Thank goodness for the weekend! I’m so happy it’s Saturday. Kevin and I have stated this is going to be a no-work Saturday. Woohoo! We’ll be boating, dining with friends, and partying it up tonight to celebrate a buddy’s birthday. I’m pretty happy to not be wielding a paintbrush, fighting with my Swiffer, or trying not to burn things in the kitchen. Yup – today will be a good day. To top it off, I’m still in my pajamas. That never happens, but I could really take a liking to it!
I was going to run today, but I’m not out sweating my butt off for three reasons.
- This is a no-work day, remember
- My back is sore from housework, spin class, and more housework
- My legs are actually pretty sore from spin too
I hadn’t taken a spin class since my California trip with FitSugar, and the other last time was at least a year ago. I forgot how much I love love love it! I was up at level 17 for quite a while, and I was totally drenched in sweat by the end of class.
That's a lotta minute and a lotta miles!
Then I went home to paint, walk to TJs, bake, and cook dinner. Whew. No wonder my legs are tired.
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So let me tell you about this baking experience. I used NuNatura’s MoreFiber Baking Blend instead of sugar to make Martha Stewart’s Vanilla Cupcakes. I wanted to use a tried-and-true recipe for quality control. I also chose to use 100% organic butter (instead of a subsitute) and all-purpose white flour (instead of wheat) to make sure all other constants were held equal. (Science Nerd Alert)
mix
These did not smell sweet and scrumptious while baking. Then they came out of the oven… uh oh…
Cupfails
As you can see, they have cracks on top. After letting them cool, I tried one. Bleh. They’re not spongy and sweet. They’re dense and bland. They taste and feel like a mix between shortbread cookies and white cake. I won’t bother frosting them.
I was going to give these to our friend whose birthday we’ll be celebrating tonight, but I think the garbage can will get them instead.
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I tried two other NuNaturals recipes – both were made up by me. I first put the Pure Liquid Vanilla in my oats with cherries. It was good, but I am not sure I put quite enough in to taste it.
Next, I put the Pure Liquid Cocoa Extract in a recipe I recreated. I first tried the drink when I was in Greece.
Throwback pics are OK, right?
Mom and I kept ordering “Nescafe” on our trip. It is essentially milk, sugar, instant coffee, ice, and more sugar. Yum! Today, I used milk, instant coffee, and the Cocoa Extract, hoping for a very sweet and also lightly mocha flavor.
Nope. Not so good. Not very sweet. I used about 10 more drops than the “recommended” amount, and it just wasn’t doing it for me.
Another fail. I know others like stevia, but I can’t say I’ll ever be adding it to my food again. At least I’m honest!
Have a good Saturday! I’m off to go brew some real coffee…
July 23, 2011 at 9:21 am
I really like stevia! I think its something you have to get used to.
July 23, 2011 at 9:32 am
You’re probably right. I have plenty of time to get used to it since I have a lifetime supply now. haha
July 23, 2011 at 9:46 am
I’m not a big fan of the cocoa either. I actually mix it with the vanilla stevia.
July 23, 2011 at 9:48 am
I am so jealous that you have been to Greece – SO jealous!
July 23, 2011 at 9:52 am
Sounds like you have a super day ahead of you!! Enjoy!
July 23, 2011 at 10:10 am
Well have a lovely no work saturday! I need one of those but it’s not gonna happen! Sorry to hear about the cupcakes
I hate when that happens.
July 23, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Yeah, a rest day was waaaay overdue! So far so good though.
July 23, 2011 at 10:37 am
I’m not a fan of stevia either! I can’t believe you’ve been to Greece!!! I’m so jealous! Have an awesome Saturday!
July 23, 2011 at 10:57 am
I liked mine, but I didn’t try it in other people’s recipes. I made up my own for it. Try those “raw” banana nut bars I made – it worked really well in them!
July 23, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Honesty is the best policy, bummer your recipes didn’t work out though! Enjoy your restful Saturday!
July 23, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Thanks! So far, so good!
July 23, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Oh, too bad about the cupcake fail.
July 23, 2011 at 11:40 pm
I love that you are honest
I actually love the NuNaturals vanilla drops. I used some in my almond milk tonight. But I haven’t tried the cocoa drops yet.
July 24, 2011 at 2:02 am
Maybe stevia will grown on you?! I think it’s good that your so honest about it though! Hope you had a lovely saturday and are suitably hungover now from the birthday celebrations!
July 24, 2011 at 6:06 pm
I actually really like Stevia! I recommend the vanilla drops in coffee- the cocoa extract isn’t very sweet, but the vanilla is awesome
July 24, 2011 at 6:31 pm
I have never tried stevia actually. But I have heard you just have to get used to it? Eh I still don’t know how I feel about that. I appreciate your honesty though
July 24, 2011 at 8:09 pm
I love spin! I take spin a couple times a week and enjoy it so much!
July 24, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Sorry about the cupcakes. Sometimes it’s just better to use the real stuff. Right!?!
July 25, 2011 at 3:46 pm
I’m not a stevia fan either. I like my sugar!
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July 25, 2011 at 5:45 am