Sneak Peak: Mini Kisses Butter Pecan Bars

As the new year doesn't officially start until tomorrow, here's a bonus recipe, and a sneak peak at the format I plan to use.  Any comments are, as always, appreciated!

Recipe: Mini Kisses Butter Pecan Bars

From: Hershey's Recipe Collection

Category: Dessert

Rating:  Yummy!  Everyone seemed to like it tonight.  It is rich, but that may come from my use of semi-sweet chocolate instead of milk chocolate.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups (10-oz. package) Hershey's Mini Kisses Milk Chocolates, divided**

3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans, divided

Directions:

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees (F).  Grease 8-inch square baking pan.

2.  Beat butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla in small bowl; blend in flour.  Stir in 3/4 cup chocolates and 1/4 cup pecans; spread evenly in prepared pan.

3.  Bake 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned; remove from oven.  Immediately sprinkle with remaining 1 cup chocolates.  Let stand 5 minutes or until chocolate softens; with knife, spread evenly.  Immediately sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup pecans over top; press gently.  Cool bars completely in pan on wire rack.  Cut into bars.

Here are the bars still in the pan.  Notice that I have used finely chopped pecans, as the kids are not huge fans of nuts.

Served with a little whipped cream while still warm.  Yum!

**Note:  I didn't have mini kisses on hand, so I used mini semi-sweet chocolate chips in the batter and regular-sized ones on top!  Use what you have, I say!

New Goal!

Yes, I will continue on my weight-loss journey, and will likely continue to update here on this blog.  However, just to make things more interesting, I have a new goal:  A new recipe each week.  Ideally each week I will also feature a different cookbook, as I have at least 52 of them, I'm quite sure. :-)  Feel free to leave comments or suggestions, but do keep in mind that I cook for my husband, a six-year-old and two three-year-olds.

Let the adventure begin ...

Round "I've Lost Track"

So, WW has this new PointsPlus system, and I needed a new motivation.  So, here's the deal.  I paid for the joining fee, and Husby is paying for the "materials."  If I have not lost 20 pounds in three months, I have to pay him back for the materials.  The materials are going to be about $35 dollars or so, so that's pretty good motivation for me.  I really don't like parting with money, and 20 pounds lost would put me at a total loss of 50 pounds (as I've gained about 10 back, again!).  That's a good goal.  Would love to surpass it.  I'll keep you posted!  

Please note:  Official Weigh-ins will be done on Monday mornings!

It's been a while

Quick update ... I have "quit" WW.  I was just bored with it.  I did finish the Y Lewis & Clark challenge, and I finished in 3rd place.  The last week was rough, but I got in one work out!  

Anyway, starting last Thursday, I have committed to two weeks of the Special K Challenge.  So far, it hasn't been too bad.  I wish they had oatmeal, though, as something warm on these cooler mornings would be nice.  I will weigh in on Thursday morning and try to remember to post the results here!

A little gain

Just .2 pounds gained.  I should be doing a dance!!  I ate terribly last week - pretty much through the WW plan out the window.  I did work out one day, and must have ate well enough to salvage my week the rest of the time!  Maybe some habits are being built!

This is the first week of eight in a Lewis & Clark Challenge at the Y.  This week's challenge is to walk/jog/run one hour every day for seven days!!  Today, I walked hills for 69 minutes!

Monday Weigh-In

To be honest, I had no expectations this week.  While Monday - Thursday were good and the weekend days were pretty good, the last few nights have been total GL nights.  Saturday night, we had date night!!  I had yummy steak, blue cheese dressing, popcorn, a candy bar, a mocha and a half glass of wine.  So yummy and so not WW friendly!!!  Yesterday, I was off to a good start, but got sucked into a good deal on hamburgers at Hy-Vee.  Oh well ... gotta live, right?

However, I was super excited to lose another 1.5 pounds this week!  That's a total of 7.1 pounds in two weeks.  I am thrilled to be on this path again.  I also need to get back to the Y on a regular basis.  This week, we're planning on staying home and getting a few things done around here.  Hopefully we'll get to the Y a couple of times, but summer is slowly closing in on us, so we want to enjoy some down time too!

