NancyWhite

...but running backwards?

Worth every minute, every penny to fly there and every person I met!

Well, I’m sort of at my goal. I fluctuate. I have lost inches for sure (never measured) from the exercise. Now the next 10 pounds!

... and it is feeling GREAT!

I am working out to one or another rediculous workout video tape 5 days a week and walking in the evening for at least 20 minutes 5 days a week. Trying to cut down portions and cut out junk, but no total deprivation. So far 3 lbs. I’m working in 10 lb goal increments. (It’s hard to think of what I should lose. 10 is easier to imagine at a time.)

Sometimes it can wear you down. Recently I started a private google group to share my recipes with my mom and a few others so that

a) I could reduce the amount of work it too
b) to have a web archive of my recipes I can point people towards
c) be able to access my recipes on the road

Before I just emailed recipes to myself at my gmail addy and I could find them there. Now I have moved that to a group experience.

Knowing how to prepare 10 excelent meals helps nurture any kind of relationship, can bridge cultural gaps and make you very, very popular.

My mom just gmailed this one to me. She made them and said they were simple and great. Now these are by no means the classic truffle dipped in tempered chocolate, but it is a place to start!

Chocolate Mint Truffles

Wrapped in a festive package, these creamy delights will be a hit around the holidays. But save a few for yourself—you won’t be able to resist!

Estimated Times:
Preparation – 20 min | Cooking – 3 min | Cooling Time – 50 min refrigerating | Yields – 48 truffles

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups (11.5-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Milk Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup (6 oz.) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts, toasted

Directions:
LINE baking sheet with wax paper.

PLACE milk chocolate and semi-sweet morsels in large mixer bowl. Heat cream to a gentle boil in small saucepan; pour over morsels. Let stand for 1 minute; stir until smooth. Stir in peppermint extract. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for 35 to 45 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir just until color lightens slightly. (Do not over mix or truffles will be grainy.)

DROP by rounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet; refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes. Shape into balls; roll in walnuts. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

VARIATION:
After rolling chocolate mixture into balls, freeze for 30 to 40 minutes. Microwave 1 3/4 cups (11.5-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Milk Chocolate Morsels and 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted. Dip truffles into chocolate mixture; shake off excess. Place on foil-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes or until set. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

I have to say, there is something a bit thrilling to find 10 people who have added this to their things. Cool!

I have been mostly pointing to other stuff. I’d like to get a little discipline and start writing more of my own stuff. No shortage of ideas, just organizational power!