Thinking Out Loud – Cookies, Sprinkles and Blog Redesign

 

Notice anything different?

You know that feeling inside where you “just know?” The feeling that tells you, “this is the one”, “this is me”, “this is right?”

I found my wedding dress at the very first store on the very first day that I began the search (second dress tried on), I had my son’s name decided upon before I even knew he was a boy and the moment I walked into my old house during an open house? I just knew it was mine.

I am the same way with people I date but that’s a story for another time. We should talk about dating sometimes, shouldn’t we? It almost becomes taboo topic but shouldn’t be taboo topic since we all have so many stories to share on the subject.

I never had that feeling with my first blog redesign and I just couldn’t shake it. Now though? Oh my gosh, I am in love with the new design of my blog to the point where I got up extra early today to look around and play with it.

Is this what Christmas morning feels like? I always wondered.

If I want to be honest, part of me wants to rush on through this blog post just so I can see it live on my site. The pink and green color combination are so my favorite that they immediately put a smile on my face.

In fact, the green gingham pattern is the exact shade and design of the comforter I had back when I was 18. Wow, that may have been a long time ago now that I think about it yet it feels like yesterday.

I don’t have a ton of time today to play around with the site though and really, that’s just fine with me. My brain has been on overload this week, especially after yesterday’s site technological issues unrelated to the redesign (so sorry if you tried to leave a comment and were unable to do so).

After my run this morning, I am heading into the city for a few hours of mental freedom and hopefully a really good lunch. Yes, a good time to me is defined by good food.

So last night the little boy informed me that he was having an extreme cookie craving.

Being the person (and awesome mother) that I am, my freezer is always stocked with both bakery cookies as well as cookies I have baked and frozen for emergency cookie craving situations.

Please tell me you have had a black and white cookie. I have this sheltered New Yorker attitude which doesn’t understand how most people outside of this area have never had or heard of the big black and white delicacy.

What about rainbow cookies? Have you had a rainbow cookie?

It breaks my heart in several pieces to have learned that our Thinking Out Loud host, Amanda, has never had a rainbow cookie. I am so sad about this fact that I think I will be shipping her some very soon.

Speaking of rainbows, let’s talk sprinkles. Or jimmies as I hear some people out of this area call them. I can never call them that though, sprinkles are sprinkles.

See, even the label says they are sprinkles.

I love sprinkles because they are cute and little and pretty but if you are only eating them because you think they are saving you calories over choosing another topping, think again.

I know we never talk calories and I really don’t count them but I can’t help myself from informing you that the caloric value of sprinkles is basically the same as chocolate chips only sprinkles are far worse in the ingredients department.

One serving of sprinkles, which is 20 calories, is for ONE TEASPOON. Let’s get real here – if you are eating sprinkles, you are certainly eating several teaspoons.

Three teaspoons = One tablespoon therefore one tablespoon of sprinkles = 60 calories.

Far worse than caring about the calories is the ingredients. Yikes. Hydrogenated this and that, a bunch of stuff we can’t pronounce as well as all of the artificial colors of the rainbow including red #40 and yellow #5  which are lurking in the chocolate sprinkles too.

Now, one tablespoon of chocolate chips will run you only a few calories more than the sprinkles (each serving of chocolate chips is around 70-80 calories depending upon the brand).

You can enjoy true chocolate chips which taste much better and contain far fewer ingredients and no artificial colors.

If you are eating the sprinkles because they are pretty or because you love the texture and taste, I totally hear that.

I will continue to eat the sprinkles that wrap around my favorite chocolate dipped waffle bowls but at the yogurt store toppings bar? Chocolate chips all the way.

My goodness, I just remember my dream: I arrived at next week’s half marathon with about 30 seconds to spare before the start, no jelly beans in my pocket and worst of all – no ear buds to listen to music.

That wasn’t a dream, that was a nightmare.

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Be sure to check out what everyone else is thinking today!

Sprinkles or Jimmies?

Favorite bakery cookie?

Do you have dreams/nightmares before races?

 

Blog Redesign And Printing Coupons

Somehow it is Monday and I haven’t a clue where the weekend went.

