Recipe ; Keto Cheesy Garlic Loaf

Keto Cheesy Garlic Loaf

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/3 cups almond flour

1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

1/2 cup butter

8 oz cream cheese

8 whole eggs (room temp)

1 tsp sage

1 tsp rosemary

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tbsp Italian seasoning

1.5 tsp baking powder

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Mix butter and cream until smooth with beaters in medium bowl or in mixer

2. Add Rosemary, Sage, and Italian seasoning to mixture until fully combined

3. Add eggs and continue to mix until smooth

4. Add flour and baking powder mix well. Mixture should become slightly thick

5. Grease two meatloaf pans

6. Fill each about half way with batter 

7. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Do toothpick test to make sure done.

Recipe ; Almond Flour Pancakes

Almond Flour Pancakes

INGREDIENTS:

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon water

2oz cream cheese

2/3 cup almond flour 

1 tsp baking powder2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp pumpkin spice

1 tsp stevia

Butter and syrup (sugar free syrup for low carb option)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Add all ingredients to blender. Start with the eggs, cream cheese and water first so the dry ingredients don't stick at the bottom.

2. Blend until smooth. Let batter settle for 2 minutes.

3. Set heat to medium heat on non-stick skillet. Use about 4 tablespoons of batter per pancake.

4. Once you see bubbles starting to form on top of the pancake, flip it. Cook until both sides are browned. 

5. Repeat until batter is used up.

6. Top with butter and syrup.

Book Review ; In A Dark, Dark Wood

In A Dark, Dark Wood --- By Ruth Ware

I have found that in a Ware book the middle tends to get sluggish and muddy but I do love her twisted endings. For the most part the book is a quick and easy page turner. A woman wakes up in a hospital bed after a bachelorette party, badly bruised and bandaged with memory loss.

No, it is not the women's edition of Hangover. Many people complain about the characters of this book from other reviews I had read about and I don't really have any except one. There is an annoying and emotional as hell friend who throws the party. And wow she worked on even my nerves at times. The characters are in their 20's or so and catty and "immature". Ummm, yeah. Most people in their 20's are exactly that. So I'm not sure what planet these people are from that I read reviews from but... it didn't make me grimace when reading how these people acted because that's how most people just are at one point or another.

The book was consistently okay and not spectacular. This was not surprising because neither was the other book I read by Ware called The Woman in Cabin 10. I will not be rushing to pre order any books by Ruth Ware but if someone gifted me one, I would read it. I at least know that the first five and last 5 chapters will be awesome.

Book Review ; The Chemist

The Chemist ---- By Stephanie Meyer

Paranormal Young Adult author to now Adult Spy author?! What?! Who does that?! Stephanie Meyer does that. The author of Twilight. I have never read a spy book and probably would not have any time soon if Meyer had not written this book. So thank you Meyer. 

This is about a bad ass scientist who has to take action into her own hands and sees the job from the other side. Action scenes in the book are pretty awesome and intriguing. The real detailed science stuff like the vile number and code had me speed reading at times through the book. 

There is a romantic interest and his brother who are also main characters. The brother is also a top notch spy but is stubborn as a 3 year old. The romantic situation happens very quickly and is odd. But when you know, you know, right? 

I'm glad I read the book even though it was so long and didn't need to be. Hats off to Meyer for refusing to get stuck in one singular category and for broadening my reading interests.

Book Review ; Where The River Runs

Where The River Runs

Patti Callahan Henry

This story is based mostly in the unspoiled and beautiful South Carolina lowcountry. It begins with a heartbreaking scenario in which a graduation goes in the worst direction. There is fire and death and destruction and heart break and a community is torn. 

Sent away to her grandmothers, Meridy, moves on in life and goes to university and marries a husband who becomes a successful lawyer. Meridy has a sudden change of heart when she takes a step back from the good life and her "friends". She begins to question everything and heads home to the lowcountry.

At the age of 40 she is finally getting closure to her past, strengthening family bonds, working on reawakening and saving her marriage, and taking the blame for her mistakes.

Finding yourself and balance in life is an amazing thing to experience at any age and reading about it in the way that Patti Callahan Henry has just makes it that much more charming.

Recipe ; Quick Lemony Country Greens

Quick Lemony Country Greens

INGREDIENTS:

10 oz country greens (collard, mustard, and turnip mix)

1 tablespoon coconut oil or oil of your choice

2 tablespoons of minced garlic

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup veggie stock or water

2 tablespoon lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large pot, heat coconut oil over medium heat, add garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds

2. Add Greens, stock or water, cover and cook until tender (about 10 min)

3. Add more liquid if necessary 

4. Sprinkle with lemon juice

5. Add butter and replace lid while fixing plates

6.Salt and pepper to taste