Tears, smoothies and The Great Debate

Why the tears?

I watched Blood Diamonds yesterday; I was sobbing throughout the whole film. And by the end I just burst out into tears (it involved someone dying, but I don?t want to spoil the ending for anyone who hasn?t watched it yet). I would like to add that this does not necessarily mean that this film is that sad. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I?m the kind of person who could burst into tears for any sad story (the downside of empathy, I guess?).

Anyway, it was the kind of film that really made you think about ethics. At a certain point, someone said: ?People wouldn?t buy these diamonds, if they knew it cost someone they?re hand? and it made me think is that really true? Don?t we often choose to ignore what?s inconvenient? (Name that movie!) Excuses that came along were: ?Yeah, but they would kill each other anyway? and ?But there?s a demand? and of course the usual ?If only I stop, it won?t make a difference.? It kind of reminded me of the excuses that people come up with for not trying to take care of the environment or not cutting down on meat/dairy. That?s just my view.

And to go back on the blood diamonds, I thought this poster was very disturbing/awakening/stirring? I?m not sure what the word is for it, but anyway, here it is:

What price for these diamonds?

It?s a French Amnesty International poster (translated the text in the caption). I don?t know how many people buy (blood) diamonds, in any case I know I don?t have the money for them; as most people. According to the internet/movie, it mostly went into wedding rings, and I know (now) for sure, that I?d rather NOT have a diamond ring than have THAT on my conscience. Food for thought?

Onto more happy, more edible things now! I?ve been feeling a little bit better, but in need of energy to do all the homework that I?ve been ignoring (hehe?) so I whipped up a batch of something energizing and revitalizing:

Shakespeare + Maths = Need for Smoothie?

I feel like I?m on a roll with this phrase today so that?s what I?m calling the smoothie:

Food for Thought Smoothie (pun intended)

Smootherize?

Bananas for general brainpower, flaxseed for omega-3 brain fuel, a cucumber for hydration and a date for the sugar rush.

Now for The Great Debate!

A while ago, I asked Jenny what here stance was on the great muffin vs. cupcake debate and she gave me an answer just the other day:

Good question, chica! I’ve never even thought to consider the difference between a cupcake and muffin because I’ve just grown to accept that both are delicious but now that you mention it, I’m intrigued. So I did a little research and found some information here:

The quick-and-dirty answer on this is that cupcakes have frosting, whereas muffins do not. However, in researching, I found an excellent formulaic definition of the difference courtesy of Diana’s Desserts: “A basic formula for muffins is 2 cups flour, 2-4 tablespoons sugar, 2½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 egg, ¼ cup oil, shortening or butter and 1 cup milk. When the fat, sugar and egg ratio in a recipe reaches double or more than this, you have reached the cake level.”

Interesting, no? as far as my opinion on the muffin/cupcake debate, I’d have to say cupcakes all the way. I love me some frostaaaaaang. How about you all? muffins or cupcakes?

I did a little research myself too and I found an answer I thought was most befitting.

A New York Times food writer asked a pastry chef friend this very same question and he said:

?’Nothing,’ he said, explaining that when it comes to breakfast, Americans have a Puritanical inhibition. ‘Muffins are just an excuse to eat cake for breakfast’?

Ain?t that the truth!

(source: Cakespy; very good site: full of amazing baked pics)

Personally, I?d have to say cupcake too. But you know you can?t have cupcakes everyday, they?re more of a treat for special occasions. Muffins on the other hand have a more humble air about them (though something tells me it might not be a good idea to have those everyday either?). As for the frosting/no-frosting argument, there are muffins with frosting and cupcakes without frosting, so I?m not sure if that?s always applicable.

To add another cake to the mix: RAW CUPCAKES! RAW MUFFINS! I?ve been meaning to try them for a while, I know there?s one recipe I?ve been eying for a while: Rawtess Cupcakes

Shannonmarie?s Rawtess Cupcakes

Can you say "yum"?

Be sure check out Shannonmarie?s site, she?s got so many amazing rawcakes!

Because this has been such a philosophical post for me, I?m going to go ahead and ask you a couple of question, so I can get your views on it: