Sweet Sundays | A food and needlepoint blog

Crowded restaurants, slow service and uncomfortable PDA from the tables on either side of me are not things I enjoy so I’ll do be dinner at home on the 14th. Well, since I’m flying home that afternoon from a weekend trip up north, my dinner will realistically end up being Chinese take out topped off with some version of chocolate for dessert. I’m still finalizing the menu but this cake is definitely on the short list.

I talk a lot about recipes my mother has passed down because that’s the food I enjoyed most during my formative years. It’s only natural then that the flavors my mother cooked for me me have shaped what I like and don’t like about food today.

My mother’s flourless chocolate cake was always a staple for my family. Easy to make, it’s a delectable treat for every occasion ranging from afternoon tea to fancy Valentine’s Day dinner. See what I did there, I made this delicious chocolate dessert from my childhood relevant for next week’s ‘holiday’. You’re welcome.

I can’t say enough good things about this fudgey cake. I like to cover mine with powdered sugar, because why not, but ice cream, fresh whipped cream and berries are also delicious additions. What are your favorite desserts from your childhood? Do you still make them today? Ingredients

• 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for pan
• 8 Ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 6 Large eggs, separated
• 1/2 Cup (100g) granulated sugar
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Recipe

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees with the rack in the center
• Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside
• Place butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring each time, until completely melted, about 2 minutes. Let cool slightly
• Whisk in egg yolks
• In a large bowl, beat egg whites on high until soft peaks form, about 8 minutes
• Gradually add granulated sugar, and continue beating until glossy stiff peaks form, about another 4 minutes.Whisk 1/4 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture; then gently fold in remaining egg whites
• Pour batter into the prepared pan, and smooth the top with a rubber spatula
• Bake until the cake pulls away from the sides of the pan and is set in the center, 45 to 50 minutes
• Cool completely on a wire rack; remove sides of pan
• Serve at room temperature, dusted with confectioners’ sugar

When it comes to festive baking, there are two trains of thought. One is all about festive flavors: eggnog, peppermint and gingerbread. The other, is all about the colors, baking and icing in shades of green and red. If like me you can’t decide between flavors or colors, rest assured because these cookies utilize both!   Last Saturday, I attended a cookie exchange party hosted by my friend Katie. Can you believe that this was my first one? I wasn’t sure what to expect but I knew enough about holiday gatherings to anticipate a lot of sugar cookies and gingerbread. Whatever I was going to make, it was going to have to stand out. I have a baking reputation to uphold so I couldn’t show up with just anything. I was definitely a little nervous showing up with my cookies (as I am anytime I bake something for an event – do other people get that too?) but these kiss cookies were a big hit so I didn’t have much to worry about   Peppermint is my go-to holiday flavor and since I had some candy cane kisses lying around I was inspired to go with the red and white theme! Side note: If you haven’t tried candy cane kisses, finish reading this post and then head straight to the nearest CVS to grab a bag of them. You’ll thank me later.   I always turn to red velvet around Valentine’s Day (because red, obviously) but they work just as well during the holidays as part of candy cane (ish) cookie! Add a little peppermint extract and voila, you’ve got a festive and delicious treat on your hands.   Some of you may be thinking at this point “Charlotte, you’ve been talking a big game about these kisses but we don’t even see them.” Fair point. Let me explain. Over the years, I’ve realized that eating cookies with kiss candies in them is an awkward experience. My solution? Adding the kisses to the cookies while the cookies are still very warm so I can melt them down and make them easier to eat! Genius right? If you want to leave the kisses intact, stick the cookies in the fridge for a few minutes after adding the candies to prevent melting.  

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups (187g) flour
• 1/4 cup (21g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon milk
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 dozen Hershey’s candy cane Kisses

Recipe (Adapted from a recipe by Sally’s Baking Addiction)

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars. Once lighter in color, mix in the egg, followed by the milk, the peppermint extract and the food coloring one at a time, mixing until combined. Turn mixer to low and gently mix in the dry ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips before covering dough and refrigerating for at least an hour.
• Once ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 and prepare two baking sheets with non-stick mats. Scoop balls about 1 tablespoon in size on each mat and bake one at a time for about 9 minutes. When not baking raw dough, return to the fridge.
• Once cookies come out of the oven, immediately place on kiss on each cookie, pressing down slightly to hold its place. Let cookies cool for about 15 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack. Repeat until all of the dough is used up.

Packing can be overwhelming. Whether a weekend getaway, a business trip, or a music festival, travel is a fantastic activity; however, packing might bring you down—a solo trajectory when packing makes work easier. Check out our men’s ultimate packing list that will make you pack like an expert traveler.

Packing Tips Every Traveler Should Know

Before dwelling on what you should pack on your next trip, several fundamental packing strategies will save you a lot of time and energy when packing. If you use these strategies correctly, you will avoid heavy bags and save many bucks on additional luggage. Check out the basic packing rules. #1. Don’t fold, roll. A tightly rolled cloth takes up less space than folded clothes. Travel experts will agree that folded clothes have deep wrinkles compare to rolling. Try this out. #2. Having a packing list. An adage says, failing to plan planning to fail, begin packing preparations days or weeks before you travel day. Buy men's bomber jacket green or travel backpacks or any other requirement in advance. Every day you will realize there is something you have not included. Some people who pack in a rush forget their expiry passports, which might cancel the entire trip on travel day. #3. Understand the airlines’ baggage policy. Baggage fee policy is key to budgetary packing. Most airlines restrict a lot of luggage by charge costly fees. If it is not a necessity, leave it. #4. Use the 3-1-1 rule. Transportation Security Administration’s TSA, 3-1-1 rule on luggage indicates clear the amount of foodstuff and liquids you are supposed to carry on board. Get familiar with the agency rules others; you risk being detained on the security line and confiscating your luggage. #5. Never check in your essentials. Carry things like electronics, jewelry, credit cards, or passport to the plane. Should anything happen to them in the luggage section, you will have no one to blame. Ensure that, should your luggage get lost, you can continue with your stay.

Men’s Travel Clothing Checklist

Shoes: Have at least two pairs of shoes in total. A pair of casual shoes for night outs and a pair of official shoes if on a business trip. Don’t forget flip-flops if you plan to spend in a hostel. Don’t mistake putting your hiking boot in the backpack for travel hikers instead of hung then on the backpack. It saves you space. Cardigan or a light jacket: A stylish men's bomber jacket green will work fine when landing on a cold destination. It’s a lightweight multipurpose jacket for either cold or moderate weather conditions. You can use many lightweights and warm travel jackets for your travel. Pants: Three or four pairs of pants would work well, depending on how long your plan to stay. Have loose travel clothes as well, especially when using a flight. Socks/ underwear: Bring enough of these to carry you through the time of your stay. Socks and underwear take less space and are lightweight; there is no harm in bringing enough. Several packs of socks will refresh your feet if on a business trip, for instance. Shirts: 2 shirts are perfect to go with, two shirts and 2 pairs of vests. This outfit will cater to your official and casual outings. Make sure to do laundry along the way if you have several destinations. It will save you carrying many clothes for all days travel. Dress shirt: White shirts will do perfectly; however, it will be fine if you inject another color. Look for shirts made of no-wrinkle fabrics to saving you a lot of ironing. Suit: If your travel is work-related, a pair of a suit is necessary. You might not wear the complete suit but mix the parts without outfits. Pants can go with dress shirts and night outs; you can pair the coat with jeans pants for a smart casual outfit. Basic requirements: You may not need all these, especially if you are traveling during summer, but they are fantastic to travel essentials. Have a portable umbrella, a scarf, gloves, rain pants, a hat, vest, and a pair of sunglasses. If you don’t need it, leave it. Accessories: Enhance your looks with the right accessories. Have a selection of belts, ties, cufflinks, and several pocket squares.

The weight loss journey is not an easy process. Especially due to the hectic modern life’s pace, individuals have turned to unconvinced weight loss programs or diet plans. Weight loss shakes for women for meal replacements, accompanied by exercise and diet, offer an effective, alternative solution to weight management and weight loss. The aids are based on the suitability of meal replacement shakes, their capacity to please hunger, and also giving nutrients that our body requirements every day. As soon as it comes to weight loss and dieting, many individuals choose to go for low fat, low protein, and high carb diet plan. But they did not know that protein is essentially the most substantial macronutrient. Protein shakes produce an ideal means to get further protein in our diet plan, whereby growth can assist suppress hunger and keep us fuller for a long time - meaning you consume fewer snacks. Not just this, but growing your protein consumption can act to upsurge your metabolism and also promote fat burning procedures when united with a decent training routine(soure: https://www.fitness-china.com/). We have got a variety of protein shakes that comprise higher levels of protein as well as several healthy elements - with a negligible fat, lactose, and carbohydrate content.

What to Look for in The Best Meal Replacement Shakes

 

You must aim to intake roughly 325 calories to 400 calories, 15 g protein to 25 g protein, 10 g fat to 13 g fat (healthy unsaturated), and 5 grams of fiber. Or else, you may feel starving way before the time of your subsequent meal. In case you decided to include meal replacement shakes in your diet for weight loss, then you should check the below elements in your meal replacement shake before buying it.

Ingredients of the Meal Replacement Shake:

Before you purchase a protein shake for weight loss, ensure you read the label of ingredients. Check for flavors, colors, and artificial sugars. Similarly, keep your eye open for unacquainted ingredients in it. Take a look at the total amount of protein and added sugar.

Dietary Restrictions:

While choosing the best meal replacement shakes for weight loss, you have to take into account any food sensitivities or dietary restrictions you might have. There are meal replacement shakes to put up most diets, together with gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and also vegan options, in addition, those that do not have artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors. In case you have any queries about including meal replacement shakes in your diet plan, talk to your registered dietitian or a doctor.

Taste:

You do not have to sacrifice flavor for nourishment just to acquire a few additional grams of protein in your diet plan. Several organic plant-based protein shakes for meal replacement come with natural sweeteners or are unflavored that do not leave any chemical taste afterward.

Top Weight Loss Shakes for Women

 

Protein powders or shakes have long appealed to individuals who wish to become stronger and build muscle. But do you know that protein shakes are also very effective for those people who wish to shed some extra weight? As a tasty and convenient way to upsurge your protein consumption for meal replacement, you can buy any of the following protein powders. These protein powders or meal replacement shakes offer several weight loss assistances — for example, appetite control. They have highly focused plant-based or dairy sources of proteins that may comprise added ingredients that will help you lose weight. Here are the top 4 best meal replacement shakes or best protein powders for women’s journey to weight loss.

Casein Protein Weight Loss Shakes For Women

 

Casein protein powder or meal replacement shake is also known as milk protein. Although you will have much slower digestion with this as compared to whey protein. But Casein shares several of its weight loss possessions. The Casein protein powder or shake forms curds as soon as exposed to our stomach acids. Thus, our body takes a long time generally from 6 to 7 hours to completely digest and also absorb it. Nevertheless, the slow breakdown rate of casein protein can aid you to consume less by lessening your appetite. It is similarly a good source of calcium. Consumption of this also helps to lower blood sugar levels along with losing weight.

Pea Protein Powder

 

Pea protein powder or meal replacement shake is a great-tasting meal replacement. We get this plant-based protein from yellow peas. It is hypoallergenic, which makes it appropriate for those who have food intolerances or allergies. Pea protein powder can help you losing weight by decreasing your appetite. Pea protein meal replacement shake contains all 9 essential amino acids. This makes the pea protein a complete source of protein. Nevertheless, pea protein’s composition of essential amino acids isn’t similar to dairy-based sources of protein since it is low in several essential amino acids. What is more, the pea protein powder or meal replacement shake is a decent alternative plant-based to dairy-based protein powders or shakes for weight loss. Additionally, only to casein protein, pea protein powder presented a strong result on lowering hunger, which helps participants to consume fewer calories in general. Pea protein does not taste similar to smashed peas, however, it has a plain taste that several people may hate.

Whey Protein Shake

 

Whey protein powder is perhaps the most prevalent protein powder or meal replacement shakes available in the market today. The Whey protein is among the 2 milk proteins — one is whey and the other one being casein protein. Because our body easily absorbs and digests whey protein, people often take it after a workout for muscle recovery and building. This product must contain at least 25 to 30 g protein per scoop and may help in both fat loss and muscle gain. These weight loss aids stem mostly from whey protein powder’s capability to reduce appetite, and this makes you feel filled throughout the day.

Egg White Protein

 

While key nutrients of the egg are mostly in its yolk, the egg white protein as its name suggests is made from only egg whites. In case you cannot tolerate or dislike milk protein shakes, an egg-white meal replacement shake is a decent alternative for you. We get such type of protein from processing dry chicken egg whites. Egg white protein shakes or products experience a procedure called pasteurization. Pasteurization stops Salmonella and also inactivates the protein named avidin, which combines with the vitamin B biotin and then delays its absorption. Although egg white protein does not have the ability to lower appetite as casein protein or whey protein can do. However, research still recommends it as this type of meal replacement shake can help you to eat fewer calories, helping your weight loss hard work. In case you are delicate to dairy goods, egg white protein meal replacement shakes are a sensible alternative for you. Remember that the egg white protein is not able to help in weight loss as much as casein protein shakes or whey protein shakes can do.

Conclusion

All things considered, meal replacement shakes for weight loss can be a powerful, and convenient, addition to one’s weight-loss diet plan. But to be effective, it is significant to research your choices and find out which one will suit you the most. These meal replacement shakes are high in protein, minerals, and vitamins, and also low in artificial sugars and flavorings to promote weight loss in you.

FAQ

 

Q. Is meal replacement shakes good for weight loss?

1. Along with protein that aids you feel filled, meal replacement shakes are frequently high in dietary fiber. This aids healthy digestion; thus, you do not have constipation or get bloated. Research has discovered that meal replacement shakes really help with the weight loss process and it is indeed good for weight loss.

Q. Which meal replacement shake is best for weight loss?

1. Several people intake protein powders or shakes to build muscle and become stronger, but they can similarly benefit their weight loss goals with it. Casein, egg proteins, whey, and also plant-based sources of protein such as pea and soy, all make outstanding options for people trying to lose some extra weight.

If you are planning to travel, or if you just love packing bags and going on a trip, then this list is for you. The packing list that we have compiled includes everything that you will need. We've put together a checklist of important things to pack when traveling overseas.   These items cover different weather conditions while also keeping your luggage weight to a minimum. Not only for your trip overseas but also useful when you travel within the country as well.   While packing, just remember it's not necessary to pack all of these items in one bag. You can distribute them among your luggage and keep the weight even. Some people like to dress light, with just enough clothes and toiletries for the trip. While others prefer to be prepared for any weather conditions and pack heavy, you can decide what is more important: Weight or Comfort/Safety?   You'll find these and many more items on our comprehensive checklist. We've organized everything into three distinct categories: Essentials and Outdoor Gear and Toiletries. At the same time, do not forget to purchase fashionable Apple watch 6 bands to secure your Apple watch wherever you go.

Essentials:

  Clothing - The first category includes clothing essentials for any trip. Keep in mind that you will be packing for different weather conditions and keep the weight in mind as well. There are also other items such as footwear, accessories, and outerwear.   1) Casual Clothing - These are the clothes that you would wear on any normal day at home or at work. You can pick whatever outfit makes you feel good but just remember that you won't be able to bring everything with you. You can choose your favorite t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers or shorts and sandals if it makes you feel comfortable. But only pack the things that will make you comfortable for your trip.   2) Travel Clothing - You want clothing that is comfortable enough but also lightweight so it doesn't add extra weight to your luggage. This usually depends on the destination but you always want to blend in when you travel. If it's summer, pick lightweight cotton and shorts because let's face it, they are easier than jeans and long-sleeved shirts. And if it's winter, consider bringing clothing that is warm enough but still made of lightweight materials.   3) A Couple Of Pairs Of Different Shoes - I'm a big fan of having one versatile pair of shoes that can be worn in all kinds of climates and conditions. For example, bring one pair of sandals that are closed-toe, sturdy enough to walk around the city but also waterproof if it rains. And then if you are traveling to a cold climate, bring one pair of durable sneakers. They are comfortable enough to walk in but also have thick soles so your feet stay warm.   4) Outerwear - Outerwear is really just another name for anything that you wear on top of your clothing. And it includes items such as jackets, sweaters, and coats. If you bring a coat, make sure it's breathable and not too bulky. You can even consider packing a pashmina or shawl because they are versatile and lightweight. And always remember to pack a raincoat if your destination is the rainy season!   5) Accessories - Hat, gloves, scarf, and sunglasses are the most essential accessories to pack when traveling. Then, add your favorite wristwatch if you want because it doesn't weigh much and can be useful during any trip.   6) Toiletries - It's crucial to have a well-stocked toiletry bag with all the essentials that you would need for any trip. That includes items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, sunscreen, bug repellent, and anything else that you need to have access to.

