Fall time!

Look what I made!! Just in time for Fall!

Caramel Apple Parfait, anyone?

McDonald's has been advertising these Caramel Apple Parfaits and Sundaes lately, and I thought "I can make that. And I can make it healthy!" I used plain greek yogurt mixed with a little splenda and vanilla extract (it's wayyyy to tart on its own) and then I diced up some apple and spooned some of mom's sugar-free caramel dip on top. The only thing was that the sugar-free caramel dip was super, super sweet.  (most sugar-free things are.) I think if I make it again, I'm going to make some homemade dulce de leche (simmer a can of sweetened condensed milk in a pot of water) and use just a teeny bit on top. Delish!!

Missing Bs.As.

So I've been working/ visiting my sorority sisters/ crashing at the Phi Mu house in Bowling Green for a few weeks now, and I've just made the most amazing discovery...Greener Grounds, a small hipster-cafe, makes FALAFEL!!!

Falafel a la Greener Grounds 

So technically, it's not falafel from the corner shop in Buenos Aires, with its authentic (read: HOTTT) spices and the warm, argentine welcome from the staff, but it was definitely delicious. And, Greener Grounds happens to be next to an International Super Market, which just so happened to sell Falafel mix. And yes, I totally bought a box. 

Stakz frozen yogurt.

Afterwards, me and the girls went to Stakz for dessert, since I'd never been there. I ended up choosing the blueberry frozen yogurt and smothered it in bits of cheesecake, blueberries, and shredded coconut. And it was AMAZING! And truthfully, I didn't feel like a total fatty for eating the whole thing. Win and win!!

"Nobody puts Baby in a corner"

So today, for whatever reason, I had the intense urge to bake. Something. Anything. From scratch. No pre-made, store-bought mixes. I'm talking, Martha-Stewart, 1950's housewife, apron-wearing, all out baking. If I could bake all day, everyday and not weigh 300+ lbs., I'd be all over that. (Also, Dirty Dancing is on t.v., and I love baking and watching sappy love movies!)

everything needed for whole-wheat chocolate chip cookies.

 Whole-wheat chocolate chip cookies = yummm. These are healthier than regular chocolate chip cookies since I use splenda and a brown-sugar/splenda mix and white whole wheat flour mixed with whole wheat pastry flour, but since they're just as delicious as regular chocolate chip cookies, my little sister, Michaela, and my little brother, Tanner, will both devour them! Also, I always make sure to chop the walnuts up superfine (totally optional, but I love them!) that way Tanner has no idea they're in there.  

baking!

all done and delicious-looking on the cooling rack.

 And while the chocolate chip cookies were in the oven, I had time to mix together this South Beach Diet recipe that me and my mom absolutely love! Almond-Coconut Macaroons. And even though they're healthy (and my dad tends to shy away from health food), my dad loves macaroons so much he'll till eat these!

South Beach Diet coconut macaroons.

 The greek yogurt is what makes everything stick together and it adds protein, so win-win. 

all mixed up!

scrumptious macaroons!

So I have to confess, I may have sampled a few of the chocolate chip cookies while they were still warm from the oven. I just couldn't help myself! Good thing I enjoy baking, there's still PLENTY of cookies left :)