| Home Run Birthday Party |

This week our little man turned 1!!! The day started with Wes (my husband) and I talking about the whole process of getting Cruz here. Looking back on the whole experience just amazes me. Now I am going to get a little spiritual here, because there is no other way I can go about this topic. My testimony of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Happiness/Salvation is more real than it has ever been for me before.  Why? You may ask. First off, Cruz is a literal miracle. I was told that after a couple of miscarriages and complications that I would not be able to get pregnant again, let alone carry a child full term. My husband and I did not want to hear that. I took it very hard because I know how much Wes was looking forward to being a father. So, we decided together that we were not going to take "NO" for an answer. It was a hard time for me personally because I had to slow my schedule down quite a bit. I was working very hard, and very crazy hours. 3 a.m. - 3 p.m. Then instead of napping I would get my running shoes on or jump on my road bike and train for whatever upcoming race I had. I thought I was in the shape of my life. I could go for miles and miles and not tire. I was unstoppable in my mind. That was until I started having weird things happen to my body. I finally went in to the doctors and they ran lots of tests. My body fat was abnormally low, especially for a woman. And my hormones were both crazy high and crazy low at the same time. There were times were they could barely detect some essential hormones for me to get pregnant. So, it was then and there we decided it was time to make some changes in my life. I quit that schedule cold turkey and started up a completely different one. I started having down time, relaxing and taking care of my body. Now that doesn't mean I quit working or working out/training for events I just cut back a little bit. After a couple of months of failed attempts to get pregnant again I got frustrated. I didn't know what to do. I thought I was doing all I could to be healthy and able to carry a child. We finally decided that if it was ever going to happen it was going to be a miracle and so we just relaxed on trying. I decided that I was going to finally open up a Cupcake Shop/Catering business store front to fill my time. We found the perfect little location and business just exploded. It was such a fun yet demanding thing. I loved what I was doing, I had the opportunity to meet a lot of amazing people and cater awesome events. Time just seemed to fly by. A couple months after the grand opening, I got horribly sick. I lost a lot of weight, weight I shouldn't have lost in the first place. Couldn't eat, drink or sleep. One morning before I was getting ready to go into the shop, my husband and I went to Rite Aid, just down the street from us to pick up some medicine my doctors had called in for me. We got to the check out line and paid. When we got home I was looking thru the bag of medicine and gatorades and there was a pregnancy test my husband had secretly bought without me knowing. He told me that he had a feeling we should just check. I got frustrated because by that point we had gone thru SO many tests that I was almost numb to the whole "Negative" popping up. So, I took the box of tests (which had 2 in it) and peed on the dang stick. I put it on the side of the bath tub while I was washing my hands, picked it up to just glance down and thought I would see a negative and threw it away. Well, thing was... I picked it up and saw a "POSITIVE" and threw it away by force of habit. I was getting ready to open the door and walk out when I wasn't completely sure of what I saw. I curiously went to the bathroom vanity, went to the garbage can and picked up the test and was completely shocked. So me being me, I opened the other test and peed on it once again just to see if it was a fluke thing. Crazy enough, the second test came out positive as well. After being in the bathroom for 5 minutes at this point my husband yelled down the hall way to see if I was ok. I answered "yes" be out in a sec. I walked out, holding the sticks behind my back and just hugged him. He knew not to ask about the test because of past experiences, but I finally pulled away from the hug and showed him the very clear "Positives". He looked at me almost confused, and then we both couldn't help but almost laugh/cry after the long journey. The rest is pretty much history. I was told at 35 weeks that I was dilated to a 4 already and that he would be here very soon. I tried to prepare as much as possible... And just waited. Weeks went on and I hit my due date. Yet, no baby. He was cozy in my belly and still healthy and active. We finally set an Induction date at the hospital because we were done waiting to meet the little buddy. The morning of September 3, 2013 we checked into the hospital at 4:45 a.m, got comfortable in my hospital room and just waited. My contractions started coming on very strong and I didn't know what was going on because I didn't think that they had hooked me up to the PIT yet. They didn't. I was finally in labor!!! They ended up giving me some pitocin to speed up the process for me. I got my epidural and just thought in a couple hours he will finally be here. My water broke not too long after that, family surrounded me with excitement and the time came when Dr. Judd walked into the room and said "Whit, you're ready! Now are you ready to have this baby?!" The excitement overwhelmed me. And yet I was terrified at the same time. Wes was standing right by side me holding my hand and just gave me a little squeeze and said, " We can do this... YOU can do this" I knew with him by my side I could do anything. So I said, Lets do it! After 3 good pushes, my beautiful son was out and just staring at my husband. They were best friends already. I couldn't help but cry because of the amazing joy and happiness that instantly came over me. They handed our son to me after wrapping him up and I knew then and there that my life would never be the same. That experience really was amazing and I will never forget all of the amazing feelings I felt. Now after a year of lots of hard work and learning, my son is just growing faster and faster. He amazes me at how smart he is. He is walking, almost running everywhere, blabbering "mama" "dada" "ball" so many cute little words, and so much more. He has brought so much happiness into our lives and I would never wish for anything more. He is my best little buddy and I am so blessed to be his mama. I learn so much from him everyday.

