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Friday, August 28, 2009

Surprising chocolate cake recipe

Today I'm baking a Green Tomato Chocolate cake for my co-workers. We were talking about it the other day and I got to thinking about it--which of course made me really hungry for it. Since I'm trying to watch what I'm eating, I decided to make one to take to work. That way, I can let others enjoy it while (hopefully) NOT EATING MOST OF IT MYSELF. There--I said it! So--I'm telling those of you at work who follow me--please, please, please eat!

I'm still walking--although not outside today. Hopefully, it will continue to help me weightwise. Also, I'm eating a lot less than I was. A small meal will fill me up now, instead of cleaning my plate. Although, I may slip today, what with cake and all. I know, I know, just walk more and faster.

On the weekends, I really don't pay too much attention to what I eat, though. Usually, that's when it's just too hard not to party.

Well, there's the timer. Now to check the cake to see if it is cool enough to frost yet. Here's the recipe for those who might be interested.

Green Tomato Chocolate Cake

2/3 C. butter
1 ¾ C. sugar
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate,
Melted
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
½ C. cocoa
2 ½ C. sifted all-purpose unbleached flour or
1 ½ C. sifted all-purpose unbleached flour and 1 C. whole wheat flour
2 t. baking powder
2 t. baking soda
¼ t. salt
1 C. beer
1 C. pureed green tomatoes
¼--1/2 C. water (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350° F.
Cream together the butter and sugar. Stir in the melted chocolate, then the eggs, one at a time. Add the vanilla.
In another bowl, sift together the cocoa, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with the beer and the green tomatoes. If the batter appears stiff, add the water. Turn the batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake for 35 minutes. Ice when cooled.


Peanut Butter Frosting

1 lb. or 4 C. powdered sugar
½ C. peanut butter
2 T. butter
6 T. warm milk (may need a little more or less)

Mix all until smooth. You may also use more peanut butter if desired.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Summer Days






Yesterday, my family and I finally got to go to the beach here in Northern Indiana. The temperature is finally perfect. Normally, we would have been several times by now, but the temps have only been in the 70s during the day and the 50s at night, so the water really wouldn't have been warm enough to swim in. Too bad the summer is over for the the school kids. Tomorrow is the first day of school, so today is the last day the local pools will be open. I never even made it to the local pool this summer.






The kids here go back way too early, in my opinion. When I was in school we were always out of school after the first week in June--usually the 5th or 6th--and didn't go back until the day after Labor Day. That way, everybody could vacation up until the last weekend of August. This all changed sometime in the 1990s, or so. Why, why, why did they change it? It has to be because of money. The middle of August is just too early. It is sometimes hot (which would be perfect for swimming) when school starts and too cool when school ends.






Anyway--we did have a great weekend. I'm posting some new pics of my granddaughters to go with this.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Me, Walking for Exercise?

I can't believe I'm actually loving my new exercise routine. About a month or so ago, I started walking w/my daughters. They started it--they walked the 5k for Summerfest in Mishawaka. Before that, they practiced. After the 5k, I started walking with them. I had forgotten how much I liked it. Once a year, I walk the March of Dimes walk for babies with my Macy's co-workers. I usually practice for a couple of weeks before the walk, just to get in shape (and so I don't collapse, of course.)

Okay--so I started walking with my kids a couple of weeks before another 5k walk. We ended up walking it on August 1st (along with some other friends). Our time was pretty great--we finished in about 58 minutes. Whenever possible, my girls and I walk in the evening, after the sun goes down. It's much cooler and we can take our time.

Whenever I can't join my kids, I decided to walk alone in the mornings when it is still cool enought that I will probably not die. Usually, I walk about 1 1/2 to 2 miles. Last Friday, I decided to walk the 5k substitute route that my youngest daughter mapped out in my neighborhood. I was pretty good--I thought--until this morning. Last Friday, I made it in about the same time as our timed 5k. This morning, I did it in 48 minutes. I cannot believe it!

If I don't die--I'll probably go to work this afternoon. Hopefully, I'll make it until 10 tonight and won't collapse until I get home around 10:30.