krysta howell PHOTOGRAPHY

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse Pie

2012-02-27T12:42:00.001-08:00

Once you take a bit of this pie, you won't put the fork down until you it's gone. I'm serious this pie is outrageously delicious. Also... you would never guess in a million years that it is vegan. So it's practically good for you... well thats a little bit of a stretch, but it certainly isn't laden with fatty butter and cream.

Ingredients/Directions:

Graham cracker crust:

1 package good quality graham crackers

2-3 tablespoons melted butter

If you want to make a homemade crust take the graham crackers and crush them. (Easiest to put the crackers in a large ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin. Mix the crushed crackers with the melted butter. Once with mixture is crumbly, press into an 8 inch round pan and bake for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove from oven and cool.

Mousse:

15 ounces ( 1 package) Extra firm tofu

1/4 cup soy creamer or non- dairy milk

1/2 cup peanut putter

1/2 vegan/soy cream cheese

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1/3 cup coconut oil

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 cup agave

dash cinnamon

In a high speed blender like a Vitamix blend the tofu, creamer, peanut butter and cream cheese until smooth.

On a stovetop melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil.

Once melted pour coconut oil and chocolate chip mixture into the blender along with

salt, agave, and cinnamon

Blend until very smooth.

Pour mixture into pan once graham cracker crust has cooled.

Topping:

3 Tablespoons chocolate chips

1 tablespoon coconut oil

Melt chocolate and oil and spread smoothly evenly over top of mousse.

Place in a refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until mousse has a light cheesecake consistency.
Adapted from the Health Happy Life Vegan blog!

Enjoy!

Nutella: a dish best served on everything

2012-02-23T10:10:00.001-08:00

I havent met many people who don't like Nutella, and for good reason too. Nutella is simply delicious and is great on fruit, toast, or eaten plain with a spoon!

This recipe is dairy free, vegan, and of so easy.

Fresh Vegan Nutella

Ingredients:

1 cup hazelnuts

2-3 tablespoons coconut oil

1/4 cup cocoa

1/3 cup agave (or honey)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F

Spread hazelnuts onto a cooking sheet

Roast for about 8 minutes (they cook fast so keep an eye on them)

Once they are golden brown (shown below) remove from oven and place on a clean kitchen towel

Rub the hazelnuts with the towel to remove the skins (you don't need to remove all of them)

Place cooled hazelnuts into a high speed blender or food processor

Grind until the hazelnuts are powdery

(I like my Nutella with some texture so I don't grind them all the way)

Add the coconut oil and blend

Add the cocoa and agave until you have a spreadable paste

If you want a thinner more liquid consistency add more sweetener, oil, or some almond/dairy free milk

Remove from blender and enjoy.

This stuff is seriously amazing... so go try it out!!

Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti

2012-02-21T11:37:00.000-08:00

Since I try new recipes all the time anyways- I may as well document the deliciousness and pass the recipes along to spread the tastiness. So last night made chocolate pistachio biscotti... which I patiently waited until the morning to savor with my coffee.

Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti Recipe:

Makes roughly 18 biscotti

Ingredients:

Dry:

1 2/3 cup four (white or whole wheat)

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup pistachio (whole, chopped, or however you like them)

Wet:

1/4 cup Earth Balance soy butter (softened)

3/4 cup sugar

2 Tbsp ground flax seed mixed with 6 Tbsp warm water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Garnish:

Handful of dark chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°

In a bowl combine all dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt) Add pistachios and mix well.

With a hand beater mix earth balance butter, sugar, and vanilla until well incorporated. Add flax and water mixture and beat.

Slowly add dry ingredients and mix until dough forms. You may need to use your hands because mixture will be dry.

On a dry surface knead dough into two long flat slabs about 8 inches long and a few inches wide.

Place on a cooking stone and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool for several minutes.

Using a serrated knife slice the slabs into thin strips (the size you want your biscotti to be)

Place biscotti strips back on cooking stone ad bake for about 5 minutes on each side.

Once the biscotti are cooled melt the chocolate chips and pout on a flat surface. One at a time dip the biscotti in the melted chocolate to coat the bottom.

Let chocolate harden, serve with coffee or hot cocoa, and enjoy!

Fat Tuesday

2012-02-12T19:55:00.000-08:00

It was a complete blast photographing the annual employee appreciation PARTY for the Four Point Sheraton in D.C. The theme this year was Mardi Gras so the party was fully stocked with dirty rice, hurricanes, feather masks, and great music!

Jaclyn at sunrise

2012-01-18T11:36:00.000-08:00

If I were to play a theme song to this photo-shoot it would be a mix between Mumford and Sons "Roll Away Your Stone" and Wiz Khalifa & Snoop Dog "Young and Wild and Free". So now that I have officially set the tone for this post you can now fully enjoy the final product.

