Confession #1

Yes, as the title states, I am a dietitian.  I am blessed enough to have a job at a little hospital in a rural town in northern Minnesota.  Thank God!  I spend my days learning about what people eat, telling them what not to eat, try to get them to eat, and every once a while guide some lost residents in the nursing home back to their rooms.  The latter isn't part of my job description, but then again a lot of things aren't.  For instance, I was the bearer of bad news to a woman who was convinced that reaching for food on the top of her fridge counted as planned physical activity or arm extensions.  Nice try, lady.  Okay, I digress.

My main reason for starting a blog was so I could post all of my pictures of food.  No really, I've been taking pictures of food since I got married...over a year ago.  It's about time I cleaned out that memory card. 

I bet you're waiting to hear my #1 confession.  Am I right?  Okay, here it is:  I eat sweets. Yep, the whole works, sweets, candy, baked goods, pies, etc. and I'm a dietitian.  Can you believe it!?  It's true!  I actually think I'm going to give them up for Lent this year because giving up sweets is going to be a true sacrifice, like die-to-myself type of sacrifice.  Here's is the education piece of the matter of why I can enjoy sweets and still maintain my ideal weight.  I typically limit my sugar, sweets and "empty calories" each day to about 200 calories.  By empty calories I mean foods that have calories, but no other real nutritional content, such as vitamins, minerals, protein, etc.  I believe food you love should be a part of your diet because it brings a little sanity and enjoyment to life.  Everything in moderation!

Welp, hope I haven't lost you in all my chatter!  I figure I can hook you back in with something yummy, right?


Here is one of my favorite recipes:

Chocolate Cookie Bark

I found this recipe underneath the microwave when I move into my husbands house after we got married.  Good find, right?

Ingredients:

1 Package (8 squares) Baker's Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate

1 Package (6 Squares) Baker's Premium White Baking Chocolate

2 Tbsp Peanut Butter

10 Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Directions:

1) Place semi-sweet chocolate and white chocolate in separate medium microwaveable bowls.  Microwave until completely melted, following directions on package.

2) Add peanut butter to white chocolate; stir until well blended. 

3) Crumble half of the cookies over chocolate in each bowl; mix well. 

4) Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate mixtures onto wax paper-covered baking sheet, alternating the colors of the chocolates.  Cut through chocolate mixtures several times with knife for marble effect.

5) Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm.  Break into bite size pieces.  Store in airtight container in refrigerator. 

Now stop drooling and get cooking!  Remember, moderation in all things.  Enjoy!