Not all girls are made of sugar & spice & everything nice...
Bacon, Bourbon, and Burpees are some of MY main ingredients...
I'm Aimee and I will be your guide through my special brand of crazy. I'm a board certified physical therapist and that label has defined me for the last 15 years, but that's not all I am or will be. Through those years I acquired multiple hats, both personally and professionally. I've become a wife, stepmom (not evil), dog mom, homeowner, hospital leader, full-time mom, handy woman, and room mom. If you sprinkle in my long-standing roles of daughter, sister, cousin, niece, aunt, friend and occasional video-editor, you get a very full plate.
At some point I felt stretched in too many directions. I was having long days at my hospital, followed by long nights of charting at home. Despite trying my best to give my family and my job 110%, there wasn't enough of me to go around. I was burnt out. After much deliberating and analyzing, my hubby and I set a timetable where I could extract myself from the hectic working sector and commit my efforts to our home and children.
As exciting as it was to make this change, there was some resistance, internally, to letting go of such a prominent aspect of myself. My motto at the time was "Nunqum Retro," Latin for: Never Go Backwards. There was some grieving to be done, but I knew the best version of me lay ahead. No one's ever said, "I wish I'd worked more." While I'm no longer actively using my degrees, the work I'm doing at home is equally (or more) difficult; comes without an instruction manual, paycheck, or parachute; and is extremely rewarding.
The idea of sharing this journey of reinvention occurred to me, as I grew and shaped my new identity. This blog was born of my trials and tribulations along the way. My hope is to share this with whoever wants to read it. I know nothing, but I've found things that have worked for me and maybe they'll work for someone else. I will not preach. My way is not THE way. I won't judge or make outlandish recommendations. I do know I'm not a bad parent (and neither are you) for letting my kids have a happy meal occasionally or for not feeding them strictly gluten-free, organic, free range, vegetarian chicken. How is any chicken NOT a vegetarian? Are there carnivorous chickens out there??
There it is, three paragraphs later, I finally had a "squirrel" moment, but I digress...
Recipes
Keto deliciousness
Keto peanut butter cups (posted 2/10/2020)
I've been told this is "the best" recipe I make. Its genuinely awesome and contains no sugar. When you're craving a little sweetness but you're on a diet or trying to be keto, THIS is a GODSEND!
Check out the tutorial video (Part 1 and 2) and list of ingredients and tools.
Here is the link to the kit containing the tools for the recipe:
https://kit.co/BBandB/tools-for-keto-pb-cups
Here is the link to the kit containing the ingredients for the recipe:
https://kit.co/BBandB/ingredients-for-keto-pb-cups
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Bacon Crust Pizza (Coming Soon)
This is an amazing and delicious alternative to a carb laden crust!
Authentic Cuban Dishes (Non-keto)
Best black beans and Rice (coming soon)
A traditional Cuban dish. Goes with most anything!
Roast pork, Cuban style (coming soon)
This is a Christmas tradition in my family, but it is delicious any time of year!
How to cook plantains 3 ways (coming soon)
Green plantain and ripe plantains, there are so many delicious options!
Drinks
Cupid's kiss 2/10/2020
This is a fizzy delicious pink concoction, that is perfect for Valentine's Day, but beware, it packs a serious punch and goes down really easy!
Smoky Old fashioned (coming soon)
Now most of you know I built a smoker just for these drinks, but it's not necessary. I'll show you how to make a small scale smoker with just a few items so you can enjoy the smoky deliciousness of this drink.
Authentic Sangria (coming soon)
After much research in the bars of Madrid I am happy to share with you my super authentic sangria recipe!
White Sangria (coming soon)
A fizzy, lighter alternative to a red sangria, equally delicious!!
Keto PB Cups
What you're going to need:
3/4 oz cacao butter
1/2 cup confectioner's swerve
9 oz lily's dark chocolate baking chips
2/3 cup natural peanut butter
1 tbsp coarse sea salt
3/4 tsp unsweetened vanilla extract
3 tbsp butter
All these ingredients are available here:
https://kit.co/BBandB/ingredients-for-keto-pb-cups
saucepan, glass mixing bowls, measuring spoons, measuring cups, cupcake liners (paper or silicone), kitchen scale, mini spatulas
All these items are available here:
https://kit.co/BBandB/tools-for-keto-pb-cups
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Instructions:
- Fill the saucepan halfway with water and set to a rolling boiling. Set a mixing bowl on the kitchen scale and set the scale to zero (with the bowl on). Measure out .75 (3/4) oz of the cacao butter in the bowl. Place the bowl over the boiling water and add the entire bag of baking chips. Set a mini spatula in the bowl and stir frequently until mixture blends smoothly.
- Take your baking cups and paint bottom and sides (3/4 of the way up) with the melted chocolate/cocoa butter. See picture to the right for best method. Let gravity help. Place the baking cups in a muffin pan and place in freezer for 20-30 mins to set.
- Leave remaining chocolate/cocoa butter mixture on low heat for last step in recipe.
- In your second mixing bowl place 2/3 cup of natural peanut butter and 3 tbsp butter. Heat in microwave on high for 1 min.
- Stir mixture with another mini spatula and add 3/4 tsp unsweetened vanilla extract and 1/2 cup confectioner's swerve. Blend until mixture resembles almost cookie dough.
- Once first layer of chocolate has set, remove from freezer and take a tsp of peanut butter mixture and place in each baking cup. Press flat with back of spoon. Make sure there is still a bit of chocolate lining visible above the peanut butter. Do not over fill.
- Place back in freezer for another 10 mins.
- Increase heat on stove to make sure chocolate is still liquid.
- Take 1 tbsp of corse sea salt and place in a small bowl.(Make sure you have super clean hands for this next part)
- Take your tray out of the freezer and using your mini spatula paint the top of the peanut butter with a layer of the chocolate/cocoa butter mixture. Sprinkle the melted chocolate with sea salt. Repeat for all your cups
- Place back in the freezer for 20-30 mins.
- Remove from wrappers and place in an air-tight container for up to a week. No way they can last uneaten for that long! Enjoy!!
Cupid's Kiss
Get ready to Netflix and Chill with your Valentine!!
... and this festive drink! This drink is pink and bubbly, but appearances can be deceiving. This drink packs a punch!! Get ready to feel enamored and all warm and fuzzy! Enjoy responsibly!
Ingredients
2 parts gin*
1 part Elderflower liquer
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp simple syrup
2 Strawberries
Brut Champagne
* I love Esme gin for this recipe.
It's a botanical gin with some beautiful smooth floral notes.
I've only been able to find it at total wine.
Instructions
Muddle strawberries at the bottom of a cocktail strainer cup. Add gin, liquor, lemon juice and simple syrup and ice. Shake and strain into a glass of your choice. Top off with Champagne and garnish with a slice of strawberry. Sit back, sip and enjoy!!