Today, I am celebrating all the women who have mothered me and thanking God for my own mama, Bernice.
May14
Category Archives: Egos & Buffaloes
May7
Sunday Reflections
Wow, it’s so great to be home after a few weeks. Happy Sunday #friendsofTenaciousM!
May4
Dark Chocolate Bacon Cupcakes
Ohhh, I’ve got it bad. Get ready for a flavor adventure! These amazing cupcakes starring dark chocolate and…wait for it…bacon! Strong brewed coffee and buttermilk are the other secret ingredients here that produce a moist, rich cupcake. Top with your favorite chocolate frosting, a sprinkling of crumbled bacon, and a dusting of cocoa powder.
Ingredients
12 slices bacon
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 eggs
1 cup cold, strong, brewed coffee
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs, coffee, buttermilk and oil. Stir just until blended. Mix in 3/4 of the bacon, reserving the rest for garnish. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter. Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting and sprinkle reserved bacon crumbles on top. Dust with additional cocoa powder.
May2
Paleo Homemade Dark Chocolate
Homemade chocolate that melts in your mouth. Made without artificial ingredients or waxes, this wholesome treat is ideal for the health conscious individual who enjoys an indulgent treat. Sweetness can be tweaked to taste, and add-in ingredients and combinations are endless. Enjoy!
Ingredients
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
1. Gently melt coconut oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla extract into melted oil until well blended. Pour mixture into a candy mold or pliable tray. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
2. Flavor by adding orange zest, peanut butter, dried coconut, chopped nuts, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, etc. to taste and consistency desired. Add after melting coconut oil, cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla together.
Maple syrup can be used in place of honey.
Number of servings depends on thickness of mold(s) used, as does set up time.
Not recommended for baking. Must be kept refrigerated.
Apr30
Gathering of Nations 2017 #mylens
I was fortunate to be working in New Mexico during the 2017 Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in Albuquerque last weekend. I love the culture and history that has endured proudly for generations. My first Pow Wow!! The colors are just breathtaking and glorious. Dancers ranged from the smallest kids to the gracefully aged. Here is just a sample of their beauty!
Apr30
Sunday Reflections
Another amazing week is ahead! Happy Sunday to you all!!
Apr29
Somewhere Over the Desert #mylens
Aerial views over Nevada and California.
Apr28
Double Chocolate Skillet Brownie Sundae
I have just the perfect dessert to celebrate all of my special friends who work so hard and sacrifice so much. It’s called the Double Chocolate Skillet Brownie Sundae and it’s basically chocolate on steroids. Rich, decadent double chocolate brownie baked in a cast iron skillet, topped with salted caramel ice cream, drizzled with hot fudge, and garnished with chunks of chocolate.
Ingredients
¾ cup Butter
1¼ cup Sugar
¾ cup Brown Sugar
3 Eggs
2 teaspoons Vanilla
¾ cup Flour
1/3 cup Cake Flour (can substitute all-purpose flour)
½ cup Cocoa Powder
¼ teaspoon Salt
¾ cup Chocolate Chips or Chunks
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Heat cast iron skillet over medium low heat. Heat butter until melted, add sugars, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Chill for 10 minutes (place skillet in refrigerator on top of oven mitt).
Add eggs and vanilla and stir until smooth.
2. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
3. Fold in chocolate chunks.
4. Bake for 16-22 minutes, depending on skillet or pan width. Watch it closely so the brownies don’t overbake.
5. Top with favorite ice cream flavor, hot fudge or caramel, whipped cream, and chocolate.
Apr23
Sunday Reflections
Happy Sunday to my #friendsofTenaciousM!! Have an amazing week!
Apr22
A Tribe Called Watermelon
Sometimes I wonder why Marketing is my career purpose. I do love the work, but I can’t deny that my desire for perfection often gets in the way of what’s practical. There lies the rub! Over the past few days I partnered with other marketing professionals from around the country to learn, grow and share best practices. The experiences changed us all.
In our quest to be better at our work, I believe we became better people. This doesn’t always happen, but lightening did strike and an amazing bond was formed. A tribe we dubbed “Watermelon” was born from an idea that when we need each other, we’d use the code word: “Watermelon”. And whether we work together for weeks or years, it’s great to remember that work is just a catalyst to life. Here’s to my newest #friendsofTenaciousM!!
Egos & Buffaloes 