Happy Friday!

     This past weekend I was able to spend it with Jean-Marie and her sister Tiffany (and all of the little people). We had such a great time! Tiffany made some really great raw food that totally inspired Jean & me. I think I was sold too since it looked like Tiffany had grown about a foot since the last time I saw her. She looks amazing, along with Jean-Marie. I kept thinking, “This is my friend who has cancer? She looks amazing!” So when they both mentioned that it was her diet, my ears were perked and at attention!!!


     So this is what she prepared for us and it was nothing short of deliciousness!!!

Preping the Raw Almond Cheesecake with cookie crumb crust





Vegan Onion & Sour Cream Potato Chips



Greek Salad



BFF's

L thought that his breakfast was borning without a Mimosa!

Z felt like such a big sister helping to feed baby N

Preperations for the Spring Rolls

Et Voila the finished product. Veggie spring rolls
with homemade peanut sauce (actually almond sauce)

P.S. Today is the last day to submit your entry for the food contest at 5pm (Pacific Time). You know your posting pictures of your food, why not just use the #btanJerinefood (remember it's tanJerine with a J) on Instagram, or you can email us at btanjerine@gmail.com and enter with the chance to win some really great earrings???

Have a great weekend!

Xoxoxo

BtanJerine





Another Fotag Contest: What's on your plate?

Hey there fellow camera lovers...

We want to post the details for our photo contest for this week. We got so carried away on Friday that we didn't get a chance to post the details,  but we are sure you all have been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for this much anticipated update!

Subject this week is: What's on your plate? or what do you wish you were eating?

It seems like lately as you search blog's, or if you are on Instagram people just can't help but share there favorite foods with the world. And there seems to be a growing popularity with food styling which is something that we totally love!! 

So we thought why not take a picture of that artfully contrived cappacinno and enter to win some cool jewelry at the same time?  So we want to see what's on your plate... Submit as many pics as you want by using the hash tag #btanjerinefood (and that's BtanJerine with a J),

or if you are so inclined you can email us your photo at: btanJerine@gmail.com  We know that there is the rare instance that Instagram is down so there is an alternate option, and also so that those who (perish the thought) are not on Instagram can participate.  This contest is open to all and everyone.  

 This prize is valued at $38.00

Contest ends Friday August 17, 2012 at 5 pm pacific time, and the winner will be anounced August 20, 2012 at 8am.

Happy Snapping Foodie Fotags!

RAW: Juicing Atonement

We love food!  And not just any type of food, we LOVE GOOD FOOD! That being said sometimes my body just gets all funk-da-fied when I’ve been a little over indulgent.  So I try to balance things out with what I like to call “juicing atonement.”  That’s when I kind of get back to basics and get my eating on a better track.  So in the efforts to be more balanced I will do loads of juicing to kind of cancel out the you know, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes from the Four Seasons I made this past weekend! HA!   When I juice I feel clear headed, focused, and overall very positive.  

As of lately my favorite combinations have been:  Pineapple & orange, carrot orange, & apple, and then orange, grapes and strawberries.

I tend to like the more acidic combinations.  I do like green ones as well, and have been doing this little ditty for the last few weeks.  It is the one from the documentary Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.

Mean Green Juice

4 stalks Celery

6-8 leaves Kale

1 Cucumber

1/2 Lemon

1 tbsp Ginger

2 Apples

Directions:

1. Wash all produce well

2. Peel the lemon, optional

3. Juice

4. Pour over ice

5. Enjoy!

I try to start off each day with a fresh juice or smoothie.  And in the summer they are perfect way to start your day without feeling weighed down like a bump on a log!

Stay thirsty my friends!

Everyday Foods Homemade: Caramel Sauce

Photo courtesy of Willow Bird Baking

Ok first of all this is my disclaimer.  Once you make this you will be addicted, and you will eat it all within day(s)!!! That being said,  consider yourself warned!!

The first time that I attempted to make caramel I swore that it would be the last, I burned my finger, started a small kitchen fire, and had to throw away the first batch....and then I tasted it!  I guess it’s like what they say about childbirth, you swear you’d never do it again, and then you see that babies face and you forget the whole 9 month ordeal (this was not my experience, but I have heard this said by more than one woman)!  And there you are pregnant again, (again not my experience).

This is the ultimate science experiment.  As the temperature changes the caramel goes through an amazing metamorphosis.  First it’s a liquid, then a solid, then it changes colors, then it turns back to a liquid.  It’s really quite fascinating.  I am always afraid that I’m doing it wrong every time.  I guess it’s just the nature of the beast to be extremely temperamental  (perhaps a thermometer would cure this problem.)

Anyhow I found the recipe on Pinterest via Willow Bird Baking.  They have a great blog with a fabulous collection of recipes.  This caramel sauce recipe was paired with a honey bun cake, and the recipe can be found here.  

Taste Tester Approved!

Simple Perfection atop a fresh strawberry

This caramel is so wonderful, my fave way to eat it is just atop strawberries.  This way you are able to get the true essence of the caramel with out it being overwhelmed by any other flavors.  Others in my household prefer to make caramel sundaes with toasted pecans.  Either way you are in for a real treat!

Caramel Pecan Sundae

Noteworthy: 
*** I usually quadruple the batch.  I figure for the trouble you might as well make it worth you time.


***I suggest that you do not attempt this around children since the temperature is extremely hot.  It's too dangerous to do around the wee ones.

Seedling Swap

Jean Marie and our good friend (and sister-n-law) both started gardens last year.  They are foodies at heart, so adding veggies from their gardens to dishes just made the eating experience all the more exquisite! 

Well the two have decided to turn it into something bigger and make it a group garden growing initiative!  They plan to send different seeds to a small group of friends along with an inexpensive DIY start up supply list, after the seedlings have emerged there will be a get together to exchange seedlings. 

Check out their blog here:  http://www.seedlingswap.blogspot.com/

This is a great way to show our kids where food comes from, and instill good eating habits (since that is something we are always working on).

We look forward to seeing what blooms!

Featured Etsy Store: Brown Bag Bakery

  "..Death by chocolate is a myth...this I know because I live..." -Sia

Brit loves quotes and this is one of her favorites. "Chocolate has helped me through some pretty dark days and nights!  And I feel that the older & wiser I become, the more I appreciate chocolate and it's roll in my life", brit says.  I know she speaks of chocolate as a friend, and I think as women chocolate is a friend.  If a girlfriend is feeling down having someone to talk to, some chocolate, and perhaps some wine (if it's really bad) is just what the doctor ordered in most cases!

So with that being said, we introduce our newest favorite Etsy Store:

Brown Bag Bakery

chocolate covered caramel lollys

Death by Rum Roll

( I love this title)

orange flavored nanaimo bars

peanut butter and jelly butter caramels

And here's their divine description:

this caramel is ridiculous. the bottom layer is peanut butter caramel.  middle is classic butter caramel.

on top is a layer of jelly caramel.  and then its all coated in chocolate.  told ya it was ridiculous.

for this purchase you will be receiving 1 pound of these chewy pbj & caramels.

you choose the flavor for the jelly layer, from:

grape, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry

So are you drooling yet?  Check out their host of other savory & sweet offerings at:

www.etsy.com/shop/brownbagbakery

p.s. We also love that she's a busy mom too.  We love supporting fellow moms!