Monday, January 31, 2011

Dante's Inferno Helps Self-Improvement....

Whenever I needed a little comfort after I’ve done something wrong and would sit alone and scold myself, my mom would calm me down by telling me that everything would be OK and remind me of the old saying that “no one is perfect”. Growing up I realized every person has a flaw or sin. However, a problem occurs when we know about our shortcomings and chose not to correct them so we can become better people. I can use Inferno to identify and fix some of my “sins’” by simply keeping the poem in mind with whatever choices I make.
I like to think my mother raised a pretty sensible child. I know right from wrong, I’m not a thief and I try not to make myself out to be a liar. But I also know of my imperfections. Every now and then, when I’m bored in the house I like to eat just about anything that’s in my kitchen. Then there’s times where my family is at a restaurant and I can have my own food right in front of my face and want a generous portion of everyone else’s. When reading Inferno I realized that this is not only unhealthy, but it’s a sense of both greed and maybe even gluttony. Instead of overindulging in food when I’m not hungry I am now more aware of my “greed” and try to only eat when I am hungry (despite a few snacks here and there). Instead of being the self-proclaimed food taster at the table when my family and I go out to eat I try to be content with my own servings.  
Through this poem I not only learned how to curb my appetite but also how to curb my flaws. I will continue to strive for perfection as best as I can by acknowledging my shortcomings and trying to correct them.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Starting from scratch...

\Click This !
 
This hyperlink will bring  you to an interview between Jessica Harris  and Mia Bauer, the co-founder of Crumbs Bake Shop, "one of the leading gourmet cupcake businesses in the country." Bauer shares with us her story of her rise to success. You see, Bauer wasn't always the baker that she is now. She actually started her career as a lawyer but after achieving all she could in her council she yearned for a career change, she just didn't know what exactly. However, her early experience from living around a kibbutz in Israel arose her passion for baking. Bauer explained how her mother baked a lot when she was younger and as she watched her mother, her passion grew. After receiving various signs that opening up a bakery was the best option, she and her husband finally did just that.

I was inspired by this interview in many ways. Like Bauer, baking is not my first carreer choice instead I would like to be a couple's/childs psychologist. Baking is something I like to consider as one of my hobbies. Yet and still while listening to this I couldn't help but to think, "What if I get bored with my carreer like Bauer eventually did?" Hopefully that would never happen but if it did would I resort back to my love for baking? If so, I hope I would be as successful as Mia.

Friday, January 14, 2011

A Delightful Dish...


While browsing through pictures on Corbisimages.com, I found this treat. It's simple yet divine. This is among many delighful treats I hope to learn how to make when doing my project.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Just Blog It #4 !

Due to the snow day I wasn't able to take a picture in Mrs.Porter's class of the stove and other baking appliances like I wanted to. So instead I had to resort to my own kitchen. This picture was taken by me and I think it's pretty simple and self-explanatory. In order for me to bake I will need everything from the whisk to the flour.

Monday, January 10, 2011

"Now you see it, now you don't"

It seems as though John Fraser has a restaurant that is destined for failure but unlike most restaurant owners - this is what Fraser wants. Fraser is well aware of the fact that his restaurant might not make it until July, six months from now. The fact that his business just might fail is what motivates him and he's making the most out of his situation. Buying only the things that my mom would consider the "bare necessities" to make his business survive, not thrive but simply survive.
Call me an over achiever but I would never buy property under the terms that Fraser did. I would want the most lavish chairs in my bakery not "dozens of chair...bought on Ebay...under $10 each". I would think my customers deserved much more then that! But, hey, what do I know about owning a business? Maybe Fraser's way of business isn't so outlandish, but smart.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/dining/05temp.html?ref=dining

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Cupcakes in Ice Cream Cones

For my family reunion my Uncle,the self-proclaimed Emeril Lagasse of the family, made this delicious treat for all the younger kids. He baked red velvet cake into a ice cream cone and topped it off with vanilla bean ice cream. Needless to say, the adults were a little more then jealous of the kids that night. While I devoured four of these treats I couldn't help but to wonder, "How did he manage to get cupcakes into an ice cream cone?" Unfortunately, because of my greedy ways I was never able to ask him how he created the masterpiece so it was just my luck that I was able to YouTube my answer. I can now add this on my things to accomplish while I master the baking field.


(The guy's language isn't up to par but you get the gist of the "cupcakes in ice cream cones" idea)
Here's the link , Bon Appetit !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22ojKVCT1hY

A taste of Dante Alighieri *

So this is what I've come up with to describe the late Dante Alighieri ( I thought we would present & I could explain the pictures in person) . However, Mike peaked my interest with his "prezi", making me curious on how an actual prezi worked & how I can jazz up my presentation.

This is my version (pre-Mr.Peak's presentation)
http://prettiemoney.glogster.com/dante/

And this is my version(pose-Mr.Peak's presentation) - please be advised this was my first attempt !
http://prezi.com/cndneqjhcrqw/a-taste-of-dante-alighieri/

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

The tricks and secrets of Baking

This link if for all those who love to bake as much as I do. With this you can now answer your own questions on which is best to use in your recipe - butter or  margarine! Here are all the secrets that you might have not known about baking...ENJOY !  http://www.pillsburybaking.com/bakers_corner/secrets_to_successful_baking.aspx

Ok, so this is more for amusement. Who on earth would think to do this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0lgg_qKaqw