It’s definitely strawberry pickin’ season around here and after making my jam, strawberry cake, and strawberry ice cream, I found myself still greedily returning back to our local strawberry farm, clutching a basket to stuff it with more.  Needless to say, it’s been a strawberry party everyday.  Another one of my favorite ways to enjoy fresh berries is by muddling them into fresh lemonade.  As I took a sip in between my recent strawberry flurry, I decided then and there that I’d like to bake this sweet and tart flavor up into a cookie.  A quick poke around the net yielded pre-mixed box cake recipes which is all fine and dandy but this recipe blends in real crushed strawberries and the high note of pulpy, juicy lemons.

httpv://youtu.be/-GeaBp5kxgs

4.3 from 3 reviews

Strawberry Lemonade Cookies

 

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

12 mins

Total time

22 mins

 

Author: The Squishy Monster

Serves: 2-3 Dozen

Ingredients

• 1 stick soft unsalted butter
• ½ c granulated sugar
• ½ c brown sugar
• 1 room temperature egg
• Zest of 2 lemons
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 4-6 crushed strawberries
• 2 c unbleached flour
• ¼ ts fine salt
• ¼ ts baking powder
• ¼ ts baking soda
• ½ c powdered sugar

Instructions

1. In the first bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
2. Blend in the egg and add the zest and juice.
3. Blend in the crushed strawberries. I personally enjoy chunks, which also prevents the batter from being too wet.
4. In the second bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
5. Slowly add the second bowl into the first. Mix just to combine to avoid over mixing.
6. Scoop out dough and roll into the powdered sugar. The more you pack on, the more of a “crackle” look you achieve later.
7. Bake at 350 for 11-13 minutes.

3.2.2807

Love,

Your Squishy Monster ^.~

Me and mama spent the day together {which means we spent a great deal of time cooking and eating together}

She made us mandu, mapo tofu, spinach soup, and a variety of banchan: spinach, anchovies, zucchini, and Korean radish.

I had shrimp po boys with spicy broccoli slaw for lunch.

and me and J were invited to a most lovely dinner party on the lake by some wonderful people who just insisted on making us an authentic Korean meal.  Oh.hell.yes.

There was a dessert of 수정과 {cinnamon tea} and sugarless vegan ginger cookies!

Me and mama’s grocery haul.  Pops goes positively nuts for animal crackers.

It was a fabulous day aside from the fact that I got stung twice by J’s bees.  Believe it or not, this beauty lay still long enough for me to capture a shot…they’re such wonderful little things that I can’t even be upset…red, itchy, blotchy spots or not.

but the day ended on a sweet note with the teeniest tiniest flower ever and a single red rose with the longest stem I’ve ever seen.

Hope your day was sweet too!

Love and the bees knees {whatever that even means}

Your Squishy Monster ^.~

Sprouts + jalapenos to start the day off right

Mama and I passed by a field of daffodils and just had to get a closer look.

Afterwards, we made dakgalbi, a chicken dish with rice cakes and stir fried veggies in a thick spicy and savory sauce (video to come).

A Greek dinner of hummus and souvlaki.

An Asian dinner of rock shrimp & spicy yakisoba.

A local dive to see a country band, just for random funsies.

Pre & post my friends show.

Another one, because one dive bar just isn’t enough, haha.

The sweetest 2″ bouquet I’ve ever had the pleasure of receiving.

At the tail end of the weekend, I came down with a cold.  It was a rather big shock to my system because I rarely ever get sick.  What can I say, I like to work hard and play even harder.  I think the most difficult thing about being sick is that your mind is still in go-mode but your body just won’t cooperate, it’s a frustrating feeling, I’m sure you can agree.

Things that make me feel better: coconut water (of any brand, really), honey ricola drops, fresh citrus, french fries, and cheesecake!

