Well I started going to ww meetings again. This past year I told myself I could do it by myself, hey I knew the program. The inital baby weight of 20 or so lbs came off instantly and then I worked hard to lose another 18 following the program at home. Those last stubborn 20 just wouldn’t budge, so I kinda just accepted it. BAD IDEA. No I don’t like have a squishy belly, thighs that rub and flappy arms. But I figured hey I am happily married, I have 3 kids, who cares right. I DO! I want to be a hot, sexy mom, not one who wears high jeans to suck in the fat and is afraid to wear tank tops. So I started going to meetings again one month ago. I have lost 1 – 2 lbs a week and I am down 7 lbs!!!! YES!!!!

How did I do it you ask????? I stick to the program. I plan my meals. I portion out my food. I eat more filling foods, so I am fuller longer. Most importantly I feel in control of my eating FINALLY!

I also have been going to my Zumba class 2 -3 days a week and I got Zumba for our Wii and I love it!!!!

So if you are struggling get to those meetings! Plan and you will succeed!

The winner of the yogurt is…

True Random Number Generator Min:1 Max: 57  Result: 1

#1 is Robyn @ Blueberries and Oats

I enjoy just the plain Greek yogurt! This salad looks delicious!

Congrats Robyn!! I am emailing you now!!!

On of my all time favorite snacks is pretzels. I love soft pretzels  and hard pretzels dipped in spicy mustard. It is a salty, spicy, satisfying treat that I don’t feel guilty indulging in.

My Mom makes an amazing Strawberry Pretzel Dessert, yes I know it sounds strange, but trust me you will love it. The pretzels, butter and sugar make an awesome crispy, salty, sweet crust, the middle is cheesecake and the topping is a wonderful, gooey, strawberry sauce. Her version is not exactly low cal, so I changed it around a bit and made it much more waist line friendly. It is awesome enjoy!

Strawberry Cheesecake with a Pretzel Crust

Image from cravingcomfort.blogspot.com

Click Here For More…

We made a delicious Roast Chicken last night and had a bunch of leftovers, so I decided to use some of the fresh tarragon from the chicken as well as some of Chobani’s awesome 2% plain Greek yogurt. I was so lucky to receive some of Chobani’s new 32oz yogurts to try out! I use Greek yogurt all the time in cooking. Check out this nifty conversion chart!

Chobani offers 3 different types of 32 oz flavors. 0% Vanilla for all your smoothies and baking, and 0% and 2% plain for everything else.  They are so excited about this that they are even offering one of you the opportunity to win all 3 flavors yourself. See below for how to win your very own!

Tarragon Waldorf Chicken Salad

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 1/2 cup 2% plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 3 tsp regular mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup halved grapes
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 teaspoon celery salt
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 32 smoked almonds chopped (8 per serving)

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients except for almonds in a large bowl and stir.
2. Arrange a green salad on a plate and then top with 1/2 cup of chicken salad.
3. Sprinkle with 8 chopped almonds.

7 pts + per serving. (might be less if you sub 0% Greek yogurt and non fat mayo)

Want to win all three flavors check this out! CLOSED

Many years ago I lost 30 lbs on weight watchers and looked like this…. I weighed 142 lbs and was a happy lady! Shorts looked great, I loved tank tops and did I mention I owned 5 bikinis!

9 years later, 3 kids, and 30 lbs back on I am ready to finally shed it!!! I went to my first ww meeting last friday and weighed in at a fabulous 171 lbs. Uggg!

So I got my monthly pass, my etools and my smart phone and was ready to go. My biggest vice is sweets. I was craving something today and so I made one of my favorites “Rice Crispy Treats” in a much healthier way….check them out!

Kashi Marshmallow Cereal Bars

Click Here For More…

The winner of the 5 Polar Holiday Seltzers is…..

True Random Number Generator Min: 1 Max:36 Result: 15 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Laura Sonsalla she said -I would like to try the Egg Nog.  I love Egg Nog and I look every year for a new type and try it.

Congrats Laura, I am sending you an email now….

Didn’t win? That’s okay, I will be starting one with Mrs. Renfros Salsa on Monday!!

One year ago I decided that I would venture into the world of food blogging. I was encouraged by my little brother to try it out, even though he needed to explain to me what a blog exactly was. I have always loved to cook and eat and I though “Hey a Blog would be a good way for me to share all my favorite recipes with my friends!” Never did I expect all the exciting things to happen this year, because of my blog. I first gave birth to my beautiful baby girl Riley. After 4 years of struggling to conceive our third child, we were blessed with a perfect, blond haired, blue eyed daughter, that finally completed our family of 5.

