Currently Craving: Bamboo

I am loving these kitchen essentials from TruBamboo!

"TruBamboo is an award-winning eco-friendly company known for its dedication to form and style. TruBamboo's Columbian designer aims to achieve harmony between both beauty and performance. The result is functional kitchen décor produced with only hand-sorted grade "A" bamboo. Superior quality artisan construction is expressed through the use of rich detailing and hand finishing for best in class fit, finish and function."

Not only are these housewares beautiful and sustainable, they are also going to help me keep a little green in the bank! Right now they are on sale over at HauteLook and NOTHING is over $20...how can I resist? 

Basics Collection Dish Rack

 One of my goals is to not use the dishwasher, as much. This will be the perfect rack for drying my dishes after I hand wash them! 

Basics Collection Square Caddy with Six Utensils

Basics Collection Cheese Board with Stainless Steel and Bamboo Utensils

 Perfect for entertaining new friends at my new home! 

Circa Collection Cutting Board with TruGrip Feet

Basics Collection Folding Banana Hanger

And last but certainly not least...

These will keep my Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oats and Flours fresh, fresh, fresh! And are much more attractive then the rubber-bands and Ziploc bags I'm currently using. 

**Now these are $35...but you get all three, so it's just a little under $12 for each!**

Round Storage Containers with Silicone Lining- Set of 3 

{all images found here}

WIAW Numero Dos!

**Check out my Spring Fling Giveaway!!**

 

It's that time again!

Leave it to me, to forget to take a picture of my lunch on WIAW....figures!



Breakfast: Egg White and Veggie "Muffin", 1/2 Sweet Potato with a Sprinkle of Cinnamon and a cup of Vanilla Biscotti Coffee

 Snacks: Blueberries, Veggies and Hummus, and an Apple

 

Supper: Trader Joe's Cilantro Lime Chicken burger topped with Salsa, Sauteed Cabbage, and Tomato slices with a 1/2 avocado

This weeks WIAW is also Gluten Free!

 Tomorrow I'll have an update on the Cleanse and Mediation Challenge!

On a side note, did anyone watch American Idol tonight?

My friend Elise, is competing! She rocked!

Currently Craving: Maxi Style Dresses

 

1. In the Abstract Dress  

2. Botanical Crossway Dress

3. Nautical Dreaming Chemise

4. Ardisia Maxi Dress

A Recipe Sure to Clear your Sinus'

A and I don't really experiment very often with "meat alternatives"...don't get me wrong, I love a good veggie burger or some Boca crumbles but other than that we don't really venture out. Well, I decided this week to break out of that box, one can not live off beans and salad alone! A is a spicy food fanatic and when I saw the recipe for Buffalo Tempeh in Appetite for Reduction, I knew we had a winner. What could satisfy a hungry-mans craving for Buffalo Chicken Wings better?
The tempeh filled me up for hours without weighing me down. It was full of flavor and A even asked if there was going to be leftovers for his lunch the next day. I love when that happens!

If anyone has had any reservations about tempeh or any other meat alternatives, I highly recommend you try this recipe. Its simple, quick and delicious! 

Buffalo Tempeh

8 ounces tempeh, cut into wedges

Marinade: 

1/2 cup vegetable broth

1/2 cup Cayenne hot sauce

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons dried oregano

To create tempeh wedges: Slice the tmpheh in half across the waist. Slice the rectangles in half. You'll have four rectangles. Slice each rectangle corner to corner. The resulting triangular wedges are great for baking, grilling or sauteing. 

Steam the tempeh for 5 minutes, this will loosen the tempeh up and get it ready to absorb the marinade flavors.

Mix together the marinade ingredients in a medium-size mixing bowl. When the tempeh is done steaming, immediately transfer it to the marinade. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes, up to an hour. 

Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spray the pan with a bit of nonstick cooking spray. Add the tempeh slices and reserve the marinade. Cook the tempeh for 10 minutes, flipping it often, until it has browned a bit. Add the remaining sauce and turn up the heat to high. Let the liquid boil and cook down for about 5 minutes. That's all!! 

While the tempeh was marinading I also whipped up a batch of Cool Slaw. The creamy cashews made this dish the perfect companion to Buffalo Tempeh.

Being from the Georgia-Carolina area I love a nice vinegar-mustard flavor with my BBQ...the Cool Slaw had just the right amount of each and a touch of agave nectar really enhanced the flavor. 

The best part of this meal are the nutritional facts:

Cool Slaw Buffalo Tempeh Calories 60 130 Calories from Fat 25 20 Total Fat 2.5 g 2.5 g Total Carb 7 g 18 g Fiber 2 g 5 g Sugars 3 g 1 g Protein 2 g 9 g

Style for a Steal

SPLURGE

Lanvin Chain Link Bracelet $690

 STEAL

Stella Vintage Link Bracelet $89

Finish the Look

Stella Vintage Link Necklace

Pearl Bouquet Earrings

www.stelladot.com/ashleymegan

Tomorrow...Behold....

I. CAN. NOT. WAIT.

I have been on the edge of my seat after all the Sneak Peaks here, here and here this week!

Currently Craving: Bubbles

Champagne is one of my favorite drinks! I love the *POP* when you open the bottle, the effervescence in the first pour and that giddy feeling from your first glass! The Holiday's always promise the consumption of bubbly but for me I love to celebrate with sparkling beverages year round! Why not right?

For those who do not have as much...lets say...experience with champagne or sparkling wine, (It's only truly champagne if it comes from the region of Champagne, France!) it can be a bit intimidating. Here is a simple guide for choosing your bubbly:

{image from}

Cava: "The Spanish Champagne" Serve with hors d'oeuvres, particularity cheese and crackers.


Cuvée de Prestige: a proprietary blended wine (usually a Champagne) that is considered to be the top of a producer's range. Serve with Asian cuisine, sushi, etc. 


Rosé: Bubbly with the addition of small amounts of Red wine during blending. Serve with shellfish. 


Prosecco: A dry Italian sparkling wine. Serve with chocolate and strawberries. 

The sweetness of a sparkling wine or Champagne ranges from:

• Extra Brut (Brut Sauvage) - Totally dry
• Brut - Dry
• Extra Dry - Medium dry
• Sec - Slightly sweet
• Demi - Sec: Fairly sweet
• Doux - Sweet
  
  

  

  Illustration by Julia Rothman

  **There is a great post about the Past and Present of Champagne over on Design*Sponge. I saw this illustration by Julia Rothman there and just fell in love with it!**
  
  
  
  
  Another festive way to enjoy your bubbly is a Champagne Cocktail! Here are three of my all time favorites:
  
  

  

  {from here}

  
  
  Black Velvet
  4 parts Champagne or sparkling wine to 1 part Guinness beer... Heavenly!!
  
  
  
  
  
  Cattivo
  (This cocktail comes from one of my favorite water holes in PDX, North 45. I want to incorporate this into my wedding and they were kind enough to send me the recipe!)
  1.0 oz Lemoncello (depending on how sweet the cello you may have to adjust)
  0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
  7.0 oz Prosecco (or bubbles of any sort would probably work)
  Garnish with lemon twist or lemon wheel.
  
  
  
  
  
  The Pink Fizzy
  
  
  (From Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook)
  Handful of Pomegranate seeds
  1.0 oz Pomegranate Juice
  1.0 oz Pink Grapefruit Juice
  2.0 oz Champagne or Sparkling Wine

  
  

  Happy New Year!

  Cheers!
  
  
  

  

  
  
  
  

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

We were not planning to have a Christmas tree this year. Being in a little apartment, saving money for the wedding, and having a very curious puppy were all good enough reasons. But A was out of town last week for work and I got bored...so I set out with a $20 limit and little inspiration. 

I Love, Love, Love this Holiday photo shoot for Rue Magazine. Styled and designed by Bash, Please! 

My Charlie Brown (serious budget) version: 

Gary wanted in on the action...

I just got ribbon for a bow to top the tree...

Hopefully I will get it on there before Saturday! 

Currently Craving: Holiday Edition

{Appetite for Reduction}

{Viva Vegan!}

{Vegan Girls Guide to Life}

Currently Craving: Holiday Edition

Excalibur 9 Tray Dehydrator

Oh, I can see the abundance of Kale chips now! 

Vitamix 1700 Turbo Blend 4500 Countertop Blender

For homemade almond butter, hummus, smoothies...the list could go on!

Currently Craving: Holiday Edition

The Anti-bottle! 

What? Why? 

Currently Craving: Holiday Edition

I ♥ T. Swift! 

I love rocking out to her albums every morning on the way to work...I just sing as loud as I can and it is a great way to start the day! 

So, the first item on my Currently Craving Holiday Wish List : Taylor Swifts latest album "Speak Now". 

As Rachel Zoe Would Say

"I Die."

"Ba Nanas."

{brookecourtney.com}

Seriously, I die. I  knew there was good reason for always picking out the bananas. 

One Reason Why I Love Gran-Ma

Cheers!

Currently Craving: Bunting

Love, Love, Love bunting! For weddings, holidays, parties, showers or just everyday! Bunting makes me smile!

{from here}

Love this Dia de Los Muertos bunting from BadBabyQuilts! Yes, I have a *crush* on all things Dia de Los Muertos!

How precious is this bunting from TopThisWedding? The greens, pinks and yellows from these sweet fabrics would be great for a wedding, spring bridal shower or even a baby shower!

And what about this laser cut bunting? I want to have this to hang in my bedroom year round!

{from Rockett St. George}