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Little changes making a big difference.


Archives for December 2011

Sugar Cookies

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There is something about the simplicity of the sugar cookie. People love it. It’s my brother’s very favorite. I wasn’t going to make any this year, but I could see the disappointment in Hermano’s face when I told him, so I made a batch up special just for him. Clearly, I am an awesome sister. I was so happy with how these sugar cookies turned out! Sometimes I’m nervous to modify more simple things because I’m worried that you’ll be able to taste the difference more, but these were fantastic and I definitely ate 2 before forcing myself to package them up for Hermano. Sorry Hermano, I couldn’t help it 😉

Sugar Cookies

yield approx 2 dozen

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup light whipped butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • 3/4 cup raw cane sugar
  • 1/2 cup Splenda
  • 1/4 cup egg substitute
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, Splenda and Greek yogurt together until combined. Beat in egg substitute and vanilla.
  4. Slowly add in dry ingredients until combined, scraping sides of bowl when necessary.
  5. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.
  6. Spray hands with nonstick spray, and roll dough into 1-1 1/2″ balls. Drop onto lined baking sheet.
  7. Spray a piece of wax or parchment paper and use it to flatten cookies slightly.
  8. Bake for 10-14 minutes until golden and set, but be careful not to over bake.
  9. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Top with Royal Icing and sprinkles (you can totally halve the icing recipe)!

We still have so many candy canes from all the peppermint baking so Steve got all artsy and made a heart. He's cute. I like him 😉

We tried for red icing. It came out pink. I like pink, so it's all good. Hermano, I hope you like pink!

 

Busy Bee

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You know, for mostly being off this week, I cannot believe how busy I’ve been. My reader has almost 100 blogs lined up waiting for me to read them. I just haven’t really been home, or if I have, people have been there and I’ve been really enjoying the time to do fun things. I’m not much of a sit at home type of person. But there are lots of work things I’ve been neglecting, so today I brought my lap top and to do list over to The Bux in order to get some things done.

This week has been pretty good about feeling like I’m back on track. I haven’t really talked about it,  but most of this month I just haven’t been feeling like I’ve been making the best choices for my body. Too many extra cookies and treats, too many skipped runs, and just a general lack of motivation. I know it’s normal, and especially now that I believe I am fully capable of completing this half marathon, and it’s now dark and cold at the time I used to run, it’s easy to justify hitting the snooze button. But this week has been better. There’s been some spinning.

Some running (well one day of running, but I also plan on running Friday and Sunday!)

And just in general more mindful eating. Don’t get me wrong, I still plan on enjoying the holiday treats, but I had been ignoring my tummy telling me when I was full and not stopping to think and decide if I actually really wanted something before eating it. If I really listen to my body and take my time to make decisions, I am 100x more likely to not feel guilty about what I eat because, honestly, sometimes I really do want to eat a cookie, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Yesterday was so exciting for me. You’re going to think I’m ridiculous, but whatev. I haven’t had a chance to really cook in what feels like forever. I’d been eating fast and easy and lots of TJ’s frozen enchiladas and Progresso light soups. Don’t judge me. But last night I invited my friend Ashley over for dinner which meant I had to actually cook. I had no idea what to make and no recipe, and I decided to throw something together and hope it turned out awesome. I’m really trying to get away from relying on recipes and take chances and try things that sound good to me. It’s okay if it doesn’t work every time, but last night was a huge success!

"Hey cute husband, make me look cute while I cook, ok?" Is that a slight double chin I see? Apparently Steve has forgotten the rules.

After dinner, Ashley and I baked some cookies. Yes, I’m crazy and actually have not quite hit my baking limit yet. I usually don’t like to bake with others because I’m a control freak a little particular, but Ashley was a great baking buddy and didn’t seem too put off by my bossiness. Sorry about that, Ashley. I hope you still want to be my friend after I spent the evening bossing you around like you were one of my students 😉

Look at us, baking together. It's as if I actually work well with others!

The dough was really yummy. I generally don't like the dough to healthier cookies (they always just taste so much better baked), but this dough was really good!

While we waited on the cookies to bake, Winston was working on his cuteness. He has to keep up with his sister 🙂

I've never met a dog that likes to be held as much as Winnie. Look at that face!

Finally our cookies were done and we got to decorate them!

Apparently when you buy your red food coloring at Walmart, what you actually get is pink frosting.

I can’t even tell you how nice it was to be able to spend the evening cooking and baking absolutely stress free. Happy holiday time to MEEEEE!!!!

