Monthly Archives: February 2010

Treating Yourself Like Royalty

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23

Since it’s NEDA week I wanted to write about treating ourselves not just with respect, but with love and kindness. Honoring yourself. Harboring negative energy towards others, and especially yourself, is a waste of time. Life is too fleeting to dwell on things. So what does giving myself the royal treatment mean to me? Living life beautifully and to the fullest. Accepting the good and the bad without getting my head wrapped tightly around the latter. Just being. Being who I am and not feeling shame. Never contain your spirit–just let it be free! Moreover, I love to surround myself with things that make me happy: friends and family, the arts… creativity, imaginations, comforting smells, spirituality, and delicious food. The list could go on, but I don’t think we’ve got all day. But here’s how I started my Wednesday!

Crumbled goodness

That particular morning I decided to try Betty Lou’s Apple Cinnamon Fruit Bar… let me just call it an apple pie because that’s what it tasted like!!! Note: All of their fruit bars are “gluten-free / low-fat / vegan / wheat-free / soy-free / corn-free / dairy-free.” You can definitely have these fruits bars alone but I had it with yogurt, a diced apple, and Sunland’s caramel peanut butter. I also spread some coconut oil on the bar before I crumbled it because I’m Katharina and that’s what I do. “In conclusion”, this breakfast was superb! Can you tell that I’m enjoying working my way through the amazing  Betty Lou’s sampler package? I really can’t thank them enough.

Then I got ready for Crit day 2.
Check out the pockets!
Acting like a diva is a sure way to wake anyone up!

My professor actually gave me an extension on my piece because he could tell that I hadn’t finished developing it. RELIEF! I was not looking forward to the critique because of that. But thank you all for your kind words on it!!! I will definitely keep you all updated on how the piece ends up transforming. I’m also working on a video right now, and my next sculpture piece.

Thank goodness for leftovers because I came home a very hungry girl after the crit.

I had the last of the Amy’s cheese & pesto pizza. However, this time I decided to throw on some cooked butternut squash. Adding my own twist to pre-packaged food is something I usually do, but I wanted to give the pizza itself a try first.

Tried some new granola bars!

Nancy, over at Granola Gourmet, kindly sent me a sampler package of two of their bars: brownie and spiced orange cranberry. These bars contain no sodium, no wheat, nor dairy. Moreover, they are also safe for diabetics since they have a low glycemic level, and they boast 391 mg of Omega 3′s per serving. So what’d I think?

Brownie: It was definitely rich and chocolatey! I was expecting it to be dry but it surprisingly was not. I also enjoyed the chewy and dense texture of this bar. I also advise drinking this with a delicious glass of milk.

Spiced Orange Cranberry: The orange flavor in this bar was very prominent. I felt it undermined the cranberry flavor and I couldn’t quite make out what was spiced about it. However, the moistness was very nice to bite into, and it didn’t crumble everywhere!

The recipe I was making called for grated nutmeg.

And water chestunuts.

I popped a few in my mouth while prepping. I just love how crunchy they are! Now, what the heck was I making?

Butternut Squash with Carmelized Onions, Chestnuts, and Sage Breadcrumbs

This was one of the recipes from the Veganomicon that popped out at me when I was browsing through it for the first time.

Digging in!
This snack tasted deliciously decadent.

The other day I also attempted to make April’s famous protein brownie batter. This is one chica I definitely trust when it comes to recipes. And it’s amazing because she comes up with so many of these! I used chocolate protein powder and banana peanut butter to make mine. This was so decadent and satisfying to eat. I think I’m going to try vanilla protein powder with cashew butter next.

Dinner is served.

I had the casserole, a chunk of focaccia, raw kale, and olive oil + balsamic vinegar + cracked pepper for dipping!

It was time for the delicious butternut squash casserole to get in my belly.

This recipe was delicious but next time I will follow their advice and serve it with some holiday cranberry sauce. A tinge of tangy-sweetness would definitely bring this to another level. I loved the textures in this! The crunchy water chestnuts, the soft butternut squash and cannellini beans, and the perfectly caramelized onion all topped off with an aromatic sage breadcrumb crust… yum!

Life is so much more enjoyable when you love your mind, body, and soul. So this is me wishing you a positive outlook on the beauty that you possess.

Rise Above the Stress

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23

Let’s go back to Sunday morning. Easy like Sunday morning…

The goodness of coconut milk...

I made a bowl of oats with a diced pear, dates, cashews, cinnamon and coconut milk.

I love how much creamier the oatmeal gets.

I gave frozen pizza another chance.

Frozen pizza is one of those things I’m weary about. Usually I’ll end up trying one that tastes like crap. However, I’ve heard lots of great things about Amy’s pizzas. It almost seems like anything that comes out of Amy’s kitchen is a winner. Anyway, I tried the cheese & pesto on whole wheat crust, but what’d I think? I actually really liked it! I baked it so the crust was soft but not too chewy. When there’s pesto on pizza I don’t like to have a crunchy crust because I don’t think it lets the pesto shine and melt with everything.

It was actually warm and sunny on Sunday, so I was in the mood for something fruity.

Into the smoothie went: ice cubes, chocolate protein powder, and a medley of berries.

I've missed the vibrancy of fruits!

Then I got back to working on my sculpture.

I tediously made my own wire out of mesh-form, then made little sculptures out of that.

Funky dinner

I used the romaine as wraps for my lentils and rice. The lentils and rice may look bland, however, they are anything but! I cooked some sweet and sour lentils and amped up the ingredients to make it super flavorful. The thing that I love about cooking things like lentils is that I taste as I go. For the rice I threw in some green cardamom pods, cinnamon, coconut milk, and let it all cook together. With the addition of coconut oil when I served it, this dinner really hit the spot! I was very glad I made enough for the next day.

Then my room turned into the Blair Witch Project.

Critique days leave me no time to make breakfast--thank goodness for cereal!

I warmed up some almond milk with berries and coconut oil, polished off my box of Kashi GoLean Crunch, and threw in some almonds. Quick, easy, and yummy!

