Conversations from BBL

I love talking to new people and getting to see a glimpse into their lives. Selling my cookie mix and my baked goods at farmer's markets allows me to do just that. 

Today at the farmer's market everyone was in an especially chipper mood. Thank you long weekend and thank you Mother Nature. The humidity was low and the smiles were high! I get sheer joy from seeing the look on people's faces as they read my sign while also catching a glimpse of me in my apron and hat. They usually mouth the words slowly to themselves "Bikini. Baking. Lady. " and then the smiles come on full force. That's my favorite part of the whole day! One of the first questions I get asked is "do you bake in your bikini?". Followed quickly by "why do you call yourself that?" As I've written in previous posts I created my alter ego, my new name while I was eating most of my meals with my then 1,3 & 4 year old children. I realized that when it was winter (in Boston... Brrrrrr!) I was happy to pack on the weight as quickly as I added the layers of clothing. But then in the summer when we were living outdoors and at the beach (no air conditioning in my 100+ year old house) I truly thought about every bite of food. I asked myself, "is this food for my body or food for my face?" Realizing that my food choices were much better when I envisioned myself in my bikini or workout clothes prompted me to come up with my Bikini Baking Lady name and company. 

But today I heard a great story and idea from a kind man I was able to talk with while he was shopping at the Farmer's Market in Mt. Pleasant, SC. After his smile and his question of "why did I come up with my business name" he quickly interjected that since January he has lost over 50 pounds! I was so happy for him! And then he let me in on his secret which I want to share with you. He said that when he gets home and is in the comfort of his own home he takes off his shirt. It's his mental reminder to be conscientious of the food that goes in his mouth. He said on a number of occasions he has caught himself heading to the kitchen to get a snack that he didn't need only to catch a glimpse of himself in the mirror. That was enough of a reminder for him to pause to be sure his body needs the food and just doesn't "want" the food due to boredom, habit, loneliness, etc. So hats off to you Mr. Swim trunk baking man! Great job of incorporating mental games in your physical hunger cues. It works friends! If you are lucky to live in a home where you are never without food remember that food is there to nourish your body. Food is to keep your brain sharp and to keep your body moving in the right direction. Change your relationship with food. Breakup with the foods that are not right for you and break up with the mindless eating. Trade it in for enjoying every bite of what nature has for us to enjoy. After all, you only have one life. Let's work together to make it the happiest and healthiest life possible. I love you my friend!!!! Keep smiling! 

BBL Cookie Jars!

Hello Kind, Wonderful Person! 

I hope the summertime is treating you well! It might be hot and you might get sweaty but remember to enjoy each day for what it brings to you and what you can do to help others. 

For years I have been making baked goods that are healthy and add to a healthy lifestyle instead of take away like other baked goods. Now you can make my healthy recipes in your own home! Today I am in North Mt. Pleasant selling my BBL Cookie Jars. Come see me and have a free, awesome workout too! 

https://www.facebook.com/9roundcharleston/videos/1536205866405659/

When you buy my cookie jars you'll see how easy they are to make: 

Yes! That's all you have to do! Mash some bananas and open up a jar! BUT WAIT........there's more!!!! You can eat the dough! Yes, yes, yes, I said it and it's true! If you're a raw cookie dough person have at it! Place 3 spoonfuls of my dough on a plate and sit down, relax and have an awesome breakfast or snack or dessert!!!! 

Please let me know what you think!!!! And check out my other sites while you're at it: 

www.charlestonbakinglady.com

www.tempting4u.com

Have an awesome day and help make someone else's day fabulous too!!!! 

ENJOY! 

PS....I'm home now from my awesome time at the gym and selling my BBL Cookies in a jar. I met the nicest people and had a blast! I forgot to list ingredients for the jars. For the C3 Jar: Oats, chia, flaxseeds, PB2, unsweetened cocoa, unsweetened coconut, 72% dark chocolate, Ceylon cinnamon, salt and baking powder. 

For the CR Jar: Oats, chai, flaxseeds, Saigon cinnamon, unsweetened raisins, salt, baking powder. 

3 cookies provides your body with 125 calories, 3 grams healthy fats, 15g carbs, 4 G protein, 3 grams fiber.

Yummy!!!!!

Hat Trick Bars!

Hi There Beautiful! 

How's life treating you?  I hope you woke up this morning and smiled. Did you know what happens in the first few minutes after waking can make your day even happier? There are some who believe that the way in which you are woken up also has a play in your mood for the day. I highly suggest waking up to an alarm clock that makes you smile. Try this tomorrow.....after your eyes open first thing in the morning smile! A big, happy, "how ya doin" type of smile! Your day will be better, I promise. 

After waking up and smiling go share your smiles with your family! Typically my kiddos and I meet in the kitchen each morning. They are all 3 big breakfast eaters. But sometimes, just sometimes, the morning gets away from us and at least 1/3 of my kids ends up eating breakfast in fast food style. In my family that means that breakfast is eaten in the car on the way to school. But secretly I rejoice when this does happen on occasion. The biggest reason is that I carefully map out the macros that my kids eat. I believe that if hey have good fuel in them they will be more attentive, have more energy and perform better in school. So far I'm super happy with the results so I thought I'd share one of my fast food recipes with you. I call this recipe "Hat Trick Bars" mainly because when these bars are eaten before school, a sporting event, (like SOCCER!) or as a healthy snack you will be filled with good, clean, pure, powerful energy! You just might get a hat trick! 

These take 3 minutes or less to make. It actually takes longer to gather the ingredients than it does to actually make the Hat Trick Bars! So be forewarned....they are awesome and you and your family will want to make them and have them on hand all the time! 

Hat Trick Bars

3 Cups oats 

1C peanut butter (or any nut butter)

1/2 C ground flaxseeds

1/2 C melted coconut oil

1/2 C honey

Directions:

Mix all ingredients well:

Then press down very firmly into a square pan which has been greased with coconut oil or lined in parchment paper. 

Refrigerate the bars covered for at least an hour or until the bars are firm and ready to cut. Cut into squares and wrap so you have a healthy snack whenever you need one. And Enjoy bikini style!!!

I have TruMoo chocolate milk paired with this already powerful snack. Runner's World and Women's Health have both published articles agreeing with me (and Sue!) that chocolate milk is one of the best post workout recovery snacks. The calories, protein and sugars found in chocolate milk aid your body and muscles after a hard workout or a hard day's work! So kids, or grown ups who are kids at heart and love yummy, healthy foods, next time you want a snack or a special treat at the grocery store get TruMoo chocolate milk and the ingredients to make my Hat Trick Bars! And double the recipe..... You will be glad you did! 

PS.... This song is so sweet:

Power Salmon Cakes!

Hello, Howdy, Hola, Hi, 

How have you been? It's been so long since I have written and posted a new recipe. My weekdays have been spent with some adorable, awesome, smart, fun kids! I have been subbing at my kids' school and loving every moment. I have officially taught every grade from preschool to 12th grade! I am secretly patting my own back for that one. I truly enjoy teaching and I'm thrilled to have been able to teach so many children across 3 states. 

Today I want to share with you a family favorite. I have always loved salmon croquettes and salmon cakes but I felt that the traditional recipes left a lot to be desired so I created my own version and I call them Power Salmon Cakes. 

Just look at these beauties all plated up! 

If you like it hot and spicy add Sriracha to the power cakes before forming into patties. My children, however, cannot stand spicy food so I am forced to spice mine up once they've hit the plate. I think you will like them either way you decide to prepare these little jewels. 

Isn't my bikini sweater bottle cover the cutest?! Such a thoughtful gift for this baking gal! Thank you Brett!

Power Salmon Cakes 

3 C prepared quinoa (I boiled mine in chicken brother for extra depth)

3 Cans drained wild pink salmon 

1 mashed ripe avocado 

3 eggs

Juice of 1 lime

1 T garlic paste or 4 cloves

1 T Dijon mustard

1 T aioli garlic mustard sauce (trader joes baby!!!)

3 T sesame seeds

2 T ground flaxseeds 

Cracked pepper

Lemon pepper

Cayenne pepper

Sea salt 

Reserved flax for dusting

Coconut oil spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350* and line a baking sheet or jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Spray parchment paper with coconut oil. 

Mix quinoa, salmon, avocado, garlic, salt,  sesame seeds, flaxseeds in a bowl and set aside. In separate bowl:

Combine both mustards, eggs and seasonings with a fork until well mixed. 

Then add the mustard/egg mixture to the salmon/quinoa bowl. Stir until well mixed and lump free. 

Next you are going to want to sprinkle some flaxseeds on a plate so that you can roll the salmon cakes in the flaxseeds. 

Form the salmon cakes into patties the size of hamburgers. Kids love to help during this step! Then take the patties and lightly rub the reserved flaxseeds on them. Do this to both sides and then place the salmon cakes on your prepared pan. 

Use the spray to coat the top of the salmon cake so that both sides will have a little coconut oil. 

Bake for 15 minutes and flip. Bake another 10-12 or until crispy and hot. All I have to say is yummmmmmy! I always make a lot of these. My kids tend to eat 3-4 of them for dinner! On my portion I use a fork to prick some holes on the top of them and I pour a little apple cider vinegar on each one. I also dip into Sriracha sauce for an extra sweet, hot kick. 

I serve mine on top of wilted garlic spinach with a side of broccoli slaw (I made the slaw by mixing a bag of broccoli slaw with the aioli garlic mustard sauce (buy a lot of this if you love mustard like I do!) and some apple cider vinegar. 

Place some lime wedges on the side for beauty and add a nice squirt before you sink your teeth into this divine meal. Enjoy and let me know what you think!