Babycakes cookbook/ Cake Pop Machine Review

Okay, I must admit, about a year ago I read this book by
Erin Mckenna, owner of the famous Babycakes Bakery in NYC. I was a little intimidated. She used a lot of strange flours, ingredients like agave nectar, coconut oil, and stevia-things I have never heard of.
Well, fast forward to today. I started doing some research on weight loss, and this book was referenced as having "healthy" indulgent snacks. I started out small, using only the recipes that called for agave or stevia as sweetners, since I knew my local market carried them.
I noticed that after I ate these snacks, I wasnt reaching for another snack 2 hours later, because I was hungry. I learned that agave and stevia have lower glycemic index, which means it won't spike your blood sugar. The finished products were very good. I moved onto the recipes that also included coconut oil, and these recipes were especially moist and decadent. The coconut oil is pricey-anywhere form 6-10$ per 16 oz. jar.
I'm sure you can buy it wholesale, but havent found that source yet. I'm happy to say that when I feel the need to bake(which I enjoy as my hobby), or have a rich dessert, this book had helped me to feel better about my need to snack! Watching what I am eating, and learning to bake without refined sugar, has helped me to lose 18 pounds in 3 months!

Now onto the Cake-Pop Maker...

My daughter received a Babycakes Cake-Pop Maker for Christmas, and I finally got to use this little gadget. I have to say, it makes round mini- muffins, and gf donut holes perfectly! Those little balls cooked up in 3 minutes, and were delicious. I used an apple cinnamon muffin mix from Hodgson Mills to test the muffin balls.

I hope this information has been helpful, and wishing you luck finding the Baycakes Maker. It was hot item this past Christmas, but I located them at Kohls, and Bed Bath & Beyond in my area.....Happy eating!

Losing weight

About four months ago, I decided it was time to lose some baby/nursing weight I had put on. My baby is four now, so I was really running out of excuses!
I started out by making small changes, cutting out chips, cheeses, and chocolate, my three favorite go-to snacks. I replaced my cheese with hard cheeses, such as parmesan, or lower-fat cheese sticks. I also substituted baked chips, and on one day a week, I do indulge in a few peices of my favorite chocolate.
I also stopped putting mayo on my sandwiches, and stop drinking Cokes. I'm sure skipping all that sugar each day has really helped.

My morning breakfast usually consists of a smoothie, or some low-fat homemade granola, over yogurt. My mid-morning snacks is usually a peice of fruit, or toast, with Best Life spread.

I'm happy to say, making these small changes I've lost almost 15 lbs. Now, if I added some exercise, I'm sure I would see more results.

Here is my recipe for my morning smoothie.

Yogurt Fruit Smoothie

2 cups Frozen fruits(berries, peaches, etc.)
1 cup fruit juice(I like orange)I use apple in a pinch.
5 ice cubes
1 container greek yougurt, plain or flavored
1 banana
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 packet Stevia

Blend all until smooth, in blender.