Mbong Amata shows off her legs

She is really a damsel. Shine on mama. 

Kelly Rowland's outfit to the Oscars

Kelly Rowland's black dress got people talking. But she does know how to shine. Go Girl. 

Nollywood Diva, Omoni Oboli stuns in Nigerian Police Attire

Nollywood Actress, Omoni Oboli, stuns in Nigerian Police Attire, in bid to promote a Police and Youth project. 

Nollywood Don, Pete Edochie is 71 today

Today one of Nigeria's finest,  Pete Edochie celebrates his birthday today.

 If you haven't watch things fall apart.... Hmmm.... No words

One of his sons, Yul Edochie took to Instagram to wish to Daddy a happy 71st birthday. 

Happy Birthday to you Sir. 

POSITIVE THINKING CHRONICLES : CHAPTER FIVE

Ch. 05: 
Be Grateful

When you appreciate all the positive things you have in your life regardless how small it is will help you to successfully abolish negativity. Centering on these good things will make the challenges you face significantly less important and are more easily addressed.

Give Thanks 

When something bad happens, instead of embracing it and taking it personally we need to learn to change how we think of it. For instance, if you work in the service industry and you have a rude customer, instead of letting it ruin your day and your mood, try and show some compassion, perhaps something bad has happened to that individual, try and do something nice for them. A smile can be contagious. Instead of taking everyone's bad mood personally make the choice to be in a good mood, smile and circulate the cheer!

With larger life issues that can bring us down, like an ill family member, a divorce, a disagreement with a loved one, cast your worries away. Do what you can to help or correct the situation and then leave it in God's hands. You're only a person, you can't fix everything and shouldn't have to carry all of life's burden's on your heart day in and day out. Do your best to apologize to those you wronged, forgive those who wronged you, ask for help when you require it, and offer help when you are able to. 

It's about letting go of all of those things sitting in your heart that are keeping you from having a positive outlook. It's your option, you are able to keep the negative or let it go to make room for the positive. 

Some people will never tell you he had a bad day. As a matter of fact, some believe there's no such thing as a bad day. This was a hard concept for me to grasp...for me "bad days" had been a steady occurrence. To some, every day is a gift. Some are thankful for challenges as they teach him, he is thankful for his job even when it is not pleasant. I marveled at his ability to see each day as a "good day" regardless what happened. When I started to try and adopt this philosophy I detected it worked! Just when I decided in my mind that I was having a "bad day" I'd try and discover something good in it, when I discovered something good I realized that a few bad things don't ruin a whole day unless you let it! It's an option! Every day we're alive is a gift there is so much to be grateful for so why do we center on the things that make us unhappy? 

Readapt your thinking...bad days are selections we make! 

In the end having a positive outlook is up to you! It's a choice we make day-to-day. You can never control what other people say or do to you but you are able to control your response. By selecting the positive route, as briefly outlined, you'll be happier and healthier than ever before. You'll have a peace within you that will leave people looking at you in awe. I think is a choice that's worth making.

POSITIVE THINKING CHRONICLES :- CHAPTER FOUR

Ch. 04: 
Set Goals

This is a really crucial step that will help you to be successful in changing your negativity to a more positive mindset. When you set realistic goals it will help you to keep focused. 

Achieving a reachable goal will step-up your positive outlook. If you set a goal of making a million dollars in a month which most likely won’t happen it will only destroy the efforts you've made to be more positive.

Look Forward 
These basic tips are organized in a sequence that will support you from thinking of your goals to actually accomplishing them. These are only suggestions, take what you like and try it out for a while to see what works best for you. 

1. Utilize a journal to keep track of your goals journey where you may keep daily or weekly records of your advancement including affirmations, successes, appreciations for your hard work, reinforcements, resistances, obstacles, etc. Use your goals journal to write goals initially and to rescript them over time. Use it to break your goals into steps. Review your progress regularly and jot a few notes. 

2. Get yourself into a positive state before writing your goals: It’s truly crucial to get yourself into an inspired, positive and relaxed state before writing goals. A few ideas for getting yourself into a positive state include: Meditation, listening to inspiring music, reading something fun or amusing, watching a amusing movie, taking a walk in a naturally beautiful place, brisk exercise, reading or listening to an inspirational story, listening to motivational tapes, brisk exercise or prayer. 

3. Begin brainstorming: After getting into a good mental and emotional state, start your brainstorming. Write all potential goals quickly with no editing or criticism. You can review and prioritise later; right now you want to be as creative and grand in your vision as you are able to be. 

4. Areas of your life to consider for goal setting: Here are a number of potential areas of your life to consider when you're formulating your goals list: Career, financial, relationship, family, home, friends, personal development, wellness, appearance, possessions, fun and recreation, travel, spiritual, self-respect and service/community. Some types of goals include: personal development like emotional, mental, physical and spiritual. 

5. Goals time frames: Goals fall under varying time periods such: Immediate goals, 30 day goals, 6 month goals, 1 year goals, 5 years, 10 years or longer. Make certain you are able to accomplish what you want in the time frame you set. 

6. Here are 4 tips for writing effective goal statements: Say it like it’s already happened: When writing your goal, say it like it's already happened. Put your goals in words that presume that you already have accomplished them. For instance, "I now have a new silver BMW 4 door 2002 sedan." 

Utilize motivating language: To get you passionate, committed and motivated, add emotional language to your written goals. Here’s an instance "I utterly love and am excited about my beautiful new home in the hills" which is much more passionate than "I like my new home in the hills". 

Write specifically and in detail: as your subconscious manifests things literally, you want to write particular detailed goals. Use language that's clear in describing exactly what it is you want 

Author in positive terms instead of negative ones: Examples of positive statements may be: "I'm now free of the habit of smoking", or "I'm now a smoke-free individual". Negative examples may be: "I don’t smoke any longer" or "I’m not a smoker". 

7. Make sure they’re really your goals: Check in with yourself to make certain that you’re thinking of what you really want. Often we try to please others at our own expense. You won’t be successful trying to accomplish the goals your parents, spouse or other friends or relatives want for you. 

8. Be congruous in making goals: Consider your most crucial values and beliefs when forging your goals (e.g. honesty, security, integrity, freedom, responsibility, respect for others, love, leadership, etc.). For example if you value freedom, your goal may be to be self-employed. If security is what you value, you may want to work for the government where layoffs rarely occur. 

9. Pick out rational goals: select goals that you can really reach in a reasonable amount of time. An example of a rational goal might be: "I’m 55 years old and I want to sing opera with a local light opera performance group, a choir, or monthly recitals with my voice teacher’s students" (given of course that you have a good voice). An irrational goal might be: "I’m 55, I’ve never taken singing lessons, and I want to be a world class opera singer performing key roles with the New York Metropolitan Opera". It’s unlikely that anybody starting at the age of 55 could do this, even with an excellent voice and rigorous training. 

10. Prioritize your goals: After you’ve brainstormed, one way to prioritise is to put the highest priority goals at ten out of a possible ten points and the least important at 1 out of 10. Pick 3-7 of the goals with high numbers and center your efforts only on them for the next few months. Try not to pick too many goals to center on as this will dilute your energy and make it harder to get the results you want. 

11. Produce a step-by-step plan: Break each goal down into manageable blocks creating a step-by-step plan to achieve it. For instance, if you want a new car, first decide exactly what color, model, year, and brand you want. Write this down in your goals journal. Then write the particular steps you need to get to your goal like: Apply for a auto loan, look at and test drive different models, write affirmations, visualize yourself driving the car, and so forth.

POSITIVE THINKING CHRONICLES :- CHAPTER THREE

Ch. 03: 
Avoid Negative Thinking

When you begin using positive affirmations in your daily routine, avoiding negative thinking is just as crucial. Even though this is easier said than done it's a must. It will take forbearance and perseverance but you can take away negative thinking. Your success depends upon blocking the negative thoughts.

Quash The Bad Thoughts 
Stopping being negative is like quitting any other bad habit – the more serious the bad habit, the more work it takes to move on the far side of it. Just like it’s easier for somebody who smokes two cigarettes per day to quit smoking than it is for somebody who smokes two packs per day, somebody who has an occasional negative thought will have an more comfortable time than somebody who is a chronic bellyacher. But don’t fret if you’re in the latter class, as long as your commitment is firm, you’ll be able to transform your life. 

Here are a few tips to help you do away with the negative thoughts in your life: 

• Set a realistic goal for cutting back your negativity. Saying that you’ll never have a negative thought again is unrealistic and will only set yourself up for failure. In most examples, it won’t happen overnight so anticipate the entire process to take approximately a month.
  
