Peppermint Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 cup softened butter (unsalted)

generous 1/2 cup superfine sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 teaspoon of peppermint oil

generous 3/4 cup self rising flour

2 tbsp unsweetned cocoa powder

1tbsp milk

…And Frightful it is. It’s getting to be that time of the year where the chimneys start smoking and oversized sweaters become your number one friend. So it’s time to warm up and make some comfort food. We are in the prime season for hearty vegetables and the fall/winter offers a bounty of them.  This time the vegetable of choice is butternut squash!

Photo Courtesy of cookyourdream.com

The recipe down below is super easy and makes you feel like a regular chef! The organization I’m apart of at my University hosted a “Cooking the basics” event, and this soup was a hit with the students that attended and had to cook it!

Butternut Squash Soup

(http://allrecipes.com)

Makes 4 Servings

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 15 mins

Total time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 1½ tablespoons of butter
• ½ onion, sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• ½ butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 cups of chicken stock
• ½ cube of chicken bouillon
• 1 pinch of ground cumin
• 1 pinch of ground allspice
• salt and black ground pepper to taste

Directions

1      Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat

2      Cook the onion, garlic, and thyme in the hot butter until the onion has softened, about 5 minutes.

3      Add the squash and chicken stock

4      Bring to a simmer and cook until the squash is tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

5      Crumble the bouillon into the soup. Season with cumin, allspice, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.

6      Pour the soup into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway.

7      Hold the lid of the blender in place with a kitchen towel and carefully start the blender using a few quick pulses to get the soup moving before leaving it on to puree.

8      Puree in batches until smooth and pour into a serving bowl. Alternately, you can use a stick blender and puree the soup in the pot.

Carly Bossert, Health & Fitness Contributor
Education:  Rutgers University, Nutritional Sciences, Digital Media
Website: http://declassifiedcollegeguide.tumblr.com/

Email: carlybossert@gmail.com

Meet: Samantha Aller

Age: 21

School: Rutgers University

Major: Communications/Spanish

Minor: Entrepreneurship

Q: Before we go into your describing your style, let’s get to know more about you. Tell me about your leadership roles and organizations that you’re involved with at Rutgers.

A: “I am Executive Vice President of the International Association of Business Communicators, Event Coordinator of the Association of Women in Communications, and Publicity Chairperson of the Rutgers Fashionista’s.”

Q: That’s amazing! I’m sure you have a lot on your plate. Tell me, what are some goals you are presently trying to accomplish, and what have you accomplished thus far? It can be anything from school, work, or personally related.

A: “Right now to graduate with honors and get a full time job in the entertainment business. My accomplishments….I, along with a good friend of mine, am heading the marketing aspects of a new company called Juicetank which helps fuel start-up companies. I’m really excited because being a senior in a college with 50,000 smart kids and getting recognized for my perseverance is a huge deal for me. I’m going to be doing everything from creating marketing strategies for new products, to heading photo shoots, to planning events, everything that involves being innovative and creative. It’s my ideal startup job.”

Q: Wow! Anything else you have planned for the future?

A: “I want to rule the world. Just kidding (not really). Honestly, though I want to something that will inspire people. First off, I want to travel the world. Then I’d like to start my own marketing firm, open a lounge/club/bar, open a restaurant, start my own music production company, and start my own non-profit.  I just want to do everything.”

Q: Seems like you’re on the right path! Now let’s get to the fun part! Can you describe your style?

A: “Oh boy, where do I begin? The best way I could describe my style is…I put things together that other people typically wouldn’t. I match things the way I see fit and I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I’ll wear anything from the most boho maxi dress with a studded denim vest and Minnetonka booties to the most chic ivory and black blazer with a chunky necklace, peplum blouse, and Kenneth Cole flats. Some days people tell me I’m a hippie, and some days people tell me I look modern chic. I dress in whatever makes me feel awesome.”

Q: What is a fashion staple in your wardrobe?

A: “My American Apparel brown circle scarf. It’s super chunky and warm so it’s perfect for the fall and winter seasons. It just makes everything look fun and cozy.”

