The Olympic Flames 2012

Let's celebrate the Olympians of this year with this bouquet of raspberry flowers bursting amidst a vanilla cheesecake. Go champions!

Happiness

Who says you can't have a slice of tangerine cheesecake for breakfast because it is not healthy?  If you think about it, it has all the elements of a balanced breakfast: carbs, protein and fat (flour, sugar, fruit, eggs, dairy and butter). So why is it then, that inspite of the combination, it is not the healthiest item on your plate when you start the day? The answer lies in the word 'balance'.  While all the components are accounted for, the balance is just on the wrong scale.  Hence the overall end product earns its designation as dessert- something to be eaten cautiously unless you are Heidi Klum (I am convinced that this wouldn't affect her gorgeously stunning profile either). 

Extrapolating this process to my life has made me realize that while I may have all the components present to make me happy (family, occupation, hobby and faith) unless I strive the right balance amongst them, I cannot win.  We hear about people who excel in their chosen path and we try to copy their success.  While chasing the super-success stories of people around us we must realize that one can truly excel in only one aspect of life and everything in between is all about BALANCE.  So pick up a spoon, dig into your favorite treat, sit back and think of  what would make you most happy and then choose wisely to bring in that happiness...

Woodsy Delights

Let's celebrate the end of the harvest season with some square dancing...A dance of a combination of delightful tastes and textures that is.  Here are some little bites of individual cheesecake squares coated in chocolate giving the crunch of sweet chocolate, the smoothness of creamy  cheese and the chewiness of the base all in one delightful bite.  A cool treat to take to a dinner party which has all the warmth of wonderful hosts.

Caramel Yogurt

Happy Fourth of July!  Sometimes the best treats on earth are the simplest ones.  This was an individual serving of caramelized yogurt topped with fresh handpicked raspberries and blueberries.  It is sometimes referred to as Indian cheesecake and is made out of yogurt, milk, sugar and caramel (yes, no eggs in this one).  But don't let the name fool you.  The sweet, smooth and velvety texture will transport you to your grandma's kitchen in one bite.  In my mind, a perfect way to end a summer barbecue and enjoy the fireworks!

Berry Burst Cheesecake

A comforting dessert for a simple gathering of friends at dinner is my all time favorite-cheesecake.  With spring close by and summer drawing near, berries come to mind.  Here in the northwest where we live, berries are not only plentiful but their colors and varieties are as lively as their tastes.  A raspberry cream cheese with glazed raspberries on a bed of your favorite cookies makes for the perfect delight.  I like to serve a slice with a small dollop of whipped cream. 

Tangerine Cheesecake

Happy Birthday to me!  (Now be nice, and please don't ask my age...) I love cheesecakes.  So I thought of treating myself to one on my own special day.  Tangerine cheesecake was made from cream cheese, eggs, orange juice, orange zest and a cookie crust.  I think it went down fairly well with everyone at home too as there were no leftovers :)

Ribbons of Cranberry (Cheesecake)

Long and cold winter months, rain everday and gray everywhere around where I live.  I needed to bring home some cheer.  Sugar is always the answer (literally and figuratively).  So I found myself baking a delicious cheesecake with a crust of Oreo cookies and topped it off with ribbons of cranberry- whipped cream.  This one didn't even last 24 hours!