NCKAA: 7 Days Until Christmas

Orange Smiles

1 orange

Cut orange into 8-10 segments. Enjoy!

Note: Save the orange peel to make Crandied Orange Peel :-)

Nutritional Information:  Calories: 87; Fiber: 4.4g; Carbs: 21.7g; Protein: 1.7g

Sometimes, it's the simple things that can make you smile. For me, oranges make me think of Christmas and that makes me smile.

I've got several more recipes on my list for Natalie's Christmas Kitchen Advent Adventure, but for some reason, Orange Smiles were calling out to me today.

I also have another batch of craisins in the dehydrator. This time, I cut each cranberry in half (tedious, but no big deal if you use cooking shears and have a favorite tv show in the background), dissolved 1/2 cup Splenda in 1 cup water (boiled to dissolve) and soaked the berries in the sugar water for 30 minutes (save the berry water for Crandied Orange Peels!). Then I spread them on the dehydrator and have had it going all day. These look a lot prettier than the batch I made a few weeks ago. I've got baking plans for some and breakfast plans for the rest (we love them in oatmeal and cream of wheat!).

NCKAA: 31 Days Until Christmas!

My crandying paraphernalia :-) MMmmm

Next up in Natalie's Christmas Kitchen Advent Adventure ...

Crandied Orange Peel

3 oranges
1 tablespoon salt
4 cups water
1/2 cup cranberry water *

*When I made craisins earlier this week, I set aside the juices from blanching them and used them in my candied orange peel. If you don't have this - no idea if cranberry juice will work but I don't see why not - then use 2 cups of sugar and 1/2 cup water.

Cut peel of each orange in eighths; loosen from pulp with bowl of spoon.  (Eat orange sections as 65 calorie snack.)  Add salt to 4 cups water; add peel.  Put water, salt and peels in large freezer bag and let stand overnight.

Drain; wash thoroughly.  Cover with cold water; heat to boiling.  Drain.  Repeat three times.  This helps remove bitter taste.

Cut peel in strips 1/4 to 1/5 inch thick.  In saucepan, combine 2 cups peel, sugar, and 1/2 cup cranberry water. (If using sugar and water, heat and stir till sugar dissolves).  Cook slowly till peel till peel is translucent. This can take about 45 minutes.  Drain, roll in granulated sugar.  Dry on a rack for several hours. Keep away from all animals. Cat hair is murder on these!

After about 5 hours, I wiped the excess sugar from the strips and set it aside (for oatmeal - it's cranberry-sweetened!). Then, I let the peels keep drying. 

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Today is also Weigh Day and Measurement Day. Slowly, but surely, things are still going down! (Except my cursed calves, of course. Grrr)

My Measurements:
Weight: 142.8 ... overall loss of 52.2!!!
Waist: 27.75 inches ... 0.25 inches smaller than last month
Hips: 37.75 inches ... 0.25 inches smaller than last month
Thigh: 19 inches ... 0.5 inches smaller than last month
Arms: 11 inches ... no change from last month
Calf: 15 inches ... no change from last month, again.

Last Month's Measurements:
Weight: 146.2 pounds 
Waist: 28 inches
Hips: 38 inches
Thigh: 19.5 inches
Calf: 15 inches
Arms: 11 inches

Starting Points:
Weight: 195 lbs
Waist: 40 inches
Hips: 47.25 inches
Thigh: 28.5 inches
Upper Arm: 15.5 inches
Calf: 17.25 inches
Push ups: 4
Crunches: 15