A Lovely Gluten-free Brunch : Coconut Pancakes & Crustless Mini Quiche!

25 April 2013


My friend Krissy (of Ponyboy Press & Plain Language Marketing) came over last week for a lovely spring brunch date.  She has recently went gluten-free, so I wanted to challenge myself to create something special for her.

I picked up some gf coconut flour from the bulk section of Winco and I was really excited to work with it for the first time!  It is very different than traditional flour, it absorbs liquid much quicker and needs a bit of help to get to the right consistency, but it ended up making some absolutely delicious pancakes!  I also made some mini quiches (because everything is better in miniature!)  that took advantage of asparagus season and also allowed me to make them up ahead of time.

Krissy brought these beautiful strawberries filled with lavender & black pepper cream cheese!  They were amazing and elegant and you should definitely go to her site and get the recipe!

Gluten-Free Coconut Pancakes! Yum!

Gluten-Free Coconut Pancakes

1/2 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup finely shredded coconut
1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda
6 eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 cup milk (any kind you like)

Beat eggs with milk & cream.  Add remaining wet ingredients & then slowly incorporate dry ingredients.  Blend until you have a nice batter that can spread on it's own.  It will be a little thicker than a traditional pancake batter, but that is just fine.  You can add a bit more milk until you have the consistency you like.
Using an icecream scoop, portion batter onto a hot oiled skillet.  Give the skillet a bit of a turn (as you would with crepe batter) to help the thick batter spread more evenly.  Cook for a few minutes per side until both sides are browned.

Top with your favorite toppings!  I was lucky enough to have some amazing mango topping from the Portland Preservation Soceity canning swap and it was heavenly!  I also added some roasted coconut chips from Trader Joe's, but they would also be lovely with agave, jams or plain old maple syrup.

Gluten-Free Crustless Mini Quiche - asparagus, mushroom, & goat cheese!

Asparagus, Mushroom, & Goat Cheese Mini Quiche

6 eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup goat cheese
3/4 cup chopped asparagus (about 7-10 stalks)
3/4 cup chopped mushrooms (about 3-4 large mushrooms)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees & grease a muffin tin with butter or oil.
Saute asparagus & mushrooms in a pan with a bit of oil until they soften up (don't cook them completely since they will still be going in the oven) - about 5 minutes. Beat eggs, cream, & salt in a bowl or an electric mixer. Cut the goat cheese into small pieces.
Assmeble quiche by dividing your vegetable mixture evenly into each cup of the muffin tin (about 1/2-3/4 tablespoon per tin), cover with egg mixture so that the tins are about 2/3 full, drop a few peices of goat cheese into each one.
Bake for about 20-30 until the middle of each quiche no longer has any jiggle to it.

This is a really great simple recipe because it can be altered to fit your tastes & it is also great to make ahead of time. I cooked the quiche up the night before and then put them in the fridge so I just had to get them reheated in the oven before my guest arrived. These would also freeze really well to have a special pre-portioned breakfast waiting for you any time you need it!


I really love being able to spend these lovely spring afternoons with the amazing people in my life and putting together a perfect table and meal for them just makes my heart soar.

52 Lists: Favorite Books (and Zines!)

24 April 2013



I have a confession.  I am not a big reader these days.

As a kid, I would read everything and anything I could get my hands on. I loved R.L. Stine, Francesca Lia Block, and all kinds of fantasy books. I would spend hours tucked away in my room reading books. They were in many ways my safe haven & escape.

As I got older, I started to trade in my love of novels for a love of zines and I would spend hours listening to records and paging through tattered photocopied pages of text and art instead.   I made my own zine for 10+ years.  Zines have always given me a sense of belonging and connection and they have influenced so much about who I am - I've learned so much, I moved to Portland largely because of the zine scene here, I spent 5 years helping to organize the nation's largest zine conventions, I have one of my old zine covers tattooed to my arm, and most importantly I have a lot of wonderful, deep friendships that I can attribute to zines.

Because zines are really the homemade literary pieces of work that have really inspired me most in my life, I've decided to expand my list beyond just my favorite books and I took some time today to dig into my big collection of zines & document a few of my all time favorites (and my favorite indie comics as well).

There was also a time in my adulthood when I also traded in the love of fantasy for interest in non-fiction.  For that reason, I think my favorite books are very telling about my family, my struggles, and my beliefs.  Many of these books are my favorites not for their literary brilliance, but for the way that they spoke to me in just the right way at the right time.






Eco Emi Giveaway!

20 April 2013

PSSSSSST....

To celebrate Earth Day, I am hosting a giveaway over at The Young Retiree to win a month subscription to Eco Emi!  Sunday is the last day to enter, so be sure to check it out!



P.S. - Thanks to Blog Giveaway Directory for the share!

Pacific Rim Mango Chutney

I've been luck enough to have the chance to try out a few products from Blue Heron Herbary - they are really wonderful herb farm just outside of Portland & have recently released a line of infused vinegars. One of my favorite infusions it the Pacific Rim - it's a blend of rice wine vinegar, fennel, green chives, lemon grass, licorice root, star anise, and ginger. As soon as I smelled it, I immediately thought chutney!


I adore mango chutney because it is sweet, but still really stands up to anything you add it to and mangoes just so happen to be in season right now! Chutney is really versitile. It is traditionally served as a sweet balancing side dish for a spicy curry dishes, but you can use it for a number of things.  I made a delicious fruity salad by mixing chutney a bit with lime juice, olive oil, and a touch of honey - perfect dish for those spring days.  It's also lovely with meats, cheeses (cream, blue, or goat are my favorites), or as a condiment for your leftover turkey sandwich!


Pacific Rim Mango Chutney
Makes 3 pints
2 cups sugar
1 cup Pacific Rim vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice or citric acid
6 cups of peeled & chopped mangoes - slightly underripe (about 6 mangoes)
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped (or 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger paste)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
1/4 teaspoon ground star anise (or ground cloves)
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (add more or less depending on your heat preference)

Combine sugar, vinegar, & lemon juice in a large pot. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar dissolves.
Add remaining ingredients and simmer uncovered for about an hour to an hour and a half. The longer you cook it, the thicker your chutney will be, so the time is all about your preference (remember that it will thicken a bit more once cooled), but you want it to at least get all the ingredients nice and softened & get a bit of a syrupy texture.
Ladle hot mixture into sterilized jars & process in a water bath for 20 minutes.

Note: You could substitute a regular rice wine or white vinegar for the Pacific Rim, but you will loose a bit of flavor.  If you choose to do white or apple cider vinegar, you could omit the lemon juice or citric acid since those vingers contain a higher acid level than rice wine vinegar.  I do think the rice wine vinegar & lemon juice combination creates are more well-rounded soft flavor that is a bit less abrasive than other vinegars.  

52 Lists: Favorite Quotes

18 April 2013

This week's list is about quotes.  I didn't really think I was much for quotes, but when I sat down and really thought about it, I realized that there were definitely a few things that have really stuck with me.  Words are so powerful and sometimes you find the exact right combination that can kind of touch your soul a bit, so here are a few that have done that for me.














"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." - Dolly Parton

"I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”  - Audrey Hepburn

"Maybe instead of a big picture, life is just a series of a few really wonderful, perfect moments." - Korrina

"And this is the room one afternoon I knew I could love you. And from above you how I sank into your soul into that secret place where no one dares to go" -Neutral Milk Hotel

"The most revolutionary thing you can do is love your body"

I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate.” -Haim Ginott

"It remains a radical act to be fat and happy in America…Being publicly fat and happy is hard; being publicly, shamelessly, unshakably fat and happy is an act of both will and bravery."– Melissa McEwan

"Fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life." - Donald Miller

Just because you are blind, and unable to see my beauty doesn't mean it does not exist.” - Margaret Cho

"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls." - Pablo Picasso

__________________________



As always, you can learn more about the 52 List project here!

