Cinnamon and Honey Cookies

3 c whole wheat flour
1/2 c toasted wheat germ
1 T ground cinnamon
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
3/4 c butter, softened
1 c sucanat
1/3 c honey
1/3 c milk

Mix flour, wheat germ, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.  In a large bowl, beat butter, sucanat, and honey with an electric mixer until well blended.  Add flour mixture in thirds alternately with milk, mixing to blend after each addition. Divide dough into thirds. Pat each portion to a flattened rectangle. Wrap each in plastic wrap and chill one hour or until firm enough to roll.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets.

Roll one third  of dough at a time between two sheets of wax paper into a rectangle slightly larger than 6 x 8 in. Remove top sheet and trim dough to a neat 8x6 in rectangle. Cut dough with cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on cookie sheets.  Bake 10-12 min until tops feel firm when pressed. Cool on wire racks.

Tip #19

Watch those condiments.  Looking for a way to cut back?  Watch how much salad dressing and extras such as croutons you are adding to your salads. Those extra calories can add up quickly. You want your calories to be quality ones.

Watch how much ketchup and extra sauces you use on your hamburgers and hot dogs.  Cut out the mayo.

When you eat at a restaurant, order your salad dressing on the side. You can control how much you use. If you like Caesar, they even do that on the side.

Don't use margarine, but use real butter. Remember, you want a little butter with your bread, not a little bread with your butter.

Update on Meal Planning

So I mentioned before that I was trying to eat 6 smalls meals a day instead of 3 larger ones. I wanted to give it some time before I commented on this new idea.  Well, new to me idea.

Awesome! I have been very pleased with the results. After starting round 3 of Supreme 90, I decided I would try the meal plan since I wasn't seeing the results I wanted. Sure, I could see some toning taking place in my arms and legs, but I still had that blasted pooch in my stomach. I chalked that up to having two kids within 28 months. I was prepared to live with it.

One caveat here, I don't eat rice cakes. I don't find much nutritional value in them. I also find a few other substitutions for things I don't like, but they must be of equal nutritional value.

The meal plan does involve drinking a lot of water. I drink a lot already, but was having trouble meeting the recommended amounts and finding time to take care of my children between trips to the bathroom. I did have to cut back to my usual, but don't really feel any different.

I have lost 6 pounds since I started and the pooch that I have had as long as I remember is shrinking. Of course the intense ab workout may have something to do with that too. :)  I am not really on a weight loss mission at this point. I just want to tone up and work on the jiggles.

I believe the key to all of this is more protein, portion control, and no refined sugar. I do let myself splurge a bit on the weekends, but it's usually something healthy I have made at home.

This type of eating does not leave you hungry because you are eating every 3 hours. I am not craving the sweets that I craved before. I have a mouth full of sweet teeth. Usually, right after I eat, I brush my teeth. That helps reduce what I crave. Plus, I just don't keep junk in the house. We don't need it. One thing I could improve on is more fish. I like it, but not all the time. I need to find some new recipes to try. If I find some good ones, I will post them.

Chopped Salad

I got this recipe from a friend in SC during a recipe swap. Want a super healthy, super tasty salad?

1 red, green, and yellow bell pepper
2 Granny Smith apples
1 or 2 cucumbers, peeled
1 or 2 tomatoes
1 vidalia onion (or sweet onion)
Lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil to taste

Dice all veggies really small. Toss in juice and oil. Chill and serve.

Tip #18

Clip Coupons, Read the Sales Fliers, Sign up for Grocery Store Savings Programs.

Yes, this all takes an exorbitant amount of time, but it worth the savings.  Some stores double or even triple coupons. Pair that with an item on sale and you are saving a bundle.  This helps to make those grocery dollars go even farther.

Quick and Easy Dinner Rolls

3ish cups flour
2 T honey
2 1/4 t. yeast
1 1/4 t sea salt
1 t balking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 c. warm buttermilk (120-130 degrees) *will appear curdled
1/2 c oil
1/3 c warm water (120-130 degrees)
melted butter

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, honey, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add the buttermilk and water; beat until moistened. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (not stiff like bread dough). Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes.

Roll out to 1/2 in thickness; cut with a 2 1/2 in. biscuit cutter. Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake 400 degrees 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Brush tops with butter.