Let me give you a little background about this shoot- sunrise was around 7:20 in the morning and rather chilly....in the low 40's... in January. So I give Jaclyn mad props for looking this stunning under the

given conditions.

Dreamboat Alert!!

Changing the entire mood of the shoot was as easy as an outfit change. And just like that you might feel like you are in a dream... a dream with really soft lighting, where your socks are made of frilly lace, and you suddenly want all the furniture in your house to look like shabby chic antiques. It's a good place to take a nap and dream.

Okay fine!! I'll admit it- it looks a little like I am trying to sell something from Urban Outfitters but I think she looks like she just came out of a role in Midsummer Night's Dream. Rather ethereal and feminine don't you think? Regardless... what a babe.

Candid Camera

2012-01-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

Since my beautiful friend Renee and I are both photographers, it isn't often we get out own picture taken- so we decided to change that.

You can check out the pics she took of me at her blog: http://reneerouleauphoto.com/

My hair got caught in front of the camera and made this sweet vintage look!

On a side note: these pictures were taken on the coldest day of the year where we live, so naturally we decided to take them outside- you can't even tell she was freezing!

Seriously... look at her blog she is super talented! http://reneerouleauphoto.com/

Cozy Christmas in Colorado

2011-12-31T18:40:00.000-08:00

This holiday my family took a trip to beautiful Colorado and stayed in this quaint little cabin tucked away in the mountains.

Mom, Deb, and Athalia

Grandma and Grandson so adorable!

Cute little ski town of Breckenridge

Athalia and the babes!!

Their little family; Byron Dasha and Braedyn

Grandpa Jim with Braedyn James

All us girls

Dash and Byron

Sweet family don't you think?

Cutest parents ever

Mom and Tals

Just the view when you walk outside

Me and Athalia

He was walking!!

Family game night

homemade cinnabons on christmas morning

Deb and Braedyn

Me and the cutie: photo cred Deb

Sweater vests

2011-12-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

So the other day I did a small photoshoot for a few cute kids.

Up close and personal

2011-12-14T21:33:00.000-08:00

My quiet walks are often ideal

St. Augustine, Florida

2011-10-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

St. Augustine, FL is such a sweet little town. So many local businesses and everything is so close to the ocean. So I went for a little visit for probably the last time in a long time.

Jammin'

2011-10-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

So as it turns out- when you have no plan sometimes the answer is jam. Or in my case... apple butter.

Yes, ten pounds of apples, loads of mason jars, a bit of kitchen dancing, and a few pandora playlists later ...viola!

I also make Hot Banana Pepper Rings ...because let be honest- they are awesome on everything!

From me to you:

Apple Butter Recipe (Adapted from Ashley English’s “Canning and Preserving”)

(Will make roughly 8 half pint jars)

Things you should invest in if you are going to make this yourself:

5 pounds cooking apples (I prefer tart ones such as Winesap or Stayman but other varieties such as Gold Delicious or McIntosh are good as well)
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon cloves
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ginger

Before you get messy with the apples:

Sterilize 8 half pint mason jars, lids, and screw bands. You can do this by immersing them in boiling water for 10 minutes. Always sterilize more that you think you need because you just might get inspired to double the batch)
Place cleaned jars on top of a cloth on a clean counter.

Now the apple business:

Peel, core, and roughly chop the apples, place in a large stainless steel pot along with 2 cups water. Simmer over low heat for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and add water in ¼ cup increments if sticking occurs. Remove from heat.
Press the cooked apple mixture through a food mill, fine meshed sieve, or you can use blender, food processor. The texture should look like really smooth apple sauce.
Return the apple puree to the pot, add sugar and spices. Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 25 to 30 minutes. Stir often to prevent sticking. Remove from heat.
With the help of a canning funnel (which is optional) ladle the apple butter carefully into the jars leaving ¼ inch headspace at the top of the jar. Use a non metallic spatula to remove any trapped air bubbles and wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth. Place the lids and screw bands on, tightening only until fingertip-tight.
Then fill a canner or large stockpot with water and bring to a boil.
Using a jar lifter, place the jars into the canner/stockpot. Process (boil) for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath. Lift jars out carefully with tongs and set on counter to cool.
Enjoy!

Maddy's Bridal Shower

2011-10-02T11:16:00.000-07:00

Every time I see the Higdon family I am reminded of just how much I adore them! For Maddy's bridal shower she had an adorable victorian style tea party setup complete with all the details.

The winner of the toilet paper wedding dress game!

Maddy- I wish you and Mike all the happiness in the world!

hot wheels

2011-09-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

The Understudies

2011-09-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

I did this shoot with one of my best friend Renee (she is just fabulous!) and you can see her shots (soon probably) at http://reneerouleauphoto.com/

Just look at those rockstars.

So The Understudies are some pretty cools cats. They were so much fun during the shoot and not to mention- their music rocks. You can check them out at http://www.understudiesmusic.com/

Sydney & Ben

2011-08-31T15:14:00.000-07:00

I had to work in Sydney's love for flowers somehow.

