The new us.

So about two weeks ago we had joy school at our house, the lesson was about how each person is unique and special. One of the things we did was write down lots of things about each child's physical appearance; for example, height weight, hair color, eye color. As I was preparing for the lesson I realized that our bathroom scale was broken (and had been for a long time) consequently Matt and I went and bought a new one. As soon as we got home form the store we weighed ourself. OUCH we both were heavier then we wanted to be. So I decided it was time to get super serious about us loosing weight. Most of you know I have had a hard time loosing weight since Grace was born but now was the time. anyway that was two weeks ago and I have lost 9 lbs. I don't know how much Matt has lost but for me 9 lbs is HUGE. So how are we doing it. Mostly be eating small meals and snacks that are lower in calorie. We plan snacks 3 a day and each one needs to be 100 calories or less. The problem is that I love cookies. (and Matt loves icecream) I don't have a solution for the ice cream problem but I have found two recipes that are less then 100 calories that are still tasty. So here they are.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Muffins (2 cookies for 89 calories)

½ cup raisins (or try substituting chopped dried cherries)

½ cup whole wheat flour

½ cup quick oats

1/3 cup Splenda (or regular white sugar)

¾ teaspoon baking powder

¾ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup low fat plain yogurt

1/3 cup no sugar added applesauce (or try substituting canned pumpkin)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 egg while

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray 18 mini muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray

Stir together raisins and all dry ingredients in medium bowl. In separate bowl , mix together remaining ingredients and add to dry ingredients, stirring just until incorporated. Spoon into prepared muffin tins and bake12 to 14 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean

Makes 18 mini muffins/cookies

Whole Grain Sugar Cookies Recipe From Set for Life Yield 40 medium cookies

Ingredients:

1 c low fat margarine (I like bluebonnet)

3 c hard white wheat flour

1 c sugar

1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp soda

2 eggs

1/4 c white flour1/2 tsp salt

1/2 c plain yogurt, or sour cream, or buttermilk

Directions:

1. Cream shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

2. Mix in yogurt.

3. Stir in rest of ingredients.

4. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.

5. Preheat oven to 375°

6. Roll into balls, place on ungreased cookie sheet, do not flatten.

7. Bake for about 8 minutes; do not over bake.

8. Frost when cool.