Outdoor Gear:

  Taking time off work or school is an excuse to go outside more often. And while it's great to travel abroad, the best adventures happen in your own city! So pack some outdoor gear before your trip if you are planning on exploring your local park, riverside, or mountains.   1) Lightweight Jacket - A waterproof jacket is the perfect outdoor gear to take with you when you travel. It's light enough for any destination and protects you from all kinds of weather conditions. You can pick whatever color makes sense for the trip, doesn't matter if it's black or navy.   2) Waterproof Shoes Or Boots - Waterproof shoes are the best option when you want something that is also lightweight and comfortable enough to walk in. I recommend boots because they provide great ankle support but again, choose whatever makes sense for your destination.   3) Hiking Boots - This is a must if you are planning to do any hiking activity. Hiking boots provide the best traction and ankle support when you take on any terrain and they aren't too heavy or bulky so you can just throw them in your bag and go.   4) Waterproof Bag - I recommend getting a waterproof backpack because backpacks provide easy access to everything inside. And you can easily store all your outdoor gear since it's just another bag that you are bringing with you! Of course, don't forget to pack all the essentials such as sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen lotion before heading out for a day of adventuring.   5) Small Tent - This is not so necessary unless if you plan on doing some overnight camping. But if you are, then this is a great item to bring because it's compact and lightweight!  

Conclusion:

  To have a fresh and flawless look, bring these beauty essentials so that you will be looking fabulous while traveling! And remember to pack a few items in a clear bag if you need them for your trip. Remember, this list is perfect for almost any type of travel so don't hesitate to use it no matter where you're going next because it's bound to come in handy.

Time to talk about stretch bars. And no, this isn’t some strange workout fad I’m trying to get y’all into for 2018. I’m talking about the contraptions that we use to hold our needlepoint projects in place!

What are stretch bars? Stretch bars are literally bars, usually made of wood or plastic, that hold your needlepoint canvas in place while you’re stitching. Sounds useful right? It is! I have a few sizes of wooden stretch bars that many of my canvases fit on to. I can break them down and store them when I’m not using them.

Do I really need to use them? Yes….and no. Honestly it’s going to depend on the type of project you are doing. For example, I stitch belts on a fairly regular basis. Just last month I wrapped up this shark-eating-a-fish belt for my middle brother. Thin projects like belts don’t need stretch bars because if they do get pulled out of shape, they’ll be added to leather and fixed at that point. When working a larger canvas however, having stretch bars to hold it in place can be so helpful to prevent the project from getting stretched out. Not sure you need them? Think about the needlepoint bag I made for my mom. It was a square canvas that once stitched, was supposed to fit perfectly on the pocket of a canvas bag. I forgot to use stretch bars so the canvas wasn’t a rectangle at all by the end. It could have been worse but I will always know when I look at it that it is slightly diagonal. And now I suppose so will all of you.

How do I use stretch bars? Alright, so I’ve convinced you that you need stretch bars. Now what? Find a size that works for your canvas! If you’re going to sketch designs, I would recommend doing it before putting the canvas on bars. I often use mugs for example, to outline Christmas ornaments. I do this on a flat surface before adding the canvas to stretch bars.

When you’re ready to mount the canvas, connect the four corners of the stretch bars. Many are made in such a way so that they easily fit securely together. Align the canvas on the bars and use metal tacks to secure it. Don’t do one side at a time. To ensure that it stays even on the bars, start with the four corners and then do one tack per side, making your way around until you feel like your canvas is secure. When you’re done with your canvas, all you need to do is remove the tacks, put away the stretch bars and get your project finished!