When the beast comes calling (or a quick chocolatey snack)

So I know that I have just started this whole Pura Vida thing, and so some people are going to call foul on this.  But I know my body and tastes and I've learned a few things from the times I've tried to "diet."

1. I still have cravings for chocolate.
2. They get bigger the more I ignore them.
3. I WILL give in to them.
4. When I do, I'll overindulge and blow my morale and any advances I've made.

So today (after a day tainted with some really bad emotions), I really wanted some chocolate.  But I wanted something small.  After searching the internet for a bit, I came across the following recipe for the Improved 5-Minute Chocolate Cake.  I played around with it a little and ended up with this:

In a large, microwavable coffee mug, mix:

• 5 tbs flour
• 3 tbs cocoa powder
• 2 1/2 tbs sugar
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt

Mix thoroughly, then add

• 5 tbs milk
• 1 tbs oil
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

 Microwave for about a minute (will still be some liquid-y batter, if you don't like this, cook for 20-30 seconds more).  Add a small spoonful of peanut butter on the top.

It was the perfect amount to satisfy my sweet tooth.  It's certainly not healthy, but it's better than the kind of splurge I have usually.

What small (healthyish) snacks do you use as your standby?

ADDENDUM:
So the other night, I went to make this, only to find out we had no milk.  But we had heavy whipping cream...which made this 10 million times better. Seriously.  You might need to add a little water, because it makes the batter super thick.

Getting back on the wagon

Based in part on my recent trip to Costa Rica and learning about the motto "Pura Vida" (pure life) and reading my friend Casey's fully honest and hilarious blog about his struggle with weight, the husband and I have decided to get back on the wagon of healthy living.

Once upon a time, I wrote a post about called Easing into Shape about the Couch to 5k program.  Well, living in the south the whole jogging outside thing would only work from 3am to 5am.  And as much as I want to be healthy, I don't think I could make myself do that.  It would be a job and something I resented as opposed to enjoyed.

So while the hubby is making himself job in the afternoons, this delicate southern blossom can't handle that yet.  (Maybe by the time next summer rolls around my heat tolerance will be higher).  So instead I'm doing the dreaded work out video at home.

Luckily, I've found one that's actually pretty fun, so I thought I'd share it with you.

10 Minute Solution is a series of DVDs that include ten minute workouts.  Now, I 'm not stupid enough to think that ten minutes a day is going to change my life; I know it takes more than that.

One of the things that I really like about the series is that each DVD has several workouts and that you can then select which ones you like the best and build your own routine.

Currently, I'm using Dance Off Fat Fast: a collection of basic dance/aerobics. 

The dances are pretty easy to follow, even for someone as dance-handicapped as myself.  And they're actually enjoyable.  And I know that if I was doing the routines in a roomful of women, I wouldn't enjoy myself nearly as much.  Self-consciousness would keep me from rolling my hips or shaking my butt too much.

The workouts also range from medium to high intensity (and of course are as intense as you want to make them), so it's good for big girls like me that are just getting started.

The series is enjoyable (and inexpensive enough) that I plan on getting several other DVDs in the series.  It's nice to have an alternative when the weather doesn't cooperate with a walk.

Birthday Pie--Take One

So if you follow my other blog, you know that yesterday was my birthday.  The husband and I did a very low-key evening at home, and for my guilt free desert (because you can eat anything guilt free on your birthday), I made a chocolate pie.  It turned out good enough to post, but I'm going to make some changes in the recipe for you guys.  Hope you enjoy!

The first draft of the pie.  Yours will look different.

Ingredients:

• Oreo pie crust
• One cup milk chocolate chips
• One package neufchatal cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1/4 cup milk
• Walnuts to garnish

1. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler.  Add a splash of milk to thin.  Spread over bottom of Oreo pie crust.  Allow to cool. 
2. Mix the neufchatal, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Add the cocoa and milk, mix until thoroughly combined.  Spread over chocolate layer. 
4. Garnish with walnuts.
5. Allow to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. (Best the next day)

I changed the layering because the chocolate becomes so hard that when you cut the pie, the soft layer just oozed out.  You could also do a thinner layer of chocolate, but that's just no fun. Is it?

No-Bake P.C.O.-The perfect size snack

If you're anything like me, you have cravings for something sweet in the middle of the night.  My problem is if I have something store bought, I eat it right away.  There's no such thing as an unopened box of Oreos in my house.

So lately I've taken to making my own desserts.  I've tried Coconut Cream pie, and a chocolate cream pie (I can eat the filling all by itself).  The problem is that it makes too much.

Portion control is the only way I have any self control.  So while browsing through my recipes the other day I found this great, easy, and small recipe for No-Bake P.C.O. cookies (Peanut butter, chocolate, and oatmeal).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/4 cup fat free milk
• 1/4 cup butter 
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)
• 1 3/4 cup quick-cooking oatmeal

1. In a medium saucepan, mix the sugar and cocoa.  Add the milk and butter.
2. Over medium heat bring to a boil and cook for one minute.
3. Remove from heat. Add the peanut butter and stir until melted.  Add oatmeal, stir.
4. Drop by teaspoon onto wax paper.  Let stand until set.

