I Made It Monday: BEST-EVER Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

 Ok, these are not exactly among the healthier recipes I have tried from pinterest, but these are hands down the BEST chocolate chip cookies I have ever made and I have to share.  I like my cookies soft for longer than just the cooling period, but I've never been able to achieve it...until now.  I could go on about how wonderful they are, but I think you should just make them yourself and find out.  I'm not much of a baker, but these aren't too hard to mess up.  The only suggestions I have are first to make SURE you mix the dry ingredients well (as with all baking).  Once I did not do so well and we got nice nasty bites of baking soda.  Second, make the cookies the suggested size.  I tried to make them bigger and they were so soft and chewy they would fall apart when you picked them up.

JUST ENJOY THEIR INCREDIBLE DELICIOUSNESS!!!  And be careful, they are VERY addictive!

BEST-EVER Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 Cup butter, softened
• 3/4 Cup brown sugar
• 1/4 Cup granulated sugar
• 1 Egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 Cup all purpose flour
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Cup chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color.  Add egg and vanilla and blend in.
3. Mix together dry ingredients separately (flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt).  Then mix in with the
wet ingredients.  Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Using standard-sized cookie scoop or Tablespoon, drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet.  Bake for
8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges (The tops will not brown, but do NOT cook longer than 10 minutes.)
5. Let cool, on the sheet, on a wire rack for five minutes.  Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely.  Makes approximately 3 dozen.

His First Laugh

James is an extreamly peaceful, easy going, pleasant baby.  He constantly looks pleasantly content and gives great smiles quite easily.  The other day my Dad and I were playing with him and he gave a REAL laugh.  He had been working up to it for the last few weeks so we were quite surprised and delighted to hear his laugh follow through past that happy grunt stage.  I attached the videos below.  Of course I am never fast enough with my camera or phone to catch the best moments, but some of these laughs are pretty good.  Try to ignore MY laughing.  I was doing quite a bit of it.  I couldn't help it, I was so tickled to hear my baby boy's laugh.
 

I Made It Monday: Creamy Quinoa Primavera

I Made It Monday is making a comeback again...at least for a little while.  With the inspirations I discover on pinterest I have been trying a few new recipes over the last few months so I now have a little collection of recipes I can blog about. 

 So...Creamy Quinoa Primavera...It sounds fancy, but it is really not very complicated at all and OH SO yummy!  I first heard of quinoa about 2 years ago and I pronounced it 'qwih-noah' then discovered from a friend who had no idea what I was talking about that it is actually pronounced 'keen-wa'

This dish has helped meet all of my current food goals.  Tasty, healthy, simple, satisfying, and affordable.

First, we are attempting to cut down the amount of meat we are eating so I have been on the search for yummy yet still satisfying meatless meals.  Quinoa is a grain that is high in protein and can be very filling and satisfying.  I guess it could be argued that this recipe it isn't healthy by the mere fact that it contains cream cheese and butter - but I say it is in quite minimal amounts, there are a LOT of veggies, and if your food doesn't taste good to you it won't matter HOW healthy it is you will always be left wanting.

Second, although I have started eating wheat and dairy products again I still try to replace them when I can and again if it is satisfying.  Quinoa fits this goal as it is a gluten-free grain. 

And another goal is trying to find healthy yet AFFORDABLE options and recipes.  Originally I thought Quinoa wouldn't fit into this category because it averages around $5 for a small box in my grocery store. (I am currently investigating where to buy it in bulk cheaper - we like this recipe that much), but when I factored in that it would be replacing the meat I would have bought and that a little bit can make a lot it doesn't seem too bad.  PLUS, it is good for you!  Isn't that worth it? 

Another goal is simplicity.  It sounds like it could be labor intensive, but it really isn't THAT much work.  You cook the quinoa on the stove like you might rice and depending on the brand you may or may not need to rinse it, you have to cut up some veggies and saute them a a few minutes (approximately 2 minutes), but other than that it is not much more involved.  Maybe not the simplest of recipes, but not complicated at all!

And finally this is a very tasty dish.  It is just such a refreshing dish.  What really gives this dish the green light in our house is that Dan really likes it.  Of course he likes to add his hot sauce, but what doesn't he like to add that to?  The first few times I made it he wasn't too excited about the idea of a meatless, healthy, and strange sounding food but each time he tasted it he remembered how much he actually liked it the time before.  So now when I announce that is what is for dinner he is actually excited about it...which makes me all the more excited about it.

Ok, enough of the jibberjabber and convincing here is the recipe and you can decide for yourself if it meets YOUR food goals!  :O) 

 Creamy Quinoa Primavera

Prep Time: 10 Min     Total Time: 30 Min

Makes about 4-6 Servings

 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups uncooked quinoa
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves or 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons butter or margarine
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 5 cups thinly sliced or bite-size pieces assorted vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, carrot or zucchini, bell peppers
• 2 tablespoons grated Romano or Parmesan cheese

Preparation Instructions:

1. Rinse quinoa thoroughly; drain. Heat quinoa and broth to boiling in 2-quart saucepan; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until all broth is absorbed. Stir in cream cheese and basil; cover and remove from heat.
2. Melt butter in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook garlic in butter about 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until golden. Stir in vegetables. Cook about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender.
3. Toss vegetables and quinoa mixture. Sprinkle with Romano cheese.

 And there you have it!

God Bless

Today I was at the park with Charlie and James.  It was a beautiful day.  The sun was out.  It wasn't too hot or too cold.  Charlie was in love with the new playground and we enjoyed playtime and a picnic. 

We were leaving the dry park area for the water play area and as we went I noticed another mother with two children passing us on the sidewalk.  I noticed because the woman looked like she was about to say something to me then changed her mind.  Then again just as she was passing me she looked like she wanted to speak, but still said nothing.  I just smiled at her.  Then a moment after she passed I heard her say, "Maam?"  I turned around to see her walking backwards after her children and she said with only slight hesitation this time, "Maam, I just wanted to tell you that God loves you.  God loves you.  God bless you."  I was suprised not only with the words of her message, but by the true sincerity and genuine love I felt from this woman.  I stuttered out a thank you, a smile, and a "God bless you" in return.  She hurried on to catch up with her children and I to mine, but I walked away with a smile I couldn't wipe away...and I didn't want to. 

Now, the term "God Bless" is one heard often in the south.  Or the phrase have a "Blessed day".  And outside of church I've had people tell me God loved me, but it was usually after they discovered my religion and felt that I needed to be "saved".  But today was different.  At the moment that mother spoke I could feel love; love of a perfect stranger who has felt the love of God for herself and had to share that love.  I felt the spirit confirm that YES, God does love me.  I loved that woman for who she was, a sister, a fellow child of a loving God, and a possesor of true charity. 

I could tell it took some courage for this mother to tell me.  I don't know what prompted her to say it at that moment or why to me, but I'm glad she did.  It made my day.  It made me smile.  And it made me want to pass on the joy I felt.  So to all of you I want to sincerely say God loves you and God bless you.

Birth-Day Story

WARNING!!! This is the story of giving birth to James so if you are not into that kind of thing I probably suggest you don't read it.  I do throw in a few words like membranes, amniotic sac, stitch, and pain so if you can't even handle that then don't read on, or skip ahead to the pictures.  :O)

As I sit here recalling James's BIRTHday there are parts that seem a little hazy.  Maybe it was how quickly the labor and delivery went, maybe it is my current state of sleep deprivation, maybe both but I will do my best to share the exciting day that James joined our family.

It was Monday morning, April 2nd (my projected due date), and not too much was happening.  The week leading up to this day I was extremely uncomfortable and excited to meet my new little guy, but Charlie, Dan, and I had all contracted hand,foot, and mouth disease and I was no longer anxious to have my newborn out and exposed to such an awful virus!  I figured every day he stays inside, the better chance he has of not contracting it.  So I suddenly became OK with being 9 months pregnant.  But by that Monday morning we were doing a little better, my Mom and sister were in town and it seemed like a good day to get things going.  Dan and I went to my appointment that morning and my doctor stripped my membranes saying that it would only help things along if my body was ready.  So the day went on with no change so I thought maybe my body wasn't ready yet.  So we took advantage of our still free day.  My Mom, sister and I decided to go out to lunch at one of my favorite spots - The Back Porch.  I LOVE this place.  Not necessarily for the food (although it is quite tasty) but because it is RIGHT on the beach.  You sit overlooking the beautiful white beaches and crystal clear water of the emerald coast while enjoying yummy food and good company.  I think the waiter's eyes bugged out of his head a little when he asked my due date and found out it was that day.  He kept glancing at my belly and no joke was slightly leaning back like I was going to explode all over him at any moment.  Yeah, he was just a little weird.

