Ice Pop Fizzies!

If you're looking for a fun, sweet treat for the kids this summer, I have got a great idea for you!  It only takes two ingredients and about 30 seconds and you probably already have everything on hand!

You will need: 

lemon lime soda

ice pops

glass of ice

Fill your glass with soda, then snip the tip off your ice pop and dunk it in!

Watch the flavor swirl around as the ice pop melts!  In addition to being a fun summer treat, this would make a great beverage for a science-themed birthday party!

Linking up to: Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek CottageHookin' Up with HOH at House of HepworthsFriday Favorites at Simply Sweet HomeTickled Pink at 504 MainFrugal Friday at The Shabby NestFriday Favs Party at Naptime CraftersWhatcha Got Weekend at Lolly Jane BoutiqueWeekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and JelloSaturday Seven at Positively SplendidSundae Scoop at I Heart Nap TimeThink Pink Sunday at Flamingo ToesMarket Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet StuffMade With Love at Sew ChattyJust Something I Whipped Up at The Girl CreativeTake-A-Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee CraftsWill See It Wednesday at Fabric Bows & More

2011 Most-Pinned Pins, Part 2

PLEASE DO NOT PIN these pictures from my blog.  PLEASE follow the links and pin from the orginal site.  Thank you!

I'm counting down a list of my most popular pins for 2011.  To check out pins 10-6, go here!

Now, on to the countdown!

FIVE: Pray

Source: justinwrightphoto.com via Jessica on Pinterest

FOUR: Value Quilt

Source: sewkatiedid.wordpress.com via Jessica on Pinterest

THREE: Cheesy Zucchini Bake

Source: kalynskitchen.com via Jessica on Pinterest

TWO: Graham Cracker S'mores Candy

Source: buddingbaketress.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

ONE: Mini Keyring Photo Album

Source: positivelysplendid.com via Jessica on Pinterest

What are YOUR most popular pins?  Link in the comments and I'll check them out! :)


Today is the last day of voting for Week One of One Month to Win It!  If you haven't had a chance to vote yet, head on over before 6:00 p.m. :)

2011 Most-Pinned Pins, Part 1

PLEASE DO NOT PIN these pictures from my blog.  PLEASE follow the links and pin from the orginal site.  Thank you!

I thought it would be fun to check & see which of my pins had been repinned the most.  So I set out to do that and about a week later, here we are!  I'll do it countdown style and break up the top ten into two posts so as not to overwhelm you with all the awesome! :)

Here ya go: Part One

TEN: Layered Zucchini Parmesan

Source: handletheheat.com via Jessica on Pinterest

NINE: Vegetable Tian

Source: fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

EIGHT: Christmas Kisses

Source: bakedperfection.com via Jessica on Pinterest

SEVEN: Travel Play Set

Source: sunnytuesday.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

SIX: Sequin Centerpieces

Source: theglitterguide.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Clearly, I pin a lot of food. ;)

Candy Corn Brownies - TWO Ways!

It's October, which in my house means CANDY CORN BROWNIES!  

I love them, I really do.  I love brownies, I love candy corn and these just take it to a whole new level. :)  I have posted about these previously, but I have a little revision for 2011, so I'm going to post both ways to make them for you.  The first method is, in my opinion, the most delicious. 

The Original Candy Corn Brownie

One box of brownie mix, made as directed

One bag of candy corn

Step 1: Make your brownies as directed on the package.  10 minutes BEFORE they're done, pull 'em out of the oven.

Step 2: Cover the brownies with candy corn and put back in the oven for the final 10 minutes.

The candy corn will get all melty and bubbly while the brownies finish cooking.

Step 3: As soon as you pull them out of the oven, swirl the melted candy corn around to create a top layer.

Let it cool and you're done!

Pros: super delicious, lots of candy corn

Cons: messy, not so pretty

SOME people (the crazy ones) think that much candy corn is overkill.  Also, you have to serve these with the disclaimer "I know they look like a mess, but trust me, they're really good!"

Enter:

Candy Corn Brownies, 2011 Revision

Follow the instructions for the originals, but when you top it with candy corn, instead of just dumping the whole bag on top, carefully place a few candy corn in individual groups, like so:

Then put it back in the oven, but when you pull it out, don't swirl it up.

This makes them much easier to cut and a little lighter on the candy corn for those who can't take the heat.  

I know you're probably thinking why even melt them? I could just sprinkle candy corn on top after the brownies are done baking.  No.  Trust me, some kind of magic happens when the candy corn melts that makes it super delicious.

  
 

Spinach & Mushroom Omelet and Guacamole

I've been trying to kick those last few pounds of baby weight and My Fitness Pal has been tremendously helpful!  

I have the app for my phone and here's how it basically works: you enter your current info and your goal and it gives you what your daily calorie intake should be.  Then you log in everything you eat and it keeps track of the calories and nutritional intake.  You can also log in exercise.  Logging your food is easy because you can just scan the barcode and you can also create recipes.  The added bonus is that you link up with your friends, so you can encourage each other.  Don't worry, it doesn't show your friends what you eat.  So the first couple days when you have, say two pieces of cake, cheese fries, coke and pizza, they won't know.  :)

A chef I am not, but here is what I had for lunch.  I scanned the barcodes of each ingredient to create the recipe.  The best part is that it is filling and has 431 calories.  Total!

Please excuse the lackluster food photography skills!

Spinach & Mushroom Omelet
Total calories: 166
1 egg (I use Eggland's Best)
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup baby spinach
1 slice American cheese
about 1 tbsp of skim milk

Spray a small frying pan with cooking spray and sautee the mushrooms.  Once they're almost done, throw the spinach on top and cover with a lid.  While the spinach is cooking down, beat 1 egg with the milk.  Pour this over the spinach & mushrooms.  Once the egg sets, flip it over.  You can use a plate to make it pretty, or if you don't care what it looks like (me!) just flip it with a spatula.  Once both sides are cooked, put the cheese on top, cover with a lid and turn the burner off.

Easy Guacamole
Total calories: 125
1/2 avocado
dash of:
lemon juice
cayenne pepper
onion salt
garlic salt

Mash all that together. Done.  Serve with tortilla chips (140 calories).

What are some of your tips & tricks for losing weight?

Linking up: