Gettin’ Busy in the Kitchen
Hi, guys! Happy Monday! 
I’ve been gettin’ busy in the kitchen since I got home from work. Not that “gettin’ busy” (wink, wink 
). I’ve been cooking and baking in the kitchen for the past couple of hours. Time flies when you’re having fun!
Lunch
My day at NuVal flew by too! I love it when Mondays do that!
While working away, I munched on some strawberries and an Oikos Greek yogurt.
Don’t forget to enter the Healthy Start Giveaway. You have until tomorrow morning!
Dinner
I was so busy this afternoon, I didn’t end up eating an afternoon snack, so I made dinner early. I threw together a big salad with all sorts of veggies, leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, Dubliner cheese, and balsamic vinegar.
It was a GREAT salad– delicious and filling! 
I also ate a bowl of Braised Brussels Sprouts in Mustard Sauce with dinner. Sound fancy, right?
The recipe is from the November issue of Shape magazine– and it was AWESOME! Lots of mustard-y flavor mixed with a mild sweetness. Delish!
Braised Brussels Spouts in Mustard Sauce
From Shape magazine, November 2009
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 1 pound brussels sprouts
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup minced shallots
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 cup mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
- Cut off base of a sprout with a sharp knife. Slice a piece from one side of the sprout. Place it cut side down and cut it crosswise into about 5 slices. Repeat with all of the sprouts.*
- Heat in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat for 1 minutes. Add olive oil and swirl to coat skillet.
- Add shallots; sauté for 2 mintues. Stir in sprouts, salt (if using), and 3 tablespoons water; spread everything evenly across the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine mustard, brown sugar, and remaining water in a small bowl; stir until blended. Once sprouts have cooked for 5 minutes, pour mustard mixture over them and stir. Reduce heat to low, cover, cook for 3 minutes, then stir. Remove from heat or, if you prefer, cook for 5 minutes more– the sprouts will get browner and more intensely flavored. Server hot or warm with black pepper.
Nutrition score per serving (1.25 cups): 120 calories, 4 g fat, <1 g saturated far, 17 g carbs, 4 g protein, 57 mg calcium, 2 mg iron, 683 sodium.
* I just cut my brussels sprouts in half.
Dessert
For dessert, I baked some cookies! 
I swear I must have been the Cookie Monster in my last life!
Oatmeal Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Makes 15 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups old-fashion oats
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 egg
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup raisins
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350*F.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well until batter is blended evenly.
- Use a tablespoon to portion cookies on a greased baking sheet, approximately 2 inches apart.
- Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes.
- Remove cookies from baking sheet and allow to cool on wire rack.
- Eat and enjoy!
The flavor of these cookies was excellent– slightly sweet with a spicy ginger kick to them, but the texture wasn’t quite right. They were chewy, but not cookie-like. They were actually sort of rubbery. 
Next time, I’ll have to add some canola oil or butter to the recipe.
Update on 12 Days of Giveaways
I can’t believe that the 12 Days of Giveaways starts tomorrow! It’s sort of like Christmas Eve for me! I love making people happy, so giving people free stuff is always fun for me!
So, there’s been a few changes to the 12 Days of Giveaways since my first post. I had planned to have just 12 giveaways, but now it looks like there will be more than 20! So, I’ve decided to extend the giveaways to December 23 and hold some of them on the weekends. And, as I previously mentioned, there will be more than one giveaway on some days. Now you guys really need to check back often!
Open Sky Promo
Open Sky had an ENORMOUS response to their $25 off coupon promotion! In fact, so many people took advantage of it first thing this morning, the coupon code has now expired. However, the nice folks at Open Sky intend to offer some other promotions to restore any damaged goodwill, so be sure to keep a look out for future deals.
Tags: 12 Days of Giveaways, Braised Brussels Sprouts in Mustard Sauce
Lee — November 30, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
Thanks for posting the brussels sprouts recipe. I just bought some and had no idea what to do with them.
Erica — November 30, 2009 @ 7:51 pm
Love afternoons/evenings in the kitchen
Both the brussels and the cookies look fantastic! The cookies are PERFECT for fall with all that yummy spice. Glad to hear you’re loving work. I can’t wait for your big 12 days of giveaway. Do you and Mal have any exciting December/Christmas plans this year? We’re actually staying in SC for Christmas (so glad my parents are close by) and are very excited about it.
