Happy Friday Eve all!! Sometimes my job can be “tough”…..not as in hard, but, as in, I had to go Cupcake Tasting Today!!! I am sure I could’ve opted out, but, ummmm, who does that?! 
It’s a good thing I was up at 5 am to get my workout in to “earn” those cake bites!
I think I have decided that a banana is a better pre-workout snack and watermelon is better post workout because of the water content.
I did love the combo of TJ’s Peppered Turkey Bacon and Melon though (2 points+)
Today’s workout session was a face paced weight workout with no downtime.
5 minute warm up on the treadmill followed with a little stretching
Then, I did 3 sets of 10-12 on each of the following always in constant motion
* Leg Press and Chest Press
* Calf Raises and Bicep Curls
* Hamstring Curls and Static Tricep Press
* Lat Pull Downs and 60 Crunches (regular, oblique’s and leg raises)
* Seated Row and Sumo Squats
* Keeping up with my New Year’s Goal of 25 push-ups a day in April!
* 5 minutes of deep static stretching
Post workout I snacked on a nectarine, Light String Cheese and Egg (3 points+)
I promise today is the LAST day you will see the Chicken Tamale Casserole….It’s just really THAT good I can eat it 3 days in a row and not be tired of it! (7 points+)
Another FANTASTIC salad made by my co-worker (3 points+). I am completely addicted to the combination of TJ’s Spicy Peanut Dressing with any type of nut and dried fruit with greens and carrots…..Delicioso!
After lunch we had to take a ROAD TRIP to check out Love At First Bite Cupcakery.
OMG ~ I totally wanted to take this entire bin of buttons (one for each day/mood!) I refrained and settled for a picture, but, seriously, I am going back when I can look through the entire bin 
Cupcake deliciousness was everywhere!
Mini’s!!! Ok, so I could just take the buttons and these mini’s and be super happy!
You see the reason for the road trip was that we have to “test” out the bakeries by us for our Birthday Celebrations. Luckily there were plenty of people willing to chime in and taste away with us.
We cut up all the cupcakes into bites and I had 6 bites…..you know, to try them all (6 points+ estimate).
FAVORITE ~ The Hummingbird (top left)
“a delicious Southern cake with bananas, pineapple & pecans, topped with cream cheese frosting”
Did I mention yet that I am addicted to that fruity/nutty/peanutty salad combo?!
* Organic mixed greens, carrots and mini pepper
* 1 Tbsp Dried Apples, Apricots and Cranberries (2 points+)
* 1 Tbsp Roasted Walnuts (2 points+)
* 2 Tbsp TJ’s LF Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette (2 points+)
I decided on just one Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Shell since I wasn’t super hungry (all I really wanted was more of that salad…..how weird am I for wanting salad over pasta?! 
) At least what I am craving is really good for me! (4 points+)
Don’t worry, I still have a RECIPE for you all tonight. After dinner I had to make up my Vegan Pasta Salad for The Husband’s work BBQ tomorrow.
Click HERE for the recipe…Did I mention it’s only 4 points+ for a Heaping Cup!?
Side Note ~ I finally found a cloth to clean my lense so you shouldn’t see the blurriness on the left anymore!
NEW AT FRIENDS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
* Shannon whipped up more Mini Donuts ~ 2 Points+ Lemon Cake Donuts ~ Click HERE!
In other SUPER COOL NEWS, I have a HUGE Earth Week Giveaway lined up for you all ~ as in you will have the chance to win a FULL YEAR’S SUPPLY of Organic Goodies…Giveaway starts on MONDA!
Q’s
What is the MOST DELICIOUS cupcake you have ever had?
For me, it’s Sift Snicker Doodle Cupcakes hands down! My new favorite though is this hummingbird….there is something about bananas, nuts and cream cheese that are just make for each other.
Night all!
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m making the chicken dish tomorrow – can’t wait! Man, I need a mini-donut pan. YUM!
HEY Danica!!! CUPCAKES, yum! I absolutely love the Banana Caramel Cupcake at Kara’s Cupcakes. YUMMY YUMMY in the TUMMY!! Banana cake with caramel filling topped with cream cheese icing. Mmmmmm!!
