March 8th, 2010
I don’t know about you, but I’m still kind of sour over the fact that we barely had a fall this year. (I tend to hold grudges…) It went from sunny and warm to FREEZING and cold almost overnight! And since spring is nowhere to be found, I figured I’d try and re-live a bit of fall. Because there’s nothing that BAKING can’t fix 
Introducing: “If you close your eyes you’ll swear it’s fall” PUMPKIN MUFFINS!
You’ll need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup egg substitute
- 3/4 cup skim milk
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
- cooking spray
1.) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2.) Spray 12 2-1/2 inch muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
3.) In a large bowl, stir together dry ingredients and make a well in center of the mixture.
4.) In a separate bowl, combine egg substitute, milk and applesauce. Stir in pumpkin.
5.) Add pumpkin mixture all at once to flour mixture and stir until just moistened (batter will be lumpy).
6.) Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full.
7.) Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from muffin cups. Serve warm. The batter makes 12 muffins!
These are incredible (and only 100 calories!) and you’ll notice they are very healthy! Although I assure you that they don’t taste healthy – no sir! These babies are so moist and jam-packed with fall flavor! And if you don’t want to re-live fall, that’s fine too — because pumpkin is perfectly acceptable all year round — right? Please tell me I’m not the only fall-obsessed crazie!
Snack ideas for pumpkin muffins:
- Spread with cream cheese for a delicious breakfast or mid-day snack
- Crumble on top of oatmeal for a filling breakfast
- Top with Cacao Bliss or another decadant nut butter for dessert
Any other ideas?!
Tags: healthy snack, recipe
Posted in Make It | 15 Comments »
March 5th, 2010
I CHEATED.
Remember my lenten commitment? Well, I tried not to think about it as I was stuffing my face with THIS:
Yes, that is my beloved za.
Before you start casting your judgements, let me EXPLAIN!
The Mister and I had BIG news to celebrate! He made some amazing achievements professionally and I am so incredibly proud of him. He wanted a za, and how could I possibly let down this charming smile?
This photo is more than 5 years old, but I love it
How are you guys doing on your lent commitments? Any other cheaters to join me in my corner of shame?
Tags: the mister
Posted in Daily Delish | 12 Comments »
March 5th, 2010
Happy Friday! I have lots of photos this week so I’m going to stop my babbling and get right to it!
In the mix:
- Skirt: Talbot’s
- Brown suede shirt: Nordstrom
- Scarf: Anthropologie
- Boots: Dillard’s
In the mix:
- Skirt: Nordstrom
- Top: Boutique in Florida
- Boots: Boutique in Chagrin Falls, Ohio (Winds of Change)
- Katie
Welcome, Katie! How chic is she?! I LOVE those shoes! And it’s so great that they are such a neutral color – you can basically wear them with anything! The dress is such a classic and looks great with her beautiful skin tone. I also dig the belt and the fact that it accentuates her tiny waist – SO CUTE! Katie’s dress and shoes are from Banana Republic and her watch is Tag.
Lindsay
Next up, Lindsay! Now, before we get to the clothes, Linday’s house is STUNNING My wood floors are jealous of her wood floors – I don’t think mine could look that clean if they tried! (And I am jealous of her SHORT SLEEVES!) Anyway, moving on… how adorable is this girl? I LOVE the bag! Is it Marc Jacobs? Kate Spade? I tend to have a good eye… I admire the simplicity of this outfit – it screams casual chic! And look how a sparkly necklace can take an outfit to the next level – so sophisticated!
Marie
SO charming! I smiled when I saw this sweater (p.s. any piece of clothing that truly makes you smile — BUY IT!). She tells me it’s from Wet Seal, and I kind of refuse to believe her! Tell me that does not look like it was pulled straight from Anthropologie! So DARLING! This is the type of sweater I need to feel like spring is in the air! So cute.
Aimee
Never underestimate the chicness that one solid color provides. Aimee looks artsy, stylish AND comfortable! And I love that she decided to change it up at the bottom with a different colored ballet flat. If it were me, THAT is where I would add my pop of color — maybe bright pink, emerald green or yellow — with black as your base-color, you can really go with whatever you’d like! Those pants are great! Are they just skinny jeans or thicker leggings? (jeggings!) Such a relaxed feel – I envey your “cool factor.”
Thanks to all who participated!
This week’s winner is….
Here are your random numbers:
1
Timestamp: 2010-03-05 13:58:56 UTC
KATIE!
Katie: email me your mailing address and I’ll send out your prize pack!
To everyone else: thanks to those who entered and I hope more of you participate next time! Katie will be receieveing a year’s subscription to YOGA JOURNAL, some yummy nut butter, a collection of hot tea, and some other goodies — see? it pays to participate!
Tags: contest, Fashion
Posted in Fashion | 9 Comments »
March 4th, 2010
Make sure you email me your photos tonight to be entered in the Fashion Friday contest! Email address: thedailybalance [at] gmail [dot] com
Need a rule refresher?
GREAT prizes this time!
Tags: contest
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
March 4th, 2010
I went out to breakfast with my family a few weeks ago (don’t worry it was before lent!).
You all know how high breakfast ranks on my list, and I always enjoy trying new places. So I convinced my family to go to Scrambler Marie’s, a fairly new place in town. Scrambler Marie’s has about 5 other locations, throughout Ohio.
From the restaurant’s website:
Scrambler Maries’ is a family owned restaurant concept open from 6:30am to 3:00pm every day. It was begun in 1990 by Shain and Phil Buerk of Toledo, Ohio at its original location which continues to operate today on Secor Road. Because it is a family business most of the Buerk family has been involved in the operation at some time. Even Phil’s wife and Shain’s Mom Deby Marie continues to hostess in the restaurants. The recipes for the original menu which remains relatively unchanged came from Phil’s background in the food service industry as a multiple unit Wendy’s franchisee; Shain’s experience in the breakfast business; and advice and suggestions from all of the family whose names the menu carries.
How cool is it that this place is TRULY family owned and operated? These types of places are always the best (in my experience), yet they rarely get the press and recognition. Let’s do somehting about that.
Please leave a comment telling me where you live and your favorite breakfast spot(s)! Now I’ll know where to go to breakfast when I’m traveling
Cleveland’s BEST: Original Pancake House, Lucky’s, First Watch (I know it’s a chain, but it’s a small one!), Chicago Deli, The Inn on Coventry and Scrambler Marie’s
Check out that delectable egg white omlette filled with spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and swiss cheese. Served with SALSA, of course!
Tags: breakfast, daily delish, restaurant review
Posted in Daily Delish | 26 Comments »
