Ice Cream Cone Cup Cakes

 
I like to try different things that are unique so when I saw on line an easy method for making cup cakes I thought I would give it a try.

It called for ice cream cones and cake mix.  Easy enough!  We went to the local store and bought a box of ice cream cones and ready to use cake mix.

We mixed the cake mix as directed and filled each cone, approximately 20 half full and baked at 325 degrees until done (about 20-25 minutes) or as directed on the box for  cupcakes.


The results were great at first.  When they have cooled down you can add toppings - either frosting, ice cream or whip cream and they make a great dessert or an awesome treat for a kid's party!


The only draw back is not to store any of the left over cake filled cones for later use.  They do get soggy when saved.  You can pop them in the oven for about ten minutes to crisp them back up somewhat but they are best used right away! Make only enough for the party that you are having.  Fresh is best for this idea!

CJ's Meatloaf

Ingredients:

2 lbs of sirloin ground beef
1 pkg of meatloaf mix
1/2 cup of ketchup
2 pieces of bread toasted and fine crumbled (or use ready to use bread crumbs)
1 egg
1/2 cup of salsa
1 bell pepper (food processed to a part liquid consistency.
1/2 onion (food processed with the bell pepper)
1 tablespoon of steak seasoning
1 teaspoon of basil
1 teaspoon of parsley
2 Tablespoons of minced garlic
1 cup of shredded cheese ( I like mexican cheese mix or cojack cheese)

Mix together and put in a baking pan.  Make sure that the baking pan is big enough in size so that any liquid boiling will not boil over in the oven. It is best to put a baking sheet underneath.

I bake at 375 degrees covered in aluminum for about 1.5 hours.  Make sure the meat is cooked in the center.

You can add any type of seasoning you like that is handy and goes good with hamburger meat.  I like to add Italian seasonings because it is a combination of different ones and I especially like fresh oregano from the garden and anything else I can pick to go in to it. 

There is a lot of seasoning from the meatloaf mix but since I use 2 lbs to have plenty leftover for meatloaf sandwiches the next day or two I find I need to add a little more zest to the flavor.  The salsa does that too. 

With meatloaf you can experiment.  I sometimes puree vegetables to a juice consistency and put them in.  Those picky eaters have no clue and they have told me when I did a combination of peas and green beans that it was the best meatloaf they ever had!!  So I told them.....big mistake.  Some secrets are best left unsaid.

Enjoy!

My Morning Fruit and Protein Shake

I don't seem to eat enough fruit each day so I have started making a shake in the morning before leaving for work that is filled with a combination of protein, fruit and calcium. I vary with the fruit and sometimes I just throw it all in for a great flavor.

Ingredients in this order:

12 oz Coconut Milk ( sometimes I mix organic non fat or almond milk with it)
4-5 pieces of each frozen fruit (blueberries, strawberries, peaches, mangos or any other type you like)
1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil
1 scoop of whey protein mix vanilla flavor
1 multi vitamin
1 vitamin D pill
1 or 1/2 bananna (optional)


Then I mix it in the blender for about 3-4 minutes.  The longer I blend it the creamier it becomes and the frozen berries makes it extra cold.  I try to start my day off with this and I can actually feel the extra energy I have throughout the day.  You can modify it to fit your taste.  Add wheatgrass or use soy milk.  My preference is Coconut milk.  It actually has more calcium than milk in most cases.  If I want more of a coconut flavor I throw in a handful of shredded coconut before blending.