http://thecakemom.com

All cake ordering/contact information, and new current blog posts can be found on the website.

Thanks,

Jennifer~The Cake Mom

Now that spring time is officially here, there is nothing I love more than to get out of the house and grill!  I usually don’t grill anything more than chicken or steak, and the occasional hot dog, until now.

I and my 18 month old have a major obsession with Alexia sweet potato fries.  I was reading How Sweet It Is blog on my reader last week and her hubby, Mr. How Sweet was grilling and gave me the best idea.

You can imagine my happiness at this revelation!

~

To grill, you first cut your sweet potatoes into fourths.

I then place the cut up pieces into a zip bag and add oil and salt.  You can add any flavorings you like.

Then shake it all up.

Let them cook for 10-15 minutes, Depending on how hot your grill is.

I laid mine directly on the grill, but you can also lay them skin side down so they don’t burn.

I confess, several of mine burned!

And here is the finished product.  So good!

Jennifer

~The Cake Mom

A few months back a good friend was telling me about a cookbook she had been given where you sneak healthy food into food your kids would normally eat.  My kids tend to be picky eaters, but they will still eat things like broccoli, carrots, lima beans, etc.  Even though they will still eat vegetables, I still wanted more meals to be packed full of good nutrition.  So, I went to the bookstore and bought the book ‘Deceptively Delicious‘ by Jessica Seinfeld.

I also went to the grocery store and spent far too much money on vegetables and pureed food for a good two days.

I may have gone a little overboard.

The food now resides in my freezer.

So far I have tried 4 recipes in the cookbook: Chocolate Pudding, Aloha Chicken Kabobs, Grilled Cheese, and Beef Stew.  My kids and I have not been too impressed with 3 of the recipes I’ve tried.  I blame myself for the beef stew not being as good as it could have been.  I made grilled cheese sandwiches that had added pureed butternut squash.  My pickiest eater did not care for this at all!  I will eat anything and the sandwiches were even hard for me to eat.  The squash really just overpowered the cheese and there was no way I was “sneaking”  around hiding it.

Of course one of our favorite recipes is the chocolate pudding.

The pudding is so rich and really fills you up.  You don’t have to eat very much to be satisfied.

This pudding contains no milk or dairy, so it may also be good for people who are lactose intolerant, but I will let you decided that.

The recipe can be found on page 159 in the book ‘Deceptively Delicious‘

(The photos I am showing you are from when I tripled the recipe.  Directions will be according to the recipe.)

First you start by pureeing around 3-4 avocados to get 1 cup of avocado puree.

Melt 1/4 a cup of butter on low heat.

Add your avocado puree to the butter.

Measure out 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar.

Add the sugar to your avocado and stir well.

Measure out 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder.

Add the cocoa powder to your avocados.

Stir well.

Add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.

(I was out of regular vanilla so I had to use clear.)

Remove the pudding from the stove.  Stir in 1/4 cup of cornstarch.  This is to thicken it a bit more.

I think this step could possibly be skipped since the pudding is already very thick.

Now grab a spoon and enjoy!

I seriously could not even eat this whole dish of pudding because it is so rich, so a little goes a really long way.

I tripled this recipe and it made way too much for us to eat.

All the desserts in this cookbook look delicious and I’m going to have to give them all a try.  There is even a recipe for chocolate cake, which has beet puree!

~ Jennifer

Deceptively Delicious Chocolate Pudding

Prep: 5 minutes ~ Total: 9 minutes ~ Serves: 8 to 10

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup trans-fat-free soft tub margarine spread.  OR butter.  Sorry, but I just don’t buy into eating margarine. :)
• 1 cup avocado puree
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup cornstarch

Directions

• In a medium saucepan, melt the margarine over low heat.  Stir in the avocado puree, sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla.  Cook, mashing well with a silicone spatula to smooth out any lumps of avocado, until the mixture thickens, 3 to 4 minutes.  Off the heat, gradually stir in the cornstarch.  Serve warm.

(Janice, I promise the recipe is correct this time!) :)

St. Patrick’s Day, a little History

Unless, they are of me without makeup.

I really was so frightened by my first before photos that I had to re-take them several weeks later.

You should thank me now.

This is my new makeup.  It’s all loose mineral powder, and it’s from a company called Everyday Minerals.

I purchased the multi-intensive concealer, multi-tasking neutral matte base, and the Apple blush.

I had originally wanted to purchase the Bare Minerals brand makeup, but it was slightly more expensive than the Everyday Minerals.  Bare Minerals starter package starts at $60.00.  At checkout with Everday Minerals I spent $36.76, which also included an eye palate (not pictured) and a free sample of eye shadow and blush (with a coupon code).

What really sold me on this makeup besides the price is how the company will send you 5 free samples to try in the shade family of your choice.  You only pay for the shipping, which I think ended up being around $3.00 for me.  I tried out all the samples and finally decided to go with the neutral, that way in the summer I can add bronzer.

Photo of the open makeup container.

This is the brush I use to apply the makeup.  I got mine at Target, but I’ve also seen them at Walgreens.  You can use whatever kind of brush you want.  Everyday Minerals also sells brushes.

Alright, now it’s time for the reason you came.

Brace yourself.

You have been warned!

The BEFORE photo.

And now, the AFTER photo (below).

I didn’t apply any eyeshadow or lipstick because I didn’t want to take away from the makeup.

The only thing I have on that isn’t Everyday Minerals is my mascara, which is Cover Girl.

Overall, I really like the all powder mineral makeup.  My only problem with the loose powder is applying it in the car.  It tends to be a bit messy.  So next up I guess I will be purchasing some pressed powder to have on the go!

Jennifer

My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/2-Cups Butter (Softened)
• 1 ¼-Cups granulated Sugar
• 1 ¼-Cup Brown Sugar, packed
• 1-Tablespoon Vanilla
• 2-Eggs
• 4-Cup All-Purpose Flour
• 2-Teaspoons Baking Soda
• 1/2-Teaspoon Salt
• 1 (24 oz.)-bag Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In large bowl, beat butter, sugars on medium speed until well combined.
3. Add vanilla and eggs. Beat again on medium speed or with spoon until light and fluffy.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt (dough will be stiff).
5. Stir in chocolate chips.
6. On ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough by tablespoonfuls or a cookie/ice cream scoop 2 inches apart; flatten slightly.
7. Bake 11-13 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). (I don’t bake mine this long.  Usually 8-10 minutes will give you just right soft & gooey cookies.)

Cool 1-2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.

Note: For nut lovers, stir in 2 cups coarsely chopped nuts with chocolate chips.

ENJOY!

Printable PDF Recipe-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Jennifer

~The Cake Mom

Recipe Source

Last Saturday my friend Emily and I hopped in her boyfriend’s car and drove to St. Louis, MO

We shopped at a mall, where if I were able to afford the merchandise in it I would hang my head in shame for spending $295 on a sweater!  Do you know how many clothes I could buy for $295!?  Although, I did really love this and this!

Plus, if I bought a $295 sweater my kids would have it stained up the second I put it on.  I’ve considered starting my own clothing line called “The Napkin: Clothing for Moms”

I did happen to find one store I could afford, and of course it was a cookware store, Sur La Table.  I got some super good deals too, bowls & a colander on clearance!

Then it was time to cross the street to our main event of the day at the St. Louis County Library.

The Pioneer Woman‘s ‘Black Heels to Tractor Wheels‘ book signing tour!

We lined up.

Hello Emily!

The line just kept growing after we showed up.  Hello again Emily!

After about 30 minutes of standing outside in the cold, without my nice warm Uggs, the line finally started moving inside!

These lovely people did not like their picture being taken, some looked away!  Look up ladies you are all beautiful!

Hello the top of Emily’s head!

We waited inside in the warmth for about 30 more minutes before finally…

PW St. Louis

Sorry, I didn’t record the whole thing. :(

She claimed to be nervous, but I thought she did an excellent job!

After she was done talking, we waited some more.  Emily and I were in group 4.

Marlboro Man (Ladd), Ree’s husband, in the distance also signing books.

Finally, it was our turn in the room.

I was fine until it was my turn in line, and I became suddenly nervous.

I hadn’t really thought about what I would say.

I didn’t say much.  I managed to get out a “Hi, it’s nice to meet you, I love your blog.”

What I should have said is, “I really enjoy your blog because, of all the recipes with photos that let me know I’m making it right!  Also, because your posts on Tanner the barbie dog, and Pulling Out of McDonald’s really made me love you.  Oh, and your a homeschool mom and I can say your site has given me many tips and a lot of inspiration.  And then there is Charlie.” (I can’t wait to get my kid’s the book about Charlie!)

Up next was Emily.

PW liked Emily’s sweater/vest thing.

Emily also told her about how Em’s boyfriend was really enjoying ‘Black Heels to Tractor Wheels’! ;)

(Click the link to read it free on her blog)

Before we left I decided to go for it and give PW a business card!  I had really hoped to make some cookies to take to the book signing, but I ran out of time and also wasn’t sure if she would eat something some stranger brought to her!

I did tell her about the cookies, and I promised to make some and have a contest for you!

Maybe she will see them?

The Pioneer Woman was lovely, and if you don’t know who she is (like my husband.  Even though I’ve made countless recipes and always given her the credit) you should definitely check out her Blog.

She actually just won some blog awards for it!  Congratulations Ree!

More than anything though it was so great to spend the day with my best friend Emily!

That’s why for a fun little hobby on the side, I kill house plants.

I most usually succeed too.

Oh, and it doesn’t even have to live in the house for me to murder it.

Take this poor little unsuspecting mum.  She was white and so full of life.

If she had only known her fate when she was brought home from the orchard where I bought her.

Now these plants.  What to do with these plants?

They are obviously very stubborn.  They like really want to live or something.

I mean I’ve not given them water in weeks, and they have the nerve to still be green!

You thought those were something.

Get a load of this one!  This one NEVER gets water, NEVER gets sunlight and look at it!

Growing and thriving and getting taller every day!

It can’t be killed!

I’m still pretty confident though.

If you have a stubborn house plant that just won’t die, I’m your girl!

~Jennifer

(March 12, 2010)

I wrote this post almost 1 year ago for another blog.  Stay tuned for an update soon! ;)

Here are the first batch of Valentine cookies I made for the giveaway.

Stevie L. and I with her cookies!

Onesie giveaway cookies, personalized for the mom-to-be!

Cute mommy-to-be Alex with her cookies!

~Jennifer

Thank you to everyone who entered my cookie giveaway, and thank you for all your nice comments and compliments!

Now, to what you really care about, did you win?

With the help of Random.org I selected the winners.  Here they are:

Alex who said:

“Cookies would make this preggo a happy girl right about now! And I was in the first 10 fans you had. So that means I love you most! “

and

Stevie L who said:

“Winning cookies sounds great! Hope I win!”

Congratulations!

I will contact the winners by email.

Jennifer

~The Cake Mom