 

 

Hanukkah with the Governor

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In case you don’t have lots of Jewish friends that keep you in the know, Tuesday evening was the first night of Hanukkah. I was thrilled a couple weeks before when I was informed that my cast of Fiddler on the Roof Jr has been invited by Governor Jan Brewer to perform at the lighting ceremony taking place at the state capitol! It was a little intense because there was all of this security for her and we had to go through metal detectors and everything. I felt very official 😉

As the governor entered, the kiddos sang Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah. She then gave a speech about Hanukkah and even mentioned how the theatre is going through some hard financial times and anything anyone could to to help would be appreciated. Good work, Jan.

We were lucky to have the father of one of the kiddos who is a Rabbi lead the prayer and light the candles.

The kids ended by singing the opening number to Fiddler: Tradition. I was really excited for the kids to get to be a part of something big for the holiday and have a chance to celebrate their hard work a second time! The governor also took some time afterwards to snap some photos with the kiddos which I thought was really nice, and probably made them feel super special!

Happy Hannukah!!

 

Christmas Lights

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I’m sure I’ve mentioned about a zillion times that I have a thing for lights. Christmas lights are something I’ve looked forward to every year for as long as I can remember. Even my super Jewish dad used to drive me around to see all the lights because I went nuts for it! This year we’ve gone to a few locations, most notably this super awesome house on 44th St and Camelback, and this whole amazing street off just north-east of Country Club and Guadalupe. AZ folks, check it out. So for your entertainment this evening, I provide you

1) Hermano playing the Coldplay song Christmas Lights on the piano.

And

2) Super awesome Christmas light pictures.

Double Chocolate Peppermint Whoopie Pies

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These whoopie pies are intense. Believe it or not, I am not a super chocolatey dessert person. I like chocolate, but I don’t prefer it to be the base flavor. Unless it’s white chocolate. Maybe next time I will experiment with white chocolate and peanut butter. That sounds amazing. Anyway, these are rich, chocolatey and especially delicious if you are a chocolate lover. Don’t get me wrong, I would still happily eat the entire batch in one sitting 😉

Double Chocolate Peppermint Whoopie Pies

yield approx 3 dozen

For the cakes:

  • 1/2 cup light whipped butter
  • 1/2 cup fat free or reduced fat cream cheese
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2/3 cup Splenda
  • 1 packet Starbucks via
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup egg substitute
  • 1 cup dutch process cocoa
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 2/3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 cups reduced fat buttermilk
  • 2 candy canes, crushed

For the filling:

  • 1 10 oz bag Sunspire white chocolate chips
  • 1 tbs light whipped butter
  • 1/4-1/3 cup 2 % milk
  • 1 tsp peppermint extract

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Beat together butter, sugar, Splenda, via, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vanilla until smooth Beat in egg substitute. Stir in cocoa.
  3. Alternately add in flour and buttermilk, starting and ending with flour, scraping down sides of bowl when necessary. Mix until no lumps remain.
  4. Drop rounded tablespoon sized balls onto prepared cookie sheet and flatten slightly (I used a sprayed piece of parchment paper to flatten to avoid sticking).
  5. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.
  6. Bake for 7-10 minutes, until cakes spring back when you press lightly with your fingers.
  7. Let stand for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Meanwhile, melt white chocolate and butter in microwave safe bowl stirring every 30 seconds until melted.
  9. Stir in peppermint. Slowly, add 1/4-1/3 cup milk. Cool completely in refrigerator.
  10. Spread a little white chocolate on the flat side of one cookie, top with the flat side of a second and press together. Repeat with all cookies.

Puppy Chow

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Puppy Chow

only slightly adapted from the back of the Chex box

yield 15-20 servings

  • 9 cups Corn Chex (I label checked and the whole wheat ones were way more calorie dense)
  • 1 cup grain sweetened chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup light whipped butter
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • dash vanilla
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

  1. Measure 9 cups of cereal into the biggest bowl you have, set aside.
  2. Melt butter, pb, and chocolate in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Stir in dash vanilla.
  3. Pour melted chocolate mixture over Chex, stirring constantly until evenly coated.
  4. Pour into huge bag (I use a clean trash bag. Please, don’t use a dirty trash bag. Or at least, if you do, don’t offer me any) and pour powdered sugar on top. Shake it like a polaroid picture. Or like a salt shaker.
  5. Spread onto wax paper to cool.

Salted Caramel Brownie Truffles

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I had big plans for these. I heard that Starbucks had peppermint brownie cake pops and I was so ready to show them up with salted caramel brownie cake pops! I under cooked my brownies just slightly because cake pops are supposed to be soft and fluffy. Well, apparently they were a little too soft.

