MVP's

So it's likely that you've already gathered from my blog that I love Pinterest. It's true. The inventors of Pinterest have my forever gratitude and my vote for whatever they're running for because I love their website so much. And I like to think I actually have a fairly high ratio of actually doing the things that I pin, compared to some people. But as you other Pinterest users know, a lot of times your boards get cluttered up by things that are great intentions, but likely you'll never actually use or try. And even of the recipes you do make or crafts you do attempt, some are only mediocre at best. So I thought I'd take a short break from the kiddos updates to bring you a condensed version of the best of my Pinterest boards: my Most Valuable Pins.

So here they are, in no particular order.

1. Best Workout Pin

I actually found this gem just yesterday, and I'm so glad I did! Pinterest is constantly cluttered with "the best workout ever" pins with pictures of girls with six pack abs and not an ounce of body fat, which link to workouts that are completely impossible for the average person or require all the equipment of a gym in your own home. But this particular pin actually surpassed its promises. The description of the pin said that it was a killer 10 minute workout that you could do in your own home with absolutely no equipment. Since I decided not to join the gym, I've been trying to run outside or do workouts at home, but a lot of times I'm left with my option to work out being after I've put the kids to bed when it's close to 9:00, so an hour long workout video just doesn't sound appealing when I know I'll also need time to shower, not to mention losing out on my time of productivity while the kids are asleep (and my own sleep). So I decided to give this short workout a try last night, and not only did it actually only take about 10 minutes, HOLY MOLY I was DYING at the end of it. I seriously thought I might throw up (don't judge my out of shapeness). It's a 5 minute video that shows you how to do each of the (simple) moves and then you just do it on your own. This will definitely be my go to workout when I want to get in some activity but don't have a ton of time. Give it a try!

2. Weelicious Recipe Collection

 This amazing (and huge) collection of recipes has been an incredible find. So far from her site I have made the sweet potato muffins, chocolate zucchini bread muffins, and whole wheat waffles for Landon (and me) to have for breakfast. In the muffins, I love that Landon is eating a vegetable for breakfast and doesn't even fight me about it. Of course I stirred in some chocolate chips to the chocolate zucchini muffins...

Yum! Chocolate Zucchini

Sweet potato

Making the waffles was actually the first time I've ever made anything using whole wheat flour, and it's inspired me to try substituting it in other recipes for part of the normal flour so we're eating more whole grains. The waffles are delicious; the first time I made just a single batch since I didn't know if we would like them, but this week I made a double batch so I'd have a bunch to freeze and reheat in the toaster.

And as long as I had the waffle iron out, may as well make a bunch. I hate cleaning the waffle iron (if anyone has magic ways to clean a waffle iron, please leave a comment!) The waffles and both kinds of muffins freeze and reheat really well, and all taste delicious! I haven't even tried any of the savory recipes from the Weelicious website, but I'm sure they're great too. Such a valuable find!

3. Baby Name Wall Hanging

I mentioned this pin way back before Layla was born when I was posting pictures of her nursery. I'm so glad I found this pin, because it's my favorite Pinterest craft I've ever made, and it's truly the focal point of Layla's room.

I'm pretty proud of how mine turned out. It hangs above her crib, and I envision a picture someday (a very long time from now) when she can stand up by herself in the crib of her leaning against the side of her crib with her name above her. Won't that be cute? Thanks Pinterest for this great idea!

4. Taco Soup

This is technically two pins, because I've found a chicken tortilla version and a beef taco soup recipe that I love.

Chicken Tortilla

Taco Soup

No great explanation needed. All you need to know is that both recipes involve dumping things in a crock pot to cook all day and tasting DELICIOUS topped with cheese and crumbled tortilla chips. Yum.

5. THE Most Valuable Pin

Ok, so I said that these were in no particular order, but I will specify that this was the best, most valuable, most life-changing pin I've found so far.

Yes, it's true, you can mix together a boxed cake mix with plain Greek yogurt and get incredible deliciousness as a result. The website actually lists several options of alternative things you can mix with a cake mix instead of the eggs & oil to make it healthier. When I saw the picture of that pin I could hardly stand it to wait even a few days before I tried it, because I just HAD to know if it was really true, if it would really taste good, or if it was all just a cruel hoax. 

Let me tell you...it's good. Very good. You just mix a moist cake mix in with one cup of plain Greek yogurt and then stir in one cup of water. The batter is much thicker than normal and bakes up a bit denser, almost like a delicious cross between a cake and a brownie. And although the website says to use a devil's food cake mix, I strongly suggest using a dark chocolate mix instead - it makes it extra chocolatey and heavenly.

I've made it and served it as a normal cake with frosting, but my genius idea was to make them into double chocolate muffins.

The texture already seemed similar to a muffin, so I decided to try stirring in some chocolate chips and baking them as muffins instead, and I have to say it was one of my best ideas ever. It's like a guilt free chocolate muffin! (ok, guilt free might be taking it a bit too far...less guilty chocolate muffin). In the picture above I used a devil's food mix because it's all I had, but again, I suggest the dark chocolate, it's what I'll use next time. I individually wrapped them and froze them so I could pull one out when I was needing a chocolate fix. Yes! Go make them today. Brew a cup of coffee while they bake, and then enjoy. Then you'll understand why this earns the MVP of all the MVP's award.

So there you have it. My top 5 pins from all the hundreds pinned on my Pinterest boards. I hope you can enjoy at least one of them, because I sure have loved them!