How did this collaboration come about? What was the inspiration?
Kim Thompson Steel: We have followed each other on our blogs for a few years now and realized early on that we lived close to each other, and were lucky enough to meet and develop a friendship.  I love photographing slices of life and wanted to build on that by making videos with the same esthetic as my photography.  This fall, I decided I wanted to shoot some food-related videos and started casting about for someone to work with me on a series of video recipes.  Melissa and I worked together on a shoot with photographer Leslie Sophia Lindell, and the idea of a collaboration evolved very naturally. I asked if she would be interested and she was on board immediately.

Melissa McArdle: A few years ago, Kim and I met through blogging. What began as an online respect for one another bloomed into a real life friendship.  I’ve always admired Kim’s photography, for she captures the magic in life’s most simple, ordinary moments. She keeps it real, yet through her lens, there is a spark of beauty that is forever caught in time.  So it was a no-brainer when she asked me if I would be willing to collaborate on a video about food.

How do you work together? Does one person style/prepare/cook and one person shoot/edit?
KTS: It’s amazing how naturally we work together.  I shoot and edit, Melissa prepares the food and styles it.  We are both very laid back and receptive to each others’ ideas.  This particular video (mushrooms a la creme) wasn’t intended to be a series of stills, but because of a technological snafu on shoot day, that’s how it worked out.

MM: We are both very easy going, and we respect each other’s area of creative expertise. I come up with the recipe, cook and style the shoot, and Kim brings it to life with her camera and incredible film-editing skills. It’s a win-win team, for there is a high level of respect for one another on each side, yet we are not timid when an opinion needs to be voiced. And the bonus, we both love coffee and drink a lot of it!

What’s next? Can we expect a series?
KTS: You can definitely expect more.  We know we want to do more (and another recipe shoot is already in the works!) and we’ll see whether it becomes a series!

MM: Another seasonal recipe is already in the works and filming will begin in the next week or so, so yes, I foresee something grand unfolding with this series and look forward to seeing how our creative collaborations grow.

Can I be your official taste tester? Just kidding. Not really.
KTS: Yes!  I am actually the taster now, since Melissa does the cooking. I don’t even particularly like mushrooms and I LOVED this dish.

MM: You are always welcome to taste test!   There will be an extra place setting ready for you.

Well done, ladies. Check it out and then try not to run to the grocery store for the ingredients in these recipes.

The post Women who inspire: Mosey Images and Reverie-Daydream appeared first on Pink Moon Daily.

I blame Melissa for my fava bean obsession. She shared some of her garden bounty two years ago and my taste buds have never fully recovered. Up until this week my favorite fava preparation was this spread. It makes a truly amazing meal that I look forward to every spring.

Since planting our own crop in my girlfriend’s front yard (those are her daughter’s sweet little hands holding our gems) a couple of months ago I’ve been hearing about how tender and delicious fava greens and flowers are when slightly wilted in a pan with a bit of garlic and olive oil. Thanks to Rebecca’s mother and Nana, I’ll never be able to quit these greens. Hands down, the best thing I have eaten in ages. So fresh and tender and they cook up in seconds. Which is about how long it took us to devour a bowl fresh off the stove.

I’m really hoping our local farmer’s catch on and start selling them in their stands. I would happily eat these every week until my beloved beans start sprouting. Did you eat anything special this week? Are your gardens starting to grow or are you just getting a chance to dig in the dirt?

**I also write for All Parenting. Here are my latest posts:

How I talk to my kids about death without discussing God

Get green for spring fashion

How to customize a grocery store bouquet

The post Best thing this week: favas appeared first on Pink Moon Daily.

The weather in my parts has been amazing. Spring could not come fast enough for me this year. Usually, I relish in the stormy months since inclement weather is so far and few between in Northern California. But this year, the grey skies and barren landscape was hard to take. I cannot get enough of the crazy citrus in every other front yard in my neighborhood and the resilient wildflowers blooming on my favorite hiking trail. I have spring fever is the best way and I want to be outside every possible minute of every day. What are your favorite signs of spring?

