New-Old Bread Machine

November 15, 2013 kimberlee 3 Comments

I recently got a new bread machine – my parents brought it to me when they came to visit in October. They got it from a neighbor at a garage sale. I have a bread machine, an Oster, that I bought about 4 years ago but it has been well used and I am not sure how much longer it will last. It sometimes makes some loud squeaking noises when it is kneading the bread. Also, I do not really like how the Oster bakes the bread. I usually just use the dough cycle and make rolls or make my own loaf of bread and bake it in the oven when using the Oster bread machine.

Whole grain bread loaf made using the dough cycle on my Oster bread machine and baked in a large loaf pan in the oven

I really like my new-old bread machine. It bakes the bread in there really well. It also makes really nice dough. It had the book with it and even some recipes the previous owner had clipped that were from an early year 2000 magazine. The receipt was even in there and this bread machine is 19 years old! My husband also observed that it was made by the company that makes his welding protection helmet. Interesting…

Baked Bread in 19 year old bread machine recently purchased at a garage sale

The size loaf it makes is pretty big – it is a round size. I wasn’t sure I would like that but it seems like it is okay. I forgot to take a photo of a finished loaf before we started devouring it. My whole family loves this new whole grain recipe I made up.

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Everyone in my family also loves these garlic rolls I make in the bread machine. They go great with spaghetti or any type of pasta dish. I have made them with just the bread flour or sometimes with part bread flour and part whole wheat pastry flour. Both versions are really good.

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I really enjoy making breads and rolls in my bread machine – or I guess bread machines now that I have two of them. The breads I make in the bread machine are usually much healthier than the ones I buy. They do not contain preservatives so you do have to eat them within 4 to 5 days or freeze half your loaf.

I hope you enjoy the recipes. I would love to hear about your experience using a bread machine – click on leave a reply to let me know.

Have a great day!

Categories: Baking Recipes

Tags: bread machine, bread machine recipes, garlic roll recipe, Oster bread machine, roll recipe, Welbilt bread machine, whole grain bread machine recipe

Knitting Mobius Cowls

November 12, 2013 kimberlee

I recently finished a couple more knit cowls. Both of these cowls are knit in the round on circular knitting needles in one continuous piece with a deliberate twist – known as a mobius cowl or wrap. I love projects like these that do not require any seaming.

The cowl-wrap above is knit in Homespun yarn in the color Fire. A very pretty rustic orange color for fall or winter.

This version of my mobius cowl is a lacy knit version. I also used Homespun yarn for this accessory in the color Tudor – it has shades of blue and green along with purple and cream.

Both of these cowls are my own pattern which is available in my etsy shop if you are interested in knitting your own. I am also selling both of these cowls in my shop as well – they make a great gift.

I am currently working on a new crochet motif sweater pattern that I hope to finish soon. I am also knitting a sweater in some yarn that I found in my stash that I have had for a long time. What projects are you currently crocheting or knitting? Click on Leave a Reply to let me know.

Categories: Knitting

Tags: cowls, knitting cowls, knitting pattern, knitting project, lace cowl, mobius cowl, mobius wrap

Green Goddess Smoothie

November 7, 2013 kimberlee

This smoothie is a creation I developed with ingredients that are good for you and good for your skin, too. I have been trying to make one in the afternoons several days a week and drinking them as a pick me up energy drink – that I know is loaded with fresh ingredients and healthy vitamins. It is super quick and easy to make, too.

Here is the recipe:

handful of spinach
1/2 c. frozen chopped mango & pineapple blend (I got mine at Sam’s)
1 or 2 pieces of crystallized dried ginger (I got this from Sprouts)
1/2 to 3/4 c. filtered water

Blend all of the above ingredients until it is smooth – 1 to 2 minutes. I use my Nutribullet with the smaller size blending cup to make this. It blends up really well in there.

Some info in the ingredients in this green drink:

Spinach – vital for looking and feeling young and fit, keeps your skin healthy, has B-vitamins, vitamin C, carotenoids, calcium, fiber, lipoic acid, magnesium and zinc
Mango – high in beta-carotene needed for healthy, clear, skin and overall immunity, protects the brain from memory loss, contains vitamin C, vitamin E and fiber
Pineapple – contains vitamin C to defend against premature aging, also contains enzymes that have antioxidants and help produce energy, rich in bromelain to help reduce inflammation
Ginger – also good for inflammation in the body due to joint problems, protects your digestive system from premature aging, regulates blood sugar and boosts circulation

Green smoothies are a great way to get extra healthy nutrients into your body each day. I will admit it takes a little getting use to drinking them. They usually taste better than they look, in my opinion. I have tried some that I do not like at all but this one has a very pleasant taste to me, with the ginger in it, and I always feel very healthy and energized after drinking one.

I would love to hear about your experience with trying green smoothies – or any good smoothie recipes you have to share. You can let me know by leaving a reply.

Have a great day!

Categories: Health Recipes

Tags: ginger, green drink, green smoothie, healthy recipes, healthy smoothie, mango, nutribullet, pineapple, Smoothie Recipe, spinach, spinach smoothie

Big Batch Ground Beef Recipe

November 5, 2013 kimberlee

This recipe is a really great freezer recipe and saves you a lot of cooking time on busy nights. I discovered the original recipe in a Taste of Home cookbook called Freezer Pleasers several years ago. I have changed it quite a bit over the years and developed my own version that freezes well and tastes great in recipes calling for ground beef.

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This recipe is great for pre-cooking your ground beef and then freezing it in 1 to 2 pound packages that are all ready to use in recipes like chili, spaghetti or tacos. I always keep a few packages in the freezer – they are a real time saver on a busy day. The meat can be quickly thawed in the microwave or placed in your refrigerator to thaw the night before or in the morning.

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Categories: Food Recipes

Tags: cooking ground beef, freezer recipe, freezing ground beef, recipes

Rocktober Workout Weeks 3 & 4

October 28, 2013 kimberlee

Today is my final workout of the Rocktober challenge. Week 4 started for me last Tuesday and I finished my 3rd workout of week 4 today. The exercises for this past week of the challenge were tough. Especially the push up jacks and the side plank with the hip dip and leg pull in.

I am also including my week 3 in this post as I was unable to blog about it last week. I had my parents visiting and my kids were also out of school for a few extra days for a little fall break. Life seems to get in the way of blogging sometimes for me. Week 3 was also challenging and I really enjoyed some of the exercises from that week.

Below are the photos from weeks 3 and 4. I did not have time to do collages for week 4 so I have just included some single photos of some of the exercises from that week.

I really enjoyed being a part of this challenge group on the Betty Rocker group page through facebook. Lots of great and interesting people who participated in this challenge from all over the world. The workouts were something different from my normal dvd’s and books I use. I also really have noticed more definition in my arms, abs and back after completing this 4 week challenge. I was also working out with my Cathe Friedrich dvd’s on the days I was not using the Rocktober workouts and doing yoga on the weekend. I try and workout 6 to 7 days per week for 25 to 45 minutes per workout – depending on my time available and the workout I have planned. I believe the key to success with any workout program is your commitment and then planning a time and place to do the workout and following through. The end results are worth the time you invest – not just to be physically more fit but to have better overall health, more energy, and confidence.

Now that Rocktober is over I will be continuing the use of my Cathe dvd’s and doing a little more yoga. I will keep you updated on my future workouts. I am also planning to review a new yoga book I have been using for a few weeks now. Please subscribe via bloglovin, email, or RSS feed by clicking on any of those icons in the sidebar to stay updated.

Categories: Exercise Health

Tags: exercise, fitness, Rocktober, Rocktober Challenge, the Betty Rocker, workouts

Rocktober Week 2 Complete

October 14, 2013 kimberlee

Week 2 of the Rocktober Challenge is complete for me. The challenge is from Tuesday to the following Monday. I got my 3 workouts in on last Tuesday, Thursday and then on Saturday. Week 2 was a little more difficult than week 1. A lot of the moves were similar but had some add on’s to make them more challenging. Like the lunges had a pulse to them and the push ups were done with an extended arm. The tricep dips were also done on one leg. Each exercise is performed for a minute then you rest for a few seconds and move on. There are a total of 7 exercises that you repeat for 3 to 5 rounds. Let me tell you – I am pretty much done after 3 rounds. I notice some people in the facebook challenge group are doing 4 or 5 rounds but 3 is good for me!

Below are a few photos from this past weeks workouts:

Rocktober Challenge wk 2 day 1 Kimberlees Korner

Rocktober Challenge wk 2 day 2 Kimberlees Korner

I didn’t have time to do photos for the 3rd day. Saturday was a busy day around here.

Also, I am still trying to eat as clean as possible and I am now trying to drink a totally green drink-smoothie every day – usually around lunch time or early afternoon. I am using the recipe from The Beauty Detox Foods book by Kimberly Snyder that I recently checked out from the library. I will not lie and tell you I love the green drink-smoothie but it is a real energy boost for my day and makes me feel really healthy after drinking it. It is not horrible just an acquired taste sort of thing. I am thinking the more you drink them the more you grow to like them -eventually.

Well tomorrow we get a new round of the exercises for week 3 – I am excited to see what is in store but also a little nervous! I will update you next week on the workouts.

Have a great day!

Categories: Exercise Health

Tags: fitness, Fitness Progam, make fat cry, Rocktober Challenge, the Betty Rocker, workouts

Crochet Projects – Cape, Cowl & Scarf

October 9, 2013 kimberlee

Lately I have been back to doing more crochet and knitting projects. I seem to go through seasons of crafts as the seasons change. Summer tends to be a season where I sew more. In the fall and winter I tend to do more crochet and knitting. I am not sure about spring time – I guess then I try to do a little gardening and a little of all my crafts: crochet, knit and sew.

This is my recently finished crochet pattern:

The pattern is currently available in my etsy shop. I will also be listing it on craftsy soon. The pattern is for all three items: the cape, cowl and scarf for one price.

