Real Housewives Recap & Halloween Swirl Muffins
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Before we begin with the rant er, recap, let’s see a raise of hands here. How many of you, shamelessly or not, watch The Real Housewives? It doesn’t matter what season, just want to know. If you do, you’re probably going to love this recap. If you don’t, your still probably going to love this recap. I have a VERY love/hate relationship with all of them, however, it is especially intense for the New Jersey girls and Beverly Hills. And, after two full days of watching these shows, I just have to vent a little.
However, this whole post would be a recap if I talked about both of them so let’s just focus on NJ today and start off with my favorite character to hate, Teresa.
Did y’all watch the episode where they went to Punta Cana? Um, let’s talk for a minute about that. First of all, Teresa, you aren’t that hott and you are too old to be wearing string bikinis. You have 4 kids. Touchè on having that great body, just, be a bit more modest. Oh, and you aren’t hotter than Melissa. Not even close. Plus, that’s your sister in law and your brothers wife, like, who cares? Let’s talk for a second about that crazy pants freak out with Kathy. Um, Teresa? NOT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT YOU. I’m not stupid, I know it was staged, however, I don’t think you can pretend to be that crazy. She took what Kathy said about her family and somehow spun it to be about her. You may be reading a script, but beyatch? You crazy. I’m not really on team Kathy here, but I feel so bad for her. She’s just trying to be a part of her cousin’s life and Teresa’s not having any part of it. Hopefully they can mend their fake relationship or at least, get cattier in the next season, don’t you think?
Now, let’s talk, briefly about Joe, Teresa’s husband, who has a brain the size of a small earthworm.
Oh Joe. Joe Joe Joe. Let’s go back to the episode of Teresa’s book signing. Her brother, who she clearly loves and is trying to rekindle a relationship with, is getting ridiculous threatening messages from her husband, big Joe. Dude? YOU’RE 40. You have kids. HE IS THE FATHER OF YOUR NEICE AND NEPHEW. First of all, you’re too old to talk like a gangster. Once again, you’re 40. That whole “I’m an Italian gangster” thing is getting a little old. Secondly, what kind of influence are you trying to be for your kids talking like you belong in a Godfather movie? Come on, bro. Lastly, I know he is bankrupt and pretty awful with money, but how on earth did he even make any? I don’t think he can even spell his name better yet run a successfull buisness. Someone, PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THIS HAPPENS? Because as you know, I’m sort of broke and would love to get paid doing whatever he does.
Lastly, let’s talk about my favorite person, Caroline.
I serioulsy love Caroline. She can do no wrong in my book. I’m sure she has real life flaws, but as a viewer, I find her an absolute charm. Caroline is the strong, mother bear who would do anything for her family and loved ones. She’s a very strong woman who, frankly, doesn’t act like a complete nutjob. She’s collected, sophisticated and elegant while still being real. She wears sweat pants on camera and doesn’t flash around her money. I love the last episode because Caroline discusses loyalty and the importance of being true to your friends. And you know what? You don’t bash someone’s kid in your book, especially if you are supposed to be good friends. Caroline, keep on doin’ whatcha do.
Wow. That felt GREAT! Please, friends, leave a comment with your thoughts, gribes and groans on this season of the Real Housewives of New Jersey. I’m exhausted so it’s time to talk muffins. AND, not just any ol’ muffins, HALLOWEEN SWIRL MUFFINS!
They aren’t spooky or shaped like anything, but they are orange and black (well, dark brown) so they count as Halloween in my book! I saw this recipe for chocolate, pumpkin swirl brownies and got really excited. “Why not turn these into muffins!” I thought. Chocolate muffins are amazing, pumpkin muffins are even more amazing, so why not combine them for the most amazingly tasting thing ever? I did some lightening up with the muffins and omitted the normal stick of butter you see in them. You don’t need butter for a delicious tasting muffin, you just need some creativity 🙂
Plus, pumpkin makes everything better. Duh. In all seriousness, I made these on Thursday and they were completely gone by Saturday. No, E and I did not sit in glutton stuffing our faces all weekend. We have two lovely roomates who also benfit from the fruit of my labor and enjoyed some of these moist, incredibly sweet and flavorful muffins.
