graduation cupcakes

via Mix Cupcake Co. in Reno, NV

Fresh Veggie Turkey Meatloaf

This is my version of the conglomerate of a few different turkey meatloaf recipes! Enjoy :)

INGREDIENTS:
20 oz ground turkey
1/2 cup ground oats or substitute (I prefer Bob's Red Mill Organic High Fiber Cereal)
1 small onion diced
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup finely diced mushrooms
1/2 cup stemmed & shredded spinach
1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley
1/2 cup chunky marinara sauce
1 teaspoon pepper
1 egg
1 egg white
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

DIRECTIONS:
1. Thoroughly combine all ingredients
2. Place in a greased 9.5"x4.5" loaf pan, or similar
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 min
4. (Optional) In last 5 minutes drizzle top of loaf w/ additional marinara sauce or suggested gravy.
*Serving Suggestion (as pictured): Serve with McCormick Country Peppered Gravy, prepare as directed on package & add some sauteed veggies (green pepper, onion, mushrooms, etc)

San Francisco Fillmore Posters

The lost art of the well-designed gig poster -
A few of my faves:









via Fillmore SF on facebook

FREE Mother's Day Card & Envelope Download

Make your own Mother's Day card & envelope! Images print beautifully to any black & white printer:

CARD:
1. Click on card image above to open the full size version
2. Right click to save as (mac users - ctrl click) to your desktop
3. Open the image & print to the 8.5"x11" cardstock of your choosing
4. Cut using the crop marks as your guide. (A ruler & xacto knife works best)
5. Fold in half




A-7 ENVELOPE:
1. Click on each envelope image above to open the full size version
2. Right click to save as (mac users - ctrl click) to your desktop
3. Open the image & print to each on the 8.5"x11" text weight paper of your choosing
4. Cut on the solid grey lines
5. Glue 1st area, as marked
6. Fold up bottom flap & glue 2nd area, as marked
7. Fold on all other dotted lines (see diagram for examples)
8. Enjoy your fab, hand-crafted card & envelope!

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY ETSY SHOP: sierraPRINT!

margarita cupcakes

Happy Cinco de Mayo - for those who want to get their margarita fix w/out the hangover:

Margarita Cupcakes
(from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World)

1/4 cup lime juice
1 1/2 tsp lime zest (1 lime)
1 cup soy milk (plain or vanilla)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp tequila
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Fill a 12-cup muffin tin with liners.
In a large bowl, mix together lime juice, lime zest, soy milk, oil , tequila, vanilla and sugar.
In a small bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add to lime mixture and stir until just combined. Divide evenly into muffin tins.
Bake for 20-24 minutes, until a tester comes out clean and the cakes spring back when lightly pressed. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Tequila and Lime Frosting
1/4 cup butter or nonhydrogenated shortening, softened
1 tbsp soymilk
3 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp tequila
2+ cups confectioners’ sugar
coarse sugar for “rims”

Cream together shortening, soymilk, lime juice, tequila, and 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar. Add in more sugar as needed to make frosting stiff, but spreadable. Spread on cupcakes and roll the edges in a small amount of coarse, colored sugar (poured into a small bowl, so it’s easy to direct it).

(via hostessblog.com)

in progress: abstract painting

I've been back to painting again & here is a work-in-progress of a new abstract piece, which I'm a tad bit excited about:

friday luvs

turquoise foil stamping on black cover stock as seen here via ohsobeautifulpaper


from my etsy shop: sierraPRINT


b-day card from inkandiron on etsy


hand-thrown berry bowl from vesselsandwares on etsy


PALM SPRINGS (soooo my next road trip!!!)

the Ace Hotel, Palm Springs


from this photo shoot at greylikesweddings


mixed media from alex kopps

peach sorbet

*can be made w/ or w/out an ice cream maker*

The recipe below is very basic and can be adapted a number of ways. Use an ice cream maker--or do without. A mixture of summer fruits can be added for variety. The riper and softer the peaches the better; their natural sweetness reduces the need for added sugar. It’s best to start with less sugar and increase it to taste. The alcohol in the liqueur resists freezing so the end result is less icy and softer in texture, but omit it if preferred—it will work just fine.

