Something Tasty {Blackberries & Cream...A Paleo Treat}

In my "I'm addicted to sugar post" a few days ago I talked about my Paleo lifestyle and how much I love sugar. The two do NOT go hand in hand. When I have reached the end of my rope and I need something sweet and I haven't been awesome enough to break the sugar cycle...I eat this sweet treat. 

Blackberries & Cream.

Technically that is not cream in that photo. It is coconut milk. But doesn't cream sound so much more delectable?

Here's what you will need to make this recipe! 

* Blackberries (or raspberries, strawberries and even snozberries! Sorry. I couldn't help it)

* Coconut Milk (The full fat Thai Kitchen is what I use)

* Honey

As always, organic ingredients are the bet for the Paleo diet. Honey is not approved on the Whole30. Some people don't even agree with it being Paleo but some people do. Just choose a side and go for it. I happen to embrace honey because there is evidence that it is good for you when used correctly. Raw honey is the best since it is less processed but I liked the good ole' local honey for this recipe. Plus I like to be the Queen Bee at my house. Or at least pretend to be the Queen Bey. 

Just place the berries in a sweet little bowl that makes you smile. Pour some coconut milk over them and drizzle with honey.

A lovely dessert...all for you! You deserve it! And gosh darn it you're worth it.

ENJOY!

*recipe adapted from text in Well Fed 2

What is your favorite Paleo dessert? 

Sweater Weather Girl

This bad boy was on my wish list for Christmas and my sweet hubby made it happen. Full length sweater dress! Yes sir! He knows how cold I am ALL THE TIME. You can catch me typing away on my laptop wearing fingerless gloves and a toboggan at any time. I have these down slipper boots that I wear around the house along with ten million other layers. I was super excited to see just how toasty this dress kept me and let me tell you it kept me nice and warm. 

Outfit Details:

Sweater Dress: Amazon in light gray

Boots: Amazon in gray

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Life Lately {Sugar}

If you have been a reader here for a while you know that I am an alcoholic (closely related to why I love sugar so much) and I will pick up my 3 year sobriety chip in July of this year. Woohoo! Super proud of myself and all that fluff and stuff but that's not what I'm here to talk about today.

Today I'm talking about SUGAR.

And how it was easier to quit drinking than it is to quit SUGAR.

Is that not crazy? It is crazy.

After years and years of walking around with a bloated gut the hubs and I did some research and stumbled upon the book Wheat Belly which lead to more research which led to the Whole30 challenge which led to Paleo. At that time in my life I was overwhelmed at the idea of doing a Whole30 challenge but I really started to like the idea of Paleo. Once I got this cookbook I was ready! Pretty soon after switching to Paleo, I noticed my swollen belly appearance shrinking. It was and is still there somewhat throughout different times of the month but I can now directly relate it to my monthly cycle (TMI - sorry). I am STILL working on pinning that problem down. Just went for an ultrasound today. But that's a different story for a different time. Cutting out the wheat got me closer to solving my intermittent bloated feelings. NOW. Onto the reason for this post!

SUGAR

On the Paleo diet I do allow myself to have honey, as well as dates, and "clean" chocolate. I still have cheat days too! After the holidays though I really needed to detox. I looked hard at Whole30. Real hard. Basically stared a hole through it. A new one started on January 1st. Perfect timing! Just what I needed! It's only 30 days....but wait....no honey? No dried fruit? No chocolate?!? Eeeeeek. It's only 30 days.

I then decided that I was just not ready. I wanted to be ready, but I just wasn't. I decided to do a pseudo Whole30 of my own. I'm not eliminating them but I have been trying very hard not to eat a lot of dates or honey. I tried to not have a fruity breakfast so that I don't start the day of with sugars, even though they are natural sugars. That only lasted a few days. I missed my bananas. I haven't had a cheat day and I don't plan on having one for a while because I ate everything AND the kitchen sink at Christmas. There ain't no room for cheating. 

Needless to say, this detox has been hard! I was sad y'all. Straight up sad. And very, very cranky.

I gave in one day this week and ate a Larabar...ate fruit for breakfast...ate (paleo) chocolate chips! Sheesh! What the crap is wrong with me? Can I not leave the sugar alone?

I then thought - I need help. I need Netflix. Documentaries!

I watched Fed Up and got some seriously good motivation from that. Not quite enough motivation to take the 10 day sugar free challenge.

I am working up to it.

I'm thinking summertime might be easier? I don't know. I do need to give myself credit for not giving in and having a blueberry scone and a cafe mocha from Starbucks, the last of my son's waffle drowning in syrup or those deeeelish cupcakes from Trader Joe's that I love so much.

But dang it's hard! I keep telling myself....

You quit drinking. You can quit sugar.

Surely.

photo source

Daily Style: Tall Boots Girl

Let me tell you, there is nowhere you can go that you don't see tall boots on ladies feet. It's crazy! Is it just me or has there been a tall boot explosion just in the last year? Maybe it's just the Clemson football games I go to that make me feel that way. Maybe it's just that you see grandmothers wearing them these days too. With all that being said it doesn't bother me enough to make me toss mine in the donate pile! No way! I rarely stay on top of trends to be "the only" one wearing something. I do love an ankle boot too which seems to be a bit more underground still. Mark my word I will NOT be one of those gals that expose my ankles when it is 30 degrees outside unless it's a crazy rare moment that I get to go to a fancy party. So that leaves...boots!

