back to basics ~ trail mix

The Fall is an incredibly beautiful yet busy time for me- between work and fitting in all the amazing Fall fun it can be hard to keep fueled throughout the day. To save the day and to keep from getting HANGRY I tend to keep a container of trail mix with me at all times. It really is the best for everyone involved - a Hangry Heather is not a Happy Heather. 

The easy way out is to purchase a big bag of pre made trail mix, however I like to throw together my own in a mason jar, seriously it is just as easy as buying a bag but better. The mix varies week to week depending on what I have on hand. I like to toss in the lat bits of nuts or seeds, the bottom of the bag so to speak.

back to basics ~ breakfast muffins

Often times mornings can feel a bit rushed leaving you with little or no time for Breakfast. These nutritious muffins are a perfect way to start your day.  A grab and go breakfast that can be made ahead of time helping to fuel your day when you are short on time.

back to basics ~ tofu scramble

Sometimes it is nice just to get back to the basics, not every meal needs to be extravagant or take hours to make.  Today I am sharing with you a very basic tofu scramble recipe that is a staple recipe in our house. From this recipe you can get as creative as you want- throw in some salsa, shredded swiss char, baby spinach or just serve it up as is. This is also the base of my homemade breakfast burritos - tofu scramble, dice red potatoes, diced up vegan bacon and vegan cheddar cheese. I wrap these up in a large flour tortilla, then in foil and allow them to cool prior to serving.

back to basics ~ avocado toasts

If you find yourself looking for a  savory breakfast or healthy afternoon snack this avocado toast has you covered.  Aside from being super simple to make, it’s packed with healthy fats from the avocado and only takes minutes to prepare; it’s a win - win for all.

pumpkin granola // pistachio + coconut

Before November is up Imma going to squeeze one last pumpkin recipe in before we are hit with the onslaught of all things Christmas.

A recipe over thanksgiving only called for a bit of pumpkin puree- I found myself with leftover puree and decided to put it to good use. First with this granola and second with an awesome pot of soup which I posted over on instagram.

pumpkin pie muffins // coconut + brown sugar

This recipe was originally suppose to be something completely different but I procrastinated and cherry season came and went. But, I am pretty happy I dragged my feet- if I didn't I am not sure these muffins would have ever come to be. 

These muffins in my book are perfect- everything a muffin should be. Sweet, but not overly so, big and fluffy with the perfect muffin top.

spicy pumpkin soup // pepitas + white beans

I would eat soup everyday if Justin wasn't around- especially this time of year. Fall SCREAMS " It's soup seasoooooon, pull out your sweaters, wellies and leggings and cozy on up with a hot bowl of soup weather" alongside of course all things pumpkin. This recipe combines both my Fall loves - soup season + pumpkin. 

coconut cranberry bread // coffee glaze

Every year for as long as I can remember my Aunt Nancy makes Cranberry Bread for Thanksgiving, Christmas + Easter, her cranberry bread is the anchor among the cream cheese filled celery sticks and olives that serve as our pre dinner snack  alongside bowls of "crack your own" nuts and cashews. For 20 years I thought her cranberry bread was homemade......people, I was deceived. Our entire family was deceived, our beloved cranberry bread was from a box. I was heartbroken.

When Paradise Meadow brand by Decas Cranberry Products, Inc reached out to see if I would like to bake with their new Julienne cooking + Baking Cranberries  I jumped at the chance. I thought, move over boxed cranberry bread, there's a new bread in town ready to take over the Holidays.

spinach herb mac n' cheeze // field roast sausage crumble

This moving + renovating business is crazy! Isn't there a magic wand that I could simply wave and have everything back to normal? Making dinner let alone blogging has been a challenge these past couple of months // I have no idea where any of my photo props are, we are still sleeping in our front media room and the upstairs is in full on reno mode....which means no office or computer set up just yet. However, this mac n' cheeze recipe is just too delish not to share with you all, it is the perfect intro into Fall and coming cooler months. Our reno is right on track, so I should be up and running full force by the end of September if not sooner.

