a few good things

It's not hard to eat well in the Spring and the Summer.  Today's post yoga breakfast included kale, bell pepper, boiled potato, carrot, avo, onion, and spring salad mix + delicious chai.

 

My, isn't he a handsome one : ) . 

too true to not post

Happy Monday

(Flying into LA a long time ago.)

Cinnamon + Pumpkin

Last week I had some crazy cravings for baking and baked goods.  My coworker, Erin, who is an amazing and avid baker (she continued to bake delicious baked goods all through lent while she stuck to her promise to give up carbs) suggested pumpkin cookies.  Pumpkin works REALLY WELL gluten free because, as anyone who has ever eaten gluten free baked goods knows, they tend to turn out a bit dry.  Purreed pumpkin compensates for this issue and they end up delicious and moist-- Max even liked them!

Here is the recipe and you can sub stevia for the powdered sugar, crystalized maple for the brown sugar, and coconut milk for the dairy...I highly recommend them as they are scrumptious.  

Ingredients:

• 2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour (use your favorite blend or commercial mix)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon guar gum OR xanthan gum (If you are using a mix that contains xanthan or guar gum OMIT adding more gum)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter OR Spectrum All-Vegetable Shortening
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (don't use presweetened canned pumpkin pie mix)
• 1/3 cup milk OR your favorite dairy free milk substitute (I used canned lite coconut milk)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Glaze Ingredients:
• 1 cup confectioner's sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk OR dairy free milk substitute (I used canned lite coconut milk)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375F / 190C

Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper, silicone pads or lightly grease.

In a medium mixing bowl combine gluten-free flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and guar OR xanthan gum (if your mix does NOT contain gum.) Whisk until thoroughly combined.

In a separate mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg and pumpkin puree and beat until combined.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined.

Drop cookies by generous rounded teaspoons on prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes in preheated oven.

While cookies are baking prepare glaze by whisking confectioner's sugar, milk, vanilla and cinnamon in a medium bowl until smooth and glossy.

Cool cookies for 1-2 minutes. Spoon or brush glaze on cookies.

Yield- About 3 dozen cookies

here is the original recipe...

Golden Chariots and Rings of Fire

Sunday I headed up to SF with Max and the rest of the members of Something Collective.  They had a show at the DNA lounge for the SF battle of the bands- with a very eclectic range of artists.  Upon discovering that the band wasn't going to be playing until 10:45 that night we took the opportunity to wander semi-aimlessly around the city on a quest for cold beer and good food.  On the way we witnessed the solar eclipse (and drew a decent size crowd who wanted to use our double stacked sunglasses for eclipse viewing), saw some interesting street art and inhabitants of the city, and finally landed at the 21st Amendment Brewery before making our way back in time for the show. 

Freewheelin'

Last Tuesday I headed up to Freewheelin' Farm with Food What?! Located 5 miles north of Santa Cruz, the 8 acre farm has a really cool thing going on.  They grow delicious, organic fruits and veggies and bike their produce into town for their CSA program.  Check out their site for their info and some cool images. Here are some of mine:

Pin in Perpetual Motion

While I was in LA a little while back I helped my mom move her bowling pin surfboard to a local residence.  The pin hung out here for a week before participating the the Manhattan Beach centennial parade last weekend.  I seriously commend all of those who volunteered to carry the pin- after carrying it around downtown MB last December I can attest to how heavy that piece is. Here are some images...

South Swells and Amber Sunsets

Getting my wisdom teeth removed last Friday has put me out of the water for the past few days.  I didn't mind the excuse to do nothing but rest yet there is only so much ice cream and episodes of the Office that I can take.  With a new south swell building, I headed north with some friends to document a late evening session.  I perched on a rock with my camera and apple sauce to appreciate the sunset and some gorgeous south bands.