Food Friday: Oatmeal Honey & Blueberry Pancakes

I have seen so many pancake recipes lately featuring oatmeal, so this past Sunday I thought I should give it a whirl. So glad I did, because well...they were delish.

The texture was perfect. I love how they had a bit more substance, without being too dense.

(Please excuse our coffee table yoga cat in the background. hehe)

What you need:

1/2 cup quick cooking oats

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tbls honey

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup almond milk

2 tbls veg. oil

1 cup of blueberries

1 egg



What you do: 
1. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, whisk egg and then add vanilla extract, milk, honey and veg. oil. Mix well.
3. Add mixture into dry ingredients. Whisk, then add blueberries.
4. On a preheated, medium heat skillet that is lightly oiled, pour pancake batter into whatever sized pancakes you would like.
(I ended up with 4 decent sized flap jacks.)
5.Slice desired fruit on top, pour a little maple syrup on and shove into mouth.

Enjoy :)




Hope you all have a fabulous labor day weekend!

xo
Lizzie

Summer Evening on the Waterfront

A few photos from mine and the hubs dinner date :)

Blouse-Ruche

Lace Shorts-Bar III via Macy's

Bag-Fossil

Shoes-Steve Madden

Belt-Target

Summer is dwindling down, so the hubs and I thought it would be fitting to have a little date day on Seattle's waterfront. We were originally thinking about making a trip down to Portland, but decided to stay local, which was a great life choice....because we enjoyed one feast of a dinner at The Crab Pot. If you love seafood and have never been....I highly recommend it. I can't think of anything better on a later summer evening than sitting outside next to the water, with seagulls cawing above, all while eating some delish food, caught right off the local waters.

Before dinner we spent some time in our favorite neighborhood, Capitol Hill, browsing thrift shops and listening to tunes in local record stores. Something about that neighborhood makes us feel so youthful and alive. After our rather larger dinner, we walked around on the pier, watched the ferries come and go and saw the sun slowly slip into the Puget Sound.

Perfect day with the most perfect dude :)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!!

xo

Lizzie

Oh, Baby!

For the past few months my mother and I had been busy bees, getting ready to host a baby shower for my brother and his wife! All the planning, gathering of ideas and items, resulted in our little vision coming true. It was a co-ed celebration, sans the cheesy games.

We had a wishing tree.....Wishes for Baby, which was super adorable. Everyone seemed to enjoy coming up with heartfelt and fun little bits for baby boy.

The theme was loosely based around the woodland feel of the shower invite.

As I was looking through all the photos, I realized that I had none of my sister-in-law and I together, as well as none of my brother and I together. Well, except for us playing badminton..but that doesn't count.I think that I got so caught up making sure everything was perfect before the guests arrived and I didn't even think about it during the shower. Lame. 

At least I got this photo of my mother and I together before everyone showed up :)

Mom and I spent a great amount of time making all of these delish cupcakes and lots of yummy sandwiches. My favs. were definitely the dark chocolate with peanut butter frosting cupcake and the mango chutney, cheddar and roast beef baguette sandwich. YUM. 

We had sweet treats throughout the house in cute little mason jars.

 The happy parents-to-be opening up their gifts.

For party favors, we went with fun little flowers and bunches of freshly picked lavender that guests could take home with them.

The grandmothers :)

I can't wait for the little guy to arrive and to be an auntie to my brother's child. Eeeeepp!

Congrats, Kam & Bren!

xo

Lizzie

Green Thumb

Thought I would finally share some photos of the things I planted for our little patio garden a few weeks ago! African Daisies, Strawberries, Sweet Peas and various other flowers. I especially can not wait till the summer when I can pick some of the fresh strawberries....yummy!

We hope to slowly add some more plants and patio items, so it doesn't look so bare and looks a bit more colorful, but this is a good start, that definitely makes me happy!

Someday my dream is to have a house (totally am not meant to be a lifetime apartment dweller) with a big back yard where I can have a huge garden that a large portion of our fruits and veggies will come from. Also, to have a little chicken coop for yummy eggs and a pygmy goat for fresh milk....ohhh and because they are so darn cute and wonderful pets :)

Hope everyones week is off to a good start!

xo

Lizzie

Sweet Sunday: Nutella Mug Cake

This recipe has been making its rounds around the blogosphere for sometime now, but I recently gave in and decided to make it for the first time.

Oh.my.gosh. So.Good.

If you haven't made it yet, you really should...although, I will admit, it is sort of sinful.

What you need:

4 Tbls flour

4 Tbls Sugar

1 Egg

3 Tbls Cocoa Power (I suggest a Dark Chocolate Powder)

3 Tbls Nutella

3 Tbls Milk

3 Tbls Olive Oil

Steps:

1. Put all ingredients in a mug.

2. Whisk ingredients together with a fork, very well. 

3. Microwave for 2 1/2-3 mins (depending on microwave).

4. Let cool, this baby is hot!

5. Enjoy.

Tips:

 This is super rich (in my opinion); the two times I have made this, I haven't been able to eat it all...you can cut the recipe in half or have someone around to finish your leftovers.haha. Use a large mug, it overflows in the microwave. If you don't have a larger mug, put a plate under the mug to catch the overflow.

Sooooo, how was everyone's week?!  I have been sort of absent from here this past week; I was busy catching up with a few friends, which was so nice and much needed! One is a very good friend that I made while living in Texas. We caught up over yummy happy hour mojitos and kaiten sushi.

The other was one of my best friends from High School who I only get to see about 2-3 times a year. Every time we hang out, my stomach ends up hurting from so much from laughter! 

I also started a new book, I haven't read a book cover to cover in longer than I would like to admit. So yay for a new, but simple goal!

Hope all you beauties are having a great weekend :)

xo

Lizzie

Food Friday:Sesame-Peanut Soba Noodles

This is seriously my favorite dish to make. It is my go-to when I am out of ideas on what to make for dinner, and fortunately, it is super quick and easy to make.

Soooooo, if you are craving a delish take-out inspired meal, try this baby out!

What you need:

Soba Noodles (8-12oz)

1 Onion, thinly sliced

1 Bunch of Broccoli, cut into florets

2 red Bell Peppers, thinly sliced

1/4 cup Chunky or Creamy Peanut Butter

1 tbls Toasted Sesame Oil

2 tbls Rice Vinegar

2 tbls Soy Sauce

3 tbls Dark Brown Sugar

2 Garlic Cloves, minced

1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

Steps:

1. Boil soba noodles according to package. A few minutes before they are done, add broccoli, red peppers and onion, cook until tender.

Drain pasta and vegetables, but keep about 1/4 cup of pasta water.

2. While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the peanut butter, sesame oil, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and red pepper flakes.

3. Add sauce to pot of drained pasta/veggies. If needed, thin out sauce with reserved pasta water.

4.Shove into mouth & Enjoy :)

xo

Lizzie

Favorite Fall Foods: Pumpkin Coconut Bread

Need some Thanksgiving food inspiration?

This Pumpkin Coconut bread is so yum and so simple.

What you need:

1 can pumpkin pie mix (Good stuff. Just pure pumpkin puree + spices)

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup light coconut milk

1 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 unsweetened coconut flakes

Steps:

1.In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin, brown sugar, oil and coconut milk.

2. In another box mix together flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.

3.  Whisk wet and dry ingredients together.

4. Stir in the coconut flakes.

5. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan.

6. Pop in a pre-heated, 350 degree oven for about an hour, depending on your oven (check after 45 mins). You will know it's done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Let cool in pan for 5-10 mins.

8. Slice and serve while still warm.

9. Watch your friends/family be delighted with a mouth full of moist deliciousness.

P.S. While baking, this smells better than any pumpkin scented candle known to man.

Hope you enjoy!

xo

Lizzie

Favorite Fall Foods: Veggie Chowder

What sounds better than a chowder (or soup) on a cold, dark fall evening? Not much.

As soon as the weather gets cool enough, I whip this recipe out.  So yummy, simple and gives you that cozy homey feeling as you are enjoying it.

What you need:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 red onion, diced

2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

3 garlic cloves, crushed

3 small diced Yukon Gold potatoes

2 tbsp flour

2 1/2 cups milk

1 1/4 cups vegetable stock

1 cup broccoli florets 

2 cans of corn

3/4 cups grated cheddar, plus more to garnish

salt and pepper

Steps:

1. Heat oil in large pot. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and potato. Saute over low-medium for about 5 minutes.

2. Stir in flour and cook, stirring for 30 seconds. Gradually stir in milk and stock. (add more stock/milk if you think it's needed, I add a little more of both liquids)

3. Add broccoli and corn kernels. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce heat and simmer with lid on for about 20 minutes or until all veggies are tender.

4. Add 1/2 cups of cheese and stir until melted.

5.Season to taste with salt and pepper.

6. Ladle into bowls, top with some more cheddar.

7. Put in mouth. Yum.

I love/recommend serving with fresh, warm sourdough :)

Hope you like it!

