Easter Recipes + Delirium Discussion

Happy hump day! The weekend is on the horizon and I've been brainstomring what to make for Easter Sunday. We will begin the day with church with Shaun's parents and then back to their house for some breakfast. I'm thinking a little baked oatmeal will be in order...

In the afternoon, we will head to my aunt's house and I'm thinking of bringing some cupcakes! I have these adorable cupcake liners that just need to be used. I also used them in last year's malted chocolate cupakes. So cute. I think that a nice chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream is the ticket...

I also have a number of other Easter recipes that I'm contemplating, but those two are leading the pack. If you're on the hunt of some other Easter recipes, here are some more ideas:

Chocolate cookie peepza pie. So cute and fun and can be whipped up in a snap.

Jelly bean brown sugar cookies. Ah I love these. They are so cute and fun. The jelly beans look like little jewels and keeps the cookie nice and chewy!

Chocolate peanut butter eggs. I mean...what more can I say? They are super easy and cute.

Chick cake pops. I haven't tried making these, but someone who is better at dessert decorating than I am should.

White chocolate pretzel Easter bark...in case you missed it yesterday, this bark is sweet, salty and festive.

So there you go. Some fun recipes for you!

What are your plans for Easter or Passover?

On another note...let's talk about Delirium!

Did you read it? (And if you didn't...read no further!)

I really, really loved this book. I was immediately sucked into this world where love is a disease and members of society have 'the procedure' when they turn 18 in order to prevent them from feeling love.

Of course, our heroin, Lena, who is completely for the procedure, ends up meeting Alex...and falls in love just weeks before her scheduled procedure.

Ah Alex.

Sigh.

I started thinking about this concept of not feeling love...and what a scary concept that is! Can you imagine that? What is life worth living without love for parents, siblings, children, husbands, wives...even pets?! No world I want to live in, that is for certain.

For me, the ending happened as expected, but I didn't mind. I thought it was exciting and a fun, easy read. I love getting sucked into books like this!

So here are some questions to get the discussion going. Also, please note that this is JUST for Delirium...if you've already read Pandemonium (the second book), please do NOT post any spoilers for Pandemonium...mmm k?

How do you think this idea of 'no love' came about in this world?

Did you identify with Lena before her 'deliria'? Her desire to follow the government and do what she is told, since it 'must be in her best interest'?

Why do you think that cameras were suddenly installed at the house?

And as for the ending...what do you think Alex's fate might be?

I hope that some of you read this book and join in the discussion! I'll post my thoughts in the comments!

Secret Recipe Club: Chocolate Quesadillas + a Giveaway

I'm so excited today for a number of reasons.
First, we had such a lovely weekend. We celebrated both Shaun's mom and my mom's birthdays on Friday and Saturday. There was so much food, so much cake and just a really nice time. Yesterday, we did a little urban hiking through Jersey City and spotted the first signs of spring. I think I'm ready for the week!

Secondly, I'm thrilled today to host a sweet giveaway from SlimKicker!

They are generously offering a free slow cooker to one lucky winner.

SlimKicker turns your diet/fitness goals into a level-up game.  When you join, you get points as you count calories, track your fitness, and participate in challenges. To enter to win, see the end of this post!

And thirdly…today is Secret Recipe Club reveal day! I was very excited to receive The Freshman Cook as the blog from which to pick a recipe this month. I really enjoyed searching through Teri's blog for something to strike my fancy. Fortunately, many of her recipes looked fantastic and it was tough to pick just one :) When I came across her chocolate quesadillas, I knew it was meant to be.

This is the perfect recipe for me since it was easy to make into one serving, since someone whom I live with doesn't eat sweets. And that's why desserts for one rule the world!

This quesadilla came together in about 5 minutes and was ooey, gooey and delicious. So rich and sweet and I really enjoyed it. Oh and my version is about 8 Points+ per serving. Don't mind if I do. Especially since this little bit of yumminess is incredibly filling.

