Wedding Inspiration

Sarah Yates Photography



Sarah Yates Photography


{images from Hitched 2010}

Santa-paws Oatmeal Balls

Gary, being the Southern Gentleman that he is, requested we make a Christmas treat for all of his new friends here in Albuquerque. With all of the chaos, known as December, I needed something quick, easy and delicious! I am pretty sure he has won the hearts of several pups with these Doggie Oaties!

What you will need:

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup applesauce

1 cup peanut butter

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. Roll into bite sized balls and bake on parchment lined baking sheets in a 325℉ for 10 minutes.

{I tried to get festive using Holiday cookie cutters--FAIL--Balls work best!}

After the oaties had cooled we packaged them in individual treat bags for easy Secret Santa (paws) delivery!

And, of course, someone had to test the batch before we set out to spread good cheer!



Yes, Mom, I'll take one more!





Recipe from HEAB!

Gingerbread Houses



found here, here, here and here

Are You Ready for Some Football?!

This time of year brings along several of my favorite things:
● Winter Squash
● Pomegranates
● Bright, Crisp Mornings
● Cozy sweaters and slippers
● The Holidays!!

And of course, FOOTBALL! (Yes, there is a slight hint of sarcasm here!) Now don't get me wrong... I do enjoy football, especially college football, but you know....

**Go Dawgs!!**

Any who, this weekend was dedicated to Football! I promised A that we would just relax and watch football this weekend. So I whipped up a few Football Friendly Munchies for us to enjoy.

Pizza! Pizza!
1 Trader Joe's Pizza Dough
1 cup Pizza sauce
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 bag Daiya cheese
hand full of flour (or cornmeal)
Green chili to taste

Place Trader Joe's Pizza Dough on a lightly floured area.  Let rise for 20 minutes.  Preheat oven to 450˚ (Leave pizza stone in oven to warm so the dough will not stick while cooking). 

Thinly slice peppers and any other toppings you choose. 

Gently knead pizza dough until it is evenly spread across your pizza stone. Distribute pizza sauce around the dough until it is covered. 

Top the pizza with goodies of your choice and Daiya Cheeze! We had Bell Peppers and Green Chili.

Bake for 18-20 minutes. 

And no Football spread is complete without Nachos!

Not-yo-Nachos!
1 Medium bag Tortilla Chips
1 Medium Jalapeno pepper
1 Bag Boca Ground Crumbles
1 Bag Daiya Cheeze
1 Can Pinto Beans (Black beans would be tasty too!) 
Salsa for Garnish

 Preheat oven to 350˚ and line cookie sheet with foil. Evenly distribute Tortilla chips across cookie sheet. 

Finely dice one medium size Jalapeno pepper. 

On the stove, brown "meat" over medium heat. Add Pinto beans. 

Cover chips with "meat" and bean mixture. 

Sprinkle diced jalapeno peppers and cheeze until all chips are covered. 

(oops there it is again...Green Chili! I added this to the top for an extra kick!)

Bake for 10 minutes, then Broil for 2 minutes. 

And for dessert....

Pomegranate! 

Can't wait to top my oatmeal with these lovelies in the morning! 

Enjoy!!

Currently Craving: Something Different...

You might have noticed that Vegan MoFo button over to the right. And you are probably thinking...

"Umm...she's not Vegan! What gives?" 

No, I am not Vegan but I do have a natural curiosity for this lifestyle. A Vegan is someone who chooses not to use or consume animal products, for various reasons. The top three reasons would be FOR the ANIMALS, FOR the ENVIRONMENT and FOR HEALTH.

I have never been someone who consumed meat on a regular basis, especially red meat or pork! (I will share my SAVE THE PIGS story with you later this month!) However my interest in Veganism has grown  ever since I really started researching the health benefits. Primary benefits include weight loss, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, less use of medication, avoiding surgery and cancer and feeling more energized.  

Vegan MoFo, Vegan Month of Food, is a blogger celebration of all things Vegan. Folks will be blogging about all things Vegan for the entire month of November! There are tons of great recipes, kitchen gadgets, restaurants and so and so forth!
Cooking and eating Vegan does mean that all you can eat is salad and beans. There are tons of delicious options out there.... even at your favorite restaurants.
I have been exploring Veganism through books, cookbooks and blogs. Vegan at Heart and The Kind Life are two blogs that I have found to be very helpful for someone who is "flirting" with the Vegan Lifestyle.

❉ Veg-A-licious Books to check out ❉

Skinny Bitch--all of them! I will be adding to my Currently Craving Wish List the latest,  Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook

The Kind Diet--Like totally awesome! Alicia Silverstone shares recipes, beauty products, clothes and  promotes better health.

BabyCakes:Vegan,  (Mostly) Gluten-Free and (Mostly) Sugar Free Recipes from New York's Most Talked about Bakery--What Vegan's eat cupcakes? And they are actually good?!!! (Just ask my brother and A--both loved these treats when I whipped them up one evening!)

 Vegan Brunch and Veganomicon--Yum Yum and Yummier!

And you can find many more here!

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A Case of the Mondays

Today was one of those Mondays! Just a blah sort of day. Not sure if it was the weather or what. Lucky me was greeted with a delicious treat to help "cure" my case of the Mondays.

Peanut Butter Creams: Crispy little peanut butter oatmeal cookies are filled with peanut butter cream and drizzled with bittersweet chocolate.

Cappuccino Creams: Can you say “coffee addict?” These little espresso shortbread sandwiches filled with cinnamon buttercream have won the hearts of many customers. Perhaps they are the perfect breakfast cookie?

Two Tarts Bakery in Portland, Oregon makes the most amazing little cookies ever.

"At Two Tarts, we create an array of artisan “pint-sized” cookies for your enjoyment. Ingredients are sourced locally and organically whenever possible. Green business practices are important to us as well, as evidenced by our packaging."

I first fell in love Two Tarts when I worked at the Hotel deLuxe (If you are ever in Portland--You must stay here!) and the gals from Two Tarts were kind enough to regularly bring our sales department special deliveries of our favorite afternoon treats! If you aren't lucky enough to enjoy these special deliveries, or don't find yourself in attendance of a Two Tarts catered event--I recommend scouting out Pecan Tessies, ANZAC Cookies, Ginger Chocolate Chip and their Seasonal Selections at the Portland Farmers Market or NW 23rd Retail Location!

Edit: I am in a fight with my blogger format--why is it changing fonts, sizes, colors and format after posting? ugh...is it worth it to explore other options?