Diet Coke Cake

Just about 2 years ago when I got home from Ireland I decided that I needed to eat better, exercise more and basically just try to be healthier. Anyone who has ever done this knows it is much MUCH easier said than done. And it takes practice. And help. Lots of help. :-) Anyways, while I am by no means a pro when it comes to eating healthy, I have learned some tips and tricks along the way. One of the areas that I still struggle with though is baking. I love LOVE baking (and eating) way to much to give it up entirely so instead I've learned some alternatives to make some of my favorite snacks and treats healthy...ish. Obviously, one of the easiest ways to cut the calories and fat when you're baking is to substitute eggs and butter/oil. But in this next little gem of a recipe, both of these fat-packed ingredients are completely eliminated. So without further ado, I give you (..::drum roll::..) DIET COKE CAKE!!!

Ok, so it sounds ridiculous (and a little gross) but I promise it completely works AND makes a really moist and delicious cake. Besides the fact that is a completely FOOL proof recipe (not to mention cheap, only 2 ingredients!) it doesn't even have half the fat of normal cake. BONUS!!!

But for those hardcore doubters out there, here is an illustrated step-by-step "recipe."

Step 1. Grab a can of diet coke (I am not sure if diet pepsi works but I AM sure that non-diet soda does NOT work) and a chocolate (or dark) cake mix. (If you are making a lighter cake -- like vanilla -- use diet sprite or another clear diet soda.)


Step 2. Mix 'em together...and watch the fun chemical reaction take place. (SCIENCE!!!)

Step 3. Bake as usual.
*Because the cake is slightly more crumbly than normal cake, its best not to attempt a layer cake.
**Also, baking time MAY be a little shorter. So watch closely!


Step 4. Frost, decorate and enjoy the yumminess.


So everyone (and by that I mean my aunt and Shannon), there you have it! Tasty treats that won't ruin your day or add to your waistline. Perfect for a time of year when full-fat delicious goodies are lurking around EVERY corner just waiting to pounce when you least expect it. :-)

Absolutely. Cannot. Wait.

1 Day: 14 hours: 29 minutes

Happy Birthday Jon

Nineteen years and 2 months (give or take) ago today, I remember looking up past my mom's 7 month pregnant belly, and asking her when exactly would my little brother be arriving? Apparently, my 28-month old self had grown tired of the 2:1 parent-child ratio and was very eager to have another playmate.

It's funny that as kids, all we wish for is to be an only child -- the center of our parents lives. We dream of double the Christmas presents, full control of the remote, and fully intact Barbies. But I cannot imagine my life with out the little punk sitting center in the picture above. He is in all my favorite childhood memories. He can make me laugh when no one else can. He's not just my brother, but also one of my closest friends.

So, Happy 19th Birthday Jon. I could not have asked for a better brother.

My 61 Second Break

All the colors
Of the rainbow
Hidden 'neath my skin

Hearts have colors
Don't we all know
Red runs through our veins

Feel the fire burning up
Inspire me with blood
Of blue and green

I have hope
Inside is not a heart
But a kaleidoscope.

Antelope Mugging

There are quite a few perks to having a dad who works for the Game and Fish Department. Like knowing where the best hunting holes are (Jon and I had both experienced a successful "big game" hunt by the 5th grade), gaining a true appreciation of the great outdoors and some pretty awesome encounters of the animal kind. My dad made sure Jon and I were exposed to animals of all shapes and sizes from a very young age. From playing with our snakes, to nursing a sparrow hawk and even sharing a truck with a mountain lion, we learned to have the utmost respect for our furry, feathery or even scaly friends and would never knowingly endanger them without a good non-hunting cause. With that said, two weeks ago we mugged antelope. And yes, it is exactly what it sounds like. :-)

The Game and Fish Department had an agreement with a Prescott Rancher to relocate a herd of antelope to different locations. So the three of us along with a bunch of other people all pitched in and spent a day wrestling, blindfolding, and ultimately relocating 80 poor little antelope.

While waiting for the antelope to be herded via helicopter into the corral where the "mugging" would take place Jon was very productive...

Here he found the truck's spotlight AND a brand new way to annoy/blind me simultaneously.


And here he is practicing the face he'll make when giving important orders over the radio.


Finally the helicopter successfully herded about 100 antelope and the mugging could begin!

Once the antelope had been herded into one side of the corral, the muggers went in and tackled about 8 antelope at a time while the rest of the antelope waited on the other side...it will make more sense once you watch the video at the end of the post!

Here are Jon and my dad pre-mugging...


I didn't participate in the first mugging so I was able to get this shot of one lucky antelope being released...

Be free!!

Jon and my dad carrying an antelope to the trailer...



One thing about antelope is they lose their hair when they are stressed. And I'm not talking about a little bit of hair, they lose a LOT of hair. Entire antelope carpets probably could have been mass produced with the amount of hair lost that day. Here are Jon and my dad post-mug trying unsuccessfully to shake off/spit out antelope hair. Fun times!


After my dad and Jon had done it a couple of times I manned up and mugged too. Here are some more pictures from the day...


Poor antelope...


They don't really have an idea of what's coming, they just know they probably won't enjoy it.


A typical Day Family photo...


Here is our Stop-playing-photographer-and-help-us-wrestle-the-ANTELOPE-dad look.




It was definitely an experience and it was such a fun day hanging out with my dad and Jon!!

If my explanation of the "mugging" process sounded confusing, here is a video of us in action. :-)

2009 in Pictures

2009 could definitely be labeled as "the year of travel" for me. I was so blessed throughout the entire year with safe travels and trips to some truly amazing places! Here are some of my favorite photos from my adventures...Enjoy! :-)