1. Build brawn. Doing weight-lifting or strength training helps accelerate your metabolic rate.
2. Step it up. You may not pack on the muscles, but high-intensity aerobics can send your metabolism soaring.
3. Go guzzling. We're talking water. Drink more. Mild dehydration slows your metabolism.
4. Eat, eat, eat. Not more food, but more often. Snacks, that is. Eating smaller amounts more often tends to crank up your metabolism.
5. Light my fire. With spicy foods. Chopped red or green chili pepper tends to energize your metabolism.
6. Powerful protein. Consuming protein better burns calories than carbohydrates and fats. Go with lean beef, turkey, fish, white meat chicken, nuts, beans, and eggs.
7. Breakfast with Joe. In moderation, coffee gives your metabolism a short-term boost.
8. Don't crash. Crash diets may cause you to lose a few pounds in the beginning, but at the expense of nutrition. Crash diets often also lead to muscle loss, which slows metabolism. 

• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup coconut oil, melted (can substitute canola oil)
• 2 ¼ cups cake flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups grated carrots, medium packed
• ½ cup chopped raisins (optional)
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

• ½ cup dairy free cream cheese (such as Toffutti)
• ½ cup vegan butter, softened (such as Earth Balance)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour (soy flour works great, too!)
• 2 cups confectioners sugar

1.  Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease lightly and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or a 9x11-inch baking pan. Set aside.
3. Mix applesauce, milk, vanilla, sugar, and oil together in a large mixing bowl.
4. Whisk cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a separate mixing bowl.
5. Mix dry and wet ingredients together until combined.
6. Add in carrots and (optional) chopped raisins.
7. Bake 20-30 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the cake's center comes out clean).
8. Put on wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.
9. Let the cake cool completely before adding frosting.

1. As the cake is cooling, use an electric mixer to beat cream cheese and butter together until the mix becomes smooth and creamy.
2. Add the vanilla extract and continue beating until it is combined.
3. Slowly add flour and confectioners sugar and continue to beat on high until it is light and fluffy.
4. Continue to add sugar until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.
5. Cool the frosting in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before applying it to the cake.
6. Frost the top of one cake. Place the second cake on top. Continue to layer frosting on the rest of the cake.
7. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts on the cake if desired.
8. Put in the refrigerator.