The food business.

In my humble experience living in a large metropolis, city life is great. Who doesn't love all the different shops, the downtown experience, the crazy traffic...the crime...wait--wait--- I really do love living in a big city!

Back when Sam and I first lived here I was enthralled with Whole Foods Market. Who knew something like that existed? An organic grocery that supports local farmers and producers? My eyes were opened to all the different flavors, smells, and styles of cuisines. I would shop there regularly for my unrefined sugar and vanilla beans. Although very fine quality foods, WFM is rather pricey (and you have to deal with the pseudo hippies who run 40 miles a day). Therefore, I digressed to my usual Safeway, Costco, and Wal-mart for supplies. It's not a bad thing, but I can tell a difference in the quality of the foods I make.

In Summer farmer's markets start popping up around the city. It's also one of my favorite parts about living here. Specifically, there is one that is in a K-Mart parking lot every year. Their prices are a bit steep but the quality of the fruits and veggies are very good. I recently purchased peachcots (peach-apricot hybrids) and boy howdy--they are delicious. I have to be careful, at 6 for $5. I could easily eat a few for a meal! I also had the pleasure of purchasing their cherries. They were so ripe and sweet! A very nice treat. I only regret that they are not open as early as I get off work and not open as late as I come into work (I work nights). Wish I could purchase from them more often!

You could eat at a different restaurant here every night, have a different cuisine, and not repeat the same restaurant for at least 3 months. It's wonderful how many options you have for a night out but it also can be tough deciding which one to go to!

I'm sad to say that the restaurant closed. I don't remember if I told you or not, but thought I'd bring it up. I do not know why it closed, but assume it was for financial reasons. We weren't bringing in a whole lot of business, not as much as I had hoped. It's frustrating. In this big city having all the restaurants is great but you must compete for the business of the city. People trust big names. They are used to the bright shiny lights of Olive Garden and Texas Roadhouse. When you have a new place in town it can be hard to distract the big corporation's regulars enough to come eat at your small diner. It's all about networking, I've come to believe. It's who you know and who they know and how they can help.

The restaurant's closing has been a bit of an eye opener for me. If I ever want to open my own bakery or shop I have come realize many many things that should be done and a few things that shouldn't be done.

Customers. Offer great incentives for someone to come to you rather than someone else. Treat them with respect and be very gracious and thankful.

Product. Offer a product that is different or great enough to tempt your desired market. Keep improving and taking a close look at how your product can be tweaked.

Back of House. Keep straight books. Keep receipts. Stay up on bills. Be tidy and organized.

Design of Store. You NEED a cohesive theme, no matter what business you are in. The whole thing needs to come together- business cards to bathroom walls. Stick with a theme that is catchy, personal, and completely yours. Be different yet approachable.

Location. LOCATION. Find a good spot. Don't settle. People are vaguely interested in going out of their way to find you. They are less inclined to do so if it is in a shady neighborhood. Be careful.

Costs: You can be frugal without starving. You can cut costs without losing the final effect of the product or store theme/idea. Be wise about money. Buy secondhand and make it your own. Upgrade when you can. Don't think that you'll swim in $100 bills the first month. Be prepared to have your financial ups and downs. Save money. Save energy and money where you can in your store.

Service: Do it with a smile. You are being watched and critiqued each time you open and close your doors. People will start to associate you with your business. Be sure you are representing yourself and your business in a professional and upbeat manner even when you are off the clock. Always see complaints as a jumping pad for improvement. Welcome criticism and do it with a smile. Why should a customer come to you as opposed to Joe Blow next door? Treat the customers with respect. You should be very thankful they walked into your store. Show them you appreciate them by offering attentive service and a great quality product. No one wants to be forgotten, rejected, or ignored in life. The same goes for a potential customer walking through your door. Be available but not clingy. Be professional but still approachable. Be yourself! If you don't possess good 'people skills' I recommend practicing or taking a class. Get out of your element and be proud of what you offer.

To sum up. Pay attention to what you're doing. Pay attention to how often people come in and when they don't. Maybe you're doing something wrong and no one wants to tell you. Evaluate your team, your product, your theme, your system, and your business weekly, if not daily. Are you bringing in new clients? Are you able to retain them for repeat business? What's the word on the street about your store? Keep your fingers in the pies and your feet in the doors. A small gift basket or a card, business sharing perks, or a personal visit will do wonders for you. Put yourself out there. Check free local ads. Network. Business Cards. Free samples. Co-op with other businesses.


