German Shepherds, Concussions and Chocolate Cupcakes

                I pulled up to my sister's house in my parents brown, Pontiac Montana. Their door was always unlocked so I knew it would be no problem taking out their dog (Indigo) for the afternoon. I walked up the 6 or 7 steps to the front door and went inside. Indi was so excited to see me that I could barely get the collar and leash on him before he was bounding through the front door. I had the leash wrapped around my wrist so that I had a good grip on him (this was my first mistake). Instead of walking or running down the steps, this hundred pound German shepherd decided to jump the 6 or 7 stairs to the grass below...but I was still attached to the leash. By the time I flew down the steps, the leash and my wrist somehow unraveled and I was free, but I was already forced into running mode.

              You know when you are falling as you are running and just continue to run but in a downward trajectory? Well, that was me. I was probably running on a 30 degree angle for 50 feet. Without any control I drove my head right into the tire of the minivan and collapsed. I was sprawled on the driveway beside the van with a crazed German shepherd doing circles around me. I like to think he was concerned but more realistically I think he wanted me to open the trunk so that we could get going.

               Now, because I have a history of concussions I panicked and started crying. Luckily my mom had the van equipped with OnStar (this was a time when cell phones weren't as popular). I thought it would be a good idea to call my dad to see if he thought I should head to the hospital to check for a concussion and to calm me down. As I told OnStar to call dad the voice back to me would say "Pardon? Please say that again". Through sobs and panic I tried again, this time OnStar said, "Okay, calling Don's cell." I spoke slowly, loudly, calmly, over and over, but nothing would work. OnStar continue to dial Don's cell. This ended in frustration and rather than calling dad I just went home. Needless to say, no concussion at all.

            Have you ever seen the movie "Pure Luck" with Martin Short? If not, it's about his bad luck. If there are 12 chairs in a boardroom he will pick the one with the broken leg. If he goes on a trip, he is the one who loses his luggage. It seems my mom's side of the family, including myself was born and bred into these kind of situations, and many times our pets were dragged along for the ride. In tribute to animal free baking and cooking, I thought it fitting to include a little animal story with the recipe.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup white sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

1 cup water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line cupcake tin with liners.
3. Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa and salt. Add in oil, vanilla, vinegar and water. Mix until smooth.  
4. Pour into liners and bake for 20-21 minutes. 

Frosting Ingredients:

1 cup vegetable shortening

2 teaspoons pure peppermint extract

2 cups icing sugar

2 teaspoons almond milk

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients into bowl and mix with an electric mixer until smooth. 
2. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes. 

This recipe is kid approved!

Recipe was used from allrecipes vegan chocolate cupcakes