Papa Bear Oatmeal & Some Housecleaning

Good Tuesday to ya!<br /><br />Hopefully you all got to enjoy a nice, long holiday weekend.  I had 4 days off, but was busy for every single second of them!  The goal for the weekend was to get my life in order before classes started (today) and also to get our <a href="http://www.davisdeejays.com/" target="_blank">DJ</a> and <a href="http://photography.benpowellmedia.com/">wedding photographer</a> squared away.  Check. Check. Check!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photography.benpowellmedia.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsPxlL9kePNyff4LCtrIDQZWUGoeowBRld80-jOqECIDfOpKbRfe3qnOdFPBxkzjfN-bVUsithyzpaqHK3MXhjd1Lg1qEiNVXP6TKKKX7hyphenhyphenIZYHwNy30yo_bt2_C-Jc8mHBzJDtLBoJc/s1600/BPP.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Housecleaning</b><br />#1 - I'm <i>still </i>playing catch up on my Google Reader with all of your blog posts!  I try to follow every person who comes to The Big Weight and comments (plus a few others!), and I'm just extremely behind.  Ever since the holidays, I cannot get caught up.  It's going to get worse too because of school.  So having said that, know that I'm still reading your posts, I'm just VERY behind!<br /><br />#2 - I know that from now until the end of April my life is going to be devoted to: work, school, & wedding.  Tumbleweeds may start blowing around these parts.  I just want to put it out there.  I will <i>absolutely </i>check in weekly to let you all know how the weight loss is progressing, but by no means will I be posting daily.  I will <i>try </i>to post as often as I can.<br /><br />Phew! Glad I got that all off my chest.<br /><br /><b>Recipe</b><br />I tried this great recipe over the weekend, thanks to Paula Deen's Deen Family Cookbook.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.betterworldbooks.com/074/Paula-Deen-s-the-Deen-Family-Cookbook-Deen-Paula-H-9780743278133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images.betterworldbooks.com/074/Paula-Deen-s-the-Deen-Family-Cookbook-Deen-Paula-H-9780743278133.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><br />I had a hankering for some hearty oatmeal, and boy did I find it in the <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/papa-bear-oatmeal-recipe/index.html">Papa Bear Oatmeal</a>.  Now, before you immediately discount it as a healthy recipe, just give it a chance!  It received, on average, 5 full stars on the Food Network website!  <br /><br />I admit that if you follow the recipe exactly as she lays it out, it becomes caloric quickly.  However, with some modifications, you can definitely make this fit within your Daily PointsPlus allowance (or whatever plan you follow).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrP0VkBoSiPHDhsQN9tn9peY8lHxS8-fv_WIdoBOchElf7b_zXuoKkPVLkqmornRJxbOnG9W6eQ_IE0vJqxfsV7Oo7fslzjlBKxuwNNzI0gFkA7-ZUB8NhzropjUpAs9q6-S197aKp2k/s1600/oatmeal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrP0VkBoSiPHDhsQN9tn9peY8lHxS8-fv_WIdoBOchElf7b_zXuoKkPVLkqmornRJxbOnG9W6eQ_IE0vJqxfsV7Oo7fslzjlBKxuwNNzI0gFkA7-ZUB8NhzropjUpAs9q6-S197aKp2k/s400/oatmeal.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>  <br />So, without further adieu:<br /><br /><b><u>Papa Bear Oatmeal</u> - <i>9 PointsPlus</i></b> <i>(don't be scared - make it to suit you!)</i><br /><i><b>Ingredients:</b></i><br /><ul><li>    1/8 teaspoon salt</li><li>    2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant or quick cooking)</li><li>    3 1/2 cups water</li><li>    2/3 cup raisins</li><li>    1 banana, sliced</li><li>    1 cup sliced strawberries</li><li>    1/2 cup heavy cream <i>(I used half & half)</i></li><li>    Brown sugar, for serving</li><li>    Honey, for serving</li></ul><br /><i><b>Directions</b></i><br />In a medium saucepan, bring 3 1/2 cups water and the salt to a boil. Stir in the oats and simmer until almost thickened, about 15 minutes. Stir in the raisins and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more<br /><br />Spoon the oatmeal into individual bowls and serve. Place the banana and strawberry slices, cream, brown sugar, and honey into the oatmeal bowl. Stir if desired.<br /><br />Makes 4 Servings<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoJUR-Up2rKNx3bT1YR3LNrVQET_Uh-VYQrWTqcCkBnpZvVg1qEOgv8V4B6ngOlG3tRRdFa2YLus0TcKIL63xdwxryb-bdnTAeZzIW30V2XOpGKVYTGS7K-AwpkXsSEmdegfkZSpErdI/s1600/oatmeal+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoJUR-Up2rKNx3bT1YR3LNrVQET_Uh-VYQrWTqcCkBnpZvVg1qEOgv8V4B6ngOlG3tRRdFa2YLus0TcKIL63xdwxryb-bdnTAeZzIW30V2XOpGKVYTGS7K-AwpkXsSEmdegfkZSpErdI/s400/oatmeal+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><b><i>Modifications</i></b><br />Let me just say... I'm used to eating my oatmeal with only water.  Never have I <i>ever </i>put milk/cream in mine.  Boy, what a difference that makes!  So, having said that, here is what I did:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">1. After making the oatmeal, I measured out 1 cup of the cooked oatmeal with the raisins.<br />2. I added 2 tsp of brown sugar, 1/2 sliced banana, 1 cup strawberries, 1/8 cup half & half, and 1 tsp of honey.  </blockquote><br />That is how I got to 9 PointsPlus.  However, you could cut back further on the sugar/honey or reduce your serving size of the oatmeal from 1 cup to a 1/2 cup.  You could eliminate the cream all together, but I would try not to :).... it really adds something to it!  Trust me, it's worth playing around with.  It's incredibly filling AND you're getting to knock out those fruit servings.  If you're someone who struggles with the daily fruit/veggie intake {like me}, then this is a great way to sneak those in.<br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Do you have a favorite oatmeal combination you like?</span> </b><br /><br />

Deen Family Cookbook Paula Deen wedding Weight Watcher Recipes Papa Bear Oatmeal & Some Housecleaning

Good Tuesday to ya! Hopefully you all got to enjoy a nice, long holiday weekend.  I had 4 days off, but was busy for every single second of ...

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Deen Family Cookbook: Meemaw's Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies

As you'll soon find out, these cookies had a ton of ingredients in them, making the taste oh-so-delicious.  The resulting texture of the cookie was unexpected.  Mine turned our rather crumbly.  They remained whole when I'd pick them up, but they almost felt like sand in your hands.  Hard to describe, and I'm not sure if I did something wrong or if that was the intended texture.  I saw a few reviews online where people had the same result, so I guess that was supposed to happen?  They were still delicious!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCCIdaAz2OVmor3zPAYIpSU6IDAhOu5obQFztMemx20yFq3CT6NiCM5_h2dswyMF1z95qQLwqKAh2IvZeQQ6K-0U2wvpLTI2XTPE3Szao3kQv0msiAbfB77VSMt6a1rb1wkigmzD7Omo/s1600/Cookie+Exchange+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCCIdaAz2OVmor3zPAYIpSU6IDAhOu5obQFztMemx20yFq3CT6NiCM5_h2dswyMF1z95qQLwqKAh2IvZeQQ6K-0U2wvpLTI2XTPE3Szao3kQv0msiAbfB77VSMt6a1rb1wkigmzD7Omo/s400/Cookie+Exchange+011.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.recipestap.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/5709d_deen-family-cookbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.recipestap.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/5709d_deen-family-cookbook.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br /><b><u>Deen Family Cookbook - Meemaw's Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies</u> (3 Points+ each)</b><br /><i><b>Ingredients</b></i><br />-3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour<br />-1 teaspoon baking soda<br />-1 teaspoon cream of tartar<br />-3/4 teaspoon salt<br />-1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, softened<br />-1 cup granulated sugar<br />-1 cup lightly packed light brown sugar<br />-1 cup vegetable oil<br />-1 egg<br />-1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />-1 cup puffed rice cereal<br />-1 cup sweetened flaked coconut<br /> -1 cup rolled old-fashioned oats<br />-1 (8-ounce) package toffee bits<br /><br /><i><b>Directions</b></i><br />In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.<br /><br />Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars. Scrape the sides of the mixer bowl and beat in the oil, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Beat in the flour mixture in 3 small additions, scraping the sides of the bowl after each one. Slowly beat in the rice cereal, coconut, and oats. Fold in the toffee bits and refrigerate the dough, covered, for 1 hour.<br /><br />Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.<br /><br />Drop rounded tablespoons of dough on 2 cookie sheets, leaving at least 1-inch of space around each drop. Bake until the cookies are golden around the edges, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool.<br /><br />Makes approximately 60 cookies. <i>Mine made 74. </i><br /><br /><i>Note: If you Google this recipe, the one shown on <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/meemaws-kitchen-sink-christmas-cookies-recipe/index.html">Foodnetwork.com</a> is slightly different.  That one shows them dipped in chocolate sprinkled with crushed candy canes, which sound amazing, but this was not how it was published in the cookbook.</i>

Deen Family Cookbook Paula Deen Weight Watcher Recipes Deen Family Cookbook: Meemaw's Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies

As you'll soon find out, these cookies had a ton of ingredients in them, making the taste oh-so-delicious.  The resulting texture of the...

Read more »