CAKE IN A MUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a DELICIOUS RECIPE for how to make a cake in a mug! You simply mix the ingredients in a mug and cook it in a microwave! In about 2 minutes, you will have a yummy, chocolaty dessert! TRY IT! 

Photo: Instant Chocolate Cake Recipe
I found this photo at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/instant-chocolate-cake-recipe/index.html

Here's the Recipe:

Directions

Whisk 1/4 cup flour, 5 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons milk, 3 tablespoons vegetable oiland a dash of vanilla extract and salt in a large mug until smooth. Microwave until puffed, about 2 minutes.

Copyright (c)2011 Food Network Magazine, LLC. Published by Hyperion. Available wherever books are sold. All Rights Reserved. Photograph courtesy of Antonis Achilleos.

Eating Healthy

Eating healthy and exercising frequently seems to be hard for everyone now days, especially with our busy schedules. However, a healthy diet is essential if you want to live a healthy life. My mom is trying to make my family eat healthier now, and even though it made me a little mad when she insisted that I put the grape juice back in the refrigerator and grab a bottle of water, I knew that she was right. I went to the United States Department of Agriculture's website, www.choosemyplate.gov, to get some tips about eating healthy.

I'll be honest: When I want a snack, I'll grab chocolate chip cookies without even giving the bunch of bananas on the counter a second look. Go here: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/fruits-tips.html
for tips on how to incorporate fruit into your diet.

Picture Source: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/fruits-tips.html

Having trouble eating enough veggies? Here's some tips on how to incorporate your :vegetables into your everyday meals:  http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/vegetables-tips.html



Picture Source: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/vegetables-tips.html

Need some tips about the grains you should consume? Check out:
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/grains.html


Picture Source: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/grains.html

Don't know what meats/proteins are best? This page should help:
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/protein-foods-tips.html

Picture Source: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/protein-foods-tips.html

Need help incorporating dairy or don't know how to get the calcium you need because you are lactose intolerant? Look at this web page: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/dairy-tips.html

Picture Source: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/dairy-tips.html

For more about healthy eating, please visit: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

POPCORN BALLS!

        I wanted a snack, and when I saw marshmallows I KNEW that I  just had to make something with them. I was trying to find something that went good with marshmallows (besides hot cocoa), when I saw popcorn. Then, it hit me: marshmallows + popcorn = popcorn balls!
        I tried to make home-made kettle corn a few months ago, but when that didn't work, I turned the sugar-coated popcorn into popcorn balls. However, I melted too much sugar and the dessert turned out WAY too sweet. I was hoping that using marshmallows would help keep me from pouring too much sugar, and I was right! The popcorn balls turned out GREAT! Here's what I did:

INGREDIENTS: (Sorry, I don't know the exact measurements)
Popcorn
Marshmallows
Butter (not a lot)
Microwave-safe bowl
Spoon

1. Pour the marshmallows into a microwave-safe bowl. The amount of popcorn you plan on using determines  how many marshmallows you need to use. Take a tiny bit of butter and put it in the bowl as well. This will keep your marshmallows from sticking to the bowl.
2. Microwave marshmallows for 1 minute at a time, stirring after each minute, until they are done. Watch your marshmallows, because marshmallows puff up and can spill over the bowl. Also, your marshmallows may be done before the minute is up (mine were). Again, it depends on how many you melt.
3. Now, microwave your popcorn.
4. *You might want to wait a minute or so before you do this part, the popcorn and marshmallows get REALLY HOT!!! When the popcorn is done, pour it into a large bowl. Take the melted marshmallows and pour them over the popcorn. Use the spoon to help you. Using your hands, mix the melted marshmallows throughout the popcorn. Then, form them into balls.

Your popcorn balls are ready , enjoy! Here's a picture about what mine turned out like:

Amazing Artists

Sorry I haven't been blogging lately, I've been SOOOO busy! I have been researching artists to study for art class and found some AMAZING paintings that I think you guys will enjoy.

 
Source:
http://www.art.com/products/p10018557-sb-i874128/salvador-dali-soft-watch-at-the-moment-of-first-explosion-c1954.htm sorig=cat&sorigid=0&dimvals=5000126&ui=c8402bf599ba4e95b4b510411d4df167

This painting is by Salvador Dali. It's a melting stopwatch. Pretty crazy right?