The pattern uses the same basic stitches but in different ways, with different size hooks, to create each item. The pattern is very easy and the scarf and cowl work up quickly. The cowl can also be worn as a wrap as seen in one of the above photos. A great gift for those on your Christmas list.

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Have a great day!

Categories: Crochet

Tags: Crochet, crochet cape, crochet cowl, crochet patterns, crochet scar

Workout – Final Week of Focus T25

October 5, 2013 kimberlee 1 Comment

This is the final week of my 10 week challenge group for Focus T25. I am proud to say I have completed this 10 week journey. To be honest with you this is the longest I have ever stuck with one workout program. Yes, I workout daily but usually I start a fitness program and use it for 4 to 6 weeks then get bored with it and move on to another program or type of exercise.

I think being in the facebook challenge group was very positive and motivating and helped me stay focused to do the complete 10 week program. It was a fun and encouraging to read others’ posts and post your own workouts each day. I also have gotten to know some amazing and truly committed fitness people who are such a positive inspiration. I would encourage anyone who is starting a new fitness program to give a facebook group a try, if one is available, and be a participator in the posts and discussions. It can only help you succeed.

The following are some of my final T25 photo collages for week 5 of Beta and week 10 of the overall program:

My overall final review on this 10 week program is that it was truly amazing! The workouts are a challenge and they will give you results -especially if you follow a clean eating plan! This program has greatly improved my physical stamina as well as given me a very strong and tight core. I also have much more tone in my legs. I have lost inches – mainly in my waist and hips. I have lost over 2 inches now in the hip area in 10 weeks! Other benefits I have noticed include: sleeping better (more soundly – I didn’t really have any sleep issues to start with other than an occasional night of not sleeping well), increased daily energy, more positive outlook on life, improved skin tone – I think all that sweating is some form of a facial! Also Shaun T, the creator of the program and the instructor, is so positive and motivating – you can not help but want to wake up and workout. He has been a great positive source of energy and influence on my mental attitude the last two months.

If you are looking for a program to change your body as well as your life I would recommend Focus T25. It is a workout that you can do in less than 30 minutes per day 5 to 6 days per week and get great results. Note: I am not affiliated with Focus T25 or BeachBody. I am just a 40 something mother of 3 who has been working out on my own to various books or dvd programs for the past 10 years and decided to share my experience.

I hope you enjoyed my reviews on the weekly progress of T25. Currently I am doing another challenge called Rocktober from the Betty Rocker. It is for the whole month of October so I will be posting updates on that each week. I will also be starting my new Cathe Friedrich workouts that I received last week – I had preordered them back in March. There are 8 dvd’s and I can’t wait to use them in the coming weeks!

Have a great weekend!

Categories: Exercise Health

Tags: exercise, fitness, Fitness Progam, Focus T25, T25, workouts

Week 1 of Rocktober Challenge

October 3, 2013 kimberlee

I have completed 3 days of the Betty Rocker, Rocktober challenge this week. Let me tell you it is tough. The exercises don’t look too hard but they are a challenge when you have to do them for 1 minute each. There are 7 different exercises that she emails you at the beginning of the week and you are to do them at least 3 times in one week – 3 rounds of each set of exercises, for one minute each. A video showing the exercises was also sent with the email. Below are some of the photos of me doing some of the exercises in the challenge.

In addition to doing the Rocktober the last 3 days I have also been keeping up with my last week of my Focus T25 challenge group. It has been tough doing both workouts in one day and my inner thighs are killing me the past two days but I didn’t want to quit my other challenge when this is the last week. I will be posting my weekly T25 post at the end of the week and give you my overall feedback on the workout program. I will post again next week on Rocktober after doing the new grouping of exercises I receive from Betty Rocker the beginning of the week.

I hope everyone is having a good week!

Categories: Exercise

Tags: exercise, fitness, Rocktober, the Betty Rocker, workouts

New Fitness Challenge Starts Tomorrow

September 30, 2013 kimberlee

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share with you the latest fitness challenge I have decided to do after my friend Joanna told me about it. It is called Rocktober! It is the Betty Rocker Fitness Challenge for the whole month of October. Here is the link if you are interested and want to sign up. Sign up needs to be done by today though. http://thebettyrocker.com/sign-up-now-for-the-free-30-day-rocktober-fitness-challenge/ This is a free challenge and if you join you will be invited to the facebook challenge group as well. I really like being in the facebook challenge groups because it gives you support from others from all over the world who are doing the same workouts as you.

I just signed up on Saturday so if you do it now you will be all set. I will be finishing my last week of Focus T25 with my challenge group this week along with starting the Betty Rocker challenge tomorrow. Lots of working out to do this week! I will plan to post at the end of the week my Focus T25 and also more about this current challenge.

I hope everyone is having a great evening!

Categories: Exercise Misc.

Tags: Betty Rocker Challenge, exercise, fitness, Rocktober Challenge, the Betty Rocker, workouts