After that I really can't remember what filled the rest of that day.  I think we may have taken naps, but I can't remember.  I do remember during dinner (Taco night - YUM!) I noticed my contractions were starting to get a little stronger and I announced that I was pretty sure I was starting labor.  It definitely wasn't a big deal yet and I thought I still had the entire night of laboring ahead of me.  I thought that maybe we might have a baby tomorrow morning sometime.  The evening continued as normal.  With Charlie's usual bedtime routine with a few more contractions thrown in there, but no big deal.  The contractions notched up just a tad so I took a shower and finished packing my hospital bag.  Then Dan went to bed to get some rest while my Mom, sister and I sat down to watch the most recent twilight movie.  (I don't know why we thought that was a good idea to watch with a woman in labor in the room.)  Luckily, I never got to the gruesome parts of the movie that I later heard of.  I still haven't finished the movie yet.  It just didn't capture my attention, but that could be because labor was steadily intensifying during it.  Finally I went up stairs to get something and Dan timed my contractions and they were about 2-3 minutes apart or less.  He was suddenly very anxious to get to the hospital.  I on the other hand, though getting a tiny bit more uncomfortable, wasn't so sure we needed to yet.  I didn't want to sit in the hospital for hours upon on hours.  But Dan won out and seeing him so anxious was cute so we went for it.  My mom stayed to finish the movie with Victoria and we made the 4 minute drive down the street to the hospital.

It turns out that it was a good time to go.  I was a 6 and almost 7 when we got there which blew my mind because I remembered being WAY more miserable at that point with Charlie.  As soon as I got there labor kicked into gear and the next hour and a half were filled with working through contractions and trying to get through paperwork and get that darn IV into my arm.  Trust me, DARN is not the word that went through my mind each of the 6 tries and 3 medical professionals it took to get my IV in.  Each one ended with a blown blood vessel and an instant hematoma.  NO FUN!  Finally after a little over an hour they got it in.  It took so long because they only attempted between contractions.  It is not fun to be having a contraction AND having a needle digging in your arm.

By this point I was in a LOT of pain.  I started to really freak out because I still thought I had hours ahead of me and I felt like I couldn't do it anymore.  Dan was amazing; supporting me through each and every contraction and coaching me to relax and breath all the way through.  My Mom resumed her same job as she did when Charlie was born - counting.  I know it probably got monotonous for everyone, but it really helped!  The sweet nurse that was able to get my IV in (bless her) was the only other person in the room and she said she thought I was almost there.  I didn't believe her because we hadn't even been in the hospital two hours yet.  She checked me and low and behold I was a 9 and totally effaced.  She got on the phone with the doctor right then (who thankfully happens to live in the neighbor hood behind us - remember that 4 minute drive? yeah, AWESOME!).

As she updated the doctor on the phone I had a strange sensation and a lot of pain.  I felt like the baby was coming out, I wasn't even pushing.  I started to yell that he was coming out and both Dan and my Mom started freaking out and the whole room was suddenly full and busy and doctor Graham said she was on her way.  But the sensation was very strange, not like a baby and I was in so much pain and so confused and freaking out because I had no idea what was sliding out.  It turns out that it was the amniotic sac.  My water still had not broken and it was still intact, but on its way out anyway.  The nurse later described it to me as being like squeezing a deflating balloon in half and it bulges on both ends as it tries to compensate for the lost space.  Well that is what what happened with the amniotic sac.  But no one broke it like I thought they would because they were trying to prevent me from having the baby any faster than I was.  I suddenly found myself pushing against the pleadings of EVERYONE around me.  But it was time.  My body knew it was time and I had ZERO control over it.  It hurt so bad and all I wanted to do was push.  Luckily, Dr. Graham walked in, broke my sac and I was all ready set to push (officially) and have this baby.  Pushing this time was MUCH more painful than it was with Charlie.  I think because it happened so fast this time.  Dr. Graham was amazing and really helped me focus.  Dan was right there with me encouraging me.  And besides the two of the them I was almost oblivious to all the people in the room.  I couldn't tell you who was there or how many people there were, but I remember Dr. Graham's face and I remember Dan's face, and I remember

SO MUCH PAIN

...then suddenly...they are placing this baby on me...this perfect...sweet... baby boy...the room, the noise, the lights all faded into the background and I just held on to this perfect little angel.  He looked at me and he held tight onto my finger and I was so in love.  I couldn't believe it.  It didn't seem real.  It seemed too fast to be real, he seemed too perfect to be real.  And nobody whisked him away to the warming table like they did with Charlie.  They just left him in my arms with the two of us just looking at each other.  I think I even asked if this was real and if he was real and I vaguely remember some chuckles.  Slowly, the room came back in to focus as all the busy hands slowed and everyone was looking at him too.  He was perfect.  And at that moment my love grew.  My love for Dan grew, my love for Charlie grew, and my love for this little baby felt like it had always been there as big and strong as ever.  I was in awe.


