September 18, 2013

Arugula Pesto

I went to make a salad the other day and realized that I went a little crazy on buying arugula last week. I reached into the crisper to find another bag just chilling under a bag of carrots. OOPS. So, instead of letting it go to waste, I decided to make Arugula Pesto. Regroup!

But then I realized I didn’t have Parmesan… and then I remembered that time recently when I went a little overboard on buying nutritional yeast in bulk at the store and BING! My arugula pesto turned into a VEGAN Arugula Pesto. If you haven’t already figured out….I have a problem of going overboard when it comes to food.

This pesto is super green! I really thought it would be potent and spicy because I added a ton of arugula, but it’s not. It is heavy-handed on the garlic and the lemon & nutritional yeast add that nice tang a good pesto needs. I love using toasted walnuts in here because it makes for a creamy consistency and base. The kick comes right after you have a bite but it’s almost like a mellow red pepper flake sensation. I crave that kick. Perhaps that’s why I’m arugula obsessed.

Arugula completes me. CONTINUE READING

Outfitting

September 17, 2013

OUTFITTING: Black/Cream/Brown

Welcome to one of my new features: OUTFITTING.

Every now & then I’m going to share an outfit I put together. I hope you like it!

Now…onto the clothes! If you told me a few years ago that I’d end up liking the combination of black, cream & brown, I would have never believed you. Isn’t it funny how your tastes can totally change? I think it might have something to do with all the wood ceilings in our house. I’m embracing the combination of brown & black because I kinda have to!

One/Two/Three/Four/Five/Six/Seven

recipes, Uncategorized

September 16, 2013

Shrimp Corn & Pepper Quesadillas

When I don’t feel like doing much in the kitchen after a long day, I make quesadillas for dinner. Fortunately Casey and Cooper really like quesadillas so I haven’t totally tired them out (YET) with my I don’t really want to be making dinner, I’d have cereal if it was just me, but here’s dinner in a form of a quesadilla trick. Sometimes I feel guilty about the lack of variety, so I try to switch it up and put actual THINGS in the quesadilla besides just cheese.

my everyday life, Photography

September 14, 2013

My Everyday Life: Week 37

Here’s what this past week looked like:

“TAKE A PICTURE OF ME HUGGING A DONUT!!!” This kid is definitely mine.

Uncategorized

September 13, 2013

I love lists, Friday!

A vegetarian version of the Big Mac! Also- PIZZA WHEELS. WHAT.
I love how organized this home is.
If you’re a food blogger, YOU WILL LOVE THIS WEBSITE.
Do you think this voicemail is real? I really want it to be.
I feel like Rafi is to The League as Crazy Eye is to Orange is the New Black. Am I wrong?
Loving a show past it’s prime. Oh Dexter…
I want to start a Project Life Book. Especially because of this & this! Do you have one?
What It Means To Be Popular When Everything Is Popular. GOOD READ.
This is the kind of animal head I wouldn’t mind in our house.
10 Qualities That Make You a Fierce Gentleman. Amen.
Jimmy Fallon + BREAKING BAD= OMG HAHAHA.
How cute is this dress?? I’d pair it with this bag & these wedges.
Note to self– make these mushroom burgers.
If you have 4 minutes to spare, watch this girl age!
Last meal worthy. Only if I can finish with this.
Man wakes up after surgery…sees his wife for the first time. I have the case of the giggles with this one.
If you’re a parent, you will think this is funny.

There’s a new episode of the Joy the Baker Podcast!!! THERA-PIES. In this episode, we’re all about transparency! We talk about blogging, the truth behind sponsored posts and how crazy September feels in blogland. It gets a bit weird at times (ahem, Ryan Gosling cough cough Real Doll). GO LISTEN!

The Usual Bliss made my Spicy Zucchini Frittata

Someone should totally make this pumpkin grilled cheese sandwich….

recipes

September 11, 2013

Raisin Focaccia

Murphy’s Law says that if I am trying to watch what I eat, my coworker will bring indulgent things into the office like raisin or jalapeño focaccia from Liguria Bakery. These things, I cannot resist. But now, it’s time to fight fire with fire. Little does he know I’m the one bringing in the Raisin Focaccia now.

Let’s back up! A few weeks ago my dad and I ventured into Liguria Bakery to get some different kinds of focaccia and this cold lady told us curtly that we missed the window for having raisin focaccia. She scoffed at us for trying to buy it an hour past her cutoff and it was followed by a huge “Pssshaw!!” I actually did a web search and found THIS PICTURE. HAHAHA. That’s the lady! If Seinfeld was back on, I’d suggest they create an episode called The Focaccia Nazi. You should have seen her face when we politely asked if she could cut our focaccia in half, as we were splitting it. Oof. Too much!

The only problem is that their raisin focaccia is really really good; definitely worth a trip if you’re in San Francisco. Make sure you go early in the morning or you won’t get their beloved raisin focaccia. Pleasantries don’t work. Even killing her with kindness won’t get a smile from her. Just get in and out with that focaccia! The raisin focaccia is light, fluffy and the raisins are juicy and plump. It’s a bit savory and a bit sweet. It’s perfection! To avoid another encounter where I missed the cutoff, I took the bull by the horns and made my own. And for you, I’d gladly cut you a slice or three.

recipes

September 9, 2013

The Reset Button Salad

For the past few weeks leading up to my juice cleanse I’ve been going to my local Whole Foods and making this salad for my lunch at work. I learned to bring my own cucumber, walnuts and dressing in my purse so I can get my salad for about 3 bucks. Over the years, I’ve learned what weighs down a salad bar salad. Stay away from cherry tomatoes, cucumbers (WHY DO THEY CUT THEM SO BIG?) hardboiled eggs, chicken & beans. They’ll tip the scales for sure.

I like to call this salad The Reset Button Salad because it’s filled with goodness. The biggest impact comes from the red quinoa. It’s totally nutty and makes it more of a meal. I’m less inclined to want a side of bread or (cough cough) french fries as a result. Just this salad has the tendency to fill me up! The shredded carrots & beets add a nice crunch while the green onions give it a good onion flavoring without overpowering. For extra oomph, I added toasted walnuts (because I adore them!) and some crumbled feta for contrast. Arugula…well…you know me… My arugula obsession continues, but I find that it works really well here. It’s the type of salad that will help RESET your brain into remembering that healthy food can be so satisfying. And if you have an avocado just lying around, I promise that it would be a great addition to! Omit the feta and it’s a vegan dream.

Later this week, I’m gonna bring you a foccacia recipe which will probably spur you to eat this salad even more. Cuz, BALANCE.