The Early Bird

I got a really early start today. Already hit the Farmer's Market... super sweet strawberries, clementines, leeks, onions, asparagus (thinking soup.)

I walked to the Nut Shop and bought way too many yummy fresh roasted nuts which I already know I will need to portion out in snack size Ziplocs.

I also went to the grand opening of a new Bakery. Nope, not for me.. it's for my Mum she loves her bread. She luckily has the metabolism of a 14-year old boy. I have the metabolism of a Sumo wrestler.

All that before 10 AM.

It is an absolutely gorgeous day. It's going to be 82 degrees. I'm taking my bento box of snacks to the park. Weather like this is a gift and you just can't stay inside...


Blue Box (top left): Apple Cinnamon Soy Crisps and Almond Butter Sandwiches
Orange Box (top right): A few of those yummy Strawberries with a squirt of Sugar Free Land O Lakes Whipped Cream
Pink Box (bottom left): Provolone, Sopressata, Mozzarella Cheesestick Chunks and Wasabi Flavored Roasted Edamame
Green Box (bottom right): Clementine Segments

Banana Protein Mochacchino

This is a perfect knock-off of those Chocolate Banana Vivannos at Starbucks.


Shelly's Banana Protein Mochacchino

1 cup Vanilla Soy Milk (you can use ANY milk or milk/water combo. I'm a soy girl)
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I use SF Vanilla)
1/2 a Banana
1 scoop Click Espresso Protein Powder
1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder
3-4 Ice Cubes

Add liquid, then powders, then additions and blend on high. I serve it with a squirt of SF Land o Lakes Whipped Cream.

Sunshine & Stroganoff

I put some dinner leftovers in my super cool bento box. Nuking them and bringing them outside to enjoy in the warm sun.


Blue Box (top left): Cabbage (boiled then sauteed till golden)
Orange Box (top right): Shelly's Apple Spice Yogurt Dip (recipe below)
Pink Box (bottom left): Shelly's Speedy Stroganoff Meatballs (recipe below)
Green Box (bottom right): Sliced Rome Apple


This is another one of the meals I will make when I really don't want to cook but I still want something yummy. Frozen turkey meatballs helps it come together in a few minutes.

Shelly's Speedy Stroganoff Meatballs

1 Yellow Onion, sliced
8-10 Mushrooms, sliced
1 Tablespoon Butter
2 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix (I use this)
1 3/4 cups Beef Broth
1/2 cup Sour Cream
a few twists of Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Tablespoon Fresh Dill, chopped
10-12 Cooked Turkey Meatballs (make your own or I cheat and use these)
Butter/Oil for sauteing

Saute onions and mushrooms till golden. Add butter and pancake mix. Cook for 1 minute. Add beef broth slowly stirring while you add. Cook till bubbles and thickened. Add remaining ingredients. Cook till warmed through. Serve with cabbage (boiled then sauteed lightly is my favorite) or sauteed spinach.


Shelly's Apple Spice Yogurt Dip

3 oz. Fage Greek Yogurt (I use 2%)
2 Tablespoons No Sugar Added Apple Butter
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Caramel Torani Syrup

Mix together till well combined. Eat as is or use as a dip for fruit or veggies. It's heaven with a crisp Rome Apple.

Hint: if you are going to be awhile before you eat your apple slices dip them in acidulated water which will buy you a few hours without browning. Acidulated water = just a fancy name for water with lemon juice or lime juice in it. 3 Tablespoons juice to 1 quart H2O.


Highlights of the Day:

* In an effort to reduce the clutter in my life. I started journaling my recipe ideas, song titles to download, cool websites, #'s of people I need to call back, crazy dreams, random thoughts and other crap that I used to have on a million post-its stuck to my desk. All those post-its drove me nuts and you can imagine what happened when the window was open on a breezy day. Ahhhh!

* Another project completed... downloaded all the pictures on my computer onto USB flash drives so if this computer ever decides to do what my last computer did and randomly explode. I won't be as sad. I'd still be sad but you know not as much ;)

* Working for $$$ today. Woot. Most days I work for compliments which is lovely but doesn't pay the light bill.

Listening to: "Billy" James Blunt

Blueberry Muffin Therapy

Cooking is therapy for me. When I'm feeling down I break out the pots & pans. This probably contributed to my weight issues in life. Pre-op when I was low I cooked enough for a crowd and then ate it all. I hosted lots of "Dinners for 4" where I was the only guest. Now I know better...

I make better choices in what I cook and I make a plan.

I made these yummy muffins (better choice) and invited my neighbor over for a cup of tea (the plan.) She loved the muffins and I sent a few of them home with her to share with her hubby (who has NO CLUE they are no white flour, no sugar muffins by the way. Ha.) I left a few out for Mum and I and froze the rest for another day. They'll be a nice treat next week sometime.

I heart these mini muffins. I toss a couple in a snack size Ziploc baggie and drop them in my purse so if I meet pals at Starbuck's and I am faced with their dreaded bakery case I can pull out my good for you treats and enjoy too.


Shelly's Blueberry Protein Mini Muffins

3/4 cup Spelt Flour
1/2 cup Vanilla Protein Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
dash of Salt
1/4 cup Raisins
1/4 cup Nuts, chopped (I used Pecans)
2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
2 Eggs, beaten
1 Tablespoon Oil
4 Tablespoons Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Vanilla)
2 Tablespoons Cottage Cheese
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1 cup Blueberries

Topping
1 Tablespoon Steel Cut Oats
1 Tablespoon Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
1 Tablespoon Sliced Almonds
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Vanilla)

Preheat oven to 350. Spray mini muffin tin with Pam and set aside. Mix all ingredients together till combined. Spoon into muffin tin and sprinkle with a pinch of topping.

Bake at 350 for 12 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Remove pans from oven. Allow to cool in the pan for 3 minutes.

Transfer muffins to wire cooling rack to cool completely. Store in a sealed container to keep them soft and moist. Makes 28-30 mini muffins.

More Eggface Blueberriness:

Shelly's Blueberry Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream
Shelly's Blueberry Oat Bars
Shelly's Blueberry Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Shelly's Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie

Fat Tuesday

To celebrate I made some yummy New Orleans inspired weight loss surgery friendly goodies...


Shelly's Muffuletta Roll-ups

1/4 pound Ham, thinly sliced
1/4 pound Genoa salami, thinly sliced
1/4 cup Whipped Cream Cheese
1/4 cup (plus a few for garnish) Spanish Pimento Stuffed Olives

Whiz cream cheese and olives in a mini food processor till smooth. Place 1 slice of salami on a plate, cover with 1 piece of ham, smear with a dollop of cream cheese olive mixture. Roll-up. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Andouille Sausages Skewers
Slices of Cajun Andouille Sausage sauteed and skewered. Served with a spicy mustard.


Shelly's Spring Shrimp Salad

1 bunch of Asparagus Spears
1 cup Frozen Peas
14 Large Cooked Shrimp, chopped
1 stalk of Celery, diced
3 1/2 oz. Fage Greek Yogurt (1/2 a container, I use 2%)
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar
1/4 Red Onion, diced
2 Tablespoons Fresh Dill, chopped
1 Anchovy Fillet, mashed (jarred packed in olive oil and salt are the best)
a few twists of Black Pepper

Hold both ends of each asparagus spear and bend. The tough part should snap right off. Toss those (or better yet compost.) Chop into 1" segments and steam along with the frozen peas for 2 minutes in the microwave. I use this nifty gadget. Remove from microwave and drop in ice water to stop the cooking and set the pretty green color. Drain. Toss with remaining ingredients and don't leave that anchovy out. They are in Caesar Dressing and you like that, right? LOL ;)

Later we're having a cup of Cafe Du Monde coffee and dessert...