My piece

I was having trouble thinking of a way to hold the wire sculptures I made. I couldn’t figure out a solution to carry out my first idea so I came up with this. Personally, I am now thinking that the birdcage is too literal for my taste. I’d say I’m more of an abstract and conceptual artist. But I am particularly happy with one of the wire sculptures I made.

Hi there!

These resemble York peppermint patties don't you think?

Well, except for the green filling–which comes from the spirulina. What was this exactly? Betty Lou’s vegan Organic North Shore Patty! This surprisingly didn’t taste “off” despite the funky color. I really enjoyed the moistness of the filling and how it was all covered in chocolate. Not really sure where the name comes from but I’m curious enough to find out!

Another fruit bar!

This was the Jumbo Cherry Fruit Bar. I really don’t think Betty Lou’s can go wrong with their fruit bars. You can smell the flavor as soon as you open the wrapper. Moreover, these are also vegan and gluten-free, but you wouldn’t even notice. They remind me of fruit pies! Yes, I couldn’t place my finger on it, but that’s it–a delicious fruit pie.

I also picked up a new cheese!

As a cheese lover I like to pick out a new one and see what delicious recipes I can make with it. Last cheese I got was manchego, and now its time for a new love affair. Meet Fontina.

On-the-go

That describes my week so far! Thank goodness for leftovers and sandwiches. This was the last of my favorite sandwich bread with Sunland’s dark chocolate peanut butter and raspberry preserves. In the actual sandwich container is some kale–still digging it! So far this week I’ve had a critique (and we’re finishing it up today), first rehearsal for the fashion show (!!!), first Video II class, taking care of delayed errands and Matilda’s medical needs, plus the usual business of the week. What do you guys do when you feel like you’re swimming in a sea of a seemingly endless to-do list?

p.s. to all of you who commented on cooking Indian food at home, you must try it! Indian cuisine is my favorite and I love to recreate some of my favorite dishes I see at restaurants. Actually I’m going to link back to a post where I put my own twist on one of my all-time favorite Indian dishes, Paneer Pasanda in a creamy mango sauce. Check it out!

Long Letters to My Dear Friends

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Good day to you!

Dinner is served.

I tried out another Veganomicon recipe; one of Neela’s favorites from the book–the chickpea cutlets. I definitely understand why. They’re simple to make and are so versatile! I also steamed some Nishiki rice to go along with the mushroom mutter masala. I’ve missed Indian food and all of its wonderful spices!

All mixed together and voila! A tasty dish.
I noticed Matilda was channeling her inner-yogi again.
You know what this means!
This calls for drastic measures–a spoon long enough for a jar.
Banana PB&J OIAJ

Funny story: while making the OIAJ the container toppled over and spilled everywhere. Luckily the peanut butter was still in the bottom so that survived. But I told myself not to get upset, just clean it up, and that I could just make some more. No big.

Then lunchtime rolled around.

I’ve seen Holly put sweet potato in her sandwiches and I also remembered when I made a sweet potato and ricotta toasted sandwich as well. These things lead me to topping the Garden Herb Sunshine Burger with a sweet potato and ketchup. A very wise choice indeed!

This little bugger helped me through my philosophy exam.

This was a Betty Lou’s High Protein Almond Nut Butter ball. This was so delicious and the texture was awesome. I loved the creaminess of it and the bit of crunch as well. Almost looks like a classic Drumstick doesn’t it? Anyhow, this snack boasts a whopping 12g of protein! These babies are gluten-free and do not contain wheat, corn, soy, and are non-GMO. On the flip side, because they have whey protein they’re not vegan friendly. However, vegans don’t have to feel left out because they do have some treats for you all! Anyway, if you’re looking to up your protein intake with something yummy, definitely keep your eyes peeled.

Actually, the very kind folks at Betty Lou’s sent me some of their products to try out a while ago; remember that? Now since some of their snacks are gluten-free, I was given another opportunity to sample them out. Would they still have that same great taste?

I tried a new Jumbo Fruit Bar flavor: STRAWBERRY!

Check it. It’s gluten-free! Okay, as soon as I opened up the wrapper the sweet smell of strawberries was the first thing I noticed. It was soft and chewy, but not messy and sticky. The best part? It tasted like a delicious baked good!

Crumbled over some yogurt with sunflowers seeds for crunch.

Matilda was curious.

This was the Cashew Pecan nut butter ball. First ingredient? Cashew butter! Um, yum? I love these because they’re like biting into those peanut butter balls you can make for kids. Chewy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Well, they’re obviously not just for kids anymore! Another plus, I was able to take this snack with me while I was on-the-go.

Peanut butter ball

Heck they even peanut butter balls! For some reason though I didn’t like the flavor as much as the other ones. I couldn’t really put my finger on it. Well, I still have some more to sample so I will keep you all updated! Don’t forget to check out their website to see what other products they have that may catch your eye. I feel like they’ve got something for everyone’s tastes.

Then I got ready to go to a modern dance performance with a friend.

Smile for the camera!

The show was awesome! The costumes went well with each performance and just extended each movement further. I wish I could’ve taken pictures of the performances! All in all, I was left with a smile and the yearning to dance.

Afterwards, we went to an Ethiopian restaurant to meet up with a friend/her boyfriend. Aren’t they cute?!
We talked over some yummy chai tea.
For breakfast I wanted to try something new–yoatgurt!

I cooked my oats with a bit of cinnamon, stevia, and vanilla extract. The oatmeal and the yogurt had to share a bowl and I topped them with a sliced banana, coconut butter, and Sunland’s caramel peanut butter.

The yogurt made the oats extra creamy!
After breakfast I went to a contact improv dance class.

It was so much fun. I can already tell that my body will be bruised and sore tomorrow. But I needed to move, extend, and stretch my body like that. It’s been awhile since I moved my body like that without hesitation. Speaking of not hesitating, I was also able to tap into my acrobatics and gymnastics background and do a flip down someone’s back.  Great way to start my Saturday!

Vegan Caesar Salad from The Conscious Cook

This recipe was so simple to put together. It called for focaccia which would be used as croutons. I also added in a chickpea cutlet from the Veganomicon.

