Cupcake Frenzy!!

Me- chomping down on one of those delicious cupcakes! (PS- like the earrings? I'll post them later...)


So, I was having the WORST craving for baked goods lately! I mean, bad! I would be in the grocery store, just drooling over all their day-old stuff. Even stuff I don't really like! So, I thought before I got too bad, I had better make something tasty myself! I went over to Faith's and we had a blast making cupcakes! Her two-year old, Grace, was in candy heaven. Who knows how much sweet stuff she ate! It was loads of fun! Oh- the blank spot was a cupcake I ate. It wasn't very cute, so I didn't feel the need to document it.
Now- a little guessing game for your enjoyment. (And Faith is not allowed to answer, as she already knows all the answers!) What are my cupcakes portraying?
I'll give you a hint to get started. This guy is feeling sheepish. Or maybe guilty.
Hmmm- classics, classics, classics!
Okay- I'll give you one. This one is portraying absolutely nothing. Hey- I'm not THAT creative!
Katie- This one I did Just For You! Oh, and I smeared one of the eyes. But you get it! This one is also my favorite, I think.
The only one, well almost, that isn't a person.
Ahh- the memories!
Anybody watch Cartoon Network?
Umm- this one turned out different than I meant it to be, but I still have a firm idea of what it is.
Okay- this one is a little tricky. Bonus point for anybody who can figure it out!
Her wart fell off. Or rather, one of them did.
Not really sure what this is. Scared red-haired kid? No idea. Maybe he's just dumb. It was my first one -give me a break!

Williams-Sonoma Chicken Essentials

So, I went to a new Williams-Sonoma class this morning. It was called Chicken Essentials. Unfortunately, I had to leave early, so I didn't actually get to taste anything, but it was all smelling really good! Here are some things I learned:
You should always grill your meat at room temperature because it seals in the moisture. Also, thawing frozen chicken causes it to lose alot of moisture.
Organic Chicken weighs more than Regular Chicken.
You can use a panini press to grill meat (yet another reason I need one!)

Here's a few recipes we did:
Chicken Satay
2 Shallots, quartered
2 cloves of garlic, halved
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp lemon grass powder
1 Tbsp ground coriander
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp kosher salt
Mix them all together in a food processor.
Add 2 Tbsp unsweetened coconut milk and 2 Tbsp water and process again. It should be a thick paste.
Put it in a big ziploc and add 1.5 lbs of cubed raw chicken breasts. Marinate overnight. Skewer and grill. Mmmm!

Chipotle Chicken Panini
Find the recipe here:
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/recipeDetail.cfm?objectid=CD344450-091D-2356-32728D77CBC6B7A8

The rub is chipotle, cumin, oregano, onions and garlic. I'm sure you could make you own rub or marinade. It would also be tasty with a different rub, I think.

Consequences

So, when Jason was 17, he got in a really bad car accident. He was driving down a very curvy road in the rain (and going fast, of course) when he lost control. He regained it, but hit a truck head on coming the other direction. He was going about 50mph, and he was knocked backwards, so that truck was speeding like nuts! Anyway- the steering wheel shoved into his face, and then between the seats. He broke his jaw in three places and had it wired shut for 9 weeks, and also had to have his nose reconstructed.
So why am I telling this story? I'll tell you. Ever since then, Jason's teeth have been horrible. He had tons of hairline fractures all through them, and so he was very susceptible to cavities and root canals. I think he has had about four so far, maybe more- three since I've known him, and has two more teeth that need them. So, yesterday, he was flossing, and a huge chunk of a root canal-ed tooth broke off. So, of course, we call around to dentists (and of course we have no dental insurance) and find someone who can get us in. But- that tooth is so bad now, he has to go see an Endodontist. Who will no doubt charge exorbitant amounts. Anyway- while at the dentist, we found out that he has three failing root canals that will have to be redone, one failed apocayectomy (or something like that- it was a tooth surgery), and like six teeth that need crowned. So, we will be shoveling as much money as we can to get all of Jason's teeth fixed so he won't lose them all. Poor Jason! Yikes! The total bill (including a 15% discount, and it was the cheapest we could find) will run us about $11,000. And all I can think is- there goes my hope of getting a new car this year. Sigh.

Bleeaahh

You know what I hate? When you are feeling super-great, and everything is going good. And then, BAM- you are sick. I was feeling amazing yesterday- healthy, happy, like everything was going my way. And then this morning I woke up, and I was like "My throat hurts!" But I thought it might go away, since sometimes I just breathe weird while I'm sleeping and wake up with a sore throat. But, once I actually get up, I realize I am sick! Achy, runny/stuffed up nose, sinus pressure, cough and sore throat sick. Yuck. So not fun! I mean, usually you have a day where you're feeling a little blah, right? So you know it's coming. But nope- not today. I think sometimes when things are going too well for me, my immune system decides to shake things up a bit. Or take a vacation. Or something. I just wanted to whine. So- enjoy your good health, and pity poor little Amanda who is sick all of a sudden. Bleeaaahhhh!

Coolest Website EVER!!!

OH MY GOSH!! I just discovered the coolest website EVER!!! Okay, at least for me it is! As you all know, I have been trying to count my calories. But, it's hard when you're cooking because it's all guesstimation. Unless you want to take the time to count everything out and measure it, which I don't. But- NO LONGER! Now- you don't ever have to do it again, thanks to http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php
You enter in your recipe and servings, and immediately, you get Nutritional Information! And not just calories! We are talking fat, fiber, sugars, protein, and significant vitamins. I mean- AMAZING! Right? It is so cool! I can't wait to start using it! I tried it for a trial recipe, and it was so quick! And incredible! And it even gives your dish a grade based on the health aspect. I know- maybe I am a little over-excited here. But I thought I would share it, as it's the coolest website I have found in a LONG time!
Again, it's http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php

The Bane of my Existence

I have decided that I have an arch-enemy. Yes- that is right. I have a nemesis. Jealous? Well, don't be. Is anyone curious who it is? Well, since the joy of blogging is that I don't actually have to hear your lame responses and see your rolling eyes, I can just tell you. My arch-enemy is treats for mutual. Here I am, trying so hard to count my calories, and I have to bring treats for mutual. Two weeks in a row. The first week, I wasn't worried. I was the only one bringing treats, and teenage girls eat a lot more than you think. So, I bought two boxes of mini cupcakes. Pictured below.
Well, much to my chagrin, the girls only ate part of one box!! So, of course, I had to eat the rest. And those little suckers are over 100 calories each, which isn't too bad, except for I was eating like 4 a day. Well, this week, I had to bring a dozen cookies. And you can never make just a dozen cookies. I was worried, because I knew others were bringing cookies. And they ate maybe three of mine. So, I had like 4 dozen cookies at home. AAAAAHHHHHHH!! It's like my worst nightmare!! Luckily, Lauren and Adam decided to save my butt from becoming any lardier by agreeing to take them all. Thank goodness, because I don't think my diet can take this! Next week, I am going to buy or make something I won't eat. I hope.