Watch Your Sugar Intake

I was reading an article that spoke about being on a diet and trying to watch your sugar intake. This can get to be a chore if you eat out a lot or even a little bit. I thought to myself that is an interesting point, seeing that so many things these days have sugar in them. Even things that you wouldn't think would have a high sugar content.

Although I am not one of those people that really watch labels or count calories I do watch the labels for words that have multiple syllables or for words that end in "ose" like dextrose, fructose, lactose you get the picture. These are all sugars that can be found in foods that we eat. Things like sauce, ketchup, dressings. Always get these extras on the side so you can control how much you take in.

Just so you know the body does not distinguish between the sugars, whether it is found naturally in the food or it is added. We should still be conscious of the amount of naturally occurring sugar that you take in because the sugar content adds up.

Now you can't eliminate sugars from your diet because the body needs it to produce energy for us to keep moving. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), say that sugars do have a role in a healthy diet. However, if you are overweight or you are not an active person then you should consider reducing your caloric intake. My best advice to you is to be very vigilant.

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

Your Invited - My Book Signing - Jamaica's Forgotten Treats - March 29

I'm not sure if you are aware, but I wrote a cookbook which I am very excited about. I am a self published author, and just trying to make my rounds in the publishing world.

I am busy promoting my cookbook and I will be having a Book Signing for my cookbook - Jamaica's Forgotten Treats. I will have treats for sampling.

Location : Roselle Park Public Library
Date : March 29, 2012
Time : 6:30 - 7:30pm

My cookbook is available at www.renaeescakes.com. Please support by purchasing a copy. The recipes are simple and easy to follow with ingredients you probably have in your pantry. I look forward to hearing from you.

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

Chocolate Cake

I had an order to bake some cupcakes for a little boy's birthday and they wanted chocolate. They ordered my Death by Chocolate Chocolate Cupcakes. One teacher said "They were to die for" LOL. It got rave reviews.

I would give you the recipe, but then it wouldn't be my special recipe anymore would it.  : ) I like to experiment with different flavors, but when I find a recipe that works I don't mess with it. This is one of those recipes.

Do you have a family recipe that is just perfect? Tell me about it.

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Hello my fellow readers, I hope all is well with you. My husband asked me to bake some cookies for him, oatmeal raisin to be exact and I thought to myself. I haven't made them in a while. I used to make these alot when I was in college for my dorm mates.

Can you imagine baking 3 dz cookies in a toaster oven, which can only hold 4 cookies at a time? Crazy I know, but I really enjoyed it. There would always be a line at my door when I make them. One other favorite was my Brownie Pudding, but I will tell you about that another time ; )

I have to say though that Oatmeal Raisin is my favorite cookie. What is your favorite cookie? Let me know.

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

Remembering Whitney Houston

I know this is a food blog, but I just want to take some time to remember a fallen sister - Whitney Houston. I was deeply saddened by the news and cried for yet another fallen soul. I can only imagine how much pain her family is going through right now, but Renaee's Cakes send their prayers and their love.  I am also saying a special prayer for her daughter Bobbi Kristina.

I remember when I went to see the movie Bodyguard I was in my first year of University. It was beautiful. I cried. I can tell you that she has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard.

It just brings to mind that we are not promised tomorrow and that we must always enjoy life and live it to the fullest.  Tell the ones you love that you love them. I thank God for yet another opportunity to write and share my thoughts. May her soul rest in peace.

Just some food trivia I found out about Whitney. Her favorite food was Chicken Wings and her favorite dessert was Strawberry Shortcake.

Take care of yourself and lots of love.

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

How to frost a cake?

I was thinking of giving you some tips on how to frost a cake. When I started to frost cakes it took alot, I knew nothing about leveling or anything like that. I didn't want to waste any of my cake. Now my kids call it "cake scaps" best part of the cake : )

These days I don't mind frosting the cake, but cake design still ties my stomach in knots. Anyhoo working on it. Some essentials before you start frosting.

1. A cake decorating stand or a Lazy Susan
2. A Icing spatula
3. Frosting (whether bought or homemade)
4. Knife for leveling cake
5. Cake stand or cake board

First thing to do before frosting a cake is to have the cake cool completely. If you are in a hurry you can put in the fridge or freezer for a fast cool. Make sure you remove any loose crumbs from the cake. You can brush it off with your hands or with a pastry brush. Dab a small amount of frosting on the bottom of the cake plate to hold the cake in place. Then place the first layer on the cake plate. You can level the cake if you need to by cutting off the top of the cake. Frost this layer with 1/2 cup to 1 cup of frosting (depending on how much you like).

Level the second layer of the cake by cutting off the top and then place the cut side down on top of the already frosted layer. This way you will have a smooth surface to frost the top layer. Again frost the top of the cake with 1/2 cup to 1 cup if frosting. Then frost the sides with 1/2 cups to 3/4 cups of frosting.

Tip : - You can dirty ice the cake (putting on a crumb coat). This means you put on a thin layer of frosting on the cake and place in the fridge to set, so that you don't get crumbs in your final coat. 

After the frosting has set then you can put the remaining frosting on the cake. Decorate as you like.

Don't worry if you don't get it right the first time. It gets better each time you decorate.

Hope you found this interesting?

Always take life one day at a time.

Mango Cake

Hello Beautiful People, its been a while, but I am still here. The heart was willing, but the body was weak. Well to get myself back in the game, what better way to do it than to bake one of my husband's new faves....Mango Cake.

Can I just say that my test kitchen smells AMAZING.

I love mangoes and what a wonderful way to use excess mangoes or just enjoying the mango in a new way. I first came up with the idea to make this cake from a friend of mine. She loves mangoes. Mango smoothie, mango on its own, mango drink she loves anything mango. So she challenged me to come up with a mango cake. I was up for the challenge. I actually enjoyed the process or I should say she did, as she benefited from all the cakes from my test kitchen.

I have to say though that my husband is the most surprising champion for Mango Cake as he has a slight  allergic reaction to mangoes. Go Figure. Anyhoo, he loves this cake. That's all I have to say.

Is there any fruit that you like that you would turn into a cake if you could? Let me know I may just surprise you with a recipe.

Always remember to take life one day at a time