Aside from gardening and preparing for a little vacation, I’m in the throws of birthday party planning for a certain soon-to-be 5 year old. In season’s past you might remember my extremely obsessive and controlling tendencies when it came to Emerson’s parties. I have little shame here. Her birthdays two, three and four were obviously an annual excuse for me to flex my creative muscles. I’m a frustrated event planner and I love nothing more than a good them, champagne on ice and all my girlfriends close at hand. But it’s time to let Emerson have a say in how she celebrates her day. I’m sucking it up here. She’s growing up and apparently, so am I.

Off the list: my friends, bubbly, flower arrangements, my favorite banana cake. On the list: Emerson’s school chums, bowling, ice cream cake and a Lilo and Stitch theme. She’s turning five and I want to her to grow up knowing her own mind, having a say in things and feeling confident in the things (colors, cakes and activities) that she enjoys. Not gonna lie, inviting anyone to the bowling alley to celebrate anything was a real low point for me. But she’s thrilled so there you have it. She even made the invitations. This is progress on my part, friends.*

And finally, if you’re still with me. One of my all-time favorite stores is closing this week. I’m heartbroken. I cried with the owner, who has been selling Native American-made items in my hometown for 40 years. Some of my first childhood memories were spent wondering through her store with my parents, full of beautiful textiles, turquoise jewelry and leather moccasins. I bought up as many gifts and goodies that I could afford and traded stories about when Los Gatos was more hippie than haute.

Change. It’s unavoidable. The end.

*I’ve decided that all my hands-off, non-controlling party planning parenting is going to warrant a serious reward. I’m thinking a grown up party will be in order sometime in my near future. A chance for me to unleash all my rainbow-hued, unicorn-themed and flower crown leanings on my girlfriends. I’m pretty sure that’s what 40 is going to look like for me.

The post Spring lately appeared first on Pink Moon Daily.

Just a quick check in as I roll into day three of the flu. It’s rough, my friends. Second time I’ve been hit this season. I’m resting and drinking fluids like it’s my job. Only problem is it’s not and when you’re income is based on freelance/contract work there are no sick days. Safe to say I’m learning some tough lessons on taking care of oneself, while juggling deadlines that could just as easily be passed on to the next eager freelancer pitching for my project. Does it sound like I’m complaining? I’m not. Just struggling a bit at the moment. But I trust I’ll feel better after (another) nap.

I do want to share with you one of the projects that has been occupying my days of late. I’m proud to be a part of the All Parenting team of writers. My first two of many upcoming pieces are live now and you can check them out. Are you looking for some fun and easy projects for spring break? I highly recommend making a fairy flower crown for any special little in your life. And for yourself, why not plant an herb garden so you’ll be ready to spice up all those spring veggies popping up at the farmer’s market. I’ve got tutorials for both at All Parenting and if I can pull them off – so can you.

Also, I’m obsessed with HBO’s Girls. I’ve been catching up in between naps and I cannot get Jessa’s amazingly and often inappropriate bohemian style out of my head. I realize I’m a hundred years late to the party on this one as per usual, but I still want to talk about her perfect wedding look. Let’s talk about how I could pull this off, okie-dokie? Sunset and 5th does a great job breaking down the head-to-toe look. Turns out Jemima Kirke’s mom has been making her clothes since she was a little girl and owns a vintage clothing shop in New York City. So, Lorraine Kirke is officially my new lady crush.

O.k. my friends. Carry on. I’m wishing you all good health and strong immunities. May you avoid this plague with all your might.

The post My Freelance Writing and other Thoughts on a Sick Day appeared first on Pink Moon Daily.

Building on yesterday’s post, which seems to have resonated with so many blog friends, I’m excited to introduce you to Courtney Khail and her beautiful watercolor creations. She’s one of those treasured connections I made through blogging. We met at Alt last year and became fast friends over little more than 24 hours and several glasses of bubbly. Not only is she a salt-of-the earth kind of gal (who just happens to rock the most amazing vintage gowns you have ever seen, thanks to a very chic grandmother) she’s also a gifted artist.

