tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22572012608865127022024-03-20T23:29:57.063-07:00The Flax FanaticUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-64707561283961970022013-03-19T11:04:00.002-07:002013-03-19T11:17:36.105-07:00Ready, Set...EAT!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
let me begin my blog post with this ad:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RIFoodFights?fref=ts" target="_blank">Rhode Island Food Fights</a> hosts events all year long, each with a different food theme. They ask bakeries in the surrounding areas to set up a booth and hand out samples of their baked good to people who paid admission to the event. With your ticket ($10), you get an all-you-can-eat access to <i>so</i> many different bakeries, plus coffee and milk, and then you vote for the best bakery.<br />
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with the theme of the event being cupcakes, you <i>know</i> there was no way i was going to miss this. i called my best friend kayla, and she was more than down too so we anxiously awaited the day thousands (try <i>10,000) </i>cupcakes would be ours for the inhaling. <br />
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march 10 was actually daylight savings day, so we lost an hour that previous night. i was more than ok to loose an hour if it meant it would make me one hour closer to the cupcakes. as luke said, "the universe must have known."<br />
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kayla and i had no clue what to expect out of this event. i was a little nervous i would die of happiness once i saw all the cupcakes and never get to try any of them, but thankfully that did not happen.<br />
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when we walked in, we saw this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkz_vcqwYerTK5NF_netBpdLxZ18_mpLfjqDf3u1tff5bjLDrKZj0RfFuI5cnRlvKBRk7sBagCRiRwsiOQ16MNBj2jv2nd7H1fpeo3dYXyMqEJW74gcfM6eT2IU-dkdyrPlZLdOAwEb0m_/s1600/IMG_1478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkz_vcqwYerTK5NF_netBpdLxZ18_mpLfjqDf3u1tff5bjLDrKZj0RfFuI5cnRlvKBRk7sBagCRiRwsiOQ16MNBj2jv2nd7H1fpeo3dYXyMqEJW74gcfM6eT2IU-dkdyrPlZLdOAwEb0m_/s640/IMG_1478.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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and about 2.3 seconds after i snapped this picture, i dove head first into the table.<br />
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the event was in a huge room with tables lined along the perimeter. we were there right when the doors opened, which was good because things soon got hectic. to say the room got congested would be a gross understatement. i'm surprised i left with all my limbs.<br />
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there were <i>so many people </i>and it got very overwhelming. there was lots of pushing and shoving to get to the cupcakes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGuhnMnYvsZTMBMNXxELZvChENtsCHPzGNsChtP6633LaWF-4B_meuHM8P2Y9zKOi6iniL-1lWSHSSWKwvoFLW1ydy1wO9M1uZZ4D8DX_Um_P4l3apPKyu_tvVnda9WBBKVDdHWI36aGh/s1600/IMG_5219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGuhnMnYvsZTMBMNXxELZvChENtsCHPzGNsChtP6633LaWF-4B_meuHM8P2Y9zKOi6iniL-1lWSHSSWKwvoFLW1ydy1wO9M1uZZ4D8DX_Um_P4l3apPKyu_tvVnda9WBBKVDdHWI36aGh/s640/IMG_5219.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little overwhelmed about all the people!</td></tr>
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the cupcakes themselves, however, were incredible. it was SO MUCH FUN to go up to a table, grab a sample, and stuff it into my face. in the beginning kayla and i each took a cupcake from the a table and ate the whole thing, but we quickly changed our game plan. with so many cupcakes to try, we didn't want to fill up too soon!<br />
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but fill up we did. the cupcakes were mini, but man were they filling. we actually had to take a few breaks and sit down to recover! our bodies were going into shock from all the sugar and we soon looked like this:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SO MUCH SUGAR!!!!!</td></tr>
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our favorite place we came across was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/patticakesri" target="_blank">"Patticakes"</a> because they had the most unique and intriguing cupcakes we've ever seen! for instance, they had a chocolate peanut butter cupcake, but it was served in an egg shell and you were given a little spoon to scoop the cupcake out with:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1NoEfI_pihOwVEnL_sSWu9DpuGH5Ve6udhxeSet0Pd_KirT18XYTekSynlZ2oC_kLGGkNAYCt5DcnaBW3-2BI65EDe4olWCezoURst2sm56w12VsC-1EM73GCUKLVmmX-mAmo4w917Xq/s1600/IMG_7424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1NoEfI_pihOwVEnL_sSWu9DpuGH5Ve6udhxeSet0Pd_KirT18XYTekSynlZ2oC_kLGGkNAYCt5DcnaBW3-2BI65EDe4olWCezoURst2sm56w12VsC-1EM73GCUKLVmmX-mAmo4w917Xq/s640/IMG_7424.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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the cupcake was chocolate cake on the botton, a layer of peanut butter frosting, peanut butter, then a rich chocolate ganache and <i>wow</i> was it delicious. <br />
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they also had a champagne cupcake kayla loved:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6CzRr2wVtatkqHHUF_RHd2HMDMJXMmR5fTDGRneUCCc3MIfi7E1C4seuNq1fqCqWRLqTR3dT86T_SAoelgTAT8eGlGj-5oE7ESqx8RgGADsp7iQhzTkc3mergF3K_X3VJF4UgxUsRO2Q/s1600/IMG_3297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6CzRr2wVtatkqHHUF_RHd2HMDMJXMmR5fTDGRneUCCc3MIfi7E1C4seuNq1fqCqWRLqTR3dT86T_SAoelgTAT8eGlGj-5oE7ESqx8RgGADsp7iQhzTkc3mergF3K_X3VJF4UgxUsRO2Q/s640/IMG_3297.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with a cookie champagne bottle on top, how cute!?!</td></tr>
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a delicious salted caramel cupcake with a shot of caramel you could squirt onto the top:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5RMXxHhuAN9EMDA4UY1k_HXAV389PTNs0rGer5e9mYx1EQfulQYYGvErfC5v4F-cKH_8EFZCSfCL_1hiLzfVlGsGXhAlza5bHxk6VL8ieceDPJyU_7rYexdz0qAj0iVVXe8K0P3HDHK6/s1600/IMG_5766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5RMXxHhuAN9EMDA4UY1k_HXAV389PTNs0rGer5e9mYx1EQfulQYYGvErfC5v4F-cKH_8EFZCSfCL_1hiLzfVlGsGXhAlza5bHxk6VL8ieceDPJyU_7rYexdz0qAj0iVVXe8K0P3HDHK6/s640/IMG_5766.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how fun are those!?</td></tr>
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and a s'mores one that was <i>divine. </i>what is especially impressive about this cupcake is that everything, from the graham cracker to the marshmello is all homemade. inside was a marshmello filling as well!<br />
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we tried <i>so many cupcakes...</i>some were good:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKOKZvZqo6HNXJkPKDlIG54npwLfW_pnbE-6xuOvla6E3CTMa9_JtL_emkC1sHas52crl7QWc7M2XSsQWmg6Y46O7QPvrHREjWmQFvuLF5U2HXOcu6VOun4YlJlmdOL1WKrbSbNGyFnzE/s1600/IMG_0743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKOKZvZqo6HNXJkPKDlIG54npwLfW_pnbE-6xuOvla6E3CTMa9_JtL_emkC1sHas52crl7QWc7M2XSsQWmg6Y46O7QPvrHREjWmQFvuLF5U2HXOcu6VOun4YlJlmdOL1WKrbSbNGyFnzE/s640/IMG_0743.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a chocolate coconut cupcake with an almond joy candy bar on top! sooooo gooooood</td></tr>
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and some were not:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TzHDfTZ6ng1UrQ2JibCRaJmsz-8Pu90NBSSwelbK_suEUmpDuraEWdlUlQI0-sIPF-S8g5jpX7hpGH6mh5IE9OUcmzNe_PpPSXh8VMDYlJgk0dKhf6sq4R-NV_vqHA5WOJqv-8_kaCKU/s1600/IMG_9888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TzHDfTZ6ng1UrQ2JibCRaJmsz-8Pu90NBSSwelbK_suEUmpDuraEWdlUlQI0-sIPF-S8g5jpX7hpGH6mh5IE9OUcmzNe_PpPSXh8VMDYlJgk0dKhf6sq4R-NV_vqHA5WOJqv-8_kaCKU/s640/IMG_9888.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a caramel late cupcake that was just gross. </td></tr>
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another highlight from the day was getting to see Aimee from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aimees-Bakin/143866342311519?fref=ts" target="_blank">Aimee's Bakin'</a>! She and I went to high school together and she went on to graduate from Johnson and Wales as a pastry chef! she now has her own buisness and i got to try some of her delicious cupcakes finally!! I highly recommend her if you are looking for a good baked good!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtVZkOII8mpMC-JowLrESwBKShd6GRVQQktxqWQl-U9VvM-CpaSzeTTNeGSmzyeQSQXat-Ql2TFlDzYQfcgPXLCsmGMfjHB61OpdQoDfg6pDCEocVNNZc3BcdI-q2Veh4c0L5Uuv3CJzr/s1600/IMG_0423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtVZkOII8mpMC-JowLrESwBKShd6GRVQQktxqWQl-U9VvM-CpaSzeTTNeGSmzyeQSQXat-Ql2TFlDzYQfcgPXLCsmGMfjHB61OpdQoDfg6pDCEocVNNZc3BcdI-q2Veh4c0L5Uuv3CJzr/s640/IMG_0423.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hi Aimee!!</td></tr>
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eventually the inevitable happened: we got full. i am a little disappointed in my body for not being able to consume dozens of cupcakes in one sitting. not yet ready to admit defeat, we took a break and just took pictures of the cupcakes until we felt prepared to eat them:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH7VIBV-Y4JzrXrt7ePxq8qpe14avNznrKUSKD17X2HJPyoLaCt8u7iayqFiPkUltlhA5an0qYuHwYkk9nhx20HyNcofbBy1PtpFJAO-3P0ChXzNkmZYkK0tc7JScSSRMKtqs6cm2fo7L/s1600/IMG_9984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH7VIBV-Y4JzrXrt7ePxq8qpe14avNznrKUSKD17X2HJPyoLaCt8u7iayqFiPkUltlhA5an0qYuHwYkk9nhx20HyNcofbBy1PtpFJAO-3P0ChXzNkmZYkK0tc7JScSSRMKtqs6cm2fo7L/s640/IMG_9984.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a cannoli cupcake that tasted JUST like a real cannoli. </td></tr>
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i had also brought a little container with me, so as the cupcakes turned into a nauseating taunt, i just put them in my tupperware to eat at a later date. mind you, mine fit seven but there were people there with sheet cake boxes that were piling them in. needless to say, about two hours after the event opened, the booths were cleared out even though the event still had two hours to go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncSc-j7tXY6aubYJHhPiAi7wXGP6u-Z191Nhb1PWa4CeNzIzC191IUd5-OeyCR4CQFbGjwDhoxPquHt8TnbJtPqtrKybI3j9_6HLfqqu5FZOBSvaCU6yyISh_vZU3C4m4Ghm4a18BmiyR/s1600/IMG_4911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncSc-j7tXY6aubYJHhPiAi7wXGP6u-Z191Nhb1PWa4CeNzIzC191IUd5-OeyCR4CQFbGjwDhoxPquHt8TnbJtPqtrKybI3j9_6HLfqqu5FZOBSvaCU6yyISh_vZU3C4m4Ghm4a18BmiyR/s640/IMG_4911.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my parting token which i enjoyed all last week</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
as we were leaving, we were handed free flour!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJq19l9GvKdfDvbu1DcjVR_u9b-K4Btf0rc7UKs1-8-RrvEgR3rUcEfKDul4pfaNNbBvZzkzkBiScKq_WfnKia2mgi58tngs7lxovzwTPLolKvrvsto0fSbanVxzxGN6c9-N8k9zVqMtZb/s1600/IMG_9901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJq19l9GvKdfDvbu1DcjVR_u9b-K4Btf0rc7UKs1-8-RrvEgR3rUcEfKDul4pfaNNbBvZzkzkBiScKq_WfnKia2mgi58tngs7lxovzwTPLolKvrvsto0fSbanVxzxGN6c9-N8k9zVqMtZb/s640/IMG_9901.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kayla is <i>super </i>excited about the flour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and we saw Cupcake Charlie's van!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhY8kwwsoQPgz70MddzQgJ6GKwSEgrO91l5pKpPMPczgrNyXw_iY7vmvI_c7XxaG01pzXCSXrW9rnuomMcHpoyTkrvd4gMonA37o_6Wovwc2KfSqBnfzI-mUKgg736UZV6fi9VRM-QAt3/s1600/IMG_0543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhY8kwwsoQPgz70MddzQgJ6GKwSEgrO91l5pKpPMPczgrNyXw_iY7vmvI_c7XxaG01pzXCSXrW9rnuomMcHpoyTkrvd4gMonA37o_6Wovwc2KfSqBnfzI-mUKgg736UZV6fi9VRM-QAt3/s640/IMG_0543.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
i have eaten at this bakery before and they have a slogan i live my life by:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZk7f_rEFlhzkNIYrRzPRy7Bruiy3hJ1JvcHglaVHZAqO8R4F_MmZ0Q7MYOo2_qmgRCOI2N685fiCYYRy-rBj0ls6uFDYWZRwUjVdpJFuCYYXzjnlzgCv0JHNU97jXuNe2CDUJ12QBizEI/s1600/IMG_6317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZk7f_rEFlhzkNIYrRzPRy7Bruiy3hJ1JvcHglaVHZAqO8R4F_MmZ0Q7MYOo2_qmgRCOI2N685fiCYYRy-rBj0ls6uFDYWZRwUjVdpJFuCYYXzjnlzgCv0JHNU97jXuNe2CDUJ12QBizEI/s400/IMG_6317.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
clearly.<br />
<br />
by the end we were <i>stuffed to the brim</i> with cupcakes and decided that as fun as the event was, it would be better to just grab a tupper ware (or sheet cake box...) and fill it with cupcakes to take home and eat leisurely. as it turns out, too much a good thing can lead to a stomach ache!<br />
<br />
when i got home, all i wanted was a salad. luckily i had one already waiting for me in the fridge, and so as i tried to figure out exactly how many spinach leaves i could fit into my mouth without suffocating, i told my mom about the day. i actually think i literally had leaves hanging out my mouth as i talked to her. only a mother's love is so deep that she didn't judge me.<br />
<br />
all that embarrassing stuff being said, the day was so fun. when are you ever brought into a room and told "go eat as much as you want of your favorite food!"?!? i felt very lucky to have been there and able to try everyone's work. it's nice to know your passion is shared with others!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDl6-nH0xYGhMzN-lf9gpP90lZTksqrMUc84uohizSJu5eBE86vRI7GU4C1RomSe8vQR541H9l4pD2ZlNiR8OOxAh8hX14Qe6jM9PZl6t4UvWwMB_Wrlxuj5gQZZAiJ3uYsRmu1IhKT1i/s1600/IMG_0710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDl6-nH0xYGhMzN-lf9gpP90lZTksqrMUc84uohizSJu5eBE86vRI7GU4C1RomSe8vQR541H9l4pD2ZlNiR8OOxAh8hX14Qe6jM9PZl6t4UvWwMB_Wrlxuj5gQZZAiJ3uYsRmu1IhKT1i/s640/IMG_0710.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">notice my thumb. things got messy that day...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
all last week i loved getting to eat the cupcakes i took home, and it definitely inspired me to make more of my own! maybe i will have a booth at the next Great Cupcake Championship...<br />
<br />
also, i've heard whisper about a Great Ice Cream Championship...kayla, you ready?!?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-51983811047245715102013-02-19T12:12:00.000-08:002013-02-19T12:12:13.694-08:00Hit the Jackpothey there!<br />
<br />
i hope you are doing well! i am-i joined a gym!<br />
<br />
while i was in college i took full advantage of their gym and exercise classes. my <a href="http://theflaxfanatic.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-friendship-sweeter-than-frosting.html" target="_blank">best friend robyn</a> and i took many together, like zumba (LOVE), step, yoga, and kick boxing. i love working out on my own, and running will always be my favorite form of exercise, but there is something addicting about exercise classes that always gets me.<br />
<br />
when i graduated college, i no longer had a membership to the gym so could no longer take their classes. i instead did workouts at home but it wasn't the same. i craved group exercise something fierce. with the winter weather seriously getting me down, i figured now was the best time to get a little hit of endorphins to cheer me up!<br />
<br />
i joined my town's gym yesterday and took a yoga and spin class. yoga and i have a love/hate relationship. mentally, i loveeee it. physically, it makes me want to die. which oddly only makes me want to do it more, so i get better at it and strengthen my body. so bring it, yoga!<br />
<br />
spinning i was <i>so excited for.</i> i have heard it is a fast, heart pounding, sweaty kick in the butt and have wanted to try it for years. and i must say: i'm addicted. hear that? <i>addicted. </i> i have strong legs from running, so pushing them to their limits in spinning felt almost too good.<br />
<br />
my mantra i repeated to myself when i wanted to slow down? <i>Munson's.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
confused?<br />
<br />
let me paint you a picture:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMUstXXVFYxnpTFdtrrjUlePubVIBCSxk-geMcO0Yaxf5Wd46XnkcZ3dFdHuQYE6PJvyOoBAmb29Dd2wO-5ys8Dx93iN4xXC9G8HDM6_w6O8AyM6hOXP7poXpS0Rrycg2wEWNf8HuRdSo/s1600/image_1361303793668721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMUstXXVFYxnpTFdtrrjUlePubVIBCSxk-geMcO0Yaxf5Wd46XnkcZ3dFdHuQYE6PJvyOoBAmb29Dd2wO-5ys8Dx93iN4xXC9G8HDM6_w6O8AyM6hOXP7poXpS0Rrycg2wEWNf8HuRdSo/s640/image_1361303793668721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
get it now?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.munsonschocolates.com/" target="_blank">Munson's</a>, my friends, is the best chocolate place ever. luke lives right by one of their stores and introduced me to this little shop of heaven in the summer. i have never been the same since.<br />
<br />
luke has learned:<br />
is julia upset? munson's.<br />
are we celebrating an anniversary? munson's.<br />
do i want to get boyfriend points? munson's.<br />
is it a friday? munson's.<br />
<br />
most recently he gave me this box of everything that is good in the world for valentines day, along with a chocolate rose because let's be honest, a chocolate rose is <i>way</i> better than a real one. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VuxJ_vZpZhiWZwmJXa1BIO46QSclT7opon2QuaZhVKgzbJ9A-ilMfKgP6er62WUDj4RAXW1qV9x5nZoGpl-sIxdALP2Q2tmT7kwx2vgUbDeVHVImOaLazT5iyN2i0VsqEuiQhpc7Bm2_/s1600/598403_10151308030712012_560915348_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VuxJ_vZpZhiWZwmJXa1BIO46QSclT7opon2QuaZhVKgzbJ9A-ilMfKgP6er62WUDj4RAXW1qV9x5nZoGpl-sIxdALP2Q2tmT7kwx2vgUbDeVHVImOaLazT5iyN2i0VsqEuiQhpc7Bm2_/s640/598403_10151308030712012_560915348_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
and as i was on that bike last night convinced my legs were going to fly off my body and my heart was going to burst and all i wanted to do was stop, i thought to myself "MUNSONS!! DO IT FOR YOUR MUNSONS!!"<br />
<br />
and?<br />
<br />
it worked. <br />
<br />
i must say, suddenly having all these classes open to me feels like i hit the jackpot. today i am trying two other classes and i could not be more excited.<br />
<br />
maybe YOU should try it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-33172728315557861132013-02-10T08:40:00.000-08:002013-02-10T08:40:34.159-08:00Pancake Pile UpHello chickadees! i'd like to invite you to breakfast!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQw2zteSyWeFkgVPOeg5T3o64oUSygQwiOYUmgUVJIHco693GHgxKpEIk4NSis4lKWv25au7WMYS3Ievz28gEq-T_YILfo_UPOdSgpZEl3Wr5jcJLsIJ6gVvwbu4tHMc1aIw9hkr7FOVO/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQw2zteSyWeFkgVPOeg5T3o64oUSygQwiOYUmgUVJIHco693GHgxKpEIk4NSis4lKWv25au7WMYS3Ievz28gEq-T_YILfo_UPOdSgpZEl3Wr5jcJLsIJ6gVvwbu4tHMc1aIw9hkr7FOVO/s640/image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
if we were having breakfast this morning, i'd give you a stack of pancakes like this one. breakfast foods are my favorite by far, so i always have fun experimenting with new creations. if i could, i'd have breakfast for every meal of the day.<br />
<br />
i would also give you some of my <a href="http://theflaxfanatic.blogspot.com/2013/02/baby-its-cold-outside.html" target="_blank">chocolate truffles</a>. they are delish, and at my breakfast restaurant, dessert is mandatory!<br />
<br />
i would tell you about how yesterday was day two of being snowed in, and how i decided to use my time wisely and <strike>lay around doing nothing</strike> put my skills to use. i'd show you the homemade granola from <a href="http://www.eatliverun.com/" target="_blank">Jenna</a>'s cookbook <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402777779?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1402777779&linkCode=xm2&tag=ealiru-20" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">White Jacket Required</a> that i made, and how it made the whole apartment (all three feet of it!) smell of cinnamon and maple syrup. yum!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGowQPAyVfsrQRWUxQuFFtENQEeLKAU_o7UCZzkfKX_cdWMEevrbVAC6u-LFpKZQ9Ha_6qMmJ_vpZmsto4ffm89EhrjKLmUX964IWUURZYEvEdyjqWj9Dg0mnmEH8LxJsDOu1QQlKtZG3S/s1600/image%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGowQPAyVfsrQRWUxQuFFtENQEeLKAU_o7UCZzkfKX_cdWMEevrbVAC6u-LFpKZQ9Ha_6qMmJ_vpZmsto4ffm89EhrjKLmUX964IWUURZYEvEdyjqWj9Dg0mnmEH8LxJsDOu1QQlKtZG3S/s640/image%255B1%255D.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_1167061401"></span><span id="goog_1167061402"></span>as i piled the pancakes onto your plate, layering each with a slab of peanut butter, sliced bananas, greek yogurt, and granola, i would tell you about how after the granola was done i sat around the apartment all day, wisely saving all my energy because i knew i'd be needing it once katherine and i summoned up the courage to tackle finding our cars under the mountains of snow<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDyshFVbm7iXiFanXbhOQRJzahZwknNENbJ0y-Dii08pJfFFoqqnZm-PCngjtYRKOCeLOPziJ04GHcxp0QVgL7DG2beY0bY9M6-nad_uet37NcJvz-Sl54dmrXt_xjyp5J3evBsrnPkyi/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDyshFVbm7iXiFanXbhOQRJzahZwknNENbJ0y-Dii08pJfFFoqqnZm-PCngjtYRKOCeLOPziJ04GHcxp0QVgL7DG2beY0bY9M6-nad_uet37NcJvz-Sl54dmrXt_xjyp5J3evBsrnPkyi/s640/image.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
we'd laugh about how this is what i found when we went outside:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VcTV-le8EGUEz_mpYfbwjfaD_PbUseFznDE47ZiFen5ExcCD7G64unOohmWgDeHur4beJTDWeLjLT9KN1wAdIuDVtI29bvnWFCWIQ_GnsbMIkBCVr7c-eQp80u-S2Y7LtyJjcpPW6-FT/s1600/image+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VcTV-le8EGUEz_mpYfbwjfaD_PbUseFznDE47ZiFen5ExcCD7G64unOohmWgDeHur4beJTDWeLjLT9KN1wAdIuDVtI29bvnWFCWIQ_GnsbMIkBCVr7c-eQp80u-S2Y7LtyJjcpPW6-FT/s400/image+(6).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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the neighbors clearly had their priorities in order. gotta keep the beer cool! cheers to that.<br />
<br />
i'd tell you about how pretty the neighborhood looked as the sun was going down, and how i was struck by this scene when i took a pause from shoveling:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNT16fnSs0EJl9yh2EmyR4R40E847pSUarJIKJLBKV7hbysrwj7SOKDSFPzzw5TcLh9ZCzpYuJ8AalZmrW4CChkfN0VwECsYn3qnIjMsZmdvGgw5KSAFhXYJRr9HUCWaWofxPd3vzTB26/s1600/image%255B3%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNT16fnSs0EJl9yh2EmyR4R40E847pSUarJIKJLBKV7hbysrwj7SOKDSFPzzw5TcLh9ZCzpYuJ8AalZmrW4CChkfN0VwECsYn3qnIjMsZmdvGgw5KSAFhXYJRr9HUCWaWofxPd3vzTB26/s640/image%255B3%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and how much fun katherine and i had trecking up and down the huge snow drifts just to get in and out of our house. i'd show you pictures of this awesome hidden fort we found right next to our doorstep:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3316S9Dv4XgO2owx4TIQHyTr8rNjoqkd-Dxpt5be6ZDQmHXxG4T-5mAGq-vK8ufRufKrEgGSOHDrehE5nlHyKYbBLmgEXxwU5YWQnqjYsqDdbZgR4OJnl3HC5rinLqznhzTm9uq6XU-z/s1600/image%5B2%5D+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3316S9Dv4XgO2owx4TIQHyTr8rNjoqkd-Dxpt5be6ZDQmHXxG4T-5mAGq-vK8ufRufKrEgGSOHDrehE5nlHyKYbBLmgEXxwU5YWQnqjYsqDdbZgR4OJnl3HC5rinLqznhzTm9uq6XU-z/s640/image%5B2%5D+(2).jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
as i poured you a cup of coffee from my favorite grocery store ever, Fresh Market, (i love you, too, Trader Joe's!) i'd reassure you though that i still vehemently hate the snow and the cold, and would reenact one of my 5 or 6 thousand hate rants i went on last night to katherine about how i NEED TO GET OUT OF NEW ENGLAND AND OVER TO WARM, SUNNY CALIFORNIA <span style="font-size: large;"><i>RIGHT THIS INSTANT!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
i'd regain control once you then gave me a chocolate and told me to stop yelling. chocolate usually calms me down, this luke has learned.<br />
<br />
as we finished our last bites of pancake and last slurps of coffee, i'd tell you about my conspiracy theory that luke is hiding a puppy in my apartment somewhere for me to find on valentine's day. he denies this theory, but we'll see who's right on thursday...<br />
<br />
