COUPONING :)

So I have started a new adventure .. humm perhaps Bill is right - the kicks don't last :(

Well maybe this one will!

I ended up on http://theKrazyCouponlady.com one night by accident and wow - I was shocked! With the recent move to the new place I have a Fred Meyer, QFC, Safeway, Albertsons, Rite Aid and a Trader Joes between the freeway and the house! (Ok the Safeway is about 3 blocks up but still)

So - why not use that to my advantage on groceries / household items??

And man its fun!

Recently I went to Rite Aid (with the help of some blogs and some friends coupons that were getting thrown out)

I got 2 bottles of ProCreast Health Mouth wash (regular / nighttime), 2 bottles of ProCreast Health Whitening, 3 tubes of toothpaste (more creast), 1 ProGlide Shaver (looks nice ;)), 2 bottles of Gilette Body wash and a coupon organizer (Ok come on - had to get one!) Out of pocket I spent $29 and in rebates I'm getting back $28!! I also have $2.50 in 'cash' coupons on my next transacation! (By the way without the coupon organizer this works out to $5.00 back in cash!!)

How can you beat that?? I also have stocked us on cheese (grated and rubber slices) and got Lean Cuisines for 1.20 each (enough for my lunches ALL week :) )

SO we'll see - of course there will be limited items to buy - unless free or getting paid there is no more mouth wash or toothpaste or for that matter cereal (good deal at target with coupons) that I can bring into the house before Bill kills me :)

But if I get paid to walk out of the store with it - then I'm sure there is a shelter that would love it.. :)

WOO HOO - Fun times!

Terra Yoga - Round 2

Last night I took a 7:15 class with Carina and it was wonderful. Despite the fact that I had to lay down a LOT for some reason - the heat was really getting to me. It was the class experience I was looking for!

She noticed a lot of us were having hip issues - so she modified 3 different exercises to stretch out and open our hips! As I have hip issues all the time this was magical for me! Not only that she showed us the proper way to get in and out of poses. Though we went over class time it was worth every minute!

I may have found my yoga home! (now if we move north... well I deal with that then!)

Terra Yoga - Round 1

I did go to Terra Yoga on Thursday - we had a fill-in teacher that normally works on Thursday mornings. Now I don't remember her name - but she was 'Bikram' like which I didn't really care for. She wasn't as bad and she did play music which I loved.

The studio is small - but I kind of like that. Its also closer to my house which I love.. and the times with a 5:15 start are perfect for my schedule. We'll try it a few more times (I bought a ten card) and hopefully I'll have a better report.. its all in the teacher ;)

Hot Yoga / Bikram Search

For over a year now a good friend of mine has been trying to get me into Hot Yoga. I tried it a long time ago and about died and have been hesitant to go back.. but recently I've gotten on a Groupon / Living Social kick where you get a daily offer.

An offer came through for $30 of unlimited hot yoga at Breathe in Seattle. Being one of the only studios with staggered heat (the back of the room is 85 the front is 105) I decided it was a good deal and tried it out.

I fell in LOVE. But living in Bellevue and driving to Seattle. Not my idea of fun.

Low and behold just as my free month was ending a deal came through for 20 classes for $30 at Bikram Hot Yoga of Redmond. WOO HOO! So I bought it and then I went. I was shocked.

At Breathe they are gentle with you - Yoga is your journey. They are particular about your form - encouraging you to stay in a pose at your level for as long as you need to - even if its years of only going to the first stage. I left feeling in control of my body, thoughts and mind. Bikram Hot Yoga of Redmond pushes you to go to the hardest part of the pose. In fact almost is an exact opposite opinion as Breathe. I also found the instructors to be loud - talk fast and I left feeling like I had been through the wringer. It felt like a personal trainer in your face pushing you as hard as you can. Not my style. Fearful that I was loosing my mind I had a friend go with me, she felt exactly the same.

So, thinking it was this studio I tried Bikram Hot Yoga of Renton. The studio is beautiful. The floor is a weird plastic breathing material that I loved for the sweat factor, hated to feel on my bare feet. I talked about my experience at Breathe and at Redmond and was assured there was no yelling. My first class was closer to Breathe then Redmond and I was ready to sign on. I waited though. And I was glad I did.

My second class at Renton I brought a towel to stand on when we turn so that I didn't have to stand on the floor. The instructor called me out in the middle of class and told me I had to stand on the floor. I was shocked. After I went home I decided to do some research.

I found the a wonderful posting and learned that Bikram is different the Hot yoga. Silly me - the poses were the same - but the philosophy of Bikram is what I was experiencing at Redmond and Renton and I did not like it. I do think that some LOVE IT - as its intense and some people want to be pushed. I sought out Hot yoga for the calming and relaxing points of it. And also - in the words of a good friend who is a yoga instructor - to feel in control of my body. The Bikram philosophy from my point of view - is about giving up control to your instructor. Probably a good idea.. but I'm not there yet in my Yoga journey.

I had gotten another great deal on a website called Savy for Urban Yoga / Spa in downtown Seattle. With an upcoming wedding I thought I'll go there try the studio out and get a mani / pedi on the way out.

BLISS! I cannot even describe how much I loved this studio. The floor was a soft solid material - felt silky but non absorpant. The teacher was amazingly wonderful, tender and nice. Encouraging you to do what felt right in your journey. She even asked in class if we had too much heat and wanted a response!! When we said yes, too hot, she opened the doors to cool us down. I was in awe. I spoke with her and then went upstairs to the WONDERFUL locker rooms - where they have LOCKERS and free locks (I know for those of you who have not been to a studio - this is RARE). The showers are individual - and what you would expect at a spa - hand held sprayers - high end shampoo/ conditioner and WONDERFUL body wash.

And then I went and got a Mani Pedi - umm.. bliss. This is the way to do hot yoga.

And then I remembered - I'm in down town Seattle. Great for Saturday / Sunday but in my day to day life on the week - dealing with traffic and parking. Its just not going to happen :(

So my hunt continues. I'm off to Terra Yoga in Issaquah tonight - I'm feeling confident as a friend goes there (the before mentioned Redmond Hot Yoga friend). So we'll see - the hunt for my home studio continues....

Dumped the Amish.. kept the muffins

So.. the last batch of oat bran muffins I made spoiled - I have no idea why but I had read a few other people mention you can make the recipes without the starters.. so.. I dumped.. I did it in a hurry - no tears were shed ;)

Last night I made these oat bran muffins from cooking light:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=522196

I used dates instead of raisins (and that's only because that's what I had) - I did the whole thing in the Cuisinart - so it was probably more blended then it asks you to - but they were GOOD.

I may use this as my new base recipe for 'wheat' muffins and play with it a bit (I got some new flours at the outlet in Issaquah that I want to try)

For my 'white' (aka unhealthier) I made lemon muffins - I used the amish recipe as a base omitting the starter (obviously). I used sugar free lemon pudding and vanilla yogurt instead of oil. I also used Trader Joe's cage free egg whites (out of the jug) for the eggs - I then forgot I was halving the recipe and used too much flour - I tried to take it out - but either way at the end of the mixing it was still thick so I added a hefty amount of lemon juice and some more milk, then some agave syrup and sugar to sweeten (sorry no idea how much) - the result was goey yummy lemon.. muffin shaped things (a little too moist to call muffins). I'll work on this recipe a little more.

So - look for more muffin / bread recipes.. without starter!

Chocolate Cupcakes

I finally found a recipe that Bill LOVES...
I took the recipe from Betty Crocker for Chocolate fudge cake.. I reduced the amount of sugar, flour and milk and added a cup of starter. I used sugar free chocolate pudding (2 small packages) and added a little extra milk.. I omitted the baking chocolate (as the pudding mix) however- which I had stirred in some chocolate chips. When I really sit down and look at it I will post a better recipe (and email or comment if you want the exact thing)

For me - I really think the butter is what added to it.. they came out kind of soft / gummy (just the way Bill likes it!) And everyone agreed they were NOT dry. BIG hit.. unfortunately - NOT low cal :) But for a treat - they aren't BAD. :)

Kate's Muffins

So.. searching the internet for inspiration I came across this website / recipe: http://www.gardenwife.com/healthy-oat-bran-muffins-made-with-amish-friendship-bread-starter/comment-page-1#comment-177865

These are the BEST muffins. Kate (18 month old niece) LOVES them :) And when I'm using all organic ingredients, no sugar and no added fat.. well LET HER EAT THEM! I use all whole wheat - the last batch I exchanged one cup of whole wheat flour for 1 cup of oats (upping the oats and hopefully lightening the muffins) and I added whole rasberries (defrosted frozen ones) to the batter - I have yet to have one (Tomorrow morning!) But mom says they are keepers!

These are now staples in the house and will be what I make with my whole wheat until we are sick of them...

Cherry Cheesecake Bread

Ok - I think this may be one of my best recipes yet!!

I took a standard amish starter (White flour) - I followed the recipe, except:
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce for 1/2 cup oil (then used 1/2 cup oil as well)
2 small boxes of SUGAR FREE cheesecake pudding mix (instead of large box of vanilla)
roughly 1/2 cup of reduced fat cream cheese
Roughly 1/3 cup of white sugar (instead of the 1 cup recipe says)
about 3/4 cup of cherries (Which I didn't cut as much as I should have - fresh)
I ended up adding milk.. maybe 1/3 - 1/2 cup more then it called for - I skipped the cinnamon

The key to this bread was using the beaters and under baking it a little (about 50 minutes instead of 60) AND THEN REFRIGERATE - we had some after it cooled and then some more the next morning (after beeing in the fridge overnight) OMG sooo good :)

Whole Wheat - Banana Bread

I made banana bread with the whole wheat starter I have.. definitly the best with that starter - I did put cinnamon brown sugar on it this time - (there is another post with the recipe alterations for this - I did use brown sugar this time and ground oats for some of the flour) - the topping added a LOT :)

I also added nuts.. OK this is what I did because as I write this I realize I altered a lot :)

Full whole wheat starter - basic recipe minus oil (used trader joes cinnamon applesauce (1 cup)) Egg substitute (which I'm now using all the time), no pudding mix, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 cup rolled oats ground in the food processor (I also tossed in some flax seed (which I didn't ground enough)) - about a half cup of walnuts (which I also did not break / grind enough)). 3 medium mashed bananas. Used about 1/3 cup of brown sugar (and no white sugar other then original feed)

It makes a dense bread.. but a good morning bread :)

Whole Wheat Apple Oat Bread

I had been feeding one of my starters only whole wheat flour and it was time to back!

I decided to try apple oat bread.. so I used only applesauce instead of oil, only whole wheat flour, omitted the pudding mix and added cut up apple (I used about a 1/2 apple but wish I had used the whole thing!) and about a cup of oatmeal (could have done more and reduced the flour)

I then subbed agave syrup for the sugar (about 1/4 of what it calls for)

The result was a decent bread.. it could have used more flavor, perhaps cinnamon applesauce, more apples and if I had ground the oats and replaced some of the whole wheat flour, but for a "healthy" bread it was pretty good!

Low Sugar Chocolate Bread

Wednesday was baking day, and I had two breads to make! 1 from the regular amish starter and 1 from a whole wheat amish starter.

Since a friend wanted her own basic starter I made a small loaf with that batch and I'd been craving chocolate so I decided to try a "healthy" chocolate bread :)

I got sugar free pudding mix (chocolate fudge) - I used applesauce instead of oil - I then used Agave Syrup for the sugar (I used a little under half of what it called for) - I did add a few chocolate chips and a some pecans...

After fudging with the milk a little I was a little worried, the "dough" was awful thick for what I was used to, but I decided to try it.

After baking and cutting into it (HOT) I found pockets of green, I think it was the agave mixing with the nuts, but .. either way.. though a little odd, it tasted GOOD and was a good substitute for the chocolate cake I was craving :)

Sourdough Starter

I'm now on day 5 of my sourdough starter. I have bubbles, I have separation, but I don't have froth. Tonight I made mashed potatoes and thus saved some of the water to feed my starter with, good thing too, as I accidentally threw out more then half! I'm hoping this trick of using the "starch" water will be the turning point. I'd like to try sourdough this weekend!

Traditional Amish Starter - Banana Bread

So... day 10 rolled around again and this time I substituted mashed bananas for the pudding mix, cinnamon applesauce for half the oil, omitted the cinnamon (due to the applesauce ;)) and reduced the sugar to 1/2 cup (ish). It was pretty good!!

