NO STRESS CHRISTMAS MORNING BREAKFAST

Christmas Morning is full of fun and excitement and the last thing you want to be doing is slaving over a hot stove making your family breakfast while they are opening presents without you. Here is the quickest, easiest, tastiest, most figure friendly,  most affordable muffin recipe EVER.....and what's even better, you can make a variety of flavors....this will be our Christmas Morning breakfast....how about you:

QUICK AND EASY FAT FREE MUFFINS

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

-box of Krusteaz FAT FREE Muffin mix…..comes in Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry, Banana, and Cranberry Orange….2.00

RECIPE DIRECTIONS:

-all you have to do is add the amount of water per package instructions to muffin mix along with can of fruit that comes in package, stir, fill muffin tins…will make 12 regular muffins or I like to make  6 jumbo muffins  using a jumbo muffin tin and bake according to package instructions. The best Fat Free muffins I have ever tasted

MAKES 6 JUMBO MUFFINS FOR 2.00….50 CENTS PER MUFFIN!

HAVE YOUR MILKSHAKE AND DRINK IT TOO

Milkshakes are a favorite American treat anytime of year!  We love the creaminess and sweetness of these delicious drinks but most of us don't like all the fat and calories that come along with their yummy flavor.  I challenged myself to come up with lowfat alternatives to my favorite flavors and I must say, I am not disappointed....see for yourself:

LITE EGGNOG MILKSHAKE

This is delicious any time of year, stock up on ice cream in winter and freeze for warmer months ahead

½ cup lowfat eggnog icecream

½ nonfat milk or( coconut milk with 50 calories or less per cup)

¼ cup nonfat cool whip

A few ice cubes

Place everything in blender and blend, pour into glass and add a dollop of nonfat whipped cream or cool whip and a sprinkle of nutmeg, if desired

You can try this with any flavor ice cream for delicious, lite, holiday treats…..my other favorite flavors are: pumpkin pie milkshake (using lowfat pumpkin ice cream), peppermint milkshake (using lowfat peppermint ice cream), or banana split milkshake (using lowfat rocky road ice cream with ¼ of a banana added in….experiment with your favorite flavors for the ultimate lowfat milkshake!

YUMMY SNOWBALLS

Finally, snowballs that your kids want to eat and you are ok with serving them!
-FORM A SCOOP OF VANILLA ICE CREAM INTO THE SHAPE OF A BALL, PLACE IN A BOWL, AND SPRINKLE WITH POWDERED SUGAR....OR COCONUT FOR ADVENTUROUS KIDS!
LET THEM EAT SNOW!

GINGER RECIPES

I love the Holidays and all the wonderful spices and flavors that are associated with it!  One of my favorite holiday flavors is: Ginger!  Ginger is so warm and spicy and has a wonderful aroma.  I love Gingerbread men cookies..... warm, hot from the oven: Gingerbread, but 2 of my favorite ginger recipes are in liquid form and am happy to share them with you:

GINGER PUNCH:

-1 12 oz bottle of hard cider
-1 12 oz bottle of favorite beer (I love Blue Moon's Spiced Amber Ale)
-24 oz of sugar free sparkling flavored water ( I used apple cider flavor)
-1/2 cup of splenda
-rind of 1 orange studded with about 6 cloves
-3 cinnamon sticks
-1 tsp ginger

-pour all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours......serve warm or chill and serve cold.....delicious either way!

GINGER LATTE:

- 1 cup of brewed coffee
-1/4 tsp ginger
-1 tbsp splenda
-1 tbsp gingerbread flavored coffee creamer or sugar free/fat free vanilla coffee creamer
-1/2 oz sugar free gingerbread syrup (optional)

GINGER PUNCH

-Pour coffee in mug and add rest of ingredients and stir.....enjoy....yum!!

DON'T PANIC, ALWAYS IMPROVISE!

Has this ever happened to you:  You are all set to try the new recipe you found and you get started and are well into the recipe when you discover.....you don't have any tomato paste?  What do you do? Well, I'll tell you......don't panic....improvise!  If this ever happens to you, check your pantry, chances are you have something that will work just fine.  In a pinch, ketchup makes a fine substitue for tomato paste, in case you were wondering.  Here is a list of substitutions that I frequently use when I am all out of that particular ingredient!

FRUGARL'S SUBSTITUTIONS:
mayonnaise---- sour cream or plain yogurt (I always use the lowfat or nonfat version)
buttermilk----- nonfat milk with 1 tbsp of vinegar mixed in (let sit for 5 minutes, if possible)
tomato paste-----ketchup
sherry-----vermouth
applesauce------jam or jelly
honey-----maple syrup
bacon----smoked ham or turkey or ham or turkey lunchmeat
oil-----corn syrup (when baking)
raisins-----any dried fruit
graham cracker crust------any crushed cookies you have on hand mixed with a little melted butter to form a crust
cream------nonfat milk mixed with a little melted butter
oil or butter in baking recipes-----pureed pumpkin (my favorite substitution)
broth-----wine mixed with water (for chicken broth, use white wine, for beef broth, use red wine....adds so much more flavor)
bread crumbs------any type of bread or crackers you have on hand crushed by hand or in food processor (another one of my favorites.....adds so much flavor)

I AM UP FOR A CHALLENGE....IF YOU HAVE AN INGREDIENT YOU CAN'T THINK OF A SUBSTITUTION FOR, FOLLOW MY BLOG AND COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW WHAT IT IS AND LET'S SEE IF I CAN COME UP WITH ONE FOR YOU!

