Bachelor Ben- my thoughts on episode 1

It's Raining Ben, Hallelujah!  Ben as the Bachelor this season is kind of a breath of fresh air.  He seems like a good mix of small town and city, adventurous with morals, and good looks but natural.  Anyone who watches The Bachelor knows it's all about placing bets, making stereotypes, and forming judgments.  The first episode is always a fun one to watch.  As I watched the show tonight, I wrote down my totally random thoughts and observations that popped into my head. Naturally, I compiled them all here to share with all of you, because everyone knows the best part about watching The Bachelor is talking about the Bachelor with other people that watch The Bachelor.  Here you go:

Ben's parents have a nice lake house. Ben's parents are so cute.

Amanda- helium balloon voice

Tiara- she should quit the bachelor and just marry her chickens already.

Caila, Leah, Rachel, Olivia- they make me want a sparkly dress

Samantha- raspy voice or are you sick?

Jubilie- Of course Ben likes her dress. Her boobs are hanging out of it.

Red velvet- I will call you Emma Stone

The twins- are they going to talk together the whole time?

Flower head girl- why do I keep thinking of Halloween when I see her face? She cray cray

Horse girl- I'll pass, but give me your pony

Izzy- unless you are at home on the couch watching The Bachelor, just say no to onesies

Lace- catty and crazy eyes

Olivia- I'm feeling the Chemistry (and she's from Austin!)

I hope my boys call me on speakerphone during big life events like Ben calls his parents.

Becca still looks like Britney Spears to me

Man, Ben is such a good guy. Bravo.

Lauren B-kind of feeling a little chemistry vibe there

Lace- please, just put down the drink

Yes! Olivia got the first impresh rose! Called it.

JoJo- Isla Fisher's sister? Wedding Crashers IS one of her fav movies on her online bio. Coincidence? I want to be her friend.

Will I ever know if Shushanna speaks English?

He gave Mandy AND Lace a rose? Ugh! My confidence in Ben's life decisions just went down a notch or two.

Poor ginger girl got sent home.

Ugh, send that Lace hommmeeeee already.

Here come the previews for next week. Bring on the tears and drama. ...  after watching ... Meh, doesn't look like anything too crazy this season.

What is the prison officer on OITNB doing on The Talking Dead Bachelor?

Yep, give me my computer for my Bachelor Bracket.  Welp, looks like I am not the only one since the site has crashed.

Top 3 picks:
Olivia
Lauren B
Caila

Other contenders: JoJo, Amanda, and Becca


Tell me, what do you think about this season so far?  Who are your top picks?

Random Randoms

Right now, my family is loving these Randoms gummies we got in the mail as a free sample from Smiley360.  I had never heard of Randoms before, so if you are unfamiliar with them like me, think of them as a big bag of fruit snacks but in fun shapes and pictures.  My boys love seeing all the different shapes and things that come out of each bag, and one of my littles loved this mustache gummy.  Overall, I liked Randoms but I could only eat a few in small amounts since they were very sweet.  I think this would be a good treat to share with a group at a party or event since there are some fun shapes that could be conversation starters in each package.

Tasty Tuesday- Cinnamon Xylitol Apple Chips

These Cinnamon Sugar Xylitol Apple Chips are so yummy!  I love apples, especially right now in the Fall.  All the best kinds are at the store right now.  My favorites are the Honey Crisp and Pink Lady.  Mmmm.  On The Fast Metabolism Diet, these apple chips are a great way diversify texture and create a yummy on the go snack (that's almost like a dessert).

Cinnamon Xylitol Apple Chips

• 1 or more apples (depending on how much you want to make)
• xylitol
• cinnamon
• parchment paper (optional, but makes clean up super easy)

The directions are pretty simple.  The biggest thing is how thick you slice your apple.  If you want crispier chips, slice them pretty thin.  For more of a dried fruit type of apple that still has a little bend, you want to slice them a little thicker. I just try to get them as thin as I can without cutting my fingers off.  Then, lay them on parchment paper flat on a cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and xylitol (or stevia).  Bake at 250 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes. If your apples are super thin, they might be done at this point.  If they are a little thicker, bake them for 10-15 minutes longer.  Just make sure to check them so they don't burn.  Take them out and let them cool before you enjoy the goodness.

