May 29, 2014

Graham Crackers+ Nutella+ Coconut

You’re either into Nutella or you’re not. This one is for those of you on Team Nutella! We take one sheet (is that what we call it??) of graham cracker and break it into 4 segments (don’t you love the built-in perforated lines?!). We then dunk the tips of each graham cracker into Nutella and top with toasted coconut (you could use a knife if you’re fancy). Because you’re doing a light dip and not covering the entire piece in Nutella, it’s just enough to give you a dessert fix. I also like that you can start with indulgence with your first bite and finish with the plain part of the graham to seal the deal. If you start the opposite way, then I can insert the mullet joke of business in front, party in the back. Ok, I’m out!

recipes

May 28, 2014

Strawberry & Coconut Ice Cream

After we spent the weekend in Los Angeles, I was so ready to get back in my kitchen yesterday. There’s something so nice about being home from a trip. Home is where my plants are. It’s where Cooper’s room smells like Cooper and where stacks of books rest precariously on my nightstand. Home is where my laundry pile stays a constant disheveled pile and where I scorn how much laundry I have to do EVERY dang DAY. Home is where my routine lives and as much as I’m happy to be away, I find an incredible amount of comfort in my everyday routine.

To get myself back in kitchen/cooking mode, I decided to make 4 recipes at once. I made some popsicles (coming soon!), a batch of simple syrup (which fell on the floor), raw blueberry ice cream (that tasted too much like cashews-Boo!) and this Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream recipe (because I had all of the ingredients!!). I also cleaned my pantry for a good 4 hours (post soon!) and didn’t bother to check my email once during that time (it was liberating!).

After all of that, I picked Cooper up from school where he proceeded to hound me with questions about dessert. There were negotiations (you must eat your dinner!) and some reminders to be patient, but at the end of the night we enjoyed small bowls of this Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream after dinner. It’s a creamy strawberry ice cream that’s mildly tart, and you’d have no idea it’s made with coconut cream unless someone told you. I set myself up for Cooper not liking it, but then he asked for a second helping and THAT MY FRIENDS, was the icing on the cake yesterday. Well…that and my clean pantry. It’s good to be home.

out & about

May 26, 2014

Out & About: Harry & David

When I was young, we always had an influx of gift baskets during the holidays seasons (my dad has always been in sales). I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love EVERY second of it. How could I not?? Besides gift cards, gift baskets are my favorite thing to receive. The thought put into the combination of flavors…the themes…the basket itself and the additional accessories (cutting boards! plastic wine glasses! cheese knives! napkins!) ALL OF IT excites me. If I could tell my childhood self that I’d be touring the factory of Harry & David one day, I’m sure little Tracy would FREAK OUT. You mean, I get to see how the baskets are crafted and shipped? COOL!!

my everyday life, Photography

May 25, 2014

My Everyday Life: Week 21

Here’s what this past week looked like

Peonies are my new favorite.

May 23, 2014

I love lists, Friday!

Famous photos….from a different angle! I love seeing a different perspective.
Photos of waste. Sad/pretty.
This is my kind of pizza.
Oh cool. I’m caftan ready!!
Another round of Celebrities read mean tweets.
I thought this little boy’s reaction was just perfect.
27 Things You Will Never Look at the Same Way Again.
I really want to make cauliflower bread sticks. Don’t they look good??
Why Airplane Food is No Good.
What it’s like to stop drinking alcohol for a year.
I had lunch at Google once. It blew my mind.
Whoa! Jude Law…that’s really a DEEP V.
I’m super excited about this photo series!
Jell-o shots for everyone!!!!
So proud of my maj for launching this baking challenge!
Whoorlita is my style muse.
So….McDonald’s has a secret menu…

There’s a new Joy the Baker Podcast! Check out Episode # 120 BLASTING MY ABS. We talk about our unhealthy obsession…with Instagram fitness accounts.

Hippocratic Cupcake made my Crispy Smashed Potatoes.

Forbidden Rice Blog adapted my Corn Zucchini Pizza

Parsley Sage Sweet added my Whipped Coconut Cream to her Raspberry Egg Cream

recipes

May 22, 2014

Avocado Sushi Bites

Alright. I’ve done plenty of sweet snacks, let’s do something savory! Cooper and I really love the roasted seaweed sheets from Trader Joe’s. I can eat two whole packages in less than 2 minutes. It’s messy and they’re fine on their own, but why don’t we do something else with them instead of jam them into our faces? I sliced avocado and put them on two doubled up sheets of nori, topped each sushi bite with a little bit of sriracha, a few carrot shreds (for color and crunch!) and finished with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. It’s makeshift sushi without the rice! It’s my new favorite way of eating avocados. Enjoy this healthy snack!

around the home

May 21, 2014

HS: Organized Makeup Drawer

I can always tell how chaotic my life is when I open up my makeup drawer. Same goes for my purse… my car…and the inside of my fridge. Oof. I was checking out my old High Straightenance on Homefries and couldn’t believe that it’s been almost 2 years since I cleaned out/reorganized my makeup drawer. YIKES. Time to remedy that!