P.S. Sorry for the lack of step by step photos. I really like showing the steps in photos, but cooking on a work night is a quick, no-nonsense task for me....haha 

ALSO, thanks so very much for all the kind Birthday wishes :) You all are the best! I had a great Birthday weekend, filled with sweet gifts, good company, very yummy treats and some much enjoyed shopping! Can't wait to show you guys some of the stuff I got....

xo

Lizzie

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

I was given a TON of homegrown Zucchini a few days ago, along with some yummy Corn and Walla Walla Sweet Onions. I knew what to do with the corn and onions...but I had sooooo much Zucchini I was wondering how I was going to use it all. So I was thinking Zucchini bread, but wanted to do something different. I then remembered eating this delicious bread that my sister in law makes:

Chocolate Banana Bread and was inspired to make Chocolate Zucchini Bread!

I took elements from that recipe, along with a few other random zucchini bread recipes I found online and there we have it. Yummy Chocolate Zucchini goodness.

What you need:

1/2 cup European Style Vanilla Yogurt

1/4 cup Oil

1 1/2-2 cups Grated Zucchini (Make sure you squeeze or drain the excess moisture out)

1 Egg

3/4 cup Brown Sugar

1 cup Flour

1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1/2 tsp: Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt, Cinnamon

1/4 cup Cocoa Powder ( I used dark.yum)

1/2 cup Chocolate Chips

1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts

The Egg&Oil didn't make it into this picture party, but a random bag of regular sugar did....oppppsss :)

Steps:

In a bowl, add grated zucchini, yogurt, sugar, oil and egg. Mix together.

In another bowl, mix together the 2 different flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cocoa powder

Combine the wet and dry ingredients

Mix in the walnuts & chocolate chips

Pour batter into a greased loaf pan

Pop into a 350 degree preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, depending on your oven. You will know it's ready when a toothpick is inserted into the center and comes out clean.

Allow to cool a bit before you remove bread from the loaf pan

Slice and enjoy :)

Vegan French Toast

Vegan, Berry French Toast.

Yummy. Easy. Simple.

You should really make this now....you won't regret it.

What you need:

1 Peeled Banana

4 Large Strawberries

Desired amount of Blueberries

1/3 cup Apple Juice

1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

4 slices good quality, fresh French Bread.

Steps:

Combine first 5 ingredients in a blender

Pour fruit mixture on a plate

Soak Bread on both sides

On an oiled or non-stick skillet, cook until lightly browned on both sides

Then, enjoy this amazingly delish breakfast with a little maple syrup...

*Recipe originally from une vie geniale. Love her blog*

The fruit mixture would be really tasty on its own as a smoothie as well!

Enjoy :D

Sounds in the City

On Saturday one of my favorite bands, Iron and Wine, played a show in Seattle at the Paramount and I was lucky enough to get to see them! My lovely husband bought the tickets for us pretty much the second they went on sale, to ensure that I would be able to enjoy their amazing sound live.

Before the concert, we hung around downtown, going to various touristy spots that we rarely go to on a regular basis. When we go into the city, we usually stick with parks and the neighborhoods, so it was fun to be in the fast paced, heart of downtown for a change.

Here's some photos I took before the show :)

After we parked and walked a few blocks, we realized we were pretty hungry, so yummy Chinese it was! Honey chicken over brown rice...mmmmm.

Pike Place.

The infamous gum wall!

YUMMY!

hahahaha

The wall opposite the gum wall, is plastered with posters, graffiti, and random words/sayings. I found this one to be particularly interesting.

While in the alley, I couldn't help but to snap a few outfits photos. Please excuse the odd uphill angle and my feet doing awkward things...

Favorite new accessories.

Flowers made of steel 

On the Pier

My new brown brogues! Finally! It only took me like 2 years to find a perfect pair in my size that weren't astronomically priced. haha

Seattle Center

We were all walked out, so we decided to take the monorail to get back near The Paramount. It was Tim's first time on the monorail...which was a surprise to me lol

Right before the show...

Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos inside of the concert :/ I didn't want to lug my big ol' camera around and on their website it said no cameras or recording devices, but sure enough, when we got inside and the show started, I noticed people using all sorts of little cameras! Boooooo. Oh well, great memories nonetheless!

(Outfit Details:)

Floral dress on clearance at Target for only $10! Belt & Shoes-Target too haha. Turquoise stone ring-Gift from Mom. Bracelet-AE.

Dont' want the weekend to endddd!!

xo

Lizzie