I've recently discovered that I love black coffee more than I ever thought possible. Since I started drinking coffee at the age of 18 or so, I've taken my coffee sweet and light. Even after I cut out sugar in an attempt to cut out unnecessary calories, I still needed milk or cream, or even non-dairy creamer (yuck) in it. In the past I've tried sips of nasty office sludge coffee offered at my various work places, and always thought it was pretty gross, and didn't understand how people could stand to drink it black. Since then, I've realized that cream and sugar really only need to be used to mask the flavor of BAD coffee. When you have GOOD coffee, it stands on it's own two feet as a delicious hot beverage. No need for cream or sugar.
If you're looking to cut out some unnecessary calories from your diet, while still reaping the health benefits (not to mention the perk up from the caffeine) of a few cups of black coffee, I'd suggest buying yourself a decent coffee grinder and some whole bean coffee. The grinder I've linked is an example that you can get a good grinder without spending a ton of money, and the brand of coffee I've linked is widely regarded the best tasting brand of supermarket coffee that's available nationwide. Plus it's cheap - less than half the price of Starbucks brand coffee beans, and ranked higher in taste tests!
In the dwindling hours of 2011, I'm reflecting on my life over the past year. To be honest, my feelings towards 2011 are kind of... ''meh''. I sort of feel like we've been in limbo this year. Nothing really amazing has happened, no big events, nothing catastrophic has happened. We're just sort of waiting.
John still has the same contract job - which thankfully has been a great job for him. He's happy and the pay is good.
This is my first full year as a stay at home mom. I've loved being home and getting to know my little girl that much better. It's definitely been a struggle at times though.
I was approved to sponsor John's immigration to Canada, but his paperwork will take a further 10 months to process. Boo.
By living frugally, we've managed to pay off all nearly of our debt in a little over a year. It was a LOT of debt. School loans, medical bills, credit cards, two car loans. We're so thrilled to be just about done.
I definitely wouldn't say this has been a bad year. In fact, it really has been a good year. Steady income, loving family, debt payoff...these are good things. But I figure with all of the major life changes of 2012 coming up, we'll be glad we had an easy year in 2011.
We're ringing in the New Year at home tonight, with my little sister and her husband. We're going to make pizza (cauliflower pizza for my brother-in-law who can't have gluten) and we're going to play board games and let Fiona stay up as late as she wants. We'll have a champagne/sparkling cider toast at midnight, and we're just going to have fun and enjoy being with family. Sounds like a perfect evening to end an uneventful year.
Rice or finely chop the cauliflower. Beat egg, add the
cauliflower, and shredded cheese. Mix, then press into a greased pizza
pan then sprinkle with the spices. Bake at 450 for 12 to 15 minutes.
If you double the recipe cook 15 to 20 minutes.
Add desired pizza topping such as red sauce, mushrooms, green
pepper, onions, cheese, etc. Bake until brown and cheese is bubbly.
