SUGAR FREE TREATS

Thanks so much for everyone's kind words on my New Years post and my first WIAW post.

Now on to today's post...

Okay, here is what I have been having for breakfast the past few days:

Yes, while my brother ate his cereal, I had to eat my Chocolate Pancakes, and while my parents ate bacon and toast, I had to eat apple pie... Wait, what? Who wouldn't want chocolate and apple pie for breakfast, and why would I need to be Forced to eat them?

Well, because, I am on a sugar-free diet.

Say what?

That's right, for the past two days I have been completely white sugar, brown sugar, honey, agave, stevia, splenda, aspartame... free! Thanks in part to Alex over at her sugar free blog and her awesome New Years Sugar Free Challenge in the month of January.

So, looking back to my breakfasts above, you probably think that I have been cheating. WRONG!

My pancakes and oatmeal were delicous and sweet, but entirely sugar free. Now, fruit does not count as sugar in this challenge, because fruit sugars are so much healthier than processed sugar. So, fruit it is then:

Sugar-Free Chocolate Pancakes

Adapted from Spoonful of Sugar Free

Ingredients:

• 4 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp low sodium baking powder
• 2 Tbsp egg beaters
• 3 Tbsp mashed banana
• Unsweetened almond milk 

Directions:

1. Heat an electric griddle or pan on the stove to medium heat (350 degrees).
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and add almond milk until reaching desired consistency.
3. Spray your griddle if it is nonstick. Then, using a spoon scoop the pancake batter onto the griddle in 3 globs. Using the back of your spoon spread out he batter until the pancakes are 3 to 4 inches wide.
4. Cook as normal, waiting until the tops of the pancakes get that smooth look and become partially cooked.

Top with natural, sugar-free peanut butter or 100% chocolate chips and enjoy!

(If you aren't on the challenge, you can add chocolate chips and top the pancakes with syrup.)


Apple Pie Oatmeal

Make overnight oats-
3 Tbsp regular oats + 1/2 cup water
Cook in microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, but don't let all of the water get absorbed.
Place in the fridge to sit overnight uncovered.

The next morning-
Place oats in the microwave to heat up for 30 seconds. Chop half an apple into a bowl, add oats, 2 Tbsp sliced almonds and then top with cinnamon and almond milk.


Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Banana Blondies

Adapted from The Detoxinista

Makes 8 blondies, 59 calories each (w/o chocolate chips)

Ingredients:

• 4 dates (30 grams)
• 1/2 banana, chopped
• 3 Tbsp egg beaters
• Splash of vanilla extract
• 3 Tbsp creamy, natural peanut butter
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• Dash of salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place the dates and banana in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave at half power for 2 minutes (this replaces soaking the dates in water, this step is optional).
3. Remove the dates from the bowl and place in small food processor. Blend until chopped up. Add the egg beaters and blend for 1 minute or until reaching an even consistency. Add the banana and vanilla blend. Add the peanut butter, baking soda and salt and blend until mixed.
4. Spray an 8x5 loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the batter evenly in pan. 
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
6. Let cool before cutting and serving.

The left half with chocolate chips was for my mom and dad.

 *For a more decadent treat, you can add chocolate chips and/or nuts.

These are so quick and easy to make. I made adapted and made one batch in about 30 minutes. They were too thin and not very flavorful though. In another 30 minutes I made the recipe tastier, lower in calories and they were ready to eat!

And... No one could tell that they were sugar or flour free.

Tomorrow is WIAW, so please check back for more healthy meal ideas and inspiration, all sugar-free of course!

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Are you participating in Alex's Sugar Free Challenge or any other New Years groups?


Do you have any healthy and tasty sugar-free recipes for me to try? I've gone sugar-free a few times before and don't eat much processed sugar to begin with, so I have tons of things to eat. I'm always open to new ideas though!


How many times does it take for you to get a recipe right? This recipe took two trials to perfect. Sometimes it takes more, and sometimes less however. I never make a recipe exactly as given though, it's just a habit!

2012 AND BEYOND

New Years lists are so... cliche, right? I completely agree, so that is why my list is not going to be just for 2012, but also BEYOND. Okay, so they are basically the same thing, but the principal behind my list is so much bigger for me.

You see, I only have one goal for 2012.

I know what you're thinking: "What? One goal? (Is she insane?)"

Nope, at least, I don't think so...

Any guesses as to what it would be? It's not the usual ones like losing weight, eating healthier, EXERCISING MORE, or even reading more books, although these are all worthy accomplishments.

Mine is simple: Be Proactive.

You see, I am not your average high school girl. I would rather be at home reading than going to watch a basketball game (last night I had to succumb however and read a book AT A GAME). Instead of wanting to go hang out with friends (which I promise, I have plenty), I would really rather be at home blogging or watching tv. Instead of going out to eat, I would much prefer staying at home and baking.

You might be thinking of a word in particular to call me. Some would say "home-body" and others would be not so kind and use the word LAZY. Both would be accurate desriptions in their own right, but not completely correct.

I don't always like to stay at home, because I do like to experience new things. For example: Whole Foods and Disney World, both of which are more than an hour away and require more than stepping outside my house... Duh!

I'm also not lazy really. I just don't find fun in the same things as everyone else. For another "I would rather," I would rather discuss Leonardo Dicaprio or The Hunger Games with a friend than the latest school gossip. Can you really blame me for that one?

So, with all of these things that I would RATHER not do (Are you getting tired of that phrase yet?) what exactly does my goal entail? It probably seems like I will never change my ways, but that's precisely what I want to do in 2012.... and Beyond.

There are many aspects to this goal, and specific activities that I want to check off so that I can complete this goal:

1. Exercise for fun, for my well-being, for my health, and for my happiness. I generally dislike exercise, not in all forms, but in most. However, exercising doesn't have to be just running or killing myself in a really hard, really UNFUN workout. I want to do exercises in 2012 that I find fun, like dancing, swimming and my ultimate wish of rock-climbing (It just looks so awesome!). In the past I've found that I generally do feel better and happier when I exercise. Now I just have to get off my couch and do it!

2. Blog more regularly. When I started blogging, I had all of these great big plans about how I was going to post everyday, and after looking at blogs for so long before starting my own, I think I took on too much all at once. Over break I have discovered some blogs of people my own age, and I've realized that not all of my posts have to be super long, have a groundbreaking discovery or some foodgawker-changing recipe. I just need to be myself and blog what I'm feeling, because that's what this is all about. And with this discovery, I think I am ready to start posting more frequently and consistently.

3. Make myself WANT to go out. Being proactive means that I need to do more things and not sit around waiting for something to happen. In 2012, when a friend invites me to go do something with them, my goal is to find the fun and positive in the idea and say "Yes." Normally when I go out with friends, it turns out better than I thought it would. After awhile hopefully I'll acquire enough positive experiences that social events will become second nature to me. Hopefully.

 4. Be proactive about school matters. In my last year of high school, I want to set the groundwork for my schoolwork college, and that means no procrastinating, and no slumping in the SENIOR slooopppppeee (that's "slope" for those who can't read Slow Speak :S). Basically when I get an assignment or need to study for a test, I need to get started on it that day, no waiting, no excuses.

5. Be proactive about college. I have tons of scholarship and financial aid deadlines coming up. I need to work on these pronto.

6. Make some money. In college I'll need to buy books, food, etc. This requires money, and to get money I need to get a job. This is my least favorite part of this goal list, but probably the most necessary because I'll need money all of my life, and a job really really really helps to earn money (Really!). I've been putting this off for a while and 2012 is the year where I'm actually going to do it, because it's no longer an option.

7. Read my bible more often. This sounds incredibly cheesy, I know. But God has been there through thick and thin with me and the least I can do is try and read his word more often, and not put it off until tomorrow. Even just a random passage (like DESPAIR above^^^^) can help me in tough times.

8. Be proactive about my emotions and problems. This will be hard because I tend to bottle things up, but this year I want to face my issues with people head on. No fluff. No pretending. I'm not going to be mean about, but if something is bothering me, I want to be able to speak up. I also want to answer questions more honestly. Bottling up my thoughts and problems is terrible for my health. I'm not going to share everything, but I want to be more open and receptive to others.

And last but not least....

9. Keep on doing what I love: Reading, Writing, Nutrition and Math. These are my four loves that will never go away. In 2012 I need to be proactive and embrace each one. These four things are my constant in a world of motion, they are my rock when things get tough, and they are simply what I love to do!

Of course, there are also tons of little things that I would love to accomplish in 2012, like running another 5k even though I hate running, keeping myself organized even though I am not what you'd call a neat freak, being kinder to my brother, etc. etc. That's why I am also going to have an opened ended Number 10! This will encompass the unexpected and everything else that I either forgot or was too LAZY to add. I need to be proactive about life and take things as they come, jump on new chances and take every new opportunity with a positive attitude.


