Day 138: Frozen Yogurt

Last Thursday night and tonight, we had the privilege of hearing our boys play in their school orchestra. Nick plays cello and Camdyn plays violin. They were both excellent concerts and we are so proud of both of them. They have put in a lot of practice time to get to where they are. Can't wait to see what their future holds for them!

We went to 3 Flamingos to celebrate with frozen yogurt. I had a kids cup of white chocolate mousse topped with crumbled Twix and Mini Reese cups. It was a fun time!

Day 137: Chocolate Rolo Cookies

I made these Chocolate Rolo Cookies today for the first time in several years. I originally found this recipe in a Quick Cooking magazine and really liked it, but just forgot about it. It is so easy with only 4 ingredients, and the cookies turn out so soft and chewy with a bite of caramel in the middle.

Chocolate Rolo Cookies

Yield: 28 cookies (135 calories each)

Ingredients:

• 1 Devils Food cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 28 Rolos

Directions:

1. Combine first 3 ingredients until fully mixed.
2. Scoop dough using a cookie scoop and wrap around Rolo. Place on a baking sheet, leaving 2" between each dough ball (cookies will spread during baking).
3. Bake at 350 deg for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes then move to cooling rack.

Day 136: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Pocket

Cinnamon! Cream cheese! Puff pastry! Oh my!! Whatever have I done! These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Pockets were so good that I ate 3 of them. Thank goodness I went to weight training tonight!

Start with one sheet of thawed puff pastry. Roll out, then using a 4" pastry cutter, cut out 10 circles. Mix together 4 oz of light cream cheese, 1/8 cup of brown sugar, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Spoon 1 tbsp of filling on each dough circle. Dab water around outer edge of dough, fold over and crimp edges with a fork. Bake on a parchment covered baking sheet and bake at 350 deg for 18 minutes. Eat warm from the oven.

I actually ran out of filling for 2 of the dough circles, so 2 of the crusts I filled with Nutella and marshmallows. So yummy!!

Day 135: Blueberry Poppyseed Loaves

Today has been a really good day! Work was relatively calm and uneventful. Picked the boys up from school and came home to spend the next couple of hours in the kitchen. I made Cheesy Noodle Casserole for dinner, one of my family's favorites, and it takes up a lot of dishes. While making that, I also baked the Blueberry Poppyseed Loaves that I am sharing with you tonight. After dinner, my fabulous husband stayed around and helped clean up the massive messy kitchen that I had made. He was my knight in shining armor!! 

I waited until the sun started going down before heading out for my Monday run. The last 3 weeks have been a struggle just getting through my runs and weight classes! But tonight I had an awesome run and loved every minute of it. Words of wisdom - when exercise gets tough, just keep on keeping on because there is light and joy at the end of any dark tunnel or pit that seems to be swallowing you! You will be stronger because of it! 

Today's recipe, Blueberry Poppyseed Loaves, came from my last edition of Food Network magazine. Instead of 3 small loaves, I made mini muffin loaves. These turned out very tasty and moist, but for 350 calories, I would rather have something with chocolate and caramel or peanut butter. Basically, I ran 4 miles just so I could eat the little muffin!! Not worth it! I am not a huge blueberry fan anyway, but like them in muffins. Regardless, I am glad I tried them.

Days 133 & 134: Banana cream cheese cake & Apple Crumble

Happy Mother's Day to all my mom readers out there! I hope you have a day filled with peace and quiet (because your kids aren't arguing for one day), a full belly (and you didn't have to cook it or clean up afterward), and a relaxing afternoon (because you got to take a nap instead of catching up on laundry). That's all I am asking for!!

I wasn't able to post yesterday so today is catch up. Yesterday I made Banana Cream Cheese Breakfast Cakes. I didn't actually make them for breakfast but for an evening snack. I just recently started receiving Food Network magazine in the mail. I found this recipe in last month's issue and it looked delicious so I decided to give it a try. I love anything that resembles banana bread and these did not fail me.  The banana muffin was delish and the cream cheese filling just sent it over the top.  The only thing I might change is to fill the muffin cups a little less since they overflowed a little and baked flat on top.  Also, the recipe said it made 12 muffins and I got 20 out of it. Each muffin weighs in at 224 calories.  Pair it with a bowl of strawberries and you have a fabulous breakfast.

Today is National Apple Pie Day, so instead of spending too much time in the kitchen on Mother's Day, I decided to make an Apple Crumble instead. It was delicious topped with a scoop of frozen yogurt.  The only change I would make to this recipe is add a little less brown sugar to the crumble topping.  It was rather sweet and would also save a little on the calories.

Apple Crumble

Yield: 6 servings (387 calories/serving)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar (I would change to 1/2 cup)
• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 3 cups peeled and sliced apples (2 medium)
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 deg.
2. Mix the first 4 ingredients together to make soft crumbs. Add half of the crumbs to the apples in an 8 inch square baking dish, mixing together well.
3. Stir the water, sugar and cinnamon together and pour over the apples. Top with the remaining crumb mixture.
4. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the apples are done.
5. Eat warm from the oven, and top with ice cream if desired.

Day 132: Mother / Daughter Girls Night

Enjoyed a fun Mother / Daughter night with my 5/6 girls and their moms. Went bowling and out to dinner at Mike's Place. Ended the meal with some Peanut Butter Pie - YUM!

Day 131: Grilled Rolo Poundcake Sundae

I had some pound cake left over from another dessert so I decided to create a treat using it today. I call this creation Grilled Rolo Poundcake Sundae. Start with 2 slices of poundcake. Place 8 mini Rolos on top of one slice and place 2nd slice on top of Rolos. Spray with butter spray and grill until brown and melty. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with chocolate and caramel syrup. Eat and enjoy immediately!! YUM!