Confession #2- PB2 = God's gift to PB addicts

If PBAA (Peanut Butter Addicts Anonymous) were an actual organization, I would attend regularly. Peanut butter is probably the greatest spread in the world...it goes with everything! Peanut butter jelly sandwiches are a kid favorite, anything made by Reeses is way up there on my favorite candy list, and you can spread it on a number of things such as apples, crackers, celery..... spoons....and God only knows what else.

Unfortunately, for someone who takes their weight very seriously, peanut butter has a ridiculously high fat content and calorie count. The average brand of peanut butter has somewhere around 200 calories and a whopping 16 grams of fat....for two tablespoons. That's totally not worth it if you ask me. I have tried several different brands of peanut butter; Skippy, Jif, Teddy, Justin's, wholefoods freshly ground, Better'N Peanut Butter (which was def not better, btw,) but it wasn't until I stumbled upon the ever so lovely PB2 that I was able to feel ok about my peanut butter addiction.

PB2 is Gods gift to peanut butter addicts. PB2, I feel, hasn't really been introduced to the world yet. It's not your typical peanut butter, it actually comes in powder form and once mixed with water forms a nice almost whipped-like consistency. You can mix the powder in with protein shakes, oatmeal, yogurt, etc or you can simply mix two tablespoons with one tablespoon of water to create a 2 tablespoon serving of this magicly delicious peanut butter. On the Bell Plantation website there are a number of recipes as well.

I think the best part about PB2 is it's nutritional information, for one serving it's only 54 calories!!! What?!? Yeah...that's right...54 calories. A serving of PB2 has 2.8 grams of fat, 3.7 grams of carbs, and still holds a decent amount of protein (4.3 grams to be exact.) It's a bit on the expensive side, and you can only order it in bulk, but I feel that it is totally worth it. I have fallen in love with PB2 and I honestly don't think I will ever need to eat regular peanut butter again, it is THAT good.

Confession #1- I have a bit of an obsession

So I really like cupcakes...well....I LOVE cupcakes. Actually, I think my relationship with cupcakes could qualify as an obsession. Over the past two years I have developed quite the reputation for what I do...here are some pictures.

Mini Carrot Cake cupcakes with walnuts
and topped with cream cheese frosting and a raisin

A Gigantic Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cupcake Cake
topped with buttercream frosting, chocolate shavings
rich chocolate ganache and sprinkles

Chocolate-Oreo Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

S'Mores Cupcakes with Hershey's chocolate,
marshmallows and rich chocolate ganache

Fourth of July Boston Cream Cupcakes with vanilla
pudding filling and rich chocolate ganache

Boston Cream Cupcakes with vanilla pudding filling,
chocolate buttercream frosting and rich chocolate ganache

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut buttercream
frosting and topped with Oreos

Chocolate cupcakes filled and topped with
strawberries and buttercream frosting

Mini Gingerbread cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

S'Mores cupcakes topped with buttercream frosting,
rich chocolate ganache, chocolate chips
and a graham cracker stick

Chocolate Cupcakes topped with peanut buttercream
frosting, rich chocolate ganache
and Reeses Pieces

A few years ago I picked up the cookbook Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World
and since then I have become quite the cupcake queen. Aside from the chocolate and cream cheese I use in my cupcakes, they are completely vegan, but based on the way they taste, you'd NEVER suspect it. Anyway...if you haven't checked out the cookbook, I suggest picking it up..it's basically the Cupcake Bible. Someone should really consider creating a religion called Cupcake-ism...I'd totally be all over that.