Dark Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Blondies

I came home after lunch and had a "craving" to bake. I was completely out of butter so I ran quickly to Kowalski's to pick up some ingredients. On the way I was trying to think of what to make and decided to try out a recipe from Baking Bites that I saw awhile ago for Dark Chocolate Cranberry Blondies.

I made some modifications to the recipe:

• Instead of butter I used Smart Balance Spread (I've never used this product before but thought I'd give it a try)
• I didn't have any dark chocolate covered cranberries so instead I used semi-sweet chocolate chips and dried cranberries
• I also added white chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut to the batter
• I baked the bars for about 45 minutes
  

I love baking, but I especially like baking for others. I am going to give these bars to my boyfriend's family because his mom has been dying to try these out ever since I told her about them. I will for sure have to try one of these bars just to make sure they taste okay, but of course, I already licked the bowl, spatula, beaters, and just about everything else with leftover dough and let me tell you, they are delicious ;)

While these bars were great, they have a more cake-like texture rather than a chewy dense one. I happen to prefer the latter so I will be testing out another similar recipe soon.

Bubbly

I had planned on going home and making lunch but my friend invited me out to lunch. We both wanted something quick and light so we decided on subs at Milio's. Milio's is basically the same as Jimmy Johns. I always get the same sandwich at both places: turkey, lettuce, tomato, alfafa sprouts, and guacamole on a wheat sub. My friend had a coupon for free drinks with a meal and although I usually don't drink soda, I had a diet pepsi. We also split a bag of Garden Salsa Sunchips. Well my light lunch turned into I'm stuffed. I know the soda is to blame. It always makes me feel gross and my stomach bubbly. Oh well I hope it passes quickly because I have to run tonight. I have to do a time trial where I run for 30 minutes at my AT. It's not until 5:30 so at least I have 4 hours. I'll probably need a snack before the run for fuel.

Hello, Sunshine

Hello, sunshine. Come into my life.

It's a beautiful morning here in the Twin Cities, a bright blue sky and the sun is shining. I love sitting at my desk and having the sunlight spill into the room. Makes me happy. However, looks are deceiving because it is CHILLY!! The temp was only in the upper 20's this morning when I woke up. Sigh. When will spring arrive? My little sister is headed to sunny warm Mexico this afternoon for her spring break and I am insanely jealous. At least the sun is shining here, for now.

This morning I didn't feel like my usual heavy oatmeal for breakfast so I decided to switch it up. I toasted 2 slices of whole grain bread, spread raw almond butter on each slice and topped it with a sliced banana. It was quite good and a nice change from my standard breakfast. (Sorry no picture this morning).

I'm trying to wait until noon to have my lunch but I am already getting hungry. I just munched on 4 pistachios (all that's left) and now I am drinking a big glass of water with the hopes of it holding me over a little longer. I am working on eating more intuitively, asking myself "Am I truly hungry, or just bored?".