Yes, there is a giveaway at the end of this post. And yes, it’s sweet. But before you get to that, you have to endure my birthday ramblings.
First of all, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who wished me a happy birthday the other day. It was so amazing to be bombarded with your lovely comments – I definitely felt the blog love. My coffee was feeling it too.
I woke up with a huge grin on my face. Hmmm…that’s odd, who in their right mind is thrilled to be older? (whatever…I’ll go with it). This year has a LOT in store for me, I can tell already.
I had cake for breakfast.
Yes, you read that correctly. CAKE.
But why not?!? What are birthdays, if not excuses to disobey the normal and monotonous yadda yadda ho hum of daily life, right?
Knowing I would also want cake in the PM, I had the (surprising) presence of mind to only cut a small sliver. Well, that plan kinda backfired and the “sliver” ended up just whetting my (sweet tooth) appetite…so I further indulged in some more desserts.
Averie’s treats are now all gone :( I can’t believe I had the self control to savor them for THREE whole days. That is for sure a record for desserts lasting in the hippie household.
Like a cracked out Lindsay Lohan, I was nearly twitching from the sugar high.
Present time!!
Momz and popsicle got me the Babycakes cookbook full of their delish looking recipes…stay tuned because you may just benefit from this little gift 😉
Sissie-poo also got me a perfectly fabulously awesome gift. Drum roll please…
A SPIRALIZER!!!! Happy happy joy joy.
(A preview of what’s to come…) THANKS Laura 🙂
Lunch time came a bit early (duh – my metabolism pounded through that sugar faster than B. Spears and a pile of blow). I decided to treat myself to several “courses” (which is the klassy way of saying I grazed all after noon long).
Course 1: Hummus & apple slices Course 2: “Pumpkin butter” & carrots
Course 3: Steamed BN squash (nooch may have found it’s way to this dish)
Noon-time snackface, much?
After lunch, I headed out to get my window shopping on. Brrrr. I lasted 30 minutes in the chilly weather. Instead, I turned to Gossip Girl in PJs (a WAY better refuge). A snuggie would’ve completed the look, but fortunately, that day hasn’t come…yet.
I did manage to bundle up enough to get to the gym, where I put forth a solid 6 mile effort on the elliptical. Loves. My iPod still doesn’t work, so if anyone has any suggestions, holler at me porfa? (the Apple store has exhausted all options, so I’m at the end of my rope)
I got ready for the opera (an outfit photo just for you Kailey) while munching on some WF stoned wheat thins (blasting The Phantom soundtrack in the background), then I went to get my nails did, and meet up with my boo for a hot date at WF. Where else?
Little bit ‘o this, little bit ‘o that (and a whole lotta oil).
Tummy full. Happy Hippie.
It was raining, but whatevs. I was soopah excited 😀
L.O.V.E.D IT!!!!!
I finished off the cake when I got home, then packed my lunch, and hit the hay. Work weekend (boo)!
And NOW, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for scrolling to get to…
GIVEAWAY!!
Remember the other day when I mentioned my newfound love, agave? Well, the amazing peeps at Xagave have offered to give one of my readers the very same cookbook AND bottle of Xagave…and that’s not all!
In order to make this giveaway more personal, I will also be baking a new recipe from my Babycakes cookbook using the Xagave syrup, which one of YOU will win as well!!
So, here’s how you enter to win.
(1) Comment mentioning the very first thing YOU would like to make (if you were the lucky recipient of said agave).
(2) Comment telling me what you’d like ME to make (the cookbook is full of awesome recipes, so I need your help).
(3) Guess what place I came in in the San Francisco Nike half marathon. Whoever gets closest will get an extra 3 entries (hint: there were 20,000 runners).
That’s it! You all have until Marathon Sunday to enter, and then I will be choosing a winner the following Monday (11/2/09). Good luck 🙂
I want to make agave sweet tea!
