Peach Bread (adapted into muffins from this recipe)
(my healthy changes in red)

• 3 eggs (3 Tbsp. ground flax seed mixed with 9 Tbsp. water)
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup vegetable oil (1 cup unsweetened applesauce)
• 2 cups diced canned peaches, drained
• 3 cups all-purpose flour (I used half and half of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch loaf pans or 20 muffin tins.
2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs [flax mixture] lightly. Blend in the sugar, oil [applesauce], and vanilla. Add flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; mix just to combine. Stir in the peaches and nuts. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 1 hour, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Weight Watchers points = 3 per muffin

Anyway – I am a little bit of a sugar addict but since I need to fit into this dress in August I need to start baking healthier things.

So here is a recipe I just tried and will be making over and over to satisfy my sweet tooth.  I just made 48 of these to bring some to playgroup on Fri.  Try them – you won’t even be able to tell they’re “healthy.”

My changes in red:

Oatmeal Cookies with Cranberries & Chocolate Chips (Adapted from this book)

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup whole grain pastry flour (I used whole wheat flour)
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup canola oil (I used natural applesauce)
3 large egg whites
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup cranberries, coarsely chopped (I used raisins)
2 1/4 cups chopped walnuts
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I used mini ones so they would incorporate better)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, cinnamon, and salt.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, oil, eggs whites, and vanilla until smooth.  Fold in cranberries, walnuts and chocolate chips.  Gradually fold in flour mixture and stir until well blended.

3. Drop batter by tablespoons onto large baking sheets coated with nonstick cooking spray.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until cookies are browned. (I baked mine for closer to 15 since I wanted them crispier).

4. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Even though I used applesauce instead of oil and a 2 less eggs when doubling the recipe, my cookies still stuck together fairly well.  In the future I will be pressing these into large baking pans to make bars instead.

Listening To – Ray LaMontagne - I downloaded both if his CDs and love them equally.  He is perfect afternoon nap music for Baby Bear and me.

Reading - Since I am currently obsessed with PaperBack Swap and BookMooch I have received a small stack of new books to read.  Currently in my pile are Strong Mothers Strong Sons and Too Busy Not To Pray.  I’m also devouring my book club selection, People of the Book.

Participating In – Kelli’s CAOK – Calculated Acts of Kindness for 2009.  Once again Kelli is leading us on a journey of doing nice things for people for the Lenten season, although Miss Kelli is pretty good at doing this year round.  Join us here!

Creating - Not much these days as Baby Bear doesn’t take many predictable naps and when he does nap, not attached to my body via a baby sling, I am either showering or doing dishes.  I know that as he gets a bit older and starts playing more independently I will have a few spare moments here and there to turn my sewing machine on.  In the past 3 months the only thing I have managed to sew was a diaper changing pad.  I’m also still knitting that scarf I started over a month ago and it’s far from scarf weather here in Spain, I’ll have to sock it away for next year when I finally finish it.

Browsing:  Another awesome recipe site.  This one is great too for your mock restaurant versions of your favorite foods.  This baking supply site – which I found via Crafty Crow.  I can’t wait to bake special birthday cakes for my kids and you can be sure I will be using this site for many fun things.  Another fun blog link from Crafty Crow – check out her giveaway. 

Watching: Rocky - yes, I love myself some Sylvester Stallone.  I knew I wanted to marry my husband when I found out he, too, owned the entire VHS boxed set of the Rocky series.  Also watched and loved Slumdog Millionaire.  If you haven’t seen this movie yet, check it out, very well done and such a creative plot line.

Reading: This book, this book, and getting ready to re-read this book for book club.  If you haven’t picked up People of the Book, you must.  I can see a movie in the works for this one someday.

Listening To: Sasha Fierce

Cooking: Chicken Enchiladas and vanilla pound cake for girl’s night, orzo for Parenting Study using a mixture of this recipe and this recipe.

What I’ve been up to lately:

Reading: Just finished The Farming of Bones – very depressing but extremely well written and it was a great read for book club, lots to discuss.  When I’m not trying to finish a fiction novel I am currently digesting piles of baby books.  This one is my current favorite.

Cooking: White Chicken Chili – yum!

Baking: These for Finny and Donk’s Craft-Along.  They were so yummy, my women’s group loved them!  I also made this but it wasn’t great.  I have to make something with the pounds and pounds of lemons hanging off the tree in my backyard.

