Spring and updates

Looks like spring is definitely here...although in this part of the country, waiting for spring is not as "iffy" a prospect as it used to be in Northern WI.

Today is a wet, cold day, but the plants and trees still know that April's just around the corner. The forsythia is busting out in the backyard, and our daphne is stinking (in a good way) up the whole front yard.

The pear tree and the cherry tree have tons of blossoms just ready to bloom. In another couple of weeks, everything will be completely gorgeous. My drive to work, my walks with Boca, even crossing the yard to get into the car every morning will be amazing.

Nothing wrong with that.

Spring also means that I'm busy at work--hence the lack of recent blog posts. Apparently, whatever brain-energy I have for updating the blog is also used for my job. That's fairly unfortunate, but it won't last forever. And these days, having a job is something to be grateful for (although, given a choice, I still prefer being grateful for lilac bushes.)

DOGS: I've started teaching the new dog class for our Flyball club. It's a good group, and so far, I'm enjoying it. I also have to miss the first Flyball tournament in months because of my JOB. Not bitter...no, not me. Not bitter at all. Fine with it. No problem.

FOOD: Sad to say, I've been eating everything in sight. That ends up being the last bargain I can make with myself, to coax myself to do the work that I get paid to do. But that won't last forever...it's already getting old.

DIRT: I managed to prune the rose bushes out front, and I've made plans for a green chili patch in the backyard (the small area still fenced off from the dogs).

Cake in a Mug (Low Carb)

The other day I was winging about wanting cake and not having cake and obsessing on cake and where the hell is the cake (etc., ...you get the idea...), when my friend and co-worker suggested that I could make a low carb version of "Cake in a Mug" when I got home. To which I replied, "A who-in-a-what?" And so she sent me the link: Cake in a Mug.

So tonight, still jonesing for some CAKE, DANG IT, I tried it, modifying it for my low carb world. I also added a dash of salt (because I'm me) and threw in some yummy chocolate chips b/c just cocoa with Splenda can be a bit sad. And it worked! It was absolutely fabulous! Cake craving totally handled, thank you very much!

LOW CARB CAKE IN A MUG

1 well-beaten egg
3 T milk
3 T oil
4 T almond flour
4 T Splenda
2 T cocoa (sifted)
dash of salt
small handful of chocolate chips
1 large coffee mug, empty

Beat egg in mug (my pal, Tiny Whisk, to the rescue again). Add milk and oil, mix well. Then add dry ingredients, mix well. Toss in the chocolate chips, stir, and then microwave for 3 minutes on high. Cake will rise out of the mug while cooking, but that's okay, it won't spill over...it's baking. Turn out the baked mug cake onto a saucer, let cool a bit, and then EAT IT. Be very happy. Make mental note to thank Shanan again and again and again.

Freshly baked Cake in a Mug, just turned out onto a saucer.


If you break it apart, it cools faster, and so you can eat it sooner!

Really, you could do this recipe for almost any dietary restriction. DH is about to make one using regular sugar and rice flour (since he's not worrying about carbs, but needs it gluten free.) So handy, so quick, so satisfying.