Month: September 2012

Spinach Artichoke Dip

spinartdip
So, here is another delicious outcome from a recipe I followed from Eat Yourself Skinny! Are you seeing a trend with where I get my recipes from? Sure I like to make some up as I go or adapt them to my tastes, but I swear Kelly from Eat Yourself Skinny has the same tastes as I do.
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Spinach Artichoke Dip turned out great and was super easy. I actually put this dip into two smaller baking dishes before baking. The best part of this whole recipe was that 1/2 cup was only 2 PointsPlus. This dip is so doable during Sunday football.

Fall is here

Morning cuddle buddy #dog
J and I are fighting off colds and have spent most of the weekend wrapped up in blankets watching football.

Headed to the park for a walk. Look who's excited!

We did get up and out yesterday. Took the pup for a walk at the park. She was in 7th heaven, struttin’ her stuff.

I will spend the rest of today in a nice comfy chair wrapped up in my oversized fleece blanket working on a 20-page paper that is due tomorrow. Sometimes I surprise myself on how easily I can knock out a 20-page paper…something I never thought was possible pre-grad school.

I guess that’s something I can put on my future resume:
fast-paced essay writer about topics that are not interesting to me.

yea… that’ll get me the job.

Happy first Sunday of Fall!

Falling

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Today, I am sitting on the couch with a box of tissues next to me with a sniffling nose watching Home Improvement reruns.  It reminds that fall is finally here.  Weird reminder, I know.  That’s how my brain works.

I love, love, love fall (that’s a lot of love right there) and couldn’t be more happy that it’s finally feeling like fall around here. I’ve busted out my boots, some scarves and my most comfortable sweaters.

This fall I’ve decided to make a pact of creating new fall-inspired foods. So far, I’ve made my first apple pie and pulled pork tacos. That was just one day. I was a bit zealous!

Here are my favorites about fall: carving pumpkins, richer coolers outside, layering clothes, walks in the park with the dog and boy, cooking healthy delicious comfort foods, and blah, blah, blah.

I could go on and on, but there is one drawback to fall weather. Allergies. They are the worst. Absolute worst.

What is your favorite season?

 

 

 

Not too bad for you, oh so yummy Beer-garitas

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I found a delicious drink recipe on one of my favorite cooking blogs – Eat Yourself Skinny! – check it out here.

I tasted tested it the morning after I made it and found that it was a bit too lime-y tasting for me.  I’m sure others would think that it was great, but I wanted to tone down the lime.  So, I altered the recipe a bit at that point.

Here are my final ingredients:
2 cups frozen limeade (see recipe below)
3 bottles of light beer (I used Select 55)
1/2 cup tequila

Ingredients for limeade:
1 cup fresh lime juice + 2 limes for zesting
1 1/2 cups of water
1/2 cup Splenda sugar blend
How to make the limeade:

In a large saucepan, combine water, Splenda and lime zest from the 2 limes.  Heat until Splenda is dissolved.  Remove from heat and  cool to room temperature.  Stir in lime juice and freeze until ready to use.

How to make the beer-garitas:
In a pitcher, combine frozen limeade, 3 beers and 1/2 cup of tequila.  Place pitcher in the freezer overnight or until frozen, then mix so that it is in slushy form and serve.
It made 6 servings and was at 3 PointsPlus per serving.  Now, I used different beer than the original recipe.  I prefer Bud products over here, now when calculating the beer it said that 1 can of Bud Select 55 was 0 PointsPlus and 3 beers was only 1 PointsPlus.  Now that’s hard to believe so please don’t go crazy if using Bud Select 55.

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It was a perfect drink to have in hand while watching football this past Sunday.

Perfection!

Crispy Baked Shrimp

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I adapted this recipe from one from Dashing Dish.  It was simple, quick and can trick the mind into thinking you’re eating something fried.  If you’re like me and love fried food, but know that it’s not the best thing in the world to eat then this is a recipe for you.

Ingredients:

1 lb. of cooked medium shrimp
2/3 c. of whole wheat bread crumbs
4 T. Egg Substitute (I used Egg Beaters original)
1 pkt. Stevia
1 spray of cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425.  Spray cooke sheet with cooking spray.  In shallow skillet heat breadcrumbs on medium heat for about 2 minutes.  Then pour crumbs into shallow bowl.  Dip shrimp into egg substitute, let excess run off.  Then dredge into bread crumbs, shake off excess.  Place in a single layer on cookie sheet.  Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until warm.
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It will serve 4 at only 3 PointsPlus per serving.

old stompin’ grounds

Maggie
I’m heading home to spend time with the family and to show the boyfriend where I grew up. Nothing like taking him to my old stompin’ grounds filled with fried catfish and back roads.
Happy Weekend!

“fried” mozzarella bites

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I found this recipe on one of my favorite food blogs Eat Yourself Skinny!  I made it just as the recipe called, no substitutions and it turned out perfect.  It was a great snack for football this past Sunday.
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Plus a serving is only 3 PointsPlus, can’t beat that!

DIY Canvas Word Art with Paint {Tutorial}

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I found a way to combine my love of art, music, and crafts.  This past weekend I created a work of art using lyrics from one of my favorite songs by New Found Glory.  The song: Tell Tale Heart.

Supplies:
1 Canvas, Mod Podge (I used Matte), X-Acto knife, paint brush, magazines (or newspaper), painters tape

step1

Step One: I taped off the edges of the canvas using painter’s tape.  I wanted the edges to remain white.  Step Two: I found some neat magazine clippings and used Mod Podge to adhere them to the canvas.  Then let dry.  step3step4

Step Three: I arranged the letters to the lyrics on the canvas.  step4a

Step Four: Paint over using one, two, or more colors.  I used four.  I like color and couldn’t seem to stop adding more.  step5

Step Five: After it is dry, peel off the vinyl letters using the X-Acto knife, if needed.  Step Six: If desired, use one more layer of Mod Podge over the artwork.

step6

Enjoy your new masterpiece.