tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3978126714939343782024-03-16T02:07:46.048-05:00"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure..."Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.comBlogger194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-85782354779467148982009-12-18T19:10:00.000-06:002009-12-18T19:10:59.863-06:00I HAVE MOVED TO A NEW SITE!<div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Abandoning ship on Blogger and moving to....</b></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Prevention RD at <a href="http://www.preventionrd.com/">www.preventionrd.com</a></b></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">See you there, friends!</span></b></span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-61064307657637267262009-12-17T16:38:00.001-06:002009-12-17T16:40:23.605-06:00The meat you eat<div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>First, a little wave hello to all the newcomers to PreventionRD. I loved reading your feedback on Greek yogurt...and for correcting my spelling! Hate misspelled words!! I appreciate all who read and contribute to my blogging experience with your whit and wisdom -- you make my day! Sap, sap, sap!</b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I made a most delectable breakfast which I must share</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(I'm always envious of all you fancy oats people!)...</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Flaxseed Waffle</b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Flax Matters sent me this <a href="http://www.flaxmatters.com/product.detail.php?id=29">mix</a> and let me tell you, it is PHENOMENAL!! I'll be honest in saying I'm not a huge fan of whole wheat when it comes to waffles, but these just tasted hearty and earthy...almost nutty. Mmmm! This was a huge treat, I will DEFINITELY be buying more of this mix! AND, it's reasonably priced!!!</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Each waffle worked out to be ~300 calories, 5 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, and 6 grams of fiber!</span><b><br />
</b><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBuaGy0kiBUP5sSt-SRXKOfPFk9JCAJMU3hRGMli8SDKLSkpSxcALQQzNzk3rqhNXmW5jZhCFO2VQV_cKvrW3AKstGsAJe90UN8eenu47NuUCBu6NxYL-8eZSbW1YTyFLq-Ts0XMYA4w/s1600-h/IMG_1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBuaGy0kiBUP5sSt-SRXKOfPFk9JCAJMU3hRGMli8SDKLSkpSxcALQQzNzk3rqhNXmW5jZhCFO2VQV_cKvrW3AKstGsAJe90UN8eenu47NuUCBu6NxYL-8eZSbW1YTyFLq-Ts0XMYA4w/s400/IMG_1633.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJbuwKH9MRJQ7ekGfzVgeRNHs2PH_hgDa7RasjVuibPIIAv4KMN-HcqxT1DXzpQRr-nH6-E4R90gWjrS5Vbpq6zR3eAE-VLBcEMYktxKkIxryR_Z67JRZuRrYWOUbJokQNGG6y6forOk/s1600-h/IMG_1637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJbuwKH9MRJQ7ekGfzVgeRNHs2PH_hgDa7RasjVuibPIIAv4KMN-HcqxT1DXzpQRr-nH6-E4R90gWjrS5Vbpq6zR3eAE-VLBcEMYktxKkIxryR_Z67JRZuRrYWOUbJokQNGG6y6forOk/s400/IMG_1637.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTF4NaaDC3k5CxzCmUW1RfqUY07FcC_2Kj-pLB5pBNn7nVPpM_xwOq7vxbYVUBOQEnsJauSlmJ4n0QCIQJs1069lc6UqY1xfeQecXT0XfvfGnFWH5rCR1iD5LneqjgizgxPPzFGuFygY/s1600-h/IMG_1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTF4NaaDC3k5CxzCmUW1RfqUY07FcC_2Kj-pLB5pBNn7nVPpM_xwOq7vxbYVUBOQEnsJauSlmJ4n0QCIQJs1069lc6UqY1xfeQecXT0XfvfGnFWH5rCR1iD5LneqjgizgxPPzFGuFygY/s320/IMG_1639.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnFArM30Mame2A6gYNamfYixnFzTU5PDUzR37z-o0DcDuR6gieMe2qa2tGs5AWYjM_MzP4YH0wIkqO4dJ9hOIouUlEIgqY_CJDBrkgQTItwVTzMokiblkK8AHDsb3T-LTn7Rsm1MZH0I/s1600-h/IMG_1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnFArM30Mame2A6gYNamfYixnFzTU5PDUzR37z-o0DcDuR6gieMe2qa2tGs5AWYjM_MzP4YH0wIkqO4dJ9hOIouUlEIgqY_CJDBrkgQTItwVTzMokiblkK8AHDsb3T-LTn7Rsm1MZH0I/s320/IMG_1640.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ohhhhhhhhh yeaaaaa, yummy! And showing off the best Kitchen Aid waffle maker ever! If you're drawing a blank on what you want from </span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Santa</span><span style="font-size: small;">...waffle maker! Just sayin, you won't regret it...</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.flaxmatters.com/product.detail.php?id=34">flaxseed bars</a> Flax Matters sent are also WONDERFUL! They make a great high-protein, high-fiber snack that keeps you full for hours. I love'em!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIWafBk73Nv2IrMvG1WN-knrT_2CrxuwgEtTy1ti358SriJ7rEsTbzQfar_TCs9WBkFsBT4HynxbjLq7yxbulvelhwhb7vX_0qQAVTGWMkT8H7U1DpHJuU35iMY2Q325BTiN13OGhxK8/s1600-h/IMG_1629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIWafBk73Nv2IrMvG1WN-knrT_2CrxuwgEtTy1ti358SriJ7rEsTbzQfar_TCs9WBkFsBT4HynxbjLq7yxbulvelhwhb7vX_0qQAVTGWMkT8H7U1DpHJuU35iMY2Q325BTiN13OGhxK8/s400/IMG_1629.JPG" /></a></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A lucky winner may win some if they enter into the <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/prevention-cookbook.html">Prevention Cookbook</a>!!!!</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The emails of recipes are rolling in -- I am so excited!</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">All the details are <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/prevention-cookbook.html">here</a>!</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't delay, enter before January 1st to receive your cookbook and chances to win!</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Annnnnnnnnnyways....<b>THE MEAT YOU EAT!!!!</b></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Reading <i><span style="font-style: italic;">Food, Inc.</span></i> has really lit a fire in me! I've dealt with the back-handed comments from my husband and father for years regarding free-range this and grass-fed that. Just call me a little hippie child from the big city, okay?! And I'm not gunna lie, "clean" dairy, meat, eggs, and produce come with a hefty price tag and limited availability. And until recently (yesterday, in all honesty), my </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><i>lack </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">of knowledge surrounding the US food supply has enabled me to easily turn my head and "work with what we've got" -- the standard hormone-pumped, mass produced, grain-fattened meat and animal products comprising the vast majority of our food supply. Would you like that steak rare, medium, or well-done, right? Bleck.<br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I spent my lunch break looking up local farmers who sell eggs, beef, chicken, pork, etc. I’ve always “known” that free-range and grass-fed animals were “better,” but I feel like I’m learning <i><span style="font-style: italic;">why</span></i>. If you don't know why, keep reading.<br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">As I’ve ventured through the first few chapters of <i><span style="font-style: italic;">Food, Inc.</span></i>, I’d like to share with you quotes and summaries of points which I not only find interesting, but valuable knowledge for ALL. What is being revealed through solid research is that our food supply is dangerous, monopolized, and harmful to our health and economy.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Quotes from <i><span style="font-style: italic;">Food, Inc.:</span></i></span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“According to a study by the Union of Concerned Scientists, beef and milk produced from cattle raised entirely on pasture (where they ate only grass) have higher levels of beneficial fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, which may prevent heart disease and strengthen the immune system. This study also found that meat from grass-fed cattle was lower in total fat than meat from feedlot-raised cattle.”</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">rBGH stands for recombinant bovine growth hormone. This hormone is injected into dairy cattle to increase milk production by8-17%. <b>Canada, Australia, Japan, and the European Union have all prohibited the use of rBGH in their food supply!!!</b></span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“So we’ve created a perverse system in which the food is cheap at fast food restaurants because they employ cheap labor, sell products that are heavily subsidized by the government, and sell them to consumers whose wages have been kept low. We’re walking about a race to the bottom.”</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“An estimated two-thirds of all U.S. cattle raised for slaughter are injected with growth hormones” – half of these hormones are synthetic and half are natural.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“Meat packing used to be one of the best-paid jobs in the country…they had well-paid union jobs. They earned good wages, before the fast food companies came along.”</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Question: “How much resistance did you encounter in researching and reporting the book?” Answer: “A lot. None of the major meat packing companies allowed me to visit their facilities. McDonald’s was not helpful at all.”</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one-third of all American children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes as a result of poor diet and lack of exercise.”</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“Factory farm operators typically manage what animals eat in order to promote their growth and keep overall costs of production low. However, what animals are fed directly affects the quality and safety of the meat and dairy we consume.”</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“Scientists believe that ‘mad cow disease,’ or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), is spread when cattle eat nervous system tissues, such as the brain and spinal cord, of other infected animals.”</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“A researcher from Cornell University found that cattle fed hay for the five days before slaughter had dramatically lower levels of acid-resistant E. coli bacteria in their feces that escape during the slaughter can lead to the bacteria contaminating the meat.”</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">More to come as I plow through this book (husband and puppy are beating me to the holidays and taking off for the north tomorrow - *daaaaaance*), stay tuned.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> <br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">What can YOU do?</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Lots! There are so many resources out there to help you access safe, healthy, sustainably-grown food!</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">To access information and contact information on FARMS, STORE, or RESTAURANTS offering sustainably raised meat and dairy products, check out this <a href="http://eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Home">site</a>.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">To find a local farmer's market near you, go <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/farmersmarkets">here</a>.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Do you buy free-range, hormone-free meat? If no, is cost a major barrier?</span></span></b></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Are you a vegetarian or vegan? If so, what is your motivation behind your decision?</span></span></b></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="color: blue;">While I'm 100% omnivore and intend to remain that way, I am making a commitment to consume safer, healthier, more sustainable meat and meat products.</span></span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">I am a "single" woman as of tomorrow at 5pm -- expect me to be blogolicious tomorrow night and for the weeks to come, getting back to ALL the blogs I wish to read. Hello, vacation! </span></span></span></span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-49150178722304973802009-12-16T18:32:00.004-06:002009-12-16T21:36:26.875-06:002 quick little lesssons<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">A lesson in southern dining:</span></span></b><br />
</div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">A refrigerator is referred to as an “ice box”</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Lunch is called “dinner” and dinner is called “supper”…but lunch is dinner, too.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Beans (carb) are a meal, so long as cornbread (carb) is the side.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Black eyed peas are to be eaten on New Years Day in order to bring luck your way for the year.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Okra, beets, squash, and turnips are popular vegetables.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Pickles and okra are best when fried.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Potatoes are the favorite vegetable among all. They’re best when fried.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">There’s a great way to prepare every meat – chicken fried steak, fried chicken, fried pork chops, fried catfish, etc.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">All beef in the country is lean “because you take it to the butcher to be prepared”…</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">When pecan trees are producing, you make pecan pie. Constantly.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Goulash is a meal that’s prepared NUMEROUS ways, but staple ingredients include ground beef, tomatoes, and rice.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Tea is sweetened, with sugar, unless otherwise specified. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Milk is assumed to be whole. If you buy low-fat milk, it’s 2%. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">A “hot sandwich” is an open-faced burger on top of fries, piled with gravy. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">An order of biscuits and gravy consists of TWO biscuits, halved, and swimming in gravy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">There’s chicken fried chicken and chicken fried steak – pounded meat dipped in batter and deep-fat fried and smothered in gravy.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">A lesson in Greek yogurt:</span></span></b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Q: What makes Greek yogurt "Greek"?</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">A: Greek yogurt found in the US is made from pasteurized cow’s milk, versus the raw goat’s or sheep’s milk in “real” Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt, known for its thick texture, is due to the extensive straining that removes most of the yogurt’s liquid whey. With the removal of whey, the lactose and sugar content are lower, leaving a thicker, highly concentrated, tart product containing almost twice the protein of regular yogurt. Greek yogurt also causes fewer side effects for those suffering from lactose intolerance.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Q: What makes Greek yogurt so versatile?</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">A: Due to the thickness of the yogurt, it is easier to cook with and is less likely to “break up” when heated in cooking.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Q: Which Greek yogurt is the best? There’s so many out there!<br />
A: According to the Chicago Tribune’s <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/ct-food-tastings-yogurt-1211-20091215,0,934714.story">blind taste test</a>….the 0% fat Greek yogurts (best to worst):</span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Fage</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Okios</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Chobani</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Siggis Icelandic Yogurt</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Trader Joe’s</span></span></li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MooQT46eSsRn-ohJRm6pxF7p1c-hWgH7PMG3H9Kvr7CELEsAUh0XS3AE8fuv1rZGBAa2BwYgUdMx5GoLYSgtlfUSFlx75SjdgR33_1hRiMBPF7NFMbEU3ImxMxX2HR_HlP20toAy0zY/s1600-h/okios.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MooQT46eSsRn-ohJRm6pxF7p1c-hWgH7PMG3H9Kvr7CELEsAUh0XS3AE8fuv1rZGBAa2BwYgUdMx5GoLYSgtlfUSFlx75SjdgR33_1hRiMBPF7NFMbEU3ImxMxX2HR_HlP20toAy0zY/s400/okios.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A huge thanks to Kristina at <a href="http://stonyfield.com/">Stonyfield Farm</a> who sent me Okios coupons for free 16 ounce Okios Greek yogurt! Thank you, Kristina! While I will have to keep a coupon or 2 to try new flavors, you have a chance to win a <b style="color: #0b5394;">FREE 16 OUNCE OKIOS COUPON </b>(among many other things) by entering into the <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/prevention-cookbook.html">Prevention Cookbook</a>. It's a win-win, I'm tellin' ya!</span></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB7LHKy_oXXQ3XS52roSz0YldxvPfAVxT2iCvPZdHVcOwKSMDJI6W9iijNX_r5nZ6PjBAABvPgir9txe6BGMlaRERcL7fohrerxvm6NO_iWIHKFogrCWBP7ZPlqP3quHGlMPlQ1YfdYQ/s1600-h/IMG_1628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB7LHKy_oXXQ3XS52roSz0YldxvPfAVxT2iCvPZdHVcOwKSMDJI6W9iijNX_r5nZ6PjBAABvPgir9txe6BGMlaRERcL7fohrerxvm6NO_iWIHKFogrCWBP7ZPlqP3quHGlMPlQ1YfdYQ/s400/IMG_1628.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Another huge thanks to Shari at <a href="http://chobani.com/">Chobani</a> for sending samples to try! I don't think there's a flavor out there I won't get to sample. So excited -- thank you, Chobani (and Shari!)!</span></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Complete coincidence on both Chobani and Okios fun arriving today. While I've tried Okios, I am yet to try Chobani. I will give a full review once I've formed a solid opinion.</span></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Yogurt lovers: Have you tried Greek yogurt? Do you like it better than regular yogurt? Do you have a preference for one brand over the other?</b><br />
</span></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For those wonderful individuals who have already entered into the <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/prevention-cookbook.html">Prevention Cookbook</a>, your recipes look delectable! If you haven't heard about the Prevention Cookbook, please go <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/prevention-cookbook.html">here</a>! Wouldn't YOU like to start the new year with a bundle of healthy new recipes to try!? </span></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I thought so!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*!*!*!*!*!*!</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> HELP *!*!*!*!*!*!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Google Readers: Is there a way to respond to leave comments on blogs from Google Reader? I am kind of slow when it comes to this stuff, and work has officially blocked everything fun (gmail, blogs, everything - AH!). Thanks in advance!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><i><b><br />
</b></i> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also, preventionrd.com / preventionrd.blogspot.com is in the works! My projected switch date to Wordpress is December 23rd! Trying to keep you all in the loop so we don't lose touch!</span></b></i><br />
</span></span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-53718773966955176602009-12-15T18:40:00.000-06:002009-12-15T18:40:41.176-06:00More than a bandaid for this booboo<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I guess I shouldn't doubt my daughter when she's hurting. After an extraction requiring morphine, the peanut was down for the count.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7EWP9dIdoekwVKAjLdLyl3qBQgOd_sDmOiR8CuC7CyhWb0qSRwSuqdW0yvYccF3X_dUGks4RIu_pDjP-1omBDcYHfE6IDyAvYK2lt_R9FFPAvWgwIxSRbKbFoYAQh7EZ7RbwJ529xBg/s1600-h/lily+owwie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7EWP9dIdoekwVKAjLdLyl3qBQgOd_sDmOiR8CuC7CyhWb0qSRwSuqdW0yvYccF3X_dUGks4RIu_pDjP-1omBDcYHfE6IDyAvYK2lt_R9FFPAvWgwIxSRbKbFoYAQh7EZ7RbwJ529xBg/s400/lily+owwie.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Pink cast for baby girl<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIyNh17oUT5i9d46JK6T0Pks7lZfOyBBo8SnnxC-cvgPQhwzUFLVIvce1u5IFaqCwN3MUJhz6QsN5WQZeKYwcBDXPZowuf7I3Ed_SAek-cT7-T-VrKebq1kusy2FIS6pP0nLxxQimSAQ/s1600-h/IMG_1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIyNh17oUT5i9d46JK6T0Pks7lZfOyBBo8SnnxC-cvgPQhwzUFLVIvce1u5IFaqCwN3MUJhz6QsN5WQZeKYwcBDXPZowuf7I3Ed_SAek-cT7-T-VrKebq1kusy2FIS6pP0nLxxQimSAQ/s400/IMG_1627.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">"Send me get well soon vibes, bloggies. My mommy can hardly stand seeing me this way!"<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Love, Lily<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Playing nurse tonight, be back tomorrow.<br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-19669863824259845692009-12-14T16:47:00.000-06:002009-12-14T16:47:44.272-06:00Freebees!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZR-W1VvNoenkd8nkjdO4lw4oxJU2e17Jwudc-9Iqc7NsyF3g1w7wbGbVaLH5Z8D6iDrkDynvM9CzdKShDqamtaj1tqJFOHzAVaccvrcjDpweQ2Ly8lWngUk6qRVZ8KV7tIu8XHSYGhE/s1600-h/laptop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZR-W1VvNoenkd8nkjdO4lw4oxJU2e17Jwudc-9Iqc7NsyF3g1w7wbGbVaLH5Z8D6iDrkDynvM9CzdKShDqamtaj1tqJFOHzAVaccvrcjDpweQ2Ly8lWngUk6qRVZ8KV7tIu8XHSYGhE/s640/laptop.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">My favorite mornings are those that start with oats and laptop time (blogging) time. Oh, and cappuccino. Absolutely cannot forget the cappuccino.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQtCS2wGDI2kgKFx79hcrK9tYPHO10O-O79Q81rE3GMoV-4Tt9CpI9nJPfFnlNHBd4ivbg30rv0_j5dYdaVmyWdp7rNSJJ-GrUjSdYAWlRNSgwOVrl6fibT9bB6hvw8oow2YcnsmxErg/s1600-h/oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQtCS2wGDI2kgKFx79hcrK9tYPHO10O-O79Q81rE3GMoV-4Tt9CpI9nJPfFnlNHBd4ivbg30rv0_j5dYdaVmyWdp7rNSJJ-GrUjSdYAWlRNSgwOVrl6fibT9bB6hvw8oow2YcnsmxErg/s320/oatmeal.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">And not any oats, bloggies...the best oats. Oats a la pumpkin butter! With Splenda brown sugar, turbinado, and pecans. Mmmmm! To DIE for!!!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>What's your favorite way to start your morning?</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszCXAZ56Tj8Iewd-hM4tPo0CWstttQwOphhR_74-nmGmbjtsLFQhb0sDwjivxZEyurXOLdRnG_lm8CKrCOe8toSI0GuYsRJyjlNgsEUBHDjxfj_J1Bf1r7Q7mJZR8PNtCxt9ScgfwBwk/s1600-h/toe+owwie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszCXAZ56Tj8Iewd-hM4tPo0CWstttQwOphhR_74-nmGmbjtsLFQhb0sDwjivxZEyurXOLdRnG_lm8CKrCOe8toSI0GuYsRJyjlNgsEUBHDjxfj_J1Bf1r7Q7mJZR8PNtCxt9ScgfwBwk/s400/toe+owwie.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Sadly, Lily's toe is hurt. She was playing with her sissy yesterday, though we're not sure what actually happened. Sweetie pie has been limping around looking all pathetic since it happened. She's going in to see the doggie doc this afternoon. Poor punkin... <b><br />
