6 MICROWAVE COOKIES

This fun little recipe is for those "I-need-some-chocolate-right-now-or-I'm-going-to die" moments in your life. 

Cookies from the microwave? Before today, I would have highly doubted their success, however, my sore tongue is proof that I was TOO IMPATIENT to let them cool off...they really "hit the spot".

This recipe only makes six small cookies, which is PERFECT better for my perpetual diet. Do NOT expect the same crispy cookie you would get out of the oven, but the taste is very much the same.

1 tablespoon butter (melted)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
pinch salt
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons chocolate chips (or ANY flavored chip)

Mix everything and form into 1" balls, then flatten a little and put them on an UN-greased microwave safe plate. They don't spread much when they cook, so just put them an inch or so apart.

Microwave on high for 45-55 seconds (my microwave took 50 seconds).

Now is the hard part......let them cool for a couple of minutes....then enjoy!!

NOTE: Do not be tempted to add any baking soda to this recipe.

ENJOY !!!

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Slimming World Friendly Recipes With Quark

You may have heard of Quark before, but what actually is it? In this post, I will answer this question, and give you plenty of different ideas on how to make the most out of it!

What is Quark? 

Quark has long been used by people following Slimming World. It is officially a cheese, but with a thicker more yogurt-like texture. 

I would describe Quark as a fat-free cream cheese alternative, which is very versatile. I often hear people say that they don't like Quark, but if used correctly you wouldn't even know that it's there!

I have used Quark in many recipes over the years, and have put them all together in this post to help give you some Quark inspo!

 Savoury Slimming Friendly Recipes with Quark

Creamy Pesto Pasta

This is a delicious and super simple pasta dish that you can throw together really quickly and easily.

Mushroom Pâté

Perfect as a veggie light lunch, this mushroom Pâté can be used in loads of different ways.

Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Another delicious pasta dish that is also vegetarian.

Chicken Kiev

A creamy twist on a traditional chicken kiev.

Creamy Mushrooms on Toast

A delicious breakfast dish that I absolutely love!

Creamy Chicken Casserole

A perfect casserole that the whole family will love!

Creamy Chicken & Smoky Bacon Pie

People absolutely love this pie recipe, and it also uses proper pasty!

Chicken, Bacon & Tomato Pasta

A tomato-based pasta bake with a creamy quark twist!

Sweet Slimming Friendly Recipes Using Quark

Quark isn't just great for savoury dishes!

Lemon Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

You will love how fresh and tasty this dish is!

White Chocolate Cheesecake Dip

The perfect sweet snack, or even dessert.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

A delicious iced coffee drink in the style of your favourite coffee shops!

Lotus Biscoff Truffles

One of the newest recipes in this list, my Biscoff truffles are hugely popular!

 

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How to Have an Exciting Friday Night at Home

The UK appears to be lurching back towards lockdown, with the new 'Rule of Six' guidelines from the under-fire government limiting the amount of contact we can have with others.

From now on, gatherings of over six people are banned, which might make it hard for you to see friends and family until the restrictions are lowered again if and when cases start to come down.

Your Friday night plans might therefore need to be amended in light of the new guidelines, so we have put together a few ideas to help you to have an exciting time at home instead of going out.

Host a virtual games night

You might be sick of virtual pub quizzes by now - six months in and out of lockdown will do that to the best of us - so why not switch it up and try out a virtual games night instead?

Gather your loved ones on a Zoom call and play some drinking games, complete with forfeits of course, in order to dial up the fun factor.

Charades is a traditional game you should be able to play via video chat easily enough, while a form of Pictionary should be possible too if you can get the right set up at home.

Some tech boffins have even set up a way to play virtual Cards Against Humanity, so you can embarrass members of your family - or just yourself - from your own sofa.

For something a bit more basic and undoubtedly a lot more wholesome, how about a game of virtual bingo for your Friday games night? You can come up with your own prizes as well.

Play slots at an online casino

You might not be able to go out to a casino right now - so why not let the casino come to you?

There are countless online casinos out there in the UK these days, all offering the chance to win a life-changing amount of money from the comfort of your own home.

