Real Simple Way to Frost a Cake

Let’s breeze through dinner and get straight to dessert, shall we? 

Ryan had to work late tonight and I was in the mood for a quick and easy dinner. 

I made myself a chicken sandwich on whole wheat bread with roasted red pepper hummus. 

Chicken + Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Sandwich

On the side I had a big bowl of roasted broccoli and cauliflower that I tossed in olive oil and garlic salt before baking at 415 degrees for 20 minutes. 

Broc + Cauli

All Together Now

Roasting is my favorite way to prepare veggies. I think it really brings out the best flavor. 

Frosting a Cake, The Simple Way 

A week or so ago I read one heck of a neat tip in Real Simple magazine. 

The tip was so simple, but so brilliant. 

To frost a cake smoothly, and avoid getting crumbs in the frosting, allow the cake to cool and spread a light layer of frosting over one round cake. Place the other round cake on top and lightly frost. Then, stick the entire cake in the freezer for 15 minutes before adding another layer of frosting. 

The result: 

Smooth

Smooth frosting! 

So Simple

Sliced Cake

Butter Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Naturally I had a small slice for dessert. 

Foodie Friday 

A couple of my coworkers and I are starting a new Foodie Friday tradition around the office. 

Every Friday one person will make a special dish for everyone to enjoy. 

I signed up for the first week and have a couple different ideas and would love for your opinion as to which recipe I should make! 

Option Number One: 

French Toast Casserole

 

Paula Deen’s French Toast Casserole with Praline Topping 

Option Number Two: 

Red Hat Cake

 

Red Hat Cake 

Option Number Three: 

Jessica's Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles

 

Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles 

Option Number Four: 

Oreo Cheesecake Bars

 

Oreo Cheesecake Bars 

Which one should I make??? 

If you have any other yummy suggestions, feel free to comment and let me know! Links are welcome. 😀

Holla for Challah

As a Floridian, I have the wonderful opportunity to go on some pretty inexpensive cruises without stressing about the cost of a plane ticket to get to the cruise port.

Last year, Ryan and I went on a cruise with a group of our friends over Labor Day weekend for around $250 a person. Sweet deal, huh?

Oh Yes it's '80s Night, Oh What a Night!

(Yes, we made formal night on the cruise formal ’80s night. 🙂 )

Blast from the Past

Once aboard a cruise ship, I always head straight for the dining areas to check out the goods.

For those of you who have never been on a cruise, or are unaware how the dining situation works, all of the food is included in the cost of the cruise… which basically makes every meal an all-you-can-eat experience.

Ryan and I definitely take cruising as an excuse to enjoy free soft serve after every meal. 🙂

Soft Serve Fanatics

A Love Affair Begins

On a cruise over spring break my senior year in college, I fell in love with challah bread.

Prior to the cruise I never had the pleasure of trying this eggy bread and couldn’t get over how moist and chewy it was. I made it a point to have a slice at every meal.

I recently discovered that the bakery at my local grocery store sells loaves (and half-loaves) of challah bread. I picked up a half-loaf yesterday and ate about five slices over the course of the evening last night. I seriously love this stuff.

Lunch

Today my lunch featured two slices of the doughy egg bread which I used to make a roasted red pepper hummus sandwich.

Challah + Hummus

On the side I enjoyed a serving of Kraft organic white cheddar macaroni and cheese, Mott’s natural apple sauce and garlic roasted cauliflower.

Kraft Organic White Cheddar Mac & Cheese

Mott's Natural Applesauce

Garlic Roasted Cauliflower

This was one heck of a white meal, huh?

Lunch

The best part of this lunch was the bread.

Of Possible Interest

• Quick Dinner Ideas: Favorites of Cooking Light Staff Members (CookingLight.com)
• 350 Calorie Meals (Health.com)
• 3-Month Triathlon Training Plan (Shape.com)

Question of the Afternoon

What is your favorite kind of bread?

I love bread with lots of nuts and seeds in it, but my favorite has to be challah… Especially challah topped with a sweet glaze! However, if monkey bread counts as bread, that may just be my number one. 😉

You’re So Wise

You guys are some smart cookies.

You’re right… I am baby number two. Apparently I still have the same squinty-eyed smile. 😉

Breakfast

Hallelujah for Monday.

Though I love the weekend, I think my body craves the normalcy of weekday eating.

On the weekends, I still try to eat healthy, but inevitably more treats pop up and I’m not one to turn away chocolate brownie cake,  chocolate marshmallow ice cream or movie theater popcorn (all of which I consumed this weekend).

Sunday Night Popcorn at the Movies

Even though sweets taste good, I don’t feel as energetic when I consume a plethora of sugary baked goods or endless amounts of chips and dip. My body feels better and runs more efficiently when it’s fueled with fresh fruits and veggies and whole grains.

Today I waved good-bye to the weekend treats and started my morning off on the right foot with a yogurt bowl.

Yogurt Bowl

I included freshly sliced strawberries and banana puff cereal in the yogurt bowl for added color and crunch.

On the side I had a large banana and an Adora chocolate calcium disk.

Banana + Adora Calcium Disk

I have been looking for the Adora calcium disks forever! Though I love my Viactiv chews, I read about the Adora disks and really wanted to try them because who wouldn’t love eating a calcium supplement that’s simply a piece of chocolate?

I found the disks in the gourmet food aisle of T.J.Maxx this weekend and picked up a pack to try.

The verdict? So good! They tasted like real chocolate. Rich, creamy and delicious.

Breakfast

With my breakfast, I also sipped on a hot tumbler of Bigelow peppermint tea.

I think my body will feel a little more satisfied after eating this breakfast than the cinnamon rolls I made on Friday morning. 😀

Catching Up?

If you’re a bad blog reader over the weekend like me, here are some things you may have missed:

• I fell in love with $400 shoes
• Flashback photos of me and Ryan from our first year of dating
• We spent a day on the boat and Sadie wore a life jacket

Question of the Day

Does your body feel different depending on the foods you eat?