Do Something: Phoenix

So my awesome sister is a member of an amazing group of Phoenicians that are working together to bring local artists, stylists, and bloggers together through events in the Phoenix area. The group is called the Phoenix Style Collective, and they are always planning something for locals to get together, collaborate, and just hang out. I love the idea and I'm so glad I have gotten to be a part of most of the events they've held.

My mom, sister, and I at the event!

About a week and a half ago I attended the Phoenix Puppy Love event that the PSC held at the amazing Co+Hoots. There were raffle prizes, a silent auction, and plenty of treats - all to benefit the Humane Society. So great!

I made a DIY headband with the girls from Hearts, a fashion line that advocates world awareness and change and uses recycled materials. They were so cute- check them out!

I ate way too many of these amazing treats, but got to spend some time with my sister and some cool new friends! I also tried the coffee at Greater Than Coffee which is inside Cohoots, super delicious! Check out their website and maybe I'll see you at one of their future events!

Take care,

Alex

Yummy, walnut banana bread!

Even when it's unbearably hot outside, there's not much better than a warm treat and some cold milk or iced coffee. So when the group of bananas turned far too brown to eat continued to sit on the counter, I took it as a signal I needed to bake some Banana bread!
Here's the recipe I used, taken right out of my grandma's recipe box!


1/2 cube of butter
1/2 cube or 1 T of margarine
1 C sugar
2 eggs well beaten
4 T buttermilk (I just used regular milk!)
3-4 verrryyyy ripe bananas
2 C flour
1/2 t salt
1 t baking powder
1 t soda
1 t vanilla
1/4 C nuts (I added more, the more nuts the merrier!)



Cream butters and sugar, add eggs and mix thoroughly. Add alternately bananas and dry ingredients . Finally add vanilla and nuts! I put this into two separate loaf pans and made two, or you could make one large one- it's up to you! I brought one to work so I couldn't eat the whole thing myself- because I definitely would have! I sprinkled some nuts on top, and would suggest a little cinnamon for something a little extra.

Let me know if you try this! And sit back and indulge in some delicious banana bread!
Happy Monday!
Alex

Finding Food

I am not a picky eater, and I'm usually happy with most anything that is put on my plate. Here in England, though, it has been so hard to find good food! I miss home cooked meals, my porridge and pb&js aren't cutting it.. I have no ingredients in my kitchen for a real meal! I did have vegetarian fish and chips (pretty much battered and fried cheese with fries) yesterday which were quite delicious, but so greasy! It's kind of sad when McDonalds is the most flavorful thing to eat! I have done some grocery shopping while I've been here, to try and save money, and to get things you can't get in stores in America.
Check out my findings:




CRUMPETS! So awesome just to say, and they're delicious! I had porridge for lunch today, and as you can see I found some makeshift chips and salsa to get.. even though they're not the best, they'll do!

I'm off to go find Mexican food, yeah in England, we'll see how it works out!
Have a great day!
Alex

Tofu Cheesecake, say what?

I know I have been lacking in the posting lately, but just stay with me! I have a crazy month ahead with lots of interviews, elections and applications headed my way! I will keep you posted as my (hopefully) new positions come. So I will save that for another post.

Here is what I made last week that I have been dying to make for quite some time. Tofu Cheesecake! Yes, I know.. about 90% of people see this and are automatically turned off, but give it a chance! I made mine crust less because I didn't have any graham crackers lying around. Here is the recipe I used. I did cut this in half because the limited amount of cream cheese I had, and, well, because I would be the only one eating this and I was trying to not tempt myself too badly.






Filling:
1½ pounds silken tofu
12 ounces soy cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix all of these ingredients in a mixing bowl until most of the lumps are out, making sure to lick the spoon because I found the batter delicious! :] Then you can pour the batter mixture into a round pan and cook for about 15 minutes. This is very flexible; the recipe said 20-25, but the top of mine was already brown by 15 minutes. Granted it may not be the prettiest thing, and the top was a little crispy, but I really enjoyed the outcome! I feel healthier eating this over regular cheesecake, even though it stills requires hefty amounts of cream cheese and sugar and probably isn't, but oh well! This is a great dessert when you want to try something different and use the spare tofu that's been sitting in your fridge.

I now have my new baby, my Canon G12!! Ahhh, I cannot tell you how excited I am to start taking some great shots with this beauty! I am getting my case in the next week and will be hopefully taking it everywhere and taking some amazing pictures. I cannot wait! Stay tuned!

I'll be in a Stand Up Paddle board race on Saturday at Tempe Town Lake with some of the girls from my work, come check us out! Have a grrrreat weekend!
Alex

Salad Sunday

I hope everyone had a holly jolly Christmas! I definitely did. Anytime I get to spend a whole day with my family is always fun. I'll be putting up a post of some of my awesome presents soon... once I transport them back to my apartment! I can't believe Christmas has already come and gone. I guess I still have New Years to celebrate! My best friends from Penn State are coming in Wednesday night to spend a week in the warm Arizona weather with me, I can't wait!


Well, so this isn't a holiday recipe... but I thought I'd show you one of the things I like to whip up when I'm hungry and don't feel like putting too much effort into dinner. It's just a simple salad, and it's really versatile. I pretty much throw whatever I have on hand in it! I start off by chopping up some romaine lettuce, then cut up some carrots and some sliced cheese. I had a hard boiled egg from when I last made egg salad, so I decided to cut that up for my salad, too. Then I added some raisins and crunched up some pecans to throw in. Toss it into a bowl and add the dressing of your choice (mine is this delicious one from Sprouts), and wallah... a very simple, scrumptious salad!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and a Merry Christmas!
Alex

Bewildered Time Traveler

I just went on about a three mile run to clear my head. I was driving myself crazy with thoughts and just needed to move, and get out in the fresh air. Especially right now, the weather in Arizona is absolutely perfect. So I turned on some John Mayer and hit the pavement and just moved and breathed. I'm feeling a little better. I get to go to New Mexico for the Green Chile Fest Ultimate Frisbee competition. Super excited! I didn't know if I was going to be able to go because I just got a new job (Tempe Boat Rentals on Tempe Town Lake!) and was iffy about asking it off. Turns out my boss plays ultimate to, very nice coincidence. Anyways, that's why have been so absent on this blog, school and work all piled up, especially with midterms. So now I can breathe and write a little. Well, this is how I feel right now.
Can't believe it's November, but I'm loving the weather!



Here's a pumpkin cake that me and my twin sister made for Halloween. We're bound to be on the Food Network someday. Well I hope you all take a second to breathe and enjoy the beautiful fall weather, and remember that everything happens for a reason and it'll all work out how it's supposed to. Okay, so maybe that advice is mostly for me... but feel free to take it!