california sun dried tomato breakfast sandwich

Posted by fp julia on in food, friends

i first came across my breakfast blog when the author, maggie, posted a cute diy project using one of our catalogs.  when i checked out her blog, i was immediately drawn to her unique style of writing and quirky, likeable personality. and she happens to post some really yummy recipes that are right up my alley – organic, vegetarian, healthy and still delicious.

here is one of the recipes i came across on her blog recently that i’m dying to try.  i’m getting hungry just thinking about it:

california sun dried tomato breakfast sandwich

ingredients:

– multigrain gluten free bread

– raw sun dried tomato garlic sauce

– one large farm fresh egg

– one avocado

– sea salt and pepper

directions:

toast the bread and spread with raw sun dried tomato garlic sauce. cook one large farm fresh egg sunny side up in an infused garlic olive oil and dress with black pepper. slice avocado and add on as desired. sprinkle with sea salt and more pepper, and voila! breakfast :)

check out my breakfast blog here!

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7 Comments on california sun dried tomato breakfast sandwich

vegan pumpkin spice cupcakes

Posted by fp julia on in food

ingredients:

1/2 cup vegan butter
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
egg replacer for 2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk* mixed with 1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cup pumpkin puree

*make vegan buttermilk by placing one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup. add enough milk (soy or replacement milk of choice) to bring the liquid up to the one-cup line and let stand for 5 minutes.

preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

beat the butter and sugars on medium speed until fluffy (about 5 minutes.)  while that is mixing, sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking powder, ginger, cloves and pepper in a medium sized bowl.

add “eggs” to the butter and sugar and mix thoroughly.  alternate adding the flour and milk mixtures, beginning and ending with the flour. mix thoroughly again. now add in the pumpkin puree and mix until smooth.

bake 23-25 minutes. let cool completely and frost with your favorite buttercream frosting! makes approximately 22 cupcakes.

YUM!

source.

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10 Comments on vegan pumpkin spice cupcakes

cherry pasta?

Posted by fp julia on in food

who would think to put cherries in pasta? this sounds like the perfect end of summer/start of fall dish.

  • 1 serving udon noodles
  • 1 T evoo, plus more for sautéing
  • 1/3 c sweet onion, chopped
  • 1/3 c white balsamic vinegar
  • 2 c arugula
  • a few cherries, quartered
  • 2-3 T chopped walnuts
  • a few fresh basil leaves
  • grated parmesan

1) Bring balsamic vinegar to a boil in saucepan.  Boil for 5 minutes to reduce; remove from heat and let cool 5 to 10 minutes, until it thickens.  [You’re making a balsamic reduction.]

2) Sauté onion over medium heat until browned.  Add arugula and sauté until wilted.

3) Cook udon noodles according to package directions.  Drain and return to pot.

4) Toss noodles with olive oil, onion, arugula, cherries, and walnuts.  Transfer to plate; drizzle with balsamic reduction.  Garnish with basil and parmesan, if desired.

images; recipe.

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4 Comments on cherry pasta?

wednes-diy

Posted by fp julia on in décor, DIY, food, lifestyle

with today being the first day of fall, these table arrangements i saw on design sponge – using straw flowers and heirloom tomatoes –  felt really appropriate as today’s DIY.  the colors are gorgeous!

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the top two photos are my favorite- i would just leave the flowers and tomatoes like that as table decorations! for instructions on how to make the flower garland, check out the tutorial here.

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3 Comments on wednes-diy

farmers market at the yard!

Posted by fp julia on in features, food, home office, inspiration

today we had the extra special treat of a farmers market right outside our office doors! fresh fruit, veggies and other produce from local farms and live music in the background as you shop. this will happen again september 8th and 22nd, how exciting! here are some photos from today- not the sunniest day but still nice :)

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this little boxer puppy stole my heart.

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new mocs + sunflowers = happiness.

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6 Comments on farmers market at the yard!

bouncing round the room

Posted by fp julia on in food, home office, lifestyle

last week i was passing by the area where our graphic designers and office coordinator sit…and something was different. their office chairs had been replaced by large exercise balls! hmmm…what’s this all about guys?

“we got them to strengthen our cores! exercise balls are the new thing.”

so have you noticed a change? do they work?

“yes! when you wake up you feel like you did crunches the day before.”

“it keeps you moving throughout the day so you get a little workout. and we have a mid afternoon workout session.”

“plus they keep you from getting sleepy sitting at your desk!”

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what do other people think about your balls?

“they’re jealous! everyone wants them now.”

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“the bouncing is good for your mental state too…you feel like a little kid!”

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10 Comments on bouncing round the room

i love lavender.

Posted by fp julia on in food, home office, inspiration

next to one of the urban buildings there is a row of lavender bushes.  now that we’ve moved i pass them on the way to and from our new building and each time, i breathe in their wonderful scent.  scent is one of the most powerful triggers of memory for me and every time i smell lavender i am taken back to the south of france where i was fortunate enough to spend some time during my childhood.

the heat of the sun bearing down on my shoulders, the dust from dirt roads kicking up around my bare feet, and fields of the brightest purple lavender as far as the eye can see.

take me back.

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speaking of lavender…have you ever had lavender lemonade? it’s delicious.

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to make it from scratch you just need water, lemons and sugar.  bring to a simmer in a saucepan and throw in five or six fresh pieces of lavender. if you’re using dried lavender, put it in a tea ball.  let sit for a bit and then cool, and add a sprig of lavender for garnish.

for more specific instructions check out this recipe. (last 2 images from there as well).

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8 Comments on i love lavender.

where the greens grow

Posted by fp julia on in food, inspiration

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one of our fp girls sent me these photos of a place called greensgrow in fishtown, philadelphia – a nursery/market that sells fresh, locally grown produce.  they also have a CSA (community supported agriculture) program in which you can buy a “share” in a farms’ season and each week get a box of produce and fruit produced on the farm.

check out their website, too- they post lots of recipes to give you ideas for what to do with all your fresh fruits and veggies! YUM.

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2 Comments on where the greens grow

drinks in a cube

Posted by fp julia on in food

this idea is so brilliant… don’t you hate when you have an iced coffee (or whatever you drink) on a hot day and the ice cubes immediately melt and you’re left with a watered down drink? i do.  i saw this on tastespotting from the blog zoom yummy – ice cubes made from coffee!

and check out how pretty these look:

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these are rasberry iced tea with a mint leaf inside them!

not only is this great for the aforementioned reason but i think it would be fun to come up with different flavors and combinations, like water with lemon ice cubes or iced tea with mango juice cubes… you get the idea :)

check out zoom yummy for more ideas!

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2 Comments on drinks in a cube