Winter Brunch Orange Spiced Pancakes Recipe

Winter Brunch Orange Spiced Pancakes Recipe

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Update: This post originally ran February 8th, 2015. I have been making these lately and decided to update the photography and tweak the recipe just a tad.

Last week, we discussed how cinnamon sweeps away the winter blues in a swift hush from the corners of the earth. Today, we are using cinnamon yet again, but this time in a pancake breakfast where a flourish of juicy oranges takes center stage.

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Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter "Milkshake"

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter "Milkshake"

Saturday, July 25, 2015

In the worst dregs of summer, who doesn't want a rich, delicious milkshake? It's been so hot lately that we've all had ice cream on the brain just about 24/7, but I know better than to consume that much sugar. My body will not thank me for it. That's why I've been experimenting with the latest health nut fad - frozen bananas pulverized into "ice cream." However, this recipe is a little different. It's not just bananas - nope, too easy. I added a little milk so it can be drunk with a straw, some peanut butter for protein, and a little cocoa powder because life deserves chocolate.

This milkshake is so rich and tastes like dessert. You can make it with any milk - for this particular instance I did use dairy, but almond milk is a favorite for this smoothie too. The peanut butter provides a nice boost of protein, making it the perfect post workout snack or even a light supper. Bananas are full of potassium, which is especially important for me to avoid cramping during exercise. Cocoa powder, if you choose to use it, contains magnesium, manganese, iron, and zinc, making it good for your heart and immune system. This smoothie will pack a punch while refreshing you on a hot day!

By the way, clean up is easy - simply fill the empty blender with hot soapy water and turn on for 30 seconds or until all peanut butter is cleared away. Enjoy!

(Chocolate) Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 heaping tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder (if desired)
• A few ice cubes

Add all ingredients into blender. Blend for 60 seconds, or until smooth. Happy summer!

P. S. Beauty battles will continue soon. Currently on the hunt for the perfect cruelty free blush and mascara. Xoxo

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3 Ingredient Jicama Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad

3 Ingredient Jicama Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad

Sunday, June 28, 2015

For all my American readers, we have a big day coming up. Even if you're not American, any reason is a good reason to celebrate am I right?

For those that do not know, I am a part of a produce co-op. There are many joys and benefits to getting a laundry basket full of produce every other week. One of these benefits (for me, at least) is that I get to receive foods that I've never seen nor heard of before in all my 28 years. A few months back I receive this potato/coconut hybrid looking thing with only a tiny sticker to identify itself. While conducting extensive research (re: I Googled it), I determined that this strange item was, in fact, a jicama, known for its vitamin C, fiber content, and potassium. That's great to know, but my question wasn't really answered. What the heck do I do with this thing? Fortunately, learning that the jicama is native to Mexico, I texted a Hispanic friend and an answer immediately: put it in fruit salad. Sounds weird at first, putting a vegetable in fruit salad, but the results are absolutely amazing.

See, I've never really been a fan of fruit salad... mixing all those sweet things in together so I can mesh all the sweet at once... nah, not for me. But jicama rounds out the flavors, separating them, and preventing the fruit salad from being too sweet all while adding a satisfying crunch to make it feel like you are actually eating. So in my quest for a wholesome July 4th dessert (or breakfast!), I decided to take strawberries and blueberries (which are quite possibly the most overused fruits around the fourth ever - sorry guys) and create something that definitely won't be at your aunt's cookout this upcoming weekend. Feel free to tweak it for your own purposes - add mint or cilantro. Maybe mix in some blackberries or feta. Create a sweet dressing for it if that's your thing. As for me, I'll stick with the tried and true, red, white, and blue.

Sorry guys, I had to make a terrible rhyme.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Strawberries, rinsed and chopped into bite sized pieces
• 1 pint blueberries
• 1 cup jicama, chopped and peeled*

Add all ingredients into a large bowl and gently toss. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

*here is a great tutorial on how to cut up jicama

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Scenes from Lately: Food Photography

Scenes from Lately: Food Photography

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Peanut Butter Banana French Toast

Thrift Store French Press

Orange Pancakes

With it being dreary, I've taken to photographing food whenever the opportunity arises. It's cheery, comforting, and doesn't rely on my getting ready then finding out the light is gone, or it started to snow. Some of these are from my Instagram, some are from old posts, and some I've been saving for the right time to share. All are little things I have enjoyed for their natural beauty as well as their nutrition. They are things for which I am thankful.

P.S. Whole Foods Lexington was kind enough to regram my rainbow chard. I am flattered with their kindness!

P.P.S. And it's snowing again. See!!! This is why I photograph food instead of clothing.

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Still Life Done Simply

Still Life Done Simply

Thursday, January 15, 2015

There are times when even the tiniest tidbits of beauty make me pause, holding my breath as I gaze at a lovely form entrenched in my brain. Exhaling, I understand how the most miniscule moments can make me feel euphoric. Saturated with life's little offerings, if you will.

Yes, I am the woman who will stand outside of Whole Foods photographing eggs on a rainy Christmas Eve. No, I will not be ashamed to find people staring. I will smile when you smile and smile when you don't.

My quest for simple pleasures knows no limits.

Anything in life can be beautiful.

Have you ever stopped to admire something as simple as eggs purely for beauty? What was it? Did people stare or go about their business?

Now that we are thinking about eggs: What Kids Around the World Eat for Breakfast

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