How I became a ~Gatekeeper to Democracy~

Earlier last week I read an article in the newspaper about the city's need for election judges. With only two weeks until voting day, they were still over 300 judges short. I thought about it a bit and decided I would put in an application. I didn't,however,think they would actually need me. Surely, the article would drum up enough interest,right? Wrong. The very next day, I received a phone call with my precinct assignment and training schedule.

I attended my training class last night,which honestly was boring as all get out. But I did learn a few things and I officially became a certified election judge.

The Minneapolis Election Judge Credo

As election judges we serve as the Gatekeepers of Democracy.

As the public's guardians of freedom within a democratic society, we are responsible for the integrity of the election process.

On behalf of the people of the city of Minneapolis we proudly conduct elections with accuracy, integrity and dignity.

We conduct ourselves and serve the voters in a manner that maintains public trust and confidence in honest and impartial elections.

My Week In Pictures for Wordless Wednesday

LCHF again and a Crustless Spinach Quiche recipe

Somehow I managed to convince myself to give LCHF (low-carb, high-fat) another try. If you don't know much about it, you can read up on the eating style at the Diet Doctor or Low Carbs High Fat.  Essentially, it's an eating style that focuses on getting your calories from approximately 5% carbohydrates, 25% protein, and 70% healthy fats. There's plenty of research and scientific info out there. If you can't find it on your own and your interested, let me know and I'll show you some great resources.

Anyway, all of the research I have done has shown me that for someone who has issues with insulin resistance and hormone regulation, like myself, a diet that is low in carbohydrates is the most effective method of not only losing weight but balancing hormonal levels and blood sugars.

Because of my history with eating disorders, the last time we attempted LCHF, I really triggered myself. I was hyper-analyzing ever single micronutrient and macronutrient of my diet. I've decided to give it another go for a few months, but this time I am only going to pay attention to my carb, fat, and protein intake and trust that my body will crave the appropriate foods to get all of my vitamins and nutrients in (on top of my normal daily multi-vitamin).

Trusting my body. Huh. That will be a new concept and something that will probably be really good for me.

I'm also not focusing on this being about weight loss. Because what I really want to do is get my hormones working in the way that will help us to get pregnant when we start trying in a few months. However, I will, most likely, lose weight.

World's Easiest Crustless Spinach Quiche 

5 eggs
1 ten ounce package frozen spinach,thawed
3 cups shredded cheese (any type you like best)
1 tbs butter

In a tea towel, drain your spinach as well as you possibly can. Squeeze the heck out of it and get the water out.

Saute the spinach in a pan with a tablespoon of butter. You can choose to season the spinach now. I generally just use sea salt and black pepper, but you could add some garlic or any other favorite spice, too. 

While the spinach is sauteing, in a large bowl, mix together the eggs and cheese. 

And then fold in the spinach.

Grease a 9 inch pie pan and pour your mixture into the pan.

Bake that at 300 degrees for 30 minutes or until the eggs are set. 

Done! Enjoy! I told you! Easiest Quiche in the world! 

A weekend recap and Never Made A Playlist pt 2

It was all domestic, all the time this weekend at Casa Amelia. It's been awhile since we had a weekend where we didn't have a million things that had to be done. So, it was incredibly nice to just....be. The culmination of our excitement was a run to Costco to prepare our refrigerator for us to go back to low-carb/high-fat and a coffee shop job interview for me. Oh, and brunch with two of our greatest friends on Sunday morning.  It was pretty glorious, honestly. 

To follow up on last weeks, Never Made A Playlist, I give you the next five selections from the only one that I have ever made.

And they're behind the break!