Did Someone Say "Brownies!?"

Happy Monday!

Did Someone say "brownie?"

As I mentioned last week, I bought the Alicia Silverstone book, The Kind Diet. Well, I made the Coffee Fudge Brownies...and in my opinion..they rocked! Before I shared the recipe, I wanted to taste test it on some other people...you see myself and my kiddos are getting used to all these other flavors - maple syrup, molasses, brown rice and buckwheat flour, etc.  I wanted people who were maybe not used to these ingredients to try them out. So, in the very "unSuperbowl" like fashion, I made (semi) vegan brownies for the Superbowl party we went to.

Did Someone Say "Brownies!?"

This version is not vegan due to my glaze. I made some changes to the recipe to accommodate the ingredients I already had on hand...so, this recipe is adapted/inspired by the Coffee Fudge Brownie recipe, The Kind Diet, Page 181

Dry Ingredients

3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 cup brown rice flour

1/2 cup unsweetened (organic) cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon (sea) salt

Wet Ingredients

3/4 (good quality) maple syrup

3/4 cup soy/rice/almond milk

3/4 cup brewed decaf coffee (I used instant)

1/2 cup canola oil*

Optional

1/2 cup toasted and chopped nuts

Glaze

1 cups grain sweetened non dairy chocolate or carob chips**

(my version was only semi-vegan because I did use regular organic chocolate chips for this)

4 Tablespoons organic butter (original recipe calls for 1/2 cup Earth Balance Butter)

Preheat oven to 325 F.

Butter or oil an 8x8 or 9x9 square baking pan.

Sift the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients together.

Add the wet to the dry.

Add nuts (optional).

Pour batter into the pan and bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes...until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack

To make glaze:***

Melt chocolate chips and butter together in a double boiler (I did not use a double boiler...I used a regular sauce pan on low heat with constant stirring.)

Melt until smooth.

Pour the warm glaze over the brownies, smoothing it out over the surface of the brownies.

Chill until the glaze has set.

Notes:

*I am considering trying this with coconut oil instead of canola oil...but have not done so...I'll let you know. We do not use canola oil here very much (if at all)...so I am sure there must be a good substitute...I just wanted to try to get the rest of the recipe right before I started messing with it anymore.

**The sell vegan chocolate chips at Whole Foods for about $3.00 a bag.

***I always have extra glaze...the glaze is almost like a frosting and is pretty rich.

The Verdict:

The ladies at the party and the kids liked the brownies a lot. The men stuck with the Rice Krispie treats and chips. Now, I LOVE a good brownie - one of my many downfalls and have never made homemade brownies myself (for a good reason...like not needing an extra 10 pounds). I really think these are good brownies - they are not ooey-gooey fudgey brownies, but very tasty...and I will continue to make them again and again. It was also a really quick and easy recipe.

So, what do ya think? Are you up for trying some (semi) vegan brownies?

Happy Baking!

Holly

Rethink...Finding Yourself

This week's discussion topic at Rethink What Matters is

RETHINK THE NEED TO FIND YOURSELF.

When I first saw the topic, I wasn't sure where to go with this.

I felt like I had answered the first question in this week's quiz

"Are you what you wanted to be when you "grew up?" 

in Rethink and Grow.

Then I started to think {woooo-whooo!}.

The second question this week was

"Do you have a true passion?"

My answer was..."Yes it is...my kiddos."

So this question, and this answer messed with my head a little. First of all, when I decided to have children, I did not relinquish myself...my interests...my dreams, but I did commit to these little people to be all I can be, and to help them be all that they can be. They are the reason I live the way I live, and do what I do. So, my kids are my passion, but that doesn't mean that I cannot have my own passion...something that is all mine and does not involve a husband, kiddos, or of course anything illegal or immoral {let's be clear here}. 

Like many moms, I have gotten lost a little along the way. I think it happens all too often. We give and give to our kids, to our husbands, to our families. We are work at home moms, and we are stay at home moms, but we are individuals too. I know there is only so much time in the day...I stay up until all hours of the night catching up, reading, blogging, crafting...but clearly that is not the answer, I am exhausted and I live for mochas.

Even when I was single, I lost myself...it is so easy to do, no matter our age or marital status. Back then, I was caught up in my career. Caught up in advancing myself within my chosen industry. Caught up in being something - the right thing - to the {much older man} I was dating.

