St. Patty's Day - Margarita Cupcakes!

Hey Everyone -

Sometimes you just need a treat.  I find that if I make my own treats – I enjoy them so much more.  Cathryn and I made these bad boys for my mom’s Pampered Chef Party, and they were a HUGE hit.

Ladies and Gents,
Say “hello” to Margarita Cupcakes!!
Ingredients -
3 sticks of butter
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, at room temp, plus one large egg white
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 3/4 cups of flour
2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 plus two tablespoons whole milk
grated peel of 4 small limes, plus 1/4 cup lime juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
3 cups of confectioners’ sugar (maybe a 1/2 cup more)
2 tablespoons tequila
green food coloring
lime wedges for decoration

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350.  Line two cupcake pans with baking liners.  Using mixer, beat two sticks of butter and the granulated sugar until creamy.  Gradually beat in the eggs and oil.  Scrape down sides of the bowl and mix again.

2.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  In a large glass measuring cup, stir together the milk, 2 table spoons lime juice, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla – this will curdle – just like a science project.  On low-speed, mix in one-third of the wet mixture, then one-third of the dry mixture.  Repeat twice, ending with the dry mixture.  Mix in half of the grated lime peel.

3.  Fill each baking liner about three-quarters full with batter.  Bake until the cupcakes spring back when gently touched, about 24 minutes.  Let cool 30 minutes.

4.  Now for the frosting – (I had to make a double batch, but I LOVE frosting)  beat the remaining stick of butter until creamy.  Beat in one cup of the confectioners’ sugar.  Beat in the tequila, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, lime peel, and food coloring until smooth and creamy.  Add the remaining sugar – until you get the consistency you like.

5.  Frost and top with a wedge of lime – enjoy!!

May your day be filled with unexpected flavors and the luck of the Irish!

Andrea

Patience, Grasshopper.

Today, I ran in my first ever 10K - that's 6.2 miles (in case you were wondering).  It was windy, it was cold, I had to fight pooping dogs, and I encountered some serious hills I didn't plan for.  In spite of everything, I came in at 53:3?. 

I wanted to be mad at myself.  I wanted to tell myself I should have worked harder.  I wanted to shake my fist at mother nature.  And then I called coach.

Initially, I told him I was upset that I didn't do better and he ask me why.  He asked me what I thought I should have done, and why.  Well, I didn't have an answer for that.  There was no science behind the magic number I thought I should have run.  He told me that I ran a damn good race, for my first ever 10K, and just think, next time will be better.   I gave him the, "yeah, but..."

To which he replied, "no... think of where you were a year ago... 6 months ago.... you are still a beginner and you will get stronger, and you will get faster." 

I thought about it.  A year ago, I couldn't run a mile straight through.   Six months ago I was running 11 minute miles, no more than three or four at a time.  Today, I ran 6.2 miles in 53:3?, and I am very proud of that.

He reminded me that the best runners have been doing this awhile, and I need to have the patience and give myself the grace to grow.  He couldn't be more right.

May your day be filled with sage advice.

Andrea

Pampered Chef to the Weight Loss Rescue!!

Hi, my name is Andrea and I am a runner. I am currently training to run the Portland Marathon in 2011. In, order to keep it all together and to stay healthy – I run a pretty tight ship. Meaning, I eat pretty healthy these days except for the occasional cheat meal. I wasn’t always this way. I used to be the girl that could down three boxes of peeps in one sitting, but we evolve.

I have a handful of Pampered Chef products that I use when I prepare my meals, that I couldn’t live without. They make preparation easy, cooking fun, and the food amazing. Here are my top 5!!

Pampered Chef Rubs: These rubs are excellent additions to any meal. You just sprinkle them over your meat or veggies, and they add a new twist to a boring old meal. My favorites are: Jamaican Jerk Rub, Greek Rub, Smoky BBQ Rub, and the Chili Lime Rub.

#1187 The Egg Separator: Ah, Egg Whites. These are great to eat, but not so great to attempt to prepare. This egg separator makes it so easy to do. It has special ridges and rests on the side of your pan or bowl so you can separate your eggs without having to hang on to the gadget.

The 2 Cup and 1 Cup Prep Bowl Sets: I pack my lunch in these every day. Not only are they easy to clean, and look great – but they have measurements on the side so you know exactly how much of that brown rice you are getting. I would be lost without them.

#2242 Digital Pocket Thermometer: I usually boil chicken every week for my lunches and dinner. This handy little guy takes all the guess work out of cooking. I know that when he reaches 180 degrees – the chicken is done. I don’t ever have to worry about eating undercooked food again.

#2868: Square Grill Pan and Press: I use this at least 3 times a week to cook my chicken, fish, and veggies. It has an awesome non-stick surface so you don’t have to use any oils, and the ridged base allows all the fats to drip down and away from your food. One of my best investments ever.

May your healthy eating days be a little easier.
Andrea

Runners Are Resourceful.

Do you ever have a moment where no matter what you think, do, or say - the problem just won't go away. It picks on you, nags at you, hovers around you like bees on a can of coke... yes, this, this was the blister on the bottom of my foot.

It was a nasty little guy; stretching from my index toe to my ring toe (if my toe did indeed wear a ring).  Part of the blister was deep, cracked, and a little bloody.  (So sorry if you are in the middle of breakfast).  It hurt to run, to walk, to put any pressure on it, and I racked my brain on how to make it better. 

I tried band-aids; they fell off.  I tried ointment; more ended up on my socks than anything else.  I tried nu-skin; it came off.  Shiloh suggested duck tape, and that is when the light bulb went off.  I will see your duck tape, sir and raise you some SUPERGLUE!!!

That is right ladies and gents - I super glued my foot backed together, and you know what... It worked.  Now, I am not a medical professional, nor, am I licenced to give medical advice - but if you have a nasty little blister nagging at you... you may want to give super glue a whirl.  My foot feels so much better, no pain, no blood, and I am back to running normal.

May your day be filled with super resourceful ideas.

Andrea