Baby Showers Begin Again

Last year, we had several babies born in our department...well, we have started again!  Virginia will be having sweet Marian this month (and there are three babies due in June...all girls!).  We had Virginia's shower last month and I pulled out my Southern Living cookie book to pick something shower worthy.  I knew there was a fun sandwich cookie in there and got some strawberry jam to make it.  I decided to make the dough for this, the night before I made the cookies. 

When I made it, I thought it looked a bit dry, but wasn't sure.  The next day when I got ready to roll it out, it was so dry that I just couldn't do it!  I had to make another batch.  Made it the exact same way, but it turned out completely differently.  Not sure what made the difference other than the second batch...the sun was out.  :-)  This was a fun cookie and I think the jam just made it!  This would be a fun one for valentine's day, too.  Or even an Easter tea using egg shaped cookie cutters.  Hope you try it and enjoy!

Strawberry Sandwich Cookies
6 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup strawberry jam
powdered sugar

Beat butter in mixer until creamy.  Add brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy.  Add egg and vanilla and blend.  Combine flour and salt, add to butter mixture and beat well.  Wrap in wax paper and chill for 1 hour. 

When ready to make cookies, preheat oven to 350.  Roll dough out to 1/4 inch thick and cut with the desired shape cutter.  In half of the cookies, using a smaller cookie cutter, cut a section of dough out of the center.  Place prepared cookies on a cookie sheet.  Place sheet to oven and bake for 5-6 minutes.  Cool on baking sheets for 3 minutes, then remove to cooling rack.

When cooled, spread the solid cookies with strawberry jam.  Dust cutout cookies with powdered sugar and place on top of jam.  Enjoy!

Burnt or Just a Chocolate Crust?

Last month, one of my co-workers kept asking me to make a treat for the lounge.  I have kind of fallen behind on my lounge treats but haven't been at home much after work recently.  So, I planned to take some bars from my Southern Living book at the end of our regular month right before holiday schedule started.  Weeelllll, this recipe called for a graham cracker crust.  LOVE those...but this one was a chocolate version.  First, let me just say that it was SO hard to find the cookies. 

It called for chocolate teddy grahams.  I mean, do those exist anymore?  I couldn't find them!  Just used Kroger brand.  Then I couldn't find the mint chocolate cookie bar candies.  So, I used mint flavored M&M's instead.  I really wish I could have found that candy because it sounded wonderful; I threw some Crunch bars in as well but they pretty much just melted in with everything else.  So, I make the bars and then cut them to get them ready to take to work.  Ugh...the crust tasted burnt!  I just couldn't take them.  Boo!  I didn't throw them away, though, and let Daddy, Mama, and D try them out.  According to them, they didn't taste burnt.  So, maybe I just wasn't used to the taste of the chocolate crust...I don't know!  In general, the bars were good...I'd give them another try if I could find that candy bar somewhere!

Mint Chocolate Crumble Bars from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
10 ounce package teddy bear shaped chocolate graham cracker cookies (not sure why this matters!), crushed (2.5cups)
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 (1.55 ounce) minty milk chocolate bars with crunchy cookie bits, chopped (I used 9 mini crunch bars and about 1 cup mint m&M's)
6ounces white chocolate chopped
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 egg
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350. Combine cookie crumbs and butter; stir.  Press into a greased 13x9 pan. Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes.  Sprinkle candy bars and M&M's, white chocolate, pecans, and chocolate chips on the crust.  Combine egg and milk.  Pour over chocolate morsels.  Replace pan in oven and bake for 35 minutes.  Cool completely.  Cut into pieces and enjoy!

Candy Cane Cookies

Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Candy canes are a traditional candy that you find at this time.  I've heard people say that the shape of the candy is a shepherd's staff because Jesus is the good Shepherd and that the red color is used to symbolize the blood he shed as the sacrifice to pay the debt for our sins.  Whether or not that is really why they are red and white or shaped in a crook, I don't know.  But it's a neat reminder of Jesus' sacrifice for us! 

Right after I made those molasses cookies I made these peppermint butter cookies.  I had planned to make them before our holiday schedule started, but I seemed to run out of time.  These do require a brief, 30-minute chill time (or could be made the night before and pulled out when you want to use them...that's what I did) but they are fun and worth it.

  My dad liked them but, I think, prefers the traditional nut butter cookie.  The peppermint adds a fun, holiday spin on it, though.  Joanie, Mama's best friend, thought they were SO cute!  Such fun to tell her they were from the cookbook she gave me for my birthday last year.  :-)  Try them out sometime...I think they're still appropriate for a New Year's party!

Peppermint Crescents from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup powdered sugar (you'll use a TOTAL of 2 2/3 cups)
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup powdered sugar, for dipping
1 cup powdered sugar, for icing
2 1/2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
coarsely crushed peppermints

Cream butter in electric mixer until smooth.  Add 2/3 cup powdered sugar and extract.  Gradually add flour to the butter mixture.  Place dough in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes (or overnight).  When ready, preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Pull off about a walnut sized piece of dough and roll into a 2-inch roll.  Shape it into a crescent and place on a baking stone.  Keep shaping until pan is full.  Bake for 18 minutes. 

Remove from oven and allow to cool for one minute.  Then roll warm cookies in powdered sugar.  Repeat above process until all the dough is used.  You will have about 36 cookies. 

In a small bowl, combine remaining 1 cup powdered sugar, milk, and extract to make a glaze.  Drizzle this over the cooled cookies.  Then sprinkle the peppermint bits over the icing and press gently to settle the candy.  Allow icing to set.  Enjoy!

Slow as Molasses

So, I'm on the last day of six WONDERFUL days off.  They have actually gone by fairly slowly...in SUCH a good way!  The strange thing about being a resident is that when I have more than 2 days off in a row, I feel like I've been away from the hospital for AGES; sometimes this even happens when I have only one day off.  You just get used to working every single day.  Is that bad?!  ;-)  Anyway, I've had a great bread but wish that it could be just a few days longer.  Alas, it cannot! 

While my parents were here, I decided to try a new recipe from my Southern Living Cookie cookbook.  My dad loves molasses cookies and there was one in here I needed to try.  I almost made it completely wrong but actually read the directions before I got started!  Good thing!  This recipe works a bit differently than normal but I think it gives great results.  First, you melt the shortening and then stir in all the wet ingredients.  Then you mix the dry ingredients together in the mixer and pour the WET ingredients into the dry rather than the usual other way around. 

It led to a nice dough that was very easy to work with; not wet like the other molasses cookie recipe I have. Another plus to this dough...no chill time!  Just be sure to set your timer...you'll have molasses-snaps if you don't! 

Molasses-Sugar Cookies from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/4 cup sugar, for rolling

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Melt shortening in a saucepan over low heat.  Remove from heat and cool.  Stir in the sugar, molasses and egg.  In a mixer bowl, combine dry ingredients through cloves.  Gradually add the sugar mixture, beating on medium speed until blended.  Make 1-inch balls with the dough and roll each ball in the 1/4 cup sugar.  Place balls on baking sheet or stone.  Place in oven and bake for 8-10 minutes (nine was best for me).  Remove from oven and then to cooling rack to cool.  Enjoy!

T-shirts and Toffee

Last year, I got that wonderful cookies book for my birthday.  My goal is to bake through it...and that's still my goal.  But I took a little break from it. 

Sometimes I just really like to try out things that I see on other blogs.  However, I still have some recipes that I need to share with you from the book.  This cookie is one that I made in August when I went home between ER shifts.  On special thing I want to share with you about that trip before you get this YUMMY cookie is the quilt that my mom made for me. 