On to less emotional and personal words... On his birthday, we decided to throw him a little "Baseball Birthday Party" He loves playing with his cousins and friends/family. So we had everyone over and celebrated the little guy. Here are some pictures form the fun night.

We had so much fun celebrating our little bud, I cannot wait for the years to come!!!

-wb

Pumpkin, Oatmeal & Chocolate Chip Cookies

Fall flavors are probably one of my favorite things in the world. Especially PUMPKIN!!! I have already made my share of yummy pumpkin desserts and it's only August! 

I decided to share one of my favorite recipes as of late: Pumpkin, Oatmeal & Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are simply delicious, and so dang easy to make. So here is the recipe!

PUMPKIN OATMEAL & CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES RECIPE: 

1 C Softened Butter

1 1/4 C Light Brown Sugar

2/3 C Granulated Sugar

1 Large Egg

1.5 C Pumpkin Purée 

1 tsp Vanilla Extract 

2.5 C Flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp nutmeg 

1/4 tsp salt 

1.5 C Oats

1.5 C of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

•Preheat Oven to 400 Degrees F. 

•Prep 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

•Cream Butter and sugars. 

•Add egg, vanilla and pumpkin. Mix well. •Add dry ingredients. Mix until combined. 

•Use a ice cream scoop to scoop the batter onto cookie sheets. Spacing them 1-2 inches apart. 

•Bake cookies, one sheet at a time on 2nd to lowest rack space for 12-14 minutes.

•Once done baking, take off cookie sheet and place on cooling rack. 

•Let cool for about 1 hr.

•ENJOY the Chocolate and Pumpkin goodness!!! 

fresh & delicious: smoothies and juices

Throughout this entire pregnancy, the thing I have craved the most is fresh, ice cold drinks. Whether it be water, soda, juices, shakes or smoothies. Both of our fridges consists of about 80% liquids and 20% solids.. Thankfully, my husband doesn't mind it too much.  Or he is just being sweet and not saying anything about it.

Well, now that I am in my 3rd Trimester and getting close to being done with this pregnancy, I found that I am craving more and more healthy, wholesome foods. The same thing happened with my first baby and just thought it was just a little craving. But, just like with Cruz (my first child) the craving just continues to get stronger and stronger as the weeks go by. I guess the little dude needs those extra vitamins and minerals to get his strength up to keep up with his crazy active big brother. Thankfully, I LOVE fresh fruits and veggies. And, I bought all the cool kitchen appliances (A juicer, magic bullet etc..)  last year when I went thru this phase. So this time I just have to go to the store and buy all the food.

So, this post today will be mainly about a couple of yummy, healthy and easy drinks I have made in the last week or so that I think my readers will enjoy. So here we go! On to the recipes!!!

Chocolate Smoothie:

1 C "Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk"

1 Frozen Banana

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Tbsp Cocoa

Ice 

Instructions:

Add all ingredients into a blender. Mix well. (Add as much ice as you would like to give you the thickness you desire) 

Pour into a cup, and enjoy!

______________________________________________

Apple & Carrot Juice:

1 bag of baby carrots

4 Green Apples

Instructions:

Wash Veggies and Fruits. Cup and Peel apples. Put all ingredients into a juicer. Let it sit in fridge for an hour or so to set up. Shake well. ENJOY! Keep refrigerated.

_______________________________________________

The Citrus Booster:

4 Large Pink Grapefruits (peeled)

3 Large Oranges (peeled)

1.5 Lemons (peeled)

Instructions:

Cut up all fruit into medium bites. Combine all, put in a juicer. After you have juiced all the fruits, put juice drink in the fridge and let it sit for about 1-2 hours. Once the drink has set up, shake well and enjoy the citrusy goodness!!! Keep refrigerated.

|chocolate mousse cups|

     As promised, I am going to post about the delicious little cups of heaven I have been making lots of lately... Chocolate Mousse Cups!!! 

These are such a fun and easy way to bring a little gourmet touch, taste and look to any party. 

THE RECIPE:

Chocolate Mousse Cups

1 Cup of Milk

2/3 C of Heavy Cream

1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract

1 Bag of Mini Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

2 Large Eggs

Directions:

In a saucepan, bring to a boil the Milk and Cream. Add vanilla and take off of the stove. Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, chop up the chocolate chips. Keep them in the processor. Once chopped well, pour the cream/milk mixture over chocolate chips in blender. Mix in blender for about 1 minute. Once blended, add eggs, one at a time. Mix well for about 2 more minutes. While its mixing, set your dishes or cups out on a cookie sheet. I will usually use little bowls or mini clear shot glasses. Pour cream and chocolate mixture into dishes about 3/4 the way full. once you have filled all of your cups/dishes put sheet of desserts in the fridge and let them set up for about 4-5 hours.

Once desserts have set up, top with Whipped cream, chocolate shavings and a fresh fruit and you have yourself a cute little gourmet treat!

ENJOY!!! Let me know how you like the recipe. 

-wb

                    

                                           

{ Back to Baking }

Recently I decided to start taking catering jobs again....Ever since Cruz was born I have been very busy with work, being a momma and a wife. So I cut down on taking catering jobs and just focused on family and the important things.

Well, this is my first week back into the baking business and I must say I have missed it dearly. I booked quite a few jobs the first week being back in it. I cannot wait to start posting about all the fun parties I will be doing this summer.

This week I had the opportunity to do a "Beachside/Poolside" Birthday Cake and a "Hot Air Balloon" Cake for some very sweet families. 

Beach/Poolside Birthday Party 

Hot Air Balloon Cake

Hope you liked it. I think they both turned out pretty cute. :)

If you or anyone you know is in need of cakes, catering or anything sweet for any size of event you can contact me at: 801.857.0596 (call or text)  or feel free to 

email me: whitney.berge@gmail.com

ENJOY!

-whit

Peanut Butter & Coconut Cookies

The past couple of days I have been having a lot of fun experimenting with ingredients I have never used for baking. Hence, all of the fun new recipes this weekend.

This is a little embarrassing, but I have never used coconut oil.... for anything! Coconut oil had been an ingredient in lots of recipes I have been wanting to try so, I decided today was the day. I bought myself some and went to work.

Peanut Butter & Coconut Cookies Recipe:

3/4 C Creamy Peanut Butter

1/2 C Softened Coconut Oil

1 C Light Brown Sugar

1 Large Egg

1 1/4 C White Flour

1 Tsp Baking Soda

1 Tbsp Vanilla

1 Tsp Salt

Instructions:

1: Gather all of your ingredients. Measure each one out to make sure you have enough.

2: In a mixing bowl combine: Peanut Butter, Coconut oil and Brown Sugar. Mix on medium speed for about 3-5 minutes until mixture is light and fluffy. Add the Egg. Mix again for 1-2 minutes.

3: Add the Vanilla, Baking Soda and Salt to mixing bowl. Mix for 1-2 minutes.

4: Add the Flour to the mixing bowl. Start mixing by pulsing the mixer, once the flour is somewhat combined, mix until dough looks well combined.

5: Scrape bowl down with a flexible spatula. Mix one more time.

6: Preheat oven to 350 Degrees.

7: Prep the cookie sheet by putting parchment paper on it or just by spraying the sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Set close by, but out of the way for a minute.

8: Un-lock the mixing bowl from the stand. Get a medium sized ice cream scoop or just use your hands and start rolling the dough into the size and shape you want. Once you have the sizes and shapes you want, place dough on the cookie sheet. Space them about 1-2 inches apart. 

9: Place cookie sheet in the oven. Depending on the size of the cookie, for Med/LG cookies cook for 10-11 minutes. For smaller sized cookies, 7-9 minutes. Make sure to NOT overcook. Burnt cookies are NEVER fun.

10: For an extra little sweetness, after the cookies were right out of the oven, I smashed the cookies down a bit and I sprinkled "Sugar in the Raw" on top.. It makes the cookies that much better.

11: I like my cookies to be cool when I eat them. So let them sit out at room temperature and the place in an air tight baggie or container and stick in the fridge, or, if you're anxious, like you should be with this recipe just eat them warm! 

Hope you enjoyed this recipe. Let me know how you liked it, and if you did anything different. I love to hear your feedback.

-Whit

Sweet Tooth: Cinnamon & Sugar Caramel Apples

One of my latest cravings has been "Apple Pie Caramel Apples" from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. I find them simply delicious. I could eat 1-2 a day. I mean, its an apple so its good for you right?! ;) Well, I decided to have some fun and make my own. I made them like nachos.. You can eat them with a fork or just as finger foods, either way, they are amazing. Here is what I did...

Start with a Granny Smith apple. 

Wash and Dry the apple. (make sure you dry it very well)

Slice the apple however you'd like. I just cut it into 10 pieces.

Unwrap your caramels. (That is, if you are lazy like me and don't want to make your own caramel right now.) If you do, props to you. My craving was just a little too strong to wait on making some fresh delicious homemade caramel)

Put caramels in a sauce pan over Med/High heat, stir until caramels are completely melted and in gooey/liquid form. Set aside and let it cool just a bit.

Prep your toppings. I just used white chocolate chips, melted and in chip form, and of course, cinnamon and sugar.

Dip, Drizzle and ENJOY!!!

Let me know how you like your "Apple Nachos"

 What are you favorite toppings???

-Whit