Recipe (2 Versions): Weight Watchers Coconut Macaroons

What’s the best way to indulge in coconut? In my humble opinion, the macaroon is where it’s at.

But, typical recipes just have so many steps and ingredients. I swear, the last batch of “normal” macaroons I made a few years ago included tears of a small child (you know, for salt to cut the sweetness) and a dash of your hopes and dreams.

However, my Mom recently shared a dead-simple recipe for coconut macaroons that won’t require you to sacrifice your life goals. Enter: the Weight Watchers coconut macaroon.

The first version is only 3 ingredients!

• 1 Box Angel Food Cake Mix (Betty Crocker NOT recommended. The result was sour. We used Baker’s Corner brand from Aldi)
• 1 14 oz. bag shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup water

Directions: Mix together and drop by teaspoonful (do not add more water). Bake at 350 degree Farenheit for 10 minutes on parchment paper. Done.

2 pts. per macaroon, makes 48

But, while my family and I agreed upon the apparent delicious taste, we don’t settle for merely delicious desserts. It’s gotta be exquisite.

Version #2 Chocolate Dipped!

• 1 Box Angel Food Cake Mix (Again, Betty Crocker NOT recommended. The result was sour. We used Baker’s Corner brand from Aldi)
• 1 14 oz. bag shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup Silk Coconut Milk (to intensify the coconut flavor)
• Chocolate wafers, chocolate chips, or any chocolate you like

Same directions as above, but after baking and cooling, dip in melted chocolate. Now they look and taste scrumptious!

4 pts. per macaroon, makes 48

If you like coconut even a little, I think you’ll love both versions of these.

Friday Favorites!

Tazo Passion Tea

Source: http://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/tazo-tea/shaken-iced-passion-tea

Tazo Passion tea is a “magical blend of hibiscus, lemongrass, rose hips, mango & passion fruit flavors,” aka the most scrumptious tea I’ve ever come across.

I buy mine at Target (around $3 for a box of 20 tea bags or 6 pitcher-sized large tea bags).

Starbucks will try and rip you off for a “Tazo Shaken Iced Passion Tea,” charging $3 and up for one drink when you can buy a whole box of the exact same tea for the same price.

There’s a dynamite copycat recipe for the Starbucks tea from Pinterest! Trust me, you’ll love it.

Zumba!

Source: http://www.abbybelladance.com/184/zumba/

I’ve caught the Zumba fever! For the past few months I had been exercising with Zumba videos on YouTube, but luckily we’ve had a Zumba instructor coming into work once a week.

I love the fact that Zumba feels more like dancing than exercising, and the energizing music helps make an hour go by extremely quickly.

Old Navy! 40% Off Active Clothing: Bargain of the Week

Attention bargain hunters: until June 19, Old Navy is offering 40% off their Active by Old Navy clothing! The sale includes tank tops, compression pants and capris, shorts, sports bras and more.

Even better, you can earn $10 Super Cash for every $25 spent (with a limit of $30 Super Cash).

I couldn’t resist scooping up a few goodies:

Women’s Active Mesh Top in Carbon

Women’s Fold-Over Yoga Capris in Teal Squeal

Will you be purchasing anything? Let me know down below!

Mumford & Sons Favorites

Despite my obsession with country music, I do stray now and then to other artists, and Mumford & Sons is definitely one of them.

Their lyrics are pure poetry, and I listen to their music no matter my mood (though some songs definitely set the soundtrack for those rainy, introspective days). And, just like country, Mumford & Sons produce real music, always with a lot of heart and a great story.

Here are my top four favorite songs:

I Will Wait

Awake My Soul

Roll Away Your Stone

The Cave

How to Control Spending Part 2 (13 for 13 Update)

Among several goals for myself for 2013, the most important was to control spending and cut back on extraneous purchases.

My method to dramatically reduce spending? Limit myself to 13 beauty items/nail polishes for the entire year (Read about more of my tips to control spending). I also gave up any extra spending during Lent.

In the past five months, I have purchased a total of (drumroll please…) two items!

Basically, I’ve lost interest in buying beauty products, nail polish, etc. Beauty blogs and Ulta ads have lost their appeal, I’ve unsubscribed from many store emails, and I rarely peruse the Health & Beauty sections of stores anymore. Out of sight, out of mind.

By putting a limit on my spending (instead of stopping cold turkey) has forced me to stop and think about all purchases. I tend to ask myself questions like: Do I really need this? Why am I purchasing this? Is my mood affecting this purchase decision?

I couldn’t be happier with the success of this spending project so far, and I’m definitely confident that I will continue to limit my beauty spending for the remainder of 2013.

What are your tips for limiting your spending?

Friday Favorites

Lauren Alaina

It’s official-I’m a Lauren Alaina addict. Much like Taylor Swift’s songs, I relate to her songs’ lyrics. And she’s got a killer voice-the perfect amount of twang and attitude!

Also loving her new single “Barefoot and Buckwild”:

Wedding Shower!

My Mom, sisters and I attended a beautiful wedding shower this Saturday, and it was like a Pinterest wedding board come to life (in the best way possible). I’m talking Mason jars, cupcakes and a chalkboard sign. The real deal.