Hmm…I want you to make agave muffins (very hippie :)).
oh my gawwwwd what a sweet birthday! literally and figureatively (uh sp?) that cake looks off the hiz for sure.
loves the outfit for the phantom 🙂 so gorgeous! Glad you had a great bday time 🙂
Hmmmmmmmmmm I would makeeeee something cakey! And I’m thinkin you came in 9,665. yes?
what a great birthday! Is it bad that I had cake for breakfast this morning and it’s NOT my birthday? hm.
I have no idea what I’d make – something chocolate probably!
Lovely birthday gifts!!
1.) I’d try one of the muffin recipes.
2.) YOU should try the brownie recipe 🙂
3.) Don’t hate me! But…. 18720?
hmm…
1) can you make mini carrot cupcakes with agave? I’ve had a craving for carrot cupcakes since having a slice of carrot cake from my aunt’s bday cake this past thursday. My cousin Chris bought it from the bakery in Gelson’s, but it’s not a Gelson’s bakery, it’s just in there. I’ll ask him what it’s called and share, but damn E, it was delicious and dare I say, moist? haha. I’d make that.
2) ooo, chocolate chip cookies. Oldie, but definitely a goodie.
3) I think you came in super close to first. How about 50th? 😉
p.s. i’m loving kile’s scraf…hehe..holla!
Cake is always an acceptable choice for breakfast, and it is especially deserved when it’s your birthday. Glad it was a good one!
well, first i’d probably add it straight to my coffee, bc thats the very first thing i make each day. but actually making something…i’d go for the cream cheese icing, thats meant to atop a WW carrot cake. i’m such an icing fanatic, i’d probably lazily stop right there. mmm!
i’d love something dessert-y by our fave hippie, preferably chocolate in the like. brownies are my favorite. but those doughnut holes i see all over the blogs look so ridiculous. they’d last me 36 hrs, if even.
and i think you came in 4928.
Holy sh. I love you. Cake for breakfast–you know how to do!!! I’m so jealous that on your birthday you a) had a hot date, b) had a hot date at Whole Foods, c) had a hot date at Whole Foods and then went to see Phantom. SO JEALOUS. But happy birthday 🙂
And you look SUPAH bossy in the mirror pic. Thank you for that.
1-Pumpkin coffee cake with pecan struesel from Veganomicon. Need it.
2-Anything in that cookbook. Seriously. Isn’t it a gorgeous book?
3- You def came in 10th.
cake for breakfast isn’t even an option on your birfday, it’s necessity. your family seems to have nailed your gifts SPOT ON! so glad you had a wonderful day! you deserved it 🙂
It sounds like you had a fabulous birthday–I am so happy for you! Did you get my e-mail?
I am SUPER jealous of your spiralizer! How awesome is that?! I want one too!
I love giveaways!
1) I would make agave sweetened apple something…apple crisp, maybe?
2) Well, I don’t know any of the recipes in the agave cookbook, but how about some of that dessert hummus!? You could sweeten it with the agave instead of sugar–it sounds like the PERFECT thing for you to make given your love of all things hummus 🙂
3) I have no idea! Your time was awesome, so maybe…9,523?!
Happy birthday again!
Courtney
Cake for breakfast?! Hell yeahs!
just in case our sissie’s wondering, my birthday is January 28th 😉 what a perf. present! can’t wait to see all your spiralized creations!!
cakeeeeeeee! <3
I have attempted, and failed, to win that xagave two times already.. here's hoping third times a charm! I want to put it in my oatssss.
Happy monday pie!
Your birthday sounds so fun!! Averie’s goodies, a pretty heart-shaped coffee, WHOLE FOODS, cake, beautiful outfit, a night out and time with the boo!! Plus awesome presents!!! Hurray for the spiralizer!! So so happy you had a nice time!!
I have never even had agave, believe it or not…so im not sure where I’d start!!!
Happy Monday, Elise!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀
1. Honestly, I’m not sure! I’ve been rejecting so many yummy sounding dessert recipes because I don’t have agave. It would definitely be some baked dessert of some sort.
2. Something with coconut! 😀
3. You really had an amazing time. Um, 3000?
So glad you had a happy birthday! 😀
First, thanks for the shout and glad you enjoyed the end of the goodies…that was impeccable self control b/c I know I didnt send tons or anything. Was fearful of the USPS eating them actually!
