Family critique, avatars and raw cupcakes, oh my

Well, last night I showed off my new blog to my family. My mom and sister definitely got a good laugh at what I wrote. That's what I get for not thinking before typing. They especially got a kick out of the part about me being "somewhat attractive."

Now, they weren't saying that I'm ugly. They were just surprised at how cocky I sounded, which is totally not like me. So, I apologize for my lack of modesty. I just couldn't find the best way to say I have a good personality without making everyone think I don't have a face to match it.

Ugh. After that blunder, it will probably be a while before I get up the confidence to actually post a photo of myself. For now, I'll just be a figment of every reader of this blog's imagination. Or, maybe I'll just post one of those cartoon avatars. Teri from the Daily Raw Cafe has one on her site. Check it out.

I love her blog. She updates it almost daily. If you want a better idea as to what a more gourmet version of raw eating is, she has plenty of examples.

Last week, I made the raw cupcakes she has on her site, except I used the coconut whipped cream from the Sunny Raw Kitchen website, another favorite of mine. Delish! Much better than their baked counterparts. I'll have to start bringing them to family birthday celebrations.

Whenever I catch myself falling off the raw wagon, it's usually due to a desire to fit in socially. No one in my family is raw, although some are willing to experiment when I bring a raw dish to share. I almost feel the need to indulge in unnecessary desserts at family functions just to appease certain family members.

For instance, in the past, I have been provided with special soy frozen desserts and sorbets (they understand that I won't eat any animal products), so I can still participate in the traditional cake and ice cream. Otherwise, with some advance planning, I try to bring some raw banana-based "ice cream" or a dense carrot or nut "cake."

Maybe if I start bringing some of these mini raw cupcakes, their festive look and tiny packaging might inspire others to try these little gems. I hope this post inspires you to do the same.

P.S. Check out my new avatar!