That magical moment lingered and pleasantly eased me back into reality.  Until the one stitch I needed was placed and I'll tell you that jolted me back to reality...and pain...pretty quickly.  But the doctor kept telling me just to look at my baby as she finished the stitch.  It was only one stitch, but it felt like heck and felt like it took forever.  I just kept talking to and looking at my baby through the pain (that I thought was supposed to be over) and he helped to ease it.  Someone asked what his name was and we said James.  And I knew that was the right name.

Recovery was so fast this time. It was pretty fast with Charlie, but seemed faster this time.  Sometimes I even forgot I had just had a baby until I would sit funny and my bruised tailbone would remind me.  I did have one crazy case of the shakes.  I felt like I was riding a bicycle with no tires over train tracks.  It was so strange to be shaking so uncontrollably and so extreme.  Luckily that didn't last long.  My adrenaline just needed some kind of outlet after such a fast a furious delivery.  He was born within two hours of getting to the hospital and within 15 minutes of the doctor's arrival.  He was born 14 minutes after midnight making it an April 3rd birthday.  I'd say that is a pretty good BIRTHday.

 Now, James is two months old and life is busy, crazy, wonderful.  He was a missing piece to our family.  We are in love with him and I would say he is in love with us.  Now that he is smiling it is easy to see that he is happy so much of the time.  I look forward to watching him grow and watching his personality develop more.  Any fears I once had about my ability to love another child or that my love for Charlie would have to decrease to be able to love another have vanished and seem silly now.  I love this little boy, James.

Happy Mama

Doting Daddy

The Rigamaroll

Proud Grandma

Probably the best nurses anyone could ask for!

He Loves bathtime (first bath)

I've Lost That Bloggin' Feelin'

Don't get me wrong, I WANT to blog.  I enjoy it and I often think, "Oh, I'm going to have to blog about this" or "This would make a good blog post"  or "this picture is DEFINITELY going on the blog" but does it happen?  Obviously not.  The same has gone with reading blogs.  I go to my blog roll and see all the updates of my family and friends, but instead of clicking on them and reading I feel tired and close the computer.  I don't know what my deal is.  How can you really want to do something but just never do it.  I'm still figuring it out.  I have so many posts I want to do and I have so many blogs I want to catch up on, but I just can't seem to get going again.  So to my blogger friends.  How do you do it?  How are you motivated?  Where can I start again?  I know this sounds crazy that you would need motivation to do something you WANT to, but I'm curious what gets you on your computer and typing and reading?

INTRODUCING...

James Jay-Louis Brewer

Born Tuesday

April 3, 2012

at 12:14 am

weighing in at

6 lbs 12 oz

and 19 3/4 in. long

It has taken me six weeks to update here on the blog, but we are absolutely thrilled to welcome our little man into our family. He is so perfect and we are SO in love.  He makes our family feel more complete and we love being all together.  He is a little snuggler and LOVES to be held.  He is not too much of a crier, but he is definitely a grunter and growler.  It is so funny to hear.  He is a great and fast nurser and growing SO fast.  He is quite tall for a Brewer or Bulson so we'll see if he keeps that up or if that slows down.  He is becoming a great night sleeper and I can usually get a chunk of 3 1/2 - 4 or even 5 hours of sleep. Which makes for an easier day with him and our busy miss Charlie-Marie.

Charlie LOVES her little brother and has been SO good with him.  She loves to kiss him, give him toys, and talk to him.  She enjoys introducing him and it is so cute because she can't just say it straight, it always sounds like her voice is going over a hill as she says "Baby Jaaaaaames".  I was worried about some aggression, but she has been great.  She slips into meltdowns a little faster than she used to, but overall she has taken very well to the transition.  She is a big helper.  She helps me get ready to change his diapers by getting a diaper and wipes then she throws the dirty diaper away.  She loves helping out with it most of the time.  Yesterday we were at my doctor's office and my doctor was holding James and showing him off to the rest of the office and Charlie followed her around watching her like a hawk.  Being the little guardian she told the doctor, "Careful doctor Graham, careful!  I watch you" (said with the "r" sounding like a "w".

