Tomato Stack Salad

I know that technically this is a Caprese Salad but it's missing some fresh basil.  I also added a few extras as well~  some olives and artichokes.  
Oh, let me tell you~it was out of this world yummy!   
A word about Mozzarella.  
If you've never had the fresh soft, squishy mozzarella, 
then you are missing out on a huge chunk of life.  
Seriously, it is incredibly awesome.  I purchased mine at Aldi's (go figure!) and it the best mozzarella cheese I have tasted in my entire life.  

I won't go through a recipe because it's sooo simple to make, 
but here's a list of the ingredients I used and it only took about 5 minutes to stack it and put it together.~ 
Sliced tomato
Soft Mozzarella, sliced
Olives 
Artichoke Hearts 
Sliced Red Peppers 
Olive oil for drizzling 
Balsamic Salad Dressing for drizzling 
Sea Salt and Pepper Grinder in between each layer.

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Sausage, Zucchini, and Pepper Bake

I'm always looking for some sort of new way to improve my veggie intake and I do love zucchini.  When my local store doesn't have zucchini I use the calabacitas squash which is in the zucchini family, is very tender and also quick to cook.  They are exchangeable in recipes.  

1 pound country sausage
4 or 5 zucchini, washed 
1 red pepper 
1 yellow pepper
salt and pepper grinders
grated cheese (your choice of kind)
Chop up your veggies and set aside for now.
Cook your country sausage and drain grease well.
Add peppers and saute till done.  Add in zucchini and cook on low heat till zucchini is cooked to your desired doneness.  I don't like them too wilted.
Add a good grinding of salt and pepper.
Transfer to 9 by 13 pan that has been sprayed with non stick spray and top with cheese.
Bake at 350 until cheese is melted.
Enjoy!
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Oopsie Bread

In the low carb forums there's a ton of talk about Oopsie Bread.  I've also heard them called Oopsie Rolls and Cloud bread.  They are grain free, gluten free and low carb.  I searched for a recipe and found one at the wonderful low carb blog/site Your Lighter Side.  You can find the direct recipe to her link here.  If you have the time please hop over, take a look at her awesome site and leave a comment.  
The ingredients are simple~  only 4 basic elements are used for Oopsie Bread.  
They are: 
3 eggs, seperated
3 ounces of cream cheese 
1/8 tsp cream of tartar 
Parchment Paper
Here's how I make them: 
Cover your baking pan with parchment paper.  If you don't then they will stick to your pan.  I cut mine so it doesn't climb the side of my baking sheet but it isn't neccesary.
Seperate the eggs and put the eggs and yolk in seperate bowls.  It's important not to get any yolk in the egg whites or they can't be beaten stiff, and for this recipe it's neccesary.  It's also important that your bowl is not plastic and that there is no oil in it.  If there is any residual of oil, the egg whites won't peak.  
Whip egg whites till very firm and peaks form.  Set aside.  
In seperate bowl beat cream cheese until soft and add egg yolks.  
Mix together until incorporated.  
I add a dash of salt for good measure.  
Fold the egg yolks into the stiff egg whites.  Do not overmix. 
Spoon into 6 mounds on your parchment lined baking sheet and spread so they are as evenly thick as possible.  
Bake at 350* for 30 minutes.  My oven tends to run a bit hot so I baked mine for about 20 minutes and they were great.  Just keep an eye out so they don't burn.  
These were a bit chalky coming right out of the oven but after they sit they become yummy, soft and pliable.  I let them breathe and then I put them in a plastic bag to store. 
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Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Bites

It was a late night and I came home super hungry with no desire to cook.  ha!  No surprise there.  ;) 

I did some digging around in the refrigerator and pulled out some leftover Cauliflower Bread that I had made.  If you're a carb eater, this would be great with pita bread or tortillas or any other yummy bread.  If you haven't tried the cauliflower bread then you are in for a real treat!  

Then the brainstorm hit and I added some cream cheese, chopped up sun dried tomatoes, olives and green onions.   Super Duper Easy and~ Oh~  it was good.  

