Rexburg Nature Park

Hooray for warm(ish) weather!  We took this opportunity to go for a walk around the nature park ..and, you know... to take a million pictures of a duck.

I like the reflections in this picture.

 I wanted to kick this top duck, but Jeremy said they were just... showing some ducky lovin'... I don't know if I agree with the duck's way of life...pinning someone down and pecking their head apart doesn't seem too lovey to me...

Courtney liked this duck because it looks like she has 'two ballerina buns in her hair'.

Buh-bye Ducks, we'll see you again once Rexburg decides to warm back up!

The Lovely Elk of Hamer

 I've been helping Jeremy (helping as in sticking my kids in a walk-in-closet lined with fuzzy blankets, treats, drinks, and movies while I 'get this' and 'get that' and 'paint this' and 'move that' for Jeremy) in a house out in Hamer the last couple weeks.  Hamer is pretty much out in the middle of nowhere, and is kind of a boring drive.  But one of the times on the way home, Jeremy spotted some elk... which meant immediately pulling over, getting out the binoculars, and taking pictures (he was pretty darn excited!).  I've got to admit, it was kind of neat, plus I got to play with my camera, so we were both happy :)

Low-Calorie Protein Shakes

(** I found this on http:www.myfitnesspal.com where somebody had posted it after they found it somewhere else. I take no credit!)

If you use the scoop of protein powder, the base will contain 37 grams of protein.
If not, it'll contain 13 grams of protein. These are great to have right after a workout, or when not using the protein scoop, they're great for breakfast!

Blend up your base, and then choose your add-ins to make your shake.


Base Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese
1 Scoop Protein Powder
5-10 ice cubes
1/2 Cup- 1 Cup water
*Optional* 1-3 Packets of Splenda/ Stevia/Low Calorie Sweetener
*Optional* 1/2 tsp Xanthax gum (you can get this from most grocery stores in the gluten free section! Just a pinch of it makes your shake sooo thick and creamy!)

Then choose from these! :D

PeanutButter Butterscotch Shake (These ingredients added to base)
2 Tbs Sugar Free Butterscotch Pudding Mix (Jello Brand)
2 Tbs Peanut Flour OR 1 Tbs Regular Peanut Butter
Optional: A few drops Maple Extract
Calories: 310 ( add 40 if using regular peanut butter)


Thin Mint Shake (These ingredients added to base)
2 Tbs Cocoa Powder
2-3 Drops of Mint Extract (Be Careful to Only Add A Few Drops… This Stuff Is Strong!) Optional: 1 Tbs Lite Hershey’s SyrupServings
Calories: 250


Superman Ice Cream Shake (These ingredients added to base)
2-3 Tbs Sugar free/Fat free Pistachio Pudding Mix (Jello Brand)
Optional: 2 Tbs Cool Whip Lite
Calories: 250

Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake (These ingredients added to base)
2 Tbs Cocoa Powder
2 Tbs Peanut Flour Or 1 Tbs Regular Peanut Butter
Calories: 260 (add 40 calories if using regular peanut butter)

Strawberry Banana Shake (These ingredients added to base)
1/2 Cup Frozen Strawberries
1/2 Banana
Optional: 2 Tbs Cool Whip Lite
Calories: 280

Lemon Cream Pie (These ingredients added to base)
2-3 Tbs Sugar Free Lemon Pudding Mix
Optional: 1 Graham Cracker (or Honey Teddy Grahams) on Top of Shake (You could add this straight to the blender~ it blends up tasting like a ‘pie crust!’)
Calories: 290

Strawberry Shake (These ingredients added to base)
1/2 Cup Strawberries (Fresh or Frozen~ If you are using frozen use less ice!)
Calories: 220

Banana Cream Pie Shake (These ingredients added to base)
1/2 Frozen Banana
2 Tbs Sugar Free Banana Pudding Mix
Optional: 1 Graham Cracker (or Honey Teddy Grahams) on top of shake.
Calories: 250

Oatmeal Cookie Shake (These ingredients added to base)
2 Tbs Oats
2 Tsp Chocolate Chips
Dash of Cinnamon (Or To Taste)
Optional: 2 Tbs Vanilla or Chocolate Sugar Free Pudding Mix
Calories: 250

Key Lime Pie Shake (These ingredients added to base)
1 Tbs Key Lime Juice (Or The Juice of Half a Lime)
2 Tbs Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding Mix
Optional: 1 Graham Cracker (or Honey Teddy Grahams) Crumbled on Top of Shake (Or Mixed In)
Calories: 230

Cookies and Cream Shake (These ingredients added to base)
1/2 (100 Calorie) Oreo Pack (Throw the Cookies Right Into the Blender!)
Optional: 2 Tbs Light Cool Whip OR 2 Tbs Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding Mix
Calories: 230

Pina Colada Shake (These ingredients added to base)
1 Tbs Coconut Extract (Found In The Baking Isle by the Spices)
1/2 Cup Pineapple (Fresh or Frozen)
Calories: 220

Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Shake (These ingredients added to base)
1/2 Cup Strawberries (Fresh or Frozen)
2 Tbs Light Cream Cheese (Or 2 Tbs Sugar Free Cheesecake Pudding Mix)
Calories: 260

Lemon Raspberry Shake (These ingredients added to base)
1/3 Cup Raspberries (Fresh or Frozen) OR 2 Tbs Low Sugar Raspberry Jam (if you don’t like the seeds)
1 Tsp Lemon Juice OR 2 Tbs Sugar Free Lemon Pudding Mix
Optional: 1 Tsp Sugar Free Dry Raspberry Jello Mix
Calories: 210

And all you do is blend! :D