Dessert/ Dinner

Sugar High

Notice anything different? πŸ˜‰

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Earrings!!!

I’ve had quite a rough time with my ears for the past, um, 15 years. I’ve had them pierced probably six times and every time they either get infected or I get a build up of scar tissue (keloids). Three years ago I actually had to have SURGERY to remove the scar tissue in my ear lobes and my doctor told me that I could never again get my ears pierced or wear earrings. Until today! I got some super sweet clip-on earrings from Claires (I know, I’m 11) and I looove them! I really don’t even think you can tell they are clip-ons unless you stand abnormally close to my ear lobes. And they were only $6.50! Yay!!

Before running errands I made some delicious iced tea using Good Earth decaf green tea and Tazo apricot white. I sweetened it with just a squirt of agave and made enough to sip on all weekend long. I filled my Navitas Natural’s water bottle and off I went!

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VERY happy the beet juice came out of my shorts.….that would not have been cool.

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Later, I snacked on a banana with almond butter (and had more iced tea!):

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And then around 5:30 headed over to my parent’ house for the big birthday dinner! I found the delicious Boutari that I had the other night at Wine Exchange and it was pretty affordable so I brought that over—-

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And had about two glasses throughout the evening. πŸ™‚ My mom made this recipe out of The Don CeSar Hotel Cookbook:

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I was sooo impressed! She even made the vanilla bean beurre blanc sauce. Super rich but very, very delicious. I felt like we were eating at, well, The Don CeSar! Here’s my plate with shrimp, coconut jasmine rice and mahi with papaya banana chutney and vanilla bean beurre blanc-

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Everything was just fabulous! But the cake topped it all of. I was sort of proud of myself because even though my mom MADE the cake, I formulated the recipe (loosely based on the pineapple carrot cake recipe from Vegan with a Vengeance) and was just crossing my fingers that it turned out. Well, it better than turned out! Try for yourself and see!

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Whole Wheat Walnut Ginger Carrot Cake

2 1/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond breeze, soymilk or cow’s milk
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup cane sugar
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts
1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 cups grated carrot

Heat oven to 350. Grease two 8 inch cake pans. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Set aside.

In another bowl, mix almond milk, sugar, maple syrup, canola oil and vanilla. Add dry ingredients to wet in batches. Mix together. Fold in coconut, carrots and walnuts.

Divide mixture between both cake pans and bake for 40-45 minutes.

COCONUT ICING:

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup coconut milk
23 tsp vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

Cream earth balance until light and fluffy. Add coconut milk and vanilla. Add powdered sugar and mix until smooth (use stand mixer and keep mixing for a solid 7 minutes). Add coconut and mix to combine. Keep in fridge until ready to use on cake.

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As you can see, it looked divine and tasted more than divine. Here was my slice!

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But I think I finished off everyone else’s icing as well—its my favorite part! Ryan and I did the dishes afterwards and a few more licks may or may not have been taken. πŸ˜‰ I am in a full blown sugar coma now! No more dessert! Well…..at least no more dessert tonight!

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We are home now and, sadly, I am sucked into yet again County Jail. This time its County Jail Indiana and is about inmates making homemade wine. I can’t help it…these shows are addicting in a twisted way!
**This just in**
Under Armour is looking for THREE strong women to share their stories of how their active lifestyle, attitude, and spirit helped them fight breast cancer. They are asking women to share their stories and win a chance to inspire others.

The chosen survivors will get an all expense paid trip to Baltimore (Under Armour headquarters) for a 2-day photo shoot and interview session. Photos and videotaped stories will be used for Power in Pink in-store visuals, magazine ads, website, and/or other promotional materials. Lastly, $5,000 will be donated to each winner’s favorite 501(c)3-certified breast cancer organization. Under Armour proudly supports breast cancer awareness, research and treatment by donating 5% of the retail price of all Power in Pink products.

If you want to submit your story, click HERE. You have until June 15th. Go, girls!!

And….on a sadder note (this blog has been WAY too sad lately). We got very upsetting news today that our family friend’s 15 year old son was riding his bike and got hit by a car yesterday morning. Currently he is in a coma in the hospital here…….so please pray for Kevin and PLEASE wear your helmet when you ride your bike. Kevin was not.

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  • Kelly
    June 13, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    Jenna…where did you get your cute green top…cute tanks are on my shopping list and I need some direction! πŸ™‚
    Happy belated day…

    • jenna
      June 13, 2009 at 10:21 pm

      Kelly,

      I got that top from Anthropologie about 3 1/2 years ago. Its old but I love it!

  • Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
    June 13, 2009 at 10:22 pm

    You look so cute! Love the earrings.

    Glad you had such a nice bday dinner. Everything looks delicious! YUM! And that cake..OMGahhhhh.

    So sorry to hear about your family friend. I will definitely keep him and his family in my thoughts.

    Much love to you, Jenna!

