PB&J Thumbprint Cookies!

It's a lovely Saturday! I've tried to do a number of things off my To-Do list.

I really wanted to use the raspberry jelly that a co-worker made. Thumbprint cookies came to mind and then I remembered my cookie book.  I had this thumbprint cookie tagged...probably because of the peanut butter!   Plus, my mama likes peanut butter.

This is the original recipe.  I substituted 1/2 cup of butter. 

I used the measuring cups and measuring spoons that my mom bought at RISD. 

The brown sugar looks awesome. 

I mixed the 1.25 cups firmly packed brown sugar, .75 cups peanut butter, .5 cups butter, 3 tablespoons milk and 1 tablespoon vanilla in a large bowl.  I left the butter out so it was room temperature.  I decided to mix it with a fork since I didn't want to take out the mixer. 

Mix in 1 egg.

In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients: 1.75 cups flour, .75 teaspoons baking soda, .75 teaspoonssalt.

Mix all together.  Put the mixture into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. In the mean time, set the oven to 375F.  Put sugar into a bowl (used for rolling the dough in).  I used large sugar crystals usually used for decorating.  They look terrific.

Roll the dough into balls and then roll the balls into sugar. 

Place into the oven for 6-8 minutes. Take out and push teaspoon sized imprints into the cookie.  Place the cookies back into the oven for another 3-4 minutes.  Take the cookies out and let cool.  You might need to press the cookies again.  

Let the cookies cool completely.  Place jelly into the imprint.  ENJOY! 

I recommend...SAFARI PARK!

Do you love animals?

I DO!

Do you want to get up and personal with a black rhino???

I DO!

I highly recommend the After Dark tour at Safari Park in Escondido, Ca.

Daninmal and I had the best time feeding the animals.  The giraffes sure liked to lick Dan on the lips! The animals were all very friendly and I loved my time.  Our tour guide was amazing!  I recommend the After Dark tour, but beware, it is a bit sexual.  She said her Valentine's day tour is even more racey!  I can't wait to go back.  She'd tell us about how giraffes know when its female is ready to make babies and how successful the park is at making those babies!  

Just know that if you buy a tour, it also works towards the admission into the park.  You can hang out there all day and then go on the tour.  Unfortunately, we didn't know this and just showed up for the tour.  We missed out on a mother gorilla giving birth to her baby and then hold it and its placenta around for the day!  Thrilling, right?!

This is just one of the many adventures this summer!  Here are some more pictures!

Giraffe Close Up! There were baby giraffes and mama giraffes!

This is the male black rhino! Isn't he cute!?

Work It Out!

Who hates thinking of what to do at the gym? Who wants to get his/her blood moving at the office?  I'll start offering some workouts that will really get you moving- either at the gym or at work.  The workouts for each environment might alternate depending and will be posted a couple days week.  Hope you enjoy!

Warm up:

run for 5 minutes (if outside, find obstacles and run over, on or under)
5 x 30 seconds sprints with 30 seconds of rest in between
20 jumping lunges
20 push ups
30 arm circles forward
30 arm circle backward
30 second side plank (right)
30 second side plank (left)

Workout:

Instructions: Do as fast as possible
15 burpees with a broad jump (jumping forward)
50 body weight squats
100 jumping jacks
rest for 20 seconds
30 burpees with a broad jump
50 squat with a kick back (squat back and as you rise kick back one left - alternate legs)
200 jumping jacks
rest for 20 seconds
1 minute plank hold
100 mountain climbers (hold push up position and run in place)
1 minute wall sit
rest 20 seconds
1 minute plank hold
100 mountain climbers
1 minute wall sit

Rest

Work on a push up: go as slow as possible down and as slow as possible up
Challenge 1: one arm push up
Challenge 2: one leg push up

Stretch it out!

Enjoy!!