Cold and Flu Survival Guide!

As I type this...I am sniffing and coughing...my kids will be home from school tomorrow because they feel the same way - and we are generally just "icky". So I thought I would post a nice list of things you can do to fight the colds and flu this winter...A survival guide you might say.

I am sitting here with kleenex, a big glass of water and a fuzzy blanket that makes me feel somewhat better - I want you to be able to fight it so here you go - have a healthy week!

Cold and Flu Survival Guide - the 12 things you need!

Pumpkin/Cake Mix Delight!

I have had a TON of requests for this - so I wanted to put it into written form so you can try it before "pumpkin season" is thru! It may seem hard to believe that you can just take a cake mix and a can of pumpkin...mix and cook - but you can! I have pasted the recipe below...

Now - let me tell you that you can use a chocolate cake mix...I actually prefer that...and you do not have to add pumpkin pie spice - that is optional...sometimes I do...sometimes I don't.

I love this recipe - they are dense, but I think they are good! Enjoy!!

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• *optional - 1-2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or line with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, pumpkin puree, until smooth. Spoon equal amounts of batter into the prepared muffin cups.
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center of one comes out clean.

Pumpkin Roll Time!

This is what I have promised to bring to Thanksgiving this year...and what has been devoured every time I bring it to a function...the people love it! =)

I never tried to make a pumpkin roll before because I thought it would be difficult and I would somehow mess it up - but it actually turned out great.

Now - you will notice in the recipe that it talks about how to roll it out after it cooks...let me tell you what I do - you can follow the recipe or my way - either way - I think it will work.

When I take out the roll - I immediately take it out of the pan and put it on parchment paper that i dust heavily with powdered sugar. I roll it up immediately and leave it there for 20 minutes. Then I unroll, frost the inside, roll back up and put into the freezer for 45 minutes...I wrap it in an outer layer of foil before I put it in the freezer...and that's all folks! Again - you are welcome to try it any way you like - but don't be afraid!! =)

Pumpkin Roll Recipe - the best I have found (and I have tried a bunch!!)

No Pumpkin I Promise!

Ok - I felt guilty about all the pumpkin recipes...so this one has no pumpkin...just a lot of chocolate and a lot of cookies and a lot of calories...though I have heard if you eat things like this in large groups - everyone absorbs the calories equally so you only get a portion of them...I'm just saying that is what I heard... =) 

This one looks divine...and totally a pot luck kind of goodness...ENJOY

The Picky Palate's Mother Load Cookie Bars! 

Friday Foodie!

This comes from my favorite food blog - the picky palate....I am in love with that blog - mostly because she can make anything look BEAUTIFUL with the pictures she takes...makes you want to make the recipes right away!!

Ok - so this one has pumpkin in it again...i know - i have a problem...but look at that picture and tell me that doesn't look good...you know it does =) So try it - and tell me what you think...and have a great weekend...and I promise no more pumpkin...at least for this weekend!! =)

Recipe for Black Bottomed Mini Caramel Cheesecake Bites!  

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Recipe

I am in love with Pumpkin Cream Cheese...have I mentioned that in the last 10 minutes??

All this week it has been my passion...I am in love with it - I could eat in everything...seriously everything. 

Thought you might like a recipe so you could make it at home...I wouldn't add the maple syrup but this is my opinion...do what you like!! =) 

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread

4 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a small bowl, beat softened cream cheese, sugar, and syrup til creamy.
2. Add pumpkin, spices and vanilla and beat til smooth.
3. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
4. Enjoy!

The Test I would Fail...maybe

Here is the video I promised! 

A great lesson about patience and temptation!!  I don't know if I would have passed this test...at 5 years old...or now at 32...that is my sad story - but I speak the truth. =) 

Hope you are having a great day...your pumpkin cream cheese recipe is coming soon!