Blueberry Banana Muffins

Sunday mornings and blueberry muffins go hand in hand, don't you think? Me too... which is why I was anxiously waiting for my banana to over-ripen all week! I grabbed my spotted banana and the rest of the ingredients (all simple staples) this morning and got to work. These muffins come together SO quickly and are healthy too! win win.

tender, slightly sweet, and studded with blue jewels

vegan, too!? impressive.

The recipe is here at DailyGarnish. I followed it exactly!

Kitchen Perfection

Snitching unbaked cookie dough from my mom's bright orange tupperware bowl used to be one of my favorite things to do! I'd climb our red stool and perch on the hoosier cupboard sneaking bits when she wasn't looking. It all took place in our small kitchen in the house I grew up in until 3rd grade.

Soon after moving into our current house in Nevada, my parents built their dream kitchen to replace the dark L-shaped one we had. Walls were moved, wood floors were put down, and my parents were so pleased with the end results. That kitchen has seen many dance recital dinners with my grandparents and family, a couple graduation open houses, and plenty of incredible meals cooked by my mom and dad.

The kitchen, as you may have guessed, is important to me. Two friends of mine and I moved into a charming new townhouse in the historic part of downtown Des Moines called Sherman Hill. Although our townhouse is new and sports 9 foot ceilings, wide cream wood work, modern fixtures in dark espresso, it is built to look old and definitely holds the charm and coziness of an older home.

The best part? I am completely in love with our kitchen. It's perfect for entertaining. We have gathered many groups around our large island and hope to have many more. The lighted open cabinets are perfect. Living with a chef is perfect.

The kitchen is perfect!

quinoa-stuffed peppers

I try really hard to eat greens. and vegetables. and fruit. instead of s'mores, girl scout cookies, and golden grahams. some days it's easier than others....

luckily, today was one of those days! this recipe incorporates lots of spinach and plenty of protein and tastes great, too! i used black quinoa so even though it looks burnt... it is not :)

I followed this recipe. give it a try :)

love me some

It's ironic I am deciding to write this post during the week of Valentine's Day... I've never been a fan. Even years I happen to have a boyfriend. There are too many dollars spent on overpriced red petals, too many disappointed girls with lofty expectations, and I have never been a fan of pink. or hearts. especially pink hearts.

Regardless of the pink hearts and crusty petals that remain from the big day, here are 9 things I happen to love. or shall I say adore.

In no particular order...

Williams-Sonoma Small Silicone Spoonula

They're petite and boy are they cute!

I have a green set (spoon-and-spat-ula) because my mama knows I love green.

The combination of a bright blue-teal and poppy orange.

I used to hate this. Seriously hate. But now I appreciate the complimentary tones and the way they pop! Its so springy. I immediately think of the glassy green sea in Capri and the coral that was everywhere. takes me back :)

chocolate milk.

buy some the next time you're at the grocery store.

I think about chocolate milk (and golden grahams. weird, I know) everyday during my workout at Kosama. sooo good.

Anthropologie's new wedding dress line.

The simplicity and unique embellishments are incredible, but the photo styling is just as wonderful.

Pancakes.

I love breakfast. Usually it's (loaded) oatmeal and usually its at 8am. But last night I made these awesome pancakes and was so close to making them again. Like Madison suggests, best topped with peanut butter!

Smores Pie.

If you know me very well, you know I love smores. and marshmallows. So I am sure you're not surprised that I can't stop dreaming about this pie. Ohh my goodness.

Biaggi's Foccaccia bread.

I contemplate driving to Biaggis just for their bread numerous times each week. I am not exaggerating. I have to remind my self—continually—that bread, no matter how cheap (only $2.75 for a quarter of a pan!!) it is, is not the best dinner option.

aaaand I just realized I just posted 3 food items.

That means I need to stop and think about more things I love.

other than my heated mattress pad. thats dorky.

and this knife I want (err... I want my mom to get). it involved the kitchen and I already posted about the kitchen enough.

Tomato Tomahto

Iowa winters are cold! and dark! which really affects the way food photography looks... After not posting for nearly a month, I've decided to update a few of my favorite meals for, perhaps, your inspiration and so I remember these great combinations and ideas for future dinners.

Ironically, all of these include fresh tomatoes... and last night as I was making a homemade burrito bowl, I was disappointed at how rarely I have and use fresh tomatoes in the winter. Annnd here I am blogging about 3 recipes that include fresh tomatoes. What?!

first up—Salsa!

Tangy, salty, and spicy! I crave nothing more than mexican during the winter months and this salsa is an easy one to whip up in the evenings. Don't forget the lime juice, cilantro, and beans for added protein!

Whole Wheat Gnocchi with Fresh Tomato sauce

Trader Joe's has the best inexpensive, soft, doughy gnocchi around. Top with cherry tomato+basil+and plenty of spices for a simple and filling dinner. Can't wait to recreate this one soon!

Spaghetti with Mushroom Marinara

Tomato paste has so many health benefits and is packed with flavor! Using it in store bought marinara sauce, along with plenty of sauteed mushrooms+tomatoes+basil is a fast way to pump up your sauce. I loved this dinner!

What types of food have you been missing these winter months??

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

hoping your 2011 is the best yet!

Heres to another year of

awesome experiences,

(new job, new loft, new sister-in-law-to-be!)

great people,

continuous blessings,

and great food!

3 things for Winter

With winter comes stews and soups. And I have a soup for you to try.

pumpkin chili.

there are so many recipes out there... try one! you won't be disappointed.

I loved the silkiness the pumpkin provided and the velvety cannellini beans.

Use plenty of cumin for that smoky flavor and top with greek yogurt for added protein.

With winter comes being more mindful what what we eat.... so we don't feel so bad about eating a dozen holiday cookies, that fourth helping of turkey and taters, and drinking 3 cups of hot chocolate at midnight. Lucky for you, I have an awesome salad you need to try.

Sizzling Shrimp Salad

they make a version of this at work and it is a huge hit.

Its simple and makes a typical salad an awesome dinner you'll look forward to.

start with shrimp. remove the tails and cut each in 3 pieces.

sautee them in olive oil, black pepper, and (lots of) garlic.

while shrimp is sizzling away, combine ranch with milk and whisk.

Pour over a bowl full of spinach, romaine, mushrooms, steamed cold broc, and carrots.

stir to coat and toss in croutons.

enjoy. and then go grab dessert.

With winter, comes root veggies. Less fresh options are available, so it's time to shake up the traditional potatoes.

Roasted veggies

Dice them along with sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, brussel sprouts, green beans, etc and lightly coat with evoo and s&p. extra pepper. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes. eat them alone or in soup. I know you will be surprised how flavorful and sweet they become after the oven.

Roasted Root Veggie and Kale Soup

the unseasonably warm weather we've had lately has been wonderful. but, I secretly got a little excited when I saw chillier temps for this weekend. it's about time for soups, stews, and wintry treats!

I had a clump of kale and a handful of potatoes that needed to be eaten so I whipped up this soup. I was surprised how how easy and quickly it came together!

• cube root veggies. (I used 4 small red potatoes and 3 large carrots) try sweet potatoes, squash, parsnips, rutabaga, etc!
• coat veggies with 1 T olive oil, salt, and lots of pepper. transfer to pan and roast at 400 for 20-40 minutes (depending on the amount of veggies you end up with).
• after 20 minutes of roasting... sautee 1 med sweet onion and garlic in olive oil.
• add roasted veggies, 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock, and 1.5 tsp cumin. simmer.
• pepper again :)
• add 1 bunch of kale (torn into small sections and rinsed well) and cook for 10 minutes.
• serve. with crusty bread, course :)