Things that make today’s sick day not as bad: the fact that being in bed on a most dreary and rainy day is fitting, the war-to-be on The Walking Dead tonight, the illuminating light from my sugar cookie candles, and the fact that a very special someone told me that I’m most beautiful today

My favorite weekend jam:

Sniffle, sniffle-cough, cough

Your Squishy Monster ^.~

In a Utopian society, products would always be pure and food would always be wholesome (among other things).  Since this is not the case as a consumer, you must be discerning when collecting items to bring into your home for your family to use and take into their bodies.  I do my best but sometimes, it’s not easy, especially considering the high cost of quality items vs. the more affordable price tag of crap.

(To preface, I’m not claiming this is for everyone, it’s just what works for me).

For the time being, these are some of the products I utilize in my household.

I use this in everything from my hand soap dispenser to my homemade laundry detergents and shampoos.  It’s multi-purpose and lasts forever.

This stuff is like crack to me.  I go nuts over their seasonal Gingerbread scent.  I do a TON of dishes throughout the day (the downside of living in the kitchen), and it makes the process that much more pleasant.  (Don’t judge me because I hoard the stuff–they only release it during the holidays, after all).

Despite the fact that the cosmetics industry has long been toting the benefits of “oil-free” products, I swear by this as the most blissful and hydrating gloss that’s really made a difference with moisturizing my skin for long periods of time.  I particularly love to swipe it around the thinner skin of my eyes.  (If you find it too expensive, they sell sweet almond oil in bulk at my health food store and they may at yours).

Oats: not only do they lower your cholesterol, they keep you full longer and also fit snugly into the “gluten-free” category.  I not only have a large bin of steel cut oats for cookies or breakfast, I also love to steep fistfuls of the instant variety under warm water and use it as an “exfoliating” scrub.  It really calms and soothes my skin.  I purchase mine in bulk to drive down the cost {though, they’re not too expensive to begin with}

Of all the previous things mentioned, this isn’t the greatest of smells but I really like it as a toner/astringent and hair rinse for super shiny hair.  When rinsed thoroughly, the smell won’t linger.  I know lots of people that take it as a drink but it’s way too harsh for me, even diluted but more power to those that can withstand it (my Daddy included).

Slices of citrusy sunshine that when paired with organic, granulated sugar, makes for the best skin brightening scrub.  (I call it my lemonade scrub).  There are a variety of uses for lemon (Meyer Lemon Squares anyone?  Yum)! but I also like to use lemon + vinegar + water as an all purpose cleaner.  Not only is it cheap and effective for the aforementioned reasons, it’s really great in brightening up yellowed fingernails due to over polish–I would know because I paint my nails like its my job, lol.

I love Avocados and have been known to sit there and eat these with a spoon.  (Don’t judge me =D )  If I haven’t eaten them all, I mash a ripe Avocado and mix it with a tablespoon of raw honey and allow it to soak into my face as a mask for 20-30 minutes.

So, here’s my quick run down of the all natural skin products that I use on a daily basis.  If you enjoyed this, I’ll also post about my favorite all natural/health foods as well

Love & Lemons,

Your Squishy Monster

I realize that this is a crazy long list but cut out your processed foods and junk foods and you’re pretty much good to go. I’m a huge advocate of the farm to table approach and am always happy to support our local farms and markets.

I used to work for a local organic foods company where I live and people would constantly ask me why they should buy organic or natural. For me, it’s just how food was always meant to be. Real food minus all the crap.

I know I mentioned it before, but I just can’t get enough of this smoothie!

Blueberry & Kale Smoothie

 

Prep time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

 

Author: The Squishy Monster

Ingredients

• 1 c Organic Kale
• ½ c Frozen Blueberries, Dark Cherries or Açaí
• 1 Frozen Banana
• 2 tb Organic Ground Flax
• 2 c Unsweetened Almond Milk

Instructions

1. Toss everything into a blender and blitz. Add more milk for a thinner consistency.

Notes

Add-in’s that I also like:
Hemp Seed, Wheat Germ, Spirulina, Spinach, Goji Berries, or Cacao Nibs!

3.2.2925

I drink this every morning and take them unsweetened but if I’m making them for my brothers, I drizzle in a bit of Agave or toss in a few extra berries

Love & Purple Monster Smoothies,

Your Squishy Monster

I used to work for a local organic foods company where I live and people would constantly ask me why they should buy organic or natural. For me, it’s just how food was always meant to be. Real food minus all the crap.

