Gluten-Free Delicious Pumpkin Pancakes and Muffins with Recipe...

 Celebrating summer and school being out has been our theme this week. Monday, we made homemade apple cinnamon oatmeal. Tuesday, we had strawberry yogurt, bananas, and homemade granola. It was time for something a bit more don't you think. So...out came the pancakes...then I thought what about a few muffins for later...

 The pancakes came out golden brown and absolutely fantastic. They are light and fluffy, tasty and filling PLUS the greatest part!!! Each one of these babies are only 3 points for each pancake which is 1/4 cups of batter...I had 3 of them and that's not bad for a great way to start the day!!!

 The muffins are also 1/4 cup of batter which makes them 3 points also. The other part about this recipe is there is no added fat to the gluten free baking mix. You can even pop in a banana if your family barks about not wanting them in their daily intake. I do it all the time and never tell them. Fruits and Vegetables are free foods, good for you too. I add chopped apples when a recipe calls for chopped onions...keep that in mind when you are cooking...

No for the recipe...

Gluten-Free Delicious Pumpkin Pancakes and Muffins Recipe

1 pancake or muffin = 3 Weight Watchers Points

1 15ounce can of Pumpkin Puree

1 box of Hodgson-Mill Gluten-Free Pancake & Waffle Mix

1 4ounce natural apple sauce cup

1/4 cup Splenda Brown Sugar (optional, or sweet to taste)

1 teaspoon real vanilla flavoring

4 cups fat free milk

Mix all ingredients together in an electric mixer.

Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, pour batter into a skillet sprayed with cooking spray.

Cook pancakes until golden brown on both sides...

For muffins, place 1/4 cup of batter in each muffin cup sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake at 400 degrees until a tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean,

about 25 minutes.

Local honey is very good with these or fat free cream cheese. 

However, regardless of what you add, remember to add the extra points...

** Consider replacing oil when baking with a 4 ounce cup of apple sauce, unsweetened or natural.

*** Why not add a diet lemon lime soda instead of eggs and oil when baking...I do...

but I do add real vanilla flavoring...it a so very good!!

Rockin' it Healthy...

Hugs,

Rita

Sunday's Art Journaling...the finishing pages...

 For the final pages of this art journaling project, I decided to include them all in this post. I pretty much have gone over all the techniques in previous posts during the past week. I may have bored you to death with this book too lol. However, it has been so much fun for me to revisit the making of this and long to return to the cabin and make yet another art journaling smash book. This page is my prayer journal for the journey ahead.

 In the hymnal I have been taking pages from I found a series of pages that holds sentence prayers. Perfect for moments of reflection and help. So I added them to a small booklet that I can pull anytime when words just won't come. I have times like that, when I am so filled with joy or even hurt. Then I clipped phrases and added them throughout the two pages with gesso and Modge Podge.

 I made a pocket using a tag to hold this booklet and one of my favorite hymns, "What a Friend We Have..." both fit nicely in the pocket. I covered the tag in scrapbook paper and adhered it on two sides with my ATG gun. The booklet is covered with scrapbook paper as well.

 I used Glossy Accents to bring the butterflies out in the paper and make them 3D.

 This page, and those to follow, were clippings from one article I wanted to save. I decided to cut it up and put it in this art journal. The clipping to the right hung off the page at the top and bottom, so I added tabs to both ends and folded the bottom up so that the book could sit on a shelf easily. I covered both ends part the way up with scrap printed scrapbook paper so that it would be both sturdy and pretty. I have done this throughout the book. I added journaling spots to give my response to the article clippings throughout the each of the following pages.

 I always have trouble getting the articles to meet when I have to take one part from one column and another portion from another column, so I use a tab punched from cardstock to fix that problem...

 I turn the article section over and adhere them to the tab punch. It makes it easier to position with my ATG gun. I put the adhesive on the tab and then place the article pieces on the tab. Perfect.

 I loved the quotes from this article by Julian Michael. I wanted to add the songs I listen to and her quotes to my healthy living book. I felt inspired by her words and her interview. As I said before, I left space for journaling my personal thoughts too.