You and your man look awesome in the pic of the two of you. Well, you look gorgeous, a Hippy Beauty. I can totally see the California Girl in that one of you.
Bday cake looks stellar!!!!!
Xagave. I would make raw desserts. Duh.
I dont know if you are requiring a separate comment but since I actually want this stuff, I am doing it….
What should you make?
Raw desserts. Cocoa powder + agave + dates + nuts are a great start….
Entry 3
You probably placed #9,029.
1. I would make the Asian Cabbage & Sprout Salad with Ginger Soy Dressing. I love Asian foods, and salads. Perfect Marriage!
2. I would like you to make the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Whole Grain Cookies and let us all know if they are good enought to take to the boyfriend’s house for Thanksgiving!
3. I’m guessing you came in 3,270th because a sub 8 minute mile sounds hella fast to me!
cake for breakfast makes me grin. real big. you are a babe. and cute cute photos of your outfit & you and kyle!
dont enter me in the giveaway, i already have some xagave! xo
That cake looks amazing!!! And your b-day ‘fit was adorb!
The very first thing I would make would be some peanut butter bars I just discovered last week. They are delish, but agave is soooo expensive and it calls for half a cup so I can’t make them too often.
Ummm, I think red velvet cupcakes would be the most amazing thing ever!
Yay! Looks like an awesome day- I am still debating whether or not to get the Babycakes cookbook. 44 hours until I leave…might just have to hide out in Barnes and Noble and copy the ones I want. I think you should make either the spelt carrot cupcakes or the cornbread… I have tried both and they make me wish I lived in NYC. Directly above Babycakes.
I am guessing you came 4th in the run because you got a Tiffany necklace, right? But no huge trophy. Hmm. Can I cheat and try and find out online? 😛
When I eat sugar in the am it sends me a sugar fest the whole day… I’ve done it the past few days so I need to stop that asap! That cake looks so good its rocking this post!
Cake for breakfast! In the words of my friend’s mom, “It’s kind of like a donut!”
You must get a snuggie! I am the proud owner of one thanks go last Christmas – that’s right!! 😉
Ahh I love Phantom!! You look supah cute! Kyle doesn’t look so bad either! Both of you clean up nicely!
1. I would make some carob chip cookies (and send half of them to my favorite hippie vegan, naturally)
2. I tried to find a table of contents on their website but couldn’t find it SO the healthy hostess muffins they mentioned in a review sound like something you should make!
3. I COULD guess an in appropriate number but that would just show you my level of maturity so I’ll guess….5,230?! I don’t know!
What a wonderful birthday!!
I would make agave apple crisp, using my mommy’s old recipe–veganified and agave-ified!
You should make sweet potato pie with agave. Definitely.
And you placed #773. Definitely 773.
Umm Kyle with the Chuck Bass scarf much??? Haha loves it, that sounds like an amazing night!
I would use the agave to sweeten some homemade granola!
Its a good birthday when you get cake for breakfast!
1. I have been on a pumpkin baking kick lately, so I would likely make some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
2. That cookbook looks amazing– carrot cupcakes or zucchini muffins sound yummy
3. I am going to guess you placed #1!! (do I get extra points for sucking up?) =)
I will guess you placed 6033.
I’d make some vegan pumpkin pie!
I think you should make some brownies/blondies!
Oh, and I’m going to guess 13,258th place?
I’m totally behind, but I’m glad you had a wonderful birthday!! And that cake looks fabulous. 😉
I’d make agave oatmeal raisin cookies fo sho
PORFA make any non-chocolate babycakes recipe. And please continue to use PORFA on a reg basis–bc mi corazon fluttered a little when I saw that.
I’m really jealous of your spiralizer and the fact you had an excuse to eat cake for breakfast. But I’m muy feliz that you had happy hippie bday
Happy hippie bday:) I would immediately put agave in oatmeal,2 I would appreciate anything you would like to make for me:)-I’m partial to breakfast foods tho:) and I don’t know…850? I was in stupid math:)
I’m belated on this but wishing you a very happy birthday! It made me smile to read about your day – it sounds like you had an absolutely amazing time! I love the heart shape in your foam 🙂
Hurray for spiralizers! I don’t have one but it would be on my gift wish list, for sure!
