1. Oreo Truffles

2. Red Velvet Cake Balls (please see Lindsay’s recipe/instructions here):

3. Strawberry Cake Balls (I used the same recipe with strawberry cake and vanilla icing and dipped in white chocolate bark):

Note: If you feel like making these balls soon-ish, Michael’s Crafts is having a “buy-one-get-one-half-off” sale on Wilson’s Chocolate Bark.  This stuff is amazing – it comes in all different colors and flavors.  I went with plain ol’ milk chocolate and white chocolate, but I think that the possibilities are endless!  (Thanks for the heads-up, Cari!)

I also got some spankin’ white tins at Michael’s.  G asked me if there was an advantage to using tins over tupperware last night…um, yes! 

They’re CUTER!  DUH! 

Witness:

I’m such a baller.  (Had to.)

xx, L

PS thanks for introducing me to Cake Balls, Linds!  I’m just sad it took me so long to get on the bandwagon! 

PPS can you believe I stretched my baking escapades into 2 posts?

I can’t WAIT for this union

But before Richmond, we’ll be spending 5 glorious days in Charleston with 14 of our nearest and dearest!

Hopefully we will recreate this conga line

In preparation for my trip, I thought now would be a good time to try my hand at making cake balls (darling Cari is coming to my aide tomorrow…stay tuned) and tonight…Jaimi, Stephanie and I tackled (a couple of bottles of wine and…) OREO TRUFFLES!

You guys. They are DELICIOUS and SO SO EASY!

Here’s what you need:

1 package of Oreo cookies
1 block (8oz) cream cheese
2 (8oz) packages of Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted

Here’s what you do:

1.    Take out 9 Oreos

2.   Try really hard not to eat them

3.    Separate the remaining 36 Oreos and stick them in your food processor:

4.    Crush them into a fine powder

5.    Throw in your block of cream cheese and blend

6.    Roll into little balls (Note: it’s easier when your Oreo/cream cheese is colder, so I would occasionally stick it in the freezer for a moment or two while rolling and dipping)
7.    Dip into melted chocolate
8.    Crush up the reserved Oreos and sprinkle on top

9.    Voila!

Give ‘em a shot!  They are totally adorable and totally addictive! Yowza!

The best part?  I didn’t even have to turn on my oven!

xx, L

I really think they taste even better than Quaker’s chewy granola bars. And, you can quote me.  No really, you can.

Here’s the Q+DD on Fiber One bars’ nutritional facts:

Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 140 g
Fat: 4 g
Carbs: 29 g  (not fantastic, but i’ve seen worse…)
Protein: 2 g
Dietary Fiber: 9 g  (35% of your daily value!)

I go through a box a week, and pick them up whenever I see them. They are e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.- Kroger, Publix, CVS, gas stations…

for you, Ams.

Try ‘em, you’ll see.

xx, L

In retrospect, I feel like I did pretty well for having extremely hunger-impaired judgement in the TJ’s aisles.  I wasn’t thrilled with my decision to pick up a loaf of freshly-baked raisin walnut bread or TJ’s rice pudding (insert Adam Lambert’s ballad “What Do You Want From Me?!”)…

trust me - shopping while hungry can be a recipe for disaster...

…but I DID end up with some healthy staples: flattened bananas, hearty trail mix, frozen shrimp and organic blueberries.  My three most impressive items, however, seem pretty unhealthy, but actually aren’t that bad when you really look at the nutritional breakdown:

Trader Joe’s Fat Free Crumbled Feta (recently featured in the AJC)

Nutritional Facts:
Serving Size: 1 oz
Calories: 35 g
Fat: 0 g
Carbs: 1 g
Sodium: 260 mg
Protein: 7 g

Trader Joe’s Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Nutritional Facts:
Serving Size: 1/8 container, 2 Tbsp
Calories: 45 g
Fat: 3 g
Carbs: 2 g
Sodium: 170 mg
Protein: 6 g

Trader Joe’s Soy & Flaxseed Tortilla Chips

hi, i'm blurry.

Nutritional Facts:
Serving Size: 10 oz, 7 chips
Calories: 130 g
Fat: 8 g
Carbs: 13 g
Sodium: 50 mg
Protein: 6 g

Not too terrible, huh?  The items that took the cake, though, were definitely THESE guys:

love

love even more!

Moral of the story:  It’s always smart to follow my Rule #84 (just here to help, y’all!) and avoid the grocery when you’re feeling hunger pains, but if you absolutely HAVE to go  – go to Trader Joe’s.  The healthy nutritional content of your seemingly-bad-for-you-thrown-into-the-cart-in-a-hunger-rage loot just may surprise you! 

xx, L

Trader Joe’s – Midtown
931 Monroe Dr. NE  30308
404.815.9210
www.traderjoes.com

the bride-to-be + me

I’ve blogged about it before, but as a reminder:  EVOS is an alternative fast food franchise (also in CA, FL and NC) specializing in healthy and environmentally sound eats, featuring soy, veggie, turkey and salmon burgers, fruit smoothies and their signature Airfries.  They Airbake (of course) their Airfries instead of deep-frying, which saves us 50-70% of the fat.  Also, they cater.  Awesome.  The company website describes the restaurant chain as “inspired, energetic, real, philanthropic, culturally plugged in, adventurous, respectful, fresh and forward thinking.”  Even before I actually went, I wanted to give this restaurant a hug.

Dana and I both ordered the Steakburger + Airfries. The Steakburger was a bit on the dry side, but was still good enough to finish - and we certainly felt better eating it than we would have any other fast food hamburger.  The Airfries were delicious.  They did not taste lowfat at all, even though the restaurant insists that they are.  I’m still not 100% convinced, though…

EVOS steakburger + airfries

When I got up to refill my fountain soda + get some more ketchup for our Airfries, I saw a flier with EVOS’s daily specials listed on it, AND I’d like to share that w/ y’all:

(Refresh) Mondays:  Receive a FREE Regular Shake or Drink with the purchase of any Hand-Tossed Salad.

(Truly Awesome) Tuesdays:  Receive a FREE Regular order of Airfries & Drink with the purchase of an EVOS Original Steakburger.

(Wrap-it-up) Wednesdays:  Receive a FREE Regular Shake with the purchase of any Wrap.

(Thankful) Thursdays:  Receive a FREE Organic Cookie with the purchase of a Warm Veggie Chili Value Meal.

Isn’t alliteration fun, kids?!

(Hot Dog It’s) Fridays:  Receive a FREE 2nd Hot Dog with the purchase of an Adult Hot Dog Value Meal.

(Shake-it-up) Saturdays:  Receive a FREE Shake with the purchase of a Shake of equal or lesser value.

(Family Fun) Sundays:  Receive a FREE Kids Meal w/ drink with the purchase of any Adult Meal.

These are pretty good deals, and EVOS is worth a try – especially if you take advantage of one of the freebies listed above.  I don’t think that this chain is for everyone, but I will probably eat there again when I want to splurge on a fast food, basic hamburger + fries, but I don’t want to destroy my diet for the week or feel guilty about it. 

I’m definitely interested to know what y’all think.

xx, L

EVOS– Midtown 
855 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA  30308
www.evos.com

EVOS – Sandy Springs 
5590 Roswell Rd. NE
Atlanta, GA  30342
404.252.4022
www.evos.com

I started eating SS on the regular while I was in college.  When you comb out the insides of the squash after you cook it, it comes out in fine strands that resemble spaghetti.  SS is relatively tasteless and very filling, just like pasta, but it’s a much healthier substitute.

Cooking Instructions for Spaghetti Squash:

(You can bake, boil or slow cook SS, but I prefer to just microwave it.) 

- Cut squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds.
- Place squash cut sides up in a microwave dish with 1/4 cup water.
- Cover squash with plastic wrap.
- Cook on high for 10 – 12 minutes, depending squash size.
- (Add more cooking time if necessary.)
- Let stand covered for 5 minutes.
- Use a folk to comb out the strands, like so…

You can incorporate spaghetti squash into a variety of dishes, but my preference is for it to be a marinara sauce vehicle.

In my experience, spaghetti squash is good for about two – three days (tops) after you cook it.  I usually only cook half of the squash at a time and then Tupperware-up the remains.

Spaghetti squash is available year-round in most grocery stores.   It really is a dieter’s dream, as a four-ounce serving of SS only has about 37 calories.  Plus, lugging the 4 – 8 pound squash from the grocery into your house is a workout in itself.

xx, L

Among a number of other important properties, B vitamins support and increase the rate of cell metabolism and help to raise your energy level.  Since I’ve been taking the vitamin, I haven’t necessarily experienced super human strength or marathon runner’s energy bursts, but I haven’t gotten sick and I’ve been generally feeling pretty good. 

I asked pharmacist friends of mine a few weeks ago if they thought I was exaggerating how important taking B vitamins is for my body, and they said that they both personally take a B vitamin supplement and strongly recommend it. 

love you, lucy.

I get my B vits at CVS, but if you are braver than me, you can also get them as injections.  I’d personally rather lay face down in an ant pile than subject myself to shots that I don’t absolutely have to have, but to each his/ her own. 

Just wanted to let everyone know – I’m liking my daily B. 

xx, L

Greek yogurt is much thicker and creamier than regular yogurt. The reason for its thickness is that in the process of making it they strain and boil away excess liquid, leaving behind a yogurt that is thicker and higher in protein.  I’ve tried Trader Joe’s and Yoplait’s Greek yogurt, but I like Chobani’s the best.

Visit Chobani’s website to see all of their flavors (the fruit on the bottom blueberry flavor is my personal favorite)!

Here’s the Q+DD on Greek yogurt:

- Twice the protein of regular yogurt
- No fat. No cholesterol.
- All natural: no artificial flavors or preservatives
- No synthetic growth hormones
- Includes 3 types of probiotics
- Kosher certified
- Gluten free
- Safe for people with soy, corn and nut allergies
- Vegetarian friendly: made without gelatin
- Only 20 carbs and 140 calories

Yum!  I like Greek yogurt for breakfast, but it would also be excellent for a healthy dessert.  Pick some up at your local Publix or Kroger ASAP!

xx, L

I may be a proud Texan, but tortilla chips (even the blue ones) are a thing of the past.  Risotto Chips are where it’s at!  They come in three flavors: sea salt + parmesan and roasted garlic + spicy marinara. (Sea salt is my personal fav.)  Here’s the breakdown on these guys:

Risotto Chips – Sea Salt Flavor
Nutritional Facts Per Serving
Calories: 140
Fat: 7 g
Carbs: 19 g
Protein: 2 g

Best of all, they are gluten-free (Ams – you can eat these!) + they have 11 grams of whole grains (so basically they just burn your fat… ) + they taste really great!  Next time you’re throwing a party and need munchies, hosting a dinner and need something to go with your appetizer dips or you went to the grocery store when you were hungry (don’t EVER do that), try out Risotto Chips.  They are delish! 

(I would never survive on an Atkins diet…)

Pick them up at Publix, Kroger or Sam’s Club – or check them out here:
http://www.newyorkstyle.com/newyorkstylerisottochips.php

xx, L

Aside from Whole Foods-prepared Viet. spring rolls, I’d never eaten Vietnamese food before.  (It’s always interesting not having a benchmark for which to compare new foods or restaurants, but that’s kind of the point of Eat Squad, I guess.) 

This ES session, we had the honor of food blogger FB joining us.  We all sat down at a large round table at the restaurant and perused the extensive menu.  I was pretty overwhelmed, so I asked Mr. B. – who has experience with Viet. food – to order for me.  On his and our friendly waitress’s recommendation, we decided to eat family style and order a number of tasty dishes, a few of which we had to prepare + cook ourselves. 

Below are a few pictures of our meal:

the "create your own spring roll" spread

fish + meat for the spring rolls

waitress showing cari how to prepare the spring rolls

my spring roll didn't really cut it...

cold pot w/ fish, veggies + broken rice (my fav.)

waitress stirring the cold pot and explaining to us the history of broken rice - a famous Viet. peasant dish

i went back for thirds - it was delicious!

veggies to cook in hot pot

fish to cook in hot pot

beef to cook in hot pot

hot pot cooking on our table

mmmmmmmmmmm!

I really enjoyed this meal.  In preparation for my upcoming vacations, I am kinda watching my waistline (only kinda) and I didn’t feel guilty at all about what I ate.  To me, Vietnamese food is like a healthier version of Thai food.  I definitely want to get it again, but I’d like to consider trying some other Viet. restaurants around town.  For the Eat Squad members who had eaten Viet. before, they said that Bamboo was good – but not the best in town.  Whatever the case, I’m happy to know that I like Viet. food and I look forward to trying it again soon.

The next Eat Squad gathering will take us to Cafe Agora in Buckhead for some Mediterranean cuisine.  Stay tuned…

xx, L

Bamboo Grill & Hot Pot
4646 Buford Highway St.
Atlanta, GA  30341
678.580.1727