So that’s what I’ve been up to for the past couple of days + working on a sculpture project and completing my headache of a philosophy exam. I wish I could post more often because sometimes I think my posts are overflowing with things. I’m hoping school will settle down a bit and that spring break will make its way over here pronto! In the meantime, just see my posts as really long letters to catch you up on what goes on! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and that the weather was gorgeous wherever you may have been. What did you all do?

Oh Happy Day

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Before I say anything in this post I just want to give a warm welcome to some new readers! I am so glad that you all have found my blog and may it bring a smile to your face. So if you’re a reader and haven’t said hello, please don’t be shy. I love discovering new blogs and learning more about all the interesting folks out there! So let’s all dive right in, shall we?

Leftover pasta + manchego

Simply stated, I am a lover of cheese.

One of my best friends surprised me with a little Valentine gift!
Crispy, milky, and deliciously sweet.

Now that we’re on the topic of chocolate, and I happen to be sitting on a throne made of decadent chocolate, it’s only natural to share!

3400 Phinney Hazelnut Crunch

Wow! Can’t quite recall when the last time was that I bit into a milk chocolate bar with such a great flavor. The crunchy hazelnut, the sweet milky chocolate, and the subtle salty twist won me over with the first bite.

Coconut Curry milk chocolate

Stained wrapper

Wonderfully complex. The curry flavor wasn’t just from the curry powder, but rather a blend of coriander, turmeric, mustard, cumin, fenugreek, paprika, red pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. So you can imagine…

More leftovers!

It’s amazing what one can do with leftovers. I used the rest of the angel hair pasta for this dish. I sauteed some mushrooms with onions and then simmered them in a tomato sauce with balsamic vinegar. Using the rest of the sage and pumpkin seed crust mix I made awhile ago, I dredged some tofu in it and baked it till it was nice and crispy on the outside. I also tossed in some pine nuts and the very very last of the sage and pumpkin seed mix.

Delicious!

Now I ALWAYS pack snacks for on-the-go, because you never know when hunger may strike!

More spicy black bean burger goodness.

I only have one bean burger left! This one I had with roasted red pepper, onions, ketchup, cilantro, pepper jelly, and melted manchego.

I got home from my night class and I just wanted something comforting so I made a cup of hot cocoa with creamy, thick almond milk.

With a warm cranberry Heart Thrive topped with coconut butter.

The last of the manchego put to great use!

I made a sandwich on this delicious bread (has dried cranberries, sprouted grains, and various nuts and seeds). I filled it with melted manchego, pepper jelly, roasted red pepper, onions, and sweet basil. I also decided to sprinkle on some nutritional yeast on the kale.

Close up was in order.

Then it was time to take my dad to airport.

It's not goodbye, just see you later!

I came home, relaxed, and got ready for a date!

We went to his favorite place... a little Vietnamese restaurant.

The woman already knew his order!

A big bowl of vegetarian pho.

I’m usually not a fan of brothy soups, I prefer thick purees. I tried his soup though and I would definitely order it for myself next time I go there. I thought it was really cool that the plate full of herbs, sprouts, and lime wedges were to rip apart and put in the soup; as much or as little as you’d like because not everyone’s tastes are the same.

I ordered fried tofu in a sweet and spicy lemongrass sauce with steamed rice.

The place may seem like a hole in a wall, but lots of times those restaurants have the best food! There’s a place down the street actually that serves Korean food and I swear the owner is a mother to everyone. If you’re sick she’ll give you extra helpings. These places seem so cozy that you could eat there alone and just hang out for hours. As for the date, it went well, but no romantic sparks. However, I’m going to keep hanging out with him because I think he’s a good friend and you never know what could happen!

Tiramisu for breakfast anyone?

I tried to recreate one of my favorite desserts in oatmeal form after seeing all of Katie’s creative recipes on her blog. Seriously, this little lady is endlessly creative and she has so much positive energy I can feel it through her words! I cooked my oatmeal in chocolate protein powder and instant coffee. Since I didn’t have mascarpone I subbed in some cream cheese, and added that while the oats were cooking. I topped it with coconut butter, more coffee granules, and a lady finger. Not quite like tiramisu but definitely reminiscent; delicious nonetheless!

On this sunny and re-energizing day I decided to tackle some recipes I had been eyeing for quite some time.

Those recipes, my dears, come straight from The Conscious Cook. I took a break from this book for awhile because I missed making up my own things.

Tomato bisque--another recipe of Chef Tal's that calls for cashew cream.

And focaccia with caramelized onions.

For the focaccia I opted to do 50/50 unbleached all-purpose flour and whole wheat. The dough ended up being enough for two large loaves. One for me and one for my roommate! Might I also add… I’m just going to say it flat out: this was my favorite meal all week and I don’t think anything can top it. Nope, can’t even try. The tomato soup was thick and full of flavors from the herbs and bay leaf it simmered with. I ripped off another piece of the bread to scoop up the very last drops of my soup. Foodgasm at it’s finest. And a pat on the back for me… on both sides! Seriously, I’ve forgotten how amazing and satisfying homemade bread is. As I was kneading it, I was reminded of how much fun the process is.

Speaking of being proud of myself, I came across a very inspiring post that Maggie wrote about believing. Click here to check it out. Her message really resonated with me and I felt it throughout the whole day as the sun was giving off it’s glorious and comforting rays. Wow, it’s not even Friday and I’m already celebrating! I hope you’re all in the same boat. Where should we sail?

Good Intentions and Spreading Love

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Hello hello everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and got to spend it with someone they love one way or another. On Friday night I definitely danced the stress away and made a couple new friends while I was at it. Actually, one of them is a girl that just moved from Miami–we were representing the Miami hotness on the dance floor for sure.

A simple breakfast after a night of dancing: oatmeal cooked the usual way, cinnamon, diced apple, and Sunland's caramel peanut butter.

My dad and I went back to the Urban Farmhouse to grab some lunch.

