Thank God for cupcakes!
Look what my wonderful and amazing husband brought home to me this afternoon: Babycakes cupcakes! 
They totally made my day!
Mal chose two really yummy cupcakes: German Chocolate and Banana Chocolate. Of course, I stole a bite of each before dinner. 
Dinner
I tried something new for dinner tonight: gardein Bqq Pulled Shreds. A few weeks ago, the gardein folks sent me a few coupons to try some of their products.
So, what is gardein?
gardein™ is a wholesome range of tasty plant-based foods with a meaty texture. it’s made from soy, wheat and pea proteins, vegetables and ancient grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet and kamut). gardein™ is easy to digest and free of cholesterol, trans and saturated fats. the majority of gardein™ foods are a good source of fiber and low fat too. gardein™ is also animal and dairy free.
The ingredient list on the package was long, but nothing looked too scary, and I could pronounce all of the words.
Verdict: I was pleasantly surprised! 
I’m always wary of meat substitutes. Usually, they’re a complete disaster– weird textures, fake-tasting flavors, and hard-to-pronounce ingredients. But, this was not the case for the gardein Bbq Pulled Shreds. They were surprisingly close to the real thing. The shreds were tender and chewy, the smell was bold and authentic, and the bbq sauce was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
The Bbq Pulled Shreds even looked like the real thing!
If I hadn’t known already, I would have thought it was a real bbq pulled pork sandwich. I’m a big fan of this product. Mal loved it, too!
For dessert, Mal and I plowed through the Babycake cupcakes. They had no chance!
Snack
For accountability’s sake, I ate a small bowl of Uncle Sam’s cereal with walnuts and raisins before dinner.
I was supposed to go out with friends for drinks tonight, but I decided to stay home and be a bum. Mentally, I am just spent. 
Hopefully, an easy night at home will recharge me. I have a busy weekend ahead!
Happy weekend, all!
{ 57 comments… read them below or add one }
Next Comments →
Those cupcakes sound awesome! The only one from Boston I’ve had were Kickass Cupcakes. I need to expand my palate.
And that dinner sounds good, too! Definitely going to try them once Lent is over
wow, i’m surprised at how real that “pork” looks! i need to try some soon since i’m not eating meat for the next 30 days…
i feel ya on needing to stay home tonight. it’s just one of those nights that would be well worth it to stay in. hope you have fun!
Oh yum! I LOVE cupcakes! My boyfriend and I are going to spend the day in Boston for our anniversary (we live on the cape!) I want to try out that place you went to when your friends were in town…What was it called? Flour?
I am comment # 4!!!!! So exciting!!! And oh my God!!! The BabyCakes Cupcakes look amazing!!!!! I am telling you, every time I read your posts about Boston, I miss it so so so much!!!!! I have to find a cupcake place here!
Those cupcakes look incredible!! What a sweet husband!
I love love love (LOVE) Gardein! I am not a faux meat person at all, but these are just amazing. Also, just a note for anyone who might be reading – sometimes “yeast extract” is code for MSG (!), but that’s not the case for Gardein. I wrote to the company & their products are MSG-free!
Their Beefless Tips & Chik’n Tenders are also DELICIOUS! Such a fabulous line of products. You sandwich looks awesome!
What a sweet husband you have =] I’m feeling spent after this week too. Vegging out tonight!
Sometimes the best Friday nights are spent with a glass of wine on the couch! Those cupcakes look divine! What a great husband!
That’s one of my favorite dinners – gardein bbq shreds on a whole wheat sandwich thin!
I’ve been shadowing at a bakery for my class project and I’ve been eatin’ some yummmmy cupcakes lately!
Those cupcakes look amazing! I wish I could have one right now.
@Jess – The Domestic Vegan: I’m always a little concerned about meatless products that are made to taste and look like meat, so this is great info to know! Thanks!
Tina, there’s a gluten free bakery in NYC called babycakes. Is this the same? The cupcakes look fantastic!
Cupcakes look sooooo goood. Yum
I love when husbands and boyfriends bring home treats as a surprise, it just makes the night so might better! Have a relaxing night!
Tell Mal he’s just given thousands of readers a craving for cupcakes!
those cupcakes look amazing! I’m actually glad we don’t have a babycakes nearby. I’d be eating them constantly!
Yum…what a sweet hubs!
look at your big old vegan meal!!!
i have been wanting to try babycakes forever – they just opened one up in downtown los angeles and i have yet to go. and i also got some coupons from gardein – i picked up a different product but will try the “pork” one next since you liked it!!!
Aren’t the gardein products awesome? Josh and I have tried the chicken tenders so far and both loved them. The cupcakes look incredible- Mal is such a sweetie for getting those for you. Josh and I are being bums tonight too
We’re currently watching property virgins
Glad they worked out. i tried the tuscan chicken gardein and took one bite and almost barfed. too weird of texture for me.
wow that really looks real! i don’t really eat pork, so i should go seek it out!
mmmm, the pulled “pork” looks really good, and i have spent a good deal of time in my past in the south eating bbq. yum. can you get it at a regular supermarket, or is it just a whole foods thing? i don’t think i’ve seen it at shaws.
Those cupcakes look delicious. And so does the pulled pork. I’ve tried Gardein’s Tuscan “chicken,” and found it pretty tasty, too.
ever since you had those cupcakes at sweet i’ve been wanting to go get some and now this just fuels the fire! but i gave up chocolate for lent so i’m waiting until after easter to get some yummy goodness hehe
OOh thanks for sharing your review of the gardein product! I have been eyeing these at some local stores and haven’t had the opportunity to test them yet. You made them look so good!
Huh, that actually looks pretty good. I wonder if I’d be able to find them where I live.
All your cupcakes lately make me drool.
Good to hear about that product and it has Mal’s approval. My GI told me to eat less meat but Hunni is wary of fake meats.
Wow – those cupcakes look heavenly! I know how you feel about being a bum, the winter just makes me want to be a homebody.
Have a good night at home!! That’s what i’m doing tonight too and it’s awesome.
Those cupcakes sound great!!! Lucky you.. what a great husband you have!
And that product sounds fantastic! I will for sure try it if I see it
Have your tried Riblets??? PLease say yes.
OMG! those cupcakes look soo amazing!!!! Jealous?!? yup
* Enjoy your night in, and have a wonderful weekend 
The pulled pork looks GREAT! What store did you find the gardein products at?
That bbq looks like the real thing! mmm…. is it sad that pulled pork was one of my fav hangover eats back in the day?
your sandwich looks really good… hope you enjoyed it..
I’ve been wanting to try Gardein. I’ve read recently that some Chipotle’s are having it as an option. Good to hear it actually tastes good. Those cupcakes look AMAZING. Surprising, I’ve never had Babycakes. I know they ship, I wonder how well they keep?
Beautiful cupcakes! Glad you guys enjoyed
and thank for the Gardein product review, I’ve seen them around recently and was quite intrigued!
I was “supposed” to go out tonight too, but I prefer being a bum at the moment.
I was supposed to be out tonight to but instead I’m on my couch in comfy clothes! Gardein products are great! I haven’t been disappointed yet. Have a great night!
Is this a post on my favorite things? :p First, I am so in love with the Gardein shreds.. and those cupcakes, drooling! What a fantastic husband!
Fabulous lookin cupcakes!!! I don’t know how you stopped at one bite before dinner!!
I love, love, love how you allow yourself a treat everyday and aren’t afraid of it. I think that is truly healthy balance! Enjoy the sweet things in life!
I saw the BBQ shreds at Publix just the other day….now that I know they are actually good, I will pick them up. Thanks for the honest review!
Jealous of the cupcakes! Yum
I looove cupcakes. That German chocolate one looks amazing. My favorite is always red velvet.
What was your favourite cupcake?
Ohhhh I’ve heard about that veggie pulled pork and that’s it’s really good! I’m gonna have to give it a whirl! Yum-o on those cupcakes….way to go Mal!!
-emily http://www.emilyeatsclean.wordpress.com
dude. every time you post anything sweet (cupcakes, cheesecake most recently), i moan. this town of mine needs a cupcakery!!
Looving the look of those cupcakes, I haven’t even had breakfast yet and you’re making me crave cup cakes!! What a lovely husband to bring them back for you
@Chelsea: Yep, Flour!
@allie: I found them at Stop & Shop.
@Jenna: Stop & Shop.
Babycakes made my best friends wedding cupcake tower. I spent most of the wedding as it’s date.
Also, the manperson and I are looking at a condo diagonally across the street from Babycakes. Signing the lease could be a blessing or a curse because I’d probably just end up living at the cupcake store.
Next Comments →