luke, i better be right.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16_LB_uiGz5NZrkvQfyIfRrOLZnkxE14SkG25zyJzwFvRQoO5uPp_BGsMCorXYvoyi_sdhZhv9nFL6_PZBCLW1h2dK8RpSVahOtahwECrwfyh5mAe7yDI91fq2mlWLTQEZQ7V6BFq-eVv/s1600/image%255B3%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16_LB_uiGz5NZrkvQfyIfRrOLZnkxE14SkG25zyJzwFvRQoO5uPp_BGsMCorXYvoyi_sdhZhv9nFL6_PZBCLW1h2dK8RpSVahOtahwECrwfyh5mAe7yDI91fq2mlWLTQEZQ7V6BFq-eVv/s640/image%255B3%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
so, want to come over for breakfast?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-36491888646998872042013-02-08T19:02:00.002-08:002013-02-08T19:02:48.632-08:00Baby It's Cold OutsideHello, hello!<br />
<br />
it's been a WHILE. and i am so sorry about that! but i am currently stuck in my house due to a blizzard, so i figured this would be the perfect time to write a blog post!<br />
<br />
it's a shame that all the roads are banned and flights are cancelled because my roommate showed me <a href="http://mocoloco.com/archives/004309.php" target="_blank">this</a> this morning and i had my bag almost completely packed before i realized....i can't leave my house. thanks a lot SNOW, for ruining my plans once again! i hate you.<br />
<br />
clearly i need a happy pill.<br />
<br />
<img alt="happy_pills_store_5.jpg" height="480" src="http://mocoloco.com/upload/2007/07/bcn_happy_pills/happy_pills_store_5.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
seriously though, is this not a <i>genius</i> idea?!? i think we could all use a good sugar high every now and again! sugar highs for everyone!!<br />
<br />
so what does a girl do who has approximately three feet of living space to entertain herself with all day and night? make my OWN candy.<br />
<br />
can't stop me now, snow!<br />
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i found <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/02/cabernet-chocolate-truffles/" target="_blank">this post</a> the other day, and knew this would be the perfect day to make them. wine and chocolate? i don't think i know of anything more important to my survival. amen? amen.<br />
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i would, however, love some ice cream to go with my chocolates and unfortunately i don't have any. so that means i have to drive to the store, and thereby risking one year in jail (the threat the governor gave if anyone was found driving.) is ice cream worth one year of jail time? we all know the answer to that question.<br />
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i'm foreseeing this blog going in a different direction soon...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTH1-iFQa0L2wf8ROsht1fNYD-Et6Gve7wZOPs1Ev4LYwtj4Hen4LM8m56GOLwut7QEGGrRWefZmkTnanxXaKWqnfXyV5U8uTNgr9oGuJ2Jqo0Lh_wi-1XLK353WSmnYyJNjGVZzCnuNb/s1600/image_1360377346711211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTH1-iFQa0L2wf8ROsht1fNYD-Et6Gve7wZOPs1Ev4LYwtj4Hen4LM8m56GOLwut7QEGGrRWefZmkTnanxXaKWqnfXyV5U8uTNgr9oGuJ2Jqo0Lh_wi-1XLK353WSmnYyJNjGVZzCnuNb/s400/image_1360377346711211.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a ninja mask for ice cream expeditions! they'll never catch me<br /></td></tr>
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the chocolates needed time to cool in the fridge, so while i waited my roommate and i decided to tackle the blizzard ourselves, but not before putting on 14 layers of clothing each. we could barely move down the stairs to get outside, but moving proved not to be too much of an issue once we entered the tundra.<div>
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MAN, that wind was strong! and the ice pellets that hit my face-that hurt. but jumping into the huge snow banks and being the first to make tracks in the snow was quite enjoyable. i felt like a kid again! i miss that feeling.</div>
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but then i got back to the apartment and ate a wine-infused truffle. then i was very, very happy to be over the legal drinking age. i'll stay a kid at heart, but not on paper, thanks.</div>
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and now, back to wishing i was in california, where the weather forecast is 60 and sunny...wouldn't that be nice.</div>
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stay safe if you're in the blizzard territory, friends! and have a glass, on me-it's not like you'll be driving any time soon...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-11040882332640859692012-11-29T18:26:00.000-08:002012-11-29T18:26:38.965-08:00Cooking for a Crowdhello hello there!<br />
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i hope you all had wonderful thanksgiving, full of delicious eats! this year mine was quite eventful-i was hired to be the head baker for an inn and all the desserts were up to me to create! which is basically my dream come true.<br />
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after much deliberation and recipe pondering (probably the most fun homework ever), i decided on making pumpkin pie, pecan pie, pumpkin biscotti, <a href="http://theflaxfanatic.blogspot.com/2012/09/mission-accomplished.html" target="_blank">spice cupcakes</a> with chai buttercream frosting, and a flourless chocolate torte. YUM!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cci9vAM8-m7g9M9xgDvpDiz7ATd6pC5VjXGHNo5ZwcQVOZUIVP0yyYCBSuthYqfhjA7oze3NVSoDQumKs1BHDjx_QO-Cm6In_qQ-st-2dJOaiPhKpIH36i0uj1_xKf-cikGP6ia0NCzb/s1600/IMG_0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cci9vAM8-m7g9M9xgDvpDiz7ATd6pC5VjXGHNo5ZwcQVOZUIVP0yyYCBSuthYqfhjA7oze3NVSoDQumKs1BHDjx_QO-Cm6In_qQ-st-2dJOaiPhKpIH36i0uj1_xKf-cikGP6ia0NCzb/s400/IMG_0268.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the kitchen i <strike>made a mess of</strike> baked in!</td></tr>
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I brought over a test run of the pecan pie to Luke's family, and knew the recipe was a keeper when his dad declared it was officially his favorite thing I ever made him. Guess he couldn't tell that the main ingredient was tofu ;)<br />
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most of the time i had that whole kitchen to myself, which was wonderful. once i learned my way around i was zooming like a mad woman from stove burner to oven to mixing bowl to timer. i am pretty sure the guard who kept "dropping by" one of the nights i was baking was actually legitimately concerned for my well being. which made a lot more sense once i got home and looked at myself in mirror, where i noticed my hair was falling out of my pony tail, i had frosting on my face, and my arms were covered in chocolate.<br />
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hey, i could be covered in worse.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcc4zzBGYck_h46Jxj_96tatp_T_IMEScnxi_C4holyDEVku28-l3gr55JWBRw36eI0l0nASlMdVqxOu38W0pxvR4amx5yvXyHCNTOjz6GjgCfA8ibi-dDfL0-fUpJ1-xBnJryp85mHCyL/s1600/IMG_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcc4zzBGYck_h46Jxj_96tatp_T_IMEScnxi_C4holyDEVku28-l3gr55JWBRw36eI0l0nASlMdVqxOu38W0pxvR4amx5yvXyHCNTOjz6GjgCfA8ibi-dDfL0-fUpJ1-xBnJryp85mHCyL/s640/IMG_0262.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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actually, i am pleased to say everything came out great, even if i <i>did</i> happen to burn the first attempt at the chocolate torte. after making 24 pies, 70 cupcakes, frosting, 120 biscotti, and a (non burnt) large chocolate torte, my job was complete. that is by far the most i have ever made in my life! the chef said everything was enjoyed on the big day, and i even got offered a job to do the Christmas baking! just call me Head Baker Julia...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPl4XaStkdflZYIBtVj8kg7iRWQvzVG5wCUE1E4njD26xp5TcjQyu9V4oIKG0WGBQzKvRNgoYedoUekocD_8SAkUNOZoJ6EzGL4y126gLBcL57J9foqbCv8vmcKeOg_cg74hJl5dfhAwL/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPl4XaStkdflZYIBtVj8kg7iRWQvzVG5wCUE1E4njD26xp5TcjQyu9V4oIKG0WGBQzKvRNgoYedoUekocD_8SAkUNOZoJ6EzGL4y126gLBcL57J9foqbCv8vmcKeOg_cg74hJl5dfhAwL/s640/IMG_0272.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the pumpkin walnut biscotti dipped in chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate i made. a must for any Thanksgiving coffee drink :)</td></tr>
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<br />my thanksgiving was a bit nontraditional this year, in that i ran a 5 mile turkey trot and then got together with just my cousin, where the start of the meal was grapenuts. that might sound weird to you, but for us, it was the perfect holiday!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzjkWqaSWBRHvghWp7POet07_eeYJJIAVTpouGWmSQ8qDBKmatn1n7eWo8QqZQUaCKjR2TCgU3BZkRVci1z-ZU4eY6S7TCNcUReMdrJ9509CBc_Vg6yKmGRk0w_4Pkd0SiJt2MgHRljCR/s1600/IMG_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzjkWqaSWBRHvghWp7POet07_eeYJJIAVTpouGWmSQ8qDBKmatn1n7eWo8QqZQUaCKjR2TCgU3BZkRVci1z-ZU4eY6S7TCNcUReMdrJ9509CBc_Vg6yKmGRk0w_4Pkd0SiJt2MgHRljCR/s320/IMG_0283.JPG" width="259" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiixSTTAyLx_nZxCTtOJztY5nxaTFr2ci7rG5Oy9L-uUNg6WOaXACkHa6dSyI-jFSj8d1DELJZzzH4Qd6hkYOMgEDJPzOL9BIY3JirgScpxUdKoX-uiIg1nKjUron-K2pC0r8xOFMkSbvC/s1600/IMG_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiixSTTAyLx_nZxCTtOJztY5nxaTFr2ci7rG5Oy9L-uUNg6WOaXACkHa6dSyI-jFSj8d1DELJZzzH4Qd6hkYOMgEDJPzOL9BIY3JirgScpxUdKoX-uiIg1nKjUron-K2pC0r8xOFMkSbvC/s320/IMG_0298.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
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bridget is my younger cousin, but is more like my sister/best friend. i am SO thankful for her in my life, and honestly don't know what i would do without her! therefore, it was very fitting to spend the day dedicated to thankfulness with her :)</div>
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and we celebrated by indulging in all our favorite traditions! grapenuts is an inside joke that was started years and year ago, but basically it's our favorite food and we put it on everything. so, we started the day with yogurt, strawberries, and grapenuts, a meal that can't be beat!</div>
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the day was spent doing all of our favorite traditions, like taking pictures, playing dog monopoly, and dancing around like goons. </div>
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eventually we got very hungry and made our other traditional meal-brownie sundaes. we do not hold back on these, and add everything and anything to make them the best! </div>
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this delicious creation would be a brownie (taken out of the oven early so it was still gooey, obvioulsy), half ben and jerry's phish food ice cream and half cookies and cream ice cream, crushed sugar cone, chocolate coated candy pieces, chocolate chips, a cherry, whipped cream, and grapenuts! i absolutely enjoyed every bite!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04l7DvUclCXt6IPjTPa1FpAwEvsnN28bFz39QI0eAzPN_K6fVKP2str5mOUWwNspVFFZHRWCIZKmlT1OsIAhw9aNgq261iA4YFICcBRqK1JAVVNDMikKg80PneUvYSqtlMDANxiGW5PzY/s1600/IMG_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04l7DvUclCXt6IPjTPa1FpAwEvsnN28bFz39QI0eAzPN_K6fVKP2str5mOUWwNspVFFZHRWCIZKmlT1OsIAhw9aNgq261iA4YFICcBRqK1JAVVNDMikKg80PneUvYSqtlMDANxiGW5PzY/s640/IMG_0302.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that would be me, holding up the grapenuts box rafiki style while singing "the circle of life" yes, we love grapenuts <i>that much</i></td></tr>
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needless to say my thanksgiving this year was very out of the ordinary, from baking for a huge crowd, to never actually eating any turkey or stuffing (i don't like either....seriously, give me ice cream for every meal.)</div>
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what was YOURS like?</div>
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*also!!! i am now just like every other person on the planet and have an iphone, and clearly the first app i downloaded was instagram.<a href="http://instagram.com/juliam2790/" target="_blank"> follow me!</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-31395908495430488922012-11-04T15:16:00.002-08:002012-11-29T17:47:50.769-08:00A Taste of FallHey friends!<br />
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it's been a while! i hope you are all enjoying fall-i know i am! since it's been a hot minute since i've last written, i thought i'd give you a quick slide show of my fall so far!<br />
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most of my days are spent at the bakery i work at, and i could not ask for a better job! nothing beats being surrounded by freshly baked treats!<br />
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we are located right on the ocean-this view was taken from our porch. for a while i was getting up at 4:30am to make it to the bakery for 5:30 in order to bake everything and open up the shop. many people have asked me <i>why on earth </i>i do that, but isn't this sunrise enough of an answer?!</div>
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i've also enjoyed forming friendships with the regulars. i know most of the people who come in in the morning by name, and love chatting with them, sharing stories, and learning about their lives. i even got a job doing the baking for Thanksgiving morning at an inn one of my new friends cooks at!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOd_tr5BpTpsMfMi2ugpK7Qy2a05fGtdcVf8NqIwR0r9vqPLTwCnlP75LUJBIuI-uyuEH5wfTy5Xm4C2GvDC9tLI7mmG90Ih3Ueg7wfCDGOimDkxlutoaLVXPT_Uwe9qbls3uf3cFtQh2s/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOd_tr5BpTpsMfMi2ugpK7Qy2a05fGtdcVf8NqIwR0r9vqPLTwCnlP75LUJBIuI-uyuEH5wfTy5Xm4C2GvDC9tLI7mmG90Ih3Ueg7wfCDGOimDkxlutoaLVXPT_Uwe9qbls3uf3cFtQh2s/s320/IMG_0132.JPG" width="320" /></a>One night, after a long day at the bakery, i was at home and feeling quite bored. i (being the awesome person i am) settled on tossing kettle corn into the air and trying to catch it in my mouth. eventually i grew tired of that game and called to luke to tell him about how his super cool girlfriend now had a stomach ache from too much kettle corn, to which he replied "well come downstairs then. i'll bring you to get ice cream!" i ran down the stairs, opened the door, and there he was! he had decided spur of the moment to surprise me so drove up when he got out of work! "get your coat, i'm taking you for ice cream!" he said. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMLTbTwrVu7cTHzthct_wyfGztxpN7Fa4GFmxREiK5boxrfoAohs8KsSxnrrjNH5-C-F6QLHX-kJJhw8mi66KKu7ouaIryYLM-J1aR52wOgtACyETIc3LYbRfXy0CdrjV6Fr54Yn7qhz9/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMLTbTwrVu7cTHzthct_wyfGztxpN7Fa4GFmxREiK5boxrfoAohs8KsSxnrrjNH5-C-F6QLHX-kJJhw8mi66KKu7ouaIryYLM-J1aR52wOgtACyETIc3LYbRfXy0CdrjV6Fr54Yn7qhz9/s640/IMG_0102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNADIDc1tyzbAkTFend9TBatC55tvGyyt3bw0tRoq8VDY-tYru5uBbHO_jxB4TcAYydJgIsSgDVjN8-HPtb-dvy5yiseR1iw6UspLSe3wNXMImaY3cOBuLHXDE13J8SCg8pSsnPm1K7BhJ/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNADIDc1tyzbAkTFend9TBatC55tvGyyt3bw0tRoq8VDY-tYru5uBbHO_jxB4TcAYydJgIsSgDVjN8-HPtb-dvy5yiseR1iw6UspLSe3wNXMImaY3cOBuLHXDE13J8SCg8pSsnPm1K7BhJ/s400/IMG_0093.JPG" width="311" /></a>i was so shocked! no one has ever surprised me before! my night quickly took an upturn and i felt like the luckiest girl as i ate my favorite ice cream flavor ever, pumpkin oreo. i had tried this new flavor a couple weeks before, and hadn't stopped talking about it. actually, i am <i>still</i> talking about it, a month later. pumpkin oreo ice cream?!? sent straight from the heavens, i am telling you.<br />
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as if i wasn't already convinced i was dating the best guy in the world, the next day i came home to what you see below. while i was at work he took the time to cook me dinner! and this is huge, because before this meal, he had never cooked a meal before. ever. in fact, he once tried to make easy mac in the microwave and forgot to the add the water. he also once made the girl he was babysitting cry because he burnt her popcorn. true stories.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiz8TQxSSKaTGZJxFnCk2VpaVIrdA9E6rDoKZPh5LWJCoAc4dtqayLbSqAVWSdFKU8WF2ymoSS4c0ysAe51-gMjWLDedXszBrqXN9YH0xxLsDl77nenb_VSIFvKmdpQ4iDsN7En-DyBi7c/s1600/IMG_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiz8TQxSSKaTGZJxFnCk2VpaVIrdA9E6rDoKZPh5LWJCoAc4dtqayLbSqAVWSdFKU8WF2ymoSS4c0ysAe51-gMjWLDedXszBrqXN9YH0xxLsDl77nenb_VSIFvKmdpQ4iDsN7En-DyBi7c/s640/IMG_0110.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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so, the fact that he even attempted anything in the kitchen is awesome enough. but he took it a step further by making my favorite meal, salmon. and guess what? he<i> rocked it! </i>he made a delicious salmon salad, and as you can see, took lots of time in the presentation. he explained that he knew i would pick up on how it was displayed, since i'm very into decorating my baked goods, so he wanted to step up to the plate (punny!) oh, and the flowers? yeah, he also got me those. i have NO clue how i get to date this kid, but let's just say i plan on keeping him. sorry, ladies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT03pyJpRjptJieEB_kpf2FoqEdC4KPBbT8naF202cte0sGV2pivJytzjFTJx4R8mWtgmpNvCgcPlfaTs_kAuAyLvu1MrXCVxY7pICelpVlapfodYUWQQC9tiUI8bXtWkTk2c0euTeAN02/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT03pyJpRjptJieEB_kpf2FoqEdC4KPBbT8naF202cte0sGV2pivJytzjFTJx4R8mWtgmpNvCgcPlfaTs_kAuAyLvu1MrXCVxY7pICelpVlapfodYUWQQC9tiUI8bXtWkTk2c0euTeAN02/s400/IMG_0175.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyazDZ8NIPrEUlztE2HaY_btLYdtJ25sykWqdmCbWJadcihLXGWpDSnf1HR9oeyJ0Ec7BOBMWYQKvuKSrFyl7C3yggDq75E4l70SPBoy6_XM32Awc3CqhJ4wuYIy6LTI58yLDtZVyMW_2/s1600/IMG_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyazDZ8NIPrEUlztE2HaY_btLYdtJ25sykWqdmCbWJadcihLXGWpDSnf1HR9oeyJ0Ec7BOBMWYQKvuKSrFyl7C3yggDq75E4l70SPBoy6_XM32Awc3CqhJ4wuYIy6LTI58yLDtZVyMW_2/s400/IMG_0111.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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some other fun happenings include my best friend from childhood coming to visit, liz! we have known each other since we were 6 and in the same first grade class, but we became best friends in seventh grade when we both had crushes on the game guy. that guy, of course, was harry potter. since then we have been through many, many interesting times, from awkward middle school phases (she has some of the most incriminating and embarrassing photos of me known to man kind. and likes to remind me of so ;), to awkward high school phases, and even through awkward college phases even though we went to different colleges. basically what i am saying is that our awkwardness keeps us together, and what's stronger glue than that?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC100c5oSDRzSjxAwdB5OmZJoXSh17T19yuFfUYWt-9e4AJYtAtXS9tAA7RTCip8Jmgp7elaPOAUnpJhsZ5B9vcLQQK4FnaVLhWy-LUaAnfgg4MBof2eLMu7ccGiPfYE8m9vkFwnGvH9w7/s1600/prom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC100c5oSDRzSjxAwdB5OmZJoXSh17T19yuFfUYWt-9e4AJYtAtXS9tAA7RTCip8Jmgp7elaPOAUnpJhsZ5B9vcLQQK4FnaVLhWy-LUaAnfgg4MBof2eLMu7ccGiPfYE8m9vkFwnGvH9w7/s320/prom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and liz the night of our high school senior prom!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugbuyLbA8xx_t9GgyI4_kzkrZQ9NBCohZ4Jsm6MVEeQvH_KArLMC9r3Zc420swrpyq4Fyu4K-iVV6prdgfFaWHt3l5KJ8GGp4Pt2EzFFAfUpYWy43odq2X_Jhml-bGoVwpO9QdB4v_1vC/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugbuyLbA8xx_t9GgyI4_kzkrZQ9NBCohZ4Jsm6MVEeQvH_KArLMC9r3Zc420swrpyq4Fyu4K-iVV6prdgfFaWHt3l5KJ8GGp4Pt2EzFFAfUpYWy43odq2X_Jhml-bGoVwpO9QdB4v_1vC/s400/IMG_0143.JPG" width="300" /></a>she is actually a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elizabethfriarphotography" target="_blank">beautifully talented photographer</a>, and asked if she could photograph me baking for <a href="http://elizabethfriar.com/" target="_blank">her website</a>. getting to hang out liz, bake something yummy, AND get professional photos?!? sign me up!! i baked a pumpkin pie and then we went out to one of my favorite cafes around to get dinner. we got the most outrageous mac and cheese ever-it was bursting with goat cheese and roasted red peppers and was insanely delicious.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMotYZIjM3sZXLjVq_cQDpwMAo1WnmVyhJHXWdvbe45w_Bo-uiEs4oPLMOY1VR7x3sOhcXjcsGVPFpmiKsbcB67iyjKEki-sRT7QFjgeICYH42k4_MYXazN6qXY8qn73yPPcgLpbD18wuy/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMotYZIjM3sZXLjVq_cQDpwMAo1WnmVyhJHXWdvbe45w_Bo-uiEs4oPLMOY1VR7x3sOhcXjcsGVPFpmiKsbcB67iyjKEki-sRT7QFjgeICYH42k4_MYXazN6qXY8qn73yPPcgLpbD18wuy/s640/IMG_0141.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we came across this sign in the city we ate in. i love finding words of wisdom in random places!</td></tr>
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most recently, i went with a few friends to see my <a href="http://theflaxfanatic.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-friendship-sweeter-than-frosting.html" target="_blank">college best friend robyn</a> complete her first half marathon!! as you know, i love a good <a href="http://theflaxfanatic.blogspot.com/2012/08/sweat-is-sexy.html" target="_blank">half marathon</a> and so was pumped to see robyn run hers! she trained much better than i did, and was very diligent and dedicated in preparing for this race. i actually joined her on a few of her runs, which was super fun! running buddies are the best, am i right? i couldn't wait to see her cross the finish line! i made her a sign saying "robyn runs like a kenyan" and was so proud of her as i saw her coming to the end, looking confident and strong even after 13 miles!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdvDzVHXM08Vkpv-X7gt4gX8s7VByltnq2a7qd6laFUVS470Y7MXBdapiyJCTnkG1B-g4n-dySbUYiL3SKbTdZ0RNPo0nMP-KqCAlFzIZAdpfZAo7eQR5BHcPQMI5j6e-VN_chzK0qtSS/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdvDzVHXM08Vkpv-X7gt4gX8s7VByltnq2a7qd6laFUVS470Y7MXBdapiyJCTnkG1B-g4n-dySbUYiL3SKbTdZ0RNPo0nMP-KqCAlFzIZAdpfZAo7eQR5BHcPQMI5j6e-VN_chzK0qtSS/s640/IMG_0241.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">celebratory hugs!! </td></tr>
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i would just like everyone to know that as robyn and i posed for the picture above, she whispered "cupcakes" in my ear, since we have a date to bake some later. clearly, the girl keeps what's important in the forefront of her mind at all times.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS6m1HevdAoEUHdQNdsYzlPXfle5MB0Cjfk1TuXJq5ggw4CaKrNOPLMHcZGCy2BrlQPQ-dcCajdJ2c-lQW_Dd-zLMjvMtShwFhf3gGi3RBLvFAZ7Nq9baTa7DqQRohIpddtEN2SA5MzlZ/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS6m1HevdAoEUHdQNdsYzlPXfle5MB0Cjfk1TuXJq5ggw4CaKrNOPLMHcZGCy2BrlQPQ-dcCajdJ2c-lQW_Dd-zLMjvMtShwFhf3gGi3RBLvFAZ7Nq9baTa7DqQRohIpddtEN2SA5MzlZ/s640/IMG_0244.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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we also made friends with the <a href="http://www.larabar.com/" target="_blank">larabar</a> lady who was passing out free samples. we ran up to her and both said, at the same time, "we LOVE larabars, we eat them all the time!!!" her boss also snapped this pic-i'm pretty sure we'll soon be featured in their new ad campaign. don't worry, i'll hook you all up with the goods ;)<br />
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new friends, old friends, baking, celebrating, and overall just absorbing all of this beautiful season while it lasts-my fall has been a good one so far. i hope yours has been as well, and you've eaten as much pumpkin as you can! i will leave you with this word of wisdom i found at the drugstore, just as a reminder to you all...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2TQrung8CuW_b9LQty1-uSVQiIMjENRgwfI8RTvRxXsSkNEOh4rQ4M2UAkLzWmrlEaFYZ4nBI24ELWyoj83FIEacgNk2uyvjZHjFWpIj_xKyD8xhfHjPiAucC-Io3OUglpXaGtxRW7NA/s1600/IMG_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2TQrung8CuW_b9LQty1-uSVQiIMjENRgwfI8RTvRxXsSkNEOh4rQ4M2UAkLzWmrlEaFYZ4nBI24ELWyoj83FIEacgNk2uyvjZHjFWpIj_xKyD8xhfHjPiAucC-Io3OUglpXaGtxRW7NA/s640/IMG_0107.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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indeed it is. savor each bite!<br />
juliaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-50787062643403194622012-09-20T17:10:00.001-07:002012-09-20T17:12:11.712-07:00A Friendship Sweeter than Frosting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
