Just My o"PIN"ion on S'mores Cookies

S'mores Cookies Fresh Out of the Oven

Nothing says summer like S'mores! Even though I turn my nose at them (am I the only one) they seem to be a favorite among children and adults alike.

I asked my Facebook readers to suggest a delicious, fattening recipe that would totally kill my diet. It's all in the name of research, so my diet must be sacrificed! Wonderful recipes were suggested but this is the only one that had chocolate. I am a chocolate addict! I will get to those other suggestions soon, but this lady had to have chocolate! So I chose to make this pin for S'mores Cookies from The Girl Who Ate Everything!


The Ingredients:
11 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 ½ cups flour
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup mini marshmallows
3 regular sized Hershey’s bars, broken into pieces
1-2 packages graham crackers, broken into squares
**Do you know that I was totally out of chocolate chips!  I don't want to mention that I had just bought two bags just a few weeks before.  Anyway, my small town grocery store was already closed so I called a few people.  I had to call 4 people to find any.  What is up with these people in this town???**

The Directions:
Follow Instructions as the recipe states.  I didn't have parchment paper and I wasn't about to call more people, so I just sprayed the pan with cooking spray and hoped it would work!  It did!

The Verdict:
Before we get to the taste, let me mention a couple things.  I should have added more dough on the top of each graham cracker.  I did about 1 1/2- 2 tablespoons, but I should have done more.  It didn't spread over the entire crust of crackers.  I also read previous reviews and said 375 was too high, so I did 360 and it took me about 15-20 minutes instead of the 10 at 375.  I just kept checking them every few minutes.  It may take longer if you add more dough too.  I also had dough leftover so I could have made another sheet, next time I think I'll just add it all and have a thicker cookie layer.

As far as the taste goes.  These were just ok.  I think part of it was the cinnamon flavor.  I didn't like it.  I would leave this out entirely.  Cinnamon really has nothing to do with S'mores so I don't understand it anyway!  I ate one for research, okay two, but I had to be sure the other side didn't taste better!  I cut the rest and sent them to work with my husband.  I asked him what he thought when he called me at break and he said they were pretty good.  Now, I don't like S'mores, so maybe that's the deciding factor.  If you love S'mores you might love these "s'more" than I do (did you get it?).  Not sure if there will be a next time for this recipe.  However, my boys love S'mores and I didn't keep any for them to try, so another batch might be just for them.  However, I will eat just one.  All in the name of research!

A Picture:

Right before they go in the oven.  I should have smashed them more!

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Just My o"PIN"ion on "The Greatest Queso On The Block"

Leftover Queso

There is something just wonderful about a bag of chips and a bowl of queso. Hopefully, it's the margarita in my hand close by.  Alright, so it's the fish bowl margarita and I can't hold it in my hand...whatever! Now, if I finish that fish bowl margarita, I'm sure any queso will be dubbed, "The Greatest Queso On The Block", but I decided to give this exact pin, from TastyKitchen.com, a chance at the crown.

Ingredients:
1 block cream cheese
1 block Velvetta Cheese
1 can Rotel
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 pound hamburger or sausage or combo of both

Directions:
Mix all the ingredients in a crockpot or in a bowl and warm until melted and combined.  Make sure you cook this on low in your crockpot or warm would be even better if you have this feature.

The Verdict:
I really don't know if I've ever run into a "bad" queso and this one was good.  However, I don't know if it deserves the title of "The Greatest Queso On The Block."  I happen to make a much better queso.  I think I will put it on here and then pin it, "The Best Freakin Queso You Ever Ate. Fish Bowl Margarita or Not!"

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Just My o"PIN"ion on Homemade Ice Packs

Shapeable Ice Packs

I have a crappy body, I'm sad to say.  At the age of 33 I often find myself smothered with Icy Hot, pulling the heating pad out yet again or icing my knee that has scars of the abuse I've inflicted on it.  Now I still cherish that body and won't say too many bad things about it as I know it could put up a harder fight and probably win.  So, I just treat it like I treat a new batch of chocolate chip cookies out of the oven...ummm...so, I have no idea why I just said that because stuffing as many of them in my mouth without burning myself has really nothing to do with how I treat my body, or does it?!  Can you tell I am just really craving chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven.  Geesh!  Why didn't I choose to do the "World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookie" this week for my review?

Anyway, here is where I'm going with this.  I found this pin on Pinterest for a shapeable ice pack.  I won one similar to this in a giveaway from a local chiropractor's office and LOVED it!  However, I recently lost it (have since found under the couch) and remembered this pin and decided it was a perfect time to give it a whirl.  You see I basically ice my knee any night that I run, so I use it often. I would love to say I'm a marathon runner but that would be a huge lie...let's just pretend I run a half marathons for entertainment purposes!! 

The Ingredients:
3 Parts Water
1 Part Rubbing Alcohol
Ziplock Bag

Directions:
Just mix 3 parts water to the one part alcohol and freeze.  I did 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 cup alcohol and found that to be a good amount for the size Ziplock bag that I wanted.  The blogger also states that you could put food coloring in it for fun!  If it freezes too hard just add more alcohol or if it's too slushy, just add more water.

The Verdict:
Awesome!  It is a perfect ice pack.  It is shapeable so that it contours to my knee nicely and it is the perfect consistency.  Not only is it super easy but it's super cheap!  Easy and Cheap are a few of my favorite words, so BIG points for this project!

More Pics:

All Ready For The Freezer

Just Perfect For My Knee!

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Just My o"PIN"ion on Brussels Sprouts!

I am going to admit that I was a picky child.  My mother was soft and would often make two dinners to please her children.  She still does this for her grandchildren, even going as far as making them all different things.  She does it out of love and the idea that anybody could get hungry is all too much for her.  I have inherited that trait somewhat, as I would always have snacks in my classroom because it was a reality, for my at-risk kids, that they actually would go hungry at times.  However, I'm not as nice with my children.  I might be mushy at times, but not soft.

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that I have NEVER tried a Brussels sprout.  I haven't heard good things about them.  They have a pretty bad reputation.  Kind of like me in high school!

Soooo...anyway... Brussels sprouts, back to Brussels sprouts.

I have seen this and similar recipes pinned on Pinterest talking about how these are so good and give Brussels sprouts a place in every one's fridge again.  So, I decided to give this grilled recipe from food52.com a try!  I mean it says it even won a contest with this recipe!  Plus it has Parmesan cheese as an ingredient!  Hello, cheese makes everything taste good, right?

The Ingredients:
The ingredients are all easy to find at any local grocery store.  Brussels sprouts, olive oil, spices, lemon zest, and the optional Parmesan cheese and bacon.  I had forgotten to put celery salt on my list, so my sprouts didn't have that ingredient nor did I use the bacon.

The Process:
This recipe was simple.  Slop everything together in a bowl, use tongs to place on a hot grill and flip every few minutes.  Toss back in the bowl, add optional ingredients and serve! 

The Verdict:
Here is the exact quote from my husband, "They still taste like nasty, wet, feet."  Although I wouldn't go that far, I wasn't impressed.  The outside tasted pretty good as that's where all the flavor was, but the insides were not good.  My children spit them out or simply licked them and turned their noses.  I ate about 4 just to give a good effort.  However, we will not be buying Brussels sprouts again.  As my friend said to me, "It's a love or hate relationship.  Hardly any in between."  Well, I officially break up with Brussels sprouts!  Here's to my trusty asparagus, corn on the cob and Steam Fresh Microwave Veggie bags!

Picture of the Process:

They are all tossed with the ingredients and ready for the grill!