Carbzilla, I SO agree!! I just ordered one on amazon! Danica is costing me lots of $$$. But it is so worth it!!
I know this has absolutely nothing to do with cupcakes but since you are such a fan of TJ’s I was wondering if you were familiar with this website?:
http://www.traderjoesfan.com/
What a GREAT job!!!! Cupcake tasting should be a profession, don’t ya think?!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…. cupcakes!
HI Linda,
I have ~ it’s a great site with so many ideas. Thanks for the reminder that I need to visit it more
Danica
Oh, cupcakes!!! Mmmm! I actually had cupcakes at my wedding instead of cake, and we had 10 different unique flavors (like cinnamon roll, chocolate chip cookie dough, key lime, mounds, etc.) My favorite cupcake was one of the ones we had at my wedding, which was chocolate covered cherry. So good! Chocolate and cherries is my favorite combination.
Cupcakes are just so right at times. I love anything with cream cheese frosting and my favorite cupcake ever was Dean and Deluca ,just white cupcake with almond icing. I really like carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese icing too.
The chicken recipes looks awesome ,another one I am clipping with springboard. I love pins like those in the jar,how fun? Have a great weekend!
Oh it’s so amazing all the different kinds of cupcakes that can be made. I am boring and only ever make chocolate or vanilla. LOL. I would love to have tasted the oreo one
One of the best cupcakes I’ve ever had is an Earl Grey cake with lavender frosting.
The best cupcake I ever had was from a cupcake specialty shop in LA (can’t remember the name)… Was definitely the best red velvet cupcake ever. We looked up the stats and I think it was like 500 cals for the whole thing?! lol.
Because of your blog, I am completely addicted to turkey bacon right now. I want it on EVERYTHING!! I have a couple of those buttons–they are so cute! I have the Sweet (tooth) and the Health (nut). Perfect combo!
Hi Danica. I love your blog and have been reading it for awhile…your ideas and adventures are awesome! Those cupcakes look good. I have a question…where do you find your Wonton Wrappers? All I can seem to find are rice paper. I have checked the freezer sections and come up with nothing. I live in Canada and I dont always have the same product as you show…but this seems simple. So wish we had a Trader Joes….that place looks like it has the best stuff.
Shannon…oh and any kind of chocolate cupcakes….I adore!!!!
Hi Shannon,
You should be able to find the Won Ton Wrappers in the produce section where they have the fridge items like the Japanese noodles, tofu, etc. Another option might be a specialty Asian Food Store.
You know, I am not sure why they don’t have a Trader Joe’s in Canada since over half the products ship from Canada – go figure. Maybe it’s a good reason to come visit the US
Have a great weekend!
Danica
I love those buttons almost as much as I love the look of those cupcakes! FUN! Have a great Friday Danica!
I’m loving cupcakes lately too–just made a batch of Carrot Cupcakes today!
I’ve heard of hummingbird cake before… sounds pretty dang magical!!
Hi,
I am heading to Berkley tomorrow and can’t wait to try those cupcakes! Any suggestions for somewhere to eat for lunch???
Kristine
HI Kristine,
Yeah!!! I absolutely LOVE these two places.
Cafe M
http://www.cafemberkeley.com/
Here is my post when I went there
http://danicasdaily.com/caf-mmmmmmmm/
The Pasta Shop
I didn’t see a website for them, but, you can check out my post yesterday ~ it’s on 4th street where there is a bunch of fun stores for shopping.
http://danicasdaily.com/meat-market/
But, I’ve heard Bette’s Diner is pretty awesome too (I hear it gets crowded).
http://www.worldpantry.com/bettes/home.html
I have also been to Tacubaya which has decent prices and supports local/organic. I LOVE that….
http://tacubaya.net/
Here was my post when I went there and what we ordered
http://danicasdaily.com/taco-tuesday/
OHHHH and in the same shopping center as the cupcake place, there were a few places that looked delicious including a pizza place that had pizza that was like 2 inches thick!
There are so many great places down here I don’t think you can go wrong! I WISH I was going into the office tomorrow because I would totally meet you somewhere
Do tell where you go and what you try. I am on a quest to try all the restaurants down here
Danica
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