Food Blog Review: Gluten-Free but Good Anyway!

Yes, it's certainly been a while, but some changes in my life demanded my attention and sewing got unceremoniously pushed to the back burner.  Eating never does, however! I am always interested in healthy and creative foods to try and blogs are a great avenue through which to find dishes you never would have thought of before (or you can't really get in a restaurant).  

I have discovered a couple food blogs lately that I am completely obsessed with and cook from voraciously (and eat the same way)!  A Navy friend suggested I check out The Edible Perspective for the photography and general food blog awesomeness.  Am I glad I did!  Her photography is beautiful, and I have found some recipes that I adore.  

All her recipes are gluten-free, which doesn't matter a whit to me personally, but I appreciate a bit of variety in the way I eat and experimenting with new ingredients (rice flour? millet? why not?).  I made this first; it is an amazing use for millet: Kale Frittata with Millet Crust.  I grew kale for the first time this past winter, and it went crazy!   We are filling every pot with kale for sure.  

A-mazing!  Creamy egg frittata with lots of veggies and the millet crust is addictive

I had a hankering for another kale use and our home-grown oranges, so this Quinoa Kale Salad was perfect!

Citrusy and delicious!

I am also a new fan of chia seeds.  These little nutritional powerhouses are amazing at thickening anything, and this Strawberry Lemon Chia Curd is an amazing raw curd with an unbelievable flavor and texture.  And of course I had to make it with the gluten-free doughnuts she came up with.

Beautiful and oh so tasty!  Tart and comforting.

I've also made her White Pizza Quinoa Casserole (comfort food personified without the guilt!) and the chocolate layer of her Gluten-free Birthday Cake to make an ice-cream birthday cake for a friend.  She has a gluten-free doughnut cookbook out also!  Her recipes are easy, hearty, and comforting, and she makes food look so delectable!  

Beware the Flying Purple People Eater!: A Simple Dress Refashion

I got this dress at the shop for a song.  It reminds me of something an 80's-era kindergarten teacher would wear.  I actually really liked all the pleating on the front, but this thing was just too big and frumpy.  It also has those kind of lame two strips that you tie in the back (why not just make it fit in the first place?).  

Swallowing me up!

 Removed the sleeves (hello Florida summer), created a v-neck in the front, took it in on the sides, shortened it, and here is what I ended up with!  I took those strips and tied them in the front instead to give a more defined waist.

Light and summery!

 I took this little dress and my hubbie and we enjoyed a PaintNite experience together.  It was a good time (especially since he admits to very few artistic experiences beyond childhood drawing).

Beer, Thai Food, and paint makes for a great time!

Here are our creations.

               

 

We also enjoyed the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens on their free Tuesday evening.

Just chillin' with my gargoyle cause that's what we do

An easy refashion just in time for the summer heat!  Cheers!

Back in Black (and Khaki): A Dress Refashion

Aaaaaaaand we're back, folks (at least until things get too crazy again).   Getting through the end of school and some mad paperwork, I just couldn't muster any enthusiasm or energy to get anything done (beyond whatever was absolutely necessary), but now it's almost over and I am ready to move forward!  I found this dress at the shop for a few bucks and man, is that an unattractive fit or what?  

In mirror cat photo bomb

You can't really tell in this picture, but this dress has a nice detail that gets lost in so much fabric.  Time to remove some!

One Dress How Many Ways? Too Soon to Tell

I found this little gem at the shop for one dollah.

Frump-tastic!

 It's not so bad overall; just so not my style.  I'm planning a series of refashions with this little piece, but the first one will definitely go down as the easiest.  You can't tell very well in the picture above, but this dress is one piece and a dark purple.

Plummy!

First I got out the only tool needed for this refashion.

Yes, I label my scissors.  My husband appreciates it.

 All I did was cut the lining that was keeping the top attached to the skirt and voila!

Ready for school on a misty morning

The top was very comfortably unfitted overall, but wasn't hanging like a tent or anything, so I felt I could just go with it.  Let's see what else I can make out of this one piece, shall we?

Chalk it up to Caprice: A Storage Container Upgrade

I have been known to frequent the Whole Foods bulk section, which touts a variety of fun self-serve ingredients that one ceremoniously puts into some beautiful plastic bags (to recycle later).  Normally, I would get some of my faves and then have these plastic bags languishing all over the counter (a space I can't afford to give up to anything superfluous).  I was perusing Michael's the other day (looking fruitlessly for a silicon loaf pan, where have they all gone?) and saw some cute containers with chalkboard fronts (too small and not airtight enough to be too useful).  I thought I could perform the same treatment on containers of my choice to house my dry goods!  

