topics galore

Ahh, so much to talk about.  Where to start!?  An outline of things to be discussed?

1. Vibram 5 finger shoes
2. Black Friday shopping
3. POM recipe contest
4. My new favorite cereal
5. First family photo session
6. Holiday gift ideas

I guess I’ll just dive right in :P

1. my new obsession – Vibram 5 finger shoes

I know, kind of weird looking…but I am SO excited about these!!  If you are a runner, I suggest your next pair of running shoes be these.  If you are skeptical at least do some reading on them.  What I have noticed so far:

positives:

• Didn’t experience my typical knee/ankle joint pain
• I ran my typical 4+ mile run 5 minutes faster
• running properly by landing on my mid-foot/ball of foot and rolling up to my toes [without having to think about it!!]
• no harsh jarring from heal striking [and much quieter]
• my sluggish mile 2 is not sluggish anymore
• my legs feel MUCH lighter

negatives:

• these take time to get used to and build up to the typical distance you run [ie, start only running 1 mile and SLowly increase over a few weeks – lots of new muscles to build up]
• EXtreme calf soreness while getting used to them, but my calves are going to be super defined in no time
• I have some foot pain because I think I overdid it a bit :( woops

Kenna is intrigued…

Runners!!! I urge you to check these out.  

If you have any questions PLEASE ask me!! :)  My husband and bro-in-law both just got these as well and are just as crazy about them as I am.  

…

2.  Laura and I went to the REI in Boulder at 7:30am.  The first 300 shoppers got a giftcard ranging from $5-100!  We thought there would be a huge line, but there were only about 20 people in front of us.  Laura got a $25!!  I only got $5…but that’s still something!! I used it to help buy a gift for my bro!

The sky was gorgeous!! 

We also went to Macy’s + World Market.  I LOVE World Market.  Great place for unique gifts and especially for finding fun stocking stuffers!!  It’s a really good place to shop if you’re making gift baskets. 

Gift basket ideas:

• Italian basket – olive oil/pasta/sauce/hard salami/cheese/bread mix
• Wine basket – Wine [awesome wine selection there], crackers, cheese, cracker spreads
• Sweets basket – British cookies, fancy chocolates, single serving hot cocoa mixes, tea

When we got back to Laura’s apt we found her hubby making this crazy concoction!  Wondering what the circle in the middle is??  It’s an EGG!!!  Travis is so crafty…the chocolate chunks have bacon inside!

 

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3.  The deadline for the POM blogger recipe contest has caught up with me!  I am making pomegranate granola bars!!  The recipe + photos have to be submitted by midnight tomorrow night…eek!  I got the final recipe all worked out today and just have to photograph the bars in the morning and type it all up.

The bars will be drizzed with a POM sauce.  I started by reducing POM juice with a little honey.

Then combined it with powdered sugar and a few other things.

Pretty pink-ish icing!

oats + nuts + coconut

Pouring in the gooooooo :)

Photos of the final product on Tuesday!

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4. My new favorite cereal!! Not too sweet, but suuuper crunchy and the serving size is 1c, which is a perfect amount.  Awesome as an oatmeal topper as well.

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5.  First family photo session!!  I offered to take photos of my friend Melissa + her family.  Remember her adorable son Jake??  I thought it would be fun to photograph something other than food, even though I don’t exactly know what I’m doing, hehe.  We met at a huuge park in Denver [wash park].  It was pretty cloudy and chilly but really fun!!  Melissa, Matt, + Jake were great models and I think there are some really cute ones!  Chris was there to help me a bit and give me ideas/suggestions on camera settings, etc.

I’ve been friends with Melissa since the 6th grade.  I am loving that we finally live in the same state together!!  She is one of my best friends and was in my wedding :) I was in her wedding too, where she married Matt, who happens to be hilarious + awesome!  Their son Jake is now 7 months and getting cuter by the day.  He is such a well tempered, happy baby.

