I am feeling a little bummed that we had to miss 2 high school graduations for two young adults in our life that we really wanted to see walk that stage and get that diploma. Sometimes it is hard when you don't live within a short drive to get where you want to be when you have work and other engagements you can't reschedule in life...but it still makes me sad to miss it. We weren't able to attend but Lara and I couldn't be prouder, especially with one graduating with honors. That is such a wonderful achievement and something to be quite proud of! So - to the graduates in my life - cheers to your future. It will be a wild ride and will fly by faster than you can imagine so hang on tight and enjoy every minute of the ups and downs. Choose what you feel passionate about and what you really want for yourself, not what others want for you, and then follow that with everything you have. If it doesn't work out well then you won't regret giving it your best shot. Doing something right isn't nearly as important as doing it for the right reason. Congratulations and we are so proud of you.
Lara and I decided to start packing for our trip tonight since the next 2 days are already so busy with long work hours, martial arts class, hair cut appointments, etc...so much to do and so little time. Seems like we are always having to use our "sleep time" in the wee hours of the night to get ahead. Even with my body's unnatural ability to go 150% full force on a couple hours of sleep, I have been feeling so utterly exhausted! All that is left to do now is pack Cristian's clothes, shoes, socks, and essentials and we will be all packed and ready to go! We do still need to take care of the house and finish the rest of the laundry before Wednesday. The list just never seems to dwindle down does it?
I made a new dessert today. I have found that having something little for dessert every day is not only essential for me but has made it so easy and fun to maintain my weight and maintain self control! The best part is that every 3 days I get to make something new! I love the experimenting in the kitchen! It is so much fun. Cristian seems to really enjoy it too.
So, this new dessert I made today tasted so good and it was SO rich that I just can't believe that eating it doesn't just add 5 pounds right then and there. I got the recipe off the "Cook Yourself Thin" page on Lifetime TV. I really love many of their recipes. I wish that the show still aired in the U.S.
Here is the recipe:
Peanut Butter Dream Bars
http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/cook-yourself-thin/recipes/peanut-butter-dream-bars
Lara and I decided to start packing for our trip tonight since the next 2 days are already so busy with long work hours, martial arts class, hair cut appointments, etc...so much to do and so little time. Seems like we are always having to use our "sleep time" in the wee hours of the night to get ahead. Even with my body's unnatural ability to go 150% full force on a couple hours of sleep, I have been feeling so utterly exhausted! All that is left to do now is pack Cristian's clothes, shoes, socks, and essentials and we will be all packed and ready to go! We do still need to take care of the house and finish the rest of the laundry before Wednesday. The list just never seems to dwindle down does it?
I made a new dessert today. I have found that having something little for dessert every day is not only essential for me but has made it so easy and fun to maintain my weight and maintain self control! The best part is that every 3 days I get to make something new! I love the experimenting in the kitchen! It is so much fun. Cristian seems to really enjoy it too.
So, this new dessert I made today tasted so good and it was SO rich that I just can't believe that eating it doesn't just add 5 pounds right then and there. I got the recipe off the "Cook Yourself Thin" page on Lifetime TV. I really love many of their recipes. I wish that the show still aired in the U.S.
Here is the recipe:
Peanut Butter Dream Bars
http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/cook-yourself-thin/recipes/peanut-butter-dream-bars
Serves 8
Calories per serving: 157
1/2 cup low-calorie thin chocolate wafers, finely ground in a food processor
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup creamy reduced-fat peanut butter
1 1/2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips, melted
1. Line a 9-x-4-inch loaf pan with wax paper or baking parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides.
2. Combine the ground wafers, oats, sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the butter until everything is evenly moistened. Stir in 1 tablespoon peanut butter until mixture forms large clumps. Transfer mixture to lined loaf pan and press into an even layer. Refrigerate until firm, about 10 minutes.
Calories per serving: 157
1/2 cup low-calorie thin chocolate wafers, finely ground in a food processor
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup creamy reduced-fat peanut butter
1 1/2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips, melted
1. Line a 9-x-4-inch loaf pan with wax paper or baking parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides.
2. Combine the ground wafers, oats, sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the butter until everything is evenly moistened. Stir in 1 tablespoon peanut butter until mixture forms large clumps. Transfer mixture to lined loaf pan and press into an even layer. Refrigerate until firm, about 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla, remaining 3 tablespoons peanut butter and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and beat on medium speed until pale and nearly doubled in volume, about 7 minutes. Transfer to the loaf pan and spread in an even layer over cookie crust. Freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
4. Spread the chocolate in a thin, even layer over the chilled peanut butter layer. Refrigerate until firm, about 10 minutes. When ready to serve, lift bars out of the pan using the wax paper overhang. Cut crosswise into 8 bars and serve cold.
Here is a picture of how they came out: (click for larger picture)
Lara and I shared 1 serving and let me tell you it was super rich. The chocolate and peanut butter in this treat will not disappoint! At under 80 calories for half a serving that completely satisfied any sweet tooth or craving - you can't beat that! You simply must try them if you love peanut butter and chocolate!
All the crazy rain we have had this past week has really helped our fruit trees. Our pear practically doubled in size and our peaches have gotten so much bigger! They are all fuzzy and soft and have the prettiest peach flesh color to them now. We are down to about 11 peaches now. We lost many to the windy weather and rain. I hope these make it another month so that we can actually harvest some!
Check out these peaches!
Now - off to bed. 6 am comes awful early :)
Cheers,
M E
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