Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip

"This stuff is awesome! It's like eating peanut butter frosting!" Jack, my co-worker, said as he popped a second bite of the peanut butter cookie dough dip in his mouth.

"So you really like it?" I asked him as I was gearing up to break the news to him.

"Definitely."

"GOOD!" I clapped my hands. "Because now I'll tell you what's in it."

Jack's face froze.

"It's got dates that have been soaked to release their sweet juiciness... and garbanzo beans. And natural peanut butter!"

Jack's face started to lose color, "I can taste the beans now. I feel like I've been hoodwinked."

"You cannot taste the beans," I said, rolling my eyes at him. "It's awesome. You loved it. It's OK to admit it."

He rolled his eyes at me and admitted that he would never have known this dip was actually healthy if I hadn't told him. Tee-hee!

This deliciousness passed the Jack test. You will seriously never guess the base of this dip is protein and fiber packed garbanzo beans. For reals.







Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Dip
recipe adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie

1 15oz can of garbanzo beans (also called chick peas), drained and rinsed
1 1/4 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup water
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Place dates in a small bowl and cover with water. Let sit for 6-8 hours (or overnight).

In the bowl of a food processor, place the dates and liquid. Process for 30 seconds. Add garbanzo beans, vanilla extract, and peanut butter and process until very smooth. Spoon mixture into a bowl and stir in chocolate chips.

Serve with apple slices, cookies, or just eat straight up outta the bowl!

--- 4 Weight Watchers Points Plus per 1/4 cup serving ---

Mess With My Peanut Butter? Um...NO.

The work food thief has my dander up.

Gloves off.

He/She has done messed with my jar of peanut butter.

You just don't touch a girl's jar of peanut butter.

Especially an Arbutus girl's jar of peanut butter.

It was the Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter with Honey. That's good stuff. Expensive stuff. Stuff you can't get with a coupon.

LAY OFF MY PEANUT BUTTER!

Breakfast: Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

It's nothing special...just what I had for breakfast. And it made me happy.


Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

1/3 cup quick cooking oats
2 tsps cocoa powder
2 tsps peanut butter
2/3 cup water
2 tsps sugar or 1 Splenda packet


Mix the oats and cocoa powder in a medium sized microwave safe bowl (large enough so the oatmeal doesn't runneth over).

Drop in peanut butter and pour on water.

Microwave for one minute and thirty seconds or until oatmeal is done.

Stir in sugar and top with banana.

Eat.

And be happy.

Happy Monday!

Elvis Oatmeal Is In The House!

A few years ago, breakfast wasn't even on my radar screen. I didn't like it, it took too much effort, and I wasn't hungry. Why eat if I'm not hungry?? Um...hello...calories saved for something better! At least that was my philosophy. Then I decided to start training for a 5K, so in January of last year, I made a change. I decided to start eating breakfast to help fuel my system. It took some getting used to. I actually felt sick after eating breakfast, so I would just have a piece of fruit. Eventually, my body began craving breakfast. REAL breakfast. Whole grains, protein, fresh fruit...the real stuff. Now, over a year later, I'm still doing breakfast, and it's helped me eat better throughout the day, and I FEEL better.

One of my staples has been oatmeal. It's cheap, it's easy to make, it's filling, but it's boring. Who wants to eat food that looks boring or ugly? Not me!