Dan and I are transitioning as well as expected with the inherent sleep deprivation that comes with a newborn.  I think I would say in many ways going from one child to two is much easier than I anticipated.  I think because I kind of know what to expect this time around.  Not everything is new and unknown.  In that way it was much easier than going from zero to one.  It isn't nearly as stressful.  HOWEVER, it is challenging getting Charlie out of the house and keeping her busy and happy while nursing every 2-3 hours.  She has learned that she has a few extra moments to make a mess or try and get away with something if I am sitting on the couch nursing.  She knows I can't put a stop to it as fast as I did before.  Little sweet stinker girl!  :O)

Well, I hope to get the BIRTH-day story posted pretty soon for those who are interested.  In the meantime, enjoy some little James tidbits...

Dan Made it Monday: Prize Winning White Chili!

Ok, I meant to post this a LONG time ago.  Like, back after Halloween time!  Remember this post from the Trunk-R-Treat and Chili Cookoff?  Well, I had received a few requests now for Dan's-First-Place-Prize-Winning-White-Chili recipe (how do you like that title?).  So here it is in all its deliciousness.  Now, it was pretty spicy when he was all done.  Ok, VERY spicy.  My sensitive, only-just-barely-stable pregnant belly could not handle it, but there is a lot you can do to reduce the burn like decreasing the amount of the cayenne, jalapeno, and green chilis, and adding sour cream.

Dan's-First-Place-Prize-Winning-White-Chili

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced jalapeno peppers
• 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 3 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
• 3 (15 ounce) cans white beans
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 
• optional:  Sour Cream as desired

• Directions

  1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Slowly cook and stir the onion until tender. Mix in the garlic, jalapeno, green chile peppers, cumin, oregano and cayenne. Continue to cook and stir the mixture until tender, about 3 minutes. Mix in the chicken broth, chicken and white beans. (If you prefer a thicker chili like Dan and I do you can do as Dan did and decrease the amount of broth and puree one of the cans of beans.  We think it made it a more "chili" consistency and not so much a "soup")  Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Remove the mixture from heat. Slowly stir in the cheese until melted. Serve warm.  Optional:  add sour cream. 

The Terribly Terrefic Twos!

Its official.  Charlie-Marie is two years old.  This last Saturday we celebrated finishing up her second year of life and what a miraculous, fun, challenging, and blessed two years it has been!  I was awake early in the morning (due to one of my several nightly trips to the bathroom) and when I layed back in bed and looked at the clock it was exactly the minute Charlie was born.  I smiled.  What an amazing moment that had been two years ago.  A moment that would eternally change me and my life.  It is hard to imagine what life would be like without our precocious and sweet little spit-fire.  It is hard to remember what was so important before her.  I never imagined I could love anyone or anything the way I love little Charlie. 

She is SO active.  She LOVES the outdoors and everything in it.  She is not afraid to dive into things headfirst (both figuratively and litterally).  She is so confident and capable.  She has QUITE the sense of humor and is quickly mastering the art of teasing.  She LOVES spaghetti, bluberries, milk, and oranges.  She blows me away daily with how smart and quick she is.  She LOVES to pick on the dog which has caused me some concern and yet she has the tenderest heart when she senses sadness or pain in another.  Some days I SO look forward to her nap times or a break away from her and home, but then once she is asleep or I am away for a while I start to miss her so and am SO excited and thrilled when we are reunited.  She has the sweetest smile that lights up her entire face.  Her eyes sparkle with a zest and love of life that is an inspiration to me.  She knows how to make someone feel special.  She is a little social director.  She loves people.  She is amazing and I love her SO much!   

Ok, enough of my gushing.  I really could go on and on, but that will do for today I suppose.  Her birthday was a fun sucess.  I had big plans originally, but with the snow and ice storms that hit Washington (since we are visiting) and the power was out those plans quickly dwindled and were extreamely simplified to my disappointment.  That morning however, I was determined to get as close to those plans (power or not).  That afternoon the power turned back on and I was able to do some fun decorations, and make some scrumptious baby cupcakes which everyone frosted and decorated themselves that night.  We had triple chocolate cupcakes and pink lemonade cupcakes.  SO YUMMY!  We had Charlie's favorite meal for dinner - Spaghetti.  She litterally shoved it in her mouth (as you will see in the video below), she love it so much.  We had a few great rounds of ring-around-the-rosies, duck duck goose (which Charlie only partially understood, but had a blast anyway), and pin the tail on the donkey.  Of course she loved the gifts and was SO ready when it came time to blow out her candle - she knew just what to do!  She seems like a pro.  We had a blast celebrating Charlie's birthday and I look forward to many, many more!  Enjoy the sampling of fun we had in these videos!

