Keto Low Carb Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Guys, these are SO GOOD! These really have a great taste and remind me so much of the original Reese's peanut butter cups. When you first start the KETO diet I think its best to stay away from treats, keto or not, all together. Once I got adapted to Keto eating I slowly started introducing baked "keto treats". And let me tell you...there are so many delicious recipes out there that you can make/adapt and find what works for you. Recipe for these delicious Chocolate Peanut butter cups down below..

For these chocolate peanut butter cups I used a silicone mini cupcake mold for these, and I feel like they were the perfect size!  

These would be a great keto treat to bring to a Christmas party to share (or not share, haha) That way you're not tempted so much by all of the non-keto treats laying around. I've found this works for most occasions and keeps me from snacking on the cheat treats!

Recipe adapteed from wholseomeyumblog 

(who has many more amazing recipes, so be sure to check her out!)

Ingredients:
Chocolate Layers:

• 10 oz Sugar-free dark chocolate(divided; ) I used dark chocolate Lily's Chocolate Chips
• 5 tbsp Coconut oil (divided)
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract 

Peanut Butter Layer:

• 3 1/2 tbsp Peanut butter (creamy) I used Reese's Creamy peanut butter (surprisingly low carb)
• 2 tsp Coconut oil
• 4 tsp Powdered monk fruit sweetner (to taste)
• 1 1/2 tsp Almond Flour (or peanut flour if you have it!)
• 1/8 tsp Vanilla extract 
• 1 pinch Sea salt (optional, to taste)

Directions:

1. Line a muffin tin with parchment paper or use a silicone muffin/mini muffin tin
2. For the bottom chocolate layer, heat half of the chocolate (5 oz) and half of the coconut oil (2 1/2 tbsp) in the microwave in 20 sec intervals until melted. Stir in half of the vanilla (1/4 tsp).
3. Fill the bottom of the parchment cups evenly with chocolate (about 2 tsp  in each). Freeze for 10 minutes, until at least the top is firm.
4. Meanwhile, for the peanut butter layer, heat the peanut butter and coconut oil in a microwave (same method as step 2). Stir in the powdered sweetener, almond flour or peanut flour, vanilla, and sea salt (if using), until smooth. Adjust sweetener and salt to taste if desired.
5. Spoon a teaspoon of the peanut butter mixture onto the center of each cup over the chocolate layer. It will spread a little into a circle, but not quite reach the edges, which is what you want. Freeze for another 10 minutes, until at least the top is firm.
6. Meanwhile, make the top chocolate layer. Heat the remaining chocolate (5 oz) and remaining coconut oil (2 1/2 tbsp) in a microwave (same method as step 2). Stir in the remaining vanilla (1/4 tsp)
7. Pour the chocolate into the cups, over the peanut butter layer (about 2 tsp in each). The chocolate will fill the empty space on the sides of the peanut butter circles and also cover the top.
8. Return to the freezer for at least 20-30 minutes, until completely firm. Store in the refrigerator.

Recipe adapted from Wholesomeyum blog so be sure to check out WHOLESOMEYUM BLOG for more nutritional information, details, tips, and tricks on this recipe!!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy!!!

-Kayla

Low Carb Keto Everything Bagels

If you're eating low carb, chances are at some point, you'll be craving some bread! This recipe for keto friendly everything bagels will definitely hit the spot. This is a slight spin on the traditional fathead dough recipe with some added tips and tricks to ensure your bagels turn out JUST RIGHT!

Look at that great texture! Something I love about these bagels is how bread-like the texture is. When eating them, I don't think you could guess the ingredients. The texture is great and the taste is even better.

 RECIPE:

*Tips*

-When making these you can divide them up into as many bagels as you'd like (more bagels means less net carbs per serving!) If you make a batch of 7 - the net carbs per bagel is 4.5

-The Everything seasoning is at Trader Joes but I have recently seen a larger and less expensive version sold at Costco!

-Using a silicone baking sheet is super helpful at making sure your bagels evenly cook and don't get too browned on the bottoms. *Plus these silicone mats are awesome for all types of baking!*

-Make sure you let the bagel tops turn completely golden brown on tops before you take them out of the oven to ensure they do not deflate/flatten once you take them out.

These bagels are perfect for SO many meals, from breakfast to dinner, they're so versatile. 

Examples:

BREAKFAST:

Everything Bagel with cream cheese, bacon, and avocado

LUNCH:
Pizza everything bagel (load the bagel with you favorite low carb marinara sauce and pizza toppings.
Dinner:
Pork Roast sandwiches on your everything bagel

These may be 4.5 carbs a piece but if you load them with zero carb/low carb toppings they're extremely filling, making for an overall low-carb meal!

ENJOY! :)

-Kayla

Slow Cooker Crispy Pork Tacos

Tacos...need I say more? Delicious crispy pork tacos were on the menu for last night! I had a boneless pork roast, and knew pulled pork tacos are always a hit. I find cooking almost anything in the crock pot to be easier and less work on my end. This recipe is no exception! Keep reading for the recipes of these delicious crispy pork tacos! I adapted this recipe from the lovely blog GimmeSomeOven !

