Taking the Reins

I made these tonight from a recipe in Her Sports Magazine….but after reading the fine print, it looks like the original author is the American Institute for Cancer Research’s “Marlene Koch’s 375 Sensational Splenda Recipes.”

 Now, I was skeptical about the black beans, and because of that, I used regular butter, regular eggs, and regular sugar.  But now that I’ve tried the recipe and think it’s fabulous, I wouldn’t hesitate to try spray butter, Egg Beaters, or Splenda.

Ingredients:

3/4  cup black beans, drained

3 tbsp butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup Splenda or sugar

6 tbsp Dutch-process cocoa powder

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional

Prehead oven to 325 F.  Spray 8 x 8 pan with nonstick spray.  In a small bowl, combine cocoa powder, flour, and baking powder, then set aside.  Place beans and melted butter in a food processor and puree until beans are completely smooth, like a thick paste.  Scrape bean mixture into a medium-size bowl.  With a wooden spoon, beat in eggs, vanilla, and sugar, until mixed well.  Add cocoa mixture and stir.  Mix in nuts.  Spoon batter into prepared pan.  Baked for 13 - 15 minutes or until center springs back when touched.  Do not over bake.  Cool in pan on wire rack.  Makes 12 servings.

Nutrition per serving:

100 calories (132 if using sugar), 4 grams total fat (2 saturated), 14 grams carbohydrates (22 with sugar), 2 grams fiber, 3 grams protein, 95 mg sodium.

A+ to this recipe!  Hubby didn’t like it because it wasn’t Ghiradelli, but I’m in love.  Who knew black beans and chocolate could taste so good?!

Oh, if only it were as good as the past 2 years.

 Not only did I have to travel home for Thanksgiving, but I also had to organize my hubby’s 30th birthday party the night before the big feast.  To say that I overindulged would be an understatement.  Ugh!  But I’m not looking back.  I figure the fever and nausea I had yesterday were enough punishment for my week of bad eating and less-than-stellar exercise.  (I ran about 3.5 miles on Monday, but the altitude got to me and I couldn’t go much farther!)  I didn’t get to run in the Turkey Trot this morning, either— yesterday really took it out of me and I didn’t think I’d be in any shape to try 6.2 miles for the first time ever.

So today, my first day feeling healthy, I’m back on track.  And I’m cooking!!  I decided to make the black bean chocolate brownies that I read about in Her Sports magazine a few months back.  I had bought all the ingredients, but I haven’t been bored enough on a weekend to want to cook since before triathlon season.  Funny how that goes.  Now I know why women cook a lot on Sundays….need something to do while we mourn the loss of our hubbies to football! 

So, this week I have plans to hit the run club.  It’s really only for gym members, but they meet outside and my coach is the sweep, so she thinks it’s fine for me to show up and run with them. I guess until they get wise, I’ll take advantage of the group running benefits and try to stay healthy!  Also need to get my rear in the pool…..I miss it!

At any rate, that’s my update.  Ate a lot for Thanksgiving.  Felt like garbage.  Back on program.  And tomorrow is another day.