Happy Valentine's Day!

I want to wish you and your loved one{s} a <i>very </i><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Happy Valentine's Day</span></b>!  I hope you're enjoying this day that is dedicated to love - why <i>not </i>have a holiday dedicated to one of God's most wonderful gifts?<br /><br />I know some people do not enjoy this love-inspired day, but I do!  I love it, and I loved it even when I was single.<br /><br />Thanks to Pinterest, there are endless ideas for days like today.<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/AVvXsEgH6YllQU4Q47FzC2Ndp-44F_IPOxWI2Py3_D7W7CbxRwpkmtiBajSt-xlnVkl_YIR4co8qeZuCintP2mOCTXSaP-bNe3rJ5G6pk2N7FIZQbkRiN6HM62XkqX2tUa-vkPXDgogS9dbMsQY/s1600/valentine+breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6YllQU4Q47FzC2Ndp-44F_IPOxWI2Py3_D7W7CbxRwpkmtiBajSt-xlnVkl_YIR4co8qeZuCintP2mOCTXSaP-bNe3rJ5G6pk2N7FIZQbkRiN6HM62XkqX2tUa-vkPXDgogS9dbMsQY/s400/valentine+breakfast.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel's breakfast from Saturday</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I really enjoy doing things for others, especially when I can put something together for them that is both something I know they'll like, but also allows me to exercise my creative muscles.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT30UL-KL4kU6MpRgA6KBhjsGzAYS5yUZQumc_mmcav4APze2T3s_1i_-qD-UqMEntw0d4_TGW9CbjZGjpz6ErZQp-ynNbKp9Qvin4AGm4VuXJy-FoF9OTksS_mwB8La6e3jHL-nl5S6A/s1600/joel%2527s+valentine+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT30UL-KL4kU6MpRgA6KBhjsGzAYS5yUZQumc_mmcav4APze2T3s_1i_-qD-UqMEntw0d4_TGW9CbjZGjpz6ErZQp-ynNbKp9Qvin4AGm4VuXJy-FoF9OTksS_mwB8La6e3jHL-nl5S6A/s400/joel%2527s+valentine+gift.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br />Joel surprisingly doesn't mind wearing boxers that have hearts on them.  Every year I buy him v-day themed undies and he always wears them throughout the entire year.  <span style="color: #999999;">{I almost always get them at Target - they always have cute ones!}  </span><br /><br />By the way, could there be a better gift for a fisherman on Valentine's Day? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y9H-pLldIX-vQeb3fo-OUuw5tz_kWEA20mJcKuBoa6HNQqOTPj2M3S8QoK1TpRo-bhWeVWIdDGIl7Im7NHH7AG3KonU5X3wJVy-fphxFJoSI31b5Q7BhlLOk0PAZh7GX01fs3pX8Q2w/s1600/joel%2527s+valentine+gift+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y9H-pLldIX-vQeb3fo-OUuw5tz_kWEA20mJcKuBoa6HNQqOTPj2M3S8QoK1TpRo-bhWeVWIdDGIl7Im7NHH7AG3KonU5X3wJVy-fphxFJoSI31b5Q7BhlLOk0PAZh7GX01fs3pX8Q2w/s400/joel%2527s+valentine+gift+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Then there are these cuties.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEETpHGeopq7UU96hFHCXzUvl0NFGlyXIuJD5xySz59AzMP6Wno-FutDvIWYv2ZHzQLoVeM_1Apkhn3SzQ6dwQDTmDkUNl-oxuH2niKvRYYQCIqdZ69gLC8TxMsHqFEcUIbqMxaWwbedk/s1600/ww+vday+cupcakes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEETpHGeopq7UU96hFHCXzUvl0NFGlyXIuJD5xySz59AzMP6Wno-FutDvIWYv2ZHzQLoVeM_1Apkhn3SzQ6dwQDTmDkUNl-oxuH2niKvRYYQCIqdZ69gLC8TxMsHqFEcUIbqMxaWwbedk/s400/ww+vday+cupcakes+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And friends, that's as far as it goes with these mini Weight Watchers Red Velvet Cupcakes {from the January 2012 issue}.  They sucked! Whole wheat flour really doesn't cut it when you're trying to achieve the goodness that is red velvet.  I think Joel said it well: "They taste like bread."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3gIqQksERfMm-Zii2Vba5Xj5EPgqFnsXgbgspTI6_JgY2MxaQUR3bdjWtaUekXPwvCdp696xmjlTJtnurEQ0lYo5P08WirK7QrqEbZ2k1lDR2MczwOY_GArsVt-V1mufq0V1hlIjvB0/s1600/ww+vday+cupcakes+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3gIqQksERfMm-Zii2Vba5Xj5EPgqFnsXgbgspTI6_JgY2MxaQUR3bdjWtaUekXPwvCdp696xmjlTJtnurEQ0lYo5P08WirK7QrqEbZ2k1lDR2MczwOY_GArsVt-V1mufq0V1hlIjvB0/s400/ww+vday+cupcakes+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Now this little gem on the other hand.... perfecto!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KgyNQL4EzwzFi6WVFvcH0jvm2Dom_dF5OqjWH1LklYawwm-ddwzNmwKiZrThyphenhyphen9yfH9233TKkuGrr5kDTmjbaNIW7uhQ7kks3wZfhClbAh_eENdB_RRkwccwHxaN5w60D93fiE4xv-VQ/s1600/red+velvet+cake+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KgyNQL4EzwzFi6WVFvcH0jvm2Dom_dF5OqjWH1LklYawwm-ddwzNmwKiZrThyphenhyphen9yfH9233TKkuGrr5kDTmjbaNIW7uhQ7kks3wZfhClbAh_eENdB_RRkwccwHxaN5w60D93fiE4xv-VQ/s400/red+velvet+cake+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Adapted from the Better Homes & Gardens Breast Cancer cookbook <span style="color: #999999;">{and tweaked with advice from my gynecologist, who moonlights as a professional pastry chef!}</span>,  this Red Waldorf Cake was both dense <i>and </i>moist.  This is the<a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/weigh-in-weekly-goals-more-christmas.html" target="_blank"> same cake I made at Christmas time</a>, but that one was fairly dry.  After talking with my doctor, she informed me that red velvet is a tricky cake for which to achieve perfect moistness. But I'm proud to say I did.  This time I baked these in mini-heart shaped spring-form pans purchased at Target. The same batter used to make the previous cake, also made six personal heart-shaped cakes as well {taken to a friend's house for a dinner date}.  By the way, this cake is named Red Waldorf Cake because the Waldorf-Astoria hotel were the creators of what we know today as Red Velvet Cake.<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/AVvXsEgo9jmH2enPXs8OgmjeUorYb67GuXPXGpzm3exTO8VJ0CzB9Mevvr6yAjf4_rC1ENEwAeoq5C0SdH4kO_GJ1m908DTT0cuc4VlkeBzo5xCAooxj-vuP4Xoq5L1bfZsgrOxlzZ94IFWNlZU/s1600/red+velvet+cake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9jmH2enPXs8OgmjeUorYb67GuXPXGpzm3exTO8VJ0CzB9Mevvr6yAjf4_rC1ENEwAeoq5C0SdH4kO_GJ1m908DTT0cuc4VlkeBzo5xCAooxj-vuP4Xoq5L1bfZsgrOxlzZ94IFWNlZU/s400/red+velvet+cake+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Divine.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b style="color: #674ea7;">How About That Weight Loss?</b><br /><br /><br />I had another successful weigh in last Friday, removing another 0.7 lbs for a total loss of 28.6 lbs!  Very exciting!<br /><br />It took a while to receive my goal "prizes" from the previous weigh in, but alas, they came!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccrorFteABsyVFbid9B8aaSxqUQdCkUaz7HQinB0G93LQcWN_cR08OkNImUdrcfWOjtGhCn_df_Uc0KIPeU89DMauc9q-nK6wNwq1_wPI9wyA9hThUQNwvWnd_AxZzOTOewT16qTLJjI/s1600/bracelet+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccrorFteABsyVFbid9B8aaSxqUQdCkUaz7HQinB0G93LQcWN_cR08OkNImUdrcfWOjtGhCn_df_Uc0KIPeU89DMauc9q-nK6wNwq1_wPI9wyA9hThUQNwvWnd_AxZzOTOewT16qTLJjI/s400/bracelet+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> She's really getting filled up.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBLS7eX5mNEJFYLrEs2m4cCGba_Ox5iuH3-IJ5p-kthM9yba-pA5NMJ3LipnzpsrYJhMjHzVMhZnenBOP29HE9k9Jw2XDUcO_ecVYo3X0-21zPCgphQa4vUx3GUA9HYp5_uFxQ5y5AN4/s1600/bracelet+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBLS7eX5mNEJFYLrEs2m4cCGba_Ox5iuH3-IJ5p-kthM9yba-pA5NMJ3LipnzpsrYJhMjHzVMhZnenBOP29HE9k9Jw2XDUcO_ecVYo3X0-21zPCgphQa4vUx3GUA9HYp5_uFxQ5y5AN4/s400/bracelet+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Penn State one and the bead immediately to the right of it are the two new ones.   I love them both, and I'm so proud to be displaying my Alma Mater as part of my weight loss journey.  We are tough cookies, us Pennsylvanians :).  That is what the Penn State charm represents.  <br /><br />The jewelry hanger is proving to be an AMAZING purchase.  I should have taken a before picture of my dresser - it was a nightmare of tangled necklaces.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE0K7ISomYboBqopro2A0gscl9tnvUlCMdQ-JGp3zuvc8YBj1CKHT6pO-kU3SgqRBwIsUhxwhB97tYf76ka6W2XedgAcEZWFzH1RGnGlm64clRUeIqUvrE4jnoOfynymHLB85QUYVHfE/s1600/jewelry+hanger+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE0K7ISomYboBqopro2A0gscl9tnvUlCMdQ-JGp3zuvc8YBj1CKHT6pO-kU3SgqRBwIsUhxwhB97tYf76ka6W2XedgAcEZWFzH1RGnGlm64clRUeIqUvrE4jnoOfynymHLB85QUYVHfE/s400/jewelry+hanger+3.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><br />Not now!  Thanks to that little Etsy shop for this perfect jewelery organizer!<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/AVvXsEgF_iJB-9K29wF4-BTlDfy-BvJERhH8rsGcpxxq_ioLFTxwq1G3cKWViaGkNiKo_ZcMAkWT0LF8fKdrB9bMdIMyrwRZvXgg0xIe-vLgHrxeZUZegPzoIgUk2bqJn-blg0hBVVTi8mNr9vU/s1600/jewelry+hanger+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_iJB-9K29wF4-BTlDfy-BvJERhH8rsGcpxxq_ioLFTxwq1G3cKWViaGkNiKo_ZcMAkWT0LF8fKdrB9bMdIMyrwRZvXgg0xIe-vLgHrxeZUZegPzoIgUk2bqJn-blg0hBVVTi8mNr9vU/s400/jewelry+hanger+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">notice how some earrings don't have their mate.  Thank YOU Charles!</td></tr></tbody></table>I absolutely love this weight loss award.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIX4VdnpmJ3oX4nJmBLHEFjkPMvc0SClCUCuqWf-K2McO85mtV1zJxaqbDQ_BoY7PG-RzK16sgRmJdNNoqCmhf3twpxgzZAOfaOcvLIumkJPGNbMneWEPIqsCc2Wn8-UEtKL-42ZSL44/s1600/jewelry+hanger+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIX4VdnpmJ3oX4nJmBLHEFjkPMvc0SClCUCuqWf-K2McO85mtV1zJxaqbDQ_BoY7PG-RzK16sgRmJdNNoqCmhf3twpxgzZAOfaOcvLIumkJPGNbMneWEPIqsCc2Wn8-UEtKL-42ZSL44/s400/jewelry+hanger+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Other than all that, I'm still chugging away at school {again, why my posts are lacking!} and trying not to indulge too much in the V-day goodness.  As of today, I've only completed 1/2 workouts for the week.  While I don't like to let it go this long into the week, I had a very packed weekend and zero time to squeeze in both gym visits.  I plan to go either Wednesday or Thursday.  <br /><br />Happy Lovey-Love Day!