In trying to find myself, I am learning to enjoy the small moments of time when I get to do what I enjoy, what I want to do. I treasure hunt {code words for thrift stores and garage/estate sales}. I write {not always on my blog...that is another story}. I create - I cannot tell you how much fun I had with this last Valentine's tablescape. I am trying to do  "stream of consciousness journaling" to just express myself without inhibition or editing. I turn off the computer and lose myself in a movie. And, when there is not time for "more," I sit with a steaming hot mocha on my deck and listen to the waves crash and the seals bark. And, yes, many times that involves watching the kids play and giggle too, but that's OK, they are TWO of my passions, without everything they have taught me, I would not be the person I am.

So, ladies how do we do it? {OK, I will include the guys too...I have seen men get lost as well} How do we keep ourselves - our vibrant spirits - alive. How do we find time for ourselves? How do we not lose ourselves in our lives, in our children's lives, in our husbands lives? And, if we do lose ourselves, how do we find "us" again? And, finally, what is your passion? TELL ME...I want to know. Really, I do!

 

So, do it, go visit Rethink What Matters,
answer the five questions...

did I mention there are prizes?

{I have not won...maybe you will!}

Then come back next week for some more!

Happy Rethinking!

Holly

Rethink What Matters is a campaign by Bare Escentuals that challenges me...challenges all of us to Rethink What Matters. Each Friday through March 26, 2010, Bare Escentuals will pose a new topic for us to consider, to ponder, and to discuss. It is not just about makeup...it is about living your life and what is truly important. So gather your girlfriends...you never know what you'll discover! 

Want to join in on the discussion...

There are prizes and free products to be had..and more importantly thought provoking topics coming your way. Just visit Rethink What Matters to answer 5 simple questions. Then you can see how your answers compare with others. Seriously it takes no time at all to do this...and you may learn a little something about yourself or your friends! And if you are lucky enough to live in San Fransisco, New York, or Chicago the Quickie Van could be coming your way.

DISCLAIMER: So, here's the back story and legal who-ha I must include. I was contacted via email about this campaign and checked it out myself. I thought it was interesting and thought provoking. I was not paid for this review/post or compensated in any way (products or otherwise).

Have A Seat, My Sweet!

When I think of Valentines Day,
two very different visions come to mind...

The first is of me and my hubby having a quiet romantic dinner.

Did I mention quiet..as in we we both sit down at the same time,

in the same room and can actually eat our food!

The second is of me and the kiddos sitting in a pile of paper,

tissue, and doilies - fingers covered in glue -
making homemade Valentines.

One of the above has happened. Can you guess which one?

{I actually attempt to not "celebrate" Valentines Day...

stick around...next week, I will explain.}

This "Have a Seat, My Sweet" Valentine's Day table

is inspired by the "characters" {a.k.a. Kiddos!} in the second vision.
So, I went more sweet than romantic for this weeks design.

I imagine cleaning the glue off of our fingers

to sit down for cookies, scones, finger sandwiches and tea.

My kids actually love tea {both of them} and scones.

 A chandelier of found branches hangs from the camellia tree,
adorned with ribbons and miniature paper globes,
it creates a whimsical focal point.

A view from overhead.

A nest provides the perfect spot for a paper globe to rest.
A glittering monogram awaits the guest.

A simple glass container set a top a silver tray
is home to a bed of moss, baby's breath
and gorgeous red camellias.
I just love baby's breath when it is paired with
the unexpected or grouped in a large, full bunch.

Petite vases on either side of the main
centerpiece hold pink baby roses.

A shot of the overall place setting - my favorite
find last week were these pink basket weave plates.
I paired them with toile saucers and
a rose/love themed larger plate.
I dug deep into hubby's "treasures" and
found a glass and pitcher set with a platinum rim.
I used that because it complimented
my tea cups with the platinum rim.

I played with the linens a lot.
First I laid a basic white linen,
then layered burlap on top
{I am officially in love with burlap these days}.
I topped the burlap with a small embroidered square linen.
The napkins are simple and ecru.
I just loved the look of the contrast between
the smooth, rough, and vintage layers.

Embroidery detail from the topper.

A close up of the mixed and matched tea cup and saucer.

Handmade paper globes with flowing ribbon
hung from the chandelier.
Crystals were add for some sparkle.

I used some decorative iron garden chairs
{that are always on my porch},
wrapped them in a lightweight white fabric
and tied them off with a strip of burlap.
Tucking some baby's breath, and topping the chair
with a vintage doilie finished the look.

