:hug: to you Jen!

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So...I'm making something pumpkin-y. I really loved that bread, but I might try one of the other recently posted recipes. I'm going to need something to combat the smell of boiling chicken!

I plan on making that bread this weekend for my brother's birthday. There will be birthday cake, but I thought I would make something my mom and I could enjoy!
Last time I went to the grocery store I bought 4 cans of pumpkin... I know I will find something to do with them.

I tried the Nessa bars for the first time this week. WOW, so good! I used SF pumpkin syrup instead of the Splenda and added pumpkin pie spice, they were good!

OMG - I forgot to add. My DS is having a friend over Friday after school. This little girl wrote her phone number on his folder so they could get together for a playdate. He is counting the days! He asked me to buy new batteries for his trains so they could play trains! He wants to play Wii, and make Halloween cookies... we are going to have a busy 1.5 hours! Is it wrong to take pictures of his 1st "playdate"?? ;)

Hey everyone. I'm still around, just haven't had time to stop in this week. We're finally finished sending out statements, but we're still busy. I'm hoping to stop by this weekend and really find out what's going on with everyone.

We'll be here when you get a breather Kim!
Jen, did you use pumpkin in the Nessa bars instead of applesauce or banana? I have been wanting those Kashi pumpkin spice bars, and I thought I'd make some Nessa bars with pumpkin and see if that does the trick. Of course I am supposedly Ph1ing this week, so I shouldn't be thinking about these things. The play DATE is so cute.

I've been crazy busy here. And a bit depressed that several people I know have been let go. I'm off work tomorrow which should help a little. I need to pack our stuff during the day and then when Brian gets out of school we will head over to Camp Wisdom so I can handle registration for Parent & Pal. It will be two nights of camping. It was in 44 this morning which will make for a cool camping weekend.

Schmoo - I had thought about the same thing. I'll bet pumpkin would work ok, although they might be a bit more loose with pumpkin.

ok, so...I did something totally bad...I put dark chocolate chunks in the pumpkin bread. It's baking right now. Had the batter not had eggs in it, I would have eaten it with a spoon.

I also made chicken salad, which I've been craving like crazy. I haven't had chicken salad with grapes in it since I was a kid. I modified my mom's recipe a bit - left the pasta out and made the dressing healthier by cutting half the mayo with ff plain yogurt and adding parsley, cayenne pepper and red wine vinegar. Much better!

No, I still used the applesauce. I only added the SF pumpkin syrup and the pumpkie pie spices. It wasn't real pumpkin-y... but the spices made up for that. They were good. I also added chopped almonds (the only nuts I had at the time.) The whole family ate them, the entire pan (8X8) was gone the same day!!
I looked for those pumpkin spice bars the other day just to check out the box, they were all out! You could probably throw some flax into the Nessa bars.

Zeff -- Going to steal your chicken salad recipe. LOVE chicken salad with grapes in it!! Like the idea of using yogurt in the dressing part.


GonnaBe - how do you like the Shred DVD? Is it worth the $?

Last night for dessert, I made a caramel apple salad - when I was looking for butterscotch pudding I noticed they had pumpkin spice pudding. Has anybody tried it? I'm not sure if I'm totally jazzed about the prospect...it could be really bad or really good.

Hi Chicks-

We are home from surgery #1. It went well, everyone was really nice and there were no complications. Now we wait to see if it helps before moving on to surgery #2. Thoughts, wishes, prayers are all welcome.

Loriann- Puppy pictures? Have I missed them?!

Cottage - :wave: hope it was a good day

FullSteam - I hate colds. It's hard to resist comfort foods when I have one.

Schmoodle _ I did the same thing last week. I've found that weight watchers and Dove don't bother me but other brands really sets my stomach off.

GonnaBe - I've been hearing a lot about the shred workout. Might have to check it out if you still love it in a few more days!

KO - Everyone is right - that pic is fabulous!

Heather - Sounds like a fun project. Can't wait to hear how it goes.

Beachgal - Apparently there was snow outside of Syracuse yesterday, and of course up north Vermont. :eek:

Jenks - Congrats on the NSV!

Zeff - Hello my friend - it's good to see you :)

Pearl, Pacer, Rikki, Kim, Barb :wave:

We've been loving the Nessa Bars here too. I tweaked the recipe a little and use protein powder instead of milk powder. 1 bar is a perfect mid-morning snack.

I'm so glad I made soup in the crockpot this morning. Really needed warm food when I got home. Have a good evening everyone.

The dry mix kind? Yes, I have had it. It isn't bad. I haven't found SF though. I had some last week when I was having teeth issues and could only eat soft things!!

Nice to see you're back, Zeff. In regards to the pudding mix, I know I've seen the SF butterscotch, but I haven't seen the SF pumpkin spice. I have to agree with you, though, that it could either be very good or just plain awful. I'll have to try it if I see it.

Schmoodle, I must confess that those Kashi Pumpkin Spice Flax bars are a favorite of mine, and I keep them in the car for when I need a little "something" while I'm chauffeuring the girls around. They're really, really good and although they're not totally SBD compliant, I refuse to give them up. ;)

Looking forward to Survivor tonight!

Cyndi, no, you did not miss the puppy pics, I have to get a camera working first! AND SOON! ;)

Sweet potatoes are allowed on phase 2, in moderation, correct? (See Loriann, you aren't a thread killer!)
I have been craving them. I had a baked one for dinner tonight with Smart Balance, SF maple syrup and I couldn't resist the lightest sprinkle of brown sugar (not allowed I know). It was so good. I hardly had room for my meatloaf and cooked carrots!!

Jens, yes, they are allowed! if you need to use brown sugar, sugar twinn offers a no sugar brown sugar!

And I'm glad the plan is working for you Jens!