Sunday, October 9, 2011

For S...

Dear S:

I actually haven't done much baking over the last few months.  But this is a new one.  And it's de-li-cious!

Vegan Oatmeal Cafe Latte Raisin Muffins
1 cup water
2 tbsp Cafe Latte Herbalife Shake Mix
1 cup oatmeal
3 tbsp water
1 tbsp ground flax meal
1/4 cup no sugar added applesauce
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup Splenda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 to 1 cup of raisins

Mix ingredients in a bowl in the order listed.
Spray muffin pan.
Fill each cup full.
Bake at 350 degrees - 10 minutes for minis, 15-18 minutes for regular size.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Southwestern Open-Faced Sammich

Sometimes I love being a on a budget for grocery shopping.  It forces me to be creative and new ideas that I might not try otherwise.  Today, I got really creative.  I had bell pepers that needed to be used, but I wanted some type of sammich.  So, this is what I came up with:

Southwestern Open-Faced Sammich
red & green bell peppers, sliced fajita style
3 eggs
salsa
2 slices whole wheat bread (I used Orrowheat Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins)
Directions:
1. Steam the peppers
2. Toast the bread and scramble the eggs
3. Put the eggs on the bread, followed by the peppers and salsa
I LOVE hot sauce so I put some of that on top, too.  My favorite is Tapatio.



I know the pictures are a little blurry...  but let me tell you, this sammich was SO GOOD!!!  It totally hit the spot!  Don't forget to link up!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Dance Forever!

Forever"Feel the melody and the rhythm of the music around you...  It's like I waited my whole life for this one night.  It's gonna be me, you, and the dance floor.  And cause we've only got one night; double your pleasure, double your fun, and dance forever!" - Forever, Chris Brown

Every once in a while, a song will strike the right mood and I have to listen to it over and over and over again.  This morning is totally one of  those mornings!  I cannot get enough of this song!  It reminded me that I sometimes forget to live in the moment and soak up everything around me.  The biggest problem is that now I want to DANCE!  What a great problem to have: simple and easy to fix!  :)

Friday, September 10, 2010

Shortbread Delicious-ness!

Shortbread Cookies
1 1/4 cups Whole Wheat Flour
3 tablespoons Splenda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar-free chocolate, melted

Directions:
1. Combine flour and Splenda in a bowl.
2. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture looks like crumbs and starts to cling together.
3. Knead with your hands until smooth.
4. Form into little mounds in the palm of your hand, (cupped to make the round top).
5. Place an inch apart on a cookie sheet.
6. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes.  Makes 24 cookies.
7. Cool on cookie sheet.  Once cooled, drizzle with melted sugar-free chocolate.



Make sure to check out Sandwich 365!  I am featured in their Sandwich Contest Sneak Peek!  I follow their blog and LOVE how creative it is!  Thanks, Sandwich 365, for the opportunity and the feature!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

To My Siblings: Thank You!

Does anyone else ever get the feeling that they are cheating on their bed with the rest of life?  My bed misses me.  It told me so when I crawled out of it this morning around 5:30am.  My warm, soft sheets and fluffy pillows...  Getting up this morning was difficult.  I have never enjoyed being up before the sun.  This morning I thought back to when I was in college and how I would always sign up for 7am or 8am classes and either switch the class or miss half of them.  Most of the time I was lucky if I had done more than pull my hair back in a pony tail before running out the door, in flop flops, coat half way on. 

Why do I share this?  Because I am extremely grateful to be single and child-less.  Don't get me wrong; I love kids.  I was Baby-sitter Extraordinaire growing up, sometimes baby-sitting for two or three different families a week.  I loved it!  But kids are not for me...  I am also very grateful for my siblings providing my parents with a ridiculous amount of grand kids so I don't have to.  Between my five older siblings, they have 13 kids...  and I have NO idea how they do it.  So, thanks guys!  I will continue to play proud Auntie and spoil your kids rotten, then give them back.  :)  Love you all!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Dessert!

Today, I'm turning the tables.  What I'm looking for is dessert!  I want to actually make these recipes, so here's the catch:  they have to be healthy!  I'm talking sugar free, whole grains, healthy.  :)
Link up!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Sick of Being Sick?

I was on Facebook recently and saw a post from a friend of mine.  Her kids are sick and her little girl is running a fever.  She said she picked up the bottle of Motrin and actually read the label for the first time and was shocked when she saw what it said.  She asked what alternatives there are.  My heart broke for her because I know she is a good mom and only wants the best for her family.  Her post is similar to many other posts I've seen:  People are sick and don't know what to do!  It's been a while since I've done a rant post, so here it is.  I honestly cannot keep my mouth shut a second longer because EVERYBODY needs this information.

Here's the deal:
1.) Pharmaceuticals are not your friend!  The chemicals in medications and over the counter drugs are keeping you sick and perpetuating the cycle!  Think about it:  if people were not getting sick, there would be no need for doctors (except for emergencies).  So, if the doctors and Pharmaceutical companies can keep us sick, they stay in business.  The side effects of common medications are often vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, migraines, heart attacks, stroke, heart disease, cancer, death...  None of those side effects are necessary and they all stem from the chemicals used to make the drugs. 
2.)  The FDA is not your friend, either!  Did you know most of the pre-packaged food products out there contain corn or genetically modified soybeans?  They are government subsidized and extremely cheap to grow and use for manufacturers.  Same with processed sugar.  The average kid in America consumes 26 teaspoons of sugar every day, and that does not include candy, cookies, ice cream, etc.  That's in their cereal, sandwiches, mac and cheese, etc.  No wonder we have behavior problems!  High fructose corn syrup hits the same spot in your brain that heroin does.  Kids are even more susceptible to the effects.  Every time your kids eat something with high fructose corn syrup, they are getting the same high they would from heroin.  That's why you crave more - if you stay hooked, then the Pharmaceutical companies have you for life.  Yes, I did just connect the FDA and the Pharmaceutical companies.  They are virtually one in the same, sadly.
3.)  You do not have to get sick.  I personally know people that have not been sick in years!  When you stop eating processed sugars and foods, stop taking medications, and give your body what it needs and wants, your body takes care of itself.  I have not been sick since I made these changes and I cannot express how much better I feel!  I wake up feeling good every single day, even when I'm running on little sleep.  I am vibrant and alive, with all the energy I need.  I am far more productive than I ever was before.  My body actually heals while I sleep!  Life does not have to be miserable, day to day, sickness to sickness, paycheck to paycheck. 

I know these are very bold statements, but trust me when I tell you I have done the research to back all this up. If you want to know more, email me at cheffiejo@gmail.com.