Healthy Cooking and Salad Bar Vegetable Stir Fry

My husband has recently vowed to lose weight. As some of you may know, he has diabetes and other health issues which are directly linked to obesity.  And the fact that this is a simply "sweet" home doesn't exactly help matters.

To help with his weight loss goals, I'm thinking back to his diet routine, which was very high in vegetables, fruit, and protein.  Here are some things he used to eat during the day to stay on track with his weight loss goals:

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Lemon Buttercream Cupcakes

Before I get to this week's recipe, I have to share this story with you. Tonight we were at a local food tasting event, and Gigi's Cupcakes was one of the vendors.  As I approached the booth, all wide eyed and smiling (as I always tend to be in the presence of a Gigi's Cupcake), I told my husband, "I have to decide which ones I want to try."  And the girl behind the table said, "Take as many as you want."  And I said, "Oh no! Don't say that, cause I'll take them all!"  
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Over Easy Egg "Scramble"

My entry to the appliances online crafty creations competition. You can enter too at Lil’luna!
I've always eaten scrambled eggs for breakfast. But some people (let me pause for a minute so I can look around the room) like their eggs cooked other ways.  
Let's just say, I was very excited at the beginning of my married life when I was making my first breakfast, and my hopes were very quickly dashed, when I was told, "I like my eggs cooked over easy." And I had to say, "Huh? What is that?" Too funny! Live and learn, I guess!
Anyway, this week I'm sharing what I like to call the Over easy Egg Scramble.  It's like sort of like a traditional breakfast scramble except it's got some carbs added in, and of course the eggs are not scrambled, they're cooked over easy, or as we always said in my house growing up, "fried."
Hope you enjoy!
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Buffalo Chicken & Rice

My entry to the appliances online crafty creations competition. You can enter too at Lil’luna!
As you know, around here we love all things buffalo!  This week I'm sharing one of my recent inventions: Buffalo Chicken & Rice!  This recipe is based on the Buffalo Potato Casserole I shared a while back.  Both are deliciously good, comfort food  meals with a kick! 
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Cookies & Cream Lollipops

Over the holidays my Oreo Balls were very popular. (Both on the blog and at home!) Last week I made another batch for my husband, and I bought an extra package of Oreos so that I could experiment with some other recipes.

Over the weekend I made these Valentine lollipops. Aren't they cute!  And you won't believe just how easy they were!  I have to admit, they aren't quite as good as the Oreo Balls. (But then again, what is?) However, I expect you'll like them just the same!

Make these in minutes with the kids for an after-school Valentine's treat, serve for your kid's Valentine parties, or even hand out to coworkers and friends. (Candy-Gram anyone?)

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White Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Cookies

In honor of Valentine's Day coming up in a few weeks, I've got a truly sweet and decadent treat to share with you!  This one combines the official colors of Valentine's Day with its official flavor: Chocolate! And I know you and your true love will adore them!

And to make things even better, this one is another cake mix cookie recipe! I got it from Heather at Whipper Berry. (I just used chocolate chips instead of chunks!) Hope you enjoy!

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Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

Today I've got one of my easiest desserts recipes to share with you!  I first learned to make these in the sixth grade when I was in the Future Homemakers Club (now known as Family Career and Community Leaders of America or FCCLA). 
It became an instant favorite of mine, and I immediate went home and shared it with my family.  And it's been fave easy-fix recipe of mine ever since! Ordinarily I make these around Christmas, but today with the red sprinkles on white chocolate they are a Valentine's treat!
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Favorite Foods of 2011

Homemade Alfredo

Looking back over 2011, we had many noteworthy (perhaps even pin-worthy) food posts. Oddly enough, one of my most viewed recipes was my alfredo. It was actually posted in 2010, but since it's obviously popular, so today I'm featuring it, as I take a look back at some of my favorite food posts from last year!

Hope you enjoy my picks!  Happy New Year! And I hope you'll join me as we discover more delicious recipes in 2012!

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Cheesy Potato Crisps

For New Year's Eve, I always love to serve appetizers.  I think of this recipe for Cheesy Potato Crisps as a meatless alternative to sausage balls.  They taste very similar to sausage balls and are a great appetizer for all ages. And they're very easy on the wallet too!  Serve these alone or alongside your favorite dips like ranch and honey mustard.
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Homemade Cookie Mix in a Jar and Frosted Chocolate Drops

This week I've got a recipe for you that also makes a fun and easy homemade gift.  By the way, don't forget that all this week, my blog friends and I are hosting Holly Bloggy Christmas, where you can link up your Christmas ideas and win prizes!  
I'll be linking this post up at the Homemade Gift Party on Monday at tatertots and jello and the Recipe Party on Tuesday at Chef in Training. By the way, the parties also feature fun giveaways from Twisted Sugar Twine and Sweet Kiwi Crochet.
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Chocolate Covered Caramel Popcorn - 2 Ways

When I was kid we used to get those giant popcorn tins every Christmas! Those are still around today, but now we also have a whole host of gourmet popcorns to choose from for holiday parties and gift giving.

Today I'm going to show you  how easy it is to make your own gourmet popcorn at home using 2 different methods!  Not only will it make a fabulous homemade gift, but it's also a lot cheaper than a lot of the gourmet gifts on the market!

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Oreo Balls

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is the food, especially the sweets!  Today I've got a really yummy treat that's perfect for parties and gift giving.  I first made these Oreo Balls last Christmas, and I can't wait to make them again!  I know your family will love them too.  And guess what? They are SUPER easy to make!

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Southern Brownie Pie

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it seemed like the perfect time to share this classic, Southern recipe.  This Southern Brownie Pie is yummy served warm or cold, and it's sure to please everyone at your table.  My husband isn't really a chocolate fan, and he doesn't like pies at all, but he couldn't get enough of this one!

By the way, come join Love the Pie with TidyMom sponsored by Cherokee USA, Le Creuset, Wilton, Bags by Bloom and  Harvard Common Press.

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Coconut Pecan Cookies

Several weeks ago I shared these pudding cookies, which I first saw over at Chef in Training.  You know I love to make different versions and variations of the same recipe, so today I've got Coconut Pecan version to share with you!

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Pumpkin Bread

Fall weather is finally in the air around our house!  It really makes me crave the tastes of fall and all those great Thanksgiving classics!

Today I'm sharing a little taste of fall. I made a little tray of fall goodies for my husband to carry to work last week, and the Pumpkin Bread was a very popular treat. Hope you enjoy!

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Orange Dream Parfaits

Since orange is the quintessential fall and Halloween color, it seemed like the perfect week for me to share these Orange Dream Parfaits.  Previously I've shared my Orange Dream Pie, one of my husband's favorite desserts.  This is basically that same recipe in parfait form, and it's super delicious!

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Buffalo Chicken & Potato Casserole

This week I've got a super yummy recipe to share! I call it "comfort food with a kick." This Buffalo Chicken Potato Casserole is perfect for an at-home, family meal. And it would also be great for football parties and potlucks.

I first made this  several months ago, and we LOVED it! I finally got around to making it again a couple of weeks ago, and I definitely want it to be a more "regularly scheduled" meal in our house. Hope you enjoy!

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Pudding Cookies

One of the great things about hosting my linky party is that it gives me a chance to get recipes and ideas that I might not have otherwise found through regular blog surfing or hopping through links at other parties.  One blog that always shows up to the party with some standout eats and treats is Chef in Training. Back in July, they linked up these Pudding Cookies, which I made almost immediately.  And they were just scrumptious!

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Buffalo Chicken Dip

With football season in full swing, this week I've decided to share one of our favorite dips for football snacking.  I first made this dip for the 2008 Super Bowl, and at that time I served it cold.  It wasn't until the last couple of times I made it, that I decided to heat it in the microwave.  And I have to say that we enjoy it either way.  And you can also bake it in the oven if your prefer. So it's a very versatile and tasty treat, and it's also fast and convenient! Enjoy!

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Red Velvet Cupcakes

Red Velvet is often thought of as a Valentine's Day dessert, but it's festive red color is great for many occasions.  Over the weekend I made these red velvet cupcakes in honor of our first Crimson Tide football game of the season.  Woohoo!

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