chikn' noodle soup // miso + nooch

Ahhhh March, the transitional month between Winter and Spring.  A month that doesn't quite know what it wants. One day it is 60 degrees, gorgeous, birds are singing and trees are beginning to wake up. Just kidding, Winter is back with over a foot of snow, crazy winds and frigid temps. Seriously this is the worst month in New England, when all you crave is spring weather but you get crazy snow storms instead. So, on those March snow days you simply hunker down with your generator on stand by, a fully charged kindle, pull out the old blue rays you haven't watched in forever and make a huge batch of chickn' noodle soup.

Chikn' noodle soup seriously makes everything better.

blueberry jam // preserving summer

The first preserving session of the season happened this past weekend and it was awesome. We have this little blueberry stand down the road from us, Murphy's Blueberries and we stock up anytime we see pints of blueberries displayed in the little blue cart on the side of the road. Mrs. Murphy is exactly how I pictured her to be, the cutest little old lady that sports a house dress and apron who goes to Church on Sunday's. with Mr. Murphy. They have the best blueberries and raspberries in town, and now that Justin and I are settled into our new home I actually have time for preserving this year! 

There is nothing better than opening up a jar of homemade jam in the dead of winter. 

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!

red curry soup // rice noodles + coconut

This type of meal is all me- Justin would not touch this with a 10' pole. For some reason he has an aversion to coconut milk in anything other than curry.

I am a sucker for rice noodles in any which way you want to serve them up // I love them in soups, a stir fry and spring rolls. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

loaded hash brown waffles // Mastro Co.

Weekend breakfasts are the best.  When we are not having pancakes we are most definitely having breakfast sandwiches. Alongside our breakfast sandwiches we always have some form of breakfast potato. Justin loves to tell me about how his Mom would always use their waffle maker for sandwiches and pie pockets - then he proceeds to ask me why I don't use my waffle iron for more than just waffles- that got me thinking. Justin loves shredded potato hash browns and I am more of a home-fry girl with peppers and onions, this is the perfect combination of the two. And the perfect way to put my waffle iron to use for more than just waffles.

coconut cacao nib oatmeal // date sugar + chia

One look at my instagram feed and it is totally obvious that I am a fan of breakfast. 

Breakfast is just so much fun! Everything from smoothies to tofu scrambles, pancakes and cinnamon rolls always have a place on my breakfast table.

During the winter months I crave a warm hearty breakfast. Oatmeal is one of my many go to winter breakfasts. 

A warm, filling and easy way to start the day on a good note.

greens + quinoa salad // chao cheese crisps

Oh my, it seems like forever since I last posted. Life has become so busy I can barely keep up, let alone keep track of myself. 

Have you ever bought + sold a house at the same time? Let me tell you, it is not fun - we are in the midst of doing just that and my stress level has never been higher. If you know me, I like to be in control and this process has proven to be one of unknowns and working on other peoples timelines - all of which is out of my direct control. Going through this process has also made me realize I am not a person cut out to move - seriously I hope I never have to do this again.

However, in the end it will be all worth the stress, worry and hopefully soon excitement.

book review: Happy Healthy Vegan Kitchen // recipe + giveaway

I remember the very first time I came across Kathy's amazing blog, I was researching Macro Bowls and her gorgeous vegan macro bowl was among the search. I clearly remember how gorgeous the photos were and it was the first time that tempeh ever looked tempting.

Kathy has this warmth that just exudes from every post she writes, this warmth and happy living is also super evident in her latest vegan cook book - Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen. This cookbook is for everyone, however she has an amazing section in the book that focuses on Kitchen Tools + a Vegan Pantry, along with some pretty awesome wellness tips. When I first started in the Kitchen I always found these sections to be incredibly useful.

DIY kitchen series: instant oatmeal // 3 ways

Lately, life has been crazy- in a good way. We are coming up on our busiest time of year at work, which means Summer is just around the corner. Our house will be going on the market towards the end of May, which is a scary and exciting time all rolled in one. Little side projects, both personal + professional have been popping up all over the place.

I like to save time anywhere I can, even if it's just shaving 5-10 minutes off of my morning routine. During my teenage years I was a breakfast skipper, actually, I was a terrible eater in general (hello Swedish fish, Pizza Hut bread sticks + Little Debbie snacks for lunch!). Growing up I have learned to appreciate and look forward to breakfast. During the work week I rely on quick and easy breakfasts, instead of buying pre - mixed instant oatmeal which can get a little pricey, I have learned to make my own. Today, I am going to share with you my three favorite mixes, they take very little effort and gives you a quick breakfast for the week.

cashew ice cream blizzards // cookie dough

I love, love, LOVE ice cream. I'll take ice cream over cake any day of the week. Growing up I would always ask for the smallest slice of cake and double the ice cream. For my birthday, starting in 4th grade, I always had a non cake birthday "cake" - giant cookies, ice cream cake, cupcakes.

My love for cashew based ice creams started just recently, at my local winter farmers market I was introduced to a local ice creamery that produces only cashew based vegan ice creams - it was love at first bite. When So Delicious contacted me to try out their new cashew based ice creams I was like, ummmmmm YES PLEASE! And let me tell you, these ice creams are like heaven on a spoon- no lie, they are so, so incredible.

raw "cookie" dough balls

After dinner I am always in need of  a little something sweet. It can be anything - a square of sea salted almond chocolate, a cookie or spoonful of nut butter. 

For a while now I have been addicted to little raw cookie dough balls- they are dangerously easy to make, as in anytime I feel like something a little sweet I can throw these together in no time. The beauty of these little cookie dough balls, they give you that little sweet something while staying pretty good for you at the same time.

It's a win win!

cinnamon maple pecan butter

Nut butters are pretty amazing, am I right?! I love making my own from scratch, they are super easy to whip up, the most difficult part is waiting for the nuts to turn into butter. When I received my new Magimix (see my review here)  I knew the first two things I wanted to make: smoothies + nut butter. 

I had never made pecan butter before and wanted to give it a whirl- this nut butter is so soft and creamy // a total dream. 

crispy tofu noodle bowl

Does anyone else ever get super excited to have a day to themselves just so they can eat what they want- it doesn't even have to be a full day, just one meal any given day where all the choice is up to you. I sometimes secretly get excited when Justin tells me he is going to a friends house for "Guy Night" or on Saturday's when he has to work and I don't.....yeah I miss him, buuuuut him being gone for a short amount of time means I get to have whatever I want for breakfast, lunch, dinner. Justin and I don't see eye to eye on all food choices, he is pretty open to most things but I have a tendency to get strong random cravings for certain dishes when he could take it or leave it. 

However, I was really surprised when he was bummed that he missed out on this noodle bowl - I totally thought this would not be "his thing" and I ate it all and didn't save him even a taste {sad face}.

book review: but i could never go vegan! {bonus recipe!}

I first started following keepin' it kind from the very beginning, like many I just knew Kristy + Chris were destined for something big. Heading over to the blog feels like sitting with an old friend; I love the voice she brings to those without one, her compassion and Chris's photography // just amazing. They bring so much brightness to the world, I was beyond excited when I learned they would be coming out with a cookbook. Seriously, could the title be any more spot on!

sweet + spicy roasted chickpeas

You guyssss!  Oh wow, just WOW - these chickpeas are so freakin' amazing.

A little sweet, just the right amount of heat and so easy to make!

This is good vegan eating on the cheap - super inexpensive and wicked versatile.

sweet potato minestrone // chickpeas + pesto

Happy New Year!
Have you set your intentions for the new year? Each year I compile a life list; on one side I list out goals or intentions for the coming year , on the other side future long term goals and intentions.

I typically have these thought out way in advance, this year is a bit different. 2014 came and went so quickly I feel as though I'm just beginning to breathe again.

Intentions for 2015 // more whole plant based foods- less "vegan" junk food + processed foods // regain confidence + consistency in my yoga practice  // redefine + rediscover the purpose of this blog + what it means to me + direction // design our dream home

This soup is perfect to kick off the New Year - whole plant food goodness + loads of flavor, easy to make a batch for a week's worth of healthy lunches.

winter squash + quinoa rissoles

Thanksgiving is my all time favorite Holiday, I think you will find this true with most food obsessed people, it is an entire day of giving thanks and stuffing your face full of mouthwatering, carb loaded food, while wearing stretchy pants and not saving room for dessert but eating it anyway, then passing out in a food coma- sounds about right, doesn't it? 

So it was a no brainer when NOW Foods contacted me to participate in their smart swap holiday challenge- creating a holiday themed recipe with a "health halo" using NOW Foods product.

Since I am going to be in the Caribbean this Thanksgiving we are celebrating a little earlier than usual. I am sad/not sad I won't be home for Thanksgiving, but couldn't pass up making my huge spread as usual, which, of course always includes a "main course" - this year the centerpiece on our table are these beautiful winter squash + quinoa rissoles, which just so happens to be gluten free as well as vegan

 (with plain pecans, not honey roasted).

smokey pumpkin tempeh veggie burgers

Regardless of the time of year, Justin and I love a good veggie burger. They are quick, easy and can be loaded with tons veggie goodness. 

When it comes to veggie burgers the possibilities are truly endless - homemade veggie burgers typically freeze well making it an awesome mid week go to when you don't have time to "cook". Make a batch over the weekend and freeze the rest to enjoy throughout the month.

Iv'e mentioned a few times my love for savory pumpkin dishes and this one totally fits the bill in both savory + pumpkin departments.

spicy pumpkin black bean chili

One of my favorite things about Autumn is Chili- big steaming bowls of spicy chili with a side of cornbread or tortilla chips. Our first bowl marks the start of the season and will continue on throughout the cold winter months- to say it is a weekly occurrence is an understatement , it is definitely a weekend tradition.

diy: canning at home

For those who have never canned it can seem like a pretty scary undertaking. I won't lie, it definitely takes time, but scary...not in the least. I have been canning salsa, tomato sauce, jams and pickles for about 8 years- once you have a few of the basics down, canning can be fun and a pretty seamless process. 

You only get better and more efficient with experience. Believe me, I have had Jam over boil on the stove top (not fun), scalding hot water down my arm and leg and a few other disasters- but they never caused me to give up on canning.

You know why?  

Because there is nothing better than opening a can of jam or sauce in the dead of Winter that you put up yourself- you can almost taste Summer.

So today, I'd like to share with you a few helpful tips, tricks and resources that will make canning a little less scary for those looking to preserve the Summer harvest for the first time