Weigh-in Information

Drum roll please .... 5.5 pounds vanished!!  Woo-hoo!!  This was with two GL (gotta live) meals and a little bit of indulging in some left-over ice cream cake and popcorn last night! :-)  The last serious time (last summer) that I did WW, I usually had one GL meal, and it didn't seem to make a huge difference.   Anyway, I'm pretty pleased with my results. 

Day Four

It's day four of my renewed commitment to healthier choices for my life.  So far it's been okay.  I have stayed within my points and have worked out two days.  I should work out tomorrow, but I may take some much needed Mommy Time instead.  We'll see what happens.  Maybe I'll drop off the kids and come back and work out during my last hour.  One never knows!!  I am a bit anxious to get on the scale.  I hoping to see some good results, but a bit concerned that I won't.  I'm not really sure why ... just am.  I'll keep you posted!!

Time to Get Serious!!

So, I've pretty much done nothing for a few months.  I ate what I wanted, and I haven't been working out as much as I should.  The results:  I've gained about 10 pounds.  To be honest, I'm not surprised.  June was a crazy month, but I'm ready to get back on the WW wagon and drop some more weight.  Just to update, here are my weight-loss goals:

One-Month Goal:  10 pounds

Two-Month Goal:  16 pounds

Four-Month Goal:  25 pounds

Six-Month Goal:  50 pounds

Of course, these are all subject to change, based on successes, failures, time spent at the Y, etc.  Ideally, I would like to quit paying for WW every month by the first of the year.  That would be awesome!!!

ugg

I want to be motivated.  I'm just not.  I'm paying money for a specialized class at the Y and forking over $17 every month for WW, but apparently money is not motivating me.  I just want to get back to the program.  I keep saying, "next week" or "tomorrow" or "on Monday," but it is simply not happening.  I must find some motivation.  I must!  I really do want to lose about 10 pounds before June 12, so I guess I'd better get moving.  Ha ha.  Get it, moving?  Okay, I'm tired.  I did go run/walk today.  Just two miles.  I was in a bit of a time crunch.  Tomorrow is another day, right?  See, "tomorrow."

More news later ... I'll weigh in on Monday.  I skipped this week, as I was out of town.

Monday Weigh-In

Good news  ... 3.5 pounds have disappeared.  That's pretty good, as the WW plan went out the window for the weekend.  Sort of.  A few meals were okay, most were not.  I think I like weighing in on Mondays.  It feels like a fresh start, and if I have all those extra points still, then it probably isn't quite as bad as I think.  Right?  

In other news, I'm fairly certain my 450 miles goal was a bit ambitious.  Oh well.  I'm still going to keep tracking and see where I end up for the year and then maybe next year will be a little more "realistic."  

I'm off to get ready for my GTS class ...

Measurements

Nope, not going to post them, but I had them taken at the Y today.  Good grief ... can't even imagine where there were 40 pounds ago?  Ick!  Oh well.  Like the trainer said, "You've got to know where you are to know where you are going!"  So, that's where I am.  It works.  

On Day 3 of WW, and I haven't completely lost it.  I'm still hungry, but as usual am finding snacks that work.

Did a different work out today:  intervals in incline and speed.  It was a good workout!!

Not too much else to report.  Oh, new snack discovery ... Skinny Cow Individual Ice Creams.  Yummy!!

Goal Update

Okay, so on my birthday, which was my One Year Goal deadline, I had lost 40 pounds and here's the proof in pictures.

My birthday 2009

My birthday 2010

Me and my Husby!  Can you see the difference?

Six Week Challenge

Okay, so after a fun birthday week, Easter and some indulgent eating, my body has stored some extra weight.  Icky!  I'm up a little more than six pounds.  Not pleased, but not surprised. 

As you may recall, I begun a GTS class at the Y.  I am enjoying it, and they are doing a six-week challenge.  They are measuring us, asking us to do cardio two to three times a week and to make good food choices.  So, back to strict WW and workouts for the next six weeks.

In all reality, I've done really well sticking with my workouts, but not so well with the eating.  Time to take it to the next level.  I would really like to lose 16 pounds in the next six weeks.  I know that's a lot, but I also think those six pounds that crept on will come off fairly quickly.  I'll keep you posted!!