 On these pages I used clear gesso and brought out the illustrations with water color crayons. Then I added some pieces from my art journaling stash that I wanted to save. Favorite things, paper clippings. I used punches of the paper I loved.

 Once again, I used clear gesso and water color crayons on these pages. I brought a hymn page clipping to the page and thought I would use it for a frame to a photograph later.

 "Kicking Beauty" is hanging off the page which I am falling in love with the effect of doing so. It brings the smash book to art journaling. I have added tabs throughout the pages which may be too much for some, but it just goes with the fact it is my favorite punch and I really do love love love it. Maybe too much I guess...since I own the original form of the punch and got the newer version for when my old one bits the dust and celebrates it's homegoing.

 I did some decoupage on these pages which I suppose you would say I have done throughout the book with the magazine clippings. I allowed myself even more journaling spots too. I might even add photos to these areas. Regardless, I have space within the spots or without. I can write anywhere I want, it's my book. =) Remember, there are no rules when you are art journaling or creating a smash book...

 I added a unique element to this set of pages. The paper towel on the left is one that I used on this project to wipe my brushes, clean sponges, or other tools. I added some Modge Podge and placed the towel down. It created a nice texture.

Here, I added yet another portion of the paper towel and on the back inside cover is a hymn page where I can close the story of this portion of my journey.

I took this as a visual to my Weight Watchers meeting when our leader asked what motivates you to continue your journey. Mine is first my hope, second my husband who pushes me out of bed to workout or trail run, attend my WW meetings. Then it's art. I find respite and no food in working with art. I have to wash my hands to touch food lol. Problem solved, plus when I am making themed projects like this, I am reminded  of my goals both in life, soul, mind and heart. To create a healthier way of being in every area of my life.

I have really enjoyed working on this art journal/smash book. Sunday's mussings are something I do each week in my written journal where I pick a jouranling prompt and randomly write. That is what I really like to do with art journaling and smash books. It is a fun way to use all the scraps of paper and things I collect. Too, I love how the scraps of life and the things that collect to make me who I am has brought me to this point in my life...middle age...I can still be anything I want to be regardless of the reality this world tries to throw at me. Loving it...

Hugs, Rita

Sunday's Art Journaling....Joy

As you can see...I brought three of my favorite art interests into one, scrapbooking, art journaling, and smash book. The one element that stands out ((drum roll)) the punch! I used the Stampin' Up tab punch heavily on this page, not on purpose, but regardless, I did. At the top left corner and on all the tags. LOL, what can I say, it's my favorite.

 I won't say that this is my favorite flower, but it worked for this page. I added ATG tap to the bottom edge to hold the tags perfectly without covering up the hymn. The flower can be folded back to reveal the whole page if I desire to do so. I love this hymn and didn't want to take away from it in any way. I distressed the page and edges with ink and gesso.

 The tags are removable. The oval shaped tag is from the same scrapbook paper as the flower. I added more scrapbook paper to the back for journaling or an additional photo spot. The tag is the same paper but here I added to the back some packaging that I had leftover paint on. Perfect for recycling. It is slick paper but it worked perfectly for the back of a tag. =)

 Once again, as you saw on a previous page, I added the to-do shopping list page to a tag card. These tags and pockets are from Close to My Heart, but I revamped them for this page. I distressed, painted and roughed them up a bit...

 As you can see they don't look like new tags right from the package. I recycled scraps of paper that I had laid my brushes on or even purposely put my distress tools and inks on the tags to mess them up. I painted the tag holders with paint. I sprayed them with Marshmallow Glimmer Mist, which I used here and there throughout the book.

 Here is a glimpse of the other side of the tags. The pink tag is paper from a shopping bag scrap...

which I am going to tell you about at the end...

I made a pocket under the tag pocket to hold an additional tag

which is also serves as the page marker.

More tags and a look at the distressing... 

