Mojito Cupcake Recipe (4pts+)

This crazy mix of lime, mint, cilantro, and pineapple is quite satisfying! 

Box of Betty Crocker white cake mix

2 egg whites

1tbl of canola oil (because the recipe called for 3 egg whites and I only had 2)

1/3cu of all natural Sierra Mist

6-8 squirts of lime juice (plastic green bottle shaped like a lime)

about 1 tsp of mint extract

3 shakes of crushed mint flakes 

1tbl of Bacardi Select Mojito beverage

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl with a whisk

2. Pour into cupcake wrappers and add an extra squirt of lime juice in each cup.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes

4. Allow the cupcakes to cool for at least 20 minutes before adding glaze

Glaze

1cu confectioners sugar

3tbl coconut milk

1tbl finely chopped cilantro

2-3 squirts of lime juice 

1/2tsp vanilla

5. Stir ingredients together in a bowl until even consistency

6. Use 1tsp of glaze per cupcake 

7. Top with chopped pineapple and enjoy! 

*Pts+ calculation is based on 18 cupcakes. 

*For a milder variation, leave out the cilantro and pineapple. 

To cheese or not to cheese? That was the question alright.

After much thought and some reading, I decided to cut out all of the cheese and most of the dairy from my diet. Among other benefits, cutting dairy helps to relieve allergy and arthritis symptoms. Read more here. 

I was hesitant to take the plunge at first, but somehow it finally clicked. Maybe it was the five (yes, FIVE) bags of shredded cheese purchased during a routine grocery run that convinced me that I had a problem. Whatever the case, cheese and I broke up about two weeks ago. I couldn't be happier about the decision. The cheeseless life has wined, dined, and wooed me by releasing the flavor in food that I once suffocated with cheese.

*Let me know if you want to know how I made my yummy mango salsa and cheeseless pizza.

I'm in love. 

Short and Sweet

*Picture from www.lifeofanarchitect.com

It is my ambition to say in ten sentences; what others say in a whole book. -Friedrich Nietzsche

Yes and amen. I took this quote as a personal challenge for this blog. From now on, there will be 10 sentences or less. It's kind of like a shot without the after taste.

Yummy. Satisfying. Nutritious. Encouragement.

Delicious.

*According to my business license, my business opened on 3.16.2011. It was without fan fare or anything grand. (Unless you want to count the tasty taco-like salad I had for lunch shortly after. Mmmmmm...)  A lot is going on behind the scenes, and I can't wait to share it with you. In the meantime, I would love to introduce you to Lamp by.Kristy Richards.
May this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

In honor of our opening, I present you with our manifesto. 

(P.S. Follow us on Twitter for inspiration, links, ideas, fun times, and the inside scoop. @byKRichards)

Delicious Intentions 

I love every ounce of my ever learning and ever beautiful 197.5lb body. Confidence is a choice. Beauty comes from within and is a gift from above.

I believe God is for us. Jesus is God and what He says is The Truth. I was created in His image.

 My body is His temple.

I believe in dessert, and that love is knowing when to stop. Fruits and veggies are a nerdy type of sexy. Balance is freedom. I believe in working out when it hurts, and not eating when you aren’t hungry.

Progress is for celebration, and is not measured in lbs. I believe in “Then” and “Now” versus “Before” and “After”. I believe accountability is stepping on a scale, but health is not the number it displays. I believe in weight loss for longer, productive, more energetic lives not tighter, skimpier, and more suggestive clothes.

A gracious host is worth the intake of a homemade treat enjoyed responsibly. Helping a friend in need trumps going to the gym. Diet and exercise are important, but they are not the main thing.

Losing weight is similar to the Christian walk. First you take the cross. Lastly, you see the prize. Right now, there is work to be done. I believe in sharing the journey and cheering one another on.

I believe in reaching my healthy weight range while living a tasty, nutritious, and Christ-filled life. I want to encourage from-the-inside- out type of change that only Jesus can inspire. I believe Matthew 5:16 is possible. To make Him known, it’s my goal to be light. 

Cherry Amore

When I was asked to blog about cherries, I was thrilled! 

Who doesn't love cherries? Thoughts of cherry topped sundaes filled my mind. 

Uh-oh...Do you see where this is heading?

Then I thought, "Hmmm...How about a flourless chocolate cake with cherries?"

It just goes to show how much of losing weight (aka gaining a healthy lifestyle) is in the mind. It's no wonder I have chosen to take a holistic approach to this journey. I obviously wouldn't succeed any other way.

Okay, back to the cherries. First, let's talk about the health benefits. 

Cherries are high in potassium, Vitamin C, and B complex vitamins. To me, this means that cherries will help regulate my blood pressure, help keep my immune system strong, and help keep my metabolism going. 

Can we say, "Winning!"

LOL! I couldn't resist. 

According to www.life123.com, "Sweet and tart cherries contain pigments called anthocyanins, antioxidants that give cherries their dark red color. Tart cherries are among the top fruits as far as antioxidant levels go. Tart cherry juice and dried tart cherries are even higher in antioxidants than blueberries and more powerful than Vitamin E. Anthocyanins have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and according to the American Chemical Society, eating 20 tart cherries (or drinking the equivalent in juice concentrate) a day could provide the same pain relief that aspirin or ibuprofen do."

In addition to this, tart cherries are said to contain significant amounts of melatonin. Melatonin helps to regulate sleep and also helps to keep you looking young by slowing down the aging process. 

This was enough to sell me on the health benefits of cherries. I bought a bag of frozen cherries. 

*

*Disclaimer. Fresh cherries were not available at my local grocer at the time, and I did check to ensure that the only ingredient present in my bag was cherries. 

Next was the research for recipes. 

These were my favorites.

Cherry Fruit Slump (Slump is another word for cobbler. Don't let the word scare you, this recipe looks yummy!)

Cold Cherry Soup (A delicious Hungarian treat)

Cherry Soup with Dumplings (A fun spin on cherry soup)

Cherry Chocolate Goodness (Simple and satisfying way to cure a sweet tooth craving)

Cherry Salsa (Yum-yum!)

With all of these choices, which recipe would I choose? Well, ladies and gentlemen, I simply ate them. After allowing them to defrost for a bit (not completely), I enjoyed them along side my homemade turkey pesto panini. Since they weren't completely defrosted, the cherries almost tasted like some sort of all natural cherry slushie. Next time, I think I may the cherry salsa. 

However, sometimes good-for-you food tastes good as is.

Enjoy!