Shout Out to Bountiful Baskets!

I received my first Bountiful Basket this week. I could hardly wait to sort through it. I was like a kid at Christmas time.

All the produce was good quality, especially the tomato's (Brielle and I have been snacking). Here's what I LOVE about this organization:

... it only costs $3 to create an account, which is a one time fee.
... there are locations in cities all across the United States.
... it is a non-profit organization that exists to benefit a group of people who want "rock-bottom" prices for produce.
... they only ask that you volunteer your time occasionally to make this organization continue to work (I say that's worth it considering how much produce I received for the price I received it).
... each basket full of produce costs $15! To show you how absolutely amazing that is I dug out an old receipt from last week showing what we paid at the local grocery store for a week's worth of produce:

For one week we spent $20.40 on produce. Just by participating in Bountiful Baskets we have saved $5. Not only that, but the amount of produce received will last our family 2 weeks! So right there we're saving even more $$.

... also they have a blog that posts recipe's galore for the produce you receive. Awesome.
... if it isn't available in your city or a surrounding area, they tell you how you can make it happen: http://www5.bountifulbaskets.org/?page_id=69.
... they're also on Facebook.

Check out their website and see all that this organization has to offer: http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/. I promise it is well worth your time.

THANK YOU Sally & Tanya for this amazing idea and making it possible for families across the U.S. to eat healthy, on a budget!

"Healthy" No Bake Cookies

My favorite combination is Peanut Butter and Chocolate. Perhaps it's a trait passed down from my grandpa who eats PB with EVERYTHING (not kidding). My favorite candy bar is Reese's and my favorite cookie is the peanut butter, chocolate, oatmeal no bake goodness. However, the recipe that I own calls for 4 CUPS of sugar and loads of butter. Yummy and yucky all at once. So I decided to replace the sugar with honey and decrease the amount of butter. The first few attempts were a flop, but I FINALLY have a combination that... is... fantastic. Of course, I had to share it with you.

My "Healthy" No Bake Cookies
I'm going to call them "healthy" because it helps me justify 5 in one day. ;)

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes

Yields approximately 2 Dozen

Ingredients:

• 1 Stick Butter
• 1 Cup Peanut Butter
• 1/2 Cup Honey
• 1/2 Cup Cocoa
• 1 tsp. Vanilla
• 1 Cup Milk
• 4 Cups Oats

Instructions:

1. Melt Butter over Med-Low heat.
2. Add PB and Honey till melted - stir continuously.
   

   

   This Pampered Chef "push-up" measuring thingy is by far the best kitchen measuring tool ever invented. Especially for sticky goodies like honey and peanut butter, just push it out and scrape it off.

3. Add cocoa, vanilla, and milk - mix well.
4. Stir in oats till well coated.
   

   

   Look at all that edible goodness in the pot! Yummmm.

5. Scoop desired cookie size onto wax paper - place in fridge or freezer till solid. 
   

   

   Putting them in the freezer is a -wonderful- summer treat.

   
   

   

   Yum.

6. Eat.
7. Enjoy.