KIDDIE MOCKTAILS

We all love a good cocktail especially during the Holiday Season but what about the kiddos?  They want something special too!  Here are MY versions of "kiddie mocktails" that are sure to please the little ones in your life!

SHIRLEY TEMPLE LITE:
-sprite zero (or anything similar)
-1/2 to 1 oz (depending on how sweet you want it) sugar free strawberry, raspberry, or cherry syrup
-1 maraschino cherry
MIX SPRITE AND SYRUP TOGETHER AND POUR INTO GLASS,STIR, AND  TOP WITH CHERRY

ROY ROGERS LITE:
-coke zero (or anything similar)
-1/2 to 1 oz (again, depending on how sweet you like your drinks) sugar free strawberry, raspberry, or cherry syrup
-1 maraschino cherry
MIX COKE AND SYRUP TOGETHER AND POUR INTO GLASS, STIR, AND TOP WITH CHERRY

STRAWBERRY LEMON DROP:
-sugar free sunkist lemonade (or anything similar)
-1/4 cup frozen strawberries, thawed
-1/2 oz sugar free strawberry syrup
PUT STRAWBERRIES INTO GLASS AND MASH A LITTLE  WITH A SPOON, POUR IN LEMONADE AND SYRUP AND STIR

GUILT FREE HOLIDAY FOOD FINDS

Yes, you can still enjoy the Holidays without feeling too guilty with my Holiday food finds:
-sugar free Peppermint Mocha coffeemate....only 15 calories per tbsp!
-sugar free Torani Peppermint and Gingerbread syrups.....0 fat and 0 calories......absolutely delicious in coffee....guilt free and so much cheaper than a latte at your local coffeehouse!
-gingerbread marshmallows......0 fat
-chocolate mint marshmallows....0 fat and 100 calories per 17 MARSHMALLOWS!!
-alpine lace sugar free apple cider mix.....0 fat and 15 calories per serving
-swiss miss diet hot chocolate....0 fat and 25 calories per serving......does not taste "diet" and you can add a splash of Torani's sugar free peppermint syrup to it for  a peppermint hot chocolate....yum!
-eggnog, gingerbread, and candy cane flavored candy corn.....0 fat and only 7 calories per corn....available at Big Lots
-pumpkin spice and eggnog flavored "nips"...only 30 calories a piece

-dreyers peppermint ice cream....naturally low in fat and calories......2 grams of fat and only 100 calories per 1/2 cup
GO GET THEM BEFORE THEY ARE ALL GONE!

HOT DISARONNO

What better way is there to warm up on a cold winter night  than having a shot of a flavored liqueur that just warms your whole inside up!  Nothing does this better for me than Disaronno....an almond liqueur.  1 1oz shot has 110 calories and that's a lot of calories to use in just a tiny amount so I've come up with some cocktails that uses half the amount with just as much flavor!
DISARONNO LATTE:
-fresh brewed coffee
-1 1/2 tsp almond/amaretto flavored coffee creamer
-1/2 oz disaronno
-1/2 oz sugar free almond syrup such as Torani, if desired
-splenda to taste
Pour coffee in mug and add creamer, disaronno, splenda, and syrup if desired and stir....may top off with sugar free/fat free reddi whip and dusting of nutmeg if desired
LESS THAN 1 GRAM OF FAT AND 75 CALORIES PER SERVING

DISARONNO SPICED HOT CHOCOLATE:
-1 packet lite hot chocolate (25 calories per packet)
-1/2 oz disaronno
-1/2 tsp cinnamon
Microwave 8oz water for about 2 minutes, meanwhile:
to a mug, add hot chocolate mix, cinnamon, and disaronno....add hot water to it and stir...may top off with sugar free/fat free reddi whip and dusting of cinnamon if desired
O GRAMS OF FAT AND 80 CALORIES PER SERVING

DISARONNO CIDER:
-1 packet alpine sugar free spiced apple cider (15 calories per packet)
-1/2 oz disaronno
Microwave 8oz water for about 2 minutes, meanwhile:
to a mug, add cider mix and disaronno....add hot water to it and stir.....DRINK!
0 GRAMS OF FAT 70 CALORIES PER SERVING

use a candy cane for your stirrer

all set to watch "A Christmas Story"

another fun way to enjoy your hot cocktail!

GET OUT YOUR MUGS, DISARONNO, AND TREAT YOURSELF TO ONE OF THESE FESTIVE COCKTAILS TONIGHT AND CUDDLE UP WHILE  MAYBE WATCHING YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE!

FUN HOLIDAY FOOD

Here are some ideas to transform your favorite dishes into holiday dishes with just a little creativity:

guacamole and bean dip with olives as ornaments and shredded cheese for the snow

low fat brownies with crushed candy canes on top and 1/4 tsp of peppermint extract added to the batter before baking , if desired

I HAVE MANY OTHER IDEAS TO SHARE......COMMENT TO AND FOLLOW MY BLOG TO SEE MORE!

GUILT FREE EGG NOG

You either LOVE egg nog or you HATE it!  I happen to LOVE IT!!  What I don't love though, is all the fat and calories that come in just a small glass.  How can I enjoy my favorite holiday drink without having to adjust my waistband?  Make a low calorie "version"....yeah!  Here is a recipe that I have used for a couple seasons now that I am thrilled with:

You will need:
-2 cups of nonfat milk (or soy milk or almond breeze with no more than 60 calories per cup)
-1/4 cup sugar free/nonfat coffee creamer, liquid or powder (I prefer liquid)...try regular, vanilla, or cinnamon vanilla is good too!
-2tbsp splenda
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 tsp nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice or 1/4 tsp of each
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-1 tsp rum extract
-1/2 cup nonfat coolwhip
-1/4 of a small package of sugar free/fat free vanilla pudding mix (4 serving size box)

Mix all ingredients together in blender and refrigerate for at least 2 hours......Cheers!

Top with a squirt of fat free reddi-whip and a sprinkling of nutmeg to complete!

I make batches of this stuff from Thanksgiving all through New Years....it's the perfect low cal holiday beverage for all ages!

MY FAVORITE GUILT FREE PRODUCTS

During this festive, happy month, we are faced with lots of yummy food that is hard to resist.  It's ok to indulge once in a while throughout the holiday season but make sure it's something you REALLY want and maybe don't have a chance to have it any other time of the year, basically, make it worth your while and the calories!
For the rest of the month, keep these guilt free products on hand to help keep you in check:
-sugar free peppermint mocha coffee creamer (0 fat and 15 calories per tbsp)
-sugar free maple syrup (30 calories per 1/4 cup) to serve with my pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes
-sugar free torani syrups (0 fat and 0 calories) or make my version of sugar free syrups
-meringue cookies (0 fat and about 30 calories per cookie depending on size) they come in lots of different holiday flavors
-fat free/sugar free whipped cream (0 fat and 20 calories per 2 tbsp) available in regular, chocolate, and peppermint right now
-applesauce or pureed pumpkin (use as a substitute for butter or oil when baking)
-candy canes are always a good choice....very low in calories and fat...lots of yummy flavors right now
-salt water taffy (available in holiday flavors such as egg nog and gingerbread....virtually no fat and about 20-30 calories per piece depending on size)
-candy corn...so many different flavors right now (0 fat and 7 calories per piece)
-jelly bellies  (0 fat and 4 calories per bean)
-peeps....LOVE the holiday flavors right now (0 fat and around 30-40 calories per piece)
FOR MY STARBUCKS FANS:
-skinny peppermint mocha or skinny cinnamon dolce latte (0 fat and only 90 calories for a tall)*

*skinny peppermint mocha has a trace amount of fat due to the mocha syrup but still only 90 calories!

NOW GET GOING AND STOCK UP!

ANOTHER "KIDS CREATIONS" TRADITION

My kids are getting older (15, 11, and 8) and sometimes they like to have something to call "all their own".  We have our "family" Christmas tree displayed in our front room in front of the big window for everyone to see, a smaller one by the fireplace where we display the many "homemade" ornaments from our kids that we have collected throughout the years  but we also have "mini" trees that each child gets to decorate any way they want and we display them on the staircase so everyone can see their creations.....they change it up every year. 

homemade ornaments tree

personalized trees

Kids love to have something that is sacred all to themselves that they can personalize.....gives them a sense of individuality and helps their creativity shine!

EMBRACE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

The Holidays are the perfect time to spend with family creating family traditions and keeping them up.  One of my favorite family traditions that I have started with my husband and kids are to make gingerbread houses or gingerbread men every year together and decorate them at the very beginning of the Holiday season so we can munch on them all month long.  The whole family gets involved and have fun coming up with our own creations....we can get quite competitive as well but it's all in good fun!!

CELEBRATE CYBER MONDAY

Tomorrow is CYBER MONDAY...the BLACK FRIDAY in the technical world....the perfect day to take advantage of AMAZON.COM 's amazing deals in all departments but my favorite department to shop in is groceries.

I love to shop but sometimes there isn’t enough time or you don’t feel like leaving the comfort of your own home.  That’s why I love shopping websites such as amazon.com  I have gotten amazing deals on everything from shoes, books, movies to most often….yes, groceries!  Usually, if you spend 25.00 or more, there is no tax and FREE SHIPPING!  Why would I leave when I can do it all right from my very own computer!  Amazon also has a “Warehouse Deals” and “Managers Specials” department where everything is from 50-75 % off retail price.  I have gotten name brand boxes of cookies and poptarts for close to 1.00 a box!  Monthy, they also offer “special deals” where in addition to their already low prices, they offer extra discounts on certain products for that month if you buy a certain amount….for example….if you spend 30.00 on certain “natures path” products, you immediately get 10.00 off at checkout still with no tax and FREE SHIPPING.   Check this website out….Amazon.com is AMAZING!!

HOLIDAY FUN WITH THE KIDS

Today, my 8 and 11 year old boys baked their first dessert: APPLE PIE (their favorite dessert)

eating the last bits of pie filling

our pre thanksgiving table

I love my "pilgrim snowmen"

My beautiful and healthy family

Even though they used store bought pie pastry and canned apple filling, there is such an accomplishment with completing a project on your own especially when you can share it with your loved ones...so proud of you boys..can't wait for tomorrow to try it!