  
• Surround yourself with individuals who are positive. You don’t have to dump your friends that are negative, but attempt to excuse yourself when conversation topics turn negative and don’t take part in "pity parties." 
  
  
• Be cognizant of when you allow negativity to affect you and stop it. Turn it into a positive thing by thinking to yourself "I saw myself saying something negative so I won’t do it again next time." 
  
  
• Reward yourself when you avert being negative.
  

Once again, keep in mind that your goal here is to cut down the amount of negativity in your life and not entirely eliminate it (if you can do the latter, more power to you). Ironically, popular media depicts positive people in a negative way – naïve, weird, out of touch, bothersome, uncool and unpleasant. This is because when individuals are happy and fulfilled they have no need to elude reality by overeating, drinking alcohol, taking drugs (both narcotics and prescription) and bury themselves in television, movies and celebrity gossip to forget about their atrocious lives. 

It’s perfectly absurd to think this way as in reality positive individuals are the complete opposite – popular, successful and happy. Here’s a bonus tip that will help you do away with negativity: turn off the television set and spend some quality time with the individuals you love.

POSITIVE THINKING CHRONICLES :- CHAPTER TWO

Ch. 02: 
Use Positive Affirmations

Think of a positive affirmation and repeat it frequently. Positive affirmations can create amazing results in your thought process. For instance, if you write that you're always depressed then your affirmation may be, "I'm happy I'm in control." Repeat your affirmations many times a day and feel the power of positive thinking. If you can’t think of an affirmation then listen to cheerful music or sing happy light hearted lyrics.

Creating Affirmations 
All Positive Affirmations are not created equal, as a matter of fact some can even be damaging to changing the habit, paradigm or frame of mind you’re trying to change. For instance, you’re wanting to quit smoking but you use the affirmation "I will not smoke"—by having "not" in your affirmation you may actually be reinforcing your smoking habit as the mind tends to omit the "not" and only see "I will smoke". Additionally the affirmation is in a future tense by having the word "will" in it—so your subconscious interprets that it’s not something you’re wanting to do right now—it’s waiting on the "when" statement. 

Positive Affirmations ought to be expressed in the present tense. 

"I am" or "Right now I" (present tense) should be used instead of "I will" (future tense) as to the subconscious "tomorrow never comes". 

Positive Affirmations can be declared as first person or second person. 

Research has demonstrated that some individuals respond better to "first person" (I) affirmations but other people may react better to "second person" (you) affirmations. I'd suggest using both—why not cover all the bases. If you use first person affirmations you can record using a simple microphone attached to your computer and then convert the WAV file to an MP3 file for your MP3 player or "burn" to a CD. For ―second person‖ you ought to record soul else using the affirmation or use "synthetic voice" software. 

Positive Affirmations ought to be specific.

Émile Coué, a former pioneer in positive affirmations, used his now famous "Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better" affirmation to reportedly help 1000s of individuals with assorted illnesses. But research in the last few years has demonstrated that the more specific the affirmation the more probable it is to create the desired result. ―I'm happy and grateful that I'm at my ideal weight of 115 pounds is better than "I'm happy and thankful that I'm at my ideal weight". I have no doubt however that even Coué’s non-specific affirmation would give you a better total sense of welfare if used consistently. 

Positive Affirmations call for repetition to produce results. 

When it comes to affirmations repetition is king. In order for the subconscious to act it requires hearing or seeing the affirmation repeatedly. Can you envisage what would happen if the subconscious only needed a couple of repetitions to act?—our lives would be bedlam. 

Positive Affirmations are best utilized with emotion. 

Just robotically repeating an affirmation won't create the same results as an affirmation which is blended with emotion. Since we’re all a bit different it might be helpful to look at some of the different emotions you have and see how you may incorporate them with your affirmation. A few examples for a stop smoking affirmation may be; "…and whenever I consider a cigarette I tell myself STOP" (while pounding your fist into the palm of your other hand—I wouldn’t urge this technique if you’re in a meeting and your boss is speaking); before repeating your affirmation you could rip a cigarette apart with a lot of anger. You wouldn’t want or have to do it each time you heard to our repeated the affirmation—that could get expensive. 

Positive Affirmations shouldn't produce any negative side effects. 

Be heedful when producing affirmations that you get only the results you want. Using an affirmation like "I'm determined to lose weight and will do whatever it takes to reach my goal of 180 pounds" may result in your subconscious saying "okay I can take care of that command—I’ll just make you ill—that should help you drop some weight real fast". 

