Pear Buddhas!

Aww, what I wouldn't give to get my hand's on one of these! :)

(It'd be like a, "What would you do for a Klondike bar", kind of scenario).

Read more here: http://www.reuters.com/article/smallBusinessNews/idUSTRE58N3H920090924

Best-Ever Bisquick Waffles

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Heart-Smart Bisquick
• 1.25 cups fat-free milk
• 2 Tb granulated sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice*
• 1 Tb reduced-fat butter (I use country crock) -- melted (yields 2 Tb melted butter)
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg
  
  *The original recipe calls for 2 Tb but my mom advised me to only use 1 tsp and that is what I have always done
  
  Optional Topping Ideas (Will add extra points!):
• Light butter or margerine
• Light syrup
• Fresh fruit
• Powdered sugar
• 
  
• Directions:

Pre-heat waffle iron. (Mine has settings from 1-5 and I put it on 3). Spray waffle iron with fat-free cooking spray.

Stir all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until blended. Pour 1/2 cup batter at a time onto center of hot waffle iron. Close lid. Bake 3-4 minutes or until steaming stops.

Yields approx. 6 (6.5 inch) waffles / 4 points for waffle (without toppings)

Nutritional Info: (per waffle) 194 calories, 4.5 g. fat, 0 g. fiber (without toppings)

SOURCE: <http://shadesofjaim.com/recipes/waffles.html>

Newest Addition to the Clinger Clan

It's Shinji the beta fish!

Palio di Siena

Recently just saw a clip about the infamous, "Palio di Siena", that's held in Siena, Italy twice each year.

Interestingly enough, this particular race has no rules and unlike any other horse race it is the horse to make it past the finish line that wins (as few jockeys manage to hold on during the brutality).

Google it:)

Picture source: http://italia-portal.vps.it/upload/0106_06_palio_di_siena.jpg

Homemade Fiber One Bars

(Blogger's Note: SO incredibly filling!)

14 oz fat-free sweetened condensed milk

7 oz store-bought marshmallow creme

4 oz white chocolate chips

3 cup Fiber One

1 1/2 cup Wheat bran, unprocessed millers bran

2 cup uncooked quick oats

2 tsp vanilla extract

Nutritional Info

Fat: 3.1g

Carbohydrates: 37.2g

Calories:177.9

Protein: 5.2g

Combine condensed milk and marshmallow creme and melt on top of stove or in

microwave and stir in chips until melted. This could be done in a double

boiler,also.

Add vanilla and dry ingredients and mix well. Spray a 11X15 cookie sheet and

press mixture down with dampened hands. Cut into 24 bars. Cool then wrap and

store in the refrigerator.

Number of Servings: 24

Source: <http://mommysavers.com/boards/kitchen-chatter/69252-oatmeal-oatmeal-go-bars-fiber-one-bars-granola-bars-recipes-anyone.html>

Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)

Great Classic: A must-see! (and its always fun to see an incredibly young Gandalf in action:)

Kadhafi's (Unfortunate) Interpreter

That man deserves praise!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090925/od_afp/unassemblydiplomacylibyakadhafioffbeat_20090925194207

The "Nones"

Fascinating article posted by USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-09-22-no-religion_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Highlights:

•Not all Nones are alike. Half (51%) still believe in God or a higher power.

•Nones also are the only major U. S. faith group that's majority male. Even when girls grow up with unbelieving parents, they're more likely to find a faith as adults than their brothers.

"Women are also less skeptical than men and less drawn to irreligious and anti-religious views. They are more likely to reject a secular upbringing," Kosmin says.

•The percentage of atheist Nones — who say there's no such thing as God — hasn't budged in years.

One quirky fact: 33% of Nones claim Irish ancestry, although the U.S. Census says only 10% of the USA does.

Sir Winston Churchill Quotes

Why? Read and let the modern day correlations just come to you:)

"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile—hoping it will eat him last."

"Some see private enterprise as a predatory target to be shot, others as a cow to be milked, but few are those who see it as a sturdy horse pulling the wagon."

"We contend that for a nation to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle."

"A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject."

"If you have ten thousand regulations, you destroy all respect for the law."

"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is."

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."

"You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life."