</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi-a37PZ4PWhbNKSTsD6G7xeMzNISnLUPASRUA5vuNZB-Cuto72dXj1RvQRwN6A8g95gqH-1-dH3uPd-Gddd4Pa_mHUhx-vjoDm6X35sablE4OSnEknvAvddV8bJAjCNRLWFr72oncSA/s1600-h/sad+goose2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi-a37PZ4PWhbNKSTsD6G7xeMzNISnLUPASRUA5vuNZB-Cuto72dXj1RvQRwN6A8g95gqH-1-dH3uPd-Gddd4Pa_mHUhx-vjoDm6X35sablE4OSnEknvAvddV8bJAjCNRLWFr72oncSA/s400/sad+goose2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Literally, she's looked like this since yesterday. Doesn't she just look...sad? And pathetic?<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>Count her chins..that always makes me smile. </i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgWrtfh4IaKYZg-xsiuFPqaBjDwFp5qDLojqq-zyXrZjquQNuuXcLFc7Sq0SXdMPsg9X-xWFpht3orY_MNVoRjp8mTpv73wR56pluUd12u7ZIsNtxvIdWAyoJIeE_wuYvWuQOCL9WhDY/s1600-h/lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgWrtfh4IaKYZg-xsiuFPqaBjDwFp5qDLojqq-zyXrZjquQNuuXcLFc7Sq0SXdMPsg9X-xWFpht3orY_MNVoRjp8mTpv73wR56pluUd12u7ZIsNtxvIdWAyoJIeE_wuYvWuQOCL9WhDY/s400/lunch.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Lunch today was <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/11/sunday-fun-day.html">Tuna Edamame Salad</a>, light string cheese, a <a href="http://www.nutridel.com/">Nutridel</a> cookie, and a can of Zevia. It was a really satisfying lunch -- one of the most satisfying I've had in a long time! High-five, self, for planning ahead and making that tuna salad last night!!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewhIMrfYhua_XRp-xjUZPYyf6Uo8xZcUMQvIws1AFLy9F6-5zhgtSMBQ-nM5_tKQnHcnyzzE_5c9VslxRGlRTjGVZvGke27hLYA7Q0VRFBu-T1g7x7n81ZTz0uoxEst6F61u9U88gVgI/s1600-h/heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewhIMrfYhua_XRp-xjUZPYyf6Uo8xZcUMQvIws1AFLy9F6-5zhgtSMBQ-nM5_tKQnHcnyzzE_5c9VslxRGlRTjGVZvGke27hLYA7Q0VRFBu-T1g7x7n81ZTz0uoxEst6F61u9U88gVgI/s400/heart.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">The wonderful people at <a href="http://www.suncakes.com/"><b>The Healthy Baking Company</b></a> sent me suncakes and Heart Thrive Meals-to-go. Not only are they adorable, but check this out...<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>One 2-ounce Heart Thrive contains...</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">~150-165 calories<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">~2 grams of fat<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">~32 grams of carbohydrate<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">~6 grams of fiber<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">~15 mg sodium <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">~6-7 grams of protein<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">~260 mg calcium<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Ingredients in the Apricot Heart Thrive: Oats, unsulfured apricots, brown rice syrup, brown rice flour, soy protein concentrate, soy flour, inulin (chicory root extract), rice bran, natural fruit juice, dried plums, dried apples, dried pears, orange peel, calcium citrate, almond extract.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Facts: Vegan, wheat-free, dairy free, no preservatives, no GMO, low glycemic index<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Taste: A</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Nutrition: A-</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">These Heart Thrives are GOOD! My only regret is that they're not lower in calories. Hence the minus. Would I recommend this product? ABSOLUTELY! The Heart Thrive was extremely filling, but I would need something more to call it a meal. Though, I <i>do</i> have the appetite of a heifer.<br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Thank you, Mark over at<a href="http://suncakes.com/"> The Healthy Baking Company</a> for the tasty samples! If you're interested in trying Suncakes or Heart Thrives, go <a href="http://www.suncakes.com/">here</a>. </b><br />
</div><div style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>BEST PART!! If you place an order, you get SIX FREE Heart Thrives/Suncakes...and I do, too! Did you hear that?! Drop my name or blog name saying that you heard about <a href="http://suncakes.com/">The Healthy Baking Company</a> through me and you get 6 FREE items with your order! </b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">You may also be a lucky recipient of a suncake or Heart Thrive if you participate in <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/prevention-cookbook.html">this</a>...<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I received a slew of recipes yesterday for the cookbook but none yet today. :( Don't forget to send your recipe(s) to <span style="color: blue;">Mrs.RD44@gmail.com</span>! You will be the lucky recipient of tried and true favorite recipes and also enter to win a fabulous giveaway (which will be edible!). Up to 12 entries per person! Go <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/prevention-cookbook.html">here</a> for more details!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>In nutrition and health news...</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Will the Food Guide Pyramid eventually include weekend and holiday guidelines? Studies show that weekend eating habits are as terrible as at the holidays. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that the quantity and quality of foods eaten during a meal over the course of the day differs considerably on weekends and and holidays [1]. If you're anything like me, that's not an understatement in the least.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Question: Do you think it's sensible to add holiday and weekend guidelines to the Food Guide Pyramid?</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Have a good evening, all...and to all a goodnight! Just kidding...I'll be poking around reading blogs later!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/173628.php">[1]</a>. Leff Ritchie, Amanda. <i>Should Guidelines For Weekend and Holiday Eating Be Incorporated Into Food Pyramid? </i>University of Pittsburgh. December 11, 2009.<br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-91870666636952883052009-12-13T17:34:00.000-06:002009-12-13T17:34:35.858-06:00Fondue Date Night<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd9JsHzZ9NFEyTR97RJyBwiA-hHW3lmjXtcD30l679e1EeR1ugjn7W1lh7xz6u-E0do1fPZMp5d_qS39CbIfoiF3avj6OeD_9pqSpwC5_6Gph-vOAmGiiBXUNP_P1XlmI0NjiV0hODo4/s1600-h/fondue+fork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd9JsHzZ9NFEyTR97RJyBwiA-hHW3lmjXtcD30l679e1EeR1ugjn7W1lh7xz6u-E0do1fPZMp5d_qS39CbIfoiF3avj6OeD_9pqSpwC5_6Gph-vOAmGiiBXUNP_P1XlmI0NjiV0hODo4/s400/fondue+fork.jpg" /></a></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hubby and I stayed in last night with homemade <b style="color: #38761d;">broccoli cheese fondue</b> and a great movie by the fire. I can't remember the last time we had such a relaxing night in. Lily is finally starting to display less and less constant puppiness, requiring less and less non-stop supervision. And thus, husband and I can enjoy more and more cuddle (and meal) time. <i>Ahhhhhhhh</i> :)<br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rRVEDqeXcoO9TigQMp04S-LCcuvI4vyVyT1qnZQoC4E99FZ6rb27oWOLNOvU-lZ9wJeOZjAyG8N4lClO00QUjvlPzGKThAfFK55n100HSjZiypwqY5pgtwBnsE8blsXG9QHDFEruK8k/s1600-h/cheese+fondue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rRVEDqeXcoO9TigQMp04S-LCcuvI4vyVyT1qnZQoC4E99FZ6rb27oWOLNOvU-lZ9wJeOZjAyG8N4lClO00QUjvlPzGKThAfFK55n100HSjZiypwqY5pgtwBnsE8blsXG9QHDFEruK8k/s400/cheese+fondue.jpg" /></a> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wIuzvSXB3ad_eWrKJ_Hj6SOJTEI3Kg0S3z8uX1lB5B3TAooHWs46AKpi8yBPNGc0qqp99doYEhDvKbQlXCN2p9jyd3Yjhb1onC17S0bGAB1LgM7W48w3UwoET5i2DW-QyxF4CqbArZM/s1600-h/dippin+stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wIuzvSXB3ad_eWrKJ_Hj6SOJTEI3Kg0S3z8uX1lB5B3TAooHWs46AKpi8yBPNGc0qqp99doYEhDvKbQlXCN2p9jyd3Yjhb1onC17S0bGAB1LgM7W48w3UwoET5i2DW-QyxF4CqbArZM/s400/dippin+stuff.jpg" /></a></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Broccoli Cheese Fondue with carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and bread to dip</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today has been an ACTIVE day, to say the least. I started my day with hockey game #1. Husband and I cleaned ALL afternoon, and then it was off to hockey game #2 for the day (scored a goal, woot!). I'ddddd say it's about time for a shower, wouldn't you? <i><b>Eeeewww.</b></i><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">How cute is this...</span></b><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My hubby's family enjoys reading my blog and his aunt even reads it to his grandma. Grandma says that my husband is "<span style="color: red;">spoiled</span>" with my <span style="color: blue;">"gourmet"</span> cooking. While flattering, Grandma H, I think any cooking going down in this kitchen is a long shot from gourmet. Palatable and balanced is probably more like it! <br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have received <b>LOTS</b> of delicious-looking recipes to my inbox since yesterday. I am so excited about the "<a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/prevention-cookbook.html">Prevention Cookbook</a>" and I'm so happy to hear that you are, <i>too</i>! Don't forget to submit your recipe(s) by January 1, 2010!<span style="color: blue;"> Mrs.RD44@gmail.com </span>! </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">For more information, go <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/prevention-cookbook.html">here</a>!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The more the merrier for us all...and then you get a copy, too!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Question: What are you asking for from Santa for Christmas?</b><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's to a relaxing evening and some <i style="color: #38761d;">Elf</i> viewing. Best. Movie. Everrrr. Ciao!<br />
</span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-23981200225035474772009-12-12T10:53:00.001-06:002009-12-12T19:30:08.053-06:00Prevention Cookbook<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was laying in bed this morning desperately trying to fall back asleep after a late-night Christmas party (ending with "after-hours") and thought,<b> "Wouldn't it be nice to get together a ton of PHENOM recipes with other bloggies and blog readers?". </b>I don't know about you all, but most of my recipes are in Word document on my laptop, and so why not try to put together something fabulous of "our" own!?</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>So here's what I'm thinkin' for the Prevention Cookbook...</b><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. If you submit at least 1 recipe, you will receive a copy of the "cookbook".</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. If you submit at least 1 recipe, you will win 1 entry into a giveaway drawing (TBD as to what the prize will be, but I <b><i>ASSURE</i></b> you, it will be worth copying, pasting, and emailing me a favorite recipe!).</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. If you submit a recipe to one of several "categories", you win additional entries into the giveaway. Two recipes....2 entries...three recipes...3 entries, and so on*. And, of course, our recipe book grows.</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>* Up to 6 recipe entries per person -- one per recipe category, listed below.</i></span><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Your blog site/name will be associated with your recipe(s) -- hello, blog traffic! </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Side note: Heretofore, don't pick a horrible recipe!) </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Recipes should be relatively healthy (i.e. lard is bad, canola oil is good). If you have the <i>nutritional information</i> for your recipe, each recipe you enter wins you an <span style="color: #a64d79;">ADDITIONAL entry for a total of 2 entries each and a total of 12 entries!</span><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Email me your recipe(s) by <b>January 1, 2010 </b>(WEIRD, 2010!) to <span style="color: blue;">Mrs.RD44@gmail.com </span><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Recipe categories will be:</b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">salad</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">soup</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">appetizer and hors d'oeuvres</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">entree and main dishes<br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">casseroles and side dishes</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">desserts and sweets<br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On January 1st, participants can expect a cookbook filled with delicious recipes delivered straight to their inbox, helping to start the new year right!</span> Get to sendin'!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Also be sure to check out a few giveaways...</b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Josie is giving away <a href="http://www.yumyucky.com/yumyucky/2009/12/greedy-giveaway-odwalla.html">Odwalla bars</a> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mara is giving away a <a href="http://www.imadedinner.net/2009/12/11/happy-hanukkah-giveaway-post/comment-page-1/#comment-8084">cookbook!</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Bella is giving away <a href="http://blissfulbellas.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/bellas-ice-cream-for-breakfast-and-a-bella-giveaway/#comment-42">Starbucks Seasonal Mugs </a><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">and...</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Iowa Girl Eats is giving away <a href="http://iowagirleats.com/2009/12/10/month-of-holiday-giveaways-coffee-carbs-7-winners/">Starbucks giftcards and Noodles & Co. meals</a> <br />
</span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-78106836976414706252009-12-11T12:02:00.000-06:002009-12-11T12:02:08.906-06:00Happy, happy, happy!<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Question: Have any of you Blogspot users converted to Wordpress? What do you think?</span></b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My blog is getting ready to undergo a major overhaul. I will soon be found under domain name <span style="color: blue;">preventionrd.com</span> and will be a Wordpress blogger (I'll miss the good'ol Blogspot days, I'm sure!). <a href="http://tcdawsondesigns.com/">Thomas</a> is the mastermind behind what will ensue, and I am VERY excited about it! I will keep you posted as to what this transition will mean for my posting, but <b>please bare with me!</b></span><br />
</span><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The sweet Ashley of <a href="http://kiwisandcocktails.blogspot.com/">Kiwis and Cocktails</a> passed the <b><span style="color: #e06666;">Happy 101 Award</span></b> on to me (THANK YOU! Two in a week...this is exciting for an award virgin!)<br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The rules are:</b><br />
1. List 10 things that make you Happy</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: small;">2. Tag 10 Bloggers that Brighten your day</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>10 things that make me happy (there's a lot!)... </b><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">1. Scoring a goal in a hockey game!</span></b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">2. Seeing my puppy shake like a jitter bug because she’s so excited to see me!</span></b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">3. A good glass of red wine, Chianti preferred.</span></b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: magenta; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">4. Going on a long, effortless run.</span></b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #e69138; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">5. Waking up with not a THING to do</span></b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">6. Finding new, fun finds at the grocery store</span></b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">7. Husband playing with my hair</span></b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: lime; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">8. Long dinners with my family filled with inappropriateness and laughter</span></b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">9. Helping others reach their health and nutrition goals</span></b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">10. Looking at my wedding pictures. I truly had the wedding of my dreams.</span></b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>10 blogs that brighten my day...</b><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Caitlin of <a href="http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/">Healthy Tipping Point</a> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gina of <a href="http://candidrd.blogspot.com/">The Candid RD</a> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Katie of <a href="http://ktbwood.wordpress.com/">Faith Food & Fitness</a></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Andrea of <a href="http://www.andreaswellnessnotes.com/">Andrea's Wellness Notes </a> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paige of <a href="http://runningaroundnormal.com/">Running Around Normal</a> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cait of The <a href="http://thetwentyfifthyear.wordpress.com/">Twenty-Fifth Year</a> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Biz of <a href="http://biz319.wordpress.com/">Biggest Diabetic Loser</a></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rebecca of <a href="http://www.chowandchatter.com/">Chow and Chatter</a> </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cassie of <a href="http://apinchofthisandadashofthat.blogspot.com/">A Pinch of This and a Dash of That</a> </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mari of <a href="http://www.namastemari.com/">Namaste Mari</a></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love to read ALL of the blogs I follow, it was hard to narrow it down! <i>Keep the happiness going by sharing 10 things that make YOU happy and 10 blogs that brighten your day!</i><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">On a completely unrelated and shameful note...<b>Jersey Shores </b>is quite possibly as addictive as crack cocaine. Puppy whined at<b> 5:20 </b>this morning (alarm wasn't set to go off til 6:20), and instead of rolling over to go back to bed (what I usually do, especially by Friday!), I got up......<i>AND WATCH JERSEY SHORES BEFORE WORK.</i> I have reached a new level of overly inappropriate TV viewing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Run #3 on the new treadmill was a nice recovery run of 3.1 miles with a leisurely warm-up and cool-down. LOVE having a treadmill at home. Though, I must admit, the morning workouts have not ensued as I had originally planned. HOWEVER, the important thing is getting in the workouts whether it be morning, noon, or night...and I'm doing that!</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">What are you up to this weekend? Shopping, shopping, and baking?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Tonight is husband's Christmas party and we're driving around in stretch Expedition limos to see beautiful Christmas lights, and then out for a wonderful Italian dinner (Chianti, woot!). I'm really excited! Have a WONDERFUL weekend...TGIF!!!!!!<br />
</span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-27495844123901737202009-12-10T14:37:00.001-06:002009-12-10T14:38:27.754-06:00Slow day...post day...<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNICOLE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:2;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
span.EmailStyle16
{mso-style-type:personal;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
color:windowtext;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none;
text-decoration:none;
text-line-through:none;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:191311790;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:371744452 631141072 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:-;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">You know work is slow when it's a double-post kinda day... : ) </span><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.namastemari.com/">Mari</a> asked me a wonderful question about PCOS and what type of diet is best for women suffering from PCOS. Great question, <a href="http://www.namastemari.com/">Mari</a>...I hope this is helpful!<br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, causing the pancreas to secrete more and more insulin in order to transport glucose (sugar) out of the blood and into muscle, fat, and liver cells where it is converted to energy or stored as fat. Elevated insulin levels can cause polycystic ovaries, weight gain or difficult losing weight, increased risk of heart disease (elevated LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels and decreased HDL-cholesterol levels), and increased clotting factors. The risk of the developing diabetes in women with PCOS can be up to 40% by the age of 40. Most women (50-60%) with PCOS are obese (BMI greater than 30). Weight loss, even as little as 5% can lead to decreased insulin levels which is critical due to the fact that elevated insulin levels promote fat storage [1].<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;"><i>In researching how much carbohydrate a woman with PCOS should consume, I found varying recommendations. Before prescribing a standard 50-55% carbohydrate diet or a low (40% or less) carbohydrate diet, I would want to know a PCOS patient’s fasting blood sugar and HbA1c – a lab value indicating an average blood glucose reading representing 6-8 weeks. Agreeably, women with a higher BMI are statistically more likely to have insulin resistance, in which case a lower (less than 50-55%) carbohydrate diet is probably advisable.</i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;"><i><b>I am of the opinion that to prevent diabetes, one should eat like a diabetic. </b></i>For <i>most</i> women of normal to overweight size, this would include 30-45 grams of carbohydrates at meal times and 15-30 grams of carbohydrate + 1-2 ounces of protein before bedtime. Emphasis should be placed on complex, low-glycemic index carbohydrates, as well as a diet low in saturated (13 grams or less per day) and trans fat (none, preferably). For women with a BMI greater than 30, carbohydrate and energy needs go up – consult a Registered Dietitian for recommendations.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">For example, a 180-pound (81.8 kilograms) female requires <i>roughly</i> 1230-1640 calories a day to lose weight (15-20 calories per kilogram of body weight. In order to find your weight in kilograms, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2). At minimum (30 grams of carbohydrate per meal with a 15-gram carbohydrate evening snack), carbohydrate comprises 26-34% of the daily intake. At maximum (45 grams of carbohydrate per meal with a 30-gram carbohydrate evening snack), carbohydrate comprises 40-54% of the daily energy intake. </span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">(Note: one gram of carbohydrate contains 4 calories – this is needed for calculations).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;"><b>Other diet-related suggestions for women suffering from PCOS [1]:</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">Pair carbohydrate-rich foods and snacks with a lean protein or fat high in mono and/or polyunsaturated fatty acids.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">Consume foods with a lower glycemic index – these foods are typically high in fiber<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">Space carbohydrates out throughout the day. Consuming consistent, moderate carbohydrate levels is best for blood sugar control<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">Consume plenty of decaffeinated, sugar-free beverages, especially water<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">Exercise on a regular basis -- aerobic and anerobic<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">Take a multi-vitamin mineral supplement daily<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.obgyn.net/pcos/pcos.asp?page=/pcos/articles/pcos_and_diet_mckittrick">[1]</a>. McKittrick, Martha. PCOS and Diet. OBGYN.net Publications.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: small;">The above information was provided by the above source. The author, Martha McKittrick is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator. In other words, she is a wonderful resource!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cookie Taste-Test Results!</b></span><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The preferred cookie in yesterday's cookie taste testing was the <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/it-sure-smells-like-christmas.html">Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies</a>. Hands down. There were only 2 votes NOT for the Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies and they were for the <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/it-sure-smells-like-christmas.html">Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies</a> and the <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/12/it-sure-smells-like-christmas.html">Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies</a>.</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MWZ_a3Kbcs8gpJ7m2aqpUEjigEZLj8svwxLRwETHOKvmeGm1-WtWo8WJfDDkVavnyk1Ff6NUjRHyKxuRoBJxJdHhHycd3qqRqjRo1oIwxYCBTlN01brljQHsEtuO-yFXdAgsM7qUVqA/s1600-h/tally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MWZ_a3Kbcs8gpJ7m2aqpUEjigEZLj8svwxLRwETHOKvmeGm1-WtWo8WJfDDkVavnyk1Ff6NUjRHyKxuRoBJxJdHhHycd3qqRqjRo1oIwxYCBTlN01brljQHsEtuO-yFXdAgsM7qUVqA/s400/tally.jpg" /></a></span> <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">P.S. I had 2 late-comers who wanted in so the total participation was 18 employees!</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEP8rhR7P87J6dYkqpc-u6-Z9YbJg9B9eIqMDxp4anvuYTuYhOTlkh2TVj-IIzeoHIFqL9ulO0Q6hYpL6c9KYgqxbmNeZdq3fPe7FYg1kY7APblqbNga-21WkrAUpVMJ7OfPqCo7uCB80/s1600-h/dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEP8rhR7P87J6dYkqpc-u6-Z9YbJg9B9eIqMDxp4anvuYTuYhOTlkh2TVj-IIzeoHIFqL9ulO0Q6hYpL6c9KYgqxbmNeZdq3fPe7FYg1kY7APblqbNga-21WkrAUpVMJ7OfPqCo7uCB80/s400/dinner.jpg" /></a></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last night I made <i><b>deer meat </b></i>tacos for dinner!</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My father-in-law is a bow hunter and provides us with deer meat. Yum!</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had 1 deer meat taco, a dollop of fat-free refried beans, and a bed of shredded lettuce with deer meat, salsa, corn, and homemade guacamole. Mmmm!</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Nutritional comparison of deer/venison vs. ground beef</b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(values represent a 1 ounce, raw portion)</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- deer meat is 40 calories versus the 72 in ground beef*</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- deer meat contains 0.8 grams of fat compared to 5.7 grams in ground beef*</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- deer meat contains 7.6 grams of protein compared to 4.9 grams in ground beef</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">*this is standard 70-80% lean (does not specify) </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Question: Have you tried deer meat? Did you like it? Did it taste "game-y" to you? </b></span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-13423116946106905722009-12-10T07:25:00.000-06:002009-12-10T07:25:26.533-06:00"You know you could kill someone, right?"<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">That is what my husband said to me over the dinner table last night.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">At my job (wish I gushingly adore, yes!), dietitians can change insulin dosing. This our policy and a great one, if I do say so myself! As most of you know, I work with diabetics the vast majority of my days and I am working towards obtaining my <b>Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)</b> credential (as of yesterday I have 25% of the hours I need!).<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Over dinner last night, husband was asking me about my job and my span of care -- i.e. can I change insulin regimens. When I explained our policy he said, "You know you could kill someone, right?". Awesome, husband...thanks for your vote of confidence! (Side note: this is a very, very, very slim possibility at the rate at which insulin dosing is increased).<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">My co-worker, very much so unlike myself, would rather leave all dosing changes to the provider. Whaaaa? <i style="color: red;">Aren't dietitians working towards autonomy in the medical world? We are important! We are well-educated! We are RESOURCES that ought not to be underutilized! </i><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i style="color: red;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: The above in red sounds narcissistic, but for those out there who are RD's or know the history of the battle for Medical Nutrition Therapy reimbursement, it hits very close to home. </span><br />
</i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Don't get me wrong, I very much so know my place on the totem pole and would never abuse or over-use the "power" I have in my role. However, I think that our policy is a huge pat on the back and vote of confidence in the corner of RD's!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>For those of you who are familiar with prescriptions and span of practice policies -- how do you feel about this? You can be honest, it won't hurt my feelings : )</b><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-90297725393830703982009-12-09T12:44:00.002-06:002009-12-09T12:55:19.642-06:00A thumbs up kinda day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNICOLE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:2;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle15
{mso-style-type:personal;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
color:windowtext;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none;
text-decoration:none;
text-line-through:none;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1670600793;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:1985510024 1221486980 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:-;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">The treadmill has arrived! It took 2 guys, 2 hours, and a lot of patience…but it is together, operating, and ready for miles or fun. I was up at 5:30 this morning and got in 1 mile before needing to start my day. Any other morning when puppy isn’t going to camp, I’ll have plenty of time for at least 3, if not 4 or 5 miles. Needless to say, I have a steamy date (#2 for the day!) with Mr. T after work. I’m excited! Here’s what the hottie tottie looks like…</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2UZXQVAPGgVestNhAGRxHwZoLn6AfaM0NAnnC2G-EbqK60RVym2oD4gi2CkjQQsJgcKvt3Lx7q8_VeRCYY4C-RwtkESntxoNTNEh1KeMDuGjVdAMEScFoCKBL-R5uhQJkLq0XwOi8Os/s1600-h/TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2UZXQVAPGgVestNhAGRxHwZoLn6AfaM0NAnnC2G-EbqK60RVym2oD4gi2CkjQQsJgcKvt3Lx7q8_VeRCYY4C-RwtkESntxoNTNEh1KeMDuGjVdAMEScFoCKBL-R5uhQJkLq0XwOi8Os/s400/TM.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">After my brief (but good!) run this morning, I was craving something cold and nutritious. So what better than a fresh fruit smoothie!? I threw in: <span style="color: #6aa84f;">frozen pears</span>, <span style="color: #e69138;">peaches</span>, <span style="color: #f1c232;">bananas</span>, <span style="color: #bf9000;">pineapple</span>, <span style="color: #b45f06;">papaya</span>, <span style="color: #f1c232;">mango</span>, <span style="color: #6aa84f;">kiwi</span>, <span style="color: #cc0000;">strawberries</span>, and <span style="color: #6aa84f;">apple</span> along with V8 Fusion Light (got some <span style="color: #6aa84f;">veggies</span> in there, technically!), 100% apple cider, and fat-free milk. </span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAUgJW713CrdKzD16YKVq7htuPR_3-S6QmfT2vwPffwrgrxwSuGlG60dZABD1IFpI8YpxFO5AEFcaK3pIsqupRHIWGIEiKmqOP4R2sOYjJiTb__jr4OxTDsTYMI4iYV7j7BXfZnEENp0/s1600-h/smoothie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAUgJW713CrdKzD16YKVq7htuPR_3-S6QmfT2vwPffwrgrxwSuGlG60dZABD1IFpI8YpxFO5AEFcaK3pIsqupRHIWGIEiKmqOP4R2sOYjJiTb__jr4OxTDsTYMI4iYV7j7BXfZnEENp0/s400/smoothie1.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> <br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Blend and enjoy! My morning creation even got my stubborn husband eating breakfast.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1JmI6NT4eoA6jx8djbny6uMwDo5FPCzXpZ8jh6fNZnl2zIQ5YoPkLpibZ2cieZXFiYK9PzMVZtnSXcpbNYqMMQXQiIkg5ZKYBt6gS5FUnyBpMRHaUiZc0oWQycIqSZE8QXBk8HgF6Ks/s1600-h/smoothie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1JmI6NT4eoA6jx8djbny6uMwDo5FPCzXpZ8jh6fNZnl2zIQ5YoPkLpibZ2cieZXFiYK9PzMVZtnSXcpbNYqMMQXQiIkg5ZKYBt6gS5FUnyBpMRHaUiZc0oWQycIqSZE8QXBk8HgF6Ks/s400/smoothie2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">I am just beginning the book <i>Food, Inc.</i> So far, so wonderful! I feel like I am learning a lot (more to come, I assure you!). An interesting article caught my eye in the </span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">ADA Daily News – <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-health-organic-or-not,0,5851333.story"><i>Organic vs. Non-Organic</i></a>. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Did you know that in order for an organic food manufacturer to receive USDA certified organic recognition, the farmer must sell more than $5,000 a year in organic foods?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> Otherwise, they are exempt from obtaining USDA organic certification.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Organic Facts:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">While evidence is not conclusive, there appears to be <b>no added nutritional benefit found in organic fruits and vegetables</b> when compared to their non-organic counterparts.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Due to organic produce availability, organic foods<b> may be sitting longer before getting shipped</b>, or may be <b>shipped for long periods of time</b>. Organic produce may also sit longer before being sold due to the inflated cost associated with organic foods. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Most experts agree that the amount of <b>pesticides</b> found on non-organic fruits and vegetables <b>poses very little health risk</b>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Organic farming aims to<b> protect the environment</b> in ways that conventional farming does not. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Organic produce costs more</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> due to the more expensive farming practices, tighter government regulations, and lower crop yields. Organic farming practices include more labor-intensive methods of controlling weeds and pests, as well as more expensive herbicides or pesticides.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Seeking out local farmers </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">can help guide you to organic produce and support of sustainable farming practices and your local communities<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Nearly everyone could improve their health by eating more fruits and vegetables, organic or not.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">On a lighter note…today was my <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">holiday cookie taste testing </span></b>at work.<span style="color: magenta;"> Surprise, surprise</span>…more people than ever signed up to taste – 16, in fact! Considering there’s only 35 in the office, that’s a huge success!</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wuS5frgo9dQnFaIaxYn4ahfd5w_AFqYGGiSnJc3y_m9B3kQPSxqc4q7fxxq0JjXO8uBBIYAdMbsxew8Vng2Uwq0SXU5oJctZWBxaEENaLdfnglNU0IrA8Mn8-t-PhSCk4QFl0NpYrkk/s1600-h/set+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOzgn9xbYbpQKNU1RoUjABCCQCYhW2o_j3Sf3Y4PSSje0P80j7waqbqQclNCgdNP5flfNq2zJ0aDC33tK7rLrzfhb90n8WWBq31Vn-WkVM33350Zi8GSRiT34iI9JbgslWyDkdN4nI5M/s1600-h/sign+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOzgn9xbYbpQKNU1RoUjABCCQCYhW2o_j3Sf3Y4PSSje0P80j7waqbqQclNCgdNP5flfNq2zJ0aDC33tK7rLrzfhb90n8WWBq31Vn-WkVM33350Zi8GSRiT34iI9JbgslWyDkdN4nI5M/s640/sign+up.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Here’s the set-up! Notice the “Taste Testers Only” sign. Lots of employees get into the goodies on taste test days. I know free food is great, but I’m holding strong to my $1 request from participants. Money doesn’t grow on trees, ya know!? And until RD’s getting a major pay raise, I’ll be needing those dollars!</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wuS5frgo9dQnFaIaxYn4ahfd5w_AFqYGGiSnJc3y_m9B3kQPSxqc4q7fxxq0JjXO8uBBIYAdMbsxew8Vng2Uwq0SXU5oJctZWBxaEENaLdfnglNU0IrA8Mn8-t-PhSCk4QFl0NpYrkk/s1600-h/set+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wuS5frgo9dQnFaIaxYn4ahfd5w_AFqYGGiSnJc3y_m9B3kQPSxqc4q7fxxq0JjXO8uBBIYAdMbsxew8Vng2Uwq0SXU5oJctZWBxaEENaLdfnglNU0IrA8Mn8-t-PhSCk4QFl0NpYrkk/s400/set+up.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"> (I wanted to know their favorite cookie!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Biggest Loser Finale</b></span><br />
</span><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I avoided Blogland last night as I didn't get to finish the last 20 minutes of BL til this morning. While I am happy <span style="color: red;">Danny </span>won (yay Oklahoma!), I am slightly <b><i>perturbed</i></b> at a 239-pound (239, right?) weight-loss in <b>SEVEN MONTHS</b>. I don't know, that's just completely...not right. From the bottom of my heart, I hope the contestants have instilled <i>healthful</i> eating <i>and</i> exercise habits that will last them a lifetime.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Did anyone else think Allison Sweeny looked healthy and...stunning?</b><br />
</div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Question: What’s <i>your</i> absolutely favorite kind of cookie?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqDtRKgv9sDe0AfESk9WPuH6WP5E-13pb8Bf2M0PR4D5oK9XCxZRyd7kdrD8rIL5ErI_C-_yx2D6j8EY4gmeFYab89XEuNGgPE2fwTKjkCfEPBUbnZOtVi_c2yk_HVZun8-wLq_K7AIk/s1600-h/cookie+exchange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqDtRKgv9sDe0AfESk9WPuH6WP5E-13pb8Bf2M0PR4D5oK9XCxZRyd7kdrD8rIL5ErI_C-_yx2D6j8EY4gmeFYab89XEuNGgPE2fwTKjkCfEPBUbnZOtVi_c2yk_HVZun8-wLq_K7AIk/s400/cookie+exchange.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">P.S. Check out <a href="http://stephchows.blogspot.com/2009/12/first-annual-cookie-exchange.html">Steph Chow's Cookie Exchange</a>! I'm in! </span></span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-50059723858213425302009-12-08T07:15:00.000-06:002009-12-08T07:15:09.223-06:00First blog award...and another giveaway win!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">What can I say, I'm feeling like a very lucky girl today! <br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I received this (first!) blog award from the creative and lovely Rebecca of <a href="http://www.chowandchatter.com/">Chow and Chatter</a>. Rebecca is a fellow <a href="http://www.chowandchatter.com/2009/12/2009s-top-health-searches.html">Registered Dietitian</a> who recently gave tribute to our profession, including information on how to become a dietitian. Thank you, Rebecca!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCy6V6t7US8hZo2n1dAPBqXzKC1lI3qYAGaP9aywUXTqYkpseJmlJWvsWYi8Hdl0WrkPZTopcBRg1g7ITTFO4MOwIfpmW-m43qNEKLvgAWqda0_NNhEngjbSCFBvdrZzfzIx3cvSxlQs/s1600-h/badge-love%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCy6V6t7US8hZo2n1dAPBqXzKC1lI3qYAGaP9aywUXTqYkpseJmlJWvsWYi8Hdl0WrkPZTopcBRg1g7ITTFO4MOwIfpmW-m43qNEKLvgAWqda0_NNhEngjbSCFBvdrZzfzIx3cvSxlQs/s1600-h/badge-love%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCy6V6t7US8hZo2n1dAPBqXzKC1lI3qYAGaP9aywUXTqYkpseJmlJWvsWYi8Hdl0WrkPZTopcBRg1g7ITTFO4MOwIfpmW-m43qNEKLvgAWqda0_NNhEngjbSCFBvdrZzfzIx3cvSxlQs/s320/badge-love%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I would like to pass this award on to several blogs I <b style="color: red;">love</b> and am sure to read each day...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Andrea of <b><a href="http://www.andreaswellnessnotes.com/" style="color: #741b47;">Andrea's Wellness Notes</a></b></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Katie of <a href="http://ktbwood.wordpress.com/" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Faith Food & Fitness</b></a></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Emily of <b style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://homecookedem.wordpress.com/">HomecookedEm</a></b></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paige of <b style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://runningaroundnormal.com/">Running Around Normal</a></b></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Josie of <b style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.yumyucky.com/yumyucky/">Yum Yucky</a></b></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You ladies are all talented and wise and make my days more fun -- I love your sites and others do, too!