My sweet new baby girl!

I then had to struggle again to try and lose the baby weight that has been on my body for 7 years since I had my first child. I took this picture as a before and honestly it was very hard for me to post it.

Right after I had my third baby...January 2011

But I rejoined weight watchers and started Zumba 2 -3 days a week and was able to shed majority of my weight!

This year I have truly learned to love to cook! I have learned about, tried and given away over 30 different companies products that have not only been healthier choices, but companies with good ethics. I  was chosen to be Chobani’s Blogger of the week. and chosen to make a fun and different rap video about Nature’s Path Granola bars! Although, I have not had as much time to blog as I would like, with all the business of kids, girl scouts, soccer, volunteering at school and life in general, I love sharing my passion with all of you! Thank you for being such an amazing support for me this year! As a special thank you to all of you I am doing 3 fun giveaways this month….Polar Beverages 5 New Seasonal Seltzers, Mrs. Renfros salsas (5 of your choice) and Fearless Chocolates (Raw, organic chocolate bars).

On to the giveaway…..

Have you heard about Polar Beverages?

They are a family-owned and operated company in New England since 1882, Polar Beverages are purveyors of premium
seltzers, dry sodas, fruit-flavored sodas, bottled spring water and mixers, including heritage products Birch
Beer, Golden Ginger Ale and Grape Soda.  They are focused on quality ingredients, product innovation and natural
flavors.

I was lucky enough to receive all 5 of their new Limited Edition Collection of Seasonal Flavor-ites.

The mixologist at Polar Beverages have crafted a daring set of premium seltzers inspired by the season’s most
beloved flavors and aromas – Granny Smith Apple, Cinnamon, Candy Cane, Pumpkin Spice and
yes, Eggnog. They are naturally calorie-free. They contain no added sugar, sodium, preservatives or colors, but all the carbonation fun of soda.. They are designed to celebrate the spirit of the season in a
more health-smart way. For example:a typical 8-ounce serving of eggnog is 343 calories (and
that’s without the jigger of rum) and a Starbucks® Pumpkin Spice latte (NonFat/NoWhip/Grande)
is 288 calories. The Polar Seltzer equivalents are zero calories, but with still the same aromas
and flavor references.

Polar Seltzer asked local Boston bartenders to taste and test the new products. They responded
in kind with some holiday recipe ideas:

FAMILY-FRIENDLY:

Orson’s Polar Ice Cap Soda (non-alcoholic)
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
Polar® Candy Cane Premium Seltzer
1-2 scoops of vanilla Ice Cream, should be very cold
Whipped cream, to taste
Maraschino cherry, garnish

Add chocolate syrup to bottom of a large soda fountain style glass.  Pour in Polar® seltzer,
stopping 2 inches from rim.  Carefully add ice cream, taking care not to overflow glass.  If it doesn’t
touch the seltzer at all, it won’t foam. Top with whipped cream and cherry

Sparkling Apple Cider
Begin with locally produced apple cider (the kind you find at a farmers market).  In a tall glass add
equal parts of chilled cider and Polar Granny Smith Premium seltzer. Stir gently, taking care not to
bruise the bubbles.

Eggnog Egg Cream (non-alcoholic)
Based on the classic ‘New York Egg Cream”, this recipe is updated for the holidays…
4oz whole milk, cold
4oz Polar® Eggnog Premium Seltzer
Chocolate syrup, to taste

Directions: Pour milk into a large, tall glass, stir in chocolate syrup until dissolved. Pour in seltzer. If
it foams over edge of your glass you made it right.

COCKTAILS:

Candy Cane Fizz-tini
1 shot peppermint schnapps
1 shot vanilla vodka
Polar® Candy Cane Premium Seltzer
Crushed candy cane, garnish

Directions: Wet rim of martini glass with peppermint schnapps and dip into crushed candy cane.
Combine schapps and vodka in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well, strain into martini glass.
Top with Polar® Candy Cane Seltzer, taking care not to bruise the bubbles.

Old Fashioned Granny
1 tsp sugar
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Juice from 1/4 lemon
2 oz whiskey, scotch or rye
1.5 oz Polar® Granny Smith Apple Premium Seltzer
2 slices Granny-Smith apple, peeled and diced
Apple peel curl, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the sugar, bitters, lemon juice, and apple. Add whiskey. Shake
vigorously with ice. Strain into an old fashion rocks glass containing the largest, purest ice cubes
you can find. Top with seltzer, taking care not to bruise the bubbles. Garnish with a curled strip of
apple peel that has been rubbed with lemon wedge to prevent oxidation.