The original recipe said it makes three dozen.  Ha!  I made a dozen healthy size cookies. It's the perfect size to share with a person, solve your craving, and still not feel really guilty about!

Hope you enjoy!

PS--You could probably make this a healthier recipe if you wanted, but really, what's the point?

Marie Callender's Made Me Do It

So a couple of weeks ago, we had to drive to the north side of town three times in one week.  Every time we passed by Marie Callender's restaurant the sign would blink "Coconut Cream Pie." I'm usually all about chocolate, but when you add coconut to the mix, I really can't resist. 

Then the next week when I opened up my IGoogle homepage, there was a recipe for "Classic Toasted Coconut Cream Pie."  I'm pretty sure it was a sign from God.  So I tried out the recipe and here's what I got (or what's left of it):

Not the prettiest pie in the world, but it tasted really good.  I got the recipe from Epicurious, but I made a couple of very minor tweaks.  Here's my version:

Ingredients:

Crust--Frozen one from the store.  If Paula Dean says making pie crust is too much hassle and the frozen is just as good, the guilt is off my shoulders.

Filling:

• 2 1/4 cup canned coconut milk (stir well)
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 4 egg yolks
• 3 tbs all purpose flour
• 2 tbs corn starch
• pinch of salt
• 2 tbs butter (room temperature)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla flavoring
• 1 cup toasted coconut

Whipped cream:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 tsp vanilla flavoring
• 2 tbs powdered sugar
• Toasted coconut for garnish

Putting it together:

1. Turn on your broiler, put the coconut on a cookie sheet and toast until light to medium brown (watch carefully, it can burn really easy) and set aside to cool.
2. Heat your coconut milk in a to a very light boil in a medium sauce pan. Then take off of the heat and put a lid on the pan to retain the warmth.
3. Beat the sugar and the egg yolks in a bowl with your mixer on high.  Mix until pale yellow and they've roughly doubled in volume.
4. Turn down mixer and add flour, cornstarch, and salt.  After incorporated slowly add the warm coconut milk.
5. Pour everything back into your saucepan and cook until boiling. Make sure to whisk constantly. Boil for about a minute, or until the mixture thickens.
6. Remove the pan from heat, add the butter and stir until melted.  Add the toasted coconut and vanilla.
7. Put the mixture in a bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.  Stir about every 30 minutes to keep a film from forming.  After cooled, cover the surface with plastic wrap and store in the fridge.  (The recipe says for at least 2 hours, but I kept mine overnight).
8. Bake your pie crust according to the directions.  Fill the crust and set aside.
9. Beat the whipping cream and powdered sugar on high until you reach stiff peaks.  Add the vanilla and incorporate.
10. Top pie with whipped cream and toasted coconut (I think chocolate shavings would be really good, too).

After making whipped cream for the first time, I have to say, I don't think I'm ever buying it again.  It was SO good, I could have eaten a pie of just it.

Hope you try this out and enjoy!

I feel loved!

 I just found out I got my first blogging award! The Sunshine Award. It's from TabithaVenasse at Taking apart the complexities that are me.  This is a great blog where Tabitha shares her struggles with trying to live a Godly life in a world we can all admit is less than.

I was surprised that I got it for Miscellany Shortcuts, because this poor little blog doesn't get the attention that my other blog Cerebral Lunch Box does.  A good part of that is because I don't post to this one nearly as much, but it means a lot that Tabitha choose this one to honor. 

The Rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog within your post.

2. Pass the award on to twelve bloggers.

3. Link to the nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and the link to the person from whom you received this award.

Here are my twelve spots of light that brighten up my day, in no particular order:

1. Jamie at Finding Bliss in a Life More or Less Ordinary. Jamie is a real life friend of mine.  It's funny, but I think through blogging and the internet we've gotten closer since I moved away than we were before.  She's a single mother who is discovering new things about herself every day.  I'm really proud of her and what she's been able to accomplish in a short time.

2. Rachel Elizabeth at Delete the Adjectives. Every one of Rachel's posts start with a beautiful quote, which she always follows up with thoughtful posts that uplift, but make you think, too. 

3. The Cupcake Queen at 52 Cupcakes. A blog all about cupcakes.  Need I say more?  The pictures are beautiful, the recipes delicious, and her dog adorable!

4. Kate Dalgleish at I Am the Worst Blogger. Talk about dedication!  Kate posts something at least twice a day everyday.  Sometimes it's the craziness that can be found in the depths of Youtube or a cute Pokemon cross-stitch she's made.  No matter what she posts, it's always a bright spot in my day.  I can't tell you how many times she's made me actually lol.

