Trial of the Week- Homemade Brownies

Happy, Monday!
I have a short blog post today for the homemade brownies that my daughter made over the weekend.  I didn't even get a picture as the kids had them all gone before I could take one.  True story.  I have issues with most recipes in one way or another.  For example, I feel that sometimes there is not enough of one thing or too much of another.  I also know what my family likes and I will adjust accordingly.  So I basically wing it and write it down in case it works and make adjustments if needed.
We made brownies that were so moist, they were like a little party in your mouth!
We used a small glass pan (greased) and cooked at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Oven times may vary.
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2/3 c melted butter
1/2 c boiling water*
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 c broken dark chocolate pieces**
*I had read that boiling water breaks down sugar and mixes everything well and this is first time incorporating into a recipe. I thought this was a dose of pure craziness and not sure if that is even the real reason.  It worked well!
**We had mini dark chocolate bars left over from Easter.  I put in a Ziploc bag and smashed with a hammer. Baker's chocolate squares or chips would do.

I never do what recipes call for unless I am totally unfamiliar with what it is I am making, so I just mix it ALL together at once. 
I placed in the pan and cooked until a knife came out clean.  These were absolute heaven.  I took a tiny pinch of one; what I wanted to do was eat the entire pan as quickly as possible, but I can't do that and I was able to walk away.  I have learned from my healthier lifestyle that I can enjoy a bite and walk away.  You do not have to pig out on it, and then feel bad. It would be awful for my weight to have just one so I don't.  I have learned what I can and can not do in a trial by fire I guess you could say.  If you haven't, then you need to read some of my blog posts on how to control this sort of thing.

I wish I had a photo; they were beautiful.  Apparently, they were downright irresistible to teenagers running around on a Friday night.

I enjoy baking with my kids.  It is a good lesson for them to learn how to cook and we put on music and sing and dance, and just plain have fun! Sometimes you need just enough crazy to keep you sane. So in honor of Prince, we played some rocking tunes while we cooked.  I am so glad my kids love all kinds of music.  They would be missing out on so much if all they knew was Justin Bieber.  They love real music from blues to country, and rock to pop. I am a trendy mom, and this is just another of our trials that we face in creating well rounded kids.  Be the mom that makes the memories.  Even when all you want to do is sit, do so, but take the time to build Lego cities or make brownies or do cool Pinterest nail art. This is what they will take with them when we are gone...the memories that were made, not the things we bought them.

Trials by Food- Flip or Flop?

In a break from healthy living tips, I wanted to share some recipes that I found and tweaked. Flip or flop is what we usually call them in my house.  Some are just for me, because my six year old will never eat stuff cabbage rolls. So let's just leave that there.
I did a massive food prep on Sunday and had a blast.  It has been a while and I am so happy to be back in the groove with foods.  I love cooking.  All of my children love to cook and like to help where they can.  I try to teach them healthy food choices, even if the boy won't try it, he still makes excellent food choices overall.
I like to try recipes and tweak them to my specific tastes or needs in regards to being cleaner and healthier and some I don't becuase my husband is not on the bandwagon like me.  I am on Pinterest and love to try out new things.  Feel free to make your own additions. It is so easy to get in a rut with food that I hope by sharing my finds I help you as well.
Enjoy!



New Recipe:
Stuffed Cabbage Credit - Original Recipe- parsleysagesweet.com
Flip!
Recipe with my changes:
4 large frozen chicken breasts, boiled, cut into bite size pieces
1 c quinoa, cooked
1 large tomato cut into bite size pieces
1/2 head of cabbage
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
1 tsp fresh garlic (jar)

25 minutes in a 350 oven
Mix the chicken, quinoa, tomoatoes, pepper and garlic together.
I put the head of cabbage in the microwave for six minutes and it works! I had read
about this and thought I would try.  Less mess.
Wash and dry off.  Peel off leaves and drop a tbsp of mixture in and roll up like a little
burrito, please seam side down in a large baking pan lined with foil.  I placed a little of the
broth in the bottom.  Any extra mix, you can chop up a leaf or two and place over the top. 
Cover and bake.

Stuffed Chicken Cabbage Rolls

 



New Recipe:
Power Bites
Flip!
I adjust depending on how much I am making.
In a sauce pan over medium heat, mix:
4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
3 packets of truvia
1 tbsp peanut butter
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
Dash of vanilla
Bring these items to a boil and remove from heat.
Mix in 1/2 cup steel cut oats and stir. Adding more until you get a ball like consistency.
With a small ice cream scoop or large melon baller, scoop out and place on foil or wax paper and put in fridge to cool.
Keep in a tupperware after setting up.
Low calorie and full of goodness. It offers a great alternative if you need a sweet.

                             Power Bites


New Recipe:
Coleslaw- gonnawantseconds.com
Flip!
I adjusted original recipe to my husband's tastes as this was made for him and picky daughters.
I used the rest of head of cabbage from my rolls, finely chopped.
4 tbsp diced onion
1 cup sugar
1/4 milk
1/2 c mayo
2 tbsp white vinegar
4 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Mix all ingredients together and chill for at least an hour.
I have never like it until now, this is the best tasting sauce. I was dipping chicken pieces in to try it. Yum!!
Flip!