Gluttony: Breakfast Quinoa

Okay, I know what you’re thinking: “QUINOA FOR BREAKFAST?!”

but seriously, this recipe is freaking delicious.

The original recipe can be found here by the almighty Martha Stewart.

The problem is that dear Martha doesn’t exactly strive for healthy recipes, so I’ve tweaked it a little and here is my version.

Vegan Healthy Breakfast Quinoa

or

Holy Crap I Can’t Believe This is Quinoa

Makes 2 servings

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or vanilla flavored almond milk if you want it to be a little sweeter)
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 tablespoons raw blue agave (This may not be the precise amount I used…I sort of guessed…you can always add more later)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I love cinnamon, so I just dumped a bunch in there)
• 1 cup (1/2 pint) fresh blueberries, plus more for serving

How to make it:

1. Bring milk to a boil in a small saucepan. Add quinoa, and return to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered, until three-quarters of the milk has been absorbed, about 15 minutes.
2. Stir in agave and cinnamon. Cook, covered, until almost all the milk has been absorbed, about 8 minutes. Stir in blueberries, and cook for 30 seconds. Serve with additional milk, agave, cinnamon, and blueberries.

This is seriously a super-breakfast as it is LOADED with healthy things, and a great way to start your day, plus it’s delicious.

The great thing about using almond milk as opposed to the whole milk the original recipe calls for is that almond milk has the same amount of calcium per serving, has far fewer calories, and is rich in vitamins.

If you’ve never used agave nectar before, fear not! It is an excellent all natural sugar substitute with a very low glycemic index. I use agave as a substitute in most of my baking, and in my coffee every morning.

Why quinoa instead of oatmeal? I LOVE oatmeal, but quinoa is truly a super grain. It’s loaded with protein, amino acids, fiber, and other yummy healthy things. Check out this article about the magical quinoa!

Okay, now I’m done with my health tirade…happy breakfast! 🙂

Wrath: Things That Should Stay in 2011

New year, new start, new resolutions, new goals….a new list of things that were popular in 2011 that should have ended at the stroke of midnight. (All images from google.com)

• The use of the words “epic” and “epic fail” as descriptors to anything in your life.

• The Jersey Shore

• “Winning”

• Kardashian weddings

• Celebrity 15 minute marriages

• Every movie in 3D

• “Real” Housewives

• Hipsters

• Ugg boots with shorts

• Reality “stars” “writing” “books” (yes, lots of quotation marks there.)

• Pop songs about drinking and glitter

• Courtney Stodden

• Pajama jeans

• Adult onesies

I also have a list of my favorite things from 2011 that I hope are here to stay:

• Pinterest
• Kate Middleton style

• Spotify
• Revenge
• Game of Thrones on HBO

• Ombre hair (I loved it this summer, and I hope I can do it again this summer)
• Shit Girls Say
• Maxi skirts
• Midi dresses

What are your 2011 bests and worsts?

Lust: New Year’s Eve Style!

I can’t believe it’s almost 2012! I absolutely love New Year’s Eve. It’s the perfect night to completely overdose on glitter, sequins, and rhinestones without anyone mistaking you for a disco ball. For one night only there is no such thing as TOO MUCH! (Except for maybe too much champagne, which was certainly the case for NYE 2007.) So, New Year’s Eve is just a few days away, but in case you haven’t found a perfect outfit yet, I’ve put a few together for ya!

NYE1 by laceyspruce featuring clutch handbags

TopShop polka dot dress
£23 – topshop.com

Olsenboye peep toe pumps
$30 – jcpenney.com

Zara clutch handbag
$26 – zara.com

Juicy Couture bangle cuff bracelet
$27 – juicycouture.com

Stud earrings
13 AUD – forevernew.com.au

Antique Brass Romeo 9 Light Crystal Chandelier
£105 – debenhams.com

I love the girly feel of the polka dots with pops of hot pink. Perfect for the girl who is the fun, bubbly life of the party. Pair with a tray of jello shots. Would be great with  hot pink lipstick too!

