Hot Mess Makeover

Since 2012 is around the corner and because I have made some heavy HEAVY mistakes in 2011 I figured I need to set some ground rules for the year of 2012. I would hate to say resolutions because resolutions are just so dang easy to discard and never follow through, so I'll call this hot mess makeover 2012.
Here we go..The List for Hot Mess Makeover 2012
1. Quit the cancer sticks for eternity.
2. Drink less..WAY less. Maybe just a glass or two only on special occasions.
3. Drink less coffee.
4. Train my dog Bananas to not fear the outside world and train her to run with me in the morning.
5. Become more compassionate to others.
6. Become more passionate with my crafts and etc.
7. Cook more and take more pictures..
8. Start taking less medications and live life using more holistic methods.
9. Eat more local produce.
10. Volunteer.
11. Be more healthy, live life to the fullest, and just love, love, love.

Ok that is my list.. what's yours?

extra hour, extra time to...

Bake!

I mixed, whipped, folded, sifted, and baked..The outcome?... These beauties. Would you like some more tea to go with your Lady Fingers?

Hope your all enjoying your extra hour to do anything you want. The possibilities are endless!

Happy Sunday Funday!

I Should Be Studying..

but instead I'll make cupcakes.
Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes to be exact. Yums

Oh did I mention the frosting is my *sneaky Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting?

*the secret is adding greek yogurt with low fat cream cheese to make a less guilty frosting. It's seriously so good. The greek yogurt gives it a nice kick and it also helps balance out the sweetness so it's not too sweet...yums says my tums. =)

Well I guess it's back to studying..
Mid terms are a'comin. AHHH..

Happy Friday!

Smiley Face Up the Yang!

Just discovered how easy it is to make whipped coconut milk... I'm in love.

Profiteroles with caramelized bananas, whipped coconut milk, and soy milk ganache. 

Oh happy, happy, happy day!

Happy Friday!

Things That Make Me Go Hmmm? and MmmMmmm..

Ok so the past couple of weeks have been a bit crazy. First it was Europe, then my sister's wedding, and recently I started school. Things haven't slowed down for me one bit. For those of you who don't know, I'm actually going to school for Nutritional Science with a concentration on Dietetics. I also will minor in Culinolgy(the study of culinary arts and food science). I am extremely excited to indulge myself and learn everything and EVERYTHING about food. But unfortunately school has been a bit overwhelming at the moment since I am mostly taking science classes. YIKES! So I will apologize beforehand if I am MIA. I will try my best to post often as I can. =) 

Thank goodness for my stress reliever. Cooking and EATING.

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins with Soy Milk Chocolate Ganache. (adapted from Martha Stewart, thanks Martha!)

Cook at 350F

20-25mins

In a big bowl mix the pink highlighted ingredients

Another bowl mix "green" ingredients

Combine dry into wet, mix well

Add "purple" ingredients last

Ingredients for Muffins:

4 ripe bananas

1c light brown sugar

1/2c canola oil

1 large egg(for vegans you can replace with extra mashed bananas, 1/4c applesauce, or Ener-g(egg replacer) 

1c all-purpose flour

1c whole wheat flour

1tsp baking soda

1tsp baking powder

1/2tsp salt

1/2c light sour cream (for vegans use Tofutti Sour Supreme)

1TB pure vanilla extract

1/3c semi-sweet chocolate

 Soy Milk Chocolate Ganache

1c semi-sweet chocolate chopped

1/4c soy milk

1tsp brown rice syrup

Don't want to brag but these muffins are pretty dang good. Even as I write this post my face is covered in chocolate ganache. I'll admit it puts me in succhhh a gooood moooodddd... Might even study..maybe.

Until next time!

Munch, munch, munch.

I'm still not here...

My recent trip to London and Paris. 

Already missing it.

With the memories that linger I shall daydream until we meet again.

The Epitome of Summer Salad

92 degrees..slowly dying..

Zucchini ribbons

Cherry Tomatoes

Corn

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Garlic

Walnuts

Fleur De Sel

Pepper

Toss

& eat.

No Words..

....can describe how amazing my trip was. Here are a couple of pictures of my London trip. I'm still so stuffed from all the delicious eats. I can't wait to go back. Thank you London and Paris for making me so happy and for making my tummy smile.

Big Ben at night. Doesn't it look like a postcard?

Possible the yummiest freakin scone I've ever ate. Clotted cream I love you.

Gotta have the chips.

Never knew fish and chips could taste so heavenly. Mushy peas is a must!

Only if you knew..

 Just a simple breakfast after a long night of pubs.

Up next my Paris trip.. Stay tuned!

Cheers, xo

stay tuned...