Positive Affirmations ought to be realistic.

It’s great to employ affirmations to help us engulfed even our biggest challenges but our affirmations just like our goals need to be based in reality (even though truth is often what we think it is). For example if you've always had a "poverty mentality" but you use an affirmation that you're richer than Bill Gates I’ll predict you’ll spend a long time waiting for that affirmation to evidence. 

Positive Affirmations ought to be short and sweet. 

Affirmations should be long enough to be particular but not so long that they can’t be easily restated or remembered. 

Positive Affirmations ought to be used consistently. 

Utilizing an affirmation once in a while when you think about it will likely not do anything but make you think that affirmations don’t work—they have to be used consistently. Your subconscious helps you to accomplish the real desires of your heart and would probably not interpret an occasional affirmation as being a true want. I advocate at least 30 days of the same affirmation, or longer if required. 

Positive Affirmations are best utilized along with visualization. 

The more ways you impress onto your subconscious your wants the greater the odds of success. Writing or typing your affirmation onto a card that you can carry with you and read at any opportunity will further help your affirmation to manifest. For a few affirmations you can use a photo as a visual affirmation—like an old photo when you were at the weight you now want to be—or possibly your head pasted onto someone else’s body. There’s likewise some great visualization software available online. 

Positive Affirmations need execution to work. 

Positive Affirmations without execution‖ is probably not going to manifest. Positive affirmations tho' a very powerful tool are not like your own personal genie—most things you would like to change will call for a little action—like telling yourself to STOP when you’re about to do something not in coalition with what you say your goal is. Even the easy action of reading your affirmation card at every chance can produce astonishing results. 

Positive Affirmations work best when used with a feel of gratitude. 

Saying an affirmation with a sense of gratitude does a few things; firstly it opens your heart up to receive—if you don’t have a sense of gratitude you’re not in a receptive frame of mind, and 2nd, it’s affirming that you already possess the thing you’re affirming—which becomes the truth as soon as you accept it.

POSITIVE THINKING CHRONICLES: CHAPTER ONE

Ch. 01: 
Be Around Positive People.

Surround yourself with successful and positive people. It's astonishing how the influence of other people can impact and touch on our own personal energy. Positive individuals will energize and urge us to grow in our belief that we can achieve what we set out to do. Head off negative individuals who will ultimately dismantle any progress you make.

The Right People 
Positive individuals seem to have a supply of energy that never seems to let them down, and they accomplish the great goals in life that they want and dream about. They can help you remain on track and energize you toward your own goals. A lot of times these successful individuals share the same goals you have and are frequently very generous about passing on their wisdom and their strategies. 

So how do you discover these positive, like-minded individuals? 

Here are a few tips to help you find them, network with them, and glean useful info and advice: 

1. SMILE:- Though it may sound ridiculous, smiling can immediately draw individuals towards you – particularly other positive individuals. Having and showing a good perspective of life’s ups and downs makes others want to be around you. It's often hard to stay positive day in and day out, so individuals are often seeking a way to be more optimistic. If you’re a friendly welcoming individual, and you show that to the world with your smile, people will see you as an optimistic go-to individual. 

You’ve in all probability heard it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown, so not only will you be beaming positivism to the world, you’ll as well be saving energy. 

2. CONVEY POSITIVELY:- Although we all have rocky days when nothing appears to be going right, the last thing you want do is sound off and whine ceaselessly. No one likes a bellyacher, right? 

For instance, if somebody were to ask you, "how are you today?" don’t crank back that "life stinks" or that you’re just "alive" or something to that impression. Rather, take a minute – and a breath – and then reply with optimism, even if you’re having a hard day. After all, positive individuals don’t waste their time or energy on bellyachers or negative individuals. 

It can be truly difficult to feel positive in the face of life’s challenges, and I’m not advising that you suppress your emotions. So either clean out the stuff that’s difficult to deal with using a tool like EFT, or choose to center on what is working. 

Even if you’re not feeling all that positive, by staying optimistic in your outlook you’ll still draw in positive individuals to you. 

3. THINK POSITIVELY:- Thinking positively – even through letdowns – will help you to see the good in every state of affairs and attract the positive individuals who share this vision. 

Even if you don’t truly subscribe to these positive thoughts at the start, or you discover positive thinking hard, catching yourself in negative self-talk and asking ―what do I want alternatively‖, will help you think positively and produce new patterns of positive thoughts in your brain. Over time positive thinking will get easier and more innate. 

We’ve all got energy inside us and we have the option to use it constructively or destructively. Pay attention to the positive individuals in your life and you’ll notice they try to be cheerful and optimistic, even during hard times. 

4. BEHAVE POSITIVELY :-  It isn’t adequate to smile, communicate, and think positively when going after your goal. You must as well take action! 

For instance, maybe you thought you could get a promotion in the past, but then sat idly by while somebody else snapped it up. This time your new positive thinking will have metamorphosed you into a positive individual who takes positive action! 

Showing your boss and colleagues that you're proactive and positive will set you up for more successes. 

5. EXTEND:- Lastly, reach out to individuals at your work, in your circle of friends, or even to individuals on the street who seem to live positively. Ask them what it is that helps them remain positive and achieve their objectives. 

Looking for positive individuals will give you useful information to help you reach your goals and help you become successful; it will help you establish a network of positive friends and role models. 

Being positive and exemplifying positivism draws in other people. After all, like attracts like. 

Individuals enjoy being around other people with like attitudes and, by sustaining a positive outlook, you’ll surely lead yourself to those successful individuals you seek.

Nollywood Actress Empress Njamah stuns in new pictures

As shared by the stunning Nollywood actress via her Instagram page. A new movie brewing #dancetolove. This are pictures from set. 

This movie is definitely going to display fashion and style. Yes. 

Mummy and Daughter mirror selfie!!!

Adaeze Yobo,wife to Joseph Yobo, shares mirror selfie of herself and her mother. 

Stunning yeah! 

Black don't crack. 

Nollywood actress Ebube Nwagbo is plus one today

Nollywood Actress and fashion diva celebrates birthday today. 

More photos coming.... 

Happy birthday naija finest.

It's no gimmick! Coffee scrub that gets rid of stretch marks.

Coffee scrub, all natural, quick and easy way to get rid of stretch marks. The good thing is that it's homemade. 

Try it out!!! 

https://youtu.be/tIhUAhZ5Uqw

19 Surprising benefits of using Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar 

You just need to know this. 

https://youtu.be/g62Z607MFC4

How to prepare Hummingbird Cake

Ingredients:

Hummingbird Cake Recipe:

1 cup (100 grams) pecans

3 cups (390 grams) all-purpose flour

2 cups (400 grams) granulated white sugar

1 teaspoon (6 grams) baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon (3 grams) ground cinnamon

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

3/4 cup (180 ml) safflower, vegetable, corn, or canola oil

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 - 8 ounce (227 grams) can crushed pineapple, do not drain

2 cups (400 grams) mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium sized bananas)

Pecan Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/4 cup (55 grams) butter, room temperature

8 ounces (227 grams) cream cheese, room temperature

1 pound box (450 grams) (about 4 cups) confectioners sugar (powdered or icing), sifted

1 teaspoon (4 grams) pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup (50 grams) finely chopped pecans

Instructions:

Hummingbird Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Butter, or spray with a non stick spray, two - 9 x 2 inch (23 x 5 cm) round cake pans and line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper.

Place the pecans on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Let cool and then chop finely.

In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Then stir in the chopped pecans.

In another large bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, vanilla extract, pineapple, and mashed bananas. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and stir until combined. Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared pans and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. After about 10 minutes invert the cakes onto the wire rack, remove the pans and parchment paper, flip the cakes right side up, and then cool completely before frosting.

Frosting: In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and cream cheese, on medium-low speed, until very smooth. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and beat, on medium-low speed, until fully incorporated and smooth and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla extract and then beat (or stir) in the finely chopped pecans.

To assemble: Place one cake on your serving platter. Spread with about a third of the frosting. Gently place the other cake layer on top and spread the rest of the frosting over the top and sides of the cake. Can garnish with pecan halves. If not serving immediately, refrigerate the cake. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Serves 14-16 people.

How to make Chocolate Chiffon Cake

Ingredients:

Chocolate Chiffon Cake:

6 large eggs plus one additional egg white (30 grams)

2 cups (200 grams) sifted cake flour

1/4 cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (regular unsweetened or Dutch-processed)

1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated white sugar, divided

2 teaspoons (8 grams) baking powder

1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (120 ml) flavorless oil (vegetable, corn, canola, or safflower oil)

3/4 cup (180 ml) freshly brewed coffee or water, at room temperature

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)

Chocolate Glaze:

6 ounces (180 grams) semi sweet chocolate, chopped

4 tablespoons (57 grams) butter, diced

2 tablespoons light corn syrup (liquid glucose or golden syrup)

1 tablespoon liqueur (optional) (I like to use Frangelico or a coffee flavored liqueur)

Mocha Filling:

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup (50 grams) white sugar

2 tablespoons (15 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon (2 grams) instant coffee powder

1 cup (240 ml) cold heavy whipping cream (35-40% butterfat content)

Instructions:

Chocolate Chiffon Cake: Separate the eggs while they are still cold. Place the egg yolks in one bowl and the whites (along with the extra egg white) in another. Cover with plastic wrap and bring to room temperature (about 30 minutes).

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). You will need a 10 inch (25 cm) two piece ungreased tube pan.

In a large bowl sift the flour with the cocoa powder, 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a separate bowl whisk together the egg yolks, oil, coffee (or water), and vanilla extract. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

In a separate bowl, with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar (if using) until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the remaining 3/4 cup (150 grams) of sugar and beat until almost stiff peaks form. With a large rubber spatula or wire whisk, gently fold the egg whites (in three additions) into the batter just until blended (being careful not to deflate the batter).

Pour the batter into the ungreased tube pan and run a metal spatula or knife through the batter to get rid of any air pockets. Smooth the top and bake in the preheated oven for about 55 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. (When lightly pressed, the cake will spring back). Immediately upon removing the cake from the oven invert (turn upside down) the pan and place on a flat bottom cup (turned upside down) so it is suspended over the counter. Let the cake cool completely (about 1 1/2 hours). To remove the cake from the pan, run a long metal spatula or knife around the inside of the tube pan and center core. Invert onto a greased wire rack or cake circle. With a sharp knife cut the cake in half horizontally. Place the bottom layer on your serving plate and spread with about 3/4 cup (180 ml) of the cream filling. Gently place the top layer on the filling. Next, pour the chocolate glaze over the top of the cake letting it flow down the sides. Then with a knife or spatula spread the glaze over the sides of the cake. Place the rest of the filling in a piping bag and pipe a decorative border around the top of the cake (I used a Ateco star tip Number 846). I like to refrigerate the cake overnight before serving (this allows time for the flavors to mingle). The cake can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for about 4 days.

Chocolate Glaze: Melt the chocolate, butter, and corn syrup in a stainless steel bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from heat, stir in the liqueur, and let cool slightly.

Mocha Filling: Place your mixing bowl and wire whisk in the freezer for about 15-30 minutes. Then place all the ingredients, minus the cream, in the bowl. Stir about 2 tablespoons of the cream into the mixture. Add the rest of the cold cream and beat just until stiff peaks form.

Serves about 10 - 12

How to make Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake:

1 3/4 cups (350 grams) granulated white sugar

1 3/4 cups (225 grams) all-purpose flour

3/4 cup (75 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-processed), sifted

1 teaspoon (4 grams) baking soda

1 teaspoon (4 grams) baking powder

1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) kosher salt

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1 3/4 cups (420 ml/grams) buttermilk, at room temperature

1/2 cup (120 ml/grams) corn, vegetable, safflower or canola oil

1 1/2 teaspoons (6 grams) pure vanilla extract

Chocolate Ganache:

8 ounces (240 grams) semi sweet chocolate, finely chopped (I used a chocolate with a 58% cacao content)

1 cup (240 ml/grams) heavy whipping cream (cream with a 35-40% butterfat content)

Peanut Butter Frosting:

3 ounces (85 grams) full fat (regular) cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup (225 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup (60 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon (4 grams) pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup (185 grams) smooth peanut butter

2 teaspoons (10 grams) molasses (optional)

Garnish:

Chocolate Shavings or Grated Chocolate

Instructions:

Chocolate Cake: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place the oven rack in the center of the oven. Butter, or spray with a non stick vegetable spray, two - 8 x 2 inch (20 x 5 cm) round cake pans. Then line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper.

In the bowl of your electric stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, (or with a hand mixer) beat the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until combined.

In another large bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract. On low speed, add 1/3 of the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat until the mixture is a thick smooth paste. Add another 1/3 of the wet ingredients and mix, on low speed, until the batter is nice and smooth. At this point, scape down the sides and bottom of your bowl. Finally, add the rest of the wet ingredients and beat until incorporated and you have a smooth batter.

Evenly divide the batter between the two pans (about 670 grams in each pan) and bake for about 35 - 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake just comes out clean and the cakes are just starting to pull away from the sides of the pans.

Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 15-20 minutes. Then remove the cakes from their pans and cool completely on a greased wire rack before frosting. (The unfrosted cakes can be frozen for one month. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.)

Chocolate Ganache: Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set aside. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring just to a boil. (Can also heat the cream in the microwave, but watch carefully.) Immediately pour the boiling cream over the chocolate and allow to stand, without stirring, for a few minutes. Then, using a heatproof spatula, and starting in the center, stir the chocolate mixture in circles until the chocolate has melted and the ganache is nice and smooth. Immediately cover with plastic wrap, and let sit, at room temperature, until the ganache is of spreading consistency. This can take several hours (I let it sit overnight).

Peanut Butter Frosting: In the bowl of your electric stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment (or with a hand mixer), beat the cream cheese and butter, on medium speed, until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and beat, on medium speed, until light and fluffy. (The frosting can be refrigerated for five days or frozen for about two months. The frosting will have to be brought to room temperature and rewhipped.)

Assemble: Cut the two cake layers in half horizontally (so you will have four layers of cake). Place one cake layer (top of the cake facing up) onto a 9 inch (23 cm) cake circle. Spread with about 1/3 (1/2 cup (160 grams)) of the peanut butter frosting. Place the next cake layer, cut side down, onto the peanut butter frosting and spread with about 1/2 cup (150 grams) of ganache. Top with another layer of cake and spread with another 1/3 (1/2 cup (160 grams)) of the peanut butter frosting. Finally, top with the fourth layer of cake, bottom of the cake facing up, and cover the entire cake with a very thin layer of Ganache (using a scant 1/2 cup (150 grams)) (this is called a crumb coat). Refrigerate the cake for about 30 minutes or until the Ganache has set. Once the Ganache has set, spread the remaining Peanut Butter Frosting on the top of the cake, using a spatula to create a swirl pattern. Place the cake in the refrigerator and chill until the peanut butter frosting is set (about 15 - 30 minutes). Then spread a very thin layer of Ganache on the sides of the cake and, if desired, press chocolate shavings or curls into the Ganache.

The finished cake can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for about three days or frozen (well wrapped) for about one month. (If freezing, defrost in the refrigerator overnight.) Bring the cake to room temperature before serving.

Serves about 12 - 14 people.

How to prepare Avocado Shrimp Salad

AVOCADO SHRIMP SALAD

Ingredients
* 1lb uncooked deveined shrimp
* 15 grape tomatoes - halved
* 15 sunburst tomatoes - halved
* 2 avocados - peeled,  pitted and cut into chunks
* juices of 2 small limes
* 1/4 tsp garlic powder
* 1/8 tsp cumin
* pinch salt/pepper
* drizzle of olive oil
* handful of fresh cilantro - chopped

Directions
1. Drop shrimp into boiling water and cook until pink and curled into a "C" shape(appr. 2mins depending on the size). 
2. Drain shrimp and run under cold water to stop cooking.
3. Refrigerate until cold. Peel shrimp(if you want to)  and chop into bite size chunks
4. Combine shrimp and all the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Gently stir.
5. Refrigerate until served.

Laura Ikeji Kanu gives birth to a healthy baby boy

Fashionista Laura Ikeji and her husband, Ogbonna Kanu safely welcomed there Ryan.

Such a cutie. Congratulations dear.

Lemon Protein Squares

Crust
4 Graham cracker,  finely crushed
1 1/2 tbsp melted coconut oil

Mix and press into the bottom of a greased loaf pan

Filling:-
3/4 cup almond flour
2 eggs
2 eggs white
3 tsp lemon extract
1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp vanilla protein powder
1 tbsp melted coconut oil
4 drops liquid stevia
3 tbsp almond milk

Whisk the eggs together for about 3 mins so they're nice and fluffy. Mix with other ingredients and pour into the loaf pan on top of graham cracker crust.

Bake for 21 -23 mins at 350F
Let cool for 10 mins before removing from pan

Icing :
3 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp lemon extract
2 packets of granulated stevia
Mix and spread over the top of the coolest loaf.