Favorite chocolate cupcakes

We did a chocolate cupcake taste test and here's our favorite. It's a dark chocolate flavor, so if you're a fan of dark chocolate, this could be your cupcake.

Ingredients

10 Tablespoons butter - cut into cubes

1/2 Cup cocoa powder

3 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 Cup flour

2 eggs

3/4 Cup sugar

1&1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 Cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter, cocoa powder and chocolate in a double boiler until smooth. Let cool.

In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In another separate bowl, mix together eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt. Whisk in cool chocolate mixture.

Stir in flour mixture and milk in two alternate batches.

Fill lined muffin cups 2/3 full and bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool slightly in muffin pans, then let cool completely on wire racks. These are good with frosting or without. We used a buttercream frosting and raspberries on the top.

YUM!

Staying safe

Let's face it. Moms are usually focused on one thing... their kids. Don't forget to keep yourself and your children safe by being aware of your surroundings at all times. Here are some ways to help you stay safe.

When you're in a parking lot, be alert. Know who's around you. Get the kids in and go. Also, always keep your purse on you or in your car. Don't leave it in the grocery cart while you put in the kids. It's a quick, easy target.

On vacation, wear your purse across your body or keep your money in a purse that attached to your body. Don't pull your money out in public. If you know you'll be spending $5 for a coffee at a street vendor, keep the money in a separate place.

While driving, keep your doors locked. Speaking of locked doors, keep your doors at home locked too. This keeps little ones in and strangers out. If you are driving and see a note on your windshield, or even if someone bumps into you, make sure you're in a safe place before you get out of your car. Drive to a well-lit, populated area before getting out to check - especially if your kids are in the car.

Don't be paranoid, just be alert. Criminals tend to steer clear of alert, confident people. Don't make yourself look like a target.

Environmentally safe way to unclog a drain

We all get them, clogged drains. There's an easy and environmentally safe way to unclog them.

Pour 1/2 to 3/4 cup baking soda in the drain.

Pour in 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover hole with a plug or rag.

Wait 30 minutes and pour hot water down the drain.

All clear! For stubborn clogs, you may have to repeat the process.

Another yummy recipe

This time of year usually consists of warm, comfort food, but there are some days when you just want a light, crispy salad to remind you of spring and summer. I found one that my family loves and thought I would share it with all of you.

Beet & Carrot Salad

1 large beet

3 carrots

1T Dijon mustard

1T agave (or you can use maple syrup)

1 orange

1 lemon

cilantro (optional)

salt and pepper

Shred or julienne the beet and carrots. Mix the Dijon, agave, juice and zest from half of the orange and lemon, and salt and pepper. Pour over beets and carrots and mix. Chop cilantro and mix into the salad. Serve by itself or over a bed of greens.

Enjoy!

Easy meal that kids love

If you're like me, you're always looking for something quick and easy that your kids will actually eat. Try buying a whole grain loaf of artisan bread.

Slice the bread and spread a small amount of dijon on each piece.

Add ingredients that you'd like your kids to eat (I topped mine with shredded brocolli, ground flax seeds and turkey).

Then sprinkle shredded cheese over the top and bake at 375 for 5 minutes.

Serve with a salad and you have a quick, easy meal that is healthy and the family will love.

Recycle Christmas Cards

Now that the new year is here, we'll all be taking down our Christmas decorations. When taking down your cards, don't throw them away - send them to:

St. Jude's Ranch

Recycled Card Program

100 St. Jude's Street

Boulder City, NV 89005

St. Jude's Ranch is a non-profit organization that provides a safe, nurturing home and therapeutic residential treatment for abused, abandoned and neglected children.

At St. Jude's Ranch, the children remove the fronts of old Christmas cards and place new backs on them. They sell the cards to raise funds for the ranch. Cards are accepted until February 28, 2010

Resolution time - make it last

This is the time of year when we all start thinking about our New Year's resolution. This year make one that will really stick.

The first thing to think about is what you really want to change. Don't make it too broad. Choose something specific but attainable.

Instead of saying "I'll lose weight," choose "I'll walk 30 more minutes per week." Or maybe "I'll only eat dessert on weekends."

Instead of saying, "I'll save more money," decide to cut back on one coffee at the coffee shop and save that money. Have a special place to put the money and actually put in the $3 it would have cost you to buy the coffee.

If you want to keep in touch with friends or family, choose to make one call or write one letter or email per week.

Whatever your resolution is, take it in small steps and chances are you won't be kicking yourself by February 1.

One of my resolution is to post one blog each week. You can help me by making comments or sharing stories.

Happy New Year!