Friday Favorites

Dried Apricots:
Have you ever had dried apricots?  Well, you should try them, because they are amazingly delish.  I know whole fruit is better nutruitionally than dried fruit, but sometimes convience is top priority with food when you're a mom and have a busy schedule.  When it comes down to sugary fruit snacks or dried fruit, I will choose dried fruit every time.  My almost 2-year old loves dried apricot like they are candy crack.  I have to hide the bag from him.  I love getting them at Costco in the giant bags, so I can put them in sandwich bags with some cashews for a quick healthy snack when I am at work or driving around.  I'm not even a big apricot fruit fan, but give them to me dried and I'll devour them all up.  Give them a try next time you're at the store.

Smart Links:
When you are driving home at 8pm and you realize your kids have not had dinner, you stop at the drive thru for some quick chicken nuggets.  Don't lie to me, because you know you do it.  I try to avoid fast food, but it happens sometimes.  One time, we went to Wendy's and were given their Smart Links kid's meal toy.  The first time my 3-year old opened that bag...I knew he was embarking on toy heaven.  My friend gave us a bunch that her older children didn't want, and now my son has quite the collection of Smart Links.  Although these toys can be annoying when you find them spread out around the house in the strangest places, I will say the benefits outweigh the negatives.  When I have a splitting headache and I need a mommy moment of peace and quiet, I can always count on these colorful links to entertain my toddler for a good chunk of time.  So for me, these toys have been a lifesaver.  My little guy loves linking them into giant creations, laying them out on the carpet in rows, and counting them into color piles.  They are the best.

Target's Dollar Spot:
I try to stay out of Target, because once I go in I get sucked into every cute thing they have to offer...which is pretty much everything.  It's seriously sickening the amount of money I can drop there in an hour.  One of the many things I love there is the dollar spot at the front of the store.  Everything in that section is a few dollars or less, and you can find some pretty awesome things depending on when you go.  Right now, they have their Fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving stuff available.  I was able to get some cute Trick-or-Treat buckets for my kids, a "Happy Halloween" banner for decor, a couple packs of glow sticks, and some Halloween stationary for work all for just a few bucks.  Check it out next time you are there. It's a great spot for party favors and kid reward prizes.

Thrifty Thursday- Walmart's Savings Catcher

I don't love shopping at Walmart. I used to shop there a lot when they were testing the market doing double coupons on Tuesdays in my area.  It was worth it then, because my coupons could be doubled and I ended up getting a lot of free items to stock up in my pantry.  Now, living in a different area, I rarely ever shop at Walmart.  I eat a lot more produce and organic items since reading The Fast Metabolism Diet, and Walmart doesn't offer a very good selection of those items.  I really love Smith's.  It's my go to grocery stop.  (I actually cried happy tears when we moved to our new house and I saw a Smith's within a mile of our house.) 

Occasionally, I do go to Walmart when I need something non-food related that Smith's doesn't have.  While I am there, I usually end up picking up a few essential food items to save me a grocery trip later, but I always wonder if I could have price matched to get a better deal somewhere else.  Well, now I don't have to wonder anymore.  Have you heard of the new Walmart Savings Catcher?  Well, if you ever go to Walmart, even if it's only a few times a year like me, than the Savings Catcher can save you money.  Basically, you go onto the Walmart Savings Catcher app or website, sign up for a free account, input your receipt number, and the Walmart Savings Catcher will compare your purchases to printed ads in your area to see if you could have saved money somewhere else.  If Walmart's price isn't the lowest, they will refund you the money difference in an account that goes right to you!  It is really that easy. I have uploaded 2 receipts, and have already gotten back $1.37.  It is not a whole lot, but if you shop at Walmart a lot, it can add up to big bucks.  You have to upload receipts within 7 days of date of purchase, and the money goes onto a Walmart gift card.  So check it out and let me know what you think!

Watch it Wednesday- Fall Shows are Finally Here!

I am so excited that Fall is officially here!  Fall is my favorite season for so many reasons.  Beautiful leaves turning colors, amazing cool weather, pumpkin spice, boots, scarves, hats, sweaters...and of course the awesome Fall TV lineup.

Tonight is the final Big Brother where we get to see who the winner is.  This season hasn't been my favorite if I am honest.  I feel like it has been boring and predictable watching the house vote together and no big moves have been made all season. I miss having a villain to stir up things and flip the house.  I hope Derek wins it all, because he has definitely played the best game all season. I also hope Donny takes home the fan favorite prize.  We will see tonight!  I really want Big Brother to do an All Stars Villains Vs Heroes season.  That would be amazing!  Take note CBS.

So, as far as Fall shows this week, what are you looking forward to watching?  Of course "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal" are my top favs, so naturally I am excited to watch "How to Get Away with Murder" since it is made by the same people. I am also excited for "Shark Tank", "Modern Family", "Survivor", and "Amazing Race".  Oh Fall, I love you so much.  Thanks for making me so happy.  I can always depend on you after a long day to give me good shows to watch.  Check out the Fall Premiere Calendar Here.

