Let Them Eat Cupcakes

I'd like to make a case for an addition to the food group pyramid. We all know that we should be eating a diet of low-fat protein, lots of fruit and vegetables and healthy carbohydrates in the form of whole grains. But, c'mon, one perfect food has been ignored for too long and I'm convinced it needs to be added to the list of foods we should be eating if not daily, at least weekly. I'm speaking, of course, about the humble
cupcake - God's heavenly alternative to the celery stick.

Let's look at the positives. It's small, portable and can be decorated to accommodate any occasion. You can flavor it with just about anything that sparks your imagination, personalizing them to please a crowd of even the most picky eaters. Its calorie count is miniscule compared to its full-sized counterparts so guilt can be kept at a minimum and everyone from toddlers to grandmothers is crazy about them.

Just let a bowl of steamed kale try to tick off all those boxes.

Oh, I almost forgot the cupcake's most important attribute, its uncanny ability to make any day better and improve even the deepest case of the blues. For this alone, it needs to take its rightful place on the top of that pyramid. I know, I know, those crazy healthy food zealots will fight me but you know I'm right..

Should I make yours chocolate or vanilla?

The Little Things

I have to admit, my last blog was an indulgent trip to the pity pot. I wrote it late at night (always a mistake) after a nasty argument with one of my kids. I was hurt, tired and frustrated - a trifecta that rarely results in anything positive. If I had just said a prayer and gone to bed like I should have, I would have saved myself a lot of grief.

The next day, nothing seemed as dire as it had the night before (just like my mother always told me it would). When the alarm went off, I knew I had a choice - I could wallow in self-pity or give myself (and everyone else) a break and choose to be joyful. Guess which one I chose?

If you're open to it, it's not hard. There's a lot in life to be joyful about - a friend's thoughtfulness, an exciting Blackhawks victory, the humor of Stephen Colbert, a glass of good red wine, a late-nite Facebook chat with your sister. I took advantage of all of them because you never know which one is going to do the trick.

And if all else fails, there's always cupcakes.