Pie Crust

(Blogger's Note: Best pie crust recipe, hands down! (with that much butter it should be...hehe)

Ingredients:

1 tsp salt

2/3 cup very cold water

3 cups plus 3 tablespoons flour (460 g)

1 cup plus 5 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into 1 inch cubes (300 g)

To make the pie crust

I find using weights for measuring flour works MUCH better here, so weigh it if you have a scale.

In a small bowl, dissolve salt in very cold water and keep cold by sticking it in the freezer while you do the next steps.

To make dough with a mixer put flour in the work bowl, scatter butter over flour, and mix slowly until the mixture forms pea-sized crumbs. Add salted water and mix from low to very high for several seconds, until the dough comes together as a ball, but is not completely smooth (you should see some butter chunks).

At this point be careful not to handle the dough to much to keep it as tender as possible. On a floured surface, divide dough into two balls, shape into 2 thick disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

About 30 minutes to one hour before you bake the pie roll out one disk on a lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch thick, rolling from the center toward the edge in all directions, lifting and rotating the dough a quarter turn every few strokes. Transfer to the pie plate and press around all of the edges so the crust is flush with the plate. Fill with your pie filling as described below. Roll out the other disk as you did the first and lay over the pie. Trim both the top and bottom crusts so they extend only one inch off of the pie plate. Set the excess dough aside for cookies. Tuck the edges of the crust under and into the pie plate to seal them closed. Crimp if you would like to. Cut some vents in the top of the pie. Give it a good brush of egg wash or heavy cream. Set back into the refrigerator (uncovered is fine) for 30 minutes to one hour. Baking instructions are below.

Source: <http://breadbaby.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-life-in-pie.html>

Caramel Corn Puffs

(OH, so addictive!)

2 sticks butter

2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. Karo (light)

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp Kosher salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 package Cheetos butter flavored corn puffs

In a large saucepan, bring butter, brown sugar and Karo to a boil for 5 minutes stirring constantly. Stir in vanilla, salt and baking soda. (This will cause the mixture to bubble up.) Pour the corn puffs into a large bowl. Pour the mixture over the corn puffs and stir until well coated. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour. Turn and stir every 15 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire cooling rack. To store, place in a sealed air tight container.

Source: <http://dineanddish.net/2008/11/addictive-caramel-corn-puffs/>

Chocolate Sheet Cake

(Taste's exactly like Johnny Carino's!)

INGREDIENTS

For cake:

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 sticks butter

4 heaping tablespoons cocoa

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 beaten eggs

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

For icing:

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

1 3/4 sticks butter

4 heaping tablespoons cocoa

6 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 lb minus 1/2 cup powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

Combine in a mixing bowl:

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

In a saucepan, melt:

2 sticks butter

Add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa. Stir together.

Add 1 cup boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.

In measuring cup, pour 1/2 cup buttermilk.

Add:

2 beaten eggs

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes. (Mine took longer.)

While cake is baking, make icing:

Chop 1/2 cup pecans finely.

Melt 1 3/4 sticks butter in a saucepan.

Add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat.

Add:

6 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 lb minus 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Stir together.

Add pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.

Source: <http://teamsugar.com/1544251>

Dijon-Parmesan Chicken

3/4 cup Fiber One® original bran cereal 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper 1 egg white, beaten 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 lb) 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray. Place cereal in resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal bag and finely crush with rolling pin or meat mallet (or finely crush in food processor). 2. In shallow bowl, mix cereal, cheese, basil, garlic salt and pepper. In another shallow bowl, mix egg white and mustard until blended. 3. Dip chicken pieces into egg white mixture, then coat well with cereal mixture; place in pan. Drizzle oil over chicken. 4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F).

Pasted from <http://www.fiberone.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?rid=44403&cid=404>

Double Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

Ingredients

5 ounces bittersweet dark chocolate, chopped

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 egg whites

1 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cups all-purpose flour or oat flour, plus 1 tablespoon for flouring the pan

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini, (about 1 large zucchini)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds

Non-stick cooking spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 8×8-inch baking pan with cooking spray and sprinkle with the one tablespoon of flour. Shake the pan until the flour evenly coats the inside of the pan. Place chocolate in an ovenproof dish and place in the oven, 5-6 minutes until just melted. Or place chocolate in microwave (30 seconds to 1 minute) until melted. Cool slightly.

In a large bowl, mix together the oil, egg white, sugar, vanilla and melted chocolate until well blended. Stir in the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. Fold in the zucchini and nuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the pan. Cool completely in the pan and cut into squares. Store in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

Source: <http://skinnychef.com/recipes/chocolate-zucchini-brownies>

Almond Biscotti(s)

1 cup sugar

1 cup dark brown sugar

2 cups King Arthur flour

pinch of cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

3 tbsp softened butter

2 cups of almonds (original recipe calls for 3 cups)

2 eggs beaten with 3 tbsp vanilla (I use a little less)

egg white for egg wash to brush on loaves

Oven at 350 degrees.

Mix all the ingredients together, except for the eggs (best if you use a standing mixer, I of course, do it free hand, I know I am a glutton for punishment).

Add the 2 eggs and vanilla while the machine is going around.

I use water to wet the mixture so it will form properly into loaves.

Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper. I make 3 logs and flatten them down with wet hands.

Brush with egg white.

Bake for about 40 minutes, but start checking on them at 30 minutes.

Remove them from the oven, and slide them onto a cutting board with a big heavy spatula. Let them rest no more than a few minutes, or they will be too hard to slice. (if you don't let them rest, then they will fall apart when you slice them! see what I mean about these being high maintenance baking!).

You don't have to twice bake these biscotti. They harden while they are cooling.

Slice on the diagonal into 1" slices. When cool, you can dip them in chocolate.

Pasted from <http://www.staceysnacksonline.com/2008/11/only-best-biscotti.html>

Whole Wheat Honey Graham Crackers

2 ¼ cups whole wheat flour

½ cup rapadura (dehydrated cane sugar juice)

1 t. baking powder

½ t. baking soda

½ t. salt

¼ t. cinnamon

4 T. honey

¼ c. water

1 t. vanilla

1 stick butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Melt stick of butter in a pan on the stove. Set aside.

3. In a mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

4. Add the liquids: honey, water, vanilla and melted butter.

5. Stir well until a nice ball of dough is formed.

6. Cut two pieces of Parchment paper the size of the cookie sheet.

7. Lay one piece of parchment paper on the cookie sheet.

8. Place the ball of dough on the parchment paper.

9. Lay the other piece of parchment paper on top of the ball of dough. Squish dough down a little with your fist.

10. Use the rolling pin to roll the dough between the pieces of parchment paper. Roll until the dough covers the whole cookie sheet.

11. Remove the top piece of parchment paper. Cut rolled dough into 2 inch squares, or cut shapes with cookie cutters, being sure to separate the shapes from the surrounding dough a little.

12. Bake in oven for 18 minutes.

13. Turn oven off, but leave crackers in the oven to get crisp.

14. Remove from oven after 30 minutes to one hour. Break graham crackers apart.

15. Store in a air tight container.

Source: <http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/healthy-treat-for-today-homemade-whole-wheat-graham-crackers>

Milk and Honey Peanut Butter Balls

2-3 dozen balls, depending on size

1/2 cup natural unsweetened creamy peanut butter

1/3 cup honey or agave syrup

1/3 cup unsweetened coconut

1 cup malted milk powder

Mix all ingredients until they form a crumbly, sticky mass. Roll into balls. Try not to eat all at once.

Source: <http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/candy/weekend-snack-milk-and-honey-peanut-butter-balls-080885>

Pineapple Custard Pie

Pastry for 9-inch two crust pie, unbaked

3 eggs

2 tbl freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/2 cup water, at room temperature

1/3 cup butter, melted 1 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

10 1/4 oz can crushed pineapple, drained

1/4 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 400

2. Beat eggs lightly. Add water, lemon juice & butter; blend. Add sugar, flour & salt; beat until smooth. Mix in pineapple.\ 3. Pour mixture into unbaked bottom crust. Cover with a lattice top.

4. Bake in pre-heated oven for 35-40 minutes.

Source: <http://bigboldbeautifulfood.blogspot.com/2009/07/award-winning-pineapple-custard-pie.html>

Cheesecake Cookies

½ cup cream cheese, soft

½ cup butter, soft

1 cup sugar

1 egg

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp baking powder

1 cup all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, beat together butter and cream cheese. Gradually beat in sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and salt.