I don't know a whole lot about business but I have an idea about how a business should be ran. My mom started her own business when the company she worked for went under. She has been very successful. I doubt she realized how booming her business would be when she first opened shop. She must be doing the right things! She gets new customers daily, repeat customers weekly, and still loves her job.

Living in the big city affords many opportunities for business for the small entrepreneur but one must be careful and smart about business!

Amazing Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Wow. Life has happened. It's gone and done it again.

I have a deep regret. I haven't baked anything in a month. *GASP!* I, of course, make sandwiches and dinners for my hubby and I but have scarcely made a sweet. I threw some ingredients together to make homemade icecream a while back.

Honestly. How did time just pass me by? I've been working nights at my job. I enjoy it but find that when I want to do something, it's either dark outside or I'm beyond tired. I need a distraction.

Lately, I've been debating projects. Making Chandeliers, cupcake towers, sculptures, or taking an art class. I've also been pondering what I 'want to be when I grow up.' No matter what I think about wanting to do it always turns to something creative, whether in baking or physical arts. Sam has been encouraging me to print some photography and set up booth in a shop to have an art showing. Problem? Cost.

Why does everything have to be about money? More pointedly, why do we have to make everything about money? We turn and twist and distort what we love all in pursuit of making a buck (Hope Floats quote reference). We then end up mechanically doing something for the money and not remembering why we loved it in the first place. Am I a person with too much passion or too little motivation? I cannot say.

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Either way, a big bowl of Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream helps to dissolve the stresses of the moment.

Recepe from joythebaker.com

2 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
pinch of salt
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup smooth salted peanut butter (or more if you're a pbholic.)

In a sauce pan over medium heat, stir together 2 cups whole milk, sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Heat until the milk start to steam, but before it starts to boil.

In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1/2 cup of whole milk and the cornstarch. Stir until no lumps remain.

Add the cornstarch mixture to the heated milk and chocolate mixture and bring to a low boil.

Boil until thickened. The mixture will look the consistency of chocolate pudding. Remove from flame.

In a small sauce pan, heat 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Once boiling, remove from heat and pour over the chocolate chips. Let sit for 1 minute, then stir the cream and chocolate mixture until incorporated.

Stir the cream and chocolate mixture into the cooling chocolate ice cream base. Place in a bowl, covered with plastic wrap or a lid, and put in the fridge until cool. (VERY important. Let cool.)Once cool, follow the manufacturers instructions on the ice cream maker to churn ice cream.
Once the mixture has chilled and thickened in the ice cream maker, slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup of peanut butter. Don’t over mix. You want a nice ribbon of peanut butter running through the ice cream.

Transfer the ice cream into a freezer safe container and fold in the remaining 1/4 cup of peanut butter. Cover and freeze until solid.

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I found that you really need to melt the pb and drizzle in thin ribbons into the ice cream. Reason? Otherwise you'll end up with a big glob of peanut butter in teh ice cream that won't get soft until you're done eating the ice cream (or it's melted from waiting for the pb to soften).

Also, this ice cream is not for the weak of heart. This is some serious chocolate business. You might not be able to finish more than a scoop!



I hope life is going well for you. I hope the world is treating you kind. Most of all, I hope you're enjoying every moment!

cheers-

What a wonderful day!

What a wonderful day to be alive!

I hope you are doing well, friend.

I have been absent and neglecting my little dessert blog for quite a while. Isn't it amazing how life comes in the way, even with the best of intentions?

I have been making cheesecakes for a few friends lately, and I'm sad to say that's the extent of my bakery cakery skills right now. I'm just so busy with work or trying to find time to sleep and spend time with my family.

I will write when I can! Have a wonderful day!

Peanut Butter Layer Brownies

Here's the thing: I love Peanut Butter. I love Brownies. I figured...why not layer the two together? This recipe comes from a beloved restaurant of mine. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Whew, they're rich!

Peanut Butter Layer Brownies

1 box brownie mix

Prepare brownie mix as directed on box. Let cool.

2 cups pb

1 cup powdered sugar

1-2 cups heavy cream

Mix these three ingredients together to form a whipped peanut butter cream. It should be creamy and light. If you want it to be more fluffy and not as peanut buttery, reduce pb and add more heavy cream.

When creamy and whipped, spread in an even layer over brownies.

2-3 cups heavy cream

1/2cup - 1 cup powdered sugar

Whip cream and sugar until fluffy and light. Add enough sugar to make it sweet to your taste. The more cream you whip, the bigger the cream layer will be on the brownies! When whipped, spread evenly over the peanut butter layer.