However, I won’t judge you if you do happen to eat 12 yourself. They are that good 🙂
Halloween Swirl Muffins
Yields: About 18 muffins
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20-30 minutes
What You’ll Need:
Chocolate muffin mix:
- 1 1/3 cup flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Godiva)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup applesauce (plain or cinnamon flavored)
- 3 egg whites
- 1 tablespoon oil (canola or vegetable)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup skim milk
Pumpkin muffin mix:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or all purpose)
- 15 oz can pumpkin
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- cooking spray
How to make them:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with liners or spray heavily with cooking spray.
- To make pumpkin mix, mix eggs, pumpkin, oil, sugar, spices and salt. Once mixed, add in flour, baking powder and baking soda until just combined. Set aside.
- In another bowl, stir all wet ingredients together (including sugar). Once creamed, add in dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, soda, salt and cocoa powder). Stir until fully mixed.
- To make the muffins, fill cups with equal amounts of both batter. To create a swirl affect, using a knife and swirl the batter around together, careful not to mix.
- Bake in oven for about 25 minutes or until completley baked.
Eat one, happily digest and repeat. These are perfect compliments to your Halloween brunch or even as a late night snack after a costume party 🙂
Nutritonal information per muffin: 195 calories, 7 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbs and 2.5 grams of protein.
Claire
Tags:black and orange muffins, bravo real housewives, caroline manzo, chocolate pumpkin muffins, easy Halloween breakfast idea, easy muffins, Halloween breakfast, joe guidice, low fat breakfast, new jersey housewives, pumpkin swirl muffins, real housewives caroline fued, real housewives finale, real housewives of new jersey, teresa guidice, teresa guidice cookbooks
Five Things Friday: A New Perspective (and Halloween Adventures!)
I don’t remember the last time I was THIS excited for Friday. As you may have read, this week was tough. Emotionally, physically, the whole shi-bang. A lot of tears were shed. However, I woke up today feeling invigorated and excited. I woke up with a feeling that everything was going to be okay. I don’t why this change of emotions or this new perspective, but it’s definitely very enlightening. Sometimes you have to get lost in the dark before you can see the light, right? Or something like that? So thank you all, again, for your kind words as I try to rebuild my life, one credit card payment at a time.
1. This quote changed my life last night. Not because it’s super inspirational or uplifting, but because it’s true and I can whole-heartedly agree.
“You know what I love about cooking? I love that after a day when nothing is sure, and when I say nothing I mean nothing, you can come home and absolutely know that if you add egg yolks to chocolate to sugar and milk, it will get thick. That’s such a comfort.” –Julie and Julia
On a day like yesterday, when I felt down, helpless and sad, I knew that when I added eggs to sugar to milk in my muffins last night, it was going to cream. When I added flour, the recipe would thicken and when I added chocolate, it would darken and sweeten.
It’s such an unbelievable comfort knowing that when things are completely unsure and confusing in every other aspect of your life, making muffins will always be absolute. I’ve also learned that when you swirl chocolate with pumpkin, you will make the most delicious thing known to man. Truth. [recipe up next week!]
2. You should make this whole Oktoberfest menu this weekend. And I’m not just saying that because I’m the genius behind it. The bread is INCREDIBLE, the salad is fabulous and the pork?
OH the pork. It’s orgasmic. The cabbage and the bacon add the most delicious flavor, plus the beer baste makes the pork SO unbelievably moist and flavorful. I would sacrafice 20 years of life and a heart to eat this everyday.
3. I must be crazy. I’m going to a haunted maze and cornfield this weekend. But that’s not the crazy part. So, I’m not driving. We are taking a bus, sponsoredy by Living Social, and are being driven out to some orchard in WEST VIRGINIA to pumpkin pick and then, as my dear friend Melanie says, have our organs harvested. Whether I lose my kidneys and wake up in a bath tub full of ice or not, I’m thrilled. I love haunted anything and I’m a Halloween JUNKIE. Even though I’m easily scared (just ask my husband) I love being scared. I know, I’m weird.
4. I’m getting really excited for Halloween baking!! I’ve already book marked these AMAZINGLY cute (and delicious looking) recipes from around the web. I love how creative this food-blogging community is!