Source:
http://www.art.com/products/p12528310-sb-i1890317/michael-cox-stargazer-lily-watercolor.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=0&dimvals=5060077&ui=c8402bf599ba4e95b4b510411d4df167

This is a painting by Michael Cox. Believe it or not, it's a watercolor painting. It looks real, don't you think?



Source:
http://www.art.com/gallery/id--b175712/beach-scenes-posters.htm?ui=C8402BF599BA4E95B4B510411D4DF167&WT.cg_n=Search+Ahead&WT.oss=Beach+Scenes

If you're thinking, "This is not a painting!", you're right. It's photographic print. This relaxing image was taken by Walter Bibikow.


Source:
http://www.art.com/products/p14093385-sa-i2802474/terry-eggers-palm-trees-and-beach-chairs-florida-keys-florida-usa.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=175712&dimvals=175712&ui=c8402bf599ba4e95b4b510411d4df167

Look how white the sand on this beach is! This photo was taken by Terry Eggers.

I love to make fruit smoothies, and  I found some recipes that I really want to try.

Fruit Smoothies

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2006

Prep Time:

10 min

Inactive Prep Time:

--

Cook Time:

--

Level:

Easy

Serves:

6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 bananas, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 pint fresh strawberries
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 to 2 cups crushed ice

Directions

In a large-capacity blender combine all of the ingredients and puree until smooth. (Alternatively, puree in batches if necessary.) Serve the smoothies in chilled tall glasses.

Copyright 2012 Television Food Network G.P.
All Rights Reserved

I found the recipe above at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/fruit-smoothies-recipe3/index.html

Creamy Blackberry Smoothie

January 22, 2010 · Filed Under Dessert Smoothies, Fruit Smoothies, Strawberry Smoothies· 9 Comments 

Photo Credit: sreelus

Okay, I realize creamy and blackberry don’t usually go together but that is what smoothieweb.com is all about, mixing flavors and textures that don’t always come to mind. This blackberry smoothie is worth the risk. Let me know how you like it.

Ingredients:

• 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream (a good start, yes?)
• 1 1/2 cups of frozen blackberries
• 1/2 cup of strawberries
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp lime juice (for a tart kick)
• dollop of whipped cream

Blend until you can’t wait and then add the whipped cream.

Tags: berries, blackberry, blackberry smoothie, ice cream, lime, lime juice, milk,smoothie, strawberries, vanilla, vanilla ice cream

I found the article above at: http://www.smoothieweb.com/category/dessert-smoothies/

If you're a smoothie-lover like me, www.foodnetwork.com is a really good resource for you. This website offers recipes from well-known celebrity chefs, such as Paula Dean and Emeril Lagasse.
I found the website where I got the second article from, www.smoothieweb.com, today and it offers a ton of different recipes! Whether you're looking for a healthy, protein, dessert,or regular fruit  smoothie, they're all here!

Scotty McCreery

Scotty McCreery's album Clear as Day

       This name may or may not sound familiar to you: Scotty McCreery. If you watch American Idol, you know that he was the winner last season. Right now, you're probably thinking: American Idol has already begun airing its next season! Why are you just know talking about Scotty? Well, I know I'm a little late, but when I made my blog, I knew that I would have to write a blog post about him. Scotty is a country singer, and he wowed the judges with his deep voice, despite the fact that he was only 17 at the time. When he won American Idol, he released his first single: "I Love You This Big". This single is now available on his debut album "Clear as Day", which came out on October 4, 20ll.
My favorite songs on this album are:
1. Water Tower Town
2. Dirty Dishes
3. The Trouble With Girls
4. Clear As Day
5. I Love You this Big

There are plenty of other great songs on "Clear As  Day"! Go to iTunes and buy it now!

MOVIE REVEW

      Yesterday, I went to the movie theater and saw Joyful Noise, starring Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, and many others. 

     The movie is about a small town that has fallen on hard times. A local church competes in the national "Joyful Noise" competition, making it the only thing that keeps the town going. However, when Vi Rose Hill becomes the new choir director, the rivalry between Vi Rose G.G. Sparrow gets even hotter, making it hard for the group to get along. This movie features romance between two teenagers, fantastic performances, and talks about the hard times that many people are going through today.

      I  loved the movie and walked away feeling grateful that God has blessed me so much. While there is a lot of comedy, this movie still teaches an important moral. No matter how bad things are, if you trust God everything will be okay in the end.

This movie is rated PG-13 and has some adult language and short kissing scenes.