Winter Storm Virgil

Well, winter storm Virgil came ripping through the Ozarks, but not as bad as it did in other parts of the country.  I can't tell you how much snow we got but it has snowed since Thursday, sometimes very heavy and sometimes just light flurries.  The weather was so hot prior to the storm that the first day of snow melted so fast due to the temperature of the ground.  It really hasn't stopped us from doing anything.

One of those heavier snow moments

 

Jan calls this her snow lady, I call it a snow stick person!

On Friday we went to the fairgrounds in Springfield and attended Horse Fest, this is where you can see just about anything that has to do with horses.  There were clinics, demonstrations and vendor booths and we walked all over.  We spent the first few hours helping staff the Horses of Hope booth, that's the organization that we volunteer for.  Being around all of that sure made me miss our horses, I even said to Jan that maybe we should get horses again, but common sense has prevailed and no horses.

Weigh in today went well down 1.4 pounds for a total of 33.6.  Last week I mentioned that I might have to change my goal to do the shrinkage in my height.  Well I haven't heard yet but I might as well lose the ten extra pounds just in case.  Jan didn't go with me today as she is in Phoenix playing Grandma for the week.  However I did start my Weight Watchers training at the meeting today, it really is a no -brainer as you scan everything and it tells you what to write down. It sure is different from what I was used to in Las Vegas.  You should of seen a members face when I called her a loser, then when she thought about it she started laughing like crazy, I think they're going to have to get use to me.

Spring really is just around the corner if not here already for some, so this is a good time to start thinking about spring cleaning.  A couple of thoughts on that, first, a thorough cleaning around the house is a great activity as your moving more and earning some activity points.  keep in mind you don't have to use those activity points just because you earned them but don't be afraid to enjoy them either.  Second, spring cleaning also means your kitchen, not just the walls and floors but also your refrigerator and your cupboard.  No need keeping all of those high point foods just in case, clean them out and then rearrange your fridge and cupboards so that the healthier foods are up front and center eye level.  Believe me it will help you make better choices and in turn better results on the scale.

Remember if at first you don't succeed, try try again.

Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas.  He also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland.

Where would Mickey and Minnie be if he just gave up and quit!

One of my favorite treats are Peeps, I Know, some of you hate them and some of you love them.  Here is a little information about Peeps, they were created in 1953 and it took 27 hours to create one Peep, today they make 5 million Peeps a day, everyday of the year.  You can eat them fresh, stale, microwave them, freeze them, roast them or deep fry them just to name a few. 

Peeps aficionados make Peep dioramas, Peep pop art, peeps topiary, they even send chicks into battle in a microwave, a sport known as Peeps jousting.  They enter Peeps art contest and play hide and seek Peeps.  They innovate recipes like "Peepza" a desert pizza or "Peepshi", that's sushi made out of Peeps.  That's probably more than you wanted to know about Peeps but I must show you my favorite Peeps, They are zero calorie, fat free, sugar free and high in fiber.

You'll notice it does say Plush Pak, yep there just toy Peeps!

Now for your real food find, that's right, PEEPS!

The recipe this week is a cleaver Easter desert.

Skinny Coconut Cupcakes

Skinny Coconut Cupcakes with Chocolate Eggs
 
Servings: 24 • Serving Size: 1 cupcake • Calories: 196 • Fat: 6 g • Protein: 3 g • Carb: 31 g • Fiber: 1 g

Skinny Coconut Cupcakes (without Chocolate Eggs)

Servings: 24 • Serving Size: 1 cupcake • Calories: 149 • Fat: 4 g • Protein: 2 g • Carb: 24 g • Fiber: 1 g

Ingredients:
For the Frosting:

• 8 oz 1/3 less fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese (not fat free)
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tsp natural coconut extract

For the Cupcakes:

• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup canned light coconut milk  
• 1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 2 tsp natural coconut extract
• 18.25 oz white box cake mix  
• 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
• 72 Cadbury mini chocolate eggs (optional)

Directions:

In a medium bowl combine the cream cheese with the powdered sugar and coconut extract with a mixer. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

Preheat oven to 350°. Line 24 cupcake tins with liners.

In a large bowl combine egg whites, coconut milk, apple sauce and remaining coconut extract. Mix well, then add cake mix and mix until combined.

Pour batter into lined cupcake tins about halfway and bake 22-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool to room temperature.

Top each cupcake with 1/2 tablespoon of cream cheese, then top each with 1 tsp coconut flakes. For an Easter theme top each cupcake with 3 mini chocolate eggs.

Note: If you make these a day ahead, don't frost them. Keep the frosting refrigerated and frost them the day you plan to eat them.

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