Moonshine Sweet Tea Cupcakes

It’s a good thing I didn’t start the new year off with healthy resolutions because the past few days have been all about cupcake making. (I have a hard life, I know). And I’m sorry to say that these aren’t low-sugar, low-carb, low-fat… although they are low in “shelf life” because they’re likely to disappear soon after you make them. Everything in moderation right? Remember this post about Moonshine Sweet Tea? Well it’s back, this time in cake form. These cupcakes are the perfect treat to cozy up with while you daydream about hot sunny days ahead. And – exciting news…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Miso Shiitake Soba Soup

A simple dashi is the base of this warming, healing miso soup. With lots of veggies, soba noodles & tofu, it's hearty enough to be a meal on its own.

winter / vegan / gluten free

To all of you who are snowed in… this is my attempt to send warm thoughts through the computer screen. It’s not exactly balmy here, but it’s a far cry from the -11 degrees my weather widgets (and text message updates from my mom) are showing for tomorrow’s Chicago’s forecast. Yikes… This soup is full of warming healing ingredients (shiitakes, ginger, miso, etc.)… and would be the perfect thing if you’re under the weather, figuratively or quite literally. If you need more soup recipe ideas, try this ginger miso soup, this many-veggie soup, or this vegan tomato soup!

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Collard Wraps with Carrot Hummus

Sneak more veggies into your lunch with these addictive collard green wraps! The crisp leaves surround a creamy, bright spiced carrot hummus.

vegan / gluten free / healthy

Put down those tortillas, this year is the year of collard green wraps! Ok, I’m totally kidding. I could never give up tortillas, and I wouldn’t expect you to either. But in the spirit of all things lighter and brighter, we’re wrapping things up in leafy greens… In order to make collard green wraps exciting, a punchy, flavorful filling is a must. I had these pretty red carrots, which made me think of this Harissa Carrot Hummus recipe I had recently seen from Aida Mollenkamp. I took a few liberties, (mostly because I was too lazy to go look up the actual recipe). Among other things, I pan-roasted…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Superfood Sunshine Orange Smoothie

Brighten up your morning & boost your immune system with this superfood orange smoothie packed with ginger, goji berries, hemp seeds & citrus!

vegan / gluten free / almond breeze

Happy almost new year! I don’t know about you, but I’m sure ready to start eating a little bit lighter and brighter. And of course, “healthy” in my book doesn’t mean bland and boring… quite the opposite. In the middle of winter,* I find myself craving bright orange and red foods… so here’s a sunny smoothie I made to brighten up winter mornings and give my immune system a boost. Orange Smoothie Ingredients Oranges – Of course, oranges are essential here. Because winter is citrus season, I use lemons, limes, grapefruit, and oranges as much as I can. As an…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Pistachio Goji Berry Granola

Have you ever made granola on the stove? Try it once, and you won't go back! I love eating this easy 15-minute granola over yogurt or on its own.

vegan / gluten free / snacks & dips

Every time I make granola I remember why I shouldn’t make granola. We have no self-control when it comes to it. This is my favorite version yet… and I can attest to that because right after I made it, Jack and I stood at the kitchen counter and ate it all. Bit by “just a little bit more,” this (our photography subject) disappeared. The good news: It’s quick and easy, so 15 minutes later, we were ready to roll with a second batch. The trick – make it on the stovetop. I know, it sounds wrong, but it’s so so…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Christmas

holiday / breakfast

Merry almost-Christmas morning, let the brunching begin! Here are a few of our favorite breakfast-ey recipes… sweet, savory, and even a little bit healthy: recipes pictured above: Blueberry Banana Pancakes / Mango Salsa Waffle Kale Pesto Scramble / Vegan French Toast Blackberry Lemon Cake / Flaxseed Waffles Migas Breakfast Tacos / Matcha Vanilla Smoothies some other deliciousness around the web: World’s Easiest Cinnamon Rolls from Minimalist Baker Slow-Cooked Kale Omelettes from Sprouted Kitchen Cranberry Orange Scones from The Faux Martha Banana Baked French Toast from Cookie + Kate Cornbread Pancakes with Maple-Lemon Curd from Naturally Ella Gingerbread Buckwheat Cake from Edible Perspective

TO THE POST >>>>

Minty Pomegranate Spritzer

winter / holiday / cocktail

My favorite part about the holidays: Getting together with friends and having an excuse to indulge just a little too much. We can all resolve to be better in January… until then, let’s have that extra cookie or three, and by all means pop that prosecco! This is one of my favorite cocktails to make at home. I make a quick simple syrup and let it steep with handfuls of fresh mint….combine it with vodka, pomegranate juice, prosecco, and then finish it off with a squeeze of lemon. It’s not too sweet, and it’s just a little tart – exactly…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Coconut Rice with Kale & Edamame

A healthy, creamy and spicy rice dish with lemongrass, garlic and lime juice. Vegan and gluten free.

vegan / gluten free / favorite

This one might be a stretch in the holiday-food category… but hey, it’s green and it’s red… I figure Christmas Coconut Rice has to be a tradition somewhere in the world right? This holiday season was a little different for us – we just got back from a winter wonderland of a week in Chicago, so our family festivities are pretty much over. We filled up on pizza, cheesecake, and all sorts of other indulgences… suffice it to say I’m ready to lighten things up a little bit early this year. Coconut rice is one of my favorite things… it’s…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Sweet Potato (vegan) Alfredo

winter / vegan

Less really is more… it’s a lesson I don’t think I’ll ever fully learn. For example, I often get flustered about what to make to post here. I’ll change my mind on my way to the grocery store and then change it another few times on my way home. This is a ridiculous (& expensive) habit because I end up buying way too much so I have options on hand to suit my indecisiveness. (Although, it all does get eaten eventually). Every now and then I come up with something out of nothing, and those almost always end up being…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Avocado & Pomegranate Crostini

Avocado, pomegranate and feta make a pretty holiday appetizer crostini.

holiday / appetizers

‘Tis the season for sugary, buttery treats… but as you may know, I’m not big on butter. I’m also not particularly good at holiday traditions… Maybe it’s the Austin influence, but I love anything with avocado. I made this glorified guacamole and I think the little pomegranate gems make it especially festive. Only thing missing in this picture is a merry Christmas margarita. For a healthier version, this would be delicious on endive spears. For a less healthy (but gluten free) version, feel free to break out the tortilla chips.

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Maple Cornbread Muffins

Rosemary & maple make these easy cornbread muffins lightly sweet & cozy-tasting. I love to serve them at Thanksgiving or with a big bowl of chili.

fall / vegan / almond breeze

Move over, dinner rolls, and make way for… cornbread muffins! Maybe it’s my Midwestern background, but I love corn, especially in this sweet & savory corn muffin recipe. My Cornbread Muffin Recipe Ingredients In my opinion, good cornbread should be golden & crumbly and walk the line between sweet and savory. These corn muffins do just that. Here’s what I use to make them healthy & delicious: Maple syrup sweetens them naturally and adds depth of flavor to this corn muffin recipe. Rosemary flecks them with green and brings its cozy, fresh wintry taste. Canola oil or olive oil is…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.