Fail. But some accidents can be happy accidents and I knew the brownies with the frosting I had created was too delicious to go to waste, so instead I give you truffles. They are so soft and gooey and fudgey and rich that you’d think they had a million calories, but in reality, you could probably have 2-3 and call it dessert 🙂

Salted Caramel Brownie Truffles

yield 18-24 truffles

  • 1 box either No Pudge brownie mix or TJ’s Reduced Guilt Brownie Mix (I’ve used both and they taste equally delicious)
  • 6 oz non fat vanilla yogurt
  • 4 oz fat free or reduced fat cream cheese
  • 1 tbs light whipped butter
  • 2 tbs caramel
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Fleur de Sel for sprinkling (Yes, I spent $10 on salt and it was worth it.)

Directions:

  1. Make brownies per package instructions baking until just slightly undercooked. You want the toothpick to come out mostly clean and make sure the brownies are set and don’t dent down when you press lightly on the top.
  2. Cool completely. Meanwhile, combine cream cheese, butter, caramel and vanilla. Beat in powdered sugar.
  3. The fun part! Spray your hands with cooking spray. Using your hands, literally dig into the brownies removing enough to make small 1″ balls.
  4. Dip rolled 1″ truffles into frosting coating the top (I learned this the hard way. Most of them I just rolled around in the frosting and they came out way less pretty than the one we dipped).
  5. Place unfrosted side down into mini muffin liners.
  6. Sprinkle tops with Fleur de Sel.

Peanut Butter Pumpkin S’mores Cups

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A few days ago, Kathleen posted a link to this recipe, and I just stared at it in awe. Ummm, yum. Yes please. I immediately mentally added it to my holiday baking list. I followed the concept with plans to only slightly modify, but ended up adding peanut butter at the very end, because what isn’t better with peanut butter? I was so excited when I tasted it that not only was the pumpkin butter a healthier replacement for actual butter, but the pb/chocolaye/pumpkin combo was so delicious!

Peanut Butter Pumpkin S’mores Cups

yield 24

  • 7  whole wheat graham crackers, finely crushed
  • 3 1/2 tbs pumpkin butter
  • 1/4 cup grain sweetened chocolate chips
  • 1 tbs peanut butter
  • dash vanilla
  • 12 large marshmallows, halved

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Combine crushed graham crackers and pumpkin butter. I just used my hands. Messy is fun 😉
  2. Line 24 mini muffin cups and spray liners.
  3. Drop 1 tsp of graham cracker mixture into each liner and press in with fingers to form cup base.
  4. Bake crust for 4-5 minutes until set. Place a marshmallow half in each cup, cut side down.
  5. Place back in oven for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Let stand for 5 minutes, then remove liners and transfer to cooling rack.
  7. Meanwhile, place chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in spurts of 30 seconds, stirring after each until melted. Add dash of vanilla.
  8. Drop approx 1-2 tsp chocolate/peanut butter mixture on each marshmallow, and cool completely.

Soft and Fluffy Ginger Molasses Cookies

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I was going to make ginger bread cookie cake pops. I had high hopes for being creative. Then these puppies came out of the oven, and they looked soooo perfect. Then I tasted one, and I couldn’t bare to ruin it by covering it in a powdered sugary glaze. They were just so right. So here you go. Just as they are 🙂

Soft and Fluffy Ginger Molasses Cookies

yield about 3 dozen cookies

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup light whipped butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup fat free or red fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup raw cane sugar
  • 1/3 cup Splenda
  • 1/4 cup egg substitute
  • 1 tbs water
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 3 tbs raw cane sugar

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Whisk flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and Splenda until light and fluffy. Beat in egg substitute, water and molasses.
  3. Gradually stir dry ingredients. Shape dough into small (approx 1″) balls and roll them in remaining 3 tbs sugar.
  4. Place on a large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Bake  7-10 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.

Holiday Baking 2011

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You guys, I baked for 7 hours. Maybe 8. I packaged and wrote little cards while Steve photographed for an other hour or 2. This girl is t-i-r-e-d. But it’s so worth it. Every year I swear I am never doing this ever again, but I love baking for others and this year I did it the way I want. Everything is at least airing towards the side of healthier. Some things I did better than others. Like the S’mores Cups. You could probably eat like 4 and come out the same as a bowl of fro yo. Some things, like Puppy Chow, are hard to modify, but everything comes with slightly less guilt, but without being diet food. I like it. Here’s a little bit of what my day looked like and a sneak peak for the recipes that are coming your way this week!