Okay, here are some of the photos!

Such a lil stinker!

Does this kid belong in a BabyGAP ad or what??

…

6.  Holiday gift ideas!!! 

List #1 – under $50

For the coffee enthusiast:

• Bodum French Press - $35
• Bodum Pavina Double Wall 9oz glasses – set of 2 - $15 [LOVE these – the double wall keeps the glass from changing temps based on what you put in it]
• Krups coffee grinder - $17
• I am not a paper cup - $18

For the foodie:

• Gourmet salt sampler - $14
• Olive oil/Balsamic - $35
• Olive oil sampler - $25 [ooo so fun]
• Cheese samplers [so many to choose from!]

I’ll have more lists in upcoming posts!!

Goooooodnight!

~Ashley

gobble gobbler

OH my word was our Thanksgiving fabulous.  It was my first time not being with my family back home in Ohio.  It was sad, but fun + different at the same time.  We spent Tgiving with about 14 others at our friend Kurtz + Ann’s apartment in Denver.  Let me first mention that the weather was FABulous.  It was 65* and sunny!  Pat + Natalie [bro in law + sis in law] were with us too.  We got there at noon and the appetizers were up. 

Everyone loved the cold + fresh spinach artichoke dip and prosciutto crostini with lemony fennel slaw.  The crostini were REALLY yummy and so so super easy to make.  They were a little bit hard to eat because they required 2 bites and it’s hard to bite through the prosciutto, but it wouldn’t stop me from making it again.

TONS of photos…beware!! :)

Ian made homemade pepperoni rolls that were fabulous!

I had one of these…so so good.

Impress your friends Grilled Cheese Samich:

• loaf honey whole wheat bread
• delicious jam [fig, or mixed berry, etc.]
• fontina cheese

1. Do it up like any normal grilled cheese + cut into 1/4’s

Fontina may be my new favorite cheese…for serious!

Fancy jellies or jams…not sure…either way, delicious!

Pat + Nat [pretty!!]

Kurtz [Chris] and Hovan [John] wanted to model the food…

Hilarious.

Natalie got in on the model action too…total natural ;)

 

 

Kurtz lives right by a huge park in the city.  We walked there and hung out for a bit.  Kenna was with us for the day too.  The other 2 dogs were back at the house.  [They can let themselves out w/the doggie door, but Kenna stays in a cage so she can’t…which is why we brought her with]

Hubs + Kenna beans

A little ultimate frisbee. 

Funny pic..Kenna chilliin in the background

The frisbee is a little hard to spot at first. Left upper corner :)

Kenna made friends.

We got back and the girls had a photo session.  Chris was the photographer…super fun!

Ali, me, Ann, Natalie, Ann

“ate too much turkey” pose

“senior photo”

“who knows”

Kurtz + Hovan playin some tunes

Too many cooks in the kitchen!! 

Hi Ann!!

Ian with his awesome homemade bread.

amazingly.delicious.turkey.

Thanks to Ali + Hovan!  Jose, Kyle, Kostas made an awesome turkey too!

I’ve never had “in the turkey” stuffing before. OH MY oh my delicious!!!!!!!!!!!  I had a little bit of everything.  Natalie made realllly good green beans from the 101 cookbooks website.  Much better than the creamy beans with onions on top.  She also made this icy cranberry/sour cream/horseradish sauce that was really flavorful and contrasting to all the other flavors.  Super creamy mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, a few corn puddings, turkey + gravy.

The room was pretty dark so it was hard to get a good “plate” photo, but the this is still making my mouth water for more!

Ann made a great salad, with apples, walnuts, and gorgonzola…and a homemade dressing that was awesome!  I was so impressed with everyone’s cooking skills.  Each side thing was extremely delicious.  There were no Thanksgiving mishaps at all :) mmmm gooood!

serious.food.coma.

A little more music…

Kyle + Hovan

Pie time!!  peanut butter pie, chocolate pudding pie, and pumpkin pie

The pies were delicious and all completely from scratch.  I had a little slice of each ;)

The hidden chocolate layer was really good!!  I might increase the amount of chocolate from 1/3c. to 1/2c.  You couldn’t taste the sea salt I added on top.  I didn’t want to over do it, so next time i would probably add a 1/4tsp.      

Hand whipped, whipped cream!

 

Phew!!  This post took a looong time!  I had 200 photos to sort through and edit, but really enjoyed documenting the whole day/night.  After dessert, a crazy dance party ensued, in the kitchen.  We had pandora going off of Pat’s iPhone and it was pretty hysterical and fabulous.  It was an awesome Thanksgiving with friends and our first in Colorado!  The food was more than amazing and the whole day was just a lot of fun.

Did anyone get any good Black Friday deals today???  I went out for a bit with Laura…more on that soon!

GOODnight!

~Ashley

p.s. EYE joined Twitter…can you believe it?? It’s all the blog’s fault…it signed up without even asking me!!  Follow me!! “edibleASH”

appetizer bonanza

We’re going to Thanksgiving at our friend’s apartment in Denver, along with about 14 others!  I decided to make 3 different appetizers and a pie.  The stores weren’t too crowded this morning and everything I needed at Whole Foods, seemed to be on sale.  Score!!

1. Peanut Butter Pie – graham cracker crust + hidden chocolate layer
2. [Real Simple – Dec.] Prosciutto Crostini with a lemony fennel slaw
3. [Real Simple – Dec.] Spinach Artichoke Relish
4. [Real Simple – Dec.] Grilled Cheese with fontina + jam

Task #1 – Graham Cracker Crust

I didn’t want to break out the food processor to grind the graham crackers.  It’s in the basement packed up in a box.  So I decided I could crush them with a potato masher [ = FAIL]

These graham crackers were thicker than normal and I realized after I bought them that they were whole wheat.  I tried one and it was really interesting.  Much crunchier and heartier than the normal crumbly graham cracker.  At first, I kind of didn’t like them and was mad I bought them…but I ate another and thought the flavor + texture was great.  The masher definitely did not work!

The secret ingredient to making a good graham cracker crust, is HONEY!!

I decided to throw them in the blender…I forgot about the blender!!

I also thought I’d add a little cinnamon flavor.  About 1/2tsp went in.

• 2c. graham cracker crumbs
• 3T honey
• 1/2tsp. cinnamon
• 4-6T butter

The honey helps it hold together and I prefer the honey, instead of adding regular sugar which most recipes call for.

1. Grind graham crackers into crumbs.  Measure out 2c. into a medium bowl.
2. Add cinnamon
3. Melt butter in the microwave and pour in.
4. Add honey
5. Mix until completely combined.
6. Pour into a pan and press from the center of the pan out and work up the sides.  If it’s not holding together at all, it needs more butter.  I used 6T and it was probably a little more than enough. 
7. Let cool on the stove and chill in the fridge.

Bake at 375* for about 7 min.  Watch closely!

Pouring in the butter!! Yes, I use r.e.a.l. butttter.

Hidden Chocolate layer!!!

• 1/3c. dark choclate chunks/chips
• 2T milk
• 1/8tsp. fine grain sea salt

1. Microwave for 30sec. to start. Stir.
2. Put in for another 30sec until nice and smooth.
3. Spread in pan and top with salt.
4. Chill in fridge for 30min-1hr before putting the peanut butter filling in.

Can you see the salt? :)  Kelsey would be so proud!

No-bake peanut butter filling [beware - NOT guilt free!! ;)] This is enough for 1 – 9” pan but will have a little extra…

• 8oz. cream cheese
• 16oz. whipped cream
• 1c. creamy peanut butter
• 3/4c. powdered sugar
• 1c. milk [I JUST realized I forgot to put this in the pie!! ahhh…the filling still tasted really good though..oh well!!]