A day in the life

2011-08-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

So the day after a storm there is not much to do but lounge around, enjoy netflix, and eat.. so that's exactly what I did

green tea with mango slices

lemon and thyme orzo

cashew and almond mocha shake

Lazy on a sunday afternoon

Billiards

2011-08-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

A very honest photo.

An Education

2011-08-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

It was so lovely to do a shoot with Julia- one of my oldest and most beautiful friends.

Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. -John Dewey

What a babe

2011-08-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

I got to see my nephew Brayedn again when I visited my family in Wisconsin.

Look at Brayedn praying the rosary!

Dolmabache, Döner, and Darbuka

2011-07-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

My last few days in Istanbul.

We went to a great restaurant on my last night that had an incredible view of the city, live traditional music, and a great atmosphere.

The restaurant had live music and people got up and did some Greek dancing- very entertaining!

A view from over the Bosporus

There was a special torch lighting ceremony that they do every night at the restaurant with music.

The view of the Maiden Tower.

Dolmabache Palace where the Sultans and Ataturk lived

It is forbidden to take any pictures inside the palace but even outside is beautiful.

The soldiers stand in glass boxes outside to guard the palace

It's too bad I couldn't have stayed longer but I'm sure I will go back to Istanbul.

Backgammon, Backlava, and Börek

2011-07-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

Another week in Turkey.

We went sailing on the Marmara Sea to visit one of the Princes' Islands!

Fenerbahce's flag

Grand Bazzar- This place goes on forever...and ever.

For my birthday Esra and Basri took me out to the Water Island which is a man-made island created exclusively for fun.

Turkey lies between Asia and Europe and is connected by a bridge. We are on the Asian side.

Börek

Backlava

Kahve, Kaftans, and Kebab

2011-07-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

I have only been in Turkey a little over a week and I am so in love with this place and I love my host family!

Traditional Turkish breakfast that we have every morning.

Turkish Kahve. It might be tiny but it's very strong.

Pool time with Mel!

When your days consist of lounging by the pool eating fresh fruit...it's hard not to love it.

Esra is a fantastic cook and everything always looks so beautiful. Turkish people are known for their hospitality...and my host family certainly lives up to that reputation!

Mantı and Dolma

The cost of gas is 3.58 TL... per liter. The most expensive petrol in the world, so try not to complain the next time you fill up your gas tank.

Open-air market

Coming into Topkapi Palace we saw a traditional Ottoman style parade.. do we have good timing or what?

All of the rooms were tiled from floor to ceiling. So intricate and beautiful.

I don't have many words to describe this place. These pictures can't even being to do it justice.

Yere Batan: Underground with erie lighting where water used to be held. Medusas heads are kept here. Very cool place to see- and very fat fish swimming in the water.

The Blue Mosque

I am so thrilled that I am spending my summer here!

Ireland

2011-06-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

I just came back from a lovely excursion to Ireland with other students at my college! We stayed in Dublin and Athlone while visiting all the hot spots of Irish culture. Simply put- it was gorgeous.

The entire Temple Bar area in Dublin is full of colorful pubs and cute restaurants!

Sydney and I had soup every day... and chocolate cake.

Christ Church and Dublina Viking Museum

Outside of Trinity College and the Book of Kells

In the Guinness Brewery we poured our own pints!

The view from the top of the brewery. You could see so far!

Sydney and Addie

Kilmainham Gaol. The coolest prison ever!

A painting within the cell made my Mrs. Joseph Plunkett.

The spot where many revolutionary leaders were executed.

Clonmacnoise

Whispering arches

Birr Castle- a stately home.

The gardens at Birr Castle

Erin in her funky sunglasses.

We really did have massive quantities of cake.

Galway! A quaint touristy town.

We went to an Irish Mass.. very cool

Adorable Irish street musicians

The view from the Rock of Cashel.

Every view was equally insane and fantastic.

My Irish coffee with Jameson and Baileys

Knowth

Sydney and Patrick!

The Burren.

Addie!

The Cliffs of Moher!!!!

So long Ireland! Next adventure... Turkey!

Braedyn

2011-05-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

My sister and my brother in-law came to visit and brought my beautiful nephew Brayden!

Look at those teeth!!

I might be the proudest aunt ever! (not to mention the favorite!)

My very first wedding: Mr. and Mrs. Dave Haskins

2011-05-03T18:39:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Morgan and Dave!

This was a very special occasion to me as it was my very first solo wedding I have ever shot. There were definitely challenges and obstacles that presented themselves throughout the day but that is just the way it goes sometimes. The day was incredibly nerve- wracking and stressful (filled with torrential rain!) but it was also very a fantastic learning experience and turned out to be well worth the effort in the end. Also- shout-out to Renee- whom without I surely would have been in a pickle.