Oh, yes, they are THAT good!!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, and are continuing to enjoy it through the weekend!!

I have some exciting news regarding Pampered Chef – Cyber Monday, you get free shipping with any order over $75.00 – www.pamperedchef.biz/afarmer

and, I am booking shows for after the first of the year – so let me know if you may be interested – there are some great host specials coming up.  Don’t you like free?  Both catalog and cooking shows welcome.

Below you will find the recipe for “Eggnog Cupcakes” they were spectacular!!  Enjoy every last bite.  They are not “healthy” – they are however, FABULOUS.

Cupcakes:

1/4 cup rum

1 cup eggnog

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1 cup sugar

1 1/3 cup flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

 

Frosting:

1/4 cup butter – softened

3 tbsp eggnog

1 tbsp rum

pinch of nutmeg

2 (or more) cups powdered sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350.  Line 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.  In small bowl mix together rum, eggnog, oil, vinegar, and vanilla.  In large bowl mix together all the dry ingredients.  Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry, and whisk until just combined.  Divide evenly between muffin cups.

Bake for 18-20 mins.  Cool completely.

For frosting – cream together butter, eggnog, rum, nutmeg, and powdered sugar.  Add more sugar if you need to make the frosting stiffer.  Sprinkle frosted cupcakes with cinnamon for decoration.

 

Songs to Get Your Booty Movin’ Vol. 3

Here is my current running playlist – some might be repeats, that just means they are that fabulous.  Enjoy.

1.  Uprising – Muse
2.  Dynamite – Taio Cruz
3.  I Like It – Enrique
4.  Not Afraid – Eminem
5.  DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love – Usher
6.  Only Girl – Rihanna
7.  Raise Your Glass – Pink
8.  F**k You – Cee Lo
9.  The Time – Black Eyed Peas
10. Hey Baby – Pitbull
11. All I Ever Wanted – Kelly Clarkston.

Happy listening!!!

Hate Mail from the Postman and Other Winter Treats.

Good Morning Everyone –

Well, blizzard is right.  My eyes burn from just looking out the window, and my dog isn’t quite sure where she is supposed to pee (since she can’t really squat – the snow is THAT high).

On these days I sit back and think of all of the joys this season brings… lets reflect.

1.  Our postman writes us hate mail in the winter.  I suppose he doesn’t understand that we, oh – I don’t know, WORK.  So, if he comes by at noon and our steps aren’t bare and dry we get, “CLEAN OFF YOUR STEPS” scribbled across our letters.  Oh Mr. Postman, one of these days I will coat those steps with a nice thin layer of ice.

2.  You carefully trudge your way through the snow – taking careful placed step after careful placed step.  You finally make it inside, and for just one second you let your guard down.  You eagerly head to your office, and BAM!! you go down in a blaze of glory.  You make a loud noise like a bowling ball hitting the floor, and anything you may have had in your hands goes flying.  Thank you everyone – I’ll be here all week.

3.  After grocery shopping for an hour, and having to heave your cart toward your car (because they can’t plow the parking lot) – you finally make it home.  All the groceries are put away, and your feeling good about life.  The next day you go to get in your car, and what before your wondering eyes does appear?? A case of Mountain Dew (for the husband) that has exploded – hooray for freezing temps.

4.  Shiloh, “Did you leave the bathtub running?”  Andrea, “No, why would I do that?”  Shiloh, “Don’t you hear water running?”  Andrea, “I guess, but where would that come from???”  One broken pipe and a basement full of water later…. Shiloh, “Let’s not forget to turn the outside water off again.”

I hope you all stay safe and sane this winter!!  and may your days be merry and bright!!

Until next time,

Andrea

Do You Have Your Holiday Shopping Done??? If Not, Let Me Help!

 

With the Holidays just around the corner, let Avon help you find the perfect gifts for the special people in your lives.  Avon is a great way to shop and better yet, you can avoid the holiday crowds altogether and spend time doing what you really want during the holiday season… spending time with your family and staying warm and cozy in the comforts of your home.  You can order right on-line!  It is safe and secure and it will be shipped right to your front door!  What can be easier than that?  Avon also offers a huge selection of products at amazingly low prices!

