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Homesteading Project

Homesteading is a way of self sufficiency to produce what you will consume. Other aspects are making your own cleaners, recycling, composting, the zero waste concept, farm to table at home (no animals or meat in my case). You can dip a toe in the pond or go completely off the grid as they say. Gardening is a major component of homesteading. I am a fan of reducing my carbon footprint and gardening is one way to that.

Homesteading is a way of self sufficiency to produce what you will consume. Other aspects are making your own cleaners, recycling, composting, the zero waste concept, farm to table at home (no animals or meat in my case). You can dip a toe in the pond or go completely off the grid as they say. Gardening is a major component of homesteading. I am a fan of reducing my carbon footprint and gardening is one way to that. Also, I know exactly what kind of organic soil and fertilizer I’m using to keep our food pure. I’m going to be growing our food this year in containers instead of the ground. I think that will be easier for me especially at our condo.

Producing your own food is very rewarding. I started an herb garden in a container last spring and loved making pesto with my harvest of basil. I would make zucchini ribbon pasta or noodles with this fresh pesto and wished I could grow my own zucchini. Last year I would buy my zucchini at the farmers market, but this year I want to grow all of the vegetables that I like to make our keto vegan meals and snacks. I will try to reduce the amount I buy from the regular grocery store and eat fresh home grown whole foods as much as possible. I have even started grinding my own organic peanut butter at Whole Foods.

We have a condo in the city and a house at the lake about an hour away. I will try some veggies and herbs at each location. I bought 2 different self watering type systems so I can get away with only watering once a week since we split out time at each house. Once I know which works better I can branch out and do more veggies later! I’m experimenting with how many plants of each to do. The idea is to have enough to eat and freeze for the winter eventually. We’ll see what needs to be added or taken away next year when I see how this year goes.

Getting Started with container gardening

I bought these Burpee Organic starter kits to try some from seeds along with organic seeds and soil! I’ve planted green beans, zucchini squash, tomato, basil and spinach in one and a bunch of others including cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber, italian red of Florence onion, okra, sweet peppers, white beets, kale, box choy and some flowers. I’m hoping I’ll grow enough flowers to keep a vase of the cuttings each week.

Tips

  • Start in the sunny location you plan to leave the starter kit. I put a small table in front of a sunny window in the breakfast nook.
  • Flip all of the dirt pellet/pods so they are flat before adding water.
  • Use a watering can with warm water to fill the starter kit and pour over pellets.
  • Keep a gardening journal for what seeds worked best, what veggies you need more or less of next year, etc.

I also bought some organic baby plants, seedlings, from a garden expo and farmers market. I’ve been told not to plant until April 15 so there is no real chance of frost which would likely kill them. I will plant these in raised beds. I’ve already planted most of them in containers. I got the Keter Urban Raised Bed for the deck at the lake house. I will try the City Picker’s smaller self watering container on our balcony at the penthouse and some at the lake house too. I like that they are on wheels in case I need to move them for any reason. Since I started the first seeds on April 5th I won’t plant until May 5th since they are supposed to start inside for 4 weeks.

Try this keto vegan side dish!

Keto Vegan Zucchini appetizer

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclaimer for more information.

Easy Vegan Keto Cauliflower Wings-only 4 ingredients!

Only 4 ingredients!

This 4 ingredient recipe is a pretty quick and easy snack for the game or potluck dinner!

I literally took frozen cauliflower without cooking it and shook it up with Sweet Baby Rays wing sauce (vegan) in a glass pyrex bowl with lid, then dipped the saucy cauliflower in finely ground flaxseed and nutritional yeast instead of breading. I baked it at 425 for 20 minutes and voila! Next time I might try just pouring the wing sauce in the bag and shaking it in there. Once coated I think you could pour the nutritional yeast and flaxseed into the bag and just shake in the cauliflower bag! Let me know in the comments if you try this!

You may also like some dessert or fat bombs linked below:)

https://sweetlifehousewife.com/wp/sweet-easy-vegan-keto-no-bake-fat-bombs/

https://sweetlifehousewife.com/wp/easy-fast-vegan-keto-mug-cake/

Las Vegas Baby!!

Need to know before you go…

Knowing what types of things you’ll want to do once you arrive will help you determine what to pack. For me I love going to great restaurants and shows. Also, since I want to enjoy the restaurants and eat whatever I want I planned on running for 30 minutes each day. I used my running shoes to walk the strip while my husband was working and wore my heals to dinner and shows. You may be surprised how much you will walk when you are there if you want to explore.