Listening To: Podcasts by this man - love everything he has to say.  Also jamming to her and these guys.

Browsing:  Loving this site, already posted and requested a few books.  Also loving this site for new recipes and gotta love all the pictures.

Watching: I seriously contemplated naming my son Jack Bauer Taylor because I love this show so much but we liked Tripp better.  Another show I am so glad is back after the holiday hiatus is Grey‘s although am I the only one that is annoyed with the whole Denny/Izzie dead guy scenario?

Crafting: This scarflet is slow going because I usually have a little one in my arms.  Not sure how much longer I’ll need it here in Spain but I can’t wait until it’s finished.  I’m using a brown wool and turquoise worsted together, I’ll post pics when it’s off the needles.  I also made one of these with a beautiful asian silk to carry my little guy around in.  Since he loves the sling so much I have 3 different ways to carry him now – the Baby Bjorn, the Ultimate Baby Wrap and a handmade ring sling.

Half of the pies entered

The other half of the pies. 

The Black Bottomed Peanut Butter Mousse Pie has to be one of my new favorite pie recipes.  Even though it was about 3 steps too many for me, I will be making this again.  But please, I implore you, when you make this bring a gallon of milk, you will need it to wash down the richness of this pie.

My goofy Hubby and 2 of his equally goofy friends also entered a pie into the contest, half in jest.  They actually won first place, surprisingly enough.  3 of the 5 judges were men who were so excited to see Pizza Rolls used this way.  I think the guys are going to send their recipe into Totino’s to be marketed on the back of the packaging.  Hilarious!

Joe and his friends, Brady and Joey – the brains behind “Lord of the Pies” a pie made entirely out of frozen Pizza Rolls.

“Lord of the Pies” – complete with a pepperoni and bacon smiley face.  Too funny!

Finishing almost all the things on my “to-make” list before the baby comes.  I need to make a few more dozen bagels because they came out sooo good and attempt to make some homemade pasta while I still have my friend’s stand mixer.  I cannot bring myself to give this thing back.  It’s a good thing she doesn’t need it for anything these days.  I think I’ll make her some homemade bagels to thank her for lending it to me.

The best pumpkin bread recipe ever.  Thanks Amy!  Seriously 4 days after making it, it’s still moist.  I didn’t have quite a full can of pumpkin so I also used some pureed apple from my juicer and added chocolate chips.  The recipe made 6 mini loaves for me.  I’ve given 3 loaves away, we ate one and I have 2 loaves left that I have to give away or I WILL eat it.

My finally finished Christmas mantel.  I am very happy with how it came out this year.  The glass balls in the tall vases and the Christmas quote advent garland (tutorial to come) are my favorite parts.  Well, I am a little partial to the red curled paper Christmas tree as well.  Ok, and the cute-as-a-button “My First Christmas” Stocking I found the other day for Tripp.

The Scrapbooker’s Dream Bundle would start anyone off making a scrapbook – it includes everything you need to make a 12″ x 12″ album (including the album itself).

The Bags & Tags Bundle is perfect for making small hostess or co-worker gifts.

This sale is only good until Dec. 1st so hurry over to my website and place your order online.  We have very reasonable shipping rates and your items will be on your doorstep in 7 – 10 days – the best thing is you don’t have to get up at 5 AM to stand in line in the freezing cold.

A new-momma-to-be hairdo.  I wanted something short and sweet that didn’t take 20 min. to blow-dry.  I love it and it’s dry in 5 minutes – woohoo!

A new-to-us car.  Some friends were leaving Spain right as our car broke down so we got a “new” car just in time to bring our baby home soon.  Sorry no pics, the car is gone all day when Joe takes it to work.

Crockpot Granola – yes you read that right!  This granola came out so yummy!  I dried frozen blueberries for this granola and added coconut, some leftover cranberry trail mix, walnuts, and some sugar free maple syrup in addition to the honey and butter.

Nesting this week has included baking 7 dozen of these, 4 dozen of these  and 6 dozen of these.

My new favorite creamer – just when I start to complain that my little Commissary supermarket on the Navy Base 1.5 hours away doesn’t have anything good for the holidays I stumble upon something so good I can’t believe my eyes.  Starbucks’ Peppermint Mocha is my favorite holiday drink and this creamer means I can have one everyday without all the hassle (well similar enough for the morning cup ‘o’ joe).