10. _________________________


Here is to 2012! Happy New Years BLOGGER WORLD!

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What are your goals for 2012? Comment below and/or post a link to your blog if you wrote about it.

Getting a head start on 2012, I am going to tackle Number 8: Do you have any serious questions to ask me? I know I haven't been blogging very long, and I'm not very close with any of you, but I'd like to become friends with other bloggers like me. In the short time that you have been reading my blog (or just this post) is there anything you want to know about me or my journey to health?

PRESENT AND COOKIE LOVE

Santa Baby... Slip a present under the tree... For Me... I've been an awful good girl... Santa Baby... So hurry down the chimney tonight!

Santa Clause definitely came through this year. It was a great day:

First, my brother and I woke up at 5:30 to open presents. That's 5:00 AM people. We love Christmas. While waiting for my parents to get ready and come downstairs, we got our customary cinnamon rolls ready. Everyone had cinnabuns from a can but I made homemade cinnamon rolls from Kat's Health Corner the night before, popped them in the oven and baked. Tasty :)

Then it was time to open presents! (I apologize now for blurry pictures...)

First off is Cupcakes! Well, not an actual cupcake, but better: Cupcake-printed flannel sheets in my favorite color Pink. These will definitely keep me warm in the cold winter months.

I'm going to  get so hungry looking at these...

And while my bed sheets keep my BODY warm, this little buddy will be keeping my HANDS warm. It's an ongoing joke with my family and friends that my hands are always cold- Like Icicles! 

More pink!

I also got something I have been asking awhile for: a Pillow Pet. Mine is a purple lady bug with pink spots. The face is slightly creepy, however it will fit in nicely with my pee-wee panda Pillow Pet.

It's so soft and fluffy :)

I was especially pleased thus far... And then I opened this:

I looked to my parents and said, "Haha... I have the first one upstairs, but I haven't read it yet, now I'll need to!" Then they got this weird look on their faces. I dismissed it and opened up my next present: Paralnormalcy and...

I also got a wallet that I adored from Cracker Barrel.

Got to love Christmas. 

NEXT UP... I almost forgot I was getting this present, even though I was with my parents when they bought it on Black Friday. 5 dollars! It's for college though, so I just have to use my old food processor for now.

I just realized that I took a picture of this Spanish-side up!

After opening presents we lounged around for a while and then went to my grandparents' for lunch. 

And of course I wore some of my new clothes:

Purple striped sweater with Aeropostale skinny jeans and grey cami.

Fuzzy................................

These pink and red fuzzy socks didn't exactly match my purple sweater, but who cares?

Especially when you can't even see them because of these:

I also got brown, knit boots, but that pic was Way Fuzzy!

Much better  :)

 Oh, and I forgot to mention one of my favorite gifts:

 I love Scooby Doo! Especially on my head...

My new one is in the pink cover. Old one is below.

And did I mention I got an Ipod touch! This was pretty cool, but not super exciting because I already had an ipod touch. This is a newer version though, so unlike my old one, it has a camera and is NOT water-logged from my trip down Splash Mountain in Disney World. Score!

I also got Just Dance 3, which is so much fun! It will probably be my sole form of exercise for the next couple of weeks.

I saved the best for last: Scooby Doo CLUE.

This game combines two of my favorite things: Scooby and Clue. (Not to mention that this item is no longer in stores- My dad had to special order it off of Amazon). I have yet to play it, but it will be a great addition to my Clue Collection. These are the ones I have so far:

I am sure that I have a few more, but I don't feel like looking right now! lol... We used to have the Clue Jr. above, but I think we got rid of it because it was missing most of the pieces.

In case you couldn't tell, I love Clue! I was obsessed with the Clue Jr. books when I was younger.

