Amazing Grace

I was raised in a very religious home. My grandparents faithfully go to church three times a week. We pray before every meal no matter how significant or insignifcant. As I got older and moved into my own home I have gotten away from saying grace. Its not apart of my eating ritual anymore.
Lately I got to thinking about what saying grace really means. I think its goes far beyond religion. I think it goes to the core of gratitude and having a grateful spirit. I started to realize saying grace is more than just ritual before dinner, mummbling a few words before you eat. Its really about taking a few seconds to acknolwdege the meal your about to eat. To give thanks for the food on your plate and the people who provided it.
I think its vitual to apprecaiting your meal to say grace. I don't think its about religion, even if you are a non-believer you should take a few seconds to be grateful that you have food. Say thank you to the person who prepared it and to acknowldege all that went into having this meal on your plate. We live in a world where a lot of people have no idea when their next meal will be. It so easy to take our meals for granted.  I think this little act of thanks everyday is a good way to remind ourselves how good our lives are. Because even if you have a bad day the simple act of being able to eat a meal that will sustain you to get up tomorrow and face a new day is something to be thankful for.

Baking with Buddies

I love baking, I find it very relaxing and theraputic during stressful times. When I bake I feel like the world makes sense. Because if I follow a set of instructions I will get a wonderful dessert at the end. Too bad life can't be that straight forward and simple.
Lately I've been baking less at home alone, and started setting baking saturdays with my friends who also enjoy baking. Its so much fun to get in the kitchen with a friend, turn up the music, pour a cocktail and make some cupcakes.

These beauties were baked with my friend Sara right before Valentines Day. They are chocolate cake, with swiss buttercream frosting and mini chocolate chips. Sara found the mini chocolate chips that were the perfect finishing touch for these cupcakes. Funny story about these cupcakes. They were in the oven before we realized we forgot to add sugar to the batter. I blame the cocktails for this oversight. Not to worry we figured out our mistake in time, saved the batter and the cupcakes were perfect! These were perfect Valentines Day treats. Cory took them to work and they were gone before 10 am!

Don't let the simplicity of this cupcake fool you. I baked these chocolate cupcakes with salted carmel buttercream frosting with my friend Katrina, who is my baking mentor! Anytime Katrina and I are in the kitchen you can guarantee there will be a lot of laughter. Katrina is a professonial baker, so when I bake with her I always learn a new trick or technique. Katrina even taught me how to pipe cupcake frosting like a pro!
This chocolate cake is instense, but combine that with a salted carmel buttercream and it is pure decadence! I think is perfect for a cupcake because its the perfect portion size for this rich cupcake. I had to get these out of my house fast. Because I was developing a nightly cupcake habit.

Baking with my buddies has become my new favorite way to spend time with my friends and catch up. I  always learn something new have a good time and go home with great treats!

Happy Leap Day

Today is February 29th a day that only comes along every four years. I'll admit until recently I never really thought much about leap day. It didn't really hold any significance to me just another date on the calendar. Then it dawned on me with the help of 30 Rock. That Leap Day is a bonus day, a an extra day in the year that we don't normally get. If you think about it Leap Day is the gift of time.
One extra day to get closer to accomplishing your goals. One extra day to spend time with the people you care about. One extra day to seize the moment. When I looked at it that way, Leap Day is pretty special. What am I doing today you may ask? Well I am using today to start checking things off my list. To start those projects I've been putting off. To acknowledge the things I've done well and let go of regrets and fears.
We all love getting a bonus of something special. So what could be more special then the gift of a bonus day!

Happy Leap Day Everyone!

Daily Annoyance!

Its the beginning of a new year, and you know what that means? Diet! Everyone I know is trying a new "program" or working going to the gym more to be a healthier/skinner person in the new year. This is not new it happens every January, and I am not immune. I to am trying to loose my twelve pounds of Christmas weight.
So nothing annoys me more than when I am watching TV or a movie and I see a bunch a of skinny people enjoying ice cream, or wine, or a burger or any other type of food I am trying to steer clear of right now. The reason this annoys me so much is because the entertainment industry will have you believe that you can eat whatever you want and still be a size nothing! Which makes me feel like I am being punished because I can't necessarily guzzle a bottle of wine or eat a cupcake right now because my jeans are screaming for mercy.
I know its harmless and the movies/tv aren't trying to make me feel crazy, but it does. I can't belly up to a plate full of veggies while watching someone on tv dive in to pasta. It just feel so unfair!!!! So I guess until I've totally detoxed and my jeans feel a little better, I'll stick to books. Which in the grander scheme of things is better for my brain then zoning out in front of the TV. I feel so much better having gotten this off my chest.
To all of you out there fighting the weight battle good luck, I'll see you all in February when we're back to drinking cocktails and eating chocolate!!!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Its the first day of a new year. I can honestly say that I am excited and a little scared to see what the this year will hold. Its funny how people get so caught up in the "New Year", thinking that January 1st is the only day that one can change their lives or start to implement new habits. When in reality its just another day.
I think real change comes when your tired of your old life and behaviors and ready for something different. That could happen on January 1st or on May 3rd. To me everyday is a fresh start a new beginning a chance to be the person you want to be. I think way too much stock is put into January 1st. With that said, I've been giving a lot of thought lately on not just what I want for the year but what I want for this next chapter in my life. My first instinct was to set out a list of resolutions, that just didn't feel right. Instead I thought of traits I would like to build in myself a way of life I would like to lead and the kind of energy I want to bring to the world around me.
So I am going to work on being more authentic to really stay true to what makes me happy and worry less about what other people think about me. Along with that building a thicker skin to criticism, I hope to one day be fine with that fact that I am going to do and say things people aren't going to agree with and be ok with that.
I also want to take more risk, and not be afraid of failure. I want to push myself out of my comfort zone and let go of all those negative labels I given myself over the years. These aren't things I hope to accomplish over night or even in the next 12 months. These are goals I want to work on daily and keep with me as strive for the life I want to have.
Here's to the next chapter and beyond!
Cheers!!! Happy New Year!!!!