for me, being crafty and creative has to come from somewhere.. i'm not the most innovative person in the world. so, i look to others for inspiration. i love tutorials, and fun ideas i find around the internet, in books, and in magazines (ahem.. martha stewart.. haha). i wanted to put down a list of websites i often go to for inspiration..
cookies/baking:
Clever Cookie
Elenis NY
Cookies by Design
Rolling Pin Productions
Fancy Flours
Copper Gifts
Crafts/Gifts:
Tip Junkie
Etsy
Craftster
Sewing
Craftzine
i love DIY.. i look at a lot of home sites as well (HGTV, DIY network, etc) and watch a ton of home shows.. but i'm still getting a hang of decorating in the house =)
FUN FUN!
working towards a better me... 1 pound at a time.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Feeling yucky today...
I don't know WHAT I ate yesterday that made me feel this gross.. but something didn't agree with me. Regardless.. I'm at work.. pushing through.
I'm working on being frugal whilst getting food that's good for me! The best place in the world to do that - farmer's market!! This weekend it wasn't the best.. but I got some good stuff. Some baby spinach and new potatoes that looked really great. A giant bunch of parsley for $1! I think I need to make some soup. I got some carrots but no one had celery... I'll just have to get some tomorrow. I'm excited for the markets to start looking like summer.. but if it stays cold like it has been, I won't be seeing fruit anytime soon!
I have found target to be my best friend.. a lot of their stuff not on sale is a great deal.. like hostess 100 calorie packs for $3 and their archer farms products. Also, their zone bars (my breakfast of choice.. packing 15 grams of protein per bar) are only $4.50 for a 5-pack.
My food picks right now:
Freeze-dried fruit - I usually get it at Trader Joe's, but it can be kinda pricey. Costco carries Brothers All Natural, but you can also buy them online (1 point per pouch)
Yoplait Light dessert flavors - their strawberry shortcake, boston creme pie, apple turnover and pineapple upsidedown cake will kill a sweet craving for me any day (2 points each)
Zone Double Dark Chocolate bars - Sure, they're 4-5 points each, but with my coffee when I start work at night.. they're the best. The 15 grams of fiber in each bar keep me satisfied until I get my lunch break around 3am (4-5 points each)
Fuji apples - I've recently gained a newfound respect for these delicious things. They are so sweet and so juicy.. I love eating them after lunch at work.. and then I find myself not craving anything sweet. (1-2 points each)
Almond Milk - 40 calories for a cup, you can't beat it! I use it in cooking, cereal, coffee.. I'm not a milk person, so I don't drink it straight.. but I hear it's delicious! (1 point per cup)
Newton's fruit crisps - I've only had the apple cinnamon, but they are AMAZING!!! I really can't rave about these enough. I've even gotten my roommate hooked on them. They taste like.. drumroll please... McDonalds apple pies!!! It's 100 calories per package, and you get 2 of them!!! INCREDIBLE!!! (2 points per pack)
That's all folks!! I'll be back with photos of my homemade christmas gifts soon...
I'm working on being frugal whilst getting food that's good for me! The best place in the world to do that - farmer's market!! This weekend it wasn't the best.. but I got some good stuff. Some baby spinach and new potatoes that looked really great. A giant bunch of parsley for $1! I think I need to make some soup. I got some carrots but no one had celery... I'll just have to get some tomorrow. I'm excited for the markets to start looking like summer.. but if it stays cold like it has been, I won't be seeing fruit anytime soon!
I have found target to be my best friend.. a lot of their stuff not on sale is a great deal.. like hostess 100 calorie packs for $3 and their archer farms products. Also, their zone bars (my breakfast of choice.. packing 15 grams of protein per bar) are only $4.50 for a 5-pack.