I added two of the original twine that came with the tags to the bottom left tag casing to create a tied closer. I adhered each end to the back to make it longer and able to tie. I cut a piece of the scrapbook paper which the flower on the left is from, to make the topper for the right bottom tag holder. See, there is no end to what you can do with recycling...reusing...recreating...even down to shopping bags...

Look at the photograph above. Have you noticed that the page on the right is larger than the page on the left? The original page in the book was torn badly. I couldn't fix it. So, I found this shopping bag in my art journaling folder. I cut it to fit over the page and slide it on. I sealed it shut with my ATG gun. If you look closely at the other photos, you can see the edge of the shopping bag. Don't you love it?!

I feel like that bag some days, don't you?! I am recycled, reused, recreated into something new and amazing because of my faith and hope. I never thought I could be and thought I was really happy the way I was. I discovered I really didn't know what being happy was, until now. My life is forever changed. I will always find happiness and be positive in whatever life brings, but today, I know what and where my true love and happiness comes from. Pretty rockin' awesome.

Hugs, Rita

Sunday's Art Journaling...Tickets to Life and His Love Pages

While flipping through this children's book to use in art journaling, I fell in love with this grasshopper! I had to use him. He looked reflective so when I found this word clipping, I had to use it. He or better for me, She looks as if she is reflecting on the tickets of life which I have defined on these art journaling pages.

 After covering both pages with clear gesso, I used water color crayons to bring out the illustrations on the pages out even more than the original illustrator had done. Also, I used several recyled elements like the red tickets which I had brought home from an event I had attended, a door prize drawing or something, and dropped them in my art journaling folder. Then I used my straps I had punched previously across the top of the tickets as a decorative element. The paper with the crowns is one of my favorite scraps...it just fit. I used chip board letters for the "to" and magazine clippings for one title and a sticker for another.

This page, I didn't do a lot to. I felt the hymn as well as the rub-on defined it all. My one true love is my faith. I couldn't live a day without it. I find strength, promise, empowerment, love and complete peace in Him. I have walked this long journey of getting healthy with His help. I have worked hard, but without his inner courage and praying that my husband and family would someday have open hearts and minds to walk with me, we wouldn't be here today.

I began on January 1st, 2011. My husband was supportive of me doing this. He wouldn't discuss himself until August 2012. Then I broke down in front of him, crying, that he was going to die, unhealthy, behind a desk one day at work, leaving me to raise Garrett alone. I didn't want to lose my bestfriend that way. I was broken, I teared up every time I looked at him. I signed up for NoBoundaries, a couch to 5k in ten week program. He called them begging to get it after they closed the sign-up. Since that day he is an avid runner also, losing almost 70lbs and going from a size 46 waist to a 36 today. Then it was our home, our pantry, our fridge, our freezer. Weight Watchers taught me to move us to a better life and way of shopping, cooking and living. Now, our home and everyone in it has moved to healthy living choices. We are united. Garrett has started the running program too! Life is amazing. My first love has spread, my prayers are heard. Love is healthy, love is strong. Love is a dance, one step, one movement at a time.

Hugs, Rita

Sunday's Art Journaling...Yes, We Can Have it All

 There is one thing, I never ever want someone to tell me...that I can't have it all! When I started Weight Watchers, I was told by their ads with Jennifer Hudson, that I could have it all. I was also told by the leader when I joined Weight Watchers that I could have it all. Guess what! I hit Lifetime just over a week ago, which means, I met my weight loss and healthy living goal of what I want my body weight to be for the rest of my life and they are right!!! I can indeed HAVE IT ALL! That is what Healthy Living is to me...

 On this art journaling page, I want to share one aspect for sure, but first, I want you to notice that I used not only various clippings of things I can't have enough of, like chocolate, but also, some of my favorite papers. I love the sewing pattern scrapbook paper that you can see in the back ground here. The "grateful 4" sticker was perfect to use on this pocket, which by the way is a covered subtraction card. That's right! Recycling-Reusing-Recreating...which you are about to see with the card inside that pocket. I also took words that were on a piece of printed cardstock and cut them up, making them into tags. I covered the backs with more paper for additional space for journaling and stuck them inside the pocket. Btw, the pocket is adhered with my ATG gun on two sides, the bottom and the right side.

 I found this to-do shopping list on the fridge at the cabin. I took a sheet and clipped it down to the blank space on the page and to fit inside the tag base. The original tag was made by Close to My Heart.

 I traced the back of the to the paper. Then cut it out inside the lines so that it would be a bit smaller than the card itself. I wanted a bit of the background to show around the paper.

I distressed the edges with inks.

The page was then adhered to the card with ATG tape.

I punched holes in the front of the tag holder and wrapped the original twine through the holes and tied it. I also, used my favorite punch to make a tab and place at the top of the card for embellishment.

I have additional space to write things that I am "grateful 4" as well as add a photo to the back if I wish. The card fits perfectly into the pocket. I really enjoyed creating these pages and adding not only pieces of smash book and art journaling but bringing some scrapbooking magic to the creativity too. How much fun I am having is just wrong!!!

Hugs, Rita

Sunday's Art Journaling...Passion

 If you know me well, then you would think seeing the title of this blog post that I was going to say something about...sex, but nope, not this time lol...which I could, but I won't. LOL, This art journaling page within this forever ending blog running review...whew wee...is about what I find passionate about getting healthy...

Things that I have found I can do since going from 450 lbs to 175 lbs, jeans for example. I never wore jeans with a zipper. Now, even though I might could wear a size 10, I wear a size 12 jean that I love! They are bell bottom, not sure if that is the correct spelling or description for today's style or a style ever in history, but...it is for me today since I am the one writing this blog post lol.

Then there is this exercise I have never been able to do and I have been trying to do it since June 2008. My dad was in rehabilitation after his leg was removed due to cancer. I asked the physical therapist, half joking, half serious, what exercise to do for the flabby under arms. The arm push ups off a chair from a sitting position is a great way to work on this...((gulp)) problem area. Now, you add 450 lbs of weight on your shoulders and see if you can do that exercise. Nope, Not Happening. I had to lose down to under 200 lbs to do it. Now, I can!!! I have a passion about this exercise. Now, mind you, I won't lose all the skin from weighing that much, but that's totally ok. I will proudly carry it around knowing I am healthy.

Then there is the bikini winy! Madison and I have passed the display of them at Target each week we go on Tuesdays. I tease her that we so need one of each of us for the summer. She turns a pretty pink and says, "No!" Well, I may never wear one, may being NEVER, but the thing is, I can if I want to! I have a passion for being healthy and staying that way regardless if I ever wear a small swim suit, I have not one size 10-12 swim suit for the summer but three.

Now for techniques on these pages...I took the "S" and moved it to a tag to hang off the edge of the page. The subtitle for the page, a page clipping, I secured to the inside of the larger letter. Also, I covered the pages with clear gesso so that I could use the illustration on the page. I brought more of the colors out of the book illustration by using water color crayons. I used an Bic ink pen to highlight around the photo clippings of the exercise. Using paint and distress inks are perfect to complete a page and highlight areas that you want to really pop. I love using black to go around the outer edge of the pages. I bring in brown or complementary inks to distress the edges as well.

I hope you are enjoying this special presentation of this project, both the techniques and the reasons for making it. There are times art journaling or smash books are created for themes and then other times they are made for no reason at all. I might try a technique in a book with no purpose whatsoever only to later go over it, using it as an element in a a themed purpose. Creativity doesn't always have to be explained, it just has to be done. There is so much expressive opportunities available to you when you do. What will you create?

Hugs, Rita

Sunday's Art Journaling...Live Life in Shape...

 This art journaling project turned into something much deeper than I imagined. I thought slapping some clippings and ink on the pages would solve some of my emotions and stash problems. However, I found myself reflecting and reminding myself why I have come so far in my quest to change my life for the better.