We are picking at it at home.. first batch my mom has gotten a taste of and she is pretty pleased with it! I saved two separate bags of starter this time, one will be fed "normal" and one with wheat flour. Its also time to reduce the feedings on both bags.. too many bags of goo!!

Sourdough.. A new Starter?

So... after humming and hawing.. and trying this and trying that.. I think I'm going to venture out and try making a sourdough starter and thus.. sourdough bread. I have a few hesitations with this endeavor.. but.. why not right?

I mean if I can figure a way to make REALLY good bread at home.. even if it takes me 36 hours somehow that's better then the store bought bread right? (Come on - RIGHT?) :)

So soon I'll start.. so the start seems easy - I put some stuff in a jar (ooh I have to buy a jar!) and then let it sit.. and hope it "catches" and makes "hooch" I kid you not, these are the terms..

I swear.. something about this.. very cult like.

Whole Wheat Amish Friendship Bread - Start

So I have realized that somehow last week when I split the starter on day 6 I ended up with more starter on day 10 then I thought I would. So tonight I will split it (I have heard somewhere that too much all together in one bag can lead to bad ju-ju or something.. so I"ll split it and then on Thursday 1 bag will get feed whole wheat flour instead of white.

I want to keep one bag of regular old fashioned - these side bags I"ll try and then tweak and try some more.. I'm thinking the whole wheat bag perhaps gets to be made into fruit breads.. like banana.. and I'll keep the white one for super sweet breads... but we'll see..

Sourdough transformation start

So .. I made the bread from the link posted previously - it was ok - not bad..

But now the fun really starts - my former AFB starter that got no sugar last feeding will now be getting water instead of milk - I'm concerned its not growing as I expected so I have pulled it from the fridge and will probably add a teaspoon - tablespoon of sugar when feeding on Thursday.. hopefully it will grow. I'm hoping to get a starter that's a bit more sourdough ish.. less sweet and then we'll try the bread in the machine again on Monday.

Success - White chocolate Cranberry - (Original AFB)

So! I had good success this weekend with White Chocolate Cranberry bread!

I substituted sugar free white chocolate pudding mix for the Vanilla pudding.
I substituted 1 low fat Yoplait White chocolate strawberry yogurt + 1/4 cup oil for the 1 cup of oil
I added 1/2 -1 cup of dried cranberries and 1/2 - 1 cup of white chocolate chips

It was good! Sweet - of course - but good dessert - I would want to try it with real raspberries or cherries in place of the dried - it was a little bit drier - but I think more it would add more flavor then the dried.

I'll post about the "sourdough" experiment in another post - I'm morphing so I want to keep them seperate

Amish Friendship Bread.. Adventure 1

About 2 weeks ago my good friend Jen gave me a bag of goo, a package of pudding and a list of instructions. I was curious.. but thought, she made it so easy why not?

This was my first mistake.

It is easy, fun and OH MY GOSH tasty. I brought half of the first batch to work, and though they will eat anything, I was amazed at how FAST the batch went and who wanted their own bag of goo. This was good as I shared my three bags with friends at the office which meant, come 10 days from then we would have up to 16 bags to share.

Well I started looking at what was in this wonderful amazingly sweet bread and figured.. I better find another way to do this, my waist can't afford this!

I stumbled across a recipe to "morph" the sweet bread into sourdough.. at least for once cycle. Its here:
http://mysisterskitchen.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/amish-friendship-bread-part-2/ (about 1/4 of the way down see Holly Six)

So.. on day 6 of my starter I split it.. this weekend I will make 1 batch of sourdough per her instructions and one batch of basic friendship bread (from the other "half" of my starter) with sugar free white chocolate pudding mix, 1 Yoplait cup of white chocolate strawberry yogurt (instead of oil) and then add white chocolate chips and craisins, I will take this to a friends house for dessert at a party that Bill and I have. (I'm picking up a good amount of ice cream in case the whole thing is a disaster). I will then feed my regular half of starter as normal and my sourdough starter ONLY water and flour (throwing it a few tablespoons of sugar perhaps) and we will see what happens..

I figured I'd start a blog.. perhaps keep me on this kick (which Bill claims I won't hold onto)