Maria — November 30, 2009 @ 7:51 pm
I love brussel sprouts, I usually roast them, but I will have to try this recipe. Glad you had a fun day in the kitchen:)
Food Makes Fun Fuel — November 30, 2009 @ 7:53 pm
That recipe sounds awesome! My mom got really into roasting brussels over the weekend–also delicious
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is — November 30, 2009 @ 7:54 pm
Those cookies look delish.
candice — November 30, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
Ooh, those cookies look divine, and they sound pretty healthy, too!
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans — November 30, 2009 @ 8:00 pm
those brussels look fantastic! i have all of those ingredients and will definitely be making this soon!
VeggieGirl — November 30, 2009 @ 8:15 pm
**jotting down brussels sprouts recipe**
Sam (Merit to the Carrot) — November 30, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
Everything looks fantastic! Especially the brussels sprouts and cookies! thanks for the recipe!
Lizzy — November 30, 2009 @ 8:28 pm
I’m so excited!!
Lauren @ eater not a runner — November 30, 2009 @ 8:30 pm
That salad looks so awesome! we don’t have any leftovers
Jenna — November 30, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
dinner looks so colorful and i love brussel sprouts!!
those cookies look great and i can’t wait for your giveaways to start, let’s just hope i win
jenna
erica — November 30, 2009 @ 8:32 pm
Oh my gosh those cookies look amazing!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) — November 30, 2009 @ 8:39 pm
Oil in cookies makes a big diffie! We must have been sister cookie monsters in our last lives
Kristie Lynn — November 30, 2009 @ 8:52 pm
I was feeling pretty frustrated with Open Sky this morning – I had left a voicemail and not heard anything, then gone to the website to see all the $25 deals were gone! But, I got a call later that I would get an email with a promo code to use since my voicemail was from before noon, so now all is repaired in my mind
Can’t wait to see what the first giveaway is!
Jessie (Vegan-minded) — November 30, 2009 @ 9:04 pm
Those braised brussels sprouts look awesome! I wasn’t able to get anything on OpenSky this morning, and I tried within like 45 minutes of you posting about it! Hopefully I will be able to next time.
Can’t wait to hear about the giveaways!
Susan — November 30, 2009 @ 9:06 pm
Gah those brussels look fab! I wish I was home so I could make some!
Kati — November 30, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
Oohh man I wanna make those cookies tonight! :> Anyone with cooking knowledge: how much oil or butter would you add to this recipe? Thanks!!!
becky — November 30, 2009 @ 9:20 pm
ass shallots…yum!!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg — November 30, 2009 @ 9:23 pm
Yummm…those brussel sprouts look good– I remember seeing that recipe.
Of course, the cookies look better
Estela @ Weekly Bite — November 30, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
I love days when I’m cooking and baking and time flies! So much fun!
Annalisa — November 30, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
Hi Tina — I recently discovered that adding black pepper to a spicy cookie will give it some warm spice flavor. I made some awesome molasses ginger cookies that used it and they were fantastic (made a 2nd batch and forgot to add the pepper and realized they totally made the cookies the first time). Try throwing in 1/2 tsp. of ground black pepper to your cookie batch and enjoy!
Mary — November 30, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
Just thought I’d point out that the brussel sprout recipe says to “Ass shallots…” oops!
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) — November 30, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
I think you really were the cookie monster haah I really need to try your recipes!
K — November 30, 2009 @ 9:37 pm
Those brussels sound fantastic! I’m on a huge mustard kick lately so thanks for the recipe!!
Tina — November 30, 2009 @ 9:40 pm
@Mary: Haha. That’s awesome!
Marilyn — November 30, 2009 @ 9:41 pm
i love brussels sprouts
fyi.. I think you misspelled “add” on the recipe for the brussels sprouts 
Heather — November 30, 2009 @ 10:06 pm
Those cookies look and sound divine! I too am a cookie monster. Forget the cakes, pies, and chocolate bars…just pass me a plate of cookies! Thanks for sharing.
Light Delight with TouTou — November 30, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
the salad is so colorful!!! love it!
Erin — November 30, 2009 @ 10:29 pm
Your salad looks so colorful! I’ve been throwing Thanksgiving leftovers — especially cranberries — on my salads and love the combo.
Naomi — November 30, 2009 @ 10:29 pm
LOL cookie monster in your past life-love it!
these look fabulous!
I cant wait for your 12 days of giveaways, have a great night Tina!
Paige@ RunningAroundNormal — November 30, 2009 @ 10:30 pm
Haha Tina the Cookie Monster. You are too cute! Those cookies certainly look delicious!
I have some brussels waiting to be cooked in my fridge!