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I also received another Giveaway package yesterday...</span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMf_qB6acYhQVxqGUqbKGRdoCV26tKizT5fQW5n1En4now-J17DCfB4-oVkx-bzl811nVwZiclYBAqaUaQqwfBFt_47ZUnSLuuKvu8-p2edJy76bS7lPY9OgR2hNE48lDP3GTl-OVpeE/s1600-h/krema+butter+winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMf_qB6acYhQVxqGUqbKGRdoCV26tKizT5fQW5n1En4now-J17DCfB4-oVkx-bzl811nVwZiclYBAqaUaQqwfBFt_47ZUnSLuuKvu8-p2edJy76bS7lPY9OgR2hNE48lDP3GTl-OVpeE/s400/krema+butter+winner.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>KREMA!!!! AKA another "hot item" in blogland!</b><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Michelle of </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://luckytastebuds.wordpress.com/">Lucky Taste Buds</a> </span><span style="font-size: small;">randomly selected me as a winner of her Krema Natural Peanut Butter Giveaway. Krema is wonderfully creamy and is a richer, nuttier taste than most other peanut butters I've tried. Yum!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you, Michelle!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLcCPz6rNIl4LwTmMQUKMFeHkbE55B-w0jik7f4A-jn2GgSXk1CTxiXkeGdQklrRnGju0ebtQRftdCnmtRl8pidubrIX4nd8GqSlgaJuYesz1Vsd7GmLGDLKqB5JErkOC2ykXkKUS5RE/s1600-h/dinnerlastnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLcCPz6rNIl4LwTmMQUKMFeHkbE55B-w0jik7f4A-jn2GgSXk1CTxiXkeGdQklrRnGju0ebtQRftdCnmtRl8pidubrIX4nd8GqSlgaJuYesz1Vsd7GmLGDLKqB5JErkOC2ykXkKUS5RE/s400/dinnerlastnight.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Dinner last night was baked chicken breast, brown rice shrimp stir fry, and baked cauliflower.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Again, husband didn't think he'd like the cauliflower (what is this week make-husband-like-veggies-he-doesn't-like-week?).</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Baked Cauliflower</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">3 cups cauliflower florets, raw<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">3 Tbsp Smart Balance light, melted</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">3 Tbsp whole wheat bread crumbs</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">2 Tbsp ground flax seed</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Spray bottom of 1 quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Toss in cauliflower and drizzle melted Smart Balance Light over florets. Sprinkle the bread crumbs and flax seed over the cauliflower. Bake at 350 F for 30-35 minutes. Remove cauliflower and top with cheese. Return casserole dish to the oven for an additional 5 minutes of bake time. For a browned topping, you can put your oven setting on broil and knock up the temperature to 410-450 F.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Enjoy!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Have a wonderful day! Our treadmill is supposed to get delivered today!! : )</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-28578266042948166182009-12-07T16:10:00.000-06:002009-12-07T16:10:57.792-06:00Is your willpower shorting out before you fit exercise into your day?<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Have you ever been driving and thinking, "I'm going to go for a run after xyz task", or "I am going to hit the gym after dinner tonight."? I have. All the time.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Have you ever had these positive intentions but failed to actually DO them? Welcome to life. <span style="color: magenta;">Ends up, we </span><b style="color: magenta;">all </b><span style="color: magenta;">have only </span><i style="color: magenta;">so much </i><span style="color: magenta;">willpower.</span> Once we've completed a day of errands, work tasks, and the hustle of daily life, we're often left running on <b><span style="color: blue;">depleted willpower stores</span></b> [1]. Do we succumb to this fact, or do something about it? The latter, of course!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">No excuse to pass on the workouts! Ways to keep moving when willpower has its limits [1]:<br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Schedule exercise.</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">It's a plan, make it happen. Bring your workout clothes to work so there's no stop over at home between work and your workout.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Get a trainer or exercise buddy.</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Accountability is a great motivator!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Get it over with.</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">If you're pooped after the day is done, plan workouts for the morning hours so that you get it over with early in the day.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Get in a good mood.</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Studies show that people can show more self-control when they are in a good mood.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">This article was brought to my attention by our podiatrist at work as she was returning from her lunch hour in a sweaty rush. When I gave her <b><i>mad</i></b> props for her lunch hour workout, she explained to me this research and has chosen to out-smart her limited willpower by bumping her workout up to her lunch hour.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Likewise, I giving a go at switching my workout time to the mornings once our new treadmill is up and running (fingers crossed for later this week). While I've never thought of myself as a "morning person", I am finding more and more so that by the end of the day a workout is right up there with doing the dishes, folding laundry, and making lunches. You know, just another dreaded to-do. We'll see how the mornings go but I have a feeling that once I get the timing worked out just right, the mornings and I could make for a serious butt-kicking combo.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I also received a HUGE pat on the back in an email from my boot camp instructor to our group of participants. The email included a line which read, "Congrats to Nicole who lost the<b> <i>most</i></b><i><b> </b></i>number of inches last month!" Woooot!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Question: Can you remember the last time you PLANNED to workout...but it never happened before the day was done?</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Me: Just this past Friday, oops!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20090925/limited-willpower-can-affect-your-workout">[1]</a>. Boyles, Salynn. Limited Willpower Can Affect Your Workout. WebMD Health News. September 25, 2009.</span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-87591208908799839352009-12-06T19:42:00.001-06:002009-12-07T20:52:02.104-06:00A lesson in Kombacha...<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I first heard of Kombucha from Paige of <a href="http://runningaroundnormal.com/">Running Around Normal</a>. She drinks the stuff all the time and raves about it's deliciousness and healthfulness. I began researching Kombacha and where I could get some after seeing it spread like wild fire in blogland. Hence, this is why I asked "Zevia or Kombacha" in the This-or-That activity from a few days ago. Which, by the way, you all seemed to love! Thanks for humoring me and my nosiness!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KNIOaABlXgVkYdasbCWNROOJ3KfTsu7eKZ6taTunvjAZEU5HlFTpaqixcH5e1Mc6ij3WV3QuU275ybJcs4waxdbAXUcbeoT7qxSdn_M_B2csyQ7bGyNPN4IQ8vNRDL6B5BxgpXaTxNo/s1600-h/kombucha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KNIOaABlXgVkYdasbCWNROOJ3KfTsu7eKZ6taTunvjAZEU5HlFTpaqixcH5e1Mc6ij3WV3QuU275ybJcs4waxdbAXUcbeoT7qxSdn_M_B2csyQ7bGyNPN4IQ8vNRDL6B5BxgpXaTxNo/s400/kombucha.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">So here are the Kombucha varieties I've located: Citrus, Original, and Multi-Green<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">The Original flavor tastes like a milder version of Welch's Sparking Cider, to a tee. Taste-wise it was fine. The fizzies gave me a bit of a tummy ache and I didn't enjoy the aesthetics of the floating organisms!! You could seeeeeeeeee them! Kinda cool, but not fun to look at in a beverage! All in all...<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Taste: C-</b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Healthfulness: A-</b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">The reason I don't think Kombucha is a can't-live-without-it health food is simply because all that it contains can be found in other foods. And I tend to stay away from beverages with a caloric content.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SsYfFW-zE0uFdsUTh1XJ0Ydg3xV0Nu4ux9_-SKRWW5TPLG9T1LqV_bqrRU_zDWYfpJvMpC2rZuIOBuhtpNqSP30ag2c94v0OGwJooo1FBkdNuluiTi69MlR8TiSxHz52c2ESHfEE3YA/s1600-h/kombucha+explaination.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SsYfFW-zE0uFdsUTh1XJ0Ydg3xV0Nu4ux9_-SKRWW5TPLG9T1LqV_bqrRU_zDWYfpJvMpC2rZuIOBuhtpNqSP30ag2c94v0OGwJooo1FBkdNuluiTi69MlR8TiSxHz52c2ESHfEE3YA/s400/kombucha+explaination.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Kombucha (kom-BOO-cha) is a Chinese tea which is cultured for 30 days. Each bottle contains all B-vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics -- 1 billion Lactobacillus Bacterium organisms and 1 billion S. Boulardii organisms.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdN_a1lTebYcbGjyLBrQxzRVxicAEYbOEqMEACsV09XEaX92PJ8wBySz4jZp7_q_-lGgVJYCzBc3-yT7E5Fyw51yg68B3C68q3F6mENKua778OjMM08DenTeRkiwTWm45nc32sktK3fw/s1600-h/label+kombacha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdN_a1lTebYcbGjyLBrQxzRVxicAEYbOEqMEACsV09XEaX92PJ8wBySz4jZp7_q_-lGgVJYCzBc3-yT7E5Fyw51yg68B3C68q3F6mENKua778OjMM08DenTeRkiwTWm45nc32sktK3fw/s400/label+kombacha.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Here's the label -- nothing shocking here.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I do find it funny that the bottle reads:<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b>"Please note: Due to fermentation, this product may contain a trace amount of alcohol (less than 0.5%)."</b></i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I read this as I was drinking the Kombucha and driving. I put the lid on and put it in my purse...just in case!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75z-mNzQm_b9XVqA-7XmgbLAm-qxjpZYoZhWEEkuce6cJqc0IGRlae_TFBaUgB2e-lL7fVIxO3LfVYiqTKZcL7Dnzl0G82cbcbKRja-4FCBawAnkKm8zPnWtiHRWLRwzd0HLTX_frScE/s1600-h/raw+food+label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75z-mNzQm_b9XVqA-7XmgbLAm-qxjpZYoZhWEEkuce6cJqc0IGRlae_TFBaUgB2e-lL7fVIxO3LfVYiqTKZcL7Dnzl0G82cbcbKRja-4FCBawAnkKm8zPnWtiHRWLRwzd0HLTX_frScE/s400/raw+food+label.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">This portion of the label is stating that Kombucha is a raw food and that cultures (bacteria organisms) can be seen with the nekked eye. And, it's true. There's definitely floaters in the tea.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Morgan (brave soul that she is) of <b>Live, Love, Eat, and Play</b> attempted making her own Kombucha! Read about it <a href="http://liveloveeatandplay.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/kombucha-jersey-shore-and-a-winner/#comment-1123">here</a>.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I made a recipe tonight from <a href="http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/11/recipe-for-roasted-brussels-sprouts.html">Kalyn's Kitchen</a> -- <b>Roasted Brussel's Sprouts with Pecans and Gorgonzola</b>. Yummmm!! Her recipes ALWAYS look gourmet and delicious. And yet, doable for the average kitchen talent ;) <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVuSaWQ48tvnh7JNrz5x1zfKqI6GSAwO6myjHy8jZ2nGUtkv2Bm9aMJkGMyqpnhD1qIJnMdP1LGawluPyhCftHTSK4jiqRpjRdKlJrglwazvR9YMipSvnNbT5z4SvPIydHlJ4qeMIpMI/s1600-h/brussels+sprouts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVuSaWQ48tvnh7JNrz5x1zfKqI6GSAwO6myjHy8jZ2nGUtkv2Bm9aMJkGMyqpnhD1qIJnMdP1LGawluPyhCftHTSK4jiqRpjRdKlJrglwazvR9YMipSvnNbT5z4SvPIydHlJ4qeMIpMI/s400/brussels+sprouts.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I tossed the brussel's sprouts with EVOO, salt, pepper, chopped pecans, and fresh minced garlic. I organized them in a single-layer on a Pyrex dish sprayed with cooking spray. I baked at 375 F for 30 minutes.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPomymitlDuPxDTr4HuBisxq-HzFz2ueIL218MEnUidIAsJyRRS222F1V_Hth68kRzWuUVJR00BRJz_YUPAkSwuNM0YDGj50SkAHcjPDMwLBBv7btfyHDAuMewMtXMDhJNBLNSnVd528/s1600-h/brussels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPomymitlDuPxDTr4HuBisxq-HzFz2ueIL218MEnUidIAsJyRRS222F1V_Hth68kRzWuUVJR00BRJz_YUPAkSwuNM0YDGj50SkAHcjPDMwLBBv7btfyHDAuMewMtXMDhJNBLNSnVd528/s400/brussels.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> During the last 5 minutes of baking, I took the sprouts out and sprinkled gorgonzola over the top and placed them back into the oven for a final 5 minutes of cooking.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Result: DELICIOUS!</b></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Husband was like, "Um, ew." (verbatim) when I told him I was making brussel's sprouts. Well, let's just say he went back for seconds of the sprouts before even finishing his dinner plate.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopXGfBGRNCkGMdlI9Lphg-de4NjDJYZX13dxi1fIHNia9UJZXFTw-293AszhHHUsnkhUkneUyP2pZST9EyprUs5HCL9sufxnv2Is-AqCWq92UQQH_A_p_64nHGWWK43iXH72cKT4T5J4/s1600-h/dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopXGfBGRNCkGMdlI9Lphg-de4NjDJYZX13dxi1fIHNia9UJZXFTw-293AszhHHUsnkhUkneUyP2pZST9EyprUs5HCL9sufxnv2Is-AqCWq92UQQH_A_p_64nHGWWK43iXH72cKT4T5J4/s400/dinner.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Tonight's dinner was the brussel's sprouts with leftover spaghetti squash topped with a homemade marinara containing diced tomatoes, Chianti, mussels, EVOO, garlic, Italian seasoning, and fresh chopped basil.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Today we had our friends take a family shot of us for our Christmas card. We tried getting our snake, Pinky, in the picture, but Lily doesn't understand that her brother is not edible. Here was our best take... <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccd5fz3rk2UweJQUJ4uwAX4odck7l9AtkDtMNYIN0u7fIkuTxcjeJ1ZmBnfUFRvjYcCPq4aSc7s_93Hy15hPUBXF00N3bKckdISy2U4FWHweCznKkwtLG58K_sne9_THLr4eG_2EF_TA/s1600-h/IMG_1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccd5fz3rk2UweJQUJ4uwAX4odck7l9AtkDtMNYIN0u7fIkuTxcjeJ1ZmBnfUFRvjYcCPq4aSc7s_93Hy15hPUBXF00N3bKckdISy2U4FWHweCznKkwtLG58K_sne9_THLr4eG_2EF_TA/s640/IMG_1615.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Giveaway Alert!</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Nutritious is Delicious is having a Pizzey Flax/Omega-3 bar giveaway! Go <a href="http://nutritiousisdelicious.blogspot.com/2009/12/flax-mattersit-really-does-giveaway.html?showComment=1260131465696_AIe9_BHDw2e3JOB0U57Gx7khm2GFVvFm-Q87bbQ9fZ5GogEimJI8uXaFbgRZShX6eUbjlZNLkxVB1YgtofIhnxlax3XN850PJkrs3R1aHPri_-m0T072NVgoyfpAlBeRHXOFyQI1SZK_5laElqOwDU1ROPTRKr42bxeLhkRqSx5WnHjp0STCAyCQXfSTh3nSgC8YZJDfQpPZT3pAdbzPxf104aPPvvSdiXqjsdEocm2W_74vjwTWa2L0pMKbADd0NjvzosQWuliZ#c3345484219140304181">here</a> to enter!<br />
and<br />
Iowa Girl Eats is having a Larabar giveaway! Go <a href="http://iowagirleats.com/2009/12/06/month-of-holiday-giveaways-larabar-variety-pack/">here</a> to enter!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful weekend! Yours truly scored a goal in my hockey game today. It was a pretty sweet shot...if I do say so myself! However, we lost 5-3. : (<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Question: Do you sometimes feel over-whelmed with the number of blogs you follow each day? </b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I LOVE to read, especially foodie blogs...but it's a lot of catching up to do every day! Does Google Reader help you stay organized? I want to stay up to speed with you all!<br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-67733184271895253542009-12-05T17:31:00.000-06:002009-12-05T17:31:11.449-06:00It sure SMELLS like Christmas...<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">...and it isn't pine or mistletoe! But rather.......<b>COOKIES!!!</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Today I made <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: blue;">SEVEN</b></span> varieties of sweets -- some healthy, some not so healthy, but all are delicious! 214 cookies + 16 brownies later I am pooped and my house smells like the December issue of Taste of Homes looks.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Try to keep up for some holiday treat delights...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnm3NN-eqq45caN7Hj28obxQV365Jao1w1xKpppLCOKp7vUyh92mAPTrDYj-xfvZ3U21Vxc_nSVynxGUHdDNTrvVZxh-N7gnOZtYlYQQd9FmfNYddBhV5IS6oJDD4fakQ0Twh8wv5_Mk/s1600-h/IMG_1577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnm3NN-eqq45caN7Hj28obxQV365Jao1w1xKpppLCOKp7vUyh92mAPTrDYj-xfvZ3U21Vxc_nSVynxGUHdDNTrvVZxh-N7gnOZtYlYQQd9FmfNYddBhV5IS6oJDD4fakQ0Twh8wv5_Mk/s400/IMG_1577.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Hint of Mint Munchies</b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">compliments of Cassie at <a href="http://apinchofthisandadashofthat.blogspot.com/">A Pinch of This and A Dash of That</a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNicole%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><o:smarttagtype name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
</div><div align="center" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Makes 3 dozen 2-inch cookies</span><br />
</div><div align="center" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Ingredients: </i><br />
1 bag Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie Mix </span><br />
</div><div align="center" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">3/4 C <st1:place>Andes</st1:place> Creme de Menthe chips</span><br />
</div><div align="center" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Directions: </i><br />
</span><br />
</div><div align="center" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1)Preheat oven to 375 F<br />
2)Mix together cookie mix and ingredients listed on package. Once well mixed, add in the 3/4 cup of creme de menthe.<br />
3)Drop cookie dough by rounded Tbsp onto a ungreased cookie sheet or a cookie sheet covered in tinfoil/parchment paper.<br />
4)Bake each batch for 9 to 11 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.</span><br />
</div><div align="center" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9z6ZNsPidPXI0Vj6drYiNmTESlUmOG2Way3rM7pw_pfAbPyzv5cmn55aGYemNmzfSgMI2uMe4wWg3IupCaGmTP8O45RSBCciXKjdYQwQi9vE-vfIN0XR3aMmOam0R_5BBxfrhxwFiXiM/s1600-h/IMG_1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9z6ZNsPidPXI0Vj6drYiNmTESlUmOG2Way3rM7pw_pfAbPyzv5cmn55aGYemNmzfSgMI2uMe4wWg3IupCaGmTP8O45RSBCciXKjdYQwQi9vE-vfIN0XR3aMmOam0R_5BBxfrhxwFiXiM/s400/IMG_1579.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>Peppermint Oatmeal Crunchies</b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">compliments of Cassie at <a href="http://apinchofthisandadashofthat.blogspot.com/">A Pinch of This and A Dash of That</a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNicole%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Makes 3 dozen 2-inch cookies</span></span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<i>Ingredients:</i><br />
1 bag Betty Crocker oatmeal cookie mix+ingredients listed on mix<br />
3/4 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch chips</span> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br style="color: black;" /><i style="color: black;">Directions:</i><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;"> 1)Preheat oven to 375 F</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;"> 2)Mix together cookie mix and ingredients listed on package. Once well mixed, add in the 3/4 cup of peppermint chips.</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;"> 3)Drop cookie dough by rounded Tbsp onto a ungreased cookie sheet or a cookie sheet covered in tinfoil/parchment paper.</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;"> 4)Bake each batch for 9 to 11 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.</span></span> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobQ_woFOS9p9EqGsbV2vfvUM6c3gFGy-aWWA6inFg3N41YrWpS3duhWdQs_CzRCYUh7r7uK1qnpP0OhDNfeLoKmO1WptvCPtc1pikE1CGsCrDJHaoq_ys49M7oEWlviVA_WJ_5TtSsvk/s1600-h/IMG_1583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobQ_woFOS9p9EqGsbV2vfvUM6c3gFGy-aWWA6inFg3N41YrWpS3duhWdQs_CzRCYUh7r7uK1qnpP0OhDNfeLoKmO1WptvCPtc1pikE1CGsCrDJHaoq_ys49M7oEWlviVA_WJ_5TtSsvk/s400/IMG_1583.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Christmas Chocolate Cheers </b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">compliments of Cassie at <a href="http://apinchofthisandadashofthat.blogspot.com/">A Pinch of This and A Dash of That</a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <i><b>Note: I could NOT (for the life of me) find Holiday Kissables, so I settled for Holiday M&M's. Also, I used Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie Mix instead of the chocolate mix the recipe called for*.<br />
