JenOni

Archives for November 2018

Cooking and Baking By Me: Banana Cake

This recipe has made another comeback! We tried this recipe in 2015 and it was hands down the best! KID APPROVED!

BananaCake-4

For the wonderful recipe I found on PINTEREST, check the complete recipe click the link below:

Recipe

Ingredients

2 Cups Sugar
2 Eggs
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 Cup Sour Milk (1 cup milk & 1 tbsp vinegar)
3 Cups Sifted Flour

Grandmas Banana Cake

The next time I bake I may add a 1 cup of BUTTERMILK instead of using the sour milk

BananaCake-1

I let it cool in my pan for about 10 minutes on a cooling rack.  Do not forget to thoroughly oil and flour your cake pan.   I dusted the cake with confectioner’s sugar.

BananaCake-2

Chocolate Cake Recipe from Hershey’s for National Chocolate Cake Day

chocolatecakerecipe

 

In celebration of National Cake Day, here is my favorite chocolate cake recipe.   Everyone in my family loves chocolate and this is the best recipe.  Who can resist chocolate cake and chocolate frosting?   I found this recipe on Hershey’s website.   Hershey’s cocoa is used for the cake and the frosting.  It is very easy to make and one of the most delicious cakes I have baked.

The recipe is found here

 

chocolatecakehersheys

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting for Holiday Dessert

Carrot Cake – Thanksgiving Dessert

Carrot Cake

For this carrot cake recipe, it was a real winner for Thanksgiving.  I found this recipe at AllRecipes.com.   This is one of my go-to sites for recipes.   A few tweaks to the recipes I omitted the coconut.  I love carrot cake however I am not a fan of extra ingredients like coconut and raisins.    The finale  of  the cream cheese frosting  which is absolutely delicious.

The recipe is as follows:

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • 1 cup flaked coconut
  • 1 (15 ounces) can crushed pineapple, drained
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 (8 ounces) package cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups confectioners’ sugar

Click the link above for the rest of the recipe.   As you can see  I covered the remainder of my walnuts around the cake.   A baking confession:  After I poured the cake batter in my three cake pans I forgot to shake the pans to evenly spread the cake batter.  Once the baking time was over I realized that two of my three cake pans were uneven.   Frosting hides blunders and the walnuts was a nice added touch.     I hope you enjoy as much my family!!! This is now my go-to recipe for CARROT CAKE!

 

Carrot Cake

 

Coconut Cake with Raspberry Filling – Holiday Recipe

Coconut Cake with Raspberry Filling

My grandmother passed away in March 2009 so I thought of baking one of her staple desserts would be a nice tribute to her love of cooking and baking. In light of her Southern cooking expertise, we have no written recipes so I tried to find a recipe that was very close to her cake. After talking to my mother, I found out that my
great-grandmother and grandmother sometimes used a raspberry filling for their coconut cake.

Coconut Cake with Raspberry Filling

I thought this recipe was a good match.    Here is my version of a coconut cake.  To keep the recipe as close as possible I did not garnish with fresh raspberries and omitted the coconut in the batter.

Coconut CakeTwoLayers

 

Coconut Raspberry Cake –  Recipe credit: Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook

4 egg whites
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
pinch of salt
½ cup unsalted butter softened
1 ¾ cup sugar
1 1/3 cup buttermilk
½ cup sweetened flaked coconut
Lightly coat two 9″ round cake pans with cooking spray, paying close attention to the bottom. Allow the egg whites to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This is important to create a light and tender cake.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Sift the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a small bowl. Set aside. Measure the buttermilk in a liquid measuring cup and also set aside. Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla over medium speed until well combined. With the mixer still on medium speed, slowly add the egg whites one at a time until completely incorporated. Add the buttermilk and dry ingredients to the batter by alternating between each until the batter shiny and white. Fold the coconut into the batter. Be careful to not over mix.
Evenly divide the batter between the two cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 – 25 minutes or until the center springs back when lightly pressed. Remove from the pans and allow to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting- Recipe credit: Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook
(8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ tsp. vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
With the mixer on low, cream the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until well combined. Slowly add the powdered sugar until the frosting is light and fluffy. You may need to adjust the powdered sugar ratio depending on the thickness of the frosting. It should be light, airy and completely spreadable.

Raspberry Filling: Adapted from my brain 2/3 cup raspberry preserves 1 ½ tsp. water
Over a low flame, heat the preserves and water for 1 – 2 minutes until it becomes syrup. Cool slightly.

Assembly: Place the first cake layer face down in the center of a small platter. Evenly spoon the raspberry filling on top of the cake layer. Be careful to not let the filling ooze over the edge. Place the second cake layer; also face down, on top of the first. Frost the sides and top of both layers with the cream cheese frosting. Lightly pat the sides and top with up to 1 cup of sweetened coconut. Garnish with fresh raspberries on the top of the cake.

 

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Wellness Tips – How to on Fitness, Food, and Sleep

Wellness Tips

Wellness Wednesday tips on how I have used my fitness regimen and food to transform my results.   If working out at home, the best suggestion I can make is to create a schedule and stay consistent.  There is no magic potion to see results but changing old habits are a must.   Food is challenging especially when it comes down to what to eat and how much to eat.   My goal was to include foods I should eat and why I eat these foods.  I do not focus on completing eliminating foods I love but eating them in moderation or as a treat.

 

 

TRX Warm Up

 

 

 

The Transparency of their Marriage on “Red Table Talk” with Will and Jada Smith

 

 

Transparency of Marriage in Their Own Words

This is part 1 and part 2.  If you are not watching Red Table Talk, do not miss the next episode.  I enjoyed Part 1 and had to tune in for Part 2.

Part 1

Part 1 shows there are twists and turns to every relationship.  The irony of Will wanting to meet Jada but seeing his first wife and marrying her instead.    The start of Will and Jada’s relationship was after his divorce.  One thing I noticed was she gave up her life in Baltimore to be with him.  Also, she assumed the role of a stepmother without any preparation.  When she found out she was pregnant, a wedding was planned and she was not 100% on board with the idea.   Their new lives moved very quickly to living as husband and wife with a child.    There was no time in between to exhale.    It was interesting that Will reached out to Jada after his divorce papers were signed.  After my divorce, I realized taking time for myself was overlooked.  He was convinced that he needed to be with her based on their chance meeting.  It made me wonder if he checked out of his previous marriage which in turn led to its demise.  Despite,  overcoming a lot of hurdles it was clear divorce was not an option.  This episode made me wonder if we get a second chance to find the person we are meant to be with forever?

Part 2

As a divorcee, I realized it took me almost 20 years to know and understand what I need.  This episode covers a few topics that resonated with me on so many levels.   Yes, it was clear from the conversation their decisions are relevant to their lives and what is necessary for their family.  Marriage is not a one size fits all.   The one thing that really sticks is the fact that marriage is truly a partnership.   A mutual partnership that means each person has a right to have their needs met.  Also, in a partnership being able to communicate with your partner on everything is necessary.   No secrets or judgments.   Jada’s 40th  birthday was an awakening on finding herself and what was important for her outside of being a wife and mother.  I love the fact that Will recognized she needed to find her happy.  Do we take the time to think about these things before marriage?

Marriage

Some of the things I learned after watching part 1 and part 2.  What makes a marriage work? There is no formula or secret recipe.  I feel entering the institution with the right intentions is critical and not being in love with the idea of marriage.  I think having relevant examples helps to frame an understanding of what is expected.  If only I could rewind the clock and spend enough time living life.  The most important lesson for me is to bring your authentic self and do not bring an imposter.  Also, the ability to give a partner space to enjoy what they are passionate about even the interest is not common.  No two marriages are the same. What works in one home may not apply in someone else’s home.

If you find someone who encourages you to be your best self, this is a blessing.  Did you miss when they said they talk about everything?  A partner to share the good, the bad and the ugly are golden.   This space should be for making one another better not for the purpose of judgment or criticism.  The ability to accept that as partners we are imperfectly perfect is an added bonus.   Last but not least, mutual respect for one another is priceless.

Strength Training – Why I Love Exercises with Weights

 

The best part of my fitness regimen is strength training.  I love the idea of building muscle with exercises that include a little cardio.   My strength training equipment includes dumbbells and kettlebells.  The most effective way to continue the build as I am learning is to increase my weights.   I am up to 20lb dumbbells and a 25lb kettlebell.

Some of the benefits of building muscle:

  1. Burns fat
  2. Reduces stress
  3. Burns more calories
  4. Circuit training with weights brings results within weeks
  5. Gives me more energy and increases confidence
  6. My clothes have a more comfortable fit

The results improve over time and it helps with maintaining my diet.  Each week I try to incorporate weights as much as I can to maintain my muscle mass.  One benefit I find with strength training is using my core on every exercise.  My core muscles are a lot stronger than when I started 61 weeks ago.  You can start off with lower weights and increase over time as you get more comfortable.   For my home workouts, I use YouTube.   If you have Xfinity cable, you can use voice remote feature to search for YouTube.   It is easier to work out from home if you can view from a tv vs. phone, tablet or laptop.   It’s free and with consistency, you will start to see results in four weeks.