Healthy Cinnamon Rolls

 I have been living a low carb lifestyle for quite sometime.  It has always been my go to when I need to lose weight but recently I have taken a permanent switch over to eating this way.  For the most part it has been an easy transition but only with lots of research on recipes.  I have found several places that offer great resources and recipes.  I used to love to have something starchy to start the day off but with the lifestyle switch it seemed like my choices were eggs or more eggs or something that looked like a muffin but guess what it still tasted like egg!  I stumble upon a great site for recipes but she also has a passion for what she does.  She goes further and explains why you should or should not be eating something.  Her name is Maria Emmerich and her site is here.  I love that she has many options for those starchy foods that we crave so much but they are low carb and healthy for you.

For instance, these cinnamon rolls.  They are delicious and I do not feel guilty eating them.  Click here for the recipe.  And while you are there look around her site, she has great recipes and information.

Lovin My Low Carb Life

Ok, I know what you are thinking low carb...meat, eggs, no bread, no desserts, no rice or pasta.  It is impossible to love low carb right?  No you just have to find the right recipes that suit your palate.  In the past I have struggled staying on the low carb lifestyle because I am not a huge meat fan but that is not the case anymore.  I even eat dessert everyday (sometimes for breakfast).  I love sweets and breads and could not survive without them.  I have found this amazing woman, I like to call her the Nutritionalist Genius, because she made me realize that I can live and even enjoy the low carb lifestyle and eat good tasting food and still be healthy while doing so.  Her name is Maria Emmerich,  you can find her here http://www.marianutrition.com/.  She also has several books on being healthy my Favorite is The Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism which you can purchase through Amazon.  Here are a couple of things I have made over the last few days.

Sub Rolls (the closest recipe to bread that I have found)

 Peanut Butter Cookies

Puppy Chow Recipe (for humans)

Don't let the name of this recipe fool you. It is a yummy treat for your family (one of our favorites). It just looks like puppy chow.

Puppy Chow Recipe

1 11 oz. bag of butterscotch chips
1 cup of creamy peanut butter (we prefer Jif)
1/2 bag of mini marshmellows (really to your preference)
1 box of Quaker Oatmeal Squares (Hint of Brown Sugar type)

Over medium heat, melt butterscotch chips and peanut butter. Once melted add marshmellows and Oatmeal Squares. Mix. Let cool. Devour!

PuMpkiN CaKe

Fall is officially here in my home. Along with the cooler weather comes the desire to start baking. One of my favorites for the fall, Pumpkin Cake. Not only does it taste fantastic but it also makes your home smell so wonderful.

Ingredients:

2 cups solid packed pumpkin

2 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

2 cups flour

2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix pumpkin, sugar and oil. Add eggs, mix well. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Pour into prepared 9 x 12 cake pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until done. Cool and frost with frosting below.

Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 stick of butter, softened

6 cups of powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

milk

chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Cream butter, cream cheese and vanilla. Mix in powdered sugar one cup at a time. Add enough milk to loosen to your likeness.

Toasted Marshmallow Brownie Bites

My son had his last basketball game this weekend. Since his dad was the coach I wanted to bring something fun for the boys. I made these super easy but delicious brownie bites. Here is what you need:

one box of brownie mix

one small jar of marshmallow creme

cupcake liners

cupcake pan

Mix the brownies to the instructions on the box. Place the liners in the cupcake pan. Spray with cooking oil. Fill cupcake liner half way. I use a medium size ice cream scoop to get them in the cups.

Place a spoonful of marshmallow creme on the top of the brownie mix. Place a scoop of browine mix on top of marshmallow creme. I use a small ice cream scoop to get the brownie mix on top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 28-30 minutes. Take out and cool. They taste like a toasted marshmallow that was over the campfire. YUM!

Foam Fun

My kids had so much fun making and using the foam paint. The foam paint is really easy to make, use, and clean up!

Foam Paint Recipe

1 part white glue (example 1/2 cup)

2 parts heaping shaving cream (example 1 cup)

food coloring

paper

Mix glue, shaving cream and food coloring together. Cut a shape out to have paint go onto.

Let the kids go to town with their fingers. Tons of fun. Because of the shaving cream, it makes it super easy to clean up.

Making Homemade Laundry Soap

Ok I know what you are thinking--WHY? Once you use it you
will know why. I do not pretreat my clothes. The clothes come out softer. The colors stay true. The cost is about $ .15 per load (WOW). My daughter is sensitive to many soap products and it does not bother her skin. It does not sud--so it is good for HE machines. It is good for the enviroment. It smells yummy and it looks so darn cute in my laundry room!!! The recipe is:







Large Batch (Powder Form)
6 bars Fels-Naptha (shredded)
3 cups Washing Soda (Arm and Hammer--NOT BAKING SODA)
3 cups Borax
Mix in a large bowl. Store in a covered container.


Small Batch (Powder Form)
1 bar Fels-Naptha (shredded)
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax.
Mix in a bowl. Store in a covered container.

There is a liquid form also, the recipe can be found on http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/. You can also buy all of the products. You should be able to find Washing soda and Borax at your local Wal-Mart. The Fels-Naptha is the one item that might be hard to find (you can buy it at this site as well--already shredded).