*NEW SERIES* Throwback Thursday // Mickey Mouse Munch

Hello, friends!  After celebrating Chatting Over Chocolate's 4th Blogiversary earlier this month, I thought about how fun it'd be to share posts I've published years ago that some of my newer readers might have missed!  So, throughout 2017 I'm going to be sharing Throwback Thursday posts with you!  

Since today is National Popcorn Day how could I resist kicking off this series with my Mickey Mouse Munch?  This recipe was originally published here on February 18, 2013.  This was long before I bought my own domain so you'll notice all my photos are marked with "ChattingOverChocolate.blogspot.com".  Ahh, memories from my this blog's beginning!  Ready to take a tasty trip down memory lane with me?  I'll provide the treats!

Magical Monday #4:  Mickey Mouse Munch

Hiya, Pals! Welcome to another Magical Monday! Today I'll be sharing some irresistible Mickey Mouse inspired snackable goodness. It's an incredibly simple way to turn popcorn into a scrumptious and sweet tooth satisfying treat! This is the perfect snack for your next Disney movie night, family game night, or Mickey Mouse themed party ... it's truly a crowd pleaser!

Ingredients:

Popcorn, popped 
White Chocolate Almond Bark, melted (I use 1/4 of a 24 oz. package per 10 cups of popcorn) 
Red and Yellow Mini M&Ms 
Red and Yellow Sprinkles



Simple Steps to Yumminess:
Spread popcorn out on a wax paper or foil covered baking sheet.

 Let the chocolate drizzled, candy covered popcorn (how great does that sound?!) dry completely. Then break into pieces and ENJOY!




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Five Loves on Friday!

Hey, Friday!

{via}

...You totally read that in Joey Tribbiani's voice, didn't you? ;)

Friends, it has been a scrumptious week!  I'm excited to share some of the sweet memories made, and a few simple snack recipes too!  Let's get right to it!

1.  Biking with Bears
How cute is the contraption Little One rigged up to take her bear-y good friends for a ride?  My sweet girls have been over the moon that the weather is finally allowing for them to enjoy OUTdoor fun!

2.  My culinary cutie has skills!

Yumminess Your KIDS Can Make!  Cutie Kabobs:  purple grape, banana, strawberry, green grape, repeat 

Little One loves putting her creativity to work in the kitchen.  Yesterday she asked if she could make us a snack and dessert from fruits and veggies we had.  How could I turn down that offer? ;)  Her explanation of the kabobs was every bit as sweet as the treat itself!  She told me, "The reason I like these kabobs is because they are sweet, but they are good for you!  Usually when people think of sweets they think of things like ice cream, but these are sweet and so good and good for you!"  {Insert proud mommy smiles here!}  She placed pieces of lettuce on top of baby carrots to make them look like "real carrots" (stems and all), but this was just for cute presentation.  The proper way to eat this snack was to wrap the carrot in the lettuce.  I may need to give her a little cook nook here on the blog.  She's constantly creating fun snacks that kids can make on their own.  Think I should pass along the blogging torch to her?

3.  Brinner!
This week my parents invited us for dinner and my mom made such a scrumptious spread of all things breakfast for dinner!  A creamy crockpot hashbrown casserole, Sunny Breakfast Bake, and a strawberry dessert braid - it seriously hit the spot!  Thanks again, Mom! ;) 

4.  First Cookout of the Year!  
My husband grilled up some AMAZING, juicy, bacon cheeseburgers last weekend!  {I'm drooling just remembering how good those were! MmmMmmMmm!}  I L-O-V-E cookout season!!!  I just think everything tastes better on the grill ...well, except maybe ice cream, but you know what I mean!  This is the grilling goodie I think I need to get my hands on A.S.A.P.!  Any other recommendations for grilling must-haves I should add to my Summer Wish List?

Corn Griller Basket in Barbecue & Grilling | Crate and Barrel

5.  Cadbury Spring S'more Mix

I created this yummy mix around this time last year.  It's been on my mind this week, as those oh so delightful Cadbury creme eggs are everywhere now!! 

Click HERE for the recipe + 4 ways to share this adorable, sweet & simple {just 3 ingredients} mix!  

 Click through, pin, enjoy, and share with those sweetest to you! 

Thanks so much for visiting today!  Have a fabulous weekend!

35 by 35! #10 + Skinny Banana Bliss Bites!

It's Thursday!  Time to check in with my scale and my friends! ;)  Excited to also share my new FAVORITE post-workout snack, and hopefully a dash of encouragement too! 

Progress:

I've dropped 3 more pounds since last week!  I'm currently only one pound shy of waving 10% of my total (starting) body weight goodbye!  It's a wonderfully exciting feeling!

Delicious Way to Shrink:

This is my new favorite post-workout pick me up!

Ingredients (per serving):

1/2 Banana

1 teaspoon Peanut Butter 

7 Almonds

Steps to Yum:

1.  Cut half a banana into 7 slices.

2.  Place a dab of peanut butter on each banana slice.

3.  Top each with an almond.

4.  ENJOY!

One serving (everything shown in the photo above) is just 138 calories!     

Remember that every food choice you make can either help or hinder you in your journey towards gaining/maintaining a healthful lifestyle!  This satisfying snack will sure make you feel a whole lot better than 11 Doritos chips at 140 calories would! 

Tip of the Week:

Are you drinking enough water?  Try filling a 2-Liter bottle with water and storing it in your refrigerator.  This will help you keep track of exactly how much you're getting and you'll always have some cold and ready for you!  I started doing this last week and didn't allow myself to drink any lemonade or my fave diet soda until after I've drank the amount of water my body needs for the day.  I have never been a big water drinker and have found this to be really helpful! If you struggle with drinking enough H2O you may want to give this a try too. You'll feel so much better when you're hydrated.  I know I do!

REMINDER: My comments section is officially a CHEERING SECTION on Thursdays!  Let's cheer each other on, friends!  I'd love to hear how you're doing too!  Struggles, triumphs, things you've found helpful...feel free to share!  The interactions I've had with each of you who've  sent me comments/messages have served as an incredible inspiration and encouragement! THANK YOU!!!

Need some new light and delicious recipes?  

Check out my Pinboard:  Delicious Ways to Shrink.  

You may also be interested in previous posts from this blog series:

35 by 35!: Introduction to Challenge + Light Recipe!

35 by 35! #2

35 by 35! #3

35 by 35! #4

35 by 35! #5

35 by 35! #6

Celebrating Independence Day with a Skinny Recipe Roundup!

35 by 35! #7

35 by 35! #9

Don't miss a bit of the Summer Fun at 

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