Tasty Tuesday: Nanaimo Bars

I know, I know - it is another treat and not a healthy meal or alternative, but I did a great deal of unhealthy baking over the holidays for friends and family (and of course Dave and I) and I haven't had the time lately to photograph any of the regular meals I have been making. At least it is something really yummy.

Ingredients:

6 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided

3/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. butter, softened, divided

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups HONEY MAID Graham Crumbs

1 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

2 Tbsp. BIRD'S Custard Powder

3 Tbsp. milk

2 cups icing sugar

Directions:

Melt 2 chocolate squares as directed on package; pour into medium bowl. Add 1/2 cup butter; stir until melted. Blend in egg and vanilla. Stir in graham crumbs, coconut and nuts. Press onto bottom of 9-inch square pan. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Mix custard powder and milk with whisk in separate medium bowl. Add 1/4 cup of the remaining butter; beat until well blended. Gradually add sugar, beating well after each addition. Spread onto crust. Refrigerate 15 min.

Microwave remaining chocolate and butter in microwaveable bowl on MEDIUM 2 to 3 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Spread over custard layer. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled before cutting into bars.

Tips: You may have noticed that in the above photos, the pan I used to make the nanaimo bars was lined with tinfoil. This made it far easier to cut the bars once they had chilled. Just pull out the tinfoil, peel it away from the sides of the bars, and cut away. I then placed them in a tupperware container and kept them in the fridge when not serving to guests.

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Mid-January Update

So it is nearing the middle of January and I have determined that I should update you on my progress.
Dots/Exercise
The dots program worked really well the first week but I have missed a few dots since Saturday and am now deciding if I need to make them up or if the slate is wiped clean at the beginning of each week. I know the pros and cons of each side and just need to make up my mind on the matter.
The exercise while doing the dots was quite easy. I worked out on the Wii most days, but did do some time on the elliptical machine. On weekends, I ensured my workouts were sweaty and required me to shower afterwards, while weekday workouts were much more lenient in the intensity department.
Weight
I have lost a little bit of weight, but need to determine a new starting base as I think I creeped above the previous one :( I believe I am now at -3 lbs from the new zero, which was higher than the old zero. I know that it is impossible for me to lose weight without calorie/fat decreases AND exercise - so I really need to work on getting both going simultaneously instead of these one at a time things I was doing last week.
Blog Feature
I forgot to post the most recent Tasty Tuesday and for that I apologize - I have a few recipes stored up on my computer and just need to get them posted here. I thought I had one scheduled for the latest feature but apparently I was wrong. It is almost time for the next one anyway, so I will make sure that one gets up for you guys.
Personal Challenges
My personal Florida Challenge turned out to be a total bust and I am only a few pounds lighter than I was when I started. Unfortunately, I was once again side-railed by an over abundance of work and a complete lack of self-motivation and will power. I need to determine a new goal to work towards, something that will help me reach my long term goal(s). As I can't think of much else before it, my birthday seems to be a good marker. As it is nearly two months away, I think 10lbs should me manageable for me. So there it is - 2010 Birthday Goal, -13lbs total.
Florida
Dave and I are going on vacation shortly and I need to set some guidelines for myself. Since we will be staying with his healthy-eating parents, I am not too concerned about my food intake while we are staying there. I am also certain that there will be long walks around their town and the many beaches therein - if not to get in culture and the beauty of the area, then to take photos of everything. It is Disney that I am worried about. Though the park is big and one would think there would be lots of walking involved, it is easy to sit on trolleys and stand in lines all day. And of course, it is ridiculously easy to eat your weight in treats everyday. I am not going to restrict the treats I want, but when it comes to meals - the healthier the yummier. Like I said, they are guidelines, not rules, as I am on vacation and need to relax and be happy as when I get back to work it is crazy workload time again.

I think that is pretty much everything I needed to update. We all know I am really good at making plans and goals and figuring out what I need to do to reach them - but like a lot of people in my situation, I am really bad at implementing them. I have moments and days that are truly wonderful, but most of the time I just don't do it and that is why I am still where I am. Now, if only admitting your faults meant that they would be fixed...

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Dots

No, not the candy - though I do love those things. This is my and Dave's new exercise method - dots. Basically we put up one of those large calendars in our kitchen and put dots on the days I plan on working out. One dot represents 15 minutes of exercise and can be crossed off once that exercise is done. For now, I have four dots on Saturdays and Sundays and one on every weekday. As the dots can be crossed off at any time (meaning, if I do five dots on Sunday, I can cross off the normal four for that day plus an additional one from Monday), I don't mind them being present every day.
So far the system has worked quite well. I enjoy crossing off the dots where they can be seen by everyone (accountability) and have felt really good about myself afterwards. Last night I was able to complete two dots with a fair bit of ease so I think we will be increasing the weekday dots to 2 pretty shortly - but we will see how this first test week goes before making that decision.
I am also considering having different coloured (or sized) dots for more intense workouts (on weekends perhaps) but again, that will come after I get used to this system - don't want to make it too hard from the get go.
The calendar was Dave's idea as he was having problems understanding when I wanted to take time off and when I wanted him to help me get stuff done. This way, I can mark on the calendar when I plan on taking days off (for my sanity) and Dave will know what is going on. He is very supportive and wants to help me, but can't do that if I don't tell him how. Dave is also working out with the dot system, though he doesn't have predetermined dots on the calendar yet. For right now, he is completing dots when I do.

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