Mochanut Smoothie

This is something I have been dreaming up for a while because I LOVE chocolate and coconut combination and I had a brief love affair with the mocha coconut frappucino at Starbucks when it first came out. Now, as you check out the recipe I want you to keep in mind that you can adjust the level of coconut flavor. If you aren't a fan of shredded coconut, skip it. If you want to make your drink have a more intense coconut flavor you can try coconut mocha coffee (Donut Shop makes it for the Keurig), coconut yogurt (Dannon and So Delicious make coconut yogurts) or even use a coconut protein powder (BSN Lean makes a chocolate coconut candy bar flavor), just keep in mind that this will give your drink an intense fake coconut flavor. I personally am not a fan of artificial flavors, which is why it took me a long time to even find a chocolate protein powder that I found acceptable. My husband is a fan of Optimum Whey (its next on my list to try) and I am finishing up a bottle of Jillian Michael's Triple ChocolateShake. I like it because it doesn't contain artificial sugars. You can find it at Wal-Mart or Sam's Club. Anyway, make substitutions and play with the recipe until you get your desired amount of coconut flavor.

Behold, the Mochanut!

Mochanut Smoothie (Serves 2)-Amended 07/22/12


One cup strong brewed coffee, chilled
1 small banana, frozen
2 scoops chocolate protein powder
1 tbs unsweetened cocoa
1/2 C plain or vanilla yogurt (or coconut!)
1/2 C light canned coconut milk*
2 Tbs unsweetened shredded coconut** (optional)
Pinch of Xanthan Gum (optional--for a creamier smoothie)


Blend and enjoy!
Calories per serving: 228

*You can use the coconut milk of your choice here and there are lots of options. I have tried it with the kind in a carton (there is a difference between actual coconut milk and milk made from a coconut. I think the canned coconut milk gives a richer coconut flavor but its all about personal taste).
**Unsweetened shredded coconut can usually be found in the freezer section with the frozen fruit.

Red Wine Chocolate Cake with Cherry Sauce

Yesterday I had a problem: I had an open bottle of Malbec that had gotten too much air. I needed to do something with with it, and why waste it? I also had an abundance of cherries. So I hopped online and found a red wine chocolate cake from Smitten Kitchen. You can't go wrong with a recipe from that site. I made the cake as directed but I did not make the whipped mascarpone because I didn't feel like going to the store. I am sure it would enhance the flavor. Instead I topped it with whipped cream and this red wine cherry sauce. I must say it was quite tasty. I could eat the cherry sauce by itself. I think if I did this again I would poke holes in the cake and and top it with the sauce to let it soak in. Mmmm.  And I would LOVE to try it with the mascarpone. Here is a picture. Start drooling.

Chicken Alfredo-Healthified

Chicken Alfredo is a classic comfort food and as often as we try to be good and eat healthy let's face it...sometimes we just want a bowl of creamy pasta. I think my husband could live on meat and pasta and he loves alfredo. He has done so well to lose 25lbs and I am very proud of him. And how does he lose weight when he loves meat and carbs? His sneaky wife. That's right. I find ways to make classic recipes healthier, making him filling lunches with veggies and complex carbs (no more bacon for him!), and making him a fruit filled protein smoothie every morning.

Recently I found this recipe for Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo and tweaked it to cut some calories (but not taste!). It gives you the satisfaction of a creamy pasta dish without as much guilt. Bonus: it's quick, cheap, and makes a lot of food!

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo--Healthified!


2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken, cut into bite size pieces
Salt & Pepper
Low calorie olive oil spray, such as Pam
14 oz package of whole grain linguini*
2 cups of fresh or frozen broccoli
2 cans of low fat condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup skim milk
1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese made with 2% milk


*You can also use Ronzoni Smart Taste. In fact its preferred in my house but they don't make a linguini. Their spaghetti or penne would make a nice substitute!


1. Cook pasta according to directions. You can throw in broccoli florets during the last 4-5 minutes of cooking OR if you have a picky eater that isn't fond of veggies I reccomend steaming the broccoli and pureeing it in a food processor. Be sure to drain the pasta and if cooking broccoli separately, drain that as well.


