Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Be Back Soon!

Thanks so much for stopping by-it means so much to me! I apologize for the recent lack of posts as I am in the process of working on some changes for the site. 
All will be back up and running shortly!


In the meantime, follow me on twitter for updates...and a little bit of it all:) @damselinaddress


All my love xxoo
Molly

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Sweetie Pie




The holidays are a huge part of who I am. Also, food and my love for entertaining, which happen to be the core of my cherished infatuations. That being said (the following is not an exaggeration), I live day by day, by day by day awaiting the holidays which loom in the horizon! 

Welp, fall is finally here and Halloween is well on its way. If there is one thing I cannot live without (regardless of season!) it's pumpkin pie. I can however live without all the sugar and guilt that goes along with my year-round craving...and the can it comes in (yet to master how to cook a pumpkin pie using a real pumpkin, I can hardly carve one), all those variables lead me to creating 'Sweetie Pie.' Thanks to its make up of sweet potatoes, this mock filling holds some supreme beauty enhancing compounds. The dish is idyllic as a side or desert and a simple carry along for a holiday potluck.

Ingredients: (serves about 6)

3 large sweet potatoes 
3 tbs. agave 
1/2 tbs. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup pure orange juice 
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt


Preparation: 

In a large sauce pan, boil water. Peel and cut potatoes into pieces. Once water is boiling, add potatoes and cook until soft. Strain water and transfer potatoes back into the sauce pan. Using a 'potato masher' or hand mixer, mash potatoes as you normally would. In a small-medium bowl combined agave, orange juice, vanilla extract, spice and sea salt then whisk until completely mixed. Add liquid mixture to mashed potatoes and mix well. 

Pair with pumpkin seeds and/or a small tea cookie for garnish. 

Sweet potatoes: Known to help improve skin complexion, sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene. In the body beta-carotene converts to vitamin A and through DNA eliminates old skin cells and produces new ones. Beta-carotene also works to fight off free radicals (chemicals that damage cells) and enough free radical exposure can lead to wrinkles--way before we should have them! Sweet potatoes also contain vitamin C and can help stabilize blood sugar levels. 

Canned products: It is always best to eat fresh foods for obvious reasons, plus some canned goods can hold tons of additives. There has been lots of talk regarding Bisphenol A (BPA), a compound which coats the interior of canned products. Some studies have linked BPA to health issues (from hormone imbalances to cancer) and questioned its effects on the brain. I'm not telling you to never use a canned product again, but simply be aware, that's all. I still use canned goods for certain things! I just make sure to always look for the purest option available (may mean a little more effort), read labels/ingredient list before buying and if I can find what I am looking for in a glass jar instead, I'll buy that. 

Get cooking, sweetie pie! xo

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Savvy Sipper

I can't exactly explain it but it's like a tip toe-run, we're very fast and if you blink you may miss it; my friends and I bare a resemblance to victims of over indulgence as we graze the city's London-esque roads. It's just the brick thoroughfare and lack of stability in five-inch heels, honest. My mom once told me, "two things: men and alcohol, when it comes to either--choose wisely," she regret to inform me about the damage-risk you take when purchasing suede pumps in nude. Nonetheless, the trick is--choose wisely

We all have our pick of "poison," but when it comes to alcohol there are a few options that you may want to consider ahead of others.


As many of us know, wine is always a safe choice. It isn't as hard on your body and more specifically, won't put your liver under such ruthless attack! Wine contains flavonoids (help prevent cardiovascular diseases and inflammation) and antioxidants (all around important to your health). Organic or biodynamic wines that don't contain added sulfites are always your best bet whenever possible. 

Hate to admit it, but those brewed liquid pleasures are the most toxic, like beer, tequila (my favorite!) and rum; since they cause sugar imbalances in the body, they also lead to some pretty undesirable bloat (stick with vodka!). One problem--the Cats (#1!) play the Trojans this afternoon and the game screams bottomless pitcher, now what?! Opt for darker hues, they contain more minerals and have less of an effect on blood sugar levels as they absorb more slowly into the bloodstream than refined light brews. 

As always, moderation is key and be sure to sip a 'lemon drop detoxifier' first thing the next morning, have shoe repair on speed dial and when it comes to men, take note: "well done is better than well said."- Ben Franklin

GO CATS! xo