Happy Friday everyone!
Today I am moving furniture around so that we can move the treadmill desk into the office. I am also hoping maybe hubby will have some time in the next couple of weeks to finish the desk, so I can share pictures and the process we’re using. *fingers crossed*
I also have a dilemma for you to hopefully help me solve because I always tell everyone that my friends and readers (though you’re both) are the most innovative, imaginative and most fun people on the planet (I never exaggerate).
I have a yogurt maker that I sold on Craigslist, but I have a bunch of the extra BPA-free cups I bought with it on amazon.com when I first bought my Donvier.
Aside from the fact that they look like urine sample cups (admit it–they do), the little lidded potential for yogurt bliss cost over $1 apiece, so it depresses me that I never used them (grand notions, though, on my part). I had plans at one time to make jars and jars and jars of fresh creamy yogurt to the point that I’d NEED 32 extra jars. Now I’m just trying to figure out what I can do with mine. I might as well keep them, use them, or give them away with gifts inside. Do you have any ideas? I’d love to hear them!
I mean, aside from filling them with lemonade and pulling urine pranks on people.
Now on to how I’ve been doing with our Mid-Year Challenge… Be sure to do your thing. I am thrilled share my progress and thoughts, but I’m not the person you should necessarily look to for dieting advice (I’m not a paid nosh-a-titian). Be sure to subscribe for updates by adding your email right (in the sidebar) or through Feedburner in the title bar up top. You can also click the tab up top that says Mid-Year Resolution for regular updates.
Friday, November 16
I ate this:
Breakfast: Nothing (read below)
Lunch: Salami slices + 1 Sea Salt and Vinegar Pringle (Yes, just one)
Dinner: Taco Star Super Nachos with shredded lettuce instead of chips
Late Night Snack: Toppings from one slice of pepperoni pizza
Exercise: I am cleaning and rearranging furniture. I want to move the treadmill desk into the office.
Notes: I’ve had a wee bit of a virus that means I can’t eat much this week, so my menus have, admittedly, looked a bit weirder than usual! My husband had it, and because he shares everything with me, he gave me this, too! The bonus? I’ve lost weight (there is always a silver lining, and I adore when it is slimming).
What I am thankful for:
At TOPS this week, we were told to journal about the things we’re thankful for.
Today I am thankful for all of my friends. Because of you, I’ve kept a site alive for five years, and believe me, I never would have done this on my own. Your comments and day-to-day conversations, whether here, or on Facebook, Pinterest, or emails, are a lot of what I do what I do. Anyone can own a website, but it takes the most amazing, dynamic community to make this a pleasure and never a chore.
The neat things that have come with owning a site (sponsorships, advertising, fun, free samples) aren’t as important as doing what I can to make sure you have the most amazing recipes available for yourselves and your families. I have always been an activist, poised on the edge of the room to hand out the napkins, and you consistently make me feel like I’m the prettiest girl in the room (even though my dress makes my butt look big).
So thank you.
Candles…. Modge podge and some cool tissue paper on the outside and tea lights inside. Or even just pouring wax inside and making candles. Both would be nice gifts and a nice size…. I will keep thinking though. Crafts are my “thing”. =)
Another idea… Sugar free (or not) spiced tea mix – instant tea, orange sf drink mix, lemonade and Splenda mixed together with cinnamon and cloves added. Make a big batch and then parcel it out in the jars as little gifts for holidays. … I can give you the exact recipe for the spiced tea if toy are interested. Let me know… =)
Michelle….I’d love to have the recipe. It sounds so yummy. We used to do something like that with making a hot chocolate mix and dividing it out into small mason jars with an attached directions label. Our ladies circle at church made it and sold them one year, as well.
I think those would make really cute gifts for Christmas filled with goodies ( homemade or bought) I saved some clear little cylinder cups from a beverage demo that I did last year and this year they are being recycled. I love doing paper crafting…..so I am going to make homemade truffles and put them in the cup, then embellish the container with Christmas paper. I don’t know if you are familiar with Stampin Up, but that is where I get a lot of inspiration. People make their own boxes, etc….I really like the homemade 3-D gifts. I make cute paper crafted gifts for all occasions. I am a demo for SU, so I get a chance to see other peoples ideas. Lots of fun. Hope you get to use those cute jars…..I can envision soooo many cute uses for you.
Debi…I LOVE Stampin’ Up. They have such cute stuff. I love their boxes. I love making cards and stuff…well, any kind of paper crafting. Your idea sounds great!! And, when you’re making gifts, I think it’s much more appreciated. Or at least I always feel more appreciative that someone took the time to make something special just for me. 🙂
Use containers as stocking stuffers filled with spiced roasted nuts!
Use them to measure and store a serving of nuts whilst traveling.
Keep them for home made spice blends. And larger amounts of bulk purchased spices.
Use one as a travel sewing kit! Tuck it inside your suitcase.
Use several as travel samples for travelling. airport regs still do not allow full sized containers of anything on planes!
Gee, Jamie, they are awfully cute! So, GP back to making yogurt and they will be used!
I am guessing they are small or large enough for all my above suggestions…you did not mention how many ounces they hold!
Then there is always the chance of reselling them!
Have fun making a decision!
Regards,
Glad
GP …Ooops is “go” iPads are notorious for changing words after ai type them!
And I do not catch the change!
Glad
Awwwwww…well, I’m thankful for YOU, and for all your recipes. You’ve made this journey SO much fun for me. And, helped me keep the person who LOVES to cook alive inside this body with trying all your recipes. 🙂 Thanks, Jamie!!!
Hmmm. I wonder if any of the low carb cake-in-a-mug things would work as gifts – y’know just layer the dry ingredients, add directions on a tag, add a pretty ribbon and call it a day.
Also along these lines, for people who like nuts, you could roast your own with whatever herbs / spices you like and package the nuts in the cups.
Or, moving away from the stomach, perhaps some little emergency kits to stash in the car or office – safety pins, chapstick, needle/thread, tyenol, tums, bandaids, hand sanitizer – whatever. I personally always have a packet of protein powder and some crystal light paks, so whatever works!
Usually around Christmas time I make what I call Maple Nuts to give as gifts and I think your yogurt cups would work well for something like that. I toast pecans and almonds (because they’re my favorites), then bring pure maple syrup to a boil and cook it to about soft ball stage (don’t know what temp on the thermometer, sorry), then pour it over the cooled toasted nuts and stir, stir, stir (gently) until the syrup crystallizes and there you have it. Yummy toasted nuts coated with a bit of maple sugar and I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like them (except for nut haters of course). I usually put them in a half pint canning jar and stick a bow on top.
they would make nice containers for some child if you put play dough in them. LOTS of play dough!!
Jamie, I have the same Donvier cups you do, but I don’t use them for yogurt. One thing I do is mix the dry ingredients for one minute muffins in them (single serving in each) and keep them in the frig. I have a supply of them for quick muffins. All I need to do is add the egg and butter. I also use them to keep a supply of coconut oil in my bathroom (for use on skin) and in my drawer at work (to be added to coffee). They are very handy to have around.
How about using the cups for lovely spiced pecans for Christmas presents?
You are so amazing Jamie. I love your enthusiasum, style of writing, and your wonderful recipes that keep me LCarbing every day. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much, Dita! I appreciate your taking the time to say such kind things.
Make some spicy almonds for holiday gifts.
You should sell them! On Ebay. I have 3 yogurt makers, make it every day, and I never can find any extra jars. they usually sell pretty well so you could do that and make some mad money. I would bid on them for sure. We love, love, love homemade yogurt.
That is a great idea!