2. While pasta is cooking, get the chicken ready. Season to taste with salt and pepper (a little garlic powder is good too! Whatever floats your boat). Spray a large pan with nonstick spray and cook chicken until cooked all the way through. Stir frequently to ensure even cooking.

3. Put linguini, soup, milk, and cheese together in a pot and stir frequently over low heat until there are no lumps in your soup. Turn off heat and toss in chicken and broccoli (if broccoli was not already in linguini) . Top with a little extra cheese when serving if you are feeling extra naughty.


Serves 8. Calories per serving (not counting any extra naughty cheese) approx. 384.

Makin' Groceries

Evenin' ya'll!

I recently had friends visit me from Oklahoma and it made me realize just how fascinating a Louisiana grocery store is, even to us Okies. You can buy moonshine, cracklins, boudin, gator burgers, meat pies, and 5 different kinds of head cheese all at the same store. So I wanted to post 16 things you can find at a Southern Louisiana grocery store that you most likely will not find anywhere else. This doesn't mean I have tried everything on this list. Quite frankly I am scared to! There are just some things better left unknown. But, there are some great local foods that you won't find on this list because you can probably find them outside of Louisiana...like Abita beer (yum!) and Zapp's chips. Delish. These items were just made for watching Saints games!

16. Chicory Coffee

Chicory coffee can be found at any grocery store and is served at local coffee shops and at the infamous Cafe Du Monde. I have tried it and I just wasn't that into it. I like my coffee strong and ALL coffee. No chicory, no green tea extract, no hazelnut. Just coffee. Coffee coffee coffee.

Anyway, from what I have read this type of coffee came about when coffee was scarce in France during their civil war. They added chicory, the root of the endive plant, to give it body and flavor.

15. Olive Salad

Olive Salad is a common condiment 'round these parts

A grocery store staple around these parts is olive salad. A traditional style muffuletta sandwich consists of a muffuletta loaf split horizontally and covered with layers of olive salad, ham, capicola, salami, pepperoni, provolone and swiss cheese. And yes, you can even buy the sandwiches already made at the store.

Check out the size of this muffuletta at Chartres House Cafe in the French Quarter

14. Jars of Roux

They had at least six kinds of roux at this store

Roux, gumbo base, gravy...if you need it and you don't feel like making it you can buy it in a jar at the grocery store. Of course if you know me, I don't need no stinking jar. I make everything from scratch. =)

13. Kleinpeter Ice Cream

I'd buy this but I would eat it in record time

Every state has their famed local dairy. When I lived in Connecticut I was obsessed with Stew Leonard's. When I lived in Oklahoma, it was Braum's or bust. Kleinpeter's makes some of the best vanilla ice cream I have ever had, and I know my ice cream. But its the creative  local flavors that really make it so great. They have flavors like sweet potato pie, gold brick sundae (made with Elmer's Gold Brick candy--another local favorite) and praline (made with the infamous Aunt Sally's pralines). 

12.Poor Boy Bread 

That's pronounced "po boy." It is kind of like sub sandwich bread, only chewier. Great for dipping in gravy. Mmm. 

11. Blue Plate Mayonnaise

Miracle Whip? Nah. Locals use Blue Plate Mayo. Don't ask me why. I don't have a clue. But it sure is popular. 

10. Hubig's Pies

When I was a kid I loved fried pies. We would pick out our favorite flavor Dolly Madison pies at the local United Supermarket in Enid, Okla. Of course, this was one of the many reasons why I was such a chunky little thing. I didn't touch another fried pie until I moved to Louisiana and discovered the wonder that is the Hubig's pie. I was told the sweet potato one was a rare seasonal treat so naturally I indulged. It is quite tasty, and how often do you see a sweet potato fried pie? I have tried a few other flavors (usually as a late night snack after being in the quarter) and have enjoyed strawberry and banana. For whatever reason, there is something special about a Hubig's pie (especially if you microwave it so that its warm).


9. All Things Pork

This is just a small fraction of the brands and flavors of fried pork skins.

Pork tasso. Boudin. Cracklins. Head cheese. Pigs feet. Andouille. You name it, they've got it. Rows of cajun sausages, flavors of cracklins I never expected (salt and vinegar?), and many types of head cheese (who knew you could get more than one kind?). You can even buy a big ol' bucket of frozen chitterlings. I love sausage. I might even try cracklins. But I can barely type the phrase "head cheese" without gagging.

