Oranges with a Cute Little Name

Missy, here. The Belle. I had another post ready to go (if you're interested in risotto, be sure to come back next Friday!), but I decided this one can't wait. Because the little fruit I wanted to talk about is at the end of its season (the season typically ends in April).

And you don't want to miss out.

(By the way, I have no relation to the company and get no benefit from talking about it!) :)

I'm talking about Cuties.

California Mandarins.

I've always heard of these little fruits and thought of them as kids snacks--a gimmick that was probably over-priced. So I bought other types of clementines and tangerines and other small oranges, trying to find something sweet enough for my taste. I did find a fantastic tangerine this winter called Minneola, which was very sweet, and I really enjoyed them.

But on a recent trip to the store, I found large bags of Cuties on sale and decided to give them a try. They were advertised as little (perfect for kids), seedless, easy to peel and sweet. You've probably all seen the TV commercials, haven't you? I think they need to also market them to adults.

When I tried one, I was totally hooked! They're everything they say they are and more. I bought another case of them at the grocery last week and tend to eat them two or three at a time!

Here's a shot of me holding one from the later batch. The later ones were a bit larger but every bit as sweet and easy to peel. With the earlier batch, you could pop a whole one in your mouth. Very small and portable. My daughter loves to take a couple for lunch.

So I've found a new favorite snack--healthy snack! What's your favorite healthy snack?

Missy
www.missytippens.com

Recipe from Author Sandra Orchard

Missy, here. I'm thrilled to share a recipe with you today from Love Inspired Suspense author Sandra Orchard. If you're a writer about to take part in our upcoming Speedbo book-in-a-month challenge in Seekerville, then these would be perfect to make ahead and freeze for Speedbo month. Great for a snack or breakfast.


Sandra features this recipe in her new March release, Shades of Truth, Book 2 in the series Undercover Cops: Fighting for justice puts their lives—and hearts—on the line.

In Shades of Truth, youth worker Kim Corbett is determined to save Hope Manor, the Christian-based juvenile detention facility her father founded.

     Now she just has to convince the town of Miller’s Bay, and especially undercover cop Ethan Reed, the justice-driven detective who threatens her mission and her heart. He’s adamant a manor employee is recruiting young offenders into his drug ring.

     But with a vindictive murderer on the loose, Ethan is the least of her worries. Or maybe he isn’t, because the family secrets they uncover will get her killed if Ethan finishes the job he was sent to do.

     If only Kim had paid more attention to the overabundance of yummy banana muffins that continuously appeared at the hospital and detention center, not to mention the church, and every counter in their home, she might’ve realized that her mother’s stress-baking was rooted in something far more disturbing than her husband’s diminishing health.


Shades of Truth won't be in bookstores until mid-March, but if you’d like it now, click here to buy it from Harlequin at 20% off, and use coupon code FREESHIPAFFO to receive free shipping until Mar 31st.

Yummy Banana Muffins 

Recipe: 

6 large bananas

1 egg

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

1 ½ cups whole wheat flour

3 tbsp olive oil

½ cup chocolate chips

Mash bananas. Add slightly beaten egg and olive oil. Stir in the dry ingredients just to combine. Bake at 375 °F for 20 minutes.

Ruthy note:  I made these this afternoon... They are delicious! I did add sugar because I'm addicted. I used this recipe with a half-cup of sugar and (sinful!!!) white bread flour.  They are amazing!  I did a few without chocolate chips because a few people gave up chocolate for Lent, but even the plain ones are worth bragging about. Thank you, Sandra!!!

Bio:

Sandra Orchard writes inspirational romantic suspense set along the northern shores of Lake Erie in the heart of the Niagara region, Canada. In 2009, she won the Daphne DuMaurier Award of Excellence, and the following year sold her Undercover Cops series to Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense. To learn more, visit Sandra online at www.SandraOrchard.com

UPDATE! Sandra is sponsoring a giveaway on Goodreads! So click here to check that out!

Favorite Friday--Pigs in a Blanket!

Missy, here. I recently hosted my book club at my house. My kids get home from tennis practice around 6 pm, and I knew I needed to make snacks for book club that could double as dinner for the kids. Soooo...I headed to the grocery store (at 5 pm that day!) and decided to pull out an old favorite from when my kids were really young. Pigs in a blanket. I figured I'd leave them whole for the kids and cut into appetizer size for my friends. :) I also grabbed bags of pre-washed fresh veggies and served with Ranch dressing. Then sliced up a fresh pineapple. Easy to prepare for friends and hungry kids.

Ingredients:
Canned crescent rolls
Hot dogs (I like turkey sausage)
Sliced American cheese

Tear cheese into small strips.
Slice an opening in the middle of each hot dog, trying not to cut all the way through, leaving about a half inch uncut on each end (prevents cheese from leaking out).

Stuff a cheese strip or two inside each hotdog.

Separate the crescent rolls. These were generic and didn't pull apart as well as what I'm used to. I had to do some patching like Ruthy has talked about with pie crusts! :)

Lay stuffed hotdog at wide end and roll toward the point of the crescent roll.

Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. Put the wrapped hotdogs on the sheet cheese-side-up. Bake according to package directions. Although they'll probably need to bake a bit longer. I don't remember how long, since my book club ladies had arrived by that time. We were chatting so I didn't pay attention. :) I think it was about 10 extra minutes, long enough to make sure they weren't doughy.

I only snapped a shot in the oven. No finished photo since I was occupied. I sliced them in quarters for the appetizer size (and then, since I hadn't had dinner either, proceeded to eat four! LOL). Kids just grabbed two or three whole hotdogs each. Yep, hungry from tennis. :)

Yum!

Shopping Fatigue

Missy, here. Shopping and decorating fatigue has set in. I waited until last minute and am worn out. I did most of my shopping yesterday and came home at 10:30 last night to my peaceful, welcoming front door. (Actually, I passed it by and drove into the garage, then entered from the back. But we'll pretend my front door greeted me.) :)

I came in and had to hide all the gifts. Then I had to put away office supplies I bought while out. THEN, I finally got to crash on the couch, propping my feet up on the coffee table. And...you guessed it. I realized I was hungry.

Of course I was. Shopping can really make you work up an appetite. :)

I started out thinking healthy. I'd made kale chips on Monday, and they were gone. I wasn't in the mood for fruit. Or oatmeal. Or even Kashi cereal (all my regular snacks). No way was I going to bake anything. The kids were making popcorn, which smelled good. But no, that didn't appeal to me...

I seriously considered cheese and crackers. Or cream cheese with pepper jelly and crackers. Or instead of pepper jelly, I have this wonderful new sauce I bought at a Pampered Chef party--Blackberry Balsamic. Just pour it over a block of cream cheese and serve with crackers. Excellent!

Then it hit me what I wanted. A RUTHY SALAD! The salad she shared with us a while back. I had one the other day for lunch. Here's my version:

Romaine lettuce
Spinach
Shredded cabbage
Broccoli slaw
Shredded carrots
Cubed cheddar cheese
Chopped ham (lunch meat)
Sunflower seeds
Ranch dressing

I buy the first 5 ingredients already prepared. I'll chop the ham and cheese. I may add cucumbers if I feel like expending the energy to peel and chop. :)

And just think, I resisted the carbs. I resisted the cream cheese. I'm proud of myself! (But we won't talk about the Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte I had while out shopping!!)  :)

What's your favorite snack when you're worn out from shopping and holiday prep and are just too tired to make anything? If you do indulge in the cream cheese or carbs, feel free to admit it. We won't judge you around the cafe. :)