Hello my lovely, glittery, rainbow filled blog world. Sorry I haven't been posting much food lately..having the jumbled, uninspired, too much on my plate syndrome.... Luckily my Europe trip is around the corner and I will be back with new ideas, recipes, pictures, and LOVE. So don't miss me too much for I will be back in two weeks. Stay tuned for my soon to come picture explosion! Love you all. See ya later alligators.

ps: I don't think you guys know how much your love and continuous support has affected me. =) Thank you!

worth a thousand words...

San Francisco Hugs

San Diego Kisses

xoxo

Happy Thursday

I spent the whole day doing nothing..it felt great.

Happy day to you and you and you!

Red Lobster

So I learned a very valuable lesson yesterday. If you are selling at a flea market, you should, no wait, you MUST wear sun block. It is not only advised, it is necessary. Especially when it's 100 degrees outside. Sigh... I am currently a red lobster. A very, very in pain red lobster. So I guess it's surprising I made muffins this morning. Every time I opened the oven and the blaring heat touched my skin..ouch..not cool (literally)..but the end result was definitely worth it. These muffins, these magnificent muffins are not only scrumptious but they are also vegan. Mmm happy day!

 Vegan Whole Wheat Banana and Blueberry Muffins

2c whole wheat flour

1TB baking powder

1/2tsp sea salt

1/3c organic cane sugar

1/3c light brown sugar

2 ripe bananas(mashed)

1tsp vanilla

1c soy milk

1c frozen blueberries

streusel topping

1/3c rolled oats

2TB whole wheat flour

4TB brown sugar

3TB Earth Balance butter, room temperature, cut into little pieces.

1tsp cinnamon

wet into dry,

line muffin tin, put mix 3/4 to the top, and topped with streusel topping.

Bake at 400 degrees f

For 20 mins

Enjoy happy people!

Cupcakes With Mad Vegan Steez

I am seriously cocoNUTS about these cupcakes. I am giving myself an intense pat on the back for my first attempt on vegan cupcakes. How can a cupcake be moist, buttery, creamy, soft without using eggs, butter, and milk? Well my friends, it can be done.
Here's the proof.

This was suppose to be a one biter picture..but it ended up being 3-4 bites. Yes, it's that good!

Coconut Cupcakes

1 3/4c all purpose flour

1c sugar

1tsp baking powder

1tsp baking soda

1/2tsp salt

1c coconut milk( the key that unlocks the amazingness of these cupcakes)

1/2c canola oil

2TB vanilla extract

1TB apple cider vinegar

Coconut glaze

1/2c coconut milk

1/4c powdered sugar

1/4c sweetened shredded coconut

1tsp vanilla

Bake at 350F for 15-20mins. You can check if it's done with a toothpick.

Top with toasted shredded coconut.

Now waiting for my ice cream to set so I can make some gnarly sundaes! Today is a great day!!

Happy chow chow time to you all!

Literary Bliss..

Since this is The Happiness Space I guess it's only right to tell you one of the many things that brings me true and utter happiness..Books. As you can tell I am really into cooking books, books about chefs, umm.. anything about FOOD. Seriously, this is my version of crack...Oh, by the way how awesome are libraries? Free books..yeah definitely loves that.

Anyhoo, I just wanted to share that with ya'll. 

Happy day to you!

Back Attack

Whoa, just realized I spent the WHOLE day in the kitchen...Anyways, I recently attended, or actually helped out a friend whom is a wedding planner, Catherine Cindy Leo Weddings (click on her name to check her out she's absolutely amazing), for a 600 people wedding. The whole menu consisted of vegetarian and vegan yummy goodness. The appetizer and dinner was an Indian buffet, and the extravagant dessert table catered by Jamaica's Cakes was filled with various cakes and brownies that were..wait for it... ALL VEGAN! They even had Cool Haus (gourmet ice cream sandwiches) cater! Oh my goodness!! I seriously ate so much I thought I was going to pop! After the event I became truly inspired to start baking vegan desserts, and also try my hand at homemade ice cream. Cool Haus seriously had the most amazing flavors like fig and balsamic with mascarpone..drool..I can't wait to start experimenting. I hope I come up with some good combos.

Here are some awesome pictures of the vegan dessert station.

 cheesecake with blueberry topping, red velvet cupcakes, carrot cupcakes, white chocolate strawberries, and brownies with white chocolate chunks...ALL VEGAN!!

Did I mention the 4 tiered cake was also vegan???

Uh oh I'm starting to crave cake..need distractions..Oh yeah, let's talk about what I had for lunch. I had to make a quick stop at Trader Joe's and came across black figs, and whole wheat pizza dough. It seriously seemed like a sign..I almost could hear a faint voice from the sky saying.. "make pizza Liz." 

So I did.

Whole wheat pizza dough, caramelized onions, goat cheese, black figs. 

To finish it off I reduced some balsamic vinegar, and drizzled it on top. I also drizzled a little bit of extra virgin olive oil.

A simple salad to accompany the pizza. 

 Crispy crust, creamy goat cheese, the sweet balance of roasted figs, and the acidity from the caramelized onions. Mmmm Mmmm.