I have to say I was impressed with the number of vegan and vegetarian options available. There is a great website called vegansbaby.com with some great tips for where to eat if you are vegan or vegetarian in Las Vegas. I also love the app HappyCow and their website happy cow.net

We stayed at the Delano again and I really must say I love it! They don’t have a casino, but it is so close to Mandalay Bay you don’t miss it! The restaurant, Della’s Kitchen, is a really good farm to table and I was able to get us fresh squeezed green juices everyday. The Bathhouse Spa is very nice as well! I loved the robes and wished they sold them!!

There is a little shopping area with LUSH and I got some pampering sparkling bath bombs for the room too!

We went to Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak and I actually couldn’t choose between the salad options so I had one as my appetizer and the other as my entree! We also went to Aureole which has an amazing wine cellar that the wine angels fly in to retrieve the bottle you order! Tres cool! Nobu is my favorite though, more on this one later…

Here are some tips on things you’ll want to check off your list while in Las Vegas.

  • Beatles LOVE Cirque de soleil
  • Mat Franco Magic Reinvented Nightly
  • Michael Jackson,  ONE Cirque de Soleil (mostly dancing & only limited acrobatics)
  • Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden is very impressive they change the theme seasonally
  • High roller Ferris wheel or FlyLinq zip lines at link promenade 
  • Roller coaster at New York, New York
  • Fremont Street Slotzilla zipline
  • Stratosphere 
  • Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen in front of Caesar’s Palace 
  • Lady Gaga Enigma, Gwen Stefani, Cher,  etc
  • Flock and Fowl -Special Hainan chicken (popular in Singapore)
  • Wynn shops on the strip (new as of January 2019)

Nobu at Caesar’s Palace…

We love this restaurant!! It is top quality food that is artistic in presentation. They have vegetarian and vegan options. The Omakase (tasting menu of chef’s selections) is amazing! I had the vegetarian (it may have been vegan actually) and my husband had the chef’s special and we both loved ours!

Great cocktails and wine selection.

According good ole Wikipedia Omakase is a Japanese phrase that means “I’ll leave it up to you”.

Diners “dream” of the dinners at Nobu Matsuhisa’s Japanese “hot spot,” proffering “melt-in-your-mouth” sushi and “mind-blowing” cooked dishes like the “star”-quality miso black cod, plus omakase options; a “helpful” staff distributes everything in a “cool,” “hopping” space ripe for “celeb sightings” – “how could you not love it?

…Zagat

I concur!! We are thrilled that they are opening a Nobu at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead soon!! I’m hoping it is just as good!

Next trip to Vegas I want to see the Beatles LOVE Cirque de Soleil. Did you see this or would you recommend another? Let me know in the comments!

Gift Guide Men 2019 Valentine’s Day

Gift Guide Guys/Men Valentine’s Day

I’ve compiled some really unique gift ideas for the one you love this St. Valentine’s Day! 

Personally I’m giving my husband one of the items linked below and time permitting one of the DIY projects because I’d like to give him a nice gift he can use that shows him I respect his interests/needs and one that took some TLC. Either one will show him I love and care about him, but I’d like to add on a little DIY topper if I have to time to make one…

You can be inspired by some of the items linked below, try one of the DIY’s mentioned, or both💗

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclaimer for more information.

Sexy gifts for the Bourbon drinker:

Old Fashioned Ice Cube Tray –https://amzn.to/2TBsvon

Redemption Bourbon Whiskey – Liquor or wine store near you

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey – Liquor or wine store near you

Glencairn Nosing & Tasting Crystal Glass (personalized) – https://amzn.to/2BpPSdg 

Hold ’em in your heart gifts for the poker player in your life:

Poker cuff links – http://bit.ly/2SieyiD 

Automatic card Shuffler- https://amzn.to/2Ggx6sU 

Personalized Poker chip set-  https://amzn.to/2T1d08I

Gifts for the fitness, runner or workout enthusiast: 

FitBit Versa – http://bit.ly/2UNck7p 

Nike long sleeve running shirt – http://bit.ly/2SidDyH 

Under Armour cold weather running pant – http://bit.ly/2IahzNp 

CO Bigelow vitamin Menthe Body Wash – https://amzn.to/2BjQfX1 

De-Stress Muscle gel (and massage;) – http://bit.ly/2I6XgQW

Say I love you with gifts for lounging at home together:

Polo Pajamas (top) – http://bit.ly/2HVr7LK 

Polo Pajamas (bottom)- http://bit.ly/2HVr7LK  

Polo Ralph Lauren Bathrobe- http://bit.ly/2HfDkuv

These gifts will be a hole in one for the golfer you love on and off the course:

Golf course range finder- https://amzn.to/2FuElgP

Golf Tie – http://bit.ly/2SkXp7N 

Triper L trucker hat – http://bit.ly/2UOnB7t 

Treasures for the Gardener in your life:

Self watering Indoor Garden – http://bit.ly/2HZkLLA 

Gardener’s T-Shirt- https://amzn.to/2TNw6iH

Basic indoor garden – http://bit.ly/2I06RZs 

Gifts for the chef in your life:

Chef’s knife – http://bit.ly/2UOGmIi 

BBQ Set – http://bit.ly/2HX5Q4k 

Vitamix- https://amzn.to/2AKBegp

Luxury and travel gifts for your sweetie!

Art of Shaving travel kit (TSA approved) – http://bit.ly/2t9YBf9 

Art of Shaving Stubble Balm – https://amzn.to/2WLBhlz 

Bose noise cancelling bluetooth headphones – https://amzn.to/2GtDrAO 

Cobra Wireless Earbuds – https://amzn.to/2I6WqUi  

Boss Leather travel Organizer – http://bit.ly/2UQTgWd 

Eagle Creek packing cubes – https://amzn.to/2WOTDSL 

Tumi suit case – http://bit.ly/2ShElaG  or Tumi carry on –  http://bit.ly/2SflzAC 

Delsey carry on suitcase –  http://bit.ly/2tb9OMP 

Michael Aram picture frame – http://bit.ly/2Sgh60x 

Tumi Men’s Leather Money Clip Card Case – http://bit.ly/2HTB5x9

Saint Laurent card case – http://bit.ly/2HX9lI0 

Other fun and memorable gift ideas to buy or DIY!

Tickets to a concert, sporting event or comedy show are always a good idea! A special movie date night with an invitation to go out to dinner and a movie or stay in! Cook or order in:)

Boudoir photo shoot picture DIY or professional.

Andies mint candies, keto cookies , or any baked good with mint flavor that has a tag or card that says We were mint for each other. XOXO

Bourbon or airplane size bourbon nips in a heart box, tag or bag that says Every minute that is spent without you is a minute wasted XOXO Really any liquor could fit here!

A framed actually printed out photo or photo book from a special event or trip with a homemade or store bought card.

A container or basket filled with candy he likes, beef jerky, nips of liquor, wine, beer, energy drinks, etc.

Depending on your guys interests you could make a whole personalized gift basket! You could start with one of these ideas or a potpourri of items with travel gear, fishing, golfing, guitar, cooking, gardening, soccer, sports related stuff for his team, etc. Remember Chocolate kisses  and a tissue paper base can help you fill it up!

Happy St. Valentine’s Day!! 💗

Try making these vegan keto fat bombs for that special guy! https://sweetlifehousewife.com/wp/sweet-easy-vegan-keto-no-bake-fat-bombs/

These vegan keto mug cakes will melt his heart for sure! https://sweetlifehousewife.com/wp/easy-fast-vegan-keto-mug-cake/

Check out the Valentine gift guide video! https://youtu.be/-ng9DgMpANU




Easy & Fast Vegan Keto Mug Cake

This Mug Cake takes about 5 minutes start to finish! See below for details! Aquafaba makes this mug cake Vegan too! Aquafaba is the liquid that is in a can of chickpeas (AKA garbanzo beans). It is often used as a vegan substitute for eggs or egg whites! Let me know if you try it or have any questions in the comments!

Ingredients:

3 tbsp Peanut Butter
3 tbsp Aquafaba (liquid from can of chick peas)
1 tbsp Cocao Butter
1 tbsp Almond milk
2 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
2 droppers full Stevia (or to taste)

I had trouble finding Cacao Butter in the store so here is a link!
https://amzn.to/2Cqn6ZW

You may also like these vegan keto fat bombs! They are super easy and fast too! https://sweetlifehousewife.com/wp/sweet-easy-vegan-keto-no-bake-fat-bombs/

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclaimer for more information.

New Year New Baby!! Top 10 Baby Shower gifts for 2019!

Baby Showers mean I get to do a lot of baby shopping, and I love it!!! These top 10 baby shower gifts will be a cherished gift for a daughter, niece, friend, sister, sister-in-law, etc. There is something for every budget! Happy shopping!!

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclaimer for more information.

  1. UPPAbaby VISTA2018 STROLLER IN Jordan-Grey-Single https://amzn.to/2Df8Epc
  2. UPPAbaby UPPAbaby CozyGanoosh – Jake (Black/Chevron Quilt), Black https://amzn.to/2SZrAh4
  3. Touched by Nature Unisex Baby Gown https://amzn.to/2AObkbV
  4. DockATot® Deluxe+ Dock in Pristine White https://amzn.to/2RQCqIX
  5. Peg Perego Prima Pappa Zero 3 High Chair Mon Amour- White/Rose Gold -High Chair With Play bar bundle https://amzn.to/2W0AtZF
  6. Balboa Baby Car Seat Canopy in Grey Paisley https://amzn.to/2W11Q5M
  7. UPPAbaby® Carry-All Parent Organizer https://amzn.to/2sv2RWg
  8. Summer Infant Pop and Sit Portable Booster https://amzn.to/2VYpSi0
  9. Soft Plush Fleece Toddler Baby Blanket/boy or girl/ https://amzn.to/2Mexs3w
  10. Owlivia Organic Cotton Baby Boy Girl Zip Front Sleep ‘N Play, Footed Sleeper, Long Sleeve (Size 0-18 Month) https://amzn.to/2SX5lsg

Vegan Keto Zucchini Stick Appetizer

My husband is a meat lover and keeping him satisfied when I make vegan and keto food can be challenging especially during the Daniel Fast!