Several years ago, she had me choose special t-shirts to use on a T-shirt quilt.  One of them is from my sixth grade year, some from high school, and some from college.  This trip, she gave me the finished quilt.  It's pretty awesome if I do say so myself....and HUGE!  I could fit a couple of people under it.  She suggested using it for "picnics on the floor."  We used to have these every year when it was Miss Mississippi and Miss America time!  Such fun!  Thanks for the great quilt, Mama!  Now, the cookies.  I knew these would be good ones.  I mean, toffee...chocolate...nuts.  YUM!  Tried to be a little creative with the pictures this time...

whatcha think?  ;-)  Daddy enjoyed these per usual.  Don't remember the specific comments...I mean, it has been three months!  However, I do know that I would highly recommend them.

Chocolate-Toffee Cookies from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
1 cup pecans, toasted
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped toffee and chocolate (you can use Bits'O Brickel or just chop Heath bars)
1-1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Toast pecans in toaster oven.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream butter until creamy, then add sugars and beat well.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.  Stir in the dry ingredients and mix until well blended.  Stir in the toffee, chocolate chips, and nuts.

Place on baking stones or sheets in tablespoonfuls.  Place stone in oven and bake for 10 minutes or until slightly browned.  Cool for 1-2 minutes on stones then remove to cooling rack to completely cool. Enjoy!

The Beginning of Fall

The weather has become slightly cooler around here...not that I expect that to last!  However, I have started to pick out all the "fall" cookies from my Southern Living cookie book.  I unknowingly made one of these during the summer. 

And they were, unfortunately, my least favorite thus far.  They are not bad, just "just okay."  They use those orange slice candies that are sugared on the outside.  I thought that maybe they candy would melt when the cookies baked but it didn't; it actually held its shape.  They ended up being almost like dried apricots.

I think, if I made these again, I would actually USE dried apricot instead of the candies.  Healthier (ha!  in a cookie?) and a more pleasing texture.  The spices in the cookie are really nice...like a good oatmeal cookie.  I also added some white chocolate chips instead of coconut. If you try these, let me know what YOU think or if you change the candies to dried fruit. 

Orange Slice Cookies from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
1 1/2 cups chopped candy orange slices (could try dried apricots)
1/4 cup AP flour
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 T milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups AP flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2 1/2 cups quick cook oats
1 cup flaked coconut (optional) - I don't think I used this

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Combine the candy and 1/4 flour in a bowl and toss to coat the candy.  Meanwhile, cream butter until smooth.  Add the sugars, beating well.  Add eggs, milk, and vanilla and mix well.  Stir together the flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir well to combine.  Now, stir in the oatmeal and candy (coconut if using).

Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until slightly browned.  Cool slightly on the pan then remove to cooling racks to cool completely.  Yield: 9 dozen

When Life Hands you Lemons...

...make Lemon Bars!  We had our last most recent (yep, just found out someone else is pregnant!) baby shower in the peds department last week...we love baby showers!  Isn't this cute?!

  I decided to take some lemon bars that are in my Southern Living Incredible Cookies book.  I wasn't so sure how they would turn out but they were great.  In fact, Bob, one of the chief residents this year, sent me a page saying they were the best thing he had eaten in a while!  Definitely shared the recipe with his wife so she could make more for him.

I did have to cook a bit longer than the recipe stated but that was due to using my baking stone pan (I have GOT to remember to "preheat" the pan!).  I just made simple bars, but the book recommends cutting them into fun shapes...hearts, flowers, etc.  This would be great...and would leave you with "unusable" scraps to snack on!  YES!  They tasted great with the perfect flaky crust and tart lemon filling.

What is my "lemon" right now?  Starting a month long stint on the night shift!  Yes, I will alternate between four and five day work week of 14 hour days nights. Me thinks I will be tired at the end of the month.  This is new for my program this year, all due to the new duty hour requirements by the ACGME...so far, I see NO benefit in the changes, but we shall see!  Oh, well.  I've got lemons...now I need to make more lemon bars... ;-) ... and trust that God will give me the energy and wisdom I need to best take care of my patients while also sharing His grace and love to those I meet!  Has life handed you some lemons?  Make these!  I promise...they're GREAT!

