Monday, November 7, 2011

recipe : vegan pumpkin muffins


Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
(recipe adapted from Eat Drink Better)


1 can of pumpkin 
1 C whole wheat flour
1 C all-purpose flour
1/4 C corn starch
1 C sugar
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt

1/2 C olive oil
1/3 C water
2 T flax meal
6 T water (for mixing with the flax meal)
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

In a medium bowl, mix the flax meal and six tablespoons of water (warmed), and set it to the side for five minutes. Next, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Set that aside.

In a different bowl, mix together the baking soda, spices, salt, corn starch, whole wheat flour, and all-purpose flour. Set that aside as well. Retrieve the bowl with the warm water and flax seed and add oil and sugar. Whisk it until well blended. Add one-third cup water and the pumpkin to that, and whisk again.

Start adding in your dry ingredients and blend gently, avoiding over-mixing. Folding or stirring is definitely the way to go. Scoop into muffin tin.

Bake for 25 minutes. Check to make sure they are done.

Let cool for 15 minutes. (If you can wait that long) 

Enjoy!



Tuesday, September 6, 2011

rules of a rainy day


seeding trees after rain


rule one: you must wear comfortable clothing.

rule two: you must sip coffee/tea/hot beverage throughout the day.

rule three: you must get to the highest possible window and take in the view.

rule four: you must curl up with a good book & inevitably your dog.

rule five: you must enjoy the day and give thanks for the nourishment.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

staying fit in the city

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With good food & drink all around (not to mention working 60+ hrs a week),
staying fit can become a challenge. However, Ive picked up a few tips that I'm sure will help.

1. Jog with friends; its great motivation to help you keep going.

2. Dont be greedy when it comes to working out; take the dog with you.

3. Take up a new sport; volleyball, soccer, etc.

4. Take advantage of all the deal sites out there offering discounted fitness & yoga classes.

5. Eat small meals throughout the day.

6. Substitute dessert with fresh fruit; and perhaps a few squares of dark chocolate.

7. Avoid binge drinking; drink water in between alcoholic drinks to rehydrate.

8. Pace yourself; Rome wasn't built in a day, change takes time & patience.

Good luck!




Monday, August 15, 2011

florida vacation

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charlie & i took a vacation for our two year anniversary.

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it was nice. we stayed on the beach for some of time.

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charlie

he is happy.

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we went geocaching too, there were three on the beach.

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one of my favorites of the trip!

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i have few words to say except that it was fun.....a much needed break!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

ATL food & wine festival

This weekend was the First Annual Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. Lots of people came from around the country to celebrate the culinary explosion that seems to have taken over Atlanta. I met people who came from far and wide to taste, learn, smell, spit, and meet people.

The festival took place in the heart of Atlanta, Midtown. All the events were placed within a 2 block radius, making the Loews Hotel the mecca.

Thursday night marked the beginning of the festival. What better then a sugar reception! HIGH ROAD Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet and Sublime Donuts were there.

Also! I met the faces behind WhyNatte, while sipping on their current mixed drink selection of WhyNatte & whipped cream vodka = awesome! WhyNatte is one of those drinks that is great on its own, but is also easily mixed with other flavors (i.e. mint shnapps & whynatte = girl scout cookie thin mint).

One artisan chocolate company that deserves recognition is French Broad Chocolates. They are from NC and graciously came to Atlanta for the event. They are moving into becoming a bean-to-bar company, which really says a lot about what they believe in and what they choose to put in their chocolates.

Finally though: BAKESHOP


We were set up under some art work which actually went quite nicely with our table.



We were serving Kouing Amon (a.k.a sugared butter cake) with a selection of jams & jellies from Fairywood Thicket Farms.


On Friday morning, BAKESHOP provided the food for the brunch in the Connoisseur Lounge at the top of the Loews. This place was gorgeous!


Look at that kitchen!


Our display spread of mini almond croissants, mini cranberry scones, and muffins!




Chef Jonathan St. Hilaire demo-ed the making of these lemon cream strawberry danish. 


If you havent tried Top FLR cocktails you are missing out! 



Monday, April 18, 2011

festivals and biscuits

This weekend was festival weekend in Atlanta! 

We attended The Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park:

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lots and lots of people! 

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ATL

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there was also a dog frisbee contest.

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this dog was bizarre!! 



And on our way to the festival I ran across this architectural beauty:

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and in other news...

BUTTERMILK BISCUITS! 

>buttermilk biscuit

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(makes 16 huge biscuits!) 

2 quarts flour
2.75 quarts sugar
1.5 oz baking powder
1.25 oz salt
12 oz cold butter
1 qt buttermilk

Mix all the dry. 

Add herbs.

Cut in the butter.

Add buttermilk. 

Bake 375 (20 - 25 mins)








Saturday, March 12, 2011

sun through the window.

i like light and when available, i like to photograph it.

so behold my light test:
(flickr does a number on my photos)


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