Chocolate Scented Lips

{Sweet Things I love -December 31st 2010 }

Time is winding down, the year is about to end. We start trading our iced cookies for bowls of hot soup, silk scarves for knits. No more running around in cream turtle necks without puffy jackets and thick warm boots. The sun goes down before dinner. Dark windy tree shadows fill my bedroom walls.

When it gets this cold and empty in the dead of winter I am in need of a pick me up. Something comforting, silky and sweet. I found this wonderful Cacao Lip Balm from Navitas Naturals last month and have been wearing it every second since. It was love at first sight with its creamy cacao butter texture and chocolate scent. I really cannot gush enough about the scent, any long car trip in the snow is well worth it when you smell like raw chocolate chip cookies. Its delicious, rich and decedent. With my favorite things like jojoba oil, rosemary extract and chocolate flavor, this one of a kind lip balm will be gracing my lips for the next year to come.

Tell me about your favorite lip balm.

Memories Memories

Many moons ago I promised to share a few photos of my autumn weekend dinner party...I finally got around to it this morning. Sorry for the delay - I'm packing for my trip to Europe in one week!! Anyways, most of the things I incorporate into dinner parties are either from my backyard, the neighbors or yard sales down this creepy willow covered street I live by. Yes I did hop ever so gracefully over a few fences to get wild flowers and pine cones as well. They are the best name place cards though!

I must admit that this was during a basket phase where I bought anything woven and tan...you should see our collection of fireplace baskets - full of odd plaid blankets and such. The dinner menu of course included hot gooey gluten free vegan chocolate chip cookies and buttery classic vanilla ones for my friends.

Unseen was handmade almond rocky road chocolate bars and lavender chocolate cups. No meal is ever complete at my place without my fresh herb salad and homemade peppered mustard dressing.

I make a bottle of the tangy peppery dressing every party - it is an tradition that all my guests must try at least once...the dressing is so good I save some to put on veggies and brown rice the next day!

Amongst other things we enjoyed yearbook spotting, scary story telling and pretend line dancing. Oh and overflowing mugs of hot spiced apple cider. Memories. Memories.

Name two classic things you serve at a dinner party.

I was thinking of doing a post of the things I am going to pack for my Europe trip, I hear Switzerland is freezing this time of the year, lots of hats and scarfs! Ideas?

Heart Thrives

Rich. Sweet. Dense. The Healthy Baking Company was amazing enough to let me do an review of their wonderful Heart Thrive energy bars. And you bet I was more then enthusiastic!

Poppyseed- A wonderful blend of lemon extract and crunchy poppy seeds. When warmed it was ideal paired with an cup of ginger tea. I love the texture but the lemon flavor could have been a little more profound -needed to be almost tart.

Chocolate Chip- An perfect nod to chocolate chip cookies, an vegan treat that will leave you wanting more. I love to crumble it up on top of banana soft serve or paired with a ice cold glass of coconut milk.

Apricot- My very favorite flavor! A real fruity treat with dried apricot and orange peel. It's refreshing and delightful - best with cold green ice tea!

Apple- A lovely mix of cinnamon and apples - it lacks a bit of moisture and spice but can be mixed into any bowl of oatmeal! Delicious and hearty.

Date- Sweet and creamy. The perfect balance of dates to oats! I love to eat these in the morning for the most energy.

Raisin- Imagine a bowl of homemade raisin oatmeal. This is it! I halved mine and topped with warm earth balance for a dessert.

Cranberry- All the tartness and tang you could ask for. The best one besides apricot - the cranberries, orange peel and allspice blend amazingly.

I'm not much of an stranger to Heart Thrives so overall I found them to be exactly what I remembered. Full of texture, flavor and heartiness -they can replace any meal and make you feel amazing. My only complaints would be that they are a touch too dry, from the oats, and I wish that soy wasn't such a big part of them. I'm finding out everyday how much hemp and pea protein can be a great source for any vegetarian/vegan alike. Hopefully they might make a hemp one soon for me? I can dream. Thanks again The Healthy Baking Company!


Have you tried Heart Thrives before?

