tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43434304749656271612024-03-19T01:48:21.631-07:00a few good thingsshall we?Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-57662506540463023312014-05-05T07:42:00.003-07:002014-05-05T07:42:47.372-07:00five danie-approved chocolate chip cookie recipes.This is the result of manic Googling "best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever" approximately nine trillion times. This is so you never have to do that. This is also because sometimes the only thing that solves problems is a chocolate chip cookie. Sugar, sugar, how you get so fly?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sR_DEs52J7g/U2ejKCRxTjI/AAAAAAAACZM/hjNdojM08Ds/s1600/1398988165.305744.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sR_DEs52J7g/U2ejKCRxTjI/AAAAAAAACZM/hjNdojM08Ds/s1600/1398988165.305744.38.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://thevanillabeanblog.com/2013/05/chocolate-chip-cookies.html">Chocolate Chip Cookies</a> from The Vanilla Bean Blog<br />
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<li>These chippers come out large and flat. They got that crispy edge, chewy center thang about them and they're SUH NICE. </li>
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<a href="http://joythebaker.com/2013/06/brown-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies/">Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies</a> from Joy the Baker<br />
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<li>When you want to feel fancy, you brown your butter. Or brown your butter all the time. Seriously. Chill time matters with these, though. I like to wait 24 hours until I bake the dough.</li>
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<a href="http://notwithoutsalt.com/2010/06/27/chocolate-chip-cookies-revisted/">Chocolate Chip Cookies</a> from Not Without Salt<br />
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<li>So reliable. There's no chill time and they always turn out fat and beautiful. One time I threw m&ms in. CUE MUSIC:</li>
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<a href="http://food52.com/blog/9497-kim-boyce-s-whole-wheat-chocolate-chip-cookies">Kim Boyce's Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies</a> from <i>Good to the Grain</i><br />
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<li>Yeah? Does using all whole wheat flour scare you? Cold butter? What are you, recipe? Try this one out. You'll be so amazed and then you'll feel so healthy because whole wheat flour. Duh.</li>
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<a href="http://www.ohladycakes.com/2014/02/sea-salt-chocolate-chip-cookies.html">Vegan Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies</a> from Oh, Ladycakes<br />
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<li>Don't worry, little vegan. I gotchu. Ashlae over at Oh, Ladycakes did you a favor and concocted a delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe with sea salt so you can be trendy like the other people making stuff with sea salt!</li>
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Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-26652535660180426002014-04-30T07:41:00.003-07:002014-04-30T07:41:57.554-07:00twin cities brekkies suggestion #1: victor's 1959 cafe.Breakfast is a thing for me. Like, a real big thing. I could go on and on again about how much I love mornings but I'll save you the chatter.<br />
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You guys, the Twin Cities is loaded with wonderful brekkies places. So here's my first suggestion (of many).<br />
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<b>Victor's 1959 Cafe</b><br />
<i><b>3756 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis</b></i><br />
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Here's an unfortunate photo just to prove that it exists and that I go there:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMaYBGl0hso/U2EKAPqg5vI/AAAAAAAACYk/MLYnYWIIp3U/s1600/1911867_10203527412327354_93938605_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMaYBGl0hso/U2EKAPqg5vI/AAAAAAAACYk/MLYnYWIIp3U/s1600/1911867_10203527412327354_93938605_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Why you should go.</b></div>
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<li>It's Cuban!</li>
<li>Breakfast happy hour: Mon-Fri, 8:00am-10:30am</li>
<li>Wall graffiti to entertain you while you wait for...</li>
<li>Uhmuhgahd delicious foods. Do you want plantains and yucca and mango things and beans and mole for breakfast? Why did I have to ask?</li>
<li>Guava jam</li>
<li>Good coffee</li>
<li>Lovely servers</li>
<li>So reasonably priced!</li>
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<b>But can I be a vegetarian and still have options?</b></div>
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<li>Uh, duh. Beans. Plantains. Yucca. I said it all before.</li>
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<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-89030273229725615432014-04-29T09:54:00.000-07:002014-04-29T09:54:39.383-07:00grain-free peanut butter dog treats.I had a crippling realization while making dog treats today.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSYG9d9mY84/U1_VIZtvjDI/AAAAAAAACX0/lPTZs05qU-g/s1600/IMG_1960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSYG9d9mY84/U1_VIZtvjDI/AAAAAAAACX0/lPTZs05qU-g/s1600/IMG_1960.JPG" height="364" width="640" /></a></div>
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1. I don't have a dog.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oKVrYg3i5gc/U1_VIJ1FeuI/AAAAAAAACYA/Fs7dr83RGdI/s1600/IMG_1970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oKVrYg3i5gc/U1_VIJ1FeuI/AAAAAAAACYA/Fs7dr83RGdI/s1600/IMG_1970.JPG" height="398" width="640" /></a></div>
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2. Earlier in the week I made "chocolate chip cookies" using basically the same ingredients as these dog treats. The only difference was that there was chocolate instead of parsley in mine. </div>
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Guys, I just wanted to see what the making desserts with beans craze was all about. I'm so embarrassed. And I like how weird they are. Like, I really do.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P8my5m1pj44/U1_VH9_ZamI/AAAAAAAACX8/F6brxzVzIsQ/s1600/IMG_1963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P8my5m1pj44/U1_VH9_ZamI/AAAAAAAACX8/F6brxzVzIsQ/s1600/IMG_1963.jpg" height="640" width="470" /></a></div>
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Don't talk to me anymore. I might be a dog. Hold up, though. If I am a dog does that mean I don't have to do my own laundry anymore?</div>
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<b><u>Grain-Free Peanut Butter Dog Treats</u></b></div>
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<i>Adapted from Food52</i></div>
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<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
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These pup cookies are made with garbanzo bean flour in case your little nugget is grain-sensitive! There's so crazy simple and there's a bonus parsley add-in for breath-freshening. Buy me a dog right now.</div>
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<i>Makes about three dozen, depending on the size of your cutter.</i></div>
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1/2 cup natural peanut butter</div>
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1 cup water</div>
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2 Tbs canola oil</div>
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3 cups garbanzo bean flour (or half whole wheat, half all-purpose)</div>
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2 Tbs dried parsley (optional)</div>
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.</div>
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In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, water, and oil. In another bowl combine flour and parsley. Add peanut butter mixture to dry ingredients and mix to combine. </div>
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Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4" thick. Cut shapes out of dough (I used a two inch biscuit cutter). Transfer to prepared cookie sheets, leaving about a 1/4" between treats (they don't spread a lot). If desired, score treats with a fork to prevent puffing. </div>
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Bake for 18 minutes, or until golden brown. Probably don't feed your dog treats straight from the oven.</div>
Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-55805755476646297602014-04-28T12:29:00.002-07:002014-04-28T12:29:46.676-07:00ten commercials to make the rain go away.This one goes out to all my late 80s, early 90s babes. From a not so long ago time when zany must have been the only buzzword to target children through advertisements.<br />
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Cereal will be featured on a separate post. Don't make me share its glory.<br />
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1. Nickelodeon Magazine. PLEASE.<br />
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2. Mr. Bucket should probably see a doctor. </div>
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/JEWQRr6T-_g/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/JEWQRr6T-_g&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/JEWQRr6T-_g&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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3. Wishing you all a Polly day and that the ink in your ink pads weren't all dried up like mine. It's hard being the youngest.</div>
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4. I'm offended by how insincere this seems now.</div>
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5. Another group of people that may want to make an appointment with a specialist. I'm spooked.</div>
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6. The only thing that matters in this Bagel Bites commercial the the kid at 00:05. It's the only thing that matters because mom didn't buy me them. What? Eating pizza "anytime" is not "healthy"?</div>