three years ago, i sat down next to a random girl in my old testament class. she seemed very sweet, and i had no friends in the class, so i figured, why not? it's nice to meet new people, sometimes. as it turned out, she was super funny and we had quite a bit in common-we even lived in the same dorm. by the end of that semester we were good friends, catching up outside of class and even going to workout classes together. i had no clue this girl i happened to sit down next to would become one of my best and closest friends, but it's things like those that you never can plan...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVSFARqLxwqNltS62PK2C2jwZLcV8DPcFFEMqkouQ3-QhE3itL_yp9gu7hffZOyQ65kKwvfA3BQR0PAy6i4h9-CZgFfhBorCimvZaMXPdPgKqYwi5HO0nr_Fl72CCR4OkKhC7tNeRwyAr/s1600/418373_10150623068458588_167707120_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVSFARqLxwqNltS62PK2C2jwZLcV8DPcFFEMqkouQ3-QhE3itL_yp9gu7hffZOyQ65kKwvfA3BQR0PAy6i4h9-CZgFfhBorCimvZaMXPdPgKqYwi5HO0nr_Fl72CCR4OkKhC7tNeRwyAr/s640/418373_10150623068458588_167707120_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">us with our "nutter better" v/gf cookies dipped in chocolate we made for last year's super bowl!</td></tr>
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Robyn is a very dedicated vegan and introduced me to both vegan and gluten free baking. i know-i bet you're all thinking<i>"oooooohhhh, so THAT'S where she gets it!!!"</i> yep friends, <i>she's</i> the one who started me on the vegan and gluten liberated baking journey i love so much! the mystery is solved.<br />
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the friendship between myself and robyn has been one of my favorite parts of my college experience, and a huge blessing and encouragement in my life. she has helped me seek out God for healing and wisdom, and has made me die laughing in the process. we have been very fortunate to live if not with each other, right across the hall from each other for our entire college careers, and even now that i've graduated and she is a senior, i still live so close to our college that i am able to visit her frequently-which is a good thing, because who else would prance down the street with me yelling "IMPALA POWER!!" during a six mile run? not many people, folks, not many people.<br />
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<b><i>i am SO fortunate for this girl's presence in my life!!</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqF576jghMlivsGWo4-TDSpTQsb7SEHvnOun8a4Fut9C-4mK2vqM7IbCHQJIPVB4lahyVu0FSPm_pkkau9nm_bHcJaqvLRe5tFpuHwFzfui4ijx87m8_Be-65t1YbErj3JG0nRxAOsWjnP/s1600/179430_10150098963918588_25566_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqF576jghMlivsGWo4-TDSpTQsb7SEHvnOun8a4Fut9C-4mK2vqM7IbCHQJIPVB4lahyVu0FSPm_pkkau9nm_bHcJaqvLRe5tFpuHwFzfui4ijx87m8_Be-65t1YbErj3JG0nRxAOsWjnP/s640/179430_10150098963918588_25566_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we frequently had dance parties to our favorite pandora station, african essentials, in shower caps my junior year. <br />
judge if you want, we ROCK those caps!</td></tr>
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last year we took our friendship and began to do something with it! suddenly, between working out together, speaking in basically all inside jokes, and constantly being there if one needed prayer or life advice, we also began to explore a passion we both shared-baking. armed with vegan cookbooks, measuring spoons, and five year old giddiness, we weekly turned our humble college apartment kitchens into, let's be honest, parisan patisseries. from decadent cupcakes, to raw cheesecakes, to dozens of different types of cookies, we created it all. it was such a breath of fresh air from all the school, work, and stress surrounding us. we both found such release and enjoyment in baking, and of course nothing beats a delicious, warm cookie fresh out of the oven with a cup of tea and your best friend to chat with!<br />
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luke quickly came to the realization that if he was going to date me, he was also going to date robyn-it was inevitable. thankfully, he and her get along quite well and luke is very aware that when we three go somewhere, he's the third wheel. if i call him after having a bad day, he response is usually "have you gotten to see/talk to robyn?" because he knows that she is a fail-safe way to cheer me up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48DpZbpz1pOeHSCtr3nvILunFuaj80bjRKBBPvkHb3W0pRt5i5WSBMXHB_bT_x7nLPwVh34zlVHe_EXtdoy1QP3g-CyFYzKXwHpeaG4rdeLIgesL3IKxm_3D07PWBRoqpqXzejQ_YyT1Y/s1600/536384_1930180694188_62986499_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48DpZbpz1pOeHSCtr3nvILunFuaj80bjRKBBPvkHb3W0pRt5i5WSBMXHB_bT_x7nLPwVh34zlVHe_EXtdoy1QP3g-CyFYzKXwHpeaG4rdeLIgesL3IKxm_3D07PWBRoqpqXzejQ_YyT1Y/s640/536384_1930180694188_62986499_n.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the three of us in our happy little family!</td></tr>
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robyn is originally from rochester (rachacha), ny so during the summers we don't get to see each other. however, this past summer she came up for a weekend visit! we did what we always do-sit at our favorite cafe to chat and catch up, and then BAKE!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at dem perdy eyes!</td></tr>
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it was wonderful to have her actually visit! we immediately started planning what type of cupcake to make. it is our dream someday to open up a bakery together, and we talk about new ideas we have for it all the time. <br />
<br />
we both love chocolate and coconut, so after much deliberation and debate, and we decided on making a chocolate cupcake with a coconut frosting. we went back to my apartment, and got to work!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzRPp-tWKeaAUgt5AS2o6p-g6KD5QaBbQvHS1Mu_LqSFNUFQAq7q-nK2YpfWvT1cvWf2VlP1iwsfp-n8ijQm8e-gJm4jsbfuQ93Z1YQqjaa7crA9t74D19QYQ2Vp-LWBp1tDGcqRrVXyb/s1600/IMG_9738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzRPp-tWKeaAUgt5AS2o6p-g6KD5QaBbQvHS1Mu_LqSFNUFQAq7q-nK2YpfWvT1cvWf2VlP1iwsfp-n8ijQm8e-gJm4jsbfuQ93Z1YQqjaa7crA9t74D19QYQ2Vp-LWBp1tDGcqRrVXyb/s640/IMG_9738.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the best benefits of vegan baking? you can eat the batter without fear of egg diseases!! <br />
ahhh, sweet freedom...</td></tr>
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i seriously want robyn to write a guest post on here sometime, sharing all of her food wisdom-because friends, she has TONS of it! she was the person who introduced me to my first chick pea (after working out sophomore year of college!), green smoothies, and the benefits of both gluten free and raw cooking. just last week she fed me and luke PURPLE POTATOES!! i didn't even know those existed!<br />
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when the cupcakes were done, we frosted them up and then enjoyed the <strike>fruits</strike> sweets of our labor!<br />
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they were GOOD! chocolately, coconuty-much like the <a href="http://theflaxfanatic.blogspot.com/2012/07/let-baking-begin.html" target="_blank">ones i made</a> for my <a href="http://theflaxfanatic.blogspot.com/2012/07/crowd-pleasers.html" target="_blank">graduation party</a>. i think we enjoyed posing with the cupcakes and giggling as much as we enjoyed actually eating them! but i mean-talk about eye candy! ;)<br />
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now robyn is back at college and only 10 minutes from me! we have already begun planning all sorts of yummy pumpkin and fall themed goodies to make, so you will for sure be seeing what we cook up in the coming months!!<br />
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all of this to say you might want to rethink putting on your ipod on the train, or averting eye contact with the person you sit down next to in class. you never know if she or he could become your new best friend, introducing you to new passions, ways of living life, millions of inside jokes, and a friendship that you thank God every day for.<br />
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<i>knock some pandas, yentup!!!!</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-4838621396165543652012-09-17T18:09:00.000-07:002012-09-30T16:21:40.673-07:00A Very Lucky Girlfriends (and matt),<br />
<br />
i am a very lucky girl.<br />
<br />
the other day as i was talking to luke, he told me to make sure to pack a nice dress when i visited him over the weekend. "i'm taking you to a fancy dinner." he said, nonchalantly. my ears perked-a fancy dinner? like actual grown up couples do? woah.<br />
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when the night came, i donned my pearls and chanel no. 5 (i wish) and hit the town, with a dashingly handsome man by my side. we went to <a href="http://www.besitomex.com/" target="_blank">besito</a>, a highly praised mexican restaurant near his house. it was very beautiful inside, with a whole wall of candles offering very warm lighting and guacamole magicians walking around.<br />
<br />
what?<br />
<br />
well, maybe they weren't <i>magicians</i>, but they <i>were</i> pretty talented guacamole makers! a specialty besito offers is "guacamole en molcajete", and what happens is a lady wheels a table over to yours, on it all the mixings for guacamole and a stone basin called a "molcajete." it's similar to a mortar and pestle and is used for grinding things. she cuts open avacados, puts them in the "molcajete", and then adds in cilantro, jalapeno chiles, onions (but we opted out of those...gross), tomatoes, and a sprinkling of salt. then she mashes it all together, and wa-la! freshly made guacamole! delicious as well, let me tell you.<br />
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this guac was so good that it transformed me into an avocado fan! previously, i greatly disliked avocados. their taste, their texture...everything. but they are <i>so good</i> for you (all those heart healthy fats!) that i always wished i liked them. this distaste for them was beyond my control! however, i kept eating small bites of it when ever it was presented to me, and then at this dinner i decided to just dive right in. with that colorful, flavorful bowl in front of me, how could i not?<br />
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<i>and i loved it. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">give me MORE!</td></tr>
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the same story goes for tomatoes. i used to hate the taste of them! but i slowly stopped asking for my food sans them and instead tried to find a way to appreciate them. again, with all their nutritional benefits, i was determined to make my taste buds like them!! (what did i say about <a href="http://theflaxfanatic.blogspot.com/2012/08/sweat-is-sexy.html" target="_blank">my determination?</a>) and i'm so proud to say it worked.<i> </i>you <i>can</i> change your eating habits, it's true!<br />
<br />
i did, and i feel like a whole new woman for it!<br />
<br />
anyway, the dinner: amazing. luke had chicken tacos and i had stuffed peppers with mushrooms, goat cheese, pine nuts, spinach, and raisins (which truly knocked it out of the park.) i would have taken pictures of them but i couldn't put my fork down, it was so delicious!<br />
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we also got wine, because we are sophisticated and <strike>needed</strike> wanted everyone to know it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9SzoE0pvaSWXigN42iP-0CUGKkZg3EmhpYW3Q4nDkJChxELKM9UzBVWbSDC1_n0Gg71bnYmQSK7-iKX4SAIyqPnCyjJufKdFcEjWTkneG3HOy9itZXiiBVStI_IRDXD1rjc8sREMo3dr/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9SzoE0pvaSWXigN42iP-0CUGKkZg3EmhpYW3Q4nDkJChxELKM9UzBVWbSDC1_n0Gg71bnYmQSK7-iKX4SAIyqPnCyjJufKdFcEjWTkneG3HOy9itZXiiBVStI_IRDXD1rjc8sREMo3dr/s640/IMG_0031.JPG" width="466" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is luke, laughing and saying "let me live my life!!" as i made him hold that pose for about seven pictures because each kept coming out blurry. he puts up with a lot...</td></tr>
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and with our check came churros and these sweet little guys!<br />
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they are called "mexican worry dolls" and you are supposed to tell all of your worries to them, then sleep with them under your pillow. in the night they take away all of your worries so that by the time you wake up the next morning, you are worry-free! precious.<br />
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the dinner was wonderful, and i felt very blessed to be able to have such a decadent and rich meal. however, i felt more blessed beyond words to have shared it with luke. when i asked him why he wanted to do this, he said "well, i haven't taken you out to a nice dinner in a while, and you deserve it. i like to pamper you!" friends, luke <i>does</i> pamper me-all the time. with his words, with his actions, with his heart. yet he still wants to give more. he claims i deserve it. and you know what? i do. he does, too. as do you, dear reader. we were created out of love, and love is what we should receive. every woman deserves a man who will look at her and go "you look more beautiful than ever" every time he sees her. because that is what God thinks every time He looks down on us. He adores us, loves on us, cherishes us. i believe the love two humans share is supposed to mimic that of the One who first created love. and i have a man who is constantly showing me what that looks and acts like, simply by how he looks and acts towards me.<br />
<br />
i am a very lucky girl.<br />
<br />
don't think you deserve anything less.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text 1Cor-13-4" id="en-NIV-28670">Love is patient,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28670I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> </span></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text 1Cor-13-4">love is kind. </span></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text 1Cor-13-4">It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28670J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup></span> </i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text 1Cor-13-5" id="en-NIV-28671">It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,</span></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text 1Cor-13-5">it is not easily angered,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28671L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup> it keeps no record of wrongs.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28671M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup></span> </i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text 1Cor-13-6" id="en-NIV-28672">Love does not delight in evil<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28672N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> but rejoices with the truth.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28672O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup></span> </i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text 1Cor-13-7" id="en-NIV-28673">It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28673P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup></span></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span class="text 1Cor-13-8" id="en-NIV-28674"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>Love never fails.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span class="text 1Cor-13-8"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span class="text 1Cor-13-8"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>~1 Corinthians 13:4-8</i></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span class="text 1Cor-13-8"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span class="text 1Cor-13-8"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amen.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span class="text 1Cor-13-8"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAGi5zup19WneljlVML-0uFBl4z1qtTMlSOEnyOnKvmX_5u89FRBs8DWbgjbJUXASda3k3HdFuxz-4lu3wUL_1PzSpaSHBwwl_MiX3Y7hKfwEsGBHgv9943re3Z132kFa4tW3Zm0S2sz9/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAGi5zup19WneljlVML-0uFBl4z1qtTMlSOEnyOnKvmX_5u89FRBs8DWbgjbJUXASda3k3HdFuxz-4lu3wUL_1PzSpaSHBwwl_MiX3Y7hKfwEsGBHgv9943re3Z132kFa4tW3Zm0S2sz9/s640/IMG_0025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span class="text 1Cor-13-8"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-27934808512171933552012-09-09T19:25:00.000-07:002012-09-14T15:17:01.311-07:00Mission Accomplished"i am just going to blast the air conditioning in the car the whole way and hope that my car gets cool enough to keep the frosting from melting. i don't care if i freeze-my cupcakes <em>must</em> make it the whole way! what can i say-i'm a sacraficer."<br />
<br />
that, my friends, is the conversation i had with my apartment mate, katherine, before i left for luke's on friday.<br />
<br />
it all started when i decided to make these delicious cupcakes to give to luke's family. i would be staying over their house for the weekend, and so wanted to bring a gift. they were the perfect "introduction to fall" cupcake, a spice cake which i concocted up along with the help of <a href="http://www.eatliverun.com/" target="_blank">jenna</a>, as well as her chai tea butter cream frosting. the frosting alone is a perfect treat, spicy from the cinnamon and chai and a wonderful deviation from the typical vanilla. i piped the frosting using a star tip and then dusted more cinnamon on top and by the time i was done, they looked so delectable! they definitely fit the bill for a dessert worth presenting to your boyfriend's parents, that's for sure.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9t5Ao1wDfEMIO3agVETiySFKhvEv7MbxWGYCY4szRTDygyl7K_-Syofhcryfb5qDfwrwXD2ZhgSo0ln2_LrLsKV11rSS8T1ok270p5FIgJsG0xO3SGjrb7gN8FuKHy_YYFn_8s84TGVQ/s1600/IMG_9980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9t5Ao1wDfEMIO3agVETiySFKhvEv7MbxWGYCY4szRTDygyl7K_-Syofhcryfb5qDfwrwXD2ZhgSo0ln2_LrLsKV11rSS8T1ok270p5FIgJsG0xO3SGjrb7gN8FuKHy_YYFn_8s84TGVQ/s640/IMG_9980.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
just as i finished sprinkling the last flecks of cinnamon on the last cupcake, it dawned on me: i had to take my beautiful creations in the car for a <i>two hour drive!</i> frosting is very temperamental and will melt if not in a cool environment; i had not just put all this detailed time into each cupcake only to have them get destroyed!<br />
<br />
<i>the horror!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>i put them in the freezer in a last ditch effort to keep them as cool as possible and hopefully solidify the cakes enough so that their forms wouldn't loose shape. i wasn't about to let go of the vision of myself presenting luke's family with beautiful looking cupcakes!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzb9tln8hsXop5GjPBSgzAP7uQ5jxp5hLApHyMd7A_3DDvyvZL5gJMTqOzxMNZ05UPcfdruARvcAui08LV7CGBa0a1xDR0bnPEjEc_ZXW1ieVzRp6NvMleqU_4T1v-BEHuyJXRjx0JVnJQ/s1600/IMG_9996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzb9tln8hsXop5GjPBSgzAP7uQ5jxp5hLApHyMd7A_3DDvyvZL5gJMTqOzxMNZ05UPcfdruARvcAui08LV7CGBa0a1xDR0bnPEjEc_ZXW1ieVzRp6NvMleqU_4T1v-BEHuyJXRjx0JVnJQ/s640/IMG_9996.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
it means a lot to me, ok? i'm an artist-aesthetics are important.<br />
<br />
i set out on the road, cupcakes safely positioned in a way that ensured minimal jostling and i drove with extreme care. normally, i'm a bit of a road bully. i admit it. i have zero patience on the road and less than zero patience for slow drivers. i also tend to brake very suddenly and am overall not the greatest driver (my mom still doesn't let me drive her.) however, there's nothing like cupcakes sitting next to you to put things into perspective! suddenly, with the cupcakes' lives my responsibility, i became a very careful driver. maybe i should drive with cupcake passengers more often?<br />
<br />
except for one incident where i once again braked very quickly and sent my purse flying into the cupcakes, i made it to luke's with myself and my cupcakes safe and sound. the purse incident somehow didn't destroy all of them, only three. sweet relief!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgSR7sxugXnRr2Xo6erZ9btg32xvp83UQ-sNUT-elKcgKteXGDbkXPXABopvUYlavdrDb1FEsxik5BDAnqnM4Mx-Xe6cuKdR7WaQjNR0s8OyIr8HJmLDjkAd11tCyACcaOWGzr8-rPvwO/s1600/IMG_9986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgSR7sxugXnRr2Xo6erZ9btg32xvp83UQ-sNUT-elKcgKteXGDbkXPXABopvUYlavdrDb1FEsxik5BDAnqnM4Mx-Xe6cuKdR7WaQjNR0s8OyIr8HJmLDjkAd11tCyACcaOWGzr8-rPvwO/s640/IMG_9986.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the damage. how my heart breaks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
i did indeed blast the air conditioning the whole ride. i wore a sweatshirt and so didn't feel that cold, but my nose was definitely feeling it by the end! i realized how cold i actually was, however, when i got out of my car at luke's and realized my muscles were frozen and i could barely move! my idea worked though-the frosting held it's shape! like i said...i'm such a sacraficer.<br />
<br />
in the end it was all worth it because his family <i>loved them</i>. his parents and his aunt and uncle all raved about them-about both their taste<i> and </i>their presentation. mission accomplished. all was right with the world.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0cqSRlO0aoz0xjpU80EwA1tzwkuvZ3gBJwxHz3DkreJ9kD4kIRUUZKnM6MchZzS86qpDl5RVgv7bzkuWnSIG1Kg2GH-ZKqoGA-YjunH0rgwFYoHYR48duJ5e2-Yx_og4S0bkQdk8_CQe/s1600/IMG_9995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0cqSRlO0aoz0xjpU80EwA1tzwkuvZ3gBJwxHz3DkreJ9kD4kIRUUZKnM6MchZzS86qpDl5RVgv7bzkuWnSIG1Kg2GH-ZKqoGA-YjunH0rgwFYoHYR48duJ5e2-Yx_og4S0bkQdk8_CQe/s640/IMG_9995.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and so, without further ado...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Fall Spice Cupcakes with Chai Tea Butter Cream Frosting</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
makes 16 mini cupcakes | inspired by <a href="http://www.eatliverun.com/its-all-happening-baked-spice-doughnuts/" target="_blank">eat live run</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Ingredients for cupcakes</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup all purpose gluten free flour</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup brown rice flour</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup almond flour</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 tsp xanthan gum</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp baking powder</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 tsp baking soda</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tsp salt</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup granulated sugar</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 and 1/2 tsp cinnamon</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tsp nutmeg</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tsp ginger</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 T cold butter</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup scalded milk</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup apple sauce</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 beaten egg</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
~preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line mini cupcake molds with cupcake liners or spray with non stick spray</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
~mix together all the dry ingredients</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
~using your hands, mix in the butter until the ingredients feel grainy and therr are no clumps of butter left</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
~heat the milk on the stove until just boiling</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
~remove from stove and combine with the rest of the wet ingredients</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
~add all the wet ingredients to the dry</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