Lemon Bars from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter/margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
5 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind (the zest...it's the best!)
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (6 tablespoons) lemon juice
powdered sugar to garnish

Preheat oven to 350.  Combine the flour, sugar, butter, and vanilla until well blended.  Pat into a 13 X 9 pan that has been greased.  Place pan in oven and bake for 18 minutes or until golden crust.

Combine sugar and cornstarch,  mix.  Add eggs, zest, and lemon juice; beat well.  Pour this over the baked crust.  Bake in the 350 oven for 20-25 minutes or until set (I had to bake about 30-35minutes).  Cool completely then chill.

When ready to serve, sift powdered sugar on top.  If desired cut into decorative shapes with cookie cutters.  Enjoy!!!

Good Old Days

I had my 10 year high school reunion this weekend.  I know, I know....that is not that long, but it just makes me feel old!  However, after going I've come to realize that ten years REALLY isn't all that long!  Most of us looked pretty much the same as we did in high school (senior awards night)

...and all of the high school "groups" were still in order!  It was almost funny!  We had Friday night in the cafeteria (that was interesting) and seeing all the same groups sitting together at our old cafeteria tables was kind of funny.  Everyone made a comment about it!  After that dinner, we went to the football game.

  For all of you who may be like one of my best friends' husband...there are, indeed, high schools like Friday Night Lights!  My high school is one of them...football is HUGE!!  Unfortunately, our game Friday was pitiful...but we were still jumping up and down at the end of the game when we finally scored to make it 35-7!  Woo Hoo!  Anyway, Saturday night was at the local ag museum...a cool place for a party when the band isn't too loud.  Unfortunately, we couldn't really hear anything other than the band; so, about half of us ended up outside for a while.  Still it was good seeing people.  Just with that more people had been able to come...sure missed Katherine!

These cookies are kind of a flash back for me, too.  My aunt used to make these WONDERFUL cookies when I was growing up.  I thought they were the BEST...and we pulled them out of her monk cookie jar!  Such fun. 

Turns out...they were just cake mix cookies.  I have a typical cake mix cookie recipe that I use, but the Southern Living book has a slightly different version.  These were good, I thought, but I do think that I prefer my typical version.  But who can resist a cake mix cookie?  Not many!  Enjoy!

Cake Mix Cookies from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
1 box cake mix (I used butter pecan...called for chocolate)
1 egg
1/2 container thawed cool whip (oops! I used the whole thing, just saw that it said half!)
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

Combine first three ingredients...will be sticky!  Stir in pecans.  Preheat oven to 350. Shape dough into balls and roll in the powdered sugar.  Place on baking stones.  Bake in preheated over for 10-12 minutes.  Remove from oven then remove cookies from sheet to cooling rack.  Enjoy!

Done!

I am DONE!!!  Done with my nights for this month of ER, that is.  I still have a full month of nights next month, but for now, I'm glad to be back to the real world. I decided that I kind of like working at night but that it makes me miss the rest of life.  I am very isolated to work and my apartment...pretty much nothing else.  THAT I don't like!  So, though I'd be willing to do a night here and there, I think I'll stick to working during the day time for now.  Guess that's one of my preferences to pay attention to when searching for a job after my chief resident year. 

Per usual, in the midst of all that goes on I am still working through the Southern Living Cookie cookbook.  A couple of months ago, I made these raspberry swirl cookies.  Wasn't really expecting a lot, but I totally enjoyed them.  It combines some great flavors...shortbread cookie, raspberry, and walnuts!  They were also surprisingly easy to make.  Just be patient with waiting for the dough to firm.  So good!