8. Cajun Wine Glasses

Whats that you say? Cajun wine glasses? Its probably a tourist trap because you could so totally buy the supplies at Dollar Tree. And maybe I will...hmmm...cheap Christmas gifts??? It appears to be nothing more than a mason jar glued to a candlestick holder.

7. Fresh Gulf Shrimp

Don't these look appetizing?

They are just sitting there in a pile for you to buy by the pound like produce. You pick them up with your little tongs and put them in a bag. I usually buy them washed and peeled, but I recently learned how to take them apart. I am getting better about not being squeamish about sea bugs!

6. Creole Tomatoes 

Oh. My. God. I heard these little red beauties were delicious and I heard right! I moved right after the season ended last year so as soon as they came out I rushed out to get some. They are firm and meaty, yet sweet and juicy. They are fat red delicious tomatoes! I bought a tomato plant and we will see if it produces anything. The best thing about creole tomato season? These:

Best chips EVER

5. Gator Meat!

Yep, you can get alligator at the grocery store. Alligator sausage, alligator burgers, alligator bites, etc. Its there! I have never personally prepared alligator but I have had it and it is delicious. It tastes like chicken! No, really.


4. Crawfish

They look WAY too excited about these pies

People eat these in my native Oklahoma too, but here you can get it fresh, frozen, or in a meat pie!

3. Booze

Yes, it is legal to buy your hard booze at the grocery store and yes, we do have moonshine (but I have yet to find any actually made here).I know this is legal in other states but friends that visit from Oklahoma are amazed at how accessible liquor is here because it is so different there. You can even buy your whiskey at Walgreens and stop at a drive thru daiquiri shop for a go cup of your favorite frozen drink!

2. Cajun Spices

Sure, you can get Tony Chachero's at most grocery stores,  but down here that is just the tip of the cajun spice iceberg! We've got Slap Ya Mama, Louisiana Spice, and of course a wide variety of hot sauces.

1. Red Beans and Rice

Whats that you say? You can get that where you live? Sure you can get some boxed version. Or use Uncle Ben's rice and and regular ol' red beans. Down here we use long grain white rice (at Winn Dixie they call it creole rice) and Camellia red beans. I buy them at Sam's,,,that's right: beans in bulk. If you don't have time to soak your beans overnight and cook them for a few hours you can cheat and use Blue Runner canned creole red beans. Oh, and don't forget to toss some andouille in that beans and rice ya'll!

Whoopie for Whoopies!!!

I had a friend that loved red velvet. I have never been big on red velvet because its a cake that can't make up its mind...its a little vanilla, a little chocolate, and for some reason you dye it red. I don't get it. Its gotten really popular though. I see red velvet ice cream, red velvet cheesecake, and at the Mississippi state fair I even saw red velvet funnel cake. Anyway, she wanted red velveet whoopie pies for her birthday. A friend and I did a lot of recipe reading to find something that would have the right texture. That is the trick with whoopie recipes...a lot of them make a flat, cookie sandwich and that's great...if you want a  cookie! But for a whoopie pie you want a fluffy cake.

We found a fantastic recipe that we paired with a mascarpone filling. Whoopies are traditionally filled with a marshmallow creme based filling. I don't like to use a marshmallow filling for two reasons:

1. Its way too stinkin' sweet.
2. When you think red velvet you think cream cheese frosting. And what is better than cream cheese frosting? Not much in my book!!!

Mascarpone is a lovely Italian (if you are from Oklahoma that is pronounced Eye-talian) cheese that comes in a tub and can be found with all the fancy schmancy cheeses at your local fancy schmancy grocery store. Don't go looking at Walmart; they don't have it. Trust me. This cheese has a light and creamy texture. It is smooth and spreadable like butter and is not as heavy as regular cream cheese. I like to spread it on warm toast...mmm...where was I? Oh, I think this is the perfect cheese this recipe because it isn't too intense, but it has a nice flavor that helps keep your filling from being ridiculously sweet.

