News for today's 2018

Things I'm Loving This Week

4:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

<b style="color: #674ea7;">1. Hungry Girl's <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/367" target="_blank">Yum Yum Brownie Muffins</a> {5 PointsPlus}</b><br /><br />These are definitely on the steeper side of PointsPlus values on sweet treats for me, especially since it's <i>just </i>a muffin!  However, they are really chocolatey and provide some hidden fiber as a bonus, thanks to the pumpkin.  They're actually a nice size too.  INCREDIBLY easy to make: simply mix <span style="color: #999999;">{ONLY}</span> the cake mix + the pumpkin puree and bake in 12 cup muffin tin at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. <span style="color: #999999;">{HG Tip: Make these in mini muffin tins to yield around 36 mini muffins at a smaller PointsPlus value!} </span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzgAL09sN8ngryhaBBVpWgXwjGAYDz_QmBmGKZUYsL72qb1roL9WahVSJF40dW7KG55TZiagLs_b3_jYzJv3-_VoanM_hUJ4cb2JbKmlu6OZmKUCo-K22zWO9ZiZSEWEJdMk7-Zmc5Gg/s1600/brownie+muffins+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzgAL09sN8ngryhaBBVpWgXwjGAYDz_QmBmGKZUYsL72qb1roL9WahVSJF40dW7KG55TZiagLs_b3_jYzJv3-_VoanM_hUJ4cb2JbKmlu6OZmKUCo-K22zWO9ZiZSEWEJdMk7-Zmc5Gg/s400/brownie+muffins+3.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">easy peezy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8quTmk7iE289_IXUjUw5K3u09s9usEkcdUu0tp3ZyBDZqNBPkmMq5dlAmmUYJuWQqSQufY2EVAXL3HUVlMC5htmJwCWkQDA-bXbNwzK6Ibw5VIxwC5ZpjO4cHXUxhYrlcPQZCuuT32wU/s1600/brownie+muffins+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8quTmk7iE289_IXUjUw5K3u09s9usEkcdUu0tp3ZyBDZqNBPkmMq5dlAmmUYJuWQqSQufY2EVAXL3HUVlMC5htmJwCWkQDA-bXbNwzK6Ibw5VIxwC5ZpjO4cHXUxhYrlcPQZCuuT32wU/s400/brownie+muffins+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />You could argue that these muffins have an almost....dis-pleasurable look to them. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOd72hil_x3hBe8_SV4SM3pBseHdR90UOaXMTpGFAVOlabeFZhaqD0xi5D9wxwmYPMMXTesivZYZhWMvnfQgj7-9oQwt0as49KAUNJD69B-LPuSKhHBm6karLlgPIYxVP1BtfC-HCECQ/s1600/brownie+muffins+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOd72hil_x3hBe8_SV4SM3pBseHdR90UOaXMTpGFAVOlabeFZhaqD0xi5D9wxwmYPMMXTesivZYZhWMvnfQgj7-9oQwt0as49KAUNJD69B-LPuSKhHBm6karLlgPIYxVP1BtfC-HCECQ/s400/brownie+muffins+2.jpg" width="306" /></a></div> <br />They somewhat resemble what might "happen" to you if you consume endless amounts of fiber.  BUT if you can look past their....outward appearance.... and try not to think about it as you bite into the goodness, you will be glad you didn't judge this brownie-muffin by it's cover!<br /><div style="color: #351c75;"><br /></div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><b>2. Mini Chopper</b></div>I received this mini chopper as a Christmas gift two years ago.  My mom purchased it as part of a Black Friday special at Wal-Mart for $4.97.  Sometimes, you get what you pay for.  In this case, I can assure you that this less than $5 chopper has been nothing short of amazing and useful since I first unwrapped it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBW4wQklboCx6K2-iuZtHDBU7iNLDG3KjLqDmO77IvA-C7SJtB7cJY1UD7dQd9x1JlGNGURTf8G0X0l87tdHYX5HmR_K_zkYqoE4YENgMWHEkOE1WlKMUspywcoZgpkxWPMw4mFpNozg/s1600/mini+chopper+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBW4wQklboCx6K2-iuZtHDBU7iNLDG3KjLqDmO77IvA-C7SJtB7cJY1UD7dQd9x1JlGNGURTf8G0X0l87tdHYX5HmR_K_zkYqoE4YENgMWHEkOE1WlKMUspywcoZgpkxWPMw4mFpNozg/s400/mini+chopper+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I primarily use my mini chopper to get those pesky onions minced up.  I hate onions, but a lot of ingredients in recipes that I cook often call for them.  Once upon a time I would've never considered putting onions in a dish.  But since I got my mini chopper, I can get them so finely minced that I can pretend they're not even in the food I'm making!