FREE SHIPPING!

Get your holiday shopping done now and take advantage of free shipping on orders of $30 and more (offer good until November 25^th!) Just shop my web page and enter in the shipping code: ACORN.

  

Great Gift Ideas:

A gift basket filled with pedicure items:  Everyone loves to have their feet pampered! 

For your teenage girls, shop mark. Products!  They are excellent and stylish! 

Stocking stuffers:  Glaze wear lip-gloss, chap-stick, shower-gels, bubble-baths, lotions, nail polish and more!

 Great gifts for the ladies in the office.  Give hand lotion and Chap Stick that they can use everyday while at work! 

For that special man in your life: Avon has an excellent selection of colognes, after shave, and watches.

 For that special lady in your life:  Avon has a fabulous selection of jewelry at amazing prices!!

Avon does all the work for you- My website even has everything broken down into categories of gifts for $5, $10, and more as well as great gifts for kids, women and men!

 http://shop.avon.com/shop/product_list.aspx?level1_id=300&level2_id=718&cat_type=C&omnCode=Holiday

 

Happy Holiday!

Karly~

My Favorite Pampered Chef Items

I have several items from Pampered Chef that I use almost daily and I wanted to share them with you. 

Egg Separater-  I use this with just about all of my cooking with egg whites.  Separates the yolk out and helps keep the egg shells out!  It also works pretty good as a whisk too!

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/afarmer?page=products-detail&categoryId=122&itemId=1187&productId=154

Classic Batter Bowl- I love using this bowl for pancake mix because if I don’t use it all up the first time, I can simply place the lid on and put it in the fridge and use it the next day!

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/afarmer?page=products-detail&categoryId=123&productId=211

Coating trays and tool- I use this for my Baked Crunchy Chicken Strips.  See them in action on my post below!  They work great and are easy to clean/dishwasher safe!

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/afarmer?page=products-detail&categoryId=124&productId=16629&itemId=2605&parentCategoryId=8

Meat Tenderizer- This is a serious meat pounder!  I use this on my steak and chicken and I use it to mash my crackers for the Baked Crunchy Chicken Strips!  Has two sides that you can switch between easily.  Great tool!

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/afarmer?page=products-detail&categoryId=124&productId=9784&itemId=2705&parentCategoryId=8

Karly~

Baked Crunchy Chicken Strips & Red Potatoe Fries

This is my healthy version of delicious chicken strips and fries and they are baked!

Chicken Strips:

         

3 chicken breasts cut into long thick strips (remove any visible fat)

In 3 separate containers: 1st container will contain whole wheat flour or oat flour.  2nd container contains 4 eggs blended. 3rd container- crushed Whole Wheat Ritz crackers.

Dip each strip starting with the flour, then the egg and then the crushed crackers.  Be sure to get them coated well.  Place on a baking sheet either sprayed with Pam or Extra Virgin Olive Oil or lined with aluminum foil.

Bake at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes or until fully cooked through.

Red potato Fries:

You will want to choose larger red potatoes for this.  Cut into long thick strips. 

Boil for 5 minutes.  Strain the water and then place the potatoes on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.  Lightly brush each with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Then evenly sprinkle Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning.  You will want to put your oven on Broil and cook for about 7-9 minutes.

These are delicious together and they are so much better for you then going to a fast food restaurant! 

Karly ~

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes!

This morning, I decided to make pumpkin spice pancakes.  I have seen recipes out there but they all contained sugar or Splenda- two ingredients that I really try to stay away from.  So, this morning, I made my own!  They turned out awesome!!!  So much so that I am sharing my recipe with you now.

First, mix all of your dry ingredients:

2 cups of oat flour (I make mine at home.  I just blend old-fashioned oats in a blender or food processor until it is fine like flour.  You can also buy oat flour at the store.)

1 tablespoon of baking powder

1 1/2 tablespoons of cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon of all spice (optional)

Mix together so they are well blended.