Besides remembering I had my most favorite salsa with those plantain type chips Saturday night, the rest of the weekend is a blur. As is my blog at the moment.

If you haven’t noticed, the blog is under some restructuring this week so please bear with me as we install all of the changes and then work out the kinks that come with making the changes. Like, why are there suddenly double images appearing in my posts?

Have I ever mentioned that I hate technology?

Speaking of hating technology, what would you have done if the following message popped up on your computer screen:

PRINTER NEEDS AN INTERVENTION!

No, I am not joking around.

There was no paper jam and nothing I could see on the surface being wrong. The last thing I felt like doing was rounding up a technological support group to stage an intervention for my PRINTER.

I laughed about this for a while, as in a few months. I couldn’t determine the issue and really didn’t have time to counsel a printer so I went without printing anything from home for way too long.

I can get by without printing documents but I did miss printing my coupons. I clip what I can each week from the Sunday circulars but they never really include a majority of the brands that I buy on a regular basis.

Last week I decided to check on the emotional status of my printer and suddenly he was feeling well enough to print for me. Notice I decided my printer must be male simply because it had been silent, unavailable and suddenly back to normal with no explanation.

While it can be time-consuming and annoying to have to sit and search for internet coupons, you only need to do so every few weeks since the sites usually refresh their coupons at the start of each month.

And, since you have me, I will save you some time and tell you which sites to go to for the best money-saving deals.

COUPONS SITES TO CHECK OUT FOR NOVEMBER:

Mambo Sprouts is an awesome website which offers great savings for healthy, natural and organic brands. I recently printed coupons for  KidFresh, Way Better Snacks, Barbara’s Bakery Cereal and  Van’s Waffles.

Applegate is awesome not only for their organic, hormone and antibiotic free products but because I can always count on printing out a bunch of their coupons each month. I usually hit a limit but after a few weeks, it lets you print again.

I always buy their turkey breast, roast beef and cheese for the little boy as well as their chicken nuggets.

Best part? These coupons double so you are saving $1.50 off each item (as long as your grocery store doubles coupons).

All of those extra dollars you end up saving can be used towards your winter running apparel and accessories.

It is 32 degrees here this morning so I am starting to brace myself for a chilly morning run.

Have a great Monday!

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I NEED TO KNOW:

Are you tech savvy?

Do you print or clip your coupons on a regular basis? And, once you clip, do you actually use them or forget them at home?

Did you run the NYCM yesterday?

Quick Hello and Peanut Butter Cookies

Notice anything different?

The site is still a work in progress but it is slowly coming together. Please bear with me if you experience any glitches – I am so not patient when it comes to computers nor am I close to even being considered tech savvy… but I am learning.

I also have no patience with the less than fun runs that just keep occurring. Over and over.

I have been trying to determine what could be the cause of my running rut. I am always trying to cure things through food and  realized that I haven’t been eating enough sweet potatoes lately so I made sure to have them with dinner last night as pre-fun fuel.

I set out nice and early this morning under the impression that I felt great. Well except for the fact that the sun is slowly rising later and later signifying that summer is almost over.

The first four miles were fine. After that, well, things went down hill. My left foot started aching and the ache continued up my calf.

I stopped to adjust my laces a few times but it did nothing to alleviate the problem.

Could I be due for new sneakers already? I sure as heck hope not but I guess anything is possible.

As soon as I finished my run, my foot and leg felt fine – which is a good thing. The last thing I need, or anyone needs for that matter, is an injury.

Cookies though, cookies are always welcome.

The most incredible flourless peanut butter chocolate chip cookies ever.

I first learned of this recipe from Jen over at Peanut Butter Runner.

I have made them a few times and I am absolutely insisting that you make these cookies as soon as possible.

With no flour or butter, I may even deem them healthy.

Click here for the recipe.

 

I, of course, used Peanut Butter & Co. Crunch Time peanut butter but you can use any nut butter of your choice.

I also used a heavy hand adding the chocolate chips to the batter – the more the merrier in my mind.

Warning: MAJOR SELF CONTROL NEEDED WHEN YOU REMOVE THESE COOKIES FROM THE OVEN.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!