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I'm often asked what I eat.  If you think about it, it's really an odd question.  We eat what we eat.  I'd like to say there wasn't much thought put into making healthy choices, but that would be a lie.  While I am definately NOT the best healthy eater, I have made lots of improvements.  I ALWAYS eat breakfast and make sure it has protein. I drink LOTS of water, and I have really stopped the constant snacking that would have me skip meals as I wouldn't be hungry.  I've also made sure that I've upped the vegetables and fruits I eat each day.  While I can't say I've defeated the sweet tooth, I have learned to live with it and not fight it constantly.  Hence, the decadent Valentine Gooey Chocolate Pudding Cake you see pictured here.  I knew if you saw something that yummy looking, you wouldn't be able to resist!  So, hang on 'til the end and you'll find the recipe! 

The rest of the week's meals look something like this:


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Breakfast of Greek Yogart with fresh blueberries and walnuts
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To tide me over the lunch hour, Toasted whole wheat english muffin with sauteed spinach and an egg. You won't even think about being hungry for hours!
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Makings for a Fresh Smoothie: Banana, Strawberries, Blueberries, OJ and Ice. This is without the usual Almond Milk and Protein Powder, as I was under the weather and this just sounded better.
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Mexican Chicken Soup: Family dinner one night - lunch for 3 days for me!
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Better than a Grilled Cheese! Grilled hummus, avocado and Spinach. Really good!
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Hubby's Birthday Gift from my mom - Lots of fresh oranges and grapefruit - Fabulous
AND, the Treat of the Week in our home, made especially for Valentine's Day and for the school Valentine Party:  VERY rich, gooey and decadent.  Delicious!  I didn't realize the recipe only made 6 - 8 servings and I was making cupcakes for a class of 28!  Needless to say I made MANY batches!  Well worth the effort!

HAVE A GREAT FRIDAY!


GOOEY CHOCOLATE PUDDING CAKES

Dip into these cakes and find a layer of thick chocolate sauce.  To make a large cake, pour the batter into a 1 quart casserole dish and increase baking time to 35 - 40 minutes.  
Prep:  20 min.  Bake 20 min. 350 degrees

1/2 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1/4 Cup Sugar
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/3 Cup Milk
1 T oil 
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 Cup Nutella
1/3 Cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1/2 Cup sugar
1/4 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 Cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350.  Combine flour, 1/4 Cup sugar, baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt.  Add milk, oil and vanilla.  whisk until smooth.  Stir in Nutella and baking pieces.  Divide batter into six 5 to 8 oz oven-safe ramekins.  Place in 15 x 10x 1 inch baking pan.  Set aside.  In same bowl stir 1/2 Cup sugar and cocoa.  Gradually stir in boiling water.  Pour evenly over batter in dishes.  
Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted into cake portion comes out clean.  Serves 6.

Per Serving:  270 calories; 9 g fat; 2 g fiber, 3 g protein.  
 
 
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When I was a little girl, by this date I had spent hours in the kitchen baking every Christmas treat imaginable.  Our kitchen counters were lined with glass jars full of decadent treats for us to nibble and to give to anyone who dropped by.  And, in a small town, that was often a lot!  Things are a little different in my kitchen these days, but I still like to do a few festive treats.  So, this morning I whipped up a batch of a good ole' Southern favorite. . . Buckeyes.  I try to make myself feel better about them by telling myself that since peanut butter is the main ingredient, they are full of healthy protein!  I easily overlook the mounds confectioners sugar that rounds out the recipe!  It's all in moderation these days!  During this time of year, I also always say, MAINTAIN AND NOT GAIN, is the main goal!  

BUCKEYES

1 1/2 Cup Peanut Butter            1 Cup Butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla extract                6 Cups confectioners' sugar
4 Cups semisweet chocolate 
chips

1. In a large bowl  mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners' sugar.  The dough will look dry.  Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a wax paper-lined cooike sheet.

2.  Press a toothpick into the top of each ball (to be used as a handle for dipping) and chill in freezer for 30 minutes.

3.  Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler and stir frequently until smooth.

4.  Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate.  Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes.  Put back in the refrigerator until time to serve.

(I just peeked into my fridge and see that a little elf has been working on ours!)

I know there are a lot of diligent bakers out there who could tweak this recipe and make it a lot cleaner and healthier.  Please do!!  And share!!

ENJOY!!


Hope you also get the chance to bake some of your favorite treats this Season!

What's your favorite?

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Rolled and ready to freeze for 30 minutes
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Dipped in melted chocolate and then chill until set. Try to eat just one!