Slipping

I have so many things I want to blog about! A new soup recipe I found, this cookie recipe I'm trying to get just right, and not to mention this amazing cheesecake I made. oh boy, where is all my time going...

I know..to sleeping...its just been that kind of couple of weeks you know.....when you don't want to do anything but sleep. Some might call it a slump. *lets out a giant sigh*

My local whole foods also is having a huge sale on all their bulk items! I went a little crazy stocking up on different flours, grains, nuts, and beans ETC ETC ETC ETC, and I still want to go back for more!

I am now on the hunt for some beautiful air tight, storage containers... I'll save all that fun sharing for yet another blog post.

stay tuned!
xoxo.

The only constant is change { Feta, Roasted Pepper, and Basil Muffins ]

"The only constant is change"

This was tattooed on a lovely woman who came into my work the other night. It was very boldly placed on her forearm in large print. I absolutely loved it..

In the past few months, i've completely turned my world upside down. At first i thought this was something i did not want to do. When in reality it is everything I needed and wanted.  I have moved, lost all of my 'friends', changed jobs, changed my thinking. Everything is brand new to me, everything uplifted. 

My life is not my life to try and fulfill on my own. It is one I share with the universe (the greater consciousness),  I owe it to this higher order to let it stretch it's wings and fly. Taking me with on an incredible, beautiful, and most of all joyful, journey. What we here call life or consciousness, is the greatest gift of all. But for reasons beyond that of which we can conceive.  Take a look around you today. Look, but don't stare, don't judge, make a comment, or think. Breathe. See the world for all that it is.. Simply, it is. 

There is so much more, so much more that I haven't even begun to experience.  I am not waiting though, not impatient, not looking for anything else.  I don't need to because..I am the experience. Everything else will come to me. 

The snow falls, each flake in its appropriate place. -Zen

My sister bought me a lovely bunch of fresh basil from the market. At first I thought, MY MY what am i going to do with all of this.....hush. Your making muffins, isn't that enough for now!? ;p

Feta, Roasted Pepper, and Basil Muffins

These are truly the perfect pairing with a salad, eggs, chili, soup, you name it.  My father told me they went perfectly with his bowl of chili for lunch yesterday.  Feedback is wonderful to hear, especially from my father. Very soft and savory, reminds me of that feeling you get when you eat a warm slab of melted butter on a thanksgiving day roll, even though there isn't any butter used in this recipe! best served warm, just mm mmm mmmmm..

and the colors are just absolutely beautiful.

Ingredients 

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup (3 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup jarred roasted red bell peppers, patted dry and chopped into 1/4-inch dice

3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

1 cup buttermilk (I used milk and lemon)

1/4 cup olive oil

1 large egg

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

Get your muffin pan ready. Makes 12.

*note to self, buy a jumbo muffin pan.

Whisk together all dry ingredients in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl stir together the feta, basil, and pepper.

In a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, whisk the milk oil and egg together. 

Make a well in the dry ingredients, pour the milk mixture into the well and stir gently. remember its okay to have lumps! stir just until combined. 

Lightly fold in the cheese mixture.

Scoop evenly into your muffin tins, bake for 18-20 minutes. 

A special thanks to Sur La Table for the recipe and teaching me so much,

The Art and Soul of Baking by Cindy Mushet

For Katie

Midnight Brownies (vegan)

I told my co-worker Katie about these brownies the other day and she was so intrigued by the avocado that i told her id make her some. So in exchange for a bottle of wine, I made her a batch. Good trade off eh?

The first time I made these brownies I followed Pastry Affairs recipe (except I use unbleached organic flour from trader joes instead of whole wheat) which I completely loved!!! She recommends under-baking these brownies just until the batter is set, and the results are to die for. 

This time around I doubled the recipe, changed the oil and added instant espresso.  I also used 72% cocoa organic dark chocolate, hand chopped. The deep bold flavor of the dark chocolate really stands out and even better the roughly chopped pieces stay super soft. Prepare yourself for a dangerously moist, rich chocolate treat that will take you to the stars. You might just need to pack a glass of milk to go with. 

Midnight Brownies

yields a 9x13 inch pan

(recipe meant for sharing, halve if need to)

• 1 pureed avocado
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2 cups unbleached flour
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp instant espresso powder (dissolved in water)
• 1 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (or vinegar)
•  6 oz. 72% dark chocolate, chopped

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, put on your favorite music.

