Living Without Type 1 - Post 2

Guacamole

fresh avacados

sea salt

lemon juice

Black Bean Burgers

(Taken from The Gluten Free Almond Flour Cookbook www.elanaspantry.com)

3 Tablespoons grapeseed oil

1 medium onion, coarsley chopped

5 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced

1 med. red bell pepper, 1/4 inch cubes

2 cups black beans, cooked

2 tsp. sea salt

1 T. ground cumin

1 tsp. ground chipotle

1/4 c. minced fresh cilantro

3 large eggs

1/2 c blanched almond flour

Heat 1 T. of grapeseed oil in large skillet over medium heat. Saute the onion for 8-10 minutes then add the garlic and bell pepper and saute for 2-3 minutes more, until softened.

In a large bowl, combine onion mixture and all other ingredients. Form the mixture into 2-inch patties. Heat the remaining 2 T. of grapeseed oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 4-6 minutes per side, until browned on the edges. Top with sautéed onions.

Basically, We Have Like 100 Medals

So- check out this neat theory. And we did not come to this conclusion because we're sore losers- we're actually not technically losing. You see, USA has 25 medals, right? And we only have 10. But there are ten times more people living in the US so in reality, we should be multiplying our medal count by 10, which means we're in the lead with 100 medals! So YAAAY go Canada!! We're number 1!! I mean if you think about it, an army that goes into battle with 10 times more soldiers than the opposing army, one side is clearly going to get more medals!

And I'm honestly not usually this competitive! Up until the time I heard we were losing, I was all, olympics? Really is it that time again? Crazy. What can I put on my sandwich? Seriously, I only recently discovered Steve is not the Nash on the roster... it's some Rick dude. Must be Steve's cousin. But now all of a sudden I'm all up in the olympic's grill, being gangsterish and like, Yo, who you callin a bad bob-sledder? Bob-sled this! And I guess it kind of annoys me too that Americans really tend to not know anything about hockey at all... like, zero percent... but then they win a game and suddenly they're all, Hey check us out, we're so neat, look at us scoring those goal point... thingers... with the long stick thingy and the little black ball. And ya, Im realizing now this probably isn't the best crowd, considering 50-75% of you are american but I also realize that I am here and you are there an you caan't catch me so na nana nana na! Whatever... Steve Nash is with me on this one. Some dude was heckling him on the court after USA beat Canada Sunday night and the only thing that stopped him from going all Chuck Norris on him was the fact that ''we're worried about season ticket renewals so I held back." Haha. Way to go little buddy!

So, here's a little piece of Canada, a little bit of my glowing heart shining through from far and wide. And I think that means the lands are far and wide, not my glowing heart... or me. Although I have been packin' on the pounds lately so I could be wrong.

Vee-Day Party

Here are two solid reasons to celebrate valentines day with kids: One, they make you really appreciate and love the simplicity of life by their contentment in the smallest things. And two, you get to eat all the leftover candy and chocolate that they don't eat. And everyone knows that a chocolate with a bite taken out of it has zero calories.

Do You Like Coffee and Slippers and Toothpaste? Um, Heck Yes!

You know how sometimes something ends up in your head and you don't know how it got there or why it is there, all you know is that you hate it from its very core?

The Stew Song has been stuck in my head ALLL daaaay long. And not Stu's Song from the Hangover. I wouldn't actually mind that, in fact that would be awesome. But NO, this has been like the full on, Al Simmons, children version of The Stew Song. No, seriously. Number 11. Listen to it- you'll understand my pain and suffering.

'DO YA LIKE CARROTS? Yes I do. DO YA LIKE CARROTS? In a stew. Ya put `em in a pot until it's done, Then ya eat em all up yum, yum, yum, yum'. Then it goes on to ask you if you like pickles and ketchup and slippers and banjo and toothpaste and how would you like to mix all of those things into a pot and eat all 'em all up 'cuz its yum yum yum, apparently. I am extremely doubtful of this. I think it's pretty safe to say Al Simmons has never actually tried this recipe and is only just using random ingredients because they rhyme. I've never met Al and I'm sure he's a really nice guy but he sounds like a bit of a liar or else a really bad chef.

So The Stew Song is running through my head incessantly and I'm not sure why because its not like its top 10 in my itunes playlist or anything, I haven't even heard the song in like 15 years. But today it just shows up in my head and decides to unpack its little musical bags and stay for a while. And the most annoying thing was I couldn't remember the words to the song until just now when I Googled the lyrics so I was forced to sing my own version all day long which was DO YOU LIKE COFFEE? YES I DO. COFFEE AND CARROTS? IN A STEW. LALALALALA LALALA LALALA EAT EM ALL UP YUM YUM YUM YUM. Also, it was maybe not so much singing as it was just loudly chanting with a hint of a tune. Yeah- bet you wish you coulda been a part of that! Anyways, moral of the story is I love coffee and I'm going to make some right now and mix with with some carrots and pickles and ketchup and slippers and toothpaste and hopefully it will knock me out and put me into a deep enough coma that when I wake up this song will be GONE FROM MY HEAD!!

Also, LOVING my new travel mug from my friend Kim!!

Happy Love Day

What is this picture of you ask? Why, it's just our new salt & pepper shakers. Except that it's not. It's a picture of soul mates. And soul mates are hard to come by. Because I have looked, and my journey, has been a long one. I was just so completely overcome with happiness for Mr. Pepper and Mrs. Salt because you can tell just by looking at them- they complete each other. Other kitchen utensils may look at them and be all like, why are they just sitting there looking at each other, not saying anything? Because you know why? I will tell you why. They like to just be together and not have to always be saying something. And he orders for her every time they go out because he knows what she likes.

Also, I love Grey's Anatomy.

Just One Voice

Last weekend I had lunch with Cindi Brown. Oh yeah, and we did a shoot. It never feels like work when the client makes it so much fun. We walked around Scottsdale Fashion Square and downtown Scottsdale, stopping off at some of the cute little cafés and patios to take advantage of the funky furniture. P.S. LOVE The Modern Steak WANT TO MARRY IT!

So we're nearing the end and we realize that we are just far too interesting of individuals to end our conversation there and go our separate ways so we P.F. Changed it up for lunch and had lettuce wraps on the outdoor patio. (Also there was no snow here) The Female Doctor from Nip Tuck served our lunch and we got to hear about her eventful morning and how she missed class but it was o.k. because she got in an extra long work out. So, 10 points for her!

Also, like, 100 points for Cindi- She founded the non-profit organization, Just One Voice, which supports the Great Lakes University of Kisumu and rural villagers of Kenya. She is also the author of the award winning book, Poverty and Promise: One Volunteer’s Experience in Kenya. I'm looking forward to reading Cindi's book and learning more of her experiences in Kenya, and the possibility of one day traveling with Cindi to Kenya and witnessing it for myself.

This book is part of Cindi's solution; all proceeds fund the organization to support the Tropical Institute of Community Health's effort to build the new Great Lakes University of Kisumu. So why not do your part, and give a cow. Seriously, do it.

Oh yeah, and also Cindi is getting married in October so in her off-time she's crocheting her wedding dress. For realz.

Today I ♥ Anthropologie

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels would never fall under the category of My Favorite Things. Like, ponies are cool, but then you gotta find somewhere to put it and then feed it and, I just don't have time for that. And I'm not 100% certain what a strudel is exactly, but I don't like apple pie so if it's anything like that I wont like apple strudels. Yeah, so if you had 'bake Melissa an apple strudel' on your list of things to do in life- you may now remove it. If you like, feel free to replace it with any of the following: Brownies, chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate pie, chocolate torte, chocolate mousse, chocolate truffles. Plain chocolate will also do. Don't feel you need to go all out.

So apart from anything covered in chocolate, my favorite thing today is the new Anthropologie top that is hanging in my closet. I usually spend about the same amount on a new top as I would on a good cup of coffee so I try my hardest not to go within at least 50 miles of any Anthropologie store... otherwise only bad can come out of it.

And I know things are only things but today this is my favorite thing.

With a Zee

Ever since I migrated to this warmer climate there have been adjustments that have gone along with it. Nothing life altering or worth texting home about, but still, changes. Most days I love change. Sometimes I'll change my outfit 3 times in one day. Everyone else is like, really? But hey- If the queen comes knocking on MY door.. I'll be ready for that! I change my furniture so often I sometimes come in and have to walk around and look in the bedrooms before I'm certain this is my home. (well, when I had a home) I change hairstyles every week, I change my purse every time I go out- ooh, and spare change? Don't even get me started on that. If I get to my car and see I have a flat tire, but then get inside and find a quarter stuck in my seat? The day is good. Yep, most days I love change. But some change just doesn't come easily.

I live on Quartz street now. Also I have this obsession with shopping online. If I can avoid brushing my teeth and showering until like suppertime, I've accomplished amazing amounts. Unfortunately online shopping usually involves an individual who was put on earth to annoy me. Basically this person was alive and then they were like, ooh- where's Melissa? I'm gonna call her and speak really calmly but say things that make her want to be very un-calm. Then I'm gonna send her parcel to some unknown obscure little town in India so that she has to call us back! MINUS 10 POINTS FOR ALL ANNOYING TELEMARKETER PEOPLE. So, ya. This is usually about how the conversation plays.

