Yummy Cake!!!!

Hey everyone-thought I would finally share a recipe with you!! Unfortunately, I am lame, and didn't take any pictures of the cake-so here is a picture of a slice of it! Sorry!

1 box cake mix (I used spice cake)

3 egg whites

1 cup nonfat plain yogurt

1 cup applesauce

1 large pkg sugar free vanilla pudding

1 cup chopped nuts (I used almonds)

1 cup chocolate chips (use your favorite kind, I prefer semi-sweet, dark or even carob chips)

Mix together everything but the nuts and chips in a mixer on medium speed until well blended. Stir in the nuts and chips. Pour into a greased bundt or fluted pan and bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

Let cool slightly and frost. Top with sliced fruit. I used peaches.

Frosting:

1/2 cube butter

8 oz reduced fat or fat-free cream cheese

1-2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

milk

Cream butter and cream cheese together in mixer. Slowly add sugar to desired consistency. (The more you add, the thicker the frosting will be). Add vanilla and milk to thin out if desired. Be careful with the milk-you only need a very little!! Make sure the cream cheese is at least room temperature, or it may be lumpy.

I altered this recipe from one a friend used with chocolate cake, oil, chocolate pudding and sour cream. She topped hers with strawberries. Have fun and be creative!!!

5 Simple Tips

Ok-sorry it has taken me so long to make a new post-got a little distracted! But here we are, back again!! I thought I might share some tips for healthy living with you!

1. Buy in bulk-Costco has come out with some really great organic products-and it is so much cheaper to buy it at Costco than at your grocery store. (Kirkland Signature brand Organic Peanut butter, for instance, is the same price for twice as much at Costco as at my local grocer).
2. Pay attention to what you are eating--'organic' doesn't necessarily mean 'healthy'; i.e. an organic chocolate bar has just as many calories as a regular chocolate bar!
3. Little things do count!! Parking farther away, taking the stairs, doing yard work, etc. all add up to calories burned at the end of the day-so don't cheat!!
4. Shop and buy local produce!!! Use your farmer's market-you will find the freshest and best-tasting produce for a reasonable price. Set aside money from your grocery budget to spend every week at the farmer's market instead of at your grocery store. You can buy a week's worth of produce for about $20-30 (depending on the size of your family) and it tastes sooooo much better!!
5. Start small. Choose 1 item at a time to replace in your pantry with a natural/organic product and notice the difference in your diet!! For example, start using honey instead of sugar; (remember though, honey is twice as sweet as sugar, so you don't need as much! I use about 1/4 cup of honey for every 1 cup of sugar called for in a recipe.)

Hope this is helpful-happy living!!!