9th Annual Chef Showdown Slideshow

 

Another great event: The 9th Annual Chef Showdown to benefit the Center for Community Solutions.

 

Learn more about this organization at www.ccssd.org.

 

I'm Gunna Let It Shine - Top 5 Highlights of 2012

I'm not going to lie to you. I had a lot going on in 2012 that prevented me from writing as much as I wanted to. Although that was the case, a lot of great things were happening behind the scenes and made me glad I had my little corner of the web. Here are my top 5 Sueshine items for 2012.

5. Top "Geek Out" Moment
Pumpkin Nutella Rolls gets Retweeted

For a fairly new blogger, it was a big deal for me when Pillsbury retweeted a link to my Pumpkin Nutella Rolls post. I think I literally did a happy dance in my living room.




4. Top Local Find
PubCakes

I missed out on "Taste of the College Area" but luckily, I found out about PubCakes through a flyer for this event. I'm usually not a fan of cupcakes but the unique concept intrigued me. What a great way to introduce excellent local beers to people who normally don't enjoy a cold one. Also, it's a great gift for that guy in your life. My stepdad enjoyed every bite of his birthday cupcakes. Thanks to PubCakes for adding my post to their press page on their website.





3. Readers' Favorite Post
Lemon Snow Cake

I love sharing my childhood memories with my readers and it seems like you guys enjoy it too. Who knew so many of you shared memories of George's Wonderful World of Cakes! Several people emailed me throughout the year about this post....sad about the bakery closing, sharing how when they visited San Diego, they would always make a stop for lemon snow cake, and even requesting that I make one for them.




2. Food for Thought
Food Blogger Bake Sale 
Cookies for Cody 
CCSSD - Chef Showdown 

I had the opportunity to be part of or invited to attend some great charity events in 2012. Sure there was great food involved but one of the newest things I was able to do as a food blogger was to give back a little. Although I do not have children of my own, kids have always have a way of sneaking onto my path. In 2012, I was involved in the San Diego Food Blogger Bake Sale which hopefully helped lots of kids fight hunger and Cookies for Cody which helped one brave little boy and his family in a time of need. Although not actively part of the Chef Showdown which helps the CCSSD battle domestic violence, I was invited to this annual event and had a chance to hear inspirational stories of strenght. I was so blessed to be part of these events and it made me realize that if and when the opportunity arises in which I can help a cause, all they need is ask and I'm there.




And #1 is.....
Lil Ms Sueshine Turns One

I hit a major milestone in 2012.....my first blogaversary. I had made it through my first year of blogging and learned a lot in that time period. I don't always follow the rules of food blogging but a fellow blogger of mine once told me to just do what I feel is comfortable and follow my gut. I've taken that advice with me for each story I tell, every picture I snap, and every yummy item I pop into my oven in the little red kitchen.




I'd like to thank YOU, my loyal readers, who have been so patient with me in 2012. Hopefully *knock on wood* I won't break my other leg and be out of commission for 2 1/2 months again or my day job will settle down enough so I can start sharing and making memories more often this year. Cheers to 2013!!

All Grown Up: San Diego Food Bloggers Bake Sale 2012

In the early days of my blog, I wasn't sure where I wanted to draw my focus. Obviously I wanted to talk about baking and occassionally to revamp or try recipes that were diabetic friendly. In my search for self discovery, I stumbled upon a blog called Meandering Eats and Marie was promoting the San Diego Food Blogger Bake Sale. I went to the sale held at Great News Cookware and Cooking School in Pacific Beach and got to meet a few local bloggers and try a few of their treats. After the sale, I blogged about the experience "When I Grow Up" and hoped that one day I would get to join this great group of bloggers and help raise money for a wonderful cause.

Less than one year later, I'm part of the San Diego Food Bloggers group and I have the opportunity to participate in this year's bake sale! I hope you can join us on Saturday, April 28 at Great News (1788 Garnett Avenue San Diego, CA 92109). Other than having the chance to try both sweet and savory treats from 40 local bloggers and bakers and doing a little shopping inside Great News (I can get lost in there for quite awhile), every purchase will be a contribution towards Share Our Strength's (Strength.org) fight against childhood hunger in America. I gave a few statistics about childhood hunger in my original blog last year and in researching for this year's bake sale, I came across a trailer for Hunger Hits Home: Our Problem, Our Children, Our Solution (See the documentary trailer here) that will be featured on the Food Network tonight. Unfortunately, it will already be playing on the east coast by the time I get this post up but luckily, the Food Network will be replaying it throughout the weekend and hopefully during the week.

Can't make it to the event? Visit San Diego Bloggers' Bake Sale page to make a donation, bid on one of the online auctions, or discover a new San Diego food blog. Not a San Diego local? Not to worry! Visit Bloggers Without Borders website which lists food blogger bake sales throughout the US. Last year,national food blogger bake sales raised $25,000. This year's goal is $50,000!

So what will I be baking for this fantastic event? Ideas have been rattling inside my brain for the past month on what I want to make and the problem is, I want to make it all! Of course I can't make it all but I did decide on making my Lemon Snow Cake...in a jar! Other items I'm considering are some kind of cookie and/or a mini pie. All of the items that I will be making for the sale (whatever they end up being) will be diabetic friendly whether they be made with Splenda, reduced sugar, or no sugar added. Other bloggers will also have vegan and gluten free items. I hope to see everyone there and a special thanks in advance if you can make it!

Taste N' Tinis 2011 - Eat, Drink, & Shop!

I was long overdue for another food tour of my fine city. I was also long overdue to get some Christmas shopping done. When I heard about Taste N' Tini's, I was all for it. I mean, how could you really go wrong with food, martinis, and some shopping in Hillcrest? I messaged my friend Ashley (the creator of my lovely Lil Ms Sueshine logo!) and asked her if she wanted to join me. Very few people understand my obesession about breaking out my camera right in the middle of a meal. Ashley does because she's usually right there doing the same thing. I had a great time and I'm glad I was able to try out a few new places. I'll definitely be going back try more menus. My favorite of the night: Snooze, an AM Eatery. I LOVE breakfast and that's pretty much their whole menu. I'll take one of everything please! 

I highly encourage people to explore their cities and these tasting events are a great way to do it. Enjoy the little video I put together!

Prescription for Pie & Mama's Pie in the Sky 2011

"With Thanksgiving coming up, don't deny yourself a piece of pie. Just don't keep going back for more and you'll be fine." -Dr. K

Me to my husband: "My doctor prescribe that I can have pie!

~~~

Okay, well not exactly. Of course, the husband didn't buy it so just like so many things that I REALLY want, I had to make it. I scoured the Internet for an easy pie recipe because this was going be the first time I had ever baked a pie from scratch. When I found a recipe for pecan pie, I was surprised to find that it didn't call for corn syrup because it's what gives pecan pie that sticky texture and sweetness that makes your jaw ache. I made a few adjustments to the recipe and this is what I came up with.

No Corn Syrup Pecan Pie

1 cup light brown sugar substitute

1/4 cup white sugar substitute

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

2 eggs

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans

1 ready made 9-inch, deep dish pie shell (by all means, make your own pie crust if you know how! I'm still taking baby steps with pie making)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a large bowl, beat eggs until foamy, and stir in melted butter. Stir in the brown sugar, white sugar and the flour; mix well. Last add the milk, vanilla and nuts. Pour into an unbaked 9-in pie shell. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Tent the pie edges loosely with foil then reduce temperature to 350 degrees. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until done. The center will move slightly but will firm up as it cools.

Adapted from www.allrecipes.com

I had a tough group of judges that Thanksgiving. A few of my family members grew up in the South and I wasn't sure if they were going to like this version of pecan pie. Initially, I only told my mom that I hadn't used real sugar or corn syrup. I tend to do that some times....not tell people that its "reduced sugar" or that I used sugar substitutes because they instantly give me that face that reads: "there is no way this is going to be good." I quietly sat as everyone ate my pie. I think they noticed that it didn't have the texture of a regular pecan pie. Unfortunately, I had over baked it. It was a little dry and turned out to be more like pralines but they still complimented it. When the pie tin was almost empty, that's when my mom let everyone know how I had made the pie and everyone was surprised. I've been getting requests all year to make the pie again for Thanksgiving. On Sunday afternoon, I made it again as a practice run for this Thanksgiving and it turned out much better...more like a traditional pie. Too bad my family knows my secret now.

~~

Are you in need of a pie for Thanksgiving but don't have time to make one from scratch? Why not order a pie from Mama's Kitchen (http://www.mamaskitchen.org/) for $20? Mama's Kitchen is holding their annual event, Mama's Pie in the Sky. They hope to sell more than 6,250 pies before Nov. 20, which will raise $125,000 and fund nearly 40,000 meals delivered to San Diegans who have HIV/AIDS or cancer.

Here's how Mama's Pie in the Sky works:

1. Visit www.mamaspies.org to purchase the Thanksgiving pies of your choice: apple, pumpkin, pecan, or no sugar added apple pies. If you have a friend or colleague selling pies, choose their name. Otherwise you can just purchase from Mama's Kitchen directly.

2. Select a convenient pick-up location. The pies will be available for pick-up at one of 19 Wells Fargo Bank branches throughout San Diego County or at Mama's Kitchen, located at 3960 Home Avenue, San Diego, Calif. 92115.

3. Go to the location you selected on Wed., Nov. 23 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to pick up your pie(s) from one of our volunteers. When you open your pie, you'll discover what baker prepared your pie.

4. To purchase a pie that will be hand-delivered to Mama's Kitchen's clients on Thanksgiving morning, select the "Love-A-Client" option. For every "Love-A-Client" pie purchased, the donor will receive an entry to win a 64MB iPad2.

There's even something for us diabetics with the no sugar added option. How awesome is that? So many great companies, caterers, bakeries, and individual bakers, including the San Diego Food Blogger's very own Jenny Williams from http://www.jennywennycakes.com/ (maybe you'll get one of her pies!) are participating in this amazing event. You too can participate by purchasing a pie for a great cause. Hurry because the last day to place your order is November 20th. What are you waiting for? Thanksgiving just wouldn't be complete without pie.

Thanks to Scatena Daniels Communications for providing the press release from Mama's Pie in the Sky 2011.

Diabetes Awareness Month, Team DiaBatman, and a Giveaway!

Note: Okay, so on my last Wordless Wednesday post, I said I would let everyone know where I've been and why I went MIA from my blog for a couple of weeks. I then realized I had a much more important topic to write about this week so I promise I will get around to writing about my most recent adventure.

When I was a little girl of about 7 or 8, I remember sitting in the living room with my biological father as he showed me how to draw a tiny drop of blood to test his blood sugar. At that time, I didn't understand what it meant and I'm sure I just wanted to go outside and play with my friends. Fast forward to my 1st year in college when I had to go to the student medical center to get a check up. I remember being told by the doctor that I was prediabetic and that I needed to start monitoring myself. At the time, like most people in their early 20s, I was in denial and didn't want to think about being "sick." As I entered my mid to late 20s, I started to notice I was getting tired all the time. My mom had recently gone to the doctor for a physical and she had been diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. Since diabetes is highly heredity, I decided it was time to face the facts that I needed to get myself checked.

This topic is not my usual light hearted subject about baking and recipes but just like baking, it's a topic that I hold very dear to my heart. November is National Diabetes Awareness month and along with 18.8 million diagnosed children and adults in the United States, I am a diabetic (type 2). I just wanted to share a few shocking statistics about diabetes:

Total: 25.8 million children and adults in the United States—8.3% of the population—have diabetes.

Undiagnosed: 7.0 million people

Prediabetes: 79 million people*

New Cases: 1.9 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older in 2010.

* In contrast to the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, which used fasting glucose data to estimate undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes, the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet uses both fasting glucose and A1C levels to derive estimates for undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes. These tests were chosen because they are most frequently used in clinical practice.

Under 20 years of age

• 215,000, or 0.26% of all people in this age group have diabetes
• About 1 in every 400 children and adolescents has diabetes

Age 20 years or older

• 25.6 million, or 11.3% of all people in this age group have diabetes

Age 65 years or older

• 10.9 million, or 26.9% of all people in this age group have diabetes

Diabetes can also cause complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system damage, and amputation when not controlled. In 2007, the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $174 billion.

Information obtained from http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/?loc=DropDownDB-stats

Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes yet. Many of us who are diabetic have to monitor our blood sugar everyday, exercise, and take medication such as pills or insulin. It's not an easy road but with your help, we're on our way. So how am I doing my part and how can you help this year? I'm doing it by assisting a family friend and her daughter who has a form of type-1 diabetes. Her name is Rachael Stickles and although we have two different forms of diabetes and our paths are very different, we share a common goal to make people aware of diabetes and agree that something needs to be done to find a cure. Read more about Rachael's journey here. On November 12, 2011, Rachael's team, Team DiaBatman and half a million walkers will be involved in the JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes in San Diego, CA. You too can help by donating on Rachael's page and help her reach her goal of $500. As of today, she's just about halfway there.

As an incentive to donate, I'm holding a small giveaway. Here's how it works:





1) Go to Rachael's Team DiaBatman homepage HERE and make a donation for any denomination. Enter your name to be listed on the Fundraising Honor Roll (you don't have to leave the amount you donated). Every dollar counts! In order to qualify for the giveaway, please make your donation by Saturday, November 12 at 9:00PM PST.

2) Leave a comment on this page letting me know you made a donation.

3) If you've already made a donation, to gain an extra entry, tweet a link to my blog and leave a separate comment with your Twitter name.

4)  The winner will be chosen at random using random.org. I will announce the winner on my blog on Sunday, November 13th. The winner then has until Sunday, November 20, 2011 to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

The winner will be sent a Jessie Steele hostess apron with the design on their choice such as the one pictured (value up to $30, picture from http://www.laylagrayce.com/ ). The giveaway is open to everyone and not limited to those in the United States.

I hope you will help Rachael reach her goal by making a donation today. Tune in next week for the announcement!

Please note that this giveaway is strictly for the promotion of Team DiaBatman & reaching their goal for the JDRD's Walk to Cure Diabetes. www.SweetSueshine.com  was not given anything by JessieSteele.com or any vendors that carry the line. The prize itself was puchased out of my own pocket because I just plain like the product, think they are ultra cute, and think every baker should have an apron. Shipping costs will also be covered out of my own pocket.

Wordless Wednesday: Taste of Downtown

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First Annual Gourmet Food Truck Festival 2011

It's true that food brings people together. Yesterday I got to hang out with two of my friends from high school, my friend's co-worker, and a few hundred foodie friends at the First Annual Gourmet Food Truck Festival at the beautiful Del Mar Racetrack. The festival featured 40 food trucks from all over Southern California. Although the lines were a little overwhelming and I didn't get the chance to try a lot of the trucks, I think the event definitely made people aware of how many different food trucks are out there. For me personally, it served as a launch pad for new foodie adventures! 

Slidertini from The Gathering Spot BistroTruck
(www.facebook.com/tgsbistrotruck)
Angus beef slider with dill aioli with sauteed mushrooms & onions, bruschetta. and topped with a cheddar cheese cube



HazelBerryAna from Crepes Bonaparte
(http://www.crepesbonaparte.com/)
Inside this crepe: Nutella, strawberries, & bananas

 

Several of the trucks featured on The Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race"
were at the festival including: Season One's Nom Nom (seen above), Ragin Cajun, Crepes Bonaparte & Season Two's Devilious (local San Diego truck) & The Lime Truck

More pictures from the event are on my Facebook page. Don't forget to click the "LIKE" button on the sidebar to your right :)
If you would like to find out more about the food trucks, where they will be, follow your favorites on Twitter, or upcoming events, here's a good resource so you can track them down: http://www.sdfoodtrucks.com/