My food picks right now:
Freeze-dried fruit - I usually get it at Trader Joe's, but it can be kinda pricey. Costco carries Brothers All Natural, but you can also buy them online (1 point per pouch)
Yoplait Light dessert flavors - their strawberry shortcake, boston creme pie, apple turnover and pineapple upsidedown cake will kill a sweet craving for me any day (2 points each)
Zone Double Dark Chocolate bars - Sure, they're 4-5 points each, but with my coffee when I start work at night.. they're the best. The 15 grams of fiber in each bar keep me satisfied until I get my lunch break around 3am (4-5 points each)
Fuji apples - I've recently gained a newfound respect for these delicious things. They are so sweet and so juicy.. I love eating them after lunch at work.. and then I find myself not craving anything sweet. (1-2 points each)
Almond Milk - 40 calories for a cup, you can't beat it! I use it in cooking, cereal, coffee.. I'm not a milk person, so I don't drink it straight.. but I hear it's delicious! (1 point per cup)
Newton's fruit crisps - I've only had the apple cinnamon, but they are AMAZING!!! I really can't rave about these enough. I've even gotten my roommate hooked on them. They taste like.. drumroll please... McDonalds apple pies!!! It's 100 calories per package, and you get 2 of them!!! INCREDIBLE!!! (2 points per pack)
That's all folks!! I'll be back with photos of my homemade christmas gifts soon...
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
go-to recipes
When I ventured out to make all of my christmas presents for '08, I instantly had an idea of compiling a recipe book for my sister-in-law. She always asks what I make since I cook so often, and I wanted to share with her my go-to recipes. I love to cook healthy, but I want to cook things that are so good they 'fool' my boyfriend, you know? So, for my own reference, as well as something I can direct others to, I wanted to compile all the links in one place (for some reason papers don't stay in my recipe file for too long, haha!)
Barbecue Pork-and-Coleslaw Hoagies (8 points each)
The coleslaw used in this recipe is my go-to, even when I'm not making the Hoagies. It's delicious! I use fat free sour cream instead of light.
Chicken Cordon Bleu (7 points each)
I serve this with mashed potatoes (try mixing half potatoes and half steamed califlower - it works well!), and green beans. In the recipe, I use brummel & brown instead of real butter, which I'm sure brings the nutritionals down a bit.
Chicken-fried Steak (7 points each)
I also serve this with mashed potatoes and green beans, and the gravy that goes with it is THE BEST cream gravy ever!!
Cream Gravy (1 point per 1/3 cup)
Soooo delicious, and I use fat free instead of low-fat milk.
Farfalle with Creamy Wild Mushroom Sauce (7 points per serving)
I half the pasta and use the same amount of sauce, which alters the nutritionals, but it's worth it!
Herbed Chicken and Dumplings (6 points per 2 cups)
I always double this (the recipe is for 2 servings) because it never lasts long between me and my boyfriend.. it's one of our favorite soups. I also use almond milk* instead of low-fat in the dumplings.
Mini Meat Loaves (6 points per loaf)
The best part - it's pre-portioned so there's no temptation! They cook fast, and are delicious. I don't splurge for the sirloin as called for in the recipe. I just use 90/10 ground beef. Another meat dish that goes great with mashed potatoes and green beans =)
*Almond Milk is incredible. We rarely have milk in our house because this is so much better! I use the Blue Diamond brand, unsweetened vanilla. It's only 40 calories per cup! That's less than half of fat free milk. I use it in cereal and in recipes! Plus it's easy to always have on hand because you can keep it in the cupboard like soy milk until you open it!
As you can see, I make a lot of mashed potatoes. When cooking for 2 people, there's always leftovers. Whenever I have left over mashed potatoes, I always re-create KFC's 'famous chicken bowl' at home. I bake up some frozen breaded chicken tenders (2 for me, 3-4 for my bf), and microwave some frozen kernel corn. I also make up a batch of cream gravy (see link above). In a shallow bowl, layer a spoonful of mashed potatoes, topped with corn, then cooked chicken tenders. Pour a bit of gravy over top and sprinkle with a little reduced-fat shredded cheese. SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD! =)
Hope this is helpful!
Barbecue Pork-and-Coleslaw Hoagies (8 points each)
The coleslaw used in this recipe is my go-to, even when I'm not making the Hoagies. It's delicious! I use fat free sour cream instead of light.
Chicken Cordon Bleu (7 points each)
I serve this with mashed potatoes (try mixing half potatoes and half steamed califlower - it works well!), and green beans. In the recipe, I use brummel & brown instead of real butter, which I'm sure brings the nutritionals down a bit.
Chicken-fried Steak (7 points each)
I also serve this with mashed potatoes and green beans, and the gravy that goes with it is THE BEST cream gravy ever!!
Cream Gravy (1 point per 1/3 cup)
Soooo delicious, and I use fat free instead of low-fat milk.
Farfalle with Creamy Wild Mushroom Sauce (7 points per serving)
I half the pasta and use the same amount of sauce, which alters the nutritionals, but it's worth it!
Herbed Chicken and Dumplings (6 points per 2 cups)
I always double this (the recipe is for 2 servings) because it never lasts long between me and my boyfriend.. it's one of our favorite soups. I also use almond milk* instead of low-fat in the dumplings.
Mini Meat Loaves (6 points per loaf)
The best part - it's pre-portioned so there's no temptation! They cook fast, and are delicious. I don't splurge for the sirloin as called for in the recipe. I just use 90/10 ground beef. Another meat dish that goes great with mashed potatoes and green beans =)
*Almond Milk is incredible. We rarely have milk in our house because this is so much better! I use the Blue Diamond brand, unsweetened vanilla. It's only 40 calories per cup! That's less than half of fat free milk. I use it in cereal and in recipes! Plus it's easy to always have on hand because you can keep it in the cupboard like soy milk until you open it!
As you can see, I make a lot of mashed potatoes. When cooking for 2 people, there's always leftovers. Whenever I have left over mashed potatoes, I always re-create KFC's 'famous chicken bowl' at home. I bake up some frozen breaded chicken tenders (2 for me, 3-4 for my bf), and microwave some frozen kernel corn. I also make up a batch of cream gravy (see link above). In a shallow bowl, layer a spoonful of mashed potatoes, topped with corn, then cooked chicken tenders. Pour a bit of gravy over top and sprinkle with a little reduced-fat shredded cheese. SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD! =)
Hope this is helpful!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Cupcakes!
So, I'm not the greatest cake baker in the world. Cookies I can do, but cakes, not so much. So imagine how ecstatic I was to get The Cupcakes! Book by the 'Cake Mix Doctor' from my aunt for Christmas. It has totally awesome recipes that all start with cake mix. I love cupcakes.. I think they're fun, adorable, and make us all feel like kids again. I've only been able to try a couple of the recipes, but one in particular, the "Cookies and Creme" cupcake, has been a big hit with everyone who has tried it! I've made them 4 separate times now because I keep getting requests!
Of course, when I saw these groundhog cupcakes featured on tipjunkie, you KNOW I automatically thought of doing them with the "Cookies and Creme" cupcake recipe!!! Especially since the recipe already has you garnish the top of buttercream frosting with oreo cookie crumbs =).
For those of you who are interested, here is the recipe:
- 1 box white cake mix (no pudding)
- 1 cup sour cream (light works just fine)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 30 oreo cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Crush 18 oreo cookies in a large zip-top bag with a rolling pin.Line 24 cupcake tins with paper liners. Separate remaining 12 oreos from one another, ensuring there is some creme filling on both sides of the cookie. Place cookie, creme side up, one in each cupcake liner.
Mix cake mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla in a bowl with a hand mixer on low speed for 30 seconds or until incorporated. Increase speed to medium for 2 minutes (batter will be thick). Fold in 1 1/2 cups of the crushed oreos, reserve remainder for garnish.
Spoon 1/3 cup batter into cupcake tins until about 3/4 of the way full. Bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes or until they spring back when lightly touched and are slightly golden. Cool on a wire rack.
Prepare buttercream frosting
- 1 stick butter (at room temp)
- 3 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Cream butter until light and fluffy. Stop mixer to add sugar, 3 tablespoons of the milk, and vanilla. Mix on low until incorporated. Increase speed to medium-high for 1-2 minutes. If too stiff, add up to 1 additional tablespoon of milk. Frosting should be spreadable consistency. Frost cupcakes and garnish with cookie crumbs. Lightly press crumbs in to stick. If making groundhog cupcakes, see instructions through tipjunkie link!