Eye ball cupcakes [via Better Homes and Gardens]
Mini cauldron cakes [via Love from My Oven]
Ghost cake [I am Baker]
Halloween Oreo Cupcakes [Love From the Oven]
White chocolate bones [via Food Mayhem]
5. I’m not usually a very quote obsessed person or someone who tries to find meaning in other people’s words, but lately, I’ve really found comfort in some of the inspirational quotes I’ve been reading. Especially the ones from Steve Jobs. Here’s a man who, literally, changed the way we live from his garage. His words are really powerful and he was an incredible person. It’s hard not to be moved by his words, you know? In addition to his quotes, here are a few others I found on Pinterest. Maybe they’ll bring you the clarity and strength you need to keep going.
Have a truly life-changing, amazing weekend friends. In the words of Mr. Jobs, live your BEST life. You only have one of em 🙂
Eat Skinny Be Skinny: Whole Wheat Pumpkin Beer Bread
This, my friends, is the answer to the question I posed to you this morning on my Facebook page!
Some of you were very close in your guesses with pumpkin! However, I sort of tricked you because I knew none of you would have guessed beer! This bread was made for an article I wrote on creating the perfect Oktoberfest menu, which will be live on She Knows later today!
[image via]
You can’t have Oktoberfest without beer, right? And what better way to enjoy your lager than inside a slice of moist, pumpkin whole wheat bread?
If you don’t like beer, you probably won’t like this bread. You can definitely taste it. However, I’m SO glad I used a fall beer, Oktoberfest (by Sam Adams) because it gave it even more of a pumpkiny, spicy flavor. I added in the pumpkin, on a whim, and am equally glad I did. It mellowed out the flavor of the beer and made the bread even more moist and cakey. Oh, and the addition of the pumpkin is a health boost too because you are getting a higher dose of vitamin A, C, K and E, as well as added potassium and iron! Ka-ching!
This is the perfect bread for your next party, brunch or Oktoberfest celebration!
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Beer Bread
Yields: 6-8 slices
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 50-60 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 – 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons regular sugar
- 1 cup of canned pumpkin
- 12 ounces beer (I used Oktoberfest)
- 2 tablespoons of melted margarine (you can also use butter)
- Cooking spray
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Mix flours, baking powder, sugars, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Add in pumpkin and beer and mix until fully combined.
- Pour mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Pour margarine over the mixture and bake for 50-60 minutes until the center comes out clean when poked with a toothpick!
The Dreaded 5 Letter Word (and Fall Winery Pics!)
Just for the record, I am REALLY anxious about writing this post and it’s not the same anxiety I felt when writing this one about Weight Watchers or this one about my struggles with eating and drinking. This one is, if possible, harder because it makes me so vulnerable. I’m sharing a piece about me that very few people know and it’s scary.
No, friends, I’m not talking about sex, genitalia or orgies. (Trust me, I’d be STOKED to be writing about that.) I’m writing about this…
The worst 5 letter word IN THE WORLD. Money. So, if you don’t want to read about my money issues, I’d skip out to a lighter post. This one will be a bit heavy.
Let me preface this by saying I NEVER, EVER talk about money to my friends (I consider all of y’all my friends!). It’s just one of those subjects that is really touchy and comes with weird glances, awkward silences and pity stares. It’s usually just something I discuss with my husband and my family. But, it’s really been affecting ME lately so I just need to let it out. So, thanks in advance for listening. Oh and to lighten it up, I’m sharing some photos from Paradise Springs Winery, a local winery in Clifton, VA, I went to this weekend.
As you’ve seen on Facebook, Twitter and previous posts, I’m having a really rough couple days. And as much as I hate to admit this, it’s because of financial woes. Because I can’t truly talk about my work situation, I’ll just briefly say I work, currently, as a contractor. This means, simply, I get paid hourly and only get paid when I work. This means NO paid time off and, shockingly, no holiday pay. So when I’m unable to work (or even the building is shut down or there’s a crazy emergency) I don’t get paid. Um, guys? THIS BLOWS. I could scream about this for hours but I can’t here. Call me and invite me over for wine and I’ll tell you there.