Combine the pureed avocado and coconut oil until smooth. Stir in the flour, cocoa powder, sugars, baking soda, salt, water, espresso, and lemon. Fold in the chocolate chunks. Don't be shy! Give the batter a taste, theres nothing in here you cant eat raw. 

Pour batter evenly into your greased pan, bake until desired texture.

Mine took about 30-35 min with a perfect center and a little cakey on the edges,  I might take them out earlier next time. Check around 20 minutes, just depends on how oooeyyy-gooooey you like your brownies. 

Enjoy a few under the night sky, wish to the stars, and may all your chocolatey dreams come true.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

SUHpppguys.

found a three bedroom apartment. its perfect. fingers crossed.
kylinns baby shower went splendid.
i got a bike today! such a beaut.
so a few stresses have been relieved.
i just have to get through these last couple weeks of school...
im so behind.

future

if i move out i want to see more of these things in my life...

- raspberries
- yoga
- bicycle
- a glass of whole milk with some delicious fudge for dinner
- less coffee intake
- more whole foods
- baking experiments

oh and..
http://www.kcperky.com/coffee-map/

wonderland

What is life?
This past weekend was such a whirlwind of events. Lets count monday in and call it a four day weekend. ups and downs, ups and downs, but it doesn't even matter, I wont remember some of it in a few years.

What matters is what you have that stays through thick and thin..even if i have nothing now. Im going somewhere somehow in this life, it wont be like this forever.

Hopefully going to colorado this weekend to check out The Art Institute, suppose I shouldn't get my hopes up about going to the school, but i can still try cant I?

I just want out of here, I'm done with everyone here. I don't want to be surrounded by familiar faces, and familiar places. I want new, new, new. excitement.

Something other than feeling lost in Kansas City...

i want the most colorful life imaginable

i spent 8 1/2 hours at a coffeehouse doing homework today.

slightly rainy day

Pretty cloudy out, light sprinkles here and there. Had my interview at Latteland today! THATS FINE LATTELAND KEEP ME ON MY TOES BUT IM PRETTY SURE I DAMN ACED THAT INTERVIEW. :) always stay positive! said he'd call me within a week now do i need to call him....?

any who heres what i wore to school..and after interview..

lazy tuesday

Took sleeping pills last night, stayed in bed cuddling with my precious cat until 1 pm, finally rolled out of bed with a lovely headache. i've done nothing but sit on my computer all day, not true i practiced some yoga! :) but what i found today is exciting. 

THE SOCK BUN ANYONE!? cant wait to try it.

source

Simply Sharden's Banana Bread

COULD ANYTHING be better than banana, honey, and dark chocolate! i don't know about you but to me this sounds like heavennn. I found a simple banana bread recipe, tweaked it a little, and viola!  I halved the sugar content and added some honey just to tone down the sweetness of the bread a little. ENJOY.

Simply Sharden's Banana Bread

sunday

Hello sunday, hello solitude, hello The Morning Benders :), hello baking cookies,
strange strange strange
the nice weather just opens up the world
fresh faces everywhere, bright colors, floral patterns!
flowers blooming all around showing their colors
its seems like a whole new world compared to winter
and honestly maybe its just a whole new world since me and chris aren't speaking anymore.
ever.
over.
cant.
"a crosseyed mess led me from the flames into the dark"

In with the lace, out with the sweaters

Today i finally picked up my room and organized my clothes..for the most part.  Put away all my winter clothes! ready for summerrrrr, guh i hate the heat.  During the past years i've spent the warmer months whining and being lazy with my style. This year i'm really going to try and embrace the heat though. Let the skin show and get a nice tan for once!

celebration cupcakes! simple and easy but still delicious

bought these suppperrrrrr cute baking cups! perfect for the spring and i plan to use them for my sisters baby shower coming up. my father gave me a box of cake mix and frosting as a little gag gift for my birthday earlier this month. and today i received news from my doctor that all my test results went well. SO CELEBRATION CUPCAKES were made! :)

spent the day at the park.

was most sunny today, a lovely breeze came with though.
my friend sue and i took every opportunity we could get to get some sunnnn.
TRYIN to get that sexy tan on yuhknow. since i am SOO pale. sigh.