Monday, December 10, 2012

Low Fat Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes (Happy Herbivore)



This recipe is from Lindsay Nixon of Happy Herbivore. I really NEED her cookbooks for Christmas. ::snort:: Note, I got 9 smallish cupcakes from this recipe. 

YUMMY -  I didn't frost - still consumed
Ingredients:
1/4 C unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c. raw sugar
1 c. chocolate nondairy milk (or plain)
1 tsp mint extract (or vanilla)
1 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips

Directions: Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease muffin tin or spray paper liners with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine applesauce, sugar, nondairy milk and extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt together. Add flour mixture to wet mixture in 3 to 4 batches, until almost combined. Add chips and stir until just combined. Spoon batter into cups 3/4 full and bake 15-25 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the icing. Combine 1 cup confectioners sugar with a few drops of food coloring, 1/4 tsp vanilla or mint extract and a splash of plain nondairy milk or water, and mix until a nice paste-like icing results. (Add more sugar for thickness, more liquid to thin it out) Adjust food coloring. Once cupcakes are cool, slather icing and garnish with holiday candy.


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Day Before Surgery


Michael needed to work today as he has "ends to tie up," before surgery. 

The kids and I prepped for tomorrow's PCOC Birthday Party for Jesus. I know I'm going to sorely miss the advance team in the a.m.  We cut, laminated, baked and I think I'm set. I even made VEGAN Chocolate Cupcakes so I'd have a treat at the party - and the trick is keeping my kids out of them. I also made more peanut butter balls.  

Michael came home about 30 min early....and snapped this photo (which isn't great of either of us - but we tried). Yuuki in her "new" coat. Richard and Susi gave us a box of some of her things which we'd left behind.  The kids feel MUCH better about her being outside in the winter with a coat. 
I see myself at approx 200 lbs... note the UofO dog tag. 
 Michael suggested he and I run to the mall and buy the gift for our 17yo from the Chapel's angel tree. He'd requested a "Gundam model." Some of you may know what that is -  a friend helped us.

Several rows of models to choose from. We picked one up for Zander too. He'll love it.

I love that Michael remembered one of my favorite produce markets is in the mall. He suggested we stop by and we got all this, squash.....

...and a case of deliciously sweet Satsumas too.  Check out the funky mushrooms. This is the first time we've seen them this season....Apples go, Satsumas arrive....

10 minute dinner....I put lots of whole cloves of garlic, 1/2 an onion, some of those funky mushrooms from above, herbs and spices in the middle and YUMMO! Nutritious fast food.  The others had salad, fruit, and peorgies too....but I was full. 
 

Stacia helped decorate the cupcakes for tomorrows PCOC party

 We talked about Jesus being the vine and we the branches, how to remain connected to Jesus, the fruit of the spirit which is to be expected as we ARE abiding in the Vine....and we prayed for all the crazy details of this unsettling week.

Clue: "You always walk by it but you never look under it." 


 Team-work 

Zander was hoping for iPads.....4 mini's and 1 normal sized original iPads or etch a sketches

We had a few rounds of a drawing contest.....lots of fun...something that says Christmas to you, something that says peace....

J for Jesus 


I worked on a PWOC project - trying to get small gifts out to my Presidents. I thought it was DONE this a.m. but Michael brought them home and said I had to fill out custom's slips. ::blech::

I packed a bag "in case." 

We're off to bed...must leave for surgery at 05:30 tomorrow.  Praying the roads are clear when it's time to bring Michael home....surgery goes as planned and we're home tomorrow afternoon. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...