Double chocolate chip brownies

Double chocolate chip toasted coconut pecan brownies.

Semi homemade brownies at there finest!

(It's a very grey day here so the lighting is not the best)

I used a box of double chocolate chip brownie mix.

Topped with a delicious frosting! I toasted some un sweetened coconut under the broiler for 2 min., tossed and toasted for another 2 min. Then I toasted some crushed up pecans and mixed both in with some vanilla frosting and spread it on top of the brownies, yum.

The frosting is amazing! Semi homemade is the way to go sometimes. You get all the ease and convenience from the box, but then you can switch up the recipe to make it your own unique creation.

These will be sent off to a friend to enjoy, and boy are they delicious!

Baked nachos

There's nothing as yummy and comforting as nachos. These nachos are healthy and delicious and super easy to throw together on a Friday night enjoyed with a movie, or served at a party for your friends to enjoy.

Start with a base of refried beans of choice, I used vegetarian refried black beans. Topped with a layer of lime flavored Food should taste good chips, more refried beans, black beans, salsa, grated carrot, Greek yogurt mixed with taco seasoning, more chips, reduced fat cheddar cheese, and diced tomato.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min.

Serve topped with a little more salsa, some more Greek yogurt, and a squeeze of lime.

I promise that these baked nachos will go quickly if served at a party and will be a crowd pleaser for sure!

Female Athlete Triad: Sport Gone Bad

By Claudia L. Reardon, M.D.

Psychiatrists encourage nearly everyone to participate in sports and exercise. Sports not only improve physical health but also can greatly improve mental well-being. However, if girls and women take involvement in sports too far, they can suffer a well-described triad of symptoms. The so-called female athlete triad consists of the following three inter-linked health problems:

1. Insufficient caloric intake/disordered eating


2. Menstrual problems


3. Weak bones

Girls and women who participate in “leanness sports” that emphasize thinness (running, ballet, gymnastics, figure skating, and others) are particularly at risk. If they receive the message that being thinner could result in greater athletic success, they may try to cut down on their caloric intake to levels too low to support their levels of physical activity. This can result in full-blown eating disorders, irregular menstrual cycles, and weak bones (including osteoporosis at young ages).

Some common myths about the female athlete triad include the following:

• If an athlete’s performance has not started suffering, then she must not have a problem. FACT:  Even if an athlete’s performance has not started suffering, it eventually will.  Not taking in enough calories to match activity level is not sustainable in the long-run.


• It is normal for female athletes to stop menstruating. FACT:  It is never normal for a female athlete to stop menstruating. There are serious health risks, especially bone loss, to not menstruating. Studies show that after three years of not menstruating, bone loss is likely to be permanent. Loss of future reproductive function could also occur.


• If an athlete is not eating enough to match activity level, she is aware of what she's doing. FACT: Denial is powerful. Athletes will very often feel that they are being as healthy as possible, and that meticulous attention to diet is a sign of dedication to sport. Coaches, parents, and professionals will need to help the athlete see the problems with the behaviors.


• An athlete who eats “healthy," is a top performer on the team, and excels in class is unlikely to have an eating disorder. FACT: Traits that are desirable in an athlete can make them more at risk of developing an eating disorder. Mental toughness, pursuit of excellence, performance despite pain, commitment to training, and being a team player are very similar to excessive exercise, perfectionism, denial of discomfort, and being self-less.

What can you do if someone you know might be suffering from the female athlete triad?

1. Share your concerns with the athlete.


2. Talk with the coach, athletic trainer, or school counselor.


3. Encourage the athlete to see a physician and dietitian. Not all health care professionals are familiar with the details of the female athlete triad; to help them out, you can send along this brochure with the athlete to the appointment.

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Should your Doctor be your Friend?

By Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D.

Last Friday, October 14th, I was asked to be a guest on the Dr. Drew show to address the important issue of the doctor-patient relationship. Our discussion centered on the friendship between Dr. Conrad Murray and Michael Jackson and the inappropriate crossing of boundaries.

First and foremost, the doctor-patient relationship is special, centered on trust, caring, and helping. But it is not a friendship – friendships are two way streets. The therapeutic alliance in the doctor-patient relationship is a one-way street – the doctor’s role is to help the patient. 

Another issue we discussed was “doctor shopping." When a person who has a diagnosis of chemical dependency gets prescriptions from various doctors in order to misuse medications, typically pain meds or anti-anxiety meds (benzodiazepines), it's called "doctor shopping." When a physician is aware of this behavior or even suspects "doctor shopping," it's the doctor's duty to take action and stop filling prescriptions rather than enable such destructive behavior.

If you have a friend or family member misusing medication in this way, don’t sit by quietly. Taking appropriate action could save a life. Encourage your loved one to seek appropriate treatment. On the Healthy Minds Public Television series, we have two episodes which focus on chemical dependency, episodes #111 and #112 which can be seen at www.wliw.org/healthyminds. 

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Devil dog cake

Pumpkins have always been my favorite. From decorative pumpkins, to actual pumpkins, and pumpkin flavored foods.

This little pumpkin was the inspiration behind the "best ever chocolate cake".

I just learned recently about a snack cake called a devil dog. What is a devil dog you ask? Well it's a chocolate snack cake with a whip cream frosting inside. And of course it's shaped like a hot dog.

When I ran across a recipe for a devil dog cake on the pioneer woman's website I knew it was a sign I must make this. For the man who's favorite #1 treat is a devil dog.

You can find the devil dog recipe here including the frosting.

I decided that a hot dog shaped cake WAS NOT an option. I needed something much cuter then that. So after baking the sheet cake I cut it in half. Frosted one half, topped it with the other half, and then free hand cut out a shape of a pumpkin. Once it was cut out I ditched the scrapes for snacking later and wallah. I had a pumpkin shaped devil dog cake. Please don't judge my pumpkin shape. I swear it's better in person, and I guess it has some character, right?

I got so excited about the end product and getting it ready for shipping that I forgot a final picture. I shipped this cake that I was so proud of across the country to New York city. For it to be enjoyed by someone special! And enjoyed it was!

Fall soup

I love cool crisp fall days with a hint of drizzly rain, its perfect for soup.

And when it's made in the crockpot it makes everything that much better.

Broccoli potato soup

3 cups organic non fat milk

2 cups chicken or vegetable stock

1 package Applegate farms turkey hot dogs (sliced into pieces)

1 package shredded hash brown potatoes

1 package frozen broccoli

1 small diced baby onion

1 diced red bell pepper

seasonings: 1 tsp. each of basil, oregano, garlic powder, chili flakes, sea salt, and pepper

Combine all ingredients in a crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours. Add one cup of reduced fat cheddar cheese to the crockpot and simmer for one more hour.

This soup get's even better the next day.