Raspberry Swirl Cookies from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup raspberry jam
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Beat butter until creamy, gradually add sugar and beat well.  Add egg and vanilla and mix well.  Combine flour, baking powder and gradually add to butter mixture.  Wrap dough in cling wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.  When ready, roll dough into 12 X 9 rectangle.  Combine jam and nuts and spread evenly over dough, leaving a 1/2 inch margin.  Roll dough jelly roll style and pinch edge closed.  Wrap dough and freeze until firm.

Preheat oven to 375.  Unwrap dough and cut into 1/4 inch slices.  Place on cooking stones or sheets.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.  Cool for 1 minute on baking sheet and then remove to cooling rack.  Enjoy!

Shower Perfect

It seems that people everywhere are having babies, taking care of their children, adopting children, etc.  Well, I guess that would be an obvious statement! But really, there are many bloggers out there who are expecting, some quite soon!  :-)  Last year, the pediatric department had a baby boom of our own.  We like any excuse to have a party, so there were quite a few baby showers!  When I got the Southern Living Cookie cookbook, there were a couple of recipes that looked perfect for a shower. 

In May, I had the chance to make one of those when we had a shower for Whitney (who has now given birth to Mr. Hudson). These turned out great!  They were light and airy with just the perfect citrus flavor.  I love these kind of desserts simply because of the crust; unfortunately, I overbaked this one just a bit.  If given more time, I could have dressed these up a bit, but May was a busy month.  These would be perfect at any shower, but especially if the gender of the baby is unknown or secret...green is such a great neutral color!  Check this one out!

Key Lime Bars with Macadamia Crust from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
2 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts
7 tablespoons butter, cut
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup Key lime juice
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons Key lime juice
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
food coloring - optional, I did use it
2 1/2 cups whipping cream, whipped (pretty sure I used only 2 cups

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line 13X9 pan with aluminum foil.  Blend flour, brown sugar, nuts, butter, and salt in a food processor until nuts are ground.  Press into prepared pan.  Bake for 18 minutes or until just golden.  Cool.

Place sugar and 1/2 cup lime juice in a sauce pan until sugar dissolves.  Remove and set aside.  Sprinkle gelatin over the 2 T lime juice and let sit for 3-5 minutes.  Combine these two and stir until gelatin dissolves.  Whisk in sweetened condensed milk.  If using food coloring add 1 drop green and 3 drops yellow (I think I ended up adding an extra green drop!).  Place the bowl containing this mixture into a large bowl filled with ice and whisk for 10 minutes or until beginning to set.

Whip cream.  Then fold lime mixture into whipped cream.  Pour this over the baked, cooled crust and chill in refrigerator for 8 hours.  When ready to serve, lift carefully out of pan and cut into desired shape.  Enjoy!

That is SOOOOO good!

As someone who loves to share my cooking, this is something that I LOVE to hear! I think everyone needs to hear compliments every so often. It helps us to feel good, confirms we are doing what we should, and, in a way, helps keep us humble. Today, for Eat. Live. Be., we are supposed to talk about compliments were have received.

One of my favorite compliments, one I will probably always remember, was a simple one that occurred on my birthday of my freshman year in college. I was in the cafeteria and one of the guys I knew from church, a senior friend saw me. He just simply looked at me and said "Claire, you look beautiful today." Now, people will say, "Awww, you look so pretty," or "Your dress is so cute," etc.; but for some reason, hearing "beautiful" made a big difference...it made my day! And this guy is one of the most genuine people you will meet; his comment was simple a superficial one, it meant more...and it has stuck with me!

On the other hand, the compliments that have meant most to me recently relate to my job. When parents tell you that they appreciate the care that you have provided their child, that they would recommend you to their friends, it really humbles you. In a way, those are hard compliments to accept; it is my JOB to take care of children; it is what I'm called to do. I'm called to do the best I can and to do all to the glory of God. Yet, to the families of the children that I take care of, it is a BIG DEAL! I think that, in a way, I will always feel uncomfortable when I receive those compliments, and I don't think that is a bad thing. If I get used to it, I'm becoming prideful and (pardon the Souther phrase) "too big for my britches!" What compliments have meant a lot to you? Are there any compliments that remind you of what you are supposed to be doing?

On the other hand, when someone tells me that what I have made is SOOO good...it does make me smile! I like it! This is another treat I made a couple of months ago for call. It's one of those yummy bars that uses sweetened condensed milk (YES!!!) and has a great oat crust (YES again!!!). Add dark chocolate M&M's to that...you've got a winner. And, yes, it's from my Souther Living Cookie cookbook. Try it!

Oat Candy Bars from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
2 cups uncooked quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cups M&M's, divided
1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 375. Combine oats, flour, sugar, pecans, soda, and salt - mix well. Add melted butter and stir well until mixed and crumbly. Resever 1 1/2 cups of mixture. Press remaining crumbs into a 15 X 10 jelly roll pan. I put aluminum foil in the bottom of my pan and then spray with cooking spray. Bake in oven for 10 minutes. Cool. Reduce heat in oven to 350.

Place 1 cup M&Ms in bowl and microwave for 1 minute; stir after 30 seconds. Break candy with the back of a spoon. Stir in sweetened condensed milk. Spread this over the baked crust with 1/2 inch border on the sides.

Combine the 1/2 cup M&Ms remaining with the rest of the crumbs. Sprinkle this evenly over the bars and press in slightly. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden. Cool completely and then cut into bar. Enjoy!

Happy...What Makes me So?

What makes you happy?  That is what we are talking about this week on Eat. Live. Be. 

What makes you happy?!  Wow!  Well, I can tell you one thing for sure...spending time with my family!  When I am with them, I am so relaxed.  I am myself.  Some people who don't really know me would be surprised! Unfortunately, with my work schedule, I don't get to spend that much time with them (was sad I had to miss the family reunion for my mom's side this year).  The one thing that I make a priority is Thanksgiving...every year, I have requested vacation at that time. 

It is when my family (dad's side) gets together.  Really important for me.  Time with friends also makes me happy!  This past weekend, I went to Memphis to see Beauty and the Beast with S. 

We love going to musicals - there are more to come!  Last week, I went bowling and then to yogurt with friends. Yes, I had to work the next day...and yes, I didn't get as much sleep as I wanted...but it was fun, needed, and made me happy!  Going to church is another thing that makes me happy and is VITAL in my life.  I don't get to go as often as I'd like due to working (yes, children DO get sick and need hospital care on Sunday!) but when I can, I go.  Being taught from God's Word and fellowship with other Christians is really important for my attitude and relationship with Christ.  The more I get to go, the more joy-filled I am.  This helps me in times when I am NOT happy as well.  Remember what I've been given, Who I am living for, and what He has called me to do - glorify Him with all I have with joy.  It is easier to be happy when I remember this. 

AAAANNNNNDDDD...cooking!  I love it, really.  I bake fairly often and take it to share with my co-workers.  I love sharing my cooking with others. 

It makes me happy to see them enjoy it.  It makes me happy to bring home an empty container. What makes YOU happy?  See if baking these cookies will help!  I made them last month for one of our calls.  Unfortunately, I ran out of hazelnuts, so some didn't get coated in the toasted nuts. 

Surprisingly, it really did make a difference.  Though both versions were good, the coated ones were better!  But really, what Nutella based cookies wouldn't be good!?  Try them, they'll at least make your taste buds happy!

