Vanilla Pear Milk

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Vanilla Pear Milk

vanilla pear milk

Pears have always been one of my favorite fruits. Not only do they have an elegant shape, but they are juicy and charmingly sweet. Though, pears have a dark side. They can be temperamental, finicky, and are never perfectly ripe.

I would argue that pears are one of the most elegant and graceful fruits until you bite into them. Whenever I bite into a ripe pear, a small explosion occurs. Juice dribbles down my chin, sprays my clothing with a fine mist, and runs down my hands until I am sticky and dripping puddles on the floor. Maybe you have more grace when eating pears (and I commend you for it), but I certainly don't. Pears are only portable in theory. I can never eat a pear in public with good conscious (well, not unless I'm eating them with a knife and fork and who does that?).

vanilla pear milk

Finding a ripe pear is virtually impossible. I believe Eddie Izzard, one of my favorite comedians, said it best.

Pears are like a rock, so you think, "I'll take them home and they'll ripen up," and you put them in a bowl, and they sit there going, "No! No! Don't ripen yet! Don't ripen yet! Wait till he goes out of the room! Ripen now! Now! Now!" And you come back in, and you go, "I'll just have one of these… Hey, these pears are dead!"
The pears are mush before you even saw it coming.

vanilla pear milk

This vanilla pear milk is light and sweet. The texture falls somewhere between yogurt and a smoothie. The dash of cinnamon melds all of the flavors together in a way I didn't expect. Treat yourself to this healthy, delicious drink. You won't be disappointed.

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Banana Cinnamon Muffins

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Banana Cinnamon Muffins

banana cinnamon muffin

A new year, a new start.

I don't typically make New Year's resolutions because I can't seem to keep up my unrealistic expectations after a week or two. This year I want to try something different. I want to make resolutions that are real and attainable, even if they do take a little work. I want to make resolutions I can keep. These are a few that I am going to work towards this year:

1. Be Healthy

salad and poached egg

I want to be healthy in both body and mind. I think the key to the new year will be balance. Last year held high highs and low lows in both aspects for me. I truly believe that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind so eating better and working out will bring about happiness and peace of mind.

This year I want to work on eating more fruits and vegetables, but, more importantly, I want to work on a lower sodium diet. Although I love everything about salt, my body doesn't. Working on cooking from scratch and eating less processed foods will keep out much of the salt (and more of the calories!). My mother also picked up a family membership for the gym and I'm excited to start using it. I find that working out helps me not only sleep better, but feel better.

2. Take a Photography Class

winter afternoon

I first became interested in photography this year. I figured if I was going to be starting a food blog, I better learn how to take a good picture. Even though I know how to work all the manual settings on my camera, there is much much more to learn. Composition and lighting are always a struggle. Although I can judge which photos are more visually appealing to my own eye, I couldn't tell you why. A photography course could help me fill in some of those blanks (and that's something I am excited about).

Kara

3. Get a Job

After changing career paths, I am another unemployed member of society. Although I wouldn't mind continuing to spend my days baking and watching shows like Gossip Girl, I want to aspire to greater things. I have goals! I have aspirations! This year I would like to find a job that will allow me explore the culinary field, pick up some tricks of the trade, and learn more about what I love—food... Anyone hiring?

4. Keep Baking!

banana cinnamon muffin

Something tells me this resolution will be the easiest to keep. I can hardly keep myself out of the kitchen as it is. This year I am going to focus on baking healthy. I plan to continue healthier substitutions (like swapping butter and oil for yogurt or applesauce), but I also want to work on cutting down the sugar content (while keeping the flavor a priority). I think we all get plenty of sugar as it is. My desserts may be darker and more decadent with less of the sweet stuff, but I certainly don't think that's a bad thing!

Do you have any resolutions for the new year?

banana cinnamon muffin

I thought it was only fitting to start off 2011 with something that won't ruin our diets. These banana cinnamon muffins are healthy and delicious. Low in both butter and sugar, the sweetness in these muffins comes from the bananas (although you'd never guess it). At 150 calories each, these muffins will keep your resolutions intact and I think that's something we can all be happy about.

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Peppermint Ice Cream

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Peppermint Ice Cream

peppermint ice cream

I've decided we all get a free pass until the new year. Since I discovered that it is impossible for me to eat healthy with all this holiday baking lying around, I am releasing myself (and you) from guilt. No more feeling guilty about sneaking an extra cookie. No more regret over a smuggled chocolate or two. And certainly no more shame over taking an extra scoop of ice cream (especially if its peppermint).

Perhaps I am just the one that needs a free pass (or possibly a bit of self control). Though I don't think two more days of gluttony would do anyone much harm at this point, right?

peppermint ice cream

As my sister put it this morning through a mouthful of puppy chow, "I am going to eat all of this anyway. I might as well get it over with now so I can finally move on."

Truer words have never been spoken.

So I say eat the rest of the holiday goodies. Share them with friends. Neighbors. The office. Let's banish (or devour) the sweets from our homes so we can start off the new year right (you know, without a sugar high and mild case of diabetes).

peppermint ice cream

This peppermint ice cream is thick and creamy. It is made using the same method as French vanilla, rendering it smooth and absolutely divine. Candy canes are mixed into the ice cream, which add a unique texture and little peppermint flavor pockets to each and every bite. If you want a little extra crunch, feel free to add a sprinkling of crushed candy canes to the top just before serving. Make this for the holidays, make this for New Year's, or you could just make it all for yourself.

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