( I cannot wait, you can totally check out my instagram feed for house pics too if you a nosy like I am when it comes to other peoples homes!)

anadama bread

When I was probably around 10 or so there was an amazing bakery located in a building that my Uncle owned, it was about a 10 minute walk or so to the bakery from our House. I remember the Baker/Owner was younger, had a wonky eye and always had on his floured covered white bakers apron when he greeted us. 

The one thing that stands out in this memory was his Anadama Bread- my Mom and I would make special trips to the Bakery just for a loaf of his Anadama. The bread was incredible and to this day nothing compares. My Anadama comes close, but its not the original from my Childhood memories.

harvest menu ~ Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving is a grande event in our home - the day is filled with amazing food, incredible family, cocktails + games. It is the one Holiday that we stand firm on spending at home, of course our doors are open to anyone open to a compassionate Thanksgiving.

I wanted to share with you our Harvest Menu for our early Thanksgiving celebration this coming weekend, hopefully you will find some inspiration for one or two compassionate dishes to share at your holiday table:

Our Harvest Day Menu
Farmhouse Rolls with Maple Butter
Winter Squash + Quinoa Rissoles over Greens
Cranberry Chutney
Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mashed Red Bliss Potatoes
Garlicky Green Beans
Cider Maple Glazed Carrots
Field Roast + Mushroom Stuffing
Gravy
Pumpkin Cake + Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Mini Cheesecakes
Hermit Woods Harvest Apple Wine (local!)

Keep on reading for some amazing Thanksgiving Day inspiration!
(simply roll over the recipe title + click for recipe!}

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).

cinnamon apple pecan pull apart bread

My inspiration and creativity comes and goes- ebbs + flows. I can pick out patterns throughout my years of blogging and see where my creativity was at its peak during certain months and at other times not. Not only was this Summer incredibly busy I just never felt fully inspired, it was to the point that Justin was wondering if I had given up on blogging all together.

My inspiration and creativity change with each passing season. 

This time of year is one of my favorites, it' just so happens to be the time of year I feel most creative.

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.

maple peanut butter apple tarts

Apple Picking is forever a battle in our house- to simply put it Justin is not a fan of Apple Picking and I totally am, however he was totally into these tarts which is a rarity as he is not big on apples.

Lucky for me, my Girlfriend has a weird boyfriend that doesn't like apple pie or any cooked apples matter of fact, but likes apple picking so she had a ton of apples for the taking. I was totally all over her offer when she told me she had some to spare!

spiked pumpkin "nog" + cinnamon whipped cream

I had never experienced eggnog prior to meeting Justin, as I may have mentioned before, growing up we never ate anything that my Mom + Dad didn't eat- my Mom was a pretty finicky eater and my Dad's only real dislike are peas (even chickpeas!) + lima beans. Needless to say they were never on the eggnog band wagon.

Justin on the other hand loved it! He introduced me to eggnog spiked with rum one Thanksgiving, I fell hard and fast in love with the slightly sweet creamy spiked nog.....for a total of one day. You see, we celebrated a bit early while I was cooking our HUGE Thanksgiving Feast, needless to say neither of us enjoyed our Thanksgiving Dinner on the day it was made, we were so full and pumped up on Eggnog there was no room left for anything else. 

When we became Vegans Eggnog, of course was out for the both of us. 

Until we came across Justin's favorite Holiday Beverage veganized!

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.

pumpkin cake + maple cream cheese frosting

YAY for all things pumpkin! 

Bring cake into the picture and you have a winner. 

The frosting, well the frosting is a total game changer. Just sweet enough and oh so creamy; if you are not a fan of overly sweet + sugary frosting's this one is for you!

A super simple cake that looks really impressive- no joke, 1 bowl for the cake + 1 bowl for the frosting. 

Making just enough cake to share.

pumpkin seed panzanella

I know what you must be thinking "Giiiirl you crazy, Summer's over, get yo'self some pumpkin"- hear me out, it haaaaas pumpkin seeds! Even though Summer is officially over my garden is still producing pints of cherry tomatoes, peppers and basil. So, it's not too late to get on the panzanella wagon, with a little fall flair that is. 

Come on, bread, basil + tomatoes, what's not to love?

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