The shape of things

This post may seem out of place - but it isn't. I'm going to post a recipe for a very easy tiramisu that will be so much more better than any of those little candies you have lying around from Halloween. So you can choose between eating 1 snickers bar (270 calories) or a slice of tiramisu (about 215 calories).

If you decide on the tiramisu, I'd suggest taking that leftover candy and sending it either to work with your husband, or to school with your kid, or somewhere out of sight and reach. Of course, after one bite of this dessert, you'll have very little use for all that candy. :)

This recipe takes about 15-20 minutes of prep, and then it needs to chill for 2-8 hours. I made a half recipe because the mascarpone cheese at the grocery store was $6 for 8 ounces, and I wasn't about to spend $12 on a pound.

Tiramisu - Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis
Ingredients:
6 egg yolks
3 tablespoons sugar
1 pound mascarpone cheese
1 1/2 cups strong espresso, cooled
2 teaspoons dark rum
24 packaged ladyfingers
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, for garnish

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Add mascarpone cheese and beat until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of espresso and mix until thoroughly combined.

In a small shallow dish, add remaining espresso and rum. Dip each ladyfinger into espresso for only 5 seconds. Letting the ladyfingers soak too long will cause them to fall apart. Place the soaked ladyfinger on the bottom of a 13 by 9 inch baking dish, breaking them in half if necessary in order to fit the bottom.

Spread evenly 1/2 of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers. Arrange another layer of soaked ladyfingers and top with remaining mascarpone mixture.

Cover tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours. Before serving, sprinkle with chocolate shavings.

Here are my tips:
1. If you choose to do a half recipe like me, just use a smaller square baking dish
2. Instead of pulling a ton of shots of espresso, go to the store and buy a can of Starbucks Double Shot, it's 6.5 ounces per can, so if you're making the full recipe, buy 2.
3. I didn't have dark rum on hand, so I substituted amaretto
4. Use some of that chocloate candy lying around for the shavings, don't buy a bar of bittersweet chocolate.

Per my calculations, if you make a full recipe and cut into 18 pieces, it comes to about 215 calories per slice. Enjoy!

The day after I posted about all those individual diets from webmd, they featured some more diets and the benefits/research/critiques. If you're interersted click on a link below and you can read the article about these diets (which are a little more popular than the other ones).

The New Beverly Hills Diet; The Sonoma Diet; Dr. Andrew Weil Diet; South Beach Diet; Atkins Diet; Weight Watchers; Personality Type Diet; Slim Fast Plan; The 5-Factor Diet

WebMD also had a great article about "Diet Mistakes." They give 6 reasons why you might not be losing weight even though you are on a "diet." Great tips:

1. Mistake: Racing to the finish - eat more leisurely and taste every bite to avoid overeating
   
2. Mistake: Skipping meals - do not skip breakfast or any meal because you don't "save calories" because you end up eating more throughout the day
3. Mistake: Too many liquid calories - alcohol, smoothies, juice, soda, etc. One study found that Americans get 21% of their calories from LIQUID! Geez.
4. Mistake: Oversized Portions - Tricks to beat this: use smaller plates and bowls, leave a few bites on your plate, use measuring cups periodically to check your serving sizes
5. Mistake: Choosing Unhealthy Add-ons - Yeah you may order a salad but don't forget about that bacon, cheese, croutons and fat filled creamy dressing.
6. Mistake: Mindless Eating - we suffer from eating "amnesia" when we're bored or relaxing. Think about the calories of those "small bites" you are mindlessly taking.

Read more information about these common diet mistakes.

To be honest, it's very difficult to keep a blog up when you get no comments or feedback. You do all this research, writing, coming up with ideas, you post it, and then - nothing.

So that's my excuse for taking off a year from this blog. I stumbled on it recently and forgot how much fun it was to learn all these great tips, ideas, and research and then share them with - well probably nobody, but just share them to the wide open Web.

Basically what I'm trying to say is - I'm back. I really still think there is a void of good women's health and fitness information in blog format, and I believe I can somehow in a small way put a dent in the void.

My update: Since last year I've run two 5-ks, a 3-k and my first 10-k. I'm loving running. It's such a great workout and an even better way to release steam and feel like you're accomplishing things. Therefore, don't be surprised if a lot of my new posts are running-related. Not a runner? Well no fear, I'm a relative newbie also, and will try to use this space to give advice and encouragement to all you who wish to venture to the other side. The running side.

I got married in December and recently found that I have a passion (and a little bit of talent) for cooking and baking. I've been making some pretty elaborate meals for my husband, and he's loving it. I'm maintaining my weight even amid all the new food by practicing portion control. I make a recipe that says "two servings" and give my husband two thirds of the thing - sometimes more than that. I get this great-tasting meal, right sized portions, and no weight gain. Life couldn't be better. :)