Yesterday I completely blew off my morning workout. I would say it was in light of wanting to catch up with the news of Bin Laden’s capture and death (I’m in bed by 10pm, guaranteed), but I hadn’t even put my feet on the floor before I had decided a morning workout was just not in the cards. I made up my workout before class, though. Crunch Diesel. Or as I like to call it, 23 minutes of bust your hump hell (the last 5 minutes I was verbalizing profanities). Have I mentioned lately that I hate resistance training? I’m going to Chicago again this weekend and my mom has plans for us to attend step at 8am and the strength and conditioning class at 9am this Saturday. I (not so happily) agreed. Mama Prevention (though very youthful and fit!) should not be running circles around her 25-year-old offspring.
But seeing as Melinda is a total sweetie and sent me Kinder chocolates from the other side of the pond, serious workout endeavors will be in order. From the time I got home from work to the time I opened the box and enjoyed 200 calories worth (or should I say 400-and-some kilojoules?) was about 4.2 seconds. And yet, that would be considered savoring the flavor. Kinder chocolate is amazing. I sure as heck had trouble maintaining my weight while living in Italy. I’ve determined the Italians are one of two things: 1) freaks of nature, and/or 2) so completely obsessed with fashion (Prada, Gucci, etc. that does not accommodate much over a BMI of 20, if that) that they eat like mice. Thank you, Melinda! You are the best! 😀
As I ration out my Kinder, and pry it from the hands of my junk food-loving husband, I’m glad I have a lower calorie treat to substitute. I would say I would “settle” for these Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries, but that would be an injustice to them….they’re delicious. And I think everyone was made aware by Whole Food’s strawberry sale last week…berries are slowly coming into season 🙂 And cream cheese? Well, I’m under the impression it’s always in season. Har har.
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Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries adapted from All Recipes, as seen on Daily Deliciousness and Cooking with Chrissy
1 1/2 pints fresh strawberries (~28 berries)
1 8 oz. package low-fat cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract or lemon juice (I used a little of both)
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
Directions:
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, vanilla and sugar in a bowl until fluffy.
Place the filling in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Set aside.
Take the strawberries and with a paring knife, cut an X from the tip of the strawberry almost all the way through. Gently push the tip of the pastry bag in the middle, and pipe in the filling.
Chill until serving. Yield: ~ 28 strawberries.
Nutrition Information (per berry): 34 calories; 1.7 g. fat; 6 mg. cholesterol; 34 mg. sodium; 3.9 g. carbohydrate; 0.5 g. fiber; 0.7 g. protein
Result: Simple and delicious! I can’t think of a better sweet to end a warm, summery day! Now, I just need that warm summery day! These were simple to make and took very little time. They also require no baking! Enjoy! 😀
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I (finally) got around to returning lots of reader emails yesterday. I apologize for my response time and sincerely appreciate all of your notes and questions! Thank you!
Question: What fruit/vegetable are you anxiously awaiting to come in season this spring/summer?
Peace & love,
You had me at the word “Cheesecake.” I’ll definitely be making this recipe soon. I love cheesecake and strawberries are one of my favorite berries!
Author
I hope you enjoy them! 🙂 They’d go perfectly with one of those Nutella cookies!
This look great Nicole! Such a simple treat 🙂
My mom made salads with baby lettuce and spinach from her garden when I was home. If I had my way, I’d eat it every day all summer long… soooo good.
What a delicious idea! I love real strawberry cheesecake, but for times when I don’t have access to any, these would be the perfect fix & healthier too!
That’s a cute idea! It would make a perfect light dessert with a few cookies. : )
Your cheesecake stuffed strawberries look fanastic…gorgeous enough to be bakery material, Nicole! Mmmm, I can’t wait for fresh cherries!!
Author
Ooo la la! Bakery material!? I’m flattered 🙂
I used to force myself to workout whenever I planned to workout, no matter how I felt, but now I feel confident that even if I don’t workout when I plan it, I will eventually do it! It’s a great feeling to be more liberal with my workout schedule.
Your strawberries sound wonderful. I need to get one of those tools to squeeze icing/cheesecake/etc. into things this summer, I bet that would come in handy! I am looking forward to all berries, and tomatoes this summer.
Good luck with the exercise class in Chicago. The last time my mom and I did an exercise class together we laughed the whole time. Yeah, that happens when we get together and realize we aren’t as strong as we thought. I don’t think the other people were too happy with us!
Author
I agree…so long as it gets done!
My mom and I are big goofs in classes together, too. Our last step class we were using long boards 3 stacked end-to-end-to-end and we were always running into each other 🙂
I love simple treats like this one!
Two of my favorite things mentioned in this post. Kinder chocolate and strawberries. Well, actually four. Cheesecake and Whole Foods sales are totally awesome too. $1.99 for a pound of organic strawberries…I was totally sold!! And this is such a cute idea…I’d love to set this out for a party/dinner party/etc.
Author
Another Kinder lover! Woooo!
Haha…so true about Italians! 🙂
These look so tasty (and pretty!!).
Not craving anything particular but made awesome grilled pineapple marinated in rum and brown sugar. Huge hit! 🙂
Author
That sounds AMAZING, Lena! Recipe?? 🙂
No real recipe. Pineapple + dark rum + brown sugar, then grill. Will add it in my next blog post. Just need to get some pics first.
I cannot wait to get my hands on juicy watermelon. It’s one of my summer favorites. Corn too, so good.
Those little strawberry treats are so cute I could just eat them up 😉
I stayed up late to watch the President and skipped my morning workout too. I did get in a really nice 3 mi run after work. I love that it is light out so late now!
I love these little stuffed strawberries! They would be great for a party.
I can’t wait for tomatoes to be in season. Our seedlings have been started and are almost ready to go in the garden. There’s nothing like a ripe (Jersey) tomato still warm from the sun!
These look so delicate and delicious! Now I’m wishing I didn’t just use up all of my berries in my oat bars…
Hi Nicole! This is such a great idea!!! Where are you planning on working out in Chicago?
Author
In Oak Park at the tennis club. My family has been members there forever 🙂
The strawberries look fantastic! I can’t wait for tomatoes to be in season. There’s nothing like a fresh tomato. It screams summer to me!
oh my!! Those are so fancy and look delicious!! Love ’em!
I’m glad you enjoyed them! I agree with you…cream cheese is always in season! haha
This is a great idea! I have to keep these in mind for my next party!!
What a sweet treat! I cannot wait for blueberries to come back into season.
Seriously???? Just when I think you can not outdo yourself…YOU DO!!!!
::wiping drool off desk::
I could eat a whole plate full of these strawberries. RIGHT NOW!! I can’t wait for fresh blueberries and just picked tomatos. drool. Have a great day Nicole!!!
Those are so beautiful, Nicole! They would be nice to make for a party!
Author
I agree, they’re perfect for an event and entertaining. 🙂
Oh my goodness – these sound so delicious, and theyre adorable.
I cant wait for watermelon. I LOVE watermelon.
Author
Meee tooo 🙂
I love the strawberry cheesecake idea. I have a whole pack of cream cheese at home and I don’t know what to do with it 😉 Now I know haha. And I can’t wait for the price of bloobs to go down. It’s like $17 at Costco! 🙁
Hi Nicole– my husband is in love with Kinder! Do you know that you can get it around here too? Try an independent European grocery store!
Author
Huh! Go figure! Thanks for the heads up! I’ll keep an eye out!
I can’t even look at those. They look SO GOOD!!
So glad everything made it there in one piece. Enjoy!
Since we are moving this summer, there is nothing I am really looking forward to coming into season, but I am looking forward to learning about produce in Japan.
Author
I can’t wait to hear about EVERYTHING in Japan!
Oh wow, these sounds wonderful!
What a simple and relatively healthy treat! I want to make these for a party my family is having in June!
I definitely can’t wait for blueberries!