Semi-Homemade Cho Brownies // Important LAB Announcement

Today I headed back to work to get down to business…  “Let’s get down to business, to defeat the Huns!”  Haha sorry, every time I hear that phrase I cannot help but think of the movie Mulan 😛

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Business over the weekend had a whole different meaning.  Puppy business such as taking Charlie outside to do his business.  Household business such as cleaning the apartment and going grocery shopping.  Tasty business such as making pancake bowls and baking brownies.  And personal business such as watching movies and getting sweaty at the gym.  If only weekend business could be everyday business…

Speaking of tasty business, I thought I’d share yesterday’s new-to-me brownie recipe.  Over the weekend I picked up a package of brownie mix at TJ’s and originally planned to make Peanut Butter Cup brownies but after eating handful after handful of Peanut Butter Puffins, I decided to do my own thing.

Semi-Homemade Cho Brownies

1 box brownie mix [TJ’s mix is 16 ounces]

2/3 cup plain Chobani

1/3 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon stevia

Optional: Peanut Butter Puffins cereal

1.  Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a cupcake tin with non-stick cooking spray.

2.  In a large bowl, mix together the dry brownie mix, Chobani, water, vanilla extract, and stevia.  Mix on medium speed until all the ingredients are combined and there are no lumps.

3.  Evenly distribute the brownie mixture among the cupcake tin to make 12 brownies.

4.  Top the brownies with your desired toppings, I chose Peanut Butter Puffins.

5.  Cook the brownies for approximately 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.

6.  Remove the brownies from the tin and cool on a wire rack.

Enjoy!

Notes:

-A regular rectangular or square baking pan would also work, but the cooking time may need to be adjusted.
-Next time I would crush the cereal before adding it on top for an a more even distribution.
-Other tasty add-in’s or toppings: candy, cereal, chocolate chips, cinnamon, coconut, dried fruit, peanut butter, nuts, or pretzels.

In the past I have baked with applesauce as a substitute for butter and oil, but this was my first time baking with yogurt…  I was delightfully surprised with the result!

And last but not least, blog business…  After weeks of work, I think it’s time to launch the new and improved LAB site [plus a couple of new pages]!  I am super nervous so please bear with me the next few days if there are any technical glitches.  Depending upon when you’re reading this post, the new site may already be up and running but if not, it should be the next time you check-in!

***IMPORTANT:  Despite the fact that my domain name will not change, you will need to resubscribe to my new feed as I will be self-hosted and no longer on WordPress.com.  If you have any confusion or trouble, feel free to send me an email at lifesabowlblog@gmail.com or use the “Contact” page on the new site.  Thanks 😀***

XOXO,

Allison

Question:  Have you ever watched the movie Mulan?

Question:  What’s your favorite brownie mix-in or topping?

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Filed under Blogging, Charlie, Family, Food, Recipes, Work

Marvelous In My Monday [MIMM] 11.12.12

The weather the past 3 days has been a real treat, much more enjoyable than the blustery and cool weather that rolled in last week…  Today was no different, sunny and spring-like, I definitely wanted to take advantage of it and be outside!  My Monday was just as marvelous as my weekend!

Marvelous…  3-day weekends [whoop, whoop].

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Marvelous…  A peppermint skim cappuccino from Starbucks.

Marvelous…  A peanut butter pancake bowl for breakfast.

Marvelous…  A long walk with a girlfriend, chatting about recent happenings and “it’s so bad, it’s so good” TV shows.

Marvelous…  A spicy salsa lentil stuffed pepper topped with melty mozzarella cheese for lunch.

Marvelous…  Chobani brownies topped with Peanut Butter Puffins.

Marvelous…  Going to the driving range and playing mini golf with Ryan.

Marvelous…  On-the-go afternoon snacks.

Marvelous…  A successful sweat session of 35 minutes spinning + 10 minutes stairs followed-up with TNT’s week 2 challenge and abs.

Week 1 Challenge

15 push-ups

20 squats

30 homework crunches

50 jumping jacks

*3 times through with no rest*

Week 2 Challenge

50 push-ups

1 mile run/ jog/ walk

Marvelous…  Watching He’s Just Not That Into You and the smell of pizza cooking in the oven for dinner.

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Marvelous…  MIMM, thanks Katie from Healthy Diva Eats!  I always enjoy reading other people’s marvelous posts, it’s a great way to start the week on a positive note 🙂

XOXO,

Allison

Question:  What’s your favorite “it’s so bad, it’s so good” TV show?

Question:  Have you ever baked with yogurt?  Do you have a favorite recipe?

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Filed under Charlie, Family, Fitness, Food, Friends

Weekend Happenings: Naked & Skyfall

Friday

cinnamon raisin pancakes topped with Chobani + peanut butter frosting + shredded unsweetened coconut

discovered the office gym during lunch

pink pedi

first time trying Naked Pizza = YUM!

artichokes + jalapenos + mushrooms + olives + roasted red peppers + spinach

snap, crackle, pop

Saturday

turkey bacon, mushroom + spinach scramble topped with salsa, & Van’s waffles topped with banana + feta + pistachios + shredded unsweetened coconut

45 minutes spinning & 45 minutes TNT training

 kamut cereal + Banana Choco Chip VitaTop + banana + shredded unsweetened coconut + Silk Light Vanilla soymilk

Sunday

cinnamon pancakes topped with cinnamon Chobani + peanut butter frosting + apple butter + fresh sweetened cranberries

ruby red grapefruit

Jame Bond Skyfall [it. was. awesome!]

such a sweepy buddy

Unpictured weekend happenings: watching Life As We Know It, a piping hot bowl of chocolate chip peanut butter banana oats for breakfast, a massage, a new iPhone, apartment cleaning, and grocery shopping…

…and tomorrow is a holiday [in honor of Veteran’s Day today].  In the morning I’m meeting a girlfriend for a walk but I’m not sure what Ryan and I will do in the afternoon.  Peanut Butter Cereal Brownies sound enticing 😉  Hip, hip, hooray for 3-day weekends!

XOXO,

Allison

Question:  Do you have a 3-day weekend?

Question:  Are you a Bond fan?  I am all about chicky flicky movies but I also enjoy a good action movie [with cute actors] now and then!

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Filed under Charlie, Fashion, Fitness, Food, Friends, Holidays, TV & Movies