I tried to make brownie cake pop and failed miserably. But don't worry, it was kind of a happy accident because I ended up with truffles. Truffles that will next time be prettier, but are to delicious not to share.

So.Much.Packaging.

Ta freaking da, yes?

"But mom, when do we get baked gifts?"

Alllll done 😀

Pumpkin Fudge Crinkle Cookies

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I wasn’t sure what to make for Friendmas dessert, so I asked Nacho if he had any requests and he replied saying something with pumpkin and cinnamon. I had been craving some chocolate crinkle cookies, so I put the two together. The result was gooey, fudgey and gone within 10 minutes 🙂

Pumpkin Fudge Crinkle Cookies

yield 16 cookies

  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 5 tbs raw cane sugar
  • 2 tbs Splenda
  • 1/4 cup egg substitute
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tbs flour
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • dash salt
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt.
  2. Beat pumpkin, sugar and splenda until combined. Add egg substitute and vanilla.
  3. Beat in dry ingredients, then refrigerate covered for 1 hour.
  4. Preheat oven to 350. Combine powdered sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
  5. Form dough into small balls, then drop and cover in powdered sugar.
  6. Place on greased baking sheet and bake 10-12 minutes.
  7. Transfer to wire rack or eat immediately when warm (that’s what we did).

 

Friendmas 2011

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I have a few favorite holiday traditions

  • Spending Christmas Eve at Steve’s mom’s house and waking up there Christmas morning (and waking everyone else up at 6am because I am so excited).
  • Looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve
  • Going to the special house by Jason and Nacho
  • Friendmas

3 years ago we started having our own friend Christmas celebration. Jason and Nacho have family out of the state so they’re always out of town on Christmas, so about a week before we all usually get together, do Friendmas dinner and presents. We rotate houses each year and this year it was our turn! We invited Bethy, Jason, Nacho, Lucius and Nico over for a Friendmas extravaganza!

I made grilled cheese and tomato soup. Yummmm.

Winston and Clementine were excited to get some extra attention from their favorite aunt and uncles, and to play with Lucius and Nico.

"Love me. I'm cute."

"Come pay attention to us!!!"

"YAY! Aunt Bethy to the rescue!"

Lucius is so cute. Bethany totally plays favorites with him even though Winston and Clementine are clearly the greatest dogs on Earth.

"Tada!!!! I made dinner! What? We were talking about the dogs? Well, I'm bored, let's talk about me!"

After dinner, we gathered around the tree to open presents. I LOVE PRESENTS!!!!

Nacho has about a billion movies so we got them this cute cinema sign to put above all of the movies.

Jason and Nacho got Bethy a movie. There were lots of movie gifts happening last night.

"I love presents!!!!"

Muppets Monopoly! I love games. I love Muppets. Thanks Bethy!! Can't wait to play!

Nacho is so odd with animals sometimes.

Bethy got Nacho The Lion King in 3D so he posed with Winston, presenting him like baby Simba. Makes perfect sense, right? Nico wanted to be presented too.

 

Clementine was exhausted from doing things she wasn't supposed to all day week long.

Look! An other movie! To Jason from Bethy.

Steve got gift cards to F1 Race Factory from Jason and Nacho.

To Bethy from Me

Jason and Naco got me a baking mat from the happiest place on Earth (that means Williams Sonoma. Sometimes Disneyland, but today Williams Sonoma).

Winston, what the heck are you doing? How can that be comfortable?!

Steve and I got Nacho season 2 of Glee

Jason had been using a crappy glass cutting board that drove me crazy every time I cooked at his house. So selfishly, we got him a fancy wood one. Happy cutting Jasy!

 

Bethy was surprised to see a joint gift from the whole group.

She recently started running and is getting ready for her first 5K in January, so we all chipped in and bought her a Garmin! I'm so proud of her and I help she finds the Garmin as helpful as I have!

Check out this awesome bundt pan!!! I've never seen one like it, and I've been wanting a bundt pan for soooo long! Thanks Jason and Nacho!!!

Steve also got Tron in 3D from Bethy, but was hoarding the camera so we didn’t get a picture. After presents, I decided to put my new baking mat to use and made dessert.

The best friends family a girl could ask for!


The entire night was perfect. I feel so lucky to have the most amazing group of friends. Jason, Bethy and I have been best friends for something like 12 years. I think when I met Bethany, I was still in 8th grade! We’ve all changed a lot throughout the years, but I couldn’t imagine my life without them!

What are your favorite holiday traditions? Do you do a separate friend Christmas?

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