My First FAQ

It was fun seeing all of the questions you had!  I love that I write a blog that is primarily about dessert and I got several questions about my exercise;-)  Your questions are answered below and will be incorporated into the FAQ page when the blog “makeover” is complete!

What’s your favorite kind (brand) of chocolate to bake with?

I’d LOVE to name some really fancy chocolate, but right now I work with what is convenient or less expensive.  For the most part I use Nestle (I bought a massive bag at Costco), Baker’s (it is the most common baking chocolate I find) and sometimes Trader Joe’s brand.  I compared Nestle semi-sweet chocolate chips to saco’s here, but still use Nestle since it is easier to find.

If I were to bake something for a really special occasion or if the results were highly dependent on the quality of chocolate, I’d probably splurge on a better quality (more expensive) chocolate.  If anyone wants to send me some fancy chocolate, I’d gladly accept it and let you know what I think:-)

Chocolate or vanilla?

Not even a question, it will always be chocolate.

OK, the million dollar question… tell me about your photography equipment and techniques. This is the question I ask every food blogger. Trying to improve my food photos this year and looking for all the tips I can get! Safe travels!

I am almost embarrassed to answer this since I am a long way away from having any photography skills.  That said, I currently use this point-and-shoot (hopefully getting ready to splurge on a DSLR).  I bought it for our honeymoon last year and it was perfect for that trip.

The best tips I have incorporated into my photography is 1) no flash and 2) as much natural light as possible.

What is your favorite meal thus far – or favorite pieces put together to make one meal?

This is the hardest question!  I am really indecisive and would probably give you a different answer tomorrow.  To make it a little easier, I think I’ll choose a “best day of eats” provided I had an incredible metabolism (P.S. this question made me so hungry):

Breakfast – New York bagel toasted with cream cheese (a LOT of cream cheese) with a cup of coffee (preferably eaten outside on a summer day)

Lunch– Greek salad with fresh feta cheese, fresh bread and hummus, grilled calamari

Snack– Peanut butter with berries and Greek yogurt, maybe a sprinkle of granola

Dinner– A salad with mixed greens, goat cheese, chopped dates and candied nuts with vinaigrette; fresh pasta, ideally in Italy, with clam sauce, oh and some really good wine

Dessert: Warm brownie sundae with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and peanut butter sauce topped with whipped cream, maybe some crunchy candy topping and caramelized bananas too

How do you have the will power not to eat everything you make????

I have to give things away or have them designated for something.  Otherwise, the baked goods haunt me and call my name at night.

I was really impressed with your healthy choices during your vegan challenge, and how often you work out. I was just wondering if you exercise every day and what kind. Since this blog is dedicated to desserts, you probably have as big a sweet tooth as me and I wonder if you binge on them as much as I do. They are my kryptonite and I find it very difficult to maintain or lose weight because of it.

Thank you!  I have to say that posting food what I ate for one week was a little scary, I don’t know how people do that all the time.  If you saw a bigger snapshot of my eats, it would probably be a bit embarrassing.  I am constantly struggling with limiting my dessert intake.  One of my goals is to be able to eat a cookie and move on lol.  Unfortunately, I get easily addicted to sugar and as a result, TRY to limit the more indulgent desserts to once a week.  Usually on a weeknight I’ll have something like a chocolate Vitatop or Skinny Cow ice cream cup to appease my sweet tooth.

I aim to workout 4-6 days a week.  It doesn’t always happen, but for the most part I’m consistent with that rate.  I go in cardio phases between the elliptical and running, right now I’m trying to get back into running.  I also like to do a circuit workout with resistance training twice a week.

What does your workout regimen consist of? It seems like you workout every morning…and with that in mind, what time do you wake up every day?

See the specifics above.  On week days, I get up around 5:45/6am to workout.  I hate getting up so early, but I could never workout at night.

I want to know if you taste the batter as you are making these most delicious treats? I know I could not resist.

It depends.  I usually taste the batter at least for quality control.  There are definitely days where go a little bit overboard with that quality control.

When and why did you go Vegan?

You can see the details of my Vegan Challenge here.  It was a week-long challenge and a great learning experience.  I definitely don’t plan on going Vegan, but I may try doing it intermittently to keep an eye on what I am putting into my body.

What is your favorite way to spend time?

I love nights just relaxing at home with my husband and sometimes friends drinking wine and hanging out, maybe playing fun board games. 

Obviously I love to bake whenever I have time and love baking with my mom. 

Oh, and in the summer, my ideal morning would be spent outside reading a book and drinking iced coffee.

Wondering where that photo was taken of you and the lobster? I have a very similar one at Jasper White’s Summer Shack in Boston. We always eat there when we’re in Boston visiting our son.

That picture was from our friends’ rehearsal dinner in Boston.  They had a Lobster Bake and brought in everything from clam chowder, to mussels to corn-on-the-cob.

What would be your ideal meal? Do you have a hard time answering that question too?

Regular blogging will be back soon with this:-)