3 Favorite Treats Using a Brownie Mix {Blast from the Past}

Doesn't get any easier than this...great for last minute snacks and bake sales. 

Mini Brownie Treats (2 basic ingredients)

Using a brownie mix and a tub of coconut pecan frosting and you are set to impress anyone who tastes these yummy treats....

German Chocolate Bars

These are one of my all time favorites...EVER! It's like a buckeye
in the middle of a brownie....SHAZAM!

Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies

Simple Oatmeal Pie (Sugar Free Option)

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY PRECIOUS HUBBY...
MY SUGARBEAR! 
(This photo was taken on Father's Day)

Couldn't resist sharing this...

(Among numerous health issues that he deals with, he's diabetic, so

I chose this pie that has a Sugar Free option) 

I've had oatmeal pie, but not for a very long time. I was so excited when I saw this, I made it soon after seeing the recipe.

(That doesn't always happen!) 

I used a hand mixer to blend and fluff a little more, but you could use a whisk if you really need to, just be sure to beat well.  

I also added pecans to make it kinda like a 'mock' pecan pie. 

It's already caramel-y - MY favorite flavor, after chocolate of course. 

This isn't as rich as pecan, but it makes for a great dessert.  And I so love that it's a one-bowl mix-up.  Can't beat that for easy cleanup!

You can toast the oats (tip below recipe) and omit the nuts, but I added both. Either/or is optional. 

Of course, making your own crust is the best, but I use a mix...

Whatever turns your crank...or rolling pin..=) 

I saw this recipe at JessicaNWood where Jessica shares this beloved pie of her

Nanny!  Please stop by and check out other lovely recipes she has there, like 

this awesome sounding Honey Bun Cake. 

SIMPLE OATMEAL PIE 

3/4 c. sugar

(I used 2/3 c...and I used xylitol)

6 Tb. butter, room temp

2 eggs

2/3 c. corn syrup

(I used 'sugar free' honey from Walmart)

1-1/2 tsp. vanilla

3/4 c. rolled oats, toasted** (toasting is optional)

1/2 c. chopped pecans, optional

1-9" unbaked pie crust 

Preheat oven to 325. Place pie crust on foil lined baking sheet. 

In large bowl, cream sugar and butter until smooth and fluffy. Mix in eggs, corn syrup and vanilla, being sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Stir in oats and nuts. 

Pour into pie crust and bake 45 minutes or until crust is brown and center is just a little jiggly. 

**TIP:  To toast oatmeal, place in a thin layer cake pan in the oven after preheated. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until they start to brown and have a strong, nutty aroma. Stir the oats occasionally, to prevent scorching and ensure even toasting.

Linked to Full Plate Thursday
Simple Buttermilk Pie

Microwave Pecan Pie

No Bake Biscoff Cheesecake Pie

​

Cake Mix Chocolate Waffles (4-Ingredients)

As soon as I saw this after a friend shared it at Facebook, I KNEW I was 

going to make them soon. And I'm so glad I did. 

The recipe is shared at Cooking Classy...and she has gorgeous

step by step photos, so please stop over there and check it out.

I love 'shortcuts' and this is a fabulous way to whip up a quick

dessert or to satisfy a sweet tooth. 

Just add water, eggs, and oil to a cake mix - bake in your waffle iron and top with berries and or whipped cream.  

Try drizzling some chocolate syrup, frosting or warmed nutella over the top for a 'power punch' dessert! 

CAKE MIX CHOCOLATE WAFFLES 

1 (16 - 18 ozs) chocolate cake mix 

1 c. water

1/3 c. vegetable oil

3 lg. eggs

• Preheat a waffle iron using medium heat. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, whisking until smooth. 
• Spray waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray and pour batter onto hot iron, spreading out as you can. Cook according to appliance instructions.  Serve warm with desired toppings.
• These waffles are great eaten plain or topped with sweetened whipped cream and fresh strawberries, raspberries or bananas.
• 
  

Linked to Full Plate Thursday
         Weekend Potluck

You might also enjoy these desserts that begin with a cake mix...