</b></i><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNicole%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ingredients:</i><br style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 bag Betty Crocker Peanut Butter cookie mix*</span><br style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1/3 c. (canola) oil</span><br style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2 eggs</span><br style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 tub of chocolate frosting</span><br style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 bag of Hershey's Christmas Kissables</span><br style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><i style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Directions:</i><br style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1)Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, combine cake mix, oil and eggs; stir with spoon until thoroughly moistened. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. </span><br style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2) Bake at 375°F. for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute, then press your thumb into the center of each cookie. After that remove from cookie sheets. </span><br style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /></span> <span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">3)Spoon some frosting into a pastry bag or a zip loc and snip the end. Pipe frosting into the indent of the cookie and top with 3 Kissables!! </span></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2Du16kfyGiv-H1nEiaulp-0U1WKJobKCQoOy7__lLl9cWz0VjodveQ2MZsMqFRo-T37CTkeDDGgYY4IE6Gt9_jrq7hDwFaCX8AmKCV8V5u1RaXEDrJky4vCNfHjUQllX9nKilLFagGo/s1600-h/IMG_1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2Du16kfyGiv-H1nEiaulp-0U1WKJobKCQoOy7__lLl9cWz0VjodveQ2MZsMqFRo-T37CTkeDDGgYY4IE6Gt9_jrq7hDwFaCX8AmKCV8V5u1RaXEDrJky4vCNfHjUQllX9nKilLFagGo/s400/IMG_1582.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">A trick with the Christmas Chocolate Cheers is to use a Ziplock as a frosting gun...<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJTM5cDgv_h8wwktEiUi8IwwTPusotfVk0uLD8X2SF9YsWtHCkoq8ftfOdg7X_4qntjdKRnhvuJdaOLpS0g053yxsunR0HVgOHX4hhx0IyBET1IT4VmUBeSi0gBOhnot2eldNao8OQlk/s1600-h/IMG_1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJTM5cDgv_h8wwktEiUi8IwwTPusotfVk0uLD8X2SF9YsWtHCkoq8ftfOdg7X_4qntjdKRnhvuJdaOLpS0g053yxsunR0HVgOHX4hhx0IyBET1IT4VmUBeSi0gBOhnot2eldNao8OQlk/s400/IMG_1584.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #38761d;">Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip, and Pecan Cookies </b></span><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNicole%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:2;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
h1
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
mso-outline-level:1;
font-size:24.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
font-weight:bold;}
h2
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
mso-outline-level:2;
font-size:18.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
font-weight:bold;}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.itemcreditdate
{mso-style-name:item_credit_date;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1363290398;
mso-list-template-ids:1428706228;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style> <br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Yield:</b> 3 dozen (serving size: 1 cookie)<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients: <br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 5 1/2 ounces)<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup regular oats<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">3/4 teaspoon baking powder<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 teaspoon baking soda<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">3/4 cup granulated sugar<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 cup packed brown sugar<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/3 cup butter, softened<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 large egg<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted<o:p></o:p> </span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup semisweet chocolate minichips</span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Preheat oven to 350°.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through salt), stirring with a whisk; set aside.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Place sugars and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add vanilla and egg; beat until blended. Gradually add flour mixture, beating at low speed just until combined. Stir in pecans and minichips. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until edges of cookies are lightly browned. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove cookies from pans; cool on wire racks.</span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Calories: 81 (33% from fat)<o:p></o:p>; Fat: 3g (sat 1.4g,mono 1g,poly 0.3g) ; Protein: 1.1g<o:p></o:p>; Carbohydrate: 12.9g<o:p></o:p>; Fiber: 0.5g<o:p></o:p>; Cholesterol: 10mg<o:p></o:p>; Sodium: 76mg<o:p></o:p>; Calcium: 12mg</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Source: Julianna Grimes and Ann Taylor Pittman, </span><i style="color: black;">Cooking Light</i><span style="color: black;">, DECEMBER 2007</span></span> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvtyvMsHv5yuwPule0fjdbwTi2rC4RJbV4YbdkHvUxArM8bMHrQNADeO-E6vNsaYSdD6ZZz_tnio1jvmQTKhud_LDJV1DtXl5_xMAGLEsp_eauBIotMI0Cp6tu_9EyBwoqW1t1f5b5d0/s1600-h/IMG_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvtyvMsHv5yuwPule0fjdbwTi2rC4RJbV4YbdkHvUxArM8bMHrQNADeO-E6vNsaYSdD6ZZz_tnio1jvmQTKhud_LDJV1DtXl5_xMAGLEsp_eauBIotMI0Cp6tu_9EyBwoqW1t1f5b5d0/s400/IMG_1591.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies</b></span><br />
I colored the cheesecake batter with red food coloring -- about 3 drops for a festive flare!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNicole%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:2;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
h1
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
mso-outline-level:1;
font-size:24.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
font-weight:bold;}
h2
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
mso-outline-level:2;
font-size:18.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
font-weight:bold;}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.itemcreditdate
{mso-style-name:item_credit_date;}
span.allcaps
{mso-style-name:allcaps;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:925112976;
mso-list-template-ids:-1962933264;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style> <br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Yield:</b> 16 servings (serving size: 1 bar)<br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cheesecake batter:</span></b><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 (8-ounce) block 1/3-less-fat cream cheese</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1/3 cup granulated sugar</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 large egg</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 large egg white</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 tablespoon all-purpose flour</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brownie batter:</span></b><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1/4 cup canola oil</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1/4 cup buttermilk</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2 teaspoons vanilla extract</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2 large egg whites</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 large egg</span><o:p style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cooking spray</span></span> <o:p></o:p><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">1. Preheat oven to 350°.<br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">2. To prepare cheesecake batter, place cheese in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add granulated sugar and peppermint extract; beat well. Add 1 egg and 1 egg white; beat well. Add 1 tablespoon flour; beat mixture just until blended.<br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">3. To prepare brownie batter, weigh or lightly spoon 4.5 ounces (about 1 cup) flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 4.5 ounces flour, cocoa, and salt in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine brown sugar, oil, buttermilk, vanilla, 2 egg whites, and 1 egg in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium-high speed until well blended. Add flour mixture to brown sugar mixture; beat at low speed just until blended.<br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">4. Reserve 1/2 cup of brownie batter. Pour remaining batter into a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Carefully pour cheesecake batter over top; spread evenly to edges. Dot cheesecake batter with reserved brownie batter. Swirl top two layers of batters together using the tip of a knife. Bake at 350° for 26 minutes or until top is set. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.<br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Calories: 213 (32% from fat); Fat: 7.5g (sat 2.6g,mono 2.3g,poly 1.1g)<span lang="NO-BOK">; Protein: 4.4g<o:p></o:p>; Carbohydrate: 32.3; g<o:p></o:p>Fiber: 0.7g<o:p></o:p></span>; Cholesterol: 37mg; Sodium: 169mg; Calcium: 32mg<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Source: Kathy Farrell-Kingsley, <i>Cooking Light</i>, DECEMBER 2008 <br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96yN05C085dkTXTP8xsZsMhOGr2wSKMgATrJHqI46rTBlXxHSP_Khygxgo1xLaRhbcZmI8x_Cc3Qf50od9Dp3tKgZV1feEN048Ckfbycl06-QNeAbPc0o17BTydV2qgKSLx5rY1k7Fhg/s1600-h/IMG_1593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96yN05C085dkTXTP8xsZsMhOGr2wSKMgATrJHqI46rTBlXxHSP_Khygxgo1xLaRhbcZmI8x_Cc3Qf50od9Dp3tKgZV1feEN048Ckfbycl06-QNeAbPc0o17BTydV2qgKSLx5rY1k7Fhg/s400/IMG_1593.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNicole%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies</b></span><span style="color: magenta;"> <span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 2/3 c butter, softened </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 2/3 c firmly packed brown sugar </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 2 large eggs </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 1 ½ c old fashioned oats </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 1 ½ c all purpose flour </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 1 tsp baking soda </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> ½ tsp salt </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 1 (6 oz) package dried cranberries </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 2/3 c white chocolate chips </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate mixing bowl. </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Makes about 2 ½ dozen cookies.</span></span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Source: Weight Watchers (online forum) </span></span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83lh1E3VV1H9yMkfqNCtG9r2Rii6NlFk3MFbDhulQuT2JRol82OT9fBsM5A9q1bZU6JhnaH0SN9WKIzMOEskU0aTP-k8FP6MpUzxJvbNjlqN6v3SsLUqVjFR4krTLaC1RoqZ46BKY4qI/s1600-h/IMG_1595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83lh1E3VV1H9yMkfqNCtG9r2Rii6NlFk3MFbDhulQuT2JRol82OT9fBsM5A9q1bZU6JhnaH0SN9WKIzMOEskU0aTP-k8FP6MpUzxJvbNjlqN6v3SsLUqVjFR4krTLaC1RoqZ46BKY4qI/s400/IMG_1595.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span></span><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 10" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNicole%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:2;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
h1
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
mso-outline-level:1;
font-size:24.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
font-weight:bold;}
h2
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
mso-outline-level:2;
font-size:18.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
font-weight:bold;}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.itemcreditdate
{mso-style-name:item_credit_date;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1017149239;
mso-list-template-ids:-1945750132;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies</span></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><h1 style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></h1><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Yield:</b> 3 dozen (serving size: 1 cookie)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">1 cup granulated sugar<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">1 cup packed brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">1/2 cup creamy peanut butter<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">1/4 cup water<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">1/4 cup canola oil<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">2 teaspoons vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">2 large egg whites<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">1 large egg<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">12 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2 2/3 cups)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">1 teaspoon baking powder<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">1 teaspoon baking soda<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">1/2 teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2/3 cup semisweet chocolate minichips</span><o:p></o:p></span> <br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Preheat oven to 350°.</span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Combine first 8 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl; stir with a whisk. Add flour mixture to peanut butter mixture, stirring just until combined. Stir in minichips. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on 2 baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack.</span><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Calories: 128 (32% from fat)<o:p></o:p>; Fat: 4.5g (sat 1.1g,mono 2.2g,poly 1g); Protein: 2.3g<o:p></o:p>; Carbohydrate: 20.5g<o:p></o:p>; Fiber: 0.6g<o:p></o:p>; Cholesterol: 6mg<o:p></o:p>; Sodium: 106mg; Calcium: 16mg</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Source: Kathy Farrell-Kingsley, <i>Cooking Light</i>, DECEMBER 2008</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And only 3 hours later...my friends are the lucky recipients of THESE:</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglgxU2mhND1tlDny7tNSD0MtrylGCJJOwFOsVFENdGpCCcyOpnqkObOHxnkbw7iV4Mb3zPUZUAJDI8s2gd9TqBCv2HbNC3h1Po_VXIGJ4ivx1dIl9UerWwLknmF3r1LhFC6EqQCJqs0A/s1600-h/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglgxU2mhND1tlDny7tNSD0MtrylGCJJOwFOsVFENdGpCCcyOpnqkObOHxnkbw7iV4Mb3zPUZUAJDI8s2gd9TqBCv2HbNC3h1Po_VXIGJ4ivx1dIl9UerWwLknmF3r1LhFC6EqQCJqs0A/s400/IMG_1596.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Tins filled with...</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWjaghip0Pr3PcwSa7Jv-vGoj68coQDfPgQ0MzrR9m0IQdFtvu6SZggovTrAVoOmvsIBFX9BMhPn_2buIRA9ki-WxTsqB-KZ1aBHccmyax3Zptn-7ZSr9wBFn4zRDeUBNgVJNEteynlE/s1600-h/IMG_1588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWjaghip0Pr3PcwSa7Jv-vGoj68coQDfPgQ0MzrR9m0IQdFtvu6SZggovTrAVoOmvsIBFX9BMhPn_2buIRA9ki-WxTsqB-KZ1aBHccmyax3Zptn-7ZSr9wBFn4zRDeUBNgVJNEteynlE/s400/IMG_1588.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">cookies! Obvi..</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I taste tested all of the cookies (and brownies) and they are ALL really good! </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">If I had to choose a favorite it would have to be the Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies.<br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGkkyu8gjgr4c4kEtA5YGEIQI5pAgGJJPymLGMBssW3rCzEzS-54YsQU5I5TomC5spSRZvz3wapuz6cgpSzg_MPN1WEE6W1gb95VAg_lA58Z-4OKNBc_iVhZn4ve7v6LjFMXq4bsDp14/s1600-h/mcds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGkkyu8gjgr4c4kEtA5YGEIQI5pAgGJJPymLGMBssW3rCzEzS-54YsQU5I5TomC5spSRZvz3wapuz6cgpSzg_MPN1WEE6W1gb95VAg_lA58Z-4OKNBc_iVhZn4ve7v6LjFMXq4bsDp14/s400/mcds.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I must fess up -- my morning started off on a bad note...forgetting to eat breakfast before I set out for a day of power shopping. Around 10 I gave in to a bad, bad guilty pleasure: McDonald's Sausage Egg McMuffin. 450 calories and 85% of my daily value of saturated fat later...I completed my shopping spree successfully. In my defense, I get fast food a handful of time in a calendar year, and typically it is because of instances like this morning.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Question: How often do you eat fast food? What is your "favorite" fast food restaurant (if you had to choose one)?</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Husby and I are off to my work Christmas party! Hope everyone's having a wonderful weekend!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Tomorrow...the LD on this KOMBACHA everyone in blogland is yappin' about!!<br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-5682375473049290352009-12-04T10:14:00.000-06:002009-12-04T10:14:44.892-06:00Success and Failure<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Success!</span></b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last night was the last night of my 4-week Boot Camp class. My measurements were taken on 11/16 and last night, 12/3. In that time I have lost:</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">0.5 inches on my thighs and hips</span></b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">2.75 inches on my shoulders/bust</span></b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">1.5 inches on my waist</span></b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">arms stayed the same</span></b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am pumped! While I wish more came off my hips (this is where I carry my weight), I'm really happy with the results. Three days a week for a few weeks has really made a difference.</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And more good news...our new treadmill is being delivered next TUESDAY!!!!!!</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I made a popular bloggie dinner last night:<b><span style="color: #bf9000;"> spaghetti squash</span></b>!</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I halved the squash length-wise and baked it upside down in a pan with 1/4" water in the bottom at 375 F for 35 minutes. I then flipped the squash right side up and baked an additional 30 minutes at 375 F. After cooking, the squash easily pulls out in strands (like spaghetti!).<br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKU5SWj4GpsyWp14HVG9g_LdkHrw3LHiluHd8b3sdrmMGktOnMvtcdqfNJ2Z6wLp5rza6Pt-fsAU2kiRTdZ1DtCP1gpPsAJgSITZaQJz2NMBy6eTYcEUbhw7LcXjBrQvtQL-LMqCWj2o/s1600-h/IMG_1562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKU5SWj4GpsyWp14HVG9g_LdkHrw3LHiluHd8b3sdrmMGktOnMvtcdqfNJ2Z6wLp5rza6Pt-fsAU2kiRTdZ1DtCP1gpPsAJgSITZaQJz2NMBy6eTYcEUbhw7LcXjBrQvtQL-LMqCWj2o/s400/IMG_1562.JPG" /></a></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Easy breezy!<br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhVfFHpu4pX_tQhOQFkYXw8u4Rah2J8pG0bnUocHT6EnRxXfPKOhOwHxLt_niFBaEwZemheEQl-OZL43iMXIqZvFLdVXrj_Usz-b7rtOyob7_x3bLvlIDH3ZMwZt5JLpp2np1bdy7_8o/s1600-h/IMG_1566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhVfFHpu4pX_tQhOQFkYXw8u4Rah2J8pG0bnUocHT6EnRxXfPKOhOwHxLt_niFBaEwZemheEQl-OZL43iMXIqZvFLdVXrj_Usz-b7rtOyob7_x3bLvlIDH3ZMwZt5JLpp2np1bdy7_8o/s400/IMG_1566.JPG" /></a></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">To my spaghetti squash I added Classico Tomato Basil Marinara, nutritional yeast, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and pine nuts. Deeeelicious!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Failure. Failures, really.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In the December issue of Cooking Light, I found a recipe for cranberries I really wanted to make for the RD Christmas Party THIS afternoon -- candied cranberries, more like.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Directions: simmer cranberries in simple syrup until tender. Roll in sugar. Serve.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Anyone can handle that, right? Wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu24S0qPesUxEmtU0rQ9CMCt-h7HvpxYAFD2Z1-xK_CZoANRDnpsBFyORbRu66rpFf1y28p-A2sQXbIju9cVbJ8-I0VVHMrEX65nRCM6OYlrf45V-So4iT2Im-6LpenHbgOsaKRyLcq14/s1600-h/IMG_1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu24S0qPesUxEmtU0rQ9CMCt-h7HvpxYAFD2Z1-xK_CZoANRDnpsBFyORbRu66rpFf1y28p-A2sQXbIju9cVbJ8-I0VVHMrEX65nRCM6OYlrf45V-So4iT2Im-6LpenHbgOsaKRyLcq14/s400/IMG_1572.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;">Lesson learned: can't be watching Bride Wars AND cranberries simoltaneously.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Of this many cranberries...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinPe6rzB7jwUGNbXxV6N05X2iy8TIAtFUWLeLtBkqVJQZtYZPEMZKuecqi9hQYYHoVBSVoVAVw7j-qvPTPLb9bXhG2Y3WmPNWfMii6yceLhyVm7fQMkU57IpwGpZvbVxtDoFY6LZ0mg0/s1600-h/IMG_1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinPe6rzB7jwUGNbXxV6N05X2iy8TIAtFUWLeLtBkqVJQZtYZPEMZKuecqi9hQYYHoVBSVoVAVw7j-qvPTPLb9bXhG2Y3WmPNWfMii6yceLhyVm7fQMkU57IpwGpZvbVxtDoFY6LZ0mg0/s400/IMG_1570.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I salvaged THIS many...sad.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6p-syeQmZGq4zENP6YLGHFX3z3ft21s2aO9Irl-H9XUjj9nvrd9_nTMJP3r2gW5YmQyxrsxba7-H62tzheUF34yAlbPShBptVE_L7l47rfT-SU-cFV-BrZTFv6cujgm9BKguA1SnwvU/s1600-h/cranberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6p-syeQmZGq4zENP6YLGHFX3z3ft21s2aO9Irl-H9XUjj9nvrd9_nTMJP3r2gW5YmQyxrsxba7-H62tzheUF34yAlbPShBptVE_L7l47rfT-SU-cFV-BrZTFv6cujgm9BKguA1SnwvU/s400/cranberries.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">So, I moved on to an easy recipe my friend Katie sent me just this morning (after a speed session of grocery shopping...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <b style="color: #660000;"><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #660000;">Chocolate Bombs</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1 box chocolate cake, prepared</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1 can chocolate frosting</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1 bag chocolate chips</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">2 packages chocolate almond bark</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Make cake mix as directed and let cool. Crumble cake into a large bowl and mix in frosting and chips. Roll into balls and place on a lined cookie sheet. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Melt almond bark and drizzle over balls. Cool and serve.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Disaster...</i><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">My balls didn't form, so mine are blobs. More like AFTER a bomb has exploded. Here's the final product:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNO73mWlrri0jGpfW-5pzpItz0x8VPgJUNjx9IVGYDkTADaGIPHQo0OfTFsSqTpFTtYPq5fNNHEG8J93mRYTvU96NCIjjVCqsu31viHTODa6N8Azsj9Udyv0DpbN0YS5WIDAojbOYL6Ws/s1600-h/IMG_1573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNO73mWlrri0jGpfW-5pzpItz0x8VPgJUNjx9IVGYDkTADaGIPHQo0OfTFsSqTpFTtYPq5fNNHEG8J93mRYTvU96NCIjjVCqsu31viHTODa6N8Azsj9Udyv0DpbN0YS5WIDAojbOYL6Ws/s400/IMG_1573.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;">I don't bake or do sweets of any kind very well...can you tell?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Taste? Thumbs up! Mmm! Chocolate lovers, come in!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I need to doll up for the party, but have a WONDERFUL Friday and start to your weekend! And seriously, the above 2 recipes are easy as pie for the average Joe...and super delicious if you're looking for something easy!!<br />
