How to Make Unhealthy Food Look Like Other Unhealthy Food

     I had a spare minute one evening, so I took it to do something creative. The only thing better than getting time to be crafty is ending up with something edible and delicious.  I saw the idea for these little burgers on Pinterest, and knew I would love giving it a try.  Not only was it easy, it was nowhere near as time consuming as I thought it would be. Here's what I did.
     I started by baking white cupcakes.  At the same time I poured a small amount of chocolate cake mix into a pan. You will only want it to be 1/4" deep. You will want to keep a close eye on the chocolate batter since it is so shallow and doesn't need much time to bake.



     Once the cupcakes are done, cut them in half with a bread knife. Use a small circular cookie cutter to cut circles out of the chocolate cake. This will be the meat part of the burger.

I layed the bottom part of the cupcakes out, then place the "burgers" on top.

I mixed three colors of frosting to look like lettuce, ketchup and mustard. I poured the frostings into ziplock freezer bags, snipped one corner a little bit, and squirted each color randomly across each burger.

I then placed the cupcake tops on the burgers, and made the finishing touch by sprinkling sesame seeds across each lid. Just moisten your fingers and rub the bun lids, and the sesame seeds will stick like magic!

These were fun to make, and only took me about an hour to create!  They would be so cute for a child's birthday party or cookout!



Awesome Deal on Amazon Local

     Today I want to give everyone a heads-up on a sweet deal offered by Amazon Local. Amazon Local is set up smiliarly to Groupon in that they have daily deals that save you lots of dough. Today's deal is for Yoyo.com, a toy website that offers books, baby gear, bikes, educational toys, etc.  The deal only costs $12, but allows you to purchase $25 worth of goods, and get free shipping!  Better yet, new customers get an extra 10% off by entering the code YOYONEW10. That means you can get $25 worth of stuff for only $9.50!  Baby Einstein brand toys are also an extra 15% off, if you're in the market for something baby. This is the perfect opportunity to put something away for your own child, or an upcoming birthday party!  Head over HERE to get started!  I bought my new baby an activity mat for almost 50% off the list price!



Things You Never Say to a New Mom

     In honor of the arrival of my sweet little bundle, I thought I would do new mothers a service by compiling a list of things you should not say to a woman who has just undergone one of the greatest roller coasters in life. Here is what I've come up with. Please feel free to add the ones that bug you to the comment section.

Disclaimer: This is the list of a sleep deprived, cranky new mom. It is meant as a joke. If you are easily offended, this is not the post for you. :)

1. When will you have more children? Or Will you keep going for a boy/girl?
Folks, I know this is a well meaning question. You are curious. However, a woman who just suffered from back pain, heartburn, constant nausea, and labored for what seemed like three years does not want to think about the next time she will undergo these things. Furthermore, questions about trying for another sex insinuate that you're not satisfied with the children you have, and should strive for more. I find this question especially comical beacuse I have three boys. I am just trying to survive, here, people! Making more babies is not on my agenda right now!

2. How much weight did you gain/Are you exercising yet?
For real? Look, a general rule of thumb is to not ask a new mother anything you wouldn't ask a regular person. Would you go up to someone at work and ask how much weight they've gained? Of course not! And as far as exericse, why don't you go take a few laps?

3. Is your baby sleeping through the night?
This question is generally asked by someone who either has no children, or hasn't had any for decades. It is not the norm for a newborn to sleep through the night, and a baby who does is the exeption to the rule. Heck, I haven't slept through the night since I started having kids.

4. I don't believe in pacifiers.
Look, it's not a religion. There's nothing to believe in here. And I'm not sure what makes you think I care what a stranger in the grocery store believes in. Go on your way before I karate chop you.

5. He needs a hat/he's too cold.
My boys are little ovens. If I wrap them too tight, they will sweat like they're in a sauna. I don't expect you to know this, but could you trust that I've got it covered? P.S. If it's 80 degrees outside, they will survive without a hat, mittens, and those ridiculous snow suits you can't even buckle their carseats over.

6. They're out too soon.
Well I've got things to do, and unless you're volunteering to be a wet nurse, beat it.

7. You look tired.
That's because I am. FYI, to someone who is a little on edge, this is translated as, "Wow, you look like crap." It may be the truth, but we don't need reminded of it.

So that's what I've come up with. What drove you nuts when you were a new mom?

My little peanut. And no, he doesn't sleep through the night.