Triple Fudge Brownies

Luscious Lemon Sheet Cake (3 Ingredients)

Chocolate Caramel Cookies with Rolos

Ice Cream Pies

​

Leader Enterprise - August 5, 2015 - Peanut Butter

Monster Cookie Protein Balls

I know...it's hard to believe summer is coming to an end and kids will be going back to school soon. I thought it only right that we do a little 'talking' about this yummy-for-your-tummy protein-builder. 

Peanut butter has always been a favorite food for kids, and for moms, who could quickly make a lunch their kids would eat. Cooks have used it in all kinds of sweets, from cookies and cakes, to candy and beverages. We're now eating peanut butter in entrees and sides, even for breakfast. Spread peanut butter on toast. It's a great way to start the day with sustaining protein.

By law, peanut butter must contain 90% peanuts, with no artificial sweeteners, coloring or preservatives. 

Here are some fun and unusual (even nutty!) ideas for using this favorite product.

- Have you ever tried to cure hiccups with peanut butter? Try eating a heaping spoonful. Many claim its a definite cure.

- If a ring is stuck on your finger, lubricate it with peanut butter and it should slide right off.

- Is your child afraid to take a bandaid off? Coat it with peanut butter, let it sit for 5 minutes, then peel off.  The oils in the peanut butter dissolve the glues. (Adds some 'fun' to the process for your kids too!)

- Try dressing up your brownies with peanut butter. Either stir in 1/2 c. to the batter or dollop it over the top of your brownies before baking and swirl. It just may become a favorite way to enjoy them.

- I love adding a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter to my cooked oatmeal. (Drizzle some chocolate syrup on it for a 'no bake' cookie flavored breakfast!).

If you love the Amish Peanut Butter on tables at Shipshewana restaurants, you'll love being able to make your own. Simple and delicious. This makes great gifts too. 

Amish Peanut Butter

AMISH PEANUT BUTTER 

2 c. brown sugar

1 c. water

2 Tb. corn syrup

1 tsp. maple syrup

2 c. peanut butter

1 - 16 ozs. marshmallow fluff 

In large saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, water, corn syrup and maple syrup.  Stir until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat; let cool to about 15 minutes. 

In a large bowl, combine peanut butter and marshmallow fluff. Unless you have a stand mixer, I think it's easiest to stir it by hand.  Add cooled sugar mixture gradually and stir until it's smooth and combined well. Pour into air tight containers. Yield: 24 servings.

This next recipe is a fun thing for kids. I use to make it for my children, and now they make it for theirs.  Make sure their hands are clean...give them rolling pins and cookie cutters. Maybe they can decorate their creations with chocolate chips? They can eat the dough when they're done. (It's rich so they won't eat much).

PEANUT BUTTER PLAYDOH

2 parts smooth peanut butter (i.e. 1/2 c.)

2 parts powdered sugar (i.e. 1/2 c.)

1 part honey (i.e. 1/4 c.)

Using mixer or dough hook, mix ingredients together, adding more of one or the other, until right consistency. Store in sealed container. Make sure the surface and utensils are clean before children begin to play.

The kids will go wild over these healthy snacks.  Fun for the kids to make too. And oh so colorful!

MONSTER COOKIE PROTEIN BALLS 

1 c. dry (old-fashioned) or quick oats

1/2 c. ground flax seed

1/2 c. (natural) peanut butter

1/3 c. agave nectar or honey

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 - 1/2 c. mini m & m's 

1/4 - 1/2 c. mini chocolate (or carob) chips 

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl (or food processor for a smoother texture) and chill for 30 minutes. (I prefer to mix oats/flax seed in one bowl, then combine peanut butter, honey and vanilla in another, then mix the two together). Roll into balls. Refrigerate. Enjoy.

