Triple Chip Blondies

I think anything with peanut butter and chocolate is a winner. Then you add in another burst of sweet flavor from white chocolate? It's a sweet tooth's favorite dream.

Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) of salted butter, melted
2 cups light brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup chocolate chips
2/3 cup white chocolate chips
2/3 cup peanut butter chips
Optional: 1/3 cup chocolate chips and 1 tsp of vegetable oil for drizzling on top)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium sized bowl add melted butter into brown sugar and mix well. Add in vanilla and eggs. Slowly add in flour until well mixed. Fold in all the chips. Spray 9" X 13"pan with nonstick cooking spray and evenly distribute batter into pan. Place in oven for 25-30 minutes until top is slightly browned. Optional: Melt 1/3 cup chocolate chips and vegetable oil together and drizzle over the top of blondies. Allow to cool before cutting.

Enjoy!

Bean Burgers & Things

Today started with some clouds and grumpiness. Probably because I was out later than normal last night. After getting out of work at 1230, a late night date at the diner was in order for us ER folks. I'm not going to lie, I may have indulged in some potatoes that were shaped like fries.

Waffle fries, to be exact.

But don't worry, I only ate a few and shared the rest with my wonderful coworkers. They are a silly group, that they are.

Only they would order hot italian sausage while air humping in the direction of our male waiter. No, they are not children, actually grown men in their 30s and 40s. They are special.

After my grumpiness passed, the sun was shining and it was time for me to get my very first passport. Yes, at the ripe age of almost 28. What blows the big one though, I'll have to change the name once I'm married. I guess I should have traveled a little more out of the country, huh?

Not that getting married is a bad thing. I can't wait to be Mrs. G instead of Ms. D. Although I am sad to get rid of my initials. I've always loved them, M.A.D. Soon I'll be MAG, like in maggot, gross.

Today's spotlight in eats was my favorite black bean burger smack on top of my salad. I've always loved Morning Star spicy black bean burgers, so when I found the gigantic chipotle black bean burgers at my favorite store Costco, I was in love. They are the size of your face. Okay, only if your face is only 3-4 inches in diameter. A Baby face maybe?

It was delicious and filling. Until it wasn't.

So I had this.

Kashi cereal + skim milk + big glob of peanut butter. Mmmmm.

Meanwhile, I was jealous of this beauty.

A dog's life is just horrible.

Open Windows & Double D's

Yes, finally a day where we can open our windows and air out these stuffy homes! It felt great. Nothing sounds better than turning down the thermostats and hearing the dollar bills going into your pocket!

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Okay, so obviously you can't hear it...but I know that it is happening! We all like to save a dollar or two. If any of you are doomed with electric heat, you know what I am talking about.

Today was spent enjoying the sun, cleaning, grocery shopping and attempting to get wedding stuff accomplished. Tomorrow marks two months, which means eight weeks, which means I'm about ready to do the pee pee dance in my pants.

At the store today I scored these GINORMOUS navel oranges. They may not be double d's, but these are not considered pieces of fruit in my book. It's like a sumo wrestler and Carrot Top had a fruit baby. So I decided to pair it with some somewhat stale pretzels I found in my cupboard with a spoonful or two of peanut butter.

It was a good snack/lunch minus the staleness of the pretzels. Ok I'm lying. I have a secret. I use to steal stale chips from the man when I first started dating him. At the time, I lived off of lettuce and water. It was like hitting a gold mine! I guess we all just have different taste buds.

Excuse me while I go wallow in shame over here.

Craving Summer

As I walked outside today to do errands, I was greeted by something that left a huge smile across my face.

More flowers in my favorite color purple!!!! I would have taken a picture, but by the time I recharged my battery, the flowers had closed up for bed, so sad. Maybe tomorrow?

Seeing my beautiful flowers is making me crave warmer, brighter, and happier weather. May sunny days be coming our way!

Until they do, I will remain hopeful and start to make meals that remind me that soon I will be sitting outside eating dinner by my pool. Tonight's meal: Bun-less burgers with salad. It may not be summer yet, but it's bright and cheerful in my belly!