So, this past Friday on payday, my check was substantially less than it normally was. Like, a lot less. Let me put this into perspective. The amount I was short was the cost of a month’s worth of groceries or our monthly utility bill. And, the worst part was, no one told me it would be. So, when you read that I was crying at work, that was why. Living somewhere like DC, I count on almost every penny JUST TO SURVIVE. My rent is very high, the cost of living is very high (hello $200 a month just to ride public transportation and expensive food). I can’t just function on $300 dollars less without serious consequences. Now, before I can continue with why I’m in such a financial hole at the age of 25, I need to briefly talk about my financial history. This, guys, is where it gets heavy.
My personal financial struggles are linked, albeit symbolically, to my struggle with my weight, self acceptance and self esteem. Growing up, I was chubby. I’ve never been the pretty girl, the popular girl or the girl with the best clothes. Like I’ve said before, in fifth grade I was in women’s sizes. I just didn’t feel good about who I was and I dressed to reflect that. Even when I lost a lot of weight, I still hid behind baggy clothes and over-sized tees. I just didn’t feel attractive. In our society, beauty is tied with more than just your facial features or your size. It’s tied with what you are wearing and who you are wearing. I don’t agree with it, but it’s true. I had a very comfortable childhood, but I was never the one with the hottest fashions. To my family, saving for college and retirement was more important than keeping me in Abercrombie’s newest fashions. This, honestly, is a lesson I wish I would have listened to.
So, flash forward to my first semester in college. The first couple of weeks were really hard on me. I was adjusting to college life and was still carrying around 25 extra pounds. I surely wasn’t the biggest girl on campus, but I was the biggest amongst my friends, and that was hard. It was very hard going out with my thin, beautiful friends because they always had male attention and I didn’t. I sort of felt like the outcast. This was one of the driving factors of me paying really close attention to my diet and working out as much as I did. I didn’t want to be the lonely, “fat” friend anymore. I had one boyfriend in middle school and wanted, truthfully, to date and experience a true relationship. Because I was a “nobody” those first few months, I had to find a way to get people’s attention. To get people to like me. So, unbenounced to my parents, I signed up for my first credit card. Looking back now, I seriously want to PUNCH myself for doing that. However, at the same time, I’m glad I did. It helped shape who I am and taught me some serious lessons about the real world and real life.
That credit card was my golden ticket. As soon as I had it, I started swiping. I used it to buy pizzas for my friends, beer to take to parties and clothes, lots and lots of clothes. For the first time in my life, I was ordering and buying the latest fashions without any limit. Without anyone telling me no. It was invigorating, to be honest. To be 18, go into a store and buy whatever I wanted. Fast forward again to around November of my freshman year. Not only had I lost almost 20 pounds since I started, but I was popular. I had more friends than I knew what to do with and had the attention of some really, really cute boys. I finally felt like I belonged. I finally felt like I mattered, like my opinion, my thoughts, were important to someone else. This was, highly, due in part to my weight loss and my new found financial freedom. Instead of saying I couldn’t afford to go out or couldn’t afford spring break in Panama City, I was buying trips for not just me, but friends and boys I liked. By Christmas time, I had two credit cards with minimums of $2500 and was spending money like it was going out of style. Life was good.
If you haven’t already guessed, it’s not a story with a “happily ever after.” By the time of spring break 2005, I was broke. Don’t get me wrong, it was still one of the best weeks of my life, but I had maxed out both cards. And honestly, I didn’t even understand what this meant. I knew I couldn’t use it anymore, but didn’t grasp that I needed to immediately remedy it. I was late in payments, didn’t pay some months and completely destroyed my credit. It’s taken, YEARS, to rebuild and it’s still not perfect. I’m not saying this because I want pity, I just need to say it. People with kids or people in college, DON’T do what I did unless you are fully able to pay off what you buy. Credit isn’t just magic money.
Here’s the hardest part, in addition to rebuilding a shattered credit, I also have some of the same issues I had when I was 18. I’m not happy with what I look like. I’ve gained weight, I’m unsure of my career path, I’m constantly confused with who I am. I once again find myself as that loner, that chubby girl in the corner with nothing to offer. And I do find myself trying to over compensate with money. I spend more than I have on new fashions, fun trips, fabulous accessories because I’m scared if I don’t have them, I won’t be anything. I’m completely terrified that if I’m not dressed to the 9’s, no one will even try to get to know me. My husband, God bless him, loves me regardless of what I’m wearing. He’d love me if I was 1,000 pounds (although would strongly urge me to move) and if I wore a paper bag. But inside, ME, I’m not there. And this horrible insecurity rose up again when I saw the scale start to tip. Every few pounds, it gets worse. And here I am, today, nearly 160 pounds and having to pay for the metro in coins with just a few penny’s to rub together.
