Diet Failure

Okay, I must share my diet failure this week.  I blame it on these delicious chocolate candies.  (yeah, I know its about my choices,,blah,blah,blah) I was doing just fine until my 12 year talked me into buying these chocolate covered blueberries and pomegranates at Sam's club.  I could not stop eating these and psychologically I was okay with this because I told myself they contained fruit and dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants, right?   I must say I probably will never buy these again only because I cannot stop at 10 pieces nor 20 or 30.  I must keep going until the entire bag is gone.    I will post a picture of these yummy creations and perhaps you will have more self control then I do. 

This week was kind of hectic but I managed to make a cake for my friend's niece who is turning one.  My friend said the theme was Minnie Mouse and they had the plates,cups,etc. in all Minnie Mouse design.  I found an image of the plate and was able to make an edible image of it on a frosting sheet with my edible ink printer.  (Yes,,this printer is a p.i.t.a. as it clogs frequently if you don't use it all the time)  Surprisingly, the printer worked for the two images I needed and then clogged up afterwards so I lucked out.   I put the image on the buttercream cake and decorated around it with some fondant stripes.  I also added some fondant ribbon roses in the corners.    I will  post an awesome marshmallow fondant recipe that is really easy to make and use.   It is also considerably cheaper than buying commercial fondant.  

Smash cake

A little bit of healthy

Ok,so I was going to post a sinfully sweet cookie or something on that order but then I thought I should probably do something on the more healthy side seeing as though its the start of the new year.   I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a New Year's resolution of eating healthier.  On New Year's eve I literally ate taco dip for breakfast,lunch and dinner and so by the end of the day I was so disgusted with myself that I was more than ready to start eating better the next day.

 I made this baked oatmeal this week and it was scrumptious.  I know its good when my kids will eat it.  I made mine with frozen raspberries and blueberries and drizzled a bit of sugar-free maple sugar over it.

Baked Oatmeal Recipe

(recipe from Snack Girl)

(8) servings

Dry Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. allspice

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

2 1/2 cups sliced fruit

1 cup milk

1 cup plain yogurt  ( I used vanilla yogurt and it turned out fine)

2 eggs

1/4 cup maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, or sugar  ( I used brown sugar)

Preheat over to 350 degrees.  Spray 8x8 baking dish.  Mix dry ingredients and then add wet ingredients.  Put into pan and cover with foil.  Bake for 20 minutes, remove foil, and bake for another 25 minutes until golden brown.  

Enjoy this hot, cold or at room temperature.  This will keep nicely in fridge for a week if well covered. 

For one serving using low fat milk and yogurt  = 170 calories, 3.6 g fat, 27.6 g carbohydrates, 7.1 g protein, 3.1 g fiber, 163 mg sodium, 4 PointsPlus. 

I luv smoothies

Blog hopes for 2013

Ok, well I am starting on my 1st New Year's goal of starting a blog.  I have been meaning to get a blog going for the longest time but just haven't gotten around to it.  I love making food for people and sharing recipes.  I hate to say it, but I am probably responsible for many diet failures at work.....sorry guys!   What are your goals for 2013?

This is one of my favorite chocolate cup cake recipes.  They are very moist and the frosting is so good that you will be wanting to come back for more.  I have also chopped up Snicker bar and sprinkled that on top of the frosting along with caramel syrup.  ( I will post that another time)

I get my cupcake wrappers at U Bake.  In my opinion, the wrappers are better quality and hold their shape during the filling process.

Chocolate cupcakes

1 box of chocolate cake mix
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/3 cup water
1/8 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1 cup. sour cream
3 whole eggs

Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 25 minutes.  Use the toothpick method to determine if the inside is done.  This recipe was originally created by Rebecca Sutterby.