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Take THAT Cinnabon
2008-05-10 06:43:00
So the EVIL husband bought a 4 pack of Cinnabons today. A FOUR PACK?!?! I don't know WHAT he was thinking. He popped one in the microwave about an hour ago and the smell was enough to drive me mad. So I had 1 BITE of his and then proceeded to scoop out a serving of Breyer's Free Vanilla and sprinkle cinnamon on top. YUMMY!! It hit the spot, cured the craving and saved me about 35 points! Plus I don't feel like a beached whale right now!! LOL It's all about compromise and substitutions!

Early Week Wrap Up
2008-05-09 05:43:00
Last week of classes is OVER!! That's right, OVER! **Breathing a sigh of relief** Oh geesh, I have so much to tell you I don't know where to start. I think I'm going to have to do a list. It's just how my brain works... The new weight loss community, Blog to Lose is going GREAT! I am having so much fun reading and participating it's my new favorite past time. (Now that I'm not dealing with an influx of automated SPAM , thank you very much!). Food this week hasn't been so great for me. If you remember I had the pizza incident early this week and tonight I fell apart after dinner. HOWEVER... On the workout front I'm kicking A$$! Running, spinning, lifting and even attempting the steep inclined wall a few times (didn't make it yet, but I'm close). I'm sore as sore can be but I FEEL GREAT! I tackled a kitchen fear tonight and cooked a tuna steak at home! So glad I did! I'll be making it again! One of my GreenLiteBites videos is being played on Cooking Light f...
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Choice Ramen Noodles
2008-05-09 04:37:00
Oh boy! If you are anything link me you lived off Ramen Noodles in college. They were cheep, fast and the perfect midnight snack! The problem with them? Well let's see, deep fried noodles. Ummm yeah, enough said. So shortly after college I stopped buying them and honestly, I forgot about them until a couple of weeks ago. Someone mentioned in an email they saw a healthy version at the grocery store and wondered if I tried them. Sure enough, there they were! Right above the regular version in all the flavors I remember, chicken, shrimp and beef. I bought one of each! So how much healthier are they? well the bag (that's right, the whole bag) is 280 calories, 2 g of fat and 4 g of fiber! That's only 5 points for the whole bag! That's a HUGE serving, a real quick lunch and they taste e-x-a-c-t-l-y like I remember them! Check GreenLiteBites tomorrow as I'm planning to make them for my weekly video posts! Have you guys seen them already? Anyone else try them? I'm normally pret...
More About: Choice

What causing you to (over)eat?
2008-05-07 04:07:00
This weeks question is the direct result of my pizza incident yesterday. Although I've been considering this topic for awhile. I think there are a few different reasons why we eat. That sounds stupid, but really let's things about what situations cause us to put food in our mouth. We are actually hungry This is a given, of course. And I think we really know when our bodies need food. Stomach growling, low energy, emptness. Celebration Let's see, it's someone's birthday... we eat cake. Graduation? More cake. Anniversary? Go out to dinner. Holiday? Forgettabout. It seems that an easy way to celebrate any event involves food. Bored Yup, sometimes there is just thing else to do but eat. Peer Pressure I'm eating so you should be too! Sad/Depressed Food comforts a lot of us. Smells Ohhh we've all done it. The smell of bread from a bakery or my personal demon, Cinnabon! I could go on and on. It's seems we may turn to food for many reasons besides...

Feeling Totally Out of Control but Excited!
2008-05-06 06:34:00
Let's just say... Stress + Pizza + PMS + 12 Hours at Work = DISASTER Ummmm let's see.... I lost my cell phone today. I don't really care about the phone itself but all those numbers. AAACK! I don't even want to think about it. It's the last week of classes. Which should make me happy but it's a super busy time. I have an inbox full of messages I just can't get ahead on. 3 client projects that are starting to fall behind. A house that is in constant state of messiness. Oh and I'm a mom to a very active 3 year old (well, almost 3) who is showing all signs of potty train readiness and I have NO idea what I'm doing. Now, if all that wasn't enough I launched my new weight loss community this weekend! I am SUPER excited about it but it has been a wee bit stressful as well. It's been going well so far and I've been having a lot of fun welcoming and orientating everyone to the new system. If you are interested there are new forums, a blog feature for users and even a cha...
More About: Control , Out Of Control , Feeling

Breakfast Tip for Moms
2008-05-05 15:43:00
Well, you don't have to be a Mom but Moms would more then likely have toddler bowls hanging around! I don't know about you but when I weighed out a serving of my favorite breakfast cereals for the first time, I almost cried. It was an eye opening experience to actually see what a serving size was! I mean a ½ a cup of cereal is really not that much and it's gone in a just a few bites. Plus is looks ridiculous in big bowls and really, you don't feel like you ate anything afterwards. That's why I started using the toddler's bowls. You'd be surprised but an one of those little bowls just fits an adult serving of most cereals. So every morning (well the mornings we aren't eating eggs) I pull out two toddler bowls and the toddler and I sit down for breakfast. It's fun, he gets a kick that I'm using one of his bowls and I don't feel deprived seeing my controlled portion in an oversized soup bowl. In case you're wondering we are eating Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats ...
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Breyer's Free
2008-05-04 06:18:00
Ummmmm...... “Creamy” fat free ice cream. Yea right? You say. But seriously this stuff is good! A friend brought it to my attention a few days ago so I was on a hunt at the grocery store. Sure enough there it was, 1 POINT ice cream! Unfortunately my store only carried Vanilla so I wasn't able to try the Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Mint Fudge, Strawberry, or the Chocolate Cookies & Cream but I'm sure I'll have a chance sometime this summer! (note: Some flavors are 2 points) Now some ice cream connoisseurs may be skeptical but even consumer reports said... Comments about the texture were that the fat-free ice creams were smooth, slightly gummy, and had a texture like gelato, a pudding pop or fudgsicle. All testers thought these products were decent ice creams (not the best, but definitely not the worst). When told that they were fat free, the panel was very surprised and commented that these ice creams are a big improvement over the fat-free ice creams that we'v...
More About: Free

"That was a good run Mommy!"
2008-05-03 06:48:00
That's exactly what the toddler said to me when I walked in the door from a 30 minute run today. He looked so genuinely excited and interested in the run that I had a tear in my eye (I told you, a sap!). It was just so darn cute and I love the fact that I'm teaching him to be active and that exercise is fun. He watches me from the window and cheers me on and I love it! Other news today, let's see... I've been spending a lot of time getting my new home office set up. Now that may sound sooo official, but it's just a new desk in my extra bedroom. But a desk I desperately need. Every night I work on my laptop in the living room. I have tripods and cameras all over the kitchen and more power cords then I can count on the couch next to me. I think I finally need my own space to work on my sites and my other projects. Speaking of projects I'm working on a bunch of fun web site, which really, is my favorite thing to do. My semester is wrapping up soon and I'm counting the days, p...
More About: Mommy , Good

Thank You and Good Night
2008-05-02 05:56:00
This is really real quick. I just wanted to... post my menu, thank you for all the FABULOUS comments on yesterdays post (I'm trying to take a lot of your advice-see the hummus?), and say, good night (I'm falling asleep typing this). Food 8 oz light flavored yogurt Cinnabon Cinnamon Crunch Cereal (dry in a baggy) carrot sticks apple Chocolate Lollipop Pita Chips and Simple Homemade Hummus Roni's Chicken Surprise **New Video Post** Potato crisps and more Simple Homemade Hummus Activity Nothing. :~( I really wanted to run but I couldn't squish it in.
More About: Night , Good , Good Night

Patterns are Emerging
2008-05-01 05:29:00
A few people mentioned it in comments and now I definitely see the pattern. The day after I run, I'm STARVING! I mean nothing satisfies me. I just want to constantly munch. I'm trying to increase my protein but right now all my go to snacks are carbs. I have to start changing my habits, I think, and pack some cheese sticks and nuts. Any other ideas? You'd think I can come up with others. I mean, I was an Atkins girl at one time but I've since turned into such a fruit freak. So this pattern isn't a bad thing, per say. I can deal with it. However, I have to listen to my body on the days that I do run. I feel as if I'm not explaining myself correctly let me start at the beginning... Yesterday I ran 2.5 miles. For the rest of the day I wasn't actually hungry. I mean I needed to eat but I didn't have the constant hunger pangs as I did today (now). However, I still ate a lot. Why? because mentally I was telling my body I should/could eat because I ran. Like it gave me some kind...
More About: Patterns