</span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-5484978293488974502009-12-03T11:01:00.001-06:002009-12-03T11:01:51.769-06:00This or That<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwTUhwORfJbgdeCPG-M3GNeUWHlTCdNhJA_hjRtRVsbyMxykCqqK4oq3wtpVKfN5gke3O6J5Wo2OkfjFNZXQTTTjF_jS8zE6E2MBc6MEmgwWIzvvhJDSoDAed_ZouOk6VwqpoqMyc0X4/s1600-h/money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwTUhwORfJbgdeCPG-M3GNeUWHlTCdNhJA_hjRtRVsbyMxykCqqK4oq3wtpVKfN5gke3O6J5Wo2OkfjFNZXQTTTjF_jS8zE6E2MBc6MEmgwWIzvvhJDSoDAed_ZouOk6VwqpoqMyc0X4/s400/money.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Don't you love when money is THROWN at you? I sure do!</b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My bi-weekly taste-test email went out to my co-workers yesterday. </span><br />
</div><div style="color: red; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Next week: Healthier Christmas Cookies</span></b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(I do 2 healthy taste testings a month at my clinic -- every other Wednesday -- providing a sample and a copy of the recipe to try at home)<br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was interrupted not <i>once.</i>..not <i>twice</i>...but <i><b>THREE </b></i>times during an appointment this morning to be handed $1 (the cost to participate in the taste test). Guess they're looking forward to the cookies!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>...for which no one provided me with their favorite, healthy cookie recipe!</i> </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">coughcoughnudgenudge</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwTUhwORfJbgdeCPG-M3GNeUWHlTCdNhJA_hjRtRVsbyMxykCqqK4oq3wtpVKfN5gke3O6J5Wo2OkfjFNZXQTTTjF_jS8zE6E2MBc6MEmgwWIzvvhJDSoDAed_ZouOk6VwqpoqMyc0X4/s1600-h/money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtydOum7e7oWRIO-WLj7FLJSMGR8fX8_BE0KJ9HD0JW-GGASzaSQjXZGZTzDhX3ZwJPvB_FxwszuES_BV4RCUX5H1Afu2sKkKG62rDnuZeIdXZZYNPLQL_qlu-C4NIPS1ROHHT5IHCeKQ/s1600-h/IMG_1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtydOum7e7oWRIO-WLj7FLJSMGR8fX8_BE0KJ9HD0JW-GGASzaSQjXZGZTzDhX3ZwJPvB_FxwszuES_BV4RCUX5H1Afu2sKkKG62rDnuZeIdXZZYNPLQL_qlu-C4NIPS1ROHHT5IHCeKQ/s400/IMG_1559.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">And after my homemade <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/11/confessions-of-unliked-green-monster.html">Green Monster disaster</a>, I've been on the prowl for liquid greens that I enjoy. Naked gets my vote -- this Green Machine Naked juice was gooood! Still getting used to the green, but super delicious!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWx-E11qif1UPLpuk6ycluAK20oCFaYq-91CK1jvcYIkVsFzSxacDj2ZLZPwfc1dA0NvLI2-nxO29wqL_lgRBNnb3HlSHynuAkf0A1G-aJJxOIqH0VCcas-Xf5XKtQ1yc2otmnopV_RI/s1600-h/IMG_1556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWx-E11qif1UPLpuk6ycluAK20oCFaYq-91CK1jvcYIkVsFzSxacDj2ZLZPwfc1dA0NvLI2-nxO29wqL_lgRBNnb3HlSHynuAkf0A1G-aJJxOIqH0VCcas-Xf5XKtQ1yc2otmnopV_RI/s400/IMG_1556.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I got an email yesterday from a reader asking where I keep my wine. Husband and I have a LOT of <i>wonderful </i>wine brought over from Italy (as well as local US wineries!). I took a picture of the <a href="http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=278633-68363-WWC287BLS&lpage=none">Whirlpool wine fridge</a> we recently purchased (and love). While it doesn't hold all of our wine, we can house the really good stuff.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Wine should be stored at 55 F with no more than 1 degree Fahrenheit fluctuation.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeV9bXxWxkPXUTCOM2BDhP6x0Oshi6v5YL1SLi0U9p2DdvRBS6aWxopBw1_tiZvBkMCdQvW0-BbXLxGD5OZx5QZsHCL8ZyAuI4pxlipgIDfWKIV54lGbdTt_r9ZU_u2-rrYJnVPqU7T8/s1600-h/IMG_1555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeV9bXxWxkPXUTCOM2BDhP6x0Oshi6v5YL1SLi0U9p2DdvRBS6aWxopBw1_tiZvBkMCdQvW0-BbXLxGD5OZx5QZsHCL8ZyAuI4pxlipgIDfWKIV54lGbdTt_r9ZU_u2-rrYJnVPqU7T8/s320/IMG_1555.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">And after snapping that picture, I decided it could be a wine night. Chianti = <3<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">This morning I got a little (more) creative with breakfast and made some delicious granola sprinkled with low-fat coconut flakes, Golden Flax Seen Flax Sprinkles from Stober Farms (yum!) and topped with skim milk. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatuzpzsoYJO73llQ4DFj9YCj-nz_ojO3IUgIeimgGxMmNNZQx3c2V_l_sUAA9RK93q5r5foZtZiqKu1xRDc-7phcbLdTsRhCBWLRXL6SccRuCMRf71EoZDK10chKoJVT-AsRAxi6uiUI/s1600-h/granola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatuzpzsoYJO73llQ4DFj9YCj-nz_ojO3IUgIeimgGxMmNNZQx3c2V_l_sUAA9RK93q5r5foZtZiqKu1xRDc-7phcbLdTsRhCBWLRXL6SccRuCMRf71EoZDK10chKoJVT-AsRAxi6uiUI/s400/granola.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
</div>Nom nom nom<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatuzpzsoYJO73llQ4DFj9YCj-nz_ojO3IUgIeimgGxMmNNZQx3c2V_l_sUAA9RK93q5r5foZtZiqKu1xRDc-7phcbLdTsRhCBWLRXL6SccRuCMRf71EoZDK10chKoJVT-AsRAxi6uiUI/s1600-h/granola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqoa0PDAYUbUu_c6byIOh0Mp_rhf8VcBxtTZknNwC0d_MvQ9n81QOWWHNDf34v8Gf95Y8-orYFy287dAlP51Pg359vltTCBjKLMn1jvzyfSzD8AZSkyJ9TBC0M2eUPjLHgb8t5NPptPE/s1600-h/flax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqoa0PDAYUbUu_c6byIOh0Mp_rhf8VcBxtTZknNwC0d_MvQ9n81QOWWHNDf34v8Gf95Y8-orYFy287dAlP51Pg359vltTCBjKLMn1jvzyfSzD8AZSkyJ9TBC0M2eUPjLHgb8t5NPptPE/s400/flax.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">The wonderful people of FlaxUSA sent me these Flax Sprinkles which contain 2,800 milligrams of Omega-3 per serving!! Along with 3 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. Holla! Flax = thumbs WAY up!<br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">And for fun, you foodies...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>This -or- That </b></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Copy and Paste into a comment and reveal your selections!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNICOLE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle15
{mso-style-type:personal;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
color:windowtext;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none;
text-decoration:none;
text-line-through:none;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">chocolate ice cream or vanilla ice cream<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">iced coffee or hot coffee<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">mayonnaise or Miracle Whip<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">sweet or salty<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">fruit or veggies<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">organic or save the money<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">honey or agave<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">granola or oats<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">cow’s milk or soy milk<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">tacos or pizza<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">green monster or spinach salad<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Splenda or Stevia<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">hummus or guacamole<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">chicken or tofu<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">eat-in or dine-out<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">old-fashioned or steel-cut<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Zevia or Kombucha</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><b>And if you're a Southaven Farms fan... </b><br />
</o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">10% off Southaven Farms – coupon code TENPERCENT129</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;">Have a wonderful day before Friday, everyone! <br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-6147957796437544942009-12-02T12:39:00.001-06:002009-12-02T12:44:10.557-06:00Wednesday Smorgasbord<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkBsDnT4U0C2ZyfIv4Qa-Yhxx-C7Gt34j-LpFR9o6GM24ifRR4xE4cntNcrftgRxAWVWN-DHOpH7uLqMN8otIfeSKQeZLzxMQ759LYLQ1tmzMh8q9ReagDvIYiGxXO92Wi8sTJn_rAic/s1600-h/pure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkBsDnT4U0C2ZyfIv4Qa-Yhxx-C7Gt34j-LpFR9o6GM24ifRR4xE4cntNcrftgRxAWVWN-DHOpH7uLqMN8otIfeSKQeZLzxMQ759LYLQ1tmzMh8q9ReagDvIYiGxXO92Wi8sTJn_rAic/s400/pure.jpg" /></a></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I must be lucky...I have just received my second giveaway prize in the mail, and another on the way (<a href="http://luckytastebuds.wordpress.com/">Krema PB!</a>)! Today I received the Pure Organics prize from this <a href="http://www.yumyucky.com/yumyucky/">sweetie</a> of a blogger (her blog is HILARIOUS if you're looking for some new blog material!). For my morning snack I had the Apple Cinnamon mini Pure Organics bar and let me just say....yummmm!<br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients: organic dates, organic apples, organic agave nectar, organic walnuts, organic cashews, organic almonds, organic rice protein concentrate, organic minerals, organic cinnamon.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>To Allison and Andrea: </i></b></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I JUST went to the post office...your Newman's Own Oraganic products are on their way! </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sally from NOO and I have been in communication and I pleased to hear that both Akins and Whole Foods stores near me carry NOO products. I just hope they carry the hermits...!! NOO is such a wonderful company, I feel so blessed to have come across such wonderful people and products!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last night, husband and I split dinner duty as I had boot camp. As to not be eating dinner at 10pm, husband was in charge of making wild rice. He did pretty good...maybe a bit more stirring action was needed, but hey...I'm not complaining!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look at that wild rice...goooooigeous!! It was so nutty and rich in flavor.<br />
</span><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZrJNLV3_tDeJrVo481QGixADSiwezVyqkvL_KVo6q9kEJTEmMVEZtwUcJmcgcv-pjBhf1tknE33Z8NhXMWN0CIZHTEAs4PYcKQZzKtBzTazL4kBLLaZz5ZULZCIo3lnxQTX_9Xvus_I/s1600-h/IMG_1551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZrJNLV3_tDeJrVo481QGixADSiwezVyqkvL_KVo6q9kEJTEmMVEZtwUcJmcgcv-pjBhf1tknE33Z8NhXMWN0CIZHTEAs4PYcKQZzKtBzTazL4kBLLaZz5ZULZCIo3lnxQTX_9Xvus_I/s400/IMG_1551.JPG" /></a></span><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARNx3rqjE0jZOFYtKmT5lKM7AjoTqeZEkUZj27AIeXzzCQGUE8nCNv04A5OJI0lOJceitd2X55aJ3DTiTXmBfuDGaPXLNfcfG21UZcxrgUw65uOryE7Vr3Qbb0pX8ogyRexedRFPguLQ/s1600-h/IMG_1550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARNx3rqjE0jZOFYtKmT5lKM7AjoTqeZEkUZj27AIeXzzCQGUE8nCNv04A5OJI0lOJceitd2X55aJ3DTiTXmBfuDGaPXLNfcfG21UZcxrgUw65uOryE7Vr3Qbb0pX8ogyRexedRFPguLQ/s400/IMG_1550.JPG" /></a></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had a virgin cocktail last night...<a href="http://www.bajabob.com/home.html">Baja Bob's (sugar-free) Pina Colada</a>! What can I say, I was craving it!<br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNVXOLASXpgtqCFJJnBSGGU5fzSK8KQfBaBEBqx8XvaIj6kAI1kr0p3m1Yf3Ct9FuaGx4SX_kxIdp7KuuyPz9OU1KfaL79NiSGsQzlR_Woa3SuoYa4z388Z4UFsnYBptiuhGqLJ9yHA0/s1600-h/IMG_1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNVXOLASXpgtqCFJJnBSGGU5fzSK8KQfBaBEBqx8XvaIj6kAI1kr0p3m1Yf3Ct9FuaGx4SX_kxIdp7KuuyPz9OU1KfaL79NiSGsQzlR_Woa3SuoYa4z388Z4UFsnYBptiuhGqLJ9yHA0/s400/IMG_1547.JPG" /></a></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My contribution to dinner was <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/10/food-weight-and-your-takeand-faux-fried.html">Biggest Loser "Fried" Chicken</a>....always a good choice!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And on my wild rice...nutritional yeast! It was really good!<br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLzxWMiRVS0YgBcHYpFfHMV147tEbxei8homXYKmXXrbLcqM0ZEltDQFGuldn-wzYLDOhDSlMR5NstxrCbQgzESEw01_7_W948LmFL4Hs9kRTOUUQUz8vVn91Es1PnC84OyADn9QvS_s/s1600-h/IMG_1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLzxWMiRVS0YgBcHYpFfHMV147tEbxei8homXYKmXXrbLcqM0ZEltDQFGuldn-wzYLDOhDSlMR5NstxrCbQgzESEw01_7_W948LmFL4Hs9kRTOUUQUz8vVn91Es1PnC84OyADn9QvS_s/s400/IMG_1548.JPG" /></a></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And a fresh field greens salad : )</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of my "regulars" brought me a little gift yesterday (I know, not supposed to accept gifts from patients...but it was FOOD!) -- <a href="http://www.popchips.com/">POPS CHIPS</a>! Besides Terra veggies chips, I'm very "take'em or leave'em" when it comes to crunchy, salty snacks. Pops Chips, however, are pretty much amazing! They're a cross-over between a rice cake and a potato chip -- 100 calories per serving! <i>And supposedly my local Target carries them, so keep your eye out! </i>Sorry I don't have a picture, husband was on a rampage last night cleaning away.<br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Same goes for my LARABAR wrapper (doesn't husband know by now that I'm not throwing out my trash because I'm lazy but rather, because I'm a blogger! Doh, hubby!). I tried the Peanut Butter Cookie Larabar and it was pretty incredible. The apple pie was good, but the peanut butter cookie was phenom. <br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And as a marathon runner, I have to address Biggest Loser last night. Lame.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">60 days to train for a marathon? Who in their right mind finds that feasible? Safe? Fun? Not me. Not a doctor. Not a personal trainer. These people are still obese and NO body is made to run 26.2 miles. Each of my marathons have required 4 1/2 MONTHS of training and I barely survived the second race. I dunno, just really not "smart" on The Biggest Loser's part.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And to quote one of my patient's on Danny's 59-pound weight loss in 60 days: "That aint safe." I have such a love/hate relationship with that show, but no doubt will I be tuned in to the finale next week.<br />
<b>Will youu?</b></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Does anyone have any favorite healthy holiday cookie recipes?</b> </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My taste testing at work next week is holiday cookies and I actually don't have any tried and true cookie recipes! Anyone???<br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My neighborhood was decked out to the extreme in lights yesterday (Dec. 1st...makes sense). So I ask...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>What are you ask for from Santa this Christmas?</b></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Husband and I purchased a treadmill as our gift to one another (I mean from Santa...). So excited!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy Hump Day!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">P.S. THANK YOU to all who read my blog. </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Things have really picked up here as of lately, and I couldn't be happier about it! Whether you read on a daily basis or an infrequent basis, I appreciate your support. I love writing and I appreciate all you readers! Any questions can always be passed along to <span style="color: blue;">Mrs.RD44@gmail.com</span> !</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And for those whom I follow...there are a lot of you! I try my darndest to keep up with all the hard work and creativity you put into your blogs! I am always amazed by the wealth of knowledge and enjoyment the blog world brings! Cheers!<br />
</span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-86680508607466897302009-12-01T06:27:00.001-06:002009-12-01T06:28:57.507-06:00obesity + bloggin', dogs + exercise, and new IRL blog friend!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research finds that people who spend more time on the computer have a higher risk of obesity, even among those exercising “enough” during the week. Three categories of internet time were set: none, low (less than 3 hours per week), and high (more than 3 hours per week). People falling in the highest levels of computer use (more than 3 hours per week) were 1.5x more likely to be overweight and 2.5x more likely to be obese when compared to people who don’t use the computer at all [1].</span></span><br />
</div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Advice? Aim for 250.</span></span></i></b></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The American College of Sports Medicine recommends people spend 150 minutes per week exercising and 250 minutes per week if they want to lose weight [1].</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Really? 3 hours a week is a lot? No wonder I want to lose weight! ;) <br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">And for us dog lovers, some wonderful news!</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The average dog owner gets more exercise walking their pets than someone with a gym membership. The average dog owner exercises their pet 2x a day for 24 minutes each time – 5 hours and 38 minutes a week. In addition, the average dog owner takes their pet on three long walks a week, adding on another 2 hours and 33 minutes of activity [2]. </span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Those without dogs spend a mere 80 minutes per week at the gym or heading out for a jog. However, 47% of non-pet owners admit they do absolutely NO exercise [2].</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">And who’s happier? A whopping 86% of dog owners reported enjoying the time they spend walking their dogs while a mere 16% reported enjoying their time spent at the gym [2].</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I almost wish I owned a more athletic breed of dog. Lily is athletic for a bulldog, but that isn't saying much... <br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">And last night (after boot camp, no less!)<b> I met a fellow <a href="http://nicolegeurin.wordpress.com/">bloggie</a> for a beer </b>(go check her out, her blog is pretty awesome!). And we have a freakish amount in common...</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">- both named "Nicole"</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">- she is from Tulsa, I am living in Tulsa</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">- both RD's!</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">- both have important people in our life named "Rob/Robbie"</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">- both 24</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Crazy, huh?! It was great to talk and network with another RD! Thanks for meeting with me, Nicole!! Safe travels back to Cali!<br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Questions:</span></span></b></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Have you ever met a "blog friend" IRL (in real life)? Maybe at FNCE or somewhere similar?</span></span></b></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><b style="color: #351c75;">If you are a pet owner, how many times a week would you say you walk your dog?</b></span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><b style="color: #38761d;">How many hours a week, realistically, do you spend online blogging/Facebooking/emailing friends, etc. (non-work related, basically)? </b></span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="color: black;">I would have to say I spend <i>at least</i> 9 hours a week online/blogging/emailing/Facebooking in a week -- most of which takes place on the weekends. Eek! </span></span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="color: black;">And we walk Lily about 5 times a week for 20 minutes a pop...failing on that one, too! </span><br />
