Best homemade cupcake recipe?

I want to make some homemade cupcakes for my brother and son. Anyone have a good recipe?
- ~~JB~~

Adventures in Infidelity

Back when I was a financial journalist, no one asked me if I had ever traded derivatives or shorted a stock. But in my new incarnation as a chronicler of global infidelity, my own experience with the subject seems to be my chief credential. Reviewers of my book, Lust in Translation, have routinely asked what my choice of topic says about my own marriage.

”How’s it going?” an interviewer for a highbrow morning show asked bluntly.

”So far, so good,” I responded. Soon after, I heard from colleagues, friends and long-lost acquaintances, wondering whether my relationship was on the rocks. ”Next time you are asked how your marriage is going, a simple ‘great’ would probably work,” a friend from university advised.

For the record I am happily married, and my husband takes great pleasure in telling people that his wife is an ”adultery expert.” But I drew the line when the editor of an American magazine asked to run our wedding photo alongside a story about the book. And when strangers ask what I do, I try to sound vague. I told the French photographer sitting next to me on a flight that I write about marriage. Still, I was more direct than my late grandmother, who told her elderly Canasta partners: ”It’s a book about love.”

What’s a girl to do when she’s asked to talk about adultery live on Al-Jazeera International? I wore a shapeless turtleneck, read up on infidelity in the Muslim world, and practiced replacing my usually gleeful descriptions of global infidelity with a disapproving scowl. But instead of moralizing, the interviewer pressed me for the secrets of Japanese sex clubs and philandering Frenchmen.

There was a brief attempt to make me a pin-up girl for the cause. The Independent (UK) anointed me ”Mrs. Infidelity.” The Observer said I was the sort of ”yummy mummy” who might ‘’set up a stall in a farmers’ market selling fashionable cupcakes.” But the magic fizzled when the paper hired a famous Brazilian photographer to take my picture. He took one look and decided I should pose directly behind a large plant.

Given the current political climate, I think foreign reporters liked the fact that I was an American criticizing my own country, for its odd rules of fidelity. They called from all over the world, often looking for a unique angle. An Argentine reporter wanted to know if there might be a connection between adultery and global warming.

Americans had the strongest reactions to the topic. Though I never claimed to have written a self-help book, some reviewers on Amazon.com posted warnings, such as “Please do Not look to this book for help . . . Do Not Trust Pamela Druckerman.” On tour back home, I was frequently mistaken for someone with actual wisdom to dispense. In Miami, a woman pressed me for details about exactly what kind of men were most likely to cheat (a 40-year-old traveling salesman from Togo, I concluded helpfully).

At least I’ve developed good radar for whether a person cheats. Just mentioning my topic — once I actually do — is a kind of litmus test. The faithful types usually feel safe asking follow-up questions. But those with secrets just say ”huh!” and change the subject.


- Pamela Druckerman

Does anyone have a guilt free cupcake recipe thats easy and tastes good?

Im making some cupcakes for my friends party on saturday and i know that a few of the ladies that will be there are trying to watch their weight….so i was looking for a good cupcake recipe that was low fat or guilt free so they didnt feel so left out! any suggestions?
- Cait M

Setting a Healthy Example for our Children

Do as I say and not as I do!

Sounds familiar? Chances are that if you are a parent, then at some point you have said this comment or have applied this theory to your parenting style. However, your children are watching what you do and will do the things that you do. That is why it is really important to us as parents to instill not only the right values to our children but also the right living & eating habits as well. By now, most of you have probably heard about the staggering statistics surrounding childhood obesity and the future only predicts those numbers to increase. “With the problem getting out of hand in many countries, the future of the children looks tragic. The number of obese children has tripled since the 80s. 18 percent of children today are obese. An obese adolescent has a 70% chance of being an obese adult, according to childhood obesity statistics. That is an alarming amount of kids. The simple fact is that we have to teach our children about nutrition and instruct them on how to eat.”

These statistics are a reality for our children. Do your part to make sure that your child does not end up a statistic as well. Maybe you currently don’t watch what you eat or have never worked out a day in your life but the good news is that it is never too late to begin. Start today – make healthy choices to influence the lives of our children. Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips that you can try:

1.       Educate your children at a Young Age: Don’t think that just because they’re young, that the information that you provide them with won’t stick. Plant the seed of information in their brain early and revisit the topic often. Include them in the grocery shopping choices as well and explain them to your reasoning behind why you chose to buy bananas instead of cupcakes.

2.       Keep the Technology to a minimum: Encourage your children to be active and to not rely so much on video games and television for their entertainment. Not that technology is bad but having your child do something active to spark their mind and body is a better use of time.

3.       Have Family Day (Often): Lead by example and take your family outdoors to enjoy a physical activity of your choice. Have fun and remember that the key here is to stay active.

4.       Take a Walk after Dinner: Not only are you burning off the calories that you just ate but you are also spending quality time with your family on a daily basis. This is a win-win situation!

5.       Be an Example Yourself: You are usually your child’s first `hero` where they want to do everything that you do. Take advantage of that opportunity to be fit and eat right so that your child will want to do the same.

We can’t afford to continue to put our children at risk because we love them. Let’s be role models to them – Don’t procrastinate – Teach your children to make healthier choices today by leading by example!


- Mike Z. Robinson

Good cupcake recipe and a recipe for a 17 month old to eat?