Seriously, these cupcakes are ridiculously good.update (10/7/09) i make these cupcakes so often i've played around with how to decorate them.. crumbs, mini oreos, oreo halves, piped frosting, spread frosting.. anywho.. these are my favorites:
Thursday, January 22, 2009
dieting...
Being a baker, I've always found dieting to be daunting. A lot of people say they don't like the things they make, but I do!! And even if I don't, I still convince myself that I have to try things if I'm going to feel comfortable giving them to other people.. haha.
I've been on and off the weight watchers bandwagon many a time.. but I'm really making an effort this time and feel like communication and sharing my struggle with others is the best way to be successful. I mean, I've used the same strategy in baking, arts & crafts, etc.. so why not in getting healthy?!
I wanted to compile some of my favorite tips and treats.. as well as my struggles that I feel are fairly common amongst anyone who has had trouble with their weight (ahem... everyone?! haha). I'll keep updating as things come to me.
Oh, and I recently added some uber cute cookies to my picasa account! they are under 'cookies 2' and still need to be organized. I think I need to start making folders.. birthdays, holidays, showers, etc. with my cookie pictures. =)
check them out!
I've been on and off the weight watchers bandwagon many a time.. but I'm really making an effort this time and feel like communication and sharing my struggle with others is the best way to be successful. I mean, I've used the same strategy in baking, arts & crafts, etc.. so why not in getting healthy?!
I wanted to compile some of my favorite tips and treats.. as well as my struggles that I feel are fairly common amongst anyone who has had trouble with their weight (ahem... everyone?! haha). I'll keep updating as things come to me.
Oh, and I recently added some uber cute cookies to my picasa account! they are under 'cookies 2' and still need to be organized. I think I need to start making folders.. birthdays, holidays, showers, etc. with my cookie pictures. =)
check them out!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tis the season...
I'm really feeling the holiday spirit. I can't believe Walmart is already playing Christmas tunes! I'm totally GIDDY!!!
Which is why I don't mind that I bombarded myself with cookies this week. I finished a dozen horn of plenty cookies for a gal at work that turned out ADORABLE! I'm doing some pumpkins for my cousin's holiday party which she came over and helped me get going.. and that was a HUGE help. Of course, Thanksgiving would not be complete without beautiful place settings... so my contribution to our feast is going to be individually personalized turkey cookies to be used as placecards! YAY! I can't wait to share the pics...
Which is why I don't mind that I bombarded myself with cookies this week. I finished a dozen horn of plenty cookies for a gal at work that turned out ADORABLE! I'm doing some pumpkins for my cousin's holiday party which she came over and helped me get going.. and that was a HUGE help. Of course, Thanksgiving would not be complete without beautiful place settings... so my contribution to our feast is going to be individually personalized turkey cookies to be used as placecards! YAY! I can't wait to share the pics...
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
new cookies!
I recently added a bunch of cookies to my picasa album.. including my current favorites - the cinderella cookies for my cousin alyssa's birthday! I think that these cookies definitely rival my butterfly cookies as my personal choice for the best I have ever done!
I also added fruit and veggie cookies that I gave to my parents as part of their anniversary gift - the other part was a fresh produce delivery box for 4 weeks.. hence the theme.
I made favors for my nephew's preschool's halloween party - all bagged and tied with "trick-or-treat" ribbon.
As you can see from the "bud light" cookies.. beer is a common theme in my family. They are definitely fun to make and I am open to the challenge of new brands! I still need to add my brother's birthday cookies and my dad and step-mom's anniversary cookies. Coming soon!
I also added fruit and veggie cookies that I gave to my parents as part of their anniversary gift - the other part was a fresh produce delivery box for 4 weeks.. hence the theme.
I made favors for my nephew's preschool's halloween party - all bagged and tied with "trick-or-treat" ribbon.
As you can see from the "bud light" cookies.. beer is a common theme in my family. They are definitely fun to make and I am open to the challenge of new brands! I still need to add my brother's birthday cookies and my dad and step-mom's anniversary cookies. Coming soon!
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