Breakfast Smoothie

From Leanne Ely:

 

Ladies and Gentlemen... start your BLENDERS!
 
Leanne's Incredibly Easy, Doesn't Have to Be Measured Smoothie "Recipe"
 
Makes 2 yummy smoothies
 
2-3 ice cubes
2-3 handfuls of frozen (organic if you can) berries, your choice, about 1 cup
2 scoops protein powder (I use a vanilla whey protein powder)
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (I use So Delicious brand)
Put everything in a blender (I have a 450 watt blender that works great!) and LET HER RIP!
 
COOKING NOTES:
You can mix it up on the fruit, but my preference is berries as they are low glycemic. I also add a scoop of Barleans Greens to my smoothie--makes it a dark purple! Adds a little sweet (there's stevia in there) but still very good. This smoothie has more nutrition than my previous conconctions...enjoy!

Smoothies are pretty forgiving--the only necessary component is frozen fruit to make it shake-like.
 
That's it. Pretty simple, isn't it? That's how easy breakfast can be in the morning. This smoothie takes me all of two minutes to make.

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

Top 10 Most Valuable U.S. Coins Found in Pocket Change

From Susan Headley, former About.com Guide

SeeThere are a number of fairly valuable U.S. error coins and die varieties in circulation today. These coins are overlooked by people because they have small distinguishing characteristics, such as a modest doubling of the coin image, or minute differences in the size or spacing of the letters in the legends. Learn which of your pocket change coins is worth a large premium over face value, and why.

Note: Click on the images to greatly enlarge them and see details.

Tip: Be sure to do your hunting with at least a 6x power magnifier so you don't miss anything!

1. 1969-S Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse

Photo courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries

This coin is exceedingly rare. The early specimens were confiscated by the Secret Service until the U.S. Mint admitted they were genuine. Counterfeits abound, but usually have the wrong mint mark.

How to Detect: Look for clear doubling of the entire obverse ("heads" side) except for the mint mark. If the mint mark is doubled, it is probably a case of strike doubling, rather than a doubled die, which isn't worth much. (Mint marks were punched in the dies separately in 1969, after the doubled die itself had already been made.)

Approximate Value: Around $35,000 or more in EF-40 or so.

 

2. 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse

As with virtually all true doubled die varieties, only one side of the coin shows doubling. If both sides exhibit doubling, the coin probably exhibits strike doubling instead, and is worth little.

How to Detect: The rarer Small Date variety is most easily distinguished from the common type by the weakness of LIBERTY. The Doubled Die Obverse is best demonstrated by doubling in LIB and IN GOD WE TRUST.

Approximate Value: Around $3,000 in EF-40 or so.

3. 1972 Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse

The 1972 (no mint mark) Lincoln Cent doubled die variety shows strong doubling on all elements. The "Cherrypicker's Guide to Rare Die Varieties", which was an important source for this article, suggests using a "die marker" to help verify your finds. A die marker is a gouge or crack that identifies a particular die.

How to Detect: Clear doubling of all obverse elements; look for a tiny gouge near the edge above the D in UNITED as a die marker.

Approximate Value: About $500 in EF-40 or so.

4. 2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter With an Extra Leaf

Variety experts disagree about the cause and long-term value of this type, but I've included in the list because it is very findable in pocket change and worth hundreds of dollars right now.

How to Detect: There is some defect on the die that makes it appear as if there's an extra leaf on the lower left-hand side of the ear of corn on the reverse. The leaf is very clear. Known in two varieties, the High Leaf and the Low Leaf type.

Approximate Value: $200-$300 in MS-60 or so.

5. 1999 Wide "AM" Reverse Lincoln Cent

This variety is known for 3 dates, 1998, 1999, and 2000, with 1999 being by far the rarest. The mint erroneously used a proof die to strike normal circulation coins.

How to Detect: The AM in AMERICA on the reverse is clearly separated in the Wide variety. In the normal variety for these dates, the letters AM are very close or touching.

Approximate Value: $5 to $25 in circulated condition, $75 to $600 in MS-63 or better depending on color. 1999 brings the highest prices, with 2000 being second.

6. 1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime

At the point in time that these coins were made, the dies sent to the individual branch mints would be punched with the proper mint mark letter for that branch. This variety is believed to be caused because one or more non-punched dies were used to make coins. (The letter P was being used for Philadelphia on dimes at this time.)

How to Detect: The 1982 dime is missing a mint mark.

Approximate Value: About $30 to $50 in AU-50, more for higher grades.

7. Presidential Dollar Edge Lettering Errors

Ever since the first Presidential Dollar (the Washington Dollar issued in 2007) there have been errors associated with the lettering on the edge of these coins. In some cases it is missing entirely. In others, the edge lettering has been placed there multiple times.

How to Detect: Look at the edge. The inscription should appear fully incused all around the circumference of the coin. Missing or doubled inscriptions are rare and valuable.

Approximate Value: $50 to $3,000, depending on the President.

8. 1995 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

This doubled die variety generated a lot of mainstream interest when it was featured as a cover story in USA Today. Specimens are still being found in circulation all the time!

How to Detect: Clear doubling in LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.

Approximate Value: About $20 to $50 in Uncirculated condition.

9. Certain Uncirculated State Quarters

As the economy has worsened, people who have been hoarding rolls of State Quarters have been spending them into circulation. If you can put together whole rolls Uncirculated quarters of certain in-demand states, you can get as much as $50 per roll for them.

How to Detect: Demand changes from time-to-time based on major coin dealer promotions. Currently, look for Georgia, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Illinois. Quarters must be Uncirculated!

Approximate Value: $20 to $52 per roll for strictly Uncirculated rolls of certain states. For current updates, see the State Quarter Rolls Value Guide.

10. Silver Half Dollars

Most people think that the silver in U.S. coins ended in 1964, but this isn't true. The Half Dollar coin had silver in it until 1970. Many people spend the Half Dollars from 1965 to 1970, or sells them in rolls of halves they take to the bank, not realizing they are 40% silver.

How to Detect: If the Half Dollar is dated 1964 or earlier, it is 90% silver. Halves dated from 1965 to 1970 are 40% silver. You might also find silver Proof Half Dollars, which are 90% silver and dated to current. Silver Proof Halves have very shiny, mirror-like surfaces and there is no copper color when you view the edge.

Approximate Value: Value is based on silver spot price.

 

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

I have discovered LUSH...

Love these products. My son is trying this one out right now.

I tried this one the other day. Ummm don't use on your feet unless you don't plan on walking in the shower. Made my feet nice and slippery. Loved the feel on my skin. Nice and emollient.

Love the smell of this shampoo. The lather is so awesome. This is a must try. I love how this makes my hair feel.

60 Days of Summer 2011

Some interesting things to do with your kiddo's. I will have to check them all out to see what my kids would be interested in.

Taken from Martha Stewart.

60 Days of Summer 2011:

Make a Tree Swing 

Host a Picnic in Your Backyard

Pick Up a Summer Book

Throw a Sprinkler Party

Summer Essentials Checklists

Pack Travel Activities for the Kids

Custom-Made Chaise Cushions

Make a Beach Towel Tote Bag

Make Patriotic Napkin Rings

Make Flag Cupcakes

Set Your Fourth of July Table

Make and Enjoy a Shake

Hang Lanterns at Your Outdoor Party

Chill Out with Flavored Ice Cubes

Grow a Garden in a Jar

Dig Into a Summer Cupcake

Try a Summer Sewing Project

Get Pedaling

Bake with Berries

Make a Shell Creation

Sip a Summery Cocktail

It's Potato Stamp Time

Make a Swim Cover-Up

How To Eat a Blue Crab

Make a Summery Pie or Tart

Make a Custom Beach Tote

Enjoy Some Watermelon

Throw a Stove-Top Clambake

Go Fish

Serve Easy Summer Appetizers

Make and Play a Portable Game

Visit Your Farmer's Market

Make a Daisy Necklace

Organize by the Numbers

Make a Picnic-Mat Tie

Host a Summery Sunday Brunch

Create a Crudite Centerpiece

Cook with Corn

Decorate with Botantical Silhouettes

Braid Yourself Some Accessories

Take a Break From the Stove

Start a Collection

Get Our Flea Market Shopping Secrets

Brew a New Kind of Iced Tea

Try Dip Dyeing

Create a Sand Centerpiece

Make Your Own Butterfly Creations

Make a Towel Poncho

Personalized Herb Pots

Try a New Pasta Salad

Craft With Nature

Make a Spa at Home

Master Charcoal Grilling

Create a Canopy

Make a Raffia Cocktail Set

Throw a Sundae Party

Grow a Garden in Your Windowsill

Prevent Ice Cream Drips

Help the Kids Create a Collection

Save Your Summer Memories

Read more at Marthastewart.com: 60 Days of Summer Index

 http://www.marthastewart.com/summer-index

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

40th Party

Aww this is a cute post. I just celebrated my 4oth and I am not a big birthday person. This actually looks fun. Can I have a do over? lol

 

Oh well I had a good birthday week. I say week because my friends and family decided they all wanted to take me out and feed me. It was so sweet of everyone. I felt really blessed.

 

Taken from "I'm an Organizing Junkie" - 40th Birthday Ugly Dress Party!! 40th Birthday Ugly Dress Party!! So this year, in honor of my 40th birthday, I decided to take matters into my own hands and throw myself a birthday party.  I don't think I've ever thrown a party for myself before but I figured why not!  Taking notes from the Homebased Mom who throws such stunning parties, I knew a theme party was the easiest way to go.  I decided on an Ugly Dress Party and was so happy I did.  The party was a fabulous success!  In this post I will share some of the details of the party with you along with the resources I used to pull it all together.  Hang in there, this is probably the longest post I've ever written :) First, let's start with the invitation. Etsy really came to my aid for this party.  The invitation printable above was purchased from Lora Lang Designs for $12.50.  All I had to do was supply my information and then print out the number I needed.  So easy!  Here's a picture of the Etsy sample. Next I had to think about decorations.  The invitation helped me decide on my pink/black color theme and I continued with these colors throughout the decor. I also purchased this adorable banner printable below from M. Bradley Designs on Etsy.  Again all I had to do was print, cut and tie them all together with some black ribbon.  Anyone can do it! I hung the banner above my food station. I also made these easy tissue paper pom-poms from Martha Stewart that really added some fun to the tables and countertops.  Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can!! The second banner you see in the above picture was a FREE printable I found online from a site called Catch My Party.  So cute! For food you can see the adorable Pink Lemonade Cupcakes my daughter made for me.  They were so good.  I purchased the sweet dress printable cupcake toppers and matching printable floral cupcake wrappers from Etsy as well.  Gotta love Etsy!! My food station was a small second table set up in my dining room.  I made a few things but also asked each guest to bring a small appetizer to share. As you can see no party is complete without my favorite ketchup chips :) A sign for the table made for me by my daughter: My mini crockpot (seriously how cute is that!) was perfect for yummy Hot Crab Dip. Beside the food station, I set up a beverage station so guests could help themselves.  Easier all around.  I purchased my beverage server from Costco for $17.00…sweet! The Strawberry Spritzer I made was absolutely delicious and was only three ingredients!!  I also had a few other things on hand for variety. After everyone got to the party I started with a game of Spoons.  This is one of my very favorite games to play and I knew it would be a great ice breaker.  It definitely was!  We played six people at a time and the "loser" of each round was replaced by someone new until we were down to two.  Such fun! Those that weren't playing spoons entertained themselves by trying to guess the year on some old pictures of me.  Feel free to have a good laugh at my expense :)  For friends that haven't known me that long in my new town, I was very impressed with the winner getting 7 out of 12! My daughter made up cute cards for everyone to mark their guesses. Here is a FREE printable for you to use if you'd like. Download free printable Guess the Year Voting Cards My daughter also made cards for everyone to vote for who they thought came in the ugliest dress. Another free printable for you: Download free printable Ugly Dress Party Voting Cards Now for the ugly dresses! Here I am in all my ugly dress glory. Seriously you had to feel the polyester awesomeness of this dress to really appreciate the ugliness of this dress. I was HOT and NOT in an ooh la la kind of way if you know what I mean. There were some really ugly dresses at this party.  Here is just a quick peek: Old shiny bridesmaid dress: A lovely floral ensemble.  Again you had to feel this material to appreciate it. A chilly pepper dress with a giant matching bow.   Yikes!  I thought she'd win for sure. However the Ugliest Dress Award for 2011 went to this "beautiful" dress below complete with chicken buttons. Don't you think every dress needs some chicken buttons…hahaha! I had made up gift baskets for both the Can You Guess the Year and Ugliest Dress winners.  Both baskets included my book which I thought was a nice touch (ha!) with a whole other slew of fun goodies!  You can see the gift baskets on the table behind me in this picture but unfortunately I forgot to take close up shots. Everyone had such a great time and many laughs were shared.  A big shout out to my awesome daughter who was such an amazing help to me!! Let me know if you decide to host your own ugly dress party, I'd love to hear about it!  Have fun!! 40th Birthday Ugly Dress Party!! is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