I need a recipe for halloween that is like a cake or biscuit but suitable for a 17 month old to eat, ’s not baking.
I also need a good recipe for cupcakes to make at home. I want t make them both from scratch.
- Rawr…. I’m a dinosaur!!!

how to make a good fruit salad dressing? any cupcake recipe?

i dont like sour stuff but i like creamy dressingand about cupcakes, pls tell me the recipe as well as how to operate the stove oven i had no idea how to operate it and none of my room mates know how to. thanks for your help.
- Saladoom

Popular Edible Wedding Favor Ideas

During a wedding, guests were expected to bring home wedding favors. Wedding favors are little things that are being distributed to all the guests to commemorate the said event. If you want favors that your guests will appreciate and partake of, why not plan for edible favors? Since then, edible favors can make any celebration more fun and memorable. Although these edibles can’t give tangible memory, but the fact that they were made delicious and very tasty gives reason for the guests to appreciate them. With this delightful idea, you can provide satisfaction to your guests’ who loves candies, chocolates, cookies, jams, wine, cupcakes and other edible preparations.

Sweet Edibles

For those who have sweet tooth, sweet edibles like chocolates, candies, mint, cookies, jams, cup cakes and pies are enough to make some mouth watery favors for them. You can make a penny candy cart where your guests can’t resist but to have some handful drop of childhood sweet favorites like button candies, jelly drops, gum drops, mints and mini chocolate bars. Or perhaps, you’d like to prepare favor boxes that are filled with the same edibles. You can find choices of favor boxes with different color, shape, style and design. With this idea in mind, you will not only satisfy their sweet tooth but you are giving very cute and clever memory of your wedding using these simple but delectable sweet edible favors.

You can also provide fruit or honey jams for your guests. You can make your own homemade jams, enhance their look by tying a perfect choice of ribbon, then put your personal label or tag with your wedding details and special message in each bottle. In addition to homemade wedding favors, you could also bake tasty cookies. Consider to distribute your own homemade favorite cookies packaged in adorable favor boxes with tied ribbons. However if you don’t have enough time for baking, you can always purchase cookies at your favorite local bakery shops.

Tea and Coffee Ideas

These ideas are perhaps one of the most favorite by adult guests. Just make sure you choose gourmet ones when you look for these favors and do not settle for instant varieties. After all, this doesn’t mean you’ll be spending too much that can build your own tea or coffee chain, rather prepare just enough - maybe a cup or two will nicely do. You can buy The Perfect Fit Tea Wedding Favors, a tea collection that allow your guests to enjoy a warm, relaxing cup of tea while reminiscing about your wedding. You can personalized them by scripting your own label with your wedding details. Or perhaps The Perfect Fit Coffee Favors which have the same theme with the earlier tea favors. Giving such souvenirs allow your guests to taste an exclusive blend of finest coffee with rich aroma of fresh roasted coffee. Make it then personalize by putting you and your partner’s name as well as your wedding date.

Edible favors are as elegant as silver favors that mostly used during formal and elegant weddings. Another good thing about edible souvenirs is that they are relatively inexpensive which can make an affordable option for those who have tight budget. Other non-edible but cheap favors can be candle favors, soap favors and others.


- Janet R.

What to Do When the Weather Doesn’t Cooperate

Mother Nature does not always cooperate with vacation plans. A trip to the beach can turn soggy or even cold all at her whim. Instead of panicking when this happens, plan for the inevitable. If the weather turns foul, you’ll have something to do. If it doesn’t, then you can use your planning for another day.

1. Look for indoor attractions. An interactive, hands-on museum or an aquarium tour can keep your group occupied for the whole day (and out of the elements).

2. Go to the movies or arcade. There are few “tourist” areas that don’t have one or two of these somewhere in every town. Find one that offers $1 features or combo packages and make a day of it.

3. Pack some games or activities of your own. Bring along the family’s favorite board games or some cards and have a family tournament. Be sure to include great party finger foods (like chips and dip) to make the experience complete.

4. Bring along some skate or skateboards and find an indoor park. There might also be an indoor pool nearby so that the kids can still splash about even if the weather isn’t all it’s supposed to be.

5. Have a bake day. If your lodging offers you the use of a kitchen then bring along the things necessary for you to bake cookies or cupcakes that the kids can then decorate before they eat.

6. Create some gifts and keepsakes. Use the seashells you’ve been picking up along the beach (or bring some scrapbook materials for the pictures you’ve already accumulated) and spend the day making them into great gifts and keepsakes for your family and for others that weren’t able to come along.

7. Have a read-a-thon. Read together with everyone taking turns reading out loud or taking on different characters. You could even make the story into a little play.

8. Make some crafts. Pack some string and socks to make sock puppets or use paper and scissors from your lodging to make snowflakes, origami and other cutouts or paper crafts.

Bad weather doesn’t have to ruin your vacation plans. With just a little creativity and some pre-planning you can still make the most of your time together. In the end, a family vacation is really about the time spent together and the memories made and not so much about the location where it happens.


- cameron van

Need a MONKEY CUPCAKE RECIPE?

I NEED A RECIPE FOR A MONKEY CAKE OR CUPCAKES WITH A MONKEY FACE
ANYONE HAVE A RECIPE I CAN USE?
- adam tracy m

can i substitute sour cream for buttermilk in a cupcake recipe?

when baking cupcakes, for example red velvet, can one substitute the buttermilk for sour cream? if so, does this alter the use of vinegar in the recipe? i’ve noticed sour cream makes cake recipes really moist and delicious so i’d like to know how to add it to my existing recipes.
- claire b

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