And the winner of the CUPCAKE WARS is...

Beets, beets, beets.  Who would ever think cupcakes?  I have to mention first I also got a recipe from my Dad for grilled Beets that I can't wait to try, he says they are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.  I will post his recipe soon.  Because he was the only one to enter a beet in a form other than a cupcake he wins first place in the non-dessert beet category!  :O)

Back to the Cupcakes.  Well you girls certainly didn't make this easy on me!  It was REALLY hard because both cupcakes were amazing!  First of all I am in total awe and cannot believe you two BOTH came up with a perfectly delicious way to put BEETS, of all things, into a cupcake on your OWN!!!  It was really hard.  I had to recruit a fellow taste-tester (THANK YOU CAMI!!!) to sample the beety bits!  We had a delicious time tasting, sampling, and tasting a little more while we discussed in depth cupcake moistness, density, flavor, complexity/ease of replicating, creativity, look, etc. and trying to decide WHICH of these aspects were most important and worthy of the win.  Because I'm telling you each had their own winning points in different areas, and how do you decide what is most important in a cupcake competition?  Taste, creativity, originality?  And it was HARD!  The worst part about it all is that I finally decided on a favorite cupcake, but the other had my favorite frosting!  SO HARD!!!  I'm not sure I'm cut out to judge such close competitions!  Did I mention it was SO HARD?
(also, please don't judge the frosting skill, or lack there of, Cami did pretty well, but I did not do so well later on!)

Charlie certainly enjoyed them!  She helped me make both the cupcakes (which is partially why it became an endeavor that took half the day.  She loved the pouring and mixing, but best of all the sampling.  When I wasn't looking she lined up several cupcakes and took one bite out of each!  Sneaky girl!  Maybe she will become a professional food critic one day?  :O)

So although there is a technical first place, and let me tell you it was by a hair.  Both cupcakes were absolutely amazing and winners in their own way, and I'm not just saying that to be nice.  I brought the cupcakes today with me to our church Super Saturday and let everyone have at them.  Everyone loved both kinds and my opinions were echoed exactly over and over.  Now I will announce the winner and after that explain what all went in to my decision and some of the challenges I faced in the making and judging of the cupcakes, and then you might understand what I mean by close.  Because of just how close a competition this was I am also doing a second place prize of a $5 gift card to somewhere of your choice.

So the winner is....

*COMMERCIAL BREAK*

(in appropriate Food Network fasion)



Just kidding!  I won't make you wait any longer!


The WINNER is...

Megan's Chocolate Beet Cupcakes
BUT...
Try as I may, and after 3 different grocery stores I could not find the Ghirardelli cocoa powder highly suggested by Cari and had to settle for the natural Nestle cocoa powder.  I don't know to what degree that influenced the flavor of her cupcakes.  So all that being said, I congratulate Megan, but I also want to apologize and let Cari know I recognize that I wasn't able to perfectly replicate your recipe so I will be sending you a prize as well!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!  AND THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!!!

OH!  And I think I would LOVE to WATCH both of you on the real cupcake wars one day!


So, if you want to know just how much of a nerd I am you can see my spreadsheet on my judging criteria.  I took this judging very seriously I would have you know!  :O)

	Megan	Cari
Cupcake Flavor	X		It was tough and very close, but The chocolate beet had the best flavor of the two.
Frosting Flavor		X	Who knew just 1 Tbs of sweetened condensed milk could work such magic!
Moistness	X		Nicely moist without falling apart or tasting undercooked
Texture	X		Good balance of density
Complexity		X	Very involved and many steps and ingredients, but totally from scratch
Creativity		X	The idea of an all natural red velvet cupcake is definitely the winner here.
Ease of Replicating/Likely to make again	X		Was able to recreate start to finish within 30-40 minutes
Appearance	X		Grab'N'Go - at a glance most likely to see and pick up to try first
Picture Included	X	X	I LOVE IT!!!
Use of the Beet		X	Ingenious use of the beet trying to use as the food coloring