CHANGE OF LIFESTYLE... Eating healthy, join EatRightAmerica.com

Life is Just Plain Sweet!

It was last January that Terry and I changed our lives.  There is no bread in our house. There are no cookies in our house. We do keep saltine crackers for emergencies...but we changed our diet.

We cleaned out the cabinets and pantry.  We cleaned out the refrigerator.  He did keep ice cream in the freezer and I put in lots of frozen blueberries.   

It was an email from Whole Foods.  I was invited to join www.EatRightAmerica.com   I did it because I love joining things and filling out forms and there were definitely a lot of those.  They wanted to know everything off my last blood work and they wanted to know what I had been eating.  I decided honesty was the best policy and I took two hours and filled it all out.  The next few days I watched a small 3 to 4 min video here and there and I learned a bunch.

We eat till we are full, but we eat correctly.  The pyramid is different.  Raw veggies and salads are on the top and you can have as much as you want. Next would be nuts and whole grains and lastly was chicken, beef, pasta etc.  Milk was not a good thing... actually dairy...but we kept our 1/4 cup of plain yogurt each day.

I like taking the yogurt and adding my Fish oil (lemon flavored) to it and shaking in my vitamin D Drops.  We cut up a banana between us and a 1/4 cup of walnuts and wow... it is the best.

If you want to try this journey...first give up sweet things and white breads and white pasta.  Make that your goal for about two to three weeks.

One recipe we changed up a bit that we love:

 1 large avocado

1 can drained and rinsed black beans or pinto beans

1/2 cup of your favorite salsa

1/4 cup chopped fresh onion

Dash of Cilantro

You mash all this up together. I use my pastry masher... and enjoy. If you do not finish it all, place plastic on it over the surface and freeze it. You can defrost it the next day to finish it off.  We love to wrap it in lettuce leaves. You will be full!

For health and strength and daily Bread,  We give you thanks, O Lord.

Laurie Pace

 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 –

Just Plain Sweet Pantry Clean Out Day from the kitchen of Stacey Beth

Let it ice, let it freeze and then let it snow! We had a major ice storm come through and freezing temperatures for 4 days along with a lot of snow. We are in the south and this is just not something that we are fully ever prepared for. So I was limited on baking last week and also entertaining an almost two year old who could not go outside and burn energy made for an exhausting week. We were VERY blessed that we did not lose power (with the 15 minute exception on the rolling blackout) and only lost gas heat for about 8 hours.

A project that I decided to take on was to clean out our pantry, refrigerator & freezer. Here in North Texas, 1 in 3 children do not have enough to eat on a daily basis. It is very humbling to me. I could not imagine not being able to feed my child.

The picture below is one of the several tubs that will be dropped off at the food bank. Our local food bank takes frozen and refrigerated items too. Sometimes it is hard to decide what to donate. I think oh we will use it one day. Sadly that one day never comes so this time I decided to donated everything that I had that thought on. I would rather know that it actually feeds someone than sits in my pantry and expires.

When you think of your local food pantry you think of donating food. There is so much more that they need. They need personal items like deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, shampoos and soaps. Our local Food Pantry is also in desperate need of feminine products. Another thing is baby food, formula and diapers.

My husband looked at our cleaned out, organized pantry and said that it met his standards of organization (in high school he stocked shelves at a grocery store and constantly is rearranging things I put in the pantry).......wheew....I guess I did a good job!

My challenge to everyone is to go through your pantry and make a donation. No donation is to small. Also if you get a local paper get the coupons out of it and clip them. There are numerous websites (that are free) that will tell you where the best place and time to match up your coupon. A lot of items end up being FREE or very little cost. You might not use these items, but someone else will. If you would like a list of websites that I use to help me match up mine, please send me an email and I will send you the links that I use.


For health and strength and daily Bread, We give you thanks, O Lord.

Check in tomorrow for another tasty treat.

Stacey Beth

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 –

Just Plain Sweet Chocolate Chip Blondies from the kitchen of Stacey Beth

Happy Birthday to my WONDERFUL stepmother, Darlena. I am so blessed that you chose to marry my Father and to accept me as your daughter. In honor of your birthday I have made Chocolate Chip Blondies. They are super simple and are always a crowd pleaser!



Here is what you will need to make Blondies:

1 1/2 Sticks of Unsalted Butter

1 1/2 Cups Gold Medal All Purpose Flour

1 Teaspoon of Rumford Baking Powder

1/4 Teaspoon of Morton Sea Salt

1 Cup Imperial Light Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup Imperial Dark Brown Sugar

2 Large Egglands Best Eggs

1 1/2 Teaspoon McCormicks Vanilla Extract

1/2 Cup Nestle Semi Sweet Chocolate Chip Morsels



1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8X8 baking an with foil and spray with cooking spray.



2. Melt your butter in coffee cup (or a microwaveable safe dish) in the microwave and then combine with the sugars. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds.

3. Add the eggs and the vanilla to the sugar mixture and mix on low for 1 minute.

4. Add the flour, salt and baking soda and mix on low for 2 minutes or until well incorporated.

5. Fold in the Chocolate Chips with a spoon.

6. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish and place into the oven. Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes. Insert a knife or toothpick in the middle of the Blondies. If it comes out clean, then they are ready.

7. Once the Blondies are out of the oven, remove the foil from the pan and set them on the counter to cool. Remember to put them on an oven mit or something that is heat resistant so you will not damage your counter.

8. Once completely cool (about 45 minutes) cut into 9 squares and enjoy!

For health and strength and daily Bread, We give you thanks, O Lord.

Check in tomorrow for another tasty treat.

Stacey Beth

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 –

Just Plain Sweet Sweet Deals from the Kitchen of Stacey Beth

There is a joke in my family about how coupon savvy I attempt to be and how I am always seeking a good deal. I am not an expert in couponing, but I do try when I find the products that we use. I love when a stumbled across a good deal when I am not looking and I thought that I would share it with you.

My 2 year old and I were walking around our local Walgreens so I could do some coupon shopping when I noticed a cart in the back of the store that was full of baking goods, including the the Nestle Toll House Semi Sweet Morsels in the picture below. I use these in all of my recipes that require chocolate chips.

As I picked up the first bag I looked at the orange sticker that said reduced and .82 cents on it. My heart rate sped up and I got a little giddy as I looked at expiration date thinking that they were probably close to expiring. I was wrong.....these have a long way to go and I got them super cheap!

Lesson learned - always be on the look out. I personally bought all that they had and have stocked the shelves of my pantry.

For health and strength and daily Bread, We give you thanks, O Lord.

Check in tomorrow for another tasty treat.

Stacey Beth

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 –

Just Plain Sweet Happy Birthday Cupcakes from the Kitchen of Stacey Beth

Happy 30th Birthday to my little brother. Welcome to the 30's club! My life would not be the same without you.

My 2 year old was a big helper today (so please excuse the really bad photos as I was trying to balance her along with with camera and the ingredients).. I love this recipe for so many reasons. The biggest reason is that you can cut the entire thing in half (even the frosting recipe) and have half as many delicious cupcakes. This recipe as is yields 24 Cupcakes.

Here is what you will need for the cupcakes:
1 3/4 Cups Cake Flour (non rising)
1 1/4 Cups Gold Medal All Purpose Flour
2 Cups of Imperial Sugar
1 Tablespoon of Rumford Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Morton Sea Salt
2 sticks of unsalted butter (cut and cubed at room temperature)
4 Large Egglands Best Eggs
1 Cup of Horizon Whole Milk
1 Teaspoon of McCormick Vanilla Extract

Here is what you will need for the frosting:
2 Sticks of butter soften at room temperature
8 Cups of confectioners' sugar
1/2 Cup Horizon Whole milk
2 Teaspoons of McCormick Vanilla Extract


1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line your cupcake pans with cupcake liners.