Shelly's 5 Minute Sugar Free Banana Caramel Nut Cake with Bananas Foster Topping

1 Egg, beaten
3 Tablespoons Milk (I used Vanilla Soy)
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Caramel)
2 Tablespoons Banana, mashed
2 Tablespoons Canola Oil
3 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix (I use this)
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 Tablespoon Pecans, chopped
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
Pinch salt
1 Measuring Cup or Microwave Safe Mug

In a measuring cup or microwave safe mug, Mix egg, milk, syrup, banana and oil and combine thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix pancake mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, nuts, protein powder and salt. Tip dry into wet and stir till combined.

Nuke in microwave for 2 minutes*. *Microwave wattage varies. Mine takes 2:20 but start with 2 minutes and add 20 second increments if needed. Let it sit for three or so minutes (it pulls away from the sides) before tipping the cake onto a plate. Yields 4-5 slices.

This cake is soooo good! It totally gives me my banana bread fix. It's also great toasted.


Shelly's Non-Alcoholic No Sugar Added Bananas Foster Topping

1 Banana, sliced
1 teaspoon Butter
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Caramel)
dash Cinnamon
dash Nutmeg
2 Tablespoons Pecans, chopped

Heat butter and bananas in a non stick pan. Add syrup, nuts and seasonings. Toss lightly to coat and warm through. Top slices of my 5 Minute Sugar Free Banana Caramel Nut Cake with mixture.


Oh I have to share this funny Mardi Gras related story...

When I was teaching, my co-teacher was an African American woman named Donna. Hey Donna! Donna and I both love a good party... so we decided to have a little Mardi Gras celebration in the classroom. The children made masks, counted and charted with beads, told alligator stories, listened to Zydeco music and I made a King Cake at home that I brought in for the kids to try. We talked about the three colors of the icing sugar and what they represent: Purple (Justice), Green (Faith) and Gold (Power). I hid a traditional plastic baby under each piece of cake (so everyone had a little reminder of the day to take home) as the children discovered their hidden babies Donna and I had to laugh as they asked each other, "Did you find a Ms. Donna or a Ms. Michelle?"


So see you can celebrate without getting drunk on Hurricanes, flashing random men your boobies and ending up on one of those videos they sell on late night infomercials.

Though thanks to Dr. Q and Bio Oil I have damn good boobies for flashing ;)


Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! Let The Good Times Roll!

Breakfast Bentos

The top Bento is breakfast this morning. Going to take it outside and enjoy the fresh air. After all the rain we had things are finally drying out.

The bottom Bento was breakfast the other day. My Mum and I shared it at the park/lake near my house.


Pink Box (top left): Chocolate Protein Waffles w/ sliced Bananas (click on link for recipe) I made these last week & froze some, took them out of the freezer this AM & toasted 'em. Easy.
Orange Box (top right): Pineapple Cottage Cheese
Blue Box (bottom left): Breakfast Sausages and Sugar Free Maple Syrup for Waffles
Green Box (bottom right): Strawberries and Blueberries




Pink Box (top left): Shelly's Black Cherry Greek Yogurt (recipe below)
Green Box (top right): Kay's Naturals Protein Cereal (I sprinkle this on my yogurt yum)
Blue Box (bottom left): Shelly's Green Chili Bites (Crustless Quiches)
Orange Box (bottom right): Mozzarella Cheesestick Cubes


The best yogurt ever...

Shelly's Black Cherry Greek Yogurt

3 1/2 oz. Fage Greek Yogurt (1/2 a container. I use 2%)
5 Cherries (plus a couple for garnish)
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Black Cherry Torani Syrup

Whiz in a mini food processor till combined. I serve it with a few whole cherries on top and sometimes I sprinkle cereal or sliced almonds on top for a little crunch. This makes a GREAT dip for sliced apples too.


My super groovy Bento Box

Bento #1
Bento #2 & 3

As a post-op I have found if I eat a yummy high protein breakfast I do sooooo much better eating wise all day long. I feel satisfied and I'm less likely to overeat or nibble during the rest of the day.

Hope your day is great! Go eat breakfast.

Cool Product Alert: Tilapia

I heart these.

These are one of my "I don't really feel like cooking but I still want something yummy" go-to meals.

15 minutes and you are eating. Take that Rachel Ray Wa-Pow!


Sea Cuisine Tortilla Crusted Tilapia Filets

Nutritional Information:

Serving size – 1 Filet (about 3.75 oz.)
Calories per serving – 180
Total Fat – 10g
Total Carbohydrate – 6g
Sugars - 1g
Protein – 16g

I get them at Costco. 9 filets come in a box for $11.49


Toss one per person (early outs might even half it) on a oiled cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes at 425 degrees.

You can eat them as is of course with a veggie on the side but my favorite thing to do is make a Fish Taco Salad. A very Southern California meal.


Shelly's Fish Taco Salad

1 Tortilla Crusted Tilapia Filet (per salad)
Mixed Lettuce Greens
Cilantro Lime Yogurt Dressing (recipe below)
Colby Jack Cheese, grated

Place cooked fish filet on top of greens. Sprinkle with cheese and serve with a dollop of dressing.


Shelly's Cilantro Lime Yogurt Dressing

3 1/2 oz. Fage Greek Yogurt (I use 2%)
2 Tablespoons Fresh Cilantro
1 1/2 Tablespoons Good Olive Oil
Squirt or two of Lime
Kosher Salt to taste
a few twists of Black Pepper

Whiz in a mini food processor till blended.

Green Chili Bites

On a happier note. I made these for breakfast this morning...


Shelly's Green Chili Bites

1 Yellow Onion, diced
3 Green Onions, diced
1 can (4 oz.) Green Chilies, diced (I use Ortega Whole Mild)
1/2 cup Monterey Jack or Colby Jack Cheese, grated (If you like it spicy use Pepper Jack)
5 eggs
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
a few twists of Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Saute onions till golden. Set aside to cool. Wash and deseed chilies. Dice. I prefer to buy whole chilies and dice them myself (less seeds.) When onions are cool mix all ingredients together.

Spoon into lightly greased (Pam works great) mini muffin tins.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350. Makes 24.

Other Eggface "Bites" (think crustless quiches):

Shelly's Beef Fiesta Bites
Shelly's Italian Crab Bites
Shelly's Breakfast Bites
Shelly's Pizza Bites
Shelly's Bacon & Swiss Bites
Shelly's Stuffed Pizza Bites
Shelly's Spamtastic Bites with Tropical Dipping Sauce
Shelly's Foo Rangoon Bites
Shelly's Ham Fiesta Bites
Shelly's Philly Cheese Steak Bites
Shelly's Lovely Lox Bites

Shelly's Spinach & Feta Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Artichoke Florentine Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Zucchini Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Mushroom Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Bruschetta Bites (vegetarian)
Shelly's Southwest Bites (vegetarian)

Reminder

I hate to have to post this but since I spent several hours reporting a woman who copied 20+ recipes and blog entries from my site, posted them on weight loss surgery forums and claimed them as her own I guess I should...

The World According to Eggface asks that you honor our copyright ©2006-2009 by not posting the recipes found on this blog elsewhere on other websites, nor reprint them in any form. Feel free to post a link back to this site. Thank you.

Open letter to that woman (nameless for now):

I am watching you and I have others watching you too. Don't steal my shit. You are a creative woman who doesn't need to pretend someone else's work is yours. Be yourself.

You Are Mint For Me

It's National Chocolate Mint Day and because I am a goober who must celebrate all wacky holidays here are some weight loss surgery friendly ways to party like it's 1999...

Shelly's Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Ice Cream
Shelly's Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Ice Cream Bon Bons
Shelly's 5 Minute Sugar Free Chocolate Peppermint Cake
Shelly's Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Smoothie
Shelly's Sugar Free Peppermint Bark Popcorn
Shelly's Candy Cane Cocoa

ISS Oh Yeah Chocolate Mint Protein Wafers

If you didn't come to party
Don't bother knockin' on my door
I got a lion in my pocket
And baby he's ready to roar

Chocolate Monkey Pudding

Remember my Toasted Coconut Banana Pudding from earlier this month. I made a Chocolate version... 'cause sometimes a girl's just got to have her chocolate.


Shelly's Chocolate Monkey Pudding

2 Bananas, sliced
1 batch of Warm Toasted Coconut Chocolate Custard (recipe below)

Layer 4 ramekins 3/4 the way full with bananas.

Top with layer of warm custard.

You can eat it warm or put them in the fridge to set up for 1/2 hour. I let them chill and topped them with a squirt of Sugar Free Land o Lakes Whipped Cream.

Shelly's Warm Toasted Coconut Chocolate Custard

2 Tablespoons of Bird's Custard Powder
2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa
2 cups Milk
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Coconut Torani Syrup
1/2 cup Unsweetened Coconut, toasted

Mix powder and cocoa into a smooth paste with a little of the milk. Heat the remaining milk to almost boiling and pour onto the custard mixture. Return the mix to the pan, stir and heat till thickened (it will bubble).

Remove from heat and put sugar free syrup and toasted coconut in. You can eat this as is warm (my favorite) poured over slices of my 5 Minute Cakes, Crumbs and Protein Souffles or chill it and it will firm up like pudding.

Try these other "kind of like this" Eggface desserts:

Shelly's Chocolate Monkey Protein Souffle
Shelly's 5 Minute Sugar Free Banana Caramel Nut Cake
Shelly's Toasted Coconut Banana Pudding
Shelly's Strawberry Banana Trifle
Shelly's Pina Colada Pudding

Bento Lunch #2 & 3

I'm loving my new Bento Box.

Seriously every Mom should get one of these for their kids. Did you know a typical American school kid generates 67 pounds of discarded school lunch packaging waste per school year???

Think of all those trees :(

OK off soapbox

Here are my latest Weight Loss Surgery Friendly Bento Creations...

I shared this yummy lunch with my friend/boss Gail. Gail's a really good cook and she flipped over my Turkey Slaw so that made me happy.


Blue Box (top left): Shelly's Turkey Slaw (click on link for recipe)
Green Box (top right): Cutie Clementine Segments
Pink Box (bottom left): Olive Bar Goodies "Mixed Antipasto" (Marinated Beans, Mozzarella Balls, Grape Tomatoes, Grilled Artichoke, Roasted Pepper, Olives)
Orange Box (bottom right): Variety of Cheeses


Bento #3 was shared by my Mum...


Blue Box (top left): Shelly's Salmon & Cucumber Salad on a bed of Mixed Greens (recipe below)
Green Box (top right): Ham & Swiss Roll-ups
Pink Box (bottom left): Broccoli w/ Cilantro Dressing
Orange Box (bottom right): Gold Pineapple Chunks with a sprinkling of Malibu Passion Fruit Rum


Shelly's Salmon & Cucumber Salad

1 large English Cucumber, sliced
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
4 oz. Nova Lox, chopped
1/4 cup Fage Greek Yogurt (I use 2%)
1/4 cup Sour Cream
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar
1/4 Red Onion, diced
2 Tablespoons Fresh Dill, chopped
a few twists of Black Pepper
Mixed Salad Greens

Place cucumber in a colander. Sprinkle salt on cucumber slices and allow to sit for an hour. Combine all ingredients (except greens.) Refrigerate until ready to use. Serve on a bed of salad greens.

Bento #1

Presidential Pizza Porn

It's President's Day. According to the White House chef, former President Dubya's favorite supper was "Cheeseburger Pizza." Finally something I agree with him on. It was pretty yummy.


Shelly's Cheeseburger Tortilla Pizza - Mission Carb Balance Whole Wheat Fajita Size Tortilla topped with browned Ground Beef (a little garlic thrown in), diced Green Onions, fresh Tomato, Cheddar Cheese and a dash of Seasoning Salt.

Variations: different Cheeses, add Pickle Slices, Thousand Island Dressing, sauteed Mushrooms & Onions, crumbled cooked Bacon.

Have a slice...


Click here for cooking instructions and more pizza porn inspiration.


Highlights of the Day:

* Ha. We should all be issued one of these the day we have weight loss surgery.

* A big storm is coming. I love weather. We don't get much of it in Southern California. Our weather is basically summer or not quite summer most of the time so it's nice to have something different. Gives me an excuse to break out the crock pot and make a stew too. It's good it's happening on a holiday too because there will be less vehicles on the road.

* Right now. Listening to tunes. Wrapped up in a warm fuzzy blanket. Sipping a yummy cup of Chocolate Covered Cherry Hot Cocoa. Mmmmm.

Listening to: "My Girl" The Temptations

I'm with Cupid --->

It's Valentine's Day err I mean Single's Awareness Day.

The way I see it as a single girl on Single's Awareness Day you have two choices you can wallow in a sea of self pity and loneliness with The Smiths or something equally depressing playing on repeat

or...

you can have a colorful and festive lunch.

I chose lunch.


Here are a few of the weight loss surgery friendly dishes I served...


Shelly's Lovely Lox Bites

1/2 cup "Pink" Nova Lox, chopped
1/2 "Red" Onion, diced
2 Green Onions, diced
4 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
1 Tablespoon Milk
1/3 cup "Red" Tomatoes, chopped
1 Tablespoon Fresh Dill, chopped
5 Eggs, beaten
a few twists of Black Pepper

Saute onions till golden. Set aside to cool. Mix cream cheese and milk together till fluffy. When veggies are cool mix all ingredients together. Spoon into lightly greased (Pam works great) mini muffin tins.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350. Makes 24.

These would be absolutely perfect on a breakfast buffet. They are soooo good. Totally New York. Lox and schmear and all the typical bagel toppings (minus capers 'cause I don't do capers) turned "Bite" aka crustless quiche.


I served them with a Mixed Greens Salad w/ Fresh Red Raspberries, Slivered Almonds and a Raspberry Vinaigrette.


and to drink a pitcher of pretty pink smoothie...


Shelly's Cherry Berry Banana Protein Smoothie

8 oz. Vanilla Soy Milk
8 oz. Water
2 scoops Vanilla Protein Powder
1/2 Banana
4-5 whole Frozen Strawberries
1/2 cup Frozen Cherries
2-3 Tablespoons Sugar Free Black Cherry Torani Syrup

Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended.


and of course.... THERE MUST BE CHOCOLATE!

I used my super groovy mini donut pan to make a batch of my Mini Chocolate Protein Donuts. I topped them with Unsweetened Toasted Coconut, Crushed Sugar Free Peppermint, Crushed Sugar Free Malted Milk Balls, Chopped Hazelnuts and a few plain Chocolate Glazed.

Sweet Treats

Mmmmuffins. The house smells so good when these are cooking you'll want to make a batch everyday. Pop a couple in a Ziploc for a great on-the-go breakfast.


Shelly's Mini Apple Spice Protein Muffins

1 cup Almond Flour
1/2 cup Vanilla Protein Powder (I use this)
1/2 cup Multigrain Pancake Mix (I use this)
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Tablespoons No Sugar Added Apple Butter
2 Eggs, beaten
4 Tablespoons Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Caramel)
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
1/4 cup Apple Cider
1/2 cup Raisins
Pam Non-stick Spray

Preheat oven to 325. Spray mini muffin tin with Pam. Mix all ingredients together. Spoon into mini muffin tin. Bake for 12-14 minutes till lightly golden. Cool on a wire cooling rack. Makes 24. They freeze well too.


Highlights of the Day:

* Ummm let's see... I didn't lose consciousness when a spice jar of cinnamon hit me on the head. Ha. It's Friday the 13th. Perfect.

