A new way of eating

I joined Weight Watchers today. There. It's out for the world to see now. So i'm now going to make sure every thing I make has a points value and any recipe I post, I will post the points just in case you are doing weight watchers or are even interested. Let's just say that now that we are done with having kids I have some much needed weight to lose and I thought the best way to do it was to join Weight Watchers*. I am excited about their new program and I think I'll be able to do well on it. I'm doing the online version because I just can't bring myself to go to meetings. Plus with the hubs being on the other side of the world, that's just not an option. I have to admit i've been playing with it all day. But that's not why you are here (all 3 of you that visit this blog). You want recipes....food......all things yummy for your tummy!!

Tonight's recipe is brought to you courtesy of Stephanie at Fun Foods on a Budget. She made this particular recipe a couple of years ago. I stumbled upon it and decided to give it a try. It was fabulous and I think you need to try it to. Click on the link to take you to her blog for the recipe!! Enjoy!!

RUNZAS

for those interested......points for this meal are 11 (for 1 of the runzas). Yeah that's a lot but if you bank up during the day, it doesn't seem like that many.

*Weight Watchers did not ask me to endorse their product and in no way gave me any incentive to do so.

My new favorite cookie!!

I'M BACK!

I have had a great time just hanging out with my family and our newest bundle of joy! She's doing great and growing like a weed!! We also got a surprise as her daddy was able to come home from his deployment to meet her. Unfortunately he missed the birth, but he still got to meet her before heading back out into the desert. It was a wonderful holiday. I hope yours was wonderful!!

My parents were here to help out over the holidays and my mom shared this fabulous recipe with me. I just had to share it with you all. It's officially my new favorite cookie. So YUM!!! And really the possibilities are endless as to what you can put in the cookies. This was originally a Paula Deen recipe. I've seen her make it on her show a few times and just never did anything about it. I regret that more than you know!! These are fabulous!!! Hope you try them soon!!

Monster Cookies
adapted from a Paula Deen recipe*
* 3 eggs
* 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 12-ounce jar creamy peanut butter
* 1 stick butter or margarine, softened
* 1/2 cup mini m&m's
* 1/2 cup chocolate chips
* 2 heath bars, chopped (or 1/2 cup toffee bits)
* 2 teaspoons baking soda
* 4 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.

In a very large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugars. Mix well. Add the salt, vanilla, peanut butter, and butter. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate candies, chocolate chips, raisins, if using, baking soda, and oatmeal. Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not over bake. Let stand for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool. When cool, store in large resealable plastic bags


*We had some fabulous meals over the break and I'll be back soon to tell you all about them!*

Our little miracle arrived this morning so I will be on hiatus for a while until the new year. If I don't get a chance to say it later, I hope everyone of you has a HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON AND A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Vanilla Bean White Truffles

I love the holidays! All the baking just puts me in the mood. Put on some Christmas music and i'm in my own little slice of heaven!! So today I decided would be the perfect day to get busy doing some baking! We do neighbor gifts every year and this year instead of just giving a plate of cookies and driving myself crazy with just those I figured I'd go a bit more crazy and do a variety of things for the plates.
This recipe is one that will be on the plates this year and possibly for years to come!!! It's sssooo good and I hope you'll enjoy it as well!!!

Vanilla Bean White Truffles

4 tbsp heavy cream (or more give or take-it took a tad more than that for mine)
14 ounces good white chocolate
1 vanilla bean
1 tsp vanilla extract
sprinkles for topping

Place the cream in a heat proof bowl and set the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Add the vanilla bean and the all the goodness from inside the bean. Cook until heated through. Remove the bean pod. Using a wire whisk, slowly stir the white chocolate into the warm cream until completely melted. Whisk in the vanilla. Cover and shill for about an hour until pliable but firm enough to scoop.

With a medium sized scoop make rounds of the chocolate mixture and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Roll in hands to smooth and dredge in sprinkles. Set back on baking sheet and chill for 15 minutes or until ready to plate.

*You could also melt 12oz bittersweet or semi sweet chocolate in a double boiler and drizzle over truffles instead of using sprinkles. Or even dredge in various nuts.

WINNER

Arya You won the Baby Center giveaway!!!

Email me your mailing info:

rebekahskitchen@live.com so we can get your prize out to you!!!!

Baby Center

THIS IS NOW CLOSED!


I know this isn't really food related, but since I'm expecting again, it fits.

Are you expecting? Do you know someone who is? Well.....

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The folks at Babycenter.com and My Blog Spark would like to provide 1 lucky reader with a prize pack containing: two new BabyCenter parenting books (BabyCenter^® Pregnancy and BabyCenter^® Baby), a package of Seventh Generation diapers, a gift card from BabyCenter partner, Shutterfly and a BabyCenter bib.


I received a similar pack and I am so excited to use the diapers and the coupon. The books have lots of information whether you are a new mom or a seasoned veteran. Even if you aren't expecting, this would be a great gift for a new mom!

Good luck-1 entry per person please and include an email address where i can contact you if you win!! Contest ends

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15 at noon (MST)

Good luck!!!!!!!

Iron Foodie

1. Why compete?

I love the idea of being creative in the kitchen. I'm always taking a recipe i've found and tweaking it in a way to make it my own. I've also come up with a few of my own recipes inspired by foods i've eaten and loved. I just love being in the kitchen cooking and baking!!

2. Who's kitchen?

I would love to spend the day in Paula Deen's kitchen. She reminds me of the way my family cooks, down home and from the heart. I would love to be around her and soak up her hospitality and love of cooking and just her enthusiasm for eating what she cooks. I love that!!!

3. What morsel would you swipe?

Probably something desert related. Especially if it's chocolate!!!! Maybe also a pasta dish of some sort. I just can't get enough pasta or desert for that matter!!

4. Childhood in one meal?

Fried chicken, boiled potatoes with green beans, homemade biscuits and corn. This is the meal we ate every Sunday at my grandmother's home. There is no one on this earth (except maybe my mom) that can make the fried chicken like she did. It was one of the reasons I looked forward to seeing my grandmother on the weekends. She was the most amazing cook!!!

5.Mainstream food I can't stand?

Sushi.....I just can't get behind the appeal. I've tried it many times thinking it was just me and I had a block, but I just can't do it. Bleh.....

Wish me luck!!!