Peppermint Tea

Ingredients:
Fresh peppermint leaves, around 15
3 cups water
Honey or agave nectar to taste
Dash of milk (optional)

Directions:

• Add water to tea kettle, or a medium-size saucepan and bring to a boil.
•  Rinse mint well to remove any dirt, pat dry, and delicately muddle or “bruise” leaves to release their natural oils.
• Add mint to boiling water and turn off burner. Let steep for 5-10 minutes, tasting to determine desired strength.
• Strain tea into cups (or remove leaves with a fork if strainer is unavailable), sweeten, pour in a dash of milk, if desired and serve

Chocolate Banana Bundt Cake

Anything with chocolate and bananas has my name written all over it. This cake soo very delicious. I found this recipe from Green Food, Green Thumb & High Heels

For the cake:

• 2 c. whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 c. natural cane sugar
• 2/3 c. cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 c. Earth Balance margarine
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (or 1 tsp. vanilla)
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 c. banana puree (about 2 large bananas)
• 1/2 c. vegan chocolate chips
• 1/2 c. shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1 1/4 c. hot water

For the frosting:

• 8 oz tofutti vegan cream cheese
• 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1/2 c. agave nectar syrup
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2-4 tbs. almond milk

Instructions

For the cake:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Puree bananas using hand-held emersion blender or stand-up blender. Add a small amount of water if necessary. Set aside.
• Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, salt and cinnamon in large mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl combine Earth Balance spread, banana puree and almond extract. Beat on high until fully combined and lumps disappear.
• Add about 1/3 of the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Add half of the warm water and continue to stir.
• Add remaining dry ingredients and water, slowly, and alternating between each one. Batter will seem slightly wet.
• Fold in chocolate chips and coconut.
• Pour batter into greased bundt pan. Bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

For the frosting:

• Combine vegan cream cheese, agave syrup, vanilla extract and almond milk in mixing bowl. Beat until smooth.
• Add powdered sugar and beat on high until incorporated. Add more almond milk for thinner frosting.

Tranquil Moments

My Backyard

My family and I moved to Wisconsin in 2010 from the beautiful Colorado Rockies. I am originally from California, near the breathtaking Monterey Bay. My entire life I have either played at the beach or in the mountains, so moving to Wisconisn was a huge culture shock to me. As far as the eyes can see there are no mountains and certainly no oceans for me to enjoy. 

We are surrounded by cows and cornfields, living in this rual area has done a number on my psyche. I became depressed and utterly miserable. In time I have come to realize, finding little things to enjoy is not only good for me, but also for my hubs.

One of my favorite morning rituals is sitting outside with a steaming mug of peppermint tea, listening to the birds serenade me while I greet the sun rise with a sense of tranquility.

My backyard may not be near the ocean or any mountains, but it is a place where I can find a moment in time, a place where I can let the sun shine in.

Releasing Gillian's Wolves by Tara Wooply

This is a great beach read, so sip on some wine and let this story seep into your soul.

Overview:

Gillian Sach's husband, Jack, is a successful politician; she is the picture perfect political wife and mother. Jack has been cheating on Gillian for decades, but she has chosen to overlook his affairs, for the sake of her family. Gillian keeps her mind numb by painting, gardening and cooking for family and friends.

When she finds, yet another hotel key in his laundry, and discovers Jack’s newest conquest is a pretty young intern, she finally decides to leave him. Gillian realizes she needs to start making some difficult decisions about her life, her future.

My Thoughts:

I love the art on the cover of this book; a lake house nestled against the water in autumn. It is so beautiful and serene. I believe that the brightly colored leaves on the trees signify the change, the personal growth Gillian is about to experience.

Tara Woolpy has done a wonderful job of developing characters that seem real. They spring to life in the pages of the book. Gillian is a loving, caring woman and her friends have an enchanting charismatic demeanor.

We follow Gillian as she cooks her way through many of her issues, with recipes interspersed in several chapters. Everything she cooks sounds so delicious, and the recipes are a treat to read.

This is a story of life, love and friendship. Gilliam’s exploits keep you captivated, and the recipes are an added surprise. If you enjoy a good story of personal growth and love, you will enjoy this beautifully written novel.

If you're still not sure, here are a couple reviews to sink your teeth into.

http://iowabookworm.blogspot.com/2011/06/releasing-gillians-wolves-by-tara.html

http://marthaskitchenkorner.blogspot.com/2011/06/releasing-gillians-wolves-tara-woolpy.html

Buy the book here

Double Chocolate Brownies

Survive Anything Double Chocolate Brownies

(From The Book Releasing Gillian's Wolves by Tara Wooply)

This recipe is found at the start of chapter one, in Releasing Gillian's Wolves, by Tara Woolpy. The book offers a few different recipes as Gillian transforms into the woman she's wanted to become.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Melt nine ounces of bittersweet chocolate and seven tablespoons unsalted butter (most of a stick). Chop and cut the chocolate and butter so they melt easily in a double boiler (if you’re like me and don’t want a big double boiler cluttering the kitchen, use a four cup Pyrex measuring cup placed in the middle of a pot half-filled with boiling water). Some people melt chocolate in microwaves. You could try that. Use a spatula to keep the mixture from gunking up the sides, stir continually and when it’s completely soupy set aside to cool.

Beat three eggs in a large bowl at medium-high speed until thick and pale, it takes a few minutes. Add two teaspoons vanilla extract, two tablespoons coffee (whatever’s left in the pot), a half-cup milk and a cup of sour cream (use real sour cream!). Beat until fully mixed (just seconds). Reduce speed to low, add chocolate mixture. Don’t lick the spatula yet.

Whisk one and a half cups all-purpose flour, a half-teaspoon baking powder and a half-teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl. Fold in the flour mixture. Add a bag or so of semisweet chocolate chips (this can vary depending on what you’re surviving. When we visit Evelyn, I use at least two bags).

Grease the sides of a ten by fourteen inch cake pan, using the lopped off end of the butter stick. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Cover with batter and smooth it out. Now you can lick the spatula. Bake until cooked through, about a half hour (test with a toothpick to make sure). Allow brownies to cool before cutting.

Eat, share and repeat until everything’s okay

Check out her book here

The Gifted Ones by Lisa Vaughn

Summer is in full swing and I have the perfect beach read for you; The Gifted Ones by Lisa Vaughn. So, dig your toes in the sand and lose yourself in this beautiful story.

Back Cover:
Have you ever been so in love that your daily breath depended upon one another?
Have you ever been pushed to unfathomable limits just to defend your beliefs?
Have you ever been made to feel like the underbelly of society?
Have you ever been thirteen?
Well I have, and this is my story.

My Thoughts:
Lisa's story is tender and heartwarming. I went through many emotions reading this book, I laughed, cried and I even felt my cheeks flush. It was as if Lisa were whispering secrets in my ear, her words so personal, so honest.

Lisa has a creative writing style. She knows how to weave a beautiful story, her words flowing like honey off the pages, whisking you deeper into her life. Lisa's book has some gut wrenching moments, but her story is intriguing, beautiful and innocent.

Don't just take my word for it, here are a couple of reviews on The Gifted Ones
http://ellesfadedparchment.blogspot.com/2012/02/gifted-ones-by-lisa-vaughn.html

http://www.seethewhiteelephants.com/2011/10/chynnas-readsa-book-review-of-gifted.html

Buy The Gifted Ones Here

The Gifted Ones by Lisa Vaughn is a book that you don't want to see end.