Parents' Day

     Parents' Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of every July, and it is meant to be a combination of Mother's and Father's Days.  While not a well known holiday, Parents' Day  was meant for "recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children"," when it was created in 1994.
     In honor of Parents' Day, today's post is about cooking with the family.  As we have talked about before, our personal traditions are tied to food.  Family dinners, recipes passed down through the generations, the "special silverware" we only use for holidays and company that's been in the family for generations - these traditions are all part of who we are, and for the most part, they've all been passed down from our parents.
     So why is it good to cook with your kids?  Cooking with your kids helps build creativity and self reliance, and it helps minimize pickiness.  Kids are more likely to eat dinner if they helped make it.  Even the youngest children can help out by stirring, adding ingredients and the perennial favorite, licking beaters and spoons used for cake batter.  But more than this, if you cook with your kids, you're spending time with them and more likely to eat dinner as a family, which can lead to healthier living.
     Cooking is a great way to teach kids new stuff in a fun way!  By cooking international foods, (yes, spaghetti can count!) you can teach your kids about geography, history, and other cultures.  Reading recipes and measuring ingredients teaches math and science.  
     Most importantly, cooking with your kids can be fun (albeit messy) for everyone, and it creates good memories and lasting traditions.   Kartika started Euforia Confections after her mother passed away because she wanted to share the cakes that she used to bake with her mother in Indonesia.    

A little bit about Indonesian Cuisine

     Cakes from Euforia Confections are created from Indonesian family recipes.  Our Thousand Layer Cakes and Triple Delight Cakes are traditionally used to celebrate important events and holidays in Indonesia and have been enjoyed by generations of families in Indonesia.  Part of what makes food so awesome is knowing the tradition behind it, the history of it, and how it has evolved over time, so today's post is going to be a bit of a history lesson.  Don't worry, you won't be quizzed.
     Because Indonesia is located on what were once popular trade routes connecting the Middle East to the Far East, several of Indonesia's 17,000 islands became known as the Spice Islands.  Trade with other cultures started with China in approximately the seventh century.  That is how spices such as cardamom, cumin, and caraway became widely used in addition to the introduction of tea, soybeans, noodles and nasi goreng (fried rice) in Indonesian cuisine.  Nasi goreng is considered a national dish of Indonesia to this day.  Heavy traffic from traders brought new foods and cooking techniques from around the world to Indonesian culture.  Starting in the 1500s European nations started fighting for control of the Spice Islands, and by the 1600s the Dutch had set up their empire in Indonesia (then the Dutch East Indies) and gained control of the trade routes.  To remind themselves of home, the Dutch brought cabbage, potatoes, cauliflower, and corn, among other items.  Some of the native upperclass and nobles were introduced to the Dutch cuisine, which led to a fusion of Indonesian and Dutch flavors and methods.  Many of the cakes and cookies popular today can trace back to the Dutch colonial era (specifically the Spekkoek and Spiku - or Euforia's Thousand Layer and Triple Delight cakes respectively).
     Due to the time and work involved to create the Spekkoek (or Lapis Legit as it is also referred) and Spiku (or Lapis Surabaya meaning  'layer cake' ), they are typically only enjoyed for celebrations in Indonesia.  Layered cakes are very popular for Indonesian weddings as they symbolize the couple climbing a ladder to success.   For this reason, many couples will slice the cake from the bottom and work their way up.  Other occasions to enjoy these cakes include birthdays,  New Year, and Eid al-Fitr.
     Kartika (Euforia's founder) grew up baking these cakes with her mother using the family recipes passed down while growing up in Indonesia, and she wants to share them.  We think every day has a reason to celebrate which is why you can get these delicious cakes at any time at Euforia Confections.

Cheers!



   
    

The Benefits of Going Gluten-Free

Mac 'n Cheese, Cinnamon Rolls, Chicken and Dumplings - these are some of the most common "Comfort Foods" in America, but for a growing population, they create nothing but discomfort because they all contain gluten.  Gluten is the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye products and consuming gluten in any form can cause a severe reaction for people afflicted with celiac disease, wheat allergy, and gluten sensitivity.

Celiac Disease is a disorder in which eating gluten causes an intestinal reaction where the intestines get inflamed and can cause serious issues.  This disease affects approximately 1 in 133 people in the United States and the frequency appears to be increasing.  Going to a gluten-free diet heals damage and can prevent further issues.

Another common reason that people become gluten free is due to wheat allergies. Wheat allergies are one of the most common allergies that are diagnosed and effect millions of people.  Gluten sensitivity is another emerging problem. This is when eating gluten causes symptoms similar to Celiac Disease, but it doesn't cause damage to the intestine.

     

Because of the prevalence of these issues in our society, gluten-free foods are gaining in popularity.  There are many substitutes for wheat, barley, and rye. People looking to avoid gluten don't have to feel deprived, but there are still challenges to a gluten-free diet.    One of the biggest complaints to the gluten-free diet is "the food doesn't taste as good," and "it's hard to find good gluten-free food."  

Euforia Confections proves that gluten-free can be delicious.  The Thousand-Layer Cakes has the "tasting of a pound cake with nicer ingredients" and the new Triple Delight Cake has amazing vanilla and chocolate layers that don't sacrifice flavor to be gluten-free. 

Now, with Euforia Confections you can say "MMM...gluten-free cake," and not "Ughh...gluten-free cake."

Read more reviews about our cakes.

Cookies for Kids' Cancer

     Euforia Confections is excited to start donating two percent of our sales to Cookies for Kids' Cancer!  

Cancer affects so many of us, including our family and our friends. Some of us are survivors, but the hardest is when cancer affects children.  Fortunately, Cookies for Kids' Cancer is a great foundation that raises money for research to fight pediatric cancer. We want to do everything we can to help out and will be donating two percent of our sales to Cookies for Kids' Cancer.  When you order a Euforia Triple Delight Cake or any of our gluten-free desserts, you will be helping a great cause!

So be a Good Cookie!  Order from Euforia Confections and know that you're supporting a great cause while enjoying a delicious, gluten-free dessert!

*Cookies for Kids' Cancer is a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation dedicated to raising funds for pediatric cancer research by providing the support & resources for individuals and businesses to host local fundraising events.     Here's the link to their website: Click here for more information!