for us, valentine’s day tends to be all about eating some really great food. and since there’s no better way to get to a man’s heart than through his stomach, i thought a few dinner ideas might be in need!

these recipes are all plant based, therefore you can serve up some dairy free, meat free goodness to your loved ones. bet you didn’t know desserts could still look so good, huh?!

1. mediterranean pasta with artichokes

2. asparagus with shittake, shallots and peas

3. ‘hearty’ ravioli (hehe!)

4. pink cauliflower soup

5. crispy tofu hearts

6. four berry salad

7. roasted red pepper and walnut dip with pomegranate

1. chocolate dipped strawberries

2. mini coconut blood orange bundt cakes

3. lemon cream with blackberries

4. layered chocolate raspberry mousse

5. candied clementines

6. poached pears with dark chocolate

what are you cooking for valentine’s day?

wrap up: {dessert} {dinner} {heart} {ideas} {love} {valentine's day}

1. printable cupcake wrappers from urban comfort

2. fruit stickers from twig and thistle

3. make your own sweater from a beautiful mess

4. printable notecards from one charming party

5. heart nail art from wonder forest

6. felt candy hearts from the purl bee

7. heart cookies decorating how-to from glorious treats

wrap up: {diy} {ideas} {projects} {round up} {theme} {valentine's day}

roasted fall veggies with lentils | butternut squash and apple soup | polenta pizza | shepherd’s pie | vegan lasagna recipe

i found myself craving comfort food this week, so our meals were full of hearty-feel-good-foods. potatoes, soup and yummy polenta did the job! and don’t forget, if it wasn’t delicious and totally hubby approved, it doesn’t make the list!

monday: this new vegan lasagna recipe that is to.die.for.
tuesday: shepherd’s pie made from local fresh veggies.
wednesday: polenta pizza served with sauteed kale (yum-o!).
thursday: butternut squash and apple soup, a winter favorite!
friday: roasted fall veggies with lentils.

what was on your plate this week? any favorite recipes you’d like to share?

we follow a whole foods, plant based diet. the dinner ideas posts are a way for me to log our dinners, how we make eating this way easy, and hopefully inspire you to try some new things as well. they are always meat free, dairy free and often gluten free. you can follow the posts here, and i encourage you to share your favorite recipes with us as well!

wrap up: {dinner} {gluten free} {heart} {ideas} {seasonal} {vegan} {vegetarian} {winter}

planning a special valentine’s day dinner, luncheon or dessert? why not take it up a notch with some (really cute!!) painted plates? jessica from how about orange made this ‘paint’ from water, powdered sugar and a little bit of food coloring, so it’s perfectly edible. head on over to how about orange for the full diy instructions!

wrap up: {decoration} {edible} {ideas} {paint} {party} {plates} {valentine's day}

i made this fennel and tomato soup this week from the jan/feb issue of vegetarian times, and boy was it delicioso! with the addition of some corn it was extra hearty and nutritious. i served it with sauteed kale and sweet potato fries and it warmed us up from the inside out. head over to vegetarian times for the recipe!

wrap up: {dinner} {fennel} {ideas} {recipe} {soup} {tomato} {vegan}

i’m thinking this idea might mean a run to the thrift store. though these superior servers are available for sale (and appropriate for everyday use), i’m thinking a diy version could make for some unusually beautiful kitchen art. what do you think? framed, strung or even bunched in a canister- i think this would be an easy way to add a classy splash of color to your kitchen!

wrap up: {art} {color} {dipped} {diy} {handle} {ideas} {kitchen}

hello lovelies! as promised, today i’m sharing with you a few of the handmade gifts i received over christmas. not to state the obvious, but handmade gifts are my favorite! the time and thought that everyone put into these absolutely blows me away- and i’ve got to admit, i’ve got some pretty talented friends and family!

reversible handmade market bag made by my mom- isn’t it beautiful? i used it just yesterday at our farmer’s market and it was so perfect for the occasion. it’s easy to carry and the little pocket on the front is perfect for quick cash. (find the pattern here!)

i love love love my new crocheted toboggan by my friend lindsay- it’s so soft and cozy. :)

laptop sleeve handmade by my mom! she also bought a matching amy butler laptop skin to match it. brilliant, right? (find the pattern here!)

hand-stamped calendar index cards for the entire year, handmade by my dear friend callie. perfect to jot down daily lists, prayer reminders or to do’s!

another absolutely amazing project by my sweet momma- an ipad case with matching amy butler skin. (find the pattern here!)

all natural handmade soap by my friend, deidre. they smells sooo good!

a rice and lavender neck wrap handmade by friend, amber. pop this in the microwave and your warm and cozy in no time!

thank you everyone for all of your incredibly thoughtful and beautiful gifts!

wrap up: {christmas} {gifts} {handmade} {ideas} {patterns}

hello, sweets! yesterday we completed our 36 hour cross country drive back to california from north carolina (whew!). as we pulled up in our drive, i found myself thankful for our little homestead and intoxicated by the warmth of the sunshine and light breeze that filled the air. we miss our family deeply in north carolina, but for the time being, i couldn’t ask for a more glorious place to live.

as i begin the daunting task of unpacking from our trip, i can’t help but still be giddy over the Christmas gifts everyone gave us. unpacking them from our suitcase is just as fun as unwrapping them was the first time.

a majority of the gifts that we both gave and received this year were handmade (my favorite!), but today i wanted to share with you a few of my favorite non-handmade gifts that i both gave and received. i’ll photograph the handmade ones as i unpack them today and make room for them in their new home, and will hopefully share those with you tomorrow. until then, here are a few of my new favorite items!

1. my new pantone color books- sigh. i love them!

2. a new manduka sticky mat- hopefully this will help #7 of my 2012 goals.

3. my favorite bluetooth device (i had lost one several months ago, not sure how i survived without!).

4. i received this tea botanical glass drinking vessel. it’s double walled, perfect for either water or hot drinks. it even comes with a tea strainer so you can use loose leafed tea!

5. though i never thought i would, i love my new kindle! for traveling, nothing beats this light weight alternative to lugging my several reads around while traveling.

6. print and pattern 2- so much inspiration are held within these pages.

1. organic mi-bras with cell phone pockets for everyone!

2. everyone got a pair of hand painted earrings from eleanor joseph.

3. i gave david this tranquil forest coffee mug, (actually two of them, since he broke the first one the day he got it). we love drinking coffee out of ceramic mugs!

4. my sister got this NLT study bible- it’s my favorite version and the front of it is so pretty.

5. i gave my sister in law this handmade mail organizer, it arrived in perfect condition and makes her entry way so darling!

6. everyone got glass straws this year, and i made a little wool pouch for each of them. i’ve used mine several times now, and i love taking it out at restaurants!

what is your favorite gift from this year?

wrap up: {2011} {gift} {ideas}