FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Rocky Road Coma

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Ever since my first go around with coconut oil chocolates, I can’t stop thinking of ways to make them even more awesome.  It’s scary how easy it is to make out of this world chocolate.  Dangerously scary.

I need to schedule house guests every night this week until these bad boys are gone.  If left alone, I fear that I’ll eat them all and fall (literally), with chocolate smeared all over my hands and face, into a chocolate induced coma and onto my kitchen floor.

So friends and family, I beg you to visit me this week.  You mustn’t stay long, but you must take chocolate(s) with you!!!

FoodFash Rocky Road Coma Chocolate

1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
1/8 Cup Almond Milk
1/8 Cup Maple Syrup
1 TBSP Coffee Extract
1/4 Cup Macaroon Coconut
1/4 Cup Sliced Almonds
1/2 Cup Mini Marshmallows

Stir together cocoa powder, coconut oil, almond milk, coffee extract, and maple syrup until smooth.  You may have to use a fork to crush a few remaining globs of cocoa powder.  Stir in the add-ins (coconut, almonds, marshmallows) one at a time.  Spread the mixture on a sheet of parchment paper, fold over the sides of the parchment paper and tape shut, and stick into the refrigerator until the chocolate has hardened.  Cut the chocolate into squares and refrigerate until you’re ready to mounge.

Yu-um!!!

Makin’ Banana Pancakes

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Yesterday was my first time craving and making banana pancakes.  I loved them so much, I made them again today.  There ain’t nothin’ wrong with a banana pancake weekend!

Luckily, I had a stash of frozen bananas in my freezer, so all I had to do was thaw and mash into the batter.

FoodFash Banana Pancakes

1/2 Cup Gluten-Free Pancake Mix

1/2 Cup Almond Milk

1 Egg

1 Banana

Mix together the pancake mix, almond milk, and egg in a bowl.  Add the banana and mush until it is fairly distributed.  I heated my skillet over medium heat and sprayed with olive oil cooking spray.  You can tell they’re ready to flip with the batter starts looking dried out and bubbly.

In all honesty, they were so good solo, but I couldn’t resist the urge to slather something in Earth Balance.  I also drizzled pure maple syrup on one of the cakes just for kicks.

Silver Lake Extravaganza

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Ariel and I stumbled upon a shopping gem while walking back to the car after Silver Lake Jubilee last year.  I’ve been dreaming about that store for a solid ten months now, so a Silver Lake shopping extravaganza was the most appropriate present I could give myself for hiking Runyon every day since my arrival.

We scoped out the area (virtually) for a vegan cafe prior to getting our shop on.  Flore Vegan Cuisine it was!

I’ve had fairly solid kraut cravings lately, so ordering anything but the Tempeh Reuben wasn’t an option.  Ariel, afraid of what a vegan Reuben may taste like, ordered The Wrap.  Both sandwiches were served with a mondo side of greens.  I’m not sure either of us loved our meals, but it was nothing to complain about either.

The lemon poppy seed cupcake was brag-worthy.  Ariel ordered a second after tasting mine and the server tossed in a third to apologize for the wait.  Hooray for leftover cupcakes!

We headed next door to Pull My Daisy, Sarah’s favorite store.  Words can’t express how much I miss seeing that chickadee during my LA adventures!

Then it was off to find our gem!  Vintage, embroidered fish vest, anyone?

(I couldn’t resist trying on something that ridiculous!)

I Dodged Jet Lag!

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I arrived in LA last night, went to sleep at a normal LA weeknight time, woke up at a normal LA weekend time, and currently have the appropriate amount of energy for the current LA time.  I’m confused, but happy.

The rest of my first day went a little like this…  Geared up for free yoga at Runyon Canyon, found out yoga was cancelled, re-geared for hiking, and quickly remembered how the slightest bit of vertical cardio makes this Florida girl huff and puff like an 80 year old man.

The second we got back to the apartment, we were STARVING.  Luckily Matt and Steve were too, so we swooped them up and headed to 101 Coffee Shop.

Ariel and I split the Portobello Sandwich and Veggie Sandwich.  Both wins in my book, but I definitely preferred the Portobello.  Made a mental note to recreate basil mayo upon my return to T-Town…

Matt, who in my experience orders a salmon dish 3 out of 4 times, had the Grilled Tandori Salmon Sandwich.

And Steve had a classic pancake and egg breakfast with a side of bacon and Ray Bans.

My overall impression of 101 was…  I know I’ll end up here at least once per visit from this point forward.  It’s close, the food is good and dairy-free friendly, and the service was super.

Now on to 8 more days of repetitive, inside joke fun!  Hot Snookie, anyone?

(Hot Snookie = Vanessa Hudgens in Sucker Punch)