Chocolate Cupcake

Ingredients:
1 box chocolate cake mix (devils food, chocolate, whatever looks good to you)
3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (I use dark chocolate)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk (I have substituted whole milk before and it works too, but I prefer the buttermilk)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. prepare pan (line with cupcake liners)
3. in a large bowl, combine all the ingredients.
4. Mix with a mixer on low for a minute, then scrape the bowl, and mix with mixer on med-high for 2 minutes (stopping to scrape the sides)
5. fill the cupcake holders with the batter 2/3's of the way.
6. Bake for 17-20 minutes (they should spring back when lightly pressed with your finger).

Spiced Pears and Pomegranate Salad

This was such a hit it was gone before I remembered to take a picture. My 2 year old was eating the pomegranate like it was ice cream. So good!

Ingredients

3 pears - peeled, cored and cut into wedges
1 pomegranate, skin and light-colored membrane removed (check this link for directions: http://gourmetfood.about.com/od/cookingtechniques/ss/cutpomegranate.htm)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
Place the sliced pears and pomegranate seeds into a bowl. Toss with lemon juice to coat. Combine the brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a small cup or bowl, then mix into the fruit. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to blend the flavors.