Interesting Article and all natural. Is it just me or does this guy look like Bill Murray? - look real fast.

Thu. July 7th, 2011 Vol. 1, Issue 1 Colon Cleansing In the past, colon cleansing may have been the "butt" of many jokes, but this process offers real and important benefits for your health and well-being. Read on to find out more about this hot topic. Although you may not consciously be aware of it, your colon is actually "hard wired" to your brain and there is a highly complex pathway of intercommunication between the bowel and the mind. This is part of the "gutmind" or "mindgut." When one thinks about the colon, one most often thinks about its contents. The contents of the colon come and go, but the overall time (duration) that these contents reside in the colon may be an important factor in general health and well-being. "Friendly" bacterial inhabitants of the colon are also responsible for general health and well-being. For many years, the colon and its contents were viewed as a source of potential toxins to which the body was exposed, especially in the presence of constipation. These days, conventional medicine often rejects these ideas. (Holt S, Natural Ways to Digestive Health, M. Evans and Co. Inc, 2000, available at www.stephenholtmd.com) There is no doubt that these thoughts of "colon toxins" led to the common belief that everyone should open their bowel, at least on a daily basis. However, it is recognized that a healthy bowel habit generally involves opening one's bowel less than three times daily, but more than once in three days. That said, many people suffer from uncomfortable changes in their bowel habit, most often in the form of temporary constipation due to lifestyle or environmental changes. Constipation makes many people feel lousy. Conventional medicine has been rather unwilling to acknowledge any benefit of intermittent colon cleansing and colon hydrotherapy. While there is surprisingly little research on the benefits of colon cleansing, there are thousands of people who claim they derive an improved sense of well-being by restoring the regularity of their bowel habit. Achieving a regular bowel habit involves a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise, adequate fluid intake and good nutrition (especially adequate dietary fiber intake). An important aspect of regular bowel habit depends on the amount of unabsorbed fiber that is taken in the diet. There have been many studies that show the benefits of insoluble types of dietary fiber (and combined soluble fiber intake) on the promotion of healthy bowel function. Dieters should consider ways of supplementing fiber in their diet because fiber provides a feeling of fullness that may benefit weight loss. Dietary fiber is not absorbed, but it is subject to fermentation by the healthy bacterial inhabitants of the colon (prebiotic effects). Furthermore, dietary fiber may provide added benefits, due to its ability to cleanse the colon and assist in detoxification of the body. Fiber can help to mop up "toxic" forms of bile acids and other toxicants that are present in colonic contents. While regularity of bowel habit must involve positive lifestyle principles, a large proportion of the population requires temporary help in overcoming constipation. There are many over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives available, but some laxatives can be quite dangerous for some people. Laxatives that cause excessive purgation can actually damage the function of the bowel. There is a disease entity that is well described among people who use powerful, stimulant laxatives on a regular basis. This is called "cathartic colon," which means forced exit of stool from the bowel. Strong laxatives are unpleasant to take because they can cause griping abdominal pain and they may stimulate imbalances of body fluids or chemistry and cause excessive discharge of sticky mucus in the colon. Continuing to purge the bowel causes a "lazy bowel" that will only respond to the continuous use of strong laxatives. Over a period of time, strong laxatives can damage the nerve supply to the colon and the bowel cannot engage in normal movements that cause easy evacuation of stool. There is a common type of constipation that seems to be related to lack of coordination of muscles around the back passage (anus and rectum). This lack of coordination can be overcome to some degree by increasing the dietary intake of insoluble dietary fiber. Fiber helps to treat hemorrhoids and it lowers pressure inside the colon. Many people have experienced an unpleasant initial reaction to increasing fiber in their diet. Delivering large amounts of fiber to the "untrained" colon often