My music saavy brother introduced me to this celtic-punk band a few years ago. Their music has a bittersweet edge to it with an eclectic mix of instruments. Great music to dance or run/workout to!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Jam Session Monday featuring Flogging Molly
My music saavy brother introduced me to this celtic-punk band a few years ago. Their music has a bittersweet edge to it with an eclectic mix of instruments. Great music to dance or run/workout to!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Sometimes I like to pretend that I am a vegan
Here is a delicious vegan bread recipe that I have adapted from culinary savant Joy the Baker's Vegan Pumpkin Cranberry Apple Pecan Everything Bread. Her website is chock fulla' amazing things to eat but this bread is probably my favorite creation. There was one day I ate it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.......and dessert. Its got lots of fruit in it so it must be healthy, right?
So here is my version:
Everything but the Kitchen Sink Bread
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons cloves
1 3/4 cups mashed bananas (it would also be REALLY tasty if you used mashed sweet potato)
1 jar of pureed baby food carrots
1 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup water
Grease and flour 2 9x4x3 loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large bowl, combine flours, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
In a medium bowl, combine bananas, pureed carrots, oil, maple syrup, and water.
Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, making sure to scrape all dry ingredients from the bottom of the bowl.
Divide the dough between the 2 prepared loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let rest for 20 minutes, then invert on a cooling rack. Cool completely, slice, and enjoy!
Here are some pics of the finished product.
So here is my version:
Everything but the Kitchen Sink Bread
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons cloves
1 3/4 cups mashed bananas (it would also be REALLY tasty if you used mashed sweet potato)
1 jar of pureed baby food carrots
1 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup water
Grease and flour 2 9x4x3 loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large bowl, combine flours, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
In a medium bowl, combine bananas, pureed carrots, oil, maple syrup, and water.
Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, making sure to scrape all dry ingredients from the bottom of the bowl.
Divide the dough between the 2 prepared loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let rest for 20 minutes, then invert on a cooling rack. Cool completely, slice, and enjoy!
Here are some pics of the finished product.
Puppy Profile
Kipper loves rawhide chewies. Its so cute how she grasps it between her paws.
And aren't her eyebrows darling? I think they are her best feature!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Week of Favorites
Some are old favorites of mine but most are new.
This mint chocolate candle smells delicious! The only bad thing about it is that it makes me crave sweets!
My new beautiful nail polish, Blue Me Away by Sally Hanson. Doesn't it look summery? Makes me wish I was at the beach.
Best.....cereal.......EVER!!! How come I have never eaten Waffle Crisp before this week?!
The eighth season of Scrubs, which I love. It is so hilarious!
And of course I had to throw a picture of my puppy in here. She brightens my every day!
This mint chocolate candle smells delicious! The only bad thing about it is that it makes me crave sweets!
My new beautiful nail polish, Blue Me Away by Sally Hanson. Doesn't it look summery? Makes me wish I was at the beach.
Best.....cereal.......EVER!!! How come I have never eaten Waffle Crisp before this week?!
The eighth season of Scrubs, which I love. It is so hilarious!
And of course I had to throw a picture of my puppy in here. She brightens my every day!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Jam Session Monday featuring Jennifer Knapp
Probably my favorite musical artist of all time. She is so talented and her lyrics are amazing. I especially love the song Refine Me. When I sing it, its like I am praying, asking God to consume me and take away all of my selfish, unholy qualities until there is nothing left but His love. If you have the time, PLEASE look up more of her work, you will not be disappointed!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Long Time Coming
Here I am one busy holiday season, one non-compliant laptop, and one stomach virus later :( I just might be the worst blogger ever but I can (and will) only get better from here :)
Anyway, here is a synopsis of my jaunt in California. I was in the san Jose/San Fransisco area and absolutely loved it! Here are some things that I loved the most.
Muir Woods. The most magical place I have ever been. It felt like I had entered another world, I wouldn't have been surprised to see a fairy peeking out from behind a tree!
Insert gnome here, haha! I wouldn't mind living there myself, amongst all of the majestic redwoods.
Sooooooo Magical!
It was a little rainy when we went but this made the atmosphere even more ethereal and a little bit eerie.
Trolleys! Way better than roller coasters in my opinion and the best way to get around San Fran.
China Town. I literally felt like I was in China.
We ate the best dim sum ever. I had sticky rice with pork, pot stickers, bbq buns, and tea. I dream of this meal every day since I've been back.
Monterey. Mountains + Ocean is the greatest combination!
Palace of the Arts. Unfortunately the palace was blocked off for construction when we were there, but it was still gorgeous!
And last but not least, the Golden Gate Bridge. Beautiful!
Anyway, here is a synopsis of my jaunt in California. I was in the san Jose/San Fransisco area and absolutely loved it! Here are some things that I loved the most.
Muir Woods. The most magical place I have ever been. It felt like I had entered another world, I wouldn't have been surprised to see a fairy peeking out from behind a tree!
Insert gnome here, haha! I wouldn't mind living there myself, amongst all of the majestic redwoods.
Sooooooo Magical!
It was a little rainy when we went but this made the atmosphere even more ethereal and a little bit eerie.
Trolleys! Way better than roller coasters in my opinion and the best way to get around San Fran.
China Town. I literally felt like I was in China.
We ate the best dim sum ever. I had sticky rice with pork, pot stickers, bbq buns, and tea. I dream of this meal every day since I've been back.
Monterey. Mountains + Ocean is the greatest combination!
Palace of the Arts. Unfortunately the palace was blocked off for construction when we were there, but it was still gorgeous!
And last but not least, the Golden Gate Bridge. Beautiful!
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