First Step Forward

A must try: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

firststepforward — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 01:46:41 +0000

I know I haven’t been too regularly over the past year with blogging, but I wanted to share this awesome recipe with you all!! These were INCREDIBLE!!! Very rich and very delicious. Enjoy Let me know how they turn out!

Ingredients for cupcakes:

- 1 package chocolate cake mix
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 3 eggs
- 24 miniature peanut butter cups

Ingredients for frosting:

- 6 ounces of semisweet chocolate, chopped (I just chopped up chocolate chips)
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- Additional miniature peanut butter cups, chopped

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, peanut butter, oil, and eggs, beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 min or until smooth.

2. Fill paper-lined muffin cups 1/2 way. Place a peanut butter cup in the center of each cupcake. Cover each with 1 tablespoonful batter.

3. Back at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until toothpick is inserted near the center corners out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before remove from pan to wire racks to cool completely.

4. Place chopped chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan ring cream just to a boil. Pour cream over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Stir in peanut butter. Cool, stirring occasionally, to room temperature or until ganache reaches a spreading consistency, about 10 minutes.
** (Mine was really runny, so I had to stick in it in the fridge for about 15-20 min!)

5. Spread over cupcakes, immediately sprinkle with additional peanut butter cups. Let stand, until set!

** Best not to use reduced-fat or generic brands of peanut better!

It’s been so long

firststepforward — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:46:36 +0000

It’s been a few of months since I last blogged, and that’s a few months way too long.

I have no good excuse really…besides the big black-hole I have been sucked into called school. Is becoming a dentist really worth it? I don’t know yet, but I will let you know if when I get to the end of this very long and painful road. It has to be worth it, right? I’m going to answer that question with a YES because its the only reason I haven’t retired from school and become a housewife. 4 more years dedicated and devoted to nothing but school isn’t so bad..I guess. By the time I graduate I will only be 27 and really that’s not so bad…I’ll have about 73 more years to live. (I’m hoping to live to be 100). I’ll get through this…I hope.

Besides school, I guess there are couple more exciting things to report!

Mina got a massive aquarium-fish-tank-set up thingy for his birthday! Very exciting. We have lots of pet fish now…who would’ve thought that looking at a fish tank for hours would be so relaxing. It’s pretty huge, but he loves it – so I’m happy!

Ready for this next piece of exciting news? It’s spring outside!! I LOVE spring and summer. The sunshine puts me in such a great mood! Although I am not a fan of spring thunderstorms, (I know people think I’m weird), there are just so many things I love about this time of year:

Hearing the birds chirp
Watching everything turn green and come back to life again
Sunshine
Sundresses and sunglasses
Sandals and flipflops
Warmth!
Suntans
Swimming pools and beaches

I could continue…but I basically love everything and anything that comes with sunshine and warm weather.

Happy spring!!

A Cupcake Cake!!

firststepforward — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:37:54 +0000

I know this post is a bit belated, but nonetheless, I got it posted!!

Over the Orthodox Christmas holiday, a friend and I decided to take on the challenge of decorating a cake. I gotta tell you, I did not think I had this in me! Who ever knew I was this creative/”artistic?”

For starters we made red velvet cupcakes. I’m not going to lie, they came from a box…

After letting the cupcakes sit overnight, so that they were completely cool we made a cream cheese icing, from scratch! We got the recipe from allrecipes.com. However, we did tweek it slightly. We read many of the reviews and found that the icing really did taste like cream cheese, and we were looking for a sweeter icing. Problem solved, we added almost 2 more cups of powdered sugar! Many people don’t want to make their own icing because it sounds scary (that used to be me!), but this was easier than making the cupcakes themselves! Honestly, try it!

Ingredients

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners’ sugar. Store in the refrigerator after use

Now it was time for the fun stuff! We put the cupcakes into the shape of a christmas tree! (Angela’s brilliant idea!) We then started the decorating!!

Tree: Green food coloring
Stump: Brown food coloring
Ornaments: M&M’s and sprinkles
Snow: Coconut

Our final product:

It tasted as delicious as it looks! I was so surprised at how easy this was. Not to mention, we had a great time decorating it! I can’t wait to make my next one Yes, i’ve already decided what it will be: A large toothbrush with a piece of thoothpaste on it! How cute of an idea is that for a dental school event? Totally cute.

Merry Orthodox Christmas!

firststepforward — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:07:48 +0000

Today, the Orthodox church celebrates Christmas!! I am Coptic Orthodox and look forward to the Christmas holiday’s each year! The reason the Orthodox community celebrates Christmas on January 7th is because we follow an old Orthodox calendar. Growing up, I was taught that on December 25th Santa brought presents and on January 7th, Jesus was born. Traditionally, on the eve of Orthodox Christmas we attend a church service, celebrating the birth of Jesus. The church service usually lasts until midnight (or usually later) and then we go home and consume a large amount of food; a traditional meal with many delicious foods. On Christmas day, it’s custom to partake in another large meal with friends and family…more food, my favorite!! So, it’s pretty awesome being able to celebrate 2 Christmas’ since it’s the greatest holiday, ever.

Merry Orthodox Christmas!!

