Parmesan Crusted Bread

The house was smelling good Sunday afternoon as I was making some homemade bread. I know, bad thing for someone trying to diet, but I could not stand it any longer. I wanted to make some of this bread for a long time and finally gave in to it.

Parmesan Crusted Bread

1 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

3 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/ 1/4 cup Milk

3 tablespoons melted butter

1 large egg

3/4 cup sour cream

Stir 1/2 cup grated cheese, flour, baking powder, salt together.

Stir in milk, egg, butter and sour cream. (Blend just until combined.)

Preheat oven 350

Spray 9x5 loaf pan with cooking spray

Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese on the bottom of pan

Spoon in batter

Sprinkle rest of cheese on top.

Bake 1 hour or until top becomes a golden brown.

Remove and set on cooling rack for 5 minutes.

Remove from pan and place on cooling rack. Let bread cool for 45 minutes before slicing....

                     (Oops, I didn't wait. Therefore mine seemed a little "sad".)

I actually thought, in order to make bread, I had to use yeast, and let it rise for hours, etc... But not with this bread. Even though it had the texture of a biscuit, it was delicious with butter or plain. This bread works perfect with any meal or as a sandwich.

I always think of things I could do to a recipe to make it better or different. With this one, I think adding some garlic or even some bacon to it would spice it up a little. But it was a win just the way it was.


Ive shared this at
made-by-me at jaqsstudio
whatd-you-do-this-weekend at tumbleweedcontessa
full-plate-thursday at mizhelenscountrycottage
showcase-talent-thursday at whatscookinglove
kitchenfunwithmy3sons  
submarine-sunday73 at usscrafty

Hooping

Hooping has been my new form of exercise lately. Its one exercise I can do that does not make my knees hurt. I do not have to get prepared with special clothing and only 8ft of space is needed. I can just grab it anytime I feel a notion and hula. Its quiet, so you can actually watch TV while doing it.

Any one can (hula) hoop with the right size hoop. Most adults hula hooped at one time or another during their child hood, but now if you go to the toy department and try the child's hula hoop, you can forget it! It will not work for you. Small hoops will rotate too fast making it impossible for a larger person. You will walk away feeling like you've lost all the experience you ever had.

An adult has to have the right size and weight to accomplish hooping. If you think you can not hoop, you can! regardless of age, size or coordination. Your Hoop should stand between your navel and boobs. The bigger you are, the bigger the hoop should be. The bigger and heavier the hoop, the slower it rotates around making it possible to do.

I picked mine up at a local TJ Maxx store. It weighs two lbs. Its padded and comes in pieces that snapped together for easy take along on travel. You can also make your own and I will have a link to that at the end of my post. 

Here are some benefits to Hooping.

• You can burn 200 Calories in 30 minutes.
• Engages your core muscles.
• Increases flexibility.
• Builds lower back muscles.
• It gives you a solid massage (Your intestines and organs get a firm rhythmic rubbing.).
• Easy on your knees.
• Convenient.
• Good for spinal and hip mobility. 

Once you get used to using it around your waist, you can learn to use other body parts for hooping. It will build up and strengthen those areas as well. I hoop each day off and on a few minutes at a time but try to do at least a 15 or 20 minute session. I feel like my middle section is firming already.

Here is a great site showing how to make your own hula hoop
http://www.jasonunbound.com/hoops.html


Ive shared this at:
whatd-you-do-this-weekend at tumbleweedcontessa. 
freedom-fridays at myturnforus
submarine-sunday73 at usscrafty

Snow Bound

We are just now digging our way out of a three day snow storm here in North Carolina. A snow storm with thunder and lightning as well. We ended up with eight to twelve inches of snow. That may not seem like a lot, but around here we are lucky to see a flurry or two and the schools close down with the first sign of snow sticking to the ground or even in the forecast. So this was a big deal around here.

We were really only snowed in for two days. The snow was so pretty. No one had to work and families got to spend much needed time together. Snow can be so peaceful.

Beautiful scene of the neighborhood

 

Crocheted me a new winter hat for the occasion.

I didn't have to go into work, but I still worked. The work phones were transferred to my cell so I could still assist customers while at the same time doing some home chores, crocheted , went out for a walk and to play and even made snow cream.

Snow heart for Valentines Day.

We Stopped to take a snowman selfie.

We named him her Sarah.

 

My Daughter and the snowman

The roads finally cleared and we got to enjoy a night out for Valentines Dinner. Once we got back home and as I'm typing this post, the earth starts to move with a swaying motion for just a couple seconds. We just experienced an earth quake. Yes, something else we don't get much of around here. I learned I wasn't just going crazy when I seen on Facebook that everyone else felt it too. The news just said it was a 4.4 magnitude and 110 miles from where I live and only 3 miles deep.

I'm calling it a night. Just hope nothing else crazy happens.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower

If you like cauliflower, then you will love this. No need to spend several minutes breaking and cutting up cauliflower. For now on , just bake the whole head! Peel off the green leafy parts and cut off the woody stem, rinse well and now your ready to cook it any way you wish.

The other day, while my husband was visiting his brother he saw him preparing  to roast this really pretty head of cauliflower. When my husband told me about it, I had to try it.
You can find the recipe HERE.

It was really simple to do.

 Just look at that steamy goodness escape.

The coating consist of yogurt and many different spices. It had a different taste than im used to. I think it was the curry. Im not a big fan of curry.

The inside was tender with a slight crisp. It was easily cut into wedges for a wonderful side dish.

I think I will do this again but use a different topping. Maybe some sort of flavored bread crumb topping and dipping sauce or simply buttered.

I can see many possibilities here and Id love to see some of my readers ideas.


Ive shared this at:
whatd-you-do-this-weekend at tumbleweedcontessa  
made-by-me at jaqsstudio  
full-plate-thursday at mizhelenscountrycottage
amaze-me-monday at dwellings-theheartofyourhome