A Cookie Girl Gone Healthy~ McGriddle Style

Having read the title I am sure some of you are wondering, "What is going on with the Cookie Girl?"
It's simple really.  I just want to fit into my swimsuit this year. I am no stranger to health and fitness. My husband was an amateur body builder and I have even been known to train for fitness model competitions. This in no way makes me an expert on the subject but it does give me a little advantage to the journey that I am embarking on for the next few months.  I have a goal that has been set and I need for all of my readers to hold me accountable for this goal. Are you ready? I want to lose 30 lbs. There, I said it. Not as hard as I thought it would be. :)
Now this does not mean that I will not be posting some delicious sweet and savory recipes and pics for you.  As a matter of fact, I have one for you today. It's just a wee bit healthier.
How many of you like the McDonald's McGriddle breakfast sandwiches? I love them but the fat and calorie content are not very swimsuit friendly. How about a reality check on this.
 A Sausage McGriddle has 420 calories, 22 grams of fat, 44 grams of Carbs, 11 grams protein.

Will I ever eat another one? Not sure about that. I do however have a great alternative to this. Wanna see?

I give you the Healthy McGriddle

Healthy McGriddle

2 slices of Natures Own Double Fiber Bread (50 cal. slice)

Cinnamon (optional)

4 egg whites or egg white substitute w/o yolk

2 pieces Canadian Bacon

1 slice Veggie Cheese

Sugar Free Maple Falvor Syrup

*MCT Oil (optional)

NOTE: not all MCT oil is created equal

Butter Flavor cooking spray

Preheat griddle to Medium High heat. In a shallow pie plate whisk your egg whites.  Spray griddle with cooking spray. Dip bread slices in egg white (just like for french toast) place on griddle. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.  Brown bread slices on each side and transfer to serving plate.

Spray griddle once more with cooking spray or use 1 TBS. MCT oil. Cook egg whites like scrambled eggs. Fold eggs to fit bread and place on one slice.  Salt to taste if desired. 

Cook the canadian bacon until slightly brown and heated. Place on top of egg whites. Add a slice of veggie cheese and drizzle with a couple of Tablespoons of Sugar Free Syrup. Top with remaining bread slice. Serves One. Enjoy this with your morning coffee and you will be ready to start your day the Cookie Girl Way!
LOL It rhymes. :)

Nutrional information for the Cookie Girl Griddle:

Calories: 239   Protein: 29g   Fat:  21g   Fiber: 10g   Carbohydrates:  26g

*Click here MCT OIL for information on this product.

I am not a physician. If you have concerns or questions about the products that are listed in my recipes please consult with your family doctor before using them.

Wow! What a difference in nutritional value. Try it out and let me know what you think about the flavors.

I have many other recipes that I will be sharing while I am on this healthy journey to swimsuit heaven. :)

I hope that you will enjoy reading these posts and trying new recipes with me.

Here's to Sweet and Healthy eating!

XOXO

The Cookie Girl

Breakfast Anyone?

Alright my Sweet Cookie's! Brace yourself for this post. It is very graphic and indulgent to say the least. You may want to guard the little people from seeing any of the photos. It could really cause some hyperactivity that can't be stopped. Are you ready?............................

Do you enjoy a good filling breakfast with Lot's of family atmosphere? I know I do! Well I have the perfect place for you to take your family and enjoy every BITE.

The Log Cabin Pancake House in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Not to be confused with any other pancake house in the surrounding area. This establishment has been around longer than I have. They opened their doors in the 70's and have been going strong ever since.

I have been eating breakfast there for 23+ years and it is one of the places that I never leave town without getting my fix at.

Wanna see what I'm talking about? This is my all time favorite breakfast.

Continental French Toast, Country Ham, Grape Juice and Coffee.

Here are some of my family's favorite's too. You may need a napkin for the drooling you will experience.

Country Ham, Biscuits,Gravy and Hash brows. YummmmmmmmmY! Chocolate Chip Pancakes!
Ham and Cheese Omelet with Pancakes! And there is so much more like their pecan waffles that my Aunt Tam LOVE'S!

I can't say enough about The Log Cabin Pancake House. The waitresses there are all so sweet and have the best southern hospitality. Some have been there since the doors opened. I remember them all from when I was a child. It is so nice to see them each time I visit. Just like Family.

I talked with the Dining Manager, Yvonne King who has been there since the beginning. She quickly told me that you pronounce the Y in her name. So it would be more like this Y-vonne. She is always there and is usually the one seating the customers....100's of them. I had my picture made with her for my keepsake book and this blog. She is such a sweetheart.

If any of you take a trip to the Smokey Mountains I promise you won't be disappointed when you dine with my extended family at the Log Cabin Pancake House. You will be hooked and in love just like me. Oh yeah, you might want to know this. If you are coming into Pigeon Forge from Gatlinburg, it is the first Pancake house on the right. If you are headed towards Gatlinburg it will be the last pancake house on the left. There address is 4235 Parkway Pigeon Forge, Tn 37863.

I hope Y'all make a special trip and Enjoy!!!!

Valentine's Day Ideas

ro-mance -roh-mans–verb (used with object) 1. to court or woo romantically; treat with ardor or chivalrousness.

As you all know by now, I love Valentine's Day. So I thought I would share with you some very easy and inexpensive ideas to "romance" the love of your life on the sweetest of days.

A Valentine bought or even made is a Valentine worth sending.

Purchase or make your Valentine's day card in advance and mail it to Loveland, Colorado, for extra special treatment. Your card will be postmarked LOVEland, Colorado, and it will also be handstamped with a unique four-line poem.

The Loveland Chamber of Commerce organizes this yearly romance project with cards going to all fifty states and over 100 foreign countries annually.
It's simple. Just enclose your pre-addressed, prestamped Valentine's card in a larger envelope and mail to:

Postmaster, Attn: Valentine's, Loveland, CO 80537

Don't stop here! Even if you can't cook or just don't really have the time to, there are many edible ideas to make this Valentine's day sweet. (This is a Rated G Blog) LOL

Breakfast with Heart

Use a heart cookie cutter to cut out your bread for toast.

Even use a smaller heart cookie cutter to cut out little pats of butter in heart shapes. (The butter should be chilled but not hard to do this)

This time of year there are an abundance of heart shaped items available. You can find heart containers everywhere. Purchase one to put your jam or jelly into serve with toast.

Instead of regular juice glasses, use champagne flutes and tint your OJ with a bit of red food color. It won't be red but a pretty salmon color. (Don't use too much or it will taste funny)

Who doesn't love chocolate covered Strawberries? They are a favorite of mine! Use them for breakfast too.

Snack Time

My DH goes to work early in the morning and is always hungry way before lunch time. I love to fix him little snack packs to take with him when he leaves. Sometimes I just slip them into his bag and he is surprised when he opens it. He loves them .

For a special Valentine's day snack add all of these ingredients into a ziploc back and tie with a red ribbon.

Ingredients:

Mini Marshmallows

Milk Chocolate Morsels

( change it up if you like White Chocolate,Butterscotch etc...)

Walnuts or nut of choice

Cranberries

Red Hots or a favorite red candy that isn't sticky

Shake it up and tie with a ribbon. Write a love note and slip it into you love's bag for a sweet Valentine Snack.

You light up my life

Twinkle lights are not just for Christmas anymore! They can be used to form messages too.

Whether you use the message to propose or reaffirm your love, it will certainly make for a very beautiful and memorable evening.

Baby It's Cold Outside~Use it for Romance

In some places there is always snow in February. Take advantage of it. Take a squirt bottle add ice cold water and red food color or a pack of red kool-aid. Shake it up and get to work!

Spray out a message on your front or back lawn that says I love you or something sweet like that. Be creative!

These are just a few fun ideas to use. I hope you enjoy them.

They are great for guys and gals both.

Here's to Love and Romance

xoxo