Monday, April 5, 2010

April Fool's With a Vengeance

So you were pranked by your family last April Fool's and this has led you to device your own pranks for next year. But why wait? The best tricks come when you least expect it!

Well technically, it's still April and it is called April Fool's. So who says you can only prank people on April 1? Try these Foolproof Food Pranks from Disney Family Fun and have some lighthearted fun with your family:

COLORFUL CUPCAKES
The first surprise here: there's not a grain of sugar in these cupcakes. The second surprise: your kids will love them anyway.



Ingredients:

MEATLOAF
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
3 tablespoons ketchup
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

POTATO FROSTING
3 cups mashed potatoes
food coloring

Instructions:
1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 12 muffin tin cups with foil bake cups.

2. In a large bowl, mix together all of the meat loaf ingredients until well combined. Divide the mixture evenly among the lined cups (the liners should be about three quarters full).

3. Place the filled muffin tins on cookie sheets and bake the cupcakes for about 15 minutes or until cooked through.

4. Divide the mashed potatoes among three small bowls and stir a few drops of food coloring into each batch to create blue, yellow, and pink pastel frostings. Spread a generous dollop on each cupcake. Makes 12 cupcakes.

GELLED JUICE
A thirsty family member is the perfect target for this glassful of trickery that's impossible to drink. And since the undrinkable beverage is made by the batch, you'll be able to fool more than one person.



Ingredients:
lemon-flavored gelatin
red food coloring

Instructions:
Following the package directions, mix up a box of lemon-flavored gelatin (we added a drop of red food coloring to darken it). Pour the mixture into clear glasses and insert a drinking straw into each. Place the glasses in the refrigerator to set. When they're ready, serve the jiggling juice to the next parched target (or two!) looking for a cool drink.

FAKIN' AND EGGS
Trick your family with a tiny breakfast that's really a cleverly disguised dessert.


Ingredients:

FOR THE EGGS
3 tablespoons white chocolate chips
12 yellow M&Ms

FOR THE FAKIN'
1 square caramel
1 Tootsie Roll Midgee

Instructions:
1. For the eggs: Melt the white chocolate chips according to the package directions. Transfer the melted chocolate to a ziplock bag and snip off a corner.

Squeeze nickel-size portions of the chocolate onto a sheet of waxed paper, then gently press a yellow M&M, letter side down, into the center of each. Let the candies cool. Makes 12 eggs.

2. For the fakin': Remove the wrapping from a square caramel and a Tootsie Roll Midgee. Microwave the candies for 4 seconds to make them soft. Use your thumb and forefinger to slightly flatten each candy piece, then press them together.

Halve the candy, then stack and press the pieces into alternating layers.

Slice a 1/4-inch-wide piece from the stack. Pinch and stretch the piece lengthwise into a flat bacon strip, then cut it in half. Add ripples to each half by gently bending the edges. Makes 3 strips (6 pieces).

Have some food fun and let me know how your tasty little vengeance turns out!

Cheerios!
Rach

Friday, April 2, 2010

Hair Cut Short Cut

I never have enough time (or audacity) to try out new hairstyles. So I am pretty much stuck to one-length bobs until my hair grows long enough to merit a trim. It's simple, it's easy, it's practical and... it's boring!

Since it's the official Keep America Beautiful month (you read that right!), I'm here to help you out. If you feel stuck in a style rut like me and want some new flair to your hair (but don't want to go overboard with it), check out these three DIY tips from Bella Sugar.

* Tool Time
Been eyeing that odd-looking blow-dryer attachment for quite some time now? Make the investment in a new beauty tool and see where it takes you. Who knows? A change in curling iron barrel size might be all you need to get over a ho-hum hairstyle.

* Just a Little Tuck
As simple as it sounds, just by tucking one side (or both sides) of your hair behind your ear, you can create a variation on your look. For more drama, first create a deep part and tuck the non-heavy side behind your ear. To create faux bangs, loosely tuck and pin about two inches of your hair on the heavy side behind your ear, allowing the hair on top to cascade over.

* Change of Part
Whether you part on the left side, right side, or middle, your hair can get accustomed to lying a certain way. A switch in the way you part your locks will not only frame your face in a different manner, but it'll give you instant volume, too.

And here's a fourth one from us!

* Accessorize!
Sometimes, all it takes is one irresistibly adorable hair accessory to instantly update your hairstyle. Not only will it play up your style, it will also hold your hair in place so that it won't bother you. Just make sure that it's guaranteed non-slip! There are plenty of designs to choose from, depending on what suits your personality best. Fashion + function = what are you waiting for? ;o)

Here are a few favorites from No Slippy Hair Clippy's selection for Women and Teens:










PONDER, PONDER, PONDER...
What was your most daring hairstyle? Have you had your hair cut that you regretted having?

Cheerios!
Rach