Sparkling Pumpkin Spice Punch
1.5 oz brandy
1.5 oz spiced rum
5 star anise, whole
5 allspice berries, whole
5 cloves, whole
5 small pieces of candies ginger
3 cinnamon sticks, whole
1 bottle of sauvignon blanc wine, chilled
1 bottle Polar® Pumpkin Spice Seltzer, chilled
1 block of ice (to float in the center of your punch bowl) or decorative ice cubes

Directions: In a punch bowl combine the brandy, rum and the spices. Allow to seep for at least 1
hour. Add chilled wine, then Polar Pumpkin Spice Seltzer. Stir. Gently slide in the ice block or
decorative ice cubes.

Apple Harvest Shandy
Hard apple cider (try to find a local brand)
Polar® Granny Smith Apple

Directions: Make certain that all your liquids are cold. In a pint glass, mix equal parts cider and
seltzer.

Skinny Nog
1 oz high quality bourbon
1 oz spiced rum
1-2 tsp maple syrup or agave syrup
2 oz whole milk or almond milk
4 oz Polar® Eggnog Seltzer
Crushed ice
Fresh grated nutmeg, for garnish

Directions: Combine all ingredients, except the seltzer, in a blender and process until foamy and
aerated (you can always froth by hand in cocktail shaker with vigorous shaking). Add crushed ice,
and swirl to chill. Strain into a large wine goblet, top with Polar® Eggnog Seltzer. Garnish with a
grating of nutmeg.

Cinnamon Kiss
1.5 oz vanilla vodka
1.5 oz cinnamon schnapps
3 oz Polar® Cinnamon Premium Seltzer
Maraschino cherry, for garish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine vodka and schnapps. Shake vigorously. Strain into a
chilled cocktail glass, top with Polar seltzer. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Want to win 1 free bottle of each of the holiday flavors?

Pumpkin Spice, Granny Smith, Egg Nog, Cinnamon and Candy Cane

The winner of the sleekster gift set from Hotel Chocolat is

#5 Rachel from the Tramplingrose!

Rachel Said “I would LOVE to try the Coffee Truffles. I love the tastes of coffee and chocolate together!”

I sent you a email for your address!

I was so lucky to be asked a few weeks ago to come up to Boston and visit a brand new Chocolate Store in the US, Hotel Chocolat. They have two locations one in Boston, MA and a brand new one in Garden City, NY.  Now you may have remembered me telling you about Hotel Chocolat a while ago in this post. They are an amazing company that has eco-friendly, fair trade business practices. Their products are not “Candy”, but a product that literally is above anything you can buy at your local supermarket. I was invited to come up and experience their chocolate tasting. Here are some photos (there are a lot) from my amazing chocolate adventure.

The Beautiful Store!

I was greated by one of their wonderful chocolate ambassadors, who gave me a tour of the store.

Look at this HUGE Christmas Cracker!!

Yum!

Truffles!!

Bagged goodies!

They even have an entire savory section for cooking. Like these cocoa infused vinager and olive oils.

We were lead into their beautiful tasting room. It was in a private back room with art work on the walls and a beautifully set table. I honestly was not sure what to expect. I knew we had 1 hour to learn all about how chocolate is made and then taste some, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I learned.  The table was complete with water goblets, crackers (to cleanse the palette in between tastings), little bowls of different spices and ingredients and even water bowls to clean out hands.

First, I learned all about the different types of cocoa beans and how their flavors can differ depending on where they are grown., just like grapes for wine. I watched a presentation on the farming, drying, roasting and conching process(grinding). She taught me to warm the chocolate in my fingers, smell it and then allow it to melt on my tongue. You are then able to distinguish all of the different flavors in the chocolate and truly savor it.

Washing my fingers in between tastings.

I was lucky enough to try chocolates from their purist collection with different percentages of cocoa, all the way up to 100%

Here are all wonderful varieties I was able to try.

Rosie taught me so much! I will never look at chocolate the same way again! My favorite was the 70% dark!!! Yummm!

Check out one of their stores if you live near Boston or NYC and you can set up a chocolate tasting of your own.

Check out their site to find some amazing holiday gifts for your friends, co workers and family!

Want to win a huge box of your very own?