Heres a few ways I've enjoyed them in the past: Cereal Cake , Chocolate Cereal Cake, Crumbled with Granola and Crumbles on Vanilla Yogurt

My Hemp Hummus

In attempt to stray far away from sugary sweets and things with sprinkles I woke up wanting nothing more than an omelet with hummus. Its an acquired taste I suppose but so is eating pizza for breakfast. I know your out there! So after pushing the condensed milk and apple sauce in the back of the pantry, I pulled out more savory items in attempt to welcome spring perhaps? I'm kidding...I live in my own seasons. Honestly I love the winter novelty Starbucks cups and the smell of creamy nutmeg drinks more than the next girl but sometimes you want something fresh and savory in the middle of the dark cold months! Now we are on the same page?

Try to say hemp hummus six times. I'm not going to lie, its pretty hard to...but this recipe? Not hard at all. In fact I whipped up a big bowl of this green dip right before I had a few friends over. Of course its not your traditional bland hummus - this one is full of flavor and your friends won't believe it has hemp in it! Allow for the most random conversation to ensue. The perfect canvas for adding your favorite things- cayenne for kick or sun dried tomatoes for something gourmet.

Hemp hummus. Hemp hummus. Hemp hummus. Don't worry about me...you just go make some and write back how you like it!


My Hemp Hummus

adapted from Natives Naturals

5 Tbsp Navitas Naturals Hemp Seeds
1 can Garbanzo Beans
2 Tbsp Artisan Foods Tahini Butter
2 Tbsp Flax Oil
1 tsp Cayenne
1 tsp Garlic Salt
1 Clove Garlic, chopped
1/3 cup Lemon Juice
Sea Salt and Pepper

In a food processor, pour in beans and puree. Combine tahini butter and hemp seeds. Slowly pour in flax oil and lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper and garlic salt. Finish off with cayenne or sun dried tomatoes.


Enjoy with flax seed or kale chips for a savory snack!


Hemp hummus. Hemp hummus. Hemp hummus.

Poetic Cinnamon Rolls

{Pecan Raw Cinnamon Rolls}

I know these photos are too bright but the sun finally came out and like a sun bathing cat, I've been living in its rays ever since. Maybe that's why I couldn't tell these were too bright before posting them? Haha! On to food..This glorious raw treat is courtesy of the tiny raw food stand at the local farmers market. They make some blog worthy snacks like raw banana cake and sweet potato pie! Last year I found their stand and ever since its become a fall/winter tradition to venture out of our egg and toast scented house for one.



I love to get all bundled up for the market -corduroy caramel coat, brown riding boots and red knit hat. Bring my oversized dusted wicker basket and just take my time looking at all the goodies - the best part has to be getting my pecan raw cinnamon roll on the way out. It's one of those little things I love doing by myself on the weekends. I enjoy mine always with a cup of extra hot chai tea and considering their size, I try to savor each bite. These rolls warm you up from the fresh ginger and cloves. And are rich from the spices of nutmeg and cinnamon, also decedent from the buttery pecans and walnuts. They are what should define the season of fall. They encompass all the colors of the leafs, the chills you get in front of the fireplace, the feeling you get right before drifting off to sleep in your red polka dot flannel pj's and the butterflies you get in your stomach when you receive a friendly smile. They leave you comforted and warm after a cold day. They are just that poetic :)

I miss fall already...Leave me a poem about fall.

Snack Time

I'm an self proclaimed notorious snacker. Funny as it sounds, I love putting out bowls of random treats, veggie cutlets and local fruit. The best thing about snacking is trying and sharing new flavors with a friend - mix together roasted eggplant and garlic, caramelized onions, spices and topped with pine nuts. Sounds fantastic, no? Try my favorite snack time recipe - Badenjan Dip. Below are more of my ultimate snack time treats that I've been making. I hope these will turn any big meal lover into a weekend snacker as well. xoxo

{Kale and Pink Lady Apple Juice Pulp Mash}

• 5 Dino Kale Leaves
• 1 Pink Lady® Apple
• 1 head of Romaine Lettuce
• 1 Avocado, Mashed
• 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• sea salt and pepper
• 5 Baby Grape Tomatoes, sliced

Juice kale, apple and lettuce. Reserve juice for breakfast. In a medium bowl, mix pulp with apple cider vinegar. Mash in avocado cubes with fork. Add salt and pepper to taste. Finish off with sliced sweet grape tomatoes. Plate with baby carrots, celery boats and cucumber slices.