</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32862449/ns/health-fitness/">[1]</a>. Main, Emily. Overweight? Blame the Internet. MSNBC. November 29, 2009.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/dietandfitness/6666409/Average-dog-owner-gets-more-exercise-than-gym-goers.html">[2]</a>. Average dog owner ‘gets more exercise than gym-goers’. Telegraph. November 27, 2009.</span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> <br />
</span></span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-58621380846271280362009-11-30T06:19:00.001-06:002009-11-30T06:20:32.647-06:00Plantains, Trees, and Pancakes<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I have officially fried twice in my LIFE. Yesterday, husband and I fried up (in canola oil) a plantain, sprinkled with ground sea salt. Yummm! Husband wasn't expecting to enjoy plantains, but he gives them a thumbs up! Surprise, surprise!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2lgAGf0JwatRXLiapu4eX4u_RoQxnliBZMDGivOXH8iQFXKT-h6Nr8oAWsilnAkKTqhp-o1ODs5lEFpYAnW1I8z1zZL_Iouhql5bbaga37BAJwvwrhEiOSG0Db0GrOHiXHn_jwNt29Q/s1600/IMG_1526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2lgAGf0JwatRXLiapu4eX4u_RoQxnliBZMDGivOXH8iQFXKT-h6Nr8oAWsilnAkKTqhp-o1ODs5lEFpYAnW1I8z1zZL_Iouhql5bbaga37BAJwvwrhEiOSG0Db0GrOHiXHn_jwNt29Q/s400/IMG_1526.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Looks like one huge, bruised banana..but not the same!!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WuqDJV_b1QLoHtW4IG1BbmkAce5o0q-TU52QWVp1cKQhVkHmC61yubiJEIAG8oSijv_Pui6jvhRPfhbxNiz8jQtCw8T1synBQT_IamfWO4iX0pGEECFHz38b_GUx3uJfLomT_LpdDyc/s1600/IMG_1527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WuqDJV_b1QLoHtW4IG1BbmkAce5o0q-TU52QWVp1cKQhVkHmC61yubiJEIAG8oSijv_Pui6jvhRPfhbxNiz8jQtCw8T1synBQT_IamfWO4iX0pGEECFHz38b_GUx3uJfLomT_LpdDyc/s400/IMG_1527.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> My second attempt at frying was a success compared to my falafel several weeks back. Though, frying will obviously never be something REMOTELY "regular" in this household!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJiLvaSe2Tn5_jDASQfeD7Sc7AizWbAAVmiJ7wgFEs5PCR8k_uqUiiNyrezsJhSJzkY6lZEHXrUp3qm_B43d-mlKoUfRBzQcqu3IBUqofwu8134ZmSsvkPMAyefMLp2KxjMCGcoGBciE/s1600/IMG_1533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJiLvaSe2Tn5_jDASQfeD7Sc7AizWbAAVmiJ7wgFEs5PCR8k_uqUiiNyrezsJhSJzkY6lZEHXrUp3qm_B43d-mlKoUfRBzQcqu3IBUqofwu8134ZmSsvkPMAyefMLp2KxjMCGcoGBciE/s400/IMG_1533.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Fried Plantains -- very popular Puerto Rican food<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">And like many others out there, we have officially decked out the crib for the season encroaching! We purchased a fake tree at Hobby Lobby last year AFTER Christmas (hello, 75% off sales!!). Mark also won the ornament battle -- we have a tree decorated in <span style="color: orange;">orange</span> and <span style="color: blue;">blue</span>. Yes, Go Illini! <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGC31ApOvKWFtl-Rdj7NXzSdS0tmY-Qz4i8YRXHCFxBPJrs9WjG_ZaetYdy9Xa8XVWZzLxltU6kWpuR8O6Dxz554iBumtBNXA7GzL1fvmnEDL_vksGSb9yzw8zwOXzPzcfHe1grz1Rpw/s1600/IMG_1535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGC31ApOvKWFtl-Rdj7NXzSdS0tmY-Qz4i8YRXHCFxBPJrs9WjG_ZaetYdy9Xa8XVWZzLxltU6kWpuR8O6Dxz554iBumtBNXA7GzL1fvmnEDL_vksGSb9yzw8zwOXzPzcfHe1grz1Rpw/s400/IMG_1535.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> That THING to the left of our tree is a University of Illinois "Sky Box" (AKA vending machine). *eye roll*...when will my house <i><b>NOT </b></i>look like a bachelor pad?<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQBHq-mSkQkHVb9UW8MkcNJmQVD8VWaFYlUV37e4t5qtlQQD1ya9r_iai5Kc2pMTFXuOd_YcwXTdEUKMsnfgydQnd4thy_cTwS1PAOpuzf0-KR2xtbx0K-tyHIuK73t7T-ZA6hHyDlFg/s1600/IMG_1537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQBHq-mSkQkHVb9UW8MkcNJmQVD8VWaFYlUV37e4t5qtlQQD1ya9r_iai5Kc2pMTFXuOd_YcwXTdEUKMsnfgydQnd4thy_cTwS1PAOpuzf0-KR2xtbx0K-tyHIuK73t7T-ZA6hHyDlFg/s400/IMG_1537.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Husband and Lily.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">We put the tree in our third bedroom because Lily loves to eat anything and everything she's not supposed to. Next year, I look forward to having the tree in the living room where I can enjoy it every night. I do have a mini tree in the kitchen, though...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Last night we tried<b style="color: #b45f06;"> PUMPKIN PANCAKES</b>! Allison emailed me this recipe for the Newman's Own Organics Giveaway and her winning entry was the recipe. <b>Thank you, Allison</b>...and keep an eye out for that package, it went out today!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLtpGf9oFmmHGZLGIHnKVrAKDZHuePxzcUwnHkfYdYfwH2OoVRv6eZGkyb7d32OTAamcjKmrYIA0ViSTsoPywliFbP1thENfFPktYXQJhH34BfCJDaxsICtd8q6jdRLFUkDEUPhJDPgY/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLtpGf9oFmmHGZLGIHnKVrAKDZHuePxzcUwnHkfYdYfwH2OoVRv6eZGkyb7d32OTAamcjKmrYIA0ViSTsoPywliFbP1thENfFPktYXQJhH34BfCJDaxsICtd8q6jdRLFUkDEUPhJDPgY/s400/IMG_1541.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Um, YUMMMMMMMMMMM<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OO2_ZiXgMDCz-KdqUGCr7f7NSmBxTEc8-Z2LumQNBvnElEFRDgvbPw78eExnhoLNzxI56yfC_HQUK__mX9N8ToFSJC1spa0_zBU9IS27sjSv8pVrfYnFQf59eJNqq2Zs2VJHoIo1Sk0/s1600/IMG_1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OO2_ZiXgMDCz-KdqUGCr7f7NSmBxTEc8-Z2LumQNBvnElEFRDgvbPw78eExnhoLNzxI56yfC_HQUK__mX9N8ToFSJC1spa0_zBU9IS27sjSv8pVrfYnFQf59eJNqq2Zs2VJHoIo1Sk0/s400/IMG_1543.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> A dollop of FF Cool Whip and a sprinkle of cinnamon..nom nom nom!!!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b> Pumpkin Pancakes</b><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">From Allison</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">2 cups whole wheat flour<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">1 cup oats<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">1 tsp baking soda<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">2 tsp baking powder<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">1 Tbsp sugar<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">1 tsp cinnamon<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">1 tsp pumpkin pie spice<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">2 eggs<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">2 tsp vanilla<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">1 cup milk<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">1 cup water<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">1 cup pumpkin<br />
</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">In a mixing bowl, stir together dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine eggs, vanilla, milk, water, and pumpkin. Add liquid to dry ingredients. Stir mixture until well blended.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto griddle. Cook until golden brown.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I served with fat-free Cool Whip and cinnamon. Husband used maple syrup. Both were delicious! <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Questions:</b><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Have you ever tried plantains? How were they prepared? Did you like them?</b><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #0b5394;">Do you have a fake Christmas tree or real Christmas tree?</b><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-24376727051227004822009-11-29T11:14:00.001-06:002009-11-29T18:38:28.537-06:00Airport Mishap, Larabars, and Giveaway Winners!<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Firstly, I have missed the blog world!</b> My brief 2 1/2 days in Chicago were jam-packed with family, friends, and food. I look forward to catching up my blog-rollers today at some point!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Mom and I did manage to squeeze in a step class yesterday morning. It was supposed to be step + strength, but she decided to kick our butts with an hour of step. It annoyed me to great lengths that the instructor of the class did her helicopters going the opposite way I've learned...so I had trouble keeping up with those because my body knew what it wanted to do already!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">And then my luck continued at O'Hare Security...<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Background story: In April (I think it was April) heading back to Tulsa from my Bachelorette Party, I forgot about a can of hairspray in my carry-on. My bag got searched and my poor, over-loaded packing skills allowed for "Tickle His Pickle," lingerie, personal lubricants, and all other sex-related personal items given to me by <i>friends</i>, to spew from my suitcase as the older gentleman searched the bag and stander-byes pointed, snickered, and laughed. I tried explaining that it was my Bachelorette Party this weekend and I was heading for home, but I just received an annoyed <i><b>"whatever, nympho"</b></i> stink eye. A-w-k-w-a-r-d.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Fast-forward to yesterday when my handbag didn't make it through the scanner. A gentlemen asked me to step to the side, and asked if there was anything in my bag he needed to know about, as he searched my bag. Told me not to touch anything. He pulled out books, iPod, magazines, wallet, sunglasses, gum...the usual. He ran the bag again and again it looked suspicious. In the VERY VERY bottom of my bag was a <b>paring knife</b> I had brought to work to cut up an apple WEEKS ago. So the security guy <b>1) thought I was lying because I didn't tell him it was in there when he asked (didn't know!!!!), 2) it was shoved to the bottom, and 3) it was wrapped in a paper towel and Ziplock</b>. Thank goodness I don't look like a crazy person? Scarily, that same knife was in my bag coming from Tulsa to Chicago. Hmmm. Anyways, husband was pretty embarrassed.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Thankfully we're driving up for Christmas? :)<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">While in Chicago, I was able to visit my personal paradise:<b> TRADER JOE'S!!! </b>I don't know what was more exciting, the wine sample guy being from south Tulsa and nearly demanding we try every wine he had, or that I finally found these<span style="color: #741b47;"> LARABARS</span> everyone's been raving about! Trader Joe's was a much-needed fix in this RD's heart. Oh, and Chianti...had to get SEVERAL bottles of the various Chianti's TJ's carries...Mmm!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovtj3cyqbS2Xf5J9xBCMuZg1m50SI8YifUrSQxHAbRPMrG20BhM0Jb_dl3dUWY-VMkKesxg0FOz-1mMOjtnUhLkbzmXIgx3bk9qMJk1MxI0QOncPfgVnir0LPU2WV622Kxw6xIWFYbhA/s1600/wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovtj3cyqbS2Xf5J9xBCMuZg1m50SI8YifUrSQxHAbRPMrG20BhM0Jb_dl3dUWY-VMkKesxg0FOz-1mMOjtnUhLkbzmXIgx3bk9qMJk1MxI0QOncPfgVnir0LPU2WV622Kxw6xIWFYbhA/s400/wine.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Ends up, these LARABARS are worth the chatter. I tried the "Cherry Pie" bar this morning and it was <i>delicious</i>! These bars are 190-210 calories and loaded with MUFA's and PUFA's...mostly MUFA's! They're like a protein bar in consistency, but the protein content is low-to-moderate -- the bars are high in fat and carbohydrates. The "Cherry Pie" LARABAR contained NO sodium, 350 mg potassium, 4 grams of fiber, and 5 grams of MUFA's. The ingredients? Get ready.....dates, almonds, unsweetened cherries. The bars are gluten, dairy, and soy free and also contain 2 grams of omega-6's. Wish it was omega-3's but nonetheless, thumbs up, LARABAR!!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxhxvhTENiRWN7YAJTmPvumUpFMw6IRGMm7Tya1C73wrUcPrQ1YkiiHjDVUiuqWMQ6R32MOxfXlUKgOKPfVb7GAtwIuzbW6nWFn5h7X7NgtakAFh2gC2X4-uBB0kL2ivT7pfllHA8_YM/s1600/IMG_1521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxhxvhTENiRWN7YAJTmPvumUpFMw6IRGMm7Tya1C73wrUcPrQ1YkiiHjDVUiuqWMQ6R32MOxfXlUKgOKPfVb7GAtwIuzbW6nWFn5h7X7NgtakAFh2gC2X4-uBB0kL2ivT7pfllHA8_YM/s400/IMG_1521.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Lots to try!<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9E5StNjThv74fkNeKqop0taeAxmXexmX_ES7udeOjBTYLs1pGI4usRJETzjHiWDd41kBJjg3JKmo2pgjggyqrR90UMQ7-138KkdIzQ4NtMbwRw8Lw43PfEuGT6-X1uGANHQiIweNvEWM/s1600/IMG_1522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9E5StNjThv74fkNeKqop0taeAxmXexmX_ES7udeOjBTYLs1pGI4usRJETzjHiWDd41kBJjg3JKmo2pgjggyqrR90UMQ7-138KkdIzQ4NtMbwRw8Lw43PfEuGT6-X1uGANHQiIweNvEWM/s400/IMG_1522.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Complaint: Size. I wanted more!!</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>And, of course...Newman's Own Organics GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!!</b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Allison and Andrea!! </span></span><br />
</b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Giveaway 1: The Cookie Monster</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Newman's Own Organics Champion Chip Cookies (Chocolate)<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Newman's Own Organics Ginger Hermits<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Newman's Own Organics 54% cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #cc0000;">Winner of Giveaway #1: Allison!!!!</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">(THANK YOU for the pumpkin pancake recipe -- making them tonight!!)<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Giveaway 2: The Smorgasborg</b> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> Newman's Own Organics White Cheddar Soy Crisps</o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p>Newman's Own Organics California Prunes</o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Newman's Own Organics 54% cocoa Espresso Dark Chocolate Bar</span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="color: #cc0000;">Winner of Giveaway #2: Andrea of <a href="http://www.andreaswellnessnotes.com/">Andrea's Wellness Notes </a></b></span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Send me your addresses, ladies and I'll hopefully get those out to you tomorrow!</b></span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="color: #cc0000;"> </b><span style="color: blue;">Mrs.RD44@gmail.com</span></span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thank you to all for participating!!</span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Off to pick-up our pup who's been at over-night camp for 3 days now...can't wait to see baby girl! Have a wonderful Sunday, bloggies!<br />
</span></o:p></span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-85214575851739874892009-11-27T16:03:00.000-06:002009-11-27T16:03:14.251-06:00'Twas the day after a foodie's happiest of days...<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Ends up, mom read my blog post containing my pecan pie cup rant. And upon my arrival to Chicago, a pecan pie had made it's way into our Thanksgiving dessert line-up. While that was not by design, my Thanksgiving was complete by a small piece of delicious, savory, rich pecan pie. And just for confirmation, I tried a bite of a pecan pie cup. It was all crust, not the ooey-gooey deliciousness defining pecan pie. So, yep, pecan PIE is a Thanksgiving staple for all years to come.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Also in the T-day line up were: turkey, dressing, cranberries, sweet potatoes, jello salad, green beans, cornbread pudding, cheesy broccoli, and....pecan pie. Some delicious African red wine, as well! Mmm! I stuck to one plate, which I did not finish and one slice of pie for dessert. <span style="color: #a64d79;">All-in-all, a successful, delicious, satisfying meal without going over the threshold of gluttony. </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Mom and I were supposed to go to the gym this morning, however, I over-slept. With puppy being back in Tulsa, I found myself rising at 10am! Oops! Tomorrow...8am...step class + strength class.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Anyone get in a good workout today? Yesterday?? Black Friday participants out there???</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">We had an amazing Indian lunch with my friend, AJ and now we're off to see "The Blind Side"...I've been wanting to see it since the previews started running in theatres MONTHS ago!! <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I hope you all had a wonderful, safe, and delicious Thanksgiving! Don't forget to enter in to my <a href="http://preventionrd.blogspot.com/2009/11/seriously-seriously-and-psssta-giveaway.html">Newman's Own Organics Giveaway</a>!</span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-44860257287114123922009-11-25T14:03:00.001-06:002009-11-25T17:51:32.684-06:00Seriously? …Seriously? (and pssst...a Giveaway!)<div style="text-align: center;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNICOLE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C03%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><o:smarttagtype name="State" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name="City" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle15
{mso-style-type:personal;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
color:windowtext;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none;
text-decoration:none;
text-line-through:none;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1891451252;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-853789808 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.1in 0.0001pt 0.3in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">“</span><b style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?”</b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><b style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-Erma Bombeck</b></span><o:p></o:p><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I’m talking to my mom on my way to work this morning, requesting my favorite coffee creamer while she was grocery shopping. Mom just happens to mention, <span style="color: #674ea7;">“Well, the store was out of pecan pies, so I got pecan pie cups. Good portion control, right?”</span> Where do I begin with the <i>wrongness</i> of this all.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Pecan pie should be homemade.<o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pecan pie cups? Give me a break. No pumpkin PIE is the equivalent of Christmas without a Christmas tree littering gifts beneath it.</b><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I feel so shafted already. Pecan pie is a once-a-year-can’t-live-without-it STAPLE. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Holds. </span><st1:place style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Me.</st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Together. All. Year. Treat. </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As un-healthy as that little tantrum is, I could’ve verbally berated husband last night after he decided he NEEDED (yes, NEEDED) Buffalo Wild Wings. Let’s not be confused here, I love anything involving wing sauce -- it’s a guilty pleasure. Just look to the right there and you can see that SEVERAL of my “must-try” recipes contain wing sauce. However, BW3’s is 30 minutes away from home and I had a headache and a wonderful, healthy pad Thai dinner planned. But no, husband </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">NEEDED</b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> wings. So, off we go at 8:30pm (had to wait til the game was on!), only to arrive and find that both the restaurant </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> inhaler-requiring bar were filled to capacity and there was a 40-minute wait. On a Tuesday. One would think they were <i>GIVING AWAY </i>$0.40 wings, my goodness! After flashing him a stink face </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> a blatant, annoyed eye roll, we left BW3’s for a silent 30-minute commute back home.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am a man. I do NOT want to watch games (football, basketball, or otherwise) that I care about in a bar watching a TV without volume and obnoxious patrons taking away from my viewing experience. Which leads me to the acceptance of a sad truth: </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am old</b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">. On a Tuesday evening after an 11-hour work day, I want to be a homebody. I want to be in my warm house, in my cuddly clothes, enjoying healthy, homemade food, watching and listening to my sporting pleasure! Last night being Fighting Illini men’s basketball.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Is anyone else a huge homebody, especially once the fall and winter seasons encroach?</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">My crankiness subsided this morning when I opened my office door to a package from <a href="http://www.newmansownorganics.com/">Newman's Owns Organics</a> (not to be confused with Newman's Own). I've heard a lot about Newman's Owns Organics (NOO's) and I was interested in sampling some of their products. Well, let's just say I received an early Christmas gift this year! Check out the loot...