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Okay, and now because you have been nice and have patiently waited through my Christmas Present ranting, here is a new cookie recipe. It's not the one that I promised yesterday, but it's super easy, quick and I just made them literally 30 minutes ago:

Healthy Mexican Wedding Cookies

*Also known as "Snowball" cookies*

Serving size: 1 small cookie       Servings: 16       Calories: 78       Carbs: 9g       Fat: 4g       
Protein: 1g      Sodium: 11mg       Sugar: 3g

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp canola oil
• 2 Tbsp almond milk (or skim milk)
• 1/4 cup + 3 Tbsp powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• dash of salt
• 1 cup unbleached flour
• 1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped (other nuts like pecans or almonds would work fine too)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Combine canola oil, milk, powdered sugar, vanilla and salt in a medium-sized bowl.
3. Add the flour and mix well.
4. Stir in the walnuts and use your fingers to make sure they are evenly distributed.
5. Then make 16 small balls out of the dough and place on a sprayed cookie sheet.
6. Bake for 9 to 13 minutes.
7. Let cool for at least 3 minutes, then roll in the remaining 3 Tbsp of powdered sugar.

Mexican Wedding Cookies are my favorite Christmas treat!

These cookies are normally laden with unhealthy saturated fats and tons of sugar, but these are low in both. Normal mexican wedding cookies call for a 1/2 cup of butter for every cup of flour, but this recipe is butter free, dairy free and vegan! I decided to make them as a last hurrah! before Alex's sugar free challenge starting January 1 (link at right). ENJOY.
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Do you have any favorite holiday cookies? Are they healthy or do you use Christmas season to indulge?

What did you get for Christmas? My favorite present was not necessarily my most expensive one... Anyone else feel that way?

Are there any questions you would like to ask me? If so, ask below, email me, or make a comment on my about page!

MY FIRST WIAW

So, up until this point my posts have been one recipe only. After looking through Kat's Health Corner and LactoseFreeLizzie's gorgeous eats however, I decided to check out what WIAW was all about!

And here is my first WIAW... (tell me if I did it wrong)








BREAKFAST
This morning I had to go to the hospital to have some blood work and an ultrasound done. Yay! Needles. Apparently before an ultrasound you are not allowed to eat or drink anything after 12:00 pm the night before. I'll post more about the results later. For now though, just know that the only thing on my mind was FOOD. I was famished by the time we were done, and more than ready to eat breakfast. The technician said that food tastes better after not being able to eat for a few hours. Right she was...

Egg beaters, unsalted sunflower seeds and fruit salad (170)

LUNCH
Today I tried to use up some of our miscellaneous veggies and leftovers from Christmas lunch at my Grandma's, which explains my turkey soup. I found the cookie dough cake recipe from LactoseFreeLizzie. I've been having stomach issues lately whenever I eat dairy (lactose intolerance maybe...?) so I have been looking at her blog for ideas until my test results come back.

Soup made from leftover turkey, water, veggies and garlic/onion powder (123)

LactoseFreeLizzie's Cookie Dough Cakes made with apple chunks. Topped with peanut butter! (139)

SNACKS #1
My parents finally let me eat some Greek yogurt today, to see if it affects me at all. About 10 minutes later my stomach got all bubbly, but no pain, so we'll see what happens next!

Baby carrots with peanut butter. (93)

Cooked apple chunks topped with Greek yogurt and cinnamon. (85)

DINNER
I just love Baked Falafel!

Pita bread with falafel and tomato sauce. Turkey and sunflower seeds on the side. (283)

SNACKS #2
Unpictured: Protein cookie dough cereal from Fitnessista and a few nibbles. (222 calories)

I should have mentioned by now that I have an obsession with peanut butter... I just thought my blog's title was pretty self explanatory. Below are some really low-cal snacks (1/4 c. cereal + 3/4 tbsp = 110 cal). The microwave muffin is based off of an idea from LactoseFreeLizzie's idea: 1/4 cup flour + almond milk + 1 Tbsp grain-sweetened chocolate chips + 1 tsp peanut butter = 175 calories... Microwave for 45 seconds to achieve DELICIOUSNESS)

Kashi Go Lean cereal with peanut butter. (110)

Healthy microwave chocolate chip muffin with peanut butter. (175)

Made more because yesterday's got soggy! (210)

And that concludes my WIAW... unless I have another snack before bed, which is very likely! (Edited to add: I did have an apple peel and some more bites of my apple cookie dough cakes- Totally healthy of course!)

*Finishing Mission Impossible III as we speak  I write*

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Tomorrow I will post my recipe for healthy sugar cookies so stay tuned to be ah-mazed!!!

Question #1: Have you done WIAW yet? Any tips or suggestions for a newbie?

Question #2: Are you lactose intolerant? When did you discover it and what were your symptoms?

Question #3: Have you watched the new Mission Impossible yet? I personally can't wait. I love action flicks!