Do You Visualize Your Weight Loss?
2008-04-30 04:49:00
Travel with me back in time, will you? (I seem to be doing this more and more the older I get.) The date is July 27, 2005, just a few days after my 29th birthday. I have a 6 week old baby boy. I’m 191 lbs, embarking on yet another weight loss attempt. I've been attending Weight Watcher meetings and I start a small web site to track my progress. One of the first things I do on this new site is post an image of my virtual model. Click here to read my old posts from the first year! Why? Well it was a great motivator for me to see what I may look like at my goal weight. Sometimes it’s easy to lose site of our goals, especially when we may not be able to see the big picture. So I used a 3D model to do it, some people may use old photos of themselves or maybe even a picture of an outfit they really want to wear. There's also a new online tool at WeightView.com where you can upload one of your own photos and Weight View will show you what you may look like after losing 20l...
More About: Weight Loss , Loss

Ask Roni - Exercise Weight Gain
2008-04-29 15:13:00
I notice as I look at your weight progress that, if I am not mistaken, you didn't gain ever.  You consistently lost at weigh ins....so my question would be during your time on plan, did you excercise?  I had a 3 pound gain the first week I started excercising and my leader told me about muscles holding water..(which has no consolation somehow)..did you not have this issue ever or has excercising been something that you have started after your loss?  Thanks so much...honestly, your site keeps me picking myself back up when I fall! Talysa, Great question and I think your leader is right. Did you see my recent post on exercise? It gives you my complete workout history. But long story short I did NOT workout while I was losing and now that I am hitting the gym hard I am experience exactly what she is talking about.   My trainer confirmed that it is true. I know it isn't a consolation but it should be. You are doing wonders for yourself! I t...
More About: Weight , Exercise

Insatiable
2008-04-29 04:17:00
I mean really, hunger pangs all day. Food 2 egg Mommy and Me Omelet leftover 7 Layer Mexican Casserole Idea Multi Grain Mini Crisps apple granola bar handful of pretzels leftover Tortilla-Less Tortilla Soup orange light yogurt granola bar baked chips and homemade Black Bean Dip Activity nothing, 12 hour day (only 2 left!!!)

And I Ran...
2008-04-28 05:57:00
...I ran so far away. I just ran, I ran all night and day… Ok, sorry. That was stuck in my head all night. The reason you ask? Well, you guessed it, I RAN! Not only did I run but I did it outside in my hilly community. I’m not quite sure how far. I’m estimating about 2.5 miles but I never stopped to walk, not once! I held a nice steady jog pace. I think I started out too fast at first and then I slowed down and took my time. Based on my new iPod mix (see below) I ran for about 33 minutes. Not to shabby for this recent exercise convert and running newbie! ;~P On the food front, I’m not as proud of myself. Ever since this weekend, I’m having a hard time shaking off the munchies. I swear when I eat more refined carbs and sugar (what I ate all weekend) fending off cravings is really tough for the next few days. I truly believe our diets really affect the way our bodies run and react which affects what we crave. I caved into some of those crav...

Note to self... (Back from AC)
2008-04-27 07:12:00
You went. You played. You ate (and ate, and ate). You drank. You had FUN! Now you’re home and it’s time to make better choices, hit the gym and prepare for the week! (AC = Atlantic City – the husband’s and I favorite gateway)
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Journal Time (with some fun news!)
2008-04-25 05:41:00
Sorry I didn’t post yesterday.  It was a long day. All my days seem long anymore. I can NOT WAIT until the end of the semester. Spreading myself too thin is getting old and I’m getting tired. However, I FEEL good. I’ve been eating good, getting to the gym and I’m really starting to see results from my workouts (it only took 8 months!). I’m noticing muscles tone in my arms, my cardio capacity seems up (is that a term?) and I think I’m ready to start running outside to train for the 5k race. Tuesday I spend the day at an Earth Expo. I had a booth to talk about healthy recipes and I shared GreenLiteBites. Everyone was super friendly and they seemed to like my ideas and food photos. I brought a few squash and showed how easy they were to prepare. It was the first time I really did any kind of face-to-face marketing for the site, any site for that matter. It was fun. Yesterday I spent working on my classes and projects. I have a few...
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What 5 things would you tell yourself?
2008-04-23 06:20:00
I can’t take credit for this question as I know there was a meme going around awhile back asking bloggers to write a letter to their younger selves. Like, if you went back in time what would say to the high school version of you? I thought it was an interesting activity but I didn’t have time to participate then, so I’m stealing the idea for this weeks question and changing it up a bit. Instead of a letter, I want us to think about 5 specific things we would tell ourselves if we could go back in time. They don’t all have to be weight related but I think we’ll discover even the non-weight issues are relevant to self-esteem, confidence, body image and a host of other things that may manufacture themselves as “weight issues”. So travel back in time with me. The year is 1991 (HOLY CRAP) I was 15, wearing my cuffed jeans, hot pink BUM wind breaker, listening to Def Leppard and Boyz II Men. Don’t believe me? Look at this...
More About: Things

Snapple Antioxidant Water - A Review
2008-04-23 04:20:00
Last week Snapple contacted me asking if I’d review some of their new Antioxidant Water s. Of course I said yes! I mean who doesn’t like Snapple?  Well their new line of drinks comes in seven unique flavors inspired by nature’s “superfruits,” including pomegranates and acai berries.  The antioxidants, vitamins and electrolytes in each flavor provide one of four distinct benefits for the body:  The Power to PROTECT:, Vitamins A and E, electrolytes and a complete dose of Vitamin C help protect the body against free radicals.  Available in Tropical Mango and Orange Starfruit flavors. The Power to DEFY: Vitamins A and E, Grape Seed Extract, plus electrolytes assist in refreshing the body and mind.  Available in Raspberry Acerola and Grape Pomegranate flavors. The Power to AWAKEN: Vitamins A, E and B, Caffeine, Guarana, Ginseng and Ribose, plus electrolytes will awaken your senses.  Available in Strawberry Ac...
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Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – Really Real Quick!
2008-04-22 05:32:00
Today I didn’t do much except work but this weekend I took a step class, ran 5k again and cooked some good food (see my leftovers below). Now tomorrow I’m doing this green eating thing at an Earth day event on my campus. I’ve been making a slideshow of my favorite recipe from GreenLiteBites to have on display. Whatca’ think? Food Mommy and Me Omelets carrots Sausage & Pepper Skewers a handful of the office mates kettle corn orange 2 servings of Southwest Chicken Salad Topper (I didn't have any greens so I ate it straight up with some baked tortillas light favored yogurt Quick Tortilla Pizza (Video Post) Multi Grain Mini Crisps 1 peanut butter chocolate egg Activity nothing formal - 12 hour work day
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House Plants and Dieters – More in Common then you Think?
2008-04-21 14:46:00
I wrote this yesterday while taking a break from all my Sensational Sunday activities. I hope it makes some sense. ;~P I’ve never been a gardener (not until recently—stop laughing mom) so I can’t believe I’m about to make this correlation. This morning I received an email from a reader... I am just so frustrated because I keep trying different weight loss programs...i guess that's my problem...and i just need to stick with one. what makes any of them different? I go between Weight Watchers, Richard Simmons, and the Biggest Loser...I guess it'a all so OVERwhelming because i need to stick to just one, but I think one is easier than the other then I switch. I’ve received many emails from her, I can feel the pain, frustration, and overall hopelessness through here words… I've just been so frustrated. I just keep going from one weight loss program to another because i think it will work better...sigh! I just need to lose this we...
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Ask Roni - What is the "Key"?
2008-04-21 02:53:00
Roni, I have started several times, but never stayed with it, what is the key to sticking to WW for such a long time and how can i do it? -Darlene Hi Darlene, That's a great question! I wish I knew the answer. I really do. But, unfortunately, all I can do is speculate. I truly think it has a lot to do with mindset, readiness, commitment and the right plan. Weight Watchers gave me the tools that made it easy to stay on plan. It wasn't hard to journal and keep track of points. I treated them like money and that worked for me. I made the commitment to stay on plan no matter what. Others find the same simplicity in the CORE plan, and still others find plans like South Beach or Jenny Craig to give them most logical approach. My suggestion is to research the right plan for YOU! Maybe Weight Watchers isn't it. Or maybe you aren't ready. And I say that in the most non-condescending way possible. I wasn't ready for 15 years and if I tried Weight Watchers in ...