Smorgasbord of Containment

 I got three OXO modular POP containers at TJMaxx and then supplemented with some more containers from Bed Bath & Beyond (with coupons in hand, dontcha know?).  All were hand-washed and they were ready to go.  I got a  little sponge brush and a container of blackboard paint from ye olde Michael's and free handed some rectangles on the fronts.

Gettin' the cure

 I did three thin even coats with an hour in between and left them to cure for a full 24 hours before attacking them with chalk.

Labeled and in charge

 Always prime your chalkboard with chalk before trying to write on it.  Now my containers are filled, my counters are empty, and my whim is free to run wild!  Three cheers for impermanent labeling!  Hip hip Hooray!  Hip hip (fill in cheer here)! Hip hip (you know what to do)!

Airtight and all smiles

Evolution of a Blog

A new year is upon us, and in line with the regenerative spirit that provides, I have been considering this blog.   So far this blog has had two iterations of sorts: a DIY-house-into-a-home type and a refashioning-old-into-sorta-new type.   I have recently (since last summer) abandoned the DIYing in lieu of a new hobby, and I find myself yet again pulled in another direction.  I'm a little worried my blog is having an identity crisis, but I think that in itself may be the point of it.  Not to facilitate crises of existence, but rather to reflect a constantly evolving individual.

2007

I'm a phase-y person.  This is why I have a craft room stuffed to the gills (that is also leaking into other portions of the house) with various implements of my myriad interests.  I've made soap, remade furniture, made some pieces from scratch, made lawn games, cross-stitched, sewn handbags and zippered bags, refashioned clothes, painted in watercolors, fabric painted, made jewelry, created artwork, photoshopped artwork, gardened, dabbled in writing a novel (for about a hot second), baked and cooked, made artisanal marshmallows, made candles, updated cabinets, painted a countertop, done some plumbing, redone almost all the lighting in my house, stenciled a wall (2 actually), tiled, trimmed, painted, stained, and probably many other endeavors I've forgotten (just remembered a stamping and embossing phase).  And no, I do not have ADD.  With all these interests, how can I expect myself to pick one avenue through which this blog can meander?

2010

In light of that, I've decided that this blog will be a space that reflects my ever-changing interests, and I'm happy with that.  I might lose readers (not many to lose overall), but I'm not making any money from this blog or depending on it for my income or brand so no big deal.  These are just ideas that I like to share so someone else might be inspired to do something that makes them happier and/or healthier or accomplish a tiny step towards improving the environment or world.  So, in the future there may be more cooking posts or DIY posts mixed in, and later there may be something else that tickles the fancy of this somewhat capricious author.  But despite all that, I hope you'll check in on me from time to time anyway to see what's up.

2013

Cheers,
Allison

Midweek Munchies: Protein-Packed Granola

I am always looking for more ways to incorporate oats into my life.  I think I might actually have a pillow with that on it somewhere, but anyway, besides the standard oatmeal (which is never really standard when there are so many ways to juge it up) and smoothie (usually Martha's with strawberries and no honey), I like granola as an option.  I'm always trying to incorporate protein into breakfast more (in lieu of just sugar-laden things), so I morphed some different ingredients and methods into a pretty decent protein-esque granola.  

Eat me, Seymour

Protein Granola
makes about 6-8 cups

Active preparation time: 20 minutes
Waiting time: 1 hour 15 min

Ingredients:
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup almonds (whole, chopped, or slivered)
1 cup pecans (whole)
1 cup coconut (unsweetened is a must, in bigger curls instead of shreds from a good source is a plus)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup (the real stuff)
1/4 cup coconut oil (or canola)
2/3 cup protein powder (I use an organic whey protein powder from Whole Foods)
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or extract)
dried or freeze-dried fruit of choice (I used freeze-dried strawberries and bananas here)

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Place the protein powder, brown sugar, maple syrup, coconut oil, and salt in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until well combined and just coming to a bubble.
2. Add the vanilla and take off the heat to cool a minute.
3. Place the oats, nuts, and coconut in a large bowl and toss to combine.
4.  Pour the wet mixture onto the dry and mix thoroughly, getting some of the mix on every oat if possible, and spread the mixture evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even golden brown color (and avoid burning).
6.  Remove and let cool completely. Add whatever dried fruit, if any, and store in an airtight container for about 2 weeks (if it lasts that long).