Q: How has fashion influenced you?

A: “To me, clothes are pieces of art. It allows me to express myself in whichever way I’m feeling. It’s made me the strong being I am today. Because I can make such a statement with just the clothes I wear, I feel like a stronger woman. I have a strong personality, and I think fashion has allowed me to demonstrate that.”

Q: Anything you want to add on how fashion has played a role in your own confidence?

A: “Ohhhh girl, let me tell you! If my clothes are beautiful, I feel beautiful. Who can’t help but feel good about themselves when they’re wearing flattering clothes, or just an outfit that brightens their smile. Everyday I wake up excited to put together an outfit because I know it’s one part of my day that I’m completely in control of. It makes me feel great when I can effortlessly put together a great outfit. Every girl should wear what they feel great in and strut their stuff like they own it.”

Q: You have killer style Sammy, where do you love to shop and what is your favorite store?

A: “My mom’s attic! I always find the best stuff in suitcases full of her old clothes. That’s some real vintage for ya! Oh and SOHO in NY, all day everyday, so many boutiques to find amazing clothes and stands on the streets with tons of funky jewelry. I’m a huge fan of LF Stores. Not the most affordable place, but boy when they have their sales, I walk out with thee most unique pieces that I’m obsessed with. And I know I’m only supposed to pick one, but H&M is also my other obsession. I spend hours in their trying everything on, it’s thee best and most affordable for people trying to stay in style.”

Q: It’s hard being a college student, I mean being tight on money, and not always having time available for frequent shopping between classes, studying and extra curricular activities, how do you budget?

A: “I always make sure I save up money for every time I go shopping. If I see a watch or a bag I’ve been eyeing for a while, I’ll save up for it. And I always make sure to go to post-season sales. There’s so many great buys at the end of a season that will look just as amazing the next time around. I make sure I always get my money’s worth.”

Q: What is your life’s mantra? What are some tips you can give to other young women?

A: “If you’re dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough. As for tips, wear what shows your inner most beauty. Think about what pieces you love, not what you think everyone else will. Your clothes are yours and its the easiest way to show who you are. AND always, always, always look your best, you never know who you’re going to meet or run into.”

<3

Healthier Chocolate Mousse

It’s getting to be that time of year again…the time of year where you just want to stay at home in your pajamas all day, curled up on the couch with your favorite comfort food and a great book or movie. This is a great recipe that will leave you feeling guilt-free! It’s a paleo recipe, which means it’s gluten free, wheat free, grain free, dairy free, soy free, and legume free.

Ingredients:

1 can Trader Joe’s coconut cream

4 heaping tablespoons Enjoy Life chocolate chips*

2 tablespoons coconut sugar**

Unsweetened cocoa powder (optional-I added about a teaspoon, but you can add more for a darker chocolate flavor)

Directions:

Scoop out all of the coconut cream and discard the liquid on the bottom of the can. Try not to get any of that liquid in your bowl. Add coconut sugar and mix with coconut cream. Then melt your chocolate chips in the microwave (a little bit at a time so it doesn’t burn!) As your chocolate is melting, get your electric mixer ready. You need to move quickly because if your coconut cream is cold the chocolate will start to harden again. Once chocolate is melted, pour into your coconut cream and mix with an electric mixer until it’s all as smooth as possible-it might look like there are specks, and that’s fine. It could be the coconut sugar and/or little specks of chocolate that have hardened (and that will taste awesome!) Divide into 4 bowls and chill in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes.

*Free of dairy allergies? Feel free to use your favorite chocolate, but note that in addition to dairy it may also contain soy.

**Honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup will also work, but may make the final product a little thinner.

Enjoy!

This guest post was written + shared by the beautiful Eleni Chechopoulos, founder and creator of TheBaboo.com. Check our her website for her daily recipes and workout inspiration! 

http://thebaboo.com/

Twitter: @EleniChech
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebaboo
Education: San Francisco State University, Psychology