Apparently I was HACKED!
2008-04-19 00:22:00
HACKED?!? SERIOUSLY?!?! COME ON PEOPLE! What are we 10, here? I know you are all smart, and web geniuses and all but why do you have to mess with people who are just minding there own business. I mean, PLEASE! I go to the park with the toddler only to return home and find THIS MESSAGE on all of my web sites. COME ON DUDE! I barely have time to keep up and now I have to deal with your immature ass. If you are that good and that bored then go out and get a job and leave me alone. Don’t you have anything better to do? Some people. GEESH!
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Why am I up?
2008-04-18 06:50:00
I don't know. I get on this computer and then hours FLY by. I had a great day but now at almost 1AM, I'm hungry. Bed or snack? ummmm bed! Well maybe I'll have a fruit leather on my way up. Food generic wheat chex with strawberries and skim milk orange 2 fig newtons (I was starving and it was the lesser of the vending machine evils) Southwestern Turkey Burgers a nugget and a handful of fries from the husband's value meal handful of pita chips chinese take out - steamed chicken and mixed veggies with my homemade dipping sauce. (soy sauce, ground ginger, ground red pepper and a bit of sweetener) 1/3 of an egg roll I split with the toddler and a couple of forkfuls of the husbands fried rice. frozen yogurt with fresh strawberries Activity 45 minute cardio blast class with a great ab workout

Killer Ab Workout
2008-04-18 03:38:00
Tonight (after mustering enough energy to get out of the door) I hit a cardio kickboxing class.  The instructor always ends with 15 minutes of ab work and tonight she did such a simple effective routine I have to share. I still feel like I have a rock in the pit of my stomach! Ok so here’s the routine… (I’ll link to the a description of the exercises as they do a much better job of describing and illustrating then I ever will!) Start with 10 Reverse Sit Ups Then 10 Basic Crunches Then do 10 of them together (aka a Full Crunch)   The end with a Modified Plank for as long as you can hold it (at least 10 seconds) Rinse and Repeat 3 TIMES! It’s so simple and the exercises varied enough I didn’t get board. Midway through the second set my stomach muscles were on fire! Try it and let me know what you think.
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How did/do you choose your goal weight?
2008-04-17 05:33:00
I almost forgot about this weeks question! I can't believe it. I normally look forward to it but I've been so distracted by new new MAC! ;~P A-n-y-w-a-y (I'm feeling a bit goofy tonight, please forgive the over the top voice inflections that are going through my head.) Chatting with my friend Anne today, we came up with this question. It's actually something I've wanted to ask for awhile as I know many people are curious. I mean, really how do you pick a goal weight? Is it something you weighed before and want to get back to? Or a weight you heard is a good number for your height? Maybe it's goal your doctor recommended? For me, it was a number I've never seen, at least not in this adult body. I remember clearly the day I found out I weighed 150 pounds I was 13 years old. I'm not going to go into all the hairy details, I talk about it a bit in My Story but let's just say that was the start of my 15 year yo you dieting fiasco. So when I had to pick a goal weight for ...
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Music, a Movie and a MAC at Midnight
2008-04-16 06:23:00
So much for the early to bed concept, it’s just about midnight and I’m up playing with my brand new toy! I can’t believe I’m a MAC user now. Well, almost. I’m still writing this post on my PC but only because the new MAC isn’t completely set up yet. It will probably take me a few day, but I’m super excited! Besides the new computer, I accomplished a lot today. First the toddler and I had a little fun in the kitchen making fruit kabobs. Then, it was off to the gym where I actually ran for 5K on the treadmill. I’m still in a state of shock! I mean, me, a runner. HA! When did this chubby, lazy computer geek with the short spiky hair turn into a skinny, active MAC user who runs for fun with a long ponytail flapping in the wind?? I mean seriously, it’s just crazy. Ok, back to these M’s. We covered the midnight, the MAC, the Movie so onto the Music . A few people have asked what’s on my iPod for workouts. WOW th...
More About: At Midnight , Midnight

HOLY $HIT – I just ran a 5K!
2008-04-15 20:23:00
OK, sorry I don’t normally curse but I’m super excited!  Most of you know I’ve been considering signing up for a 5K run after my friend, the trainer, mentioned it to me a few weeks back. I’ve been talking about it ever since but haven’t started actually running.  See, I’m the type of person who need a goal, a reason to do something or I never actually get started. So a few days ago, there was a running booth set up at the gym. They had a pamphlet for a local 5K event in about 6 weeks. I thought, “Perfect” that gives me 6 weeks to start running and training. Well, today was the day I started. I hoped on the treadmill I made a running mix for my iPod (I’ll post it later), I hit the 5K button, level 1 and away I went! At first it wasn’t too bad (6 mph), then at about the 8 minute mark I got a cramp and I thought, “uh oh, I can’t do this” and turned it down to a walk (4.7 mph). Then a goo...
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Note to Self...
2008-04-15 05:15:00
Don't buy Doritos telling yourself they are really for the husband and then proceed to eat half the bag. Don’t even BUY the baked Doritos in the first place. You KNOW you have no self-control when they are in the house. Food pretzels (ok, so the toddler grabbed them first thing this morning and we munched - hey it was 6:30 and I didn't have it in me to argue) Cinnabon Cinnamon Crunch Cereal with skim milk apple Sensible Portions Multi Grain Mini Crisps orange Quaker Mini Delights Butternut Carrot Chicken Soup/Stew light yogurt 2 small slices of pizza frozen yogurt with fresh strawberries WAAAAYYYY to many baked Doritos Activity I had a 12 hour day BUT this morning the toddler and I had a a bit of a dance-fest and played some balloon baseball!
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Blogger Appreciation Day!
2008-04-14 14:45:00
One of my favorite (non-weight loss) blogs, Problogger announced an unofficial Blogger Appreciate day! What a fabulous idea! To quote Darren We’re in it together, blogging is about collaboration and together going further than we can by ourselves - so why not help another blogger today by shooting them a word of encouragement, a pep talk, a congratulations, an idea to help them improve or some other positive constructive message. Better still, do it publicly on your blog and tell the world about another blogger who you appreciate. Couldn’t have said it better myself!  My shout out goes to… All the active, supportive, amazing weight watchen community bloggers.  Every day you guys amaze me with your words of encouragement to each other. I may not be as active as I want to be but I’m reading! MizFit. Her blog (and her physique) motivate me on the workout front daily. Red. Whose videos give me a much need...
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Early to Bed, Early to Rise...
2008-04-14 04:00:00
...makes Roni stop snacking before bed! I’ve been staying up late, WAY too late and it seems that’s when I lose all control. I’ve snacked my way out of many a good day and I’m tired of it. Literally.  I’m making an effort to get to bed early all this week (that may mean shorter posts) but I have to change something up and get out of this snacking cycle. Speaking of snacking, Andrew from Linda’s Diet Delites emailed and asked if I’d be willing to try a new product they have coming in, Chocolite Peanut Butter Cup Patties. All I have to say is Oh My WORD! They reminded me so much of the homemade chocolate peanut butter eggs my mother-in-law brings on Easter. The chocolate was delish, the peanut butter filling was dry and crumbly. It was just perfect!  Now you’re curious about the nutritional information, aren’t you?. Well, I was surprised to find out that each peanut butter cup patty is only 40 calories, 3g fat...
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