The Earth Laughs in Flowers

     As Mother Nature whispers little signs of spring into our ears we are starting to see spring lines.  Fashion does not have to be expensive, just like good food does not have to be bad for you.  As a college student with the love for retail therapy, I need my shopping fix at least once a week or else my skin starts to crawl.  This is why I have acquired a love for bargain shopping.  This includes scavenging The Goodwill and all thrift stores in the area.  These high waisted floral print shorts were $2.50 at The Goodwill.  All it took to make these shorts "urban outfitters worthy" was a little shortening of the hem, and pulling them up to my natural waist.  They weren't supposed to be high waisted but because they were a much bigger size than I normally wear the inseam was longer, and thus allowed room for pulling them up.  Another not-so-hidden gem of the discount fashion world is Forever 21.  I found this slightly embellished cotton tank for $3.50 at Forever 21.  While on a mission to save money, be sure to remember its also ok to spend more money on staple pieces (like jeans) to match with the cheaper items, but this way the outfit looks much more expensive.  Great accessories can also easily enhance any monotone frock.

Can't say no to that persistent sweet tooth?  Here is an amazing alternative that won't give you a sugar hangover... a cupcake made with pumpkin. YES pumpkin.  Pumpkin is the best kept secret in the baking world.  The key is to substitute all of the ingredients that provide the excess of fat and empty calories.  This includes getting rid of the eggs and vegetable oil, and dumping in half a can of pure pumpkin.  I know this sounds crazy but I know from experience they are delicious and much better than the ever popular "diet coke cake".  The pumpkin substitute is for the most part flavorless and takes on the addictive taste of rich chocolate. After you add the pumpkin to the brownie mix just stir and distribute them in the cupcake pan.  Each box of brownies should produce 11 cupcakes.  When the delicious treats are ready for devouring first top them off with a little bit of fat free cool whip.  Cool Whip is a calorie smart alternative to icing. Icing adds extra calories and lots of saturated fat.  The finished product of this easy concoction only sets you back 180 calories and 4.5 g fat.  You also consume 2.3 g fiber, and fiber is key to any smart diet.  Next time you're watching the Food Network and the desserts are driving you nuts, whip up this smart recipe, and then treat yourself to a new mini skirt.

Ingredients

I box of Pillsbury brownie mix (I used Chocolate Extreme) and 1/2 can of Libbys 100% pure pumpkin (the can was 15 oz, so used 7.5 oz)

Directions

Mix box of brownie mix with 1/2" can (7.5 oz)
of Libbys pure pumpkin. Mix together {keep stirring, don't add more pumpkin} and put in
cupcake pan. It made 11 cupcakes.
Cook for 20 minutes or until done.

Number of Servings: 11



Number of Servings: 11

NUTRITION FACTS

• Servings Per Recipe: 11
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories: 180.9

• Total Fat: 4.4 g
• Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
• Sodium: 102.6 mg
• Total Carbs: 33.4 g
• Dietary Fiber: 2.3 g
• Protein: 1.8 g

Shoes are my dessert but they cannot replace the real thing.  Food and clothes are two things that bring people together.  Think about the memorable lunch dates shared after you just spent way too much money on a brand new pair of patent leather 6-inch pumps.  Shopping and eating are also the two best methods of therapy, to overcome any man or internship that turned you down.  There’s a certain comfort in knowing that that 50% off Marc Jacobs sweater is all yours, as you hang it perfectly over your Christian Louboutin heels.  I also know that although those three double chunk cookies, cheese steak, and half a chicken parmesan were delicious when you devoured them, but then the last thing you feel like doing is putting on those skinny jeans.  This is why I will teach you how to cook in a delicious but healthy way while exposing you to my perspective on the glitter of the fashion world.