FAVORITE FALL RECIPES

Here are 2 of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE Fall recipes that I have come to LOVE and  make it a tradition to make every year:
APPLE CINNAMON OR CINNAMON RAISIN FRENCH TOAST:
It really depends on what kind of bread you use: you can either use an apple cinnamon bread from the bakery section in the grocery store or any sliced cinnamon raisin bread (my favorite is House of Bread's Fat Free Iced Apple Cinnamon Bread sold at Costco)
You need:
-loaf of bread
-2 eggs or egg beaters
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-1 cup nonfat or soy milk
-maple syrup (I use lite or sugar free)
-powdered sugar

-Slice bread into as many slices as you like (as thin or as thick as you like)
-mix eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and milk in both and pour into shallow dish
-dip bread slices into milk mixture on both sides
-place in nonstick skillet sprayed with nonfat butter spray and cook over medium high heat 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown
-serve with maple syrup and powdered sugar

WRAPPED BAKED BRIE
You need:
-1 round of brie cheese (I use lite brie available at specialty stores such as trader joes or many grocery stores now carry it)
-1/4 cup dried cranberries
-1/4 cup chopped nuts (your favorite)
-1/4 cup diced apples
-1 tsp chopped rosemary (optional)
-1 tbsp brown sugar
-1 tube reduced fat crescent rolls
-butter spray

-preheat oven to 400 or 425 (whatever crescent tube instructions are)
-open up crescent rolls, roll out and press seams together to form a square
-place in oven proof dish sprayed with nonstick spray
-cut top rind off brie and discard, place brie on top of crescent roll square
-place cranberries, apples, nuts, rosemary, and brown sugar over top of brie, if falls to side, no problem
-spray top of brie with butter spray
-fold sides of crescent rolls over top of brie to sort of form a package, press sides to seal
-spray top of crescent rolls with butter spray and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cheese slightly melted
-serve warm or room temperature with crackers

*for a variation, I sometimes add fig, date, plum jam, or apple butter on top of brie before adding rest of ingredients, makes for a juicier, sweeter dish

FRENCH TOAST

BAKED BRIE

OUR HOLIDAY DESSERT TABLE

HE'S A LEG MAN!

OUR HOLIDAY DINNER TABLE

SERVE THESE DISHES FOR THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST OR AN APPETIZER TO YOUR HOLIDAY MEAL
HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND HAPPY EATING!

THANKSGIVING FOOD FUN

If you are looking for something fun to do with the kids this week while they are off but still want to keep it food related with the Thanksgiving theme, then this is for you!
Open a can of jellied cranberry sauce, place can contents in log shape on a plate and slice into rings.  Take "harvest" shaped cookie cutters and cut rings into shapes just as you would cookie dough before baking.  My favorite cookie cutter to use is "apples"....they come out looking like mini candy apples...cute and delicious!
Kids love this craft and when kids get involved in the "cooking or baking" process, they are more likely to eat what they have "created" and it also gives them a sense of confidence and accomplishment that they can create something that is rewarding and enjoyable for  the whole family!

Get in the kitchen TODAY and serve with dinner TONIGHT!

LOW COST FAT FREE JUMBO PUMPKIN APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS

I love muffins but the JUMBO ones at bakeries are LOADED with fat and calories and the small ones leave me feeling hungry for more...what to do?  I have discovered the best Fat Free JUMBO muffins EVER and guess what.....they come from a box!
Krusteaz has the BEST FAT FREE muffin line ever and all you have to do to any of their mixes is add water.  Here is my recipe for PUMPKIN APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS:
You need:
-1 box Krusteaz Fat Free Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix (includes package of diced apples)
-1/2 water and 1/2 lite apple juice or cider of what box directions call for
-1 cup pureed pumpkin (from leftover halloween pumpkins that you have frozen)
-6 count jumbo muffin tin

-Spray muffin tin with nonstick butter spray and preheat oven according to box directions
-mix muffin mix along  with the diced apples, juice and water, and pumpkin together until well combined
-divide into muffin tin and bake according to package directions

Makes 6 Jumbo Muffins at 0 grams of fat, 280 calories, and cost comes out to 50 cents each
They also taste amazing...you don't miss the fat at all, the pumpkin does a nice job of keeping the batter moist...I like to eat with a little spiced lite apple butter spread in the middle....go to past blogs of mine for recipe

THESE MAKE THE PERFECT THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST!

KID AND ADULT APPLE BEVERAGE RECIPES

Now that you have been to Apple Hill and have all those apples and you've baked apple pies, apple crisps, caramel apples....you are probably looking for something else to do with apples!  They are not FOOD recipes but BEVERAGE recipes...something for everyone!  Here are my 2 favorite drinks, one for kids and one for us that are a little bit older:

SPICED APPLE CIDER RECIPE:
I actually got the original recipe from my Aunt Becky but I added my own personal touches to it:
You don't have to but I love to use the crockpot for this recipe....whenever I can slow cook anything, I'm doing it....everything just tastes better coming out of the crockpot, in my opinion!
You need:
-1 gallon apple juice or cider (I use the low calorie version)
-1 apple, cored and sliced
-2 cinnamon sticks
-a few whole cloves (maybe 6)
-1 tsp rum or cinnamon extract
-2 tbsp maple syrup (I use the sugar free kind....very low in calories)
-1 tsp pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg (optional but I love the added spicy warm flavor)
-1/4 cup raisins
Add juice to slow cooker
-stud an apple slice with the cloves and drop into pot along with all the other ingredients
-cook on low for 2-4 hours
-serve right out of the crockpot.....yumm!

If you have ever tasted the apple wine from Apple Hill and fell in love with it like I did, then this recipe will not disappoint you, the taste is remarkably similar!

SPICED APPLE WINE
You need:
-1 bottle of your favorite white wine (chardonnay is a good choice but anything will do)
-3 apples peeled, cored, and diced
-1 tbsp sugar
-1 tsp cinnamon
In pitcher, pour wine and add the rest of the ingredients
Place in refrigerator and let sit for 1 month, if you are impatient like me, then 2 weeks will be plenty....the more the wine sits, the deeper the flavor!
You can also add to crockpot when ready and warm for a "hot" version

apples ready to be brought home

enjoying my "hot" spiced apple wine

sampling apple hill's cider

Try it and let me know if it compares with Apple Hill Wine!

