MamaManagement

The problem with these brownies is that they're so good we always start eating them before I ever remember to take a picture! No beauty shot here! So, it's January, and I'd say there's a decent chance that you're currently trying to eat healthier...and possibly you're wavering in your efforts. Eating a clean, healthy diet is an awesome goal. But completely giving up all indulgence isn't my kind of thing. I tend to be a eat super healthy 90% of the time, kind of girl...the other 10% is mainly pizza and chips...and brownies! BUT, I love it when I find indulgent treats that are good for me, too. I found this recipe on Danette May's website. She calls them "No Guilt" brownies. I call them healthy and delicious. These are as good as any brownie out there--just ask my husband and kids--but there are no "bad" ingredients in them. I'm pretty sure I'm still not supposed to eat an entire pan (I totally could...just by nibbling...

This stuff is so seriously good. Addictively good. If you've read any recipe posts on this blog you know that delicious + easy is my holy grail...my piece de resistance...my titanic wreckage. And in the land of treats, this recipe is a total find. It is so simple. (It took me about ten minutes to make it.) And yet it is so, so good. It combines sweet and salty and bitter so beautifully. It makes it, well, so hard to stop eating once you take a bite. It makes the perfect special treat to have on hand for yourself or a great little gift. Perfect for a thank you or a little pick-me-up for a friend who's down. Perfect for a little after dinner or afternoon treat for yourself...as long as you can keep yourself to just one piece (which I cannot). So, without further ado, here's this week's recipe... "Everything But The Kitchen Sink" Chocolate Bark 3/4 c. sweetened shredded coconut 3/4 c. mixed salted nuts, coarsely chopped (I used a mix of cashews, al...

These are divine. Truly. Crispy on the outside. Chewy on the inside. Just under-bake them a tad and they set to perfection. Delish! I will say, they are more like a chocolate chip cookie with oatmeal in them than a traditional oatmeal cookie. Which is good for us since my husband isn't a huge oatmeal cookie fan. And, by the way, if you're like me and tend to swipe the dough a few times while you're baking...this dough is the bomb-diggety! So, here you go...you can thank me later. Amazing Oatmeal Chocolate Chip (or Oatmeal Raisin) Cookies 1 c. butter, room temperature 1 c. brown sugar 1 c. sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 2 c. flour 2 3/4 c. old fashioned or steel cut oats 2 c. chocolate chips (or 2 c. raisins or craisins; or 1 c. choc chips + 1 c. chopped walnuts; or 1 c. choc chips + 1 c. shredded coconut; or, really, whatever tickles your fancy) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream togethe...

Today my beautiful baby girl graduated from preschool. It was fun and exciting and bittersweet and, because I was room mom, a little bit stressful. But everything went off without a hitch and I can check all that graduation planning stuff off my list. After an incredibly crazy (and rainy) morning...topping off an incredibly crazy week...I was pleased to come home, put everything away, put a show on for the kids, and change into sweatpants. Yay! But before I completely check-out for the weekend, and since I had all kinds of recipe requests at graduation, I thought I'd share the recipes for the two desserts I brought to the graduation celebration: Sprinkle Sticks and Mini Cheesecake Tarts . The Mini Cheesecakes I've been making since I was a kid...first with my mom and then on my own. They are super simple and are always a hit. I mean, who doesn't love a little taste of cheesecake without the commitment to a giant slice! And they are the perfect dessert to bring to a f...

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies 3/4 c. butter, softened 1 1/4 c. brown sugar 1/2 c. white sugar 2/3 c. peanut butter (I used an all-natural chunky PB) 1 egg + 1 yolk 2 tsp (real) vanilla extract 1 1/4 c. all purpose flour 1 c. old fashioned oats 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips Combine butter, brown sugar and white sugar until thoroughly mixed or creamed. (You can use a mixer. I like to do it by hand with my trusty old wooden spoon.) Then stir in the peanut butter (you can microwave it a bit if it needs softening), followed by the egg + yolk and vanilla extract, stirring to combine after each addition. Then mix in the oats. Next add the baking soda and salt; then slowly add the flour, mixing as you go. Finally add the chocolate chips. You want to end up with a typical cookie dough consistency. If you feel it's too wet, add a little more flour. If you feel it's too dry or stiff, add a little more softened butter or...