You have been with me in good times, and in bad.  But you are preventing me from where I want to be.  Don’t take it personally, but I have to kick you to the curb.

Today is the two month mark in our 101 days of summer challenge.  While I have lost a total of 1 inch in my thighs and 1/2 inch in my biceps, everything else is exactly the same – except now I weigh 168.  You may recall that my starting weight was 169!  WTF?  So its time I took the gloves off and kick ass for the last month.  My goal is to see 159 on the scale by Labor Day! 😀

I am notorious for not using up bread in the pantry before it starts to get moldy.  Luckily I caught this loaf just in time to make homemade croutons.

I tossed the bread in 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper.  I baked it at 250 degrees for 15 minutes.

I also had every intention of making my MIL’s pumpkin bread.  I got all my dry ingredients together, then the wet ones and went searching for my second can of pumpkin that I bought at Walgreen’s last week.  I could not find it! So Tony, being the loving and helpful husband that he is, goes out in search of said pumpkin.  There is no pumpkin anywhere!

I had no idea what to do.  I left everything on the counter – we didn’t even eat breakfast yesterday and it was already time for lunch!  We stopped by a favorite, The Texan, and I got two chicken tacos.  I forgot my camera, so you’ll get an idea from this picture!

We then went to the store, still can’t find pumpkin, so I decided to use this:

I don’t normally like sweet potatoes on their own.  It was a BSI ingredient way back on November of 2008.  I ended up making sweet potato pillows with roasted red pepper sauce that was amazing!

Here is my MIL’s recipe:

  • 3 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 2 cups canned pumpkin (I used 2 1/2 cups canned yams)
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup chopped nuts (I left that out)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease one large loaf pan.  Combine dry ingredients in one bowl.  Mix eggs, pumpkin (yams) oil and water and beat until smooth.  Add to dry ingredients and just mix until incorporated.  Bake for 1 hour.

the batter will fill almost the whole loaf pan!

The verdict? It was delicious!  Tony almost threw up in his mouth though when he tried it though – he doesn’t like sweet potatoes at all.  Hannah and I loved it!  I plan on putting some in the freezer for my Mom to try next time she is over.

I also made salsa for my 300,000 page view giveaway – MB, it will be in the mail tomorrow!

Earlier in the week I was on this site, and saw that she made pretzel hotdog and hamburger buns.   I followed her recipe almost to a T, except I reduced the amount of brown sugar to 1 tablespoon instead of 3.  And after the 30 minute rest, the dough was really soft before adding it to the boiling water – not sure if I missed a step or not?

I loved the dough in the beginning!
her recipe also said that it made 8 hotdog and 8 hamburger buns - they must be tiny because I made just 8 hot dog buns

I baked them on my MIL’s baking stone – they baked for exactly 15 minutes (not 20 – 30 as in the original recipe).

I ended up making cheddar brats and regular brats – the dual action grill!

My plate:

with baked beans on the side

I love this pretzel bread!  I actually gave one to my neighbor – he came out and said that he put some aged cheddar on it, and stone ground mustard and said it was great 😀

So in two months, I’ve at least done this much!

I've biked 170 miles!

I test my blood sugar on average about 6 times a day.  My 30 day average?

So while I am happy with my blood sugar, this next month I really have to get my ass in gear.  101 participants – don’t forget to email me your progress 😀

I still have to do my BSI – onion – or aptly, Hannah will be making one of her favorite meals – slumgulion!

Check out some new to me blogs!

She Simmers – from where I got the pretzel bread recipe 😀

My Kitchen Cafe – she just made a blueberry cheesecake that looks to die for!

The Cook and the Dishwasher – she made a buttermilk dressing that looks so creamy!   She’s so cute – recently married – she’s the cook and he washes the dishes!

Zoom Yummy – awesome photography tips and delicious recipes – check out her recipe for a zucchini and ricotta galette!

Enjoy your Sunday!