Whisk together baking powder and flour in a small bowl and, mixing by hand or at low speed, add to cream cheese mixture.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet.

Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes, until the bottom edge just barely turns brown.

Makes about 3 dozen.

Source: <http://bakingbites.com/2006/01/chewy-cheesecake-cookies/#more-322>

Lemon Coconut Bread

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 large eggs

3/4 cups milk (lowfat is fine)

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp lemon zest

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup sugar

2 cups shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)

1/3 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in sugar and coconut.

In a medium bowl or a large measuring cup, whisk together eggs, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in egg mixture. Stir until just combined and only a few streaks of flour remain.

Add in melted butter and stir until just smooth, being careful not to overmix.

Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Turn loaf out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Makes 1 loaf.

Source: <http://bakingbites.com/2009/04/lemon-coconut-bread/#more-3147>

Oven Roasted Chickpeas

Spicy Oven-Roasted Chickpeas

about 2 cups

1 15 ounce can organic chickpeas

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 tablespoon chunky sea salt

2 teaspoons spice like garam masala

Heat the oven 400°F. Pour the chickpeas into a colander and drain and rinse very well under running water. Pat dry.

Toss the chickpeas with the olive oil and spread out on a large cookie sheet. Roast for 30-40 minutes or until brown and crispy. Turn and stir every ten minutes so they don't burn.

Take out and toss to taste with salt and spices.

Source: <http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/rice-grains/party-recipe-spicy-ovenroasted-chickpeas-043595>

Homemade Nutella

1/2 cup roasted hazelnuts

2 Tbs cocoa powder

3 Tbs maple syrup

2 tsp vanilla extract

Roast hazelnuts whole in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. Let cool a bit and remove skins by rubbing them between a dish towel or your hands. Grind nuts in a food processor until they form into a thick butter. Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth.

Spoon into a jar with a tight fitting lid and refrigerate.

Source: <http://stephchows.blogspot.com/2009/05/homemade-nutella-and-giveaway-teaser.html>

Weight Watchers Black Bean Brownies

This might sound strange, but these brownies actually come out rich and fudgy. They are low fat, high in fiber and protein and no one would know there are beans in them. These brownies are only 2 pts each. A great way to eat dessert with out packing on the pounds!

Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

Servings: 20 servings • Time: Baking time varies • Points: 2 ww points

• 1 can (15 oz.) black beans
• 1 box brownie mix

Open can of beans, drain and rinse well. Put beans back in the can and fill can with water. Put beans and water in blender until smooth. Mix pureed beans with brownie package mix. DO NOT add eggs or oil. Spray baking dish with Pam. Cook brownies according to package directions.

Pasted from <http://weight-watchers-points-recipes.blogspot.com/search/label/Dessert%20Recipes>

Stuffed Cinnamon Crescent Rolls

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 8 large marshmallows
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons melted butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Combine sugar & cinnamon in a small bowl.
3. Place cupcake liners in muffin tin.
4. Spray liners with Pam.
5. Separate rolls into 8 triangles.
6. Place marshmallow into melted butter.
7. Roll marshmallow into cinnamon/sugar.
8. Place marshmallow on crescent roll.
9. Pinch dough up around marshmallow.
10. Encase.
11. Seal seams by pinching.
12. Dip the tops of dough into the butter.
13. Then into the cinnamon/sugar.
14. Place in muffin pan w/cinnamon/sugar side up.
15. Bake at 375°F for 13-15 minutes.

Pasted from <http://www.recipezaar.com/Stuffed-Cinnamon-Crescent-Rolls-126936>

Fat-Free & Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate Mix

Good hot chocolate mix and best of all sugar free and fat free. To make a cup of hot chocolate use 1/4 cup of mix and 1 cup hot water.

SERVES 18 Ingredients

3 cups nonfat dry milk powder

1 cup Splenda granular

1/2 cup baking cocoa

1 (1 ounce) package fat-free sugar-free instant pudding mix

Directions

1. 1Mix all ingredients together.
   
2. 2Store in airtight container.
   

   
   

   Source: <http://www.recipezaar.com/Fat-Free-Sugar-Free-Hot-Chocolate-Mix-106899>