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 container of 100% pure pumpkin (15oz can)

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 tablespoon of honey (if you don’t mind Splenda, you can use it here instead)

1 3/4 cups of fat-free milk or almond milk (whichever you have on hand)

7 egg whites

Mix the wet ingredients in a blender or food processor.  After they are blended well, slowly mix in the dry ingredients while blending.   The batter will be a little thicker than regular pancake mix. When you pour the batter onto the pan or griddle, you will want to take a spoon and spread the batter out a bit.  Cook as you would normal pancakes. Serve up with some sugar-free syrup!  They are delicious and still nutritious!!! ENJOY!

Karly~

Delicious Pineapple Teriyaki Meatloaf Muffins

As some of you may have guessed from my post-cheat meal after the Iron Man that I absolutely love Red Robin Bonzai Burgers!  Yummy!  This recipe below is inspired by this very hamburger but without the bread!  I would definitely consider this one of my cheat meals only because of the sauce and sodium.  They are quick and easy to make a SUPER DELICIOUS!!!

Pre-heat your oven to 375 Degrees

What you will need:

Large mixing bowl

measuring cup

muffin pan

extra virgin olive oil or Pam Cooking Spray

3 eggs whites

2 lbs. of extra lean ground beef (7% fat or less) or buffalo ground beef if you have it

1/2 a large onion finely cut

12.8 oz. Kikkoman Baste and Glaze Sauce in Pineapple and Honey Teriyaki flavor

fresh ground pepper

2 cups of old-fashioned oats

optional if you like heat and spice in your food add some Tapatio Hot Sauce.

Simply mix all of the ingredients above until well blended.  Roll into palm size or racquetball size balls and place in muffin pan.

Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for about 20-30 minutes or until fully cooked through.

To serve, you can put shredded sharp cheddar cheese on them, or Ketchup on it, or even better!  and my personal favorite ; serve fresh pineapple chunks over the top with some extra teriyaki glaze!  DELICIOUS!  I AM HUNGRY NOW!!!

Enjoy!

Karly~

Show Your Kids the Way

All around us, society is focused around modern conveniences that in turn have made us all very lazy.  As a result, obesity in America is spiraling out of control, especially in our children.

What continues to amaze me is that I rarely see kids running and playing around in my neighborhood or riding their bikes.  Things have greatly changed since I was a child.  I remember running all over the place.  Playing dress up, climbing trees, playing kick-the-bucket after dark, swimming, golfing with my grandparents, riding my bike, running the Canal Caper and the Sage-N-Sun Fun Runs, shooting hoops and playing around the world with my Dad.  I had an active childhood, one I thank my parents for very much.  I was active because they were active.  They taught me that entertainment can come without a T.V.,  a computer or video games.  In fact, I remember, they would purposely disconnect the cable during the summer time so my sister and I wouldn’t sit and watch T.V. all day.  I was encouraged to use my imagination. 

I share this with you all because I want to remind each and every one of you who is a parent that it is your responsibility to get your children active.  You can’t complain that you child(ren) sit in front of the T.V, computer or play video games all the time if you provide those things to them.  Our children are products of who we are.  If your child(ren) can’t seem to find something to do that is active and productive without the technology, simply take it away and become active in your child’s life.  Yes, you have to do it too.  It isn’t a one way street. 

This weekend, I thought about this post quite a bit.  I thought about what message I am sending to my kids.  So far, I think I am doing well.  Yes, they enjoy watching a movie off of Netflix, but we don’t have cable and they only get to watch on the weekends.  During the week, my oldest son is busy with school work, reading buddies and gymnastics.  My youngest son, is constantly busy playing with his trucks and super heroes and dressing up as Spider Man, Bat Man or Super Man.  He is very imaginative. Did I mention they constantly wrestle too?  As far as how they eat, they eat what my husband and I eat.  They don’t really know any different.  They seem to do pretty good about making good choices when it is snack time and boy do the enjoy and appreciate a treat when they get to have one.

So you ask, “How do I get my kids active?” My answer… Make exercise a family event and you don’t even have to call it exercise if that word gets your kiddos all upset and crabby.  For example, go for a walk or hike and collect cool things you find on the way or go to the park and play.  At home, you can have races.  Make it fun.  In our house, we like to race walking on our hands and feet like crabs, or doing the walrus walk on our hands with our feet dragging behind us. During the fall and spring time, it is perfect to have them come out and help you in the yard.   If the weather is cold and there is snow on the ground, build a snow fort, go sledding or have a snowball fight.   If you have a gym you are a member of, sometimes they have family hours.  The gym Manuel  and I attend have swimming, basketball and racquetball courts, a track and more which is plenty to keep us busy with the boys.  The best thing about it, is they love it!  They love spending the time with us and they love the activities.  We find that when they get to use all that energy up, they seem to behave better.  They aren’t whiney or bored or restless.  They also sleep great! We sure do love nap time after a day at the Rec. Center (all of us!)

I am not saying to turn your child(ren) into die-hard athletes or competitors, just get them active and show them a way to live a happy, healthier life.  This lesson is one of the greatest lessons you can teach your child(ren).  A lesson that will stick with them throughout their entire lives.  In the process of teaching them, you might just start feeling better yourself!

Until next time, do something active with your kids.  You won’t regret it!

Karly~

Andrea’s Top 11 Pampered Chef List

Good Mornin’ Everyone!!

In honor of Karly’s upcoming Pampered Chef Fundraiser – here is my list of my top 11 things.  I love each and every one of these guys, and use them almost every time I cook.  They are in no particular order.

1.  Food Chopper: One of our most popular kitchen tools… and with good reason! Durable, stainless rotating blades uniformly chop veggies, nuts, and cooked meat in seconds.  Item #: 2585  $31.00

2.  Easy Read Measuring Cups: An angled design and clear, durable plastic make it easy to read standard and metric measures from above.  No more standing on your head!!  Item #: 2175  $23.00

3.  Classic Batter Bowl:  Mix, store, bake, and pour in these.  With measurements on the side and easy to grip handles they are a bakers dream.  Did I mention they even have a lid!!!  Item #: 2230  Price: 15.00

4.  Large Pizza Stone:  If you haven’t ever cooked on a stone – you are sooo missing out.  They are fabulous.  Item #: 1371  Price: 32.00

5.  Mix N Chop:  AKA Hamburger Smasher Thingy – This is the best tool for cooking hamburger, smashing avocados, bananas, yams – you name it.  Item #: 2583  Price: $10.50

6.  Bamboo Spoon Set: More durable than traditional wood, bamboo resist staining, cracking, and warping.  Item #: 1674  Price:  $9.50

7. Classic Scrapers:  Oh these bad boys are FAMOUS!!  Heavy duty silicone heads that are fused to the handles, so you never have to worry about them falling off in your batter.  They won’t crack, burn, melt or stain.  They are also heat-resistant up to 650 degrees!!  Item #: 1650  Price: 11.50

8.  Color Coated Tomato Knife:  This is perfect for personal steaks, fruits, and some veggies – sharp and fantastic.  It has a non-stick coating, and cleans up wonderfully.  Item #: 1064  Price: $15.00

9.  Deep Covered Baker:  They call this the crock pot for your microwave.  It will change the way you think about dinner.  I love, love, love mine.  Item #: 3300  Price: $85.00

10.  Grill Pan with Press:  For healthier grilling!!  No need for oils or butter here!  A ridged base gives foods rich, seared grill marks and keeps them out of the drippings.  Item #’s: 2868 and 2875, $135.00 and $34.00 worth every penny!!

11.  1-Cup and 2-Cup Prep Bowls:  I probably use these more than anything else.  For leftovers, for lunch containers, for “here hold this for a second” – they are my “go to” device.  Item # 1825 and # 1742  Price: $20.00 and $15.00

Don’t miss out on these great kitchen gadgets – and don’t forget to support Karly in her Pampered Chef Fundraiser.  Just go to www.pamperedchef.biz/afarmer click on the “shop online” link, and enter Karly as your host.  Happy Shopping!!