Whatever type of slot game you want to play, you will have a lot of different options. Slots based on movies, TV shows or even rock bands like Motorhead are among those that are available.

You don't need to spend any money when you can just grab a code and enjoy free spins playing your favourite slot game - there are literally thousands to pick from.

Naturally, the amount of money you can win with free spins is likely to be less than if you stake your own cash on spinning the reels, but playing for free is a great way to get started.

Stream the latest blockbuster films or TV shows

We are truly spoiled for choice these days with the sheer amount of great telly and movies that are available to stream from home - and you will not miss the loud popcorn chompers that inevitably end up ruining a Friday night trip to the cinema either.

While the release of Christopher Nolan's latest film Tenet might tempt some back to the pictures, logging into Netflix, Prime Video or Disney+ is much more likely for most of us right now.

New releases to binge on Netflix include Katherine Ryan's sitcom The Duchess, while Disney+ just recently added the new Mulan to its library, which could be an ideal Friday night watch for all the family, though you will have to pay an additional fee on top of your subscription.

New movies are also available to stream through the BFI Player and Curzon Home Video, so there is plenty of choice. Just try not to waste the evening scrolling through all the options!

Have a virtual cocktail party

Cocktails and Friday nights are a winning combination, but just because you might not want to head to a bar does not mean you have to miss out on sampling your favourite drinks.

A lot of companies are now creating cocktails that can be mixed easily at home, so even if you lack the skills of a top-notch bartender you can sling together an espresso martini easily.

Everything you need can be delivered to your home, so organise your mates to get the same cocktails in and you will soon forget you are not able to prop up your regular bar right now.

While a Friday night at home might not be as exciting as hitting the town, lockdown does not mean you have to give up getting the weekend started in style.

*This is a contributed post*

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4 Clever Ways to Promote Your Blog Posts on Instagram

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Online blogs and articles have been around for some time now. They’ve entertained folks all around the world way before Instagram hit the social media scene.

Due to creative topics and clever ways of self-expression, blogs are still around. Alive and very much so breathing. Instagram is no competition - just another smart way of promoting them. 

And if done correctly, you just might get yourself some loyal readers and fans.

Since Instagram is so diverse in audiences, you’ll have no issue finding your crowd. You just have to know where to look.

So, here are the 4 Golden blog promo tricks:

Tease your Blog on Stories

Use the Swipe up feature (if possible)

Host a Live and discuss the Blog topic

Cross-promote with your favorite creators

Let’s start from the beginning here.

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How To Tease a Blog via Instagram Stories

This little trick was created by big marketing companies and popularized by none other than the film and music industry. Every modern musician will tease lyrics, music videos, and album snippets on social media months before the actual album is released.

We’re no Ariana Grande - but we can sure use her tips and tricks to improve views. 

Depending on the topic of the blog, pick the most interesting and thought-provoking bits, and use them in an Instagram Story or two.

Example:

“And that’s exactly how they went from $1000 to $100k, using this one simple method”. New blog on Tuesday, 12 PM ET!

Notice how we didn’t say much, but just enough to make people wonder what we were referring to. You can post one more clue before the release and call it a day! It builds up hype and gives your blog value.

Give it a go!

Make ‘Em Swipe Up!

This handy little feature is a huge deal when releasing Blogs. Especially after you’ve been teasing one. Handing your followers the blog simply by making them swipe up to read it makes more people want to check it out.

It’s easier for them.

Since this monster feature is only for the 10k followers club, there are alternatives! Screenshot the blog title and feature image, maybe edit them a bit and post it on your Story. Add your website or wherever the blog is at and voila!

It’s not as handy as the Swipe Up feature, but it sure does help. 

But if you do want to be a part of the 10k-ers club and gain this dope feature - try giving service like Flock Social a try.

They offer 100% organic and targeted growth, completely based on your brand’s vision and ideas. It’s a genuinely good catch, click here for more info. You won’t be disappointed!

Instagram Live

After you’ve posted the blog and let your followers know it’s there - it’s time to go Live! Again, depending on the topic of the blog, you and your followers can start a discussion or even a little Q&A during the Live. 