PEACH SORBET

6 medium, very ripe fresh peaches, peeled and cut into chunks
1/2 cup +/- sugar
2 TBS Peach Schnapps (or liqueur of your choice)
2 TBS fresh squeezed lime juice
Water

How to Make Peach Sorbet

1. Place all ingredients except water into a food processor and pulse until finely chopped into a course emulsion.
2. Taste and add sugar as needed.
3. With the cover on and the processor running, trickle water through the feeder tube until the mixture is thick and smooth.
4. Transfer to a container, cover tightly.
5. To make sorbet with an ice cream maker, chill the mixture thoroughly and follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions.
6. To make sorbet without an ice cream maker, place the mixture in the freezer for 3-4 hours.
7. Check the texture of the sorbet. If it is icy or grainier than desired, remove from the freezer and using a food processor or blender, blend again until smooth.
8. Refreeze for 30 minutes or longer before serving.

link to this recipe

rock & roll will save your life

I need to read this book immediately...

get it here on Amazon

2 DIY's - burned flowers & make your own lotion

DIY: burned flowers: view the full set of directions here - via 100 layer cake

get some inspiration from this lime green satin rosette from nimblergrove on etsy
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DIY: make your own lotion: view the full set of directions here - via designsponge

white frames & ribbon

via wemetinabar.com

stocking the fridge

(via 'The Perfect Refrigerator" from Eat This, Not That)

WILD SALMON

One of the world's healthiest foods, with lots of lean protein and sky-high concentrations of omega-3s. Power Play: Place a 4-ounce fillet, some cherry tomatoes, and sliced fennel in the center of a foil sheet. Top with olive oil, salt, and pepper and seal. Bake at 400°F for 12 minutes.

RED PEPPERS
Red peppers supply more cancer-fighting lycopene and 60 percent extra immunity-boosting vitamin C than their green kin. Power Play:Roasting concentrates the pepper's flavor. After charring on the grill or under the broiler, put them in a sealed paper bag to sweat. When they cool, the skin will come off easily.

KALE

For 18 calories a serving you get monster doses of vitamins like A, C, and K and a rush of phytonutrients. Power Play:Sauté kale over medium heat with olive oil, sliced garlic, and a pinch of red chile flakes. Finish with a splash of balsamic vinegar before serving.

GREEK YOGURT

The watery whey is removed from this Greek-style yogurt, giving it a creamy texture and a huge dose of protein. Power Play: Mix a cup of yogurt with minced garlic, fresh parsley, and a glug of olive oil for a healthy sauce for grilled protein.

EGGS

No longer food taboo, protein-dense eggs should be a staple in every fridge. A recent study from Thailand found that eggs actually help raise good HDL cholesterol. Power Play: Hard-boil half a dozen eggs at a time so they're on hand for snacks or to give salads a protein lift. They'll keep in the fridge for a week.

SALSA

The best-tasting 10 calories in the market. Power Play: Try three salsa swaps at the table: on baked potatoes (instead of sour cream), on eggs (instead of ketchup), and on salad (instead of ranch).

Here's a great recipie: (via foodgeekery)

• 1 Red Onion (diced)
• 1 Serrano Pepper (minced)
• 2 Tomatillos (diced)
• 5 Garlic Cloves (minced)
• 5 Vine Tomatoes (medium sized, seeded, diced)
• 8 Plum Tomatoes (small, seeded, diced)
• Handful of Cilantro (or to taste, chopped)
• Juice of 2 Limes
• Salt & Pepper (to taste)
• 1 Tbs Olive Oil

• Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Make sure everything is well combined together.
  2. Let sit at least 30 min (overnight is best).
  3. Eat! (makes about 6 cups)

RED DELICIOUS APPLES

USDA researchers found that Red Delicious apples have a higher antioxidant capacity than other apples. Power Play: Leave the peeler in the drawer. The skin contains a good chunk of apple's antioxidants and fiber.

BROCCOLI SPROUTS

These diminutive broccoli sprouts have 20 times more cancer-fighting sulforaphane than their grown-up counterparts. Power Play: Add to sandwiches, scrambled eggs, salads, and soups.

APPLE BUTTER

A 100 percent apple spread that gives your toast a fruity bite without the sugar found in most jams. Power Play: Swirl into cottage cheese with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT JUICE

Researchers determined that red grapefruit juice contains more nutrients per calorie than grape and apple juices. It also contains less sugar than OJ. Power Play: For a light vinaigrette, mix 2 tablespoons grapefruit juice with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, and 1/4 cup avocado oil.