1. Beat cream cheese + powdered sugar.
2. Stir in peanut butter + milk. 
3. Beat in whipped cream.
4. Spread into pan

cheese + sugar

everything combined + smooth [except for the milk I forgot…doh!]

I think it will still be tasty…probably just a little thicker than it should have been ;)

I don’t typically use powdered sugar because of how highly processed it is.  It is made powdery by the addition of corn starch.  I try to keep highly processed corn products out of my diet.  But in this no bake recipe, regular sugar or sucanat [my favorite!] would not dissolve and would lead to a gritty texture.  Sometimes I make exceptions. 

This was organic and used tapioca starch instead of corn starch.

Adapted from Real Simple recipe – Dec. issue – Spinach Artichoke Relish

• 1 can artichoke hears, chopped
• 1c. spinach, chopped
• s+p
• 1/4c. shredded parm cheese
• 3T plain Greek yogurt
• 2T fresh lemon juice

1. Combine all ingredients until well combined.
2. Serve with fresh veggies + crackers.
3. Store in the fridge.

This recipe is great because you can make it the day before you want to eat it.  I changed the recipe from using mayo to using the yogurt.  It is super tangy and so so good.  It tastes really fresh and takes minutes to throw together.  I doubled the recipe because of how many people will be there.  The other awesome thing about this is it takes up no oven space, which is always nice around these food intensive holidays.

I bought some delicious Back to Nature – tarragon + thyme crackers that tasted great with this.  I cut up broccoli, celery, and carrots to dip as well.  Chris, Pat, and Natalie all tried it and gave it 2 thumbs up!  Super tasty and way more guilt free than the typical spinach/artichoke dip.

Adapted from Real Simple recipe – Dec. issue – Prosciutto Crostini with a lemony fennel slaw

• 1 baguette
• 4-6oz prosciutto
• 1 fennel bulb, finely chopped
• 1T lemon
• 1T olive oil
• s+p

1. Slice baguette on an angle in 1/4” thick slices.  I got about 32 slices from 1 baguette.
2. Preheat oven to 350* and spread a thin layer of olive oil on each slice or spray with olive oil from your Misto can [which I love!!]
3. Bake 10-15min until nice and crispy.
4. Combine chopped fennel, lemon, oil, s+p.
5. Cut prosciutto into strips that will fit well on the bread slices.

You can actually toast the baguette 1 day ahead of time, let cool and store in tupperware.  You can make the slaw as well but put together just before serving.

I’ll get more pics of the finished product tomorrow!

I’m also making the cheese/fruit grilled cheeses tomorrow when we get to the partay!  I cut the cheese ahead of time to make it a bit easier.

I feel like all of these recipes are super easy, even for the beginner cook, while they may seem quite fancy!  It’s also nice that you can make pretty much all of it ahead of time, and I only needed the oven once, to toast the bread.  That is pretty impressive for 3 apps and 1 pie! 

Let me know if you try any of them out :)

I made a green monster while cooking today.  It was deeelish!

• 2c. spinach
• 1 small banana
• 1 juicy pear
• 1/2T coconut butter
• 1/2T chia seeds

I made all gone….and loved every bit of it.  I took the photo but Chris wanted to edit this one.

Dinner was super simple because of all the daytime cooking.

• oven roasted fingerling potatoes
• pan sautéed brussel sprouts
• $.99 french boule loaf from WF!

The sprouts look burnt.  Don’t worry, they aren’t at all!  I sauté them with olive oil, s+p, for about 20+ min on med. low/med. and then hit them with a little balsamic at the end.  They get nice and caramelized and tad bit sweet.

so.good.

I’m EXhausted.  Goooodnight!

Happpppy turkey gobbler day!!!!  I might go black Friday shopping with Laura, so I might not get to post until Friday evening.  Stay tuned for our crazy 16 person feast :)

~Ashley