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Diagnosed with Diabetes

In March of 2013 I had my yearly physical and all went well.  The doctor told me about my blood sugar levels being prediabetic but the doctor gave me the impression that it wasn't something I should worry about.  I really wish that more attention and urging was given to me because, honestly, I left without giving it any more thought.  And besides that, diabetes is something that happens to OTHER people and not me.  (Shame on me for that mindset!)

Fast forward a year later (2 months ago) and I had my 2014 physical.  
Yup.  Full blown diabetes.  
My provider told me that she could put me on meds or I could control it through diet and exercise.  I hate taking aspirin, let alone meds, so I told her that I would make changes and control it through diet and exercise.  We traveled to Missouri for a conference soon after that, and still no change happened in my efforts.  It took about 3 weeks for me to finally start researching what exactly I need to do and I am still learning about it.  Then came action. 

I've completely cut out ALL sugar, flour, rice, starchy vegetables such as potatoes and yams, processed foods and completely stopped drinking sugary drinks including Coke and Juices.  My main drink is water and occasionally I'll make infused water.  If you know me, you know how I loved my sugar, baked goods, coke, potatoes and rice.  Living in Asia for over 12 years made me LOVE rice and not having any of the aforementioned is absolutely revolutionary for me.  I rarely shop in the 'middle' of the stores any more, and have been shopping the perimeter of the store which includes meat, dairy and the produce sections. 99 percent of the middle of the store is practically useless for a person with diabetes. 

Within 2 weeks I had my blood glucose levels in control which was pretty amazing in itself.  In the past 4 weeks I have had my fasting blood glucose levels  between the 80's to 110's with a few readings in the 120's.  In order to keep damage from happening to the organs, blood sugar levels should be kept below 140.  

I've learned a few things so far (lots more to learn) and the most disconcerting thing is that the American Diabetes Association (ADA) diet recommendations will keep you hooked on pills and insulin.  Thank the Lord I was diagnosed early and am able to keep it in check. Many people continue on with their diabetes thinking that the pills and insulin will somehow 'balance out' the eating of carbs in their diet.  If carbs are not consumed, our pancreas can produce the insulin needed for our bodies.  This is,  of course, for someone who does not have any damage to their pancreas and other organs.  A person who continuously eats carbs will continue to elevate their blood sugars and increases the rate of kidney failure, glaucoma, limb amputations etc.  It's truly a scary thing.  No one dies of diabetes.  But some do die of the complications from diabetes.

I've met many people online who have taken a no nonsense, aggresive stance against their diabetes and have gotten off their meds and are controlling their diabetes through a lifestyle change of exercise and diet.  It can be done.  While diabetes can't be reversed, the progression of the disease can be stopped.  And that is my plan of attack.  

It's not an easy road and I'm so glad my husband is understanding when I've changed his diet along with mine.  I do still cook up a batch of mashed potatoes for him every now and then, but he hasn't uttered one word of complaint.  I'm grateful! 

I've lost about 15 pounds without even trying... how great is that?  I'm not watching the scale or anything like that... just trying to eat to fuel my body to the best of my ability and keep my blood glucose levels down..

My intent wasn't to make this blog entirely about food and recipes, but that is where it has been going lately due to recent goings on. If I can help or inspire one person make a better choice today, then it has been a great day.   

I do hope to do more photography and home related stuff in the future!
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Cheese Crisps

I tried my hand today at making some super easy cheesy crisps today.  
They are perfect for 'chips' and dip or as a garnish
~whatever your hearts desire.
 
They were extremely easy because I bought a bag of pre-cut cubes of cheese so I didn't have to cut up any myself.  This is the only ingredient.  Hooray for simplicity! 
 I placed the cheese on parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet and baked them at 350* until the cheese became brown on the edges and lacy. If they're not brown and lacy then place them back in the oven for a minute or two.  I also wouldn't recommend putting them this close together or you won't have seperated chips.  Ask me how I know.  
It should take only a few minutes to bake so don't leave them unattended.  
The parchment paper will allow easy removal.  
Allow to cool and they will harden up.  

Enjoy with your favorite dip and veggies!
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