A recipe to share: Carrot cake

As Autumn is officially here, I have a delicious recipe to share: carrot cake. 

I vividly remember my first impression of carrot cake; I thought it was supposed to taste like carrot hence why I opted majority of the time to not try. FYI there is no carrot taste in the cake, rather, it is a wonderful concoction of cinnamon, nutmeg, and spice. It is delicious. Enjoy.

2 cups all-purpose flour
                         2 teaspoons baking powder


2 teaspoons cinnamon
                           1 teaspoon baking soda


½ teaspoon nutmeg
                                ¾ cup granulated sugar
           

¾ cup brown sugar
                                 3 eggs
                                                           

¾ cup vegetable oil                                  1 teaspoon vanilla
                                   

2 cups grated carrots
                               1 cup drained crushed canned pineapple


ICING

1 pkg cream cheese, softened
                  1/4 cup (50 mL) butter, softened


1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla
                                    1 cup (250 mL) icing sugar

Grease and flour a 13x9 inch metal cake pan; set aside.

In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and nutmeg. In separate bowl, beat together granulated and brown sugars, eggs, oil and vanilla until smooth; pour over flour mixture and stir just until moistened. Stir in carrots, pineapple and pecans. Spread in prepared pan.

Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven for 40 minutes.

In bowl, beat cream cheese with butter until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Beat in icing sugar, one-third at a time, until smooth. Spread over top of cake. (Make-ahead: Cover loosely and refrigerate for up to I day.)

When cakes emerge from the oven, their structure is set, but the set is still fragile. Let cakes stand in pans on rack for time specified in each recipe, 15 to 20 minutes. Run knife around edge of cake, then place rack over pan and invert cake onto rack to cool completely.

The Most Delicious Pumpkin Cookies

Hello! 

In lieu of Autumn, and it's wonderful presence; I thought it be appropriate to share and love my pumpkin cookie recipe, and show you the post-product of deliciousness. 

Pumpkin Cookies

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour                                  1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda                                     2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg                               ½ teaspoon ground cloves

½ teaspoon salt                                                      ½ cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar                                        1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 egg                                                                          1 teaspoon vanilla extract

ICING

2 cups confectioners' sugar                                3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon melted butter                                 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine flour, baking powder baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, cream together the ½ cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork. 

School Supply Essentials #BackToSchool

The dreaded Back to School advertising. Honestly, after many years of spotting the advertisements, Back to School has to be one of the most creative and capturing, considering it is only temporary. Here are school supply essentials I feel is necessary for the school year - this can be applied to high school and university or college students. 

1) Pens and Highlighters 

This may seem obvious, but it can easily be overlooked. Buying good quality pens and highlighters are essential for high school and post secondary. The typical array of pens you should try and stick to are blue, black and red - I only recommend coloured pens [i.e. pink, blue, yellow, purple] for studying and note taking, not for assignments as I assure you, your professor or teacher will not accept. Highlighters are great for studying and in class note-taking. The beauty of highlighters is you can pick whichever highlighted colour sticks to you best. Personally, I prefer neon orange, green, yellow and purple for studying because it is an indictor of important concepts. 

2) Computer paper

This, especially for post secondary is key. You need computer paper and you will soon realize how life becomes more of a struggle without it. Stores such as Staples, Walmart, and Target sell computer paper though I suggest looking for the better deal because for some reason, computer paper is costly. Nearing the end of summer, to the first week of September be on the look out for great computer paper deals.

3) Lined paper

What is computer paper without lined paper? If you carry around a notebook or two, you may think having loose lined paper is not necessary (untrue!) Being in high school you probably will carry two or three binders (oh the days) thus having lined paper to be mandatory. However, if you are in post secondary you will have one binder, and more notebooks. Either way, you will use lined paper regardless of your schooling and it makes life a lot easier having extra. Again, look go for the deals! 

4) 1.5 or 2.5 inch binder(s)

Binders are very subjective to the individual. Depending on your courses, and level of education you are in, binders may or may not be required. I remember in high school I felt it was necessary to carry 5 binders with me per class because I could not fathom one large binder. Being in post secondary I usually have only one binder just in case, if I use it great, if not, I always have another reason or year to utilize a binder. I recommend Avery D-ring binders more than anything because of the durability and the rings almost never break on me. 

5) Pencils

Again, dependent on your studies: pencils. If you are in a math or art course, and your high school teacher does not allow pens, opt for pencils. I prefer the old fashion sharpen yourself pencil instead of the push pencil at the eraser. When you are in post secondary, pencils are mandatory for completing midterms and exams so be wary on having extras - I also (and it is) recommended to use HB pencils for grading. 

6) Notebooks

Out of everything I have listed, notebooks to this day are the most tedious to buy. I always shift back to the basics and opt for a 3 chapter, 250-300 page notebook. These are fantastic in that you only need to buy a few because there is so much paper. I have used many high end to low end brands and always fall back on the cheapest, with the most paper. 