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7. This comes with a supplemental <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/kenblom/the-game-of-guess-who-and-their-celebrity-dopplgangers">Buzzfeed</a> article about Guess Who celebrity dopplegangers. </div>
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8. "Looks like another scorcher" is something I said a lot as a child.</div>
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9. A cloud of m&m minis reeking havoc inside a museum was something we all dreamt about. No? Just me? </div>
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10. The Talk Back Dear Diary that is nothing like a diary but more of a bullying tool. "No boys, no way!" </div>
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You think I'm done? Just for today.<br />
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No, mom, this isn't what I do with all of my free time!<br />
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It's what I do with some of my free time.<br />
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<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-7268692474529129842014-04-24T21:40:00.001-07:002014-04-24T21:51:09.970-07:00love your tree.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm convinced nothing else matters. I want this plastered everywhere on everything on everyone.</div>
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<i>"look at that tree. now, look at that tree. do you like that tree? do you hate that tree cause it doesn't look like that tree? do you say that tree isn't pretty because it doesn't look like that tree? we're all trees. i'm a tree, you're a tree. you've got to love your body. you've got to love your tree."</i><br />
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11:40pm real talk by yours truly.<br />
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Also, California shells.<br />
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<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-82883969063460877162014-04-12T07:59:00.003-07:002014-04-12T07:59:59.651-07:00banana, carrot, zucchini bread.It might be raining for the first time ever. Well, that's just what it feels like when you live in a place of eternal winter. At first the sound of raindrops was confusing to me, unfamiliar. But then it was so so welcome. Spring is finally here!<br />
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I bet you didn't know it's mandatory to bake on rainy days. I bet you really didn't know it's mandatory to bake a quick bread on rainy days.<br />
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Banana, carrot, zucchini bread is literally everything you've ever wanted. It's like all the good flavors of breads came over for a play date and had so much fun. It's like you couldn't decide which one you wanted to make so you just decided to make all of them. It's like everyone's married and they're on their honeymoon and the weather is perfect and no one gets sunburned and there's a lot of singing.<br />
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Maybe you should just make it.<br />
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<b><u>Banana, Carrot, Zucchini Bread</u></b><br />
slightly adapted from Rose's Heavenly Cakes (as in there's supposed to be walnuts but I didn't have any)<br />
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2 cups plus 2 Tbsp all purpose flour<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
3/4 tsp salt<br />
1/3 cup quick cooking oats<br />
1 very ripe banana, mashed<br />
1/2 cup oil<br />
1/3 cup brown sugar<br />
1/3 cup white sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
1/3 cup water<br />
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
1/3 cup shredded carrot<br />
2/3 cup shredded zucchini<br />
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 8x5in loaf pan.<br />
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">In a medium sized bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and oats.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">In a large bowl beat together mashed banana, oil, sugars, and eggs. Add water and beat til foamy. Beat in vanilla. Mix in carrot and zucchini.</span><br />
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<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-25542552484611929892014-04-04T08:10:00.002-07:002014-04-04T08:10:31.565-07:00pistachio shortbread.I'm not that mad at me for not doing any sort of blogging for the past...let's say for the past two months.<br />
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Am I in the midst of a second wind? We'll see.<br />
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Winter is long in these parts, but that's nothing a heavy dosage of vitamin D, one sixty degree day, dogs, friends, and oatmeal can't fix.<br />
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Sometimes I get real gift-y so I made some cookies to send to the family back in Illinois. My dad doesn't like chocolate which is an anomaly to nearly anyone. First I was all, "winter citrus shortbread duh." But then my ego was all, "everyone makes citrus things in the winter." And so I chose pistachios.</div>
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I've got this real fuzzy memory of my second grade teacher forcing us to eat pistachio pudding on St. Patrick's Day which made me hate pistachios forever. Imitation pistachio flavor is extremely disappointing. Pistachio.</div>
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These, however, are not disappointing. Being careful not to over pulse butter with the rest of the ingredients will result in a perfectly sanding dough that comes together with some help from your fingers. Think moon sand. Moon sand cookies that will melt in your mouth.</div>
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I would imagine you could make these will all kind of nuts. Candied pecans. That would be great. </div>
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Head over to <a href="http://leitesculinaria.com/85390/recipes-pistachio-shortbread-cookies.html">Leite's Culinaria</a> for the recipe from the <i>More From Macrina</i>. Macrina? Obvi these cookies are going to be delicious.</div>
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Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-31419566580386755642014-02-04T20:13:00.003-08:002014-02-04T20:17:34.741-08:00this is all i know about valentine's day.Once at some point in elementary school I came home and my crush (crush is an understatement, I was fully committed from kindergarten through sixth grade) had dropped off a white teddy bear holding a heart and a mylar balloon. It was then brought to my attention that some other ten year old had received the same.<br />
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In third grade I made the most impressive valentine mailbox. A shoebox turned telephone. Wrapped in shiny gold paper, complete with conversation hearts as the number buttons. You had to pick up the phone in order to drop off the valentine. Maybe I stole this idea directly from my teacher? Mine was prettier, mostly because it hadn't been made thirty years prior. But her telephone valentine box was more useful to the boy who used it to call his mom, pleading to "PLEASE PICK HIM UP" when the festivities were just too overwhelming. I can't find a picture because it was too unique and no one else is as creative as me.</div>
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That very crucial moment when you decided who got to receive the ever-powerful and bigger than the rest best friends valentine. Messages like "You are nice. From, Danie". </div>
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The year I was the queen because I put red food coloring in my milk. I didn't even like milk.</div>
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Middle school and junior high were marked with the presence of these:</div>
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These are suckers shaped like hearts. That's the minimalist description. They were so much more. For a measly one dollar, you could buy one, and send it to someone ANONYMOUSLY. They had "crazy flavors" like cotton candy and strawberry kiwi and OH MY GOODNESS strawberry lemonade. Come Valentine's Day, they were distributed. If you're thinking Mean Girls "you go Glen Coco" you're absolutely right.</div>
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I was only ever sent one. From my homeroom teacher.</div>
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I would just like to interject this with the fact that currently, I'm writing a blog post and Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives is playing in another tab. Like I'm listening to it...as if Guy Fieri is music.</div>
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This just happened.</div>
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There were those Februarys where I traveled to Target to find the super silliest valentines that would be so. funny. to hand out to my friends. Anything with rockets or puppies or animal puns or princesses. Because that would be so. funny. </div>
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Why would you think I would appreciate a valentine with Batman or sports on it? That's rude.</div>
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I reminisce about my thirteen year old self spending hours making cupcakes out of felt for my best friends. The time I was a determined college freshman and slaved away in the shitty dorm kitchen in order to make iced heart cookies with faces specific to the recipient? </div>
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This episode of Saved by the Bell because I watched Saved by the Bell literally every morning for about seven years.</div>
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The heart sticker to valentine ratio in those kits was off. Did my sticker collection complain? Uh-nope.</div>
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Who can forget the excitement felt upon receiving a box of Russell Stover chocolates! Only the highest quality.</div>
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Let's just agree that Valentine's Day is one of my favorites. Duh, I know you can "love people every day". But why can't we just all agree on one day to love everyone...and give away cards with Jesse McCartney on them.</div>
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And a final note to Sweehearts: you can leave. Ever since you changed your recipe, the yellow hearts taste like dish soap.</div>
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Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-24336018673398981842014-01-22T19:13:00.002-08:002014-01-22T19:31:48.806-08:00dear oatmeal.My dear friend, oatmeal.<br />
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I've decided it's time for me to come clean about exactly how much I love you. Our relationship is only about four years deep but it feels like we've been in love for one thousand and three years. Growing up you were a mystery to me. I'll admit, it was hard to consider indulging in bowl of you when my adolescent years were characterized with thoughts of trendy frozen french toast sticks and brightly colored fruit flavored corn anomalies. And yes, cereal-eating rabbits and leprechauns are slightly more pleasing to the eye than a Quaker man.<br />
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But none of this matters.<br />
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What matters is now and now is you, my love. I've learned to trust you because no matter the time we have together, you make it work. Maybe I can't spend as much with you as I'd like and for that, you deliver. A minute in the microwave and you're as glorious as ever. But when I do have time, it's all about that steel cut. I can enjoy you hot and cold? Friends should be flexible and boy, can you do the splits.<br />
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And talk about fashion sense. You look good in mostly everything and you accessorize like a god. And so friendly! Hey, peanut butter, do you want to be part of breakfast this morning? Join the party! What's that? Cacao nibs called and was wondering if they could participate? Of course! You get along with everyone so well.<br />
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Now, I know what you're thinking. <i>Who's this guy, avocado toast?</i> I'll let you in on a little secret, dearest. I adore you so much I sometimes wait until later in the day the partake. Sometimes comfort from a friend is most needed at night. Hey, remember that time I tried to make you savory with salt and pepper and spinach? It's not right to dwell on the bad times.<br />
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Step aside, expensive eggs bennies, overcomplicated hashes and omelets, and why can't we just eat you solely for dessert, pancakes? I'm with my friend, oatmeal over here. Cheap, simple. No, I don't need you to pretend oatmeal is fancy with your torched sugar and crazy compotes. We're having a great time with a few berries and some toasted nuts.<br />
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I won't say there will be times when smoothie kicks are present, yogurt bowls knock at my door, and eggs come a callin'. But you. You're my <b>forever friend</b>.<br />
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Just to convince the others, I'll show you off with some killer recipes from around the web.<br />
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<b><a href="http://asweetspoonful.com/2013/12/to-talk-porridge.html">spiced steel cut oats porridge with cranberry-ginger sauce</a>:</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i>a sweet spoonful</i></td></tr>
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<b><a href="http://food52.com/blog/7047-low-risk-high-reward-heidi-swanson-s-blueberry-baked-oatmeal">heidi swanson's baked blueberry oatmeal:</a></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i>food 52</i></td></tr>
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<b><a href="http://joythebaker.com/2013/04/blackberry-apricot-sunflower-oatmeal/">blackberry apricot sunflower oatmeal:</a></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i>joy the baker</i></td></tr>
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<b><a href="http://www.acouplecooks.com/2014/01/best-toasted-oatmeal/"> best toasted oatmeal:</a></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i>a couple cooks</i></td></tr>
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Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-32596196910776149822014-01-21T11:48:00.003-08:002014-01-21T11:48:34.746-08:00towards authenticity!I read sometimes.<br />
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ENTER BrenƩ Brown's <i>The Gifts of Imperfection</i>. This is serious stuff, you guys. Serious, imperfect, mind opening, brain boggling, life enhancing stuff.<br />
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I, like many many others, make a grand great effort to be perfect.<br />
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<i>perfectionism: "the belief that if everything is perfect we can minimize shame, blame, and judgment"</i><br />
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Immaberealwitchu. That stuck right to me. It's like, sometimes I just want to use perfectly baked cookies, perfectly knitted hats, obtaining "the best job", having good hair days, being the funniest, as band-aids instead of actually doing the hard, long work that a life of self-love requires. It's that pooper of a voice that tells me, "once you can afford to buy all the clothes from Anthropologie, everyone will think you're incredible".<br />
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How do we overcome it? It's hard, yo. But Lady BrenƩ really insists on nurturing authenticity over perfectionism like...erry day.<br />
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<i>authenticity:</i><br />
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<i>cultivating the courage to be imperfect and vulnerable</i><br />
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<i>exercising compassion that comes from knowing we are all made of strength and struggle</i><br />
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<i>nurturing the connection and sense of belonging that can only happen when we believe we are enough</i><br />
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<i><b>authenticity is bravery.</b></i><br />
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Here's what's real about that. Can I control someone's perception of me? Naw. Can I control it if I have all the clothes from Anthropologie? Nope. So why bother being anyone else but me? We're all bound to feel less shame, disappointment, and blame if we enter situations with the intent of being authentic rather than being "liked". Pretty rad, I know. Pretty hard, I know. It seems a lot of us are afraid that if we really showed our true colors, we wouldn't measure up to other people's expectations. BUT WAIT because how do we even know that?!<br />
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Queen B.B. mentions how much harder it is to work on your own self-love. That loving and accepting the imperfections of others is way easier that accepting your own imperfections. The truth of all the truest truths is that there's absolutely no way we can begin to full embrace the imperfections of others unless we begin to love our own. That we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.<br />
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How will I kickstart my journey towards authenticity?<br />
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I want to compare less, analyze less, give myself daily affirmations about myself, accept and believe meaningful compliments, work hard, learn lots, read instead of looking at other people's pictures, allow myself to not worry about next fall, the summer, tomorrow, tonight.<br />
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Want to play alloooooong with me?</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To be nobody-but-yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody but yourself means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight- and never stop fighting.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>e.e. cummings</i></span></span></div>
Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-16604055769059001782014-01-03T06:39:00.004-08:002014-01-03T06:39:58.228-08:00almond, cranberry, and oat scones.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year let's resolve to be simpler. Let's resolve to pet more puppies, embrace the morning, appreciate fresh produce, learn how to relax, light more candles, make more soup, drink less diet pop, take more walks alone, give more non-appearance-centered compliments, be better at accepting non-appearance-centered compliments, and say more thank yous. </div>
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And worry less. Let's all find a way to worry less. </div>
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And make scones? Christmas has brought upon me the arsenal of simplicity and loveliness that is Dorie Greenspan's <i>Baking, From My Home to Yours</i>. And I'm on board ten million percent. I've altered one of her scone recipes and used just a little honey for just a little sweetness and added some cranberries and roasted, chopped almonds because...because.</div>
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<b><u>Almond, Cranberry, and Oat Scones</u></b></div>
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<i>Adapted from Dorie Greenspan</i></div>
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1 large egg</div>
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1/2 cup cold buttermilk</div>
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1/4 cup honey</div>
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1 1/3 cups old-fashioned oats</div>
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1 cup all-purpose flour</div>
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2/3 cup whole wheat flour (or just 1 2/3 cup all purpose)</div>
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1 tablespoon baking powder</div>
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda</div>
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1/2 teaspoon salt</div>
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1 stick plus 2 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces</div>
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper</div>
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In a bowl whisk together egg, buttermilk, and honey. In another, large bowl whisk together oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Drop pieces of butter on top of the flour mixture and work in with a pastry blender until the mixture is pebbly. Pour wet ingredients over dry and stir with a fork until dough comes together, being careful not to overwork it. Gently knead the dough by hand. </div>
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Turn dough out onto a floured surface and divide in two. Pat each portion of dough into disks about five inches in diameter, cut into six wedges, and place onto baking sheets. Bake scones for 20 to 22 minutes or until tops are golden. Transfer to a rack and let cool 10 minutes before serving.</div>
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<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-41750167066575106992013-12-12T18:47:00.001-08:002013-12-12T18:49:18.127-08:00welcome back, me! (mandel bread)Oh, hello.<br />
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Yeah, no, I definitely took a semester-long blog break because now, ladies and gentleladies, I am graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaduated.<br />
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Before cookies happen (oh my goodness, really? cookies? from me?) I'd like to take some time to make a couple shout-outs to the people and things that made my college experience what it was.<br />
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<li>To the Minnesota Daily, for providing me with a daily crossword puzzle distraction, I thank you. Because of you, my mind is sharper than ever and I now know multiple sites for cheating.</li>
<li>To the St Paul Student Center for being the only place on the entire campus with the bougie yogurt I like, I thank you.</li>
<li>To whomever decided it would be a good idea to have all tampon dispensers in campus bathrooms be free, I thank you.</li>
<li>To the kind people of Bruegger's Bagels, I thank you.</li>
<li>To the tester bottles of lotion in the bookstore, my hands thank you.</li>
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That's it. </div>
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I kid! THAT'S NOT IT. To the hundreds of people I've had the pleasure of interacting with throughout these past three and a half years, <i>I thank you</i>. You've probably shaped me someway and somehow.</div>
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Can we please talk about cookies now?<br />
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Upon realizing I graduated college, the only thing that seemed appropriate and worth doing was making mandel bread. Oh, mandel. You little Jewish biscotti, you. More sugar, not as hard, chocolatey, twice baked and dredged in cinnamon sugar. Don't tell biscotti, but I like you more. Let's never stop being friends.<br />
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<b><u>Chocolate Chip Mandel Bread</u></b></div>
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3 cups all-purpose flour</div>
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1 tsp baking powder</div>
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1/2 tsp cinnamon</div>
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1/2 tsp salt</div>
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3 eggs</div>
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1 cup sugar</div>
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1 cup vegetable oil</div>
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1 tsp vanilla extract</div>
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1 cup chocolate chips</div>
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cinnamon sugar for dredging (I know this is a real word...but why.)</div>
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Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Beat sugar and oil together. Add eggs, one at a time, mix well. Add vanilla. Stir in flour mixture, mix til combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Refrigerate dough for at least two hours, maybe even overnight!</div>
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two baking sheets. Form dough into four, three inch wide logs, two on each sheet. Bake logs for 25 minutes. Let cool. </div>
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Reduce heat to 250 degrees. Slice logs into 1/2 inch pieces and dredge sides in cinnamon sugar mixture. (this is the time when you set aside the ends of the logs especially for yourself) <br />
Place cookies back onto cookie sheets, cinnamon sugar sides down. Bake for another 20 minutes.<br />
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Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-54428042136042898042013-08-28T11:38:00.004-07:002013-08-28T11:39:32.236-07:00twenty one.For a long time all I wanted for my birthday was one of these.<br />
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I mean, the expressions on these kids' faces says it all. I thought maybe this was the funnest thing in the world. More fun than bacon, which was my favorite food around the time I dreamt of Barbie Jeeps. Before I went to bed, I would pray to Santa Claus and the birthday gods to bring me one. </div>
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He never did. I'm grateful for that. Having a Barbie Jeep would have boosted my ego way too much, I was also, at this time, the universe's funniest comedian. </div>
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Fast forward to nowtimes. Today I got to take some of my lovely-souled friends out for breakfast at my favorite ever place.<br />
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And then I received this from my mother.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwIKHaEz2nUwA7zc-kG4xzyxbthHbTRgNW2D_e8G8Z2Ch_iIzZeLFgJrYRZyn-7Y0DZpE6yy7Hl3-5mqAWROw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I would like to report that these things are better than any Barbie Jeep ever. I would like to report that I have a life I'm very lucky to have. I would like to report that most everything is perfect.</div>
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I would also like to report that I'm twenty-one now. And educate myself about wine, I will. </div>
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To everyone I've come in contact with throughout this twentieth year of my existence, I thank you. It's been one filled with soul-searching and laughs and so much love and learning. I've grown tremendously, and that's because of all of you! Everysingleperson.</div>
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Happy birthday to me.</div>
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Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-55560608876265103852013-08-15T09:32:00.001-07:002013-08-15T09:32:17.744-07:00an open letter to breathing, books, and blogs.I've been reading this book, right? Self-help lady guru Gabrielle Bernstein was introduced to me by sister Sam. I'm currently in the process of finishing <i>May Cause Miracles. </i>Let me tell you. This book came at the right time. This early graduation-futuretimes uncertainty-being hard on myself terrible soup I've made for myself wasn't going over very well. But through this 40 day process (I'm not done yet), I've been reminded of the importance of breathing, gratitude, forgiveness, and love. That fear doesn't have to ruin everything, that creative abundance is a thing and will forever be a thing, that all relationships should be thought of with equal amounts of love and attention, that success will come if you believe in it and yourself, that forgiveness is always a good answer, and that if you fill yourself with love, your world will do the same.<br />
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I certainly don't mean to preach.<br />
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All I'm saying is that I was totally lacking love. I needed more. And right now I feel more apt to think with it. It's totally a book recommendation.<br />
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I realized needed a break from blogging. It was becoming something it should never be: a source of jealousy, competition, and anxiety. I needed to be reminded why I love it, that it motivates me to write, photograph, and try new things. I want to feel that motivation again, and that will only come with positive thoughts invested in blogging. No more jealousy or comparison: from now on, this blog becomes a place for learning and expressing and sharing. Anxiety and creativity don't mesh for me.<br />
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You guys. I'm totally ready for this new mindset, this new school year, this new attitude. I'm excited to enter everything with more love and fullness that ever.<br />
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OKAY ALSO. If you're not watching <i>Orange is the New Black</i> on the Netflix, you're just...you need to.<br />
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And with that,<br />
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I'm am done for today.Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-79418650412912954872013-07-18T11:51:00.002-07:002013-07-18T11:51:42.008-07:00diy adjustable bra strap bracelet.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We're talking about bras today. Does everyone feel comfortable talking about bras? Good. Glad we got that out of the way.</div>
