Back to School, Back to Baking: Healthier Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

Although my youngest child just started her sophomore year of college, I am conditioned to start baking at the beginning of school. Back to school means bake sales and PTA fundraisers, cooler temperatures that allow for baking (hello 90 degrees tomorrow in New York City) and the Jewish holidays, when we host a few dinners and need to have a stock of baked goods on hand.

We also have trips to see our middle daughter's first apartment in Washington, DC and another to Minneapolis for Parents' Weekend.

Mixing in the peanuts

Since we are a peanut butter and chocolate loving family, I decided to bake a simple batch of brownies, but with a healthier twist. I took some butter out of my brownie recipe and replaced it with natural peanut butter (I love the 365 organic natural peanut butter from Whole Foods) and used organic whole wheat flour instead of white flour.

I also used raw cane sugar from The Real Co; it's organic and non-GMO verified. With cage-free organic eggs and a Misto olive oil sprayer for greasing the pan, I reduced most of the chemicals in the  brownies, though I couldn't find organic unsweetened chocolate and had to use Ghirardelli.

Healthier Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1/2 C natural (no sugar added) peanut butter
• 1 1/2 C organic raw cane sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 C whole wheat flour
• 1/2 C dry roasted peanuts

Put chocolate and butter in large bowl in microwave and heat for 30 seconds, stir, heat again for 30 seconds, stir, and heat again for 10-15 seconds if needed.  Stir in peanut butter and mix till smooth.

Add sugar and stir. If mixture is cooled enough not to cook eggs, stir them in with the vanilla, flour and nuts.

Mix well.

Spray a 13 x 9 pan with a thin coating of olive oil and smooth mixture into the pan.

Bake 30 minutes, at 350, until brownies are set. Cool on a rack.

Enjoy!

Mia Mariu Make Up Giveaway

When I first started wearing make up, I chose organic and natural products because they weren’t tested on animals.

As I grew older, and more sophisticated, I transitioned to mainstream cosmetics – but then I got pregnant and switched back to organic and natural make up again. I figured that if I was eating organic and natural food, what I put on my body was as important as what I put in it.

Then I had my first daughter, and I had to wear organic nail polish. I didn’t want my baby putting her mouth on chemical enamels.

I sort of fell off the organic make up bandwagon over the years, but then my youngest child, the one with the most sensitive skin, began developing rashes from drugstore cosmetics. Plus I read that lipstick contains small amounts of lead.

In other words, it was time for a make-up make over.

Mia Mariu hydrating lipsticks are made with vitamins A, C and E, minerals and anti-oxidants. As a bonus, they also taste better than chemical lipsticks.

And as another bonus, Mia Mariu is offering a Colors For Your Every Mood package to one reader. The package comes with three lipsticks, a uniquely you touch up kit, with mineral powder, mineral blush and three mineral eye shadows, and a make up brush. 

The touch up kit is great for travel, or even just a night out, and the mineral products provide long lasting color.

The retail value of the makeup package is $109.

To find out more about Mia Mariu:

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To enter the giveaway, leave your name and email in the comments.

Disclaimer: Mia Mariu provided me with a sample Colors For Your Every Mood to review. Opinions are my own.

Earth Day Eyelashes

In honor of Earth Day, I began my trial of a natural growth serum, Fysiko Eyelash Serum, for my aging eyelashes.

When men age, the effect on their hair is readily apparent; a receding hairline and/or bald spot. For women, the effect is more subtle. Hair may grow coarser, and a bit thinner, and formerly lush eyebrows become brittle and sparse.

I have been correcting this irritating problem with my eyelashes with ever-increasing globs of mascara, but this can give more a raccoon appearance. Fysiko Eyelash Serum is designed to enhance eyelashes and decrease your dependence on mascara.

The serum contains healthy ingredients like grape seed extract, ginseng root and chamomile, along with vitamin E, olive oil, thyme and soy protein. But it is not approved for pregnant women or nursing mothers, or girls under age 16.

I was able to wear my contact lens after applying the serum – I just waited about 10 minutes, until my eyelashes were dry. You can also apply the serum a second time at bedtime, after washing your face.

Although Fysiko Eyelash Growth Serum is expensive, the $139 tube lasts for 6-8 months. And think of the money you will save on mascara.

Check out more testimonials.