Woohoo! Giveaway! I think I would use agave in some blondies because I’ve never made them before!
I would love to see you make something…delicious 🙂 LAME! But honestly, there are so many options and I like so many different things that I would be happy with anything you choose!
20,000 runners? Hmm….I’m going to go with some lucky numbers here and guess 1,987th place!
1) I would make. . .shute, I don’t really know what you can use agave for. can you make whipped cream with it? whipped cream is my favorite sweet. maybe next, I would use it with pankcakes. or to make brownies.
2) you should make the recipe on page 27 😉 I don’t know, whichever recipe looks easy and delish.
3) I’m guessing you placed somewhere near the 30%, since I know that some serious athletes do the Nike marathon. I guess you placed 6,048 out of 20,000.
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You can’t even imagine how jealous I am of your Spiralizer!
1. I would make cranberry sauce.
2. You should make…pumpkin muffins.
3. I’m going to guess you came in 1888th.
I’ve been following your blog for awhile (i really don’t mean that in a creepy way…), but this giveaway prompted my first comment… 🙂
1. I would add it to tea, since becoming vegan I miss honey terribly, especially in cold/flu season…
2. I’ve never seen the babycakes cookbook, so I don’t know the best recipe, but I have a huge sweet tooth, so the most jaw-droppingly sweet recipe you can find…
3. Everyone else is guessing relatively high, and I have no knowledge of what a good marathon time is… But I’ve watched Price is Right so many times to know that you should guess low when everyone else is guessing high and always guess a number ending in 1… So with that I’m going to say #101.
I’d make some delicious oat bran muffins. I like oat bran muffins for brekkie in my Greek yogurts.
I would love you to make some gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. It would be awesome if you can send some baked goods to the winner too.
My guess is that you were 1,567.
I would love to make something with cacao and xagave. Mmm, maybe even some dried figs and dates. Faux Larabars anyone?
I would say you placed #2,327.
1) I love agave on anything, but I would def. bake with it first!!!
2) Make anything with chocolate
3) I have no idea, I know you are fast…. 5,468???
I have the same mandolin/spiralizer, it’s awesome you will love it! Glad you had a great birthday! 🙂
1) I love agave on anything, but I would def. bake with it first!!!
2) Make anything with chocolate
3) I have no idea, I know you are fast… 5,468???
I have the same mandolin/spiralizer, it’s awesome you will love it! Glad you had a great birthday! 🙂
1) I love agave on anything, but I would def. bake with it first!!!
2) Make anything with chocolate!
3) I have no idea, I know you are fast… 5,468???
I have the same mandolin/spiralizer, it’s awesome you will love it! Glad you had a great birthday! 🙂
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You came 159th overall :).
1) some sort of baked treat-i’m thinking muffins…
2) what are the options?
3) somewhere around 12,000
I would bake this puppy if I won the agave!
No Bake Carrot Cake
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
5 1/2 cups grated carrots
1 1/2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup dessicated coconut
5 ounces dried papaya or mangoes, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped orange zest
1 1/2 cups dried dates, pitted and chopped
Juice of 1 large orange
1 teaspoon vanilly extract
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
1/3 cup agave nectar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of sea salt
Grated coconut and grated nutmeg, to decorate
Cashew Nut Puree Frosting:
1 1/2 cups raw cashews, or any other raw, untreated nut
3 tablespoons agave nectar
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cake:
1. Take an 8-inch cake tin or loaf tin and line with cling film, leaving a little extra hanging over the edge.
2. Mix the carrots, walnuts, coconut, papaya or mangoes, and orange zest in a large bowl
3. Place the dates, orange juice, vanilla extract, flax seeds, agave nectar, cinnamon, and salt in a food processor. Turn the machine on and blend until the mixture becomes soft. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides if you needs to, until you get a nice, smooth puree.