What's on your list? Do you have a favorite quote?

Baking Cabinet Organization + Kitchen Label Freebies!

17 April 2013


I have been hard at work getting lots of spring cleaning projects done around the house & my baking cabinet was a big one for me.  When we moved into our house, we didn't have a whole lot of counter space or storage, but we did have a nice big kitchen with plenty of open space.  In order to take advantage of the space and fix the lack of counter space issue, I found this a roomy old dresser with plenty of storage space at a thrift store a few years ago.  I decided that it would be perfect to store all of my mountains of special baking supplies.

Of course, extra space for me often means extra messy junk drawers & it was really quite a mess of good intentions gone bad.  This week, I tackled it all and I am delighted to have a nice, organized accessible place to inspire baking projects! 


Armed with some dollar store bins, I organized all the drawers and now all of my decorating tips, extracts, and sprinkles are right where they should be.

I used a tall jar (I believe it is intended for spaghetti) to get all of my cupcake wrappers under control...and it just looks pretty darling on the counter!



I buy the vast majority of my baking supplies in bulk, so I needed an organization system to get all the bags under control & let me easily know when I needed to add them to the grocery list.  I got some cute Ikea jars & now all primary baking pantry items are right at my fingertips!  And of course I needed to make them a little extra cute if they were going to be out on display, I designed these adorable labels.

And just in case you need some labels to help inspire your cleaning, I'd love to share them with you!


A Trip to Vancouver, B.C.

16 April 2013

As I've mentioned, 2013 is all about new experiences and adventures for me.  It's only April, but so far this year, I've been able to scratch several big things off my bucket list when I went to New Orleans and Iceland for the first time.  Another big place on my 30 Before 30 goals was to finally make the drive up to Vancouver, B.C.  Armed with a friend and my tax return, that is exactly what I did this weekend!

We drove up without a very clear plan &  just really wanted to take in everything that the city had to offer - I think that worked out perfectly.  We ended up stumbling upon some beautiful places and celebrations.

Since it was about 6 hour drive from Portland, we also decided to break up the driving a bit with a stop at the Outback Kangaroo Farm. There, we got to get up close and personal with some cute kangaroos (and llamas, lemurs, peacocks, and a few others) and I even got to HOLD A BABY KANGAROO!  Amazing!




I got to hold a baby kangaroo! 


The Vancouver Flea Market is a cute indoor weekend flea market that I was so excited to visit.  Unfortunately, when we went most of the stalls and vendors were closed up, so it was a little less exciting than I had hoped.
As part of the Cherry Blossom Festival, we stumbled upon an umbrella dance troop downtown!

I will admit, I was pretty geeked out to find out the Orpheum Theater is where the epic opera house phophecy scenes were filmed for Battlestar Galatica
We had our very first Canadian poutine!  And at a real poutinerie!


While exploring, we happened upon the Vaisakhi celebration in the Punjabi Market district of the city - it was full of amazing colorful floats & we had an opportunity to try some amazing food!

Even though it was a short trip and we only spent the weekend, I definitely think Vancouver found a spot in my heart.  It was my first time visiting Canada and I can't wait to go back and explore even more!

Introducing New Wave Domesticity!

04 April 2013

I stated this blog in 2009 and at the time the name "Sew Darn Thrifty" seemed to fit me, it was cutesy and it had a pun or two.  I didn't have a strong direction with it, I just liked to sew sometimes and I was addicted to thrifting, so Sew Darn Thrifty came to be.

Fast forward to 2013, I found myself coming back to blogging as a way to rediscover the things that I love and find myself again, so I just picked up the blog I had created 4 years ago since it seemed to have a few visitors via pinterest & google while I was gone.  I realized that I love blogging, it almost gives me the sense of excitement & community that I've been missing.  It keeps me inspired to make projects and food and be proud of the small, everyday wonderful things that make up my life.

The thing is, the old name doesn't seem to fit the new outlook.  It feels like an old t-shirt that is too small with a slogan that doesn't mean anything anymore, so I think it is time to toss that name and embrace one that feels more my style!  And so, I am proud to indroduce...


