I cooked, I counted, I conquered!

Well folks, I promised an update and here it is. Fist off, let me start by saying that, at the risk of sounding like a pushy sales person, I love love LOVE this book:

Like I said in the previous post, my boss got this for me a couple of weeks ago. Well, this weekend was the first time I've had enough time to try it out and I can tell you it is easy to follow and the recipes are DELICIOUS!

I've been craving pumpkin bread since Halloween and was so happy to see that a recipe for Pumpkin CUPCAKES was included in my new cookbook. On a similar note, Dad has been hinting that he really wants a Key Lime Pie - guess what - also included in cookbook! So, Saturday afternoon I went to the grocery store, picked up the necessary ingredients, and set out to make us both something crave-able!

I have NEVER made a pie before. Repeat I HAVE NEVER MADE A PIE. ~ I've barely cooked (Mom was a dictator when it came to her kitchen - constant over the shoulder watching, questioning, correcting. Not conducive to appetite for cooking). But, since Mom's left (whole 'nother story. maybe I'll share it sometime...) I've had free reign of the kitchen and am finding that I enjoy cooking - especially baking. Anyway sorry for the digression, I took a stab at the "Key Lime Mouse Pie" from my Hungry Girl Cookbook and Viola:

 

It's not half bad! Now, as a testiment to these recipies, let me tell you my Dad has a profuse aversion to all things "light" "healthy" and "fat-free." He will constantly complain or refuse to eat meals containing those phrases. Therefore, I didn't tell him this was a healthy pie with (get this) only 88 calories, 3g of fat, 129mg of sodium, 17.5g carbs, 6g fiber, 2g sugar, and 1g protein per serving (1/8 of the pie).   His reaction: "Can you make another in Lemon?" He LOVES it! Can't even tell the difference. The crust is made w/fiber one and he swears it's the best part :0) if he only knew ;0)  

Now, for my craving, I NEEDED pumpkin bread and, with very little effort on my end, I got PUMPKIN CUPCAKES! "Iced 'n Spiced Pumpkin Puddin' Cupcakes" to be exact:

This is them before the icing, YUMMMMY

   

And again w/icing - Don't they look delicious?

Well, are you ready for this? These CUPCAKES only have 112 calories, 1.75g fat, 200mg sodium, 22g carbs, .5g fiber, 12g sugar, and 2g protein per cupcake!  A regular iced cupcake has over 200 calories!

Oh, and on other Happy news, I weighed in Saturday morning and am now at 168! That mean's I've lost 40lbs!!!!! My goal has been to loose 50lbs and weigh between 150-160  (ideally 155 or so) I'm only 10-13lbs away from  my goal!!! That is so awesome, I'm incredibly excited!!!!

But, on a sad note, I've procrastinated for too long, I have to finish my graduate work now. I'll update again soon hopefully. Until then, run out and get your own copy of Hungry Girl 200 Under 200 - It's worth every penny!