~mix to combine-but don't over mix! don't do it!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
~bake for about 15-20 min, checking with a toothpick to see if they are done</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>ingredients for frosting</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 cup butter, softened</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 cups powdered sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 tbsps Chai concentrate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 tsp cinnamon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/4 tsp ground ginger</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
~beat together all of the ingredients until light and fluffy!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
~pipe or spread onto each cooled cupcake, dust with cinnamon if desired, and enjoy your introduction to fall!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XofWwIC1IFy3CeCW0TDCQ-DaH2JNKkQwpeyxd1KXEQB7t4J0sO3f2dOntaGUZ5-gdypiRL35xna9tCu3RRNCv8xFiXTs0wapuBhVZou6QpcisYNCU_a6Opnlcrk5pxQBZYUssBUI3luD/s1600/IMG_9992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XofWwIC1IFy3CeCW0TDCQ-DaH2JNKkQwpeyxd1KXEQB7t4J0sO3f2dOntaGUZ5-gdypiRL35xna9tCu3RRNCv8xFiXTs0wapuBhVZou6QpcisYNCU_a6Opnlcrk5pxQBZYUssBUI3luD/s640/IMG_9992.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
have a bite, won't you?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
-julia</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-66792071569529720402012-09-06T19:16:00.001-07:002012-09-06T19:16:31.163-07:00Saved by the Cakefriends,<br />
<br />
let me tell you what happened to me the other day.<br />
<br />
i came home very late after catering a wedding (a job i do on the weekends), exhausted beyond belief and completely stressed out, as the job often renders me. it was past midnight and i desperately wanted to go to sleep, but the event had left me pretty hungry. so i innocently enough decided to grab a quick snack to eat before i fell asleep.<br />
<br />
i had no idea what i was about to stumble upon.<br />
<br />
this is proof that even after midnight on a day you can't wait to get over with, things CAN turn around! oh, the redemptive powers of...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">CHOCOLATE</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGeTuXH_U_jEhdQYJsStmucjUmd0HAEyv0XqHuyCwXEoTN8RKbbwIeXhkoS2ju6yyY7sSYVFFhzRTbuEixi_GDaa8DfjxiJc9UDIvqNzKQ0ywaDpyyNQUln-yrkKcBFuPL8qUyGk41Chg/s1600/IMG_9920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGeTuXH_U_jEhdQYJsStmucjUmd0HAEyv0XqHuyCwXEoTN8RKbbwIeXhkoS2ju6yyY7sSYVFFhzRTbuEixi_GDaa8DfjxiJc9UDIvqNzKQ0ywaDpyyNQUln-yrkKcBFuPL8qUyGk41Chg/s640/IMG_9920.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
look at that beauty! she was sneakily hiding in this box, which i found when i opened up the fridge.<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">!!!!!!!!!!!</span></i></b></div>
<br />
i couldn't believe my eyes. i was sure for a second that i had actually passed out from exhaustion and dreamed this happened. but no-this was real life. this cake was truly waiting for me. <b><i>me</i></b>. all thanks to the very generous and kind heart of my apartment-mate! she decided to surprise me with a sweet little gift! all the chaos from the night suddenly melted away and i was instantly transformed into a little kid on christmas who was just given a puppy.<br />
<br />
i promptly got a fork, sat down at the table, and dived in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp7c971ZJZMYvM-JorhWFcHuhkWm2BTsWOv61ZO4cKbzzc8oVUv4fI5aBrqp3xbIM_KUI4fxfPpVE33xIfNoTaU2xUjkCFRlZWWwaljl-taSICV-ecRT_Oig_CfGjcYhqPEiOgc_GPGgI/s1600/IMG_9919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp7c971ZJZMYvM-JorhWFcHuhkWm2BTsWOv61ZO4cKbzzc8oVUv4fI5aBrqp3xbIM_KUI4fxfPpVE33xIfNoTaU2xUjkCFRlZWWwaljl-taSICV-ecRT_Oig_CfGjcYhqPEiOgc_GPGgI/s640/IMG_9919.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and never looked back.<br />
<br />
be still my heart-this cake was <b><i>divine<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></i></b>the frosting is always my favorite part of a cake, and the more dense, fudgey, and sugary the better! this cake? this cake<i> nailed it.</i><br />
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i normally don't get chocolate cake because i know nothing can compare to my favorite dessert ever-<a href="https://greggsusa.com/node/311" target="_blank">Gregg's death by chocolate cake</a>. that would be my way to die if i got to choose, hands down. i have actually called my parents from africa saying i missed that cake-in fact, the last time i came home from africa my family picked me up from the airport and drove me straight to gregg's so i could be at peace once more. it is out of the world chocolately and HUGE-it usually takes me about three or four days to finish the slice. the frosting simply can't be beat, and so i know there's never any use in getting other chocolate cakes because there's no way it could live up to gregg's'. hoewever, this cake had almost the<i> same. exact. frosting!!</i> it became the second best frosting i've ever had in my life as soon as that fork made it to my mouth.<br />
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i ate some that night.</div>
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and some the next night.</div>
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and some the next. i looked forward to eating that cake all day-and folks, i work at a <i>bakery. </i></div>
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coming home from work and sinking a fork into this 8th world wonder was one of my favorite parts of the whole day. (if i had to tell the truth, i'd say it <i>was</i> my favorite part of the day.)</div>
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this cake and me? we bonded.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwDWrkdZHUnnZrHRYQqMa1G5BTffG9DhaoNGY_d0u5q4r_8ElLaM8IHCeHN8oxeFofkwHQjvjZp80PK4GTShijyFXbOcCLHBkmnWoSvZ3pGdJRkF_IZ1KR3kDkPhSvPTQKOAEvpp3LReI/s1600/IMG_9965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwDWrkdZHUnnZrHRYQqMa1G5BTffG9DhaoNGY_d0u5q4r_8ElLaM8IHCeHN8oxeFofkwHQjvjZp80PK4GTShijyFXbOcCLHBkmnWoSvZ3pGdJRkF_IZ1KR3kDkPhSvPTQKOAEvpp3LReI/s640/IMG_9965.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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it was there for me up until the very last bite.</div>
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and what a bite it was.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-87860500048893623502012-08-23T10:46:00.000-07:002012-08-23T10:46:00.645-07:00Banana Chocolate Chip Muffinswelcome friends!<br />
<br />
before i get into my post, i just want to say a <span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>huge thank you </em></strong></span><span style="font-size: small;">to all of you who have been so supportive and encouraging about my posts. it means so much to me that you are reading and enjoying what i have to say, and keep giving me such wonderful feedback. if i could, i would deliver freshly baked cupcakes to each and every one of your doors!</span><br />
<br />
sadly, i cannot do that. however, i <em>can</em> provide you with a delisious recipe for you to make in your own home and pretend they are from me!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jIbz84Emd7th8ZK2eqNUDm_Ov0qaUfgAvIzmpQ_aPtfpQxqjeuooLpAT2i-5ODd2eGd2uE5shJx0uapBWH_78erVKxJ5qMIuZmQomXj1s8-69aWN345R_BQ5vJuCdLb47zJW5MroOAiE/s1600/IMG_9820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jIbz84Emd7th8ZK2eqNUDm_Ov0qaUfgAvIzmpQ_aPtfpQxqjeuooLpAT2i-5ODd2eGd2uE5shJx0uapBWH_78erVKxJ5qMIuZmQomXj1s8-69aWN345R_BQ5vJuCdLb47zJW5MroOAiE/s640/IMG_9820.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from me to you: banana chocolate chip muffins!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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don't have time to bake? not a problem! i made one batch of these, then realized i wanted more so whipped up another batch right after in 10 minutes. trust me-you can find 10 minutes for these muffins!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqU7OMOZ1AlZCgRP6KKXHcChR0ZLBbO7IW9GV5Kp-y9FZJylUKIJf2Vid0ohWGJ_lrphRLUhCxT9nY5L15bUnCGrrUpBbHeyYRpBrzbCP_fbBOT14lBJykuoTu6h3QOJBRznMkydUO2t6/s1600/IMG_9829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqU7OMOZ1AlZCgRP6KKXHcChR0ZLBbO7IW9GV5Kp-y9FZJylUKIJf2Vid0ohWGJ_lrphRLUhCxT9nY5L15bUnCGrrUpBbHeyYRpBrzbCP_fbBOT14lBJykuoTu6h3QOJBRznMkydUO2t6/s640/IMG_9829.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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i made these for luke to celebrate an anniversary of ours, and i just might make them again with some bananas that browned too quickly on me. they are probably my favorite banana-bread type recipe i've ever made. <br />
<i><br /></i>
these muffins are <i>so good, </i>people!<br />
<i><br /></i>
i adapted the recipe from one of my favorite blogs to get recipes from, <a href="http://mylittlecelebration.com/" target="_blank">my little celebration</a>. every meal i've made of hers has come out divine, and it's all reasonably healthy. can't go wrong there!<br />
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and so, without further ado...<br />
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<i style="background-color: transparent; color: #1c1c1c; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins</b></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">makes 16 muffins</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> | adapted from <a href="http://mylittlecelebration.com/food/banana-chocolate-chip-muffins/" target="_blank">my little celebration</a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Ingredients</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 ripe medium bananas</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup milk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 tablespoons butter, melted
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 egg</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tsp vanilla extract</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup bob's red mill gluten free all purpose baking flour*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup bob's red mill almond flour*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup bob's red mill brown rice flour*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3/4 tsp baking soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 tsp salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tablespoon flax seed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tsp ground cinnamon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 chopped walnuts, optional</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*i used these flours to make it gluten free, but you can substitute for regular all purpose flour and or whole wheat flour if you want</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">~preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a muffin pan with cooking spray. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">~mash bananas with a fork. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">~add the milk, butter, egg, and vanilla and stir, continuing to mash the bananas </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">~in a large separate bowl, combine flours, baking soda, salt, flax seed, cinnamon, and sugar; whisk together. ~add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">~add chocolate chips and if using, walnuts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">~scoop batter into regular sized muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes; they’re done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.</span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7XH_-qBJ1YSBzhjxNL7mmUph3N8oTnpXGaDGa24Q9V_5nRuB6ZjFfTr34phmzq5OVF-yLCl8h4TzvriZa5251acWFJkqsSCSMAJoU55ADyLVEf9Yh2e3wD2Nr6cFF0HRpa2PEDZj2zme/s1600/IMG_9811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7XH_-qBJ1YSBzhjxNL7mmUph3N8oTnpXGaDGa24Q9V_5nRuB6ZjFfTr34phmzq5OVF-yLCl8h4TzvriZa5251acWFJkqsSCSMAJoU55ADyLVEf9Yh2e3wD2Nr6cFF0HRpa2PEDZj2zme/s640/IMG_9811.JPG" width="570" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the finished product!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">these muffins will make your home smell amazing aromatic thanks to the cinnamon. plus, the chocolate chips become melty perfection when the muffins are pulled out from the oven. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">and they have bananas in them, so they are technically healthy, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">personally, i feel that with all the flax, fruit, and cinnamon these muffins are clearly <i>bursting</i> with, every person should be required to eat these as part of a healthy life style.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">but that's just me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">now go turn on your favorite pandora station, don an apron, assemble the troops, and BAKE!</span></div>
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wishing you all wonderful days and lots of chocolate chips,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
julia</div>
</span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-31177094866856042182012-08-21T10:10:00.000-07:002012-08-21T10:10:41.077-07:00Sweat is Sexy<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Morning, friends!</div>
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i hope your weekends were fun and and restful! Mine certainly was one for the books-<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>luke and i ran a half marathon!</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hpbp8VhaQrIJcRxjI6DTrj1YjRd6jbjgucHRKMFLQsNVoidhWMf6XuEqiOFwkvrfReMh_b-YYV3HKI676kRnLPFgkasxbdLgNISdlQlp2SE3J2hRFUeyIBSrRz48gMrvfVtTRsMmIbqq/s1600/IMG_9871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hpbp8VhaQrIJcRxjI6DTrj1YjRd6jbjgucHRKMFLQsNVoidhWMf6XuEqiOFwkvrfReMh_b-YYV3HKI676kRnLPFgkasxbdLgNISdlQlp2SE3J2hRFUeyIBSrRz48gMrvfVtTRsMmIbqq/s640/IMG_9871.JPG" width="484" /></a></div>
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i love running (most days...) and have been a pretty constistant runner for a few years now. i definitely love endurance running more than speed running, and to run a half marathon has been on my bucket list for a while. something about running 13.1 miles always seemed so enticing to me...<br />
<br />
if there's one good trait i have, i have to say it's determination. when i really want something, <strong>i do it</strong>, no matter what logic/other people/circumstances have to say about it. for instance, when i was in middle school i was obsessed with london. my parents, after relentless begging on my part, said that if i saved up $1,000, i could go to london the next time my aunty cindy, who is always traveling, went.<br />
<br />
the summer before 9th grade, i was on my way to london.<br />
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so, i knew that if i set my mind to it, i could run a half marathon. i figured the year i graduated college would be a momentous time to do so, so this past febuary i started training for a race in may. however, a wedding came up the same weekend as the race so i had to find another one to do-i was not going to let all that running i had done go to waste! i ended up signing up for the <a href="http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/" target="_blank">rock n roll half marathon</a> in providence, rhode island for august 19th, and planned to get back on the training schedule!<br />
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except, i didn't...<br />
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i don't know what happened, but i suddenly fell out of love with running. it seemed the impending race was making me so nervous that running was no longer fun, and instead intimidating and daunting. thankfully i found a wonderful runner partner in my friend michelle, so running long miles with her made the whole experience much more bearable.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QTQxzvIntpsx5OUChTvLCH3UlslqNlt_SXJSf8VvaAiEVEwQ1USEpCgrq4DUM-KGPxLP6I7P5CNtQ0USAwRXsajDH9cDEndVHsj9-aqW8Fpg6oB3F207avyqvHXKK8wge4ot_DkCaksE/s1600/IMG_9874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QTQxzvIntpsx5OUChTvLCH3UlslqNlt_SXJSf8VvaAiEVEwQ1USEpCgrq4DUM-KGPxLP6I7P5CNtQ0USAwRXsajDH9cDEndVHsj9-aqW8Fpg6oB3F207avyqvHXKK8wge4ot_DkCaksE/s400/IMG_9874.JPG" width="286" /></a><br />
luke was very encouraging throughout this whole thing, and kept telling me i would get excited to run once i got the event and the adrenline kicked in. he's a runner also, and even offered to run the race with me a week before the event.<br />
<br />
who just decides to run 13.1 miles out of the blue?!?!? this kid is in seriously good shape though, so he was able to pick up and run what i had been training for the better part of a year for. show off...<br />
<br />
luke and i traveled down to my parent's house for the race since providence isn't far from it. the night before the race we went to <a href="http://www.fire-ice.com/" target="_blank">Fire and Ice</a> to carbo-load. you know, to make sure we had enough energy to finish the race...(or just for an excuse to eat pasta dish upon pasta dish upon pasta dish...)<br />
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it's free refills there, and i've never eaten so much in one sitting in my life! i'm usually the girl who orders a meal and eats only half and takes the other half home for lunch the next day.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">NOT TONIGHT! in the name of carbs, i ate....</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDye6Tk4WoMa7nZKbeywMLFmScOOv8-sD-g6W6-ZP50Yg5eNmNU806T4S0WPYwcD-ABO_E7PHQHNV1AE4fHy0NfFcPhGZ525ZHqIWcWJedPcAvEwBIWyXWyhElv8AWgGSYh7C3yHWNWmkp/s1600/IMG_9843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDye6Tk4WoMa7nZKbeywMLFmScOOv8-sD-g6W6-ZP50Yg5eNmNU806T4S0WPYwcD-ABO_E7PHQHNV1AE4fHy0NfFcPhGZ525ZHqIWcWJedPcAvEwBIWyXWyhElv8AWgGSYh7C3yHWNWmkp/s400/IMG_9843.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first dish was pasta with broccoli, zucchini, peppers, and blackened chicken. YUM! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CmTj9uoAR6ZFk5Ly_vEvzLsem4OR01jJFEWzWIs-W2AQCIzf4h0TkIoyMqxmnjAi42xxslfF-j8f0TXeq120VVgv4qrwq6xWckcsUjxa0dCIhH9YEZIv6JqjtVZJztG-kcYQLvkz3E8U/s1600/IMG_9845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CmTj9uoAR6ZFk5Ly_vEvzLsem4OR01jJFEWzWIs-W2AQCIzf4h0TkIoyMqxmnjAi42xxslfF-j8f0TXeq120VVgv4qrwq6xWckcsUjxa0dCIhH9YEZIv6JqjtVZJztG-kcYQLvkz3E8U/s400/IMG_9845.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">the second dish was pasta with green beans, sweet potato, and salmon. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifntOBmA99rJ98e9LZxeRgJWYpBRbWASibiKIAfrTY2u_Emp2lk3QdA7jJ0qmK4RuApwYYMNYffjxbuZdAlXYVlpfSg6bNSC8aLKXd3zjaTdq20WfDeakdvVD6GXfgrvr6Q43UHkDjstLb/s1600/IMG_9857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifntOBmA99rJ98e9LZxeRgJWYpBRbWASibiKIAfrTY2u_Emp2lk3QdA7jJ0qmK4RuApwYYMNYffjxbuZdAlXYVlpfSg6bNSC8aLKXd3zjaTdq20WfDeakdvVD6GXfgrvr6Q43UHkDjstLb/s400/IMG_9857.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the third dish (yes, i had THREE plates of food that night) was fajitas with more veggies, rice, and fish.</td></tr>
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luke also had three plates of food and then we rolled our stuffed bodies to the car to get home and sleep-we needed to get up at FIVE IN THE MORNING in order to get to the race on time. get up at 5am to run 13 miles? yes, the thought that we were slightly crazy definitely passed through my mind once or twice...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbn43SXZN5BsKU7I73LUWOjH_am5i4GpMTqHqFaQh7t2A9X1xtRVmE6LFEhiChveAOvWqtDxPxS2VxIgKgl6Q_yrNJ4Q_kT9Gq71NHq3BLxixXx9ZNHvaZYx7DeLo_0a6mBt2pnufsUk2/s1600/IMG_9864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbn43SXZN5BsKU7I73LUWOjH_am5i4GpMTqHqFaQh7t2A9X1xtRVmE6LFEhiChveAOvWqtDxPxS2VxIgKgl6Q_yrNJ4Q_kT9Gq71NHq3BLxixXx9ZNHvaZYx7DeLo_0a6mBt2pnufsUk2/s400/IMG_9864.JPG" width="400" /></a>when we got to the race, i began to get really excited. luke was right-the adrenaline was definitely pumping me up! we pinned our bibs to our shirts and joined everyone in the corrals-we were in corral 5. luke said he bet we could finish in under 2 hours, of which i was skeptical. i had slightly slacked on my running towards the end of my training and never actually made it past 9 miles (oops...) however, he said that he'd buy me ice cream later if we did it, so then i was a little more interested. </div>
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does being bribed with ice cream make me a fat kid? who cares-ice cream is my motivation, fat kid at heart or not!</div>
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there we both are, ready to race! me suuuuuuuuper tired and luke wearing his 3D glasses he wore the entire race. i have no clue why he wanted to do that, but it got him a lot of attention as he ran!</div>
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we started off the race pretty slow. my plan was to start off at a slow jog, to get our legs warmed up and to not expel more energy than necessary-we were going to need lots of it as the race stretched on! luke and i just chatted as we ran for the first few miles which was really fun. <b>i cannot stress enough how much i appreciated him running with me!! </b><br />
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around mile 6 we picked up the pace. i don't know about anyone else, but miles 6 and 7 are always my golden miles. it's like i suddenly unlock a chest full of energy and i feel so strong and able! we kicked it into high gear and ran the next few miles at a faster time. luke estimated we did those at low 8s, with the beginning miles around 9 mpm. </div>
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the cool thing about the rock and roll 1/2 marathon is that they had bands set up every few miles playing live music. it was really fun to run by the music and see the performers, though to be honest we ran by them so quickly that the mini concerts weren't as exciting as i thought they'd be. </div>
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we slowed down to around 8:30 mpm around miles 9 and 10. i began to get SUPER hungry, and the only calorie intake i was getting was the gatorade being passed out. at mile 9 they also started handing out an energy gell to eat which was packed with much needed carbs and sugar, but it was kind of gross to be honest, and it made me super thirsty. </div>
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the weather, however, was BEAUTIFUL! we started at 7am, and it was pretty cool out with just a slight breeze. running in the wicked heat of june and july had made me nervous about running in august, but since the race was so early in the morning we beat the heat. we actually finished just as it was getting to be hot! the course was great as well-only one major hill which i impressed luke with by darting in and out of everyone and passing a ton of people while going up it.</div>
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i felt pretty darn cool when i got to mile 10-this was now the longest i had ever run! not exactly something to brag about when running a half marathon (technically i should have done a better job training and ran 10 miles prior to the race...) but it was exciting all the same!</div>
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miles 11 and 12 were hard, i'll be honest. i had been nervous that i would waste all of my energy on the other miles and not have enough to finish strong, and thankfully i never reached a point where i felt like my legs were going to fall off or i was going to die, but mile 11 definitely dragged on. and mile 12 dragged on worse, considering luke and i both somehow missed the 12 mile marker and were convinced we were running the longest 11th mile ever.</div>
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around this time i prayed out loud. do any of you do this? i started doing it last year, and it really helps. i thank God for all the things that enable me to run, everything from strong legs, working and able muscles, healthy bones, blood cells, powerful lungs, good overall health, to determination, endurance, perseverance, motivation, and a conviction to stay healthy and take care of my body, to the true race we are all running in this world and our true finishing line, and finally, about Jesus, who never gave up on his race and is now our inspiring coach and mentor. i also quote Isaiah 40:31:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> "<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">those who hope</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18452K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">in the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-31" style="position: relative;">will renew their strength. </span></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">
</span><span class="text Isa-40-31" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"></span></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Isa-40-31" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">They will soar on wings like eagles; </span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Isa-40-31" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">
</span><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-31" style="position: relative;">they will run and not grow weary,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-31" style="font-size: 16px; position: relative;">they will walk and not be faint."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Isa-40-31" style="font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Isa-40-31" style="font-size: 16px; position: relative;">and Hebrews 12:1-2</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Isa-40-31" style="font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Heb-12-1" id="en-NIV-30214" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"let us run <span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30214A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span>with perseverance <span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30214B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span>the </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Heb-12-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">race marked out for us,</span><span class="text Heb-12-2" id="en-NIV-30215" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>fixing our eyes on </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Heb-12-2" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Jesus, <span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30215C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span>the pioneer <span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30215D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></span>and perfecter of faith."</span></span></i></div>
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it really helps when you feel just competely spent and like you can't run another foot. once you start thinking about all the things i mentioned above, you realize how capable you are and suddenly you are filled with so much energy and passion! Thanks, God :)</div>
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and then it came-the mile 13 marker. I was taken aback because like i said before, luke and i still thought we were on mile 11, so seeing this sign was a HUGE rush of excitement and relief-</div>
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<b style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">i was .1 miles away from completing my first half marathon!!!</span> </b></div>
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i shouted a "YES!" and sprinted off, running faster than i had at any point in the race. with a huge smile plastered across my face, i shot past those in front of me and cross the finish line. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I had done it.</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r6whvOBFNvWMItM7CV6NSir31NJHCQqQIYunJEXM-pq84FLvOL8oYdkHRL-5TzE7FCDWOjrgSYnuuUmwdMdxA350jLWVrx-kiLnBk3SRoLboZHGPgOPJWYWk4u2wTlY-8iH9jcKyWHfM/s1600/IMG_9868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r6whvOBFNvWMItM7CV6NSir31NJHCQqQIYunJEXM-pq84FLvOL8oYdkHRL-5TzE7FCDWOjrgSYnuuUmwdMdxA350jLWVrx-kiLnBk3SRoLboZHGPgOPJWYWk4u2wTlY-8iH9jcKyWHfM/s640/IMG_9868.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">me with my new favorite piece of bling!</span></td></tr>
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luke finished right after me, and congratulated me on an awesome race. i had finished at 1:54, 6 minutes below 2 hours-you know what that meant! ICE CREAM! we'll get to that later though...luke said he was really impressed with my running, and that <i>i</i> even began to push <i>him</i> towards the end. he said he underestimated how fast/strong i could run! ha!</div>
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I cannot stress enough how much I loved running with luke. the fact alone that he decided to run it with me a week before with no serious prior training (minus years of cross country, ultimate frisbee, and P90X that is) was impressive enough. but he also helped me along mentally and i seriously doubt the race would have been fun at all without him. running and talking with him the whole time took the focus off of my legs and lungs and i was able to just enjoy this huge marker in my life. <b> THANKS, LUKE!!!</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unsure if he will ever get up again....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Fn0Ds8gozAGMuJZ371yDuIdPTgqNpgYkd1lRp6xixC_7R6sUmr8Ha_-WYRABhirvfIS4NBPXD8Aqam7BpjQ9csaoRrQpwe7KBliS-eDr6xPUb8on-PZpFK6MvGEYroHGEFw-e1DrbRYY/s1600/IMG_9869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Fn0Ds8gozAGMuJZ371yDuIdPTgqNpgYkd1lRp6xixC_7R6sUmr8Ha_-WYRABhirvfIS4NBPXD8Aqam7BpjQ9csaoRrQpwe7KBliS-eDr6xPUb8on-PZpFK6MvGEYroHGEFw-e1DrbRYY/s400/IMG_9869.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">this is how i felt after the race-exhausted! bring on the chocolate milk recovery drink!!</span></td></tr>
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we met up with my parents, who thankfully made it to the race in time to see my bolt to the finish line. they kept saying how proud they were of me, and they really seemed impressed and happy with me-which made me feel even better about my accomplishment!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOc5aEeE4IUHDcyjnBcoyjacsfIPSR3wuJUxWJbcAdaFu5sh1yiB9gMFTHIECC3MGpzBxDnKBgR9MOPgt89IqoO4Y48KPa6W-E7PtrDLBlRnr3WzlyGJflk1GrMVLtXkB-pZk3kWcM1BW/s1600/IMG_9873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOc5aEeE4IUHDcyjnBcoyjacsfIPSR3wuJUxWJbcAdaFu5sh1yiB9gMFTHIECC3MGpzBxDnKBgR9MOPgt89IqoO4Y48KPa6W-E7PtrDLBlRnr3WzlyGJflk1GrMVLtXkB-pZk3kWcM1BW/s640/IMG_9873.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me with the parents</td></tr>
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another part of the race i really enjoyed was all the funny shirts of other runners and signs along the road. i loved the crowds cheering us on the whole time-it definitely helped boost morale! some of my favorite sayings we saw were:</div>
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<i>"run like you stole something"</i></div>
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<i>"we, like bras, support you"</i></div>
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<i>"sweat is sexy"</i></div>
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<i>"running takes balls, other sports just play with them."</i></div>
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<i>"do it for the beer"</i></div>
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and of course,</div>
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<i>"our sport is your sport's punishment."</i></div>
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love it!!</div>
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exhausted and completely ravenous, we went back home, washed up, then went out to lunch. food had never tasted so good! then we made the trek back up to my apartment, where luke, true to his word, took me out for ice cream.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2QYAwFn6HAukCiaX5aVEqaYIy6Dlg7dKHCKYIOZo98rJoNt5pwop67GGiqaxvjYKAnogOBmCFi0_yN5fsWv2HqF-KsiLyFJaG8LR3-XiXI8yMXKMJJK0hhUPH1iA0TBgW7ICaWpDwqst/s1600/IMG_9881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2QYAwFn6HAukCiaX5aVEqaYIy6Dlg7dKHCKYIOZo98rJoNt5pwop67GGiqaxvjYKAnogOBmCFi0_yN5fsWv2HqF-KsiLyFJaG8LR3-XiXI8yMXKMJJK0hhUPH1iA0TBgW7ICaWpDwqst/s640/IMG_9881.JPG" width="506" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a well deserved treat!</td></tr>
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it was soooooo gooooood and HUGE! it kept me full until the next morning haha!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4bATc6edG5OXwNDI8TgINPTqWZQ_P-JEMFMOK6EOaapjT1BtZriRIy3PgSMjpgffcj0Odno6HuaCPD8FnkEV9ogheqpzIczdx4KsF_t7ru5575A3h_kXNIYavjddpsso0JQqG3_R6J4Y/s1600/IMG_9888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4bATc6edG5OXwNDI8TgINPTqWZQ_P-JEMFMOK6EOaapjT1BtZriRIy3PgSMjpgffcj0Odno6HuaCPD8FnkEV9ogheqpzIczdx4KsF_t7ru5575A3h_kXNIYavjddpsso0JQqG3_R6J4Y/s640/IMG_9888.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i got a two scoop sundae of coffee moose tracks and purple cow. holy YUM!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">those sundaes didn't stand a chance!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">then we took some more pictures with our new medal of honor! i sort of want to wear it everywhere i go-is that weird?</span></div>
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what's on YOUR bucket list?</div>
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set your mind to it, and DO IT!!</div>
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cheers!</div>
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julia</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-60918068872517376192012-08-12T10:44:00.000-07:002012-09-30T16:43:11.128-07:00A Mental Breakdown BrunchHey there friends,<br />
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sadly there are no desserts to tantalize your eyes with in this post.<br />
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instead, this post is about how while a successful baking day can be so enjoyable and happy, an unsuccessful one can be not only unfortunate but, if you are as tired as me, even breakdown-inducing.<br />
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please tell me i am not the only one who's seen her life fall apart in front of her eyes as she watches her pancakes burn in the frying pan.<br />
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i swear, i was <em>this </em>close to completely breaking down in tears when i realized how terribly wrong my pancakes were coming out. burning on the outside, gooey and falling apart on the inside...the heart ache it caused me was definitely worse than it should have been. but i am <strong><em>exhausted</em></strong> and just wanted some warm, comforting pancakes to make my day a little better. is that so much to ask?! my roommate, who watched the whole thing come together and then explode, offered the advice that my pan was probably just too hot. and she was probably right. but i never fail when it comes to pancakes! i have been making pancakes for years and know all the little secrets to making fluffy, moist, delicious little cakes. no. this was not my fault. it was the new, weird recipe i used and darn it that's the story i'm sticking with!<br />
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in my beyond tired state, i simply couldn't handle my lunch going to the trash instead of my mouth. i get cranky when i'm tired and hungry. all i wanted was a pancake! <br />
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oh the pain. oh the sorrow. <br />
(oh the drama)<br />
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sadly, this is not the first time i have slightly overreacted in the name of food. once i cried on the phone to my friend Robyn that my roommate at the time didn't enjoy watching cupcake wars with me. i believe i literally lamented over the fact that she didn't "appreciate the beautiful creation of a cupcake." </div>
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someone pass the tissues.</div>
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i think it's times like these when i need to go to therapy. and by "therapy", clearly i mean "chocolate."<br />
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Praise God.</div>
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here's hoping your sunday is a little more successful and a little less dramatic than mine!</div>
julia<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-9820593641748295632012-07-31T16:33:00.000-07:002012-08-01T19:55:29.598-07:00The Sweetest Way to Celebrate<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not dined well.” – Virginia Woolf.</span></em></div>
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hey friends!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg518FMeejYXC9mhsmrocpAsGzu2L1xyICAnej8WCs2SDpr0HwKG12c7C52k149Nk3hkugDVZnpfB0qVP4A0gHTiCm5tA9jTdRGrAq2RqG5k8EXGMoHjDvP-la89SasAYFlBCtc5-Vycrio/s1600/IMG_9532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiic1F39DlqcYGvCHe1uD8o4lgyHXOQZEgksbQjdcH1KVSlAwxgEav5JGMewnK59lRmtElYfSPt9l4_JBHfIqlOIj6pU30q-_1f2_ZqJc4IgApMS8MlrFUNJh7tgQrY-Oi4ENElSBqLUS3/s1600/IMG_9491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiic1F39DlqcYGvCHe1uD8o4lgyHXOQZEgksbQjdcH1KVSlAwxgEav5JGMewnK59lRmtElYfSPt9l4_JBHfIqlOIj6pU30q-_1f2_ZqJc4IgApMS8MlrFUNJh7tgQrY-Oi4ENElSBqLUS3/s400/IMG_9491.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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guess what? It was my <strong>birthday</strong> the other day! and, if virginia's quote is true (which i believe it is), then I will be thinking, loving, and sleeping like an olympian!</div>
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a few weeks ago, luke asked me what i wanted to do for my birthday. i said ride a giraffe. however, after bouncing more ideas back and forth, the day turned into something a little more realistic-a tour of some of the best bakeries boston has to offer! on a giraffe.</div>
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we've all been there: walked innocently into a cafe only to be assaulted in the senses. the smell of baking cinnamon romances our noses, while the flakey crusts and velvety smooth frostings cause us to drool like puppies. and inevitably, just before we are about to order each and every delicacy making our eyes water at their beauty, that little annoying voice in our heads wakes up and starts reminding us that we have jeans to fit into and money that could better be used elsewhere. and, just as soon as an image of yourself sitting down with a warm chocolate croissant, ready to be momentarily transported to blissdom, you hear yourself ordering a small coffee with soymilk. </div>
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well, not this time! this time, i decided i was going to go those bakeries, order those sweet treats, and <strong>love every bite of their un-nutricious deliciousness!</strong> because this day was going to be just that-a sweet treat. the day of indulgence i always dreamed about but never let myself partake in. self-restraint was <em>not</em> invited to this party. </div>
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plus, everyone knows that you can eat whatever you want, since calories don't count on your birthday. it's a known fact.</div>
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luke asked for a list of places i'd like to go to, and then he took the reigns and planned out the day. what an <strong>amazing</strong> boyfriend i have been seriously blessed with.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTr9Kqyqjs-DwqxfTQmAdO0taLIArUNyIcZXe6kGAfQ90_KPyTbu6F3v4zDfFV7N6vtJOHABd_NucwliBhG1cg7Mk2ILcCkiMOZXxoIQOX0ipjVxjg0HTngUB3KEoYaDfiyNM_xnZzwoZ/s1600/IMG_9506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTr9Kqyqjs-DwqxfTQmAdO0taLIArUNyIcZXe6kGAfQ90_KPyTbu6F3v4zDfFV7N6vtJOHABd_NucwliBhG1cg7Mk2ILcCkiMOZXxoIQOX0ipjVxjg0HTngUB3KEoYaDfiyNM_xnZzwoZ/s400/IMG_9506.JPG" width="400" /></a>our first stop was <a href="http://www.flourbakery.com/" target="_blank">flour</a>, a bakery that has been featured on three food network shows. i mean, that really says it all, doesn't it? we went there for lunch, and it was absolutely delicious. i got a jam, fruit, and mascarpone cheese panini and luke got a chicken, bri cheese, roasted red peppers, and arugula panini. we both ate them in about 2 bites we were so hungry! and plus, we wanted to get to the main attraction: the sticky bun. this is the baked good flour is known for-and for good reason! this sticky bun was AH-MAY-ZING! it was huge, gooey, sticky, buttery, nutty, caramely, flakey-everything it should be and more. normally, i would <em>never</em> order one-my thighs don't need it, thankyouverymuch. but, the whole point of today was to indulge, so i ordered it with confidence and a bit of little-kid giddiness. (or an obnoxious amount of giddiness, but who's asking?)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66LI9_tcOUoRsr33xef6flvSl894YrUIsY2dPYK8oZAMUXC0n1VeDuIX4xTPTzhcaUGqcpyH1C9bAcvUpV2PPKm0OVd29BWY5ix97CRysQK2FkAiySvjkEE8FziPCsXT40Dt317aEjk9p/s1600/IMG_9521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66LI9_tcOUoRsr33xef6flvSl894YrUIsY2dPYK8oZAMUXC0n1VeDuIX4xTPTzhcaUGqcpyH1C9bAcvUpV2PPKm0OVd29BWY5ix97CRysQK2FkAiySvjkEE8FziPCsXT40Dt317aEjk9p/s320/IMG_9521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thank goodness this was calorie-free today! dodged that bullet...</td></tr>
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luke and i dived into this sinfully decadent treat and never looked back. it was <em>fun </em>to eat it. never having indulged like this before, i felt a little naughty and that only heightened the excitement-like a teenager sneaking out of her house for the first time, running down the street with the elated feeling of "i did it! i did it! muhahaha!"</div>
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i am pretty sure i took more pictures of this sticky bun than i did anything else all day. it was just so photogenic and beautiful! yes, i just called a baked good beautiful. whatcha gonna do about it!? thankfully luke doesn't mind me shoving a camera in his face as he eats and saying things like "wait! hold that pose!" "no don't eat it! just act like you're about to!" "here, hold this for a second!" the patience of a saint, honestly...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtqvyJB2axU1H1rgS-nlzHQ149hh9h5K2u2nKt36JIjZIUqrY4MDY_jQ0v4hRVWcbPWAaiuEl1jujO4R-iXwrEnM6G5KizOPi8OT2JtR6NHPbZ-tqUDo1Q1ExFXFEPN2GTkMQypQJrAnV/s1600/IMG_9524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtqvyJB2axU1H1rgS-nlzHQ149hh9h5K2u2nKt36JIjZIUqrY4MDY_jQ0v4hRVWcbPWAaiuEl1jujO4R-iXwrEnM6G5KizOPi8OT2JtR6NHPbZ-tqUDo1Q1ExFXFEPN2GTkMQypQJrAnV/s640/IMG_9524.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at that goodness!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwKoGFZ4jlWgTrr2xgn5vEYb_FtF6LsODXXwZmfpxchG1FaR1D3XThP6-Nj5sW8ls2uR3Yi38x84wWwKmhXE2kxqnRSHG1LqgdY0inuJnHhQvMfOlh6Pir9RmYXsjN9EL1WlLovsvFQla/s640/IMG_9532.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">contemplating the complex delicacies of how ridiculously good that bun was...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwKoGFZ4jlWgTrr2xgn5vEYb_FtF6LsODXXwZmfpxchG1FaR1D3XThP6-Nj5sW8ls2uR3Yi38x84wWwKmhXE2kxqnRSHG1LqgdY0inuJnHhQvMfOlh6Pir9RmYXsjN9EL1WlLovsvFQla/s1600/IMG_9532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0evvhFZU7xSgxRdwSdZHGuB7-VgBSUquSiyce_t2pvBj7ftbvCvVDovQo3RhySlsKGawY-h03ukwCG_KC3xOFuldFeB8DcZb_VK_ayZM412rLba4L54bwYDEZd_71NwGge_4mgHK43WM/s1600/IMG_9548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0evvhFZU7xSgxRdwSdZHGuB7-VgBSUquSiyce_t2pvBj7ftbvCvVDovQo3RhySlsKGawY-h03ukwCG_KC3xOFuldFeB8DcZb_VK_ayZM412rLba4L54bwYDEZd_71NwGge_4mgHK43WM/s640/IMG_9548.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loving my life right there...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwKoGFZ4jlWgTrr2xgn5vEYb_FtF6LsODXXwZmfpxchG1FaR1D3XThP6-Nj5sW8ls2uR3Yi38x84wWwKmhXE2kxqnRSHG1LqgdY0inuJnHhQvMfOlh6Pir9RmYXsjN9EL1WlLovsvFQla/s1600/IMG_9532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTXZ6g6goaf_ox3ETYHStl2hAneXmWPUxufWp2q7Pwb1sx2uCtiaHujMvpwO0PrXwPvtdSyUk8yq5KB53boREMvmuqJoolPoaj8geJeMhiYsi2LZWOpiXsqjxEDftDJOkJnTQ6Fz3LFrt/s1600/IMG_9565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTXZ6g6goaf_ox3ETYHStl2hAneXmWPUxufWp2q7Pwb1sx2uCtiaHujMvpwO0PrXwPvtdSyUk8yq5KB53boREMvmuqJoolPoaj8geJeMhiYsi2LZWOpiXsqjxEDftDJOkJnTQ6Fz3LFrt/s640/IMG_9565.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he's coming for ya, baked goods! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4N7_NZ8SLMhyrsxc5b8oleypGPOjGrm6KGWP08TuLsmKkgKsb_BoTkwlkHoaUw4EGOPtBiG5mwB7B9x2WgInQizlQDXa8g10Dw5BZ6TYTAUyVkfXHRchTx1VaTwxC4B_-NPS5E62icv00/s1600/IMG_9569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4N7_NZ8SLMhyrsxc5b8oleypGPOjGrm6KGWP08TuLsmKkgKsb_BoTkwlkHoaUw4EGOPtBiG5mwB7B9x2WgInQizlQDXa8g10Dw5BZ6TYTAUyVkfXHRchTx1VaTwxC4B_-NPS5E62icv00/s400/IMG_9569.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
our next stop was <a href="http://www.georgetowncupcake.com/" target="_blank">georgetown cupcake</a>. the two creators of this store have their own TLC show, dc cupcakes, which i have been watching since it first aired. for a while, they only had their original shop in washington, dc, and i was all bummed out that i would have to wait a really long time to finally make it down there to get my hands on one of their famous cupcakes.<br />
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until the world heard it was my birthday and decided to construct a store right in boston just for my tasting pleasure! that sure was sweet of them. (punny...)<br />
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my reaction to when i saw the storefront was more or less akin to a pre-teen at a justin bieber concert. however, i was not alone. there was a line out the door and oh-so-much sugary excitement in the air in the store. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5YOGNS181T-lyHYYby4blSVC1DIFkFBdDtE5KJxwj-ifeLK9L8gil7VAp1R6Jj_yb3qmeNK3z2oVqA02Wig11GEfyLGlP4uBilTObFHcnuPI87te0r4JiuGHzV3qilcaIdbekMI-hJSz/s1600/IMG_9571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5YOGNS181T-lyHYYby4blSVC1DIFkFBdDtE5KJxwj-ifeLK9L8gil7VAp1R6Jj_yb3qmeNK3z2oVqA02Wig11GEfyLGlP4uBilTObFHcnuPI87te0r4JiuGHzV3qilcaIdbekMI-hJSz/s400/IMG_9571.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
and with a huge glass case of cupcakes greeting you as soon as you entered, how could you <i>not </i>experience a sugar high? i bet our blood sugar levels jumped just from breathing in that frosting-infused air. and that, my friends, is not something to complain about.<br />
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now, i do not make decisions lightly. in fact, i hardly ever make decisions without fretting, over analyzing, and taking way too long. and that's over boring things, like what to wear or what to do with my future. put 16 different cupcake flavors in front of me and expect me to make a solid decision about which to get? that's just asking for a meltdown. luke has caught on to this trait of mine, and in an act of sheer chivalry and graciousness, told me i could choose <b>six </b>different flavors. yes, this is a real person, i am not simply making up this version of a boyfriend i wish i had.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGa2Q9aGNNhjbQxBP8qP96obP2z8NX1oYMJFp_PX3KTihj4quBc9lKx8E0_OokjjIZbEmYgy1fjPVnsmmMzHsRf-F-6POcXf4_7qozIG3vNwfHBjLWd0ZkrKn85pR925P9yRCj4I9lwy1/s1600/IMG_9573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGa2Q9aGNNhjbQxBP8qP96obP2z8NX1oYMJFp_PX3KTihj4quBc9lKx8E0_OokjjIZbEmYgy1fjPVnsmmMzHsRf-F-6POcXf4_7qozIG3vNwfHBjLWd0ZkrKn85pR925P9yRCj4I9lwy1/s400/IMG_9573.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birthday cupcakes?! how did they know?!</td></tr>
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he really did spoil me on my birthday. however, not being one to complain when handed the opportunity to get cupcakes, i took his idea and chose six cupcakes with his help. unfortunately i didn't get a picture of the ones i chose because by the time i got home and opened their signature pink box, the frostings had slightly melted and moved around a bit due to the summer day's heat. they were still delish to eat-just not picture pretty. my favorite would have to be the chocolate cupcake with peanut butter chips baked in topped with peanut butter frosting and a chocolate drizzle. nothing beats chocolate and peanut butter for me. however, i did also love their red velvet, which is their signature cupcake. it was <b>so good</b>. their chocolate lava fudge cupcake was so so so yummy as well-and that one was gluten free!<br />
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the bakery was so fun to visit, and so exciting to finally taste! it was pretty small though, as you can see, and very crowded so we didn't really get to dilly dally as much as i would have liked. i did get to see decked out artistan kitchenaid mixer all decked out in lime green<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VYZYBxHYhAwAe3kaDg82WKOy_L_remHrlMKbW8ZqauA30gtAG34H9euJ_tyEA5p6y9iCK95ai3uaxBg-TkOgg6H7JyAjMeqFHzV-OerFyTpYeH5PIi0rEIlMlPKOJ5OzMInsSwSgg1bZ/s1600/IMG_9585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VYZYBxHYhAwAe3kaDg82WKOy_L_remHrlMKbW8ZqauA30gtAG34H9euJ_tyEA5p6y9iCK95ai3uaxBg-TkOgg6H7JyAjMeqFHzV-OerFyTpYeH5PIi0rEIlMlPKOJ5OzMInsSwSgg1bZ/s400/IMG_9585.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhPacuGjnfM09IVaSwWrseA9TtN537S_QooYr7ArqNvamin3m_18ew0krQLOtvQMpkubwQh9mLmUS2Kudw7hMk8L2svC0BDrwsmmbEmKpg2OKe6j9ca0L6H_7tBZuoI7tJTSX6L0Hhyphenhypheny_/s1600/IMG_9589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhPacuGjnfM09IVaSwWrseA9TtN537S_QooYr7ArqNvamin3m_18ew0krQLOtvQMpkubwQh9mLmUS2Kudw7hMk8L2svC0BDrwsmmbEmKpg2OKe6j9ca0L6H_7tBZuoI7tJTSX6L0Hhyphenhypheny_/s200/IMG_9589.JPG" width="200" /></a>jewels though! and look at those trays and trays of cupcakes! pictured above is one of the types of cupcakes that i got-the red velvet. the frosting was the perfect combination of sexy and sweet (just kidding-<i>crazy stupid love</i> reference anyone?) it <i>was </i>the perfect combination of sugary and cream cheesy though, and the cake was very moist and complimented the frosting wonderfully.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was cool-they had a window looking into the kitchen where you could see the bakers creating the cupcakes! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiAqiHb-L5zc8Es7GrenzE-4dhNkwICZzYSc89V3kQ_KWzWZDiKElPEomhdrATPKZOYDuOuktWm7l_AprbpRWoOn3R4cOcGUwec958qdbrly8QmmrJNHZJR7nJQXpP4bjSgPo9HvQYvbd/s1600/IMG_9590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiAqiHb-L5zc8Es7GrenzE-4dhNkwICZzYSc89V3kQ_KWzWZDiKElPEomhdrATPKZOYDuOuktWm7l_AprbpRWoOn3R4cOcGUwec958qdbrly8QmmrJNHZJR7nJQXpP4bjSgPo9HvQYvbd/s400/IMG_9590.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
with my bag of cupcakes in hand, we continued to walk around boston until it was time for dinner. we happened upon another farmer's market, which was really fun to check out. they had tons of goods, like purple carrots!! have any of you ever seen those before? i had not, but they were super cool! there were also tons of sunflowers which can always brighten a day! across the street was the boston public library which neither luke nor i had ever been to, so we popped in there for a bit and just nearly got so lost we almost never left! it is HUGE in there!! and looks more like a museum than a library. they had this beautiful courtyard with tables and chairs which we rested in for a bit-walking around boston and eating to our hearts content is exhausting! however, the night was young and there were more sugary concoctions awaiting us!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_HHYAbzH8cKB5DK14RU-n1aL4h9QKCrmT6AICFt8I4f4ZjbNdzKWD-V0H-PiNpl0pdwVjQFUhwHvw51flIPzfne-jehTX7BMHm938UNA0TbSl0fQIRxuS3pC5q2uaTbuPdzeX5k6LstR/s1600/IMG_9610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_HHYAbzH8cKB5DK14RU-n1aL4h9QKCrmT6AICFt8I4f4ZjbNdzKWD-V0H-PiNpl0pdwVjQFUhwHvw51flIPzfne-jehTX7BMHm938UNA0TbSl0fQIRxuS3pC5q2uaTbuPdzeX5k6LstR/s400/IMG_9610.JPG" width="400" /></a>for dinner, luke made reservations at one of my all time dream restaurants-<a href="http://www.maxbrenner.com/" target="_blank">Max Brenner's</a>. it's a restaurant dedicated to chocolate (which a lot more things should be dedicated to, in my opinion.) as soon as you walk into the place, chocolate hits you from all angles-chocolate scented air tickles your nose, a big vat of swirling, melting chocolate hypnotizes your eyes, and chocolate rains down from the ceiling, transforming you into a living cocoa creation. the last bit i'm joking about, but everything else is true. it takes chocolate to a whole new level i thought only existed in my mind. they have tag lines such as <i>"creating a new chocolate culture worldwide."</i> and shirts with <i>"chocolate is good for you"</i> on them. amen! i got a chocolate mixed drink and the most crazy chocolate dessert ever-a chocolate cookie pizza. this dessert meant <i>business</i>. a cookie crust, topped with milk chocolate, white chocolate, hazelnut bits, and drizzled with peanut butter. i fear the person who could eat this in one sitting.<br />
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guys, this sweet, melty, peanut buttery, crunchy, combination of everything that is good in the world was shout-out-loud good. the heavens surely know about this, for that is clearly where it was sent from. and, along with my dessert came a little chocolate with "happy birthday" written on it in edible gold dust and a candle for me to blow out! and the waiter quietly put it down in front of me, with a happy smile and nothing else-no clapping and no embarrassing sing a-long with the whole restaurant. it was a perfect, sweet surprise. way to wish me a happy birthday in a classy, sophisticated way, max brenners.<br />
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with stomachs so ridiculously content and full, we waddled our way to the train station to get back to my apartment. while we were waiting for the train to arrive, we took some silly pictures-probably a combination of so much sugar and exhaustion from walking around the city all day made us just a bit delirious by the end of the day. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">treated by this man all day? i'm a very lucky birthday girl indeed.</td></tr>
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once we got home, we were naturally hungry again. and, as it happened, i had six cupcakes that had not been eaten yet! (are you guys getting stomach aches just reading about what we ate that day?) we decided to split the two birthday cupcakes we chose, along with some wine (which turned to milk as we realized cupcakes just really need a glass of milk above all other beverages.)</div>
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the two cupcakes were a vanilla cupcake topped with chocolate frosting, and a chocolate cupcake with a vanilla frosting. i really liked the chocolate frosting, it was very fudgy. however, i didn't actually care for the chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. it was a very good cupcake, but nothing extraordinary. luke really liked it, however, so it still worked out. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this cupcake survived the Great Meltdown of 2012 which unfortunately took the aesthetic lives of all the other cupcakes</td></tr>
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well friends, that was a <i>LONG </i>post, so thanks for sticking with me! i hope you enjoyed reading about my birthday and looking at the pictures of the baked goods as much as i enjoyed living it and eating them! </div>
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and thank you luke, for being an incredibly selfless and wonderful boyfriend and completely spoiling me on my birthday. not every girl gets a man like you to share a cupcake with :) as the three year old boy i babysit said to me today after giving me a fake haircut: <i>"you are one lucky princess!"</i></div>
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if you could spend your birthday indulging in anything, what would it be? i'd love to know!</div>
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a year older,</div>
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julia</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-30562487385250090662012-07-25T19:16:00.001-07:002012-07-25T19:16:05.832-07:00Colors of the Windhello friends,<br />
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a couple days ago i was at church, and my pastor was telling us a "bunny story" of his. he claimed that whenever he was feeling especially spiritually low, God always put a bunny in his path that day to remind him that He has it all under control, and was loving on him. i began to think about ways in which God does that to me-isn't it cool to think that God has a special language He speaks to each of us, personalized according to our unique selves? just like how a parent knows the exact way to soothe a crying child, our Father knows exactly how to speak to us when we really need it-or simply just to say hello!<br />
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when i was talking about this with luke, he said he thinks God speaks to him when he studies the body. he was a bio major at college, and wants to go into the medical field in some way. learning about all the intricacies of the body and how it is designed to function really helps him connect to the God who created it all. <br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">"God must be a painter. </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Why else would we have so many colors?"</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-small;">A Beautiful Mind</span></em></strong></div>
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i've known how God speaks to me for a long time-through nature's color. as an artist, i have always been fascinated with color and pairing different ones together to create aestically pleasing combinations. however, what really blows me away is when i see color in nature-color that no man created, but just <em>is</em>. God is indeed the greatest artist of all time-He <strong><em>created</em> </strong>color! woah. when i look outside and see a beautiful sky, full of bright blues or pinks, oranges, and yellows, i think <em>wow</em>-God just used the sky as his canvas. i am astounded when i look at a flower and see all the beautiful colors in the petals-to think that grew from the ground! and at the farmer's market the other day, i was again left in awe of His painterly self...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQvkc3E1tPbo3jLg_GCxGExiIbhH-8m4IY0frB6Mb-NNJkGbo3jRRe-T8wTS4GmyNSaL6bh-0RFz7rwnWRCo8l1YHNGJI2joUCY54CAPuxbz1O47fmlgDTih80VklnKBb-DKxxzwEjIwH/s1600/IMG_9397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQvkc3E1tPbo3jLg_GCxGExiIbhH-8m4IY0frB6Mb-NNJkGbo3jRRe-T8wTS4GmyNSaL6bh-0RFz7rwnWRCo8l1YHNGJI2joUCY54CAPuxbz1O47fmlgDTih80VklnKBb-DKxxzwEjIwH/s640/IMG_9397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i didn't even touch up this photo-that is the true vibrancy of the colors!</td></tr>
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<em>woah. </em>i think i actually exclaimed "God is amazing!" when i looked at the stems of the swiss chard i bought. aren't those colors just mouth watering?! bright yellows, deep reds, pulsing magentas-all created by the same power that created us. pre-tty cool. what blows me away even more is that these are the <em>stems</em>. the part <em>in the ground.</em> i think this shows He has surprise after surprise awaiting us at every turn-if we look for it. i think He wants us to truly explore all the hard work He put into creating this earth-He wants us to go on exciting adventures and interact with the nature He put on this earth with us. but, even if we are too tired (or too broke because we just graduated college and barely have a "living day to day" fund, much less an "exciting adventure" fund and so therefore will more likely be navigating the local stop and shop for deals on food instead of trekking through the himalayan mountains), well-He still has ways to make ordinary days extraordinary. <br />
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He's a good dad-He likes to pop in and say hi to his sons and daughters every now and again :)<br />
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i feel like He says "see? i'm awesome. i'm majestic. i'm worthy of praise. just look at my colors!" every time i take special note of a color in nature. and it calms me. it excites me. it makes me love my God more and more. because who else is this cool? man can try to recreate the colors seen in nature through mixing and blending pigments, but God's the original artist. His were the first hands to create it all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4AGr56itcn-4ko38nKi9a-yhNYLg6PqWvQLtDWPDwkV0BB-koe0GAF0yB7dPHLkPNIGf2umGOWDc1MZPB5Gw7C1evQtR5z0Gd9hURkTRnipJhDlT_bls0gXjiTNS_zouPqz5o8z8NjRG/s1600/IMG_9405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4AGr56itcn-4ko38nKi9a-yhNYLg6PqWvQLtDWPDwkV0BB-koe0GAF0yB7dPHLkPNIGf2umGOWDc1MZPB5Gw7C1evQtR5z0Gd9hURkTRnipJhDlT_bls0gXjiTNS_zouPqz5o8z8NjRG/s640/IMG_9405.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at the colors pulsing through the veins!</td></tr>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-104-34"><em><span style="color: #741b47;">"Shout for joy to God, all the earth!</span></em></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-104-34"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-66-2" id="en-NIV-14876"><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span>Sing the glory of his name;</span></em></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-104-34"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-66-2"></span></span><span class="indent-1"><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span class="text Ps-66-2">make his praise glorious.</span></span></em></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-104-34"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-66-2"></span></span></span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-104-34"><span class="text Ps-66-3" id="en-NIV-14877"><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!</span></em></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-104-34"><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span class="text Ps-66-3">So great is your power</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span class="text Ps-66-3">that your enemies cringe before you.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-66-4" id="en-NIV-14878"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>All the earth bows down to you;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span class="text Ps-66-4">they sing praise to you,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span class="text Ps-66-4">they sing the praises of your name.”</span></span></span></em></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-104-34"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-66-4"><em><span style="color: #741b47;">~Psalm 66:1-4</span></em></span></span></span></span></div>
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in what ways does God speak to <strong>you</strong>? ever notice that before? if not, take this week to focus on what grabs your heart, or if there is a consistent thing in your life that gives you a sense of peace-like seeing a bunny on the side of the road, thinking about the ways the body works, or noticing the colors all around you. listen to the unique way God communicates His love to you!<br />
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blessings, friends<br />
julia</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-23004563831906232662012-07-24T09:29:00.001-07:002012-07-24T09:41:10.275-07:00To Market, To Marketgreetings, friends.<br />
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i am currently in a wonderfully whimsical cafe in gloucester. if i could choose anywhere to do work, catch up with friends, read or blog, it would absolutely be at a cafe. one can't help but feel trendy and hip (and c'mon, don't we ALL strive for those two qualities?!) with a dash of artistic pretentiousness whilst at a cafe. something between the groovy music playing, the caffeinated inspiration handed to you in a hot mug (or icy cup, depending on the weather), and smells of the lattes and pastries always get me. <br />
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in fact, if i didn't currently have a meter ticking away my time in my parking spot, i probably wouldn't ever leave this cafe.<br />
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however, i do have <em>some</em> time before the meter's out, so i thought i'd tell you about a little adventure i went on with some friends yesterday.<br />
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to market, to market! the farmer's market, that is!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv_5P_HNuO0buIzlbvcLSkhCZBqLEsHmQdt1tWc4D9R9355VLYmF8bt18SQGyr-gsLW-JSG0m2XnrM8W79WBlKZtH-BEmMnWXlqrDb43glWxCxcxMjrMhMehLKUnx0twM71M9C8jx7Ig_/s1600/IMG_9378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv_5P_HNuO0buIzlbvcLSkhCZBqLEsHmQdt1tWc4D9R9355VLYmF8bt18SQGyr-gsLW-JSG0m2XnrM8W79WBlKZtH-BEmMnWXlqrDb43glWxCxcxMjrMhMehLKUnx0twM71M9C8jx7Ig_/s640/IMG_9378.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at all those beautiful vegetables!</td></tr>
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two friends of mine and I went to our local farmer's market yesterday. i've only ever been to one other farmer's market, last summer when i went to chicago, but i <em>love</em> them. with rows and rows of vendors all selling something delectable, from fruits, to vegetables, to baked goods, to honey and homemade jams, you can find it all at a farmer's market!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYBJnneuW0qb0JgHKTIKvj8UKuLteRTcptU8bzj7VzifLJkhvYd7YhLDt_VcOW6qbODRKBccIgUcd1IX91qCnu85Oa6yBIoswsQ6_eiuROXxIBSEueVtevadRF3y35U125OMgw6ONOfM_/s1600/IMG_9377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYBJnneuW0qb0JgHKTIKvj8UKuLteRTcptU8bzj7VzifLJkhvYd7YhLDt_VcOW6qbODRKBccIgUcd1IX91qCnu85Oa6yBIoswsQ6_eiuROXxIBSEueVtevadRF3y35U125OMgw6ONOfM_/s640/IMG_9377.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bins and bins of fruit! a dream come true</td></tr>
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what's really cool is you can talk to the very farmers or bakers whose goods you are buying. they are always so friendly and love telling you stories about their food. for instance, at <em><a href="http://filledeferme.com/" target="_blank">fille de ferme</a></em>, the owner told us she's been making these jams her whole life, from passed down recipes. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD4yWHwQc404rbf9MeGNa5E0DuG41LrYFMd32_tgtWlq-eWLdifCHAHg7wMx4zKC_TQa2YekWFDnXS-ZfvX_j3lv-Wl0SUEmyUbEilI-GEF2rJJ1d6gSUt_TSKDvfjtvqLPadEz9H-CqZ/s1600/IMG_9382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD4yWHwQc404rbf9MeGNa5E0DuG41LrYFMd32_tgtWlq-eWLdifCHAHg7wMx4zKC_TQa2YekWFDnXS-ZfvX_j3lv-Wl0SUEmyUbEilI-GEF2rJJ1d6gSUt_TSKDvfjtvqLPadEz9H-CqZ/s640/IMG_9382.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what a beautiful display!</td></tr>
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we even got to try some samples of her jams!<br />
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they were so good! very interesting flavors, like orange lavender and three berry. <br />
that's another cool thing about farmer's markets-free samples! i was able to try cheeses, jams, tea, breads...it was a mini feast! i am all about my <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2257201260886512702#editor/target=post;postID=1620318773534194584" target="_blank">free samples</a>, too. what is better than free food? nothing, friends. nothing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sarah and briana with some bread samples and lemonade. a perfect afternoon treat!</td></tr>
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while i don't eat much bread, (gluten, you know...) <a href="http://www.piantedosi.com/products-2/" target="_blank">Piantedosi</a> had some very intriguing and tempting bread flavors like dark chocolate chip and mocha chip. mmmm.....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a sample of cranberry orange bread. later i tried their rosemary olive oil bread. omgsuhgood.</td></tr>
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this just made me laugh: how green of them! only a t a farmer's market...and perhaps portland, OR. <br />
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amongst all the fruits, veggies, and bikes, there were also flowers being sold! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPevmuxEVUlxbPUSrupZS0gd-YvRAdGer0IsVOQn0slkKQHUtxHJ6zlN21hTaFHCrhg4Mw34ScKX3msHyv0ShQa-PuUbXeEPE_kzgxcf6FDKUKj8-LA-RNK6gEz-Q3BMgU5WOY7rT5ZiY/s1600/IMG_9392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPevmuxEVUlxbPUSrupZS0gd-YvRAdGer0IsVOQn0slkKQHUtxHJ6zlN21hTaFHCrhg4Mw34ScKX3msHyv0ShQa-PuUbXeEPE_kzgxcf6FDKUKj8-LA-RNK6gEz-Q3BMgU5WOY7rT5ZiY/s640/IMG_9392.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my favorite flower-the sunflower!</td></tr>
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i found i felt really good about each purchase i made. not only was everything extremely reasonably priced, i knew i was supporting local farmers and businesses. i could talk to the very person who pulled my vegetables from the ground, and be assured that there were no harmful pesticides or other unspeakables sprayed on the precious things. what a relief!<br />
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in the end, i bought swiss chard (ever tried it? i hadn't, and they looked so plump and pulsing with health i just couldn't turn them down.), zucchini (which i am extremely excited to turn into zucchini muffins) and apricots (i've never had these little guys either! my world of vegetables and fruits truly was grown thanks to my farmer's market trip.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyUzGAwOheLpGvbvgpcBmGFkkxQF3jIOlokJyuh6HUl4o1LDW3wGuaMOVgRE0JGYEs7IAWbnyTpeX_1hQvPwO8I7eg2qsYzKn8E6EttKIOaD9-30ux3pYRuBA9jPP8ZKPTLrm0Bx6gLyk/s1600/IMG_9400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyUzGAwOheLpGvbvgpcBmGFkkxQF3jIOlokJyuh6HUl4o1LDW3wGuaMOVgRE0JGYEs7IAWbnyTpeX_1hQvPwO8I7eg2qsYzKn8E6EttKIOaD9-30ux3pYRuBA9jPP8ZKPTLrm0Bx6gLyk/s640/IMG_9400.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my loot</td></tr>
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as soon as i got home, i chopped up some of those luscious greens and threw them into my blender to party with some fruit and oj. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZFvXWQhYxlbCCnT9T7n-h-MaH4fsm76zBQYYfkj2sN6O6pN0AGx1SrNB3AfnXGick6Tk5Q8n524sHnCQVjUA60qlC2KeN6uxFkYxCY4Nu5LLdacG89HKDm0n6EUiGCd8E7NRSzkTQWGO/s1600/IMG_9407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZFvXWQhYxlbCCnT9T7n-h-MaH4fsm76zBQYYfkj2sN6O6pN0AGx1SrNB3AfnXGick6Tk5Q8n524sHnCQVjUA60qlC2KeN6uxFkYxCY4Nu5LLdacG89HKDm0n6EUiGCd8E7NRSzkTQWGO/s640/IMG_9407.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">smoothies make me smile.</td></tr>
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fruit+greens=best power smoothies ever! i always throw a green into my smoothie, whether it's spinach, lettuce, or now swiss chard. i love that you get all the benefits and nutrients of the leafy green while you only taste the sweet and tangy fruit! <br />
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all in all, it was a lovely trip to the farmer's market. i am very blessed to be living in a town where it is just a few blocks away from my apartment, so it is very easy to walk to.<br />
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my challenge for <em>you</em>, dear reader, is to go find a local farmer's market near you and stop by! i promise you will not regret it!<br />
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now go eat a leafy green! <br />
cheers,<br />
juliaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-40614626449614107602012-07-22T19:33:00.002-07:002012-07-22T19:35:49.883-07:00The Difference Between Me and Julia Childhow are you, friends?<br />
<br />
i am doing very well, thanks to a delish dessert i just had that included <em>no</em> sugar, <em>no</em> butter, and <em>no </em>onions (thank goodness for that dodged bullet...) however, there were <em>tons</em> of flavor, <em>tons</em> of ooey-gooey melted marvelousness, and <em>tons</em> of "mmmmm"s heard round the apartment. <br />