Here’s my “health-haul” video, just in case you missed it.

I know I mentioned it before, but I just can’t get enough of this smoothie!

I drink this every morning and take them unsweetened but if I’m making them for my brothers, I drizzle in a bit of Agave or toss in a few extra berries

Love & Purple Monster Smoothies,

Your Squishy Monster

Hubert’s Raspberry Lemonade

Steaz Organic Green Tea

Dr. McDougall’s Organic Oatmeal

Kind Bar Almond & Apricot

True Bar Coconut Cashew

Stretch Island Fruit Leather

Justin’s Nut Butter (my favorite)

Soy on the Go Organic Chocolate Milk

LaraBar Apple Pie

Annie’s Organic Cheddar Bunnies

Project Girl Get Fit Bracelet

Thanks, Casey & FPP!

XOXO

The Squishy Monster ^.~

To me, food isn’t just about nourishment.  It extends beyond survival.  It’s the pleasure of watching your fork sink into a freshly baked pie and the gooey cherries oozing out.  It’s about the crust that cracks from an artisanal loaf, just waiting to be slathered with butter and jam.  It’s about the abundance of colorful produce that gleam and glisten, trundled in baskets, begging to be taken home with you for supper or those thick slabs of meat that you can just imagine grilling over an open flame, sputtering in its own juices in its special seductive way.

Cute little babies.  I love Tomatoes.  I used to eat a Tomato Sandwich 3 days out of a week and never tire of them.

I’ve been on a huge nut kick lately and have practically been hoarding Almonds & Walnuts.

Fire Cracker Shrimp

These were so very tender.

Wild Caught Shrimp off the coast of NC

These look like stained glass to me

Lunch: herbed Bulgar, Carrots, Wild Arugula, Broccolini, Summer Squash, Sunflower Sprouts, Baby Kale, Roasted Tomatoes, Grilled Tofu, Peanuts, Scallions, and Spicy Harissa.

XOXO (from a little baby food heaven),

Your Squishy Monster ^.~

How goooorgeous are these?!

I found myself sitting in the muck of squashed Berries that people had carelessly strewn all over the ground, not caring that my newly washed jeans began to bleed with Berry stains and taking my glorious time with hand plucking these plump, fragrant babies.  Sun shining with an endless supply of Strawberry perfume, I could have made a home for myself, nestled between the beautiful red and green streaked field.  I laugh as I imagine my fat, happy self, rolling around in the Strawberry field, turning pinker by the day, LOL.

Needless to say, I rushed home, excited and breathless, as if  I’d run the entire way to make use of Berries that I would try to restrain myself from greedily gobbling up with Honey (though, these were so sweet that they didn’t even need it)!

Cue Strawberry Ice Cream.  For the longest time, I’ve flirted with the idea of investing in an Ice Cream Machine but somehow always talked myself out of it.  Boy am I glad I did!  Between the Semi Freddo’s, Creamy Granitas, and no-churn Ice Creams of the World, it’s just one less bulky piece of machinery you don’t have to wash!

Watch this video on YouTube Embedded with WP YouTube Lyte.

Let me take you down
‘Cause I’m going to…

eat all the Ice Cream by myself!!! =D

XOXO
Your Squishy Monster

I think I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with Coconut Water.  I wish I could carry around a gallon of it wherever I go.  It tastes so yummy to me.  To me it tastes both Sweet and Salty (if that even makes any sense).  I got my Pom Juice for a freaking dollar!!!  It was on sale for $2.99 and I had a coupon for a $1 and it coincided with Super Double Coupon Day = $1!!!!  YAY ME!  Now perhaps “normal girls” feel triumphant over snagging the last pair of some sexy, slinky heels “on sale.”  For me, I feel rich when my cupboards are full, pantry is stocked and my Fridge is lookin’ mighty obese.

Here’s what my lunch looked like:

and no, I’m not THAT crazy, I didn’t eat all of this.  I had a Shirley Temple, a Wrap, Waffle Fries, and Fried Pickles =D

Coo coo for Coconut Water!!

Love,
Your Squishy Monster