I woke up in the middle of the night and heard the high winds. The first thing I thought about was baking. I thought about making cookies and wouldn't it be nice to have warm cookies on a cold day. Then I started thinking about dinner - meatloaf and mashed potatoes and gravy. And then I stopped myself - why do I always think about overeating in bad weather? Do you experience this? What are some healthy things you make on days like this? I am going to try and change this habit.

My new fillin for hot cocoa is one of 2 things, both of which stem from the lack of dairy in my diet. I had to get it back in.

If at work I get a vanilla hot cloud, some places call them steamers. It is steamed milk (I ask for skim) and flavor syrup (I get the sugar free). It is rich and delicious.

If at home I make a cup of warm vanilla milk. Just microwave a mug of milk that has a little vanilla in it. I add a sprinkle of nutmeg and clove and a teaspoon of honey. Lucious.


Laurie

I still bake, but I bake fat free banana bread made with cocoa powder (Nisha, that was me that suggested that, I think....I do that, and it tastes like a wonderfully rich (yet healthy and almost guiltless) chocolate cake). Or I make mini muffins, and leave out jsut enough for a snack for the children and I and put the rest in the freezer for their snacks for that week. OR I will make cookies (my trick for making cookies and not feeling guilty about it is to use a small scoop (the size of a melon baller) to make them....I also replace the butter called for with 1/2 butter and 1/2 cold pressed canola or olive oil (I whip it together, it is called "better butter" and has to remain refrigerated) so that I'm not getting all that saturated fat. I also have successfully tranformed most of my favorite cookie recipes to using a combination of whole wheat pastry flour and oat flour (You can make this simply by blending rolled oats in your blender until they are powdery). This makes them healthier, smaller, and much less "guilty".

As for the hot cocoa, I am like KD I reserve that for special occasions (like our "shut in" days), a really good substitute that I have found is Celestial Seasonings English Toffee tea. It is WONDERFUL!!!!!! And you don't really have to add any sweetener to it, it is naturally sweet.

I also make healthier versions of meatloaf and mashed potatoes (similar to those in KDs first cookbook) and we have those about once a month....it is my dh's FAVORITE comfort meal!

Have you tried doing your banana bread recipe and replacing a quarter cup of the flour with cocoa powder? That is just wonderful. I don't remember who on the other list suggested it, but I don't make it any other way anymore. I also do half whole wheat instead of all white flour.
That bread, one slice toasted, with a cup of tea makes a great breakfast on the run, or mid morning or afternoon snack...
Nisha

quote:

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Originally posted by kd:
When I'm in the mood to bake, I usually try to talk myself out of it but if I can't, I make something naturally healthy - a fruity dessert or peanut butter truffles - have I given you guys that recipe yet?

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Peanut butter truffles.....MMM! I notice I do the same thing with weather. I do better (eating wise) in the summer time, as it's hot and I don't feel like eating much. I'm also a HUGE!!!!! fruit fan! I love all fruit. I like it better than pastrys actually. No kidding. KD: you're tips were awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Hi,

I once again agree with Bee peanut butter truffles... Yummy. KD let me know where to find the receipe. I could be the hit at the next PTA function.

ttfn
Patty

I live in the SF Bay Area. We don't really have seasons.

Does your family have a tradition of cookies on cold, stormy days?

I experienced this a little bit over the winter holidays. I grappled with balancing baking traditions with not wanting 5 doz cookies in the house.

PS - I've made meat loaf and mashed potatoes from KD's first book. They were awesome. My family loved it. The yellow potatoes looked rich and buttery - even though I didn't add any. The butter milk gave them a great flavor.

Let us know how the day goes!

Denise

Peanut butter truffles???? Bring on the recipe KD! : )


I'm the same way with seasonal eating. I haven't changed either - I just try to morph my comfort foods into something healthy! (It can be done!)

Old me:

When the weather turns cold, I want mac and cheese, when it's snowing I want hot chocolate and giant marshmallows. When it's hot, I want ice cream for dinner.

New me. The same.

But when it's cold, I turn to thick, comforting soups. When it's snowing, I have a selection of teas that are just as soothing. I save the hot chocolate and marshmallows for very special occassions - sleepovers with my nieces.

When it's hot, I go for ice-box salads - cold tuna, lobster and crab salads, a giant garden vegetable salad or simply grilled fish or chicken and fruit salsas.

When I'm in the mood to bake, I usually try to talk myself out of it but if I can't, I make something naturally healthy - a fruity dessert or peanut butter truffles - have I given you guys that recipe yet?