Gretchen Rubin has said "The days are long, but the years are short". Enjoy every day with your kids - they grow up much too quickly. 

Peanut Butter Delight & Weekend Potluck #182

WELCOME TO WEEKEND POTLUCK!! 
So happy to have you here....

AND....

Where I share something worth sharing...again...


This scrumptious dessert is always a hit.  With peanut
butter/cream cheese/Cool Whip over the crust, topped off with chocolate pudding, then more Cool Whip, it's sure to please! 

Peanut Butter Delight

Now, let's take a quick peek back at last week...

The recipe with the most clicks was ~

Southern Fried Pork Chops by Spicy Southern Kitchen

Recipes that caught our attention ~

Dilly Cucumber Salad by Cooking with Carlee

Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes by Crazy for Cookies and More

And, a personal favorite ~

Mini Mixed Berry Loaves  by With a Blast 

Your hostesses ~

• The Better Baker ~ Marsha
• The Country Cook~ Brandie
• Sunflower Supper Club ~ Kim & Julie
• Frugal Family Favorites ~ Tabitha
• Sweet Little Bluebird~ Mary

Remember that when you link up, it shows on all FIVE blogs. Plus…

We TWEET. We PIN. We LIKE.

Linky Guidelines:

If you wish to be a featured recipe or for us to promote your recipe either on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, you MUST follow these instructions.

1. Please link up to your exact post and not the main page to your blog.
2. LINK BACK HERE from your post so that others can find the fun. 
   When you are kind enough to follow our guidelines, we work hard to get you as much exposure as possible so that your time here is well invested. We want this to be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone!
   
   
   
   An InLinkz Link-up
   
   
   
   
   

Best Ever (M & M) Rice Krispy Treats (So many options!)

Oh what a special and 'classic' summer treat.

I kicked it up a notch, and used twice as much butter, browned it, and also added M & M's.

Chopped Peanut Butter Cups are great also. I love all the options these sweet treats bring. 

These are a quick and tasty snack any time of the year, but especially when it's warm outside. They have been a great product to sell at the farmer's market I'm involved in this summer. 

I also used caramel flavored marshmallows.  Along with the browned butter, I LOVED that flavor burst too.  You could also melt peanut butter along with the marshmallows...toss in some (frozen, so they don't melt so easily) chocolate chips -  the options are endless! 

Enjoy soon! 

BEST EVER (M & M) RICE KRISPY TREATS

1 stick butter, (8 Tb) browned**see tip below

1 (10 ozs) bag mini marshmallows, 

(plus 2 cups more, optional)

6-7 c. rice krispy cereal

(I used part multi-grain shapes rice krispies..

it adds texture, but doesn't change flavor)

few shakes of salt

1 - 2 c. M & M candies, (or chopped peanut butter cups), optional

Spray 9" X 13" pan (or 9" X 9" if you want real thick treats)

with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In large saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt the butter, then let it cook until it begins to brown and has a nutty fragrance. (TIP below).  Stir occasionally; Watch carefully it doesn't burn. (It takes about 5 - 6 minutes to brown). Quickly stir in bag of mini marshmallows, stirring until melted.  

Add Rice Krispies and salt. Stir until cereal is coated, then add 2 cups remaining marshmallows...these don't need to melt.  (that's an optional step). 

You may stir in some M & M candies at this point or just sprinkle them over the top before pressing in pan. 

I like to spray the back of my large metal spatula and use it to press the cereal tightly into the pan. But whatever floats your boat and it works...go for it. 

They don't have to cool before long before you can cut into them and begin enjoying this fun treat.  LOVE that about these treats! 