Mojo Monday- My dream backyard pool

This pool is literally about 15 minutes from my house.  It looks so amazing!  Maybe one day when I am swimming in money, I will have a lagoon in my backyard like this.  Haha...a girl can dream, right?

Friday Favorites

A few things I have been obsessed with lately that you totally need to know about.

1. Luna Chocolate Peppermint Stick 

You need this bar in your life, like yesterday.  I have tried a lot of health and protein bars, and most of them taste poo.  Poop mouth...poop. (10 points for anyone that can name that quote.)  Anyways, this chocolate peppermint stick reminds me of Christmas every time I take a bite.  This lady at the grocery store introduced me to these treats.  She said they were the best things she has ever had, so of course I had to buy one.  I wish I could thank her for the recommendation, because I have been buying these things in stock ever since.  I am so addicted.  Target has these for $5 with a box of 7, which is a screaming deal.  So do yourself a favor, and go buy some right now.

2. The Wet Brush

I love the blog maskCARA so freaking much, and THIS post helped me change the way I get ready every single morning.  This brush is a life saver.  My hair is really really fine, but I have a lot of it.  Because of it's fine-ness, it tangles like a rat's nest from hell.  My normal hair brushing routine after a shower would take about 5 minutes of continuous brushing, and at the end I would have a hairball bigger than your cat's going in the trash from all the hair I ripped off my scalp from intense brushing.  My hair is so horrible to brush when wet, that I brush it myself at the salon after a shampoo just to spare my stylist from the agony and time it takes to untangle my hair.  You can only imagine how happy I was after finding the The Wet Brush.  I don't know how it does it, but it totally works to get all the tangles out without the pain and pulling that normal brushes cause on wet hair.  I got mine at Target.

Watch it Wednesday- Big Brother

Big Brother is one of my favorite shows on TV, and it is starting to really heat up.  Last week, Frankie dominated the Battle of the Block competition with all odds against him.  He basically had the whole house targeting him, and he managed to not only win the competition, but he did it all by himself.  It was pretty epic.  I personally love Frankie.  Although I think he has made a lot of mistakes with his game recently, he is by far the funniest person in the house, and his commentary is always hilarious.  I hope he sticks around a little longer. 

Are you watching BB?  What do you think the house's reaction will be once Frankie reveals he is related to Ariana Grande?  I think they will be shocked and think it is cool, but I don't think it will help his position in the house.  In fact, it might even hurt him in the long run.  I guess we will find out tonight!

Tasty Tuesday-Spelt Chicken Nuggets and Spelt Boneless Buffalo Wings

Call me crazy, but sometimes when I pass by fast food restaurants I get a crazy craving for chicken nuggets.  Maybe not McDonald's though, because let's be honest, their nuggets are anything but chicken. Most of the time I resist the urge to pull up in the drive-thru, but that doesn't mean the craving goes away.  Thankfully I found a recipe for some really good chicken nuggets that don't have a thousand calories, and they actually use real chicken!  The original recipe is from the Fast Metabolism Diet on Haylie Pomroy's website, but since I didn't have every ingredient on hand, I changed a few things.  I had these during FMD Phase 3 for dinner, and even though I used organic corn starch instead of arrowroot powder (*gasp!), I still lost pounds that week.

Spelt Chicken Nuggets
(adapted from Haylie Pomroy's Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Nuggets)

You will need:

• Corn Starch or Arrowroot Powder
• Egg Whites
• Spelt Pretzels
• Boneless Skinless Chicken (I used tenders)
• Salt, pepper, or whatever nugget seasonings you like
• Mustard (for dipping)

First, blend the spelt pretzels into a fine powder.  I used my magic bullet for this, but a food processor would probably work better.

Defrost your chicken if it is frozen, and cut up into nugget sized chunks.  It helps if you pat the chicken dry with a paper towel so it doesn't have that slimy chicken wetness.  Next, I laid out all my ingredients into a nugget assembly line.  I put my corn starch in one bowl, 2 egg whites into another bowl, and the ground spelt pretzels into a third bowl.  You can add the salt, pepper, or seasonings into the corn starch/arrowroot powder or the spelt crumbs. Whisk the egg whites with a fork so it gets broken up and has small bubbles.

