I am a big cookies and cream fan! When I found this recipe at BettyCrocker.com, I knew that I HAD to make these. Few ingredients are required, and this recipe is extremely easy to make. The only problem now is that I have half a bag of mini Hershey’s Cookies and Cream candy bars staring me down….must practice the moderation I preach! Have fun with these cookies they are DELICIOUS!

Cookies and Cream Cake Mix Cookies

Ingredients:

1 package Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® devil’s food cake mix
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
18 foil-wrapped white chocolate candies with chocolate cookie bits (from 12-ounce bag), unwrapped
1 ounce white baking bar (white chocolate) or vanilla-flavored candy coating
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°. Lightly grease cookie sheet with shortening or spray with cooking spray. Mix cake mix, oil and eggs in large bowl with spoon until dough forms (some dry mix will remain). Cut each candy crosswise in half.
2. Shape level 1 measuring tablespoon of dough around each candy half, covering completely. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.
3. Bake 7 to 10 minutes or until cookies begin to look dry and cracked on surface. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
4. Microwave white baking bar and 1/2 teaspoon of the oil in small microwavable bowl uncovered on High 20 to 30 seconds; stir until melted and smooth. In another small bowl, microwave chocolate chips and remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil uncovered on High 20 to 30 seconds; stir until melted and smooth.
5. Place each glaze in separate resealable plastic food-storage bag. Cut small tip from one corner of each bag. Drizzle glazes over cookies.

With Earth Day´s 40th anniversary, Cascadian Farm invites us to join the celebration by pledging to follow a few eco-friendly tips on Facebook. Choose from eight different pledges, ranging from reusing clothes to reducing your speed while driving on the highway, and find the one that fits your lifestyle. For each person that signs a pledge now through May 31, 2010, Cascadian Farm will donate $1, up to $40,000, to the Organic Farming Research Foundation, which fosters the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems.

The Organic Farming Research Foundation continues to sow seeds to transform agriculture, you can do your part to initiate a positive change for healthier foods and a healthier earth by visiting http://www.facebook.com/cascadianfarm and signing the pledge that´s right for you. Dedicated to organic goodness since 1972, Cascadian Farm products are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically engineered ingredients. With your help, we can all live greener together.Visit CascadianFarm.com to learn more and download a $1.00 coupon today!

To celebrate Earth Day, Cascadian Farm provided me with prize packs for myself and a lucky reader through MyBlogSpark. The “Live Green Together” prize packs contain Cascadian Farm cereals and granola bars, including: Fruitful O´s cereal, Cinnamon Crunch cereal, Chocolate Chip Chewy granola bars, Dark Chocolate Almond Granola, Dark Chocolate Almond granola bars, Oats & Honey granola, and an eco-friendly grocery bag.

Here is how you can win:

• Leave a comment telling me how you try to be greener?
• Earn an extra entry if you are a new or existing subscriber to Megan’s Munchies, and leave me a comment letting me know.
• Earn another additional entry by linking back to this giveaway on your blog, and leaving a comment letting me know.
• Earn one more entry by mentioning the giveaway on Twitter and leaving a comment letting me know.

Entries will be accepted until Sunday, April 25, at midnight.

If you know me well, you know that I love my coffee. I am also a big fan of the Brew ‘N Go Coffee Maker in my OpenSky Shop!! It is so convenient for when you are short on time and need that “coffee on the go”. Good news…OpenSky and Megan’s Munchies are having a giveaway and a lucky reader will win one of these fabulous Brew ‘N Go Coffee Makers.

To enter, all you have to do is visit the PROMO PAGE and provide your email address! Entries will be accepted until April 17 at midnight. Just for entering, you get a 10% off coupon good toward any product in my personal OpenSky Shop. The coupons expire one week from today so pick your favorite product NOW! May I suggest the following:

1. Cocoa Latte Maker

2. Cuisinart Burr Grinder

3. Wilton Pattern Press Set

4. Wilton Mini Flowers Baskets Pan

5. Wilton Edible Food Writer Marker Pack

Thank you to Sandy Harris for this guest post. I hope you all find it as informative as I did!

