Monday, February 27, 2017

no no no... yes please





Have you ever seen a picture of a sweet treat and craved it so bad that you just had to have it! Well, that happened to me yesterday morning. I was on a fun new blog {here} just exploring and then I saw it... The gluten free double chocolate chip black bean brownie. The what... What! Gluten free black bean what? No, That can't be good. It had beans in it and it was gluten free... Absolutely NO NO NO 

Then later in the morning as I was dying on the floor after an hour and fifteen minutes of pure torture from my heated sculpt yoga class... My fabulous yoga instructor said, in a soft quiet tone... Cut out flour, sugar and alcohol just for 10 days. You will see such a difference with your body and with your mind. Something hit me...  You can do this! Yes you can! 10 days really is nothing. So I devised a plan... I will take it day by day and journal hard! 

As I left my class {beyond motivated}... I decided to pick one sweet thing to bake for the last time for a while... Of course the stupid gluten free double chocolate chip black bean brownies came to mind. Uggh ok I'll do it.

That was the BEST decision of my life... Besides having my 2 kids {wink}! I followed the directions to the T. I didn't change or add one thing out of fear {I usually do that} it was going to be bad. The one thing I did do that was not the norm for me at all... Was blend it all in my new Vitamix blender. It was perfect! 

I've attached the recipe for you to be able to make these brownies as well... And yes those are my actual pictures of MY brownies!!! Believe me they are amazing! 


Gluten Free Double Chocolate Black Bean Brownies


 
  • Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup gluten free rolled oats (5 minute oats)
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • large eggs
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 2/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips, divided

Preparation

  1. 1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
  2. 2. Place the oats in a food processor and pulse for 1 minute or until finely chopped.
  3. 3. Place remaining ingredients except for the chocolate chips in the food processor and pulse until combined, about 1 minute.
  4. 4. Pour 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips into the batter and pour into a greased 8 x 8 inch pan and top with the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
  5. 5. Bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  6. 6. Cool brownies and cut into 2 inch squares.



Friday, February 24, 2017

dreams



Did you know I have always wanted to design a  nail salon?!?! OK... Don't ask, but I really want to! I dream at night what "my salon" would look like. Wouldn't that be fun... One day people, One day! I pulled a few images together of what my salon would look like... Simple and elegant with a coastal touch! 







Tuesday, February 14, 2017

l o v e


Let all that you do be done in L O V E... Happy Valentine's Day! 

Monday, February 13, 2017

go green {menu}



* Avocado Caprice Salad *

ingredients
  • 2 cups fresh arugula
  • 2-3 campari or cocktail style tomatoes, sliced
  • ½ avocado, pitted and sliced
  • 3 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
  • fresh basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (I prefer the fruitiest, lightest flavored)
  • 1½ teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • generous pinch of sugar or dollop of honey
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

instructions
  1. Assemble the arugula, tomato, avocado slices and mozzarella in a serving bowl. Top with torn or slivered basil leaves. Whisk the extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl with the balsamic vinegar, sugar or honey and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and pour over the salad. Toss to coat and serve.

Saturday, February 11, 2017

pillow party {sale}



So I once again changed my mind on a few things in Taylor's new room. I'm cutting my losses and selling them for a steal of a deal! E-mail me if you're interested in purchasing - alexandra@rusticrooster.com!




1 BRAND NEW Bolster Pillow
{turquoise and white stripe - Robert Allen fabric}
21" L x 9" H
$45.00
 * never been used *


1 BRAND NEW Bolster Pillow
{white denim fabric}
29" L x 11" H
$55.00

 * never been used * 




2  BRAND NEW burnt Orange Pillows
{100% Polyester Fiber fabric}
24" x 24" 
$44.00 - for both
SOLD
 * never been used *