Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Mini Cookie Cakes: The Best Cookies Ever - Made With Only SIX Ingredients!

I recently was given the opportunity to review a Grazia mini-cupcake silicone baking pan and I'm obsessed with all of the cute creations I can make with it. Although I'm on NutriSystem and haven't had any added sweets lately, I made hubby a batch of my famous cookies in mini-cupcake form and they turned out wonderfully so I just have to share this mini cookie cake recipe. Plus, with only SIX ingredients these are SUPER simple to make!



Do you have a dinner party or special event coming up over the holidays? These little perfectly portioned cookies will be a hit! You can eat these little cookies plain or top with icing, ice cream, or even additional chocolate chips or peanut butter to make these feel more like "cookie cake"; the possibilities are endless!

6 Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Mini Cookie Cakes Recipe

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup light brown sugar, packed 

1 large egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup (approximately) chocolate chips

You'll start by combining brown sugar, peanut butter, egg, and vanilla. Mix on medium-high speed with a mixer or stir for an extended period of time, be sure the mixture is well combined and not gritty or granular. Now add baking soda and chocolate chips, continue to stir.

Roll into ball shapes and place cookie dough in refrigerator for an hour or more (overnight would work even).

When ready to bake pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees (F) and place cookie dough balls into the  cups of the pan and gently push them down a bit so they will spread easily into the shape of the cup. Bake for around 8-10 minutes, possibly longer depending on how crispy you want your mini cookie cakes.

Allow cookie cakes to cool and easily pop them out of the silicone pan and enjoy!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.
Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

The BEST Yoga pants I've ever owned: Luna Jai Athletics

I've shared my love of yoga pants in the past, but my infatuation with this item of clothing just reached a whole new level. I've found the most comfortable athletic pants ever and I have to share my secret with you...

I have friends that swear by lulu's or whatever brand they like at the time, but the other brands don't compare to Luna Jai Athletics.
 

Luna Jai has the most comfortable pants, with the Wik-Fit Fabric technology and the Ultimate Fit Waist Lock they fit to my body unlike any other pants. I love that the pants feel like they are painted on and I actually wear them for all sorts of activities; from running to practicing dance moves, these pants are comfortable enough for all kinds of fun.

The designs are so funky and unique, I own the Brush Waves Shorts,  the Cosmic Wink Yoga Pants, and the Vineyard Scroll Yoga Pants. Each item went above and beyond my expectations, the prints were so perfect and the beautiful colors haven't faded a bit with several washings! I'm actually so in love with the pants, I've become an ambassador for the company.So, if you want to score a pair of Luna Jai Athletic pants or shorts, use the code "LAURENH" to get 10% off your order!  

One lucky #EverybodyYoga Challenge participant has been notified that she WON a pair of these babies and an awesome Yoga mat from +Gaiam, I'm waiting to hear back and will officially announce the winners of the challenge soon!

How I lost 9lbs in 10 days: The Pros + Cons of Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem provided me with food items to facilitate this review, regardless I only recommend items I believe will be beneficial to my readers.

I'm so excited to share that I'm already losing lots of weight on Nutrisystem.

I completed the Fast 5 introduction to the program a full 9lbs lighter than I started!

That's a decent amount of weight so I kind of feel like I should shout my success from the roof tops...
Well, since I can't get on any roof tops, I'll just share on the blog.
Can I get a woohoo?!

 The Pros: I'm going to be totally honest and tell you all that the food is totally delicious but getting creative with recipes & adding more vegetables into my routine has been absolutely scrumptious - a lifestyle change is taking place! I've found that I really like green smoothies with less (if any) fruit involved, I've also found that I can eat peas like it's no bodies business, and now that the Fast 5 is over and I'm allowed Nutrisytem desserts - I've also found that I really, really like every single dessert item I've tried so far. I've loved nearly everything I've eaten from Nutrisystem so far and I'm excited to try some of the dishes still waiting to be eaten.

The cons: Learning to eat more food is weird when on a diet, but that's totally what I'm doing... I'm just eating healthier foods and smaller portions more often and it's been a trip... I feel like I'm always eating but it also means I'm never  hungry. I think it's safe to say that I'm a bigger fan of their chocolate protein shakes over their vanilla protein shakes and I really want to try the strawberry protein but it wasn't in my box... maybe next month! I don't like the Cheese Tortellini at all but that's totally a personal preference. The flavors in the White Bean Chicken Chili are AMAZING, sadly it was only a part of my Fast 5. 

I'm currently on day 11 of my weight loss journey and I'm so excited to see my end result. I know I won't be able to keep up this momentum of losing around a 1lb a day but I feel amazing right now and I'm losing more than I've ever lost trying to lose on my own, so there's something to Nutrisystem.

So here's to losing more over the next few weeks, I'll keep you all updated on my progress

and would love it if you follow along with my journey!

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Health Blast Green Smoothie Recipe

Combine in blender:

1/6 of a green apple

1 1/2 cups strawberries

1 banana

1 cup coconut milk

LOTS of spinach (1 1/2+cups)

LOTS of kale (1 1/2+ cups)

1/2 8oz container fat-free yogurt of your choice

Blend & Enjoy!

I'm obsessed with green smoothies, officially and this recipe is bound to make even the pickiest eater enjoy their greens.  Be sure to buy organic, it just tastes better!

Fall Outfit Inspiration and a Mialisia Jewelry Giveaway!

 Over the past few months I've had the opportunity to share some gorgeous pieces from Mialisia Jewelry. As I keep saying, with customizable styles and unique clasps you can wear any of these necklaces in numerous ways to suit each occasion. Mialisia Jewelry is for everyday wear and special occasion wear, it's for a day at the beach or a day at the alter. The pieces can combine together to create whatever look you are trying to achieve and today I decided to share a few unique looks for Fall using the jewelry for my outfit inspiration!

Awakening has to be the most stunning piece in the Mialisia Collection, it really does it's job as a statement necklace and I love how I can wear it with anything and still feel dressed up and beautiful but not over done. I paired Awakening with some teal pants, a white tank, my favorite pair of heels that include tons of shades of blues and greens, and my Pin-Up Darling Denim Jacket - the perfect outfit for a night out with the girls or even a casual date with the hubs. One thing I have to share about this necklace: every single time I wear it I get compliments; you have to love pieces like that in your wardrobe!

Entangled is such a fun necklace full of personality; I decided to pair this piece with a more edgy look - class and punk go together well, right? I wore this necklace with a tank top, a high waisted black skirt, some knee-high boots, and a longer cardigan. I loved how the black glass beads complimented the outfit and the small sparkle they added to make my outfit really pop!

The Duchess necklace is gorgeous, featuring a ton of slightly dangling pearls. I paired this necklace with one of my favorite dresses the day after I had my hair done and I felt absolutely gorgeous. This necklace is made for royalty and matches absolutely everything, plus pearls are just awesome.

All three of these pieces are perfect additions to any woman's wardrobe and will spice up any outfit.
You can shop these looks here: Awakening | Entangled | Duchess
and one lucky winner will win all 3!

Please use the giveaway tools form below to win:

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above to facilitate my review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.This contest will run through October 31st at 11:59 pm EST. Must be 18 years or older to win.  This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter or any other company mentioned above. You understand that you are providing your information to Lauren Paints | a beautiful life and not to Facebook, I will not use your information other than to e-mail you a winning notification if you are the chosen winner. Enter using the Giveaway Tools form above. Void Where Prohibited. Please note that Lauren Paints | a beautiful life is not the party held responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes.