10 things worth noting // ed. 3

1. The stack of doughnuts below is the very stack that will be appearing on the cover of the doughnut cookbook this October.  The actual cover shot involves a waterfall of powdered sugar falling from the sky.  I can’t wait to share the finalized cover with you!!

2. There isn’t much to say about this EO Soap except for the fact that I am obsessed.  It’s at our kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and shower—for body wash.  The scent is not overpowering and it’s cruelty free, paraben free, polysorbate free, disodium EDTA free, gluten free, non-GMO verified, and sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate free.  The price is great, too.  $8.99 at Natural Grocers but it’s frequently on sale for $6.99!  They have a kids line as well!

3. I’ve made this Quinoa, Blood Orange, and Kale Salad three times + counting.  The latest version:

• millet instead of quinoa
• cara cara oranges instead of blood oranges
• sweet potato instead of chickpeas
• added salted almonds

4. Have you heard about the Life-Changing Loaf of Bread?  I think it’s sweeping the nation…err world.  It’s not only gluten-free but also vegan.  This is a stick-to-your-ribs bread recipe.  It’s filled with sunflower seeds, flax seeds, oats, psyllium husks, and nuts. I used walnuts/almonds instead of hazelnuts.

It takes 5 minutes to prepare, a few hours of resting, then about 1 hour in the oven and it’s done!  The outer layer is crusty + the inner layer is soft but still has some bite.  I toasted a few pieces in a cast iron skillet and added banana + cinnamon on top for breakfast.  I cannot wait to experiment with different add-ins.  I highly suggest this bread for a super easy grab + go breakfast.  Nutrient dense + satiating, for sure!  I’ve eaten half the loaf in 2 days.

5. Also currently/still addicted to the almond pulp crackers.  And guess what?  I haven’t bought a container of almond milk in over three weeks and don’t plan to anytime soon. 

6. I’m sometimes asked about where I take my photos and what my setup is like.  Well, here it is in all its glory.  Stuffed between 2 road bikes, a huge dining room table, and a book shelf behind.  It’s cozy, that’s for sure.

7. Speaking of photography, have you seen the food photography e-course the amazingly talented Dana + John over at Minimalist Baker have put together?  For $19.99 you get 15 chapters with photography lessons, troubleshooting guides, and 22 video tutorials!  They were kind enough to let me view a copy before it was released, and I was extremely impressed by all that they covered.  If you’re looking to get more serious about food photography but don’t know where to start, I highly recommend checking out their e-course.  They go over everything from camera basics, to lighting, to photo shoot styling, to using simple props, photo editing, and so much more.  Check out their site for loads more info!

8. Two + a half hours of snowshoeing = happiness.

8.  These dogs are ree-dic-u-lous.  Dakota is a blanket mooch.  She nudges my chair in the morning until I drop some of the blanket down for her to curl up on.  She doesn’t get up for hours unless there isn’t enough blanket on the floor. 

Recently, Kenna has wanted in on the action which leads to an even more depressed Dakota, if that was even possible.  Tonight they finally compromised.  Oy.

10. This week I am guest pinning for Relish.com and am having way too much fun with it.  The topic?  Breakfast!  My favorite.  Come check it out!

And that is a wrap!

10 random things I felt like sharing.

Anything new on your end?

Ashley

Comments

[Jessica]

I made the life-changing bread and love it, but even when I slice it so-thin, I can't eat more than one little slice. Yummy, tho!

[snenny]

So excited for your donut book - the cover is going to be a beauty and I bet the recipes are killer!

[Ashley M. [at] (never home)maker]

It's always fun to see where the "magic" happens (re: photo setup). I wish mine was that organized!!! Maybe I'll show everyone mine sometime. I've been propping a large cutting board over our kitchen sink (under a big window) and doing that for overhead shots and then using the chalkboard wall for other shots. I have considered using the dining room table, too, but Ada can reach stuff on there now! AHH!

[Katie]

CAN.NOT.WAIT. To see the cover!!!

Also, yeah, that bread. Life, changed. And your doggies crack me up...both of them squeezed on that teensy portion of blanket?? So good.

[jo @ including cake]

I like seeing other foodies shooting set ups too. I live the fact that such 'polished and professiknal images' can result from such a modest scene, my set up is similar. It just goes to show you don't need any more than a little space and a window!

[Ashley]

@Jessica - I could probably eat 1/3 of the loaf in one sitting, which is probably not a good idea considering the amount of fiber in that thing, haha.

@Snenny - Aww, you are so sweet. Thank you!

@Ashley - Organized?? That made me laugh. I guess it is all photographed in 1 location but definitely not neat + tidy. :)

@Katie - Me too, me too! Waiting for it to be finalized as we speak!

@Jo - And not much light either! It looks like the light is flooding in but it's actually not too bright most days. Somehow it works!

[Dana]

That photography course sounds amazing. I'm trying to work on my blog, and I'm currently only shooting with my iphone. I'm not exactly building recipes and taking beautiful pictures, but I know I like to look at nice photographs, so I'm hoping to get a lot better. Is the course only for professional-type cameras?

[Ashley]

@Dana - There is a lot of information pertaining to dSLR cameras. How they function, how to use the settings, how to change their settings depending on the light and what you're trying to do with the image. However, there is also a lot of general information on setting up a food scene, styling, props, editing photos, etc. I recommend shooting Dana or John an email to discuss specifics! :)

[Amanda]

I have made the Quinoa, Kale, & orange salad twice since you posted it! Last time I used swiss chard instead of kale and tangelos instead of blood oranges and roasted the chick peas with maple syrup. I think I'll make it again this week with your suggestions of millet and sweet potatoes. I am in love with the orange dressing- I swear I could drink that stuff straight :)

[Lauren]

Life changing bread? Any food that claims to be "life changing" I must try! I'm all over it!

[Maria Tadic]

Your dogs are so cute! My little (well not so little) bulldog does the SAME thing. He'll whine softly until you give him some blanket. Then he curls up and is out like a light for most of the day! What a life these doggies lead!

[Jennifer]

That's funny, I was just exposed to the life changing bread last week. This was a good reminder for me to make it!
Also, random, but did you make or buy the blanket that Dakota is cuddling on? I'd love to find a pattern for it!

[Nicole]

I actually made the life-changing bread too, but I *HATED* it. :( I was so excited because everyone has been raving about it, but I just plain didn't like it. Maybe I did something wrong?

[Amy]

so many posts lately! I'm loving it! making your BBQ tempeh sandwiches this week :)

[Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)]

I've heard great things about that bread and need to get around to making it (I guess I have to order husks though :/). And love all the donut pics--I checked them all out already on your photography site, haha. I also wish I had your tripod, I have an incredibly cheap one and feel like it drives me nuts, so I don't use it half the time.
(P.S. I think you meant to say $19.99!)

[Sasha]

I love the blanket mooch. *so jealous*

[Katie @ Blonde Ambition]

That bread looks intense. Banana and cinnamon sounds like a great topping, too!
Your pups are too cute. Life is rough being a dog....

[Lindsey @ Pas de Deux]

Your dogs are too cute!! You and I have been on similar flavor kicks lately it seems... I made your quinoa and blood orange salad, but added My New Roots braised cabbage and butternut squash to the mix, too! I need to go buy some psyllium husks so I can make the life-changing bread!

[Gena]

I just bought some blood oranges, and your kale salad may be coming right up. Yum.

[Jess]

Looks great- can`t wait to see the final cover!
www.somesnapshots.com
Jess

[Ashley]

@Amanda - SO glad you like the salad!

@Jennifer - It was made for me about 11 years ago before I went to college. I love that blanket!

@Nicole - I definitely don't see this loaf being for everyone and probably would call it a nut + seed loaf. :) Do you think something went wrong or you just didn't like the texture? Next time I want to grind the flax seeds a bit because I don't love the texture of them whole.

@Laura - It was initially $99 but they just lowered it to $19.99 today!

@Lindsey - Ooh, love the additions you made! I definitely want to try that braised cabbage.

@Gena - You should just come over instead. I'll share.

[Megan]

Hi Ashley!! Quick question, and you may have mentioned this somewhere but I could not find it. Is that a mat board you are using as the background in that photo set-up? Where do you recommend I find something similar to that? I've been meaning to invest in some of those to vary up my Project 365 pics! thanks!

[Ananda]

I'm loving your 10 Things posts!
Thank you for sharing the Life Changing Loaf of Bread link. Apparently I live under a rock, because I hadn't heard of it. I will be baking a loaf this weekend as well as trying your almond milk and almond pulp crackers.

[Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health]

I have seen the life changing loaf and thought it sounded so good. I really want to try it now that I know it isn't too time consuming to prepare. My dog loves to nudge my hand away from the computer too! They just can't get enough love, can they?

[Christina @ The Beautiful Balance]

I would LOVE to see more posts on "behind the scenes" of you shooting!

[Ashley]

@Megan - It's actually fiber board that I painted gray. I bought the board at home depot. It comes in large sheets that I had cut in half. They were under $10 and I get 4 background from each since you can paint both sides. I've realized painting matte board isn't the best way to go because it warps from the moisture. Matte boards are great for bouncing light, though!

@Christina - Awesome! I'll work on a post with more details on that. Be on the lookout!

[Stephanie]

Wow, I just stumbled upon your blog for the first time. And very happy I did! My husband and I used to live in Fort Collins, and we miss biking to all the breweries (among other great things in FoCo)! We live in Steamboat Springs now, and I am also a civil engineer. And finally, we are completely obsessed with that soap too! I absolutely love having Natural Grocers in our town now!! I am happy that I found your blog and can't wait to browse through your recipes!!

[Mikey]

Like the look of that Quinoa salad! Going to try putting that one together soon! Yum!

[Marlee]

Really enjoyed this post! I've been wanting to try a natural bodywash, but the isle at Whole Foods is a bit overwhelming! Hoping they or one of the other natural grocery stores in town carries it. Thanks for the recommendation! Also, the bread recipe is intriguing! Thanks for all your efforts with this blog!

[teri [a foodie stays fit]]

I've got to try that bread!
And Dakota...oh Dakota. It's a tough tough boxer life.

[Izy]

I can't wait to see the book, I can tell it'll be epic!
That salad sounds so delicious, with all that sweet potato and kale! (Note to self: need to make immediately.)