Yea!

Okay, so starting Monday, Husby and I are back on the WW plan.  I didn't weigh-in until today for previously mentioned reasons.  I'm thinking Thursday might be my new weigh-in day.

To be honest, I thought I would be up 2-5 pounds, but as it turned out, I am actually down a slight amount.  Yea!  Apparently all the working out does help!!  I have now been to three GTS classes, and each time, they totally kick my butt!  Yesterday, I walked/ran 4 miles in a little under an hour (58 minutes and change to be more exact).  I felt good and felt even better when I got on the Wii today.  I really didn't believe the Wii, but the upstairs scale agreed, so I guess it's true ... I'm back on the weight-losing, feeling-better train.  Woo-hoo!

Working into it ...

We started WW again this week, but Miss P has a birthday this week, so all will probably be lost for the next few days, but March is my month!!  I have not real excuse not to hit it hard, and I've started a GTS class at the Y.  I will only go once a week for a bit, then may hit it a little harder before the big June day (sis's wedding).   My first class was on Monday, and I'm still sore today (Thursday).  

I also need to start hitting the mileage!  With the class, at least for the next five weeks, I won't be able to do much walking/running on Mondays, so I can save some time for child care in the evenings, if needed.  I almost have 50 miles in ... still a lot to go, and only 10 more months to go.  That's 40 miles a month!!! I'd better get a move on it!!

As far as a weigh-in ... haven't done one for a bit.  Party don't want to know, partly haven't found a good day to do it.  I don't want to do it Monday or Tuesday mornings, as I don't get a full night's sleep.  Sundays are getting rather rushed, so I may switch to Thursdays or Fridays.  I'll have to see what works.  I probably should have jumped on the Wii this morning, but I had to make some birthday waffles!!

Update

I've updated my distance tracker. For the month of January ... just a little more than 25 miles. Obviously to make my goal, I will have to get more miles in most months, but all things considered, this was a good start to my goal.

To assist with my goal, I have purchased a new pair of running shoes. I was really impressed with them in the store, but didn't have that same excitement after running in them yesterday. Maybe it was because I pushed myself a bit. I highly doubt it was the shoes. They are top quality!

I also weighed myself this morning, and I'm right at 40 pounds loss. This is good, as this is a good place to get going again. Of course, I followed this weigh-in with left-over pizza, but it needs to get eaten, right? I think this will be my last week of "easing" back into reality. I know we keep saying this, but really we've got to jump in with two feet and do it!

Ohh ... I got some Hungry Girl cookbooks for Christmas. One my new favorite things ... frozen banana slices with a dollop of frozen sugar-free pudding on top. Yummy!!

GRRR

Van is in the shop, so I can't get to the Y. The family room is one Lego shy of being declared a disaster area. Working out today is not looking good, so more than likely, I won't get in anymore mileage this week. Bummer! Do you think picking up the little guy M counts?? :-D

New Ticker

Did you see my new ticker? This way I can keep track of where I am at each week, when I weigh-in. See, two goals, one blog. Don't look now, I may be mulit-tasking.

I did it

I got back on the scale. It actually wasn't too bad. I am up about 2.5 pounds, which means I'm now just shy of my original goal again. No worries, starting today, we're back on WW. Snow days and weekend through off our original plans. :-)

First of the Year News

So, I haven't blogged anything lately, but here's a little something ...

As far as the One-Year Goal, I have reached my goal (plus or minus a little vacation poundage; I haven't been on the scale yet). However, I want to continue to lose weight and make healthy choices for our family. To this end, I am planning to get back on track with Weight Watchers this week. Thursday, to be exact!

Dear Husby has decided that Sundays are not good weigh-in days. As you may recall, he didn't like to weigh in at all, much less after the weekend. So, Thursdays it is. I will weigh-in on Thursday morning and begin to work off any gained weight and then work toward shedding another 40 pounds.

I also have a fitness goal: 450 miles! I plan to continue to work out about three times a week, and I am going to log my miles and work toward 450 miles. As of today: 2 miles; 448 to go!