January 14, 2015

Quick Mediterranean Salad

About a month ago Cooper and I were invited to a last minute playdate at our friend’s house on a Friday night. I offered to pick something up for dinner on the way over to their house and I inadvertenly created a salad that has become my new obsession. All it took was one very quick trip to Trader Joe’s.

If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s where you live, my apologies. Hopefully you’ll be able to find some of the ingredients/make some of them on your own or just use this idea as a template for a good meal at home or to take to work. Everything can be assembled super last minute. Just grab a few bowls and silverware and you’re good to go. There’s a variety of flavors and textures. So many good things in one bowl.

recipes, sponsored

January 12, 2015

Turmeric Hot Toddy

The second Christmas was over, I got sick. It’s kinda weird how that happens. Like…your body pushes through…. you get things done and the second it’s all over…the second your guests leave… BAM.

Illness.

WHY????!

A year ago, I saw Heidi’s recipe for turmeric tea and I’ve been making it ever since. It’s a nice afternoon pick-me-up. It cures the 3PM sugar cravings I have at work. It also introduced me to the wonders of turmeric and I’m hooked now. Who would have thought?

In my brain, toddies have either bourbon or gin in them. But I thought I’d try this toddy with Reposado Patron Tequila to shake things up a bit. Glad I did because we have a winner, folks. This hot toddy tastes like a syrupy warm smoky margarita. Which is kinda weird to think about but it works incredibly well on a cold day.

The turmeric adds a little health to the situation with it’s anti-inflammatory fighting powers. The honey and lemon are so good for your throat and the Patrón tequila adds the warm fuzzies that one needs during this time of year. It’s like putting on a cozy sweater. And in my brain, this warm cozy sweater is a brilliant mustard color. Cheers!

Inspiration

January 11, 2015

And I Quote:

my everyday life, Photography

January 10, 2015

My Everyday Life: Week 2

Here’s what this past week looked like:

Early morning flight out of California yesterday. I’ll be at the Click Retreat for the next week.

I love window seats now. Used to be an aisle person only. Nope.

Reading Ina’s interview in Cherry Bombe magazine. Love that lady.

Baggage. I almost thought they lost mine.

Early morning cab situation.

Five Guys at the airport in Atlanta. YUM.

January 9, 2015

I love lists, Friday!!!

Did you read this piece by David Sedaris? Loved it.
What’s in the box???!!
100% F-No.
Crazy Cat Lovers.
A rice bowl of my dreams!
What stories do you tell yourself that no longer serve you?
If you like to pick a word to set the tone for your new year here are some good ones.
101 Things I Will Teach My Daughters (this is a good list!)
I will be drinking these cocktails on a boat this weekend and I AM SO EXCITED.
Yogurt lovers! You’re gonna want this book.
Living in SF vs. NYC
So THAT’S what $250 worth of McDonald’s french fries looks like
Wildlife Crossings– I didn’t know this was a thing! How cool.
Sia + Shia LeBeof = one pretty music video
I want this for breakfast/lunch/dinner.
A teenager’s perspective on social media. Old people have ruined FB.
What movie scenes look like straight from the camera vs. theater version. (LOVE!)
This list is really good.
Love these printable thank you notes.
The art of subtly not giving a F. (THIS IS SO GOOD!)

There’s a new Joy the Baker Podcast!!! New Year/New You. We talk about our New Year’s Resolutions and lack thereof.

recipes

January 8, 2015

Sweet Potato + Coconut Butter + Curry Powder

In my weekly meal prep, I like to roast a few sweet potatoes for the week. Sometimes I chop up sweet potatoes to put in salads or mash them up to go into pancakes. Sometimes I just eat them standing in front of the fridge on a Monday night while I’m figuring out what to make for dinner and sometimes I like to heat them up with a little coconut butter and a sprinkle of curry powder. Coconut oil can be substituted for the coconut butter and toasted coconut flakes are a great addition (I didn’t have any at the time. WOMP WOMP). I love the salty/sweetness of this combination and the curry powder gives it a little savory oomph.

recipes

January 7, 2015

The Green Machine Sandwich

I already made the Ultimate Veggie Sandwich so I can’t really call this sandwich that, so I’m calling it The Green Machine Sandwich. I’m not clever enough to figure out a way to tell you how awesome this sandwich is with goat cheese, hummus, cilantro, spinach and avocados in less than 4 words. The pressure! (I put on myself)

I had a sandwich like this recently and it was really good except for the bread. They had used plain/un-toasted white bread and I was thinking HOW COULD THEY? I mean. Don’t get me wrong…there’s a time and place for white bread but with all the textures inside of this sandwich we need crunch! We need OOOMPH. We need some dang texture. We need my favorite bread.

Also…if I had a cucumber… I’d totally slice some and put it up in this sandwich but alas…no cucumber. Next incarnation needs cucumber. The hummus and the goat cheese provide a smoky/tangy/creamy filling base while the cilantro and green onions give some herby spice kick. The spinach is for health and the avocado is for goodness. I’m telling you…that bread on my panini press is heaven. Crunchy seedy heaven. My sourdough toast purist husband begs to differ…but that’s whole other story.