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Valentine's Day Breakfast for HIM {pesto eggs on sourdough}

2012-02-07T23:04:31Z

So, it's the battle of the sexes at our house this week. I had Wes make his dream breakfast this morning. You know, the perfect romantic breakfast in bed: Green Eggs and Ham {hold the ham}?

Wes certainly isn't a chef by any means. {Sorry Wes!} But he just recently learned to fry and poach eggs. He has come a long way though since baby #1, let me tell you. Let's just say my lavish dinner would have been garlic bread and by garlic bread I mean whole wheat toast topped with butter and garlic powder. YES. That was the first meal he ever made for me. Don't get me wrong, he definitely knows how to eat. He loves nice restaurants and used to come to my house with bags full of the BEST premade food when we were dating.

So his "heart" is there on this holiday. Just not the skills. He just doesn't know how to use a cook book, let alone a pan or a dehydrator {wink}.

Anyways, so, as you can imagine it was a total shock when I walked into the kitchen this morning to see him reading Mens Journal, with a spatula in his hand, the vegan pesto out on the counter and a HUGE baguette ready to be sliced.

The best part of it all is that he made the Men's Journal recipe his own. He didn't follow it to a T, he just made his own version. That is a true artist right there.

So, if you're looking for the perfect breakfast to serve your partner this holiday, look no further than Wes' amazing Pesto Eggs on Sourdough!RECIPE

4 slices sourdough bread or english muffin
4 poached eggs
1/4c vegan pesto {or any pesto}
1/4c greek yogurt
4 slices cheese {optional}
4 handfuls arugula
sea salt
pepper

To poach eggs, boil water for poached eggs. Drop eggs into boiling water. Let go until whites are solid and yolk is still semi-soft.

Meanwhile toast the sourdough bread. While it's toasting mix pesto and greek yogurt.

When toast is ready {you can butter it or add olive oil or add nothing} lay the slice of cheese on top. Then layer on the eggs, yogurt pesto sauce and finally, the arugula. Top with salt and pepper to taste.

Very easy. Very delish!

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post: V Day Dinner Ideas For HER!

Thanks Wes & GREAT work.

A GREENER VALENTINE'S DAY

2012-02-06T19:25:52Z

Modern Nursery & Play Room {land of nod}

2012-02-01T01:07:56Z

Land of Nod has some pretty cool kids stuff. Not everything is modern but I found a few pretty cool pieces. All of the items in my homemad collage above can be purchased at LandOfNod.com

--enjoy!

Eating Disorders, Perfection & Raw Vegan Diet

2012-01-26T19:12:38Z

I often get emails from readers asking me about my diet, raw food, design, vitamixes, juicers, dehydrators and sometimes I get fairly personal and serious stories, as I've shared with you all in the past.

I found this particular email a great one for me {after getting permission, of course} to share because as much as we'd like to pretend it isn't, eating disorders are very common among girls {and guys} of all ages.

But eating disorders or not, I wrote this with all women in mind. It's a great reminder for anybody following a diet, a routine, or obsessive about anything {fashion, fitness, etc.}!

Dear Anonymous,

First of all, THANK YOU for the lovely email.

I'm so happy you find my blog helpful.

OK, so, people coping with eating disorders are often drawn to the raw vegan diet for many reasons. It can be low calorie, diet type of food, but also healty and nutrient dense, etc.

Raw Vegan diets can often be extremely helpful because each bite/snack/meal is nutrient DENSE. So, if you aren't eating a lot, at least you're getting some vital nutrients.

It's common for those battling anorexia or bulemia to fear every bite of food that goes into their mouths. In fact, it's also very common for those suffering to eat bread or low fat, fake sugar laden foods as well.

Eating just bread all day, as you can imagine, can be depriving your body of the nutrients it needs to thrive. On the flip, if you aren't eating a lot but it's raw vegan food, you at least are getting some CRUCIAL vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

The downside for people coping with eating disorders and following a raw vegan lifestyle is that they are often type A, guilt prone perfectionists. The raw vegan community can often be very very critical and make such a person VERY bad for not strictly following the diet. This can result in yet another unnecessary "guilt" and JUDGEMENT -- the exact things you're already trying to heal from and avoid.

I often find myself, who is well aware of this, getting caught up in veganism, raw foodism, etc. and have to catch myself before it turns very obsessive.

It can also cause further isoation by damaging to your social life an extreme level. This can be hard for those battling an already alienating disease. {people with eating disorders because they already have trouble in social situations that involve food}!

That being said, some people eat MORE than normal on a raw food diet. Which for somebody like me, who is not good at making herself eat every meal, is a GREAT thing. This can be a great thing for you as well, for this same reason; to gain wait in a very healthy way.

I encourage you to be sure that each calorie you are taking in is HIGH nutrient dense because you probably aren't getting many calories as you rebuild your life and your habits.

As far as the fat goes, FAT is a beauty food. It's necessary for everything in your body - including neurological function {very important for you or those with depression}, supple soft skin, and fat doesn't make you fat. Fat is higher in calories than carbohydrates but carbs are actually what help you gain weight.

Coming from experience, I'd like to say this: our self image is highly distorted. I wrote a post about laughter recently and how we need to laugh at ourselves and not be so critical. Vanity and self-absorption can take away from your ability to life life to the fullest.

Focus on yourself, being less obsessive and not fearing judgement. Focus less on not what others are doing or thinking. Let this journey be your own.

Self-image is a very important subject to me. I have two boys but if I had girls I would probably be more into this movement. But since I'm on the OPPOSITE side of the issue, I care alot about teaching young boys about girls feelings and the media. ;) It's very important to share these types of stories, so, Thank YOU!

Thanks and best of luck to you!

{I high recommend that anybody that might think they have an eating disorder seek professional help, like a therapist and a/or naturpath.}

Matthew Kenney's & Meredith Baird :: RAW Chocolate

2012-01-24T23:18:15Z

Remember all the oohing and awing I did awhile back over Matthew Kenney's new book? Well, he's at it again!

And all I can say is that this is some serious "eye" candy. Not only are the recipes creative, sweet and gourmet but the pictures are out of this world.

And not to mention the obvious, but Meredith and Matthew both, are just as pleasing to look at! These two extremely cool people have put togther one gorgeous book and it is coming to stores very soon.

For now, I'm excited to share with you this sneak peek: two of their brilliant recipes and photos {all taken by the lovely Adrian Mueller}

If you LOVE what you see. You really should pre-order the book, Raw Chocolate, from Amazon. Launch date is sometime in February. To sign up, click here!

Chai Tea On Cold Days

2012-01-23T16:01:48Z

It's been pretty cold in Southern California. At least for Southern California standards. And I wake up craving something hot.

So, I made fresh spicy, flavorful, sweet homemade chai tea. It was a perfect way to start my early, cold morning.

An afternoon in a La Costa Resort {we became members back in December - thank you WES!} hot tub is also a great way to beat the chill.

Happy Monday!

CHAI TEA RECIPE

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp cloves {about 4 or 5}

1/4 tsp ground cardamom {or 4-5 whole}

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

2 bags or black tea or 1 Tbls loose leaf

Using a mortar pestal, grind all spices together. Pour enough hot water over tea bags or loose leaf tea to fill a standard mug. Let steep. Remove tea and add the ground spices. You can add as much of it as you'd like. About 1-2 teaspoons. Add cream {creamer} of choice and some raw honey. PERFECTION!!

2012 Kitchen Must-Haves {recipe books & more}

2012-01-20T16:23:33Z

Between, etsy, pinterest, blogs and facebook, it's hard not to find amazing stuff you'd never have found before. Anyways, with Valentine's Day coming up and everybody's get-healthy resolutions, what better time to share some fun healthy kitchen must-haves!

etsy tea towel :: wooden spoons :: porcelain measuring cups :: veggie-wedgie cookbook :: blissful chef cookbook :: glass measuring cups :: rosemary :: bread is the devil {look for kookie karma mentions in there} :: judita's going raw :: mrs. lilien's super fresh cocktail book :: a refreshing highball recipe

Drink Up {pregnant ladies and little munchkins, too}

2012-01-18T03:58:13Z

Literally, just throw it in your blender. Hurry. And you'll be so glad you did!

To all my pregnant friends, or those TRYING to get pregnant, throw this in a blender.

Nutrition is key to great pregnancy, birth and healthy baby!

Also, believe it or not, your children might drink it too. If your kids can get this once a day, you don't have to stress or worry about a so-called balanced diet. Give it whirl. You'll be happy you did.

Check out this video...it's worth watching.

Green Kids from Ziggy Meilus on Vimeo.

Kookie Karma :: Product Shots

2012-01-16T19:35:16Z

I had the priviledge of working with and making friends with Chris Nelson. She has known my Wes for like 8 years or so.

She offered to take a few products shots of my Kookie Karma snacks with her new lense. I was in awe after seeing the final products. Please enjoy Chris Nelson's beautiful photos. They will be posted on our web site when we redesign it very soon. But you saw them here first! ;)

Thank you again Chris, you're amazing!

Fresh Carrot Clementine Sorbet

2012-01-16T18:40:24Z

I had to juice carrots the other day because I'm making a raw vegan pizza this week and it requires carrot pulp. So, what better use of the juice than making it into sorbet. I also juiced my massive pile of clementines {in season right now}. With the help from a little agave and an ice cream maker, voila, we have sorbet!

This is a great recipe for pregnant women who are craving late night sweet stuff. The carrot juice is very "earthy" so it does have that healthy flavor. Play around with the sweetness and sweetners as well. It might not be sweet enough for your palet, so add more if you need to. Taste the liquid and remember that freezing things make it taste less sweet. So, add a bit extra if you find the liquid to be perfect.

SORBET RECIPE

12oz fresh juiced carrots

12oz fresh squeeze orange juice

1/4 - 1/2c agave nectar + 2 Tbls {or to taste}

1Tbls ginger powder or juice {optional}

1Tbls lemon juice

2 tsp orange zest {optional}

Put all of the ingredients in a vitamix or high speed blender and blend on medium until mixed well. Feel free to get creative, you don't have to use ginger, that's only for spice and gourmet flavor. Kids don't always like it, so it's optional.

Pour liquid into ice cream maker and follow instructions for sorbet!