Monday, March 18, 2024

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies



I asked Microsoft Copilot to find me a Banana Cookie Recipe. I had my grandson help me make this.
Here it is:

2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp corn starch
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 ripe bananas, peeled
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Instructions:
    1. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, corn starch, and salt in a medium bowl.
    2. Cream the butter, bananas, and sugars until light and fluffy.
    3. Beat in the vanilla extract.
    4. Stir in the flour mixture just until combined.
    5. Mix in the chocolate chips.
    6. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
    7. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
    8. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or lightly spray with cooking spray.
    9. Use a cookie scoop to drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared sheets.
    10. Bake for about 9 minutes.   

    Saturday, March 16, 2024

    Meal Planning, Used AI to create Food Pics for Future Meals

     It has been a bit since I did a meal planning series, This time I thought I would make AI photos of meals that are coming up. Also,

    This first one my husband is calling Bangers and Mash. It is going to be cut-up sausage on top of mashed red potatoes. Looks tasty.

    This next one is Chimichanga's. I know it is going to be topped with a green sauce. I did not know that at the time I made this photo
    The next two pictures are of Pico, the top one looks tasty on a tortilla
    My husband would not put jalapeno peppers in it.
    This one is Fish Tacos! All these photos look good!
    These pictures look amazing! These look more appetizing than the photos I would take
    Stay tuned for recipes for what I am sharing.

    Related posts:

    Just Winging It: Meal Planning (jwirecipes.com)

    Just Winging It: Meal Planning Series (jwirecipes.com)

    Just Winging It: Where We Ate On Our Latest Trip To Florida (jwirecipes.com)

    Just Winging It: Fish Stick Tacos (jwirecipes.com)

    Just Winging It: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup (jwirecipes.com)

    Just Winging It: Meal Planning Week Two Featuring My Son's Enchiladas (jwirecipes.com)

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    Monday, March 11, 2024

    Mindful Eating

     

    I had initially lost 70 pounds because I was mindful of what I was eating. I had lost my way and started to gain it back. So I wanted to get back into the mindset of being mindful of what I eat.

    Disclaimer: I used Microsoft Copilot to write this article.

    Mindful Eating: Nourishing Your Body and Soul

    What Is Mindful Eating?

    Mindful eating is more than just a trend; it’s a practice that encourages us to be fully present during our meals. It’s about savoring each bite, paying attention to our body’s cues, and making conscious choices. Let’s dive into what mindful eating entails and explore its incredible benefits.

    The Essence of Mindful Eating

    At its core, mindful eating is about awareness. It’s the intentional act of being fully engaged with our food, our senses, and our emotions. Here’s how it works:

    1. Present Moment Awareness: When you eat mindfully, you focus on the here and now. You let go of distractions (like scrolling through your phone or watching TV) and truly experience your meal.

    2. Non-Judgmental Observation: Mindful eating encourages you to observe without judgment. Instead of labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” you simply notice how they taste, smell, and feel in your mouth.

    3. Listening to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues. Eat when you’re hungry, and stop when you’re satisfied—not stuffed.

    The Benefits of Mindful Eating

    1. Greater Satisfaction: Mindful eating leads to a more enjoyable meal experience. When you savor each bite, you feel more satisfied and content.

    2. Improved Digestion: Being mindful of the food you eat can promote better digestion. Chew thoroughly, appreciate the flavors, and give your digestive system the time it needs.

    3. Weight Management: Mindful eating helps you recognize true hunger and prevents overeating. You’re less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks out of boredom or stress.

    4. Emotional Well-Being: By tuning in to your emotions during meals, you can identify emotional triggers. Are you eating because you’re genuinely hungry or because you’re stressed or anxious?

    5. Reduced Impulsive Eating: Mindfulness is associated with making healthier snack choices. When you’re aware of your body’s signals, you’re less likely to grab that bag of chips mindlessly.

    6. Body Satisfaction: Mindful eating fosters a positive relationship with your body. You appreciate it for what it does and nourish it with kindness.

    Practical Tips for Mindful Eating

    1. Honor the Food: Acknowledge where your food came from and who prepared it. Be grateful for each meal.

    2. Engage All Senses: Notice the colors, smells, and textures of your food. Feel the joy of eating.

    3. Serve in Modest Portions: Use a smaller plate to avoid overeating. Fill it once and savor each bite.

    4. Eat Slowly: Give your brain time to register fullness. You’ll know when you’ve had enough.

    5. Don’t Skip Meals: Regular eating prevents extreme hunger and impulsive choices.

    Remember, mindful eating is a journey. Start small, be patient with yourself, and enjoy the process. Your body and mind will thank you! 🌿🍽️


    Sources:

    1. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
    2. Marie Claire UK
    3. HelpGuide.org
    4. USU Extension
    5. Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials



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    Linking up with link parties in my "Link Parties" Tab:

    Wednesday, March 06, 2024

    Using AI to Tell The Origin of Chocolate Chip Cookies

     

    I used Microsoft Copiliot to create an article on the origins of chocolate chip cookies. This technology creates a whole new direction for creating content for my blogs. I would not take credit for an article that was created by AI. I would tell you somewhere in the article if it was an AI-created article. For this article, all I did was enter the prompt of asking for the origins of the chocolate chip cookie and a popular recipe. I also had Copiolot make me an image for this post.

    I did notice that the recipe in the article is a little different than the recipe I always use, check out this post for the recipe I use.

    Without further ado, here is the origin story of chocolate chip cookies and the famous toll house recipe thanks to Microsoft Copilot:


    The Origin of Chocolate Chip Cookies

    The iconic chocolate chip cookie owes its existence to the ingenious American chef Ruth Graves Wakefield. In 1938, while baking for her patrons at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, Ruth realized she was out of baker’s chocolate for her regular chocolate cookies. In a moment of inspiration, she chopped up a NestlΓ© semi-sweet chocolate bar and added it to the cookie dough, expecting the chocolate chunks to melt during baking. Little did she know that this simple act would lead to the creation of a beloved classic!

    The Toll House Cookie Recipe

    Ruth Wakefield deliberately invented the cookie, aiming to offer something different to her customers. She said, “We had been serving a thin butterscotch nut cookie with ice cream. Everybody seemed to love it, but I was trying to give them something new. So I came up with the Toll House cookie.” The original recipe, found in her cookbook titled “Toll House Tried and True Recipes”, is called “Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies”.

    Here’s how you can make your own batch of Toll House chocolate chip cookies:

    Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies Recipe

    Ingredients:

    • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
    • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 cup packed brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

    Instructions:

    1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
    2. In a small bowl, mix the flour and baking soda.
    3. In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
    4. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
    5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix well.
    6. Stir in the chocolate chips.
    7. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets.
    8. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.
    9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

    Enjoy these warm, gooey, and chocolate-filled cookies with a glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

    Fun Fact

    Ruth Wakefield gave NestlΓ© the recipe for her cookies, and in return, she received a lifetime supply of chocolate from the company. Talk about a sweet deal! 🍫

    So there you have it—the fascinating history and a delicious recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Next time you indulge in one of these treats, remember the culinary genius behind their creation. Happy baking! 😊


    References:

    1. Wikipedia: Chocolate Chip Cookie1
    2. History Cooperative: Who Invented Chocolate Chip Cookies?2
    3. Sugar.org: The History of the Chocolate Chip Cookie3


    So there you have it, hope you enjoyed the article, and I will likely use AI for future posts.

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    Avocado Almond Brownies

    I had some avocados to use up, so I made Avocado Almond Brownies. So I have made these brownies before and I was not a fan. So now that I made them again, I still think it is just ok. Still not sweet enough for me. If you like the bitter chocolate flavor and a brownie that is a little healthier, then this brownie is just for you.

    You will need:

    2 cups flour

    3/4 cup plus 2 T of cocoa powder

    1 1/2 cups sugar ( add another 1/2 for a sweeter brownie)

    1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

    1 teaspoon salt

    1 teaspoon baking soda

    2/3 cup butter

    1 1/2 cups water

    1/2 cup mashed avocado ( I used 2 avocados)

    2 teaspoons vanilla

    2 teaspoons almond extract

    Preheat oven to 350 F

    Combine the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients. Put in a greased 13x9 pan an bake for 35-40 minutes or until done.


    Related posts:

    Just Winging It: Brownie and Frozen Yogurt Poppable (jwirecipes.com)

    Just Winging It: Mango Ice Cream (jwirecipes.com)

    Just Winging It: Nick's "Supernatural" Brownies (jwirecipes.com)

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    Tuesday, March 05, 2024

    Made Macarons For The First Time

    My son wanted to make macaroons. neither of us has ever made macarons before, actually, neither of us has ever tasted macarons before either. So neither of us knew what to expect.

    He had no plans of dying and was just going to leave it white with buttercream in the middle. I have pink powdered sugar in my pantry. I found it in the clearance section in Micheals a while back. Speaking of Micheals, we needed a few things before we could make the macarons.
    First, we needed (or wanted) a silicone mat with the circles on it to help keep the macarons consistent. We also needed a new piping bag.  After we bought those things we realized we needed the tip we needed and we needed the coupler to connect the tip to the piping bag. So it was back to Micheals to get those things.
    My son found this recipe, which we used to make the macaroons.  

     Overall, we were happy with how they looked, for the most part. He backed two baking sheets at a time which led to overbaking a few of them.  I had never tasted a macaron, so I did not know how the texture was supposed to be. Our other son tasted them and thought it was too chewy. My grandson tasted them and did not like them.

    Nevertheless, we are calling this first attempt at making macarons a win!


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    Tuesday, February 20, 2024

    Meal Planning

    Here is another round of meals that were cooked by my husband. 
    First, we have fried chicken legs, glazed carrots, and waffle fries.  The glazed carrots are covered in brown sugar and butter. 

     Next, we have orange chicken,  egg rolls,  and fried rice. The fried rice is homemade, and the chicken and egg roll came out of the freezer section of the grocery store. 
    Then there is shrimp, dirty rice, and peas.

    One of my husband's favorite dishes is chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn on the cob
    In this dish, my husband made homemade egg rolls and apple raisin salad. The macaroni salad was store-bought.
    Finally was had goulash and garlic bread.


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    Saturday, February 03, 2024

    Meal Planning Week Two Featuring My Son's Enchiladas

     Hello, my name is Julie, and welcome to the second edition of the meal planning series. We share what we made for dinner over the past week. My husband is responsible for Monday-Friday. My son is responsible for Saturday and I cook on Sunday.

    For Monday we had to eat out, and I had to take one of the sons to urgent care. Subway is usually a solid choice.

    For Tuesday it was a chicken nugget bowl. mashed potatoes and gravy topped with corn and chicken nuggets


    For Wednesday we had meat loaf, roasted potatoes, and creamed corn


    For Thursday  my husband inprovided Teriyaki beef, some quick Knorr noodles and canned vegatables. 

    Friday was fried fish, rice, and green beans

    Saturday my son made Enchiladas

    He made the sauce from scratch, he roasted red pepper, onion, tomato, and spices.
    Blended with an immersion blender.

    Wrapped ground beef with Cortija cheese around a flour tortilla
    Layed the rolled tortilla in a pan of sauce,
    Covered more sauce. then topped with cheddar cheese,

    I topped it with sour cream and chives.
    My son bought tiramisu that looks like a cake.



    Sunday I made lasagna.


    So that is it, This series is still a work in progress. I hope to continue making improvements.

    Did you like anything you saw? let me know in the comments.

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