 

Of course, I had cookies!

 

Hope you enjoyed it!

I am linking up to the..

Trendy Treehouse's Creative Share Blog Hop

Somewhat Simple's Strut Your Stuff Thursday

Somewhat Simple's Valentine's Link Party

and

Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday!

Have a sweet day!

Holly 

Resources: Toile plates and Love plates (Marshall's); basket weave plate (vintage, Goodwill); tea cup (Goodwill), Centerpiece (Marshall's); Topper (grandma's); Burlap (Ace Hardware); Glassware (Vintage, grandma's); Paper globes, monogram (handmade); ribbon, nest (Michael's).

Mind, Body, Food...I Broke Two Rules

I am a rules a person.

Yes, I have a lot of rules.

I usually don't break rules....but I did!

I broke two of my own rules.

{GASP!}

Now, I should warn you, this post is turning out to be long. I also need you to understand I was not that girl in middle school or high school who watched the movie about how hot dogs were made and vowed never to eat them again. I am just now truly interested in what has happened to our food supply and what the heck is going on so I can make me family healthier and teach my kids the right thing. I also know some of this works because at 22/23 I did eat vegan {for health and weight issues} and never felt better or looked better in my entire life. I did this for about 4 years, and then fell off the wagon when I got married...My guide, my favorite book in regards to this is

Dr. McDougall also has a website with free information,

recipes, and a free eating program.

Oh, you want to know what rules I broke...

Rule One...Long ago, when I had quit my job after getting married and was figuring out what I was going to do with my life, I watched a lot of Oprah. Hubby would come home, and our conversation would begin like, "On Oprah today..."  So that became hubby's rule...no sentence can begin with "On Oprah today..." Over time, I got "over" Oprah, and my rule was simply no more Oprah {I know, I know...don't leave me for that!}.

Rule Two...I N-E-V-E-R buy celebrity endorsed products, especially diet or cookbooks. Call me a jaded Angeleno, but I am quite over celebrities being experts on "everything."

So, within 24 hours, both of those rules where out the window...at least for awhile. On Monday night, I was checking out the TV schedule for  the evening and saw that Oprah was having a special called Food 101 with Michael Pollan. For those of you who have read my Mindy...Body...Food posts {see the bottom of this post for the links}, you know I am all about changing the way I and my entire family eats - "out" with funky ingredients and preservatives and "in" with whole, nutritious, real food.

Any way this was a great special with so much info, really good info! I was also very interested because a few ladies have mentioned the book The Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan. I have not read it yet, but I am buying the book today. From what I understand Michael Pollan does eat meat...he is not a vegan...he just eats the "right" kind of meat {just so no one thinks this is a "vegan-only" post}.

He also has one for kids...

Oprah mainly focused on his Book, Food Rules: An Eaters Manual

Some of the rules they covered on the special were:

1. Eat food .
2: Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.
7: Avoid food products containing ingredients that a third-grader cannot pronounce.
13: Eat only foods that will eventually rot.
39: Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself.

She also referenced a documentary called Food Inc. I am actually kind of afraid to watch it!

The Oprah special is recapped HERE.

And you have to take the food quiz...it is appalling!

Now for the second broken rule...Alicia Silverstone was on Oprah's special. I knew she was a vegan...I have heard this before, but I actually listened to her this time. Yes, I listened to a celebrity babble on about something...BUT she wasn't babbling..she made so much sense. She has a book out too, called The Kind Diet and I went out the next day and bought it.

In it, she details many different aspects of eating, health, and her perspective on being vegan and why. She also talks about Dr.McDougall {so she had me there!}. She offers recipes at different levels of change from "Flirting" to "Superhero," depending on what you are ready for. I liked this because while I can do "Superhero," hubby will "Flirt." I found I can use many of her recipes as side dishes for him...He must have meat {his idea, not mine}!!!!

Of course I could not talk about this book without having tried some of the recipes. I made the  Quinoa with Basil and Pine Nuts. A pretty basic recipe overall - prepare 1 cup of quinoa according to directions, toast pine nuts, chop basil, mix altogether and drizzle with olive oil. Easy and good (do I dare tell you I have never made quinoa before...I have always had it in the pantry, but never made it...I was afraid...so this was a good recipe to try.}.

