Where have I been?

I"ve had a pretty busy summer and yes too busy to blog about anything. My summer was spent trying cupcakes from many cup cakeries in the city (for research, of course). I loved the peach cobbler cupcake from Molly's, the coconut cupcake from Sprinkles, the doughfins (ok, not a cupcake more like a doughnut) from Sensational Bites, and Jimmy had a few favs that I can't remember or from where, but trust me I spent weeks tasting cupcakes. Now that the research is over, I am in the process of testing my own recipes and trying to make a healthier version of a cupcake. Crazy, right?

Well, the other part of the summer that kept me busy was caring for a bed resting family member and my children. Which brings me to the reason why I am try to make healthier versions of much loved traditionally sugar filled treats and eats. While caring for my loved one, I wanted to feed them healthy and nutritious foods that would aid in proper healing. Sugar, was not one of those foods. I read about diabetic diets, alkaline diets, super foods, and foods that help in healing. I found the common ground in all those diets: vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and low or no animal protein. It was all so much to take in the first couple of weeks, but now my pantry is stocked and I have a few new recipes under my belt, all will be well.

In the struggle of trying to eat better and having a pastry chef as a husband I  needed to make my versions of  treats to prove that this new way of eating can be tasty! In my recent test for an oatmeal bar, my five year old enjoyed them and told me that he thought they were more like a cookie. Thank you son, I will turn that into a cookie recipe and have to work on the muffin recipe. My three year old daughter, didn't like it so much, but she doesn't like oatmeal so I won't count her vote. After I have perfected these two, I will share them...have I mentioned that they will be whole grain and vegan? The kids don't know or really care much about the food terms, all they care about is does it taste good and all I care about is that it is good for them. We will both be happy if I can perfect healthy treats.

I'm not swearing off bought treats. I just don't want to feed it to my family, if I can make them.  I still need inspiration so don't be so shocked if you catch me with a cupcake or treat that's not healthy...I'm doing research!