crispy peanut butter cups // toasted coconut

Peanut Butter Cups are one of Justin's most favorite candies. He can polish off a bag without thinking twice. Peanut Butter Cups are super easy to make, for an added twist I included some of his favorite chocolate crisp cereal and toasted coconut.

I was able to enjoy a total of one peanut butter cup - the rest were gone within 2 days of making this batch.

The perfect little sweet treat for New Years Eve.

Summer Breakfast in Bed with Boll & Branch

 Is there anything more relaxing than lounging in bed and having a lazy Sunday morning reading and starting the day off slow? The answer is yes. Breakfast in Bed is what I'm talking about. It is even better when someone else makes you breakfast and delivers it up to you like the Queen or King  you are. I remember making my Mom breakfast in bed on Mothers Day growing up and thought is was the most special thing my Sister and I could do for her.

chocolate peanut butter protein bars

Justin and I have made a stronger effort these past couple of month's to be a little more aware of what we are putting into our bodies. It is easy to get lazy and shrug off exercise or to rely on vegan convenience foods for lunch and dinner. We know what healthy choices we should be making but we don't always. It was time for us to drag ourselves out of our current routine and create a new one. We have started to become more active each day, Justin set up a pretty awesome home workout area for us in the basement and I have made a more concerted effort to avoid as many vegan convenience foods as possible - circling back to a more whole foods plant based approached.

We also have abstained from drinking - Justin for over a month as a bit of a reset and myself, I am still sticking with it- just an occasional drink on a special occasion (I mean come on, I couldn't miss out on my amazing Sangria for book club!). These little changes and tweaks have given both of us more energy, better nights sleep and overall in a better mood.

chocolate chip coconut muffins // almond flour + walnuts

It is finally feeling like Summer here in New Hampshire and I'm loving it! Aside from the massive amounts of black flies, mosquitoes and ticks it has been pretty awesome spending as much time outside as we possibly can. Our morning hikes have turned into a hiking and swatting session with creatively made head gear about  half way through the hike with whatever piece of clothing we can bear to lose. I am pretty certain we are going to invest in those crazy screened in hats or learn to outrun the bugs. Hopefully this bug season will be short lived - fingers + toes crossed!

chocolate chip cookies // dates + almond flour

Chocolate chip cookies are the number one dessert request in our house - hands down they are Justin's favorite cookie. He would have no problem eating cookies for breakfast, lunch and dinner....come to think of it he sometimes does. Years ago, when we first started dating he bought me a Kitchen Aide Stand Mixer under the one condition that I bake him chocolate chip cookies once a week. I didn't quite live up to that promise, it's more like once a month, sometimes every other week in the Fall + Winter months.

peanut butter cheesecake // chocolate drizzle

Can we just stop and take a moment to drool over this cheesecake- is it not gorgeous or what!

Dessert is suppose to be showstopping, that is part of the fun of making dessert- that and tasting delicious.

Peanut Butter + Chocolate // enough said.

holiday cookie box : white chocolate + cinnamon macadamia cookies

Cookies are one of the best parts of the Holiday Season. Each year I bake up around 6 different Christmas Treats  for my cookie boxes that are delivered to friends and family. I try not to repeat any cookies from the last Christmas cookie box so coming up with new cookies every year has been a personal challenge + a pretty tasty one at that too.

These cookies are a definite winner- they are super easy to make, taste incredible and you make a decent amount in one batch.

chocolate chip coconut waffles

The only waffles I ever knew growing up were of the frozen variety. A waffle iron, what's that?  

It  was  my other half , Justin that convinced me I needed a waffle iron in my life. Let me tell you, he was so right, I had no idea what I was missing out on all those years. There's just something about making your own waffles that is super satisfying. The  best part about making waffles at home is deciding what's going in the batter.  When I received my Pacific Foods Coconut Milk I absolutely knew I had to make something with chocolate (I mean coconut + chocolate together is heaven), chocolate and coconut in waffle form, now that's a winner!

chocolate pear hazelnut smoothie {giveaway}

Can you believe how quickly June is flying by? It feels like yesterday I was getting pumped for non dairy month, planning what to wear to Matt & Mitzie's wedding and gearing up for the 30 day ab challenge. Amazingly the wedding was this weekend & fabulous! I am heading towards the 100+ sit up mark in the challenge and this is my last smoothie post for non dairy month.

almond sea salt chocolate chunk cookies

There are few things in life that I love more than chocolate chip cookies. These are by far my favorite, the added oats give you a boost of fiber and the dark chocolate sea salt almond chocolate is a game changer – these are a must make on a Sunday afternoon!

