The 2011 Movember Manly Cupcake Contest

Last year, around this time, something magical started. It involved frosting and whiskers. And it was glorious.

This year, we hope to keep the tradition of Movember alive and kicking. Prostate Cancer occurs in every 1 in 6 men in Canada, but it receives less than half the research funds that are available to Breast Cancer. The pink ribbons and reminders about mammograms and pap smears are everywhere, but when's the last time you've seen a parade encouraging men to get tested for testicular cancer? Let's face it: Men are men. They have a hard time talking about their assholes and balls in public. It's time to do something about it.

The Movember foundation, started in 2003, encourages men of all shapes and sizes (as well as their female counterparts) to grow the most manly mustache they can muster. Through this act, men and their supporters will ban together to raise money and awareness for all types of male health problems. Hopefully, in years to come, prostate and testicular cancer will be talked about freely, and funding for these men health issues will start to really flow.

C&C Cakery want to continue to show their support by hosting . . .

Movember is coming . . .

I've got a lot of emails, tweets, carrier pigeons, etc asking us about our plans next month - more specifically, our plans for Movember. Last year, we hosted a pretty sweet contest. This year, it will be Even. Bigger.

Details will be coming up on November 1st. For now, keep an eye on our twitter and facebook for some more clues. If you really want to start to get down and dirty, you can even join our Movember Team or just simply start the donations going.

Until then, all I will leave you with this year's new mascot. It may give you a hint to the new 2011 Movember Manly Cupcake Contest theme. What do you think?

Mr. Cupcake was lovingly created by élise steven illustration

Bloody Beet Cupcakes

I like to hide vegetables in things. Maybe it's my vegan nature. Maybe I physiologically feel better about eating a crapton of sugar if I know there's a bit of spinach hiding in there somewhere. Who knows.

I mentioned before that I'm sorta in a Halloween rut. Usually by now I've pulled a billion spooky recipes out of my butt and shared them all with you. But not this year. Nothing inspired me. Until I went to the farmers market and got a load of those Giant. Red. Beets.

 

Orange Cranberry Sauce Muffins

It's still there. Even after all the squash and brussel sprouts and tofurkey have been disposed of, it's still sitting there. In the back of the refrigerator. Waiting. Biding it's time. It's delicious, don't get me wrong. But it's just one of those condiments that seems endless.

I'm talking about Thanksgiving cranberry sauce. And we've got to have a serious conversation about this stuff.

Old Fashioned Vegan Velvet Cupcakes

By now, you were probably expecting at least one Halloweenie post to come through the tubes around here. I know – it’s pretty strange for me to go this long without baking something with pumpkins or candy corn. This year, I’m sad to say, I’m pretty uninspired for whatever reason. My love of Devil’s Night is still there, but I don’t know if my heart is in it.

Almond-Flour Muffins

I think I need to clear some things up about "Canadian Thanksgiving".

Or, should we say, "Original Thanksgiving". Sorry Americans, we had it way before you.

Calling All Nerds!

Have you ever argued over friends over who was the best Doctor? (Totally Number Ten) - Do still cry over the loss of Ned Stark? Are their more 'graphic novels' on your book shelf than actual books? Boy, do I have a event for you!

Since '71, Vancouver's own Sci-Fi and Fantasy convention has been spreading joy throughout the land of nerds. This year, we'll be joining them with a giant table full of incredible baked goods. Not only are these treats tasty, but they will for sure impress even the most stuck up of comic book guys. As a total bonus, all our proceeds are going to Aunt Leah's Youth Program, which support foster kids and mother's in need. We'll be in the Hospitality Suite on Sunday, from 10am until 5:30pm (or until we sell out!) at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport. You gotta check out what we're dragging along with us:

Tribble Truffles

Starks on a Stick

Bad Wolf Brownies

Browncoat Bars

Sonic Shortbread

Buffy Bites

Hufflepuff Cookies

Cthulhu Cupcakes

(Blue) Milk and Cookies Cupcakes

I really hope you come and visit. If you do, make sure you tweet, blog, and take lots of pictures!