Deliciousness in bar form

OMG.


These are the only words to describe the bars that I made on Sunday afternoon.

I had spotted this recipe over on How Sweet It is months ago and had been meaning to make them.  I finally got around to it and boy am I glad that I did.  They literally have everything you could want in a bar, brownies, chocolate, peanut butter, peanuts, and of course reese's peanut butter cups.  I modified the original recipe because that's just what I do.  I try not to eat high fructose corn syrup, which is unfortunately found in Rice Krispies, so I used puffed millet instead.  This probably changes the texture a little but it was still GREAT.  I could have also used brown rice krispies, but I was not about to spend $4 on a box of cereal.  I also used dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate, because seriously it's WAY better!

I urge you to make these the first chance you get.  You will be happy, your waistline may not.  But hey spring is right around the corner so you'll get outside for that run soon enough ;)

Better-than-crack-Brownies
adapted from HowSweetItIts

1 recipe brownies (I used No Pudge Fudge...it's fat free!)
1/2 cup peanuts
1 cup Reese's Miniature Peanut Butter Cups, chopped (I choose to use dark chocolate ones)
1 Tbsp butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup Puffed Millet

Prepare brownies as directed on box in a 9x13 inch pan.  Once baked sprinkle with peanuts and peanut butter cups, return to over for approximately 4-6 minutes to melt the pb cups slightly.  While that is in the oven melt the butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips in a saucepan.  Once melted stir in the puffed millet.  Don't forget the pan of brownies in the OVEN!!!  Pour the puffed millet mixture over the brownies, being careful not to move the peanuts and pb cups around too much.  Spread evenly in pan.  Refrigerate for 2 hours, or if you're impatient like myself freeze until solid and then EAT!

Just for fun here's a pic of my barley oats that were my breakfast this morning:

For those of you who have not had barley you MUST!  It becomes really creamy, and I only cooked it in water!  Check this site out for recipes and also to learn all of the health benefits from it:
http://www.barleyfoods.org/

SPRING

Reasons you know it's spring in MN

1.  You wake up in the morning to hear birds chirping.

2. You slip, fall and bruise your rear at night, because all of the melted snow has now turned to ice on the sidewalks.

3. People are walking around in shorts at 40 degrees.

4. The path around Lake Calhoun is so packed with people it is simply un-walkable.

5. You have to give your dog a bath after every walk.

6. People start ordering "iced" coffee drinks as soon as the thermometer reaches 30 degrees

I could go on and on, but those are my top favs!!!!

What are some of yours?

Bad Bad Bad

I've been bad bad bad, which equals busy busy busy.  School and life are getting the best of me lately...  since my last post it was my father, Sam's and good friends birthdays, school is going GREAT and I've been interviewing for some jobs/internships.  Pretty much this equals not posting :(  But I am going to change.  I just need to realize it's ok to not have LONG posts every time!

Since my last post I've made a birthday cake, cupcakes, cookies, chili and lots of other goodies.... however I forgot to snap photos of many of them.  Here is a little taste of what I've been up to though:

Went to Boston; BC vs. BU

Sam's Cake that looked beautiful before I forgot to put it in the fridge.  Whoops!

Out with Jacqui celebrating Sam's Bday

Birthday boy and friends on his bday

Hope that gives you all a little taste of what I've been up to :)  

Yesterday I decided that I had been so busy and needed to do something nice for myself.  Since I love food and had a groupon that was about to expire I decided to treat myself to some Tiger Sushi for lunch.

So YUMMY!

This weekend is going to be spent with lots of quality time with Sammy.  He's having a hard week, ie 4 exams, and we have yet to celebrate love day!  Going out, making dinner and making care packages are on the agenda.  Well and of course some homework is going to be thrown in there as well :)  I will take photos!!  Much love to all!