This morning I woke up certain that I was still dreaming. A glimpse outside revealed a slate sky heavy with anticipation, a thick-striped greenbelt under the window screaming words like verdant and lush that have become few and far between on the West Coast. And then: the staticky buzz of cicadas, audible even over the light hum of the outer belt. Ah, yes. The midwest. Again. It’s no dream. More years ago than I care to count, Chris and I packed up our tiny college apartment just outside of downtown San Luis Obispo and dove (or rather drove) into a … Read More
Mexican Mocha Fudge Pops (vegan) — for Popsicle Week!

In case you’ve been snoozing under a rocksicle, it’s Popsicle Week all over the interwebs, and things are getting frenzied. Nicole made a popsicle that tastes like FREAKING THAI PEANUT SAUCE, for crying out loud. I think she might have just secured her spot as my new bff, which I’m almost certain was her intent when she was like, I’m gonna make me an ice pop that’ll taste real good with some cilan-lan on top. Ok, the cilan-lan was me. But I’d like her even more if she said it. (Do it, Nicole. It’s a fun time.) Should we talk … Read More
Pineapple-Mint Coconut Water Frappé (vegan, paleoish)

This morning I woke up with sunshine practically pouring out of ears, my heart lighter ‘an air and a serious spring in my step. It’s summer, you guys. Not almost summer or might as well be summer but the real thing. Warm. Glorious. And my day planner Google Cal is finally awash with long, sleepy weekends, fancy pants dinners and aeroplane travel to places near and far. Columbus, Las Vegas, Puerto Vallarta. Tahoe, Mammoth — and, if I can swing it, maybe even a late summer roadtrip through the Pacific Northwest. It’s a lot in a little time, and before I know it, … Read More
Roasted Rhubarb & Strawberry Compote

Oh what’s up, dudesies. Fancy seeing you here. I thought you might have flown the coop since it’s been all crickets and cobwebs up in these parts lately. And by these parts I mean the blog. This blog. Not those parts. Oh dear, and now we’re talking about cobwebby parts when we should be talking about just about anything else. Like the impressive flip-flop tan I accrued last week. See, the Inland Empire is hot as farts. Sunshiny, too. And a literal hotspot of boutiquey fruit vendors tempting passersby with baskets of red, sun-warmed berries and candy sweet stone fruit. Squishy … Read More
Roasted Beet Soup with Garam Masala & Green Garlic Cream

I did it again. It’s getting dangerously close to 90 degrees outside, and here I am talking about soup. I feel like we’ve been here once before. Ah, yes, the Famous Cheesy Broccoli Soup of Spring 2014. Jeez, it wasn’t even that long ago. But this time is different. This time, I know you guys will forgive me. Because look at this soup. Its supremely lovely hue. That hypnotic swirl of green garlic cream that begs of you to put down the remote…pick up the spoon…you are not Olivia Pope…you are not Olivia Pope…you ARE NOT Olivia Pope… I suppose now might … Read More