There are a few reasons for the new name...
New Wave  is defined as "a movement, trend, or vogue that breaks with traditional concepts, values, techniques, or the like" and that is exactly what I am doing with myself. I am breaking away from all the concepts that had gotten tangled up in and I am redefining what that means. I am defining a new
way to be domestic and at the core of that, a new way to be myself.   It also ties me to my roots and the third wave feminism that has always been dear to me throughout my life.  It is just all part of a very
personal evolution to the person that I am now. I want to redefine the way that homemaking has delineated.

The Domesticity part is pretty obvious.  I realized that this blog is not about sewing or thrifting or any one thing.  It is about the little, seemingly mundane tasks that make home for us.  It's about using raw materials to create a beautiful piece of art or all of the right ingredients to bake a perfect cake.  These domestic things are also more than just consumerism and commonplace, it is how we express love for ourselves and those around us.  These are the small actions are the things that make us who we are.

New Wave Domesticity was also the title of a zine I wrote a few years ago and it has stuck with me, so I am happy to make this part of that continued project.

I will be updating all my external links in the next few days.  The old links & bookmarks on Pinterest and the like will still be valid and will just forward on over to www.newwavedomesticity.com!  If you are following on Bloglovin (thank you!), you will just automatically be transferred over to follow the new name.  If you have any other questions or happen to think of something I missed, please get in touch!

Thank you all so much for your support and for following along with me!  Stay tuned for some fun giveaways & celebration for this new adventure!

52 Lists: Things I Want to Make

03 April 2013

This week's list is all about creating.  Ever since I was a  little girl, my mother ignited a love of crafting in me.  We used to go to the craft supply store every few weeks and she would let me pick out anything I wanted to make.  And I have taken that love with me into adulthood.  I am lucky enough to have a whole craft studio in my home to call my own.  Sadly, lately I just haven't been crafting a whole lot.  I think I have just been putting a lot of creative energy into other outlets and projects, but I know the love isn't gone...it's just the ebb and flow of things.  This list was a nice reminder to connect with that creative part of myself again and really start figuring out new ways to use that room full of amazing supplies.

It was also a nice reminder that those crafts make me feel amazing, but they are not the only things that I make or that make me feel creative.  I am so lucky to have a life that is full of potential to make new things all of the time. 

What is on your list this week?  What will you be making?

Thrift Scores: Pugs, Giraffes, and Pyrex!

01 April 2013


I had a lovely day of thrifting (and even a few of the first yard sales of the season!) this weekend.   It was a perfect spring Saturday full of sunshine & I was just so excited to be out of the house and driving around the city I love.  We drove a bit out to one of the suburbs to seek out some of my favorite thrift stores and lucked out with an unexpected half price day!  I am always so excited to find a nice mix of practical AND adorable!


I had a few great Pyrex scores to start with.  A cute little 'Old Town Blue' gravy boat,  a rare small solid orange refrigerator dish, and a pretty aqua pie plate.  Thanks to a great little flea market vendor and 1/2 price day at the Salvation Army, these 3 gems were less than $4 total!


This little Nordic Ware giraffe whisk was just to darn cute to pass up!  And only 50 cents!



Maybe these are too practical to be cool, but I am really excited for this brand new set of 4 large melamine bowls with lids.  I have a bunch of mismatched mixing bowls that are making a bit of a mess in my cabinet & these will not only add some color, but help me get my cabinets under control.  I found them on Amazon for $45 and 5 star reviews, so $5 is a total steal!  Plus, with the matching lids, they are perfect for transporting to summer picnics and potlucks!


Who doesn't love pugs?!  Can you believe I found these ridiculously cute little salt & pepper shakers at a thrift store for a dollar?!  Who would give these up?


After a hard day of thrifting, we had a few friends over for our first BBQ of the year & a viewing of the return of Dr. Who - the absolute perfect day as far as I'm concerned!   How was your weekend?
 
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