A Friday Full of Smiles

I’ll be frank. The past few months have been rough here at the Broccoli Hut. The combination of injury and academic struggle have left me in a slightly sour mood of late. Today, however, a glimmer of my sunny disposition returned thanks to a few small pleasures:

Food Network Humor Podcasts. Last summer, I discovered this podcast and listened to it every week…but then school happened and I forgot about it for oh, 9 months. I’ve been catching up on old episodes all day.

Pretty toenails. As I’ve discussed before, running has kind of ruined my feet. I used to have nice, normal-looking toes prior to my pavement-pounding days. Due to my forced hiatus from running over the past four months, my feet have somewhat returned to a healthy state—so I seized the opportunity to pretty them up with polish.

Fresh baked cupcakes. In honor of my parents’ arrival tomorrow afternoon, I decided to make a batch of Ellie’s Carrot Cupcakes with Lemony Cream Cheese Frosting.

Even better than the cupcakes themselves is the fact that I have leftover frosting. I have a feeling that this surplus will end up in my stomach via graham crackers by the end of the evening.

What made you smile today?

Onto zee eatz.

I attempted to make pumpkin protein waffles this morning…with seriously disappointing results.

I contemplated doing away with the idea of waffles entirely and just making a bowl of cereal…but I ultimately I went back for another go with the waffle iron. Why is pumpkin such a difficult ingredient? I’ve had trouble making pumpkin pancakes before as well. The second batch was pumpkin-free but still delicious.

For lunch, I made a B-Hut fave, Goddess Garbanzos.

Then came the cupcake making session.

I am embarrassed to admit how much time I spent frosting those cupcakes. Let’s just say that obsessive-compulsive tendencies and cupcake decoration are a risky combination.

(The recipe is available here: Carrot Cupcakes)

After a few too many licks of frosting, I didn’t have much of an appetite for dinner. I ended up with a tasty edamame salad topped with crunchy wasabi peas.

Alright, it’s time to kick off the weekend. Good night, all!

Filed under: Meals

15 Responses to “A Friday Full of Smiles”

1. Felicia ( A taste of health with balance), on April 15th, 2011 at 8:47 pm Said:

   ohhh my gosh hahah i hope it didn’t take you forever to clean that thing!

2. lindsay, on April 15th, 2011 at 9:48 pm Said:

   hang in there girl! I was a bio major so i know how hard the classes are. in the end it will pay through

   This is so strange but i got a pedicure today and made vegan cupcakes too. lol I’ll admit, both things totally made me smile!!!

3. Ana, on April 15th, 2011 at 10:02 pm Said:

   Pumpkin brings a lot of moisture to baked goods, I guess that’s why your waffles stuck – the moisture makes the batter steam inside the iron.
   So, did you like the cupcakes? I haven’t tried that recipe yet.
   Ana

4. Emilia, on April 15th, 2011 at 10:32 pm Said:

   gotta agree with you girl…. since running my toes have not been very feminely attractive sadly. They’ve gotten squished, broken and torn. Boo. There’s nothing a little polish can’t do!
   Have fun with your parents!

5. Mama Pea, on April 15th, 2011 at 11:02 pm Said:

   Thank you for the podcast recommendation! Now I have something to listen to on my run in the morning

6. sarah (the SHU box), on April 16th, 2011 at 7:23 am Said:

   hi cutie! yes, the combo of injury PLUS orgo would bring ANYONE DOWN — time for some spring pick-me-ups maybe a real pedicure for a reward??

7. Coco, on April 16th, 2011 at 7:32 am Said:

   Those cupcakes are so cute! Your parents will love them!

8. em, on April 16th, 2011 at 8:19 am Said:

   hang in there! grad school is tough but pays off in the end by not just making you more marketable but also by growing your character. i think it’s great that you’re choosing to focus on the positives.

9. Ilane, on April 16th, 2011 at 12:22 pm Said:

   Those cupcakes look pretty and delish. Enjoy your parents!!!

10. Erica, on April 16th, 2011 at 5:05 pm Said:

    I’ve never heard of that podcast! I’m totally looking it up. I’ve made that Ellie recipe before- SO tasty! I made the cupcakes for a friend with a serious carrot cake obsession and she was thrilled. Beautiful dinner salad. Makes me want to run out and buy some wasabi peas

11. The Teenage Taste, on April 17th, 2011 at 9:14 am Said:

    Haha! I’ve had quite a few waffle flops. The first time I got my waffle maker my mom and I had to try 3 times to get an edible waffle! It was crazy and we wasted so much dough, but the 3rd waffle was amazing! 3rd times a charm, I guess!

12. Brittany, on April 17th, 2011 at 9:42 am Said:

    The extra time you spent frosting the cupcakes was well worth it, because they look amazing.

    I need to save this recipe because my Dad’s favorite cake is carrot cake and I have a feeling he need some of these cupcakes for his b-day.

13. Katy, on April 17th, 2011 at 9:50 am Said:

    Cute polish!

    And if I could, I would eat those waffles through the screen — they look delicious! Has anyone ever told you that your photos are Real Simple-esque? So simple and clean — the best food photography, IMO.

14. julie, on April 17th, 2011 at 3:07 pm Said:

    mmm what made me smile was your awesome waffle rebound! cyber-five for the great comeback and cyber-hug because i hope you feel better soon!

15. Olivia, on April 17th, 2011 at 4:34 pm Said:

    Mmmm that wrap looks so so yummy! I love goddess dressing and hummus…perfect!

    Love the toenail polish! so many runners have bad feet/toes but yours look great now anyway so that’s what matters right!?

    and pumpkin is so difficult, I usually wind up eating the batter raw when I make pancakes or waffles with them…tastes better that way anyhow:)

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