All of a sudden this steamy heat hit. It came fast and abrupt and I found myself wishing that my pool wasn’t that deep swampy green color so I could jump in with all of my clothes on. The first few days of really sweltering heat makes my head hurt. My body eventually starts to accept the hot sun and I begin to love summer, intensely. I decided that popsicles were a necessity for the hot weekend and these Strawberry Basil Popsicles came into being.

Continue reading: Strawberry Basil Popsicles

One of my most exciting classes started this week, Digital Photography 1! I just finished my first project entitled “You” This project consists of two images, which you see above and below. The project was a way to introduce ourselves and show what inspires and moves us. For me, it was this lovely lemon curd and the garden shot below. What a big surprise, right?

I think these images represent me very well. The garden shot works since I’ve just started to grow my own food and I am eager to expand my garden and foster it. Using local food is a huge passion of mine and you can’t get much more local than your backyard. Right now my garden consists of mostly herbs: Basil, peppermint, chives, oregano, parsley and cilantro. Stephanie, gave me 3 jalapeño pepper plants. The heat and spice of a jalapeño can be intense, but I’m in love with them. I’ve been dreaming up ways to use them once they emerge.  Jalapeño poppers, jelly and salsa are just a few of my imaginings.

The lemon curd is a little more obvious. I started out as a baker who is constantly evolving. I live for this blog and my head is always filled with thoughts about it. Ideas, recipes and photo props dance in my head.

Continue reading: Lemon Curd and Photography

Food is something that every individual on the planet enjoys. Besides needing it for energy and to sustain our bodies, we enjoy the comfort that food brings us and the social aspect that comes along with it. We meet up with long lost friends for lunch and dinner dates. Families catch up with one another over a home cooked meal or sometimes, let’s face it, take out.

Occasionally we get too wrapped up in our everyday busy schedules and we forget that food is what allows us to keep moving as fast-paced as we do. It’s not energy drinks or quick-fix caffeine pills.  So why are we feeding our bodies overly processed, packaged food? I’m not shunning you if you do, I will admit that sometimes a quick meal is a necessity, and I understand the reasons behind it.

Continue reading: Food Revolution Day via Instagram

Dear Alison,

I made you this ice cream because you asked me to about 5000 times! Just kidding… I really made you this ice cream because I really like making ice cream and I didn’t want to eat it! Also, I think you deserve some homemade ice cream. You have a lot on your plate at home and it was time to get some ice cream on it!

Here are some great things about you:

• You have an infectious smile.
• You also have an infectious (and loud) laugh.
• You have the coolest last name ever.
• You do some cool event planning and charity work.
• You support Autism awareness and breast cancer.
• You love with your entire heart. I think we all know this.
• You help people in your life, even if they don’t deserve it.
• You belly dance. How cool is that?
• You always have perfect nails. Unless you break one and cry about it for a week.
• You always have nice things to say about my hair-brained ideas.
• You are (sometimes) a good listener. Remember, I can tell when you are waiting your turn.
• You smile at your computer, and that makes me smile.
• You like to get peoples reactions on random things, and it is hilarious.
• You lost a bunch of weight, even if your pants are too tight in the thighs.
• You are going to love this post, because it is all about you.
• You don’t eat red things.
• You like to hear yourself crunch things. Some examples include: chips, croutons, pretzels and salad.
• You watch people take their first bite of their lunch because you want to see their reaction. You should be a food blogger.
• You share! Example: You gave me half of your salad on Monday.
• Your kids love you, I promise.
• You pick up the Spanish food. ‘nuff said.
• You want to help people so you constantly offer.
• You have your own language.
• You tell stories without giving any background information and you make people confused.
• You are a really great mom, friend and confidant. Everyone loves you!

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Yield: 1 quart

In this recipe, I used fresh mint from my herb garden. You are welcome to use peppermint extract instead. You may have to do some taste testing to get the peppermint taste just right. I would start out with 1 tsp and add to it.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups milk
3 egg yolks
2 whole eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 large handful of fresh mint
1 - 1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Heat milk and cream in a medium saucepan on low. Do not let boil. While hot, add the fresh mint leaves and let steep for 15-20 minutes.

Separate egg yolks from the whites and whisk into the whole eggs. Add sugar and whisk until fully combined.

Strain mixture and discard mint. Slowly add 1 cup of the milk and cream mixture to the eggs and sugar while whisking continuously until cooled.

When it has cooled, add the egg and milk mixture to the saucepan and heat on medium low. Whisk constantly until the mixture becomes thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Poor the mixture into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. When the mixture is completely cool add it to your ice cream machine and follow the machines instructions, usually churn for about 20 minutes. While churning, add the chocolate chips. Transfer frozen mixture to a freezer bowl and place in your freezer for 4-6 hours or until frozen.

I’m a flip-flopper. I flip back and forth on topics of importance and almost always have a hard time choosing between two or more options. You throw two options in front of me and it becomes too much to handle. Even decisions such as: Vanilla or chocolate, red or yellow, apples or bananas. These small and insignificant decisions become life or death. The larger the decision, the harder it is for me to make. What to have for dinner is a constant debate. Not to mention what to do with the rest of my life.

Continue reading: Berry-Banana Overnight Oats

As some of you have read, I started a juice cleanse with my mom! We cleansed for 3 days, how cool are we?

I jotted my feelings down in a list like manner so I could update everyone day by day with the progress.

Day 1: The evening was rough, I wanted to eat and I wanted to eat everything. My biggest issue with eating a balanced diet is that I can eat well all day and when 8 pm rolls around, I turn into a human garbage disposal and eat anything and everything in sight. Even if I don’t particularly like whatever is in the kitchen. Late night eating is by far my biggest downfall.

Continue reading: Juice Cleanse Aftermath and a Tropical Fruit Green Juice Smoothie

Today you can find the recipe for these Spicy Black Bean Endive Boats over at Colourful Palate. I wrote a post for Charissa while she is off singing with her family! Go check it out and give my love to Charissa!

A long time ago I purchased a package of fillo pastry sheets, for no specific reason. I thought eventually something would come to me and I was right. Because of this random purchase, these spinach & artichoke cups were born and dearly loved.

Even though I am on a juice fast/cleanse/detox I still have a recipe or two saved up for you guys!

I made these fillo cups with spinach and artichoke dip in them a week or so ago in anticipation of this cleanse. I knew I’d be leaving the blog high and dry if I didn’t write up some posts and recipes to save.

Continue reading: Spinach & Artichoke Dip in Portable Fillo Cups

Today is the day I change things. Wait, wasn’t that last week?

I’m sitting here typing to you all while sipping on freshly made green juice. Today marks the start of my very first juice cleanse! I’ll be drinking green juice, mostly vegetables with some apples and lemons thrown in the mix for a little sweetness. I was originally aiming for 10 days of juicing but I’m starting to think more realistically and I’m hoping I can get through 3 days.

It’s not unlike other cleanses you’ve seen before. If you’ve read any other cleanse premise then you know the drill.

Continue reading: Green Juice Cleanse

My healthy eating initiative started and quickly came to a screeching halt. I told you I like to sabotage myself. It is hard to pin point exactly what went wrong, and when. Oh wait, no it isn’t, I needed chocolate and badly. How does one resist cravings when you are cramped up and irritated? I doubt I’ll ever have an answer for that one.

I woke up that day and I drove to Dunkin Donuts, the closest place where the chocolate lives. I ended up not getting any chocolate and stuffing my face with a strawberry frosted and rainbow sprinkled donut, my favorite. I pretended that was okay and also drank a caramel almond iced coffee. After I stuffed myself with sugar, caffeine and sprinkles I immediately felt those feelings of regret and shame.

Continue reading: Roasted Vegetables on a Bed of Brown Rice