pour into prepared pan.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  This is the important step... you have to bake your pie in a water bath.  Find a pan large enough to hold your pie pan and fill it with hot water up to about halfway up the sides of the pie pan.  Place carefully on the middle rack in your oven.  Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.  I like to check on it at 45 minutes and add the 1/4 cup of coconut flakes now.  Bake for another few minutes until the coconut is brown and a knife inserted comes out clean.  Cool on a rack and then refrigerate for a few hours before you cut your pie.  Makes 8 small servings with 3 net carbs ea.  Or if you want a larger piece cut the pie into 6 servings with 4 net carbs ea.

Good Advice, Enjoy your day!

Time for white shoes and pants

This is the beach at Salvo, North Carolina also known as the Outer Banks.  It's my happy place.  Some of my happiest memories are the vacations I spent there.  I haven't been back for too long now.  I have great memories of vacations at the Jersey shore too, but OBX will always be my favorite beach place.  I also spent almost fifteen years living in Florida and the beach there was on the Gulf of Mexico.  So different from the Atlantic Ocean.  The water of the Gulf was always much warmer and the waves were really small.  You could actually swim out pretty far and never get knocked down.  The other thing I liked about Bradenton Beach,Florida; you could park on the side of the road and walk a short distance to the beach.  Have you ever been to Wildwood, NJ?  The beach there is another story, the walk is really far to the water.  One of the reasons my favorite is OBX, is you can drive on the beach with 4 wheel drive.

No long walk, carrying everything and then trudging back again at the end of the day.  At this stage of my life, I don't think I could handle a long walk in the sand on a hot day.  This year a trip to the beach is going to be different than any other year because of Covid-19.  In fact this summer is going to be different as well.  We just have to make the best of whatever comes our way and be thankful to be alive.  

Switching gears, I tried a new recipe last night that I'd like to share with my Keto buddies.  As I've said before, I will only share recipes that I've tried and rate as really good.  This one is no exception.  I hope you will try it.

Keto Lemon Mug Cake

1 Tbsp. Almond Flour

1 1/2 Tbsp. Coconut Flour

1 Tbsp. granulated sweetener, like Swerve

1/2 Tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 Tsp. lemon zest

1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 large egg 

3 Tbsp. Milk (I used light cream)

Combine the dry ingredients and mix well.  Add the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.  Grease a large mug (I used coconut oil).  Pour in the batter and microwave for at least 50 seconds.  I did a full minute and it was perfect.  Cool cake completely before adding frosting.  A simple frosting is, 2 or 3 Tbls. softened cream cheese, 1 Tbls. sweetener and a few drops of vanilla extract.  Mix together and add some cream to get the desired consistency.  I also topped with a few slices of fresh strawberries.  Just the cake has 6 grams of Carbs.  The frosting adds 2 grams and the strawberry adds 1 gram.  You could also top the cake with whipped cream and raspberries.  Let me know if you try it.

Made in the U.S.A

The other day on Facebook a friend of mine from High School was talking about only buying items made in the U.S.A.  I agree with her whole heartedly.  Especially now since I feel it's the only way to get our economy back on track.  By now everyone has seen the posts explaining how to know if something we buy at the grocery store is made in the U.S.A.   Look at the bar codes, right?  And, I do that most of the time (pat on back).  However, what about everything else we buy.  Clothing doesn't have bar codes.  I was doing laundry the same day I saw my friend's post.  Just for curiosity I started looking at labels as I pulled items from the dryer.  Of three large loads of clothing, not one item was made in the U.S.A.  NADA, ZERO, ZILCH!  Some was made in India, Taiwan, Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand and mostly China.  Granted, I don't buy expensive clothing but I was still surprised that even my hanes underwear was from China.

I was really disappointed in myself, to realize everything I wear took jobs away from America.  So, what do I do now?  I was wondering if there's a list somewhere of manufacturers/distributors that only sell American made clothes.  I did find one list of 100 Companies and I'll share it with you, but I didn't recognize very many of them.  Here's the link to the list:  https://clark.com/shopping-retail/american-made-in-the-usa/  I don't know about you, but I am feeling totally overwhelmed by just how dependent we have become on foreign trade.  It's not that easy to stop buying things not made here.  I don't have the answers and all I can do is try my best.  

Dreaming of a happier time

Don't get too excited, this is an old picture.  Old memories of happier times is what helps me cope with reality.  Today is a hard day, I'm feeling very depressed and lethargic.  I haven't felt like posting anything on my blog.  I need  to get out of my house, I need to see my family, I need to just go browsing a department store, I need to go to the beach, I need to see my friends again and I need to stop worrying about the unknown. 

Yesterday I was almost rude to a complete stranger on Facebook.  I related an experience I had at Shop-Rite in Lacey last week.  I said that a security guard took my temperature before I was allowed to enter the store.  A woman replied that all I have to do is use Insta-cart and get my groceries delivered.  Really? It's that simple?  I don't think so, in this area the delivery slots are booked for the next 3 weeks.  I actually don't mind going shopping, it's the highlight of my week, LOL!  And, I don't mind having my temperature taken.  I don't see how that makes any difference, because you can be a carrier of the virus without any symptoms.  But, I will keep doing my part and keep praying that this ends soon.  

On a more positive note, people are stepping up and helping their neighbors.  My neighbor Rita likes to sew.  She called me and asked if my Son and I would like her to make us cloth masks to wear.  I thought that was really nice of her and I thanked her for the offer.  She did an amazing job and delivered them to our paper tube.  Thanks again Rita!

There have been a lot of catch phrases circulating, but the best one in my opinion was "better to be 6 feet apart rather than 6 feet under"!  I can't agree more.  Stay safe and healthy. 😍💘

Good Friday prayers

As a child, I was raised as a Christian.  I attended Sunday school at the Presbyterian church in the small town of Newtown, Pa.   When I got a little older, I joined the Methodist church.  I sang in the Choir and had many wonderful experiences being a member.  When I became an Adult, I drifted away from attending Church.  In times of trouble I always relied on my faith to see me through.  And there were many times in my life when I called on God for guidance and help.  Now is no different, I need my faith to get me through this troubling time.  I admit to not knowing very much about other religions and their beliefs.  I only know what I believe.  Today I will spend my time quietly reflecting on those beliefs and asking God to protect my family and friends.  Many years ago, on Good Friday everything stopped in the afternoon at the time of Jesus' death.  Businesses closed, People attended Church services and as children we were told to remain quiet in the house.  It was a day of mourning, a time of darkness for every Christian.  This afternoon I will pray for all the souls we have lost to this Virus Worldwide.  I'll also look forward to Sunday when the light returns and Jesus is Risen.  I have to believe that this Crisis will end and there will be light in the world again.