Hello 2010!

firststepforward — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:19:54 +0000

How did it get to be the year 2010? I swear it was just the year 2000, like yesterday. Even though the past 10 years seemed to have escaped me, I’m excited for the year 2010, I can feel it …it’s going to be a good one! Not only do I have good feelings about the near, but I also have great plans:

I would love to take a cooking/baking class
I will complete my 5k training
I will work on my spiritual life
I will do a better job remembering friends/family birthdays (because I’m REALLY bad at remembering birthdays!)
I will branch out and try cooking new and exciting things
I will learn to decorate cakes beautifully

So maybe my hopes for the New Year are a bit much, but I’m pretty determined and excited to complete some of the above! I’m welcoming 2010 with open arms!

Cheers to the New Year!

A lazy day, is the perfect day.

firststepforward — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:32:52 +0000

I used to consider a “perfect” day as one that involved constant activity or some sort of new adventure. Hah, I’m much wiser now. It’s official, a “perfect” day in my world is one that involves pure laziness: sweat pants, good movies, a little (or a lot) junk food., little-to-no movement for hours at a time… Also, (since I am apparently dependent on people), I can’t enjoy these lazy days alone –so it’s always nice when people I love join me.

I think I’ve learned to love these days so much because I don’t really get very many of them while I’m in school. Sometimes it’s nice to just sit and turn my brain off, know what I mean? Of course you do, because deep down inside your perfect day, is also a lazy day!! Just admit it.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve probably enjoyed way too many lazy days for my own good. I am sure all this laziness will come back to bite me in the tush once I go back to reality on Jan 4. That’s alright though, I plan on enjoying the few days of freedom that I have left!

Christmas Cheer

firststepforward — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:22:28 +0000

I don’t usually talk about things that are too personal on my blog, but for some reason today I feel the need to let it out. I know that it’s the holiday season and I should be feeling all happy and cheery, but I’m not. At least today I am not. There’s some family “drama” (I guess that’s what I would call it) happening and things around home just aren’t the same this Christmas season. Unfortunately there’s not much I can do about it, but I think it would help if I could just bounce out of my funk and put on a happy face for the fam.

I think I was doing alright until today, when I found out that my bestest has been upset with me for three weeks, and she just now decided to share that with me. Although she told me she’s upset with me, she also mentioned that she wouldn’t be ready to discuss it for a few days. Then why did she tell me now? Why didn’t she tell me three weeks ago, or better yet why didn’t she just wait to tell me until she was ready to discuss? I am now waiting patiently…. I love her to death and of course I know that this will not ruin a friendship of 22 years, but I am anxious and ready to talk everything out.

If you put the family and friend issues together, you get me in a funky mood. I know that it will all blow over, it’s just a matter of time and patience…and Christmas cheer!!

So let’s change the subject to Christmas, shall we? Yes, let’s talk about my all time FAVORITE Christmas song:

I don’t want a lot for Christmas

There’s just one thing I need

I don’t care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas is…

You

I don’t want a lot for Christmas

There’s just one thing I need

I don’t care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I don’t need to hang my stocking

There upon the fireplace

Santa Claus won’t make me happy

With a toy on Christmas day

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas is you

You baby

I won’t ask for much this Christmas

I don’t even wish for snow

I’m just gonna keep on waiting

Underneath the mistletoe

I won’t make a list and send it

To the North Pole for Saint Nick

I won’t even stay awake to

Hear those magic reindeers click

‘Cause I just want you here tonight

Holding on to me so tight

What more can I do

Baby all I want for Christmas is you

Ooh baby

All the lights are shining

So brightly everywhere

And the sound of children’s

Laughter fills the air

And everyone is singing

I hear those sleigh bells ringing

Santa won’t you bring me the one I really need

Won’t you please bring my baby to me…

Oh I don’t want a lot for Christmas

This is all I’m asking for

I just want to see my baby

Standing right outside my door

Oh I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

Baby all I want for Christmas is…

You

All I want for Christmas is you… baby (repeat and fade)

Yes, my all time favorite Christmas song is, All I Want for Christmas by Mariah Carey. How could anyone not love this song? On our road trip to NJ, I made Mina listen to the song many, many times. Not only did he listen to it…he also sang to it! Put our voices together and we do a pretty good Mariah, if I may say so myself. Do me a favor and go listen to it, right now: http://www.youtube.com/user/mariahcarey?blend=1&ob=4

…don’t forget to sing along!!!

Blog Makeover

firststepforward — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:48:34 +0000

I’ve been trying to makeover my blog, but it’s not going very well…I’m just not sure if I like the new changes. I was totally starting to get bored with my old look, but I can’t seem to be happy with the new look. Hmph. What now? Any thoughts? Perhaps this new look is a little too stiff or boring? Who knows. Eventually I will be content with the changes, until then…let me know what you think, please?

A Blogging Funk

firststepforward — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:12:57 +0000

Unfortunately, I have been MIA in the blogging world lately. A couple of months ago I started getting into a blogging funk, which was then followed by an overwhelming amount of studying at school…resulting in me not blogging for over a month. I am sure all my reader(s) missed me dearly. Quite honestly, I missed me.

I do have some exciting news though, I have recently been “re-inspired,” and well…I’m back!!!! Have any of you seen the movie Julie & Julia? I finally watched it today and it was excellent!! Totally recommended. I won’t spoil it for those of you who have not seen it, but in short: The character Julie decides to start a blog about how she will make every recipe from Julia Childes cookbook, all within a year. Now, now, don’t get too excited….I don’t plan on writing daily about every recipe from a cookbook, however, I am hoping to get into a much better blogging routine, just as Julie did.

I’m excited for this new found inspiration.

Happy Friday!

firststepforward — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:52:23 +0000

This pictures makes me smile. Looking forward to the weekend. TGIF!