Chocolate Quesadilla for One
*Adapted from The Freshman Cook
Serves 1, 8 WW Points+
1 6" whole wheat tortilla
1 Tbsp peanut butter
2 Tbsp milk chocolate chips
20 mini marshmallows
cooking spray

Spread the peanut butter all over one side of the tortilla. Place the chocolate chips and marshmallows on one half of the tortilla and press them down into the peanut butter.

Fold the tortilla in half. Spray a skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat. Add the tortilla and brown on both sides.

Smoosh it down a little so that it gets all sticky and ooey gooey inside. Once the inside is melted, remove from pan, place on cutting board and cut in half. Enjoy immediately, preferably with a glass of milk.

Oh and the original recipe included bananas. I left them out because I've been feeling slightly banana'd out lately, but any additional fruit would also be delicious. Or some shredded coconut. Yum.

Yum. Thanks Teri for this awesome recipe!!

Now...to enter the giveaway!

To win the slow cooker from SlimKicker, please leave a comment telling me how you keep yourself motivated to stay fit and I'll choose a winner on Thursday. I stay motivated by thinking about myself in a bathing suit…that pretty much does it!

For extra entries:

1. Head over to SlimKicker, join a challenge on the site, and leave a comment telling me which one you joined

2. Like The Avid Appetite on Facebook and leave another comment telling me so

3. Follow @theavidappetite on Twitter and leave another comment telling me so

I'll announce the winner on Thursday! Good luck!

Questions of the Day:

How was your weekend?

What is your favorite dessert for one?

Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup + Zombie 5K

Well helloooo! How are you on this Monday? I'm not going to lie, Monday came much too fast for me :) I had a great weekend though! On Friday we went out for our good friend's birthday, Saturday I had a girls day and sleepover with my sisters and Sunday was Shaun's cousin's birthday party.

Whew! Can you tell why I'm exhausted?!

So I was reading an article on CNN about the Run For Your Lives 5K. Have you heard of this? It's a 5K in which people dressed up as zombies chase you while you are running, not to mention various spooky obstacles throughout the course. How's that for motivation?! I think this idea is so fun and kind of hilarious. It hasn't come to New York or New Jersey yet, but the next one coming up will be in Massachussetts.

You know I love zombies, so I'd be all about it.

Would you run the zombie chase 5K?

Meanwhile, it's supposed to be a chilly one in the northeast today and so I thought it was about time to share some soup. I realized that I never told you about this delicious cheesy chicken tortilla soup from a few weeks back.

I love this soup. It's a little high in points, but perfect for an indulgent dinner when you are still trying to keep close to your diet. It's so warm, so comforting and I'm really wish that I had a batch waiting for me today.

It's filled with cheese, chicken, bell peppers and onions and topped with a few crumbled tortilla chips and sour cream. Yum

Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Serves 6; about 1 1/2 C per serving

9 WW Points+ per serving

1 tsp olive oil
1 bell pepper, diced
1 onion, finely diced
2 Tbsp margarine
1/4 C all-purpose flour
1 C fat-free milk
3 C fat free, reduced sodium chicken broth
2 Tbsp half-and-half
1 1/2 cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
14 oz can diced tomatoes with chiles
2 1/2 C reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded
kosher salt
pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
tortilla chips, for topping
sour cream, for topping

In the bottom of a stock pot, heat the oil over medium heat and add the peppers and onions. Saute until soft.

Next, add the margarine and melt. Whisk in the flour until combined. Cook for about a minute, but don't let it burn.

Whisk in the chicken broth and milk and bring to a light boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Once simmering, lower the heat stir in the cheese and half and half. Stir until completely melted and combined.

Pour in the chicken and diced tomatoes and mix. Season with salt, pepper and chili powder. Adjust any spices as you'd like. If you like it spicy, add some cayenne pepper.

 

Serve in bowls and top with a dollop of sour cream and 2-3 crushed tortilla chips.

So what do you think?

Do you like hearty soups like this?

Would you ever run the zombie 5K

How did you spend your weekend?

psst...I'm going on about my new nail polish finds on The Peach & The Pit so hop on over to check it out!