<br />
interest perked?<br />
thought so ;)<br />
<br />
however, before we get to the baked good, let me tell you the story behind it. rather, the conundrum. luke and i were eating at one of our favorite restaurants the other night, and while perusing the dessert menu he commented on how he loves apple crisp, but hates how it always tastes overly buttery. he lamented how his only wish in life was to eat an apple crisp that wasn't soaked in butter. hearing the sorrow in his voice, and looking at those distraught eyes, i decided to work some kitchen magic. i am a <em>great</em> girlfriend, after all. (he may deny this story, and claim he simply stated a desire for a not-so-buttery apple crisp, but we all know the true version.)<br />
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so, a few days later i searched for some recipes online and came across <a href="http://www.caringcarrot.com/baked-stuff-apples/" target="_blank">this</a> one. it sounded interesting because of the healthy and hearty ingredients which would promise both the warm, comforting taste of an apple crisp, yet had not one ingredient i would regret putting into my body. and most importantly? <em>no butter</em>. (sorry, julia child...we share a lot of things in common, but i'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.) (still love impersonating you though.) it's a bit of a twist on the classic apple crisp, but i quite like it.<br />
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here is the recipe according to how i tweaked it:<br />
<br />
3 apple halves<br />
1 tb coconut oil<br />
2 tb agave nectar+some for drizzling over the baked apples<br />
1/8 ts nutmeg<br />
1/4 ts cinnamon<br />
1/4 cup chopped walnuts<br />
1/4 cup granola<br />
1/4 cup oats<br />
1 tb flax seed<br />
honey for drizzling<br />
<br />
~preheat the oven to 425 F<br />
~core the apples and slice a bit off the back of them to keep them stable on the cooking sheet<br />
~melt the coconut oil<br />
~combine the melted coconut oil with the rest of the ingredients<br />
~pack the crumble mixture into the apple wells good n tight<br />
~drizzle with honey<br />
~cook in the oven about 15-20 minutes, or until the apples are softish to the touch (depending on how well cooked you like your apples)<br />
~once cooked, move to a plate, drizzle with more agave nectar or honey, and ENJOY!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixexlHb8PJ75fBfJjCG9vdQSnBys3AmaIO8_3b8Ig3wseVeF9_1zDX6dokjAckWsywMFP0jUmZfZ4VepaTIVdClW-_rDfk8lDWFARhnJL5zvx49H4EvFNa-zagvUDtFDTPtapY5SsvULku/s1600/IMG_9330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixexlHb8PJ75fBfJjCG9vdQSnBys3AmaIO8_3b8Ig3wseVeF9_1zDX6dokjAckWsywMFP0jUmZfZ4VepaTIVdClW-_rDfk8lDWFARhnJL5zvx49H4EvFNa-zagvUDtFDTPtapY5SsvULku/s640/IMG_9330.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the cored apples. i used a knife and it was moderately easy-the first apple half i demolished though because i dug too deep. sad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuni2MDF9l8bx6abBQIYxQeggxVHyRIHEuxaAyBEj97DMSeCKv_QC_tKj6Y4fb4qg_pNKWvxMCUESrAsXNtNuMmnldONtTxDkx2CqY-94wNe5KikjZAtvl0C2iSzc2KZjBO5fekpA0qr5/s1600/IMG_9332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuni2MDF9l8bx6abBQIYxQeggxVHyRIHEuxaAyBEj97DMSeCKv_QC_tKj6Y4fb4qg_pNKWvxMCUESrAsXNtNuMmnldONtTxDkx2CqY-94wNe5KikjZAtvl0C2iSzc2KZjBO5fekpA0qr5/s640/IMG_9332.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">add that coconut oil with enthusiasm and a little dance!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvJlrUSdvy3ya-1Iu03zDQfwIaL80DrhWd57-yKFUXBcea7kH4H3qrPaMA1KbuDkErCucv0QRAXiLi87FFKjxHw2WW7IpavML-YSn0MgUJDVxGmteqnHtpolUozBiRqh6xozyoz7Fgl6L/s1600/IMG_9336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvJlrUSdvy3ya-1Iu03zDQfwIaL80DrhWd57-yKFUXBcea7kH4H3qrPaMA1KbuDkErCucv0QRAXiLi87FFKjxHw2WW7IpavML-YSn0MgUJDVxGmteqnHtpolUozBiRqh6xozyoz7Fgl6L/s640/IMG_9336.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the crumble mixture, full of cinnamon, oats, and flax! holy healthy yumminess. i could have just eaten this alone!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEdWYy-eADZrNgv09pB0vmH-UoejJMgww9OKy4gVSKwBklFCprR_HHdHnSZN6Q6Mecj3eaCAGG3Ql6LQ5E161HmplRF9YImvTlfhsVeJZDatTiabrbjzxKTZbHj61aYwIQFxbdfFMSvBc/s1600/IMG_9342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEdWYy-eADZrNgv09pB0vmH-UoejJMgww9OKy4gVSKwBklFCprR_HHdHnSZN6Q6Mecj3eaCAGG3Ql6LQ5E161HmplRF9YImvTlfhsVeJZDatTiabrbjzxKTZbHj61aYwIQFxbdfFMSvBc/s640/IMG_9342.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stuffed to the brim with granola goodness!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKqNlES28LPrZt3Xcm2VYUu8respHemmzJVrDPfxtmJOkesabcgcYCVHwukY8X_bvEJ5704ejdw7q9XG_5rHifq_HdmJjVTuvKNAKDGlmhFbEGi5n4K0vzSqzhlASHxduaqxtqmEnZcRL/s1600/IMG_9345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKqNlES28LPrZt3Xcm2VYUu8respHemmzJVrDPfxtmJOkesabcgcYCVHwukY8X_bvEJ5704ejdw7q9XG_5rHifq_HdmJjVTuvKNAKDGlmhFbEGi5n4K0vzSqzhlASHxduaqxtqmEnZcRL/s640/IMG_9345.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready for the oven!</td></tr>
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i'd like to take a pause and show you a very exciting addition to my kitchen that arrived in the mail the other day...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxQ8gdRy-nNIp393kC1288cCdZ0fe6Xr0dIhpHFZt21YsIU66lJMvfgcoODvtsiJqfgwvZmKHYs9MfLAkm_pmZsOIfhiV2qOX-2xvhXSd5AhVE9s_zP_x9jQWdPa1p_Yi9jFCeII8KZY7/s1600/IMG_9351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxQ8gdRy-nNIp393kC1288cCdZ0fe6Xr0dIhpHFZt21YsIU66lJMvfgcoODvtsiJqfgwvZmKHYs9MfLAkm_pmZsOIfhiV2qOX-2xvhXSd5AhVE9s_zP_x9jQWdPa1p_Yi9jFCeII8KZY7/s640/IMG_9351.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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a yellow frying pan!! yellow is my favorite color, so obviously i needed one of these. it matches my yellow mixing bowls and measuring spoons! i sleep well knowing this.<br />
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and now, the final product: warm, aromatic, perfect.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sSZICF1IwrStm6PK0cPKx_-hg57f36r8XtfTEft3MEAPyB44TYPmynWxjNkBYE_Hl9YLlRULpn5r6seZ19jvMC7sWtIxIJYGZ2Bmwi17zSHa9GQeeXKgmnJQgPGN7BbLRmI0SZyX3XaO/s1600/IMG_9352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sSZICF1IwrStm6PK0cPKx_-hg57f36r8XtfTEft3MEAPyB44TYPmynWxjNkBYE_Hl9YLlRULpn5r6seZ19jvMC7sWtIxIJYGZ2Bmwi17zSHa9GQeeXKgmnJQgPGN7BbLRmI0SZyX3XaO/s640/IMG_9352.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">his.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hers.</td></tr>
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the kitchen smelt soooo good while these babies were cooking. the final product was a was a perfect serving size, with ingredients that were completely guilt free. and most importantly, butter free :) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfnpuy5J1710xdjyYu0IWXf_mWMrcNgESCSIQAEkCwwq9fAF_yTXz_aLOKXW22AU_qXjaI8NA_gA269IUyspWC1m9F-YPd29RXgI8qZlwMCF0FMJyUZXTpE53HbUWOyDCkScCyN-aA1vq/s1600/IMG_9372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfnpuy5J1710xdjyYu0IWXf_mWMrcNgESCSIQAEkCwwq9fAF_yTXz_aLOKXW22AU_qXjaI8NA_gA269IUyspWC1m9F-YPd29RXgI8qZlwMCF0FMJyUZXTpE53HbUWOyDCkScCyN-aA1vq/s640/IMG_9372.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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when you cut into them, the oats come spilling out into a pool of agave nectar/honey, a very satisfying event to watch...and even more satisfying to eat! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfd0knpyIR2l14TqGyZ9skb6yQ6uj7AkOfh9d1B1tKboIdfsOD_rvopDc-tbQl9-ImO6enrBadMLX5-cB3UjPkUlFoHULKB_WoonpZ6wQ8BJRxnQhDkq77mFOUdfYKg7E4dtslcgdErTf/s1600/IMG_9363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfd0knpyIR2l14TqGyZ9skb6yQ6uj7AkOfh9d1B1tKboIdfsOD_rvopDc-tbQl9-ImO6enrBadMLX5-cB3UjPkUlFoHULKB_WoonpZ6wQ8BJRxnQhDkq77mFOUdfYKg7E4dtslcgdErTf/s640/IMG_9363.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dominated.</td></tr>
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try these, friends. you will <em>not</em> regret it. i even had some oats mixture left over, so i've been making them for dessert a lot. it's very easy and you can start the process and be sitting down to eat it within a half hour. ahhhh, instant gratification.<br />
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i can't wait to make this all the time in the fall with apples i've picked!<br />
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now go bake, readers! bake and embrace healthy ingredients that are as incredible for you as they are delicious!<br />
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juliaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-89351836953482942762012-07-20T17:47:00.002-07:002012-07-20T17:49:10.310-07:00What Good Friends Are Forhi friends!<br />
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last week i told you about the s'mores adventure luke and i embarked on. at the very end of the post, i asked for suggestions for s'mores variations to try. a very good and close friend of mine from college, andrea, claimed subbing reeses for chocolate was the only way to have a s'more. in fact, she said she <em>only </em>eats them that way! <br />
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i thought about it...<br />
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chocolate+peanut butter+marshmallow+all melted together=WHY HAVE I NEVER TRIED THIS?!?!?<br />
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i quickly bought a ticket and hopped on that train, graham crackers in hand.<br />
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what resulted, friends, is pure bliss...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_dEnTiGENfcKOl-D6BL6S7T7htCgj5gBuWDOsF7ET2r0-db17AdX_d0Xqyx7D-caNXV9OAu0I7mnGuEj3GHhUqx58BVkytdKpq6-CEhcfe-qsqiyI3homwhpjU-xNp0T-A_vHeuYJ7g9/s1600/IMG_9300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_dEnTiGENfcKOl-D6BL6S7T7htCgj5gBuWDOsF7ET2r0-db17AdX_d0Xqyx7D-caNXV9OAu0I7mnGuEj3GHhUqx58BVkytdKpq6-CEhcfe-qsqiyI3homwhpjU-xNp0T-A_vHeuYJ7g9/s640/IMG_9300.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the 'mallos gettin ready</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVwTiu2tpwdtgJhioWmBgtY26xsFST7WzFD2uf5Ljp6e2gl1dc6SxunKOYAoQulG6VG0gqDPrOEHfg4WOLnRutj6Sktx_X4lhTlcdB4DnjRLhf3tqoK5zDgDx5tkgI7jc5hkA_HBMPPGL/s1600/IMG_9302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVwTiu2tpwdtgJhioWmBgtY26xsFST7WzFD2uf5Ljp6e2gl1dc6SxunKOYAoQulG6VG0gqDPrOEHfg4WOLnRutj6Sktx_X4lhTlcdB4DnjRLhf3tqoK5zDgDx5tkgI7jc5hkA_HBMPPGL/s640/IMG_9302.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can't say i never learn! i resisted the urge to stick this piping hot piece of metal into my mouth in order to eat the residual marshmallow this time...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSX_eUPgynkLEGTIvYXF5aSTg-uiC6QKn03uU8BOrMsT_SAEESDN5F6q-kW3GLiCKOTqzDNZpHRwmeadH4zWMeGFXSb4sMoPrzMyGmBS4Q0mwbGBmVYCX4ddkyiljkKHOAJ4Q9JIjIxje/s1600/IMG_9305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSX_eUPgynkLEGTIvYXF5aSTg-uiC6QKn03uU8BOrMsT_SAEESDN5F6q-kW3GLiCKOTqzDNZpHRwmeadH4zWMeGFXSb4sMoPrzMyGmBS4Q0mwbGBmVYCX4ddkyiljkKHOAJ4Q9JIjIxje/s640/IMG_9305.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh me oh my, this was GOOD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCUnFyMVng03bqrSK73uA4POpT7mk-e1HHzZAudq8-ItxGn8hwnfsuq6IYzwLhgfO2gtITlHAKrFrKUGG3ntQnAPhbAkiI-sTrARhTRnyNHecmeDSbO8yHt53XtwVzjlBq1nEquq0yea8/s1600/IMG_9306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCUnFyMVng03bqrSK73uA4POpT7mk-e1HHzZAudq8-ItxGn8hwnfsuq6IYzwLhgfO2gtITlHAKrFrKUGG3ntQnAPhbAkiI-sTrARhTRnyNHecmeDSbO8yHt53XtwVzjlBq1nEquq0yea8/s640/IMG_9306.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more. MORE I SAY! i want s'more!!</td></tr>
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you could say my life is changed, yes.</div>
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my taste buds are forever longing for that sweet flavorful combination.</div>
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andrea-this post goes out to you. thanks for being a wonderful friend to me, an always encouraging sister in Christ, and for giving me the best present a friend could give-this s'more.</div>
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(i'm not dramatic. just ask luke.)</div>
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any other s'more concoctions out there i should try? throw 'em at me!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-39809380095591587842012-07-20T12:12:00.003-07:002012-07-20T15:25:26.623-07:00I love breakfastmorning, friends!<br />
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if i could, i would eat breakfast for every meal. whether it's eggs, pancakes, cereal, granola, yogurt-i love it all! if i don't feel like baking a dessert (like right now, when i have THREE different types of ice cream in the freezer-dangerous!), i go looking for the next best thing-a good breakfast recipe! <br />
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i found this one on one of <a href="http://mylittlecelebration.com/" target="_blank">my favorite blogs</a>, and it sounded wonderful so i decided to try it about a month ago. it's now my favorite thing to make for breakfast-it has all the key ingredients for a healthy, stick-with-you, delish dish: protein, vitamins, and of course FLAX. love me some flax. <br />
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i changed up the recipe a bit, so here is the one i used:<br />
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5 egg whites<br />
1 Tablespoon flax seed meal<br />
1/3 cup skim milk<br />
feta cheese<br />
salt and pepper<br />
1/2 cup combined chopped green peppers, red peppers, broccoli<br />
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2 pieces Ezekiel brand toast<br />
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preheat the oven to 350 and mix all the ingredients together. this recipe is great because you can change it up according to your preferences. like carrots? throw em in! hate broccoli? throw 'em away! like onions? SHAME.<br />
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anyway, continuing on...spray a six cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray (or rub each well with coconut oil for some added health benefits!) and pour the egg mixture into each well. bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the tops of the eggs have turned a crispy light brown and inside egg is all nice and cooked.<br />
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then pop some toast in the toaster, butter her up, pair with the eggs, and enjoy!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is a breakfast worth waking up for!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdM_-rKxhEPkizq12q37kWVQ0m1xP8UIJpIfbA-8V5Y_2SN5tiFb-PVg_ohbUOWIng-5II3I5BHO-ng_H37qAnzZW3jFJ3TUhosp8te3wil_-UveKRnfTU1mkeh5on7ns0ka_jlwRXMBhO/s1600/IMG_9325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdM_-rKxhEPkizq12q37kWVQ0m1xP8UIJpIfbA-8V5Y_2SN5tiFb-PVg_ohbUOWIng-5II3I5BHO-ng_H37qAnzZW3jFJ3TUhosp8te3wil_-UveKRnfTU1mkeh5on7ns0ka_jlwRXMBhO/s640/IMG_9325.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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i had mine this time with Ezekiel cinnamon raisin bread topped with peanut butter with flax and cinnamon. super filling and satisfying. try this recipe out and let me know what you think! the eggs would also be good with a fresh fruit salad or some pancakes.</div>
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what is YOUR favorite meal of the day? </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-13609289585193177102012-07-14T18:27:00.000-07:002012-07-14T18:27:06.450-07:00Crowd Pleasershey friends!<br />
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well my party was a lot of fun, and the baked goods were huge hits!! we used <a href="http://www.greengalcatering.com/iwebsite/Green_Gal_Catering/Green_Gal_Home.html" target="_blank">Green Gal Catering</a> for the food, which was basically all gluten free and completely satisfying. from the salad with roasted veggies to the chicken to the insane amount of fruit salad (which you can NEVER have enough of, in my opinion), everything was so good-everyone went back for seconds...and thirds...and fourths. the owner also brought over these beautiful white serving platters that my cupcakes and cookies looked really great on. i was so proud of my creations once they were all set and displayed on the table!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdH-jQ6uPXhw7I5hP9-ZHWROhrq5UEGHi4zbSWVhXro3s57VdLT0cvQ72IZ3BeYwXapkZD4J1fvlWMBFx7eoUIfp07XXN9txDelC3sqhp6dWt6EZhFuAILRIxjuEIS1SKIxAJVljAmDv7/s1600/IMG_9266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdH-jQ6uPXhw7I5hP9-ZHWROhrq5UEGHi4zbSWVhXro3s57VdLT0cvQ72IZ3BeYwXapkZD4J1fvlWMBFx7eoUIfp07XXN9txDelC3sqhp6dWt6EZhFuAILRIxjuEIS1SKIxAJVljAmDv7/s640/IMG_9266.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me with my treats</td></tr>
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people were very excited to try them, and it didn't take long for them to get snatched up...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8p8ZrYpchWHSYcOkL0InKDX5WFrKRQ9jvIf0nsL8SPHb2XlUeBdVKMrXBDPMGzIUHVY2iOs-ei5JvKyIF-hhIyeYTumdS_3v5rrmeno9EezBk18_M9e-1Oey_CS7HhT0JlgT0b5_0sN4-/s1600/IMG_9269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8p8ZrYpchWHSYcOkL0InKDX5WFrKRQ9jvIf0nsL8SPHb2XlUeBdVKMrXBDPMGzIUHVY2iOs-ei5JvKyIF-hhIyeYTumdS_3v5rrmeno9EezBk18_M9e-1Oey_CS7HhT0JlgT0b5_0sN4-/s640/IMG_9269.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chicken and cupcakes-those go together, right? (by the way-the chicken that is pictured was DELISH also. it was stuffed with goat cheese and spinach and oh my goodness, holy YUM.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bYbrg1Y5Zu7B4NPcCxu8-AX6_pNALiqanFdgqcaSg4kNd40i7n2Kcelq_URgeUYRceUsYHCHMwKrNt5OaidZ6NvCOmTp-ZkrhLc2RQqsY3vCMNVnRcNtJyWDZykjeDq7Dr2AVtcTBxRA/s1600/IMG_9274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bYbrg1Y5Zu7B4NPcCxu8-AX6_pNALiqanFdgqcaSg4kNd40i7n2Kcelq_URgeUYRceUsYHCHMwKrNt5OaidZ6NvCOmTp-ZkrhLc2RQqsY3vCMNVnRcNtJyWDZykjeDq7Dr2AVtcTBxRA/s640/IMG_9274.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some friends of mine all enjoying their cupcakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
i received rave reviews from everyone about each of the desserts, and i'd say that all three were pretty evenly enjoyed. the peanut butter chocolate cookie cups were a classic taste combo that always goes over well. people really liked the fresh blueberries and the slightly different taste of the agave nectar instead of sugar in the lemon agave cupcakes. by the looks of the leftovers, however, i'd say the most popular was the chocolate coconut, which i am not surprised by. that coconut frosting ROCKED. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHtDUAlZfYZDE_0QvY4G4B5huPwYqa87pdc5pD1OPIZjGSRepVQW3KZ2A1rdH_jTBaTdJcjyRm8iHI7mlSZ0dJVXxTfj16pQjKo_ULkgT4cwtD3Sru7JoG64dyPaeedljFjTH2uUg8Cwn/s1600/IMG_9267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHtDUAlZfYZDE_0QvY4G4B5huPwYqa87pdc5pD1OPIZjGSRepVQW3KZ2A1rdH_jTBaTdJcjyRm8iHI7mlSZ0dJVXxTfj16pQjKo_ULkgT4cwtD3Sru7JoG64dyPaeedljFjTH2uUg8Cwn/s640/IMG_9267.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the crowd favorite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
it felt really great to have everyone constantly complimenting me on my baking. to see someone take a bite and have a look of pure satisfaction and joy spread across their face because the cupcake was just SO DARN GOOD was exciting and fulfilling. i am so glad i got to exersize this passion this weekend!<br />
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what about you, readers? do you have passions you love to indulge in every now and again? or perhaps all the time? tell me! i'd love to hear!<br />
<br />
also-any flavor combinations i should try for my next baking adventure?<br />
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have a wonderful day! now go eat a sweet on me ;)<br />
juliaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-72557663882916316362012-07-14T10:52:00.004-07:002012-07-14T11:00:34.349-07:00Let the Baking Beginhello friends!<br />
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i am once again back at my parents house, this time for my graduation party. we hired a catering company for the food, but there was no way i was passing up an opportunity to BAKE! so i took on the desserts job, happily and willingly. everything i made and will talk about is completely vegan/gluten "liberated" (that just makes me laugh...)<br />
<br />
i decided to do three different desserts, two cupcakes (because they are my favorite) and one cookie. i did them all mini because i am all about finger food-if it looks enticing and is easily popped into a mouth, i find more people will eat the dessert, even after a stomach full of dinner food. plus, smaller portions don't make you feel as bad when you eat five in a row ;)<br />
<br />
so the first morning i was home, i got up early and was ready to go! i had been planning and revising what to make for about a month (i kid you not. reading recipe books and looking online for ideas was literally what i did for fun all june.) (i should also mention i was stuck at college taking summer courses and that was about as entertaining as it got some nights.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3m5d8KcuosGQZRzP2HeashtwcgaNXMelRwsGAeeHmSiZy9nFgG6gWcmg-deCfeoHhX2dsUL6hqRqZWdNkVL8G9s2KsfFVifmE9V3NisNhfeujev8vyNhsGChD3GcZDubCmg3sAn5jGfG/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3m5d8KcuosGQZRzP2HeashtwcgaNXMelRwsGAeeHmSiZy9nFgG6gWcmg-deCfeoHhX2dsUL6hqRqZWdNkVL8G9s2KsfFVifmE9V3NisNhfeujev8vyNhsGChD3GcZDubCmg3sAn5jGfG/s640/002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my kitchen counter, stocked with all my ingredients</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
first i made a peanut butter cookie from one of my favorite and most used cookbooks, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Cookies-Invade-Your-Cookie/dp/160094048X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b" target="_blank">Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar</a>. robyn, my vegan baker partner-in-crime, and i would always make different cookies from that book during the school year to de-stress. Anyway, i put the cookie dough into my mini cupcake molds and then made an indent into each to create a well. <br />
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while those were baking, i started on my lemon agave nectar cupcakes that i adapted from another well beloved cookbook from the same authors as the above one, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Cupcakes-Take-Over-World/dp/1569242739" target="_blank">Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World</a>. seriously good cupcakes!! go get those two books, now.<br />
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when they came out, they were a delicious golden brown!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2jtJmut3xQzMiA18vfc2iH0-4SENxRUZFTfy5CBOFb4HPl-FJFFNe0rw6yD8w2LVb2cNRDBwoW9_2K_rSqVylvKg4peNZHgF_2AwZVZoK7rEc47vjFT2wyKWNSHWiCNFdlpZd0tOvgOl/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2jtJmut3xQzMiA18vfc2iH0-4SENxRUZFTfy5CBOFb4HPl-FJFFNe0rw6yD8w2LVb2cNRDBwoW9_2K_rSqVylvKg4peNZHgF_2AwZVZoK7rEc47vjFT2wyKWNSHWiCNFdlpZd0tOvgOl/s640/006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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last but not least i made a chocolate cake for my last cupcake. i used <a href="http://www.bobsredmill.com/xanthan-gum.html" target="_blank">Bob's Redmill Xanthan Gum</a> in my cakes, which was a gift from luke that i had been DYING FOR. basically xanthan gum adds needed thickening and binding which gluten free flour lacks. before i had the xanthan gum, my baked goods would crumble apart in front of my eyes-no longer! they stayed together perfectly :D<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5fha_cKyGty-XQN-5Q6rENWKqqjMfuwR4Hn9KZDjTODKrCL6XOiMncyrKKHEzx-o-iQY3rp2Ig4bXyJjMKMskxgZlRPIs3CWWGgGSj2vRkKi8JjFtBJQLq3txr1Sd4psbVi4NjhCvA8F/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5fha_cKyGty-XQN-5Q6rENWKqqjMfuwR4Hn9KZDjTODKrCL6XOiMncyrKKHEzx-o-iQY3rp2Ig4bXyJjMKMskxgZlRPIs3CWWGgGSj2vRkKi8JjFtBJQLq3txr1Sd4psbVi4NjhCvA8F/s640/027.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">exhibit a: my chocolate cupcake with an almost clean wrapper after using xanthan gum! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
