Easy 'Shortcake'

I made this with a friend last night.  SO good!!  And easy to make, too.  

'Shortcake'

1 1/3 cups whole wheat flour

2/3 cup Splenda

1 teaspoon baking powder

2/3 cup milk

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl combine flour, Splenda, and baking powder.

2. Add reminaing ingredients and mix on low til combined. Beat on medium for 1 minute.

3. Makes 9 cupcakes.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

For the fruit filling we used diced mangoes, peaches, and sliced bananas.  For the sauce, we sliced fresh strawberries and crushed them with a fork to get the fruit and the juice.  To put them together, cut the cupcake in half, put fruit inside, top with the other side of the cupcake, and drizzle the strawberry sauce on top. 

Making them was really quick and easy, and everyone loved them!  You can use any fruit, too.  Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, kiwi...  Nothing better than cake and fruit!

Fruit Pizza

I've had a new baking and cooking buddy as of late. We've made some pretty random creations, but everything has turned out awesome!  Twice in the last week we've made Fruit Pizza because it's such a great dessert!!  It's completely sugar free and de-li-cious!  We used different fruits both times, but both turned out so tasty.  We also made the first one as a real pizza, but the second time we just did mini cookies.

Fruit Pizza

1 cup softened butter

1 1/2 cups Splenda

2 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Cream butter and sugar together.  Add egg and vanilla and mix.

2. Add all the dry ingredients and mix.

Bake at 400 degrees.  For pizza, 10-12 minutes.  For cookies, 8 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 package fat free cream cheese (8 ounces)

1/2 cup Splenda

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Cream cream cheese.  Add Splenda and vanilla and mix.

Once the 'pizza' crust has cooled, top with the cream cheese frosting, then with fruit.

Bucket List

I have heard several people talk about their Bucket Lists lately. Right now, I'm sitting here listening to "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, and all I can think about is my dearest friend who actually is in New York. I've always wanted to visit New York. I've been creating my own Bucket List and traveling is a HUGE part of it!

One of the things I do inside of being a Personal Wellness Coach is teach how to use a Vision Board. Mine recently got a makeover and I realized that my dreams are much bigger than they were when I made the board the first time. My Vision Board is directly tied to my Bucket List. I also noticed that I have already achieved SO much! Here are some of the things that are still on my Bucket List and Vision Board:

• Hawaii
• Venice
• Tahiti
• Shoes!  (I found the most gorgeous shoes in a magazine!)
• This Donna Karan hot pink taffeta dress  -------->
• A custom-built house with a ridiculous kitchen and top of the line appliances

I really could go on and on.  As I cross things off, more gets added.

Now I have two questions for all of you:  What's on YOUR Bucket List or Vision Board?  What are you doing to achieve those dreams?

For more info on how to achieve everything you desire, click here or email me at cheffiejo@gmail.com and I can teach you how.

Fresh Tomato Bruschetta

This is an appetizer we made in Culinary School.  We were given some liberties this day to come up with recipes for different things on our own, and this is one that my group came up with.

Fresh Tomato Bruschetta

8-10 small pieces French bread

2 ounces cream cheese

2 ounces fresh mozzarella

1 clove minced garlic

1 ounce minced onion

¼ teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Parsley, finely chopped

Chives, finely chopped

2 tomatoes concassee, small dice

Salt and pepper

 

1. Mix tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, onion, parsley and chives

2. Salt and pepper to taste

3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes

4. Mix cream cheese and mozzarella together

5. Toast bread in salamander for 45 seconds

6. Spread cheese mixture evenly on bread

7. Top with tomato mixture

8. Toast in salamander for 20 seconds

The video below shows how to make Tomato Concasse.  A salamander is like a broiler, so you can use the broiler on your oven.

Pictures!