There is also those times when nothing sounds more promising than chocolate. Every girl loves it but really all chocolate is not created equal. I like it dark, rich and bold. If your a dark chocolate lover, this is your recipe! Adapted from Averie's recipe for raw vegan peanut butter cups I composed a sweet vegan chocolate bar with floral notes.

{Spring Nutty Lavender Chocolate Bar}

Adapted from this recipe.

• 1/4 cup Melted Baker's Chocolate
• 1/2 tbsp Coconut Oil
• 1 tbsp Agave Nectar
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
• Sea Salt
• 1 tbsp Lavender
• 1 tbsp Dried Goji Berries
• 1 tbsp Raw Almonds, Crushed

Melt chocolate in microwave. Add coconut oil, agave nectar and vanilla. Salt to taste. Mix together and pour into two mini loaf pans. Sprinkle crushed almonds. Layer with more chocolate and top with lavender, goji berries and more almonds. Freeze for an hour or so.

And as if I really need anymore reason to love Mondays. I always make it a great incentive if I have an positive attitude I get rewarded with these semi indulgent treats. The only thing is that without any gluten or dairy, it feels more like a save than a splurge. Recently Kinnikinnick Foods sent me over these to save me from my usual mundane oatmeal cookies.

{Dipped Donuts, Cinnamon Donuts and Cookies}

The Chocolate Dipped Donut was wonderful after being warmed up for a few minutes and shared with a friend. I dipped mine in vegan hot chocolate for a double chocolate fix. It was cakey and dense - just how I like them! I missed the chocolate frosting flavor that usual bakery ones have but I am loving that they are soy free! The Cinnamon Sugar Donut was the best of the bunch. Cinnamon sugar sprinkles dusted on a vanilla cake donut. It was just like the ones I would eat at the fair growing up and it was bliss! Last but not least, I tried their KinniToos Chocolate Vanilla Sandwich Cookies - I was in for a treat. Without dairy, wheat or eggs these cookies were delightful! I thought the cream was perfect but the chocolate cookie was lacking the decedent flavor that I was expecting. But these were all treats I would start any Monday off gladly!

Getting back to whole foods, Boomi Bars are my treat by choice. There are many flavors that I make an effort to keep stocked in my bag...Cranberry Apple..Maple Pecan..Cashew Almond. All delicious and hearty - you can taste the sweet fruit and the earthy nuts. Surprisingly Healthy Hazel was my very favorite, me and hazelnuts? Who would have thought! But really it has this rich quality that made for a luxurious treat.

When all else fails in the kitchen I always know how to cheer up a sad piece of stale bread. My homemade Tart Cranberry Apple Chutney is one of the classic items in my fridge. I make a batch weekly and keep it in vintage jam jars. It reminds me of something my great aunts from North Carolina would serve on the side of homemade corn biscuits. My tart chutney can be served warm or cold for the best hometown snack.

{Tart Cranberry Apple Chutney on Crunchy Whole Grain Bread}

This recipe...well its under wraps for now but let me say it would be beautiful on top of corn cakes, in a Indian dish or paired beside any roasted vegetable harvest medley. I love this recipe though and I encourage anyone to try it!

Tell me...Whats your very favorite snack time treats? Leave comments and/or recipes and I'd love to try a few this week!

Nutmeg & Taupe

{Sweet Things I love - December 18th}

Apart of my diary series of things I love - Right now there is nothing more near to my heart than the flavor of nutmeg. I adore it in savory, sweet and anything in between. If you have not ever ventured out from the ground spice bottle let me assure you, once you start to
zest/grade your own...your never going back.

Some of my favorite herbs and spices around:
Young Living - Clove Essential Oil
Simply Organic - Curry Powder
Mountain Rose Herbs - Thyme Essential Oil

Maybe its the season when all the natural white winter things are adorn in festive colors. I've always been one to dream nothing more of staying true to the season. When its fall, the house should be filled with golden leaves and cinnamon candles. When winter, I want the frosty glow of silver picture frames and taupe nail polish.

Besides a deep dark red, taupe is one of my favorite colors when it starts to get chilly outside. Would you call this taupe or nutmeg? I do believe that its the quintessential part of any lace and wool outfit for a snowy day. Have a great Saturday - go dust your oatmeal with some glorious nutmeg and paint those nails something seasonal just for me :)

More of my favorite colors for winter:
Butter London - Bumster
Essie - Mink Muffs
Chanel - Inattendu
Nars - Mash
Priti NYC - Spring Song

Tell me, what is your very favorite spice and nail polish color?

Pink Lady® Apple Recipes

Winter Pink Lady® Apple Tart with Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise


Sage and Butternut Squash Apple Bisque


Pink Lady® Rustic Apple Pie Bars

I've been a busy bee. This month I had the chance to work with Pink Lady® America to create some fantastic recipes. Above are three of my favorite apple recipes hands down I've ever made in my life! There is savory, sweet and aromatic - a little something special for everyone. The oat bars are the best for long drives, make them with your favorite spices! Also the creamy butternut squash soup is on my weekly menu and my family adores it, I hope you'll enjoy them too!

And of course I haven't forgotten...the winners of the Bountiful Vegan giveaway are....

Eliza from Nourishing Mornings, who said - "my ideal cookie layered shake would be = a ginger cookie shake... moist ginger snap cookies layered in vanilla bean ice cream with candied walnuts, burnt caramel sauce, and crystallized ginger!" - sounds fantastic! When I heard vanilla bean ice cream with burnt caramel sauce my mind started to swirl! Sweet and bitter!

and

Aubrey from Lots to Say, who said - "Sweet cream ice cream, molasses cookies, and pumpkin pie spices" -I love sweet cream ice cream, I thought I was the only one that thought it was the best! And pumpkin pie spices makes it that much closer to my favorite dessert - pumpkin pie!

Sweet! Please email me all your information and we will get cookies right out to you. Thanks again Bountiful Vegan!

So what recipe do you like best? Write in and share your creations!

Mac 'n Cheese

After a stressful day of essays about medieval dresses and play sketches of dancing horses nothing took the edge off than a bowl of pasta with cheese. It was an dinner staple that I rarely went without. From kindergarten, when my mom would make it from scratch with bear shaped pasta - to my teen years when I would throw in a microwave bowl of the salty good stuff. Really there was no better food to make an bad day a little bit brighter. My friends loaded me down with their homework? Mac 'n cheese. Backed into a guys car at school the day after I got my license? Mac 'n cheese. Had to walk home in the rain? Mac 'n cheese. Silly to say, mac n' cheese was big part of my childhood!

Years later I am still a fan of the gooey orange pasta -my favorite healthy versions are whole wheat pasta with organic local cheese and sage or brown rice pasta with nutritional yeast cashew "cheese". If your thinking that I'm crazy for the last choice...just go with me on this one.
This weekend I made my own variation of this recipe here for vegan mac n' cheese. I added more onion, more nutritional yeast and used gluten free brown rice pasta. I also crumbled gluten free multi grain bread from French Meadow's Bakery and substituted the almond milk for veggie broth. Oh and I can't forget I used an yam instead of a russet. It was something spectacular!

Now I have to be honest, I was not a believer of the nutritional yeast being cheese reminisce worthy but truly amazing in its own category. Not your classic cheddar but its something worth putting on pasta! My real favorite addition to the dish was some apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika and fresh parsley! There was something that was particularly heart tugging about making some old favorite thing of the past until something newly cherished -and this was the recipe. You don't believe me? Try it yourself and make it your own!

Floating thoughts of wearing fuzzy purple zebra slippers, talking on my clear plastic phone with long cord and watching Phil of the Future came to mind. It was an moment.

Do you like mac 'n cheese? What was your favorite childhood dinner?

My Vegan Mac 'n Cheese

vegan. gluten free. oh so cheesy

adapted from Oh She Glows

Ingredients:

1 small yam, peeled and chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
3/4 sweet onion, peeled and chopped

Cheese Sauce:
1 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup almonds
1 cup veggie broth
3 garlic cloves
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp smoked paprika
3 tsp mustard
4 tbsp nutritional yeast
Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt, to taste

Pasta and Garnish:
Half of bag of gluten free brown rice pasta
1 slice multi grain gluten free bread
1 tbsp earth balance
Fresh parsley, to garnish

Preheat oven to 350F. In an small casserole dish with lid, grease up with olive oil and set aside. In an stove top pot, add chopped yam, carrots and onion and fill with water. Bring to a boil and then reduce to low heat for 15 minutes till soft. In food processor, blend bread slice until crumbs and add 1 tbsp of earth balance. Set aside till last.

Process cashews until a crumb forms and add all cheese sauce ingredients together in food processor - blend until smooth. Once the veggies are cooked, drain and add to cheese sauce mixture in food processor. Process until smooth. Cook pasta, drain and rinse under cold water.

Mix together cheese sauce and pasta. Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Bake in oven for 35 minutes at 350F. Allow to cool before serving. Garnish with extra smoked paprika and parsley.

My Cookie Layered Shake

In an nineteen fifties inspired country store book world in an close knit town, I would stroll the windy streets under bursting red and vibrant yellow maple trees while passing a friend in an pale yellow bow tie with a kindhearted smile. We would chit chat about the days activities -he was going to the library to pick up a book about birds, I was going to be drinking sweet tea with my elderly next door neighbor and taking my dearest short haired sassy dachshund in the park for an puppy date of course. Before our exchange of goodbyes he would recommend visiting the newly opened pink parlor down the way. They make the best cookie layered shakes hands down..or so he said...

My rooster sounding alarm clock went off this morning just in time to ruin yet another sweet dream. Sigh. Nevertheless I was determined to get to that pink parlor even if it meant making my own cookie layered shake. By nine in the morning my place smelling like grandma's special vanilla extract and roasted bananas -I've never seen my sister so enthusiastic about an week day breakfast.

Something makes me think that this sweet thing probably tasted just like the parlor's in my dreams...maybe better! I went for the classic combination of chocolate chip cookies, using this recipe, an roasted banana shake and juicy candied cherries. What would an nineteen fifties inspired shake be without candied cherries? This lovely treat could be made seasonal with pumpkin puree and ginger bread cookies to eggnog and pistachio biscotti You can't go wrong here..really its up to your preference or what you dreamt of last night!

Sundays at the Parlor ~ My Cookie Layered Shake:

Milk Shake:

• 1 Roasted banana, oven time here


• 1 tsp Bourbon vanilla extract, I used this one


• 1 cup Organic vanilla almond milk


• 1 scoop of Vanilla bean coconut milk ice cream


• 1/2 cup of ice cubes


• 1/4 cup water, optional

Roast banana, freeze for one hour. Place ingredients in blender. Add water for desired thickness, I think its best toward the thin side. Blend and set aside.

How to layer the milk shake:

• 3 gluten free vegan chocolate chip cookies (recipe), I added chocolate chunks!


• 1 cup of the roasted banana "milk" shake


• 1/2 ripe banana, sliced


• candied cherries, optional

Crumble cookies just enough to leave chunks. Place one layer of cookie crumbles on the bottom of an cute glass parfait cup. Spoon a few tablespoons of milk shake on top. Layer with thin banana slices and candied cherries. Repeat process until top. Crumble more cookies and place in freezer to set for ten minutes.

You just need one spoonful to know that this is not your normal Monday morning green smoothie - rich ripe bananas, decedent chocolate chunk warm cookies and the best punch you'll ever receive from the bourbon vanilla and sweet glossy cherries. I know this shake would make that man in the yellow bow tie think twice about his breakfast choice. Why not make it for dessert tonight - I'll never tell.

Since I know that not every morning one can throw on their frilly apron, whip up a hot batch of vegan gooey chocolate chip cookies and roast bananas galore. Also in the spirit of all things cookies and treats the wonderful people from Bountiful Vegan are offering an grand giveaway of their cookies so you can make this cookie layered shake for your someone special...or just yourself :) Almost an year ago I was munching their cookies down like there was no tomorrow and they truly are super delicious! If you haven't tried their Love Cookie, which comprises of chocolate goodness and tangy orange, your really missing out on an drool worthy experience.

