Minty Fresh

Trend alert.

Mint, duh!  Big shock, huh?   

If you even have the slightest bit of a pulse you know the intensity of the mint trend.  Truthfully, it is hard to ignore the color’s popularity and it’s even harder not to fall absolutely in love with.  Who could resist the temptation of such a nostalgic hue?  I immediately think of mint chocolate chip ice cream and it is a color that makes me feel happy, refreshed and youthful!

Whether the color be as household decoration, painted on fingernails or hanging in the closet; my hope is that this trendy color will take some time and stay a while.  If you haven’t yet acknowledged or been made aware of this growing trend, all you need to do is search “mint” in Pinterest and you will be exponentially inspired.  From mint housewares to mint colored macaroons . . . it’s all there! I’m astonished by all of the creative ways the color is being used and I look forward to finding a fun opportunity to incorporate the color mint into my life!

What spring colors inspire you?

No-Bake: Peanut Butter Pie

Utter the word peanut butter and I’m there . . . and chocolate?  Sure, why not!  This no bake pie caught my attention for no other reason than the fact that peanut butter pies are delicious and no-bake recipes are easy-breezy.  

Mac and I will be doing dinner with friends this evening and I might just have enough time to prepare after work before people start to gather.  I am thinking I might modify this recipe just a hair and add a smear of peanut butter and/or chop up some Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and put them the bottom?  Who doesn't like a gooey, unexpected surprise when eating dessert?  

Plus, this pie is a reduced-fat version and so I’m allowed to eat at least a third of it myself without the assistance of others (and if no one is looking, I might just eat it straight out of the pan . . .)    

Alright, here’s the recipe:

Skinny No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 10 • Serving Size: 1/10 • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 216.8 • Fat: 6.4 g • Protein: 2.9 g • Carb: 32.9 g • Fiber: 1.3 g • Sugar: 16.7g
Sodium: 94.6 mg
 
Ingredients

• 5 oz reduced fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup Better n Peanut Butter
• 8 oz fat free frozen whipped topping, thawed (or truwhip for healthier option*)
• reduced fat graham cracker pie crusts
• 3 tbsp Hershey's chocolate syrup

Directions

Beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar together in a medium bowl.  

Mix in Better 'n Peanut Butter and beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.

Spoon into graham cracker pie shell; cover, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2-3 hours. Drizzle with chocolate syrup before serving.

Getting Some Air

Quote

In today’s case "getting air" may mean being swept away in a treacherous wind tunnel.  We are anticipating a Pacific winter storm from the west to roll in this evening and dump 3 to 8” inches of snow.  I am comfortable with the prospect of more snow (more snow = more skiing on the weekend and I am totally okay with that!).   

However, being outdoors today is just plain uncomfortable, the wind gives no mercy!  I am looking forward to Zumba after work and creating a delicious pot of turkey chili with my sweet babe this evening.  Reading a book or magazine could easily be worked into the evening agenda, too.  Monday, you’ve been good to me.  Thank you!

Lights, Camera . . . Action!

Truffle Popcorn

Oscars, yes?

One of my favorite lifestyle/newsletter/websites, GlitterGirl, released some totally to-die-for recipes to make on Oscar night and I am intrigued.  With five recipes suggested; all require just five ingredients or less (hello simplicity!) and all are a healthier version of something you might otherwise make.  Perfection?  I think yes.  And, who can resist sweet potato fries, macaroons and truffled popcorn? 

Utter the word “food” and I’m instantly convinced.  Oscars, you better bring it this year! 

Happy Weekend, Friends!  Do something special for yourself.

No-Bake Energy Bites

No-Bake Energy Bites

Cute blog, great recipe!

I am really into the "no bake" recipes and these energy balls look absolutely divine.  Check out Smashed Peas and Carrots for recipes of numerous other tasty, fun and most importantly, unique, treats.  

Cookies for breakfast?  Sign me up!

