Real Cute

Tuxedo Brownies

Here is a recipe for Tuxedo Brownies, a slight variation on brownies with a cheesecake like topping.

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Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Prepare 13"x9" brownie mix as directed and put in lightly greased pan

Cream Cheese Topping

• 2 cups (16oz) cream cheese, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar on low speed for 1 minute or until smooth.
• Add 2 eggs and continue to mix on low speed until blended.
• Gently spoon cream cheese mixture over brownie batter and spread evenly.
  

Bake 40-45 minutes.
Cool thoroughly and cut into squares.
Store covered in the refrigerator.
Drizzle with melted chocolate or chocolate ganache, if desired.

Spring "blizzard"

The weatherman has been predicting a 'blizzard' all week... Guess he was almost right, not quiet the blizzard but it sure is cold and I am stuck inside! We have layers of ice, snow, ice, snow and it is still icing! The ironic part of it all is I was hoping to go on a cruise this weekend to Mexico but couldn't really find anyone to go with :( I should have gone by myself I guess. Oh well, guess I have nothing to do but study for boards that are next weekend.

Looking across the street to the driving range

My old house is the one on the left, yes I can see it from my back patio

Look at those trees!

Forgotten Pictures

I have been such a busy girl that I forgot to post pictures from my trip in Hotlanta for SECO. Here are a few.

Interesting study

Some of you may of heard about the new study that was conducted by the National Cancer Institute and released by the Achives of Internal Medicine claims that red meat consumption shortens a person's life spans.

Diets high in red meat and in processed meat shorten life span not just from cancer and heart disease but from Alzheimer's, stomach ulcers and an array of other conditions as well. In fact, reducing meat consumption to the amount eaten by the bottom 20% seen in the study would save 11% of men's lives and 16% of women's, according to the study.

Last year, U.S. National Cancer Institute researchers reported that a quarter-pound hamburger or a small pork chop eaten daily could put you at increased risk for a variety of cancers. The message from the latest study echoes that finding: The more red meat and processed meat you eat, the greater your risk for dying of cancer.

Men and women eating the highest amount of red meat were found to have a 31% and 36%, respectively, higher risk of dying from any cause than those eating the least amount.

Women eating the most processed meat were 25% more likely to die early than those eating the least of this type of meat, while men had a 16% increased risk, the study found.

Causes of death for those in the study included diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, ulcers, pneumonia, influenza, liver disease, HIV, tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and more.

Dying from cancer also was more likely among those eating the most red meat: 22% higher for men, 20% for women. The risk for death from cancer increased 12% for men and 11% for women who ate the greatest amount of processed meat.

Similarly, the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was higher by 27% for men and 50% for women; for processed red meat, the risk was 9% higher for men and 38% higher for women.

However, people who ate the most white meat showed a lower risk of dying.

Meat contains many carcinogens as well as saturated fat, which might explain the increased mortality risk.

The study looked at what more than a half-million people, ages 50 to 71, were eating over the span of a decade. Participants tended to be white and educated with fewer smokers and more vegetable-and-fruit eaters than in the general population. During that time, more than 71,000 people died. It concluded that people who eat less red meat have fewer chronic disease issues and longer life spans.

Just something to think about...

Somewhere over the rainbow

Here are a few pictures from the back patio after the storm tonight. I got home just in time for hail and tornado sirens. We were lucky that there was no damage, just some very pretty pictures.

Strawberry Shortcake

Here is a great start of spring recipe to make. It seems like a lot of steps but really very easy and really satisfying!

Strawberry Shortcake

Fruit
8 cups strawberries, slice into 1/4-1/2" sections
6 tablespoons sugar

Slice berries and mix with sugar. Set aside to macerate for at least 30 min and up to 2 hours.

Shortcakes
2 cups flour
5 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 large egg
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon half&half or whole milk
1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Adjust oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 425 degrees. Using a food processor or pastry cutter, mix flour, 3 tablespoon of sugar, the baking powder, and salt to combine. Scatter the butter pieces over and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer to medium bowl.

Mix the egg with half&half into measuring cup. Pour the egg mixture into the bowl with the flour mixture. Combine with a rubber spatula until large clumps form. Turn the mixture onto a floured work surface and lightly knead until it comes together.

Use your fingertips to pat the dough into a rectangle about 3/4" thick, careful not to overwork the dough. Flour a 2 3/4" biscuit cutter and cut out dough rounds, repeat until all dough is used up. Place dough rounds 1" apart on baking sheet, brush the tops with the beaten egg white, and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.

Bake until the shortcakes are golden brown, 12-14 minutes. Place the baking sheet on a wire rack and cool the cakes until warm, about 10 minutes.

Whipping Cream
1 cup heavy cream, cold
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat at low speed until small bubbles form, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to medium and continue beating until the beaters leave a trail, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to high an continue beating until the cream is smooth, thick & nearly doubled in volume, can be 30 to 60 seconds longer.

Assembly
When the shortcakes have cooled slightly, split them in half with your fingers. Place each cake bottom on a plate. Spoon a portion of the fruit and then a dollop of the whipped cream over each cake bottom. Cap with the cake top and serve immediately. And of course... ENJOY!

Are you kidding me

I bought the dress I talked a few days ago about and I got it in the mail today. But funny thing, it is the WRONG dress. Says the right name on the invoice but it is certainly the wrong dress. Boo!

Happy Birthday Dr. D!!

Today is a very special birthday for a very special man... Dr. D!! I hope you have a great birthday and I also hope I look as good as you do when I turn 30 :) Enjoy every bit of it, even if you are sick. I was going to put up some slightly incriminating photos of you but thought about it and decided to keep it tame. Below is a picture at Legal Sea Food in Atlanta celebrating Jason's birthday early.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Everyone needs to have a green beer today! Or green wine ;)

{get REAL} Spring Style

{get REAL} sharing snapshots of your own simple. everyday. life. moments

My friend Laura has a great idea going on her blog. She inspired me to do some online shopping, like I needed an inspiration... Below is a dress I have been looking at online at Francesca's. I was thinking it would be fun for graduation. What do you think? Here is a link to some shoes (the blue ones) that would be perfect with it. (I couldn't get a good picture) Of course I would style it all up with some great earrings that bring it all together.

Only in my dreams

Check out the video message from my favorite boys, OAR. I am not sure what I am going to do between graduating and getting my state licence until today... ROADIE! Who is with me? We could tour with the best band. Maybe I could take care of all of their eye care needs. That would seriously be a dream come true!

Teaching some tricks

Last Thursday my friend Erin and I hopped on a plane for Atlanta for the weekend, we had an optometry conference. I was a little worried a earlier in the week b/c we were not really sure how we were getting to the airport, which is an hour away. Graciously, my friend Laura and her little boy Barrett gave us a ride. Thank you so much Laura for taking time out of your busy day to take us. I hope it wasn't too much trouble. Barrett and I had a lot of fun in the back seat entertaining each other, I even got to teach him some of my tricks. How to use a credit card :) Isn't he a cutie!

Happy Birthday Megan!

Today is my friend Megan's birthday. She is one of my best friends that I have know for years, and is the last of my close knit hometown friends to turn the big 29... dun, dun, dunnnnn. :) I hope you have had a great day girl! I love you girl!

Comedy

I was talking with some friends tonight about the stress of getting your eyes tested. This is a very funny comedy clip about it. Enjoy :)

New month, new music

So I have really been slacking on my blogging. I have come to realize that when I am busiest I am better about posting, so this coming month I should have plenty of posts b/c I am BUSY! Since it is a new month I thought I would make a new play list. Enjoy!