So how can you enter? Sign up for their mailing list to receive monthly chances to win an free six pack of their fantastic cookies. Make sure to confirm your email submission. Comment here that you did - and answer this sweet simple question for another bonus entry.....

What would your ideal cookie layered shake ingredients be?

Two readers will be chosen to win by their interesting combinations! So go all out on this one! And don't forget to check out Bountiful Vegan's newest flavors - chocolate chip, peanut butter chocolate chip, peanut butter and oatmeal raisin -my eyes are on the Courage cookie!

Two entry per person. Canada and USA only. Winner will be announced December 18th!

Adrak Ginger Long Layer Necklace

Adrak Ginger Long Layer Necklace- my absolute favorite piece in my jewelry box, this central Asian lotus hand carved beads on an brass chain floating delicately on one side. Featured here!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to put up an reminder that the 1/2 yearly sale has been extended to the end of the month! Jewelry, vintage recipe cards and dresses -Don't forget that everything is half off!!! Also get ready for a special giveaway taking place tomorrow morning - its going to be "sweet". xoxo

French Friday at Wendy's

It all started when Foodbuzz approached me to taste test the new french fries with sea salt from Wendy's. I wouldn't be stretching the truth if I said I stuck up my nose and deleted the email. Fast food? Me? Not my cup of tea! One car drive later I drove past an childhood friend that brought random memories of my days at the local red and white burger shack...Wendy's.

My glorious dancing days were highlighted by the treat we would give ourselves after a long hard two hour rehearsal. Bruises, tap shoes and sweat in tow we would click and clap all the way across the street for our well deserved favorites. Mine was the traditional french fries and small chocolate frosty.
My bff and I would sit there and exchange hours of stories about the writing on the wall in the school bathroom, who was the cutest boy at the moment and when our moms would drive us to the mall for new glow in the dark earrings. It was a crucial part of my life...crucial as it was to know the coolest color of nail polish in sixth grade.

Needless to say, I reasoned with myself that it was about time to revisit those memories. I put aside my views on local, healthy and organic products and put myself in a place I use to be in. A place that I went there for my traditional favorite....french fries and an small chocolate frosty. But a little twist on the former years - these are natural cut fries with sea salt!

For the purpose of memories revisited I got photo ready with Mary Poppins poses and an slap happy pucker. Of course like with every good review I took my notes....

Less greasy and less overly salty - these were two points I had to make. Considering what the fries use to be like these were on a new scale of refinement for fast food joints. They did not leave me with a napkinful of grease that I remembered on my poor dance leotard. As well as I didn't feel I needed to drink two glasses of water to come back to life.

I gave them one thumb and one fry up!

No french fry is complete without an dip into a chocolate frosty - I started wanting to talk about the latest glow in the dark hula hoop at the florescent mall shop and what I was going to wear the next day at school...until I brought myself back to reality. I guess chocolate shakes do that to a girl.

Thoughts that came to mind at first taste: crisp, clean and golden joy. The last was brought up from my friend who came with me, shes a bit dramatic but you get the picture - we were excited!

These aren't your sweet potato wedges with coconut oil but they were pretty tasty and I kept making eye signals at my friend to insist on ordering another medium. She obviously thought it was an twitch.

After everything was said and done...of course there are cons to the pros - they had an after flavor that came off like chemicals. There was no way to really know if these potatoes came from an local grower, if they were organic or what oil they were fried in. I also thought they needed more flavor.

But really what more can an french fry be? They are potatoes, they are fried and they are salted. So that being said these were good. Not great, not fantastic like the burger shack in an old Italian village that uses sage oil like I know. These aren't gourmet served with an hemp seed burger and butternut squash holiday sauce. But they were classic Wendy's fries with an twist -natural cut with sea salt.

The memories they were apart of made me happy then and those memories make me happy now. I had a great french Friday at Wendy's and I really couldn't ask for anything more.