Lastly, drizzle chocolate syrup over the top and sprinkle chopped peanuts or reeses cups if you wish. Enjoy!

Sorry for lack of pictures... I made these a few days ago and they were gone before I knew it. They are a big hit but VERY rich!!

Vanilla Ice Cream (Icecream Machine)

Forgive my absence.

Life got in the way! :)

I had a wonderful visit from my family a while ago and my parents bought me an icecream maker! If you're in the mood for some great homemade ice cream, this recipe is a surefire winner!

1 pint heavy cream

1/2 gallon half and half

1 3/4 cups sugar

vanilla extract

Pour all into ice cream canister.

Use ice and icecream salt to fill the outer edges around the icecream maker. Start and let churn until it becomes hard to churn.

Now is the time to add extras! Chop up candy bars, drizzle peanut butter or chocolate sauce, add fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries!

I took this to a friend's house for a dinner and all the guests raved about it! Sometimes with homemade ice cream you get that thick heavy cream film on the roof of your mouth. With this recipe, there is no filmy cream! It leaves your mouth refreshed and tastes creamy, not thick!

I've finally gotten used to my schedule at work---nights. It's a bummer I don't get to see many people anymore. I enjoy talking to the guests and giving them a smile.

Sam's little league game is tomorrow! First one of the season! I'm very excited for them. They've been practicing hard and long and I know that they'll do well.

It's a lovely cold and foggy day this morning. I drive the long highway to home from work around 8am. The fog races me down the pavement and sometimes cuts me off, leaving me in a cloud of white uncertainty. Soon the blur dissipates and I am able to make up lost time. The horizon fades into the sky from the mountains. It's a lovely sight. If only I had a cup of coffee and a blanket, I'd sit on the porch to enjoy the morning. Wait--- I do.... *smiles*

Have a lovely day, friend!

Quick Cheese Dip

Quick and delicious cheese dip doesn't have to be a mess or hard to make.

1 full block of velveeta, cut into chunks

2 cans of diced petite tomatoes, drained. (like rotel. I use offbrand and it is great!)

2 tbsp garlic powder

6 small slices jalapeno pepper

mix all together in a saucepan until fully melted.

Yup. Easy as that.

If you'd like, add a bit of cooked ground beef to make it a bit more tasty!

Things are busy around here! Sam and I are working opposing shifts so it makes it a bit hard to spend time together. We'll make do!

I went to an art show tonight for a local photographer. I bought a shot of a firebreather. It was really neat!

Enjoy your cheese dip! Grab some chips, a movie, and have a great night!

A heavier Thought

This post isn't about food but something a bit more weighty.



My heart is broken tonight.



An acquaintance notified me she got an abortion just 4 days ago.

I only heard her talk about how she couldn't afford another baby (she already has 2).

The only alternative to abortion that I know of is adoption- to have the baby and then give it up for adoption. I don't know much about that process. Is it costly or too difficult to go through the adoption process when you want to give up your baby?

My thought is that there MUST be some sort of program in action that is accessible to women and families of all financial backgrounds as well as religious and circumstantial.

I was thinking to myself about how 'radical' Christians protest abortion clinics and how Christians are notorious for being anti-abortion. Are those Christians then pro-preventive abortion? We must have the tools and know the right contacts when a situation like this arises.



What kind of love is it when Christians and "believers" protest abortion clinics and shun women who make the decision to abort? I believe all life should be cherished. I also believe it is our job as an obedient follower of Christ to take care of women and families in struggling situations, especially ones considering abortion.

I found a pregnancy service center here in the Springs for which I'm currently filling out a volunteer application. The way I see it, a program such as a pregnancy service center (which is also a Christian ministry. When are they not?) would obviously have many options and avenues available for expectant mothers who might be scared, nervous, or considering abortion. I would like to be a part of something like that. I would like to learn the inner workings of 'the system' and more specifically if the positive options alternate to abortion are accessible and a simple process (a process that a person can easily grasp and attain rather than being piled with paperwork and legalities).

I've never been close to anyone who has had an abortion. I'm not even close to the friend that told me of her recent news. All the same my heart clenched and mourned the baby who was lost. To save a life, would you or someone you know consider adoption? I don't know how it would have been possible for sam and I to pay for the pregnancy and adoption fees of the baby, just so the baby could live. Of course I understand this is not my burden to bear, but to what ends would you travel to save a baby?

As I said before this is a bit weighty for a food blog. I hope you don't mind. A baker needs to get her hands out of the dough somedays just like we need a daily dose of reality to stir us to action and love.

Have a grand week, dear friend.