Newman's Own: Honey Mustard

Okay, I know I am a freak for posting this but everyone must know and understand how absolutely delicious this dressing is.  Like, I'm telling you, it is liquid gold.  Intended to be a salad dressing but you can be awfully creative with it.

You can use this dressing in the following ways: in a leafy green salad, as a dip for pretzel thins, on salmon steaks, crab cakes, quinoa, veggie stir fry, pizza ... okay now I'm just being obnoxious. 

But, truth be told, this dressing is your solution to a delicious, flavorful meal.  Also, did I mention it is considered to be "light" dressing?  Only 70 calories per serving!  So technically there should be absolutely NO guilt associated with drenching everything with this heaven-sent, delectable dressing... right?

Try out my favorite way to enjoy Newman's Own Light Honey Mustard dressing:

1. Obtain a couple of handfuls of spinach or like leafy-green salad
2. Dice up some raw sweet onion
3. Add about a half of a chopped green pepper
4. Add a couple of tablespoons of crushed mixed nuts
5. Whatever protein or deli meat you desire (I recommend turkey or chicken)
6. Give a nice, liberal pour of Newman's Own Light Honey Mustard dressing
7.  Toss the salad gently and you are ready for a quick, tasty meal!  

Yum, yum.  Is it lunch yet?

Sweet Potato Biscuits

Paula Dean's Sweet Potato Biscuits

I don't know if it is just the change of season but I am feeling the impulse to bake... a lot!  I'm feeling inspired by all of the amazing holiday recipes and I recently ran across a sweet potato biscuit recipe that sparked my interest.  Needless to say, I ended up making the sweet potato biscuits and they tasted phenomenal and were no chore to make. It is helpful if you have mashed sweet potatoes prepared prior to baking this recipe-- great for using left-overs! Just a few ingredients and a few dirtied dishes later make for a worthwhile baking experience!

Paula Dean's Sweet Potato Biscuits 

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 heaping tablespoons sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup mashed cooked sweet potatoes
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) softened butter
• 2 to 4 tablespoons milk (depending on the moisture of the potatoes)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate, large bowl, mix the sweet potatoes and butter. Add the flour mixture to the potato mixture and mix to make a soft dough. Then add milk a tablespoon at a time to mixture and continue to cut in. Turn the dough out onto a floured board and toss lightly until the outside of the dough looks smooth. Roll the dough out to 1/2-inch thick and cut with a biscuit cutter. Place the biscuits on a greased pan and coat tops with melted butter. Bake for about 15 minutes. (Watch your oven: If the biscuits are browning too fast, lower the temperature.)

Subsitutions & changes to the recipe:  I did not use a biscuit cutter to form my biscuits.  I just rolled my hands in flour, formed a ball of dough in between my hands, placed the biscuit on a non-greased pan and flattened the top out a little.  I also didn't cook my biscuits for the full suggested cooking time of 15 mins.  Cooking in high altitude sometimes can be tricky but my biscuits came out SUPER moist.  Make sure you don't forget the drizzle of butter on top before you bake, it adds sweet texture and yummy flavor to the end product!  Forget about adding extra butter for serving--the biscuits are super rich on their own.  Dollop a bit of honey on top--presto!

Yummo.

Seasonal Cupcake: Sweet Tooth

Pictured: Pumpkin Cupcakes with Pumpkin Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

A round of applause to my favorite food blog at the moment; Gina's Skinny Recipes.  This site is perfect place to look for nutritious and low-calorie/fat/sugar recipes.  The recipes featured are health-conscious yet naughty at the same time!

I especially love the "Under $10" recipes.  Each dish is well-photographed and the recipe description is always thorough.  If you are a Weight Watchers follower, all recipes give a PointsPlus value (and old points system value), added bonus!

You do NOT need to be Julia Child to enjoy this blog.  New recipes post nearly every day.  Check it out!

Bon Appetite.