Thursday, August 4, 2011

Tiramisu Birthday Cake

My coworker/friend's birthday is this Friday and what better way to celebrate (besides her trip to Las Vegas) than by baking a yummy cake? I know she loves Tiramisu, because that is what she always orders from Olive Garden. Tiramisu doesn't really scream birthday cake, though, so I looked for other options with the same taste. Type "Tiramisu cake" into Google and the first link is the recipe I used.




First things first, put on your adorable apron and take silly pictures for your blog. Check. Next, line up all of your ingredients and take more pictures.




Check. (P.S. I put in that backsplash all by myself. Quite proud of it, actually). Once I stopped playing with the camera on my Mac (and subsequently researching online how to flip pictures since Mac likes to give me mirror images), I got down to business. Despite my cake being unwilling to stay in one piece as I flipped it out of the cake pan, I managed to make it look pretty with hand whipped (couldn't find my electric mixer) frosting and chocolate. Chocolate makes everything better. So does duct tape. Kind of wish they made edible duct tape for the purposes of baking. I digress...here is the final product!





Some things to keep in mind:
1. Make sure you have all your ingredients (including tools such as mixers)
2. Don't eat raw cake batter
3. Buy extra provisions for just in case when you mess up


Although I realize this has NOTHING to do with my healthy eating goals this week, I feel it's ok because it's not like I'm going to eat the whole cake myself. Though I probably would if I didn't have to bring it to work today. It looks yummy, right?


One last thing! The recipe called for three egg whites, so I had three egg yolks staring at me from a sad little bowl. So I boiled some pasta, sauteed some onions and garlic and made a pancetta-less carbonara (very loosely using this term). It was delish. Waste not, want not. ;)


What is your favorite kind of cake? 



Monday, August 1, 2011

8 Weeks to a Better Me: Week Three

I can't believe the second week is already over! Ok here are my results:

1. Go running at Memorial Park at least twice this week
I did actually go twice! Should have been more, but it was an emotionally charged week and I just did not have it in me.
 
2. Go to Yoga and challenge myself
Did not get to do this. At all. Very sad, actually. So I will try to do it this week!
 
3. Drink lots and lots of water
I definitely upped my intake of water, but I feel like I still need more. Going to continue this for the upcoming week...
 
So once again, not a completely successful week, and I won't make any more excuses, just need to get my mind around doing this the right way!
 

Week 3: Healthy Eating!

Well this will be a fun week because I enjoy cooking and have been slacking off in the home cooked meals department lately. What a great motivation to get out of my eating out rut and actually understand what I'm putting in my body. I miss the days of having yummy meals cooked by mom (or grandma...aunt...etc.), because it's never quite the same when you try to make it yourself. But it doesn't hurt to try!

1. Try out two new recipes (healthy ones) and make them from scratch
2. Eat one salad per day (go for dinner salads)
3. Add variety by branching out and trying new veggies/fruits (at least 2 new ones)

Those are the goals, let's hope that this week will be a complete success for me! What are your goals? Yay food!