NYE2 by laceyspruce featuring gold tone jewelry

Vero Moda glitter shorts
£14 – houseoffraser.co.uk

Platform booties
$50 – modcloth.com

Under One Sky clutch handbag
$20 – nordstrom.com

Gold tone jewelry
$31 – kohls.com

Heatwave Lipstick, Nars
£18 – liberty.co.uk

This is totally my kind of outfit. A girly tuxedo look with pops of red. Perfect for a sexy fashionista who looks great with a glass of champagne in her hand.

NYE3 by laceyspruce featuring stretch jewelry

ASOS mesh dress
$82 – asos.com

Studded booties
$50 – heels.com

TopShop genuine leather handbag
$32 – topshop.com

Tasha stretch jewelry
$48 – nordstrom.com

butter LONDON Nail Lacquer – Various Colors Available – Nail Polish -…
$15 – rickysnyc.com

This ultra sexy glam look is perfectly sequined-out for ringing in the new year! Perfect for any girl who wants to channel her inner movie star. Best paired with a cosmopolitan.

Lust: A Moment With Chevron

So, I’m having a big love affair with chevron print right now, and it seems I’m not the only one! I’ve seen this delightful print on everything lately, and I’m not complaining! I think it first started with the Missoni for Target debacle. You see, I, like many other women in the US, mistakenly thought I could stroll into Target at 3 in the afternoon the day the line launched, and be able to check out what they had to offer. What I found was bare shelves and empty racks accompanied by a sad feeling in my soul. Although I didn’t necessarily want anything from the line, the fact that I couldn’t have anything from the line made me kinda mad. Anyway, I’ve moved past that but the chevron love still lives on! Here are some of my favorite chevron pieces from the web! Enjoy…

Chevron Shower Curtain: $95 on Etsy

Sure, $95 may seem a lot for a shower curtain, but HOW CUTE IS IT?! And, it comes in a variety of colors, AND it’s handmade, so you’re supporting small businesses! It’s win-win.

Chevron iPhone Case: $44.95 from Zazzle

How freaking cute is this??? There are a LOT of chevron iphone cases on this site, and if you like monograms, they have some with the print and the monogram over it.

Chevron Tights: $14 from Urban Outfitters

I love a printed tight. I love it especially mixed with other prints, or with sequins. These tights would be perfect for holidays (NYE??).

Chevron Area Rug: (on sale!) 39.99-699 from West Elm

I would love this rug in my house, and I can’t imagine who wouldn’t! I think it would look fabulous with bold colored furniture.

Chevron Arrow Earrings: $24 on Etsy

um…yes.

Chevron Pillow: $29 on Etsy

So, it seems I’m having a moment with Etsy as well….but that’s okay by me!

Chevron Undies: $110 from Anthropologie

I love the vintage-meets-modern feel!

Chevron Undies Part Deux: $86 from Anthropologie

I LOVE the black and white!

Chevron Picture Frame: $28 from Anthropologie

So you can frame pictures of all the new chevron items in your home. or something…

Chevron Swimsuit: $52 from Asos

Chevron Salad Plates: $35 from Etsy

I need these in my kitchen immediately.

Chevron Stripe Light Switch Cover: $6 on Etsy

ahhhh so cute!

Chevron Duvet Cover: $69.99-$99.00 from Urban Outfitters

Chevron Chair: $279 from Urban Outfitters

So so cute!!

So….if you come to my house one day, and everything is covered in zig-zags, you’ll know why.

Send me pics of your favorite chevron items! Is anyone else having chevron craze lately? Or is it just me?

Gluttony: Vegan Pie Deliciousness!

I. LOVE. PIE.

I LOVE IT!!!

And there is nothing better to finish off a holiday meal than a great assortment of delicious pies. Since I stopped eating dairy over a year ago, I’ve struggled with finding pie recipes that live up to the ones I’ve grown up eating. My favorite has always been apple pie, but this year my sister Maddie was in charge of the pie-making, and I’ll say that she did an amazing job. Two years ago, I made a chocolate pecan pie that was to DIE for. It even won a pie contest! So, this year Maddie searched for a similar recipe. I still plan on trying to adapt my original recipe, and I’ll post that one later, but the one that Maddie made was PHENOMENAL!! Good job, sis!