It shows you genuinely believe in the words you’ve written and care about the message. People love that!

Cross-promotion With Your Creative Peers

This one is super useful, especially if you’re looking for new faces on your page and blog posts. Pick some creators and writers on Instagram that you like and shoot them an email. Make sure they are from your niche!

They usually have a business email in their Bio. 

Ask them to promote your blogs and in turn, you’ll promote theirs. It’s the biggest win-win that always works, no matter the industry.

And even if some decline, others won’t! You just have to keep trying.

Conclusion

Instagram will always be a great place to promote your work. The tricky part is forming an audience that will listen.

There are numerous ways of gaining that kind of loyalty and trust with audiences on social media. Especially if you want to form a community.

Best leave that to the Flock Social type of experts while you focus on the quality of your texts and the impact of your words!

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FRESH PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

I'm not sure WHY I've never thought of making a pineapple upside-down cake with FRESH pineapple before. Maybe it is because ALL of my cookbooks suggest canned pineapple? Maybe it is because canned pineapple is always in the pantry? Maybe it is because I'm not very adventurous? 

Well, this cake came about due to the rare combination of... "I want to bake something" + "what can I do with this very ripe pineapple?" + "the perfect window of time". 

The end result was this pineapple upside-down cake made with FRESH pineapple and it was delicious!! The difference is like night and day!!

FRESH PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

Preheat your oven to 350 and cut a parchment paper liner for the bottom of a 9" round cake pan. Spray the pan and parchment paper with a light coating of cooking spray. The parchment paper is not absolutely necessary, but it helps if you have a "sticking" issue with the sweet pineapple glaze (you can use waxed paper in a pinch).

5 tablespoons of melted butter
2/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
3 cups fresh pineapple cut into 1" cubes (see note)
maraschino cherries cut in half
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
2/3 cup white sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup pineapple juice (or milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon butter extract
1/2 cup pecans chopped medium-small

Mix melted butter with brown sugar and spread evenly in prepared 9" round cake pan. Set aside.

Cut pineapple into 1" chunks and blot them dry between several thicknesses of paper towel (press on them a little to extract excess juice).

For the batter, cream the butter and sugar until it is really fluffy. Under-beating the butter at this stage will give you a poor quality cake. After it is nice and fluffy, add the eggs (one at a time) and extracts and beat until its fluffy again.

Sift the flour, baking powder and cinnamon into a bowl and add it to the butter mixture in three parts, alternately with the pineapple juice (or milk) starting and ending with the flour. Set aside.

Assembly: Nestle the pineapple, pecans and cherry pieces down into the brown sugar mixture in the cake pan (arrange in pretty fashion because this will show). Pour the cake batter over the top and (very gently) spread it out.

Bake in 350 oven for 45 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick tests clean (my electric oven takes exactly 45 minutes). Remove from oven and sit pan on a cooling rack for 15 minutes. 

After 15 minutes, run a thin bladed knife around the edge of the cake and invert onto a serving plate and peel off the parchment paper. Serve cake warm or at room temperature.

NOTE: Traditionally, pineapple upside-down cake has pretty rings of pineapple with red cherries in the center of each ring. However, when the cake is baked like that, it is hard to eat. You either get a big unmanageable hunk of pineapple on your piece of cake or no pineapple at all (does that make sense?). Instead, I cut the pineapple into very small pieces (almost a dice) and arrange the cherries randomly over the cake. It is much easier to cut, serve and eat (even if it ISN'T traditional). If you use this diced pineapple style, it only takes two cups of diced fruit instead of three.

ENJOY !!!

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Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Zucchini Noodles

These garlic butter turkey meatballs are low in carbs, gluten free, and have loads of flavor! It's a one skillet meal that is perfect for a quick and easy dinner but it's also healthy!

The turkey meatballs are paired with spiralized zucchini noodles that is sauteed in light butter, lemon juice, hot sauce and a little bit of garlic powder. The butter and lemon makes these zucchini noodles zesty and refreshing while adding a little heat from the hot sauce. If you don't like a little spice, leave out the hot sauce.

