2011-A Year of Yum (Part 1).

I can't remember how this idea came about, but I'm going to attempt to dedicate my next few blog posts (which hopefully will be posted in a timely fashion) to revisiting some of my most beloved projects over this past year. The end of 2010 and into 2011 was a big year for me in the way of crafting and cooking, and much of that growth was due to the fact that I finally moved out of the dorms and into the 'Plex. I was forced to cook all of my meals and after eating a lot of the same things for the first few months I expanded my culinary wings and began to create original recipes, with the occasional input from Allrecipes.com or Martha Stewart (that gal knows a thing or two...). Now that I'm living at home at I've been blessed with my new best friend (aka my Pistachio KitchenAid mixer), I'm creating like I never have before!

I also discovered how little I eat meat and I've had SO much fun recently creating my own line of vegan breakfast cookies. One of my favorite things to do is to find a delicious recipe on the internet and then modify it to make it healthier. You can probably call me the Substitution Queen. I've learned a lot of little tricks and tips over this past year which have all served to make me more successful in the kitchen.

I should probably just shut up and starting posting pictures before I just keep going on and on about food...I could probably do that all day. So without further ado (drum roll please), I present to you a Year of Yum (and maybe a few crafty things here or there...)

Chocolate covered pretzels-a never fail party delight!

Nothing is more Christmasey than a pretty sugar cookie.

Chunky whole wheat bread. Great with natural peanut butter!

 

 

Strawberry-peach pie with a delicious whole wheat crust.

Chocolate peanut butter banana pie...3 of my very favorite things in life!

A heart shaped double layer lemon cake filled with a blueberry compote and topped with a sweet yogurt glaze!

There's a sugar cookie shape for every season

Homemade whole wheat buns topped with sunflower seeds-great with veggie burgers!

Strawberry peach crisp...can you tell I love this combination?

Homemade sushi-so much fun to make with friends!

The traditional Mother's Day breakfast-2011 featured whole wheat pancakes with a variety of toppings. I chose blueberries, bananas and honey. And ALWAYS coffee to drink.

Sorry for the bad quality picture, but this is raspberry ice box cake. So easy to make, yet SO yummy.

One of my most favorite (and popular) recipes-no bake Clif bars!

Burritos made with the besties!

Whole wheat blueberry almond bread. Perfect with coffee and a beautiful sunrise. 

French board for my mom's kitchen. A lot easier than I thought, and I was able to repurpose an old canvas frame to make it!

Black bean brownie, topped with plain yogurt-sounds odd, but it's SO good (and not bad for your waistline either!)

Veggie burger.

Veggie taco.

SUSHI (again...I just love it!)

And you can basically put whatever you want in it...mm-mmm.

Stay tune for part 2!

-xoxo