Pumpkin Chocolate Brownies

So my obsession with pumpkin continues...Here is another recipe I found and tried out this past weekend. The Brownies are delicious. It is from the website site http://verybestbaking.com/.

Pumpkin Chocolate Brownies:

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray

1/2 cup Pure Pumpkin (use Libby's or any other brand)

1/3 cup brown sugar blend (such as Splenda, theirs is very good. You use less brown sugar)

1 large egg

2 large egg whites

2 tablespoons vegetable oil or unsweetened applesauce

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking cocoa

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teasppon ground nutmeg

1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Spray 8 to 9 inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Combine pumpkin, sugar blend, egg, egg whites, and oil/applesauce in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until blended.

3. Add flour, baking powder, cocoa, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and nutmeg. Beat on low speed until batter is smooth.

4. Stir in morsels. Spread evenly in pan.

5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Enjoy!!! These are really good and easy to make. I am moving one from pumpkin now, just for the moment as I am beginning to explore recipes that use white chocolate.

Max Sprinting

Lately, I have been trying to mix up my workout routine by alternating running every other day with something else. This has lead me to trying out every program on the elliptical, my favorite is the hill climb because it kicks your butt to the stair master, which I hated. I have been going to classes, including Urban Rebounding. Urban rebounding is exercising on a mini trampoline and I have learned that I have no rhythm or coordination skills. Also, I have been working on trying to get a six-pack for the summer, which is but a pipe dream at the time being. This has meant I have been doing sit-ups and push-ups every other day for the past few weeks. I am seeing some results, but not a lot. I think I need to be a little more dedicated. While reading through a blog the other day, I learned all about the benefits of sprinting in intervals. So I tried out this exercise on the treadmill. It is called max sprinting and it supposedly speeds up your metabolism. I tried it today, but I am going to continue it to see how it works out. Here is the workout:

4 minute work out on level 4

30 second sprint on level 7

90 second recovery on level 4

30 second spring on level 8

90 second recovery on level 4

30 second spring on level 9

30 second recovery on level 4

30 second sprint on level 7

90 second recovery on level 4

30 second sprint on level 8

90 second recovery on level 4

30 second sprint on level 9

3 minute 30 second recovery on level 3

Have fun.

An Anniversary of Sorts

I am celebrating a year of successfully maintaing my weight loss. Here are some current pictures, with my story to follow:

After losing so much weight, I think it confused Eli because he started to call me Angela, which who is Laurel's sister. After he knew it was me, he still did it because he thought it was funny and it is. I became this new person, I remember picking him up after I had lost 30 pounds and thinking I just lost a whole "Eli."
Me in October 2008.

One year ago, I reached my target goal weight of 140 pounds. My body fat at 20%. I dropped from a size 20 to a size 6. Shopping is fun now, but some days I find it overwhelming because there are so many more choices and I had to get out of the mindset of wearing baggy clothes. I never wanted to show off my body before, but now I can. For the past year, I have succesfully kept the weight off. In November 2007, after moving back home for a year, I decided to lose weight with the help of a medical weight loss program called Lindora. At the time, I weighed 220 and my body fat was close to 50%. I was not healthy to say the least and i decided I wanted to make a change in my life.

Losing weight was one of the hardest and most rewarding challenges of my life. It involved suchdiscipline, which all my family can say I did. I gave up carbs. No bread, no pizza, no pasta, no cheese and replaced it with lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, and 45 minutes of exercise each day. With Lindora, you go into their clinic everyday and are weighed. Plus, I kept a food journal that kept track of what I ate and how many carbs I consumed. I was eating between 50 to 70 carbs per day. You ate three small meals and had three protein snacks. You put your body into ketosis, which burns fats. This was measured each day at Lindora through the use of keto sticks ( you pead on them and they turned a dark red color). The darker the color the better.

It was not easy at first. I felt I was starving to death and your body just has to adjust. I gradually leaned into exercising. Every morning, I would go to the park and I began by walking/jogging for 45 minutes a day. Soon, I began to jog more and just kept the goal of 45 minutes. Today, I can now run 3 miles in 28 minutes. If you asked me two years, if I could do this, I would have laughed at you. I love exercising. The high after running or hiking is great. Plus, I love my legs now. They are awesome and muscular. This past summer, I hiked all over Arizona and Utah with my family and I could not have done it if I was still heavy. I am thankful I was able to do this.

However, no one tells you about how to change your mindset once the weight is loss. I was told by many that now I have to start thinking like a "thin person." What did this mean? Like I said before, it starts with changing my dressing habits. Buy clothes that fit the body. I still struggle with that. Next, I had to increase confidence in myself, especially around boys. They were now looking at me differently and this freaked me out. I had always lowered my standards about guys because I thought I did not deserved a great guy. Being overweight, i would have taken anyone, but now I did not have to do that. I found myselt struggling to change this though and I am still working on it. If this does not make sense, it is difficult to articulate fully in words how hard this change is and still continues to be. I am trying and getting better each day. The mental change is taking time.

I am writing this to show that you can make this change in your life. Just do it a little at a time and what you feel comfortable with. It is possible because if I can do it, then anyone can. Some days, I do not like talking about my weight loss. I feel I had some extended family members, who jealous of it (I think, I have not figured this out after lengthy discussions with my parents), have put me done from my dressing habits (in front of others) to telling my sister I am "anorexic." There is always this two-edged sword, but rely on those closest to you. I have a great immeadiate family who have been nothing but supportive. They are so great and I love them for it. I could not have made it to this point without them, especially my parents who encouraged me to do this. I would post a picture of the old me, but I do not have one on my computer.

Redneck Roundup and Candle Pin Bowling

This past Friday night, I went candle pin bowling with some friends from church. For those who have never heard of candle pin bowling, it is native to Boston as we do not have too many regulare bowling alleys out here. The pins are like candle sticks and the bowling balls are the size of softballs. I am actually not that bad at it and it was fun to do. I seemed to get better the more tired I was. To top the night off, many of use dressed up as rednecks. Though I did not wear an awesome Chuck Norris shirt like my friend Cami, I spiced up things by wearing my "Do it in the Dirt' t-shirt. The following are highlights from our time as Sacco's Bowl Haven in Somerville, MA.

The candle pins (sorry about the picture quality, it was dark and I am not the best photographer)
The "bowling" balls. You just threw them down the lane. I learned that the softer touch the better.

The bowling alley (My friends Jen and Chris are in the picture).

The bowling begins.

Me and my friend Meg Rampton. She and I are in the same program at Simmons and both have a family history degree.

Jen helping Ashley get dressed. Yes, she is wearing a trash bad.

Ashley and Jen. Both rockin' the garbage bags.

Emily, Brad, and Cami. Emily's shirt was adorned with a dinosaur and Cami's shirt sported Chuck Norris. Both rocked big hair.

Cami rockin' out. Her shirt reads "Chuck does all my stunts.

So if you come visit me and want to do something truly authentic to Boston, let me take you candle pin bowling. It is a hoot and good time.

My new job!

In two weeks, I begin my new part time job at the John F. Kennedy Library here in Boston. I still cannot believed how I ended up with my job. In late February, I saw a posting for a part time PAID internship for the Archives processing unit at the JFK Library. With the recent recession, not many archives/libraries are hiring part time workers, but asking for donated time. I jumped at the chance knowing I would be competing with various classmates for the position. After sending in my cover letter and resume, I got invited in for an interview. The night before, I studied their website to learn about their collections and programs. The archive site had a link to their Oral History Project. The family historian in me was immeadiately intrigued and I found they have over 1,000 interviews.

During my interview the next day, at the end, i innocently asked abou the project, thinking nothing of it. A few days later I was notified that I had not been hired for this position, but that they recomended to the head of the Oral History Project for a part time internship that was opening up. I could not believe it. My resume landed on this desk because I just asked one question at the end of my previous interview about this project and now I had another oppurtunity to work for the JFK in the Oral History department. Last Friday, I went in for this interview. IT went well and they told me I would hear back from them within the week. Also, they said this job had not been posted yet. I thought, oh well, here I go again. Two hours later, while checking my email, I received an email telling me they wanted to hire me. I was estastic. Now, I will be working there for two days a week until I graduate or until they run out of funding for my position. I am so excited. One little thing changed everything. I guess you never know what will happen.

My Mom

This past week, my mom came to visit me for my spring break. We went to Palmyra and then just hung around Boston for a few days. It was a lot of fun. I am glad she came. Some days, I find it hard to be so far away from my family and it makes me more cherish each moment I get to spend with them. We had some driving adventures, but we made it to where we were going. I am glad I visited Palmyra with her. We tried to figure out how we could move there. I love her. She is the best mother. One of my favorite moments is where we have our "girl chats" at night. Usually, they occur at my parents' home on her bed and included my sister and aunt Julee. This time, it took place in my apartment and we just chat about everything and anything. Thanks for all you do mom. I love you!!!!

Palmyra, New York Pictures

For my spring break, my mom flew out to Boston and we drove six hours west to Palmyra, New York and spent a few days visiting the LDS church sites.

The Hill Cumorah, where Joseph Smith was told to go get the Golden Plates. My mom wanted to bring shovels to dig for them, but it was too cold!
The Moroni Monument on top of the Hill Cumorah.

Standing next to the Hill Cumorah Monument Mantle.

My mom trying not to freeze to death on top of the Hill Cumorah.

The Palmyra Temple. It is beautiful.

The Smith Family Log Cabin, located on the Smith Family Farm.

The Frame House. Also, located on the Smith Farm. The family moved into here from the log cabin. It was here the Joseph hid the Golded Plates under the bricks in front of the fireplace.

This is where Joseph hid the golden plates, under the bricks. This is a recreation.

The Sacred Grove. You can just feel the spirit so strongly.

The Sacred Grove. You can walk all around it.

Me in the Sacred Grove. The umbrella was in case it rained.

My mom in the Sacred Grove.

The Grandin Bulding. This is where the first 500 Book of Mormons were published. Martin Harris sold his farm to a Thomas Lakey to get the money to fund the publishing.

Mom and me in the printing room.

Main Street Palmyra. You can see my Prius.

The Peter Whitmer Farm in Fayette, New York. Joseph translated the Golden Plates here. Also, it was here where the church was officially organized in 1830. The chapel was built in 1980.

The Whitmer Farm House.

The upstairs of the Whitmer Farm House where Joseph translated the Golden Plates.

Mom and I in front of the Farm House.

Visiting Palmyra was an amazing experience. It was not crowded because it was still winter and cold, but we loved it. Palmyra is the cutest little town. You can feel the spirit and it is amazing to walk where Joseph did. I always wanted to visit here and I am glad I got the chance.

Palmyra Pics Forthcoming

This week, for spring break, my mom and I went to visit Palmyra (actually we are still in Palmyra at the moment, as we return to Boston tomorrow). We visited all the LDS church history sites from the Hill Cumorah to the Sacred Grove to the Peter Whitmer Farm (where the church was officially organized in 1830). I took many pictures and will post them soon. It is an amazing to be here where our church was organized. To walk through the Sacred Grove, I cannot even describe my feelings.

In Honor of my mom's arrival...Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Tomorrow, my mom is coming to visit me for the week. It is "spring" break out here. When I say that I am trying not to laugh because the weather is all over the place. Over Christmas, my family got into making and eating Pumpkin cookies like every other day. So in honor of my mom coming, here is a recipe I use. It is kind of healthy as you use whole wheat flour and unsweetened applesauce. These cookies taste great.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Ingredients:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1-1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1-1/2 cup white flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups (12 ounce bag) milk chocolate chips, not semisweet
Nonstick cooking spray or parchment papers

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray cookie sheets with nonstick spray or line them with parchment paper.
Using a mixer, beat the butter and applesauce until smooth. Beat in the white and brown sugars, a little at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, then mix in the vanilla and pumpkin puree.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clovers.
Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds.
Stir in the chips.
Scoop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cookies are browned around the edges.
Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes. Take the cookies off with a spatula and cool them on wire racks.

Enjoy!!! These cookies did not survie 24 hours at my apartment.

Massive Snowstorm Pictures!!!

Here are pictures from the snowstrom we had out here yesterday:

Here are some pictures from today, the aftermath (which includes freezing cold temps., oh spring, you can come soon):

Here is a video I took from my back porch:

The storm got me a snow day, no classes, and a buried car. Yeah!!!

Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

While contemplating what to bake the other night, I was looking for a recipe that used both cream cheese and cake mix. Initially, I was going to bake Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, which calls for both ingredients, but I wanted to do something different. Googling "Cream Cheese Cake Mix" I found this cookie recipe and baked it yesterday. It is an easy recipe. Warning, these cookies are addictive. Plus, if you happen to have frosting, spread some on top.

Cream Cheese Cookies:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter, softened
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 package yellow cake mix (can easily substitute in chocolate, lemon, or any other kind of cake mix)

Directions:
1. Cream butter and cream cheese together.
2. Blend in egg yolk and vanilla.
3. Add in dry cake mix 1/3 at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
5. Preheat over to 375.
6. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes of until light golden brown.

Also, here is the Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Recipe, which is fantastic and easy to bake as well.

Ooey Gooey Butter Cake:

Ingredients:

Cake Base:
1 box yellow cake mix
1 egg
1/2 cup butter, melted

Filling:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teapsoon vanilla
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 (16 ounce) box powdered sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat overn to 350 degrees
2. Combine all cake base ingredients and mix well
3. Pat mixed cake base ingreidents into lightly greased 13 x 9 baking pan
4. Prepare filling: beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla. Add powdered sugar and mix well.
5. Pour over cake base mixture in pan
6. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes.
7. Want center to be a little gooey, so make sure not to overbake it. It is okay if the center is soft because that is how it is suppose to come out.

Enjoy!!!!

First Official Snow Day!!!

Do not worry, pictures are forth coming of this massive snow storm that hit the Northeast last night. Beginning about Midnight, the snow began falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour. We are having huge wind gusts and freezing cold weather. Last night, I was constantly being woke up by the snow plows clearing the roads. Hopefully, this is the last storm and spring is just around the corner. Last night at around 10:30, I was notified via text, email, phone, and even my parents (Simmons texts my dad's blackberry because he is listed as my emergency contact) that school was closed today. We have over 5 inches lying on the ground and I have no desire to go anywhere. Well, I talked to my roommates about a snow ball fight later today.

The storm is suppose to break up this afternoon. I hate when the storms end because then everything freezes over and we have these thick sheets of ice to contend with until they melt. Melting does not occur usually until the weather warms up or we get a nice rain storm that washes everything away.