So where do I go from here? I wish I knew. I wish it was as easy as saying “I am going to save money, not worry about what others think and reaffirm myself with positive things!” But this is more than just a spending problem. It’s in my core and I need to figure out a way to fix ME before I can fix my spending and my eating. I need to figure out how to be happy with me, regardless of my weight, my financial status or my looks. Which, friends, is hard.
So, now you know why I’ve been down and why I may not seem like myself. I hope I’ll find my way soon down this scary, windy road. Let’s just hope there’s a rainbow with a big ol’ pot of gold there when I do.
Claire
Tags:a realistic life, finance, money, Paradise springs winery, real life, shopping
Baked Apple Donuts & Peet’s Coffee Review
On a cold day like today, a steaming cup of coffee is absolutely delightful. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t only drink coffee on cold, rainy, dreary days. I’m a 2 to 4 cup-a-day girl. However, as the weather starts to turn and I get to feeling nostalgic, a warm cup of joe really hits the spot. And on these perfect autumn mornings, I don’t chug it like I normally do. I hold, savour and enjoy every last drop. It’s nice to have a few moments to yourself while the day around you is buzzing a thousand miles a minute. Although I wish I had a few moments to myself today, I happily had a few this past weekend to really take in the beautiful weather and sights.
Luckily, I had some really good coffee to enjoy as well. My acceptance into the Foodbuzz Tastemaker’s program couldn’t have come at a better time! I got an email about a week ago from Foodbuzz telling me I’d been chosen to receive some coffee from Peet’s Coffee and I was thrilled. I love trying new coffees and, thankfully, knew I would have two days this weekend to actually ENJOY my coffee, not just blindly engulf it. Foodbuzz asked that we pair the coffee with one of our favorite fall recipes. To me, nothing goes with coffee on a lazy weekend morning BETTER than some fresh donuts. So I used this opportunity to make a batch of apple donuts (recipe below).
We received two varieties of Peet’s newest coffees, Café Domingo and Café Solano. I went with the Café Solano to pair with my donuts because of the floral sweetness and really clean finish.
The cakey, soft texture of the donut was such a perfect pair with the medium body and roast of the coffee. It was, really, a match made in heaven!
I’m really eager to try the Café Domingo flavor this week and pair it with a delicious pumpkin recipe I have planned! Because I love y’all so much, I’m going to share with you an online coupon so you can try these delicious new coffees and pair them with your favorite fall meal! Just be sure to tell me what you pair them with!
Whether you have coffee or need an afternoon pick me up, I highly recommend making these baked apple donuts. They turned out very cakey (more like a round breakfast cake) but had an incredible flavor and were so moist. The addition of fresh, hand picked apples made all the difference. Plus, DC folks, with weather like this, what’s keeping you from the nearest apple orchard? Oh and these also pair REALLY WELL with spicy ciders. I may, or may not, have dunked a few in my afternoon cocktails.
Oh and I tried to make these salted caramel donuts, but um, the caramel sauce failed. Miserably. I refuse to talk anymore about it. (Right after I realized all of the sauce was ruined and I had no more sugar is about when the spicy ciders made their entrance.)
Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray.
Baked Apple Donuts
Yields 12 donuts.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 18 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- 1 1/4 + 1/4 cup cup flour (I had to add an extra 1/4 cup since the batter was runny)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (you can sub out canola)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 medium apples (any variety), peeled and completely shredded
How to Make Them:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease your donut pan.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar and sugar until smooth. Slowly add in oil and vanilla and mix into the flour mixture until just combined.
- Stir in the apples and spoon the batter into the prepared donut pans until 3/4 full (batter is not oozing over the hole indent in the pan). Baked until golden brown, for about 18 minutes.
- Serve with Peet’s coffee, spicy cider or alone!
Nutritional information (per donut): 150 calories, 3 grams of fat, 5 grams of protein and 32 grams of carbs.
