Pumpkin Challenge Days 1 - 5

Day 1: Pumpkin Banana Bread

This delicious and vegan recipe was pulled from Hidden Fruits and Veggies! It turned out great, and I chalk that up to an excellent recipe... But how could it turn out any other way when it is full of chocolate chips?

Day 2: Pumpkin Chai Latte

A favourite staying-in go-to of mine for the pumpkin challenge! Made with Tassimo chai concentrate, warm almond milk, and large heaping spoonfuls of pumpkin puree with cinnamon on top. I chose to top this mug with coconut-milk whipped cream (if you have not tried it before, vegan/dairy-free or not, YOU SIMPLY MUST).

Day 3: Pumpkin Pizza

This pumpkin pizza was made for our house-warming pizza party last week! It was inspired by this recipe from Taste.com, but shares few similarities, as I was using pumpkin puree. According to those that ate it, it was a success! I replaced pizza sauce with pumpkin puree and topped it with cauliflower, spinach, caramelized onions, and rosemary. I believe that the original recipe would definitely be worth going back to and making according to the instructions!

Day 4: Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

My sources tell me that these cute muffins were light and delicious, and their easily approachable size make them super snacks. The recipe comes from Southern In Law, and is one I would turn to for light desserts or party treats in the future!

Day 5: Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Day 5 was a day of rushing around and realizing: Oh no! I don't have a pumpkin thing yet! From that, you get: Pumpkin puree turned pasta sauce. I quickly heated the puree in a pan and mixed it with a few spices, including curry powder, and threw it on some pasta with asparagus before heading to work - admittedly not my greatest creation, but it did taste good despite its hasted creation!

Kizzy's Macarons

Recently, I was asked to take product shots for a BC-based company called Kizzy's Macarons.

"So what you're saying is... You want to hire me to do food photography...?

OKAY."

That was how that conversation went. I would like to share a few of the photos I took and encourage you to check out Kizzy's if you want to have some fun treats at a party or gift yourself/a friend with some delicious, local goodies.

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How can you not throw a cat photo in there if you've got it?

Look at that face! He loved the macarons, too.

For more photography, check out my Facebook page here!

Spring: The First Few Weeks

The last week has been fun!

And full of food adventures.

Since my first day at work, just over a week ago, I have declined two job interviews on account of being unable to commit to the hours of the position if it were offered to me, I attended a day of rodeo fun, and I got my 'Wack fix!

Before I continue, I will provide some photographic updates of my food adventures in the first week or so of being off school...

Strawberry-infused H2O.

A delicious salad from Town Hall.

Mom's vegan casserole!

Mom's eggy breakfast with Daiya
cheese and veggies for me!

Vegetarian "chicken" fillet with
mushroom gravy and yummyness.

This is Abby Cadabby, she has been my amiga through most mornings and evenings at home! She carries my tea.

Cyrina's first experience at The Naam -
Thai Dragon Bowl-style.

Mother's Day - SUSHI!

Making copious amounts of juice with MZ and G!

The weeks have progressed with some much-needed friend visits (more are needed, though), a great deal of catching up on TV shows, missing my fella', going on a few adventures and touring friends around my home turf...

The uncertainty of the future with my current job is somewhat exciting, despite the fact that it is a bit unnerving. I think it will involve many learning curves and a lot of delicious baking - that sounds like a good deal to me either way...

The flexibility also gives the the chance to explore my summer opportunities a bit more! I can go on little trips, get in my friend and family time, and establish my incoming-residence-advisor presence at school over the summer (at go to Summer Community Eats). 

All-in-all, things are going well and while I've turned away from a couple of different opportunities, I am also going into one that is very interesting and full of nice company and yummy treats! I am also content with my decision to stay at home, as it has been very rejuvenating to be here.

More photo updates will come (along with some stories, I hope!) following a trip to see m'boy and to explore Seattle and Portland with G! This hasn't been a very in-depth update, but it has been more of a time to be laid-back and to take it easy than to do too much in-depth exploration and thinking.

Vegan Vices - Day 1 Photos

Dining/Employment Discovery: Vegan Vices!

My first job offer has arrived! It doesn't strike me as the average summer job for a student, though - nor the average internship. However, I am very excited to be a part of what could be a formative summer for Vegan Vices - a manufacturer of healthy, gluten-free, vegan baked goods! 

I am excited to learn a little bit about business, a lot more about baking (of the healthy, animal-product-free variety), and to test my ability to think creatively and help expose the world to the deliciousness that is Vegan Vices (I've been fortunate enough to sample several items already).

Double-chocolate chip cookies, key-lime cookies, peanut butter pucks,
chocolate chip banana bread, and Chi Cake - all vegan/healthy/gluten free!

More updates to come with more shifts and adventures.

Weekend of March 14 - 16: Wine, Pie, and Comedy

Appetizer dish with
Moscato D'asti - Batasiolo Bosc 11/12

The weekend began with Vine Fest - GD's wine-tasting event which featured four wines and an array of cheeses, breads, meats, and fruits to snack on and pair with the drinks available. 




As it was March 14 (03/14), it was also a night to celebrate pi(e)! To do so, he and I made our way to Aphrodite's Organic Cafe and Pie Shop to indulge in a small dinner and amazing dessert; I was finally able to try one of their chocolate pies! I always miss the boat on those ones by the end of the day when they have sold out.

(Vegan) Gnocci with sunchokes and hazelnut pesto.

(Vegan) Chocolate pecan pie!

In the rain on Saturday, NT and I made our way to the Vancouver Winter Farmer's Market to indulge in many-a-sample item and purchase a couple of treats from local vendors with their seasonal specialties up for grabs!

How to choose?

 

I didn't feel too hot on Saturday for the day's entirety, so some kitchen therapy resulted in a triple batch of Chocolate Covered Katie chocolate chip cookies and a happier spirit (to make up for both a less-than-content stomach and an achey head).

Homemade plantain chips!

We finished off the weekend with a comedian's show downtown and walked in with a beautiful sunset backdrop to the downtown nightlife just beginning to shine.