Birthday present

My birthday was a couple weeks ago and my parents asked what I wanted. They usually scoot me a small amount of cash, but this year they wanted to make it special since it was a milestone bday for me.

I think my mom has always wanted my sister and I to be twins, since she always dressed us alike and have always bought us the same things so that it was "equal". She and my dad bought my sister a charm bracelet and were on the way to buying me one too. I'm surprised she actually asked me what I wanted instead of just buying me the bracelet.

The foodie vegan nerd in me just couldn't get around a charm bracelet. I wanted something for the kitchen. I was sure that they would just laugh at me, but then this arrived in the mail.

Just another sweet baby to add to my brood! 

I'm SO excited!!!!!!!! Oh the things I can make with this sweet machine! The possibilities are overwhelming :)

2014 Book Challenge

Ever have that thought that you should get off the computer and just read a good book? (she says as she's on the computer) I have that feeling quite frequently, so this year I decided to make it reality.

I am going to try to read a book a month, but I'm not going to punish myself if I don't. Some books reel you in and can be finished in a week, others are tedious and a challenge and take over a month. I had been reading a lot on my 20 minute commute to work, but for the past month or so, have been walking the 2 miles to my desk, so sometimes I will be consuming my interests in the form of an audio book.

I'll document the books I read above under 2014 Book Challenge. Want to challenge yourself with me? Have any good books that you want to reccomend? Leave me a comment below.. I'd love to get some great suggestions on what to add to my book pile :)

Cashew Cheese Spread

This is actually easier than I thought it would be!

Cashew Cheese Spread

1.5 Cups soaked Cashews (I soaked them for 4 hours, you can get away with less)
1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
1/2 Teaspoon Salt of your choice
1 Tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
1 Cup Water
I have also thrown in some herbs before, but you can go plain if you wish.

Blend everything until smooth and pour into a Nut Bag that is in a glass container. Loosely tie a knot at the top and place the lid on and put in fridge for 4 hours. Pour extra liquid (that seeps out) down the drain and remove the remaining cheese from the nut bag back into the glass container. Keeps for about 4 to 5 days.

There are so many recipes on the internet for this kind of spread, but I will credit Mimi Kirk for this adapted version. I was reading her book "Live Raw" and had to try it :)