It's another cold & snowy day here in PA...the question that keeps playing in my mind, "When is it going to end???" There's another cold front from Canada coming in tomorrow and that'll bring our temperatures back down into the teens during the day and most likely single digits over night.
I got a great muffin recipe from our paper back in June and have heard people raving about them so I decided to invest in the ingredients and make them up. The batter has to sit over night so that the cereal can soak up the buttermilk. To make a long story short I cooked up a batch this morning and they are really good. It makes quite a bit of batter but the nice thing is that you can store it in the fridge for up to 6 weeks! I also tossed in some dried cranberries along with the raisins.
A beautiful morning here in Halifax. We're expecting a light dusting of snow tonite - just enough to keep everything looking clean (I hope).
Melissa and Domina: The recipe looks interesting, but I don't think I'd be able to find the shortening and oil replacement. Many of the non-fat ingredients that seem readily available in the US are nowhere to be found here - at least not in Nova Scotia . By the way, sorry about that blast of cold air we're sending your way. (In Canada, we blame the Arctic as the source.)
Not a stellar weekend for me as far as weight management is concerned. The in-laws were in town (and that means lots of sweets) but more importantly, I haven't run in a while due to physiotherapist's instructions, and it's starting to take its toll. The last time I weighed myself, I was up at least 4 lbs. Am a little afraid to face the scales.
According to the physiotherapist, my muscle control is improving. Unfortunately, my back is still aching and I haven't been able to do any running to see if there's been improvement in the knee area. Guess I'll just have to be patient a while longer.
Is anyone planning anything special for Feb. 14th? We're not big fans of the Valentine's Day thing - seems kinda manufactured, however DH has a surprise planned for next weekend. It seems we're going somewhere, but he's not revealing any of the details!
I'm not sure either if I'll be able to find the ingredients, but if I can, I'll give it a try!
I'm having a bad muffin week. I made Peanut Butter muffins and we threw them in the garbage. Last week I tried apple bran muffins, and they were crap too. The common thing between the two were that they required brown sugar instead of white sugar. But for the peanut butter ones, I used some newer brown sugar, so I don't see the problem. I also used cheap peanut butter. I think I'm going to throw away these ingredients and start over with fresh ones.
For St-Valentine's DH and I agreed that we don't go out anymore. Too busy. We do have a romantic candlelight meal at home. We usually share the work. Last year I did the dessert. A light apple crisp type dessert made with phyllo pastry. Recipe available upon request. The meal consisted of Cream of Endive soup with chicken broccoli crepes. I did not count points last year.
This year, we're making Cornish game hen with oven roasted potatoes. I might be making some hot and sour soup for starters and will probably skip dessert this year, depending on the amount of time I have and if I can find a light dessert idea. DH isn't into sweets, so that helps. I might just buy some exotic fruits, not sure.
I admit that St-Valentine's is probably the day I splurge the most in the year food-wise. Gives us an excuse to slow down, and enjoy cooking together with a bottle of wine.
Michele The muffins taste really good and it's hard to believe that they're lowfat. I had 1 1/2 for breakfast this morning and they're filling.
Domina: I did the calculations on my points finder and it comes out to 1 point per muffin. I didn't calculate for the higher muffins.
Seasaw: I found the baking replacement in with the baking supplies...it comes in a bottle similar to squeeze jelly.
The muffins are nice and moist and I'm so excited to have found a good recipe. I'd like to find out if I substitute cranberries or apricots (1 1/2 cups) if the point value would stay the same or not.
Melissa, My points finder is sort of worn out. It looked like it was just on the line between 1 and 2 points.
Susan, I'm sorry you haven't been able to run. I know what my husband's like when he can't run. Let us know where you're going this weekend when you find out.
Such nice ideas for VD (Valentine's Day). I like the one where you make dinner together--how cute!
My DH and I are not planning to go out. It's too hard to get reservations. He bought me a ring and I bought him chocolate (hmmm, is that an even trade?)
- Spread a filo pastry sheet on the counter. Baste it with half of the margarine. Cut in the width sense with scissors to get three 5 inch strips. Fold each strip in three to make a square.
- Round off the corners with the scissors; delicately place the pastry in a muffin cup. Repeat with the rest of the pastry to get 6 crisps. Cook in oven at 400F for 5 minutes or until golden.
- Apple garnish: mix brown sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and cinnamon in a thick frying pan; cook at medium heat until it starts boiling.
- Add the apples. Cook at medium heat, stirring often for 5 minutes or until tender. Let cool slightly.
- Put the garnish in the crisps. Sprinkle with pecans; Sift some icing sugar on top of the crisps. Serve hot or at room temperature.
great recipes! I have a nice pear ginger one I'll post.
I'm in San Diego after spending the last four days with a bunch of meterologists in Long Beach, which had record rainfall this last week. We had a great set of meetings though. Looks like I'll be doing lots more travelling soon.
I'm leaving tomorrow am for London, however, the airlines are cancelling flights right and left and moving us off our original routings. I have to think its due to the planes being called up for troop deployments. Scarey.
As for Valentine's Day, mine came to me in San Diego on her way to a meeting near Palm Springs. However, while DP is sitting around discussing important scientific modelling, I'l be flying.
anyhoo, stayed pretty well OP and exercised all but one day on my work trip. I'm pretty pleased. I'll see where I am next week.
Hope you all had a great Valentine's Day! My hubby and I did. We went to dinner at Outback's Steakhouse. I only had 1/2 a burger, no fries and a salad. I'm so proud of myself. Then we went dancing. (Burn them calories, baby!)
I didn't realize this is where you guys from the challenge thread hang out.
St-Valentines was great! DH and I always make a romantic dinner together at home. We called it our Fusion cuisine night, as there was no theme to our meal.
This year's menu:
- Hot and Sour Soup - 1 point, made by me. Great success! Will be making this again.
- Cornish Game Hen - cooked with rosemary, lemon and lots of garlic I skipped the skin and we shared a hen. 3 points.
- Roasted red potatoes - delicious and simple.
- Green salad with some balsamic vinegar and olive oil for dressing, a bit of feta cheese.
- Garlic bread (the only boo boo of the meal)
- 2 pieces of chocolate eat to finish the meal
- Too much port and wine.
Like I said, I don't hold back on Valentine's day. No regrets. Today, I'm a bit cautious about my points, though...
Hey, all! I also had a good Valentine's Day. DH, DB and I ended up going for supper at a decidedly unromantic place- Bonanza! It was nice, though, because there was barely anyone else there! I managed to keep the pts under control, no problem, and even had leaway for 3 Ferrero Rocher when I got home!
Mich- what do you use in your hot and sour soup?? I have never tried it, but it always looks and smells so good!
Just a quick, possibly stupid, question while I am here- Are there any Male LM around? Or do they just hit goal and go on with life??? There are none at my meetings, which is why I wonder!
Have a great weekend!
Thin4Life - Week of February 10, 2003
. By the way, sorry about that blast of cold air we're sending your way. (In Canada, we blame the Arctic as the source.)
I skipped the skin and we shared a hen. 3 points.
It was nice, though, because there was barely anyone else there! I managed to keep the pts under control, no problem, and even had leaway for 3 Ferrero Rocher when I got home!