Another side dish option I have been enjoying with these meatballs is grated cauliflower or riced cauliflower. Buy them already grated in the frozen section to save time. Stick them in the microwave and you have the perfect side for these delicious meatballs.

These yummy meatballs are also so versatile! I have also been enjoying them with a variety of G Hughes products such as their sugar free bbq sauces, orange ginger marinade and teriyaki marinade. Since the meatballs count as a little less than 2 Condiments, use 1 tbsp of these sauces as 1 Condiment per serving. Enjoy these tasty meatballs!

Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs

with Lemon Zucchini Noodles

Slightly adapted from Eatwell101

Ingredients:

For Meatballs:

20 oz raw ground 95 to 97% lean ground turkey (2 1/2 Leaner)

1/2 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese ~ 3 to 6 g fat per oz (1/2 Lean)

1/2 tsp garlic powder (1 Condiment)

1 tsp dried basil (1/2 Condiment)

1/2 tsp dried oregano (1/2 Condiment)

1 chicken bouillon cube, crumbled (1 Condiment)

1/4 tsp salt (1 Condiment)

1/4 tsp black pepper (1/2 Condiment)

1 cup chopped cilantro (1 Condiment) *

1 1/2 tbsp light butter (1 1/2 Healthy Fats)

For Zucchini Noodles:

4 1/2 cups zucchini noodles ~ 810 g cooked weight (9 greens)

1/4 tsp garlic powder (1/2 Condiment)

1 tbsp light butter (1 Healthy fat)

1 tbsp lemon juice (1 1/2 Condiment)

1 tbsp Frank’s hot sauce (1/2 Condiment)

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, basil, oregano, crumbled bouillon cube, salt, black pepper and cilantro (save a little cilantro for garnishing). Mix well and form 18 meatballs. I divide the meat mixture into 3 equal portions by weighing it out. Then make 6 meatballs out of each portion.

Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the meatballs for 8 – 10 minutes on all sides, until browned and cooked through. While cooking, baste the meatballs with the mix of butter and juices. Remove meatballs to a plate and set aside.

In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add lemon juice, hot sauce, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder. Stir in zucchini noodles and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until zucchini is done but still crisp.

Move zucchini aside and add the meatballs back to the skillet and reheat for a minute or two. Garnish with cilantro. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Makes 3 Servings 

Each serving provides:

1 Leaner, 3 Greens, 3 Condiments and 1 Healthy Fat

6 meatballs with 1 1/2 cups (270 g) zucchini noodles

Want only the meatballs as your Lean? You can choose a different Green but make sure to add 1 Healthy Fat if you are not using the zucchini recipe. For example: add 1 tsp of light butter (1/3 Healthy Fat) to 1 1/2 cups grated cauliflower for 1 serving or 1 tbsp light butter (1 Healthy Fat) to 4 1/2 cups grated cauliflower for 3 servings.

* You can substitute cilantro with fresh parsley, but keep in mind 1/4 cup of parsley is 1 Condiment.

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Hunters Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe | Slimming Friendly

This is a delicious, lower-calorie, slimming friendly Hunters Chicken Pasta Bake that the whole family will love. A perfect Slimming World Friendly Chicken Recipe.

If you love hunters chicken, you're going to love this Hunters Chicken Pasta Bake!

I've said it before and I'll say it again. BBQ sauce, cheese, and pasta are an amazing combination! Proper comfort food vibes. There are so many delicious dishes you can create from this winning combo.

I have seen a Hunters Chicken Lasagne, but I think this is one of the best twists you can find.

Scroll down for the full recipe and instructions

  Hunters Chicken is a dish that I have always loved, and ever since I discovered how to create my BBQ sauce recipe that is sugar-free and slimming friendly, I love to create new dishes to use it in.

One of the most popular recipes on my website is the BBQ Bacon Pasta Bake, so for this new delicious recipe, I took inspiration from two favourites to create a Hunters Chicken Pasta Bake. 

You can literally throw this dish together in around 30 minutes, then just need to wait for it to cook in the oven.

Readers photos of this recipe. Tag me in your creations for a chance to be featured 

Like the look of this recipe? Check out my other Slimming Friendly Pasta Recipes! Delicious lower-calorie pasta dishes that the whole family will enjoy.

Fancy some more recipes?

Like the look of this recipe? I have loads more for you to look through as well! Click the links below for more:

Slimming World Friendly Dinner Recipes

 Slimming World Friendly Breakfast 

Slimming World Friendly Lunch Recipes 

 Slimming Friendly Fakeaways

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Related Recipes 

BBQ Bacon Pasta Bake 

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Slimming Friendly Hunters Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Extra Easy Syn Value: Syn Free

Healthy Extras: HEa

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5 Dishes you Definitely Shouldn't Eat on a First Date

A First Date is Always Exciting and Enjoyable

Everyone is aware of the fact that first dates are always pleasant and truly exciting, bringing positive emotions. However, there are some things that can totally ruin your first date such as eating the wrong food. Some dishes can cause you a stomach disorder and embarrass you in front of your partner. That is why you need to be familiar with these meals, and avoid consuming them on or before your first date with someone special. Today, one of the most popular ways to quickly meet and flirt are dating sites. When studying fast flirting usa coaches came to the conclusion that the following products are not suitable for dating. Let’s start with the most inappropriate foodstuffs for a first date.

Unsuitable Products for a First Date 

Unfortunately, some products might cause the failure of your date, so you need to be careful with them. Not only will you feel so bad physically, but the reaction of your body will lower your self-esteem and make you feel ashamed. Therefore, you might pay attention to what you are eating even if you are having such a good time while doing it with your partner. These are among the most unsuitable products for your first date:

Tacos and Burritos 

Undoubtedly, tacos and burritos are a favorite food of many people around the world. But they can also lead to very unpleasant consequences. As we all know, they are so spicy that they can basically burn your mouth. It will surely not remain unnoticed by your date, so you probably do not want to risk it. Besides, it is possible for you to start kissing on your first date. Imagine what bad breath you might have if you consume tacos and burritos right before your kiss. Your partner might feel so disgusted that they may end the date and never call you again. If you do not want to push away someone you really like, you’d better avoid eating tacos and burritos on your first date.

Corn 

In many countries, you may notice lots of people selling boiled corn on the street. It is so delicious, for sure, but do you think it is the best option for a first date? Definitely no! Corn is healthy and yummy but if you consume more of it, it can irritate your stomach and have negative effects on your overall well-being. Imagine what your partner will think if your romantic walk is ruined by something like that. And even if it does not cause you stomach disorder, it will certainly get stuck in your teeth. We all have seen movies where something like that happens and it is not pleasant at all. Just save yourself this embarrassment, and do not eat corn while you are out on a first date.

Allergic Seafood 

Another thing you should definitely avoid eating on a first date is seafood. It can cause you allergic reactions or food poisoning in a short time. Seafood must be fresh and always requires special processing. Unfortunately, that is not something every restaurant can achieve. We are not talking about embarrassment here, seafood might cause more serious poisoning and other conditions, so it is not worth ruining your day or evening because of that and make your partner worried about you.

Beans 

And here we come to the well-known and delicious beans. Perhaps, everyone knows they can also cause stomach disorder and lead to meteorism, which is an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Not only should you not eat beans on your first date, but you should not consume it a couple of hours before the date as well. You’d better eat something lighter like a salad.

Hamburger 

Hamburgers are among the favorite food of the majority of people. Young or old, everyone enjoys a hamburger from time to time. But it is also not a good idea to eat them on your first date with someone special for you. They are so heavy and if you overeat with them, they can totally kill your mood. Moreover, you might not have a good breath right after consuming them, so you can push away your date when you kiss.

Eating Food on the First Date Brings People Closer 

It is no secret eating food with someone is quite enjoyable, it can easily bring you closer to one another. That is why people love going to restaurants and other places where food is served on their first dates. However, no matter how tempted you are by the meals offered, you should remember the “forbidden” products, the ones that might have certain negative effects on your stomach and breath, and embarrass you in front of your date. Strive not to overeat because it might feel sick and make the wrong impression.

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