On these two pages, I used many of the techniques that I have talked about over the past several days. I used more gesso and paints on them than the other pages. I added some truths in the bottom left corner that I gained from a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers when one week I couldn't come up with my own goal for that week. I leaned over and asked this woman, "What has kept you a success?" She replied with those words. I have repeated them to myself over and over. KISS comes to my mind with art journaling, life, and getting healthy, Keep It Simple Sweetie. That is the best advice when art journaling or making a smash book. Don't make it hard or complicated. Just do it. Just get started. That is the best way to do anything.

Hugs, Rita

Sunday's Art Journaling...Moment Reminisce

 Don't you love it! How the elements within the other pages of this art journal project is popping out the edges...I just get inspired by looking at it! Not saying that prideful or boastful, just knowing where I have come from to where I am today is humbling. That is what this page is about. Homes. Where we have come from physically to where we are today reflects my soul and spirit, where I have been as an artist to where I am today. Continually learning, continually growing, continually moving. Not to a bigger better dwelling, but one of better health, better shape, better mind, spirit and full of amazing soul.

 I found a shopping list that apparently was given away at a pet store because their advertisement was all over it and the first thing listed on the shopping list was pet food. lol. So, I clipped the page down to just the blank shopping list, then listed all the addresses we have physically lived. I distressed it by rolling it up, even stepped on it, then rubbed it with different inks. It was funny trying to remember our different addresses over 32 years. We weren't sure we got them correct either. Also, I added stickers and spackle over the edges of the sticker and onto the page. I love the texture it creates on the surface of the page.

 I wrote yesterday about this tag and how I made it. 

Recycle-Reuse-Recreate...loving it...

Behind this embellishment, I can add a photo or journaling spot...

Perfect...

Home is where the heart is, wherever that home might be physically, spiritually or emotionally. At this moment, I am trying to decide where to physically place my studio. We added studio space to our home, but then storms have derailed our building, remodeling project, which we are doing ourselves as we have the money. At our age, we don't want to borrow money to do the work and put me in the position of looking for work when I already am caregiver of three people. So, all my art is here and there, while we use the studio space for a dining, living area until we can rebuild the portion of the house we had to tear down. Whew wee...that was a mouth full. So...I have been thinking about this... There are possibilities. Temporary anyway. I have hope, dreams, knowing that they will come true with patience and time. What about you? What do you have hope in coming true?

Hugs, Rita

Sunday's Art Journaling...Tag Ideas

 In this Sunday's Art Journaling project that I am featuring bits and pieces of, I used a couple of recycling ideas I wanted to share with you. I made two tags, one recycling elements and the other, like with this one, by reinventing an item. I took a tag sticker and made a stand alone tag with it.

 I placed the tag sticker to a piece of printed scrapbook paper scrap and cut along the edges of the tag shape.

 Then I removed the butterfly shaped bling from the packaging and cut it in half. I didn't throw away the unused portion because I have plans for it. Then I stuck half the butterfly completely on the tag. You will see this tag within the book later.

 For the second tag, I used the packaging from the butterfly shaped bling and adhered it to scrapbook paper using my ATG gun.

 I added more patterned scrapbook paper to the other side of the packaging, creating a completely covered tag. I ink distressed the tag.

 With the leftover bling, I adhered the tip edge of the plastic packaging it was stuck on to the tag with my ATG gun leaving the outer portion open should I want to place a photo or journaling spot on the tag. I then adhered a button with Glossy Accents on top of the bling.

 The tab for the tag is another way of recycling my scraps. I love this punch and use it often on my scraps to use them on my writing journals, art journals, smash books, files, scrapbooking, photo spots, jouranling spots...there are so many possibilities. I have seen on Pinterest where they have made apples from this punch for cards and even animal characters. So creative. The punch is from Stampin' Up.

Tags. Such a great creative usage for scraps and left over packaging. Tags. They are more property within a project to add photos, journaling or...bling. =) Tags are fun to make, easy and you can add as much creativity as you want to them. Wait to you see the others I made for this book...I even recycled something else I found at the cabin...

Hugs, Rita