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9D5GSGU_2RoQbX3h2tOkwS-wmiWsoGyqdBMcwfSALRAphV-BfS30Y6PfvC0-W8pTpYBA31XXJN6QyfeuwJKOux7BhGdCiycHYHoNq-YoHN2_y2OgmjFa7WN3M4JhFmiBqePb-OFi-tL8/s1600/box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9D5GSGU_2RoQbX3h2tOkwS-wmiWsoGyqdBMcwfSALRAphV-BfS30Y6PfvC0-W8pTpYBA31XXJN6QyfeuwJKOux7BhGdCiycHYHoNq-YoHN2_y2OgmjFa7WN3M4JhFmiBqePb-OFi-tL8/s400/box.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> Thank you, Newman's Own Organics!! <3<br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlBVLPG7AmkdkvdezMncXXdTKws1APyEih8eocBbSfUCumU_nDK07uJB1ErVEz8ezKIGnIKbNduqvuE34jkQKqBN2kXu_5iwne64-KoZ7DWRgUGfG1W6m92w2kxT6n8wFTPVzUIEZADQ/s1600/loot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlBVLPG7AmkdkvdezMncXXdTKws1APyEih8eocBbSfUCumU_nDK07uJB1ErVEz8ezKIGnIKbNduqvuE34jkQKqBN2kXu_5iwne64-KoZ7DWRgUGfG1W6m92w2kxT6n8wFTPVzUIEZADQ/s400/loot.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Food models, mess, lunch (upper right), Zevia (upper left)...and the loot, scattered! My office is atrocious!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6HuFMiDwu1dLIxNMcwcVOGTSZn7BEBnrWPupfCKguqK7bPkXMK-zPwJKCquriBLwsh1l1VM2lWEu08-Ho_Ym-uJ70xpXEIGMzV_OE0i-kLimKCfAIre2EuYpueEmDTzI5Jot7fldf4A/s1600/cookies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6HuFMiDwu1dLIxNMcwcVOGTSZn7BEBnrWPupfCKguqK7bPkXMK-zPwJKCquriBLwsh1l1VM2lWEu08-Ho_Ym-uJ70xpXEIGMzV_OE0i-kLimKCfAIre2EuYpueEmDTzI5Jot7fldf4A/s400/cookies1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> An array of cookies...chocolate, Arrowroot, and chocolate chip!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPF8XfBlxQIH9oMtmFPu7zveVVXi0vPF7akox1vT2-M0OC3bbJs49siB6BTG5-pMjhjgcRixO3kh7g7y_fWfiJ1oqBh1o3DvBOyj8BsCny2XKExy4NcjZhZw9zeHibRtLJZvlrhlKlJ4/s1600/chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPF8XfBlxQIH9oMtmFPu7zveVVXi0vPF7akox1vT2-M0OC3bbJs49siB6BTG5-pMjhjgcRixO3kh7g7y_fWfiJ1oqBh1o3DvBOyj8BsCny2XKExy4NcjZhZw9zeHibRtLJZvlrhlKlJ4/s400/chocolate.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Choooooooocolate! Need I say more? Note: that dark chocolate bar<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">on the left is opened...I wonder who did that!!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh2ZxAAP8V_qxh3uLSVU4aPNzKO4YvccD4PtUew80ID7yWLC_ezR1jJuY3bv7sxvJ7ClGI4YEko1bx_KA7dW8GOfGcawjF4z1M3YU0wnKELjJQmh75j4JbgjL-MCy4OUgL5CrAQ43P3c/s1600/fig+newmans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh2ZxAAP8V_qxh3uLSVU4aPNzKO4YvccD4PtUew80ID7yWLC_ezR1jJuY3bv7sxvJ7ClGI4YEko1bx_KA7dW8GOfGcawjF4z1M3YU0wnKELjJQmh75j4JbgjL-MCy4OUgL5CrAQ43P3c/s400/fig+newmans.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Fat-free AND low-fat Fig Newmans...love the play on words : )<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaKqD5Es6JoNonJvL2Fl4wpxpZzJLVYwW4hjj4DQre9c-qhG7EVXLHMWIzbvPbfMnmU6_sOyT9hohUUtSjYJHrca9yHtdNifH1X22zR1UsrNTI4mgqiOIQZWFaTKtXqUezWT23PQeXlQ/s1600/fruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaKqD5Es6JoNonJvL2Fl4wpxpZzJLVYwW4hjj4DQre9c-qhG7EVXLHMWIzbvPbfMnmU6_sOyT9hohUUtSjYJHrca9yHtdNifH1X22zR1UsrNTI4mgqiOIQZWFaTKtXqUezWT23PQeXlQ/s400/fruit.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Dried fruit...prunes, apricots, apples, and berry blend. The apples are delicious! They are completely all-natural in taste, not all pumped up with sugar!!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUNUHAqAiy1_soIDFK6X85GCjJ72bWLCXfTBk5saOs3AuMPd86Pk53o3pFugwSAUeNz8jI3WNKPoWF9psPi9MXNPfwywDqmRE7lm6GxjFzajDKQQfDLJFemAXZPWolnTxjY0UirSUZ1s/s1600/hermits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUNUHAqAiy1_soIDFK6X85GCjJ72bWLCXfTBk5saOs3AuMPd86Pk53o3pFugwSAUeNz8jI3WNKPoWF9psPi9MXNPfwywDqmRE7lm6GxjFzajDKQQfDLJFemAXZPWolnTxjY0UirSUZ1s/s400/hermits.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>For my afternoon snack, I had 2 original Hermits. Um, DELICIOUS! They are so moist and rich in flavor...love them!! Favorite taste from Newman's Own Organics thus far!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeBr1hzndCrWUafSghiCxtPYU1ouSTIs90h2lkbcHXQufyo5J23xMCC84XN48DsOWnbWhJcE8tq28CVSi7-9QXHNrTT3dXoW7Q8h4ROOFgM3spJCsFXEoVnDgF2J6QwpwUZuc-LRsguI/s1600/mint+rolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeBr1hzndCrWUafSghiCxtPYU1ouSTIs90h2lkbcHXQufyo5J23xMCC84XN48DsOWnbWhJcE8tq28CVSi7-9QXHNrTT3dXoW7Q8h4ROOFgM3spJCsFXEoVnDgF2J6QwpwUZuc-LRsguI/s400/mint+rolls.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mint rolls -- Peppermint, Wintergreen, Ginger, and Hot (not pictured, oops!) <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWaAys3CbRZrF5Q_6YTOWkRlE9-wpmvXEkW0MpxsRqAn6n6kkrDttex8eX7813d9e9B8YJXHbtUf0DMcN0O9M-By466ThDMrz1dDBoBIOy1o4D685JcYnSibea0j3hr9r0eksoo6BXz8/s1600/newmans+o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWaAys3CbRZrF5Q_6YTOWkRlE9-wpmvXEkW0MpxsRqAn6n6kkrDttex8eX7813d9e9B8YJXHbtUf0DMcN0O9M-By466ThDMrz1dDBoBIOy1o4D685JcYnSibea0j3hr9r0eksoo6BXz8/s400/newmans+o.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Newman's O's -- Chocolate and Mint!!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_-rhYz8KXnlcfPiXrgMAyxxJP1mOUQ0j32PN-5izWM_3OdeQvAL_z1qQeo238XxrsjrDMVwvy7Q1II36O-ZjaoVVYS8hfwgRZ7eEFuZ0fa2ARX5bxgidglHptqTgcl6ES2h3MdyCvGs/s1600/pretzels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_-rhYz8KXnlcfPiXrgMAyxxJP1mOUQ0j32PN-5izWM_3OdeQvAL_z1qQeo238XxrsjrDMVwvy7Q1II36O-ZjaoVVYS8hfwgRZ7eEFuZ0fa2ARX5bxgidglHptqTgcl6ES2h3MdyCvGs/s400/pretzels.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> There was a 3rd bag, but one of my patient's ate them. Thumbs up! Especially excited about the protein pretzels!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUMlj3jpZI5qZXHgcjYYj5SkazGBXkTONVRS-tx8bPxRev9fX_4_LoizH_76cJEoQxAU-6ivBoCTAZuTsmvGzsKro_lrZt20_QJMqm9HeWg24rAR6ab98GBFT8tb31IKnpohEbWu3I9M/s1600/soy+crisps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUMlj3jpZI5qZXHgcjYYj5SkazGBXkTONVRS-tx8bPxRev9fX_4_LoizH_76cJEoQxAU-6ivBoCTAZuTsmvGzsKro_lrZt20_QJMqm9HeWg24rAR6ab98GBFT8tb31IKnpohEbWu3I9M/s400/soy+crisps.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Soy crisps! Can't wait to try!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqU2VUePJGoTejKdL46QyP2m_La6xtQq8z8duYvaLLLvjX19M-b0PsL6DQrgLruaxdAY-aXI4bnCwo3a7r73QKObBi-eReeN6FUTdYYwtXFOECGQzjr-7rworGCr9DFWpLALRfvgGQdXo/s1600/mits2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqU2VUePJGoTejKdL46QyP2m_La6xtQq8z8duYvaLLLvjX19M-b0PsL6DQrgLruaxdAY-aXI4bnCwo3a7r73QKObBi-eReeN6FUTdYYwtXFOECGQzjr-7rworGCr9DFWpLALRfvgGQdXo/s400/mits2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Hot, Wintergreen, Ginger (yum!), and peppermint mints. The ginger ones are delicious!!!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdC17DRdGojcr9fDsC4qnMDh8facE1B5LSwVFA5CQQQLqJ9lSJ9Elqal5vBaX_ZsSzdyX71ZA3BjIgjwJSEpu5WlACjRJUFhhyphenhyphenv51B-iKtnpVaJqCPiuvgpn8LjDTt313og91eCJu_Fg/s1600/doggie+treats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdC17DRdGojcr9fDsC4qnMDh8facE1B5LSwVFA5CQQQLqJ9lSJ9Elqal5vBaX_ZsSzdyX71ZA3BjIgjwJSEpu5WlACjRJUFhhyphenhyphenv51B-iKtnpVaJqCPiuvgpn8LjDTt313og91eCJu_Fg/s400/doggie+treats.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>And Newman's Own Organics even sent something for the puppy -- dog treats! Lily gives the salmon and sweet potato treats a high-five (and my dog gives high-5's, no joke!)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">And since 'tis the season to be giving...a GIVEAWAY for you all! And because that box weighs about 25 pounds!!! <span style="color: #0b5394;">THANK YOU, NEWMAN'S OWN ORGANICS!!!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>NEWMAN'S OWNS ORGANICS GIVEAWAY!!!!!!! </b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There will be 2 winners as there's plenty of goodies to go around...</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> <br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Giveaway 1: The Cookie Monster</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Newman's Own Organics Champion Chip Cookies (Chocolate)<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Newman's Own Organics Ginger Hermits<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Newman's Own Organics 54% cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Giveaway 2: The Smorgasbord</b><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> Newman's Own Organics White Cheddar Soy Crisps</o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p>Newman's Own Organics California Prunes</o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Newman's Own Organics 54% cocoa Espresso Dark Chocolate Bar</span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How to enter? Lots of ways! </span></o:p></b></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Enter up to 4 times by doing one, two, three...or all of the following:</span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
</o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1. <b>Post a comment</b> with your giveaway selection preference below (1 or 2, see above)</span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2. <b>Tweet </b>about this giveaway and leave a comment with a link back to your tweet, </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">or follow me @PreventionRD<br />
</span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">3. If you're a blogger, <b>post </b>about this Newman's Own Organics Giveaway with a link back to this post on your blog. Leave a comment below containing your blog/post link!</span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">4. <b>Email me</b> a favorite, healthy recipe at <span style="color: blue;">Mrs.RD44@gmail.com </span><br />
</span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Entries will be taken through Sunday, November 29th at 12pm (Central Time) and the winners will be announced on my Sunday blog post!</span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sampled thus far: 70% cocoa organic chocolate bar (super yum!) and organic dried apples. Mmm!</span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A patient this morning had to fast for a late lab appointment and by the time he made it over to my office for his nutrition appointment, he was so hungry he had a headache. I handed my country bumpkin of a patient Newman's Own Organics salted pretzels, and that country bumpkin chowed down. And believe you me, I'd have heard about it if he didn't love'em! Thumbs up, Newman's Own Organics!!<br />
</span></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Looking forward to Pad Thai tonight and an early departure to </span><st1:city style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> tomorrow morning! If our flight is delayed, we’ll be missing Thanksgiving dinner. Wish us luck, O’Hare doesn’t have the best of records when it comes to flight delays.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Have a wonderful, safe, healthful, and relaxing Thanksgiving!</span></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-45562150216146767532009-11-24T16:32:00.000-06:002009-11-24T16:32:22.585-06:00Apple cider vinegar for me, please.<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">If my memory serves me correctly, I was on the "Apple Cider Vinegar Diet" just before converting to Atkins. Yep, 10 years ago I would've done just about<i> anything</i> to not be a size 16 high school freshmen, much less worthy of a Homecoming date other than my BFF. Sob story over. Of course I "saw the light" and am today embarrassed to even admit to my past weight loss endeavors. But hey, most of us have been there at some point in our lives. Well, a lot of us, anyways...<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Ends up, vinegar does show some favorable results. While I cannot personally confirm those results myself (as far as weight loss is concerned, anyways), research is in support.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">According to <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/apple-cider-vinegar?page=2">WebMD</a>:<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Diabetes.</b></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">The effect of vinegar on blood glucose levels is perhaps the best-researched and the most promising of apple cider vinegar's possible health benefits. Several studies have found that vinegar may help lower glucose levels. For instance, one 2007 study of 11 people with type 2 diabetes found that taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed lowered glucose levels in the morning by 4%-6%.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Weight Loss. </b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">For thousands of years, vinegar has been used for weight loss. White vinegar (and perhaps other types) might help people feel full. A 2005 study of 12 people found that those who ate a piece of bread along with small amounts of white vinegar felt fuller and more satisfied than those who just ate the bread. </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/health/24really.html?ref=health">article</a> published in the <i>New York Times</i> states, "One study by Italian researches showed, for example, that when healthy subjects consumed about 4 teaspoons (20 milliliters) of white vinegar as a salad dressing with a meal that included white bread with a little less than 2 ounces (50 grams) of carbohydrates, there was a 30 percent reduction in their glycemic response, or rise in blood sugar, compared with subjects who had salad with a dressing made from neutralized vinegar. In 2004, a study published in Diabetes Care, a journal of the American Diabetes Association, found similar effects in people with diabetes or insulin resistance who consumed a vinegar solution or placebo before a carb-heavy meal." </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">This research was of interest especially since I specialize in diabetes. Who'd have thought apple cider vinegar did such wonders to blood glucose!? While this research is surely fun trivia knowledge, diabetics should obviously not put the fate of their disease on the shoulders of apple cider vinegar.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Have you ever tried something "fad" to lose weight or be healthy? A certain diet? Food product? Exercise? Routine? Supplement?<br />
</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I have a laundry list: Atkins, Apple Cider Vinegar Diet, South Beach...the list goes on and on. All I can say is that I've committed my life and career to healthful, balanced living, eating, and exercising! Live and learn, right?<br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-397812671493934378.post-56673436432994598452009-11-23T15:10:00.001-06:002009-11-23T15:10:47.994-06:00Surviving the Holidays<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CNICOLE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><span style="font-size: small;"><o:smarttagtype name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype></span><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle15
{mso-style-type:personal;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
color:windowtext;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none;
text-underline:none;
text-decoration:none;
text-line-through:none;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Today at work was holiday season meal #1. Because let’s be honest, the temptations of the holiday season are all but limited to Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. </span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Our work place hosted a pot luck Thanksgiving meal and let’s just say there was an <i>abundance</i> of temptations. While I showed up with my salad with Honey Goat Cheese dressing, others showed up with the classics: <b>candied sweet potatoes, homemade mac’n cheese, cranberries, green beans, corn casserole, mashed potatoes, homemade hot rolls, turkey, dressing, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and coconut pie</b>. Morning meetings could not get over quickly enough. Once the line formed for the buffet, it took all the will-power in me to keep from cutting to the front of the line or physically scooting along the slow-poke in front of me. Yummm! Doesn’t food always taste better when you’re not the one cooking and cleaning up after it?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In true RD fashion, I tried a little bit of the most eye-catching dishes, and only one dessert: pumpkin pie cheesecake. I forgot to mention that one…but yes, there was pumpkin pie cheesecake and yes, it was as decadent as it sounds. I dug deep and limited to <b>one</b> plate of small portions. After all, negative behaviors cannot be reinforced by the dietitian’s lacking self control!! Just wouldn’t do good things for my<b><i> street cred</i></b>, you know?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">A lot of my patients dread the holidays because of the implication is has on their waste line. Rest assured, self and all others, the holidays are not a time for expansion! Or guilt! <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Here are some tips from your <span style="color: #a64d79;">resident dietitian blog friend </span>to get you through this season without any added poundage.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t go hungry. </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Hello, this is no different than grocery shopping, folks. Hungry bellies lead to bad decisions in excess. <st1:place w:st="on">Holiday</st1:place> parties and meals are NO exception.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bring something to share.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Nine times out of ten, you’re not alone in your healthy-eating indeavors. A lot of your friends, family, and co-workers are also watching something…whether it be their blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, or weight. Healthy options are <i>always </i>appreciated. Plus, a plug for healthy, tasteful cooking is always a plus!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Limit the damage: calorie-free beverages to the rescue!</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Be careful of wasting calories. Beverages are easy ways to send your intake over the top. Opt out of alcohol, or drink in <i>moderation</i>. And drink plenty of water, please! Bring your favorite calorie-free soda or flavored water so that you are able to enjoy a beverage of your choice.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Distance yourself from temptation.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">If your family is anything like mine, desserts hang out <b>on</b> the table to taunt us all…nearly demanding second <i>and </i>third helpings. Same goes for appetizers. Put desserts and appetizers <i><b>away</b></i> from the crowd to avoid noshing and nibbling. BLT’s add up! <b>Bites, licks, and tastes, that is! </b>If appetizers and desserts are sitting out, position yourself <i>away</i> from the platters and plates. I once heard that you’re out of the<span style="color: red;"> “red zone”</span> once you’re 15 feet from food. Make it happen!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Always survey the options.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Have you ever taken too large of portions and ran out of room on your plate before you got half-way through the buffet line? Did you just say to yourself, “Oops! I’ll be back for that next year?” No. You pile your food into a monument of mistake, or come back around for all that you missed. </span></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Before you start filling your plate at meals and parties, see what’s on the menu so that you can prioritize what you want the most. The majority of people enjoy most foods on a Thanksgiving spread, but can pass by quite a bit without feeling at all shafted. Get what you REALLY want and move on.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wait it out.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">If you find yourself wishing for seconds, take a 10-15 minute breather before heading back for more. Have a glass of water and re-assess in a few.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Go with a plate method.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">If you’re serious about increasing the nutrition of your meal without the calories, opt for ½ your plate to be filled with vegetables and salad, ¼ to be filled with meat, and ¼ to be filled with potatoes, bread, casserole, etc. This insures you’re getting good balance and lowering the caloric damage of the meal.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Set goals.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Have a plan, write it down, and execute!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Start the day off right…exercise.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">While many gyms are closed on holidays, sign up to run a local race or commit to going on a walk or run the morning of a holiday. Starting off the day with exercise can not only help balance caloric intake, but also get the tone set for the day: balance and health.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t lose sight of what the holidays are about.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, <st1:place w:st="on">Kwanza</st1:place>, or Chrismakah (for any OC fans out there!)…food and feasts are inescapable. Yet, they are NOT the focal point of holidays…or shouldn’t be, anyways. Focus, rather, on family, friends, faith, and fun…food is far secondary to all aforementioned. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Nicole, RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00431793552104341942noreply@blogger.com9