Also, Happy New Year! I hope you all had a fabulous time! I went to bed about 11:15pm. It was as far as I could go. I tried! But my son had a friend over for a sleepover and I knew they would be up early. They are only seven years old so sleeping in is not a thing yet. In other news, I think I will try out a few new things around here on the blog to freshen things up. I have no concrete plans but I like introducing new posts with a picture and words - like I did right up there. What do ya think? Maybe have some more written posts with what I'm doing/thinking/not doing/not thinking...I don't know. I do have a bit of the new year buzz. I hope you like the changes! I will still keep the "Girl" part of each post title because...hey...I am one girl right? 

Outfit details: Denim dress: thrifted Liz Claiborne, Leggings: Hue, Boots: Steve Madden

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Top 5 Places to Thrift {Feature: AshevilleBlog}

source

I'm over at Asheville Blog today with my article "Top 5 Places to Thrift!" 

If you're local....then head on over and check it out!

Geese Girl

 Flannel: Woolrich, Top: Family Dollar, Jeans: Lee Curvy Skinny, Shoes: Minnetonka Moccasins 
Shop this Look at bottom of page!

I was setting up to take these photos a little further down the road when a car pulled up behind me. I immediately thought "oh crap, what have I done now?".  Is the owner of this abandoned factory going to tell me to get the heck off of his property? Am I getting ready to be abducted? They don't realize I have the personality of Spongebob and would quickly change their mind after 10 minutes with me. Well it was none of that. It was actually a very kind gentleman that told me there were about 100 Canadian geese at the lake just a few minutes down the road and it might make for some good photos. I thought that sounded like a good idea and I packed up and headed to the lake. Best decision I made all day (I don't make very many decisions). The lake was perfect for photos.

*A Day in the Life of One Girl is an amazon affiliate*

#LoveYourGuts H2PRObiotics AND Gingerbread Cookie Smoothie Recipe!

I don't know about you, but I have a tendency to pack those fun little holiday finger foods in my mouth like a chipmunk storing food for the winter. It's fun while it's happening, but my gut suffers the next day or so. We won't even mention all of the coughs and sniffles that go around at those parties too. That's why when H2PRO contacted me to ask if I was interested in trying their probiotic + vitamin supplements, I was immediately on board! It's time to get my gut back in order AND fight off all those holiday germs!

Just what are probiotics and why should you care? You should read this!

According to Dr. Baumgarten, family physician and founder of H2PRO Probiotics + Vitamins:

"The good bacteria living in your GI tract support many important body functions including digestion, metabolism, immunity and some functions of your brain. They assist in the breakdown of the food, support the absorption of important nutrients, and can even influence your metabolism, thereby helping you maintain a healthy body weight.

The GI tract is also responsible for up to 80% of your immune function to fight infections.”

H2PRO has released the first of its formulas, which was designed specifically to support immune health. It comes in packets of flavorless probiotic and vitamin powder that can be added to any beverage or food of your choice that's under 102 degrees and an Acai Berry powder that can also be mixed into water or other drinks. H2PRO is a gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, 100% vegan and zero calorie option for making probiotics a no-hassle part of your daily routine.

I eat a majority Paleo diet. I may cheat once a week on a special meal but I'm mostly gluten free, dairy free and legume free. The H2PRO formula fits my requirements perfectly. I was able to sample both the flavorless as well as the Acai Berry, which is lightly sweetened with Stevia. I mixed the Acai Berry with about 12 ounces of water and added some frozen raspberries for a little extra sass. I am not a huge alternative sweetener fan, but this was very refreshing without being too bold. You could mix it with only 8 ounces of water if you wanted a bit more flavor, or go up to 16 ounces for a more watered down taste, which is kind of how I like it.

I can definitely tell that I do get a ever so slight energy boost from the mixes. It's not like a jolt you would get from drinking coffee, but definitely a subtle, healthy way to shake off the afternoon blahs. The good bacteria that has been added to my gut with this supplement does not leave me in the bathroom like yucky food does. 

I love supporting local businesses, and if you're here in Asheville or the surrounding areas and want to give it a try, H2PRO is available bottled and in packet form in nearby stores, yoga centers, pharmacies! Cool, right?

You really need to take time out and #LoveYourGuts, and I’ve created a tasty Gingerbread smoothie recipe to get you started. It is a great way for you to incorporate probiotics into your diet!

I have been craving gingerbread cookies so I thought this would be a great way to tackle that craving! 

Here's what you will need:

1 packet of H2PRO Probiotic+Vitamins flavorless

1 cup almond milk

1 Tbsp almond butter

1 frozen banana

1 Tbsp honey

1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground clove

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground ginger

pinch of salt

(you can add more or less spices to suit your taste level)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Serve in a festive glass and garnish with cinnamon or nutmeg.

Delicious! It was nice and spicy! Just what I was hoping for. Not only was it tasty to drink it was packed with wonderful vitamins and healthy probiotics!

Shop for H2PRO products locally with this store locator or online at their Amazon Store: H2PRO


*As always, all reviews and opinions are my own. Samples c/o H2PRO*