Awesome Icing

I made the most amazing chocolate cupcakes today. I think the following icing is what made them!

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

• 80 oz (227g) cream cheese
  
• 1 stick (113g) unsalted butter, firm but not cold
  
• 1/8 tsp salt
  
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  
• 3 3/4 cups (375g) icing sugar
  
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
  

Use the flat beater, use the electric mixer to beat the cream cheese, butter, salt and cinnamon.
Use med-low speed and beat until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes.
reduce the speed to low, gradually add the icing sugar and beat until incorporated.
Add the vanilla. Stop once the vanilla is incorporated.
It should be creamy and dense like ice cream.
Add milk, 1tsp at a time, if frosting does not have a spreadable consistency.

Quote Of The Day

Dance like your photo's not tagged, love like you've never been unfriended, tweet like nobody's following.

~ Unknown

Go Rachel!

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Banana Bread (Vegan)

I *love* banana bread!

The other day I saw this unique banana bread recipe online and decided I should give it a try. As usual I took the original recipe as a 'suggestion' and was a little creative with it. The end result is not as sweet and moist as traditional banana bread. But pretty darn good for a vegan variation and the Maple Syrup makes it taste Canadian :)

Maple Syrup, Pecan, Chocolate Banana Bread

1 cup 100% Pure Maple Syrup
1/2 cup Earth Balance butter spread
2 tablespoons ground flax seed mixed with 6 tablespoons of water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup pecans
1/4 cup carob or chocolate chips

Directions
Add ingredients to food processor in order listed above
Mix ingredients until desired consistency and pecans and chocolate are shaved bits mixed in the dough
Bake at 360 degress for 50 - 60 minutes.

Pete vs The Deep Fried Klondike Bar

I was off to the fair again tonight. This time with my friend Pete. We had a blast checking out the funky displays where they try to sell you the latest 'slicer,dicer' or 'super duper can't live without it' mop.

Of course no trip to the fair is complete with a crazy deep fried treat.



Pete was brave and took on the deep fried klondike bar!

The God Question

"Is God Good? Or Is God Violent?"


Nearly all religions seem hell-bent on inspiring people to kill each other... So we ask: Why does God seem so violent and genocidal in many Bible passages? Does God sanction elitism, prejudice, violence, or even genocide? Is God incurably violent and is faith capable of becoming a stronger force for peace and reconciliation than it has been for violence in the past?


~ Brian McLaren, A New Kind of Christianity

Happy Canada Day!

... and nothing says Canada Day like a little Stompin' Tom!

Neighbourhood Trees Get A Haircut!

As usual I was off to the vet this morning with The Pickster. Today, was unusually exciting. It was haircut day for the neighbourhood palm trees!

Strategy Meeting

Father's Day

I miss my Dad.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

I went downtown tonight to enjoy a ball game at Petco Park.

Padres didn't play very well - but I had a blast anyways.

There is a great little park, appropriately named 'Park at the Park'. For just $5 you can enjoy a picnic, play with the kids and watch the game at the same time!

Mr. Seagull

When I arrived home tonight - Mr Seagull was waiting for me. He was none to happy with me and let me know it!!

A Trip To The Beach

Stopped by LaJolla Shores to do some cache maintenance. Saw this fun bumper sticker on a car in the parking lot.

Sunday

What Do You Want For Me

P!nk wrote this song but gave it to Adam Lambert (who got a hit from it). She felt he sang it better.

I am not so sure - I think it is P!nk through and through. What do you think?

Words Matter.

Words Matter. Think Before You Speak

Breakfast At The Beach

Enjoying a breakfast burrito at the beach. Let the l-o-n-g weekend begin!

Thought For The Day

What I have come to realize is that obsession with the large and successful clouds our ability to see the small and engaged as being significant.

- Rev. Dr. Gary Nelson

Look Who Is Turning One

Homemade French Toast (Vegan)

o.k. I admit the ingredients in this one are a little funky - but trust me it is delish.

Ingredients
bread
1 cup firm tofu
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tablespoons brown rice syrup
1/2 cup almond milk (or soy)
two pinches of sea salt
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tsp vanilla

Oil of your choice ( olive, sunflower etc) for frying

Directions

In blender, blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy
If too thick add more milk
Dip bread in batter and fry in oil until brown on both sides


Recipe hi-jacked and modified from here (a.k.a. The Kind Life).