Courtney is expanding her custom wedding invitation business to include custom paintings. You guys, she took an iPhone snappy I took of a bouquet from my cutting garden last spring and gifted me with an original painting. See below: my photo and my painting. I love her interpretation so much. She captured the joy my tiny plant babies provide and reminds me to keep tending to the soil even when the sweet peas have dried up and the rose bushes are cut back. It’s my daily does of garden inspiration.

I love the idea of gifting original art and small watercolors are an affordable way to do just that. Check out Courtney’s pricing on custom pieces. If I had any soon-to-be brides in my life I would jump on gifting a custom painting as a way to immortalize the bride’s bouquet. I’m also thinking that my mom would appreciate a painting of her beloved roses and forget-me-notes for Mother’s Day. And I’m personally loving this blood orange painting since I just recently made the plunge and added it to my mini citrus “grove”. She also makes custom cards which would make an extra special handmade gift.

P.S. Courtney was one of my “Creative Crushes” last year. You can read more about the things and places that inspire her here.

The post Women who inspire: Artist Courtney Khail appeared first on Pink Moon Daily.

Remember that? Those were the days when I didn’t think much posting an iPhone photo. Or, at least it wouldn’t stop me from actually posting. To be honest, I miss my old blog and I know a few of you do too. I miss sharing about my weekend and showing you the creative projects that keep me up at night. The soup fails and the cake wins. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Don’t get me wrong. I love a pretty blog as much (maybe more) than the next gal. I’m a sucker for styled and well-lit, but I’ve hit my own personal wall of needing my images and my thoughts to be so perfectly planned out and executed that I literally won’t publish until all the pieces are in place. It’s either let one of the spinning plates in my life crash, and I’m looking at you pinkmoonDAILY, are you crazy? Or shut down my online life entirely. And trust, I’ve contemplated the delete all concept plenty over these past few months.

But a special little gathering two weeks ago altered my reality ever so slightly and reminded me of the positive force for good a blog can be. I’ve written a lot about how important this online space has been for me to practice writing, to push myself creatively and hold myself accountable to my goals and someday, faraway dreams. This place has kept me motivated and honest. But the most important aspect to blogging and putting myself “out there” has been the friendships. The life-changing connections I have made with a growing handful of (mostly) women. Good women. Inspiring women.

I was lucky enough to spend three solid days and two ridiculous nights with Alexis, Kimberly, Jeanne and Melissa in Yountville – a truly magical place. And let me tell you it pays to travel with a local. Mel led us on a tour of the very best food and drinks and shopping and general merry making. We were constantly stumbling across friends who graciously opened their studios to our wandering eyes and gifted us with their creations. (You must check out the amazing jewelry being made from cork and recycled wine bottles at Yount Street Glass.) We caused trouble in fancy restaurants (too many to list, but I have it on good authority the fine folks at Bouchon will forever remember our visit) and shared our hearts, our dreams, our disappointments with each other – naturally and with ease. You know, the way women do.

People would ask us how we met and we all stumbled through that awkward explanation that no blogger has yet to master outside of a blogging conference, “um, well, we met online – got to know each other through our blogs” and that’s just never not going to sound creepy, right? But, I know you get it. These connections we are making online are legit and for life and will stand the test of time and google analytics. And I’m realizing that in life the only thing that really matters are one’s relationships and without this blog I never would have had these four friendships and more. So for that reason alone, this space is worth keeping and nurturing.

All of this to say, I think I’m back. Back to sharing bits of my heart, here. Things l love, people who inspire me. It won’t be perfect and there will be growing pains, but I want to get back to the fun of blogging. Won’t you join me?

Also, a most perfect quote shared by Jeanne from the weekend that deserves a permanent place in my home.

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Mary Oliver, Poet

The post When Blogging Was Fun appeared first on Pink Moon Daily.

About a hundred years ago, around the time I started a blog, I posted my first life list. Inspired by Maggie and her Mighty List I came up with dozens of small and big things I wanted to try out in my lifetime. I can’t find that post. But I did come across two summer lists, here and here, that proved highly satisfying. I forgot how good I can be with a goal. Recently, I revised my life list, adding and refining my wishes for a bright future to include things like visit Istanbul and hang a vintage chandelier in my home. At the same time I was able to acknowledge a few of the little goals I set for myself back in 2009.

Right this very moment, I am studying French. Daily. This is huge and warrents its own post. Soon. Also, I gave blood and thereby faced a crippling fear I’ve held on to for more than 20 years. You guys, I almost passed out when all was said and done, but it was awesome and I’m still so proud of my little self. Finally, I’ve wanted to host a fancy high tea since my bridal shower nine years ago, when I was gifted dozens of vintage cups and saucers. Well, that happened last weekend and it was spectacular.

I invited two special friends over for an afternoon of treats, goal sharing and future scheming. We committed to keeping each other accountable to our individual goals and busted out the calendar to schedule in a few for this year. For example, we’ll be zip-lining in March, walking across the Golden Gate Bridge this spring and hiking Half Dome. That last one I may be doing on my own if I don’t get anyone who isn’t afraid of a little Hanta Virus on board soon, but my girls committed to helping me train. It’s a start.

We sipped tea and marveled at the riches of my hoarding/collecting. Stop judging. One never really knows when an event will call for a dozen silver frog name holders, empty boxes from Lauderee and Fauchon, vintage hats from the 1950s and a dress form. Obviously, I hoard-with-purpose. You’re feeling my puffed up and justified sense of self here, yes? Cause I’m giving it. Big time.

All of this is to say that I believe in sharing your dreams and goals. There’s power in saying them out loud to those who will listen and care enough to encourage your bravery, support your attempts and celebrate your results. I’ve got so many plans for this year and I’m trying to work on the big ones a little bit every day. I’d love to hear about yours and as always, I promise to cheer you on and celebrate with you along the way. Here are my tippy tops for 2013:

1. Learn French (finish my Rosetta Stone course and enroll in a conversation class)

2. Hike Half Dome (train by hiking a variety of smaller, Bay Area trails on a weekly basis)

3. Learn how to use my two specialty camera lenses (practice weekly, share my progress here)

4. Pitch my personal essays to admired print and online publications

The post My Paris Tea; Setting Goals appeared first on Pink Moon Daily.

Hi friends. Following a bit of a self-imposed sabbatical, the time has come to announce a few changes around here. I launched Pink Moon Daily in May 2012 with six exceptional contributors – Melissa McArdle, Torrie and Ryan Sessions, Dayna McLeod, Danielle Copeman and Katie Mattern. These ladies (and gentleman) gave their writing, their thoughts and their photography skills to this community with open hearts. I am forever in their debt for supporting the mission of providing invaluable information, inspiration and guidance on living a healthy lifestyle. So first and foremost, thank you to the team for sharing their generous insights and experiences. And thank you to our readers who supported the site, left comments and sent emails.

The site continues to evolve and my focus remains true to living a healthy life, free from toxic chemicals and rich with organic food, sustainable practices and environmentally-friendly choices. The Pink Moon Daily contributors continue to publish on their personal websites listed below. I hope you will follow along their personal journeys, as well as return here for updates from my own life. I’ll continue to post at Pink Moon Daily about all things clean, green and natural, as well as the occasional peek into my life.

The PMD All Stars 

Danielle Copeman

She is a master of many crafts – baking, creating and sewing – just to name a few. She’s a mother to two beautiful girls and navigating the turbulent waters of raising kids with allergies. In addition to sharing the occasional inspired DIY project, Danielle brings us delicious, family-friendly recipes free from nuts, and eggs.  She can also be found on her blog Domestic Dish and at her Etsy shop Dandelion Goods, where she sells beautiful and stylish leather goods made from reclaimed remnant fabrics.

Melissa McArdle

With a one-word mantra of bliss, Melissa makes it her daily goal to find the blissful beauty in life’s most simple offerings.  A believer in “you are what you eat”, healthy food is an essential must for every meal.  A yogi, a gypsy at heart, and a proponent for small artisans and artists around the world, she fills her waking hours with daydreams of a happy, healthy, free-loving world and truly believes these dreams will one day become a reality. She can also be found on her website Reverie-Daydream.

