February 12, 2014

Heart Shaped Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Heart Shaped Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips

I got a comment the other day from a SUPER old post saying that I should make these Cinnamon Tortilla Chips heart-shaped for Valentine’s Day. Comment noted. Action COMPLETED. I love my readers (thanks for the idea, Sandi!). Also, that note that I wrote my 7-year-old self in that post cracked me up. I need to write a note to 31-year-old Tracy. There’s a lot she needs to know.

If you’re looking for a super last minute sweet treat for Valentine’s Day, this is IT. Look no further.

You can complete this recipe the night before your Valentine’s date or even while you have a movie going and your significant other is chilling on the couch.

If you haven’t noticed, the sugar gets all melty and hard which creates a cinnamon-y caramel-like coating!

It reminds me a lot of these Caramel Brioche Croutons. I’ve been meaning to make those and dip them in white chocolate…or maybe dark chocolate. I dunno. I digress. 34-year-old Tracy is easily distracted.

recipes

February 10, 2014

Baked Ginger Glazed Doughnuts

I watched an Oprah interview where she talked about how she much she loved rainy days because there’s less pressure to run around and get things done. To her, rainy days are for good books and tea. That made me love her even more. When it’s raining I want to make a hearty soup with crusty bread, watch movies, and bake.

These doughnuts were a product of a particularly enjoyable (read:LAZY) rainy Saturday afternoon. Cooper was taking a nap (still does! so thankful) so the house was nice and quiet. Doughnuts seemed like the perfect afternoon snack for us.

These doughnuts are slightly reminiscent of gingerbread but without the density & super spicy kick. The cinnamon, ground ginger and the bit of molasses give it just enough oomph. What really makes them tasty though, is the vanilla glaze and bits of candied ginger on top. They add a small element of chewiness that I love so much.

my everyday life, Photography

February 8, 2014

My Everyday Life: Week 6

Here’s what this past week looked like:

It’s raining. We love it. Except our roof is leaking.

February 7, 2014

I love lists, Friday!

Practical uses for Coca-Cola & proof that it shouldn’t be in the human body. {yikes!}
I really enjoyed reading this interview with Michael Keaton. Btw- He’s a Virgo.
10 Creative Rituals You Should Steal. Ooooh yes.
This is the best thing I’ve read about Phillip Seymour Hoffman this week. RIP <3
Who doesn’t love recipes that require only three ingredients?
What I like about getting older.
I love seeing actors doing impressions of other actors.
20 Things Not to Regret Doing with Kids.
This cocktail has my heart!
If it’s yellow…let it…. (Californians know the rest)
I just added this blog to my reader. Eye candy!
40 is the new 40. I love anything Andrea writes.
I laughed so hard while watching this SNL commercial.
This salad is calling my name.
LIST MAKERS!! Attention! Have you heard of The Bullet Journal? I’m gonna try it!
Cats taking selfies!! SO MUCH YES.
Have you been following the #sochiproblems?
Currently Reading/Loving: Notes from a Blue Bike: The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World by my friends Tsh from The Art of Simple {it’s REALLY good and is already changing my home life and I’m not finished yet}

The Hippocratic Cupcake adapted my Blueberry Zucchini Bread

Celebrating Sweets made my Banana Walnut Granola

Cooking Madly adapted my Smoky Kale Caesar Salad

The Cheesy Kitchen made my Guacamole Hummus

Versatile Vegan made my Hearty Black Bean & Sweet Potato Soup

Happiness is a Warm Bun adapted my Cinnamon Sugar Baked Doughnuts

How Sweet It Is was inspired by my Smoky Kale Caesar Salad

recipes

February 5, 2014

Cherry Vanilla Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate was always a special treat when we were kids. My parents would occasionally take us to IHOP after Sunday mass. We’d order our breakfasts (always french toast for me) with thick handled mugs of hot chocolate overflowing with whipped cream. My brothers would scarf theirs down immediately, while I sat there playing with the whipped cream…savoring every bit… purposely taunting them. I played the role of little sister well.

As a mom, I employ the hot chocolate as “special treat” trick every now and then. I’ve learned as a parent that any deviation from the regular routine food-wise creates memories and really rattles a kid- in a good way. I still haven’t gotten over that time my dad tried to make us Italian wedding soup (hilarious fail!) or the bright red strawberry slushies he made us in Tahoe while he & my mom shared margaritas. The food memories stick with you- at least they have for me. You should have seen Cooper’s face the day I let him eat popcorn while watching a movie in our bed. PURE MAGIC. Also, sorry Casey.

Hot chocolate isn’t something Casey and I partake in. I mean… we went through a sipping chocolate phase a few years ago but for some reason that didn’t last long. Part of it stems from my weird I’d prefer not to drink my calories because I’d rather eat them ideology. But then again, I can easily be persuaded when a drink has liqueur in it. This cherry vanilla hot chocolate is rich, creamy and super decadent. Umm. Did I mention there’s butter in it!? And the addition of kirsch (a cherry liqueur) and white chocolate is wonderful. I gave Cooper a kids version and he wouldn’t stop talking about it ALL DAY LONG. See? Food memories formed.

I can’t imagine a more perfect drink for that special someone on Valentine’s day.

recipes

February 3, 2014

Warm Winter Vegetables with Farro

Happy Monday! Did we all eat too much yesterday during the big game? I ate cookies like it was my JOB. I’m not mad, though. They were good.

Hey! So, I wanted to say a quick thank you for all of your comments on my Meal Prep post, I’m so glad that you liked it. I really enjoyed seeing all of your pictures of your own meal prep on Instagram last week! AMAZING/Proud of you! Doesn’t it feel nice to have an arsenal of food for the week? Btw- here’s what we’re eating this week.

One of the salads I make constantly is my Reset Button Salad. You probably already know that I’ve been crushing on that salad so hard for the past few months. My friend, Sarah Copeland wrote an EXCELLENT vegetarian cookbook called Feast. I’m smitten with the book and I adore her writing and her fresh take on vegetarian food. If you take a look at the book, you’ll see that her food combinations are downright inspiring! When I read the recipe for this Warm Winter Vegetables with Farro dish, I knew I had to make it. It has all of the ingredients I love and thought it would help bring new life to my salad game. I was also intrigued by the combination of radishes, honey glazed carrots, Parmigiano-Reggiano and the farro. The lime/yogurt/herb dressing was calling my name!

Aaaaaaaand we LOVED it. It’s robust & hearty and you won’t miss meat for once second. Totally satisfying. And that dressing? Addictive.

My salad game just got taken to a whole new level.

around the home, sponsored

February 2, 2014

Shutterbean + Chairish (GIVEAWAY!)

When we moved into the house I grew up in, it took me awhile to figure out how our design taste would be represented here. Since we have thick wood beams and tall ceilings on the main floor of our house, I thought we’d play with the “rustic” architecture and make things a bit more industrial & modern. If you’re not sure what Industrial Modern looks like, you can get a good sense from my Pinterest Board.

From what I’ve seen, the look requires a few large scale/bold/rustic statement pieces. Steel, old wood, and leather are key materials that best represent the design scheme. Industrial modern seems to work best in more loft-like/warehouse-like spaces because of the scale and proportion. I’m a person who loves BOLD things, so I’ll be adding bits of black to add contrast to the white walls. I may even paint part of the wood ceiling black or white…who knows.

Chairish (an awesome website where you can buy & sell exceptional pre-owned vintage furniture online) asked me to put together a few mood-boards from their inventory so you can see what my home decor vision is in our new/old home. Here’s what I came up with: