A Woman’s Work
When I was in law school, I dreamed of the day when I would passionately address a jury, asking that they serve justice upon a criminal who had heartlessly victimized a woman or a child. I spent hours poring over cases, highlighting opinions and spending every last dollar I hadn’t yet earned to pay for an education that would redeem itself in both salary and the satisfaction of working for the rights of women and children.
Eight years later, I’m baking vegan treats for child brides.
They have no idea that technically I could insist that they not call me “Mommy,” but “Mommy, J.D.” They don’t care that I passed a Bar that wasn’t made of almonds, coconut and chocolate chips. They definitely wouldn’t believe that I argued in front of the Court of Appeals about something other than why we cannot wear a swimsuit and rain boots to the grocery store.
At this stage of their lives, though, the greatest feminist lessons I’m teaching are that Cinderella can drive herself to the ball,
that the “Stepsister” can have fun even without the prince,
that women are strong enough to handle any situation that comes their way,
and that if a educated, strong-minded woman decides to forgo her career to play dressup and bake the most incredibly delicious carrot cake in the middle of the day, she can still have it all.
Vegan Carrot Cake Bars with “Cream Cheese” Icing
- 8-10 carrots, steamed and pureed to yield approximately 1 c.
- 1/3 c. Earth Balance, softened
- 1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 c. unsweetened almond or soy milk (vanilla or plain)
- 1/2 c. packed organic brown sugar
- 2/3 c. organic sugar OR 2/3 c. NuNaturals Stevia Baking Blend
- 1/2 t. vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 c. whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 c. raisins
- 1 t. baking powder
- 1/2 t. baking soda
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1 t. cinnamon
- 1/2 t. ginger
- 1/2 t. nutmeg
Icing:
- 3 T. Earth Balance
- 4 oz. Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese
- 2 c. powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Peel, chop and steam carrots until soft.
Puree in a blender or food processor until smooth.
In a large bowl, cream together pureed carrots, Earth Balance, brown sugar, white sugar or stevia, vanilla, applesauce and milk and beat until smooth.
In a smaller bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices.
Add a little at a time to the wet mixture until incorporated.
Fold in raisins.
Spread mixture in the bottom of an 8×8 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
Whip together icing ingredients with a hand mixer. Frost bars when they are completely cool.
Maybe I didn’t don a suit and heels today and nail my closing argument. A safer bet would be that I didn’t get out of my yoga pants and the only “criminal” I put away was with the imaginary one Wonder Woman and I defeated.
But the beds have clean sheets, my house smells of cinnamon and my four year-old now wants carrot cake on her birthday.
I’ll count that as a victory for this mommy. That is, Mommy, J.D.
***Another Week 2 BFL update (with an adorable pic here).
That carrot cake looks fabulous! Love “mommy J.D.” haha
This sounds amazing! Love how many carrots it involves – this is a real ‘carrot cake’ recipe
You are such an awesome role model for your girls
Oh my God, carrot cake is my favorite dessert, how did you just make it ten times better? I will jump in a puddle of that frosting
My dad is an attorney and I always told him he talked to me like clients.
I think the girls may prefer mommy the baker. 
Those do look like the best dessert ever.
I’m so impressed by you because like many women I know who got an advanced degree and became mothers, you empowered yourself with the options. My friends who have MBA’s might be a little rusty by the time their kids hit high school but I’m guessing it’s still way easier than going back to school after being out for a while (as I have done twice now). You are an amazing role model in so many ways!
you are one cool mom. and your kids are as cute as ever mama pea JD
carrot cake porn, straight up.
Uh oh . . . I’m totally having a “I’m wasting myself on this stupid job” breakdown today and this just reminded me that there are about a million things more important in the world than work, like family for instance.
I love everything about this post: the adorable photos, a recipe for cake that looks delicious, and a fabulous message you’re passing on to your kids.
That’s the best carrot cake recipe I’ve seen in a while! Even the “healthy” versions I see have a zillion cups of sugar. I might try it with crushed pineapple instead of applesauce…as soon as I can get my hiney to the store to replenish my carrot supply.
YUM YUM YUM!!!
Yummy looking cake Mommy, JD!
I often feel like I am wasting my life and degree away as I pack Maya’s lunches and shadow her at the park every day. But this is a great reminder of what is really important doesn’t necessarily earn us a paycheck!
It is funny how your whole life changes when you have kids. The way you think of things and how everything you did before seems like a world away. My youngest one used to tell me I was the best cooker ever. After going to culinary school and making fancy food…it really was the best compliment ever when it came from him! The cake looks delicious!
Omg, that carrot cake looks amazing!!! And I’ve been craving carrot cake lately… a sign? I think so!
And your girls are absolutely adorable! I miss playing dress up. The good old days. How lucky they are to have a mommy baking them such yummy treats!
And I loved the interwoven story about your new “career”… it sounds to me like it is infinitely more rewarding
You can always go back to work but you can never relive the memories being with your children can yield. Kudos to YOUR sacrifices. BTW carrot cake is my fave.
Well, Mama Pea. I might just have to try these bars. They look scary good.
PS- I’m a strong believer that understanding the feminine images promoted to us by society is one of the strongest bases for a feminist mindset. I think, as women, we are kind of magical creatures capable of stepping into a hundred different roles at any given time, and it’s important to know how to be both a warrior and a princess. I think your daughters are lucky to have such a strong role model in you.
Well said, La. I never discourage princess play, just the concept that they NEED a prince to save them.
i love this post – women are so much more than what meets the eye! and you’re right, you can have it all. you have an incredible degree and amazing experiences that go along with that, but you also have two beautiful girls and it seems like you’re teaching them well. beautifuL!
Disgruntled ex-lawyers, unite!
“I’m baking vegan treats for child brides” – partnered with that picture – has me rolling on the floor laughing!
I heart the Pea family! 
Those bars look AMAZING! I think I may actually try to attempt my very first vegan baked good with this recipe!!!
Well said Mama Pea. This is such a constant struggle for me and the way you articulated your choices is thoroughly inspiring. I needed this today–thank you!
What an awesome recipe! My husband loves carrot cake and I’m hoping to sneak some vegan recipes in where I can (he’s 110% omnivore, haha). Thanks for sharing!
I admire you: law education, Mommy skills and all. You rock
Hi!
Though, I read tons health food blogs (and blogs in general), I rarely EVER comment on anything I read. However, I saw this post – which I loved – and just HAD to comment on it. It is so inspiring to me to see someone who is educated yet enjoying her life as a mother, which I hope to be someday.
I am a second-year college student at Harvard, and boy, I can tell you there is so much pressure to have to be SOMETHING and be SOMEONE. And though I love learning and I love being intellectually stimulated everyday, I don’t see my education as the means to some professional end. In fact, I think the most fulfilling life I could lead would to be a stay-at-home mom. I don’t share that with many people here at Harvard because when I have in the past, people have scoffed at me and asked “Then why are you here?” I don’t think I need to justify why a Harvard education is valuable – I don’t think I need to prove myself by being a high-paid professional with a booming career. I think success can be found in the home, and perhaps that is the longest enduring success that one can find.
I love that you have a law degree and yet love staying at home with your beautiful two girls as well. Its exactly what I want to do.
-Natalie
Thank you, Natalie! I appreciate your comment and think that the most wonderful thing about being a woman in this time in history is that we CAN do both! Some of the best moms I know are professionals and some of the hardest working women I know are moms. I have respect and admiration for all moms, no matter what path they choose!
It’s so amazing seeing a cake with real carrots! I am constantly impressed. Again, am so glad you’re passing on positive thinking to the next generation!
Katherine
whataboutsummer
I love this post! The cake looks delicious and, hey, the kids are getting veggies and sweets at the same time. Right?
Your little girls are way too cute-I love it!
Mmmm and that cake looks amazing!
Whoa. I will be making these SOON! Just wanted to tell you while my mom was in town we looked at your blog each night [I always do but she is new to it] and read it out loud together. She cracked up at your stories and loves your adorable kids. It was really fun for us
Awww. Peas and Thank You: Kid Tested, Mother Approved. I love it! Thank you for telling me!
I’m confused about the ‘better than cream cheese’ I tried to veganize a coffee cake recipe today and the ‘cream cheese’ had bits of herbs etc. in it—and tasted way too savory to be trusted in a frosting. It didn’t say anything but ‘plain’ on the package, so I wonder if we used the same stuff and I should have just continued with the recipe…..
Hmm…
Yikes, you must have gotten the Herbs and Chives variety by mistake! How disgusting! I’ve done that before too, unfortunately.
Hey Momma Pea~ I had some old pineapple in the fridge that wasn’t being used. I pureed it and kept it in the freezer until I could use it to modify your almond joy bar recipe. We replaced applesauce w/the pineapple and almonds w/macadamia nuts. Also used coconut butter instead of almond oil. They were seriously tropically delicious! Thanks for the inspiration!
wow that carrot cake looks fantastic! Great job! I’m going to school for architecture, being sleep deprived and barely surviving, but I feel like I’m going to end up being a stay-at-home-mom. And for some reason, I don’t mind.
So I am seriously considering making that icing and eating it with a spoon. Look DELISH.
Incredible how you can get that many carrots in this one cake! I’m going to make this right after I make the Vegan Monkey pie, which is on my grocery list for this afternoon. I have a jaw problem lately so these 2 recipes will be soft enough I’m sure….they both look wonderful and I can’t wait to try them.
Happy Friday Mama Pea!
I am going to have to try the cake out soon!
Oh Momma Pea you have done it again…I have to make that carrot cake this weekend. I’m sure it is absolutely DIVINE.
And those children well, what can I say…you’ve raised some good ones…who will only become better.
holy yum! that looks SO good!
That looks delicious Mama Pea!
i think you are sending an admirable message to your kids, mp jd. and i gotta say, the first picture and the baking for child brides bit cracked me up as well.
cute post
I have been reading your blog for a little while now, but this post finally made me stop being a “lurker” and actually comment.
As someone who is about to graduate from college, I have been so conflicted as to whether I should aggressively pursue a career (I did work for 4 years to earn that degree) or if I should follow my heart and start a family. This post really spoke to me. I was worried if I decided to be a stay at home mom (for a while, at least) that I wouldn’t be a positive female role model for my cousins or daughters or anyone else. Your words helped me see that wasn’t the case.
Thank you for your honesty and your willingness to share your life and family with all of your readers.
Ahhh, the life of a SAHM. As an (over)educated SAHM, I can relate to the whole post..but let’s cut to the chase of those bars! NICE! I love the step by step photo guide and the real carrots, not carrot juicer pulp or anything like that, real carrots. I get excited over the little things. Including tofuitti frosting!
You are amazing for putting your children first. Just and awesome Mommy, JD!
You do have it all! Two magnificent, well-behaved children – Check. Baking/Cooking skills worthy of an award – Check. An awesome, supportive family and husband – Check. The common sense to realize and teach others that no matter where life takes you, all of the hard work you put in will never go to waste unless you allow yourself to believe it! Thanks for reminding me that things don’t always turned out as planned, but that can be a great thing… I needed this tonight
I love all of your posts, but this one is especially endearing. As I inch my way toward age 30, I’m becoming increasingly focused on starting a family with my husband. I enjoy my job working in schools, but my heart skips a beat every time I think about becoming a mom. Although some might roll their eyes at me, I am totally committed to being a stay-at-home mom… at least until our (future) kids are in school full time. I am a firm believer that there is no position more fulfilling than raising your children, and you seem to be doing an unbelievable job with your girls!
As for the vegan carrot cake, all I can say is holy yum! I’m making it immediately, if not sooner
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Thanks Lauren. Every mom has to do what’s right for them. I just know I can always work…but I won’t always have these days with my girls.
Enjoy your weekend!
Mamma Pea! You have been my hero for a while. Now that I know you are an attorney? I bow at you feet, My Goddess!! I will be 38 on Tuesday, had my child early, he is in his senior year so I have gone back to school. My goal? I am DYING to be an attorney. College algebra, however, is standing in my way! Right now? I’m catching up on google reader to avoid figuring out why i is a number!
Anyway, just wanted to speak up! I LOVE your posts and really enjoyed going to Hawaii with you guys!
My dream is to be you when I grow up!
Hi Denise! Congrats on your new career goals. There are a lot of people in law school that are on their second careers and I actually think you have an upperhand because of your life experiences. Put you in a job interview next to some frat boy in a suit and you’ll get it every time! Good luck with algebra…x=y+3 (4/z) or something….
Great post! Sounds like a really wonderful carrot cake
Please excuse my ignorance, but what is Earth Balance? I’ve never heard of or seen it before… I suppose I could just Google it, but I’d prefer to hear it from you.
P.S. Found your blog via NoMeatAthlete, and I wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed your writing!
Thanks Dasha. Earth Balance is a vegan margarine (you can find it with regular margarine in most grocery stores) and it is the most delicious buttery goodness in a tub you will ever find. Lulu likes it eat it straight from the tub when I’m not watching. Glad you found me!
hey! just a friendly question… do the girls eat the same food as you for din or do you make seperate stuff for yourself…..your salads for din look delish but just wondering if the girls eat that everyday too?
Generally we all eat some variation of a theme. For example, last night the girls had pita pizza and salads, whereas I made my pizza into a veggie bowl. If they have burritos, I’ll cut up some red pepper and carrot sticks on the side, and I’ll just make the whole thing into a taco salad for me, or put mine in an Ezekiel wrap. Hope that answers your question!
I love that you are raising your girls to be vegetarian, but I love it even more that you are raising them to have a strong sense of self as women. I’ve been reading your blog for a couple weeks now and I always enjoy your hilarious updates.
It takes a courageous woman to spend loads of time & money getting a law degree and then to spend several years raising children instead of practicing law. I definitely commend you for that.
Looking forward to more wonderful posts!
emilee
You’re an inspiring woman and mother, Mama Pea! Also that carrot cake looks delicious.
Since we’re talking about your work, MP, I think it’s worth pointing out that I have a good eye for future talent and career tracks (I’m being dead serious–I hire 30 interns a year, don’t forget) and I see a vegan bakery in your future. Think Barefoot Contessa, except you’ll be wearing shoes, you won’t use a stick of butter in every recipe, and you’ll be just a tad more svelte and savvy. Think about it. You have become a vegan baking genius.
Wow, thanks! I’m not sure the Hamptons are ready for me…but I’m willing to try!
I really love your blog! It is so flippin’ hilarious!!! … and you have awesome recipes, too!
oh SNAP! now that is a dessert!
“And that if a educated, strong-minded woman decides to forgo her career to play dressup and bake the most incredibly delicious carrot cake in the middle of the day, she can still have it all” just gave me the human bumps! You are such an inspiration & I love every single post!
I work as a corporate law solicitor and although I do enjoy my job (as far as one can enjoy a job), I work long stressful hours, am tired, grumpy and stressed most of the time, have back pain and problems sleeping, I’m single and live alone and I don’t see my friends or family enough.
I would give it all up in a heartbeat for a beautiful loving family like yours.
sorry – I’m not being a whiner and I know everything has its ups and downs…. There are great things about work and awful things about being a mother, I just wanted to let you know that I seriously would give up my lifestyle for yours if I could.
(and what you do is FAR more important than anything I’ll ever do as a solicitor – bringing a child into the world)
I didn’t think you were whining…I’m flattered! Plus even if you were, whining IS most definitely allowed on this blog. Obviously.
oh my gosh! this is epic!! i was just talking to my vegan boys about the carrot cake i made on easter and wishing i had a vegan version. and viola, here one is. you read my mind!! totally making this one this week
oh and for the fruit pizza, i do make a vegan one all the time (with vegan sugar cookie dough and tofutti+brown sugar icing) but i would be ecstatic if you HEALTHIFIED the treat! that would be amazing! let me know if you do.
congrats to lulu, looks like she is expecting a healthy little one.
Just wanted to say I just found your blog and am really enjoying it. I have two little girls myself and am also an attorney (though up here in Canada we call ourselves lawyers). Love your philosophy on feeding your kids.
Mama Pea – as USUAL, you’ve out done yourself! Ever since I saw the carrot cake bars on your blog, I’ve been drooling and waiting for the time to make them.
Today was IT! Oh joyous day, they are SO fantabulous. Really, almost as genius as the strawberry shortcake pancakes.
(another favourite of my home)
Thanks SO much, for the laughter, the fun and the creative and healthy recipes.
AMEN MAMA PEA. loved this post. it made me smile lots
This post just brought a little tear to my eye, the work that a mom does is soo important. I am sure you are raising your daughters to be little feministas too.
On a different note, the carrot cake looks delicious!
wonderful post and the cake looks amazing! will make this weekend. enjoy yourself.
Just made this cake for my husband’s birthday. Carrot cake is his favorite, so I surprised him with it when he got home from work today. He wasn’t even hungry, but since I gave him the pout face, he agreed to have a bite to appease me. He immediately said, “Oh, wow…” and then proceeded to eat two slices. This is a really fantastic recipe- thank you so much!!
You are welcome! This is one of our favorite cakes