FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Cookie Butter Mousse

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Vegan Peanut Butter Mousse

As soon as I read this Minimalist Baker post, I knew what I had to do. And it went something like run straight to Trader Joe’s, pick up coconut cream and cookie butter, then make the most addictive peanut butter mousse ever.  Ever, ever. 

Trader Joe's Coconut Cream

Because cookie butter is already pretty sweet, additional sweetener wasn’t necessary.  Eliminating one ingredient turned this already super simple three ingredient mousse into an even more simple two ingredient mousse.

Peanut Butter Mousse

You just put a can of coconut cream in the fridge overnight, scoop the solid cream out of the can and into the bowl of a mixer, beat until smooth, and then add cookie butter {2 tablespoons at a time} until the mousse is as peanut-buttery as you like.

Sesame Cashews

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Sesame Cashews 2

Having a roommate, especially a male roommate, comes with having a kitchen full of snacks that you’d never ordinarily have.  Lots and lots of Trader Joe’s snacks, staring you in the hungry face, whenever you cross the kitchen border.

Toasted Cashews

The best thing I can do is recreate a healthier version.

Sweetened Cashews

So that’s exactly what I did.  And they were Max approved!

Array

Day Done Right

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I baked apple buckwheat muffins last night in preparation for an early morning flight.  I’m really beginning to get the hang of this airport life. Whether that’s good or bad has yet to be determined, but such is life.

As I sat in the early morning, sun-blazed terminal, I was re-reminded how much I love Tampa’s airport.  If it hasn’t won awards for best XYZ airport, it should.  The best.

By the time I landed at DCA and metro’d to Alexandria, it was lunch time.  A co-worker and I headed to Whole Foods for some highly addictive salad bar. Garlicky kale, boiled egg, dill white beans, beets, and broccoli – I wish every lunch could be this green.

I checked into a hotel in Alexandria (rather than my usual Arlington spot), put on some sneaks, and headed to…. Trader Joe’s!

As many times as Ariel’s taken me to TJ’s in LA, you’d think I’d be less surprised at how low the prices are.  Not the case.  Sandwich, veggie, dessert, and tomorrow’s breakfast, all for $14?  It’s both confusing and amazing.

P.S. Gone Bananas! are so darn good.

How often are you able to shop at Trader Joe’s?

My First Tweetup

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I started my first morning in DC with a bowl of Trader Joe’s raspberry soy yogurt topped with gigantor blackberries, a cup of oolong tea, and a treasure map that would guide me from Emily’s house to the Eastern Market metro.  The Eastern Market metro would eventually take me to King Street, where I would meet a different Emily, Emily of Daily Garnish, for lunch.

But first, check out all the goodies I purchased from Trader Joe’s for THIRTY BUCKS!  I really do think that if TJ and Tampa met, it would be an instantaneous love affair.

I misinterpreted the treasure map and hopped on the wrong transfer train, both of which caused an embarrassingly late arrival at Nickell’s & Scheffler’s.

Luckily I was greeted by the most pleasant of company and a super delish grilled veggie panini.  I ordered mine first, sans cheese, and snuck a grin when I overheard Emily order hers dairy-free as well.  It was an unusually nice feeling to not be the weird one of the group!

I soaked in what was left of a winter wonderland on my walk home.

Then I was followed by this little guy for a lengthy stretch.

And then… this.  A giant snowball standing solitary in the middle of Lincoln Park.  This Florida girl found it fascinating.

Conclusion?  My first tweetup was a great success!  It was my first step towards making my virtual foodie community something real, and I liked it.