Dayna McLeod

As a trained chef and proud mom,  Dayna has been preparing exceptional meals for the world’s most elite celebrities. Her inspired culinary creations have graced the plates of many celebrities. However, nothing makes her happier than watching her 4 year-old daughter devour a healthful serving of organic fruits and veggies from Santa Barbara’s local farmers market. Most recently, Dayna was recently named a Food Ambassador, standing up for read food for children with Jaime Oliver’s Food Revolution Day.

Dayna can also be found writing about food and sharing her original recipes at her blog A Vegan Chef.

Torrie and Ryan Sessions

Two self-proclaimed foodies, trying to raise little foodies, Torrie and Ryan love to cook together. Love to eat. Love farmers markets. And love growing their own food. They believe that the best tomato is the one that comes from your own back yard… one that’s been nurtured by the entire family- from seed to table.

Torrie and Ryan decided to make the most out of the long southern California growing season, venturing into container- and then raised-bed gardening, through pure trial & error. They’ve been building on their successes, learning from their losses, and getting a little more adventurous each season.

When not digging in the dirt, the Sessions can be found “researching” cocktail recipes, scheming up their next DIY endeavor, and plotting food & wine-centric, yet kid-friendly vacations. Torrie blogs at A Place to Share.

Katie Shonsey Mattern

The post It’s a New Day appeared first on Pink Moon Daily.

By Melissa McArdle

Ever since I became a mama, my recipes are now approved by a very ‘sophisticated palate’ of a 4 ½ year old. She knows what she likes, and if all the ingredients are not to her liking, then I (and most often we) return to the mastering of perfection. It’s important for me to include her in all aspects of food. I want her to appreciate the process of eating from beginning to end, so we begin with where and how we source and purchase or gather our ingredients. I’ve noticed when she is more hands-on in the kitchen, she is more willing to eat what we prepare. Not only does this cooking together process involve other skills such as math, attentive time-frames, and lots of patience, but it is also about bonding with the cutest little sous chef I know.

Recently, we put our heads together to create a granola bar she would like to include in her school lunch. This is what we came up with (and the best thing about it, you can add or subtract most ingredients you wish to customize it to your family’s tastes):

Homemade Granola Bars
{adapted from Ina Garten’s Back to Basics}

2 cups old-fashioned oats {gluten-free is what we used}

1 1/2 cups sliced almonds

½ cup flax seeds {or pumpkin or sunflower seeds}

¾ cup toasted wheat germ

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3/4 cup honey

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped pitted dates

1 cup raisins {or dried cranberries, blueberries, apricots, etc.} 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter an 8×12-inch baking dish and line with parchment paper. Toss the oats, almonds and flax seeds together on a sheet pan and bake for 15-20 minutes (stirring occasionally) until lightly browned/toasted.  Transfer to a large bowl and stir in wheat germ. Reduce oven heat to 300 degrees. Place butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the oat mixture.  Add the remaining ingredients and stir well. Pour mixture in prepared pan, wet fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan.  Bake for 25 minutes {longer time if you wish for crunchy versus chewy}.  Cool for at least 2-3 hours before cutting into bars.

Photo credit: Reverie-Daydream 

The post Melissa McArdle’s Homemade Granola Bars appeared first on Pink Moon Daily.

By Estelle Hayes

I’ve been hearing the praises of Kim Boyce’s Good to the Grain for ages and I finally ordered my copy. It does not disappoint. I’m taking baby steps with alternative flours as I’ve been burned with some dreadful whole wheat pie crusts in the past.

The chocolate chip and the gingersnap recipes will be a staple in our house. I’m already planning some holiday gift boxes full of these for special friends and family. Honestly, the gingersnap is near perfection. I’ll probably make them a bit smaller next time just to increase the volume. I’ll add toasted almonds and dried cherries to the chocolate chip just to mix things up. I love a complex cookie flavor.

Overall, I’m really encouraged by the transition to alternative flours. Do you have any experience in this area? Success stories? Epic failures? Baking with anything other than white flour can be a little intimidating. I’d love to hear about what works in your kitchen. Buckwheat may be my next experiment. Wish me luck.

Photo credit: Estelle Hayes

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