Top Ten Tuesday: Bucket List

I have been very fortunate and blessed to be able to do some really cool stuff in my short life thus far. As many of you read in my blog I wrote about my last 10 years with my husband, I have already fulfilled many things that were on my bucket list, such as skydiving, swimming with dolphins, a cruise, running a marathon, getting a degree, etc. Today I am going to list my top ten bucket list items as of today that I have not fulfilled yet.

Top Ten Bucket List Items

10. Be published. I love writing and want nothing more to be published one day. 

9. Visit every state in the U.S. I love this country and I love the diversity of each section of the United States. I want to experience every corner of this land and taste the food that they are known for, hear the different accents and dialects, and see God's beauty that each states has to offer. 

8. European Tour. I want to see it all. England, France, Greece, Austria, Germany, ITALY! Bring it on!

7. Do a triathlon. I do not see myself completing this until my kids are older due to the training it requires, but I would love the satisfaction of completing one. 

6. White water rafting. This just looks fun. 

5. Ride in a hot air balloon. I am completely fascinated with the sky and the clouds and would love to be up there floating around. 

4. Backpacking. I haven't decided where, but it seems fascinating to me to just go. Just the clothes on my back and whatever you put in a backpack for these types of trips. Meeting locals, eating local food, it seems freeing.

3. Ride a mechanical bull. Seems elementary compared to some, but still something I want to do that I have yet to do. I guess you can say I haven't "grabbed the bull by the horns" on this one. HA! Stop it!

2. Go paint-balling. Again, not a huge feat, but I've always wanted to go and have yet to complete this task. I love anything where I can pretend to shoot stuff. Well, I'd like to go hunting, too, so maybe I just like activities that involve shooting. 

1. Throw a grenade. I know it sounds weird, but this has actually been on my bucket list at number one since I was like 16 or 17 years old. I want to throw a grenade so bad! I don't just want to pull the pin and throw it. I want to straight up Rambo that thing! I want to bite the pin out and launch it and then duck for cover. Don't judge. 

There you have it! What is on your bucket list?

Top Ten Tuesday: Kitchen Utensils/Gadgets

Today's installment is my top ten favorite kitchen gadgets and utensils. I love these utensils and would be sad if I did not have them anymore.

Top Ten Favorite Kitchen Utensils and Gadgets

10. Crockpot. 

Nuff said, right? I love crockpots and crockpot cooking. I love the diversity in it and the ease of the whole process. A new crockpot is actually on my Christmas wish list, because all the buttons on mine have decided that they are separating from the crockpot. I don't know what conspired between them in the cabinet, but we are just chalking it up irreconcilable differences.

9. Apple Corer

I love apples, I do. What I do not like is actually eating one in the traditional way. I enjoy them in slices better. Call me weird, but the thought of just gnawing and chomping on an apple is enough to make me not want to eat them. So,  I love my apple corer! 

8. Rubber Spatulas

These are just amazing! My life changed when I got one as a gift so many years ago. They make scraping bowls so much easier!

7. My 9 x 13 pan. 

This could just be a gimme, but in all honesty, I believe the 9 x 13 is taken for granted and overlooked most of the time. There was a time in my life where I only had one 9 x 13 and it broke. That was awful! You don't know how much you use until it is gone. From that day forward I vowed I would never have just one 9 x 13! 

6. Pampered Chef Measuring Cups

This one might just be because I am spoiled with them, but I love, love, love these measuring cups. They are slanted so you don't have to get down to eye if you are pouring in the right amount. Perfect for the lazy cook! Genius!

5. That One Special Spatula

I have several spatulas. Some are big, some small, some slotted, some not. But I have one very special spatula. It has the perfect give in the handle, yet the perfect firmness, as well. It is my favorite for a plethora of uses. Every cook should have that one spatula that they are 100% comfortable with. That one spatula that makes you feel you could take on the world! That one spatula that gives you a glimpse of what Spongebob feels like as a fry cook!

4. Bella Rocket Blender

We had a typical blender for many years and it wasn't working well, so we decided it was time to get something else. We went with a Bella Rocket Blender. It is pretty amazing. We use it mostly for smoothies and protein shakes so it has worked wonders for what we primarily use a blender for. 

3. Jack LaLanne Juicer 

This was actually given to us by a friend and we have really put it to use. We definitely go through seasons of using it more and less, but would not think of ever getting rid of it. 

2. Pampered Chef Measure All Cup

This is like a plunger-type measuring cup. I really only use it for those greasy-type substances like peanut butter, butter, shortening. It really makes cleaning easy. I hate putting them into my measuring cups, because it was so gross to clean afterwards. This is a pretty cool gadget. 

1. KitchenAid

I was saving the best for last. This is my all-time favorite kitchen gadget! I use it ALL the time! It was the best kitchen-related gift I've ever received. I have several attachments that go along with it, such as ravioli maker, meat grinder, cheese grater, etc. It is the best! I would like a new one just for a different color, but the one I have works great and I've had it for like 9 years or more. 

There you have it! Now, let's get cookin'!

Top Ten Tuesday: Paleo Recipes

Upon request, I am posting my top ten Paleo recipes. These are in no particular order, just recipes that are tried and true in our household. Click on the titles to go to the recipe.

Top Ten Favorite Paleo Recipes

10. Bacon wrapped butternut squash bites. 

These are a huge hit with kids and adults alike! They do not taste healthy at all. They are a real treat. *Be sure to use nitrate-free bacon.*

9. Chocolate-Covered Bananas

I do not have a link for this since I found it on Pinterest and the link is dead for that. 

Basically, you just slice the bananas, put almond butter between them, freeze for an hour or so, then dip in melted dark chocolate, refrigerate until set. These are quite addicting!

8. Paleo Biscuit

Now these biscuits are not going to be your buttery, fluffy, southern buttermilk biscuits. However, for people who are cutting out grain and dairy these are the best we have tried. Cut them in half and throw an egg and some bacon on there and it is quite delicious. 

7. Cilantro Lime Shrimp

This is one of my favorites! Probably because I love cilantro so much! Pair this with a cilantro lime cauliflower rice and that's a meal!

6. Coconut-Lemon Meltaways

This is a nice little sweet treat. I am not really a fan of coconut flakes, but this recipe is really good. 

5. Apple Coconut Waffles

These were one of the first Paleo recipes I ever tried. It is really good and the kids loved it, too!

4. Ground Chicken Italiano

This is just a good quick weeknight dinner. 

3. Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets

Yummy! Who doesn't love Chick-fil-A?! Well, if you're living the Paleo lifestyle, you might be missing it, so here is a great knock-off recipe. Don't let the pickle juice scare you, it is the star of this dish!

2. Paleo Ranch

I couldn't live without ranch dressing, so we had to think of something quick! This is a great recipe. Takes effort, but worth it for those hardcore Paleo fans. 

1. Sweet Potato, Sausage, Spinach Skillet Hash

If you eat sweet potatoes on Paleo, this is a wonderful recipe. It cooks up quick and is very filling. 

There you have it! Ten great Paleo recipes ranging from breakfast to dinner and even dessert! A few things to remember if you feel like you're in a rut is that there are many variations of the same food to mix up the variety. Find a few good Paleo-friendly marinades or rubs so your chicken doesn't get boring. Crustless quiches or frittatas are very Paleo friendly and can be changed up with endless variety. Also, of you are missing your carbs, look into cauliflower rice. I have found great recipes for "fried rice" and "Mexican rice." Get on Google and search out like crazy for things your family will like. 

If you'd like to see a particular "Top Ten" let me know!