The original recipe can be found here.

Vegan Chocolate Pecan Pie (by your vegan mom)

You will need:

• 1 prepared pie shell
• 2 tablespoons flax meal
• 6 tablespoons water
• 1/3 cup vegan butter, melted
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups pecan pieces, toasted
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons bourbon

What you’ll need to do:

Blind bake pie shell: prick several times with a fork.  Cover with parchment paper or foil.  Weigh down with rice or beans or pie weights.  Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees.  Remove paper and weights.  Bake for another 6 – 8 minutes, until the crust appears dry and the edges are just beginning to brown.  Remove to a cooling rack.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flax meal and water.  Let sit for about 10 minutes, until the flax meal absorbs the water and transforms into a thick eggy goop.  Beat in the melted butter, brown sugar, and flour.  Add the pecans, chocolate, and bourbon.  Stir.  Pour this mixture into your blind baked pie shell.  Bake at 350 until filling is set, about 25 minutes.

Let cool before serving.

Here’s a photo of how ours turned out:

Maddie also made a Vegan Pumpkin Pie, which is my 2nd favorite pie the in the whole wide world. This version turned out EXACTLY like I remember pumpkin pie tasting, but without any dairy!

The original recipe can be found here.

Vegan Pumpkin Pie (by vegan spoonful)

You will need:

• 1 8-inch or 9-inch unbaked pie crust (homemade or storebought)
• 2 cups pureed pumpkin (or one 15-oz can)
• 1 cup plain nondairy milk (soy or almond is best)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 1/2 – 3 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (or freshly grated nutmeg, just estimate!)
• vegan whipped topping, if desired**

What you’ll need to do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine pumpkin, non-dairy milk, sugar, cornstarch, salt, and spices in a large bowl, and mix very well with an electric mixer (alternatively, you can combine these ingredients in a blender). Pour into unbaked pastry shell, and bake for about 60 minutes. The pie will still be jiggly when you take it out of the oven, but it will firm up as it cools. Cool completely on a cooling rack, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight before serving. Serve chilled and top with vegan whipped topping if desired.

Here’s our pie!

Top these pies with delicious vegan “whipped cream” Soyatoo!

We got ours at Whole Foods, but I’m sure it’s available in other health food stores.

Happy Holiday baking, everyone!

Vanity: My Favorite Things

It’s that time of year! It’s time for Oprah’s Favorite Things! I used to LIVE for the favorite things episode, mainly because it was like a fantasy Christmas wishlist. So, I decided to come up with my own. Here are some of my favorite things/things that I would put on a wishlist/things I would give away to my live studio audience (if I had one!):

Shopruche Washington Lace Up Boots: $41.99

I want to LIVE in these boots! I wanna wear them with everything!! Jeans, dresses, blazers, you name it.

Urban Outfitters Cooperative Intarsia Sweater: $54.00

This sweater is so adorable. Animal sweaters are a big trend right now, and I’m loving it!

Anthropologie Dulcie Dress: $158.00

OMG get this dress in my closet immediately! Perfect for a holiday party with sparkly accessories.

Urban Decay Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Punch Drunk: $19.00

For when you want to give your favorite red lipstick a break! This gloss is incredible. It looks like a giant lip pencil but goes on so smooth and stays put without becoming permanently adhered to your lips.

Dior Backstage Eyeliner Adhesive Patches: $59.00

These things look so cool! Re-usable eyeliner patches. They just stick onto your lash line! Perfect for people like me who are disastrous when it comes to liquid liner but LOVE bold statements.

Lolita Lempicka Si Lolita Fragrance: $50.00

So feminine, so wonderful—so seductive. Put on an air of Parisian bohemian chic with a touch of little girl whimsy. This spicy-floral Eau de Parfum radiates a secret: its peppery freshness dominates across the fragrance. Spellbinding hints of warm florals emerge, including a light, powdery note of heliotrope. (yeah, I took that from the website. But it seriously does smell so good!)

