Fitness Friday - Turn The Cheat Around

Feeling guilty about all the wonderful food you enjoyed at your niece's graduation party? 

Don't beat yourself up! It takes a lot of calories—3,500—to gain a pound of body fat. So really, that one off day doesn't usually result in any significant weight gain. It's about what you do the next day and the day after that's really important—so don't stay off-track. So be sure to whittle away at those extra calories over the next day or two, preferably by boosting exercise rather than eating too little. Starvation is not the healthy answer!

Fitness Friday - Girls' Nite Out Tip

I belong to a coffee club who occasionally meets at night for cocktails. We often discuss weight and fitness. We came up with a great tip to share!

 If you know you'll be imbibing more than one drink, feel (and sip!) right by always ordering water between cocktails. You won't rack up sneaky liquid calories (and ruin your inhibition to resist those mozzarella sticks!). But your H20 doesn't have to be boring. Make it festive by ordering the sparkling variety with plenty of fruit, like a lime, lemon, and orange wedge in a martini or highball glass. 

Thursday 13 - Fall Recipies

This is the first week all three boys are playing football. I'm getting bleacher butt on Wed, Fri, and Sat. My Coffee Club gal pals gave me some yummy fall recipes. Some of them are for the CrockPot, an item every football mom relies on. 

1. Touchdown Cupcakes

2. Pumpkin Bread

3. Baked Apples

4.Three-colored Poached Pears

5. Apple Crisp

6. Roast in the Crock Pot

7. Sloppy Joes

8. Baked Mac n Cheese

9. Baked Acorn Squash

10. Turkey Soup

11. B-B-Q sandwiches

12. Loaded Baked Potato Soup

13. Beef Stroganoff

Thiursday 13 - My favorite chocolate treats

During a book signing event I picked up a Chocolate Lovers Cookbook the Underground Railroad was selling to raise money. I fell in love with several recipes. Here are my favs.

1. Amaretto Brownies

2.Chocolate Mudslide Pie

3. Iced Mocha

4. Sour Cream Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

4. Chocolate Chunk Coffee Cake

5. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

6. Chocolate Truffle Tart

7. Raspberry Fudge Balls

8. Chocolate Marshmallow Fondue

9. Perfectly Chocolate Hot Cocoa

10. Chocolate Cherry Cake

11. Chocolate Dirt Cake

12. Chocolate Covered Cherries

13. Chocolate Popcorn


The Underground Railroad, Inc. serves all residents of Saginaw County who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. In operation since 1977, Underground Railroad, Inc. is the only provider of emergency shelter, services, leadership and programs to end domestic and sexual violence in the community.

Domestic violence does not discriminate! Every race, religion and economic group is affected. Annually Underground Railroad, Inc. provides shelter for over 500 women and children, and over 4,000 families in Saginaw County access one or more of our services.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry.

Special events and celebrations highlight Mexican culture, especially in its music and regional dancing. Grab some friends and host a party or spend the night in with your honey. Prepare a Mexican meal, make some margaritas, throw a couple Mexican blankets over the couch, light some candles and create your own sensual adventure. Check local costume shops for Cinco de Mayo outfits and do some role playing or dancing.





For some amazing Margarita recipes check out The Best Margaritas of Texas.





Visit the Food Network for some yummy recipes to celebrate the holiday.



If you need help turning a hum-drum day into a Mexican fiesta you need a little help from CHEF AARÓN SÁNCHEZ. Sanchez is the Owner/Executive Chef of Centrico & Paladar as well as a Food Network Star & Cookbook Author Award-Winning Chef. Check out his website.

Tempting Tuesday

Let's see... how about Mexican Black Bean Pizza for dinner? Everybody needs a little spice added to life once in a while.


Recipe:
Ingredients

* 1 10-ounce package refrigerated pizza dough
* 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
* 2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro or parsley
* 2 tablespoons salsa
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/4 teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce
* 2 cloves garlic, quartered
* 1-1/2 cups shredded Cojack or cheddar cheese (6 ounces)
* 1/2 cup chopped red sweet pepper
* 1/4 cup sliced green onion
* 1/2 cup dairy sour cream
* 2 tablespoons salsa

Directions

1. Lightly grease an 11- to 13-inch pizza pan. Unroll pizza dough and transfer to greased pan, pressing dough out with your hands. Build up edges slightly. Prick generously with a fork. Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 7 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

2. Meanwhile, in a blender container or food processor bowl combine black beans, cilantro or parsley, 2 tablespoons salsa, cumin, hot pepper sauce, and garlic. Cover and blend or process until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides if necessary.

3. Spread bean mixture over hot crust. Sprinkle with Cojack or cheddar cheese, chopped red sweet pepper, and green onion. Bake about 10 minutes more or until cheese melts and pizza is heated through.

4. In a small bowl combine sour cream and 2 tablespoons salsa. Serve pizza with sour cream mixture. Makes 4 servings.

Tempting Tuesday - Grilled Chocolate Sandwich

INGREDIENTS:
* 1/4 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk
* 3 ounce(s) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
* 1 1/2 tablespoon(s) butter, softened
* 8 slice(s) thin whole-wheat or white sandwich bread
* 3 tablespoon(s) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
* 2 tablespoon(s) chopped toasted hazelnuts, (optional)

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat evaporated milk just until boiling. Add chocolate, let stand for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.

2. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Divide the chocolate mixture on the unbuttered side of 4 slices, leaving a little border. Press chocolate chips and nuts, if using, into the chocolate. Cover with the remaining slices of bread, buttered-side up, and press lightly.

3. Cook the sandwiches in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn over, press with a spatula, and cook until nicely browned and the chocolate is barely melted, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Serve warm.

Thursday Thirteen - Sensual Food

Thirteen sexual/sensual foods:
1. whipping cream
2. chocolate syrup
3. strawberries
4. bananas
3. cucumber?
4. avocado
5. grapes
6. red licorice - great for tying wrists
7. hot peppers - believe it or not
8. oysters
9. apple pie?
10. ice cream - if used properly
11. honey
12. spaghetti -think of the scene in Lady & the Tramp
13. more chocolate syrup

Wine or champagne...
but isn't that considered a beverage?