October & Pumpkin Maple Pancakes

Oh Fall. How I love thee. I mean who doesn't though? Something about the whole season, after being so icky and hot from summer time :p I think were all ready for the clean crisp cold air. I know there is something about it to me I can't explain. Just that certain smell. The smell of the clean cold air. Ahhhh, I love it. The sky is clear at night, you can see more stars. Everything about it. Nature, changing. The beauty in seeing leaves fall, and the joy of children so excited for halloween. Me getting excited to have a reason to watch Hocus Pocus over and over again ;) Carving pumpkins, Making pumpkin inspired recipes. The list goes on and on. Theres much to be grateful for in October. I think it's always been my favorite month. I do indeed, love this month. Cause for me it is the beginning of "Fall", yes. Even here in Los Angeles. We get a bit of that Season. Not much, but what we do get, is oh so nice. :) I took a few pictures, I'd love to share, to hopefully get you in the spirit of Fall.... Plus a recipe at the end that I'm pretty sure you're going to want to try ;)

My boyfriend carved this last year. Were 'Ricky and Lucy' basically. Can't wait to see what he makes this year!

So I hope I didn't over do it on all that fall talk. To me- can't be over done. But just to make sure I am keeping you happy, I'll leave you with this recipe. Which I made due to having left over Pumpkin from the Pumpkin donuts I made. ;)


Pumpkin Maple Pancakes

2 tbsp chia seeds
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup of pumpkin
1 tbsp Joseph's maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup organic almond milk

Thai Almond Sauce

Hello Hello Hello!

So I am a very well rounded person, I'd like to think. I don't stick to one kind of anything- and I mean that in all aspects, I have no 'type' persay. With anything. I actually thrive off of variety. Some people really like to stick to know what they know, and to each his own. But thats not my style. SO that being said, with my recipes, I hope variety is obvious. One of my 'things' is making themes for each meal time. Like mexican themed, italian, etc, you get it. So this particular evening, I decided to go with Thai!

Another thing is- when it comes to one particular meal. Usually dinner, I always follow this rule. One green, One grain, and One protein. Thats the base of the meal, pretty plain and simple I know. So what I do to spruce that up I add whatever festive sauce I've created. So here is the Thai version. Mhmmm, enjoy ya'll'

-k

(Food process all ingredients)
Handful of basil
1 tsp of lemon juice
1 cup almonds or 1/2 almond butter
1 tbsp tamari
Ground pepper
3-4 cloves of garlic
+little less than a handful of cilantro. and boom, you got thai almond sauce!

By the way this is a totally raw recipe!

Just the Dough, Hold the Nuts.

Yes you got it my friends! This is a post about one of my ole time favorite sweets. Doughnuts- or donuts, or faux-nuts, whateverrrrr you wanna call it, their delicious. And I have been loving them for a very long time. And as you know, my main goal with all recipes I create, is to not deprive myself of something I love, just make it better. In a healthier- mostly vegan way. :) And as you know I know- it's so easy. Try it! I'm telling you. Mui deliciouso! (I really need to take a spanish and or/italian class.) :/

As with everything, you have to start somewhere, and by starting I mean just getting into the kitchen with an open mind, would be the first step! Taking a leap, let your creative energy flow, and create! There is no greater feeling than the feeling of creation. I'm artistic person and love knowing I'm capable of creating anything I make up in my mind! Look around you, everything you see or touch, or use, what ever- it was made by one persons idea, and yes, a whole lot of other people help made it come true, but that one idea, was how it was initially created. Whats yours? 

Mine was these particular pumpkin maple baked donuts and a few holes. ;)

And a little history behind the name, if your as confused as I am... (for instance, where's the nut?) :s
"Doughnuts as we know them today originated in the mid-1800s. Their predecessor was the olykoek, a treat Dutch immigrants to the U.S. made by frying the leftover bits of bread dough in hot oil. Exactly how the name “doughnut” came to be used is the subject of some disagreement. According to some sources, the Dutch twisted their dough into knots, hence “dough knots”. Others point out that the olykoeken tended not to cook through in the very middle, so some makers would put nuts in the center (“dough-nuts”) to make them more palatable."