* Conversation with Sarah...

Me: My hands are freezing
Me: It's like 34 freaking degrees
Sarah: Sandwich them between your thighs
Me: YES! I still have fat girl thighs. TY!
Sarah: YW

There are benefits to having fat thighs. Hand warmers.

Well and I still need to go bull riding because I just know they will come in handy there too. I'm clamping down like a vice grip on that bull and they are gonna have to pry my ass off that sucker.

* Another Mmmmm. Sipping it right now...

Shelly's Chocolate Covered Cherry Cocoa

No Sugar Added Cocoa with a splash of Sugar Free Black Cherry Torani Syrup topped with a Sugar Free Marshmallow Valentine Peep.



Listening to: "Live your Life" T.I. featuring Rihanna

Good times

About once a month my Mum and I have an all appetizer dinner. We call them our "tidbit parties." I make 3 or 4 different appetizers. We turn on some good music. In the summer we do them outside under the electric stars and sometimes friends or family will join us but in the chilly months it's mostly just us two.

This super easy, weight loss surgery friendly appetizer is a perfect addition to a "tidbit party" menu.


Shelly's Prosciutto-Wrapped Roasted Asparagus

24 Asparagus Spears (thinner the better)
8 slices Prosciutto di Parma, sliced thin (find in Italian Delis, better Supermarkets, Trader Joe's)

Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus. Wrap 3 stems with a slice of prosciutto, and roast in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet.

We serve them with Shelly's Feta & Onion Dip or Pesto Yogurt Dipping Sauce.

Variations: smear the prosciutto with cream cheese before wrapping asparagus. Short on time? This appetizer is also yummy uncooked.

It's also a pretty elegant breakfast served with soft-boiled eggs for dipping. Perfect for me since I don't do toast.


Shelly's Feta & Onion Dip

1/2 cup Fage Greek Yogurt (I use 2%)
1/4 cup Tomato Basil Feta Cheese, crumbles
1 Tablespoon storebought Pesto
2 Green Onions, diced
a few twists of Black Pepper

Whiz all ingredients in a mini food processor till well combined.

More Eggface recipes like this:
Shelly's Bacon-Wrapped Pesto Shrimp
Shelly's Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Nuggets
Shelly's Scallop and Shrimp Scampi Skewers

Other Eggface appetizers.

Healthy Lunch Ideas: Warm & Gooey Turkey Avocado Cheese Rollup

Roll-ups are one of my favorite post-op lunches. I used to eat them cold (still do sometimes) but one day I was lamenting the lack of grilled cheese sandwiches in my post-op life and I thought let's throw this sucker in a pan and get some cheesy goo going on.

I serve these roll-ups on their own or with a small salad. Other cold cut combos are yummy too. Roast Beef, Swiss, and Avocado is another favorite of mine and Ham, Swiss, a smear of Mustard and Dill Pickle. This particular combo of Turkey, Swiss, Avocado is great paired with a baby spinach salad topped dried cranberries, a few toasted almonds and a balsamic vinaigrette.


Shelly's Melted Roll-up

Turkey Breast, slice
Swiss Cheese, slice
Avocado, slices

Lay turkey on plate. Top with cheese and a couple of slices of avocado. Roll-up. Secure with toothpick if needed. Pan saute for a few minutes on each side till golden and cheese is gooey.

Variations: sometimes I add a sliced green chili (Ortega Whole Mild Green Chilies in the can) instead or in addition to the avocado.

Highlights of the Day:

* Speaking of cheese... I'm a happy girl. Costco had my Fresh Asiago Cheese (Asiago Pressato) back in. Asiago Pressato is one of Italy's protected-origin cheeses meaning it can only be made in a specific region of Italy (in this case northeastern Italy.) It's made from cow's milk, it's semi-soft and buttery and worth every lactose intolerant moment ;) LOL. Most people are familiar with Aged Asiago (Asiago d'allevo) but that is a different cheese hard like Parmesan. If you can find Asiago Pressato in your area try it. You will be hooked. It's yummy on it's own or melted on one of my tortilla pizzas.

