Hi baby loves! What’s good, what’s good! I’m the middle of a &#%^!@^ crazy week, but…I’m not too busy to say OH HAY!!!!!!!!
P.S. Ya’ll are too sweet to my parents. Some of the comments you left brought tears to my eyes and probably theirs, too! Thank you for your kindness. 
P.P.S. A few people, who are now my best friends, asked how I keep my arms in shape. Well, flattery will get you everywhere with me, ladies! Here’s what I do:
- Lift weights
- Vertical ballet
- Plyometrics
- Ashtanga/power yoga
- Clean a lot
- Inherit good genes
- Eat enough
Do you hate me? I know that’s not a specific program, but I really don’t feel qualified to say what will or won’t work for one person. What has helped me is changing things up for the seven years I’ve been committed to working out.
And when I lift weights, I use heavy ones. It’s supposed to be hard!
I have a MAY-JUH backlog of pictures on my cam cam. I have to unload a few!
Here’s something I tried a few days ago.
Can you guess what it is?!
Whipped sweet potato and avocado pudding! 
Since I don’t LOVE avocados, I try to work them in using subtle ways.
Bake a clean sweet potato at 400 degrees
Cradle the cute lil avocado in palm before skinning
Whip together with an immersion blender
Let me know if you try this! I had it savory, but this would be great plain or with some sweet (in the form of maple syrup or something).
I also worked an avocado into my tummy using a very sneaky recipe from the beautiful Ashley!
I made a couple alterations, but not enough to mention. The recipe only requires cocoa powder, avocado, dates, vanilla, and (in my case) a little water.
It was such a lovely dessert. That sly SOB!
Before I go, let me share a simple dessert from Natalia’s book. It’s really cute.
SO ADORABLE!
It’s a pecan inside a date. Pecan Pie. Do we love or do we freakin’ love already?!
Time to get back to work. Le sigh.
Have a gorgeous day! And if you feel like it, answer me this: is there a food you hated your whole life but have recently included in your diet? I’d love to know!
Posted by leslie on June 23, 2009 at 11:35 am
i need to try everything in this post! sweet potato and avocado is a wonderful combo.
Posted by Chocolate-Covered Katie on June 23, 2009 at 11:44 am
Pudding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Alison on June 23, 2009 at 11:50 am
Interesting pudding idea!
What kind of plyometrics do you do for your arms?
Posted by Krista on June 23, 2009 at 11:51 am
SPINACH!
Posted by brandi on June 23, 2009 at 11:52 am
i hope this week goes well! what a great idea with the pudding. I love me some avocados + sweet potatoes, but I’ve never had them together.
i actually used to not like or ever eat avocados! now…just add a little salt and I”ll eat them as is or in anything else.
Plus:
runny eggs (love)
oatmeal – i hated it when I was younger! now I’d marry it.
Posted by justine on June 23, 2009 at 11:53 am
Mmmm, I love avocado! I need to check out that link because whatever you put that avocado in for a sweet treat looks yummy. Have a great day!
~Justine
Posted by Erin on June 23, 2009 at 11:58 am
You are so cute! I love when your posts pop up. I’m glad you’re starting to love the little avocado. I love love them and think everyone should. Both recipes look very tasty and I can’t wait to play with them!
Posted by Maggie on June 23, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I used to HATE baby corn, but now I love it. I don’t know why! I still don’t have it that often though, but when I order things that have baby corn I don’t pick it out anymore.
Posted by homegirlcaneat on June 23, 2009 at 12:04 pm
AW shiiiiiet, avocados are how I do! I used to be a tomato hater but now I just love them in some stuffarooni! Kailey and I were talking and stalking blogs the other day and admiring your arms together. Homegirl looks rockin’
Posted by lowandbhold on June 23, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I think it’s so funny how our taste buds change as we mature. I used to HATE beans and squash and now I eat them ALL THE TIME. I also used to despise olives and now I could eat an entire jar in one sitting. Before I stopped eating meat, I discovered that I also liked fish after a lifetime of refusing to eat at seafood restaurants.
Isn’t it lovely how we evolve?
That sweet potato/avocado mixture sounds super interesting!
Posted by Lindsey (Mrs. LC) on June 23, 2009 at 12:05 pm
ahaha on the inclusion of the horizontal ballet! yeah!
And LOVE everything avocado!!! I am totally going to have to try both those recipes. I wonder if my hubs would eat it and notice anything?? hmmm
Posted by Shelby on June 23, 2009 at 12:11 pm
It all looks AMAZING! I LOVE avocado! I thought I hated it but then I tried it and it grew on me. I wait until very ripe, then I add it to salads and it makes it so creamy! I’ve got to try this pudding though. YUM!
Posted by Kersten on June 23, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Oh, how fun–avocado “puddings”!! Sorry your week is all busy and crazy… hope you get some reprieve soon!
Over the last two months I’ve integrated in several things I used to downright HATE on up til now: beans (whole black or pinto, a few refried (ew, still don’t like those)), raw tomatoes, cauliflower, and mushrooms. I’m rather pleased with most of these, but for the cauliflower–it’s gotta be in something else.
Posted by Melissa on June 23, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Your arms/shoulders are absolutely fab btw. Avocado is a food I have really started to love lately too. It doesn’t even gross me out to lick the spoon after scooping it out of the shell anymore. Still not ok with eating it plain though.
Love the cute little pecan pie.
Posted by snackface on June 23, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Homegirl said it up top, but we were seriously wondering how the hell we can look like that. I’m not sure I have it in me!
So, I’d say I’ve always been an odd bird, even as a kid I loved salads and veggies and fruits above anything else. Um, I’ve recently discovered I actually like sweet and spicy salsas instead of just spicy. Pineapple salsa. Does that count? So lame.
Posted by glidingcalm on June 23, 2009 at 1:29 pm
cradle de avocado.
Posted by Diana (Soap & Chocolate) on June 23, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Haha, I totally noticed that pecan pie “recipe” in Natalia’s book too! I was like, you sly dog, I practically do that already, though I haven’t tried with pecans! Is it really so good? You are doing well with the avocado integration – you’ll be eatin em straight up before you knows! I had a similar progression with tomatoes and mushrooms – now I loves!
Posted by Katharina on June 23, 2009 at 1:58 pm
I am going to try that little pecan pie! It’s so adorable!!!
Posted by ashley (sweet & natural) on June 23, 2009 at 2:00 pm
You made the mousse!!! Whoo!!! Wasn’t it surprisingly rich and delicious? Loves it.
I have recently acquired a taste for mushrooms. Not sure where that one came from, but I’m glad it did.
Posted by Erica on June 23, 2009 at 2:09 pm
owww I likey this combo. I will def be trying. Especially because I feel like I never use my hand blender enough! I use to hate peas and fish and now I eat both (pats myself on the back). I actually LOVE peas….I can’t believe I use to hate them!
Posted by ksgoodeats on June 23, 2009 at 3:05 pm
I love your bowls of mushy goodness
I’m not too fond of plain avocado either!
Foods I used to hate – mushrooms and tomatoes! HAH, crazy right?! It’s true!
Posted by Sarah on June 23, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I’m the same way as you with the ‘cados. I only like them blended and jazzed up. Kind of like my men. What?!?!
Love you sister.
Posted by april on June 23, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Basically everything I eat now I used to hate- cottage cheese, spinach, avocado, you name it! It’s funny how our taste buds change.
When you say heavy weights do you mean like 15 pound dumbells or 30 pounds on machines? I’d love to know!
Do you find that when you eat more calories your muscles get more toned? I am dying for more muscle but they are barely coming through..
And I love the pecan pie! so cute! sorry about all the questions, lol
Posted by bobbi on June 23, 2009 at 6:26 pm
thanks for answering about your buffness! Love the creation! I am a human garbage disposal
Posted by Anna on June 23, 2009 at 7:11 pm
I was going to say that sweet potato concoction was a bowl of mustard, but something told me no…
I love your “inherit good genes” response to the buff arms inquiry. Try as we might to force our bodies into certain shapes, some things just aren’t genetically meant to be (or in the case of your arms, they ARE meant to be). I will always have a booty, and that is that.
Posted by Marianne on June 23, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Hmmm, things I have that I need to use up? Avocados and a sweet potato. I feel I need to make this. It was obviously meant to be!
Actually, I’d make the date chocolate thing too, but I have no dates.
Posted by Rebeca on June 23, 2009 at 7:16 pm
SP+avocado sounds fab!
Omg simple but perfect-sounding dessert!
Posted by Amy on June 23, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Ah Ive always loved avocado so Im glad you’re feelin it a bit more these days. Your concoctions look good!
I just made myself a midnight snack similar to your date/pecan bundle. Its like a baby nut in a date papoose (?!) … a bundle of JOY, i say ! I put an almond inside instead of a pecan. delicious!
love you, er errrrr
Posted by Emily on June 23, 2009 at 9:03 pm
I used to not like avocados but now I adore them. Partly because I just really love to cut and peel them. I find it strangely therapeutic.
dates + pecans = love! must try that!!
Posted by Lynn (The Actors Diet) on June 23, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I thought I hated brussel sprouts. But then it turned out that was only what kids on tv said. I never had them growing up. I was surprised they were so good!
Posted by Amanda on June 24, 2009 at 10:35 am
I definitely agree with you that much of our body shape/tone just has to do with the way we are made! I have toned up my arms, piece of cake, by doing Jillian Michaels dvds and yoga! On the other hand, my 6 pack is still lacking … trying to accept that it’s just the way I was made, and learn to love flaunting my arms
Posted by Jessica (jesslikesithot) on June 24, 2009 at 11:49 am
I’ve always been SCARED of beets, but then I tried them in some tahini/beet dip at this bridal shower I was at last weekend, and now i’m in love…..and NEED more of it in my life!!!!!!
Ohhh, and I love Natalia’s “pecan pie” dessert, that’s too adorb.
Posted by elise on June 24, 2009 at 1:12 pm
your parents are sooopah cute! way to sneak in the avo
Posted by ttfn300 on June 24, 2009 at 4:43 pm
your pecan pie looks like a smile!!!
i can’t believe you don’t love avos! but great sneaks 
i HATED beets and brussels sprouts (just the first to come to mind, i had many!)… LOVE beets now, and the brussels are ok
Posted by Kristie on June 24, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I love avocados as they are but I’m pretty sure I’d love them even more all blended up with other great foods and eaten pudding style!
And I’m pretty sure those are the cutest “pecan pies” I’ve ever seen.
I’m also pretty sure I’ll never have arms like yours. ENVY.
Posted by Heather Eats Almond Butter on June 24, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Erin,
Yes, your arms do look amazing – I’ve always thought so!
Love your sneaky avocado dishes. They make THE BEST and most creamiest chocolate pudding ever and dates stuffed with raw nuts are delicious.
The only food I’ve ever really disliked is seaweed. Blech. I’ve tried it all several times, and I will never be a fan. No sushi for me…ever.
Posted by lilveggiepatch on June 25, 2009 at 4:50 am
Brills! I’ll have to try. There’s no food I can think of, but I’ll start hating something and get back to you!
Posted by Plates Full of Color « Katharina’s Food Adventures on June 25, 2009 at 10:16 pm
[...] saw the cutest little idea for a date the other day in a post from Erin on Care to Eat. A mini “pecan pie”! Let’s just say if I wanted to go on another [...]
Posted by Tina on June 26, 2009 at 2:42 am
I used to hate raisins as a kid, but I wanted to eat them anyway because mom used to give them to my brother (who liked them) in these cute little boxes which made me jealous because I wanted one of those cute little boxes too. Now I love raisins though!
Especially chocolate covered ones 
Loving your creative avocado ideas!
Posted by frenchybelle on June 26, 2009 at 4:44 pm
OH YUM!!!!!!!!!!! That sweet pot & avocado whip!! I am going to try that!! Thanks