This appetizer does NOT disappoint! These are so easy it’s hard to believe they are vegan, keto and Daniel Fast friendly! You use the liquid from a can of chickpeas to dip the raw zucchini in before dipping in almond meal. After dipping in the almond meal just arrange on a cookie sheet and bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes! Dip in sauce of choice, but I love these with marinara sauce! https://youtu.be/Y28sSzWh-KA

Check out my homemade hummus too! https://sweetlifehousewife.com/wp/daniel-fast-friendly-homemade-hummus/

Daniel Fast Hacks to help you enjoy your experience better! https://youtu.be/ico5GazL4Uc

Thanks for stopping by!! Let me know if you try any of these in the comments! Also, if you are dong the Daniel Fast how is it going?

Homemade Hummus! Daniel Fast Friendly!!

So we hosted a poker night at our house last night and I was faced with putting out appetizers that were Daniel Fast friendly for the group (especially my husband and I). I got some peppadew peppers and cucumbers to serve with hummus. A lot of the hummus available in the grocery store have preservatives of some type which we don’t eat on the Daniel Fast. So, I decided to try a recipe for homemade hummus in my Vitamin cookbook and the results were great! I added a bit more garlic and some chili oil for a bit more kick! I got compliments from the group and found it sort of addicting! 

Let me know in the comments if you try this and what you add to spice it up or make it with your own twist!

Adapted from Vitamix Traditional Hummus Recipe

2 cans chickpeas (1 drained & one with liquid) I saved the liquid to use in place of egg whites in another recipe.

1/4 cup raw sesame seeds

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice (fresh)

1/4 cup water

1-3 garlic cloves peeled (I used 3)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

I also added some chili oil and mixed in in after I transferred to a serving bowl.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclaimer for more information.

Check out this video showing how to make this homemade hummus! https://youtu.be/4SxhRRbLN0Y

Vitamix link: https://amzn.to/2RL5L7D

Check out these Daniel Fast Hacks to help you on your healthy fasting journey!  Or just your health journey! https://youtu.be/ico5GazL4Uc 

Looking for a Daniel Fast side dish? Check out this Swiss Chard video! It’s super easy and filled with nutrients! https://youtu.be/NQk4lrSMFiM

Another quick and easy salad recipe to get you on your way is here and Daniel Fast Friendly without cheese! https://youtu.be/hrr8Pqt1vXY

The Daniel Fast

Every January many people decide to fast, or try some type of diet.  The Daniel Fast is one of them. Most people do lose weight during this 21 day fast. Although you do alter your food and drink intake on the Daniel Fast (no sugar, alcohol, coffee, dairy, meat, etc.) it does not require starvation by any means!  Please comment on your experience with this time tested fast!

It is a biblical fast that has a spiritual component in addition to the mental and physical challenges of restricting your food and drink. I’ve found my anxiety and stress levels decrease dramatically during my Daniel Fast experience. I’ve done it several times now. Sometimes in January and other times when it just seems like I need a tune up. Check out this video on some hacks/tips to make the Daniel Fast easier by substituting Daniel Fast friendly foods in place of the usual ingredients! https://youtu.be/ico5GazL4Uc

Hacks & Tips for using this plan and keeping it low carb:

Radish medallions, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower and hummus or edamame are good snacks to keep it low carb. Nuts are another great choice.

Use coconut milk or cream in place of dairy. Jackfruit is an excellent low carb substitute for shredded meat in lunches and dinners. 

Since you can’t have tea or wine I usually like to make a dessert sweetened with dates or strawberries for evening time. You can also have any fruit for dessert if you are not trying to keep it low carb like us.

You can add extra veggies or Salad to dinners to make them a bit more hearty. Soups are easy to prep ahead (keep the ingredients in a gallon zip lock) and just toss in the Vitamix for 6 minutes on the soup setting. I prep them ahead and repeat them on days I know I’ll be rushed or too busy to prep for dinner. A bonus is I usually have leftovers for our lunches the next day.

Vitamix link: https://amzn.to/2C4jc8H

I recommend intermittent fasting along with the fast and maybe your daily life going forward, I love it!!

Check out my video for more on Daniel Fast Hacks for more tips! https://youtu.be/ico5GazL4Uc

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclaimer for more information.