Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings: So Good So Good So Good!

Since I've been getting back into shape this month, the sweets have been few and far between. But then Sara called me FREAKING OUT because she HATES apple pie but had these "Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings" at a friend's house and LOVED THEM.
So, here is the recipe. You can always use apple pie filling in place of the apple if you hate coring and peeling apples (even though it's only 1 apple!).

Enjoy, bitches!

Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 package Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
1 granny smith apple (or whatever you have on hand!)
1 stick butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 light brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon (or Chinese Five Spice)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup Mountain Dew
Grease 8x8 Dish.

Separate and stretch out Crescent Rolls.
Peel, core and cut apple into 8 pieces.  Place apple slices onto crescents, roll up and pinch to seal and place in dish. Melt butter and mix in sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla. Pour on top of crescents. Pour Mountain Dew in pan. Bake 35 - 40 minutes. Serve with a side of locally made vanilla bean ice cream!

PSC Highpoint Gym, My Bikini, and Yukon Gold Spring Rolls

5 years ago. I will wear this bikini again by July!

click on above picture for more book info!

 I joined Philadelphia Sports Clubs  at Highpoint on Wednesday.
I'd been a member there 2 years ago and had loved it until they messed w/ their TV system. For awhile, I lost Food Network, Bravo, and all my favorite channels that kept me on those damn cardio machines. I HATE cardio. What I loved about PSC Highpoint was the fact each cardio machine had it's own TV, so you could watch whatever. Most clubs I've been to have large screens (they have those too!) but you have to watch whatever the TV's are set on. It was one of the things I hated about Planet Fitness.
Now, we dropped our cable at home. The price was outrageous! And I thought I could get more writing done w/out the distraction of cable.  OMG. I was sooooooooooooooooo wrong. I seriously miss it. I miss Food Network and Bravo and HGTV and the Travel Channel. Mr. Stiffy does not miss cable at all (yay for him).
So, I thought about rejoining a gym and PSC Highpoint had a 30$ for 30$ trial period. So, I joined on April 6th.
The TV's now play most of my favorite channels.
Yesterday, I worked out twice! I watched Food Network for an hour in the morning and then went back to later that night b/c there was a repeat of The Housewives of NJ on (and I haven't seen the new season, obviously).
I also lifted - chest and triceps.
I felt fabulous, if a bit sore, last night and this morning - and couldn't wait to go back in the morning and watch Morning Joe! Which I did.

potato spring rolls

Is it cheesy that I am inspired to work out so I can get my cable TV fix.
Who cares? As long as I'm getting in shape, I don't give a crap.
Tuesday we went out to eat and I had sloppy joe mac n cheese AND these awesome yukon gold cheesy spring rolls. And of course, Monday, we ate at Wegmans and I had 2 asiago & artichoke croquettes that are sooooooooooooooooooooooo fantastic but I looked up the calorie content when I got home and they have 320 calories apiece and 53 CARBS apiece - HOLY COW!
And if cable gets me to the gym, I say; whatever works!

Taco Johns - Potato Ole Recipe

When I move away from an area, it's usually not the people I miss, it's the food. (KIDDING) (somewhat).

It's been years since I've been to a Taco Johns. They just don't have them on the East Coast. Yes, I know we have pierogies and cheesesteaks and hoagies, but my GOD, sometimes, I just want some damn nachos and potato oles from Taco Johns.

I tweeted about how much I miss those potato oles - they are little crispy crown potatoes that have this fantastic spicy yet a hint of sweet seasoning.
Someone was kind enough to send on a recipe for homemade potato ole seasoning. I tried it out today, and it is fabulous! Granted, it's been awhile since I've had them, but they satisfied my craving! Ole!

I used Ore Ida Crispy Crowns - but I suppose they'd work on tater tots too!
Cook Crispy Crowns as directed.
While cooking, mix:

Taco John's Homemade Potato Ole's! So Good!

4 teaspoons Lawry's seasonings salt (I, however, used Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt that I got from Fresh Market)

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 

After removing Crispy Crowns from the oven - sprinkle on to your liking and serve with sour cream/ranch dressing/or spicy ranch dressing.