WHAT ABOUT THE CUPCAKES - Jennifer Reid

I’ve often talked about my long “to-do list”. In fact, it seems to be an ever-growing list of things I want to do, see and achieve in my life. It’s been no secret that after my breast cancer diagnosis, making the most of my life has become a priority. I’ve become quite focussed and unapologetic about pursuing my hopes and dreams.

One of my dreams, which my family is well aware of, is to be a writer. I’ve always had this dream, but never considered it possible that it could become a reality. But after much encouragement and support from my family, I now call myself a writer. Writing is something that comes from within. It’s an innate passion. Although my ultimate aim is to eventually get paid for it, this is not why I write!

I just have to write. I want to write. I need to write! Writing is part of who I am and who I want to be. This is how the whole blogging about cupcakes thing came about. It’s become clear though, that I have a lot more to write about than just cupcakes. For that reason, I’m bursting to share some great news with you…

I have a new blog, A Brush with Beauty!! (2024 update: not anymore). It is a beauty blog, as the name suggests. For those who may not be aware, I’m actually a qualified Beauty Therapist and Makeup Artist and owned my own beauty salon for over 6 years. The whole ‘beauty’ thing is definitely another one of my passions. What could be more rewarding than making people feel beautiful?

Image courtesy of Nixx Photography

Through my new beauty blog, I’m endeavouring to source the finest natural beauty products on the market. My goal is to eventually switch most, if not all, of my beauty and skincare products from chemical-based mainstream products to those that are natural or organic. This has stemmed from my cancer diagnosis, and subsequent desire to live the most healthy life possible.

My hope is to educate my readers on the virtues of ‘going natural’ and to pass on advice and techniques for best beauty practises. My focus will be to educate, inspire and ‘beautify’ my readers. I will be sourcing and reviewing natural beauty products and services, and hosting beautiful product giveaways! So please hop on over and follow A Brush with Beauty! I’m sure you’ll find some of the answers you’ve been looking for in relation to your beauty routine.

Having said all that, I want to assure you that I’m still very much committed to “Life’s like a Cupcake!” I know I haven’t been making cupcakes as much as I used to. Lately, a few people have even asked why. They’ve missed my cupcake creations apparently, and were hoping I hadn’t given up on my search for the perfect cupcake recipe.

It’s not that I’ve given up, it’s just that I’m enjoying this “sweet” journey called “life” so much, that I don’t know what to do first! Although finding the perfect recipe is still on my to-do list, I have so many other things on that list that I’m hoping you’ll be patient with me and just go with the flow for a while.

While you’re waiting for now, I do have some cupcakes to show you, which were whipped up by my gorgeous daughter…

They’re so cute, aren’t they? Especially with the addition of teeny tiny Oreos for decorating. I was so proud of Jas for making them all by herself. I was too busy preparing for an audition, of all things!

Yes, I did say audition. I’ve always wanted to be a TV star, so I applied to go on Channel Ten’s “Ready Steady Cook” with one of my nieces.

Image courtesy of Ten’s Ready Steady Cook

The application forms were quite involved and we really wanted to stand out from the crowd, to at least get an audition. Here’s what I said:

Why do you want to come on the show?
I’m an avid fan of Ready Steady Cook and a passionate foodie! I’d love the experience of being side by side cooking with an ACTUAL chef!!

Where did you grow up and what did you eat as a child?

I grew up in Sydney. I ate mostly Lebanese food as a child, deliciously and lovingly prepared by my Mum (whose now 80 years old and still cooking for her kids – all 10 of us plus our extended families!!)

Who taught you to cook?

It’s a bit of a combination – my mum, my husband & lots of cookbooks and cooking shows!!

How often do you cook at home and for whom?

I cook at home most days for my family and I also love having family and friends over for meals – lunch or dinner. I love eating whilst socialising.

Do you have a family cooking secret/s?

Yes, it has to do with pancakes, custard and buttermilk, but if I tell it won’t be a secret anymore 🙂

What’s your top cooking tip?

Use the freshest ingredients possible, and try to use veges and fruits that are in season. But the most important tip is…with whatever you’re making, add a pinch of love!

If you had to eat just one food for the rest of your life what would it be?

Cadbury Dairy Milk Fruit & Nut Chocolate (I know it’s embarrassing…what a terribly unhealthy choice!)

Are you a sweet or savoury person?

Both…I love ALL FOOD!!

What is your biggest kitchen disaster?

There have been many, but I once made cupcakes for my family, that instead of turning out moist and fluffy, were so rubbery that my husband was pretending to bounce it off his plate!

What is the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? Where did you eat it?

Okra at my Mum’s place….I ended up having nightmares about “killer okra” because I disliked it so much!

What has been your weirdest food combination?

Spaghetti Bolognaise with Apple Cider Vinegar sprinkled over the top (in place of traditional Parmesan Cheese).

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met, and what were the circumstances?

Don Lane…years ago when I was working with my brother in his Spit Roast King business. We were feeding the Australian Basketball team on a Harbour Cruise, and Don Lane was at the function too!

What one material possession could you never give up? Why?

My iPhone…as their advertising campaign says – ”well, if you don’t have an iPhone, then you don’t have an iPhone”!

Do you have a nickname / What’s the story behind it?

SIX TIMEOUTS – this is another embarrassing story…when my cherubs were really little (my daughter was 2 and my son was 6 months old), we were having a bit of a hard day and I hadn’t had a chance to feed myself, between all the nappy changes, toilet training accidents, feeds, etc. I became so ravenous that I grabbed a packet of Time Out chocolates that were in the pantry and scoffed down SIX one after the other. They were the mini ones, but still, I’d never eaten that much chocolate all in one sitting before. I suppose it gave me the sugar boost I needed at the time, but I’ve never been able to live it down. Even over 10 years later, whenever I say I’m hungry, my hubby will say, “why don’t you have 6 Time Outs?”

Do you have a party trick? What is it?

EATING SIX TIME OUTS!!! (Can’t think of anything funnier than that trick!)

What is the best and worst thing about the person you are applying with?

Best: I love that everyone says we are alike, because I think she’s fantastic, so it’s an honour to be told she’s like me!!

Worst: We don’t get to spend enough time together, as we live on opposite sides of Sydney and she works full-time.

I put a lot of thought into my answers and was pretty happy with them. I’m proud to say that we actually got an audition. As you can see from the photos, I was very excited…

The question is, did we get in? Well, this is exactly what they said:

“It looks like at this stage, we are out of dates for you guys to be on 🙁 but you will be on file for next year’s series”.

So for now, I’ve changed my to-do list item to “go to Ready Steady Cook”, rather than “go on Ready Steady Cook”. I’m going to try to get a group of us into the audience, which I think will be lots of fun! Anyway, I shall definitely keep you posted.

Before I sign off, I must remind you about my fantastic Dettol Baking Pack Giveaway, which is open until 17th July. All you have to do is follow my blog and then comment on the giveaway post, telling me why you’d like to win the pack, valued at $450.

Best of luck!