Hello hello everyone! I hope you haven’t forgotten about me. I am going to have to catch you all up on things – and I have some major catching up to do for myself. I want to know what everyone has been up to! To get you guys back up to speed I decided to do things a little differently. I’m going to go backwards with two part post. This means we’ll be time traveling! If only I could time travel back to when women wore beautiful decorative hats! And then I’d go further back to BC times and listen to Plato speak.
So let’s begin! I’m going to start off with the day after Christmas!
- Warm spiced vanilla oatmeal with banana, coconut oil, Cacao Bliss, and a crumbled gingersnap.
Then we got ready to meet up with some old family friends. I’ve known them since my family moved to America and I haven’t seen them in years! We decided to meet up at this Latin grocery store that’s the size of a regular supermarket. Usually, specialty stores are very small – so this was quite a treat.
They had a cafeteria-style eating area.
A machine that makes freshly-squeezed orange juice. It reminds me of the 70's.
I've never seen an arepa de choclo look like this, but it was delicious nonetheless!
Hi everybody!
Leche (milk) de moras (raspberries) and a HUGE tamal!
Afterwards we went and did some shopping. Surprisingly the mall wasn’t too crazy.
Big ornaments
A winter wonderland.
Oh my, I had to stop myself that day. We walked into a store and I was trying something on and then I turned around to my mom and said “I’m done.” I figured since me and some friends wanted to go on the hunt for some New Years Eve stuff, I should not go crazy all in one day. Save some for later! I feel my style is in the midst of another evolution. Although I always have my underlying style motto: keep it classy. But I will show you guys some things I got.
I feel like a horseback-riding, biker, crime-fighting woman of the future in these pants. And yes, I wore them out later that night.
Sequins shorts!
I seriously think I have had this extra surge of confidence go through me. I feel like being more daring. When I browse through fashion magazines I find myself “oo-ing” and “aah-ing” at all these wonderful clothes – so why shouldn’t I be able to pull it off? Besides, life is too short to be worrying about if something is too “crazy” to wear. Of course, if you don’t feel like it’s you then don’t do it. Everyone has their own style, so embrace it!
I remembered that I never showed you guys the black shoes!
Whoops! How did these little hermits and strawberries find their way here? Who am I kidding, these guests are welcome anytime!
I also got a rock star faux-fur vest.
And my best friend was rockin' it too!
Too cute to handle!
Before I forget! Matilda got a new do the other day.
And she's going to be stylin' in a super cute vest as well! Like mother like daughter.
I love this picture!
She came over and we got ready for a night out on the town. We decided to go to a place we haven’t been to yet. It was funny because when we got there we thought the lounge was very trendy and cool – a bit too dark – but we were wondering why the music wasn’t pumping. The music was good but not really heart-thumping and energizing. They did however end up playing some happy-go-lucky Beatles and James Brown tunes. So we did our thing. Then as we were leaving my friend saw there was an upstairs. Naturally, we went to go check it out. This was where the party was at!!! So we stayed for a while longer and danced our hearts out.
Random picture of the place outside.
So now let’s rewind one day and go back to CHRISTMAS! This is how it started out…
Snowmen bowls!
From a very dear friend!
This is why I love the holiday season!
My favorite ginger!
Gorgeous Brooke sent me a wonderful Christmas card and a glamorous wintery picture!
I made my dad a brochure of things around south Florida I think he'd be interested in doing + a bowl of Key Lime (R)Ice Cream.
Somethings he enjoys... opera, bike riding, spirituality, and healthy living.
Spiced pumpkin oats, a gingersnap, maple syrup, coconut oil, sprinkles, and macadamia-cashew butter for two eyes and a mouth.
Mmm butter stollen!
And Archer Farms' bread pudding yogurt!
I made my mom some macadamia-cashew butter since she can't eat solid nuts anymore.
Another recipe from The Accidental Vegetarian - Grilled Eggplant with Nuoc Cham.
We were invited to a Christmas dinner so here are some prep pictures!
Make the crust...
Macadamias, walnuts, coconut-rolled dates, maple syrup, and cocoa powder = gluten-free and vegan crust! It’s practically raw too.
The cake part...
Tofu, coconut cream, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and some very ripe bananas.
Now into the oven it goes!
My dad looks like he's up to something.
Moroccan Stew
I followed the recipe that the lovely Lauren sent to me. Thanks so much girl! This recipe was a winner and I’m so glad I had leftovers. Actually, I just finished the last bit that was left. All the spices, veggies, and chickpeas cooking together for hours just made it out of this world. On top I garnished it with the “scented” almonds Bekah sent and cilantro. Mouth-watering.
They made pop-overs as well and had teenie roasted potatoes!
Look at what found its way on to my plate and I wasn't even looking for it!
This was such a cute little happy surprise. April! It’s a teeny purple potato!
Then it was time for coffee and dessert!
Happy with homemade tres leches complete with whipped cream and a cherry on top!
There was also a postre de nata which is basically a cream dessert. All these Colombian desserts! Where is the one I made?
A vegan banana coconut cheesecake with chocolate macadamia crust
Wow! That’s a mouthful (a delicious one). Here’s the recipe for the cake. Although I would make a suggestion: use a bit less banana and up the vanilla extract. Everyone loved how fresh tasting this cake was. And the crust… the crust was to die for!
Some of them were fellow vegetarians!
They shared stories of the different parts of the world they’ve been in and the various interesting people they’ve come across. They were so intriguing themselves. You can literally see their inner-glow in this picture! This was such a fabulous Christmas dinner. There was great food, wonderful company, and new friends.
More wonderful family friends!
Mom and I!
Passing a childhood book on to a new family.
This was such a reminder of what Christmas means to me. The whole day I was constantly reminded of how precious our lives are and the ones who are in it do care. And it’s so wonderful to feel that.
‘Twas the night before Christmas…
My dad walked into the house and told me I had a package!
It was from Maya!!! Look at the gingerbread people doing yoga poses! This was such a sweet package and not just because of the goodies. Maya, your words mean so much to me. Seriously, if you don’t now this young lady – you should. She’s one of my role models.
- A yummy package from Maya! Jam thumbprint cookies, homemade marshmallows, pumpkin seed brittle, and world peace cookies!!
Homemade marshmallows - I'm never going back! You hear that Jet-Puffed?
So that is all for right now. Next post will be a blast further back into the past!
I hope each and everyone one of you have been able to spend the holiday season with dear ones and warming up with their love.
Katharina's Food Adventures 