4. Mix the puree with the carrot mixture. You may need to use your hands. Mix until it all clings together.v
5. Place the mixture in the prepared tin and spread it around using your hands, until smooth and level.
6. Cover with more cling film and leave it in the fridge overnight.
Frosting:
1. Place cashews in enough water to cover them, and let them soak for about two hours.
2. Drain off water and place nuts in food processor or blender with the agave nectar, orange juice, and vanilla extract. Add more sweetness if needed.
3. Blend mixture until creamy and smooth.
4. Take carrot cake out of fridge and flip it over onto a serving dish. Remove cling film and shape it a little if necessary.
5. Frost with cashew nut puree and decorate with grated coconut and grated nutmeg, and serve.
YUM!!!!
I think you should make the pumpkin chocolate chip whole grain cookies 🙂
And I’m going to guess you came in at 11,313 😀
I would so make some chocolate chip banana (maybe + pumpkin?) bread with the agave!
Thanks so much for the opportunity. I would want to make a pumpkin bread with dark chocolate chips!! And I think you should make cookies with dried cranberries, some sort of nut, and chocolate!
I’m going to guess that you got 12,494th place! Sorry if it’s making you seem like a bad runner..it was a shot in the dark!
I would probably make some choco-chia pudding!
Sounds like a fun birthday!
1. I would make pumpkin muffins.
2. You should make some peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie-type creation. maybe add hummus?
3. I am guessing you came in 5,678
1) I would love to make some of Ani Phyo’s Raw Coconut Pancakes with that agave! Mmm….
2) I heard that babycakes cornbread recipe is the bomb! You should make that!
3) I’m gonna go with a completely random # and say 10321.
Btw, love that “having cake for breakfast” plate… My kind of girl! 😉
Hmm, if I could….i’d be all up on some adorable muffin recipe or vegan carrot cake! nom.
YOU should make something with carob. YES.
And i’m guessing you placed 37. I wouldn’t be surprised if you placed even better though! I mean, you are ELISE!!!!! Hahaha…..
LOVE YOUR BDAY-DAY! Cake for breakfast, a hot date andd whole foods! Perfection.
Whoa whoa WHOA. Agave, books, AND your baked goodies?! Yes, yes please.
1) Ari’s birthday is coming up and I need to test run some cake recipes. Specifically, chocolate peanut butter cake.
2) Make their chocolate fig things (there are a few)! Or their agave brownies!
3) You came in 434th place.
oh, happy belated birthday! And how exciting! 🙂 I think the first thing I’d make would be some sort of no bake peanut butter/etc ball because I always see recipes for them floating around blogs and they look so easy and delicious… but everyone seems to use Agave to make them.
As for what you should make? Eegads… I don’t know how well cupcakes really travel… but who can resist a good old red velvet? 😉
and place… um… 2,342? haha
your place in the race….701….i’ve never tried agave. i’m curious.
amy from los angeles
1) Definitely some pumpkin-y goodness, maybe muffins?
2) Again, anything with pumpkin please!
3) I’m going to go with…. 3,782
Mmmmm… I would love to make some kind of seasonal pumpkin treat!
I’m also going to guess you came in around 12, 466?
1) agave tea!
2) choco chip cookiess yum
3) 2507??
a) you’re welcome!
b) that zucchini spaghetti looks soo good…so good i might just have to make a return trip to “Alive” to get that ginger miso deliciousness that you got last time. mmmm….with the spicy curry wraps as an app, obvi.
c) how interesting that it leaves the middle like that. good thing you ate it, bc that seems like such a waste – the middle is my fav part!
d) happy halloween (since im late on the commenting train)
I would make something with pumpkin! maybe muffins! 🙂 and hmmm I guess I would want you to make some kind of oatmeal hippie cookies. Also my guess for what place you came in I would say 10,000 right in the middle!
CONGRATS!!!! you are the winner. send me your addy so i can get your goodies in the mail 🙂
I am such a loser.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Was the spiralizer a bday gift?! That is awesome. Can’t wait to see what you make wtih it 🙂 Do you eat the zuke noodles raw?
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