Monthly Archives: October 2010

Food Product Reviews + Pumpkin Cookies

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And once again the weekend has vanished into thin air!

Overall, it was a pretty low key weekend:

- a long run on Saturday

- a new cookie recipe (see below!)

- grocery shopping, errands, gas tank filled (all that good stuff)

- and phone calls with friends and family–always a good thing! :)

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I am highlighting some new products I’ve tried recently.

Ghirardelli – Twilight Delight Dark Chocolate

I don’t think I could ever go back to milk chocolate after having good dark chocolate! It is hard to compare one dark chocolate to the next, but just know this is a good one. I don’t know that it is my favorite, but I won’t say “no” to a piece of it! ;)

Kettle Tias! – Nacho Cheddar

These tasted just like Doritos Nacho Cheese chips! Cheesy and full of nacho flavor. I have to admit though, I am not a big fan of Doritos’ chips, so I didn’t really get into these, but Craig sure likes them!

Terra Sweet Potato Chips

These chips were awesome! They were light and crunchy–not heavy like kettle-cooked chips are. The sweet potato flavor was definitely there but it was not overpowering. I loved how crinkly they all were. They were really crunchy when I ate them!

Celestial Seasonings – Peppermint Tea

Tastes just like a peppermint candy cane! I like the calming effects that peppermint and ginger have on my stomach, so I like having this after a meal.

Mott’s – Fresh Pressed Apple Juice

I think most apple juices from concentrate are okay, but this one was definitely a step up. Not the best I’ve ever had but much better than most “regular” apple juices!

This morning I tried Mamma Pea’s Pumpkin Spice Latte. Lattes are expensive and full of sugary syrups, so when I saw this cheap and healthy creation, I was all for it!

What a great recipe is was–not too sweet and full of creamy milk with a hint of pumpkin flavor. I couldn’t really taste my coffee, so I think I’ll have to experiment with that next time.

And if there hasn’t been enough pumpkin recipes floating around the blog world, here’s another one for ya!

Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies

These are definitely the most moist cookies I have ever made! It was like eating a really good, rich, moist cake with the frosting on top. One for the good ol’ sweet tooth for sure!

Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies

(Based off this recipe.)

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening

1/2 cup butter, slightly melted

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground all-spice

1 (3.4 oz.) instant vanilla pudding mix

1 (16 oz. container) vanilla frosting

Directions

1. Cream together shortening, butter, and sugar. Beat in the egg and vanilla, then stir in the pumpkin puree.

2. In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Add to wet ingredients and mix until combined.

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat cookie sheet with cooking spray.

4. Form dough into a balls and place on cookie sheet.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are browned.

6. Allow to cool completely. Frost cookies.

I did cheat on the frosting because I’ve had this container of frosting in my pantry forever!

I’m off to bed–see you tomorrow!

Leisurly Saturday

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I love waking up on a Saturday morning before anyone else is up (okay that would just be Craig), lighting candles (now that it is dark when I get up), eating a breakfast drawn out over 45 minutes, and just chilling–usually checking my e-mail, Facebook, and reading blogs. And that’s exactly what I did this morning! It was glorious! :)

Breakfast included soymilk poured over Life cinnamon-flavored cereal.

I also had a piece of toast with my beloved sunflower seed butter.

I’ve gone too long without this in my life, and it was important it returned soon! I picked it up yesterday at the store. :)

After the sun came up at 9:22 a.m. this morning, I laced up my running shoes for my weekly long run.

I have to admit I wasn’t all that thrilled to go and run outside in the cold, but thankfully my self-motivation is strong.

Craig biked with me for a little over half-way. After that he wasn’t warming up (since he was on his bike), so he took off. I ran 10 miles today since this is a recovery week, and then next week I’ll start upping my mileage to about 40 miles.

Eats once getting back.

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

Ingredients

- 1/2 cup soy milk

- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree

- 1/4 cup plain yogurt

- 1/2 banana

- 1 tablespoon soy protein powder

- 2 teaspoons chia seeds

- splash of vanilla extract

- dash of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg

Directions

Add all ingredients to the blender and mix until blended.

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I’ve attempted to make a pumpkin smoothie before, but this was definitely the best creation thus far–it was a good one!

Some leftover pizza from last night.

And a Carrots ‘N’ Cake specialty: sandwich thin + peanut butter + milk chocolate and peanut butter chips!! Mmmm. . . this was the first time I had this, and I’m hooked! Now I know why Tina eats them all the time!! ;)

Now I’m just trying to get warm again. I turned the heat up, and I’m sipping on a mug of hot tea!

Plans for today:

- wash the dishes (which helps me warm up)

- shower and get ready (which will definitely get me warm–that is after blow drying my hair and piling on several layers of clothes ;) )

- go shopping (the mall and Target)

- bake something for tonight

- Halloween party hosted by one of Craig’s co-workers (I’m not sure if we are going to wear costumes or not.)

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Question

Are you tired of seeing pumpkin on everyone’s blogs yet? ;)

Still a Win

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Yeah for date nights!

Usually Craig spends Friday evenings with his dad, but he decided to spend it with me this week. :)

We decided to have a low-key date night ‘in’ with pizza and a movie.

I made up the pizza dough and while it was rising, we walked to the closest Red Box to rent a DVD. After some discussion and compromising, we decided on The Informant.

When we got back, I rolled out the crust and Craig piled the toppings on the pizza. (We each have our specialty. ;) )

I had two pieces of pizza along with some roasted asparagus.

The pizza was just so-so. I tried a new recipe for the crust and it tasted like a soft piece of bread, so it wasn’t that great. I need to just go back to my tried and true recipe for KG’s Homemade Pizza Dough.

During the movie, I had a small glass of wine.

We also weren’t that impressed with the movie. It wasn’t the worst movie we’ve seen, but it wasn’t that exciting either. Plus I got pretty lost in the story line, which made it hard to follow along. Oh well, it was still a win because Craig and I got to spend the evening together!

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One thing that did turn out amazing was this baked tofu I made up this afternoon.

I had leftover tofu from our Vegetable Pad Thai earlier in the week, so I followed Tina‘s recipe for French Toast Baked Tofu that I really wanted to try. How could I not make this sweet yet healthy creation?!?!

It was so good!! I tried making baked tofu a while back, but it didn’t turn out very good–not good at all. But this, this I will definitely be making again!

The sweetened, toasted coconut on the outside was like eating dessert. You must try!

I’m off to do a little reading before my eyelids become too heavy to keep open.

Question

How did you spend your Friday evening?