Sunshine Rolls

This isn't hard, maybe a little time consuming, not very healthy and very yummy. It's sunshine rolls!

This is a recipe from a great family friend they are a big hit with everyone. They are even fun to make with others, I've made these with help from my husband, cousins, brother and just on my own. Here is my brother and I making a batch a few years ago.
Set out 2 large eggs

Mix together:
2 C Bread Flour
1 Pkg Rapid rise yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C Sugar
2 Tbs vital wheat gluten (in the baking or health section)
2 tsp Cinnamon

In a sauce pan mix:
1 1/4 C Milk
1/2 C Butter

Melt together to 120-130 degrees on a candy thermometer
( Have a helper? They can do this at the same time you are mixing the dry ingredients)

Mix with dry ingredients then add the 2 eggs at room temp.

Next add in 2 C four and kneed till smooth (I use the dough hook in my stand mixer for 5 min)


Roll out into a rectangle shape cover in 4 Tbs melted butter and 1/4 C sugar add cinnamon to taste. Roll into a long tight snake and cut into 12 pieces (I cut of the ends first.)

In a sauce pan mix:
1/2 C Butter
1 C Brown Sugar
1/4 C White syrup.

mix till smooth and just starts to boil, pour on to a 11x24 pan covered with parchment paper.
( Have a helper? They can do this at the same time you are rolling out the dough)

Place cut ends of rolls on the pan 3x4 and cover with a towel let rise overnight.

The next morning bake at 350 for 18-21 min depending on pan and oven.

Yumm

My clothes are getting tight....

I've been sitting in this:

far too much. With this new 'desk' job and far to much sugar (how long will that be a problem for me haven't I cut it out of my diet like 24 times?) I currently weigh the most I ever have. This is only a problem because

1) I haven't grown an inch in the last 5 years and, 2) I don't want to buy all new clothes.

I've noticed that since getting married my eating habits have not improved as much as I expected them too (when I stopped traveling so much.) We are slowly both craving healthier foods but it has taken a while. The big problem for me is portion control on snacks, I eat MANY small handfuls of trail mix or peanut butter filled pretzels at work. Decently healthy options if you eat them in moderation, I don't. I also like McDonalds, alot which honestly goes aginst everything I believe in as far as health and greeness. So that needs to change.

So its time to make some changes. We just got a new bow flex off of craigslist (cheap and green) and also have a stair stepper and a elliptical so here we go! Wish me luck.

A few other insperations have been my friend Kristin (who was never overweight she just haden't lost that final baby weight) who looks amazing and has two kids ands is VERY active in the Church with her kids and other mom groups. If she can do it why cant I? The other insperation was this post buy Sara: http://happyfoody.com/2010/02/20/confessions-of-a-happy-foody/ Sara has two great blogs and they are what inspired me to start my change over to a better lifestyle back in the day.

Silly but very proud moment.

I'm at work and I'm trying to reduce sugar...again. I went into the break room and saw whoppers, yumm but I was good I asked myself "would you rather the whoppers now or a sucker when you get home?" Then I walked away!! Woo hoo!

Also yesterday I met my new mentee for coffee and when I got home I didn't have a sucker because I already had a sugar filled coffee! Maybe I am trainable!

Cheater Weekend (Bad Idea)

So this weekend was a little hectic to say the least, I didn't spend a lot of time just hanging around the house. In fact I was in such a hurry to leave the house Saturday morning I left my smoothie on the table, oops. Then on Sunday night I forgot to make a smoothie so the next morning when we were in such a hurry to get going I missed another one. Overall we ate pretty healthy this weekend but there was one time we both ate McDonalds ( I know, I know) and another time when I was out running errands and I had migraine so I sopped by another McDonalds. Those two bad choices plus skipping 2 smoothies made a huge difference, I can tell. I'm not sick or anything but I'm more moody and lethargic. I really didn't want to get up this morning, that hasn't been a problem all week...

So yeah there you have it, they really do help, and the longer you do it the more benefits you will see.

So back to the grindstone today, salads, and healthier food choices.

I also wanted to remind you that healthier choices doesn't always mean low fat (some fats are good for you, ya know.) Some full fat foods are easier for your body to process, if you remain active, than their low fat counter part. For example real sour cream vs low fat sour cream. The chemicals and other 'foods' that they use to make it low fat are harder for your body to digest. Just a thought for you all.

Amber

A new Green Challange!

Ryan and I are taking this together starting on Monday I'm so excited! Its just what I need to get back to my old healthy eating self and to convince Ryan how amazing you feel if you change your eating habits. This is honestly what spurred my whole "greenie" ways. I've strayed lately but I'm VERY excited to get back to it. So here are the details if you want to join us:

We will begin on August 17 and end on September 17.
Here is what you are committing to:
~Drink at least 16 oz. of green smoothie per day (a quart would be even better!)
~Do some sort of activity every day. This could be an intense workout, or just dancing with your kids around the living room. It could be a 15 minute yoga session or a walk around the block.
~Add a green leafy salad to your lunch or supper (with light dressing…stay away from the creamier sauces).
~Stop drinking pop.
~Cut out all white sugar. (This will be the hardest for me.)

If you want more info on the challenge or some quotes from people who did it last year here is the link: Happy Foody Green Smoothie Challenge - 2009
for tips and tricks go here: Green Smoothie Challenge Tips

Comment if your going to join! I'm sooo excited!!! I'll be posting about our progress as we go.