as the cupcakes were baking i created a chocolate ganache to fill the peanut butter cookie cups with. chocolate and peanut butter? suh good.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8ATxyVSO1Ltg9uwHdfOCYy-sRIPpsrBwriKQ3UquJCPDNoR2XwC4OAfTyeL9W2FSKOdTuGilK9a8oJQlfDfcwb3f0yhWA6HfJd1B_8qFbgYpI7LdfXQosHMqmp_bpUiP-q3NNMyxuMTc/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8ATxyVSO1Ltg9uwHdfOCYy-sRIPpsrBwriKQ3UquJCPDNoR2XwC4OAfTyeL9W2FSKOdTuGilK9a8oJQlfDfcwb3f0yhWA6HfJd1B_8qFbgYpI7LdfXQosHMqmp_bpUiP-q3NNMyxuMTc/s640/019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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my chocolate cupcakes came out SO decadent, i just had to take a picture:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOQORkt6wbN_zW3RmfKrSGj5MfH8mPBUqiuEUu_9H917MbRny-HeOZXyXdRmH8NR9cOui87unEW_0Yye_u_OVvIyfrnqB6167QMvRbrhyVl1w8QxxqWPzYaaZ3UFHNo1id88M7c92tsr7/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOQORkt6wbN_zW3RmfKrSGj5MfH8mPBUqiuEUu_9H917MbRny-HeOZXyXdRmH8NR9cOui87unEW_0Yye_u_OVvIyfrnqB6167QMvRbrhyVl1w8QxxqWPzYaaZ3UFHNo1id88M7c92tsr7/s640/030.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NO milk/eggs/butter/gluten, and still moist, chocolately, and delicious. score one for the vegans and gluten liberators out there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
for my lemon agave nectar cupcakes i made a blueberry cream cheese frosting and topped each with a fresh blueberry. they looked so delicate and summery! i beat in frozen and fresh blueberries into the cream cheese frosting, and it came out a beautiful purple with swirls of blueberry juice peaking through.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrIIJ0hklKVjQgoIJf3PbWXOchGiRmLFY-cJEgvxjDLCFwsDpg5MGNGHdTssT8N5WuRK7Y8b8m-2Jnx2_2MSwtyjjv8bQl6n0FXOctNbnQmP0-fOGo9NiiT9E0KFOxCvq5KUjo5Mv80i7/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrIIJ0hklKVjQgoIJf3PbWXOchGiRmLFY-cJEgvxjDLCFwsDpg5MGNGHdTssT8N5WuRK7Y8b8m-2Jnx2_2MSwtyjjv8bQl6n0FXOctNbnQmP0-fOGo9NiiT9E0KFOxCvq5KUjo5Mv80i7/s640/024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gotta love a good blubie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
for the chocolate cupcakes, i had some left over chocolate ganache so i spread a layer over each cupcake, then frosted them with what might be my most successful frosting to date-coconut frosting. i started with a regular frosting base, but added in coconut extract (which smells so good i wish i could bathe myself in it.) then i added in sweetened coconut flakes for some nice texture. i topped each cupcake with toasted coconut flakes to add in a nice touch of color and crunch.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oPmcglZLA7VYrp9K_b5Zp8a8j7cjonbti1PI3jL0wiQUcTuBiU792T-1IZnv35Z_3JXgixn-qqvnxN85jMKTa9Zfl1BjqCWHEf6an8MbDgubs1OKpz-TN0QZS9X6hSr79V1-1oLHpGrF/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oPmcglZLA7VYrp9K_b5Zp8a8j7cjonbti1PI3jL0wiQUcTuBiU792T-1IZnv35Z_3JXgixn-qqvnxN85jMKTa9Zfl1BjqCWHEf6an8MbDgubs1OKpz-TN0QZS9X6hSr79V1-1oLHpGrF/s640/011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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last but not least, i added a touch of decorative deliciousness to my cookie cups. i created a peanut butter sauce which i drizzled over each, then drizzled chocolate over that.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTsIPfbgXYzw6BkuZ7C5hueH5865sivXvFzVTy8JZDDgmTuPoAUvdgCiCCaFb70cxnEq1lmcEThq4GuSNK5rWUO3qPPWn45A38cpViVz0qAFumAT6fqWowlWCggJIg58bFMXvCkF2nwao/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTsIPfbgXYzw6BkuZ7C5hueH5865sivXvFzVTy8JZDDgmTuPoAUvdgCiCCaFb70cxnEq1lmcEThq4GuSNK5rWUO3qPPWn45A38cpViVz0qAFumAT6fqWowlWCggJIg58bFMXvCkF2nwao/s640/017.JPG" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh yes i did.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
a couple hours before the party my creations were complete!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIZsFR6j2vH0HXUol0BAFNyljwJ4M-wxq3xMIETJ6FMAxMRtOhceq074WjCJxiCafWYcTZNO9s5813fMTgFw1kigM4E61-V4O6e5jWNjW1ocaszVGub22b5KCDdc3hwtv19-wzBOOi6hm/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIZsFR6j2vH0HXUol0BAFNyljwJ4M-wxq3xMIETJ6FMAxMRtOhceq074WjCJxiCafWYcTZNO9s5813fMTgFw1kigM4E61-V4O6e5jWNjW1ocaszVGub22b5KCDdc3hwtv19-wzBOOi6hm/s640/037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lgZPFnDKum5tTxDyHCIuLxT_wzOOofL19D_x0G-nkJMUIGEWBldvwPQHqjBsapS_ZyJgNYmGamP8Zja_USuvwDdco5X6_nHv00iI8ZBq_-1ac2xCeaR_dMLoHfC6xpUZGw5lnZRA50Af/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lgZPFnDKum5tTxDyHCIuLxT_wzOOofL19D_x0G-nkJMUIGEWBldvwPQHqjBsapS_ZyJgNYmGamP8Zja_USuvwDdco5X6_nHv00iI8ZBq_-1ac2xCeaR_dMLoHfC6xpUZGw5lnZRA50Af/s640/042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lemon agave nectar cupcake with blueberry cream cheese frosting, topped with a fresh blueberry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuxILoilQG40lKB6AjIZlfiQf1LysDt1jn0HRLGO4zVpys7ZiKwDzq6TSxo7pxBYLDxaOqunQftvYr3sSgTv6vDtesJ5vuWsDutr2KiP0VgQjCftWUl7zlGyUincVU_o64mQAV0wkLYHa/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuxILoilQG40lKB6AjIZlfiQf1LysDt1jn0HRLGO4zVpys7ZiKwDzq6TSxo7pxBYLDxaOqunQftvYr3sSgTv6vDtesJ5vuWsDutr2KiP0VgQjCftWUl7zlGyUincVU_o64mQAV0wkLYHa/s640/041.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peanut butter cookie cup filled with chocolate ganache and drizzled with peanut butter and chocolate<br />
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</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuNejstWRHNOmO0ShtQvwrRfHr1dCKJ7vP367Fr1MV4bceUJ3SYVBGGlYzpOjuE2h-gtEZovwUfcVHtb878wsmjm0ok50E-tiHCUUZa3q9NFXHWfJlMh75dtT8Dy4sxaEBlLzyBQ1uPZU/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuNejstWRHNOmO0ShtQvwrRfHr1dCKJ7vP367Fr1MV4bceUJ3SYVBGGlYzpOjuE2h-gtEZovwUfcVHtb878wsmjm0ok50E-tiHCUUZa3q9NFXHWfJlMh75dtT8Dy4sxaEBlLzyBQ1uPZU/s640/043.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chocolate cupcake with coconut frosting with sweetened coconut flakes topped with toasted coconut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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i will let you know how the crowd likes them!<br />
hope you didn't drool too much looking at the pictures ;)<br />
<br />
juliaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-45694735784162008832012-07-11T16:41:00.001-07:002012-07-12T10:45:01.415-07:00S'more Lovin'hello friends!<br />
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it's been a while since i updated, but that's because i've been moving into a new apartment! it's a small lovely place on the third floor of an old house right in the center of my town. two blocks from the beach, three blocks from the main entertainment street. oh, location!<br />
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anyway, so what with all the moving and unpacking, i haven't been able to do much baking. i still have yet to even test out my kitchen with a good vegan, gluten free baked good recipe but that's because i am still acquiring all the baking necessities...however!<br />
<br />
last night, luke and i tested out the new gas stove! and what's a better way to test out an open flame than by roasting marshmallows and making s'mores?! i've save you the energy-there is no better way.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFxdRtmUgyrZhrz7Jk6j6HvWOuVfl0oskX0WO94R5IQu_Md56qZBO0XQ4qoUSP-89lS0KffzIudYOk6e4I4-iSvjhdJD5ZCzKp5Z3AUJ9jRHzFwijx9WvPyCMifsW1q-gq8UWeCJ3LRwb/s1600/085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFxdRtmUgyrZhrz7Jk6j6HvWOuVfl0oskX0WO94R5IQu_Md56qZBO0XQ4qoUSP-89lS0KffzIudYOk6e4I4-iSvjhdJD5ZCzKp5Z3AUJ9jRHzFwijx9WvPyCMifsW1q-gq8UWeCJ3LRwb/s640/085.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an action shot of my marshmallow burning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
we had a lot of fun roasting the marshmallows and trying to achieve a good balance between toasty warm and burnt.<br />
<br />
i had a very smart moment where i slid the marshmallow off the fork and noticed there was still some marshmallow left on it, so naturally stuck it into my mouth-not pausing to think about the fact that i had just held that fork, made of metal, over an open flame. it was HOT and i now have four blisters on my inner lips where the prongs burnt the skin. there's your sign...<br />
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ANYWAY, the s'mores themselves were quite delicious!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkEj55IkNAmDHQbHas-V_nVOK2fW-0B0NlJI0yTrkq2tevCbW0gnhameSuvaglB9jcZY7I5_wk0WNS3QxSfn7ijydi8TTog1GwY8ED2XtskxymuutyzgF3XF_xU13hdpUGj4nAeVuzSZa/s1600/087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkEj55IkNAmDHQbHas-V_nVOK2fW-0B0NlJI0yTrkq2tevCbW0gnhameSuvaglB9jcZY7I5_wk0WNS3QxSfn7ijydi8TTog1GwY8ED2XtskxymuutyzgF3XF_xU13hdpUGj4nAeVuzSZa/s640/087.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhS_RWXXJFlKywVs9hitOG_ST2Iod3gHgl2pQL9kK_kyRuQoFgzQzHT2SBQxI7K2p-X4lR6N-dse2SywKoBx1FNZDSnTh6QI4aisyXDSNt9AXbj7QrCpI_J2tB_2Lyeee2KO2O_LKXlK1f/s1600/084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhS_RWXXJFlKywVs9hitOG_ST2Iod3gHgl2pQL9kK_kyRuQoFgzQzHT2SBQxI7K2p-X4lR6N-dse2SywKoBx1FNZDSnTh6QI4aisyXDSNt9AXbj7QrCpI_J2tB_2Lyeee2KO2O_LKXlK1f/s640/084.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">caught in the act.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
we had to use hershey's kisses because that was only milk chocolate we had on hand, and it actually created quite the ascetically pleasing s'more once the marshmallow melted between the kisses!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkk0CDTpWcVH_seD84ggLGoJ78uGhjOk_FPZwmNQGHGAvIHbENAgQCBJ6wUj49Q29giI8efj34yg8-LSE11wh9OzoQB_atFYSsKBshBhzwR9OGPKR58rxReJFYyRY7UAIjYb42yuUPcuaJ/s1600/091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkk0CDTpWcVH_seD84ggLGoJ78uGhjOk_FPZwmNQGHGAvIHbENAgQCBJ6wUj49Q29giI8efj34yg8-LSE11wh9OzoQB_atFYSsKBshBhzwR9OGPKR58rxReJFYyRY7UAIjYb42yuUPcuaJ/s640/091.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">who knew such a messy dessert could look so cute?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
i am very happy to have a gas stove to do this on! i want to try other types of s'mores, like with oreos instead of graham cracker, or reeses peanut butter cups instead of chocolate. oh the possibilities!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Oio4zxLwY8_dZEthYEY1zaOtnWVdakFM3xpNJYqnY-r-KDm_CMacwaf9o9XmJoR1grycDs7F2MGrcCO1DZaJ5emAUgP3z-ENzPt5wDgRTTEFSvS1cHy6JGqY1BWQso59ElkEG8fAqsHw/s1600/096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Oio4zxLwY8_dZEthYEY1zaOtnWVdakFM3xpNJYqnY-r-KDm_CMacwaf9o9XmJoR1grycDs7F2MGrcCO1DZaJ5emAUgP3z-ENzPt5wDgRTTEFSvS1cHy6JGqY1BWQso59ElkEG8fAqsHw/s640/096.JPG" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the last bite. mmmmm!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
how do YOU like your marshmallows? burnt to a crisp or lightly browned? any good out-of-the-box s'mores ideas? let me know and i'll try 'em out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-5920886758007232562012-06-22T07:41:00.003-07:002012-06-22T07:41:58.910-07:00Freehello friends!<br />
<br />
i'm going to let you into a secret place in the mall.<br />
<br />
this is a secret store in the wide open, where you will most often find people walking into with lust in their eyes and leaving with tears, because who can justify spending that much money on one truffle?<br />
<br />
unless, of course, it's free...<br />
<br />
i'm talking about <a href="http://www.godiva.com/welcome.aspx?cm_mmc=Google-_-Brand-_-Godiva-_-G_ROM_20111103_289&gclid=CJP0kIKH4rACFYFo4Aodsw253Q" target="_blank">Godiva</a>, the most delicious store in the mall. <br />
<br />
they have soooo many tempting options but at not so tempting prices. HOWEVER! here's the secret:<br />
<br />
you can sign up as a Godiva Chocolate Rewards member, and get a <a href="https://www.godiva.com/member/login.aspx?fId=11" target="_blank">free chocolate every month.</a><br />
<br />
i KNOW. it's awesome. and i try to take advantage of it every month. which is why, as i was driving to my parents' house last night, i realized that i wouldn't be near a Godiva until next month-my free june chocolate was about to expire! <br />
<br />
in a fit of what i am convinced was divine inspiration, i changed my route and got off the highway, taking a quick detour to the mall.<br />
<br />
and let me tell you-am i glad i did! they had all their ice cream flavors out for the summer, which i've never tried before. i debated over which one to get, but with the help of a very friendly worker there i decided to go with the pecan caramel sundae one. it was beyond amazing.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUk_kFtSm2lNPGeUd9WoVZINi_cT-mjU75PKt9usBHZOnloAlwU1V6iePCavKW1ctcoQZiBvOKC6AHXH_qTIfhZtQyUq5srUYjymgIqV0Da62UPOjCtsYAuEw9emFfkvFLjNh8IzPmUZ8/s1600/IMG_9039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUk_kFtSm2lNPGeUd9WoVZINi_cT-mjU75PKt9usBHZOnloAlwU1V6iePCavKW1ctcoQZiBvOKC6AHXH_qTIfhZtQyUq5srUYjymgIqV0Da62UPOjCtsYAuEw9emFfkvFLjNh8IzPmUZ8/s640/IMG_9039.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this delicious little bit of bliss was FREE!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
now go run/drive/fly/horseback ride over to the nearest Godiva store and join their rewards club so you can get free chocolate too!<br />
<br />
stay cool in this weather!<br />
juliaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-16203187735341945842012-06-21T11:46:00.000-07:002012-06-22T07:20:46.304-07:00A Beautiful Day for a Picnic.hey friends!<br />
<br />
so this past weekend luke and i went to my hometown to visit my parents.<br />
<br />
and because i was absolutely itching to get into a kitchen. i had been staying at my college to finish up some courses, and they put me in a dorm with NO KITCHEN.<br />
<br />
the kitchen, friends, is my place of peace. it is where i end up, even unpurposefully, when i am stressed/sad/bored...to bake means to relax in my world. and i hadn't been able to bake in weeks! i'm surprised i lasted that long, honestly.<br />
<br />
anyway, i spent the week leading up to going home planning out everything i would bake. i found some wonderful recipes on one of my favorite blogs, <a href="http://mylittlecelebration.com/" target="_blank">My Little Celebration</a>, (which you should totally check out. the writter, dana, seems like a doll) and got excited!<br />
<br />
Our first morning home, I immediately got to work. <a href="http://mylittlecelebration.com/food/vegan-banana-oat-pancakes/" target="_blank">Banana oat pancakes</a> were on the menu, and I'm so glad they were-they came out delicious! I don't know about you, but pancakes always seem too unhealthy for me to enjoy. All that fat and sugar?! But not these-these were vegan, gf, and sugar free as well! And filling, let me tell you. It was a great way to start the morning.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRC4aVD_DiRW_IXamzoCoPD-Ng64MJoKBMwgV3gfAmykzYm6RYOqIEwYqsAz4OclgeHsGrnn_vVSreqSLYl9kjpJjIBkUVkynQnRPwg6xSaiXLDyuFIk04rigRyEzA5e7p8PHlzdmL4kd/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRC4aVD_DiRW_IXamzoCoPD-Ng64MJoKBMwgV3gfAmykzYm6RYOqIEwYqsAz4OclgeHsGrnn_vVSreqSLYl9kjpJjIBkUVkynQnRPwg6xSaiXLDyuFIk04rigRyEzA5e7p8PHlzdmL4kd/s640/029.JPG" width="513" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banana Oat Pancakes in all their glory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I served them with a side of fruit salad, because is there a better dish than that?! I am highly doubtful.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIpWUGsUBfpGpnaWozzqhT5iHJDqTRo8MxOy3DPnRbj7KwVXmaZ2FGNybnDDMQXcVYRukwa_MM369Pe-HPoo65a4g41vUEZ1-lCdurfBPvQdCwIyMhZpkyJUOlxIem2ALsxPYdtE6nyQc/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIpWUGsUBfpGpnaWozzqhT5iHJDqTRo8MxOy3DPnRbj7KwVXmaZ2FGNybnDDMQXcVYRukwa_MM369Pe-HPoo65a4g41vUEZ1-lCdurfBPvQdCwIyMhZpkyJUOlxIem2ALsxPYdtE6nyQc/s640/031.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nom nom nom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a delightful breakfast, indeed.<br />
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i had a picnic planned for luke and i to go on, because it's summer-why not?! We spent the whole morning/afternoon preparing our meal. Luke is great help in the kitchen-he's got some legit fruit cutting skills!<br />
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at the park, we unloaded our food and dug in. There was more fruit salad...<br />
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along with an actual salad. In it was spinach, chicken, feta cheese, strawberries, blueberries, walnuts, apple slices, and raisons. YUM! i just love berries in my salads, do you? the berries actually provided enough juice that there wasn't a need for dressing-which <strike>is good, because i forgot to bring some</strike> i totally planned...the weather was actually a bit windy, so the spinach began to blow away. it got awkward. but other than that it was good!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FCBoxHexoI3_4SykeAXQqM5l1YKPR49CqtowS0T6NwUxxqWm3ZEHIb1nr-juR-tcK9oKc-cnGh_b1X2EGxKR3DJ2jehrz4x2G5tteFSCDVX10t1zwoHHIWFACZWZ_c4BBo24ei_3OlQE/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FCBoxHexoI3_4SykeAXQqM5l1YKPR49CqtowS0T6NwUxxqWm3ZEHIb1nr-juR-tcK9oKc-cnGh_b1X2EGxKR3DJ2jehrz4x2G5tteFSCDVX10t1zwoHHIWFACZWZ_c4BBo24ei_3OlQE/s640/003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yummy and delicious ;)</td></tr>
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Cheese and crackers also made an appearance, as did these little guys...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">three little cupcakes...sitting on my doorstep</td></tr>
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Vegan/gf sweet potato blondies, baked in mini muffin tins. Oh yes i did. they were SO good. the spices and the sweet potato flavor came together and almost tasted like a carrot cake, and the little bursts of dark chocolate chips that i added just made them all that much better. which chocolate always does. i topped each with a walnut and called them perfect.<br />
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Luke was very satisfied by the meal as well. he said all the flavors went great together. i must say, i agree...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rq6exv4wjxp3Of70fN317V_Qvap1U2N7nOYLPYXmc14CpJzrexBpQB_ga-infvLvrdvp4VGCQAPhkjhWbn_QCgJxCwzafPgyI4npFQUUN7p78CfDwUnHO1qw2goyqChJ3tAFbqcv1ZwZ/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rq6exv4wjxp3Of70fN317V_Qvap1U2N7nOYLPYXmc14CpJzrexBpQB_ga-infvLvrdvp4VGCQAPhkjhWbn_QCgJxCwzafPgyI4npFQUUN7p78CfDwUnHO1qw2goyqChJ3tAFbqcv1ZwZ/s640/009.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happy and well fed. like i like him!</td></tr>
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after eating, we layed down in the grass and goofed off. some silly pictures resulted...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQilj29HoBbiTWgMsZNMGV0J-qNZG5p3K9Mb8A8389crG0ulGbXpbAqGoiebSdp_qxEa4Uca0jA_JPkCagIub4aIiXVCY5VYhytwvr2-v0VDyWKJFG_ca0zW30TSlb4cd6BqIIMElrZ7f_/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQilj29HoBbiTWgMsZNMGV0J-qNZG5p3K9Mb8A8389crG0ulGbXpbAqGoiebSdp_qxEa4Uca0jA_JPkCagIub4aIiXVCY5VYhytwvr2-v0VDyWKJFG_ca0zW30TSlb4cd6BqIIMElrZ7f_/s640/016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnRxPffMPqcIhq8mraBdDL9ByjHmGsJ1lnixnEdPeLwcgKCqIgDufHNPSIUnQEKkWE99X9epuTeyne4QCKxxTqLOrZDgoT4s_yNLKSeKA_Wedh08ufSKLRonkoI5evtANWCltdajEuBHl/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnRxPffMPqcIhq8mraBdDL9ByjHmGsJ1lnixnEdPeLwcgKCqIgDufHNPSIUnQEKkWE99X9epuTeyne4QCKxxTqLOrZDgoT4s_yNLKSeKA_Wedh08ufSKLRonkoI5evtANWCltdajEuBHl/s640/015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our picnic table</td></tr>
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we eventually got up and played some frisbee, one of luke's favorite things. i must admit, i'm pretty bad. i had some good jump-in-the-air-and-catch moments though!<br />
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The next day we went to newport, which was beautiful. i just love walking around the streets and going in all the shops. not to mention the ocean and boats being right there! this was actually luke's first time visiting, so i had a lot of fun showing him around.<br />
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one of my favorite parts? <br />
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free fro-yo.<br />
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yes, free.<br />
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if there is one craving i constantly have in life, it's ice cream. fro-yo is even better, because it is slightly healthier for you...and by slightly i mean significantly.<br />
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a new fro-yo store, <a href="http://orangeleafyogurt.com/" target="_blank">Orange Leaf</a>, caught my eye and so we went inside. luke pointed out the irony in the name (orange leaf, pinkberry...) while i simply drooled looking at all the frozen yogurt options and tempting toppings. just as i was about to leave (or sell my soul to the store, which ever), a worker came up and asked if we wanted to try a sample? <br />
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yes. yes we did. <br />
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she gave us five-yes, FIVE-little cups which we could pour the fro-yo into. i immediately lost all dignity and loaded up each cup with "samples." luke watched in embarassment...though he wasn't really surprised. actually, <em>i'm</em> surprised he still is willing to be seen in public with me if there is a hint of free dessert anywhere...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wmBnhhQ1z0vVdeCLZA7oaJ7nFnJ5ChCuDQ5mR2AiIxZqh8F7bqtp8y77k1oatzm-oocKLcTLcemdQxx542mpdEum0EiqWu88_1w-9B9gbx8ItyOUSHrh-mQM3n53vDBa9tz57qztnmTg/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wmBnhhQ1z0vVdeCLZA7oaJ7nFnJ5ChCuDQ5mR2AiIxZqh8F7bqtp8y77k1oatzm-oocKLcTLcemdQxx542mpdEum0EiqWu88_1w-9B9gbx8ItyOUSHrh-mQM3n53vDBa9tz57qztnmTg/s640/035.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a PERFECT swirl. am i right?!</td></tr>
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I loved the coffee/cookies and cream and chocolate/peanut butter combos the best. i don't think i stopped saying "YUM!!" the entire time in the store.<br />
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and then we promptly left.<br />
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without buying anything.<br />
<br />
rude? hey-she gave us the cups...<br />
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well that was a LONG post, but i hope you enjoyed!<br />
juliaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257201260886512702.post-79718993470599929862012-06-21T07:57:00.002-07:002012-06-21T10:17:16.168-07:00Hello, Friends!my name is julia, and i have been wanting to start a blog for a while. i follow a few other bloggers, and just love reading about their days and what they have been baking. it may sound weird, but i call them my friends in some way. i would love for you to join me as i have joined them.<br />
<br />
this blog will be a documention of my baking adventures, as i just LOVE to bake. i am a vegan/gluten free baker, out to show the world that yes, you can have your cake and eat it too-cupcakes can be healthy, it's true! i will explain more about my views on vegan/gluten free (or as i call it "gluten liberation") in future posts.<br />
<br />
i will also write about my running. i am a pretty dedicated runner, and am currently training for a half marathon in august. i find running to be a great way to stay healthy and also booth the endorphins! yay being happy AND healthy!<br />
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as i haunt cafe after cafe, writing and sharing with you what delicious delights i have found, i hope you to infuse every blog post with joy and passion. for, is there really a life worth living that doesn't have those ingredients?<br />
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i think not.<br />
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now go eat a cupcake and be merry.<br />
juliaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0