My new favorite way to eat an apple

As I was watching the news this evening, I could not resist the compulsion to snack. However, since the wedding is in less than 8 months, I don't keep "snack food" around the apartment.  My favorite salt and vinegar chips are nowhere to be found. As I perused the fridge and cabinet, I started to crave apple crisp. Now, instead of drinking a glass of water and allowing the craving to curb, I immediately played upon that impulse. Obviously I did not have the patience to bake an entire apple crisp... so I improvised!

What you'll need:
One large apple (honey crisp is my favorite, if you have had one, it is probably yours too)
1/4 cup oatmeal
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp brown sugar

First, I cut up the apple into nice little pieces, then threw them in the sauté pan. I put a little bit of water in the pan as well. Throw in the other stuff (oatmeal and sugars) and heat it up! Make sure you keep stirring. I stopped stirring for a second because the news was rather interesting, and the oatmeal started to stick.  Once it is nice and hot, put it in your bowl and enjoy! I am currently eating it with a spoon, but I do suppose a fork could work as well. Your choice ;)

Bonus: Since I am currently counting calories, this snack is only 182 calories.

Crock Pot Chip Dip

Whether your having a big bash to watch the game, or a cozy night in watching a movie chip dip is always a must. Try this recipe in your crock pot!

Southwest Chip Dip:

1 lb. ground beef (browned and crumbled)
2 15-oz. cans refried beans
2 10-oz. cans diced tomatoes and chilies
1 pack of taco seasoning
1 lb. Velveeta cheese (cubed)
tortilla chips

1. Put the beep, beans, tomatoes and seasoning in the crock pot.
2. Cover, cook on low 3-4 hours or on high 1 and a half hours.
3. Add cheese, stirring occasionally. Heat until cheese is melted.
4. Serve with chips!

There are many other dips you can create using your crock pot, try them all!

Holy Guacamole!

So my fiance decided that he wanted some guacamole.  So naturally, he bought a few avocados for me to use in making homemade guacamole. Um..cause I know how to make guacamole? Not. But, nevertheless, I made some. My mom used to make it a lot, so I pretty much just did what she used to do. (Minus onions because Elliott [fiance] does not like onions).

Here is what I used:
3 avocados
2 large tomatoes
Cilantro
Garlic
Lime
Salt
Some guacamole seasoning.. is that cheating? Whoops.

It turned out pretty good :)

Anyways, now that you know how to make guacamole, try making it's cousin salsa.

pumpkin seeds

One of my favorite salty snack of the fall is roasted pumpkin seeds. After carving a masterpiece in a pumpkin, roasting the seeds is a must.

Here's how:

When you are hollowing your pumpkin out, keep the insides in a big bowl.  When you are finished carving, fill the bowl with water--this will help separate the seeds from the pumpkin flesh--the gooey orange stuff. After you have gathered all of the seeds (be patient, it could take a while) put them in a strainer and wash the rest of the gooey orange stuff off. Next, spread them out on a cookie sheet and let them dry.  To accelerate the drying process, place them in a warm oven (120-150 degrees) or use a hair dryer.

After they are dry, season them as you please. Check out these different seasoning ideas.

Heat the seeds at 275 degrees for 10-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Make sure to stir them every five minutes.  Once they are done, let them cool a little, and enjoy!

Here are the pumpkins the seeds I made came from. Mine is in the middle.

A frozen yogurt treat

Ever get a craving for frozen yogurt? I do. It is so delicious. Well this year I started doing this thing, and it allows me to have a little bit of frozen yogurt, without adding up the calories.

Take a Yoplait yogurt cup...and freeze it!
When you feel like eating it, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw for maybe ten minutes.  It will be easier to eat when it is not an ice block.

There are so many flavors to choose from. There are also different kinds of textures--there are the whips, the thick and creamy, and the jello kind.  I have only tried the regular, but I am looking forward to trying them all.

This is really the perfect snack.

Another benefit is your yogurt will stay good for months in the freezer, rather than going bad after a week in the fridge.