On the eve of giving up sweets...

Today's the day. I give up my sweets for 40 days in honor of Lent. It's bittersweet, but I'm super excited about this challenge and hope to gain a new perspective of my sugar consumption when it's all said and done.

Last night, PK and I thought we needed to go all out before emptying the candy jar and hiding our zebra cakes. After work, I went to a little bakery called Taylor's Bakery to pick up a triple chocolate ganache cake for the two of us to split.

I first heard of Taylor's Bakery through a co-worker. I was looking for a bakery to pick up a cake for PK's birthday back in January, and she recommended Taylor's. I was still very new to the city, but fell upon it one day trying to make my way to the mall. I walked in and was instantly greeted with smells of chocolate, honey buns, doughnuts, petit fours (a small cake usually covered in an icing), and many assorted bars, cupcakes, cheesecakes and eclairs.

For a sweets lover like myself, I immediately wanted one of everything...ok really though...I wanted two of everything! It was the mecca of all things tasty and delicious.

I love to ask the staff what's the most popular when I go to restaurants, bakeries, or places with lots of options. I always like to get a feel of what the regulars are eating and buying. The lovely staffer directed me to the triple chocolate ganache cake--and boy did she ever change my life.

Three layers high and three varieties of chocolate make this cake purely sinful. It's the epitome of indulgence and the perfect way to begin my fasting.

PK and I sat down, opened the box, admired the cake and it's beauty, grabbed our forks, put the milk in the middle and dove right in. I'll be happy to report that I didn't go too overboard, but spent the next 30 minutes in a silent heaven.

Words cannot fully express how incredible it was, but here is the damage.

Ok, day one is almost down...just 39 more!



Definitely a Fat Tuesday...

In honor of Mardi Gras, PK and I grabbed dinner from a wonderful little canjun creole place named Yats. The restuarant was decorated in traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold and giant King Cakes were never-ending last night.

It has become quite a favorite for us. The restaurant is small, quaint and the service is super fast and friendly. It's a cash only place, but the staff go by the "trust system," and will give you an IOU if you happen to forget your greens.

Another thing I love about Yats is that they let you sample everything! It could almost be a meal in itself. PK loves the Chili Cheese Étouffée, and I do too. It's creamy and filled with crawfish. It's a delicious spin on comfort food and a joy to eat on a cold day in Indiana. The spices, the consistency,  and the combination of rice and sauce makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

Another favorite is the jambalaya. Big chunks of sausage, perfectly cooked rice, kickin' spices and peppers brings the feel of Louisiana right to your plate. The French bread is a perfect compliment to the meal and a true belly stuffer. One order can easily feed me two or three more times and still keep me wanting to come back.



(All pictures courteousy of their website.)

There are four locations in Indianapolis and I plan on visiting them all before too long. Great place, great atmosphere, great food, and a great end to Mardi Gras.

It's going to be a long 40 days...

Lent is right around the corner. Ash Wednesday is quickly approaching, and I have decided to undergo the most challenging feat of my life...I'm giving up sweets. You've read correctly and anybody that knows me knows how hard this is going to be. Although I am not Catholic, I do love participating in the season of Lent. It's a special time for me to use discipline and self-control. Last year, I gave up buying magazines and saved a ton of money. It caused me to realize that I can go without.

I have tried in the past to give up chocolate...failure (after only three hours I must blushingly admit). I have tried to give up cola and soda...failure (graduate school is impossible without it). But never have I ever attempted to give up such a task as sweets. No M&M's, no cookies, no cupcakes, no icing, no Sweet Tarts, no ice cream...oh just typing all of this is making me hungry!

But I can do this...I will do this. To prove it to myself for all those years I have tried and failed.

So, I originally was going to make this blog primarily about sweets and desserts, but the temptation is just too strong right now. I will cover many more after my 40 days of insanity are over. For now, I want to focus on food I can actually EAT NOW!

But, I will continue to visit my favorite dessert places. I may not be able to sample, but I have no right to deny you what I see and smell. And technically I have less than 48 hours so I may just get in a few samples.