<br /><br />Of course, it's also extremely good at grinding up Oreos to make <a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-oreo-truffles-95085.aspx" target="_blank">Oreo Truffles</a>.  <span style="color: #999999;">{Tip: If you do make the truffles, refrigerate or freeze them for up to an hour before dipping them in the chocolate.  Otherwise you will have a mess of melted Oreo balls in your bowl of chocolate.}</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbbZScAuAe7o9azHmpfefyTZj1lB9H4C5-AYRpiAeZFza6jifIlL6h7n0Ky2wTJSFlTGqpiHZCBbxnYoEF_z2HtBBkjAcVniRjOIStSLPlod_-e77ipVgZmBFPOvtL45HFchfyclGeFk/s1600/mini+chopper+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbbZScAuAe7o9azHmpfefyTZj1lB9H4C5-AYRpiAeZFza6jifIlL6h7n0Ky2wTJSFlTGqpiHZCBbxnYoEF_z2HtBBkjAcVniRjOIStSLPlod_-e77ipVgZmBFPOvtL45HFchfyclGeFk/s400/mini+chopper+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The stainless steel blade, chopper bowl, and lid are all dishwasher safe.  What more could you ask for in a $5 kitchen appliance?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Y9Gpjqa3eVagyznQwpaEL7sDF4HN9At_55wYehcl3ybq8aelNP4v-iuEogXCvVNwcoN5lHgO2Ruebrkri6g3J9LgAS6MnFwiMdBKkqW0tym81BmEXeVjP2ZDQWveEqebSdAFNlgI-gs/s1600/mini+chopper+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Y9Gpjqa3eVagyznQwpaEL7sDF4HN9At_55wYehcl3ybq8aelNP4v-iuEogXCvVNwcoN5lHgO2Ruebrkri6g3J9LgAS6MnFwiMdBKkqW0tym81BmEXeVjP2ZDQWveEqebSdAFNlgI-gs/s400/mini+chopper+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I have used this chopper over and over and <i>over </i>again, and the blade is starting to get a little dull.  Any idea where I can go to get something like that sharpened?<br /><br /><div style="color: #674ea7;"><b>3.  <a href="http://www.drpepper.com/products/#drpepperten" target="_blank">Dr. Pepper Ten</a></b></div>Diet pop is an acquired taste, let's face it.  It's about the same as during your freshman year of college, when your first taste of an alcoholic beverage is, inevitably, cheap beer.  You choke it down at first, but eventually you cannot even tell the difference between <a href="http://www.anheuser-busch.com/s/index.php/our-beers/#%21Natural" target="_blank">Natural Light</a> and the "premium" beer that is the <a href="http://www.coorslight.com/" target="_blank">Silver Bullet</a>.  {That was then, however!  No way will you catch me sipping a Natty Light these days!}<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOX_yXOEh9yoJwq015YmZTP6m6mVyq9775QTsL4fQhT4B5ImnFBeng4kJx5f9PEbZK2ARFPLnuQ0eCArbNf_6u8xBPHOtbMg6wvpQiVIL7R0KJwrJ-O-inDcTuKNckE7M3qN-hVqwx1U/s1600/dr+pepper+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOX_yXOEh9yoJwq015YmZTP6m6mVyq9775QTsL4fQhT4B5ImnFBeng4kJx5f9PEbZK2ARFPLnuQ0eCArbNf_6u8xBPHOtbMg6wvpQiVIL7R0KJwrJ-O-inDcTuKNckE7M3qN-hVqwx1U/s400/dr+pepper+1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />Still, Dr. Pepper Ten is the closest variation to it's "parent" version that I've tasted yet.  Coke Zero may be a close second.  But Dr. Pepper Ten has absolutely no after taste what so ever.  And for 10 calories, I will take it!  I don't drink a lot of diet pop, but I will not hesitate to use it as a substitute for eating whenever I'm craving food.  I find it filling and it gives me a taste of something other than water.  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Gk5pdxFuGUGSXGbBH5vcUjcBzqsnSItWrwgMalqLoeZObXsP4qEZi8Na5w9SZk5Vc_3LfFjIMn9sALUuNZI8qLq10pzFaHwv8Ld1XI1qT7AIUF9sfdmYVXi_7m8YzfZKbYK4CNhecBc/s1600/dr+pepper+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Gk5pdxFuGUGSXGbBH5vcUjcBzqsnSItWrwgMalqLoeZObXsP4qEZi8Na5w9SZk5Vc_3LfFjIMn9sALUuNZI8qLq10pzFaHwv8Ld1XI1qT7AIUF9sfdmYVXi_7m8YzfZKbYK4CNhecBc/s400/dr+pepper+002.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click to make larger - yes, there is HFCS</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This gem was an accidental discovery whenever Joel was looking for a low-cal mixer for his Jack Daniels fix.  I'm so glad he discovered this!<br /><br /><b style="color: #674ea7;">What are some things you love this week?</b>

1. Hungry Girl's Yum Yum Brownie Muffins {5 PointsPlus}These are definitely on the steeper side of PointsPlus values on sweet treats for me, especially since it's just a muffin! However, they are really chocolatey and provide some hidden fiber as a …

Things I'm Loving This Week

8:45 AM Tukiyooo 0

<b>1.  2 New Coffee Mugs</b><br /><br />I received two new coffee mugs for Christmas and both are awesome!  One came from my niece, Grace.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXeoNMbK3CPER9w36nr3nkhEgcoetazhLMhFuxIxGPbQXtUIjKtVd2nTcP2et4b5KHjMbz1WP4jCon2nkpj0ahotGD0l_-hHeyiuqUZHcaPEeL_kgx4GfqrFelPdO8XvFIsmsowYL98M/s1600/grace+mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXeoNMbK3CPER9w36nr3nkhEgcoetazhLMhFuxIxGPbQXtUIjKtVd2nTcP2et4b5KHjMbz1WP4jCon2nkpj0ahotGD0l_-hHeyiuqUZHcaPEeL_kgx4GfqrFelPdO8XvFIsmsowYL98M/s400/grace+mug.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The other came from my young cousin, Brice.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCyCCIoP_k7wpWGIyewnXZbwwLwBcejR7B8X3n2okIFa3aMZ0bzGgPCrqo5mdtAxJdXSOzTHUJ37zaHnUSnUrZppKDMOapN7jgHkThSLjiP-e1xYu_jdbf52a_12_jdr-l6_LDWus0tc/s1600/brice+coffeemug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCyCCIoP_k7wpWGIyewnXZbwwLwBcejR7B8X3n2okIFa3aMZ0bzGgPCrqo5mdtAxJdXSOzTHUJ37zaHnUSnUrZppKDMOapN7jgHkThSLjiP-e1xYu_jdbf52a_12_jdr-l6_LDWus0tc/s320/brice+coffeemug.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><br />These have already proved amazing for sipping my morning tea with a 1/4 cup of half and half (2 Points+) or what is left of my pumpkin spice coffee from Trader Joe's... with an 1/8 cup of half and half  (1 Points+)! <br /><br /><b>2.  <a href="http://zipfizz.com/">Zipfizz</a> in Grape and Orange</b><br />While my parents were visiting last week, my mom and I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some groceries and stumbled upon this gem.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9n2kbTtqdis4oXFnpn05UhkQony_Wx_k_GB9mva2sGDZe08uIXxzYLPRZqE_GoVo09VOGj2R92CtoFD0AUqwgV5MbCcU7qE5pHkXEMDT9CyYlMEZ51lQUZzzUZKL2ebJevbPOehGg2Y/s1600/zipfizz+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9n2kbTtqdis4oXFnpn05UhkQony_Wx_k_GB9mva2sGDZe08uIXxzYLPRZqE_GoVo09VOGj2R92CtoFD0AUqwgV5MbCcU7qE5pHkXEMDT9CyYlMEZ51lQUZzzUZKL2ebJevbPOehGg2Y/s400/zipfizz+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />They were actually part of a product promotion, so we got to try them right away.  They're called <a href="http://zipfizz.com/">Zipfizz</a> and they are marketed as an all-natural healthy energy drink.  There are 3 tubes to each box.  There are just 10 calories in each tube and 0 grams of sugar. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1VdWdulxoN-9ky4IRQ4SBs51s0oRwFV5DKdKex605RDFWrdhzRrvSM0593ztH2bVzJxXY6HjD-5auY6eWONY9Bgvw6GaHZo8FPATJ7LU-kmEc9nwWaHrDTbya4tO-C2URTBwi5Vxp74/s1600/zipfizz+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1VdWdulxoN-9ky4IRQ4SBs51s0oRwFV5DKdKex605RDFWrdhzRrvSM0593ztH2bVzJxXY6HjD-5auY6eWONY9Bgvw6GaHZo8FPATJ7LU-kmEc9nwWaHrDTbya4tO-C2URTBwi5Vxp74/s400/zipfizz+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click for larger size</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So far I've only had the orange and grape because this is all that my Wal-Mart carries.  However, they come in other flavors that sound equally delicious: <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNYkoGXgaM5om6klXmvvXZV8Cc4d60LiowspieNjIHNJGestJoIzNVLCBxlZdAB8y3BoM8VsTWwYUthZB7BNrGaiXWrclUVNbksVCpDkEFgc2TbmXAruhgM95MFAC6vTXBTEyyfGdnoQ/s1600/zipfiz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNYkoGXgaM5om6klXmvvXZV8Cc4d60LiowspieNjIHNJGestJoIzNVLCBxlZdAB8y3BoM8VsTWwYUthZB7BNrGaiXWrclUVNbksVCpDkEFgc2TbmXAruhgM95MFAC6vTXBTEyyfGdnoQ/s400/zipfiz.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Zipfizz website</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Other than the flavor, which I think tastes great, the thing I love most about them is that they are somewhat similar to drinking a pop (or soda for the rest of yinz ;) ) because they offer this fizzy flavor.  The only pop I care to drink on a regular basis is Cherry Coke or Wild Cherry Pepsi mixed with Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi (1/4 cherry to 3/4 diet).  But there are still more calories in my concoction of pop than there are in the Zipfizz.   It totally satisfies my craving for a pop, and that is a major win for me!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstBUn3DdC9e1jDz2EIfYH8bCnO2BSS9uDlgz3muuAvWOxI7X9FWzsFVMPe_QiVpoY0ZnUCTAVyvYs9_0lPUIzWDHV3k0mn9xYk_EJPDDgTFxskqf7pDK_Vxk_vJTA5qolyb9mR9q1CT8/s1600/zipfizz+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstBUn3DdC9e1jDz2EIfYH8bCnO2BSS9uDlgz3muuAvWOxI7X9FWzsFVMPe_QiVpoY0ZnUCTAVyvYs9_0lPUIzWDHV3k0mn9xYk_EJPDDgTFxskqf7pDK_Vxk_vJTA5qolyb9mR9q1CT8/s400/zipfizz+3.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br />All you do is pour the tube into a 16-20 oz bottle of water and shake it.  A word to the wise on this... you must do it quickly or it will fizz out of the bottle!  OR, better yet, drink a little bit of the water first to give yourself enough room at the top so you can easily pour it in without concern.  The only other thing I want to say about this is when I went back to Wal-Mart to buy more, I had a small challenge finding them.  I first checked where the Crystal Light stuff is shelved but they were not there.  Of course I was immediately concerned that Wal-Mart didn't have them in stock, but then I tried the coffee aisle (since they are marketed as energy) and still no luck.  Finally I found them over near the pharmacy with the Slim Fast/Atkins/Ensure/whatever else energy drinks.  Voila!<br /><br />The deal breaker for you may be the cost... they are $4 and some change per box, which I thought was a little pricey for just 3 tubes.  Zipfizz, if you're reading this, please offer my readers a giveaway :).  They MUST try this!<br /><br /><b>3. <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hamilton-Beach-Two-Square-Belgian-Style-Waffle-Maker/16913517">Hamilton Beach Waffle Iron</a></b><br />I ended up with this <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hamilton-Beach-Two-Square-Belgian-Style-Waffle-Maker/16913517">waffle iron</a> over Christmas when I learned that my sister was receiving one from her inlaws as well. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZaxMpPUHEJm4Df0DDyd8N1Kd0rVXb5JNn1Q99V67mwHHzDBUTu_9qvr5uu1hF0zYzMa_p0cIqmm3JLduoplezUur96kCnGlseWncng4OIdWf6SOE-px2vwyAMv3teUZ3qfYc8ejL69k/s1600/ww+and+waffle+iron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZaxMpPUHEJm4Df0DDyd8N1Kd0rVXb5JNn1Q99V67mwHHzDBUTu_9qvr5uu1hF0zYzMa_p0cIqmm3JLduoplezUur96kCnGlseWncng4OIdWf6SOE-px2vwyAMv3teUZ3qfYc8ejL69k/s400/ww+and+waffle+iron.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><br />So far I've used it twice (purchased from walmart.com for $14 on sale in December... it's now $19.28 but isn't available online currently) and made Weight Watcher's Buttermilk Whole Wheat Waffles (5 Points+) from their <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Weight-Watchers-New-Complete-Cookbook/dp/047061451X/ref=pd_sim_b_8">New Complete Cookbook</a>.  This is the first time I've ever had homemade waffles and they are sooooo much better than the frozen variety from Kellogg's.  The waffle iron is so simple to use... $14 well spent! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNB2KmdCaQbfbW293gfQj8XSA630VDkjscM8xnPVIohdCw5Ljc19zrvwaZv_tqy8xAudKW6AtbcIcazCHBPDRf7FLleZUvR0jKHTcnWxDJUwun1wS5JsxD-hMmaCjXvmF0Di93u9jPzQ/s1600/blog+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNB2KmdCaQbfbW293gfQj8XSA630VDkjscM8xnPVIohdCw5Ljc19zrvwaZv_tqy8xAudKW6AtbcIcazCHBPDRf7FLleZUvR0jKHTcnWxDJUwun1wS5JsxD-hMmaCjXvmF0Di93u9jPzQ/s400/blog+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Do you own a waffle iron?<br />  <br /><b>4. <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/591">Hungry Girl Krispymallow Treats</a></b> <br />I had an entire box of Rice Krispies left over from <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/deen-family-cookbook-meemaws-kitchen.html">Paula Deen's Christmas Cookies</a> and decided to use those up to make this recipe.  I thought these were a phenomenal substitute to the traditional Rice Krispy Treats.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nfYNriUbN84pKnaxtluiVetxBjTUvZX0HouVIagfbLstBjuNIXUWMD2P_U9il3U_-XssZqvN4qinYNVmkxzJoq94DeV1FF101QXQi3sy8BaTaKdmoOiNDIJIsyiLVCrdxseRyBDl6Q/s1600/krispymallowtreats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nfYNriUbN84pKnaxtluiVetxBjTUvZX0HouVIagfbLstBjuNIXUWMD2P_U9il3U_-XssZqvN4qinYNVmkxzJoq94DeV1FF101QXQi3sy8BaTaKdmoOiNDIJIsyiLVCrdxseRyBDl6Q/s400/krispymallowtreats.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The bonus is that you get some added fiber in there from the Fiber One cereal, but the marshmallow and Rice Krispies overpower the Fiber One... still allowing them to taste great.  The recipe says it serves 25, but I had a hard time cutting up the 9x13 dish into just 25 squares (that would be REALLY small and 1 Points+ each).  I cut mine into 18 squares and came to a Points+ value of 2.. still not bad and a nicer size of a serving!  Have you had this version before?<br /><br /><div style="color: purple;"><b>Any particular things you're loving this week?</b></div>

Things I Love Weight Loss Products Things I'm Loving This Week

1. 2 New Coffee MugsI received two new coffee mugs for Christmas and both are awesome! One came from my niece, Grace.The other came from my young cousin, Brice.These have already proved amazing for sipping my morning tea with a 1/4 cup of half and …

A Great Product Find: OXO Food Scale + Separate Giveaway Alert

5:08 AM Tukiyooo 0

Ok - back to our regularly scheduled program :).<br /><br />I want to share one of my favorite kitchen tools with you: the food scale!<br /><br />My food scale has been absolutely ESSENTIAL to my weight loss journey.  I use it every single day.  As much as I love my measuring spoons and cups, a cup of cereal in a measuring cup and a true cup of cereal on the food scale is going to yield different results (not by a lot, but it <i>will </i>be different).  And, folks, the scale is way more accurate!  Not only that, but how exactly do you measure 4 oz of ground meat?  It's kind of hard to do that with a measuring cup, but not with a food scale!    <br /><br />I bought my first food scale several years ago, while still in college, at a WW meeting center.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/77/b/AAAAArjGFZkAAAAAAHe0GA.jpg?v=1191960485000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/77/b/AAAAArjGFZkAAAAAAHe0GA.jpg?v=1191960485000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the version I had.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It was well worth the little bit of money I had then, and it is STILL well worth it today.  Since that first WW-inspired food scale, I've went through two more.  The WW one eventually broke, and then the second one eventually broke as well.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.everythingkitchens.com/images/products/detail/arti_poppin%20pink_157pp-detail.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.everythingkitchens.com/images/products/detail/arti_poppin%20pink_157pp-detail.gif" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Similar to my second one.<br />Yes, it was pink!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />What happened?<br /><br />Well, the reason why they broke is precisely why I want to share my new food scale with you all.  The first two broke after I cleaned them (not for the first time, but after many cleanings).  I guess after several times of being cleaned with a soapy paper towel, they both had had enough and decided to quit turning on.  I know for a fact that the moisture contributed to the death of the WW scale, because it had a screen like a calculator does, and you could see the moisture sitting inside the screen. Doh!<br /><br />Still, you <i>need </i>to clean your food scale.  Why keep buying a new one every few years if you can find one that is so perfectly designed you won't ever have to worry about it going kaput on you again.<br /><br />I present to you the <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14816640">OXO Food Scale with Pullout Display</a> <i>($49.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond, which is where I bought it - you can use your 20% coupon though!)</i>.  So, <i>so </i>many pluses to this scale:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">#1. <b>The Pullout Display</b>:  I don't know about you, but when I use a large plate or bowl to measure food, it can be really hard to see what the food actually weighs when that plate/bowl is practically covering the display.  Not with the OXO Food Scale!  You can just pull out the display for easy reading.