New Research Shows that Maple Syrup is Effective against Cancer and Diabetes

Did you know that your favorite maple syrup is effective in fighting cancer and diabetes?  According to the studies conducted by US researchers, there are strong evidences showing that maple syrup can substantially slow down the growth of cancer cells and can effectively reduce the risk of diabetes.

The new research shows that your favorite maple syrup has thirteen active compounds that serve as antioxidants.  These thirteen compounds were previously unknown.  The discovery proved that maple syrup could be very effective in fighting bacterial infection, diabetes and cancer.

Maple Syrup as an Anti Diabetic Food

Maple syrup contains high levels of phytohormone and abscisic acid.  According to research, this type of acid is a natural defense in controlling diabetes and other metabolic syndromes.  The acid is effective because it has the potential to encourage the release of insulin through the pancreatic cells.  It can also enhance the fat cell’s sensitivity to insulin.

The studies on maple syrup and its effects on diabetes have been reviewed by experts.  The results of these studies were revealed before the American Chemical Society in San Francisco.

Maple Syrup as the Best Anti Cancer Food

Quebec researchers, on the other hand, conducted a study to probe the impact of maple syrup on cancer cell growth.  The results of this study were published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.

According to the researchers, your favorite maple syrup can significantly slow down the growth of cancerous cells.  It has been found that the syrup is effective in inhibiting the growth of brain, prostate, and lung cancer.  However, the efficacy of the syrup on breast cancer growth was less significant.

The Best Anti Cancer and Anti Diabetes Food

You probably know already that broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes are effective anti cancer foods.  However, new research shows that maple syrup is better and more effective in fighting cancer cell growth.

The syrup of maple is also more potent than the maple sap.  The studies also showed that darker syrup is more effective in inhibiting cancer growth compared to light colored syrup.  Color oxidation is seen as the reason why dark maple syrup is more potent against cancer.

So if you want the best food that can fight cancer and diabetes, then maple syrup is your best option.  It is also effective against bacterial infection and other degenerative diseases.  With maple syrup, you will have a tasty alternative in fighting cancer, diabetes, and infections.

(Reference: Journal of medicinal food. 01/02/2010; ISSN: 1557-7600, OI: 10.1089/jmf.2009.0029)

About the Author – Sandy Harris writes for the Diabetic Snacks Blog, her personal hobby blog focuses on tips to prevent, cure and manage diabetes using healthy snacks and recipes.

Congrats to the winner: Jessie C!

Thanks to My BlogSpark and Wanchai Ferry, I was treated to a fun “Perfect Night In” Prize Pack. Who can resist a $25 Target gift card and free food! I am always craving Pei Wei, so I was excited to try the new frozen meals from Wanchai Ferry. If I could have an option in my freezer that would curb take-out cravings…I would be a happy woman. I am happy to report that I was not disappointed. The Orange Chicken is awesome! I can’t wait to give the Shrimp Lo Mein a try.

The Wanchai Ferry “Perfect Night In” prize pack includes one VIP coupon valid for a free package of any of the Wanchai Ferry frozen entrees, in addition to a set of great Asian-inspired rice bowls, chopsticks, bamboo place mats, flavored fortune cookies, and a $25 Target gift card.

Here is how you can win:

• Leave a comment telling me your favorite Asian inspired meal?
• Earn an extra entry if you are a new or existing subscriber to Megan’s Munchies, and leave me a comment letting me know.
• Earn another additional entry by linking back to this giveaway on your blog, and leaving a comment letting me know.
• Earn one more entry by mentioning the giveaway on Twitter and leaving a comment letting me know.

Entries will be accepted until Wednesday, April 7, at midnight.