Someone brought a chocolate cake into work today.
It called – nay, screamed – my name every time I walked past it in the break room.
"KRISTIN! GET! OVER! HERE! YOU KNOW YOU WANT A BIG, HONKING PIECE OF MEEEEE!"
I did. I wanted a piece SO bad. However after several months of trying to convince myself that the dryer was shrinking my jeans, I finally faced the reality that it was me and my late-night snacking that was expanding into them. I’ve been trying really hard the past week or so to cut out mindless eating (mostly at night) and to nix all most un-necessary sweets.
Disclaimer: I’m a firm believer that life is very short and one should absolutely have a freaking piece of chocolate cake if they want to… Just not when your entire jean collection is on the line!
So anyways, back to this cake. It was homemade and you could just tell that it was crazy-moist, dense and packed with luscious, chocolaty flavor. Plus it was smothered in homemade chocolate icing. Aw, man!
In the end, I prevailed over that damn cake – but the chocolate craving stayed with me. I tore home like a mad woman after work and whipped up the most decadent, uber-chocolaty, "healthy" baked good I knew of…
Baked Chocolate Doughnuts!!!
No bowl, no spatula, no inch of counter space was left untouched as I tore through the kitchen in a chocolate frenzy.
I honest to goodness would buy this pan JUST for this doughnut recipe!!!
In less than 30 minutes, start to finish, I had a fluffy, moist, mouth-watering chocolate treat – that came in at 180 calories a pop! Compare that to Krispy Kreme’s Chocolate Glazed Cake Doughnut that comes in at over 280 calories!!
Ok…add a few cals for the buttermilk icing I drizzled on top. 
Just buttermilk, vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Mixed until smooth, then drizzled on top.
It seriously tasted like a fried, chocolate glazed doughnut. I can’t get over it!
I followed this recipe down to the letter, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Perfection. Now I want to get a mini doughnut pan so I can make mini baked chocolate doughnuts. Then I can just pop one or two when I have a craving. 
Sorry – they are just really that good…
From one carb to another (what tight jeans?) I made some fabulous Garlic Noodles for dinner to supplement my doughnut appetizer.
I started by sautéing cut-up chicken breast seasoned with salt & pepper, in non-stick spray, then removed it to a plate when it was done.
Next I melted some butter,
and sautéed green onions and garlic for about 2 minutes total.
Everybody in the pool!
Including a luscious sauce of oyster sauce, soy sauce and a little brown sugar.
Add the chicken back in and serve.
These are quite possibly the best noodles, um, EVER. I followed this recipe (plus chicken) and it was ready in like, seriously, 5 minutes. Salty, a little sweet, and totally slurp worth. SO YUM.
Ok I know what you’re thinking. How does shrinking one’s thighs include butter, sugar AND pasta?! Portion control.
Enjoy the flavors you love – butter, sugar and pasta – just don’t eat a giant plate of ‘em!
Also – work out.
Since I stopped blaming the dryer, I’ve been kicking up my workouts in both frequency and intensity. Upping the speed on my treadmill a couple decimal points, or adding 5 more minutes onto the end. Finishing a workout with a 10 minute walk at a high incline or getting up early in the morning to tackle a gym sesh before work. I’m doing what I can, as often as I can, and hopefully it pays off…soon!
I know my jeans didn’t "shrink" in a day, so it’ll take more than a day to loosen them back up, but like I told you the other day, I am a rather impatient person. Here’s to loose jeans – quickly!
Have a good night. 
~~~~~
Would you rather change your diet, or exercise more, in order to lose weight?
I’m not really willing to give up things like chocolate, butter and sugar, so I’d rather up the workout intensity to lose a few lbs!
I’m glad that you liked the noodles – they are always a quick and easy after-work meal for my husband and me, too! Your doughnuts look insanely awesome – I really need to get my hands on a doughnut pan. I’m with you – I’d rather work out a little more so that I can enjoy my favorite treats! Nothing drives me more insane than not being able to indulge.
I would never want to give up my favorite foods, so I would say a combo of exercise and smaller portions. Also, I think resistance training is an important part of an exercise regime. I don’t like lifting weights, so I take a resistance bands class twice a week. Increased muscle mass = increased metabolism.
You can do it, IGE!
I’m with ya though. I started Weight Watchers last September and have lost 40 pounds (still would like to lose about 15 more) but I’m a bit at a standstill. I realized that while my eating was in check 75% of the time, I also needed to up the ante in the gym! No easy feat once you’ve found a good “comfort zone”
BTW I have made quite a few of your recipes and love all of them! The turkey pot pie was a staple this winter
This post!! My jeans have also *shrunk* (I don’t know how the darn dryer did it when I let them air dry, haha)… I told my boyfriend to mark it down…27 is the year my metabolism slowed down! I’m a shorty pants like you (5’1″), and it’s crazy what a difference a 5lb weight gain can make on a little frame. Definitely going to start hitting it harder at the gym.
First off, props to you for avoiding the choc. cake! We have girl scout cookies on our office snack table. Those tagalongs just stare right back at me as I walk past.
Those donuts look awesome. I feel for ya on the tight jeans. When I start feeling squishy, I do the same and a little balance will get you right back to normal. Plus, you always look great! I know with your treadmill session and mom walks you’ll be rockin’ your jeans per the usual. And, nice weather is just around the corner so we can all be running outside regularly again!
You’re stronger than me… I would have indulged. :X I’m terrible, and unfortunately have a nagging sweet tooth.
I wanted to tell you I miss your yummy breakfast posts!! I was just telling a friend about Overnight Oats! Can’t wait for warmer weather to have that again.
Never giving up my fave foods. Never! But smaller portions or just a bite or two. And definitely I like your idea of adding some minutes to your workouts or getting up a little bit earlier. I have added minutes to my morning workouts myself after gaining 5 pounds of winter weight. It is true it will come off in the summer, but I want to nip it in the bud before 5 pounds turns into 10. Exercise, exercise, exercise!
Oh, my gosh, I don’t need my last name on that last post. ha ha!
Could never give up my favorite foods but do my best to eat them in moderation. Just ordered the donut pan by the way. I see some extra workouts in my future!
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Those noodles look great! You’re right – it’s all about portion control. Given the choice, I would much rather work out more often or more intensely, than change what I eat. Eating is emotional for me, so it’s easier for me to run 4 miles to make up for that cake, than denying myself that cake. Plus, I read somewhere that working out helps your health a lot more in the long run, than just denying yourself calories. Even if you ate a light 1200 calories a day, you may stay thin, but you’re not “healthy.”
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