This time we talked to the woman who opened Urban Farmhouse. You could tell she was passionate about what she was doing and just wants to offer the best. It was interesting to hear her plans for the place and we gave her some constructive criticism as well. That’s the great thing about places that just opened–they’re more than willing to hear what the customers have to say. I ordered the Candied Walnut Gorgonzola Salad and the Farmer’s Grilled Cheese with Black Winter Truffle Oil (Gruyere cheese). Both were delicious and I loved the candied walnuts in the salad. Biting into the sandwich and tasting the earthy black truffle oil was so satisfying. Who doesn’t love things that are full of flavor?! They also have a big jar of complimentary animal crackers that I happily helped myself to.

My dad ordered the Tangy Curry Tuna Salad sandwich

Candied Walnut Gorgonzola Salad and the Farmer’s Grilled Cheese with Black Winter Truffle Oil

My dad has been reading up a lot on spirituality, energy, levels of things we can’t see, guides, etc. Anyway, most of what he’s been reading has led him to the idea of putting good intentions out there and accepting the ways of the universe. I really think this is the most fulfilling way to live life. Oftentimes people forget that we are only in control of ourselves and nothing else. If things go our way then it’s something that was supposed to happen and falls under determinism—it wasn’t really up to us. We were just a part of the cause. Okay so before I go off on a tangent I want to share a few things that happened.

I took my dad to the store to get his phone fixed and on the way back someone one lane over all of a sudden started to drive in reverse very quickly. Then they rolled their window down and told me I had a complete flat. Oh great. Then on Broad someone else notified us. Side note to everyone: these potholes are killer so beware! Anyway we pulled over to a tire store around 4:17 and they closed at 4:00. The owner was incredibly helpful and offered a spare to get us over to someone who would take us in for service. Unfortunately no one could but he decided to take the job. Then my dad and I were debating on walking to Trader Joe’s from the tire shop. The owner pulled out a key and said, “go outside and this is for a Toyota Tundra. Trader Joe’s is a little ways up there to your right.” Wow. I believe that my dad’s good intentions and realignment of his guides is doing something greater for him than ever expected. I honestly don’t think this was a coincidence. The whole day I was riding on these incredibly positive vibes coming from everyone. Do you know what it’s like to have people throw genuine smiles at you everywhere you look? It was that kind of day!

While running some errands I picked up some very special things!

I spotted a jar of Artisana’s Coconut Butter and a pint of Almond Pecan “ice cream”. Both are incredibly delicious. I have been putting the coconut butter on almost everything!

The sandwich obviously left an impression on me because I also got some truffle oil; and I'm always on the lookout for a good pasta sauce.

Last time I got the Almond Breeze milk the machine printed out a coupon for a FREE half gallon of Silk's almond milk.

Free? You know I was on that. It was way creamier than Almond Breeze but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact this probably would work as a better creamer than thinner milk alternatives. The taste was still yummy too!

Something else new to my tastebuds.

Now I can officially say that I’ve tried all the Sunshine Burger flavors. This time I tried the Garden Herb veggie burger. This has the same ingredients as the Original veggie burger, but the Garden Herb is organic and probably has more herbs and carrots because it did taste different.

In a bun with ketchup, vegan mayo, red onions, and a last minute decision: red bell pepper slices.

Also tried the Vanilla 3400 Phinney milk chocolate bar.

Yummy but I didn't really taste the vanilla flavor.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t just have to be for those who have that someone special. It can be fun for everyone if you let it.

Started off Valentine's Day with a bowl of love.

Chocolate oatmeal + a medley of berries + sliced banana + coconut butter. The coconut butter looks like icing!

Had Dad over for lunch--excuse my crowded table!

I made a recipe sent Liz sent to me.

Here’s the recipe folks! This recipe has all the components of things I love–especially kale. I have been on such a kale kick lately. However, since I didn’t have ricotta on hand I just made the cashew ricotta recipe from the Veganomicon. This meal was such a cinch to make!

My roommate gave me a dark chocolate heart... Matilda obviously doesn't know that's poison for her!

Another kiss I took from the auto shop the day before hehehe! But that one is for you all!

Shoes on the left for my dinner date with Dad and shoes on the right were for the day.

And I finally wore the skirt I got months ago!

Perfect for a fun, young, and single lady on Valentine's Day!

Throw on a scarf and a coat, and I'm good to go!

We decided to go to a restaurant that we'd both been curious about for years!

Bistro 27 features Italian and French cuisine.

Best date, my dad!

I promise if you go on a date with me you won't have to have your friend call with a fake emergency!

I loved the high ceilings and open-air environment.

Our waiter offered to take a picture of us!

To start off my dad got the Capesante with Bacon--Jumbo scallops wrapped in smoked bacon and served over red lentils.

And I started off with the Twenty Seven Bistro Salad--Baby lettuces, candied walnuts, sliced Bosc pears, gorgonzola cheese, red onions, and tomatoes tossed in honey vinaigrette

The salad was delicious! Can you tell I’m loving gorgonzola and candied walnuts? A seriously delicious and classic salad.

Complimentary focaccia bread with their housemade tomato-basil sauce.

My dad ordered one of their specials: the beef tenderloin topped with strawberries and a strawberry reduction + garlic mashed potatoes + veggies.

And I ordered Capellini con Vegetali e Pomodoro--Angel hair pasta with julienne vegetables and 27’s tomato sauce

Pasta twirlinggg action!

With parmesan please!

And on the day of love I decided to give a lonely brussel sprout another chance.

I was in elementary school the last time I tried brussel sprouts and I just remembered thinking they tasted like a fart. Yes, a fart! But this time around I actually liked it, but I decided that I would like it better seasoned and roasted with balsamic vinegar. The pasta was okay, I did love the chunks of tomato though. But the salad definitely outshone the pasta. We skipped dessert because “someone special” said he had a treat for me. Well turns out that he wanted to postpone and frankly I was upset at that point. Why make plans with someone if you can’t actually follow through? After I said “no” he proceeded to tell me what he had gotten me. I’m sorry but I am not the kind of person to simply be won over by gifts. I’d much rather have my feelings and thoughts be considered, and know that someone actually wants to spend their time with me. Overall though my Valentine’s Day was great and spent with some of the people that I truly care about. It was also nice to just spread the positive energy on a beautiful day.

Don’t Snow on My Parade

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This post may be a bit like the weather I’ve been experiencing over here lately–a whirlwind. There has been consistent snow for the past two weeks and there is more to come! Not only has it been snowing constantly but it’s also been super windy. But I haven’t let the weather stop me from adventuring and atleast there’s been plenty of sun to help keep my mood up. Sophia recently asked what we appreciate from nature. Well, the sun is something I wholeheartedly love. It brings up my spirits and I can’t help but feel better on sunny days.

Starting off a sunny day with some chocolate!

I decided to try out another one of the chocolate bars the folks at Newman’s Own Organics sent me. I had only tried their dark chocolates and I wanted to change it up a bit with some milkiness. Deliciously creamy and made me feel like a kid again. Oftentimes milk chocolates get overwhelmed with all the other ingredients, but I like how you can still taste the chocolate in this bar. I feel like milk chocolate is often forgotten about nowadays. But I think dark, milk, and white chocolates all deserve a little love.

And this is how Matilda started out her snow day.

She dug it!

And came back 10 minutes later to see if there was more.

Leftover chickpeas in coconut milk over rice & roasted butternut squash tossed in coconut oil + cinnamon

Then went on an adventure to visit a friend of ours!

I'll admit the snow sure is beautiful though.

Soul sistas!

Back of the Virginia Center for Architecture

Snacks were had--I found the Coconut Macadamia flavor!

I'd like to think this was a delicious snowball. Soft, chewy, and cocoNUTTY.

Our beautiful friend in her barista zone! She made us yummy Cinnamon Dolce Lattes "with love."

I hadn't had an English muffin in ages!

I spread Sunland’s caramel peanut butter on one slice and the other had butter and the berry jam Holly sent me awhile ago. I also had a bowl of yogurt + a minneola, pomegranate arils, and granola.

Sauteed mushrooms + salsa verde + manchego + Italian bread

Umm YUM!

All together now!

Letfover AMAZING ziti and roasted butternut squash

And my dad came to stop by since he's in town on business.

How sweet

After some hang out time with my dad I went over to a friend’s house. I got to try a most delicious vegetable lasagna recipe she made up + garlic bread (ON HOMEMADE BREAD)! Afterwards we headed to one of the bars around here that reminds me of a tavern.

A supreme peanut butter oatmeal cookie made by one of her roommates, the expert baker!

CranBran Vitatop + coconut oil, Kashi GoLean Crunch, bruleed banana slices, Sunland's caramel peanut butter over Greek yogurt.

Met up with my dad at a new cafe for some afternoon bites.

I loved the openness and natural lighting.

He ordered the carrot + ginger soup.

He let me try some of it with the bread they served it with (SO delicious). I also got a white chocolate chip and cranberry scone + soy cappuccino

The place is called Urban Farmhouse Market & Cafe and it’s really neat because you can even go grocery shopping in there. They sell things like organic milk, cake mixes, eggs, quinoa pasta, and granola made by a local Richmonder. We definitely plan on going back for lunch! It also seemed like a really nice place to study and have a nice change of environment.

Snapped a picture before another meet-up!

Look who I got to hang out with!!!

I met up with Brittany at a local cellar for some wine and chocolate sampling. I haven’t seen her in ages and she’s just as radiant even in the winter! We both brought our dogs, but Matilda was being a brat to adorable little Olive, and Isaac had to bring her back home. I hope they get along next time they meet!

Wine!

Crazy Matilda

Yummy chocolate samples, and they even opened up a bar for us chocolate lovers to try.

Look at these two dolls!!!

She also gave me the most delicious Coconut Macaroons she made (recipe from Raw Food/Real World).

Friday turned out to be an up and down and up day. I got really upset at one point but before totally giving into it I knew I had to do something to help me calm down. I have worked so hard to not succumb to things that in the end are not good for me. I reached out, communicated my feelings, and ended up rising above the stress. I did what I knew would be best for me. So glad I wasn’t incredibly stubborn and didn’t give in. Now I plan on going out with some friends and dancing my worries away! Do any of you find it hard to let things go out of stubbornness?

This weekend there’s going to be tons of love in the air. Who knows what’s in store!!! Either way, I hope you all enjoy it whether you’re single or taken!

Getting Creative in the Kitchen

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Ta-da!Banana-Raisin Pumpkin Seed Butter Muffins

A couple months ago I kidnapped a big jar of pumpkin seed butter from my parent’s place. Sadly, the taste didn’t really sit well with me but I figured there had to be some way I could use this! I have seen plenty of peanut butter cookie, muffin, and bread recipes, so why not this little humble seed butter? That’s when these little muffins came about.  Next time I make these I want to use maple syrup instead of sugar–I think it will greatly lend to the taste. Experiments are so much fun! A little side note: seed butters are great for anyone with nut allergies!

Ingredients

Whole Wheat Flour 1 cup

Quick Cooking Oats 2/3 cup

Sugar 3/4 cup

Baking Powder 1 Tbl

Pumpkin seed butter 1/2 cup

1 Mashed banana

Milk of choice 1 cup (I used Almond Breeze Original)

3 Tbl raisins

Brown sugar

1. Pre-heat the oven at 400F/200C for 15 minutes. Grease with little cooking spray or line the muffin tins with paper liners and set aside.

2. In a large bowl combine together the flour, oatmeal, sugar and baking powder.

3. In a small sauce pan, over low heat, melt pumpkin seed butter and banana in milk, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

4. Once the pumpkin seed butter mixture is cool, incorporate it into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Then mix in the raisins.

5. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan filling it to the top of each cup. Then sprinkle some brown sugar over each muffin.

6. The above batter was enough for 12 small muffins. I took out mine from the oven around 15 minutes, but I think 13-15 minutes should be perfect. I felt that in this recipe the smell of the muffins is an indicator of the doneness in addition to the toothpick test.

Now here are some ways I’ve enjoyed them!

With fruit and caramel peanut butter.

Warmed up with coconut oil then crumbled in yogurt with dark chocolate peanut butter.

I’ve also enjoyed them with a glasses of almond milk, and with maple syrup and ginger syrup drizzled on top.

Breakfast the other day involved the last of the leftover whole wheat yogurt pancakes.

And a bowl of Greek yogurt outshone by the blend of berries, chopped dates, pomegranate arils, and sliced almonds.

One of the pancakes had blackberries and chocolate chips.

I spread the usual coconut oil on the pancakes; but this time I sprinkled on some shredded coconut and sliced almonds, then drizzled on some ginger syrup.

For lunch I quickly assembled this sandwich: dark chocolate peanut butter + dried figs on wheat & oat bread.

After my Literary Journalists class I headed over to the boutique to sign the model contract and find out a bit more information. Sadly, I won’t be able to go on the trip to New York with my sculpture class since the fashion show is on the same weekend. But it’s okay… since I have no classes on Fridays I’m hoping I can head up there soon anyway! After I signed the contract I headed over the lab to work on a DVD to go along with a package I’m putting together for my best friend. I’m so excited about it! Yesterday night I wanted to make something special for dinner. I attempted my very first recipe from my new cookbook, Veganomicon.

I love the smell of onions cooking!

Onion rings

Toastyyyy

Et voila!

Pumpkin Baked Ziti with Caramelized Onions and Sage Crumb Topping

Since this was a vegan recipe it called for a veganized ricotta–cashew “ricotta” to be exact. I also didn’t have oregano on hand so I used tarragon instead and it gave the ziti a wonderful sweetness. Another substitution I had to make was butternut squash for the pumpkin puree. I couldn’t find a can of it for the life of me so I just made my own puree out of butternut squash. The smell as this was baking was heavenly, and the taste was even more divine. I knew I was choosing a great recipe from the very start! Do any Veganomicon owners have any recipe suggestions for moi?

I hope everyone’s week is going well–we’re halfway there!

Making Up For Not Having a White Christmas

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So my friends and I decided it would be safer not to drive out to Charlottesville for the weekend. I’m glad we didn’t go because they predicted 3 ft of snow for that area. I’m not sure how much they ended up getting though.

Winning combination!

I have never tried any of the PB&Co flavors but I’d imagine it would taste similar to this. In the bowl I cooked some oatmeal with the last of my chocolate protein powder + cinnamon + coconut oil. Then I added in some diced apples, white chocolate chips, and crunchy peanut butter. So delicious!

Look at the snow!

My friend was looking pretty in the snow and then we were on mission to drive through it.

So beautiful!

BFD

I made a bowl of chocolate oats with a banana bruleed in + coconut oil + peanut butter + white chocolate chips. Obviously I loved the peanut butter and white chocolate chip combo from earlier that day.

A yummy platter.

Steamed kale later massaged in olive oil; To go with the brie I made a caramelized onion-cranberry compote + pine nuts for crunch and earthiness, then I baked some leftover Italian semolina bread. Even the kale with the brie and compote tasted delicious together.

When a friend of mine slept over, we opened up my box of Kashi GoLean Crunch that had been sitting in my pantry for ages--this became part of my snack pictured above.

This snack bowl consisted of Kashi GoLean Crunch + a crumbled Cinnamon Raisin gnufoods bars + almond milk + coconut oil (all warmed up).

Then it was crafting time for me!

I tried another flavor of the 3400 Phinney bars.

It had a delicious bold bitterness to it at the end and a nice crunch from the nibs.

Another new flavor I tried!

I tried the breakfast Sunshine burger. It was yummy but I don’t think I’ll be buying it again. It’s not horrible by any means, there are just other flavors I prefer; like the Southwest and Original (m’mm good). In the bowl is a recipe I got from a Mambo Sprouts newsletter: sweet and tangy mashed butternut squash. I just realized that I forgot the chives! Oh well.

While I was snowed in I took a detox bath and quenched my thirst with something I spotted at the store--mango flavored coconut water!

A recipe I wrote down ages ago and found the other day--smudges and all.

This was suppose to be a Jamaican inspired oatmeal recipe actually, but since I ran out of oats the day before (GASP) I did the next best thing–granola! I opted for Udi’s Au Naturel flavor over yogurt. They were topped with pineapple bits, a sliced banana, coconut shreds, almonds, and maple syrup (the one my friend got for me on her trip to Canada–peeking in on the left side). I loved every tropical bite of this; especially because I am ready for warm weather!

On that same page I wrote down some other recipes and decided to make another one for lunch.

Chickpeas in coconut milk + steamed kale + coconut & cinnamon rice (with coconut oil)

Chickpeas in Coconut Milk: serves 4

Ingredients

1 cup water

10 oz potato, cubed

14 oz cooked chickpeas

1 generous cup coconut milk

1 tsp salt

2 tbl sunflower oil

4 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tsp coriander

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2-1 tsp chili

lemon juice

Suggestions for serving: naan or rice

1. Pour water into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add cubed potatoes, reduce the heat to low and cook covered for 6-7 minutes. Add chickpeas and cook uncovered for 3-4 minutes. Add coconut milk and salt and slow simmer.

2. Heat oil, low heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently. Add coriander, turmeric, chili, and cook 25-30 seconds.

3. Mix into chickpea mixture. Stir in lemon juice.

Quick dinner after a long day of errands.

After spending the afternoon with my roommate stocking up on goods at Target, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods I was ready for dinner despite my snacks and yummy sampling! I bought some buns so I could enjoy Angharad’s spicy black bean burgers in burger form. These keep getting better and better! I topped it with vegan mayo, pepper jelly, melted manchego, yellow onions, cilantro, and ketchup. Holy delcious. I also had some steamed kale massaged in olive oil + cashews for crunch. I highly recommend making these burgers. Not only are they delicious, but they are so convenient for when you’re in a time crunch or don’t have the energy to prepare something. Actually, they’re wonderful for any occassion!

Comfort food with a twist...

This was such a great nighttime snack! Now what exactly was this snack? Well I cooked some cream of wheat in almond milk (I used Almond Breeze Original), and topped it with chopped dates, Artisana’s Cacao Bliss, and my favorite peanut butter. All of this melted together. So soothing and perfect for a Sunday night and some reading.

If all Mondays started like this... well then no one would be complaining!

Liz sent me a recipe that I knew I had to make ASAP! I had some leftover coconut milk from the soup I made the day before; Purrrfect for Indian spiced oats with coconut milk. Early classes on Monday = quick breakfasts so I used a packet of Uncle Sam Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal + Soymilk. I threw in a handful more of oats in there + extra spices. For the finishing touches I swirled in some coconut oil + raisins + sliced almonds + coconut milk.

Creamy deliciousness

Can't get enough of the spicy black bean burgers!

I prepped it the same way as Sunday night only this time I had it with barbeque Popchips (better the second time around), and a Bugs Bunny carrot + my favorite peanut butter. Once again, this was quick enough for me to put together without eating my own arm off. For some reason I didn’t realize that my Seminar on Hinduism class ended at 6:40–not 5:40. It didn’t help that my afternoon snack sadly only held me over about an hour and I hadn’t anticipated being hungry that quickly. Apparently today was one of those bottomless pit days and the only thing I had packed was the 3400 Phinney Nib Brittle bar and that didn’t do much except please my tastebuds. Note to self: always keep something substantial packed. I’m usually good about this is if I know I’m going to be on the go, but today I had the leisure of snacking at home. Oh well, lesson learned.

Last but not least... in my next post I'll be revealing a muffin recipe I concocted while I was snowed in.

Anybody want to take any guesses? How was everyone else’s weekend; any exciting plans for the week?

p.s. check out the Glass Dharma straw giveaway Audrey is having! Also, Averie is having an amazing giveaway as well (hint: the prize is one of my favorite add-ins)

Build Me Up Butternut

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The other day I received a package with no return address and a secret admirer was the sender.

My heart leapt with joy because I knew it had finally arrived! My friend–whom I stayed with when I was in New York–had sent me a package awhile ago. I knew it was from her when I read that it was to her chickpea; she’s deathly allergic to them so it was a joke. Isn’t that unfortunate though? To be allergic to chickpeas… Oi!

There was a surprise beneath every layer.

A canister of delicious chai tea and handmade stationary!

I am seriously blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people. Really and truly, every day I am given so many reasons to smile. From random bump-ins on the street, to constant messages from dear friends, and to comments I get from you all. Speaking of comments, my mom finally left her first reply in my last post! Whenever I’m in Florida we sit around the kitchen table and I’ll read my posts out loud to them. This blog makes them smile :)

It just so happened that before I opened the package I turned on the burner to heat some water for a cup of tea.

The chai tea was delicious and flavorful with all its spices. I had it with a warm lemon poppyseed Heart Thrive + coconut oil. After the picture was snapped I decided to spread on some cranberry preserves as well. This is the best way I’ve enjoyed this flavor of Heart Thrive. For some reason, it just tasted better this time around.

Dinner was something I was very much looking forward to... more so than usual.

Not too long ago while blogreading I checked up to see if the lovely Angharad was still alive and kickin’. Indeed she was because I saw a new recipe that I knew I had to recreate! Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the spicy black bean burger. This sounded like an amazing recipe to make on a Sunday night, since it’d be convenient to have these available on busy days. That night I had it in a handmade flour tortilla with bell peppers, homemade salsa verde, cilantro, and since I had no sour cream on hand I just used Greek yogurt. This was actually a surprisingly good substitute since the yogurt is thick and tart. As the patties were baking, my roommate and her boyfriend exclaimed how good it smelled. Well now I can say that they taste even better than they smell! Though the truth is, I don’t think Angharad could ever give us a bad recipe even if she tried.

A new twist on my favorite snack as of late.

Instead of using granola I nuked a crumbled lemon poppyseed Heart Thrive in the microwave with some soymilk till it got nice and soft. Then I added white chocolate chips and cashew butter. I am so glad I opened up this glorious bag of white chocolate chips!

Another surprise in the mail from a very dear friend of mine.

I’ve heard so many praises about this cookbook and now I know why!!! There are so many incredible sounding recipes, where’s a girl to start?! Thanks so much Liz! The ideal situation would be to invite every single one of you over and we’d all choose a bunch of recipes, then hunt and gather, and prepare and enjoy a most glorious feast. Imagine that? Being surrounded by that many awesome people and amazing food.

Breakfast on my critique day.

After having my critique (my piece was the only left to be critiqued) postponed three times–I was ready to get it over with! But I knew I had to start the day on a delicious note and the rest would fall into place. I had a bowl of yogurt, mango bits, pomegranate arils, a warm apricot Heart Thrive + coconut oil, and Sunland’s banana peanut butter.

Yeah, I think a yogurt mess was a great decision!

Oh and the crit went really well!!! It’s always nice to hear other perspectives and suggestions. The class actually answered one of my doubts of whether or not I should’ve made the video longer–they wished it was!

I cut a butternut squash and I left for five minutes and look what happened! Whoa!

More randomness!

I had to have another  spicy black bean burgers! This time I filled the handmade tortilla with butternut squash, avocado, cilantro, manchego cheese, tomato sauce, and red pepper jelly. Can I get a witness?? This was so pleasing to every kind of taste; sweet, savoury, spicy, tangy, straight up delicious.

Tart fro-yo + One Lucky Duck's raw blonde macaroon = A delicious new take on Sweet-tart!

Couldn't get enough of the butternut!

When I was looking for falafel recipes I stumbled upon a few sweet potato ones. So this led me to making a falafel wrap with butternut squash, cucumber slices, tomato slices, avocado, cilantro, fresh tzatziki, onions, and lettuce. Yum yum yum and more yum!

A very productive study date!

Leftover yogurt pancakes

One of them was a banana pancake and I chopped some dark chocolate on top. Coconut oil, cinnamon, and Apple & Maple syrup was spread on all the pancakes. The other two pancakes were topped with diced apples and confectioner’s sugar mixed with nutmeg. On the side I also made a dip for the apples; a mixture of Sunland’s banana peanut butter and yogurt. I’ve seen this done on some blogs so I thought I’d give it a try–and I shall try, try again. This was good!

Sometimes I like to get up close but never too personal.

Speaking of chocolate, this is what the fig, fennel, and almond dark chocolate bar looks like.

Tried something totally new...

I have never had buffalo wings in my life so when I saw that I had one more Gardein freebie coupon left, I thought I’d give their vegan “buffalo wings” a chance. But I had no idea what they were usually served with. After “researching” it I decided to transform my tzatziki sauce into a ranch dressing by adding some extra ingredients. I also made some Old Bay season yam fries; and steamed some kale, seasoned it, massaged it in olive oil, and topped with avocado slices. Spicy!!! I can’t tell you if these were authentic tasting or not, but I can tell you that I liked them! The texture wasn’t too funky (+ no bones!) and you could taste the vinegar in the sauce, which I didn’t mind. Actually, after looking up some buffalo wings recipes, vinegar is a common ingredient.

Crumbled granola nuggets + soymilk + Cacao Bliss; warmed up in the microwave.

Whenever I pull out my personal casserole dish I swear the stars instantly align!

In the dish: roasted butternut squash and yam (tossed in coconut oil and cinnamon) + avocado + kale + homemade falafel balls + tzatziki mixed with tamarind-date chutney + cilantro. Random and flavorful. I love the sweet and spicy combo of the tamarind-date chutney; it brought the tzatziki to whole other level.

After my last post, the rest of the week seemed to fly by. Something or someone out there is listening! It’s Friday and I have no idea what my weekend plans are. My choices are: go up to Charlottesville or stay snowed in the comfort of my own home. We’ll see, we’ll see. Now if only I could stock up on this no matter how my weekend pans out…

I know a few all of you will appreciate this!

Matilda and I wish you a joyous weekend!

Remember That Time?

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I’m doing something special with this post–inspired by others’ blasts from the past. Hold on tight ladies and gentlemen, it may be a bump ride!

I became a jet setter at four months old--flying from Germany to Colombia

In the mountains in the Bavarian region of Germany.

Being a coquette in the English Garden.

Princess Katharina? Simply too exhausted to walk any further I ended up being carried around the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Mwahaha!

Glamor shots and missing front teeth go hand in hand don't you think?

Fondue!

Wow such a long time ago--this was when the London Eye was put up.

Friends since we were babies--standing in one of the neighborhoods of our hometown.

Thirteen years old, taking a cat nap before I venture out around Paris again.

Spinach soup all over my face--proof I always loved my veggies.

Who knew I’d grow up and cook my grandma’s delicious soups myself. Now let’s blast forward to the… near present!

Favorite snack as of late: granola + some soymilk + banana peanut butter + microwave = warm bowl of pure goodness.

Homemade falafel balls + homemade tzatziki over a salad, and a nice warm chunk of garlic buttered Italian bread.

Frozen caramel Oikos

I followed Katie’s advice and this lady definitely knows what she’s talking about!

Classes cancelled on Monday = Pancakes for breakfast!

I loosely followed Kath’s recipe for whole wheat yogurt pancakes. Some of them I made with bananas, chocolate chips, and even blackberries.

Pancakes themselves had coconut oil then the other toppings came: fro-yo, caramelized banana slices, cinnamon, sliced almonds, and maple syrup.

Monday was a day of killer eats!

I made mushroom-manchego quesadillas and I made my own salsa verde. I also made a salad with a sesame oil + honey + lime juice dressing. This lunch was incredibly delicious and I don’t think I’ve ever had a quesadilla quite like this.

I wish I could share these with you!

The manchego was aged six months so one would call it curado. In other words, cured, which gave it a nice nutty and tangy flavor that went well with the juicy cremini mushrooms and fresh salsa verde.

I de-seeded a pomegranate the old-fashioned way--a calming activity for me that takes patience.

My friend said she was craving Asian noodles the other day--which reminded me that I have some noodles just sitting in my pantry.

Maybe some of you remember when I use a freebie coupon to try out a Gardein product. I tried the beefless tips since a recipe I made a while ago called for them specifically. Hmm… how to use the rest? I made a sesame “beef” noodle stir-fry with mushrooms and bell peppers over egg noodles.

Chopstick action!

Yogurt + Cranberry and Walnut granola + caramelized blood orange

I tried Liz's favorite Phinney 3400 flavor.

This was curiously delicious! An interesting combination for sure, not just with flavor, but textures as well. This was so nice to have melt in my mouth and then I’d discover the bits of fennel throughout. Have you guys checked out Theo 3400 Phinney flavors? I told Liz that I carried this bar with me the whole day and would have wonderful little moments just savouring it and imagining that everyone else should be jealous!

Getting ready to face the snow with my Russian hat and walk to my classes.

Canton "beef" and pineapple

I followed this recipe that caught my eye. My roommate’s boyfriend said that whatever I was cooking smelled yummy, and I agreed! So that was the last of my bag of Gardein beefless tips and I’ll give you the review. The first time I tried them they didn’t really seem that strong in beef flavor, mind you I hadn’t had cow’s meat since I could count my age with both hands. However, with these last two recipes, that flavor came back to me. I was thrown off by this a little bit, but that’s the point of the product, right? Well, not to throw you off, but to recreate the flavor. They succeeded, but personally I like to stick to non-imitation products. However, this line caught my eye because they offered things I hadn’t seen available to vegetarians before and as everyone knows–I’m very very curious! Moreover, I think this product would be wonderful for meat-eaters trying to cut down on their consumption of red-meat without having to say good-bye to the flavor.

So there you have it folks! This post was all over the place and I feel like it should already be the end of the week. Is anyone else feeling the same way? Anyway, I hope you’re all enjoying it nonetheless!

p.s. for all those grilled cheese lovers out there (I’m looking at you Lauren) I found this inspirational story over here. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Perhaps you’ll be left with a rumbling tummy saying, “feed me.”