Dancing Blondies

Oh Mondays. They come, and sometimes I am just not ready for them. I hope you all had an awesome weekend! I for sure did. All of your comments on your favorite salad bar made me want to drive an hour to the closest Whole Foods in this area...jealousy. Their salad bar really is thebomb.com.

Tonight was action packed...literally. We played Dance Central on the XBOX Kennect for hours. It is SO. MUCH. FUN. I am not a gamer at all, and I could play this all day long.

 Great music. Great moves. Great times.

 An issue that I seem to be dealing with a lot at work right now is overweight kids. It makes me so incredibly sad. The sedentary lifestyles that these kids are led into is the norm. Kids don't seem to play outside and move around like they used to. I remember playing outside in the cold with frozen hands and faces until my mom made us come inside. It is just so different these days, and it scares me. Childhood obesity is becoming an epidemic that is more widespread than anyone would like to admit. I have a dream of one day being able to write some literature that would be aimed at kids who struggle with these issues...one day...somewhere along the road it will happen.

In the meantime, it's games like Dance Central, that make me VERY happy. It's awesome to see technology, and something that kids love so much morphed with activity. Kids need to more more. Bottom line. Some ways to help your kids to do so...
- Set technology time limits (only allow a certain amount of time watching TV, playing video games, on the internet, or with their cell phones.)
- Get your kids involved. Find local community programs that will keep them moving such as basketball, dance, tennis, soccer, karate...etc. etc. Whatever you can find that helps your kids to move!
- Encourage your kids to play outside.
- Be an example. It is so important that your kids see you being active. They will mimic what they see.
- Teach them. Talk to your kids about good health and exercise. Explain why it's important.
- Get involved with them. Go for a family hike, walk, or bike ride. Engage in a family game of basketball or football. Have a kitchen dance party...these are my favorite.
There is so much you can do if you will just make a conscious effort! 

My friend SB made these Weight Watchers Blondies tonight and I thought they looked delightful, so I had to share it!

Ingredients:

2 sprays cooking spray

½ cup all purpose flour

10 Tbsp whole wheat flour (1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp)

1 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (not instant)

1 ½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp table salt

½ cup packed brown sugar

¼ cup sugar

4 Tbsp butter, softened

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup apple juice/apple cider (I think I might try and use unsweetened applesauce here)

2/3 cup white chocolate or butterscotch chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a 15- x 10 1/2-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine both flours, oats, baking soda and salt; stir to blend and set aside.

In another large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream both sugars and butter until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Alternating in batches, add a little flour-oat mixture and then apple juice to bowl; beat after each addition. When all the dry and wet ingredients are well-blended, fold in chips.

Turn batter into prepared baking dish; smooth top in an even layer. Bake until top is lightly golden, about 18 to 22 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool in pan for about 10 to 15 minutes. Cut into 24 pieces and remove to wire rack to cool completely. Yields 1 piece per serving. 3ww points per serving.

Have you played Dance Central, or Just dance? So much fun...I could dance anytime anywhere. And I usually do. And More importantly...Do you have any thoughts on childhood obesity? I know so many of you have really active families, and I'd love to hear your input on such an important subject!