Cait (Cait's Plate) — November 30, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
I made oatmeal cookies tonight for dessert too! And I hear ya on the cookie monster thing – i ADORE cookies and am pretty sure I could eat them for breakfast lunch and dinner. Haha. Time to switch my career to being a baker!
Lisa (bakebikeblog) — November 30, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
ooooh I LOVE brussle sprouts AND mustard – so I think this receipe will be making an appearance at our house sometime soon
Cait (Cait's Plate) — November 30, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
And I almost named my post “Busy in the Kitchen” tonight too! Haha! So funny!
Erin — November 30, 2009 @ 10:47 pm
That salad looks amazing!!!
I’m really excited for the giveaways!!
ashleigh — November 30, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
my monday went by really fast too– love it!
20 giveaway this month? that’s crazy!
Kasey (Fit For Wellness) — November 30, 2009 @ 11:39 pm
That salad looks delicious!!!
Kara — November 30, 2009 @ 11:43 pm
Yeah, I wasn’t able to get in on the deal this morning and I tried early! You should be flattered that you have enough readers to totally crash another website
Lynn (The Actors Diet) — December 1, 2009 @ 12:05 am
brussels are the best. i found out recently if you cut out the core they’ll be less bitter, but i kinda like the bitterness…
Emily Eats and Exercises — December 1, 2009 @ 12:14 am
I had similar brussel sprouts for lunch – mustard and maple syrup. I love the sweet and spicy combination.
Amanda — December 1, 2009 @ 12:15 am
Do you think you could maybe do a post on great gift ideas for the holidays? I don’t know what to get people, and I also don’t really know what I want myself!
I LOVE brussel sprouts. I never got them as a kid so I always wondered whether I would have liked them like I did peas or if I would have fed them to my dog like I did with lima beans!
Good Taste. Healthy Me. — December 1, 2009 @ 12:24 am
Those cookies look delicious! I just made the chocolate almond butter cookies from your post last week and they came out sooo good. I absolutely loved them! Hopefully I don’t end up eating them all in two days! They are quite addicting!
Deirdre — December 1, 2009 @ 12:38 am
I had brussel sprouts for dinner too! I’m gonna have to try that recipe. Can’t wait for 12 Days of Giveaways!
Karla — December 1, 2009 @ 12:47 am
Sounds like a great evening! I’ve been seeing brussel sprouts all over the place, which is kind of interesting because I just went to the grocery store and they are almost $3.00/lb! Asparagus are cheaper! Crazy!
SweetiePotato — December 1, 2009 @ 1:46 am
I <3 brussel sprouts! And the cookies look good, too!
Susan (All Things In Moderation) — December 1, 2009 @ 3:59 am
I need to try those cookies this weekend, they look so good ! Plus the recipe sounds easy enough , I don’t think I could mess it up too much !
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) — December 1, 2009 @ 7:33 am
I love baking, it’s such a serene activity. I always make sure to chew gum, though, so I don’t wind up “taste-tasting” too much. Those cookie look splendid!
diana(mymarblerye) — December 1, 2009 @ 8:48 am
i dont know how you have so much self control! If I baked all the time I would be REALLY testing my own self control!
Sarah — December 1, 2009 @ 9:29 am
Wow, those brussels and cookies look delicious! I love how you cover both ends of the spectrum
Can’t wait to see the next giveaway!!
Tamzin — December 1, 2009 @ 9:40 am
Goodness me I WANT one of those cookies!!!!!!!! x x
Becca — December 1, 2009 @ 9:43 am
Those brussel sprouts look so yummy! I have never tried brussel sprouts before but I’m totally printing out this recipe and am going to give them a try!
MelissaNibbles — December 1, 2009 @ 10:05 am
The brussels sprouts sound great. I bet adding mushrooms to the recipe would be amazing!
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale — December 1, 2009 @ 11:17 am
We still have some turkey leftover but neither of us can simply stand one more bite! I hate to waste food, so I’m desperately trying to convince my husband to eat it!
Courtney — December 1, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
I saw that recipe in Shape and am excited to try it! Glad it got a good review! As a former anti- brussel sprouts person (trauma from growing up), I’m all ready to turn over a new leaf because they are so good for you!
Lindsey @ Eat, Read, Run — December 1, 2009 @ 12:08 pm
Your salad looks yummy – I’m craving one now. I may also have to try those cookies this weekend when I have a free moment. Note to self – add a bit of canola oil!
Carolyn — December 1, 2009 @ 11:35 pm
Can’t wait for the giveaways!