5. Allie at Hyperbole and a Half. This blog gives me hope that as a spastic, hypochondriac, kind of neurotic girl, I too can achieve success.  I love her Paint illustrations to her stories and not uncommon for me to laugh so hard I actually tear up.  Plus she's been sick lately, so she needs a little sunshine.

6. MB at Support for Partners of Software Developers. Another RLF that I infected with blogging.  A blog mostly dealing with planning for her upcoming wedding, the tone is sometimes confessional and sometimes a hilarious over the top list of details.

7. ChoirChic at Big Girl's 5k. As a big girl, myself, this blog really helps me feel good about my progress to a healthier lifestyle.  ChoirChic is also going through the Couch to 5k, and I see my struggles reflected in hers.  Keep going for it!

8. Chelsea at Chalk Wharf. A very new blog, but one that shows a lot of openness.  You have to applaud someone for putting really personal thoughts and worries out there for the world to see.  Chelsea's struggling with getting laid off recently, so she could use some sunshine and support.

9. Sarah at Confessions of the Un-Published. A great place to find book reviews, goals to strive for, and a group of other wannabe writers.  Yeah for the un-published!

10. Another David at I've Never Been Good With Titles. I have to admit that when David starts talking about economics, I don't always get it all, but I still read through it (which means a lot coming from an English Major). Whether posting videos on Tuesday, drunk blogging, or begging people to fill out their census forms, he manages to make it all a fun read.

11. Badass Geek at The Badass Geek. I embrace my geekdom, so I really love this blog.  He's not afraid to tell some really hilarious but embarrassing stories about himself.  He's the kind of guy that could fit like a glove in my little circle of friends.

12. Not So Clever as My Friends at Inappropriate Remarks. This one probably isn't fair (a bit of nepotism) as this blog is written by my Husband.  Definitely not a very sunshiny blog in and of itself (it's a place to share funny rants at the craziness of life, media, and society), he is a giant source of light in my life. If you enjoy anything I write, it's based on his support and push for me to write.

Banana Pudding Cake

I meet every Tuesday with a great group of folks who are also dealing with the death of a loved one.  As baking and desserts are kind of my thing, I've wanted to bring something for a while.  However, as so many of them are Catholic, and I know a lot of people give up sweets for Lent, I didn't want to be a bad influence.  Yesterday I baked what I'm calling "Banana Pudding Cake" and brought it.  Everyone really liked it, and most took a piece home.  Try it out and tell me what you think!

Ingredients:

Cake 

• Yellow Cake Mix
• 1 1/3 cups of water
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 medium bananas mashed (about a cup's worth)

The prettiest cakes I've ever made.  I finally tried the trick of lining the bottom of the pans with wax paper.  It worked like a charm.  No sticking or anything!

Filling

• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
•  3 tbsp flour
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten (do this first)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp butter

Icing

• 8oz package of Neufchatel cheese (or cream cheese if you prefer) 
• 1 package sugar free banana cream pudding mix
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• Milk to thin frosting (sorry didn't measure)
• Vanilla Wafers to garnish

The cake during the icing stages. I always have the hubby ice my cakes. He has a much steadier hand than I do.

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut wax paper to fit the bottoms of your pans and grease the sides. Mash the bananas.  I chopped mine coarsely first.  You can leave small chunks. 
2. Combine came mix, water, eggs, and oil.  Beat until moistened then beat for two minutes.  Add bananas.
3. Pour into pans and back for 30-35 minutes.  Cool pans for 15 minutes, remove cakes, let them completely cool before frosting and filling.
4. While cakes are cooking prepare your filling.  Separate your eggs and beat slightly in a small bowl. Heat your cup of milk to almost boiling (it can boil, just keep an eye on it, because it can scorch.)
5. Mix sugar, flour and salt, blending well.  Gradually add the hot milk to the bowl of dry ingredients.  Make sure you stir!
6. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan, turn to low heat.  Cook this for about five minutes.  Stir constantly!
7. Temper your eggs with some of the hot mixture.  Then pour into the saucepan, cook for about two more minutes.
8. Take your pan off the heat, add the butter and vanilla, stir until melted.  Pour your mixture into a bowl and press plastic wrap onto the surface (keeps a weird film from forming).  Cool in the refrigerator until ready to fill cake.
9. Make your icing: place cheese, butter, and vanilla into a bowl.  Beat until smooth.
10. Add pudding mix.  You will now basically have a dough like substance. 
11. Gradually add powdered sugar, adding milk to thin when necessary.  You want a thick bodied frosting for this.
12. Put cake together, garnish with vanilla wafers.  And enjoy!

Next time I plan on putting crushed wafers on the top. Having the whole ones made it difficult to cut.

I am a notoriously messy baker. This is why the husband's happy I don't bake all that often!

I hope you enjoyed the recipe!  I cobbled it together from The Fannie Farmer Baking Book and Incredibly Easy Cake Mix.

Anything you would try differently?  I'm always up for improvements!

PS--Other cooking bloggers out there, how do you make your food so pretty?