gardenista

turmeric-miso soup w/ shiitakes, turnips + soba noodles by Lindsey | Dolly and Oatmeal


life seems to be getting back into a more consistent rhythm and flow post-holiday season.  my early morning routine of yoga and a cup of tea have returned, easy breakfasts whipped together in a flash, weekday evenings where my me and my husband catch each other up on our days, and dinners that include more wholesomeness and less of the not-so-good stuff! i was especially careful over the holidays not to overdo it with the mentality of "it's the holidays, i can eat whatever i want!" but more of an intentional approach to meals and eating.  i spent a chunk of time removed from all things computer/phone, and instead plugged myself into time with family, leaving me super grounded. during that time, it got me thinking and reassessing what i'm doing here with this space.  i have always wanted to share recipes in the hope of inspiring people to get in the kitchen, perhaps eat less take-out, and be more mindful about what they put into their bodies.  so, i have resolved to make this more of a point going forward!



when gardenista asked me to develop an invigorating, post-holiday, one-pot meal, i gathered together some of my go-to healing ingredients and prepared this simple, nourishing meal.  i started with miso as the base of this soup because it's great way to boost your immune system, promote digestion, and give any soup an awesome umami flavor.  fresh turmeric was added for an anti-inflammatory purposes - perhaps to help repair a weak system after the consumption of too many holiday treats, along with 2 all-stars: shiitake mushrooms, and turnips for sweet, earthy flavors.  to round this dish out and make it more of a substantial meal, soba noodles were added as well, which offer their own lovely flavor.  my husband and i have been eating this soup for a quick meal, when we feel the onset of a cold, or for days when it's -9° and we need some warmth in our bodies!  and today, you can find the recipe over at the lovely gardenista!  

love, warmth + miso, everyone! xo 


edible gifting + chocolate bark 3 ways by Lindsey | Dolly and Oatmeal


i rarely like giving homemade food as a gift, mostly because i know that people's tastes are subjective and i can't possibly know what each person likes!  and also because i would hate to disappoint anyone by giving them something they can't eat (you know, food allergies, sensitive diets, etc.).  so, i usually rely on a this go-to granola recipe to include in holiday gift giving, but this year i decided to switch it up, and go with a no-fail chocolate bark in 3 flavors.  i love how easy it is to switch up the flavors by adding nuts, spices, fruit, peppermint candies, zest, etc., etc.!  here, i've chosen to go with these: 1. a dairy-free dark chocolate w/ cardamom, toasted nuts, and citrus zest.  2. milk chocolate peppermint bark w/ white chocolate drizzle. 3. white chocolate, pomegranate and pistachio bark.  the recipe for these babes, and how i like wrapping edible gifts, is over on Gardenista!

happy happy holidays everyone! xo - lindsey


holiday butternut bundt cake w/ crushed cranberries + apples by Lindsey | Dolly and Oatmeal


we woke up to our first snowfall the other morning, albeit a dusting; our plump christmas tree is up, decorated with ornaments we've collected throughout the years; lit with strands of twinkling lights, its base hidden under a burlap tree skirt i made years ago (a craft projects gone right!).  our winter vista is now official, as the trees across the way have lost the last of their leaves,  and we can squeak out a view of the top quarter of the empire state building once more.  the holidays are officially here, and even though it's felt like a merry season for the past few weeks, it's now in close sight.    



sometimes it feels like i don't know where to start with holiday dessert though, do i go with cake, make sheets and sheets of cookies, chocolate bars, peppermint bark..? (i know, really tough decisions here.)  this year i decided to settle on a simple bundt cake - one that incorporates a number of things i love about the idea of a typical fruitcake, but without the heavy glug of it.  in that spirit, i decided to go with a tried and true cake my nana would always make: her 1,2,3,4 bundt cake.  it was her no-fail, all-occasion cake that could be made plain or jazzed up with fruit, nuts, zest, etc. so, when i thought of the holidays, of love, of memories, of baking, i knew an updated version of my nana's cake in the form of a butternut bundt was in order.  it's flecked with crushed cranberries to cut through the sweetness, the batter mixed with grated ginger, chopped apples and toasted nuts for a subtle crunch, and topped with some powdered sugar for good (holiday) measure.   

if you missed last week's post, i'm guest blogging for Gardenista this month!  you can peep this holiday bundt cake recipe over on their site today!  and stay tuned, i've got two more posts coming up this month and i'm super pumped about them! 

i hope the holiday season is bringing you joy, love, and warmth. xo