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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.  
 
 
Just a Few of My Favorite Things:
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Last night as I spoke to a group about nutrition (and I know I did not tell them anything they did not already know!) I brought along a basket of my kind of "goodies". This is what it looks like and here is a list of common things I keep in my house to keep me going and satisfied.  I hope there is something here you might want to try!

Pirates Booty (for the crunch)
Snapea Crisps (by Calbee)
Special K cracker chips
Uncle Ben's Whole Grain Brown Rice (Ready Rice - it's good in a pinch)           Black Beans (in and on anything!)
Hummus
KIND Bars
Lara Bars
Oikos Greek Yogart
Peter Pan Whipped Peanut Butter (it's not organic, but less sugar and 
                a little goes a long way)
Sparkling Ice (comes in really good flavors)
Vita Coco Coconut Water
Dark Chocolate
LaTortilla Factory whole wheat tortillas
Apple Cranberry Bran Muffins from Trader Joes (13 g of fiber)
Laughing Cow Light Cheese wedges
Juice Plus Protein Powder (or try any type you like)
Sunflower Seeds (unsalted of course!)
Almond Milk 
LOTS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES!