ChocoBerry Bliss - 6+ WW points

ChocoBerry Bliss - WW 6 +Points

I recently jumped on the weight watchers band wagon. (applause) Thank you, thank you!  In doing so I've found pinterest to be an amazing source for recipes.  It was the dreaded dessert night tonight and I needed to find not only ingredients I had on hand but something tasty that wouldn't blow through too many points.   I was sifting through many recipes last night and just couldn't find what I was looking for.  I came across an ingenious pin that revealed to me that you can make a cake with diet soda in replacement of all the eggs, oil and water. Hmmmmm. I was intrigued…..but simple cake was not enough for me.  So, births the concoction that not only treats you to cake, chocolate and berries at an affordable ww point price but impressed the picky "I hate your diet food" eaters. Monster size pieces too!

ok I'm not gonna lie…..not exactly the prettiest cake, but seriously delicious!

CHOCOBERRY BLISS

6+ points

12 HUGE servings

1 boxed cake mix - any kind your prefer

1  1/4 cups - diet soda - any kind of your choosing

1 package - instant Chocolate pudding

2 cups - milk

1 cup - cool whip

3 cups - sliced strawberries

1 package - sugar free strawberry Jello

1  1/2 Cups - boiling water

Pour cake mix into mixing bowl.  Add the diet soda and blend well.  Pour into greased 8x13 pan and bake @ 350 for 20 mins. or until knife comes out clean.  Allow to cool.

Mix instant pudding powder and milk till well blended.  Allow to partially set then whisk in the cool whip.  Spread over top of cake and refrigerate to set. 

Dissolve sugar free Jello into your boiling water.  mix in strawberries and put in fridge to cool.  Once cool, pour over chocolate layer and refrigerate to set. (note: My berries look mushy in the final product, I cooked them on the stove to soften, then added them to the Jello.  You can make the executive decision - crispy or tender)

You can make this recipe even lighter if you so choose. Use fat free cool whip and Sugar free Pudding along with skim milk and it could cut it down a point or two.  I just worked with what I had on hand!  Hope you enjoy!

Happy Pinning!!!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Homemade Laundry Detergent

This post, by far, has me the most excited. I LOVE to save money. Some might even call be cheap, but in honesty it pains me to pay full price for things or continue to throw money away after my eyes have been opened to money saving ways.  I've seen tons of posts for homemade laundry detergent and I won't lie, I was very sceptical.  After doing the math, I couldn't help but try it out. It's Cheap, really cheap, simple and completely safe for HE machine use, with promises for great results.  So why not!!!

Let me start with the Math. (seal clap)  

This Fabulous Laundry detergent Costs $2.28 to make each recipe batch.  

Each recipe makes 3 gallons of Laundry Detergent. 

3 gallons of detergent is equivalent to 96 loads.  

So that works out to $0.02 per load ……..2 cents….. give that second to sink in.  

2 CENTS a load. Madness!!!  

<----- And for reference I typically use this.  which works out to $0.13 a load.  

Ok now that I've got you excited let's make some laundry detergent!

Laundry Detergent

1 bar Fels Naptha soap (you can use any other bar soap you want but this tends to work the best.  

And if using other bar soap - use 2 bars)

1-1/2 Borax

1-1/2 cups Arm and Hammer WASHING SODA - not baking soda

3 gallons of water   

Grate bar of soap

Throw grated bits into a LARGE stock pot and cover with 1 gallon of HOT water.  Heat on low until soap is fully dissolved.

Add another gallon of HOT water along with the washing soda and borax.  Mix well and bring to a boil. (this was the toughest part…. patience is highly overrated)

Add last gallon of COLD water and stir well.  Let cool Do Not Panic! Mixture will coagulate and become VERY thick.  If your mixture is too thick….add some more hot water to thin it out. Using a funnel pour into your containers. (I used Milk jugs for easy storage and pouring)  

Now your Detergent can be used immediately.  Use 1/2 cup per load or 1 cup for extremely dirty super capacity loads.  Just give it a good shake before use.

Do not be discouraged when it doesn't bubble (suds) in the machine, it won't.  It took me a while to wrap my head around it too….but bubbles do not equal clean.    This cleans wonderfully.  

Pair it with this Fabric Softener and you have a whole new Laundry Arsenal

Happy Pinning!