Josie Maran Organic Argan Oil: $14.00-$96.00

This oil is a miracle! I love using it as a moisturizer, but it’s also great for your hair. It can actually moisturize and repair damaged hair! Plus, it smells nice.

Wagging Tails Portraits Ornament: $70.00 (on Oprah’s list too!)

Yes! Yes! Yes! Please put my dog’s face on an ornament! How freaking cute is that?!

The Muppet Christmas Carol: $10 on Amazon

And finally, one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies-A Muppet Christmas Carol! The story of A Christmas Carol always scared the crap out of me as a kid, but the muppet version was more fun. I always loved this movie!

Happy Christmas shopping everyone!

Wrath: Adult Onesies

Whyyyyyy, Target, WHYYYYYY?! I can’t believe my number one store has let me down yet again. This time is even more disgraceful than the overalls debacle. This is far, far worse. I’m talkin about the adult onesie. The buyers for Target thought modern consumers would walk in, see a display of grown-up sized fleece one piece footed pajamas (WITH a butt flap!!) and not only be pleased to have found such a magnificent garment, but that they would also be delightfully surprised to see that they come in an assortment of colors.

Oh, dear.

I don’t understand why clothes have become so unbearably uncomfortable that we can’t sit still in them except when in polite company (and maybe not even then!). Now, I’m not going to pretend I didn’t purchase a Snuggie. I did. But in my defense, it was leopard print, and no one saw me in it! (and it was soooooo comfy). But I draw the line when it comes to dressing like a newborn. The only thing this product is missing is a pacifier and a big box of Depends. Grow up and throw on some old sweatpants like the rest of us self-respecting adults (diaper optional).

Lust: Wintry Western Wear

I am pretty cavalier when it comes to giving out my e-mail address, and I always end up receiving e-mails from all kinds of places. Well, somehow I accidentally signed up for e-mails from Style.com. Their newsletters are actually kind of awesome because they send out a great outfit or trend from time to time, and the prices are a little steep, but sometimes aren’t so bad. ANYWAYS, the point is, I found this lovely ensemble in my inbox the other day, but the prices were not so great. Here are MY picks for wintry western wear!

Style.com Outfit total: $1,713

1. Tarnish Nordic Pocket Scarf -$44.90

2. Forever 21 Ethnic Print Scarf -$14.80

3. AEO Nordic Loop Scarf -$29.50

1. Nasty Gal Fringed Saddle Bag -$68.00

2. Pendleton Dopp Bag -$48.00

3. Faux Leather Buffalo Plaid Crossbody Purse -$36.00

1. Urban Outfitters Geo Print Ruana -$42.00

2. Etsy Navajo Blanket Poncho -$50.00

3. ASOS Knitted Festival Poncho $44.93

1. Victoria’s Secret Cowlneck Poncho -$69.50

2. byCORPUS Funnel Sweater -$69.00

3. GAP Large Cable Cowlneck Sweater -$59.95

1. Urbanog Qupid Natasha-10 -$33.90

2. Urbanog Iris-6 -$27.80

3. Urbanog Soda Evana-H -$26.20

1. Etsy Tribal Cuff -$19.99

2. Forever 21 Tribal Cuff -$4.80

3. Etsy 70’s Wide Vintage Cuff -$20.00

1. Blank Denim Skinny Cords -$88.00

2. J Brand Ali High-Rise Corduroy -$169.99

3. VS Siren Legging in Corduroy -$47.60

Outfit totals: $231.35-$456.29

Perfect for: cozy fireplace evenings, hot cocoa sipping, shopping in trendy outdoor shopping malls, and hanging out in a ski resort

Gluttony: Tofu & Kale Lasagna

This is one of my absolute FAVORITE dinners to make because people can NEVER tell the difference between the tofu in this recipe and ricotta cheese. It’s so weird, but SOOOOOO good! Last night, I decided to cook dinner for my friends, none of whom are vegan or vegetarian, and I opted for this recipe. I’m proud to say, it was a hit! Plus, it’s loaded with protein and essential nutrients. The original recipe is from one of my favorite books, Clean Food, by Terry Walters. Her book is genius because it’s about cooking seasonally to get the freshest ingredients possible. I highly recommend it! Even if you are a meat eater, it is easy to add into her many wonderful recipes. Here’s the recipe!