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (4-5 pound) lean boneless pork roast, cut into 3 inch pieces
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 medium white onion, diced OR onion powder 
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 tablespoon chipotle powder (or 1 chipotle in adobo sauce, minced)
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Add all ingredients to a large slow cooker, and combine. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the pork is completely tender and shreds easily with a fork.
2. Once the pork is cooked, preheat your broiler to high heat and prepare two baking sheets with aluminum foil. Use a fork to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, and then use a slotted spoon to transfer it to the prepared baking sheets, spreading the pork in an even layer and leaving the juices behind in the slow cooker.  (Don’t discard the juices, we’re going to use them later!)
3. Place one sheet under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the edges of the pork begin browning and crisping up. Remove the sheet from the oven, then ladle a scoop of the of the juices from the slow cooker evenly over the pork, and then give it a good toss with some tongs.  Broil for an additional 5 minutes to get the meat more crispy. Then remove and ladle an additional scoop of broth over the crispy pork. 
4. Repeat with the other baking sheet of pork.
5. NOW to assemble! I assembled these by spreading sour cream on a small tortilla and wrapping in around a cripsy ranch flavored taco. Topping it with cheese, lettuce, chopped onion, and fresh cilantro! YUM!!

I hope you enjoy! :)

-Kayla

DIY At Home Preschool Learning and Activity Center

     Our kids are about that age to start preschool, but we've decided to just do as much as we can at home, instead of sending them to a preschool. They have quite a bit of interaction with other children and I'm not worried about their social skills at this point. Since we moved into our new house we have enough space to set up a learning area for the kids. I had this idea in my head of what I wanted it to look like and I think its coming along pretty well.

    I wanted to start off with the 2x4 Ikea Kallax unit and put it standing up. Next I wanted to get the Linnmon table attachment with legs to make a table space for the learning books and activities. Here is a breakdown of what I used:

--Ikea Kallax 2x4 System $64 (I found ours on the OfferUp app for $50)

--Linnmon Table Top $8.99 (they have several different table options, I went with the cheapest)

--Leg x2 $4 Each

--Linnmon Connecting Hardware $10

This completes the set up of the table and storage area for the learning and activity center. You can also buy the complete set HERE. However, if you can find any of the pieces on a second hand app, like OfferUp for cheaper, do it!

     Now  you can use any and all educational and learning materials and activities, and set them up on your shelf unit. They have a lot of different basket options if you want them all to be put away and stored. or you can lay them all out on the shelves, not in baskets. I went for laying them just on the shelves with no baskets. At least for now. Hah. I figure the kids will be more apt to sit up there and use the items if they don't have to get help to pull out the baskets and dig in the baskets to find things. Here is how ours has turned out so far...

Abacus found HERE

Fraction and shape learning blocks found at Goodwill

Counting Color Connecting Blocks found HERE

     The top four cubes are set up with materials for my two oldest kids, ages 4 and 2. The bottom for are filled with fun little activities for my youngest (1 year old) to play with while her brother and sister are working on their activities. These two chairs I found at goodwill brand new in box for around $40 bucks! You can find them brand new HERE from Target.

     Top two cubes are filled with educational books. Right side had the "My letter "A" book" going through the whole alphabet. I found all pictured here at Goodwill at a great price. On the Left we have some interactive monkey reader books. On the ends of the top two shelves I used the little storage containers from IKEA to put all our different flashcards and to organize them. 

Colors & Shapes, Picture/Word Matchng Activity, and Numbers & Counting Flashcards

 Spelling Activity, Alphabet Flashcards, and Sight word Flashcards

On the next two Shelves I have different puzzle sets. On the right I have other puzzles like, alphabet, rhyming, counting, and spell and learn activities. I found all of these at Ross Department stores for about $4 each. 

     On the lower four cubes I have things for my littlest to play with while her siblings are doing their activities.

We have only had it set up for a couple of days now, but the kids love it and have been constantly finding something to read or an activity to work on at their new preschool center.

 

Even little Bethany is joining in on the fun! :)

This abacus is one of my favorite learning tools right now. I got it at IKEA for $10 and its awesome! All the kids love. Its great because you can gear it towards any age. 1-2 years old fine motor skills and starting color recognition. 2-3 years old color recognition and counting skills, 3-4 counting skills and beginning preschool math skills. Plus its pretty to look at it! :) Thank you for checking out our new preschool learning and activity center! I hope you enjoyed it and got some inspiration to start your own!

--Kayla

Linking up at:
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Simon's Camping Theme First Birthday Party

My little mister Simon turned one on May 21st! He is such an amazing little babe, he needs to stop growing so fast though! Bah. I decided to do a camping theme for his party, and I love how it turned out. Here are some pictures from the party, enjoy and be inspired. This party was a lot of work, but I actually had a lot of fun getting everything ready and putting it all together.

Here is the three layer cake I came up with. I made the little tent out of fabric and little wooden sticks using hot glue. I bought the little lamp at Hobby Lobby in the little dollhouse section. It is my favorite piece! Also on the cake are kit kat campfire logs with melted red and yellow candies for the flames. The campfire sitting logs are tootsie rolls, and sitting on those are two toothpicks with mini marshmallows.

 A few of the decorations set-up above the dessert and snack table

Snack/DesserTable

 Dirt and Worm Cups!

 S'more Bites

 "Matches" with pretzel sticks dipped in white chocolate and red sprinkles

 "Acorns" and "Sticks" Acorns made with mini vanilla waffers, melted chocolate bark, and peanut butter morsals.

 "Don't Feed the Bears" mix with variety teddy grahams, mini marshmallows, and peanut butter morsals.

 "Bear Poop" with whoppers

We also had a few water activities and small pool set up for the kids, as well as a little bounce house that was a huge hit! We had a lot of fun with family and friends. We are so thankful to everyone who showed up and was a part of the party! We had a blast eating food, playing yard games, and playing in the kiddie pool!