7) Durable school bag

It is easy to fall back on a cute school bag because how can you resist? But through many trials, I have learned again, it is better to pick the durable, less-girly option. It was not until my last year of college I had enough and surrendered to buy a plain black, with light blue lining backpack by DKNY. It has lasted me years and I hope many more as I only resist the back-pack-shopping days, again.  

Do not be afraid of change

Apologies for the lack of posts since the beginning of August. I have recently made decisions that affect my future, and what is to come next. In the midst of this, I had my birthday (yay!) and while it could have been better, I am grateful to be alive and with my family. 

Change is a part of growth, and required if you need to move forward in an area in your life. I, shy away from change because it generally starts with making a decision (a tedious task, I prefer not to do). Realize if, in your gut you are not happy and you want a change, do it. As long as you have a small idea as to where all of "this" will get you, and it will make you happy, it may be the change you need! 

Happy August!

I just wanted to take the time and thank the readers of my blog. It is greatly appreciated and I cannot believe we are starting a new month. I find myself reflecting every month and I am excited to see what is in store! It is so crazy to think we will be entering a new year in a little over four months. I hope everyone is having a memorable summer and remember to keep reading. 

1000 Squat Challenge by Cassey from Blogilates

You read the title correctly: 1000 Squat Challenge. If you are not familiar who Cassey is, she is an exercise instructor and owner/creator of Blogilates. I am a dedicated fan to her videos and have utilized her regimen for a while now. She is known and famous for her Squat Challenge which has racked up 4.5 million views, respectfully. Now you are probably wondering why I brought up her recent challenge of 1000 squats. It is because I am in the process of doing that exactly, 1000 squats. Call me crazy, but it is worth a try though urging with caution. It is abnormal to do that amount of squats to your legs, glutes, quads, and calves which is why Cassey put up a disclaimer and warning, as I am too. Before writing this post, I just completed a little over 300 squats -- the peak of which I started to sweat. Now, I am pretty proud of myself because achieving a little over 300 squats while just starting to sweat is impressive in my opinion. Read further for updates on my goal to achieve 1000 squats.

Update: I just reached 550 squats and break. Physically I am fine, the increased heart rate is a little much considering I only reached a little over the half way mark. I am accompanied with a cup of water, and I cannot WAIT to hop in the shower though I feel invigorated and a little too sweaty. 

Update II: I reached a total of 800 squats. My legs feel like jello and I can only imagine how they will feel as I finish. I only have 200 more squats to go until I reach 1000 - words I never though I'd say because I never imagined doing 100 squats, let alone 1000. The next update may be my final update as I [hopefully] have reached 1000. If not, read along for my next update, and the update after that!

Update III: Very much back with my final update of 1000 squats. I did it thanks to the help of Cassey, my cats (will fill you in later), and water! I cannot tell you how I will feel tomorrow ... presumably sore and stiff, but I don't care. The 1000 squat challenge is a long-term achievement, the side effects are short. The final stretch of 1000 was fairly easy, I had to resort in using my carpet floor (sorry, tailbone) because my yoga mat is not with me at the moment. My joy with the carpet comes along with my cats. I was in my hallway, and they were watching me like I was a maniac, if you make it to 900 (congrats!), you will understand. 

Nonetheless, I learned the journey matters more than the number itself. Yes, I have completed 1000 squats but the journey in reaching 1000, is greater. I took breaks when needed, drank water, and stretched. I have no idea how Cassey did the challenge with no breaks, but regardless of this we were in it together. If you managed to do 100, 200, or even 50 - congratulations. Do not be hard on yourself because that is more than an average amount of people can do! If you are struggling, take breaks as long as you finish satisfied and remember to not focus on the number, rather the journey it took to reach your personal goal. 

Wisdom tooth extraction experience (to ease your nerves)

Hello, hello! Earlier today, I was reminiscing on the time I had my wisdom teeth removed, and how curious and nervous I was for that day to come. Now imagine, you are the first sibling in your family to undergo this procedure and the only sufficient person you know who can relate, is your father. Fantastic right? Only it would be if he remembered every detail. 

I understand how you are feeling: nervous, anxious, curious, and wondering if you're going to say ridiculous things as you are under anesthesia. Now I have no idea how these patients come up with what they say while medicated, but the nurse I had said it won't happen to me. She was right - I didn't say anything embarrassing, in fact the only thing I said was "I feel fantastic" after the Doctor asked how I was feeling as he filled my IV.  Here's my story I hope will help you, and ease your nerves before you experience one of the best decisions you'll make as a late teen. You will be rid of the pain of your wisdom teeth growing, and be that much wiser. (now you know why babies sob when they are teething!) 

Essentially you are indicated by the nurse, to not eat or drink 24 hours before your surgery. Mine was appointed in the morning, I do not remember a specific time, but it was before 11AM. The day before, I gave myself the "last" of everything: the last time I eat breakfast, the last supper, and the last time I'll be able to actually take care of myself - for now, at least. Insert tip one: drink water. I don't mean the minimum of what you're supposed to consume in a day -- I mean drink SO much water, you're sick of it. It is very important to remain and stay hydrated before your appointment. Something I failed to do prior. 

It is the morning of my appointment, and I'm feeling okay. I remember my appointment was made in August, which happens to also be my birthday month. I check in, fill out papers, and sign a release form; which by the way freaked me out but is required. Now remember, I was 19 [turning 20] at the time, and I can say I was pretty open minded. I had made it my plan to bring my iPod (go figure) for the procedure. As soon as the nurse saw my beloved iPod, she said "No, no we cannot allow you to listen to music while put under because we want your brain to 'relax'." Basically, if I listen to music being sedated, I will technically still be awake, and my brain will be active. Now I opted for sedation - no gas mask. I will be conscious, not put under but I will have no memory of the surgery. In addition to this, I will be able to answer the Doctor as I am sedated ... How crazy is that?! 

I sit myself in the chair with my dad and mom (who didn't last long). The nurse puts an oxygen mask on my face, and preps the IV while the Doctor finally comes in, and assists the nurse with medication and his utensils. As this is happening, the nurse is jotting my information such as my weight, height and age. They use this to determine how much medication they need to use in accordance to your size. The nurse brings over the needle and the first thing I said to her was "please don't hurt me" - she assured me she would not. The IV was a breeze, didn't feel a thing and I felt pumped. Now as this is happening, the Doctor is making me feel comfortable by engaging in small talk, while he works with the nurse to fill my IV bag. As I mentioned earlier in this post, the Doctor asks "how are you feeling?" and I say: "I feel fantastic!" - a great indicator that the medicine is working. Before I become sedated, I remember vividly sitting in the chair, the room is spinning, everything becomes blurry, eventually black. 

Literally what felt like 20 minutes, was more than an hour of surgery and I am awake. The nurse wastes no time in waking me up, pretending as if nothing happened. I get up by myself and finally meet my dad and brother in recovery. The nurse tells my dad care instructions, questions he may have, all the information needed to take care of me for the next week. I get up and my nurse helps me into the truck and finally I am on my way home. The car ride home felt like 5 minutes (it wasn't, it was a good 25), but I remember sitting in the truck beside my brother and I wanted to text my sister. I have no idea what I said to her, or how I was able to function a phone, but I did text her and it was gibberish. 

I am home. I open the door and my mom is anxiously waiting expecting me to be incoherent and not able to move on my own. Her maternal instincts are in full gear, she greets me, and the first thing I do is run to the living room saying to my mom "I am okay". Now I cannot describe to you the dizzyness I felt after my surgery and for the rest of the week which is why I ran to my couch and laid there all day. My mom went to the pharmacy to fill my prescription and came home. The first few hours post-op was my dad changing my gauze full of blood every half hour of so. Super gross, not fun, or cute. Finally after the bleeding stops I lay down, and relax. It sucks because you cannot eat. No straws, no solid foods, no cold or hot drinks, nothing. My diet for the week consisted of protein shakes used for hospital patients because it was all I could consume as I was incapable of chewing. 

Me being the superhero I am, I didn't use my prescription. The next morning after my surgery I felt fantastic. I had no pain, and I felt good - but still dizzy. My entire week consisted of me laying down on the couch, only getting up to rinse my mouth, and take care of myself. It sucked but it was my temporary reality. 

Overall, everything went okay. Recovery was ironically better than the surgery itself but nonetheless I came out and made it alive. Everyone reacts differently to surgery, and while I was able to survive mine post-op without my prescription, you may be opposite. Don't get me wrong, there was discomfort, but nothing to the extent of needing medication. 

How to PREVENT dry socket: One of the frequent correlations to having your wisdom teeth removed is the chance of getting dry socket. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot in your gum prematurely falls out, causing the wound to be exposed to air, and particles. You do not want this to happen and I was thankfully able to avoid this completely. I was SO paranoid of getting dry socket, I diligently cleaned my four wounds every hour with salt water. There was a point when a blood clot did fall out a few days later and I'm not gonna lie: I freaked out but it was natural in a way it did not affect healing. I urge you to clean your wounds and make sure your mouth is in perfect oral hygiene. If you do get dry socket it extends your healing to another week or two, depending on the severity and you need a prescription from your Doctor to aid in healing the infection. 

Post-op: A misconception with this surgery is after one week, you are free. Not true. When your mouth is healed entirely, you literally have only just begun. It takes an extra four to six weeks for the wounds to close if your Doctor did not surgically stitch them, and even if your gum is stitched, you still need to be careful. Before and after you eat MAKE SURE your gums are clean of food in the sockets. It's tedious, and gross but it has to be done.