<br /><br /></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGedUh9o2hvmOvrsLwTcOjN9HecIWUxfUNmEpiV_RWGbVLvZa169CWFRZdRHci-flCbVlqJD8hEyM8yIRL7RSLllNV0swlp0YILBC4jL4GQC2AZp2ePMsbhT3OyR2x3HoI087_pBxusdI/s1600/Scale+003+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGedUh9o2hvmOvrsLwTcOjN9HecIWUxfUNmEpiV_RWGbVLvZa169CWFRZdRHci-flCbVlqJD8hEyM8yIRL7RSLllNV0swlp0YILBC4jL4GQC2AZp2ePMsbhT3OyR2x3HoI087_pBxusdI/s400/Scale+003+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br />#2. <b>The Removable Platform</b>: MAJOR problem solved!  The stainless steel platform actually pops off of the scale for easy cleaning (it is dishwasher safe as well).  </blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VuEFdAix6kAuPwaqRpBW22judflqng7uSkKCBGrtzyMhMUJVyQRy0pcrlMK_oCCHYcBDfcFdDySLqbfJkLhL6NAjp9dD0nLBtcpZvhj4ZB-mm5ub31vSe-657BQ8oimcY3UCIIzmzMk/s1600/Scale+001+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VuEFdAix6kAuPwaqRpBW22judflqng7uSkKCBGrtzyMhMUJVyQRy0pcrlMK_oCCHYcBDfcFdDySLqbfJkLhL6NAjp9dD0nLBtcpZvhj4ZB-mm5ub31vSe-657BQ8oimcY3UCIIzmzMk/s400/Scale+001+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br />#3. <b>Blue Lights</b>.  Blue lights make things pretty :).  But seriously, the scale has a light feature that you can turn on in case you're having a hard time reading the display (and it's not hard to read at all, but I have used the light on occasion - say, for instance, if I'm too lazy to turn on the kitchen lights....hey, we all have our things.)</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXeC8jXShX8wIbhPoz4YgZG1gE60xkQpJKVjlEzG5t7GJ-D7sf5XEtdzfwfMnTyKfcoMSu7RYFpr6zUSMF2b1lCs7f2x3VwdL5CN50vSBxSAKFa08ooRGXi26v80iKJtXeen9lKgpkcw/s1600/Scale+003+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXeC8jXShX8wIbhPoz4YgZG1gE60xkQpJKVjlEzG5t7GJ-D7sf5XEtdzfwfMnTyKfcoMSu7RYFpr6zUSMF2b1lCs7f2x3VwdL5CN50vSBxSAKFa08ooRGXi26v80iKJtXeen9lKgpkcw/s400/Scale+003+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq">#4. <b>kg/oz Measurements</b>.  Sure, the other scales measured in these values as well, but the OXO one does too!  Sometimes serving sizes are displayed in just grams, and this food scale has you covered if it does!</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qIO7mZtOgq4LJwCQefngId0zoeir4vRKHIYqP1dzaloVJbgk37t85cuXBDf3qBrycXW5Bv9Vn4_RAU-JjM9WjbzEXdQ4oOhstRm7IaaPYKFGKNd4uRdvC8u1zyxyLs_cANgQPUVYe5g/s1600/Scale+002+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qIO7mZtOgq4LJwCQefngId0zoeir4vRKHIYqP1dzaloVJbgk37t85cuXBDf3qBrycXW5Bv9Vn4_RAU-JjM9WjbzEXdQ4oOhstRm7IaaPYKFGKNd4uRdvC8u1zyxyLs_cANgQPUVYe5g/s400/Scale+002+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />Do you own a food scale?  If so, what kind?  How do you feel about it?<br /><br /><u><b>GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!! </b></u><br /><br /><a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/11/weekend-recap.html">Gretchen</a> @ <a href="http://honeyishrunkthegretchen.com/2011/11/30/homecoming-giveaway/">Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen</a> has a <a href="http://honeyishrunkthegretchen.com/2011/11/30/homecoming-giveaway/">festive giveaway</a> going on right now!  You could win some free, personalized holiday greeting cards from the designer of her website... go check it out NOW!  If you're new to her blog, let her know how you found out about her and her fun giveaway in her comments section :).<br /><br /><i>**OXO and/or Bed Bath and Beyond do not have a clue who I am.  I paid for this food scale on my own.  They did not supply me with it for this review.  When I find a great product, I just want to pass it along to you so we can all do a happy dance together!</i>