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It's almost moving time which means the yearly "I'm going to <i>try </i>to eliminate at least two of the pairs of shorts I've tried to cut myself but they didn't turn out right" time. I swear I attempt to filter out clothes, but let's be real...that New Kids on the Block sweater I have? I'M TOTALLY GOING TO NEED THAT ONE DAY.</div>
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Today I've got a way for you to use those old bras <i>I know you have</i> and make them into an adjustable bracelet. Bras. Bras. Bra. Are we uncomfortable yet?</div>
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<b><u>DIY Adjustable Bra Strap Bracelet</u></b></div>
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You'll need: A bra. Some scissors. A needle and thread. Buttons and beads, optional.</div>
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Step One: Cut the strap off where it meets the band, and above the part of the strap where the adjustable part starts. (That was literally the best way I could explain it.)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14UI8tFLOQE/Ueg2rOAxt_I/AAAAAAAACKk/dTPgUHC3opc/s1600/IMG_1359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14UI8tFLOQE/Ueg2rOAxt_I/AAAAAAAACKk/dTPgUHC3opc/s640/IMG_1359.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Step Two: Get your needle and thread. Loop the end of the strap through the piece on top.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhrFFwy73zo/Ueg2qclmXkI/AAAAAAAACKY/OuPGpqf5AoI/s1600/IMG_1360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhrFFwy73zo/Ueg2qclmXkI/AAAAAAAACKY/OuPGpqf5AoI/s640/IMG_1360.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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It will look like this:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_Js5J74-aY/Ueg2tTnZ1sI/AAAAAAAACKs/y33q0oMdkpk/s1600/IMG_1362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_Js5J74-aY/Ueg2tTnZ1sI/AAAAAAAACKs/y33q0oMdkpk/s640/IMG_1362.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sew the end of the strap down with a few stitches.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-Bl6foftbQ/Ueg2tqG4gLI/AAAAAAAACK0/0Bwj6ZL-114/s1600/IMG_1367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-Bl6foftbQ/Ueg2tqG4gLI/AAAAAAAACK0/0Bwj6ZL-114/s640/IMG_1367.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Step Three: OPTIONAL ADD-ONS! Sew a button on there, a bead, embroider some cool design. There you have it. Now you don't have to feel bad about getting rid of your bra. Because you can wear your bra on your wrist. And it's adjustable.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZamS-nkZSU/Ueg2wHp9FFI/AAAAAAAACLM/R-xmbY97oV4/s1600/IMG_1382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZamS-nkZSU/Ueg2wHp9FFI/AAAAAAAACLM/R-xmbY97oV4/s640/IMG_1382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks for getting through that with me. I love you.</div>
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Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com204tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-13573338534363193932013-06-30T06:32:00.003-07:002013-06-30T06:32:38.139-07:00taking the time to teach people things (banana bread).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Recently I've come to realize the importance of sharing knowledge. Never sharing what you know results in a waste of talent and a missed opportunity. Skills should be passed on and taken in with enthusiasm. </div>
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Like how about that one time in fourth grade when I showed everyone in my class how to make a mouse-shaped balloon animal? Their lives surely would not be the same without said experience. Or when my sister taught me how to instant message someone on the internet? Without her assistance regarding which "send" button was the "send" button, my conversation with tiggergal92 would not have turned out very well. </div>
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Fast forward into now-times, I've taken my boy under my wing and am teaching him how to bake. The first lesson was cherry pie, this time it was banana bread. Setting aside my pride and urge to say, "No, not <i>that</i> way" has allowed me to be reminded of how satisfying it actually is to make something, from scratch, all by yourself. It's reminded me why I love it.</div>
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I urge you to spread your skills, friends. It's the happiest.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhRmBOzyzEw/Uc_AasMSRSI/AAAAAAAACJQ/o8jHAVhnmbA/s1600/IMG_1266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhRmBOzyzEw/Uc_AasMSRSI/AAAAAAAACJQ/o8jHAVhnmbA/s640/IMG_1266.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NxRJm-GYgK0/Uc_AbytfHgI/AAAAAAAACJY/7uhsRjf--c4/s1600/IMG_1270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NxRJm-GYgK0/Uc_AbytfHgI/AAAAAAAACJY/7uhsRjf--c4/s640/IMG_1270.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCRPK8rTTeg/Uc_AfE7zYuI/AAAAAAAACJg/1I2fgq1Y6vU/s1600/IMG_1273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCRPK8rTTeg/Uc_AfE7zYuI/AAAAAAAACJg/1I2fgq1Y6vU/s640/IMG_1273.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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This banana bread is delicious; not too sweet, allowing you to actually taste banana. Even with some healthier choices thrown in the mix (honey & yogurt), flavor is totally not sacrificed. The recipe makes two small 9x5 loaves but can be easily split to just produce one. You can also opt to make one bigger loaf and about six muffins.</div>
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<b><u>(My Favorite) Banana Bread </u></b></div>
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<i>no refined sugar</i></div>
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1 cup softened unsalted butter</div>
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1/2 cup honey</div>
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4 eggs</div>
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3 cups flour</div>
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2 teaspoons baking soda</div>
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1 1/2 teaspoons salt</div>
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2 cups mashed banana (about five, totally overripe nanners)</div>
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1 cup plain yogurt</div>
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1 teaspoon vanilla</div>
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<i>optional add-ins: </i>toasted walnuts, toasted pecans, chocolate chips, toasted coconut</div>
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Prepare loaf or muffin pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</div>
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In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In another bowl, combine mashed banana and yogurt. Mix in vanilla. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together butter and honey until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Add eggs to butter and sugar one at a time, combining well after each addition. Add dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Slowly add banana mixture. Mix in add-ins by hand. </div>
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Pour batter into pans and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour. A toothpick, inserted will should come out clean. Muffins will take about 22-25 minutes.</div>
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Can someone actually explain to me the science behind the fact that banana bread tastes better the next day? I'm content with accepting that it's just wizardry, but seriously. Why.</div>
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<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-86902723425404412362013-06-22T19:40:00.002-07:002013-06-22T19:40:40.710-07:00lemon poppy seed biscotti.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7gVClKFI8k/UcSSsnu7okI/AAAAAAAACII/hSsoZt0CcLA/s1600/vscocam228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7gVClKFI8k/UcSSsnu7okI/AAAAAAAACII/hSsoZt0CcLA/s640/vscocam228.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The past few weeks have been filled with...things. Things pertaining to a new-found love for rock climbing, being denied surgery for plantar wart removal (Danie, why are you telling me this.), cherry pie for Dad Day, the ever-returning "what will I do with my life?!" discussion, breakfast, walking, talking, and A NEW PUPPY.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jKR_yH6hEUk/UcST5pRHb5I/AAAAAAAACIY/ARwImvTQBp0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jKR_yH6hEUk/UcST5pRHb5I/AAAAAAAACIY/ARwImvTQBp0/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This little nugget's name is Duncan. I love him. He's fostered a love for small dogs that I never knew I had. I mean seriously, if that face doesn't make you want to cry, join the Peace Corps, throw up, and sing nonsense songs all at the same time, you're not a human.</div>
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Leaving this face makes me want cookies. All the time. Because I'm sad. </div>
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Contrary to what you may believe, these biscotti are not puppies. But maybe they'll make you happy.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ4UWpyzecY/UcSSsrGXUPI/AAAAAAAACH4/rcqXwy-Itqs/s1600/vscocam226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ4UWpyzecY/UcSSsrGXUPI/AAAAAAAACH4/rcqXwy-Itqs/s640/vscocam226.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Lemon Poppy Seed Biscotti</u></b></div>
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6 Tbs butter<br />
2/3 cup sugar<br />
1/4 tsp salt<br />
1 1/2 tsp baking powder<br />
1 Tbs lemon zest<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 Tbs lemon juice<br />
2 cups flour<br />
1 Tbs poppy seeds<br />
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.<br />
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Beat together butter, sugar, salt, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest until well combined. Add eggs and lemon juice and mix to combine. Mix in flour and poppy seeds.<br />
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With the dough, form a 13in x 3in log on a prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 25 minutes.<br />
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Remove from oven, reduce heat to 325 degrees, and let log cool for 15 minutes. Cut log into 1/2 pieces and place back onto the cookie sheet, right-side up.<br />
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Bake for 30 minutes. Biscotti will be drier and golden on the edges.<br />
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EAT IT.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1CVXWFnUF4/UcZgFAM1YWI/AAAAAAAACIo/-gG5phfi7fo/s1600/vscocam219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G1CVXWFnUF4/UcZgFAM1YWI/AAAAAAAACIo/-gG5phfi7fo/s640/vscocam219.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-87133485941871664182013-05-30T10:17:00.002-07:002013-05-30T10:17:52.295-07:00honey chamomile cake.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oNbmJKUcbw0/UaeDU77GkkI/AAAAAAAACHE/-v4DrEKUZqw/s1600/IMG_1227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oNbmJKUcbw0/UaeDU77GkkI/AAAAAAAACHE/-v4DrEKUZqw/s640/IMG_1227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The truth is, my mind has totally been freaking out lately. It all stems from the fact that I only have one semester left of college and, in my minorly self-deprecating opinion, no idea what I'm doing with my life. I've been trying to practice mindfulness, reminding myself that everything will work out, to focus on one day at a time, and I am indeed talented.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5q3FmjNaY_s/UaeDWODfa_I/AAAAAAAACHM/jN1gk5sBO-U/s1600/IMG_1232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5q3FmjNaY_s/UaeDWODfa_I/AAAAAAAACHM/jN1gk5sBO-U/s640/IMG_1232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Don't get me wrong, I'm so supremely excited to see what the rest of my life will be like. For now, the eternal amount of possibilites whizzing through my brain sometimes seems to be too much. I wish they'd calm down and remember that what matters right now is <i>right now</i>.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKQlVfbbol8/UaeDWf0DL5I/AAAAAAAACHQ/BR75ukKj5B8/s1600/IMG_1239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKQlVfbbol8/UaeDWf0DL5I/AAAAAAAACHQ/BR75ukKj5B8/s640/IMG_1239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My <a href="http://kevintullyandallhisfriends.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">lovely love</a> told me this week that "the future is just a bunch of tomorrows". He might of thought it was a little funny, I thought it was a lot wise. The thunderstorms in Minneapolis last night came at a good time as it seemed like a warm invitation to spend a night alone and release some negative energy. I threw on my new Laura Marling vinyl, and baked a cake.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oSio8NWSidA/UaeDXTmJk-I/AAAAAAAACHc/TWTDVjXM7ZU/s1600/IMG_1242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oSio8NWSidA/UaeDXTmJk-I/AAAAAAAACHc/TWTDVjXM7ZU/s640/IMG_1242.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This honey chamomile cake is really nice. A classic nighttime soother takes the form of a simple cake. I hope you'll use good quality honey; the flavor will really come through. I enjoyed my piece with some homemade jam. It was nice.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlouJpi5lqU/UaeCuQrYlpI/AAAAAAAACG8/7yuAkYK0I9I/s1600/IMG_1244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlouJpi5lqU/UaeCuQrYlpI/AAAAAAAACG8/7yuAkYK0I9I/s640/IMG_1244.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This a a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before. // Maya Angelou</span></span></div>
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<u>Honey Chamomile Cake</u></div>
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1 cup good quality honey</div>
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1 egg</div>
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3 Tbs melted coconut oil (sub butter or canola oil)</div>
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1/2 milk, barely boiling</div>
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The contents of three chamomile tea bags</div>
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1/2 tsp vanilla</div>
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2 cups all-purpose flour</div>
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2 1/2 tsp baking powder</div>
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1/2 tsp salt</div>
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare one eight inch cake pan.</div>
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Empty contents of tea bags into milk and let steep for ten minutes.</div>
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Place honey in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on high for three minutes. Add egg, coconut oil, milk (with tea leaves), and vanilla and beat for one more minute.</div>
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Add flour, baking powder, and salt into mixer and beat until combined. </div>
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Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick, inserted, comes out clean.</div>
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Let cool completely before slicing. (dust with powdered sugar, if desired)</div>
<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-88071754742854875632013-05-20T11:03:00.005-07:002013-05-20T11:03:43.189-07:00blueberry cornmeal bread.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OVZazHLwc70/UZoqBwcxxtI/AAAAAAAACDE/IQRBNifVTM4/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OVZazHLwc70/UZoqBwcxxtI/AAAAAAAACDE/IQRBNifVTM4/s640/photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made you bread because it's almost summer and I'm into it. My excitement relating to farmer's markets is unmanageable, I actually can't believe I've gotten one of my seedlings to sprout, and the amount of desire I have to wear shoes equals zero.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NAyDaJDg-0/UZoqY99iX6I/AAAAAAAACDM/oT3-libar28/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NAyDaJDg-0/UZoqY99iX6I/AAAAAAAACDM/oT3-libar28/s640/photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also made you this bread because after a weekend of long car rides and flight delays, when I got home rom the airport at 11pm, all I wanted to do was bake. I realize no one does this but hope some people do.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOq_f9vjFXg/UZpj_5nHIjI/AAAAAAAACFs/gc74ZUjODBk/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOq_f9vjFXg/UZpj_5nHIjI/AAAAAAAACFs/gc74ZUjODBk/s640/photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Blueberry Cornmeal Bread (adapted from <a href="http://joythebaker.com/2009/12/honey-cranberry-cornmeal-quick-bread/" target="_blank">Joy the Baker</a>)</u></b></div>
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Makes one standard loaf.</div>
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1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</div>
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1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or sub more AP flour)</div>
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1 cup cornmeal</div>
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1/2 cup sugar</div>
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1 1/2 tsp salt</div>
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1 1/2 tsp baking powder</div>
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1/2 C butter, melted</div>
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1/2 cup honey</div>
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1 1/4 C buttermilk</div>
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2 large eggs</div>
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1 tsp vanilla</div>
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1-1 1/2 C fresh or frozen blueberries. Or any other fruit, really.</div>
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare one loaf pan.</div>
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Whisk together flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt.</div>
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In another bowl whisk together honey, butter, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.</div>
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Combine wet ingredients into dry, stirring until just combined.</div>
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Gently fold in blueberries.</div>
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Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick, inserted, comes out clean.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OnSgaAxSNf8/UZopiyD_SMI/AAAAAAAACC8/a0QpvmJi8rw/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OnSgaAxSNf8/UZopiyD_SMI/AAAAAAAACC8/a0QpvmJi8rw/s640/photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-57016899971983747812013-05-17T13:14:00.000-07:002013-05-17T13:14:19.701-07:00ampersands and amperSAM FELD.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My junior year of college is officially over and in about an hour, I'll make my way over to the airport so I can see my sister graduate. </div>
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Time goes by pretty fast.</div>
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There's lots to be learned from this sister of mine. Lots concerning mindfulness, creativity, stress relief strategies, and taming curly hair. We share affinities for trashy television, cookies (surprise.), Degrassi, The Spice Girls, and socks. </div>
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<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Vam7EDQOX4/UZaPLhL4V5I/AAAAAAAACA0/Ti9IFDMR77E/s1600/230750_10150187574416261_6342429_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Vam7EDQOX4/UZaPLhL4V5I/AAAAAAAACA0/Ti9IFDMR77E/s400/230750_10150187574416261_6342429_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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THERE'S THAT LITTLE NUGGET OF A SISTER.</div>
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She's an incredible artist and human and sister &&&&&&&&&&&& she's got a permanent spot on my top five list of loveliest souls.</div>
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Oh, we're crafting?</div>
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I made you an ampersand ring. I hope you like saying "ampersand" as much as I do.</div>
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<b><u>DIY Ampersand Ring</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PR5vv0NySPk/UZaJaMf6WsI/AAAAAAAACAk/8PO6lC0KnZU/s1600/IMG_1193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PR5vv0NySPk/UZaJaMf6WsI/AAAAAAAACAk/8PO6lC0KnZU/s400/IMG_1193.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Materials: four inches of wire, one bead, and pliers.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rC6B7CmZ2Do/UZaJHp8d7YI/AAAAAAAACAM/P-xOZvsxHhg/s1600/IMG_1182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rC6B7CmZ2Do/UZaJHp8d7YI/AAAAAAAACAM/P-xOZvsxHhg/s400/IMG_1182.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step One: Slip bead onto one end of the wire and make a loop around it using your pliers.<br />
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Step Two: Make another loop about 1/4 inch up from the bead. Maybe a tad more.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g3I8tu9HTCc/UZaJLz6Dz9I/AAAAAAAACAU/6zMrC9SDwSE/s1600/IMG_1187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g3I8tu9HTCc/UZaJLz6Dz9I/AAAAAAAACAU/6zMrC9SDwSE/s400/IMG_1187.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step Three: If you're using round-nose pliers this is super simple. Wrap the wire around the base of the nose (Is this correct terminology. Do I care.).</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jr-UaR3quNQ/UZaJV1R8DTI/AAAAAAAACAc/jHo9Ujut5fc/s1600/IMG_1189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jr-UaR3quNQ/UZaJV1R8DTI/AAAAAAAACAc/jHo9Ujut5fc/s400/IMG_1189.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step Four: Grab something to mold your ring around. The easiest thing for me is a tube of chapstick. Hold the ampersand in place and wrap the wire around the chapstick.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JyKoxvQ_Pw/UZaJZt1-TPI/AAAAAAAACAg/lpdmHwfkdw0/s1600/IMG_1190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JyKoxvQ_Pw/UZaJZt1-TPI/AAAAAAAACAg/lpdmHwfkdw0/s400/IMG_1190.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Step Five: Trim if necessary and make a loop at the end of the wire to finish.</div>
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<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-4081204657463115462013-04-25T09:54:00.002-07:002013-04-25T09:55:12.889-07:00five minute button earrings.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Spring is SERIOUSLY coming to Minneapolis. I'm having a hard time believing the forecast. Is there really a seven in front of that zero?! Seventy?! It makes me want to hug Minneapolis again. Because we've been bickering lately.</div>
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Spring means flowers means sun means no socks means I needed some new earrings today. </div>
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None relevance.</div>
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I didn't have time for super glue to dry so today I present you with button earrings that require zero dry time and probably only five minutes. I might be the laziest.</div>
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<b><u>Five Minute Button Earrings</u></b></div>
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Materials:</div>
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two buttons with shanks that have fairly small holes</div>
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one head pin</div>
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pliers (or not)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BGLmlL0fVHc/UXlc5jU66cI/AAAAAAAAB7o/BquuRzhvh5U/s1600/earring+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BGLmlL0fVHc/UXlc5jU66cI/AAAAAAAAB7o/BquuRzhvh5U/s400/earring+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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1. Thread your head pin through the shank of the button and begin wrapping pin around the base of the shank.</div>
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2. Using pliers (or fingers) bend end of eye pin up so as to form the post of the earring.<br />
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3. Grab yourself some earring backs and SHABAM. Super done-zo.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQihSmfTEQk/UXlc7A4YS0I/AAAAAAAAB74/NfpsGE0hHOA/s1600/earring+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQihSmfTEQk/UXlc7A4YS0I/AAAAAAAAB74/NfpsGE0hHOA/s400/earring+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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P.S. Recently bought the vsco cam app...and I'm like "yeah".</div>
<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-75411195028592489412013-04-07T11:05:00.004-07:002013-04-07T11:05:53.690-07:00vegan everything cookies.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsODgW8ktbk/UWGyC7dthbI/AAAAAAAAB7M/GvT6XmNYNPM/s1600/IMG_1056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsODgW8ktbk/UWGyC7dthbI/AAAAAAAAB7M/GvT6XmNYNPM/s640/IMG_1056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We're making cookies today. What else is new. </div>
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You know what is new? Spring time. Spring time hasn't really arrived yet here in the Twin Cities, but we're holding on pretty well. We're optimistic.</div>
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Who know who I recently realized is not optimistic? Our friendly meteorologists. How many times have you heard one tell you it's okay that it's going to snow more than once in the second week of April? NONE. TIMES. </div>
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When I'm a meteorologist...I will take advantage of the power I have to make someone's day better by saying something good about the snow/rain mix on a 33 degree spring day. </div>
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I'm not going to be a meteorologist. And that had nothing to do with what we're making today.</div>
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OKAY THESE COOKIES have everything except for chocolate in them. Sometimes you need that.</div>
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We start out by mixing our mix-ins together. Today we have rolled oats, coconut, dried cranberries, rice krispies, and some kind of nice, hearty flake cereal.</div>
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<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KOfBedNVJwI/UWGx-eid69I/AAAAAAAAB6s/I6c-eb4ozLU/s1600/IMG_1012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KOfBedNVJwI/UWGx-eid69I/AAAAAAAAB6s/I6c-eb4ozLU/s640/IMG_1012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We get our usual suspects. Our dry ingredients.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TT2gsD_SxB0/UWGx_Cs7SnI/AAAAAAAAB60/IoM5NRZd-Oc/s1600/IMG_1013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TT2gsD_SxB0/UWGx_Cs7SnI/AAAAAAAAB60/IoM5NRZd-Oc/s640/IMG_1013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our sometimes unusual vegan substitution wet ingredients. (My mom made that purple bowl for me. Thanks, mom.)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPQ5TjtVdJc/UWGx9LE6ZpI/AAAAAAAAB6k/K3AFC_5RshI/s1600/IMG_1015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPQ5TjtVdJc/UWGx9LE6ZpI/AAAAAAAAB6k/K3AFC_5RshI/s640/IMG_1015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We form a nice ol' cookie dough and throw them in the oven.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXAtccQ6JX8/UWGyAln8EUI/AAAAAAAAB68/kLQBc6D2BNY/s1600/IMG_1034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXAtccQ6JX8/UWGyAln8EUI/AAAAAAAAB68/kLQBc6D2BNY/s640/IMG_1034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nice.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5N-1aWa0cw/UWGyCGF2weI/AAAAAAAAB7E/--XzA3iVDG4/s1600/IMG_1039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5N-1aWa0cw/UWGyCGF2weI/AAAAAAAAB7E/--XzA3iVDG4/s640/IMG_1039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Vegan Everything Cookies</b></u><br />
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1 cup all-purpose flour<br />
1/4 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
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1 flax egg<br />
1/3 C canola oil<br />
1/2 C brown sugar<br />
1/2 C white sugar<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
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Mix-ins:<br />
1/2 C rice krispies<br />
1/2 C flake cereal (or one whole cup of either)<br />
1/2 C dried fruit<br />
1/2 C coconut (shreds or flakes)<br />
1/2 C old-fashioned oats<br />
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Preheat that oven of yours to 350 degrees and prepare one big cookie sheet.<br />
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In a medium sized bowl combine all mix-ins.<br />
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In large bowl sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.<br />
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In a medium bowl whisk together sugars, flax egg, oil, and vanilla. (combine really well)<br />
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Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir to combine. If dough looks dry, add a splash of milk. Add mix-ins and combine thoroughly.<br />
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Form balls of dough and place on cookie sheet. Flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand. Bake 10-12 minutes and let cool on cookie sheet for five minutes before moving to a wire rack.<br />