PUMPKINS PUMPKINS PUMPKINS

Here's just another fun craft to do with leftover mini pumpkins from the pumpkin patch or the ones you get at the grocery store for 2 for 1.00

EASY RECIPE FOR KIDS

If your kids are like mine, they love to bake!  I think because it gives them an excuse to "play" with their food and afterwards, they get to eat the results!  It also gives them a sense of confidence and accomplishment in completing something on their own that you maybe didn't need to help them with.
I have the perfect and easiest recipe for this:
DOUGH COOKIES
All you need is prepared pie pastry, cinnamon, sugar, and cookie cutters
Here is what you do:
-roll out pie pastry with flour and rolling pin
-sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar
-cut out different shapes with cookie cutters
-bake according to pie pastry package directions, usually around 400degrees
THESE COOKIES ARE SO DELICIOUS....TASTE JUST LIKE PIE CRUST (OBVIOUSLY)!

MY KIDS AND I LOVE THESE, THEY ARE SO EASY TO MAKE AND IF YOU LIKE CRUST ON PIE MORE THAN THE FILLING, THESE ARE JUST FOR YOU, TRY THEM FOR A FUN ACTIVITY DURING THANKSGIVING VACATION!

MAKE YOUR OWN BODY SCRUB

If you are like me, you love all the bath and body products out there but not the expensive prices!  There is another way to enjoy them without breaking your budget.....make your own!
It is so easy to do and so much more affordable and what's also great is that you can  customize the scent to your preference.  Here is what you do:
MIX TOGETHER:
- 1 cup of brown sugar
- 1/3 cup baby oil or olive oil
-1 tsp any extract or essential oil you have on hand
-1 tbsp zest from any citrus fruit (optional)
My favorite combinations are baby oil with lemon zest and lemon extract.....has a refreshing, clean, bright scent that I just love!  You could also use baby oil with orange zest and  vanilla extract for a warm, fall scent that is perfect for this time of year!
Put in plastic jar and keep in the shower and use daily as a body/foot scrub.....keeps skin moisturized even in the upcoming winter months!
Come up with your own scents and let me know what is your favorite!

LOOK WHAT 20 BUCKS CAN BUY YOU!

I spent $20.54 and look at what all I got!  A lot and mostly brand name stuff!  If you want to know where I shop and the secrets to my savings, comment and become a follower of my blog and I'll share my secrets with you ;)

FAVORITE NEW FLAVOR COMBINATION: PUMPKIN AND CHOCOLATE CHIP

My new favorite fall pairing: Pumpkin and Chocolate Chips!
It may sound weird but it is so delicious....you must try it!
You can make pumpkin/chocolate chip bread or muffins but I love to make:

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP  PANCAKES:
This one is so easy.....just add 1 CUP  of pumpkin puree (that you got from your leftover pumpkins) 1 tsp each of cinnamon and nutmeg or 2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice if you have on hand AND 1/4 CUP of chocolate chips to regular pancake mix and make pancakes like you would normally make....you'll taste a wonderful warm, spicy/sweet  flavor that is perfect for this time of year!

This could be what's for Breakfast or Dinner tonight!

SPICED SLOW COOKER APPLE BUTTER RECIPE

We are well into apple season and here is one of my favorite recipes to make using all those apples you picked or got from apple hill:

INGREDIENTS:
-5 apples  (your favorite variety) , peeled and sliced
-1 cup sugar or splenda
-1 tsp cinnamon
-2 tbsp red hot candies

DIRECTIONS:
-place all ingredients in slow cooker, mix together and cook on low for 6-8 hours until apples are tender
-when done, stir all together again to make sure all lumps are out unless you like it chunky which sometimes I do

GOES WELL WITH MUFFINS OR ON PEANUT BUTTER  SANDWICHES IN PLACE OF JELLY

NEW TWIST ON DRUMSTICKS

CHINESE FIVE SPICE DRUMSTICKS

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

-1 package of 6 chicken drumsticks…..on sale or managers special for 3.00….sometimes less at grocery stores

-1/2 cup lite soy sauce…on sale for 1.99 at grocery stores

-2 garlic cloves, minced

-1 tsp chinese five spice powder….on sale for 5.00 at grocery stores….you only need a little bit but once you use it, you will start using it in everything!....If you don’t have, you can substitute with ½ tsp each: ginger, pepper, cinnamon, and anise or anise extract or cloves (or can use ¼ tsp of anise and ¼ tsp of cloves)

-salt and pepper to taste

RECIPE DIRECTIONS:

-Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper (to make it leaner, I always remove skin before adding salt and pepper…you won’t even notice the difference)

-mix soy sauce, garlic, and Chinese five spice powder together and place in large storage baggie, add chicken to baggie, seal, and mix all together…refrigerate for a couple of hours if possible

-preheat oven to 400 and place drumsticks in baking dish and pour marinade over chicken

-bake for 45 minutes

SERVE WITH STEAMED WHITE OR BROWN RICE AND FRESH OR FROZEN VEGGIES SUCH AS ASPARAGUS OR BROCCOLI…WHATEVER IS ON SALE THAT WEEK

SERVES 6 FOR 6.00…..1.00 PER PERSON….INCLUDING THE RICE AND VEGGIES!

If you haven't tried chinese 5 spice yet, you need to....I discovered it not too long ago and LOVE it....the combination of the 5 different spices marries beautifully together and tastes great on meat, poultry, pasta, even baked goods!

If you want more ideas for chinese 5 spice and what the 5 spices are....comment and follow my blog and let me know.

TRY THIS FOR DINNER TONIGHT!

COMFORT FOOD TRANSFORMATION RECIPE

It's the perfect time of year for:

LEAN BISCUITS AND GRAVY

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

-1 rotisserie chicken already cooked….4.99 on sale today only  at savemart

-1 jar of fat free turkey or chicken gravy….on sale for 1.00 at grocery stores (especially right now during the holiday season…so stock up)

-1 cup of frozen veggies such as peas, carrots, corn (whatever is your favorite)…on sale for 1.00 a bag at grocery stores

-1/2 cup of fat free milk or fat free half and half….2.99 for a gallon at grocery stores

-1 tube of refrigerated biscuit dough…on sale for 1.00 at grocery stores

RECIPE DIRECTIONS:

-preheat oven to 425

-spray baking/casserole dish with nonstick butter spray

-shred chicken and place in dish (for an even leaner version, remove skin)

-mix gravy and milk or half and half until mixed thoroughly and pour over chicken

-add veggies and mix everything together

-open biscuit dough and spread dough pieces evenly over chicken

-spray biscuits with butter spray and bake for 25-30 minutes until biscuits are golden brown

SERVES 4 FOR 7.50….THAT’S LESS THAN 2.00 PER PERSON!

This could be what's for dinner tonight!

PUMPKIN RECIPES

I LOVE "pumpkin" flavored...anything.  Here are a couple of my favorite pumpkin recipes:

PUMPKIN PANCAKES:
This one is so easy.....just add a couple spoonfuls (maybe 1/2 cup)  of pumpkin puree (that you got from your leftover pumpkins) 1/2 tsp each  of cinnamon and nutmeg or 1tsp of  pumpkin pie spice if you have on hand to regular pancake mix and make pancakes like you would normally make....you'll taste a wonderful warm, spice flavor that is perfect for this time of year!

PUMPKIN/SAGE RAVIOLIS:

Ingredients:
-wonton wrappers
-pumpkin puree (about 1 cup)
-lowfat or fat free ricotta cheese or cream cheese (I like to use a mixture of ricotta and pumpkin cream cheese) (about 1 cup)
-nutmeg
-cinnamon
-sage leaves or dried
Directions:
-mix ricotta or cream cheese and pumpkin together until well blended, add 1/2 tsp each  of sage, cinnamon, and nutmeg...mix together
-take a wonton wrapper and place 1 tbsp of mixture inside...fold right bottom corner over to meet left top corner to form a triangle, press to seal edges and brush with water or egg white if you have to completely seal
-repeat with remaining wrappers....should make about 24...if you have leftover wrappers, freeze and make more on another occasion
-spray a nonstick skillet with butter spray (such as Pam) at medium high heat, and saute your raviolis for a few minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy
Delicious served with a brown butter sauce or your favorite pasta sauce will do....if you want my recipe for sage brown buttered sauce......follow and comment on my blog and you will get it....

HAPPY FALL EATING Y"ALL!

LEFT OVER PUMPKINS

What to do with leftover pumpkins...we have all those pumpkins we picked at the pumpkin patch and carved for halloween but now what do we do with them....throw them away?  NO!
Every Nov. 1st, I take all my pumpkins and cut them in half, take out all the seeds (which I sometimes roast and save for a snack later), place on a baking sheet and roast for 5 minutes at 400 degrees until flesh inside is soft and tender.  Once they are cool enough to handle, I scoop out all the flesh, mash with a fork  and place about 1 cup's worth in little freezer baggies (which you can get at the dollar store) and store in freezer.  I had 1 medium/large pumpkin and 2 small pumpkins (baking size) this year and got about 10 cups which I have frozen and will use this holiday season for pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, filling for pumpkin/sage ravioli (recipe in tomorrow's blog), pumpkin pancakes(recipe in tomorrow's blog), pumpkin scones....on and on...possibilities are endless.  Needless to say, I never have to buy canned pumpkin...why should I or any of us when we can make our own with what we already have!  Never buy what you can easily make yourself and always try to get more than one use out of something such as our halloween pumpkins!

Amanda with one of our yummy pumpkins

HAPPY BAKING EVERYONE!

GET HEALTHY CHALLENGE

Are you in a sugar coma this morning from all that Halloween candy?  Many years ago, my answer would have been "yes".  During my childhood and teen years, I was the overweight kid who stuffed myself at every possible opportunity and more often than not, would end up making myself sick.  I finally got tired of getting teased and being overweight and not fitting in cute clothes like the rest of my friends so I made a change.  I started eating better, moving more, and making better choices.  As a result, the pounds came off, I had more energy, and felt better about myself.  It was a lifestyle change for me and 20 years later, I still feel great even after having 3 kids! 
Eating better and moving more really isn't as hard as people think, I can transform any recipe into a healthier version and not feel like I'm sacrificing at all.  You can do it too!  If you are like I was and want to make a change but need a little push or help on how to get started, I can help...I have the plan...you can too....Are you ready?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The day has finally arrived....HALLOWEEN...yeah!  Obviously, I love this holiday...  ;)
If you want to make sure your kids get at least SOME healthy snacks today, here are some of my healthy snack ideas:  take a round platter (I have a pumpkin shaped one) and cut up orange cheese and black olives and arrange to make a jack-o-lantern face....also make school lunches more fun with my bat and black cat sandwich ideas:  take white bread and put in your favorite sandwich filling and top with another piece of white bread...take bat and ghost cookie cutters and cut out cute little halloween sandwiches...place whole cloves in cut outs to resemble eyes....These healthy snacks will make trick or treating tonight worthwhile....try them out, fun and easy!!

Pepper, my little fire chief dog

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

FAMILY FUN NIGHT

kids treats alongside mommy's treat :)

If you are looking for something fun and cheap to do with the kids this weekend, look no more.  Maybe you want to enjoy the fact that it's Halloween time and indulge in some scary good fun with the kids.  Well, how about a movie night "in" with the whole family!  Cuddle up, pop in a scary or cute Halloween themed movie...my favorites are of course, "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown", or "Monster House", and pop some popcorn for a family treat.  Don't leave it at just plain 'ol "popcorn" though, add a few surprises for a nice twist that the kids will LOVE!  Here is what I do:  I pop some popcorn, I get out individual bags or containers for popcorn and fill the bottoms with some popcorn....to the middle, I add their favorite treats......jelly beans, skittles, m&ms, goldfish crackers, mini marshmallows, etc....add more popcorn, add more treats, and top off with popcorn, I may even stick in a straw shaped cookie or something like that to top it off!  You will be a big hit and your kids won't expect it.  It has become a tradition in my house and my kids love to dig in and can't wait to find out what's hidden inside! 

ALTERNATIVE TO "SCARY" JACK-O-LANTERNS

My family loves Halloween but I, personally, prefer "harvest" and "cute"  to "scary" and "gory".
Pumpkin carving is definitely a Halloween tradition but in my opinion, it's messy and in all honesty, I am not very good at it.  Here is my alternative to carving scary jack-o-lanterns:  Pull out all of your Mr.Potato Head pieces and decorate your pumpkins as you would your potato heads and here you have your very own  "Mr. or Mrs. Pumpkin Heads...no carving required!  (You do have to poke a small hole where you want to fit your pieces but that's it....very simple!)

my kiddos with pumpkins they picked out

the finished product!

HAPPY NO CARVING!!  :)

BREAKFAST ON THE CHEAP

It may seem to be a challenge to get meals on the table that taste good, are healthy, and are affordable...you need to get creative, especially if you are a one income family like us!  Here is one of my favorite breakfast meal ideas:

TURKEY BACON/SAUSAGE BREAKFAST BURRITOS:

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

-package of turkey bacon-2.00 or package of brown and serve frozen turkey sausage-1.00

-1 package of flour or corn tortillas (your preference)-1.00 at Dollar Stores

-1 carton of eggs (on sale, you can get them for close to 1.00 per carton)

-1 package of lite shredded cheese of your choice-2.00 per bag

-salt and pepper to taste

Recipe directions:

-Cook 8 slices of bacon or sausage or both in skillet according to package directions, cool and crumble or cut into small pieces (1-2 pieces per burrito)

-scramble up 8 eggs, set aside into 8 portions

-take a tortilla and 1 egg portion inside, add 1 bacon/sausage (or both) portion, sprinkle with cheese and salt and pepper if desired

-roll up and enjoy

MAKES 8 SERVINGS FOR A TOTAL OF LESS THAN 7.00….LESS THAN 1.00 PER BURRITO!

SHOPPING TIP OF THE DAY

I have the best tip for snack shopping for your house!  Do you know where I buy a lot of my snacks for my household....Dollar Tree....believe it or not!  I find packages of pretzels, cereal boxes, cracker boxes, boxes of cookies....many times name brand products for obviously only 1.00 per item!  I also shop for side dishes as well such as rice a roni, mac and cheese, chili, pasta, soups, etc....most Dollar Trees also have a refrigerated and frozen food section as well.  It's now becoming a "mini" grocery store.....yeah Dollar Tree....check it out and compare to grocery stores and let me know what you save!

HALLOWEEN FUDGE RECIPE

Here is my halloween recipe of the week:
CANDY CORN FUDGE
Ingredients:
-1 tub of chocolate frosting (any variety)
-1 14 oz bag of chocolate chips (any variety...I usually use semi-sweet but can use milk or dark chocolate too)
-1/2 cup of candy corn (or more if you wish)
Directions:
-line an 8X8 square baking pan with foil sprayed with butter spray(makes for easier removal of fudge later) and set aside
-Melt chocolate frosting and chocolate chips on stove on medium low heat until melted together
-add candy corn to chocolate and mix thoroughly
-spread in foiled pan
-refrigerate for 2 hours
-cut into mini square pieces and eat up!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

TIP OF THE DAY

You can still get great savings at your local Raleys or Safeway, sometimes even better than your local walmart.  How, you ask.....CLEARANCE section, CLEARANCE section!  I am a big fan of clearance sections....they have great prices on perfectly good products but need to make room on the shelves for newer ones arriving.  Some stores have designated CLEARANCE sections, usually in the back of the store, while others are mixed in with regular priced merchandise.  Always check the bottom shelves for good prices too, everything at eye level is what we normally see so that's where regularly priced items are placed.  Not everyone looks on bottom shelves so that's where lower priced items are placed.  I always check the dates and make sure I will consume the product before it expires.  I have got brand name products for generic prices many times and all it took is just taking a little extra time to browse the CLEARANCE section! 
I will be enjoying a nice, long weekend, come back next week for more tips and another fun, Halloween recipe!  Happy Shopping everyone!

TIP OF THE DAY......NEVER PAY FULL PRICE

I never pay full price for anything!  Eventually, everything, especially in grocery stores, will go on sale, even your favorite brand name products....grocery stores and manufacturers rotate their product sales and in time, YOUR FAVORITE product will go on sale.  To get even more savings, use a coupon to go along with the sale!  Check your weekly grocery store circulars, see if your favorite products are on sale, pull out those Sunday Paper coupons, pair them up, go to the grocery store, stock up and save!  For example, I wait until my favorite snacks (let's say goldfish crackers ) goes on sale for 1.00 a bag (this happens at least a few times a year), if I have a coupon, let's say 50 cents off for 2, I end up paying only 50cents per bag, I stock up and get as much as I am allowed and enjoy the HUGE savings! 

