CREATIVE THANKSGIVING TREATS

A CUPCAKE HOLIDAY!

Can you believe that there is a holiday for cupcakes? Today, November 10th is NATIONAL VANILLA CUPCAKE DAY. Since November is already a month in which we must watch our waistlines (Thanksgiving), I thought it would be nice to share a lowfat version of a vanilla cupcake recipe for those who wish to participate in today's festivities. You may even wish to decorate your cupcakes with a Thanksgiving theme.......or not. But whatever you do, enjoy the day.

Healthy Vanilla Cupcakes

(Makes 12 cupcakes)

1 c. whole wheat pastry flour

1 c. cake flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. sugar

1/4 c. canola oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 c. applesauce

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1/2 c. evaporated milk

PRE-HEAT OVEN to 350

1. Line 12 ( 1/2 c.) muffin tins with baking cupcake liners

2. Whisk whole wheat flour, cake flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl

3 In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar and oil with an electric mixer on medium. Add applesauce, egg, egg yolk and vanilla extract. Beat until combined.

4. With mixer on low, alternately mix in dry ingredients and the evaporated milk until well combined.

5. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin tins. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes until done.

6. Frost and decorate the cupcakes any way you desire.

THE THREE "S's" OF SUMMER

The Summer is officially here and there are several ways to attempt to stay cool. Why not try the THREE "S's" OF SUMMER? The three S's are SWIMMING, SALADS and STRAWBERRY LEMONADE.

Swimming obviously keeps you cool during hot days. If you don't have a pool or beach nearby, then get wet the old fashioned way. Turn on the water sprinkler for the kids and just accidently happen to run through it yourself a few times. One of my favorite ideas is to get Super Soaker waterguns for the whole family and let the fun begin. It's wonderful for children and teenagers to play with......um, I mean get wet with their Parents. I'm on the hunt for some really good Super Soakers now. I can't wait to blast up...um, I mean wet up my son and my husband. Tee hee.

It is also very important to stay hydrated during hot summer days. Drinking lots and lots of water will do the trick just fine. 8 glasses of water per day is crucial. Especially in the summer heat. For a treat once in a while, try a nice glass of Strawberry Lemonade. Make it from scratch. Squeeze lemons & add icy cold water to make a lemonade. Make a strawberry puree' in the blender and mix it into your lemonade. Sweeten it with some Stevia and garnish with a few sliced strawberries. Ahhhh, refreshing.

I just had my first official Summer Salad the other day and it was lovely. Salads are healthy, they help you beat the heat by not having to fire up the oven in the kitchen and there are so many ways of making them that you will have a variety to choose from and not get tired of them all summer long. I will be chopping up lots of different ingredients and storing them in little containers in the fridge. When anyone in the family is ready for a salad, they may choose which ingredients & toppings they would like and totally customize their own.

Maybe you would like to try my THREE S's Of Summer too. Happy Summer! Stay cool.

EASY CROCKPOT CANDY APPLES

This is a fun recipe that I came across. Candy Apples can be eaten whole or sliced up and divided. Either way they are a fun treat for upcoming holdiay parties or even for gift giving. We all know of the the big, expensive Candy Apples sold in confection stores. Why not make your own?

2 (14 ounce) packages of caramels
1/4 cup of water
8 apples
8 sticks
Toppings: mini marshmellows, nuts, candy sprinkles, mini chocolate chips


Grease a strip of wax paper (enough for all of the apples)

Crockpot: combine caramels and water in the crockpot. Cover & cook on high for 1 hour. Stir frequently.

Wash and dry apples. Insert sticks. Turn crockpot on low. Dip apple into crockpot and coat entire surface. Place on greased wax paper to cool. Once caramel sets (tacky to the touch), roll in toppings of your choice. YUM-O!