It's Real for Us

When I was ten or eleven years old, I was given a three book series entitled Harry Potter. They included: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Little did I know that over a decade later, they would still affect me the way they did back in my days as a fourth grader. As a true member of the Potter Generation I know that I am not alone in this obsession. It's this magical notion that there is something greater out there and lets us escape and imagine what it would be like to receive our letter from Hogwarts and be told "Yer a Wizard" (don't lie, you read that in Hagrid's voice). Personally, I've read the first four books around five times and the entire series twice, it just never gets old to me. With each time through there are certain things that I have forgotten and come back to me with incredible clarity. As well as characters whom didn't make the cut for the movie, but still add their own special touch to the journey of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Another thing that I've come to realize as an adult, besides the fact that what these wizard fifth graders accomplish is mind blowing, is the amount of comradery that takes place. Harry Potter is about friendship, loyalty, love, and the incredible things you can accomplish if you surround yourself with positive friends and family. Books that grow with you are the best books out there. Ones that you can relate to your life not only as a small child but as a teen, adult, parent, lover, and friend. So for all of you out there who have also grown up knowing and loving J.K. Rowling's stories, I commend you. For those of you who have not, pick up a book and see the kind of magic you have been missing. And for those who have seen the movies but have never read the books......you should be shunned. I mean seriously? You call yourself a Potterhead? Please.


----Mischief Managed

2 Minute Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

OK, so this is not even funny how easy making this cake is. Seriously, 2 minutes until you have delicious chocolate greatness sitting in front of you. I found this recipe on The Family Kitchen blog and it is sooo easy(that's where the picture is from too...sorry no photos of my own creation)

I've always been interested by these "mug cakes" that I see all of the time on Pinterest and every other dessert blog, but never though twice about making them because they have to be like a million WW Points right??? WRONG! The recipe I found ended up being only 10, and when I substituted the JIF peanut butter with my Better'n Butter it ended up being only 6. I can handle 6. So off I went to the kitchen to prepare my very first mug cake.

As I was prepping, my roommates were super confused since I was just scooping out ingrediants with my tablespoon and plopping them into a bowl. "Whatcha doing?" they asked. "Making a cake!" I replied while trying to resist the urge to lick the fork covered in batter. Of course they were a bit skeptical about the fantastic-ness that is a mug cake and that a microwave would actually be able to create something so wonderfull. After eveything was mixed, I just poured it into my mug, popped it in the microwave for 1 minute and POOF, we had cake. Magical was the only way my roomates ended up describing my dessert, simply magical.

So luckily I only buy 6 eggs at time, and I have only 1 left, otherwise I would be making this every night, and it would be horrible. That is the downside to a mug cake, it involves a LOT of resistance and self control once you realize how incredibly easy it is to have the perfect amount of cake at your fingertips. Hope you enjoy!

Two Minute Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

1 egg

1 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp peanut butter

1 Tbsp flour

1 Tbsp cocoa powder

1/4 tsp baking powder

a small handful of chocolate chips (optional)

In a small bowl, stir the egg, brown sugar, peanut butter, flour, cocoa and baking powder with a fork. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into a greased ramekin or mug. Microwave for 1 minute. Eat straight from the ramekin or mug, or invert onto a plate. Serves 1.

Big and Beautiful

I love Miss Piggy, always have. But whats not to love? A sassy, stylish pig who tells it like it is,  a hopeless romantic with a frog, AND she does karate??? True diva if you ask me :)

I decided to post this quote I found from her because I absolutely LOVE what it says. "Style comes in all sahpes and sizes. Therefore the bigger you are, the more style you have." so true. For the past few months I have been a member of Weight Watchers. I absolutely think this is the best way to lose weight, so if you're thinking about joining, but just don't know...DO IT! Its a lifetyle change, not a diet, and I have actually found success with it! So far I have lost a little over 10 pounds and I am really starting to notice the change.

 The reason I'm saying all this along with my big and beautiful Miss Piggy quote, is because as I'm looking at myself in the mirror, I have noticed changes with the weight loss, but I've also decided that I do NOT want to lose my curves. I want to be HEALTHY not SKINNY, and the differance between those two words is crucial to young girls today as they watch models and celebrities on television and movies. Mothers, stress to your little girls that being healthy is so much more important than being skinny. Curves are beautiful, they are natrual and georgouse. Women should be build for comfort, not speed. And I don't know about you but I'd rather be a size 8 and have an amazing hour glass figure, then a size 2 and be nothing bone.