dreaming of sugar plums

I LOVE SWEETS. Wanna know what I love even more than sweets? Pictures of sweets! (so I often visit foodporndaily and search the site high and low for the most mouth-watering treats). These are some Valentine's inspired delectables that are currently making my mouth water.

images via lacencake.blogspot.com

a feast to be had

My latest attempt to be a chef was a surprising success! And again they are two very simple recipes (all Kraft!) The pie (chocolate-peanut butter) took literally 5 minutes to put together, probably because there are so few ingredients. The only ingredients are the ones in the name! The main dish, which was fettuccine cacciatore took about 20 minutes. Most of that time was spent just cutting up green peppers and mushrooms. The sauce, which was a mix of tomato and Italian dressing was absolutely perfect for the noodle dish.

My boyfriend loved it and was impressed. And I was very proud of myself. Anytime I can get recipes right on the first time is considered a huge success in my book!

Luscious 4-Layer Pumpkin Cake

This is my make-once-or-twice-a-year cake. I usually make it in October though so I am wayyy behind the game this year! It is seriously, heaven in cake form. Although it looks hard to make (I think it's the fact that it's tiered) it is relatively simple, just mixing a buncha stuff together and throwing it in the oven. It takes 2 hours but that's only because of all the waiting for things to cool and whatnot. So it's not actually 2 hours of intense baking.
PS. This is a Kraft recipe. Google the name, I think you'll get to "Luscious 4-" and it will just pop up. Because Google is so smart and knows exactly what you wanna know.

staying raw

i wanted to take this time to say that i fully approve of the raw foods diet. it is actually something that i would want to make a permanent diet change, once i finish college, of course. it's a bit hard to stick with this diet when there's free food everywhere and ... the infamous beer and bars (especially in madison). BUT i think once i'm out on my own it is a totally feasible diet! not to mention, delicious! just think of all the berries, apples, bananas, melons, pineapple (!!!!) peaches, pears, oh my! and the nuts are sooo good too! it takes awhile to get used to the unsalted/unroasted nut taste, but it's weird. i've actually been craving my raw cashews lately. strange. but better than craving pizza! anyways i am done with this "cleanse" and i completely loved it, i didn't feel hungry or weak or drained once during it. i would recommend it to anyone. at least just once!

date night.

so last night my lovely boyfriend took me to flattop for our one year anniversary (which was actually nov. 1 but busy schedules made us postpone our date til now). this was the first time i have ever been to flattop and i abso-frickin-lutely loved it. whoever thought of a make-your-own-stirfry is a genius. i piled the pineapple on mine (i love all pineapple, fresh, canned, cooked, grilled, whatever) and pork along with sweet n sour sauce and even a spicy ginger curry sauce. it was to-die-for. then we walked around hilldale mall a bit, popped into anthro cause i couldn't resist and then looked at all the mall decorations. there were SO many cute gingerbread houses scattered all over the mall, i wanted to take pictures but the security guard was watching me like a hawk (i guess flash photography isn't allowed?) anyways i did manage to snap a pic of the 26 foot tall gingerbread man! it smelled sooooo good. it was a legit gingerbread man afterall!

btw. i LOVE my faux-fur stole that i got way back in sept at h&m for 13 bones. at first i thought it'd be a wear-once and toss into the back of my closet item, but i've actually worn it ALOT. and i saw it featured on becauseimaddicted.net (AFTER i bought it) which made me feel a bit ahead of the curve (for once).

express dress, splendid sweater, h&m stole, hue tights, aldo heels.

the raw details.

So. I am doing a raw food diet (I guess more of a cleanse since it's not a permanent change). This diet consists of purely faw fruits, veggies, and nuts. It lasts 10 days. I started on Monday so I am 4 days in and I must admit I have NEVER felt better. Physically, emotionally, everything. I can't even put my finger on what's different, it just feels goooooood and so right. I've finally learned what "full" is. Let's just say you know when you've had enough fruits/veggies/nuts (ugh please not one more cashew!) I'm also way more alert and focused and awake. I haven't had a coffee since Sunday (it's not allowed, of course) but I am not dragging one bit. I'm alert, and focused. Last night I was doing homework and I swore someone spiked my water with good ol' adderall.

Now the hard part begins tomorrow. 3 days of ONLY JUICE. ugh! I don't know how I will suffice on just cranberry, apple and grape juice for three whole days! But alas I must..... in order to see the effects of this amazing cleanse, which is: better skin/hair (always a plus), more energy and focus (check that off!) and of course the shedding of the extra weight (I'm already a bit smaller!).

Well I guess I will see what really happens to me when this cleanse is ova. in only 6 days!!