I absolutely love making burgers. I love how you can add so many different ingredients to make various combinations. Today, I sauteed 1/2 red onion, red bell pepper, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 3 tbsp minced jalapenos, 2 pieces of chopped bacon, and added it to one pound of lean ground beef. I added salt, pepper, chili powder, ground mustard, garlic powder, parsley, cholula and worcestershire sauce. I got my hands dirty and mixed it all up, to make four patties.

When it's starts to get warmer out, I crave lighter, healthier options like so many people, so I tend to top my proteins on salads. This one was a winner!

While allowing my food to digest, I vacuumed and dusted my living room. I just love when my furniture shines! Then it was time for my workout of the day.

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I did this DVD and then did intervals on my treadmill for 20 minutes. 

I bought this DVD the last time the man and I went to Costco. This is another store that we enjoy WAY too much. The last time we went we told each other we would only buy the staples. Somehow this ended up underneath our loot, oops! But I'm glad that it did, because I really like it! 

After showering, it was time for a snack.

Granny smith apple + peanut butter + two huge strawberries. So good! Refreshing and filling, the perfect snack!

Now, its time to get some wedding stuff done and read a book, my favorite part of the evening! G'nite all.

Grilled Cheese, Yes Please

-2 lbs
When I got home from work last night, I was starving. My usual self would put her stuff done, go get cleaned up/change in pjs and then make my way back to the kitchen. My usual self would then find some kind of food product to munch on, whether it be some tortilla chips, left overs, etc. My usual self would then go to bed after eating and wake up feeling like crap. But I am not my usual self anymore. I'm a changing girl trying to make lifestyle changes, which includes....not eating crap when I get home.

I actually was able to fall asleep shortly after getting home. As the man says "I was touching your feet and you didn't move." If you know me, anything touching my feet brings this girl into a 3 year old tantrum moment. I HATE FEET! And worse, I hate when you touch MY FEET with YOUR FEET.

I should own this shirt.

When I woke up this morning, I was very excited for my breakfast. I fell asleep thinking about it actually. Grilled cheese for breakfast, um YES.

Two pieces of wheat bread, low fat provolone cheese and ham. All toasty and melted by none other than the George Foreman. He is my best friend. He makes cooking fast and delicious with a very easy clean up.

It's another work day today. So my in between breakfast (kind of like lunch) and dinner, I'm going to make a smoothie. Definitely inspired by Julie because how could you not want to make something she is so excited about!

In the mix

1 cup milk

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

1/2 frozen banana

1 tbsp Teddie peanut butter

A little xantham gum 

Can't wait to try it! Hope everyone has a great day! I'm excited I have the weekend off which means I actually get to cook!

Breakfast X 2

-0.5 lbs
Who doesn't love breakfast? I could eat breakfast for all three meals of the day. I don't think the mister would like that much though.

Breakfast #1: Two pieces of whole wheat toast topped with Teddie Peanut Butter and a banana. Now I understand why so many of you healthy living bloggers eat this every morning!

The only catch for me, I developed a sensitivity to bananas. I use to eat one every day without a problem. Then one day I started to get nauseous after eating them, I would get dizzy and I almost passed out in Home Depot. So I stopped eating them. But every once in a while I try to eat them again, only to have the same thing happen. My love for bananas runs deep so today is one of those days where I'm going to eat one. I'll let you know how it goes.

The man also was kind enough to get me my iced coffee fix. He loves me!

Breakfast #2: Between breakfast and going to work I don't have much time, but I do need to eat something. It is not healthy to eat at 9 am and then not again until 6. So, sometimes I have a smoothie, or a protein bar with some babybel cheese. Today, I made the time and decided I wanted to have a few eggs. So I had two eggs overhard with a piece of lean ham. I think it will give me the protein punch that gets me through to dinner!

Dinner: Salad! Can't go wrong.

In the mix
Romaine Lettuce
Shredded Carrots
Cucumber
Green bell pepper
Slivered almonds
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Grilled chicken tenders
Ken's Steak House Lite Caesar Dressing

All packed up and ready to enjoy at work. Now it's time to get some things done before having to go to work. Let's hope for a good night!