Much Through Mondays...Baked Zucchini Chips

Although I tend to love baking yummy, sweet things, I'm on a huge health craze right now and am constantly looking for healthy snacks. I found this recipe and knew I had to try it because it has two of my favorite things: baking and zucchini and chips...okay, so maybe three.  Zucchini is by far my favorite vegetable, and baked chips beats fried chips any day. So here is the recipe for baked zucchini chips! I hope you savor them as much as I will. ;)

Photo source: Natalie's Killer Cuisine

Baked Zucchini Chips

Recipe source: Natalie's Killer Cuisine

Ingredients:

3 Zucchinis, rinsed

1/4 cup Parmesan, shredded

1/2 cup Bread Crumbs

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Onion Powder

1 tsp Dried Parsley

1 tsp Black Pepper

1/2 tsp Paprika

2 Egg Whites

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

1. Slice zucchini as thinly and uniform as possible (this is when having a mandolin comes handy).

2. Place on a paper towel for at least 10 minutes to let excess moisture drain. Mix together all the dry ingredients. In a bowl whisk the egg whites until frothy.

3. Place the zucchini in the egg mixture, then coat in the bread crumb mixture. Place on a baking sheet and when the baking sheet is full, bake for 5 minutes. Pull out the baking sheet and flip over the zucchini chips. Return to the oven for another 7 minutes.

4. Serve warm with fresh grated Parmesan cheese (optional).

Fashion Fridays ... Forever 21 Lace Yoke Dress

Living on your own is amazing. You have a new found freedom, added responsibility (which believe or not, can be fun), but sometimes it's easy to run away with these added bonuses and my bank account feels the burn. Luckily, I am pretty smart with my money (and very aware I still need to eat), so it's the best when I can find something cute and cheap as well. Today, while browsing on Forever 21, I came across this gem. I really like the lace, but even more so I adore the ruffled shoulders. It adds a little pizazz to your ordinary-little-black-dress. And it's only $24.80!!

Photo source: Forever 21 

What do you think? Is this the perfect addition to your closet? Or do you already own the perfect LBD?

Napa Valley...

I'm not sure if it's the gorgeous fire place, or the amazing view, but everything in the picture has me wishing I could click my red pumps together, say "There's no place like Napa Valley", and end up in this picture. 

Photo source: Pinterest

What do you like about this room? Is it the beautiful rafters, the hidden bookshelf to the right, or the break taking view of the Wine Country?

Munch Through Tuesdays...

So sorry I forgot to post the Munch Through Monday!! Work was quite busy and then I went out to dinner with my sister and mom's boss, Lucia, who is here on business. We went to a Greek restaurant called Kokkari, it was amazing. And Lucia was so lovely!! It really was such a great time, great wine, and great food. Couldn't ask for a better way to start my week :)

Anyway, I still wanted to post a yummy recipe for you to munch your way through the week with. I'm not usually a huge fan of donuts, but these make my mouth water.

Photo source: Pinterest 

Chocolate-Caramel Doughnut Holes
Recipe source: Martha Stewart
Ingredients: 

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for work surface 

1 cup cocoa powder 

2 teaspoons baking powder 

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt 

1 cup sugar, plus more for coating 

3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk 

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted 

2 large eggs 

28 to 30 store-bought soft caramel squares, unwrapped  

5 to 6 cups vegetable oil, for frying

Directions:
Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together sugar, buttermilk, butter, and eggs until thoroughly combined. Stir buttermilk mixture into flour mixture just until a smooth dough forms. 

On a lightly floured work surface, pat dough flat and lightly flour. Roll out dough to a 1/3-inch thickness. Cut into rounds with a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter (to lift rounds from work surface, use a thin spatula). Re-roll and cut scraps. 

Place a caramel in the center of each round, pinch dough closed around it, and gently roll into a smooth ball. 

Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Fill a wide shallow bowl with 1 inch sugar. In a large heavy pot, heat 4 inches oil until it registers 350 degrees on a candy thermometer. In batches of 4, fry doughnuts 5 minutes, turning once with a slotted spoon and adjusting heat as needed. Transfer doughnuts to prepared sheet; let rest 4 minutes. Roll in sugar to coat. Serve immediately.

What do you think about these delectable donuts? Also, if there is a recipe you want to see or prefer healthier, tasty treats, drop a comment and let me know!! 

Fashion Fridays... 'Tis the Season for Boots

As I was looking through Found it Loved it on DivineCaroline, I came across these awesome boots called Kiboots. They are from the Netherlands and they are part leather and fabric. Apparently, these boots were popular in the sixties when hippies used to recycle rugs and leather to make these boots cheap so they could save money and still look good (best of both worlds!) Of course this bohemian style boot caught my attention and my free spirit immediately needed a pair. What do you think?

 

Photo sources: Kiboots

Do these shoes bring out the hippie in you? If so, also read the About and Projects section on Kiboots' website... it's pretty amazing!

Fall Bucket List...

Fall has inevitably approached us, and I love it. Although we don't really have seasons here in San Francisco, it's been quite chilly the past couple of days and I've loved the crisp air. It reminds me of how cool it's getting back East and reminds me of all the fun things I used to do in the fall and around Halloween time with my parents. As I perused my Pinterest, I found this awesome Fall checklist and immediately wanted to pack up and get started on all the fun ideas that were presented. Print this off and get started on checking off your fall bucket list if you haven't started already! :)

Photo source: Pinterest

Have you done any of these creative ideas? What memories do you have of the Fall?

Living Room...

Today, I signed the lease for my very first apartment.  It was such an amazing feeling, my cheeks started to hurt from smiling so much. On the bus ride home, I started thinking about the other apartments and houses I'll have and how I'll always remember when I signed my first lease.  Then that turned me on to thinking about decorating, and I began imagining my dream house. 

Now I know I'm far from owning a house, but the possibilities are endless when decorating a house, or even an apartment. And that notion of filling a space with parts of you, things you love and connect with, is something that fills me with such excitement, I'm comparably as giddy as a little girl on Christmas Eve.

I found this picture on Pinterest today and had to share it. With the happiness of a new place floating in the air and dreams of many more to come, it felt perfect.

Photo source: Pinterest

I love the color of the rich rafters against the light colored stone. The rafters in general are just beautiful, and although the walls are stone, I still get such a warm, homey feeling when I look at this. What do you love about this living room? What big dreams do you have for your space?