Body Language Basics - Syncrat Publishing
Throughout history it has been an advantage if an individual can read body language. Body language helps in everyday life from closing a business deal or trusting someone with your life, to recognising when someone is upset. Body language is the art of making an educated guess at a person’s feelings or intentions based on their posture, movement and positioning. To understand a person’s body language you need to take into account more than one aspect of their body language. Take tears for example. Each action or stance in the following list means very little, unless there is more than one indicating the same thing. Arms Feet Head Chest Other
The Ultimate Strawberry Lemonade
One of the first times I ever realized that – HEY! I can cook for myself! – was when I first learned to make lemonade. I magically found the refrigerated lemon juice at our house and followed the directions to make my own lemonade. Sorry for the detour. Anyway, there was a summer there where I made my own lemonade every single day, making sure to rub it in my sister’s face that I knew how to and she didn’t. The key to this being the ultimate lemonade is that you blend it up with the lemon rind in there. And any time of day for that matter. (makes 2 pint-glass servings with ice) 3/4 cup sugar2 large lemons, microwaved for 30 seconds2 cups water1 cup of frozen strawberries, microwaved for 1 minute (you could use fresh, but I think the frozen works better here) In a blender squeeze the lemons and add the rest of the lemon, rind and all. **Note: I like to microwave the lemons to release more of the juices, and microwaving the strawberries does the same sort of thing.
Red Velvet Pancakes - ThatsSoYummy.com
I think I like you! Yea… I really do… I think I really, really like you! I think I like you so much that I’m gonna share a recipe that will just knock your socks off. Red Velvet Pancakes! Red Velvet Pancakes! Red Velvet Pancakes!!! Did you get that?!?! I thought it would be a great idea for those who love breakfast or at least pancakes as much as I do to incorporate one of the most yummiest desserts ever. Oh and let me let you in on another secret… you can make these for breakfast, lunch or even dinner **gasp**… we had ours for dinner! So I leave you now with only this… I think I really, really like you! Red Velvet Pancakes with chocolate chips Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 2 large eggs 1-1/2 cups buttermilk 1/2 cup sour cream 2 teaspoons red food coloring 4 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 cup chocolate chips (doesn’t matter what kind you use) Directions Enjoy!
Embroidery With Sprinkles (And Other Cuteness)
I love the look of embroidery and had been wanting to try and get that effect on a cake topper for a while. I knew that I wanted to use jimmy sprinkles for the "thread" and possibly have it on a royal icing disk but I couldn't decide on a pattern. I doodled a few designs and then got sidetracked by other recipes and projects and forgot about it all together. It wasn't until I came across the Polka and Bloom blog that I was remembered the cake idea. She has great designs that are so pretty, modern, and colourful. I wrote to her asking if I could use one of her patterns for a cake topper and she was nice enough to agree (which is good because my own attempts at embroidery patterns for the cake were pretty sad). I had to go out and buy jimmy sprinkles but I could only find the colours that I wanted in mixed jars. Laying out the actual design was much more fun and I am really happy with how it looked in the end. Not anymore. Aww.
Chocolate Cupcakes with Flaming Strawberries
Call me easily amused, but these little torch-topped cupcakes delight me. Besides being a cute novelty item for a party, I think they would add a little drama to the end of a romantic meal. I've been looking for something different to serve for Valentine's dessert, and this is definitely different. The strawberries are hollowed out and filled with a bit of liquor, then ignited with a match. For the cake portion, I chose a One Bowl Chocolate Cupcake recipe because 1. it's quick 2. it is easy, and 3. it fits my prerequisite for a light ending on date night. I should say, a light ending provided you don't eat too many. The cakes are just sweet enough, and have a light, fluffy crumb - the perfect vehicle for rich chocolate buttercream. Notes for flaming strawberries:Any alcohol below 80 proof will not ignite well. Shaina made a margarita version of this on Babble Food. Chocolate Cupcakes with Flaming Strawberries Yield: About 20 cupcakes [click to print]Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
The Most Hilariously Effective Signs Supporing Gay Marriage
Political protests are always a little more fun when the protesters are a little more fabulous. With the legalization of gay marriage in New York, the writing appears to be on the wall for opponents of marriage equality. That's a little bittersweet, since the writing on these pro-gay marriage protest signs is entertaining enough that we're definitely going to miss them when the battle is finally over nationwide. Posted 7/14/11:
Focaccia
This is the real deal focaccia. The kind infused with herb oil and left for a long cold rise overnight in the fridge to get the best flavor. It's soft, chewy, and savory all at the same time. You can pile on toppings like cheese and sundried tomatoes but I like it best plain and ready to dip into some oil and balsamic vinegar. There are a lot of recipes for quick and easy focaccia but if you have the extra time to let it rise overnight in herb oil it's worth it. What gives the bread its flavor is a herb infused oil. EDIT: You won't use the entire cup of oil in the bread. 1/4 cup goes on the tray, then 1/4 cup spooned on top, then after the rise in the fridge you add UP to a 1/4 cup. To incorporate air bubbles into the dough and to further knead it the focaccia gets stretched and folded three times. First you stretch the dough out on a floured surface to twice its size. Then you fold it like a letter and lightly brush it with oil... After 30 minutes you stretch and fold again. Focaccia
Self-frosting Nutella Cupcakes
Cupcakes are an easy sell. Add Nutella, and they’re a hit. Best of all, swirling the Nutella directly into the white batter before baking creates swirly, chocolatey tops that have no need for frosting – saving you a step. And if you have kids who like to lick the frosting off their cupcakes and leave a sticky stump, the Nutella is baked right in. The batter is thick – it needs to be about the same consistency as the Nutella so that you can swirl the two together easily. The resulting cupcakes are dense and moist, and easy to take on picnics or to other events that call for transporting them – without frosting, it’s easier to bring them with you without risk of an icing mess. NOTE: In response to the comments below that the cupcakes were coming out dry, I’ve reworked this recipe. More on Babble: 10 Tasty Mug Cakes You Can Make in Just MinutesOut of the Campfire into the Oven: S’mores PieChocolate Chip Cookie Dough DipTwo Minute Mug Brownie2 Minute Chocolate and Salted Caramel Mug Cake