HALLOWEEN RECIPE OF THE WEEK

It's October and Halloween is less than 2 weeks away...yeah!  My family and I love Halloween and the start of the Holiday season so here is a recipe that my kids love and another one you and your spouse will enjoy to get you into the Halloween Spirit!

MUMMY DOGS:
Ingredients:
-1 package lean beef or turkey hot dogs (your favorite brand)....I like Ball Park, National Hebrew, or Hoffy Lean
-1 package reduced fat crescent rolls
-2 whole cloves per dog
-mustard/ketchup dipping sauce (recipe to follow)
Directions:
-preheat oven to temperature on crescent roll package
-open crescent package and press seams together to make one big rectangle sheet
-cut sheet into 8 strips (one for each dog)
-prick each hot dog with a fork to prevent swelling of dog in oven
-wrap each hot dog into each crescent roll strip to resemble a mummy
-poke 2 cloves into each dog to resemble eyes
-bake in oven for 10-15 minutes or until crescent rolls are golden brown
-meanwhile, make dipping sauce (easiest dip ever)...mix ketchup with mustard (I like using a spicy or honey mustard) and dip away
FOR ADULTS:
Follow above recipe but substitute lean chicken sausage links(any flavor) and wrap with herb flavored pizza dough cut into strips...I find mine at Trader Joes for just about 1.00 per dough ball
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

TRANFORMATION RECIPE

It's Fall, my absolute favorite season of the year!  Time to bring out the crockpot (although, I do use it all year round, but slow cooked food sometimes tastes better in the fall) and get ready for some yummy slow cooked food!  One of my all time favorite meals to eat is pulled pork sandwiches but I hate all the fat.  I have a yummy and EASY recipe using lean pork that will taste just as yummy as full fat pork because it has been slow cooked all day.  Here you go, if you like this recipe, let me know what your favorite comfort food is and I will give you a recipe for a leaner version that still tasted delicious!

BBQ PULLED PORK SANDWICHES
Ingredients:
-lean pork loin or lean pork ribs with fat cut off (if fat still on when buying, take it home and slice it off) as much as you would need for your family, generally 1-2 lbs
-1 bottle of favorite BBQ sauce (I like honey or smoked)
-either 2 cinnamon sticks or 2 tsps ground cinnamon
-1 can of diet cola
-sliced raw red onion(omit if don't like onion)
-sliced tomatoes
-lettuce leaves
-sandwich thins with 100 calories or less such as oroweat or any brand (I do like to use small hawaiin roles at about 150 calories each, brings a sweetness to the dish that I love but note it will give you 50 extra calories)
-8-10 whole cloves studded into pork or 1 tsp of ground cloves
Directions:
-place pork loin or ribs with fat removed and studded with cloves if using into crockpot
-pour entire bottle of BBQ sauce and entire can of diet cola over pork
place cinnamon sticks or cinnamon and cloves over pork and mix all ingredients together
-cook on low for 4-6 hours
-if pork studded with cloves, remove, and while still in crockpot, take 2 forks and shred pork, mix thoroughly again and place shredded pork in buns and top with onion, tomatoes, and lettuce if desired
Serve with corn on the cob or any type of salad

RECIPE OF THE DAY

MAKE YOUR OWN SUGAR FREE SYRUPS
SUGAR FREE CINNAMON SYRUP
-In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups of water, 2 cups of splenda (or favorite alternative sweetener), 3 cinnamon sticks broken in half and simmer for 3 minutes.  Take off burner, cover, and let stand for about 3-4 hours, bottle and refrigerate for up to a month.
You can make other flavors also such as: BROWN SUGAR CINNAMON substituting splenda brown sugar instead of white sugar....great spicy flavor!,  CINNAMON AND CLOVES adding about 8 whole cloves to saucepan along with the sugar and cinnamon sticks, ALLSPICE AND NUTMEG adding one whole nutmeg and 8 allspice berries to saucepan with sugar omitting cinnamon sticks or leaving them in depending on your love of cinnamon (I love cinnamon so I leave them in), ANISE FLAVORED SYRUP adding about 4 anise berries to the sugar in saucepan and omitting cinnamon sticks, this syrup has a licorice flavor to it.
I add these syrups to coffee or hot chocolate or even as a substitute for water when baking for added flavor!
Try these recipes today and let me know what you think....this will save you at least 6.00 per bottle at the grocery store!

RECIPE OF THE DAY

LOW CAL PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

-brew coffee in coffee maker
-pour 1 tbsp sugar free pumpkin spice syrup (such as torani) in mug
-pour 1 tbsp pumpkin or sugar free vanilla liquid coffee creamer in mug
-if you like it sweet, add 1-2 tsp of splenda, if not, omit this step
-sprinkle a dash of cinnamon in mug
-pour hot coffee in mug and stir up, enjoy!

I love the flavors of fall and my favorite coffee house drink is the pumpkin spice latte but I hate all the calories, try my version for less than 40 calories per mug and you'll be amazed at how easy it is to transform any coffee house version into your own for 1/2 the calories.
Tomorrow, I will post a recipe on how to make your own "sugar free" syrup and bottle and save for future uses.  This will save you a lot of money on buying sugar free syrups from the grocery store.