For the last three months, I have been competing in a Weight Loss Challenge.  Going into the challenge, I didn't think I had any more weight to lose, (even though I would have been happy with five more vanity lbs...), so I was confident if I won at all, it would be for inch loss.  Here's the crazy thing:  I still lost 7.6 lbs!  I don't have the percentages in front of me, but as soon as I do, I'll post them.  That said, (drumroll, please), I have lost 21 lbs and over 27 inches!

The first picture is from Culinary School.  the second picture is from last night.  In the Weight Loss Challenge, I came in 3rd place for both weight and inches, and took home $56!  I cannot even describe how incredible I feel!  I never thought I would feel better at 25 years old than I did at 16, but I do!

Kings to me!

Independence Day

I am so incredibly grateful to live in a country where I am free to speak my mind.  As I've mentioned before, my dad was in the Army and my little brother is currently in the Navy.  I'm so proud of both of them, as well as the rest of my military family and all of those that currently serve or have served this blessed country.

This weekend was busy, but as I watched the fireworks with friends Saturday night, we listened to the music - Proud to Be An American, The Star Spangled Banner - and all I could think about was how grateful I am for everything I have.  Tears definitely came to my eyes, but they were tears of gratitude and joy, (and a few tears for not being with my family on one of our favorite holidays).  We stood in the middle of the stadium we were at and I was absolutely in awe of everyone standing at attention, hands over their hearts, when The Star Spangled Banned played.  It was truly breathtaking.

Today, I am so grateful I can share my thoughts and feelings without fear of persecution.  I am grateful to know and feel patriotic for the country I live in.  I truly am proud to be an American!

This morning I found out one of the chefs I had in Culinary School is headed in for back surgery.  My thoughts are also with him and his family.  I pray he has a quick and full recovery.  Good luck, Chef Shawn!

Mini Oatmeal Pies

Last night I made Mini Oatmeal Cream Pies with some good friends.  They were de-li-cious!  (And pretty healthy, too!)

Mini Oatmeal Pies

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup Splenda

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup quick oats

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Cream butter and Splenda together in mixer.

2. Add eggs one at a time and blend.  Add vanilla and mix in.

3. Add flour, oats, and cinnamon.  Mix til combined.

4. Make small balls and place on cookie sheet. Flatten with the bottom of a cup.

5. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes

Filling:

8 ounces fat free cream cheese

1-1 1/2 cups Splenda

1. Cream Splenda and cream cheese together in mixer.

2. On the bottom side of a cookie, top with filling. 

3. Put another cookie on top to make a sandwich.

Don't forget to link up to today's Foodie Linky Party!!

Education Conversation

Last night I had a great conversation with a friend.  We talked about a lot of different things, but one part of the conversation really stood out.  We talked about education and how it is important, but that education comes from everything we do, not just from a classroom.  The conversation made me stop and think about my own life.  I, too, was taught the importance of education.  I always thought that life was: go to school, get a degree, get a job and earn a paycheck.  I went to college when I was 18 and was working towards a degree in English with a minor in Creative Writing.  I didn't finish.  There were a lot of factors, one of the them being the cost.  Last night my friend asked why college is so expensive.  My reply was that if the average person could afford to go to college, it wouldn't be special anymore.  The degree wouldn't mean anything if everyone had one.  As soon as I said it, I thought of another friend who has a degree and still can't find a job.  So, the question is: does the degree really mean anything?

I have known people that have gotten a degree through little or no effort on their own part.  Let's be honest; it is easy to find a school that will give you degree if Daddy's check has enough zeros.  Having seen that happen, does the degree mean anything?  Does a piece of paper really show exactly what you know and are capable of?  Nope!  As soon as I understood this concept, I realized my education has come through my life experiences.  I am well-rounded.  I am intelligent.  I have learned more about myself, life, love, relationships, etc. through actually living than I ever did sitting in a classroom.  Please don't misunderstand me.  I am grateful for the college education I have received.  I did learn very valuable lessons while in school.  I have simply chosen to do things my way.

The point I'm trying to make is that a college degree does not equate worth.   There are plenty of ways to be create wealth without having the piece of paper.  To find out more click here, then click on Business Opportunity.