My Bubbie's Sweet Tooth

For those of you that don't know, Bubbie is yiddish for grandma. And my grandma has a bigger sweet tooth than myself--I've seen your stash of chocolate in your pantry grandma.

If there is one thing my grandma has always had in her home--that's jewish pastries. Rugelach, hamentashens, mandel bread you name it, she has it. 

Since I love the desserts she always has, I decided to make mandel bread, my favorite jewish dessert. Mandel bread is similar to biscotti, but softer like a cookie. There is nothing better then mandel bread and a fresh cup of coffee. 

• Ingredients 
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 
• Cinnamon sugar for dusting 
• 
  
• Directions
• 1. Mix together oil and sugar, then add eggs one at a time. After the eggs are blended in, add the vanilla. Mix together all dry ingredients in a separate bowl then add to sugar/egg mixture.
• 2. Once the dough is smooth, add the chocolate chips. 
• 3. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. 
• 4. Once dough is chilled, oil your hands (with pam is fine) and form 4 long rows with the dough on an un-greased cookie sheet (lined with parchment paper). 
• 5.  Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. While the bread is baking, place cinnamon sugar in a bowl. 
• 6. When the timer goes off, pull the bread out and let it sit for 5 minutes. Don't turn the oven off. 
• 7. Cut the bread into chunks and roll in cinnamon sugar and then put back on the baking sheet. 
• 8. Crisp the pieces in the oven for 3-5 minutes and then pull out and turn the oven off. 
• 9. Let the mandel bread pieces cool and then enjoy! 

•                           

Read more...

Why Do You Workout?

I am always asked,"why do you workout?"

Well, the truth is I grew up in a home where brownies, cookies, and cupcakes were always available. Which is why I find it important to feed your body right while indulging every once in a while. Hence, my sweet tooth.

Throughout middle school is when I really started my weight gain. Come the summer of 7th grade I was expanding like no other. I will never forget going into American Eagle and buying my first pair of capri's in a size 14. Mind you, I was only 13-years-old. I was also very active growing up doing softball, cheerleading, (I won't get into how awful I was) basketball, and girl scouts. The problem was--I just loved to eat.

When I realized my weight gain was going to do nothing more than just increase I did something about it. I got on the treadmill and I ran. I started running five days a week for a mile. Over the course of three years, I increased my workout from 1 mile five days a week to 3-4 miles five days a week.

I did change my eating habits--as I realized toaster strudels were not the healthiest choice. The problem is, when you're 13-years-old, you don't know what's healthy and what isn't healthy.

To me, I thought "healthy" was only green, gross, or made me gag--wrong!

I quickly learned how many calories to consume to loose 1-2 lbs a week and what to feed myself to keep my metabolism up. The secret is, eating every two hours is very important. Even if you're not hungry, eat a handful of almonds or a spoonful of peanut butter.

So when it comes to, "why do I work out?" The truth is--I do it for myself. So when you have you're moment when you realize it's time to get fit, remember one thing--you're doing it for yourself and no one else.

And always remember to indulge every once in a while.

I would love for you to share your story with me--why do you workout?

Read more...