  • CC
    June 13, 2009 at 10:22 pm

    You should look for some cute vintage earrings! I have my ears pierced but I own a ton of vintage earrings and they are almost always clip ons.

  • Kim
    June 13, 2009 at 10:29 pm

    How adorable is that photo of Ryan with Mikey! Your birthday dinner looks *delicious*… papaya banana chutney definitely sounds worth looking into. I’m so sorry about Kevin… when will drivers learn to stop talking/texting while driving and share the road?!

  • Help Meghan Run
    June 13, 2009 at 10:34 pm

    Love the clip-on earrings! I actually don’t have my ears pierced… :/ Your birthday celebration looks lovely, it’s so nice to do something like that with people you love. πŸ™‚ You totally deserve a celebration, hope you enjoyed everything!

    HelpMeghanRun.com

  • Erin
    June 13, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    Yummy looking cake! Coconut is one of my favorite flavors and that icing looks divine!

    I will pray for Kevin tonight.

  • Tammy (Defining Wellness)
    June 13, 2009 at 10:38 pm

    My prayers are with Kevin and his family — I’m so sorry to hear the sad news. Very happy that you had such a nice evening though — wow, what a story about the earrings — that’s crazy! Can’t tell the clip-ons are clip-ons! And I love the pic of Ryan with the cat — too cute! Cake looks yummy — I bought some whole wheat pastry flour for the first time tonight (at your recommendation) and I’m going to make some muffins this week. Fun, fun!

  • Shannon, The Healthy Beach Bum
    June 13, 2009 at 10:40 pm

    I’m so sorry about your family friend’s son. πŸ™ That is horrible.

    On a little bit lighter note, those earring are adorable! And your cake is lookin amazing! It’s kinda funny cause at Busch Gardens today I bought myself a slice of Carrot Cake in their candy shop. It was just lookin too darn tasty πŸ™‚

    Have a great day tomorrow!

  • Jess
    June 13, 2009 at 10:41 pm

    Your birthday dinner looks so yummy–especially that cake!
    <3 jess

  • Katrina (gluten free gidget)
    June 13, 2009 at 10:48 pm

    The cake looks and sounds A-MAZING!
    Speaking of A-MAZING… I made your baked beans recipe for a BBQ tonight. Everyone raved about them! Thanks for such a great recipe.

  • Liza
    June 13, 2009 at 10:55 pm

    That cake just looks amazing! πŸ™‚
    Love the earrings <3

  • Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now
    June 13, 2009 at 10:58 pm

    I’ll be praying for him and his family.

    On a lighter note, I’m glad you had a great birthday dinner and you looked fabulous!

  • Jenni
    June 13, 2009 at 11:02 pm

    I still can’t get over your hair! Love it. And when is the wedding anyway?? You and the boy are so cute together…and seem so genuinely happy!

  • Emily (Healthy Fit Mama)
    June 13, 2009 at 11:07 pm

    All that food looks amazing…especially the cake! Yum!

  • Angela
    June 13, 2009 at 11:14 pm

    I’m so sorry about your friend’s son…I hope he pull through.

    As soon as I saw the pic I knew it was the earrings- they just popped and I didn’t remember you ever wearing any. Go clip ons!! I used to rock those ones from Claires baby. haha.

    Your cake looks SO good!!

  • Lynette
    June 13, 2009 at 11:20 pm

    That cake looks soooo good – I can’t wait to try the recipe!

  • Sara
    June 13, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    I’m sorry about your friend’s son; I’ll be thinking about him.

    Happy birthday…again! It’s fun to celebrate for days and days!

  • Maria
    June 13, 2009 at 11:37 pm

    I’ll be praying about your friend’s son, I’m sorry about what happened to him.

    That carrot cake recipe is something that I really want to try soon, the cake looks delish! I love the pearl necklace with your hair–you look so sophisticated πŸ˜€

  • Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
    June 13, 2009 at 11:41 pm

    What adorable earings! I have had so many problems with my ear piercings getting infected, but lately (fingers crossed!) they’ve been doing well!

    AMAZING cake recipe Jenna! It sounds SO healthy and delicious. A bit like Carrot Cake, yet so much more! Glad you enjoyed your evening!

    Sorry to hear about the family friend. Him and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Katherine
    June 13, 2009 at 11:47 pm

    The cake looks incredible and I love that your mother made one of your recipes for your birthday πŸ™‚

    I’m so sorry to hear about your family friend – he is absolutely in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us updated!

  • Amanda (My Summerizations)
    June 14, 2009 at 12:22 am

    carrot cake! yum! best birthday cake you can have, in my opinion. looks like you did a fantastic job with the recipe and your mom did a good job making it!

  • Caroline
    June 14, 2009 at 12:31 am

    Schmancy birthday dinner! That cakes sounds phenomenal–totally bookmarking it right now;)

  • KatieF
    June 14, 2009 at 12:36 am

    I have the same problem with my ears. I have keloids from all four of my ear piercings and got told by a doctor three years ago that if I kept trying to wear earrings I was going to keep making the scars worse. As soon as I got through my wedding I quit trying. πŸ˜‰

    Kevin and his family are in my prayers.

  • Sarah (Tales of Expansion)
    June 14, 2009 at 1:12 am

    awww, the clip-ons are so cute, AND they look completely pierced!
    and yumyumyum, that cake sounds so incredible. the coconut icing, ahhhhhh.
    i am sending lots of positive thoughts to kevin. i hope he comes out of it!

  • Jessica
    June 14, 2009 at 3:01 am

    I’m glad to see you had a happy birthday!
    AND you are making me hungry, as usual πŸ™‚

  • Susan
    June 14, 2009 at 5:49 am

    Such a cute picture of you and Ryan!
    I love the clip-ons too. I actually didn’t get my ears pierced until I was 18, so now I have to wear earrings every single day to make up for the lost time πŸ˜›
    Carrot cake is hands down my favourite cake. Bookmarked this recipe!!
    So sorry to hear about the family friend πŸ™ I hope he pulls through!

  • polly
    June 14, 2009 at 7:11 am

    county jail INDIANA? Did ya see me? πŸ˜‰

    Yummy frosting and yummy pictures!!! HUGS!!!

  • Liz
    June 14, 2009 at 8:26 am

    This is totally unrelated to your post but I finally tried your spinach smoothies and they are AMAZING — especially since I never get enough vegetables. My boyfriend who hates vegetables even loves them! Thanks for the great recipe!

  • Coco Knudson
    June 14, 2009 at 8:40 am

    Carrot cake is my #1 choice!!!!! I will have to make that carrot cake and give it a try!!! But not before I try your outrageous chocolate cake with AB drizzled on top..mmm mmm mmm

  • earthybrit.wordpress.com
    June 14, 2009 at 8:50 am

    Can I say that your giving katie holmes?cruise? some serious competition with your new do. I think you look awsome! I wish my mother could cook, besides anything that can be micrwaved, ewww. Much thought and prayers are being sent too your friends, and I have faith that he will wake up. My brother was hit face on while driving by a drunk driver, and well it was bad, but we prayed and prayed and he is fine and back to his self. Remeber when the winds blowing I am sending Loving Kharma, and when it’s calm I am praying for your friend and his fam. take care, rock those fake earings and do what you want to do today.

  • Kim
    June 14, 2009 at 9:19 am

    saying a prayer for Kevin & family. I hope that he recovers.

    That cake looks amazing!! YUM!!

  • K
    June 14, 2009 at 9:31 am

    I need to make that cake ASAP! Carrot cake is my favorite and the only kind of cake I like!

    Sorry to hear about Kevin πŸ™ I’ll keep him in my thoughts!

  • Stacey
    June 14, 2009 at 9:35 am

    Holy Moly that cake looks good! Cute earrings too πŸ™‚ I can never find clip on earrings that don’t make my ears hurt, so I have given them up! Enjoy the rest of your ongoing birthday celebration!!

  • TorontoGirloutWest
    June 14, 2009 at 10:18 am

    I’m definitely going to be praying for your friend this morning in church!!!!

  • Christine
    June 14, 2009 at 10:53 am

    Jenna, I had to comment on the earrings. I thought I was the only person in the WORLD that had that same problem. I have huge lumps of scar tissue in my ears and would have to painfully repierce my ears basically to get through the scar tissue every time. It has been so aggravating. When I was little, the doctor told my mom I could never have pierced ears again after my infections. I have considered having them fixed but found it incredibly expensive and insurance wouldn’t cover since they consider it “cosmetic.” But with thicker earlobes due to the scar tissue, clip ons hurt. I may check out those cute ones you have on. They look really great. Oh, and btw, that green shirt really looks great on you. A very complementary color for you.

  • Island Girl Eats
    June 14, 2009 at 11:19 am

    That meal looks so good. I think I might have to try that recipe for your birthday cake. It looked yummy!

  • Matt
    June 14, 2009 at 11:32 am

    Mmm I love carrot cake! It is one of my favorites!

    I’ll be praying for Kevin!

  • Meredith (Pursuing Balance)
    June 14, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    Cute earrings! I just got my ears pierced for the first time a couple months ago, so hoping that my ears will happily adjust with no problems.

  • Katie
    June 14, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    Quick Question! Is it really 23 tsp of vanilla in the icing? Or 2 or 3? I am going to make this recipe tonight, and was a little surprised when I saw the vanilla LOL

  • Erica
    June 14, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    Teehee, I submitted my story to UnderArmour a couple of weeks ago! I was so excited when I saw the promotion for it on their website, I knew I had to at least give it a shot! It would be so cool to be chosen **crossing my fingers**

  • nancy
    July 5, 2010 at 4:45 pm

    hey i have the same problem but i dont know where to go to get my keloids removed and how much would it cost?
    ive been having them for 3 years now and i absolutely hate it