Take a nugget piece of chicken, throw it in the corn starch, and cover that baby up.  Then, throw it in the egg whites, until it is covered with that too.  Lastly, throw the corn starch/egg white covered nugget into the bowl of pretzel spelt, and roll, shake, or flip it until it is completely covered with the spelt crumbs.  Place the nugget onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (optional).  Repeat the process until you have all the nuggets coated. 

Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked all the way through. 

I really liked these nuggets. They have the crunch I was looking for, and great taste.  Of course chicken nuggets are nothing without something to dip them in.  Mustard is a great option for the FMD, but when I am in maintenance I add a little honey to my mustard for a yummy honey mustard dip.  These nuggets are also awesome for kids, and my kids loved them.

A few months after making these nuggets, I had a hankering for some boneless buffalo wings.  I was craving that classic wing sauce, and I remembered that Frank's Red Hot sauce is approved on the Fast Metabolism Diet.  YES!  I decided I would try to make some boneless buffalo wings by adding wing sauce to the spelt nuggets.  Boy am I glad I did this, because they turned out great.  Even typing this makes me crave them right now. The process is the same as the spelt chicken nuggets, except I added about 1 Tbsp of wing sauce to the egg whites.  Also, after baking the nuggets for about 10 minutes I took them out of the oven and threw them in a bucket with some wing sauce.  Then I shook the life out of those nuggets, until they were beautifully coated with the delish sauce.  Bake the remaining time in the oven, and enjoy with some celery (and maybe a little ranch or blue cheese if you're naughty).

Crispy Garlic Kale Chips

My mom introduced to me to kale chips after I mentioned how picky I am with veggies.  I'm not going to lie, I was a little hesitant to try these kale chips.  To me, a chip comes in a bag and has all kinds of unhealthy things that makes it delish and oh so bad for my waistline.  I wasn't sure that I would like kale chips, but I figured I would give it a try.  I rinsed and broke my kale up into small, bite-sized pieces.  Then baked them with a little garlic salt.  I was surprised how crispy these little veggie leaves got!  I was addicted after my first bite.  They almost dissolve in your mouth, and they taste (to me) like a garlic broccoli.  I like broccoli, so that made the kale chips a win in my book.  I ended up eating the whole batch, and the best part is, it was all GUILT FREE.  I love it when I can shove my mouth full of food and feel healthier than I did before I ate. 

Want to make some kale chips for yourself?  Here is what to do:

1. Rinse your kale under water and cut off any thick veins or stems.
2. Break the kale into bigger bite-sized pieces.  (They will shrink up a bit in the oven.)
3. Spread out kale pieces onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Optional: Spray lightly with butter spray or coconut oil spray.  This gives the garlic salt something to stick to.  I have tried it without spraying the kale, and it still is good but the salt falls off easily. (When doing FMD I don't use spray.)
5. Sprinkle garlic salt (or other seasoning) lightly onto kale.  Don't put too much..trust me.
6. Bake in the oven at 250 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, or until kale is crispy to touch.  I like mine really crispy, so I leave it in the oven for a while.  Just don't leave them too long, or the edges will burn.
7. Let cool for a few minutes and enjoy!

See, isn't that easy peasy?!  If you try kale chips yourself, let me know what other seasoning flavors are yummy.  I like my kale chips as a snack on the go, or with dinner for an extra crunch (pictured below with some Franks grilled chicken).

Mojo Monday- We are germs!

I am sprawled out on my couch this morning trying to convince my body it's time to wake up while my kids watch cartoons, and suddenly this silly little song about germs comes on the TV.  It made me laugh a little, so naturally I went to YouTube to watch it again...and again...and again.  Now, of course, I can't get the dang thing out of my head.  I love how smart the words are in this song, and I applaud the sense of humor in whoever wrote it.  We ride the bus for free baby!

I'm back!

Obviously, I took a little break from my blog.  After a lot of things happening in my life, I got distracted and kind of lost focus with where I wanted to take this blog.  During my break, I noticed a lot of traffic to my blog posts on the Fast Metabolism Diet recipes and reviews. I have also gotten a lot of comments on readers wanting more recipes and tips.  I have to admit that for a little while I slipped back into some old bad habits, but I am now recommitting myself to be strong so I can make it to my goal weight and be a healthier me.  Plus, I have a vacation coming up this summer and I want to look somewhat presentable in a swim suit.  With my new focus, there will be more fitness and food posts coming your way.  Also, if you are a fan of FMD, need a little inspiration to kick a few pounds to the curb, or just want some healthy recipes for cooking, then FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM  @soupontherocks I will be frequently posting my journey through pictures, and I would love your encouragement and comments to help me along the way.