results in increased frequency of bowel habit and gas. This situation is fortunately short-lived. Some experimentation is always required when extra fiber is increased in the diet; and I advise people not to "give up" on fiber supplements prematurely. I advise individuals to keep adjusting the amount of fiber that they take in supplement form until their colon becomes agreeable and accepting of its new healthy contents. As a gastroenterologist with a major interest in alternative medicine, I believe in the need for simple, natural and gentle ways to engage in the healthy habit of colon cleansing. There are complicated but effective ways of intermittent colon cleansing with colon hydrotherapy. Colon hydrotherapists can improve the outcome of their treatments by the correct use of well-formulated dietary supplements for digestive health. However, I stress that the supplements they use should have a clear evidence-base for an effect on digestive function. Certain nutrients can effectively support regular bowel function in a simple, gentle and natural way. A complex nutrient-botanical formula is shown in Table 1. This formulation is quite versatile and it has detoxification implications. Artichoke Leaf Ashwagandha Root Beet Leaf Burdock Root Chlorella Corn Silk Dandelion Root Arabinogalactans Milk Thistle 80% Mullein Leaf Red Clover Flowers Turmeric Root Aloe Vera 200: 1 Concentrate Rhubarb Root Slippery Elm Bark Marshmallow Root Fennel Seed Ginger Root Triphala Magnesium (Hydroxide) L-Glutamine Fish Oil 50% Powder Table 1: Ingredients of an effective colon cleansing formula. This complex formulation is designed to support the principal function of the colon in the act of evacuation of stool. The formula draws upon several traditional medical systems that have focused their attention on the colon as a source of health and well-being. The formula uses an Ayurvedic herbal system for body cleansing (Triphala) and utilizes recommendations from master herbalists on a variety of different botanicals that can support or modify colon function. Some ingredients do provide gentle purgative actions (Fennel seed, Rhubarb root), but other ingredients are designed to support the lining of the colon or provide a mild astringent effect (Aloe Vera, Slippery Elm Bark). Fish oil and L-glutamine offer nutritive support for the colon's lining, while Mullein leaf and Ginger root provide a "soothing" effect. One principal mechanism of action of this formula is to hold water in the bowel to make the stool softer and easier to pass (known as the osmotic laxative effect). Colon cleansing was once called "the royal pathway to health" because of its popularity among kings, queens and the aristocracy of the Victorian era. Members of the French aristocracy were the strongest proponents of stool evacuation for health. For a while, this activity was considered to be an "embarrassing joke." These days, individuals are more willing to talk about normal body functions in an open and constructive manner. Medical practitioners continue to argue about the benefits of colon cleansing. Once relegated to the world of quackery, the act of colon cleansing as a part of detoxification of the body is emerging as an increasingly valuable process in the promotion of well-being. Be Healthy! Dr. Stephen Holt, M.D. Dr. Stephen Holt, M.D. is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine (Emerite) and a medical practitioner in New York State. He has published many peer-review papers in medicine and he is a best-selling author with more than twenty books in national and international distribution. He has received many awards for teaching and research. Dr. Holt is a frequent lecturer at scientific meetings and healthcare facilities throughout the world. He is the founder of the Holt Institute of Medicine (www.hiom.org) and www.stephenholtmd.com

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

Black Rice

 

I was reading an article this morning regarding this particular rice. I have never heard of it before. I will have to find out where they sell it locally and try it out.

Figured I would pass it along.

http://www.blackrice.com/

What is Black Rice exactly?

'Black Rice' is actually more purplish in color than black; although when uncooked it is very dark in appearance. This type of rice is usually sold 'un-milled', with the husk intact. Up until modern times, Black Rice was not easy to come by; it had been highly treasured and protected in Asia for many centuries. It is also commonly used as a condiment, dressing, or as a decoration for different types of desserts in many countries around the world.High in nutritional value, black rice is rich in iron and high in fiber.

