Sunday, June 17, 2012

Slimkicker Digital Scale Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered the latest giveaway! My friends at Slimkicker have announced the winner of the digital kitchen scale giveaway!

The lucky one is MJ who suggested the following fitness challenge: 

Let's see..... A good giveaway idea would be to do 1 spontaneous physical activity everyday, whether it's getting off 1 station early to work, or taking a walk after lunch, or just playing with the kids.

Congratulations MJ! Please respond with your email address so we can can contact you about getting you the scale! 

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Skinny Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits


I think most people would agree that the biscuits at Red Lobster are one of the best reasons for eating there. They are so ridiculously buttery and fluffy but not so figure friendly. I saw these skinny versions of the biscuits and gave them a try when we had our friends over for dinner. They are pretty darn close to the original but you can enjoy them without the guilt - only 107 calories and 3 grams of fat per biscuit. They are a cinch to make and so yummy I am thinking of making them again tonight for my hubby's Father's Day dinner. One note -- make sure to serve them right out of the oven! 
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Skinny Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits
Makes 12 Biscuits
Ingredients
2 cups reduced fat Bisquick
3/4 cup low fat buttermilk 
1 cup shredded low fat cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons light butter or margarine 
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (I used real minced garlic)
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine the bisquick, milk, and cheddar cheese in a medium bowl. Mix by hand until well combined. 
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Divide the dough into 12 equal portions (about 3 tablespoons each) and spoon onto a lightly greased or nonstick cookie sheet. Flatten each biscuit a bit with your fingers. 
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Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the tops begin to brown. In a small bowl combine the butter with the garlic powder or minced garlic and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. Brush garlic butter on the top of each biscuit immediately after removing from the oven. Sprinkle a dash of parsley over to top of each biscuit and serve immediately. 
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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Sea Salt

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In the past month I've made these delicious cookie bars three times. Yes - three times! They are that freaking good! They are not your average chocolate chip bars because they are sprinkled with sea salt before they are baked. This takes them to a whole new salty/sweet level. I made them for a potluck at hubby's work and people raved about them, so I made them again for a party and then one more time for hubby's coworkers. They are best warm and make a nice big batch so make them when you want to share - and believe me they will go fast!
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Sea Salt
From Two Peas & Their Pod
Printable Version
Ingredients
2 1/8 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
12 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled to room temperature (can be scaled back if you would like)
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups chocolate chip
Sea salt for sprinkling
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Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a 9X13 inch baking pan. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda. In the bowl of a stand mixer mix together the melted butter and sugars until combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Slowly add the dry ingredients at low speed until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. 
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Pour the dough into the prepared pan and smooth so it evens out. Sprinkle the bars very lightly with sea salt. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top of the bars are light brown and start to pull away from the pan. Allow bars to cook on a wire rack before cutting into squares and serving. 
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Thursday, June 7, 2012

A Fabulous Giveaway!!!

Oh friends, do I have a special treat for you! I was contacted by the good people at Slimkicker, a healthy living/fitness app, and asked if I wanted to host a giveaway where one lucky reader will get this awesome digital food scale


How cool is that scale?? Of course I said yes because not only do I love helping my readers win cool, free stuff but I know how important it is to make fitness and health goals.


Slimkicker can help inspire to reach your goals by providing you with motivational games, rewards, challenges, and online tools for counting calories and keeping track of your fitness. Check out their site here!


To enter the giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment describing your idea of a fun, creative fitness or diet challenge. It only has to be one or two sentences. I'll start by sharing my diet challenge: after baby is born I am going to severely limit my sugar intake! I went a little crazy with the desserts and sweets during this pregnancy but to help lose the baby weight and make sure my little bundle of joy receives the correct nutrition, my goal is to only splurge on desserts a few times a week (instead of every day or more than once a day, woops)! :)


So what is your fitness or diet idea? Please share! The people at Slimkicker will pick a winner in a week and then the scale will be all yours! This giveaway is limited to US residents only please!


Thank you to my new friends at Slimkicker for allowing me to host this fabulous giveaway and remind me how important it is to set goals for yourself! Let the commenting begin...! 


Saturday, June 2, 2012

Healthy Breakfast Cookies

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These breakfast cookies are extremely easy, quick, and super heathy. No sugar in these "cookies" unless you count the dates. They are moist and filling AND they are very adaptable, so you could substitute or add in  your favorite dried fruit for the dates. Cookies for breakfast? Yes please!
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Healthy Breakfast Cookies
From Pinterest
Printable Version
Ingredients
1.5 cups oats
2 or 3 super ripe bananas 
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
Handful of chopped dates (or dried cranberries, apricots, or raisins)
A dash of cinnamon (to taste)
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Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Drop by large spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake for 35 minutes and remove to wire rack. Allow to cool and enjoy!
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