* Ha. Gordon Ramsey has a new book out. You know the "Hell's Kitchen" dude that curses a lot. My favorite quote from the book... "WATCH THE F***ING CARBS! Christ almighty."

I think I'm going to make that a magnet and put it on my fridge. LOL ;) Wise words.

* Right now. An especially good cup of coffee with a splash of Sugar Free Vanilla Torani Syrup in it. Chocolate Protein Waffles heating up in the toaster. Eating them with sliced bananas, Sugar Free Maple Syrup and a squirt of No Sugar Added Whipped Cream. Going to get paid $ for doing something fun today. Can't beat that! Then I'm going to go walk around the lake and feed the ducks. I found an open bag of Sugar Free Cookies that aren't quite fresh enough to eat anymore (I use them in some of my protein ice cream recipes) but I'm sure the ducks won't complain.

Second Day Soup

This is called Second Day Soup because you make it one day, put it in the fridge and reheat it the next day. The soup ingredients get a chance to love on one another all night and it becomes something awesome. I know it's hard to wait a day but I'm telling you overnight it becomes a very different soup and sooooo worth it.


Shelly's Second Day Soup

5 ounces Chorizo Sausage, casing removed
1 Yellow Onion, diced
2 stalks of Celery, diced
4 cloves Garlic, crushed
1 can (15 oz.) Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz.) Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz.) Italian Style Chopped Tomatoes w/ Juice
2 cups Chicken Broth
2 cups Vegetable Juice (I use Knudsen Very Veggie)
1/4 cup White Wine
1/4 cup Italian Parsley, chopped
4 oz. Baby Spinach Leaves
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper

Shredded Cheese
Sour Cream or Fage Greek Yogurt

Crumble the chorizo in a large soup pot with a lid. Cook for about five minutes. Add the onions and celery and cook for about ten minutes. Add the garlic, chickpeas and beans. Cook all together for a minute. Add the tomatoes, broth, juice and white wine and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and add the parsley and spinach. Simmer for an hour with the lid on. Season with salt and pepper. Allow to cool and refrigerate till the next day. Take it out of the fridge and reheat. Serve with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream or Fage Greek Yogurt.

Here's some more Eggface favorite soups.


Highlights of the Day:

* There's nothing quite as comforting as a bowl of soup on a rainy day.

* Laughing over nothing. So my Mum and I literally laughed so hard yesterday we held our sides. Today I said to her because for the life of me I couldn't remember, "What was so funny yesterday?" and ha she couldn't remember either which made us both laugh again. I'm thinking it's Ginkgo Biloba time.

* Insight into my thought process...

When I win the lottery I'm going to get a heated toilet seat.
Ooooh yeah.
A heated toilet seat.
Nicccccce.
Hmmm.
But.
Errr.
What if it malfunctions, overheats and brands a bright red oval on my ass.
OK. Maybe not.

You'll never guess where this internal brainstorming session occurred?


Listening to: "Absolute" The Fray.

Look what I found...

Serving Size: 3 Hearts
Calories: 60

If you have "issues" with sugar alcohols don't go eating 10 peeps in a sitting or you'll be "sitting" in a little room in your house all day if you know what I mean ;)

I found the Sugar Free Yellow Chick Peeps last Easter but couldn't locate the Sugar Free Halloween or Christmas Peeps I heard rumors of. I found these hearts locally at my Albertson's (99 cents a pack)

I have to say I actually felt a little remorse whacking the chick peeps at Easter. It's that damn little brown eye staring up at you right before you bite it's head off.

You can be guilt free with these hearts.

Hearts have no eyes.


How do you like your peeps?

* Fresh and squishy out of the package
* Stale, aged also known as "Peep Jerky"
* Frozen "The Peepsicle"
* Floating in cocoa
* Microwaved, "The Gargantuan Nuclear Peep"