National Cupcake Day

December 15, 2010, is National Cupcake Day, but in honor of this week’s final weigh-ins for the Moore Consulting Group Wellness Challenge, many MCGers will not be taking part in this especially sweet holiday which recognizes an American icon since the 19^th Century – the cupcake. We are all aware of what a slippery slope it can be down that wellness challenge mountain after “just one” Christmas treat. Although, who knows, if The Cake Shop were still located across the street it might be an entirely different story.

With holiday parties in full swing, I am sure we all have been hitting the buffet tables a little hard lately. With a smorgasbord of delicious and easy-to-pop-in-your-mouth choices all laid out in perfect presentation on a table sparkling with sugar-coated desserts and draped in red cloth, how can you resist?

Well, leave it to MCG’s Wellness Challenge to snap the team right back into reality with a wellness luncheon hosted by our very own Kirsten Borman. Kirsten introduced the team to a variety of healthy dishes that can be prepared well in advanced and can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. My favorite was Kirsten’s broccoli salad made with crisp, sliced red onions and sweet Crasins, then dressed with a light vinaigrette. As the team sat around the table discussing healthy tips and munching on delicious alternatives to the unhealthy food rut many of us fall into during the busy week, I was reenergized with the thought of endless ways to recreate dishes I love, and how easy it is to tweak an ingredient or two to make them a bit healthier.

So, for anyone who is wishing to take part in National Cupcake Day today, do your health and your holiday figure a favor and use a recipe that calls for healthier ingredients instead:

Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Seasons Eatings!