Tofu Kale Lasagna or How to Trick Your Friends & Family Into Eating Tofu

You will need:

• 5-7 sun dried tomatoes
• 12 lasagna noodles (if gluten free, try using brown rice noodles)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 6 tablespoons EVOO
• 8-10 ounces crimini mushrooms, sliced
• 2 pounds fresh firm tofu (or use silken for a cheesier texture)
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 2 bunches kale, finely chopped (I used spinach because I had a LOT of it at home. If you choose to use spinach, I would double the amount as spinach shrinks drastically. Chard would probably work well too.)
• sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 5 cups tomato sauce
• 1.5 cups grated soy or rice mozzarella (Daiya brand is my favorite)

Preheat oven to 375 F. In a small bowl, soak sun-dried tomatoes in enough hot water to cover. When soft, drain, chop and set aside. Cook lasagna noodles until just soft. Drain and set aside.

In a large pot over medium heat, saute garlic and onions until soft. Add mushrooms and saute 3 minutes. Drain tofu, wrap in towels, press to remove excess water, and crumble into pot. Add mirin, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and parsley, and saute 5 minutes. Fold in kale (or whatever green you chose), cover and cook 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt & pepper and remove from heat.

Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce over bottom of 9×12 inch lasagna pan. Place a single layer of noodles over sauce and cover with half the kale mixture. Cover with 1.5 cups tomato suace. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup soy cheese. Cover with another layer of noodles and remaining kale and tofu. Add 1.5 cups sauce, 1/2 cup soy mozzarella, and final layer of noodles, 1/2 cup sauce and remaining mozzarella. Cover tightly with foil and bake 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes. Remove from oven and set aside for 10 minutes before serving.

Sloth: New TV Obsession

As much as I try to deny it because it makes me sound lazy and kind of lame, I LOVE TV! It’s not that I sit around all day glued to it (at least, not every day), but when I get into a show, I’m hooked. I love TV shows because they’re like extra long movies! The best shows for me are ones like LOST that always have some danger and suspense, but I also love a good drama with strong female leads like The Good Wife. Some shows are so ridiculously addicting that I find myself getting sad when the episode’s over. This is so true of my new obsession: ABC’s new show Revenge!

Now, when I first heard about this show, I did not think I was going to like it at all. The story line seemed incredibly vague, and I wasn’t sure if Emily VanCamp would be strong enough to carry a whole series. I would never have even watched the show if I hadn’t been kind of bored one day and decided to watch it OnDemand, and seriously this show blew me out of the water. Emily VanCamp has really stepped up as a leading lady, and she is amazing as Emily Thorne, an incredibly intelligent, powerful young woman hell-bent on avenging her father’s wrongful conviction of a crime, and eventually his death. The show is also full of gorgeous men like Joshua Bowman, Nick Wechsler, and Connor Paolo.

Each week, Emily unleashes a new plan to destroy the lives of some insufferable Hampton Beach socialites. She’s helped by Nolan (played by Gabriel Mann), a bored little rich boy type who seems to love meddling in other people’s lives, and is the only person who knows Emily’s true identity.

The series starts with a dramatic opening, an engagement party that ends in the grooms death, and then takes the audience back in time to see how the characters got to that point.

It’s created and written by Mike Kelley, who also worked on shows like Providence (remember that awesome show?!) and the O.C.

Seriously, if you love suspense, drama, and revenge, you HAVE to watch this show! Best enjoyed with a mug brownie. Wednesdays 10/9c on ABC

Perfect for: people who are experiencing LOST withdrawals and aren’t fans of Terra Nova.

I swear, if this show gets cancelled I’m gonna write a very strongly worded letter!