I particularly enjoy this granola over Greek yogurt for a satisfying breakfast.  This is still on the sugary side of breakfast, but it gets some healthy protein and fats in there, too.  Hope you give it a try!

Reuse, Recycle, and Repurpose: Refashion Scrap Upgrade

So I've gone to acupuncture a couple times (love it!) and the lady uses an eye pillow to block out light and help me relax.  I decided I was in love and had to make my own.  I found a couple remnants from prior refashions and tested the material out.  

Remnants! 

 The Asian-style fabric from this post had the best weight and feel so I went with that one first.  I used an old bill envelope to act as my pattern for my eye pillow.

Repurpose and Recycle!

 I cut out the pieces, pinned the right sides together, and sewed all the way around, leaving a hole to turn the rectangle inside out.

Surprisingly straight stitching, the sewing muse must have been on my side

 The one the acupuncturist uses has flax seed and lavender, but I have arborio rice and lavender for mine.  Some of you may cringe at the idea of using a slightly more expensive type of rice in this, but I am past my risotto-making days (health stuff, right?) and it is what I had on hand, so it doesn't bother me.  For any future ones, I will just get some cheap long-grain rice.

Couple tablespoons lavender in a small bowl of rice.

 I filled the pillow about halfway full and sewed up the end with a cute little zigzag stitch.

I love love love this thing! I saw some posts online about putting it in the microwave to warm the bed, and it works like a charm!  I put it in for about one and a half minutes, and slip it in the bed where my feet go.  It is heavenly in these cold months, especially with hard floors.  When it cools down a bit (it's quite hot, so I wouldn't put it directly on skin or you'll burn yourself), it is also lovely around the neck or on the stomach.  It's also useful as an eye pillow!  I've used it a couple times for the meditation portion of a yoga session.  My husband is already clamoring for one, and I will definitely make some smaller matching ones to use as hand warmers during the next soccer season.  One fun way to reuse refashioning scraps!  

Super Bowl Dress: Linebacker to Chic

Sorry for the hiatus!  My craft room spent some time looking like this...

De-carpeted

...which is not conducive to much in the way of crafting.  It was a necessary evil to get to this.

New laminate floors!

Admittedly, this room still needs work, but it's close enough for me to sew a couple quick stitches and get a post together.  Here we go.

I found this dress at a Goodwill for a few dollars.  

You can see the old carpet in the mirror!  

Something about the stripe and the huge shoulder pads made me think I looked like a football player.  

I obviously don't know what football players generally look like

My first two steps (my favorite!) were to remove the monstrous pads o'shoulder and those sleeves.  

Sleeve 22! Sleeve 22! Hut hut!

 I threw the dress on my form (dress form mimicking my form) and took it in a bit on the sides.  Finished the sleeve holes (didn't even need to hem this one) and voila!

I like the almost cap sleeve

 Now it's a simple blue shift dress with a fun stripe detail, not an over-sized football uniform.  I paired this with a cardigan (it is winter, don't ya know?) and some $5 thrifted heels for school.

My shoes compliment the new floor!

Have a wonderful week and go team of choice in the Super Bowl on Sunday!

Cowl Like a Wolf: A Sweater to Skirt Refashion

I found this cowl-tastic sweater at the shop for a few bucks.

Yikes!

 I liked the cable-knit texture and color of this sweater, but the fit up top was horrendous!  The neck was pretty out of control, too.

Peek-a-boo!

Time to gift this sweater with a new life for the holiday season!

Scallops for Thanksgiving: An Attached Jacket/Dress Refashion

There is a special place in my heart for this dress; someone really tried to design something spectacular.  Unfortunately, on me, this just didn't cut it.  

Can't stop looking at scalloped edge...

 Yes, that is a scalloped edge to the jacket attached to the skirt; yes, those are ties for the back; yes, those sleeves have some puff; and yes, that material is frankly awesome.  This dress deserves an up-do.

Shell See Ya Later! : A Designing Women Dress Refashion

Wow, it has been so hectic with soccer practice and games, grading, midterm creating, and Thanksgiving and D.C. trip preparing!  Winter may be a once a week time; at least until soccer is over.  Anyway, I can totally imagine one of the cast of Designing Women full of then-hip ladies dressing to the nines for work everyday wearing this dress.  That was a terrible sentence, but I'm sticking with it.   

