Inspired by Peanut Butter

I guess the rambling past writer's block worked...

I carry around a mini composition notebook.  This thing is in my wallet, purse, sweater pocket, or at least within walking distance, nearly 99% of the time.  The family (me, Hubbs, Sister, and two best friends/the pups' Uncles) all got the notebooks a couple months ago.  Sister came up with the idea.  All too often, we would come up with brilliant, earth-shattering theories, and as quickly as they came, they were gone.  This became quite an annoyance until Sister decided to do something about it.  The original plan was to carry the notepad/notebook in our back pockets (and if you didn't wear pants with pockets, well....nobody sniffed your notebook).  This would eliminate "losing thoughts" and instead, give us constant access to write down our most profound thoughts and ideas, as well as equip us with the means to keep lists, to-dos, workouts...really anything our hearts (and brains) desired. Mine has by far gotten the most use.  Uncle A and Andrew Brees (don't ask) neglect theirs like an abandoned animal; Sister is following in their footsteps, save for the occasional to-do list or reminder about school work; Hubby only keeps track of his miles in his notebook, though sometimes I make notes for him, which we haven't decided is completely legal yet.  Here is a picture of my book:  (no I can't show you the inside, because then I'd have to hunt you all down and kill you.  And I'm sure there are millions of you, and let's be honest...time is money, folks.)

A few nights ago, I filled about 4 pages of my notebook with ideas for blog posts.  I got my swag back.  (Hopefully for longer than a few weeks this time.)

This post, however, was not inspired by Hubby, the pups, politics or religion...it was inspired by peanut butter.   Note to all you fair-weather readers; BB and I are on a no-carb diet.  (Natural carbs like fruit, nuts and veggies are allowed...hence the peanut butter inspiration.)  The past two and a half weeks have had its ups and downs.  Example: BB and I were chaperones for the Girls State Powerlifting Meet in Corpus Christi this past weekend.  It was on this trip that we both realized we should have packed snacks.  It is next to impossible to find anything of any substance without carbohydrates in a gas station or convenience store.  The entire 8 hour trip, we snacked on beef jerky, sunflower seeds, and peanut butter.  Those three don't make a good combination, whether eaten separately or together.  Desperate times call for desperate measures...but, overall, we both love this new lifestyle change/experiment/diet, and it has forced us to think outside the box to fill our cravings.

We are both craving sweets.  Hubby more so than me (his set of "sweet teeth" are aching from lack of sugar).  The other night, after buckets of drool and constant mention of Oreo's and Snicker's bars, I took matters into my own blender.

I am quite the cook.  My creations may not be elaborate, and most are made in bulk to accommodate the swinging door of boys with empty bellies coming into my house, but they are most of the time pretty delicious.   So get ready, World....I'm going to share some of my favorites.  This particular creation is absolutely scrumptious, and best of all, 100% healthy and satiating.  I'd continue, but you should just whip your Kitchen Aid out and try for yourself.

Banana Peanut Butter Protein Shake
This recipe makes one shake, but I would suggest doubling or tripling it so you don't waste your time making another one after your friends/family/significant others ask for one.

• 1 banana
• 2 Tbsp. peanut butter or almond butter
• 1-2 cups of water or almond milk
• a cup of ice chips
• 1-2 scoops chocolate flavored protein powder
• Berries option (strawberries, blackberries or raspberries are recommended; to your liking)

It's pretty self-explanatory what happens next.  Slice the banana, throw the rest in, and BLEND!!!  Enjoy in your favorite glass or mug, preferably with a crazy straw so you can watch in anticipation as the chocolatey mixture makes its way up.  

A Carb-Free Me!

This happens to me every time I start blogging regularly...I get writers' block.  I think of what to blog about all the time, but nothing comes to mind.  I try to make my blogs relevant.  I mean, if I had a cute, little baby crawling around doing cute, little baby things, or if I was so inclined to adopt a theme for my blog and share my tips on cooking and crocheting and...being domesticated, I'd probably post a lot more.  But I try to only blog when I really have something to say (or type).  Then, of course, a wall goes up and I can't write a decent post to save my life.  So, the only reasonable solution for this rut, I believe, is to just get back in the habit of the act of blogging.  (Hence why I have rambled on for nearly 10 lines with nothing of real importance being said.) Thus, the randomness develops:

Ever since middle school, I have observed "fasting" or giving up a vice or bad habit during Lent.  I'm not Catholic, and to be honest, I don't vehemently practice one specific religion.  Never mind why I do it; I just do it. In the past, I have been known to give up sodas, fast food, Facebook, and cheese (that one was rather difficult).  This year, I gave up drinking.  Not just one specific family of alcohol, but alcohol in itself.  I've struggled the most with red wine, but so far, it hasn't been too terrible...just a little aggravating.  I also gave up carbohydrates.  This...has been tough.  I actually didn't start this "fast" until last Wednesday.  My two best friends (who are pretty beastly with carbs in their diets) decided on this diet when I was discussing giving up drinking.  Last week, Brady and I jumped aboard.  It's surprising what all has carbs in it; or rather, what I don't think of as a carbohydrate.  It's not just breads, pastas, and rice that I'm exempt from; it's any kind of sugars, potatoes in any form, oatmeal, protein bars, smoothies, you name it.  Goodbye eating out for the next 3 weeks.  But now that I'm done ranting, I must admit...I feel awesome.  I do get a little sleepy at odd times during the day, but it is extremely liberating knowing exactly what I'm putting into my body.  We all agreed that fruits and vegetables with natural carbohydrates in them are allowed, as well as natural peanut butter/almond butter, almond milk, and some other modified regularities.  So for every meal, BB and I have to eat raw foods straight out of *gasp* our own refrigerator.  But it feels so nice knowing that nearly everything we're eating is 100% nutritionally beneficial.  Everything we eat is fresh, because it has to be, and forget about swinging through a fast food joint to avoid cooking.  Here is an example of my menu for a day on this new "diet":

Breakfast:
one hard boiled egg
piece of turkey bacon
coffee (OK, OK....two cups)

Lunch
fresh green leaf lettuce with grilled chicken, chopped turkey bacon, cheddar cheese, and homemade salsa
string cheese

Snack
 protein shake with a handful of almonds

Dinner
Filet Mignon from our lovely, local Brookshire's
asparagus
one hard boiled egg

Dessert/Second Snack
banana with natural peanut butter
an orange

I'm not suggesting you try this diet.  It is definitely difficult, and especially for guys like my dear hubby who consumes nearly 2,500 calories a day on a regular basis (he has also run almost 200 miles so far in 2012...beat), you are definitely hungry a lot.  It takes some serious consideration, research, planning, and dedication.  But it is awesome.

OK...I feel better.  I at least remember how to type.  Now off to yoga with the hubs.  We love yoga night. :)