Ghostly Truffles or Chocolate Covered Cake Balls

Truffles or Cake Balls, however you choose to call them, they are sweet, addictive and always impressive.

My first cake ball.

Shaky picture - maybe it was the sugar rush!

Ah, I remember it well.

Friends, birthdays, silly cards (that were inappropriate for those too young, but not for those “young at heart”) and small chocolate balls of smooshed cake.

I had seen the “cake ball” phenom explode over recent years and always wondered what they were like.

People typically went overboard with the adjectives whenever they described them, making them almost akin to actual truffles and not the pulverized cake they really were.

At least, that’s what I thought until I tried one.

And another.  And, well, one more just to be sure.

Gosh, they were good!   I ate a handful before I knew it and it was then that I vowed that I would make some myself.  They were cute, small, and they promised to be just the right amount of challenge to make it exciting.

So, when I heard about the potluck at work for Halloween, I knew I had to do it.

Course, being me, I had to try out something new and totally time consuming on the week I start my first job.

These truffles took THREE days to make, people. 

I could have done them in one day if I had the whole day to devote to baking, cooling, smashing, rolling and double dipping.  As it was, with working late and going in early (we can carpool now and the place I work at is generous enough to allow me to start and end work to match my hubby’s schedule), I only had time in between making lunches and cleaning up my mess to work in stages on them.

Still, I think they came out quite well, don’t you?

I followed the advice from Veronica’s Cornucopia Blog found here and here. (I highly recommend her tutorials – they really helped me out and even though my cake balls still failed at times, I know I avoided a total meltdown by following her tips and advice.)

Some of my little guys did “leak”, but it wasn’t a problem.  I dabbed the white candy coating over the cracks/drips to cover them and it sealed just fine.

Note to self: If I want to make any “themed” treats again, make sure to pick up supplies well in advance.  I went to the store to buy black icing pens and orange sprinkles, but I came home with cupcake pearls and black and white bark.    Not what I had in mind, but I think they came out pretty well.

And they’re delicious, too.

Eat. Live. Be. for a Better 2011 – Work Food

My Update:  I had an 8 hour orientation today for my new job.  This involved a lot of smiling, nodding and so much  general pleasantness that I’m tired.

Oh, yes, and cute shoes:

Blowfish Naina Flats

(source)

Which got wet because it poured once I arrived.  Still, they survived without damage, so all’s good!

I also had the unfortunate embarrassment of having my stomach growl right before we were let out to get lunch.  Why does this have to always happen to me?  Others can be starving and not have a stomach that wants to vocalize it for all and sundry to hear.  Why can’t mine?

Add to that the one person I happened to be sitting next to was one of those people that don’t think you’ve noticed your own tummy growling and has to helpfully proclaim it out loud.

Le sigh.

This weekend involved a Chocolate Festival.  It was sugar coma inducing yumminess all around.  We ate our weight in chocolate (well, okay, that would be 1. not possible and 2. gross, but it certainly felt that way).

Our stash that we brought home. This doesn't include all that we ate while there.

Need I say more?

I tried my best to calculate what I ate, but I’m resigned to the calories being above and beyond even a “bad” day around here.  Still, it’s not like this is anything remotely normal, so it was a fun day out and a good time.  Just with lots and lots of chocolate.

iChallenge Week 43 Topic:  Work Food

No matter what shift you work, you’re more than likely needing to eat something while you’re there.  I’m working part time, but it still interferes with one of my meals so I’ll need to eat.

Knowing what to eat is very important and choosing the best option is critical.

• I have to take into account the protein and fiber levels of the foods involved so that I stay full for longer.

• I need to be sure that I also have the right calorie count so that I don’t sabotage my efforts.

• I also want my lunch to be “fun” so that means having something that I can view as a “treat”.

So, with all that in mind, here’s an overview of what I’ll be packing:

1. A homemade granola bar
2. Cut carrots (have to get my veggies!) with hummus
3. A pot with brown rice and curry (either a lentil or bean curry) OR
4. A pot of plain greek yogurt and a pot of kashi go lean to mix in

I’m going to start with that and see how it goes.  I’m hoping that my food choices are a good balance.  I think I have the whole grains down pat, plus the protein and the veggies to even things out.

Tomorrow is my first official day, so here’s for the best!

Confidence Project

Emmie of Skinny Emmie wrote a great post today that I can totally relate to: Being (insecurely) Confident

I, too, struggle with thinking postiviely about myself, primarily due to how I might be perceived.  I’m also horrible at comparing myself to others (so I might think I’m smart, but I’ll want to say “of course, but not as smart as…” right away).  It has always felt like a fine line between being modest and being negative.  Over the years, I think I’ve dipped more into the negative side of things than the modest.

Emmie challenged everyone to just list what they think they’re awesome at.  I love this idea, but it definitely makes me nervous!

So, here goes (gosh, I can already feel myself tense up!)

• I am confident because I’m a good cook.
• I am confident because I’m a dependable worker.
• I am confident because I always try to look on the bright side.
• I am confident because I stick to what I believe in.
• I am confident because I’m great at organizing things.

And I’ll stop there since I’m overcome with the feeling of being too narcissistic.  (I know!  That was the whole point of the exercise, but I’m blushing here. )

What are you awesome at?