Did I mention there are desserts? Last night I made the Coffee Fudge Brownies...six thumbs up from me and the kiddos (hubby is out of town). Really, really good! So, I am actually kind of in love with this "Kind Diet," and very excited to try more.

I am at the point where I will be seriously looking into organic chickens and grass fed beef for the family. As for me, I am pretty sure I am going to go Vegetarian again. I have a hard time calling myself a vegan, because I cannot say I won't slip up and eat cheese or anything like that. I also prefer this method of eating because I just do not want to count calories or fat or carbs or points.

Either way, they also say it is good for the environment to go meatless at least once a week. I am not preaching vegetarianism, veganism, or anything else..just exploring. What do you think? Do you buy celebrity endorsed products? Did you watch the Oprah special? 

Happy Eating!

Holly

If you are new or need a refresher on

the Mind, Body, Food Posts…

The Beginning: How it came to be.

Chapter 1: The Road to Complete Nutrition (body Image and food)

Chapter 2:Healthy Menu and Chicken Chili Recipe
Chapter 3: Pantry Perfection and a Homemade Ketchup recipe

The Winner is...A Psi of Relief...and A Few Announcements

Congratulations to Katrina at Sevin Family!

She is the winner of the Lisa Leonard Illuminate necklace!

THANK YOU all for entering!

Really, I wish I could buy you all one...

maybe if I ever stepped away for the blog

and worked on my books...I could!

If you still need a FABULOUS piece of jewelry,

go to Lisa Leonard's site and sign up for her newsletter.

You will get a coupon for 15% off your purchase!

Thank you Lisa for this great giveaway!
{P.S. I pick the old fashion way...one ticket per valid entry,
throw 'em in a bowl and pick one!}

**********************

I was named PsiBands Featured Mom for February 2010.

 

Do yo know someone who should be the featured mom for March?

Visit their Facebook Page and click on the Pregnant Tab for details

{pregnancy not required}!

And now, for a little about PsiBands...

These super chic, FDA-cleared acupressure wrist bands

are for the relief of nausea due to morning sickness (pregnancy),

motion sickness/travel, anesthesia, and chemotherapy....

and they come in stylish designs!

PsiBands were created by two moms who were looking

for a better, drug-free way to treat their morning sickness...
and they did it!

Check out there website or Fan them on Facebook.

You can check out my post over at Hip Weddings

about how PsiBands can help you on your
honeymoon or when you travel!

**********************

A Beautiful State of Mind - The Project

Keep it in mind {nudge, nudge}.

Go read more about it and really think about joining in.

Let's all celebrate our beauty!

**********************

NOW FOR SOME HOUSEKEEPING!

I'll be back later with a regular post....

about two things I N-E-V-E-R do!

I will also be doing my best to catch up with comments and visiting.

I posted way too much this week and, boy am I behind!

Anyone figured out how to keep up with your blog addiction

and funciton in the real world too...while still finding time for sleep?

It's 12:43 a.m. and I am still up!

Good Night...or Good Morning!

Holly

DISCLAIMER: For the Lisa Leonard giveaway, I did receive one Illuminate necklace for my review and use. I did not receive any compensation from PsiBands for my post(s), and I was nominated by a friend to be the featured mom. 

How Do You Define Beauty?

Yes, I love makeup.

Yes, I love a good haircut and a few highlights/lowlights.

Yes, I love clothes, shoes, bags, and especially sunglasses.

But, how do I really define beauty?

How do you define beauty?

Over at Hey Gorgeous, there is something fabulous going on...

A Beautiful State of Mind - The Project

 A Beautiful State of Mind - The Project is going to explore what women of all ages, all ethnicities, all walks of life think is beautiful, how they define beauty, and what they think makes them beautiful.

In this year of self-exploration and discovery, this project simply fascinates me. Gone are my days of turning heads as I walk down he street {it happened once or twice} - a 6 foot tall blond is bound to do that no matter what - and as those days disappear , I must really consider what makes me beautiful, not physically, but what really makes me and other women beautiful.

I have met gorgeous women, only to get to know them...and not really like what I see anymore. There lack of inner beauty, of kindness, or anything substantial has left me thinking very little of their outer beauty. I have also watched this process in reverse.

Now that I have a daughter, I know I will always think she is beautiful, but I want her to know what true beauty is...what it is to have a "Beautiful State of Mind."

So, I am a part of this project and you can be too - old, young, moms, daughters, grandmothers, sisters...any female who wants to share her Beautiful State of Mind can participate.