Health Benefits

• prevention of cancer
• prevention of diabetes
• prevention of heart disease
• prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
• Prevention of Heart Attacks

 

 

That should say Black Rice AND had I looked at the where to buy section I would have seen that it is sold in Whole Foods. lol ARGH just one of those days. I will be deleting the previous post.Thx.

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

DUH Moments

OMG this is so true. I constantly have these moments. I feel like such an airhead. Glad to know I am not the only one. She cracked me up and made my day.

 

While I was reading I was like, "Yep, Yep, Yep...done that and that." lol

 

I was holding my sons hand the other day while we were walking through a parking lot and I forgot that he had his eyes closed and made him trip into a car (again). DUH!

Yes, I win the horrible mother award again. <sigh> I hope I run out of shelf space soon.

 

Taken from Heavenly Homemakers blog:

"Duh" Moments Posted: 06 Jul 2011 07:56 PM PDT My days are full of "duh" moments. Is it just me?  It seems like the older I get, the older my kids get, the more I have on my to-do list…the more "duh" moments I have. I say "duh" to myself frequently.  Like when I walk all the way to our storage room to retrieve something, but by the time I get there, I have absolutely no idea what I had intended to get.  Duh.  Or when I stir the wrong ingredient into the wrong bowl because I'm trying to make too many recipes at the same time.  Duh.  Or how about the time I stuck a wooden spoon into a running food processor.  We had splinter-filled cookie dough with that smart move.  Duh. Just last week, I had a very busy day and just so happened to be wearing a cute but long sun-dress that went all the way past my ankles.  This information about my apparel is only relevant if you consider that after going out to check on my husband who was busy painting the outside of our house, I tripped on my long sundress while going up my porch-steps.  (duh)  Thankfully, my shins didn't suffer too much for this move, and I'm almost certain none of the neighbors were outside to see my gracefulness. But that's not really why I told you about the sun-dress.  You just needed to know about how I tripped over the sundress so that you could understand my next and very silly "duh" moment. You see, a couple of hours after my graceful sundress-tripping-up-the-porch-steps incident, I had to make a stop at the post office.  There are a good 10-12 cement steps in front of the post office.  Because I'm never (sometimes) one to make the same mistake twice, I was very careful to hold up the bottom of my dress as I decended the post office steps after mailing my package.  I was able to avoiding a foot-tangled-up-in-sundress-in-front-of-post-office mishap and managed to make it down the cement steps with both feet on the ground and all was well. I was focused on rejoicing in my success – so focused that I went to the nearest silver mini-van in front of the post office, opened the door and hopped right in.  Aaaa!! (Yes, I believe that was exactly how I said it.) Wrong mini-van. Duh. (It was way too clean to be my mini-van – that should have been my first clue.) Three parking spaces down was MY silver mini-van, which I am quite sure I made it to in record time (after looking both ways twice to see who had witnessed my "duh" moment.) The minute I got home, my husband, from his perch on the ladder while painting, said, "We just got a phone call.  Malachi was supposed to be at a birthday party 15 mintues ago." Oh duh. Yep, the "duh" moments just never stop around here. Have any "duh" moments you'd like to share?

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

Cupcake Recipes (Hungry Girl)

 

From Hungry Girl:  I love her -  she is so energetic and motivating.

 

Cupcakes were SO trendy at one point that some people are now saying the mini-cakes are no longer cool. To those people, we say, "Have fun being cool... We'll be over here eating guilt-free cupcakes!"

Boston Cream Cupcakes  PER SERVING (1 cupcake): 114 calories, 2.5g fat, 193mg sodium, 21.5g carbs, 0g fiber, 12g sugars, 2g protein -- PointsPlus® value 3* There's something awesome about injecting cupcakes with pudding... and something MORE awesome about eating 'em! Ingredients: Half of an 18.25-oz. box (about 1 3/4 cups) moist-style yellow cake mix 1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original) 3 tbsp. chocolate frosting, room temperature 2 tbsp. light chocolate syrup One 60-calorie sugar-free or no-sugar-added vanilla pudding snack (like the kind by Jell-O) 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract 1 no-calorie sweetener packet (like Splenda or Truvia) Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with baking cups and/or spray with nonstick spray; set aside. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, egg substitute, and 1/2 cup water. Whisk thoroughly. Evenly distribute mixture among the cups of the muffin pan. Bake in the oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 - 22 minutes. Allow cupcakes to completely cool. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine chocolate frosting with chocolate syrup and mix well. Cover and refrigerate. Once cupcakes have cooled, use a knife or narrow spoon handle to create a small centered hole through the top of each cupcake, stopping about midway through the cupcakes. Set aside. Open pudding cup and stir in vanilla extract and sweetener. Place pudding in one of the bottom corners of a sealable plastic bag. Remove air and seal. Snip off a small part of that corner with scissors. Gently squeeze the bag and evenly pipe pudding through the hole in the bag's corner and into the holes in the cupcakes. Evenly spread frosting-syrup mixture over the cupcakes. (Don't worry if some of the pudding filling gets mixed in!) Serve and enjoy! (Refrigerate leftovers, if you've got 'em.) MAKES 12 SERVINGS

Coconut Cream Fluffcakes  PER SERVING (1 cupcake): 105 calories, 1.5g fat, 158mg sodium, 20g carbs, <0.5g fiber, 14g sugars, 1.5g protein -- PointsPlus® value 3* If clouds were made of cupcakes and tasted like coconut, they'd be a lot like these treats. YUM! Ingredients: 3/4 cup Cool Whip Free, thawed 1/4 cup Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme, room temperature 1 drop coconut extract 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut, divided Half of a 16-oz. box (about 1 1/2 cups) angel food cake mix Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with baking cups. (You MUST use baking cups for this recipe.) Do not spray with nonstick spray. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine Cool Whip, marshmallow creme, and coconut extract. Mix thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate. Roughly chop 1/4 cup shredded coconut and set aside. In a large bowl, combine cake mix with 5 oz. (1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp.) water. Using an electric mixer, beat at low speed for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium, and beat for 1 minute. Add the roughly chopped coconut, and beat for another 30 seconds. Allow cake mixture to rest for 2 minutes. Then evenly distribute it among the baking cups. Bake in the oven until tops are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Set aside to slightly cool. Evenly spread frosting mixture among cupcakes and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup shredded coconut. Eat up! (Refrigerate leftovers.) MAKES 12 SERVINGS HG Tip: When it comes to angel food cake mix, the exact volume (cup amount) of mix per box varies by brand. So for exact calorie counts, measure out all of the cake mix in the box first, and then use half that amount.

Banana SplitCakes  PER SERVING (1 cupcake): 143 calories, 3.5g fat, 160mg sodium, 27g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 16.5g sugars, 2g protein -- PointsPlus® value 4* Classic sundae flavors packed into petite cakes -- how could you NOT love these cuties? Ingredients: Half of an 18.25-oz. box (about 1 3/4 cups) moist-style yellow cake mix 1/2 tsp. baking powder 3/4 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas) 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided 1 cup Cool Whip Free, thawed 2 tbsp. low-sugar or sugar-free strawberry jam 6 maraschino cherries, halved Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with baking cups and/or spray with nonstick spray and set aside. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, baking powder, and 1 cup water. Mix thoroughly. Add banana and stir well. Gently fold in 3 tbsp. chocolate chips. Evenly distribute mixture among the cups of the baking pan. Bake in the oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Allow cupcakes to completely cool. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine Cool Whip with preserves and mix well. Cover and refrigerate. Once cupcakes have cooled, evenly spread Cool Whip mixture over the cupcakes. Top each cupcake with 1/4 tsp. chocolate chips and a cherry half. Enjoy! (Refrigerate leftovers.) MAKES 12 SERVINGS

 

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº  

 

Faith/Diet

 

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Tim always said that God really didn't help him much. The trouble was, Tim never did much for God, either. He rarely prayed, hardly went to church, and didn't even own a Bible. When someone suggested that Tim might go on a diet, he said dieting didn't do any good. Tim pursued a diet about as apathetically as he pursued God. We will never succeed in anything unless we dedicate ourselves-body, mind, and soul-to achieving our goal. A deep and driving faith can be the perfect model for our diets. If we will strive to lose weight as much as we strive after God, He will bless our effort.

Today's thought: I'm giving everything I've got to losing weight!

 

"All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." -  ºoº Walt Disney ºoº