Oh ok! Now I get it. It always amazes me all you can find out after a little research. :o
By the way disregard my chipped pretty colored mint nail polish. I'll get right to fixing that ;)

Anywho- so enough jibber jabber, I know you wanna know how to make these scrumptious looking pumpkin baked donuts! By the way- there is about zero added sugar in the donuts. Amazing huh!? I think so. I really did it on this one! I hate the way I feel after I have had a high sugar content-in a dessert, like regular cake or anything really- the 'good stuff'. Makes my heart beat fast and I'm just not fond of the feeling. These donuts? Nope, no feeling but gooooodness. :) 

So here is how easy it is to make. Yes I will admit my sister did buy me a lovely donut pan, which is awesome I'll tell you. BUT the truth of the matter is- after receiving a donut pan, I made an effort to make some, obviously. But in all honesty, you could make them without the pan. All you have to have is a pair of scissors and a plastic bag. Once you combine wet and dry ingredients, place that mix into a plastic bag and cut off the tip of the corner of the bag, then squeeze out through that opening into donut pan, or any shape you'd like on a regular greased pan. See what I mean? No donut pan required. I made little donut balls as you can see with the left over mix that I didn't have room for in pan. You can make whatever shape you like, but it's quite easy to make the standard donut circle. :) Enjoy, it's pumpkin season yipeeeeeeee!

dry stuff:
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

wet stuff:
1 cup pumpkin (ooooh yeah ;)
1/4 cup Joseph's sugar free maple syrup
2 tbsp of Chia or Flax Seeds with 4 tbsp hot water (egg replacement)
1/4 cup earth balance 
1 tsp vanilla

::Preheat oven to 350.
Cook donuts for about 10 min, or until you can stick a tooth pick inside and it comes out clean. *While your cooking donuts it's best to make the glaze mix.

Maple Glaze:

2 tbsp Joseph's Sugar Free Maple Syrup
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp Organic Almond Milk

*Once donuts are done cooking, let them cool. Then once cool, dip them into the glaze.

Mhmmmm! 

Pumpkin Spice Milk.

Sooooooooo many things about October I love. One of them is-

Along with seasonal beer. Mhm, oh and apple cider. My ultimate FAVORITE ONE in particular is... Organic JK scrumpy cider. Amazingly good. It makes you feel like your walking down the homiest street with fall leaves falling, clean crisp air. Oh wow, it's just ridiculously good. Take my word for it and if you can find it in your area, which I hope you can, go and get one and enjoy!
Other things would be of course spaghetti squash, which I've already mentioned. And also being able to go take long, nice walks... with a sweatshirt on, for exercise- and get to walk around the park, and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery. Yes, even in southern california, it shines through!

Otherwise - it used to be a favorite, the good ole Pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks. But I haven't gone in there this year. Mainly because I've became a big advocate on not having refined sugar anymore. Nor coffee that isn't organic. And right now- I'm not sure where Starbucks coffee is coming from, and I don't like that. But I took matters in my own hands! I always make coffee with almond milk at home and add a little agave and cinnamon. But today- I decided to make pumpkin spice milk- and then add that to my coffee mhmmmmm. And I know some of you are wondering, if I don't eat sugar, why do I chose to use agave? Yes I know all about the agave ordeal. And how it's considered equally the same as corn syrup. Yes agave is 'sugar'. But it's in it's natural state, NOT refined. And it also does not effect our blood stream the same as sugar- so it is actually a little different. I used to work at a low GI, sugar alternative bakery and gained lots of knowledge through our classes we had to take there. So I do know my information is accurate. But we all believe, what we believe, and none the less, use everything in moderation. Don't use agave 5 x in a day! Besides, this is a little amount.

So here is it! I'm so proud of this recipe :) Hope you enjoy it !

*In a small sauce pan over medium heat, put...

1 cup of organic unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tbsp agave
1 tsp vanilla

cook over medium heat, just before it starts to boil. pour your coffee in the cup and this on top and there ya have it! Pumpkin Spice Milk!

It's so easy... being green.

All this talk about PBS, somehow makes me think of a certain green frog...
Yes indeed, Kermie that is. I love him, and PBS. I used to watch it as a kid. So educational, but what that channel does with their shows is keeps it enticing enough to not lose your attention, while teaching lessons, through their shows. Kids not knowing that- still love it. Even now, I watch PBS so cal & Oc. I don't have paid for cable, so the shows that are just on basic, include PBS. How amazing is it, I still get to have that channel! Well anyway- back to the main subject of this post. Kermie had it a tad bit wrong. 'It's not easy being green' was maybe true for Kermit, maybe it was a struggle for him, sure, I understand- being different can be hard. But in the end, it's what makes you special. He's no standard frog. He sings, he has emotions, he somehow loves a very short tempered pig. But hey, regardless, he's only.... well, frog. For the rest of us- were only human. And in all simplicity, going green is easy.

I know for a lot of people- going green means, to recycle, turn off your lights when your not using them, cable, etc.. Don't use much plastic- switch to reusing your same glasses to refill, it goes on and on. But for me- even more of that means to go green for our planet. Because if you didn't know this already, eating healthy, meaning local vegetables and no meat, yes I said it.' Because production of their protein is particularly demanding on fossil fuels – for fertilizer, processing, transport and so on.'

But for me, I don't chose not to eat meat just because of that reason. I have my beliefs and we all have our own. Understood. Here are just some helpful ways of changing your life up to be a lil' more green. In a healthy since. If my grandma were a live today I'm sure she'd tell me if I keep eating kale the way I do- I'd turn green. ;)

So, some basic things- that if not already something you do. Should be without a doubt what you are doing!


Bread, pasta, rice.- all of these need to be brown! and on top of that, make sure you are reading labels correctly- even if it says whole grain, still could be not exactly right. Look at ingredients on the back or side, make sure none of it says 'enriched' in no way- is that word put in a good way- no way. If it says 'wheat' by it self, with no whole in front of it, again. not a good choice. 
Some examples of the very best are- Ezekiel Bread, Kamut Pasta, & any Organic brown rice.

-Why? You may ask. First of all. My question to you, is why? Why would you be eating sugary white bread? that has a million ingredients in it besides just, sugar or white flour. It's ridiculous what they add in there to keep it on the shelf for years. Why would you put that in your stomach? What good is that going to do for you. It baffles me that people continue to eat white bread and white carbs. There is absolutely no nutrition there. If you eat whole wheat bread or brown carbs, the good ones- then you are getting good nutrition! Yes people always wanna talk badly about carbs, and I highly disapprove, There is nothing wrong with ezekiel bread and quinoa- sorry but there isn't, they've been around a long timeeeeee. These grains I support have been there from the very start. Thats why there the very best to eat. Qunioa not only is a whole grain and great replacement for pasta if your gluten intolerant, but it's also a complete protein! So you'll feel even more nourished. Trust me. Try these simple switches and it'll make a huge difference in the way you feel. 

Greens and fruits.- my main concern about this one first off- is how many times are you eating these daily? These should be consumed so much more than you think! Some days I don't even get the required amount I set up for myself! I try very hard to have a piece of fruit 3x a day. and the same with greens. each of them, 3x a day. It helps if you have a smoothie for breakfast, salad for lunch and then protein with green for dinner. But not every day can be that perfect. I've never been the biggest smoothie person either, not gonna lie!Even though it basically is the best meal, you can keep throwing things in there and in one big glass you've got all you need for a super nutritious meal! It's awesome! Soooo for me, since I'm not a smoothie lover- it's all about adding the greens and fruits to my meal. Which is very easy. Last night for dinner for instance, I had black beans, salsa, quinoa, cashew cheeze, cilantro and then add a ton of shredded raw kale to it. Kinda like a salad, But not. I don't know 'what it is' But it was good :) all that matters.

Dairy.-yeah, I'm gonna go here. Even though I know most of you are like, hypocrite! if you've ever seen me eating goat cheese. Or talking about it, that is. Hey I know! I get it! No, I won't give up goat cheese, completely. I eat it rarely, but I do, when I want to, none the less. I love it- it's true. But thats not to say it doesn't have negative effects, just like the rest of the cheese family :( So sad- but true. I was full on vegan for about 6 months- never was sick, it was awesome. Then one day I gave in to an old favorite, this cornmeal crust goat cheese pizza, and within the next few days I got a cold. Does anyone know why this happened? I can tell you without a doubt why. dairy! I know it might be hard to believe- even though I don't know why it is, Dairy products- milk and cheese. are the mucus. fermented. Ok, enough said! right? Thats gross. :( When I first heard this I was disgusted and saddened. After all I was a cheese-oholic. Seriously :/ But knowing it's the cause of me having a cold or not. Why would I not stop eating it? If you had the answer to a question sitting right in front of you- isn't that just a duhhhhhh moment? Come on! I finally woke up and again, just rarely eat it. I don't like putting foods 'off limits' per say. But I do not chose to eat it on a daily basis. Cause I do not want sinus congestion, or flem, etc. Thats how it is created, when we put dairy products in us. Also- might I add, they do not digest well!

Daily Exercise.No I am not talking about beating yourself up daily at the gym for an hour. I'm talking about being active daily. Going for a walk for an hour would be just as suitable. We all have different goals- for our bodies, so if you have a different one that you know a good plan for- be your guest. But I'm talking about bare minimum, of keeping happy and healthy. go for a walk, go look at the pretty sky. Go for a hike, go for a swim. Go bowl, play tennis, golf. anything- whatever, again, as simple as a walk. Just go out there and do something daily. Go embrace nature. Breathe it in. Enjoy. 

One other thing- water. drink a lot of it. I mean a lot. Minimum being 1.5 liter, anything more than that is awesome. Go do your thang! ;)

Solvang + the Santa Ynez Valley

+plus it's fall (even if it still doesn't quite feel like it) - so yes, your in for a special fall recipe!

Sooooo this weekend, we took a break from it all.
Drove up the PCH, all the way to one of my favorite places I've ever experienced in life.
Solvang + the rest of the Santa Ynez Valley. I thank my best friend for ever taking me there to begin with a couple years ago. It's one of those places in my mind, I keep close, and special, cause it has so many beautiful feelings and memories attached when I think of that place. And then just this spring, my aunt and mom came to visit so we went there as well for the day.
I finally got to take my boyfriend this time- he's never been. And I've always wanted to go with him and have a romantic weekend away. He really loved it. His family came the next day to visit for the day and they loved it to. It's so quiet and peaceful and relaxing, it's amazing. You don't even have to drink any of the delicious wines to feel that! Although it sure helps make it that much sweeter ;)
Something so nice to see about this place is everyone enjoying their time. Noone is in a rush, people enjoy, relax, are with family or their loved ones. Living in L.a., it's hard to see that through all of the concrete and business. So taking a break and coming here this weekend, was truly amazing for me. I come from the south, so greenery, and family time, is not something we take lightly. I really appreciate nature and quality time of just being with each other and enjoying. I recommend to anyone- to come to this place, for just that.

  

So sad to say goodbye to Solvang and the rest of the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. But I know there will be many more trips to come, just this year alone. :) And next year as well. I'm a traveling soul. My heart doesn't stay in just one place, I love to go visit everywhere. It's funny, because yes- I am a home body, I'm not one to go out on weekends to bars, etc. or even like going to the mall to go shopping. My main time spent anywhere is work or home, or the grocery store. My passion for cooking is far greater than any other thing that passes the time. I love making our food- knowing where it came from- and especially just creating new dishes...

This next dish though- is from my favorite site- www.ohsheglows.com
I've been following this vegan website for about 4 years now. And so thankful that I came across it all for a green smoothie recipe :) Now I've made lotsssss of her dishes. especially her desserts. But this sauce has been my favorite for a while. And spaghetti squash, well if you know me, you know I'm obsessed with it ;) and SO HAPPY it's back in season! The thing I love most about it is it's natural first off, cause it's simply a vegetable. but it's magical!
Easiest technique to cooking it.
Cut the whole squash in half, scoop out the seeds in the middle of each side, preheat oven to 450, let cook for about 30 minutes.. Cool it off for about 10, and then take a fork and scrape the sides of the squash, and voo-la, you have spaghetti squash! It's so awesome. I'm in love with this squash cause it's allllll about the sauce. There are no calories or carbs in the 'spaghetti noodles'. So it's a very light dinner, but filling!. Perfect! and warm, for the cool fall nights.

Nothing more exciting than going to farmers markets in the fall time, and looking at all the fall vegetables and flowers. :) Now you can grab a squash next time and you'll know what to make for dinner! Hope you're having a beautiful beginning of October!


Avocado Alfredo Cream Sauce Recipe Here.
-courtesy of Ohsheglows.com

Avocado Alfredo Cream Sauce

A Salad to remember....

Sooooo whats up guys! Whats new on your end? Sorry about the previous post. It's geared only for this contest I am competing in to be, the next Modocat model. Their clothes are pretty cool and inexpensive. So if you like that sort of thing, you should check them out :) Modocat.com. Hopefully you'll see my face up there in the future , modeling there clothes. It'd be AWESOME. But one must wait for good news. And be patient, something I'm usually not. But on the other hand- if I'm not to hungry, it does come- when I prepare my food. I love creating things, be it paintings, music, acting- or whatever. Food- is something I too, love to create. Especially being vegan, their is so many ways to get creative. I refuse to sit there and eat tofu and broccoli all day! No thank you! One thing I am not, is ordinary. Me and my taste buds love new and exciting things. So I decided today- since I do have an upcoming photo shoot on Wednesday- yayyyy! My first booked gig through my new agent, very exciting. yeeeeeeea!  :) -That I will need to eat pretty extra healthy or clean, as some say, until my shoot. Which I'm totally fine with! And just for a heads up, what I mean by clean is- people in the entertainment business, usually- before a awards show or photo shoot, will eat very good before the day. Meaning, stay away from carbs, carbonated beverages, and alcohol. And make sure to not over eat. Keeps you in tip top shape- before a big day. Sooooo- back to this delicious salad.

I decided since I wanted something mexican-y. I made a festive mexican salad. Mhmm, and it was good. The salad contains, Kale, spinach, black beans, grilled corn, chopped red onion, jalapeno cashew cheeze, and avocado. and always cayenne pepper ;)
A few tips on making whatever salad you want next time- taste just a bit better. First off no salad is a good salad, for me, without Kale. It's the best of the best when it comes to greens. Spinach as well. So I usually always have spinach and kale mixed together for my 'salad' mix. I have learned how to make the best tasting kale for a salad. All you need is a food processor! ;) Just put 3 heaping handfuls of kale into a food processor and pulse it 3-4 x. In this process it massages the kale by shredding it- making the kale taste so much better, not as crispy and hard, and it's in little pieces so its not just huge chunks of lettuce when you eat your salad. It's also really good to do this so you can eat kale raw, instead of steaming it with other items. I like it so much better this way for a side with dinner, than steamed. Raw is always best, too! :) You don't lose those very important natural enzymes and nutrients, as you do when you cook them.

The whole thing about creating food- to me, is having patience. Making sure you create exactly what you want. Let your ideas run wild, and yes, you can make that. It can be done, you just have to do it!

I've been thinking recently, how short life is. Obviously- we always know this. Some of us chose to not think about it, others think to much about it. Whatever your case may be... Life is happening, right now. regardless if you want to join in or not. I've recently realized this through starting my new job for one, they have helped me become aware of so many things I had never put my attention on before. And for the most part- made me finally see, that this life isn't about being vegan, eating meat, having red hair, having strait hair, wanting to be skinny when your overweight- wanting different teeth, wanting to be tan, want to be shorter, want to be married, don't want to be getting married, how much money you don't have- etc. etc. etc. The point of ALLL OF this is. Is where are you right now? In your life- what are your thoughts on your current lifestyle. Are you just ok with what is? Or are you truly deep down inside, you being the only one who knows the answer- not actually ok. Whatever your answer- this means you need to make a change. Something huge needs to happen for you. I feel as though people who settle, or block out certain things are only holding the doors closed of something that could be much bigger, much better for you. You just have to have the courage to open those doors and let go of them. So many times were holding onto something from so far back that we never healed from. Maybe we know were better, yes, from that situation.But you never really healed from it. Never got your final word in on that. I suggest if this is you- whenever you get a chance, to be alone, sit there and think about whatever that is, that you hate thinking of. Put your attention on that issue. And close your eyes and breathe. Then after you have for a few breaths. Think about how you feel , and then stop. Look at yourself in the mirror if you'd like to reassure your self more, whatever it takes, but make sure you telly ourself afterwards. Everything is ok now, that period of time or situation is over. And I am where I am right now in this moment. You are here. You are open to change, to challenges. You are strong. You are all these things and more. And you are letting go of the past. and focusing on the now, and letting the future come in. Please allow yourself this. You deserve it!

Have a great Monday!

(Jalapeno Cashew Cheeze on Veg burger.)

Jalapeno Cilantro Cashew Cheeze

1 jalapeno
1 cup soaked cashews
1-2 tsp salt
4 cloves of garlic
1-2 tbsp lemon juice
handful of cilantro

*blend in food processor.... till clumpy.

*then add water 1/4 to 1/2 cup or more depending on which consistency you'd like, either a thick sauce or thin dressing.