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

You can find the Better Homes and Gardens delicious red velvet whoopie pie recipe here. See below for the mascarpone filling (its way better than the marshmallow filling. Really!). I would like to point out two things about the BHG recipe:

 1. I always use two heaping tablespoons of cocoa to give it a little more chocolate flavor.
2. I make small whoopies and it takes 10-11 minutes for them to bake in my oven. Just be sure to test them with a toothpick and keep an eye on them the first time so you know how long it takes to bake them in your oven. I also recomment using a cookie dough scoop to scoop the batter so that the whoopies are uniform (they are easier to put together that way. Otherwise you will be hunting around for similarly shaped whoopies to put together). Use parchment or silicone mats on your pants to make your life easier.  I use silicone mats and spray them with Baker's Joy before scooping batter onto the pans. They come off perfectly every time.

Mascarpone Filling
5tbs unsalted butter
1 8oz tub mascarpone cheese
1.5tsp vanilla extract
3-4 cups of powdered sugar (according to taste)

1. Throw all of the ingredients in your stand mixer or whip up with your hand mixer until fluffy.
2. Try not to eat it before you put it on the whoopies.
3. Enjoy!

Cheap and Easy Summer Wreath

This is a cheap wreath that is ideal for spring or summer. Its easy to do and I made it for around $10 (but I already had a few of the supplies on hand). I got everything at Hobby Lobby except for the flowers (they have a nice selection at Dollar Tree) and I also got everything on sale except for the wreath (I was told they never put those on sale...but you can use the 40% coupon they have online on that). No Hobby Lobby near by? Some Wal-marts have a decent craft selection. I know they at least have the paint. Michael's and A.C. Moore should have this stuff as well.

Here is what you need:

Grapevine wreath
Wooden letter
2 colors of paint (I used Folk Art brand)
Flowers (I used four bunches from Dollar Tree)
A wooden pencil with an unused round eraser
Floral wire
Hot glue gun and sticks
Wire cutters

Okay so I didn't think to take step by step pictures. I am so bad about that. But really it is just as easy as it looks.

1. Pain your letter. I use 2 coats of paint. Once it is COMPLETELY dry, use the pencil eraser and dip it lightly into the other color and make dots on your letter. Of course, the polka dots are optional. But I like them! Just be careful not to get too much paint on the eraser or your dots might look lumpy.

2. While the dots are drying, cut flowers with wire cutters and arrange. You want to leave enough of a stem that you can tuck them into the grapevine, but you will want to cut off some length so its not poking out everywhere.

3. Once you have the flowers arranged how you want them, secure with floral wire. I wrap it around the wreath and tuck it under the leaves so it isn't visible. Again, sorry I didn't take pictures. After I secure the flowers I pick up the wreath and give it a shake to make sure they are all secure.

4. Hot glue your letter where you would like it. You could also hot glue wire to the back and secure it with floral wire instead. Since my letter was nice and light it stayed with hot glue. In fact, it has been on my door since March with no problems.

Tada! New wreath. =)

These were gifts for  friends. They loved them!

Sunrise Smoothie

I love pineapple. I think I could eat it every day. But if I want to get my husband to enjoy it, it has to be in a smoothie. This is a favorite in our house. It is another one that I came up with by throwing ingredients together, although I am sure its not original...everyone knows pineapple, orange, and banana are a winning combination! I don't usually measure, and I encourage you to play with the measurements to get the smoothie to the consistency you like.

Sunrise Smoothie Recipe

1/2 banana, frozen
1 cup fresh pineapple
1/2 cup fresh orangejuice
1/2 cup plain yogurt

Blend and enjoy!

Chocolate Covered Cherry Smoothie

I love smoothies. I love them because they are quick, healthy (if you do it right) and I can get my husband to drink them. This is a man that doesn't care for fruit (freak!). This is one of my ways of making sure he gets something besides meat and bread in his diet!

At first I strictly followed recipes. But now after making so many I have been getting pretty good at just making up smoothies based on what's in the kitchen. I have developed a few really good ones that way and I wanted to share. Here is my recipe for a chocolate covered cherry smoothie!

1 cup of cherries, pitted (I used bing cherries)
1/2 banana, frozen
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
1/4 plain nonfat yogurt (I am sure vanilla or cherry would be good too!)
1/2-1 cup skim milk (depending on desired consistency)

Blend and enjoy!