Happy Birthday to Me!!! My favorite cake in the whole world, Sour Cream Pound Cake! #BestBirthdayEver

Recreating my favorite chicken salad. Its a cross between chipotle bowl burrito and el pollo loco tosada salad. My fave chicken salad**( oven roasted chicken breast, green leaf lettuce, avocado, cilantro salsa, carrots, rice and black beans, greek yogurt, montrey/cheddar cheese... Yes in that order!) I will make this again and again...

------------------ Soundtrak of the Day ------------- Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday

First post of the new year! New year full of new challenges, and aspirations. I have taken on a new challenge to really change my lifestyle as far as eating and working out. So far it has been pure bliss. I am kickboxing my way through 2012... Amazing TUNA salad As a lover of many salads that are not the healthiest. Going along with my healthy lifestyle challenge this year, making small changes for the better. I made this creation. Tuna Salad 2(5oz) cans of albacore tuna in water 1 carrot 2 celery stalks 1/4 red onion 1 T relish handful of parsley dash of coarse black pepper dash of lemon pepper 3 T earth balance mindful mayo with olive oil Drain tuna, combine tuna and mayo in a bowl. In a food processor, pulse carrot, celery, parsley, and onion until desired consistence. Combine pulsed mixture with tuna, season with pepper and lemon pepper. Chill before enjoying!!

------------------ Soundtrak of the Day ------------- Otis Redding - Try a little tenderness

------------------ My First Cookie Swap was a Great Success -------------

I received some amazing treats and I sent a cookie i really loved and everyone of my swap-ees agreed they enjoyed them as well.

(From Top left: all cookies; pineapple, pistachio and hazelnut/chocolate. Top Right: Hazelnut/Chocolate. Bottom Left: Pistachio)

Thank you: Pineapple Cookies (Marcy Reynolds: justacrumb.com) Pistachio Shortbread (Melissa Beach: shootsandroots.wordpress.com) Hazelnut/Chocolate Shortbread (Elizabeth Darby)

------------------ Caramel Raisin/Pecan Oatmeal Cookies -------------

Caramel Raisin & Pecan Oatmeal Cookies 1 cup unsalted butter; soft/room-temp. 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed ---------------- 2 eggs 1-1/4 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 cup caramel (See Caramel Apple post) --------------- 2 c AP Flour 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt -------------- 3 cups Oats 1 cup raisins 1 cup pecans, chopped I love these cookies!!!! Preheat oven to 375F 1. Cream butter and both sugars until smooth; beat in eggs, vanilla and caramel. 2. Combine and blend thoroughly flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Beat into creamed mixture. Fold in oats, raisins and nuts. 3. Scoop or drop teaspoon size portions on to silpat, parchment or greased baking sheet. 4. Bake for 8-10 minutes; Makes 6 dozen cookies.

Happy Holiday

------------------ Soundtrak of the Day ------------- Rhianna - You Da One