Orange Zest and Pumpkin.

I've been baking.

I perfected my cranberry scones recipe. They turned out so delicious. I added some orange zest because on one of my cooking shows they said that orange zest really brings out the flavor of cranberries. So, I threw some in and voila, it was absolutely the best cranberry scone I ever ate. See how my cooking show addiction has paid off. I also had some pumpkin in the fridge leftover from the pumpkin pie muffins that I didn't want to go bad so I threw together a quick off the cuff pumpkin scones recipe. They actually turned out really good.

I have two scone lovers in my life: my friend Nunan (who I owe scones too because her mailperson ate her birthday present *grr face* since she never got her original batch) and my friend Gini Koch, author of the Alien Series, and since Alien Tango (the second book in the series) is releasing soon (December 7th, btw -- buy her book it's GREAT!) I thought I'd send them both some cranberry and pumpkin scones. I certainly don't want them living at my house and trying their siren's call on me. I love the baking, I think, more than I love the eating. Weird, right?

I've also got all the ingredients for Honey Cinnamon Swirled Cinnamon Bread which the Bajaffe (Amy Mullis) won in the giveaway so I shall be baking bread today to ship off to the lucky winner tomorrow. The Zebra (Angie Mansfield), the other winner, is waiting until she can torment some children with baked goods before placing her order. I knew I loved that girl!

This new trend of Mr. Grumpybutt not taking his naps has got to stop. He's only 9 months old for crying out loud and he still needs them. Not to mention I NEED them so I can get my workouts in at a decent hour. It doesn't really affect my push ups (mores the pity) and crunches but I think I'm going to have to start to get creative on the Wii stuff. I guess it'll be a HUGE workout to hold his 20+ pounds while I do the Wii Fit Free Step (my back is already groaning in protest). I don't know, I'm going to have to figure something out. Anyone got any ideas? Other than working out after the kids go to bed which, I guess, if another solution doesn't present itself is going to have to be my go to plan.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 30 minute walk, 300 crunches, and 70 push ups.

Healthy Lifestyle - Day 136

Only Water - Day 131

Total Pounds Lost - 50.2

Meals:
Breakfast - bowl of FiberOne Raisin Bran Clusters w/ homemade Almond Milk
Morning Snack - FiberOne Granola Bar
Lunch - scallops and cream corn quinoa
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 peanut butter sandwich and cranberry scone
Dinner - scrambled eggs, hash browns, and a pumpkin scone

Shameless, That's Me!

So, I found out yesterday that the shape of my scones are wrong. My friend, author Gini Koch, happens to be a connoisseur of the scone and tells me that they're round like a cookie. You just drop the dough on a cookie sheet and let it puff up and bake in more interesting shapes then making a big blob like a giant cookie and then slicing it like a pizza. I couldn't have been more shocked to find out she knew how to bake something (She isn't what we'd call someone who likes to cook or bake, but I love her anyway).

And here's a shameless book plug for her. "Touched by an Alien" is an awesome book and "Alien Tango", which releases on December 7th, is even BETTER! It's all about the 'Gators, baby! So get them and read them. *shameless book plug is now over* (Thanks for the scone advice, oh awesome one!)

Now I can't wait to make scones again, which is why they're in my Christmas Baking line-up. Because, yes I am sick, and have already planned out what I'm baking this year. I'm as bad as 3ft when it comes to Christmas excitement.

I'm pleased to report that I did do crunches and push ups yesterday. I was going to break out my Wii but by the time I got 3ft and Mr. Grumpybutt settled down and in bed, I was so exhausted after another early morning, I just sank into the couch and there I stayed until my husband woke me up to go to bed.

Today, the Wii will be used. I promise.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - crunches and push ups.

Healthy Lifestyle - Day 99

Only Water - Day 94

Total Pounds Lost - 38.3

Meals:
Breakfast - bowl of FiberOne Honey Clusters w/ homemade Almond Milk and a Cranberry Almond Scone (I had to try them after all)
Morning Snack - (was at the doctors)
Lunch - McDonalds Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad w/out cheese
Mid-Afternoon Snack -1/2 peanut butter and banana sandwich
Dinner - Chicken w/ mushrooms and peas over whole wheat spaghetti pasta

Total Day Calories - 1155