If you've been reading my blog and/or magazine column for a while, you might have noticed that I like to do things a little differently. Here's an example. People love blueberry muffins. I have to say, I do too. And people even like a healthy version of blueberry muffins. I have to say, I find them to be a fabulous treat for my dieting self. But sometimes, I like to turn things on their heads. Make a completely different version of a classic. (Remember my S'mores Surprise Cookies, Rice Krispy Treat Bark, and other fun treats?) These cookies are a good example of this. Sure, I would have just made blueberry muffins, but where's the fun in that? So instead, I created blueberry muffin cookies. … [Read more...]
Healthy Blueberry Muffins
Can we talk about names for a minute? I have a pet peeve. I know, my name is somewhat unusual. Okay, in the Orthodox Jewish world, Miriam is about as common of a name as you get, but in the general world, Miriam isn't very common. It's okay, I run with it. But here's the thing. Nobody can seem to get my name right. People call me at work, and I introduce myself as Miriam. "Did you say Maya?" I used to correct them, but I learned better. Just go with it. "That's right. Mary Anne." "Yes, I did say Maria." I don't bother, people don't get it either way. So the first part of my pet peeve is people who get my name wrong, then proceed to use it way too many times in the course of our … [Read more...]
Healthy Chocolate Cheesecake Pancakes
I love weekends. And I know what you're thinking. "Duh. We all do." But I have an extra love for weekends, and it's called pancakes. I know, I know, I've discussed this before, but I have a feeling most of you weren't around back then, so let me reiterate. Weekday breakfasts in my world consist of an enormous cup of coffee as I start up my computer at work, followed by a bowl of cereal and milk about an hour later. And in case any of you thought that bowl of cereal was a treat of any sort, let me clarify. When I say bowl, I actually mean a cup. As in the awful little Styrofoam cups that my company expects us to drink out of. And I have a theory about my cereal that is proven … [Read more...]
Mini Red Velvet Bundt Cakes with Cream Cheese Glaze
Mini Red Velvet Bundt Cakes with Cream Cheese Glaze are beautiful AND delicious! ***Before we start – have you signed up for my email newsletters? You’ll get new recipes, cooking tips, menu suggestions, kitchen deals – and more! Click here to signup.*** Hey friends! Long time no speak, huh? I would totally apologize for my long absence, but I had such a good reason that I am not going to even bother. Plus I might just do it again. I am not going to go into details, but I will say that if you're a reader of Ami Magazine, you are in for a huge treat. (Speaking of Ami, did y'all catch my gorgeous cookies on the cover last week?!) Anywho. Let's talk about the main reason you're … [Read more...]
Healthy Muffin Recipes
Hey friends! Sorry, but I don't have a new recipe for you today. Partly because I totally didn't plan as well as I should have, partly because I spent too much time in the kitchen preparing for my family coming for for Chanukah, and partly because I spent a ton of time working on magazine and article deadlines. In short, I'm burnt out. (What, it happens!) I do, however, want to share something with you folks. I've been getting a ton of requests and questions on my healthy muffin recipes. Honestly, these are delicious. They're moist, flavorful and have a fabulous texture. Honestly. And because these recipes have been posted long before most of you found my blog, I figured a lot of you might … [Read more...]
Cinnamon Sugar Scones and a review and giveaway of Mini Treats and Handheld Sweets
Giveaway Closed! I'm so excited to be reviewing a new cookbook today. Not just any book, but one that I'm totally nuts over. No jokes. I think the author, Abigail Dodge is my soul sister, because how perfectly me is a cookbook called "Mini Treats and Handheld Sweets?" Not only it it a cookbook full of glorious desserts, but they're mini, and pretty much every recipe in this book is right up my alley. Lets discuss this, shall we? At a First Glance: My first reaction when flipping through this book was "ohmygosh I want to make everything." The book is a treasure trove of delicious recipes that are either totally out of the box, or a brand new twist on an old favorite. (Why make carrot … [Read more...]
Healthy Oatmeal Pumpkin Pancakes
***Before we start – have you signed up for my email newsletters? You’ll get new recipes, cooking tips, menu suggestions, kitchen deals – and more! Click here to signup.*** Firstly, thank you all for your lovely and supportive comments on my last post! My power is back on and I'm back in the kitchen and appreciating and loving every single minute of it. Now let's talk about elections. I'm totally not political. I found this on Pinterest and it completely describes my feelings about today: So. I didn't vote, but I did make pancakes. Not just any pancakes, but healthy pancakes. With pumpkin and all kinds of awesome spices and things. Oh and there's oatmeal in them, so they have … [Read more...]
Homemade Cinnamon Buns with Cream Cheese Frosting
Who wants to talk about my favorite thing in the world? Wait, let's back up. Y'know how I'm always talking about how I bake all these insanely delicious treats without tasting them, because my life is basically one crazy long diet? Well. I always says that I can totally resist eating my treats when dieting. I also say that there's one treat that I just can't resist. Which brings us right back to my favorite thing in the entire world. So when I took a little dieting break for the holidays, it suddenly occurred to me. Duh. I can make my favorite treat in the world without torturing myself by not eating any. So I made them. Cinnamon Buns. With cream cheese frosting frosting slathered … [Read more...]
Healthy Cottage Cheese Pancakes
If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know already that I work long days, plus I commute. I generally leave my house at 7:30 am, and return at about 7:30 pm (on a good day). You can, therefore, imagine that my typical weekday breakfast isn't very glamorous or post-worthy. I generally get to work about a quarter to nine, and use that time to make coffee. That's the glamorous part of my breakfast, trust me. I try to gulp down a few drops of it before the clock strikes nine and the phone starts ringing. On a good morning, I can drink about half of my coffee before I get distracted by my first phone call. On a bad day, the phone rings at 9:01, and the poor, unknowing … [Read more...]