**TIP**

I cut the butter into even chunks to ensure even melting. After it's melted the butter will begin to foam up. You’ll see lightly browned specks begin to form at the bottom of the pan. It should begin to have a nutty aroma. Once it begins to turn golden, add marshmallows, turn heat way down and stir until melted. 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

No Bake Cocoa Bars (Healthy Choice)

No Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Lazy "Healthier" Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Balls

​

10 Easy Morning Tricks to Help you Stay Healthy - Guest Post

I'm pleased to share this delightful list of 'tricks' by blogger Bryn Huntpalmer of 

Her Own Wings.  These photos are so gorgeous and inviting too. I have 'stalked' her blog some and like what I see there, and can testify that these No-Carb Zucchini Pancakes  were very tasty! 

From Bryn's website:

When I’m not over-sharing on the internet or raising tiny humans, I work as the Senior Content Manager for Modernize.com – a home decor and inspiration website. 

Thanks Bryn for sharing! 

10 Easy Morning Tricks to Help You Stay Healthy

By Bryn Huntpalmer

Via Modernize

Wake up. Drink coffee. Get dressed. Work. Come home. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. Our lives are built around daily rituals, which rarely change and can affect our health in more ways than we know. Whether we realize it or not, our morning habits can shape the rest of the day, for better or for worse. Here are 10 of the easiest ways to kick start your day the healthy way.

1. Rise and shine

Waking up with the sun is tough at first, but it helps get you moving and keeps your own circadian rhythms in check. If the sun doesn’t come up until 8:00 or later (thank you, winter), consider investing in an alarm clock that wakes you up with light rather than jolting buzzers and bells. Your nervous system will thank you.

2. Water first

Before tucking in to your morning cup of coffee, drink a large glass of water to help rehydrate your body. Add lemon and warm the water to help flush out toxins. Even better, ditch the caffeine altogether (as if that were an option) and stick to water, green tea, and fresh fruit smoothies.

3. Get outside

Regardless of the weather, try to step outside for a few minutes to breathe fresh air. Amazingly, it really helps to wake up all the senses and remind you that you’re alive and part of something so much bigger than yourself.

via Modernize

4. Break your fast

We all know that skipping breakfast is a no-no, but we often overload on carbohydrates and bad fats in our morning meal. Stick to fruit, oats, and a little dairy to give your digestive system the start it needs every day.

5. Meditate

Meditation isn’t just for the religious. By sitting calmly and focusing on your breathing, you can feel instantly calmer and ready to tackle your to do list for the day. Try it; it really does work!

 via Modernize

6. Happy music

Listening to upbeat, happy music in the morning helps you to feel lighter and less burdened by the mountain of chores or tasks you have in front of you. Set your alarm to your favorite song or blast a feel-good album in the car on the way to work and you will be on track for a happier, healthier you.

7. Exercise

Exercise and physical health go hand in hand, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you should complete an Insanity DVD every morning before 7:00am. A few good stretches can do wonders for your joints, muscles, and mind.

via Modernize

8. Shower

Showering daily not only helps to keep you physically clean (obviously!) but also helps to wake you up. Use an invigorating citrus shower gel or put a few drops of essential oil in the shower to wake up your senses and clean off your body. Get extra healthy by dry brushing your body and sloughing off all your dead skin cells.

via Modernize

9. Plan your day

Making a to-do list helps keep your brain organized and focused, and a happy brain equals a happier and healthier outlook on life. People who feel good mentally are more likely to feel good physically, too.

10. Affirm

If the idea of meditation makes you uneasy, then affirmation will seem even harder. Keep it simple and try to look yourself in the eye while brushing teeth and repeat a few positive thoughts. You ARE kind, you ARE smart, you ARE important. (Thank you, The Help, for my daily mantra!)

By mixing up your morning routine to include healthy and positive choices, you will be well on your way to a fitter, happier you. Now, if only you could remember where you left those car keys...

Bryn Huntpalmer is a mother of two young children living in Austin, Texas where she currently works as an Editor for Modernize and nurtures her HGTV obsession. In addition to regularly contributing to Home Decor and Design websites around the web, her writing can be found on Lifehacker, About.com and on her personal blog Her Own Wings.