Product Reviews Weight Loss Products Weight Watchers A Great Product Find: OXO Food Scale + Separate Giveaway Alert

Ok - back to our regularly scheduled program :).I want to share one of my favorite kitchen tools with you: the food scale!My food scale has been absolutely ESSENTIAL to my weight loss journey. I use it every single day. As much as I love my measuri…

Weight Watchers Tracker Cover

9:13 AM Tukiyooo 0

I was an E-Tools Tracker for years and years.  I liked the online convenience and the ability to see charts/graphs of the progress you've made.  I like how you can mark favorite foods and how it automatically remembers what you've tracked previously.   <br /><br />However, I recently switched over to the paper tracker and I've been having more success with it.  When I'm at work, the online tracker is great because I'm always at my computer.  However, when I get home, the last thing I want to do is turn on my computer to log Points+.  I feel the same way on the weekends - I'm not always online.  I have the WW E-Tools App for my phone, but I still find it somewhat cumbersome to log the Points+ that way too. I found that my logging was lacking!<br /><br />The paper tracker has been working out so well for me, but I was finding that it was getting worn out pretty quickly due to the constant toting to/from work or to/from the grocery store (or any other place other than at home).  In my search for buying the paper trackers online, I came upon this <a href="http://myworld.ebay.com/mywhimsicalhearts/">Ebay Store called My Whimsical Hearts</a>.  The lady is a sewing expert and she makes tracker covers that perfectly fit the Points+ trackers!  I thought this was such a genius idea and so I bought one.  I am VERY pleased with this purchase because not only does it protect the tracker, but it's very well made, very cute, and I like the bookmarks that come with it.  They are also available in other patterns.  These covers range in price from either $14 to $26 plus shipping.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tnNPsz4fMh-tXDLMD2ymjIU56Q2Ovpa9rEJgUnuc_Xx0dXVuv_k84mN7p6twrcROAalV78QgKOjftcPjePZGVfQeo7WEgDSFwbM16c7DkrmsMHs2cmPY2VU0tiJFwrLmx3YZdTIRmCM/s1600/Blog+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tnNPsz4fMh-tXDLMD2ymjIU56Q2Ovpa9rEJgUnuc_Xx0dXVuv_k84mN7p6twrcROAalV78QgKOjftcPjePZGVfQeo7WEgDSFwbM16c7DkrmsMHs2cmPY2VU0tiJFwrLmx3YZdTIRmCM/s320/Blog+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pen not included :)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RKHgTFCJfzTDsp7Ydu5gYBhErw5owoy7M_znXh52GzM3bH_pM7zjGvoW2M_gZXFuRWqRik7OB3aISKbhYywNH7b4r-fyiTxtiWr2EYIE4DlLd1GojgPiO9xNJjO6egdKgL6qCw2KBMw/s1600/Blog+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RKHgTFCJfzTDsp7Ydu5gYBhErw5owoy7M_znXh52GzM3bH_pM7zjGvoW2M_gZXFuRWqRik7OB3aISKbhYywNH7b4r-fyiTxtiWr2EYIE4DlLd1GojgPiO9xNJjO6egdKgL6qCw2KBMw/s320/Blog+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the elastic strip on the left side that holds your papers down</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxuwao9-AK-RS1z04Hh0kmPN66ZcWZ2Y4EN6TEu15_mbchLd2Xm4Ft9HrfZApLbEanYHKw6nTcZ-GqciD-rOEaiMst0QutvVf_UBbdNmUYd4qEnN3ACVz8ZExM060Fvvi7UCRO13ZNN4/s1600/Blog+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxuwao9-AK-RS1z04Hh0kmPN66ZcWZ2Y4EN6TEu15_mbchLd2Xm4Ft9HrfZApLbEanYHKw6nTcZ-GqciD-rOEaiMst0QutvVf_UBbdNmUYd4qEnN3ACVz8ZExM060Fvvi7UCRO13ZNN4/s320/Blog+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cute bookmark - very handy!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7mgTBWaqyM3c1KIXoQA3T7xYqeo0XKgxPDng6EqfLFyp9G2vMwfKP8WgGFrJ5mwAmyWSiz7RxedjIP_AegRY2xytabg3JoOb0id9XnlBX6_yWcGAkuchU0-qvGvsje-iqEeHgwmnvds/s1600/Blog+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7mgTBWaqyM3c1KIXoQA3T7xYqeo0XKgxPDng6EqfLFyp9G2vMwfKP8WgGFrJ5mwAmyWSiz7RxedjIP_AegRY2xytabg3JoOb0id9XnlBX6_yWcGAkuchU0-qvGvsje-iqEeHgwmnvds/s320/Blog+007.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside pocket - also very handy!</td></tr></tbody></table>By the way, I do not know the owner of this Ebay store at all, and she has in no way influenced me to market her product to you, other than the fact that I love this thing!  It's just that when I find awesome, functional things that help me out in my weight loss journey, I was to pass them along to you as well!  Please go check her out!

Random Weight Loss Thoughts Weight Loss Products Weight Watchers Tracker Cover