Danger Will Robinson!

This dress, unfortunately, was not doing anything remotely favorable for me. What to do with this monstrosity?

The Dress is Wider than the Sky: A Too Big Dress Refashion

That line is originally talking about the brain (thank you Emily Dickinson), but it seemed appropriate in this moment.  This dress, which is a lovely Ann Taylor, makes me look oh so wide.  You just know those poufy sleeves bug me, too.  

"put them side by side,/The one the other will include/With ease, and you beside."

 I'm a fan of the black and white, though, so what to do with this?

Leftover Thursday: A Remnant to Shrug Refashion

Remember this guy from several weeks ago?

Don't look too long at it; it will give you a headache.

You know, that ill-fitting dress that got chopped and turned into this skirt?

Happy with a side of green lawn!

Well, this is the remnant from the top that I had left.  It was too intact to just throw away, and I always love a no-waste refashion, so a shrug this will be!

Looking woebegone on the ironing board 

Curl Up and Dye: Drapery Dress Refashion

I found this dress at the store for about four dollars.  It's generally ill-fitting up top, but decent everywhere else.  The pattern.  Oh Lordy, the pattern.  

Not sure toile is meant to be worn as clothing

 So this dress is blue and white toile.  Not going to work for me.  I see that toile, and I think curtains, bed spreads, and maybe a chair.   That material is regularly in the home decor section at JoAnn's fabrics.  And no, this is not a homemade dress; it is Ann Taylor.  What to do to bring this more to the clothing world?

Hungry? Make a Faux Pasta Carbonara! (...and a drink fashioned by my hubby!): A Classic Pasta Dish Refashion

Faux Pasta Carbonara

This amount makes 1 huge serving.  I have most of these things on hand at all times during the summer months (when my basil is growing outside). I was home alone for lunch, and this is one of my go-to dishes.  Hope you try it!

Ingredients:
onion
Canadian bacon
small handful strand pasta (I used thin spaghetti)
olive oil
eggs
parmesan (use the good stuff here)
fresh basil (sorry, can't use dried here)

Chop about an inch of an onion ( I used Vidalia) and 1 piece of Canadian bacon.  Sautee those in a bit of olive oil (medium heat) while you get your water boiling for your pasta (high heat).

When the water is at a rolling boil, add a healthy dose of salt to season your pasta and drop it, giving it a stir so it won't stick.

Once the onion is soft and the bacon is a tiny bit brown around the edges, turn the heat down to the low side of medium low.  Hold it here while you wait for your pasta to get al dente and scramble your egg mix.

I scramble two eggs and add about a tablespoon and a half of parmesan and some chopped fresh basil.  I season with a bare pinch of salt (cause of the parmesan you know) and some black pepper.  Keep some basil back to garnish.

When your pasta is done, toss it into the onion and bacon with about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.  Mix in the egg mixture and gently cook together (keep the heat low!)  until it forms a luscious saucy texture.  Serve it up with some more fresh basil.

I embarrassingly ate this whole plate of goodness, but I am deciding not to feel bad about it overall since it is way healthier than the inspiration dish.  You can do/add whatever you want to this.  Some fresh peas would actually be really good in it.  Give it a try sometime!


And then later.... Banana Breeze!

My husband came home from an annoying day with the phrase, "I need a drink," and proceeded to make this delicious concoction!  He has been elected the mixologist of the household.

1.5 ounces vanilla simple syrup (combine 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 Tbs vanilla bean paste and cook until sugar dissolves)
1 overripe frozen banana (you want it very banana-y...ripe ripe ripe)
5 ice cubes
2 ounces and a splash of spiced rum
2 ounces milk (we use skim, but any higher fat milk will just make this more luscious!)

Put it all in a blender and pulverize.  Sip freely and happily.  Yum!

I don't even like bananas that much and I love this drink that my hubby extraordinaire came up with (out of his head!).  [If you know him, you should be as impressed as I was.  He is not...as we say...culinarily inclined.]  So proud!  Give it a try!

Back with a clothing-related post tomorrow!  Cheers!

On the Wild Side: An Out There Shirt Refashion

I found this frumpy bit of loveliness in a thrift store in Indiana.

Yes, I am in a garage.  Don't judge.

 I wasn't a fan of the fit, but loved the black and white retro polka-dot and flower pattern.  I was feeling a bit adventuresome, so I decided to do something a little different with this one.