2. Combine the flours, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. Combine well with a spoon.
3. Add in the cubed butter and the eggs. Mix on a low speed for about 1 1/2 minutes.

4. Slowly add the milk and vanilla as you continue to mix for another minute until fully incorporated.

5. Fill the cupcake pans until they are about 2/3 full and bake for about 20 minutes. Pull them out and let them completely cool before icing.

6. While the cupcakes are baking, Cream your butter, 4 cups of you sugar, your milk & vanilla. Slowly add the remainder of the sugar until the frosting is the consistency you want it to be.

I added blue food coloring to my icing in celebration of my brothers birthday.

7. A great icing tip that I learned is to take a ziplock bag and place it into a large cup with the edges folder over. Spoon your icing into the bag, seal it up and then cup off the tip to pipe out the icing.

8. Enjoy these yummy cupcakes and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

For health and strength and daily Bread, We give you thanks, O Lord.

Check in tomorrow for another tasty treat.

Stacey Beth

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 –

Just Plain Sweet Peanut Butter Kisses from the Kitchen of Stacey Beth

The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is one of the best. I love any type of dessert that has both. Normally for most baking I will use my hand held mixer, but when mixing with peanut butter I have found that my big standing mixer is easier and less messy to use.

Here are the ingredients that you will need:
24-30 Hersey Kisses (frozen)
1/2 Cup Crisco Shortening
3/4 Cup Jif Creamy Peanut Butter
1/3 Cup Imperial Sugar
1/3 Cup Imperial Light Brown Sugar
1 Egglands Best Egg
2 Tablespoons of Horizon Whole Milk
1 Teaspoon McCormick Vanilla
1 1/2 Cup Gold Medal Flour
1 Teaspoon of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda
1/4 Teaspoon of Morton Sea Salt
1 Cup Sugar in the Raw

This will yield between 24-30 cookies.


1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line your cookie sheets with Reynolds Parchment Paper.

2. Beat the shortening and peanut butter on low for 1 minute

3. Add the sugars, egg, milk and vanilla and beat for another 45 seconds.

4. Slowly add the flour, baking soda and salt and mix for another 1 minute.

5. Scoop out your mixture with your ice cream scoop into a 1 inch ball and then roll in your Sugar in the Raw.

6. Line up 8 balls on 1 cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

7. While the cookies are baking, remove the kisses from the freezer and unwrap them. Once you remove the cookies from the oven immediately press the kisses into the center. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes and then move to a cooling rack.

For health and strength and daily Bread, We give you thanks, O Lord.

Check in tomorrow for another tasty treat.

Stacey Beth

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 –

Just Plain Sweet Tiger Butter from the Kitchen of Stacey Beth

There are some days that I dream about peanut butter. I love easy recipes that incorporate it that are sweet and extra yummy! This recipe calls for just 3 ingredients.

Here is what you will need:
1 pound of Almond Bark
1/2 Cup of Jif Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup of Nestle Semi Sweet Morsels

1. Line a cookies sheet with foil so all of the edges are covered.

2. Cut the almond bark into squares (so it melts faster) and add the peanut butter. Place all of this in a bowl that can go into the microwave.

3. Measure out the chocolate chips into a microwavable bowl.

4. Melt the almond bark and peanut butter in the microwave for 4 minutes. Be careful when you take it out. It will be hot.

5. Melt the chocolate chip morsels in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Be careful when you take the bowl out. It will be hot.

6. As the chocolate chips are melting, spread the peanut butter almond bark mixture in the foil lined cookie sheet.

7. Take a spoon and spread the melted chocolate throughout the peanut butter almond bark mixture.

8. Allow the pan to completely cool and harden on the counter for 45 minutes. Lift the foil out of the cookie sheet and cut the tiger butter into squares.


9. Enjoy the Tiger Butter! I store in the freezer in a ziplock bag because I like it really cold. If you would like store in an air tight container for up to 3 days.

For health and strength and daily Bread, We give you thanks, O Lord.

Check in tomorrow for another tasty treat.

Stacey Beth

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 –