<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-71341013589129831042013-03-26T18:57:00.001-07:002013-03-26T19:09:18.324-07:00matzo toffee for real.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My most vivid memories of Passover are most likely a little different than most. At my house we always used the children's Haggadah which meant that a) our Seders lasted about twenty minutes b) there was a lot of "chanting" and "rapping" and noises involved ie: "let's rap about the seven plagues" and "let's all pretend like we're very tired after walking as long as the Jewish people did". So I've never actually been to a full-blown Seder dinner. Don't get me wrong, I'd totally enjoy every minute.<br />
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My love of Jewish culture comes from my mom's side of the family. Although the extent of my Jewish knowledge only reaches as far as knowing what's on a Seder plate, the prayer for lighting the candles on Hanukkah, and having the ability to throw around a few Yiddish phrases every now and then, my respect and love for the culture is more than abundant.<br />
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Which brings me to this recipe (PERFECT FOR PASSOVER. YES.). This is matzo toffee. The easiest "candy" you'll ever make and also probably one of the greatest things in the universe. After having to go to three grocery stores to find a box of matzo, I knew this just had to turn out in my favor. It did. Duh.<br />
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<b>Let's do this.</b><br />
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We arrange matzo crackers on a cookie sheet, breaking some up to fill in all the spaces. We need to make good use of space, friends.<br />
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Butter is melted together with brown sugar, boils, and eventually thickens up to become the loveliest of caramel-like-substances.</div>
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Brown sugar butter heaven mixture gets a little vanilla extract mix-in and then is spread over dem matzo crackers.</div>
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After being in the oven for a short amount of time (NEVER SHORT ENOUGH), chocolate chips are dropped and scattered right on top. After they have time to melt, they get spread ALL. OVER. Matzo toffee love concoction is dressed up with anything your matzo-loving heart desires. I chose toasted almonds and coconut. </div>
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Cool in the fridge. Break it up. Risk getting a stomach ache and eat all of it.</div>
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<b style="text-decoration: underline;">Matzo Toffee</b> (hardly adapted from David Leibovitz)</div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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1 cup butter or margarine or vegan butter</div>
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1 cup brown sugar</div>
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1/2 tsp vanilla extract</div>
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4-6 matzo crackers</div>
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1 cup chocolate chips </div>
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optional: toppings (toasted nuts, coconut, spriiiiinkles)</div>
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.</div>
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Arrange matzo crackers on baking sheet, making sure to fill in any spaces with broken crackers.</div>
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Over medium heat, melt butter and sugar together. Let come to a boil and while still boiling, stir constantly for three minutes.</div>
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Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Pour butter-sugar mixture over matzo and spread evenly using a rubber spatula.</div>
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Bake for 15 minutes.</div>
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Remove from oven, scatter chocolate chips on top, wait five minutes and spread melted chocolate evenly over crackers.</div>
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Top with toppings, if desired. Let cool in refrigerator for at least 45 minutes. Break up and EAT.</div>
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<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-31482143237789213932013-03-12T09:52:00.000-07:002013-03-12T10:08:19.014-07:00vegan peanut butter and jelly cookies.<br />
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I don't usually make cookies because I feel like I need to eat them all. I usually make cookies because I crave the process. It's comforting and familiar and I'd choose my house to smell like cookies rather than moth balls any day.<br />
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Something I do crave...constantly....is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (see what I'm getting at here?<br />
Did you read the title of this post?). I'm a firm believer in the healing power of a really good PB&J, especially if someone else makes it for you.<br />
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We've got the best of both worlds here: a crazy easy cookie recipe and the comfort that ever popular<br />
peanut butter and jelly combination.<br />
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<b><u>Vegan Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies:</u></b><br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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1 cup crunchy or creamy peanut butter<br />
3/4 cup sugar<br />
1/4 cup light brown sugar<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp vanilla<br />
pinch of salt<br />
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1/4 cup jam (any flavor)<br />
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.<br />
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Mix all cookie ingredients together (minus the jam). Place one inch balls of dough on a prepared cookie sheet. Using your index finger, make a well in the middle of the ball, making sure to repair any major crackage that may result.<br />
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Fill wells with jam.<br />
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Bake for 12 minutes and let cool on pan.<br />
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<br />Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343430474965627161.post-5606894102577723412013-03-10T18:30:00.000-07:002013-03-10T18:30:11.816-07:00in a week and the greatest raw brownies.It's been a week, you guys.<br />
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Between a mega Hispanic Linguistics exam, auditions for next year's classes...basically I was just nervous for the test.<br />
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I just wanted to make some brownies.<br />
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It's important to visit your local co-op on the weekends because weekends mean samples and samples mean FUN. I just needed a couple things this morning and was pleasantly surprised when I was treated to TOMATO SOUP. GRILLED CHEESE. TANGERINES. PEARS. COFFEE. THREE KINDS OF CHEESE. And a small man sampling his "genius" creation. Raw macaroons. I tried them, of course, and then said "These are real good, what's in them?" He froze up. He didn't want to tell me what was in those lemon poppy seed macaroons. "It's basically just coconut, lemon, and poppyseeds." I call bullshit on you, sir. And I will go home and make my own.<br />
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But not today! Because today was dedicated to the raw brownie!<br />
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"Why are you making us eat raw brownies, Danie?!"<br />
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Because I can. And I will. And they're delicious. And they're easy. And it's fun to pretend you're on a raw foods diet for about an hour (that's about all I can handle).<br />
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This recipe comes straight from <a href="http://mynewroots.org/" target="_blank">My New Roots</a>, a seriously stunning blog.<br />
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Rev up your food processors, friends.<br />
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<i>What. This dark and squishy looking landscape isn't appetizing to you? Think again, suckers. They sure don't taste dark and squishy. Because they taste good.</i></div>
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<b><u>The Raw Brownie (very slightly adapted from My New Roots)</u></b><br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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2 cups whole walnuts<br />
2.5 cups medjool dates, pitted (unless you want to crack your tooth in half. then don't pit them.)<br />
1/2 cup cocoa powder<br />
1 cup raw almonds, roughly chopped<br />
1/4 tsp salt<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
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Grind walnuts in food processor until fine. Add cocoa powder and salt to walnuts and process together. </div>
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Add dates and vanilla to the walnut and cocoa combination and process until a dough forms. </div>
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Mix almonds into dough.</div>
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Press into a 8x8 pan lined with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Cover and refrigerate for an hour before slicing. Store in refrigerator.</div>
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By the way, I'm going to California in seven days to see SeƱor Mickey. Excited would be the underest of understatements.</div>
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By the way way, <a href="http://www.oprahdeepakmeditation.com/Bestsellers/LandingPage.aspx?BookId=178&af=850" target="_blank">Deepak Chopra and Oprah's 21 Day Meditation Challenge</a> starts tomorrow. Yes, Oprah. Yes, Deepak. Why aren't you signed up, silly?<br />
Daniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00804393477856544110noreply@blogger.com0