When Justin bought me my Kitchen Aide Mixer our deal was I would make him chocolate chip cookies once a week...needless to say I don't make chocolate chip cookies once a week, maybe once a month if he is lucky - making them a little less often makes us appreciate them a little more plus I am still able to fit into my jeans- that is a very good thing .

pb coco banana smoothie

Justin and I recently completed a three day Juice Cleanse designed by Jus by Julie- there was a pretty awesome deal on Groupon so I snapped it up in a hurry. I have done juice fasts in the past but have always gone the homemade route. Honestly, having the juices shipped to me and ready to go was pretty amazing and a total time saver. Many of the Juices can be easily recreated at home- two of my favorites were Peanut Butter Banana & Island Coconut. This is my version of the Peanut Butter Banana- let me tell you, it is totally addicting!

peanut butter donuts // chocolate pb frosted

 

I cannot begin to tell you the heartache associated with these donuts ; much like the brownie fiasco of 2013 this recipe took multiple times to get just right...like so many times that Justin sighed and grumbled every time he asked me "whatcha baking" and I replied "...donuts". Now don't get me wrong, he loved the first two times I whipped up a batch, however I probably have made at least 6 batches of donuts within the past 2 months. Let me share with you what I have learned on this doughnut making adventure.

almond butter truffles

Oh my gosh, where did the time go? I thought I was ahead of the game, but alas Valentines Day is tomorrow and I am just getting around to sharing this amazing almond butter truffle with you. Lucky for you these are incredibly easy to make, so easy you could whip up a batch tonight or tomorrow afternoon just in time to share with your loved ones. 

farina // hot cereal 3 ways

It wasn't until I met Justin that I learned to love hot cereals- I am pretty certain I had only had oatmeal from a packet once in my life prior to my early twenties.  We were a cold cereal, doughnut & the "big" breakfast type family with the occasional cinnamon toast or peanut butter English muffin thrown in for good measure. Growing up, hot cereal was a staple for Justin's family; creamy oatmeal and chocolaty farina were favorites.

coconut chocolate chip banana bread {gf}

OMG whoever said gluten free baked goods are dry, crumbly and lack the amazing taste and texture that their traditional counterparts have, was so wrong. This gluten free banana bread is incredible; moist, flavorful and so freakin' good! Chocolate, banana's, flaked coconut make a drool & lust worthy gluten free banana bread. Once you have eaten the entire loaf you will be so very sad it is gone and wonder why you were so nice and shared a piece or two with your friends. Next time, you will be certain to make a loaf for you and a loaf for your friend.

chocolate cake ~ salted "caramel" frosting

Oh man I am so sorry about the less than stellar photo- I had the best intentions of styling and photographing this cake in a more traditional manner, however time and the day got away from me. This cake was just too good not to share with you. I have made this cake on a few different occasions and it always comes out perfect- a no fail chocolate cake. We all need one of those in our lives.

pumpkin pistachio brownies // espresso glaze

Let me tell you about these brownies- they are super delish and fudgy and it only took me 4 times to get the recipe spot on for you. Justin was so tired of eating brownies, I thought he was going to start chucking brownies at me if I made another batch. The boy loves him some brownies but 4 times in a span of 3 weeks was a little much- honestly one pan of  brownies that were a little on the dry side found its way into the trash can. My last batch turned out perfectly, not too moist, not too dry just perfect chocolate brownie goodness.

pb + chocolate pudding parfaits

May flew by, it is hard to believe the start of a new month begins this weekend. With the start of this upcoming month comes warmer weather, growing gardens and lazy weekends (keeping my fingers crossed for all three!). June also kicks off the start of summer farmers markets, lake swimming & finalizing summer plans. I for one am looking forward to this summer- my garden has been started, the seedlings that have been babied throughout the cold early spring months are almost ready to make their garden debut . I am especially ready for the kitchen inspiration summer brings. Truthfully, inspiration has been hard to find these last few months - rather motivation, my focus has been on the garden and all things to do with the outside. 

DIY kitchen series: chocolate hazelnut spread "nutella"

Before going vegan, Justin loved his nutella. He was a little crushed when he found out nutella is not, in fact vegan. Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter just didn't cut it. There are loads of "make your own" nutella recipes on the web, I would like to share with you my version, well actually 2 versions. One of which is raw and the other not. Both are a tad healthier than your traditional nutella recipe- no need to feel guilty going back for seconds!

Welcome to the #5 in the DIY Kitchen Series: Chocolate Hazelnut Spread aka "nutella"

maple peanut butter chocolate tart

I am a sucker for a pretty dessert - give me a mug of steaming hot Chai and pretty plated dessert and I'm in 7th heaven.  Beautiful desserts don't need to take a lot of time to create, sometimes the simplest of desserts are the most pleasing to the eye. Take this tart for example - minimal ingredients, no refined sugar, a  helping of healthier than average ingredients plus pretty plates and you have yourself a super awesome dessert that plates up even prettier. I love desserts that look like a lot of effort but can be made in no time at all.

This here is one of those desserts -  plus this is totally a Mother's Day worthy dessert if I ever did see one