Me: Yes, please ship the parcel to 228 Quartz Street

Retarted Telephone Person Who Doesn't Speak English: Yes ok tankyou mam, so 228 Court Street?

Me: No, QUARTZ, like quart with a Zed

RTPWDSE: ...

Me: quue-you-aye-aare-teee-ZED!

RTPWDSE: ...

Me: Ok, umm q-u-a-r-t-ZEE?

RTPWDSE: Ohhhhh Yes ok tankyou verry much and would you like overnight shipping to 228 Court Street?

Honestly, I am a strong believer in change. Especially when it's necessary to fit in with the surrounding culture. But this one has been hard for me. Every time I say it I feel like I am taking away from the small amount of intelligence that I have been blessed with... next thing I'll be saying DEE-cal and leaving out all the vowels in badminton. Badmntn... just like that. Thats how it's pronounced here. And I would probably still be saying Zed if I didn't really badly want my new shoes to get here the first time.

Living Without Type 1 - Post 1

So I know you've all been practically falling off of the edges of your seat in anticipation of these FABulous recipes. Ok, or maybe you've just gone on with your normal every-day lives- whatever the case may be you really do need to check these out. Kim Brown of Live Without Type 1 (I blogged about her a couple weeks ago in Chia Seeds & Chikapee Flour) created all of these snacks for her daughter Kylie who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. This family dedicated their lives to finding a cure and now they're doing everything they can to show others there is something they can do too. To contact Kim or to find out more about treatment options, food and dietary info, etc. you can visit her website or her blog. Over the next few months I'll be working with Kim photographing different meals and foods that can help to prevent diabetes. If you know of anyone who is affected by this disease, please help spread the word and pass this on!

Sweet Potato Fries

Organic Sweet Potatoes (Sprouts or Whole Foods)

Goat Milk Feta Cheese (Farmers Market or Sprouts/Whole Foods)

**Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Peel and cut sweet potatoes into your desired fries shape. Spread your slices on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil and season with salt. Cook for 10-15 minutes then broil until crispy. Sprinkle Goat Milk Feta Cheese for garnish (or not).

Apple Smileys (or Pear Smileys)

Organic apples (In season and ideally from your local farmers Market)

Organic almond butter

raisins, dried cranberries or almonds

**Spread almond butter on sliced apples and top with raisins, dried cranberries, almonds or any other garnish your kids might enjoy.

Orange Icy

Oranges (find a tree)

Lemons (find a tree)

Stevia (to taste or none at all) Stevia - found at Sprouts or Whole Foods or again....find a bush, pick your own or grow your own).

**Freshly squeeze your lemons and oranges then blend with a handful of ice in a blender! Place your liquid in bowl and freeze until you're ready to serve. Use additional oranges for the bowls and gently scrape out the insides of half an orange. When the liquid is completely frozen scrape the top with a fork and fill your orange bowls with icey!

Banana Bites

organic banana

organic hemp seeds (Sprouts or Whole Foods)

Cinnamon

** slice banana and roll in seeds and cinnamon - use a toothpick to enjoy or lick the fingers)

I couldn't add this post without including a couple more photos of Kylie and Jaxon... They're so incredibly cute I could eat them up.

And here's their amazing mom, Kim. On the right are the 3 basic flours & grain they've put into their diet to help Kylie.

At the end of the afternoon our good behavior was rewarded with a cupcake. (Highlight? I think SO!)

Jaxon got a little emotional after the icing on his cupcake was snatched and I couldn't help but snap one of his big crocodile tears. But I did my very best not to laugh because laughing at a two-year-old is not unlike punching a puppy in the face.

I even got rewarded with some yummy cupcake (which was also gluten-free). But you can see why the whole experience is reward in itself!

Kim has a beautiful home and it doubles as a great natural-light studio!

I IS BALANCIN UR BOOKZ

What is it about little girls and playing store? I can remember how UBER excited I would get whenever my dad came home from work with musty old address books and receipt pads for me. I would immediately re-arrange all the furniture and transform the basement into an upper-class Beverly Hills boutique. One that sold fake food, little brothers and real estate. Very miniature real estate that consisted of pink plastic walls, but real estate nonetheless. I would clak away on my broken calculator as I rang the merchandise through the soda dispenser I used as my cash register, saying things like "will that be all for you today mister"? And the craziest thing was- every sale always came to $1000. Every sale! I would sign my name on each receipt authorizing the purchase, cause you know, if someone came back wanting a refund on a fake apple, I had to know that the transaction was legit. OBviously.