Hazelnut Crinkle Cookies from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
13 ounces chocolate-hazelnut spread (Nutella)
1/4 cup shortening
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup milk
2 cups finely chopped hazelnuts (yes, you really need all these!)
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350.  Toast nuts for 5-10 minutes and cool.  Raise oven temp to 375. Cream Nutella (or other hazelnut spread) and shortening.  Add sugar, mixing well.  Add eggs and vanilla and beat until blended.  Combine the dry ingredients together.  mix into the Nutella mixture alternating with milk (dry - milk - dry - milk - dry).  Stir in 1/2 cup hazelnuts.  Scoop the dough into 1 inch balls.  Roll in chopped hazelnuts and then in powdered sugar. Place on a baking sheet or stone.  Place stone in oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until set.  Allow to cool for 2 minutes then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling.  Enjoy!

Soreness Can Be Good

My legs hurt!  Instead of just doing my typical elliptical and stair stepper work out on Saturday, I decided to throw a little twist on things and actually run a mile on the track.  I used to run four miles about three times a week, but randomly one day my knee started KILLING me...seriously, I was just getting something out of the fridge and it just started hurting.  No pop, no twinge, no nothing...just hurt. 

Ever since then I haven't been able to run consistently because my knee would start "talking" to me.  I really enjoyed running (and actually had a pretty good pace, though I wouldn't have been able to keep it up!) and miss doing it.  Saturday was really nice but today I am realizing how different running is from ellipticating!  My legs hurt (not my knee!), my back hurts, even my arms a little bit!  But it is good!  Hopefully, I'll be able to run again soon...maybe more this week.  So, what does this have to do with food? 

Nothing really, but it does have to do with Eat. Live. Be.  This week we are talking about what healthy tip we have come upon recently.  Saturday made me realize how important changing things up is!  I do a good job at being consistent in exercise, but I'm TOO consistent.  I do the same thing basically, just rotating my times and programs used.  If you really want your body to continue to respond or just to challenge yourself, you've got to change things up every once in a while....make it difficult on yourself!  I was definitely breathing hard at the end of that mile.  You'll never know what you can do unless you change things up!  I even changed things up last month when I made TWO chocolate based cookies. 

As I said in my last post, I'm not the biggest chocolate fan...but these cookies! OH...DIVINE (notice the correct spelling, Daddy!).  I will warn you that these cookies are a bit messy to make as you have to wrap them around a chocolate covered caramel (Rolo is what I used) BUT it is SOOOO worth it.  I honestly thing that having the caramel be chocolate covered makes a big difference.  It adds a third texture to the mix.  If you like turtle chocolates, you'll love these cookies!  Please make them and enjoy!!!

Caramel Filled Chocolate Cookies from Southern Living Incredible Cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/4 cups AP flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon sugar
1 package chocolate covered chewy caramels

Bean butter until creamy then add sugars.  Beat well.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Stir in all dry ingredients (flour, soda, cocoa).  Chill for 2 hours or more.  Preheat oven to 375.  When ready, unwrap the caramels (you should need about 48) then combine pecans and tablespoon of sugar.  Pull off a piece of dough (about tablespoon sized).  Working quickly, wrap dough around the unwrapped caramel.  Dip the top of the dough into pecan mixture and place ball, pecan side up on a baking sheet or stone.  Place stone in oven and bake for 8 minutes.  Cool for 1 minute on sheet and then remove to cooling rack to completely cool.  **Be sure to place the remaining dough back in the fridge while these are cooking.  Enjoy!!!


Sarah Caron - http://www.sarahscucinabella.com/
•Cate O’Malley - http://www.sweetnicks.com/
•Chris Arpante - http://www.melecotte.com/
•Patsy - http://familyfriendsandfood.blogspot.com/
Joanne - http://www.joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/
Tri-Fit Mom - http://trifitmom.blogspot.com/
•Allison - http://sweetflours.blogspot.com/
Jen - http://njepicurean.blogspot.com/
•Leslie - http://www.thehungryhousewife.com/
•Rivki Locker - http://www.healthyeatingforordinarypeople.com/
•Jennifer Schulz - http://lick-a-plate.blogspot.com/
•Sarah Rogers - http://sarahssweetcreations.blogspot.com/
Denise and Lenny - http://www.chezus.com/