Saturday, April 26, 2014

Pineapple Banana Smoothie


The warm weather calls for some refreshing and yummy smoothies! Okay, I may or may not be a little obsessed with homemade smoothies. I can go on and on about how much I love them but bottom line, I just think they're so fun and easy to make. The pineapple banana smoothie was so good that I finished it in a matter of seconds. No seriously, the next thing I knew, the glass was empty. The frozen banana was a great substitute for ice cubes and I especially loved how the pineapples added a tropical touch to the drink. This is definitely going to be one of my go-to smoothies when summer rolls around! 



Makes 1 serving

1 frozen banana 
1/2 cup pineapples, cubed
1 cup vanilla yogurt 
1 cup coconut water

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Homemade French Crepes

Sweet crepes stuffed with nutella, strawberries, and kiwis.

The other day, I had a sudden craving for sweet crepes. I wanted one so bad that I nearly drooled over the mere thought of it. The only problem was that there aren't any good crepe places around where I live. So I decided to just whip up a quick batter at home to keep my craving at bay. I have to be honest, they weren't the best crepes that I've had and they definitely did not have the same fluffy-and-light-texture as the ones I've tasted in the city. Nonetheless, it was fun making them and coming up with my personal creations! I think it's also a great way to include more fruits in my diet as the strawberries and kiwis complemented the crepe and nutella well.

Makes 2 small crepes

✭ Batter should be refrigerated for at least 30 minutes to prevent crepes from breaking in the pan.

Ingredients: 
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg
4 tablespoons milk 
1 tablespoon sugar
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Butter for coating the pan

Directions:
1. In a medium sized bowl, combine flour and milk. Whisk in the egg. 
2. Add sugar and salt. The batter will be watery. Refrigerate the batter for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
3. In a pan over high heat, melt the butter. 
4. Once the pan is heated up, pour batter into the center. Tilt the pan around to make sure it's coated evenly. Switch to medium heat. 
5. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until it turns lightly brown. With a spatula, flip to the other side. 
6. Spread, stuff and top with anything you'd like :)

Sunday, April 6, 2014

A Beautiful Spring Day


Just soaking it all in...

 The blue sky and bright sunshine were a lovely welcome after having a few days of heavy rain. On Saturday, my friend and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and went on a two hour walk along the Santa Cruz Coast, known as West Cliff Drive. The recreation area is a popular one among tourists, but it's also a go-to spot for many locals. On a nice day like this, the place was bustling with people. A fisherman was reeling in his first catch; surfers were chilling in the waters waiting for the next wave, and dogs were playing in the sand without a care in the world. From surfing, jogging, and bicycling to spotting anemones and tidal pools, there was so much things to do and see. It was one of the best nature walks I've ever gone on. The amazing view, the smell of the ocean, and the crystal clear water - everything was just perfect. It was definitely one of those few moments where time slowed down a little, allowing me to appreciate how beautiful the world truly is.

The path stretches out for 2 miles, with the Boardwalk on one end and Natural Bridges State Park on the other.


Look at those surfers! Sometimes, you can even spot dolphins in the early mornings here.