Better Homes and Gardens Breast Cancer Cookbook goals Inspiration Success Valentine's Day Happy Valentine's Day!

I want to wish you and your loved one{s} a very Happy Valentine's Day !  I hope you're enjoying this day that is dedicated to love -...

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BHG Fudgy Cappuccino Crinkles

These Fudgy Cappuccino Crinkles are very similar to your typical chocolate crinkle cookies, except with a hint of coffee taste.  I'm not a huge fan of coffee, but I did love these - the taste was so subtle. <i><b> </b></i><br /><i><b><br /></b></i><br />The cookies come out similar to the photo below should you choose to use powdered 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="http://tinyjoys.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/crink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://tinyjoys.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/crink.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my picture, because I totally forgot to take one!  <a href="http://tinyjoys.files.wordpress.com/">Source</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51D79NCV4VL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51D79NCV4VL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div><br /><u><b>Better Homes & Gardens: Fudgy Cappuccino Crinkles</b></u><i><b> (1 Points+ for one cookie)</b></i><br /><i><b>Ingredients: </b></i><br />-1/3 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)<br />-1 cup packed brown sugar<br />-2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder<br />-1 tablespoon instant coffee granules<br />-1 teaspoon baking soda<br />-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />-2 egg whites<br />-1/3 cup vanilla yogurt<br />-1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour<br />-1/4 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar or powdered sugar<br /><br /><br /><i><b>Directions:</b></i><br />Beat butter in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the brown sugar, cocoa powder, coffee granules, baking soda, and cinnamon.  Beat until combined, scraping sides of the bowl occasionally.<br /><br />Beat in egg whites and yogurt until combined.  Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer.  Stir in remaining flour with a wooden spoon.  Refrigerate dough for at least 3 hours.<br /><br />Heat oven to 350 degrees F. <br /><br />Place granulated sugar/sifted powdered sugar in a small bowl.  Drop dough by heaping teaspoons into sugar and roll into balls.<br /><br />Place balls 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are firm.<br /><br />Transfer cookies to wire racks and cool.<br /><br />Makes approximately 40 cookies, though mine made more, making them 1 Points+ each.

Better Homes and Gardens Breast Cancer Cookbook Weight Watcher Recipes BHG Fudgy Cappuccino Crinkles

These Fudgy Cappuccino Crinkles are very similar to your typical chocolate crinkle cookies, except with a hint of coffee taste.  I'm not...

Read more »