Leftover Checkin

Goals:

(format fail in google reader, and I don't feel like fixing it)

 1) Only non-soy chocolate.
 2) Two sodas a week.
 3) Salt and pepper squid once a month.
 4) Out to a restaurant once a week.
 5) Two hard candies a day.
6) Kickie at least once a week.
 7) Be prepared.

Summary:

I did four of the seven (1,2,5,6), not bad.  I'm happy with that.  Number 7 got lost form last time and number 4 didn't get picked up like I thought it would.

Number 7 is in the grey area.  I didn't do my best ever at fair but second best.  I found a place that serves gyros without soy.  I don't remember the last time I had one.  So I had one, it wasn't on the plan but I was also out of food.  Honestly, it wasn't that good.  I think I'll skip it next time.  I ran out of food because I couldn't carry everything.  Though that meant for the drive home we were set.  Also I stayed hydrated all day even though I didn't bring more that a smaller water bottle in with me.  I just keep drinking beverages which also helped with the not eating crap.

Number 4, we went out to eat when we got to Houston.  I had a salad and a burger with cheese.  It was soy free and not particularly large but it wasn't good and I ate it without thinking.  So 4 is off the list.  I plan to go out this Friday which would be a week from the burger so everything should be back by this weekend.

Also 2 shouldn't be checked because I have had NO soda in the last week. :)

Flexibility

The best part about these goals is they are flexible.  And allow me the ability to do things like make pumpkin chocolate chip cheesecake.  Though I'm on the look out for a better serving dish.  My pie pan bottom wasn't big enough for my crust

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cheesecake (No Bake, Soy-Free)

3 (8oz) packages of softened cream cheese (or at least most of them)

1 can Libby's pumpkin pie filling

1.5 cups multi grain cheerios

1 cup sugar

5 Tbsp melted salted butter

pinch of salt

a handful of chocolate chips (Enjoy Life brand is soy-free)

To make crust:

Use a food processor to grind up the Cheerios.  Mix in about 1/3 cup sugar and salt.  Add powder to melted butter and stir.

Press into the bottom of a 9" spring form pan.  Bake in a 350deg oven for 10-12min until the mixture changes color and begins to bubble.  Remove from oven and let stand until hard.

To make filling:

Mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Add pumpkin a spatula at a time, mixing thoroughly before adding next portion.  Taste between adding portions to make sure favor is as desired.

Finally assembly:

Choose pan to use.  Flip bottom of spring form pan over serving pan and place in the serving dish.  Gently tap the back of the pan for just under a minute.  Slowly lift pan.  If crust is still attached repeat tapping and lifting until crust detaches.

Spooning filling mixture into the crust.  Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of filling.

Let sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before eating.