Week 12 Tuesday (3/25/14)

Recipe Review       

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Oatmeal Whoopie Pies

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/04/oatmeal-whoopie-pies/

                          

I figured out that there are 368 calories per serving, if 18 servings are made. This is the calorie count for the frosting option, not the marshmallow crème option.  (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

A filling cookie with a sweet center

         Creating this recipe was a first for me.  I had never made a whoopie pie before. I guess I always thought that they were a lot of work. They took a little while but I was happy with the result.

         First of all there was the oatmeal cookie.  It was a dense heavy cookie, but it sure was tasty. These cookies can stand on their own, without the filling.

         I debated in the choice of filling. Ree gives two options. The first one is to use a marshmallow fluff type of filling. The second one is more of a frosting.  Silly me, I thought the fluff would be easier. I don’t think it was, but it was pretty yummy. After making option 1, I think I would like to make them again but try option 2 and decide which one I like better. 

         I took these pies to a family birthday party, and came home with zero. That is a great sign for a dessert.

Why Weight?

         I consume a lot of fluid each day. This came from the old days when every doctor was “prescribing” that we all drink at least eight glasses of water each day. This has become a habit with me. There was a time that I thought maybe there was something wrong with me like diabetes, but all of my tests came out great, so this is just a habit. I guess it really is better than not drinking enough water because I never get dehydrated.

         I did have to give myself permission (in my head) to hold water weight at times. This is usually the case when I eat too much salty food. Since I weigh myself every day, if the scale doesn’t move down or goes up slightly I analyze what I ate that could be the cause of this anomaly. Salt is usually the culprit.

         Now I know many of you are saying that I shouldn’t weigh every day, but I need the number to insure I do not go backwards. It gives me peace of mind and that is a great reason.

         So if you struggle with water weight, analyze the possible causes and then raise your glass of water to it.

My Gorgeous Girls       

  

         Grooming is important to keep an animal in shape. Neglecting a dog’s grooming can lead to problems.  Take my shelties, for instance.  Being long haired dogs, they seem to develop hair knots behind their ears. If it is not caught, the hair pulls and causes pain to the dog.  I have watched Animal Cops when they bring in dogs and cats that have had their grooming neglected.  It is such a sad sight.

Sage is so intense she makes me smile! I love the way
her black coat feathers out on the white chest hair.

         When I was a kid, we used to wash our sheltie ourselves. Unfortunately, I have an allergy to animal dander that is under control, but I don’t groom my own dogs which helps my own health.

Willow is almost always calm and laid back.
She was reclining for this picture and her hair went a little wild!

         I have a fabulous groomer named Robin. She works at Sandwich Animal Hospital.  She is very talented, and thanks to Robin my girls always look amazing.  The proof is in the pictures!