We were window shopping in Mesa yesterday when we passed a framing store and looked through the window and saw this adorable miniature store clerk sitting at the till, looking quite important. She was likely balancing the books while replying to clients and maybe ordering in some new product. Cause life is pretty dang busy when you're five.

Here's what I Love About The Grammys: Absolutely Nothing

Yo, Musical Artist- I like your music, ok? I know you sing and I acknowledge the fact that you are talented. However, I kind of don't care who you owe your success to or what you were wearing at the Grammy's or what foreign country you are about to fly off to. I think we pay way to much attention to celebs. And I truly don't see the point in having a big party and handing out big shiny awards showing these people how amazing they are. Like, couldn't we just send them a nice little card in the mail? Maybe include a gift certificate for Olive Garden to make them feel special? And perhaps attach a note informing them nobody cares? And that the only person they have to thank is God for giving them the abilities they have and their parents for making them exist? And that if they really want to make a difference and provide help for Haiti that they should just sell one of the $500,000 cars sitting in their driveway and donate the proceeds from that? (Yes I do in fact know they're doing a wonderful thing and I support it 100% and anyone who knows me know I kid I kid.

Whatever. The bridge is built and I'm getting over it.

But on a more sober note, look at these photos and try not to feel sadness for these people... it just makes my chest hurt! If I was in the position to adopt a little Haitian child- I would adopt 10. It makes me soo thankful for how good I have things!!

A boy looks at the camera during a Sunday church service outside a displacement camp in Port-au-Prince January 24, 2010. (REUTERS/Tomas Bravo)

Orphan girls are seen at the Foyer de Sion orphanage January 31, 2010 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Child-smuggling was a problem in Haiti even before the earthquake, with thousands of children disappearing every year. Ten Americans were recently arrested while attempting to transport 33 Haitian children across the border to the Dominican Republic. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

This combination photograph shows portraits of Haitian children who are now living in a makeshift campsite in Port-au-Prince, Haiti January 29, 2010. (REUTERS/Jorge Silva)

Firefighters battle one of several suspicious blazes in the Iron Market area January 29, 2010 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A boy tries to carry rice and beans using his shirt after receiving food at a distribution point in Cite Soleil, Port-au-Prince January 28, 2010. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

A child asks a US army soldier for food during a food distribution operation in the Cite-Soleil slum of Port-au-Prince, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010. The soldiers are with the 82nd Airborne Division. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

A boy shows a handful of candy that he found in a collapsed building in Port-au-Prince on January 27, 2010. (FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

A man washes on the street in Port-au-Prince on January 31, 2010. (FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

A boy watches a fire engulf the Iron Market in Port-au-Prince on January 29, 2010. (JODY AMIET/AFP/Getty Images)

More can be seen here.

I'm Holding Out For The Maxi-Pad

Ok, question number one: Are there ANY women working on Apple's branding team? Was there not a single person who spoke up and said, "Hey folks, doesn't this name make you think immediately of Aunt Flo and Mother Nature's Monthly Gift? So like... maybe we should do something about that before the entire population points at us and laughs while saying hurtful things"? About an hour after the announcement of the new tablet PC, #iTampon was a trending topic on Twitter with Tweets and Followers and all that madness.

Related Tangent: I don't even fully understand how it's any better than my iPhone. Like I'm pretty sure no one is gonna come up with a pocket big enough to stick the iPad in. And I've heard it doesn't even make phone calls, it doesn't have a camera and it has no HDMI port. I know- I was upset too! NO HDMI PORT?? For those of you who are not as well aquatinted as I am with the world of technology, an HDMI port is a port for HDMIs. And I'm really glad I don't have to sit like a fourth grader on the couch with my knees up just to balance my phone because even though it makes you feel young and care-free for 5 minutes- sitting like that leads to varicose veins. And nobody likes varicose veins.

So I refuse to even get excited about this amazing piece of technology because I honestly don't see what all the hype is about. But also just to spite Apple for coming up with a name that women will never feel 100% comfortable saying out loud in a crowded room.

Speaking of my phone- check out its new safe little haven. Mom found these online at the CufféShop on Etsy.com. Aren't they the cutest? They're hand knitted.. hand knit... hand knat... out of old recycled sweaters. They also make pretty scarves and mittens and little sweaters for your fruit. Because everyone's fruit gets cold! I love the cute colors and patterns but most of all It just warms my heart knowing my phone is safe and cozy at night.