Kitchen of the Week

Recipe: Mocha Rounds

The girls within my family have an annual Cookie Exchange each year.  The gathering has been a tradition since before I was born, and continues with each generation.  It is with each cookie exchange that I have garnered my love for baking and learned to perfect my grandmother's recipes.  I'll continue to share these timeless recipes over the course of the year. P.S.- If you haven't visited Sara on Twirly Girl yet, go check out her blog where I shared this recipe in a guest post!

Mocha Rounds

1 tbsp. milk (warmed)

1 ½ tsp. instant espresso powder

1 cup sugar

1 cup butter, softened

1 egg

2 1 oz. squares semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted

2 ½ cups flour

2 tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

Coating

4 (1 oz.) squares white baking chocolate, melted

6 tsp. shortening

4 (1 oz.) semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted

Inspiration Board

Surrounded by motivation...

The perfect workspace. If I could take all of my favorite photos, outfits, ideas (not to mention every page of every moleskine I own) and place it on a wall, it would definitely be in this manner.

image (1) 

You are what you eat

Superfoods: Every grocery aisle I turn down, every study I stumble upon, I find a new superfood being touted as "the healthiest food EVER".  Of course each food that has ever been listed within this category is considered healthy: they all offer nutrition benefits beyond your average healthy food.  So what exactly warrants the illustrious title of "superfood"?

"Though there is no legal or medical definition, superfoods are nutrient powerhouses that pack large doses of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals. Eating them may reduce the risk of chronic disease, and prolong life, and people who eat more of them are healthier and thinner than those who don't. Read about several foods that are considered super, what health benefits they offer, and how to fit them into your diet." (source) 

Hello, 2012

Welcome!

The start to the New Year serves as a critical time to take charge of our health, get inspired, and rev our engines for what will hopefully be an even better year than the last. Until now, I have been skeptical of New Years’ resolutions--- shouldn’t we make “resolutions” every day to make improvements in our lives, even if those improvements are only minor?  New Years’ resolutions do, however, provide a perfect justification for a blank slate.  And there couldn’t be a better clean slate than the start of a new year. My resolution this year: try a new recipe each week (among others).  

This blog grows out of my love for food, well-being, interior design, fashion, and anything else that sparks inspiration in many of us.  

Kitchen of the Week

image: (1)

Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango

Tangerine Tango:

From kitchenware to high fashion to plumbing fixtures

"Not your mother's burnt orange"

Favorites in 2011: Kitchen Tools

With 2011 behind, and 2012 providing a blank slate, it is high time for me to shape up in the kitchen! My level of motivation is always at its highest in the beginning of the year, so I'd like to tackle the project while my energy is fresh.  Here is a roundup of some gadgets, tools, and appliances (ranging from low-cost to "that will always be on my wish list" status) that can help achieve my new year's resolution.  Hopefully these picks provide some inspiration for you as well.

No. 1

Kitchen of the Week