Oreo Truffles

Our family has great traditions that we have done for years.  One of my favorites is our annual Red Elf party.  My Grandparents started it when we were quite young.  I honestly don't remember a year without this party.  It included a pinata, fish pond and a room with a bed filled with Stuffed animals that we would all take turn picking from.  When it was time to pick stuffed animals my cute grandparents would come out dressed up in red long johns topped off with elf hats, a big red nose and Christmas striped toe socks.  I still look forward to this party all year.  My kids now enjoy going, even though the details have changed.  I love sharing this tradition with my kids.

A new tradition I love is making Oreo Truffles every year.  A friend of mine gave us Oreo Truffles for a neighbor gift one year and I couldn't get enough of them.  I get so excited thinking about these truffles, they are so yummy!  The best part is, that they are quite simple to make.  Just a few ingredients.

Here you go:

Oreo Truffles
1 package Oreos (just traditional type)
1 package Cream Cheese, softened
Milk chocolate chips


Blend up the Oreos, I use my Bosch and blended them until pretty smooth.
Pour the blended Oreos into a mixing bowl and add the cream cheese.  Mix the Oreos and Cream Cheese until mixed well.  I usually end up having to use my hands to get it mixed all the way.  Yes, wash them first!  Next, I roll them into small balls  maybe about 3/4 inch.  I just grab and roll the mix around my palms until it forms a ball.  While you are doing this, you can have the chocolate melting.  I usually just use a pie pan and put it over a pan of boiling water.  Stir fairly often so it doesn't get burnt at all.

Once the balls are all ready, roll them in the chocolate and lay on wax or parchment paper to cool.  If you want to make them more decorative, you could use white chocolate or colored candy melts and put them in a cake bag or even just a ziplock bag.  Cut the tip and drizzle it over the Oreos.   You could also try other chocolates to dip them in.  Have fun!

I was hoping to post a picture but have had a yucky cold bug so I haven't been up to making them.

Hope you love them as much as we all do!

~Andrea

My Experience with Planks

Just over a month ago, a friend shared on Facebook a 30 day plank challenge.  It consisted of doing elbow plank exercises on a specified schedule for a month.  It included an illustration showing the ab, shoulder, back and arm muscles that are strengthened by doing planks, and said it is so easy that anyone can do it. Since midlife has not been kind to my midsection, I decided to take the challenge.  It started out okay, with slow increases in time to hold the position, but quickly accelerated at a pace I was not able to keep up with. My husband (a very patient man) kept saying to just proceed at the pace I could and not worry about keeping up with the now unattainable goal.  I kept falling further behind the goal, but kept trying daily to improve.  I actually started feeling stronger in my side muscles! Then, nearing the end of the 30 days, my bad shoulder started causing pain while doing the plank exercise.  I was now having trouble with sore elbows from the hard floor and slight rub burn as well.  I tried doing planks on pillows, blankets, even a foam pad.  One day I realized that I had calluses on the sides of my elbows, most likely from the planks.  The 30 days has now ended.  I am still trying to do planks most days of the week.  Was I successful in the challenge?  With a sore shoulder, callused elbows and not accomplishing the desired outcome, I am tempted to say no.  But then I remember the (only) day I was able to hold the position for 3 whole minutes, when before the challenge I could hardly hold it for 90 seconds.  I feel my sides and know there is more muscle there, hidden under the layer of fat, and I feel like maybe I am a midlife success.  But PLEASE don't send me any exercise challenges any time soon.

~Gayle