All you need to do is...
*Pop over to Hey Gorgeous and check out the post, Beautiful State of Mind - The Project to read even more about this project.
*Send Rhiannon an email, rhiannonbandascott@gmail.com or comment on her post.
*Then you need some photos and a couple of paragraphs about what beauty means to you, and a sentence about what makes you beautiful.

Are you intrigued? Curious? Fascinated {like me!}?

So, go do it, check out Hey Gorgeous (the blog is gorgeous!)!

So have you thought about it...How do you define beauty?

And what do you think of these wacky shots - crazy hair and all - my son took of me tonight!?!

 Have a Beautiful Day!

Holly

Rethink...Your Environment

 This week's discussion topic at Rethink What Matters is

RETHINK YOUR ENVIRONMENT.

To catch up, read Rethink and Grow, the first post in this series.

The house you grew up in....

the road you walk to school...

the mountains your camp in...

the ocean you swim in...

the air you breathe...

This is your environment.

How has it impacted you?

How have you impacted it?

On a large scale - the largest scale - we must all think about our Earth and what we can do to relieve the stress on our planet...even simple gestures help. I conserve energy {seriously it has to fall below 55 in the house for the heater to be turned on}, I repurpose, I reuse, and I try to find homes for my own unnecessary items. I bring my own bags to the grocery store, the drug store, the craft store...or skip the bags altogether. I buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste, purchase locally grown and/or organic products, and we have pretty much weaned ourselves from bottled water.

And, you may notice that I have saved probably the easiest, most obvious one for last...recycle. I am proud to say our recycle bin {which is the same size as the trash bin} is fuller than the trash bin. I have been recycling forever. True, it may have started by high-tailing it to the redemption machine outside the grocery store to get 3 cents per bottle...and it may have been mainly a way to get the empty wine cooler bottles out of the house before Mom and Dad found them...but it counts!

On the other hand, I do not drive a hybrid, nor do I have solar power, and I will admit I do drive sometimes when I could walk {Ed Begley Jr. will not be asking me to be a part of his show anytime soon}.

In my home, I surround myself with memories...the old Victrola, the beveled mirror that hung in my Granny's house, the gumball machines, family photos, homemade artwork. I once wanted my house to look like a page in the Pottery Barn catalog, and, I am not knocking Pottery Barn, but I am so much happier with the way it looks now...it reflects us. We have made it our own. Of course, it could have less dog hair...fresher paint, fluffier pillows, and a lot less toys...but all in all it is the place my children can play and be kids. It is a place my friends can hang out with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and be comfortable, it is the place I am the happiest and most serene. When my children are grown and come "home," if they can feel they way I do when I go "home" to my childhood home, I will have done my job.

In the less physical sense, I have tried to create a stimulating {in a non-video game sense, of course!}, safe, secure, creative, and loving environment for my children and my family, no matter where we may be physically. I want their lives to be filled with wonderful memories. I want them to know what it is like to be loved, and cared for, and nurtured. I want them to have a glorious sense of who they are, and the ability to be whatever they choose to be. I want to foster independence and responsibility.  And the best way I can do that is by being an example of all that I expect from them.

I know that I am a product of my environment. Are you?

So, do it, go visit Rethink What Matters,
answer the five questions,

and come back and tell me if you learned anything!

OR just let me now how you are rethinking your environment,

how you are helping the environment, or

how you make your environment special?

Then come back next week for some more!

Happy Weekend!

Holly

Rethink What Matters is a campaign by Bare Escentuals that challenged me...challenges all of us to Rethink What Matters. Each Friday through March 26, 2010, Bare Escentuals will pose a new topic for us to consider, to ponder, and to discuss. It is not just about makeup...it is about living your life and what is truly important. So gather your girlfriends...you never know what you'll discover! 

Want to join in on the discussion...

There are prizes and free products to be had..and more importantly thought provoking topics coming your way. Just visit Rethink What Matters to answer 5 simple questions. Then you can see how your answers compare with others. Seriously it takes no time at all to do this...and you may learn a little something about yourself or your friends! And if you are lucky enough to live in San Fransisco, New York, or Chicago the Quickie Van could be coming your way!

DISCLAIMER: So, here's the back story and legal who-ha I must include. I was contacted via email about this campaign and checked it out myself. I thought it was interesting and thought provoking. I was not paid for this review/post or compensated in any way (products or otherwise).