chipotle black bean soup

this soup hits the spot when you want something spicy and hot when it's cold outside. i've said before that i love mexican food, and eat it almost everyday, so what's better than a black bean chipotle soup during the fall? for me... nothing much. 

i was scanning my "Forks Over Knives Cookbook" when I saw a recipe for black bean chipotle soup. i adapted it to my tastes, so i added oil, rice, and then veggie stock in place of water. i was intrigued by the orange juice, but let me tell you this is one of the best soups i've ever had. you can't even taste the orange flavor, but it adds something to the soup that makes it almost taste like a burrito. yum!

WHAT YOU NEED:
1.5 TBSP Olive Oil
1 Medium Red Onion Diced
1 Red Pepper Diced
Garlic Minced to taste
1 TSP Chipotle Powder
2 TSP Cumin Powder
4 Cups Vegetable Stock
1 Cup Orange Juice
1 Cup Brown Rice
2 - 15 oz Black Beans (Drained & Rinsed)
Salt & Pepper to Taste

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Saute Onion & Pepper in Olive Oil for about 6-10 Minutes.
2. Add Garlic & Chipotle & Cumin. Stir for about 30 seconds.
3. Add Vegetable Stock, Orange Juice, Black Beans, and Rice.
4. Salt & Pepper to Taste.
5. Bring to a Boil.
6. Simmer for 30 minutes.
7. Enjoy!

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Cupcake Fresh Face Mask {LUSH}

used my cupcake fresh face mask from my lush haul today. can't believe it's been an entire year since i've used this mask. i need to buy this one more often. smells like chocolate cake batter, and feels so great on my skin, since it's cold right out of the fridge! my skin feels so clean tonight after just one application of this stuff. if you have a lush store by you check this out, as they are fresh and need to be refrigerated, so you unfortunately can't buy them online.

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fall haul {LUSH w/ ORIGINS}

went to lush for the first time in a year. little haul of some fall goodies and stocking up on some products i've run out of, and some early xmas gift shopping. {i've been living for the past year off my previous obsessive hauls from 2011}

the products i got in no particular order.

1. Rosie Gift

Mix of bath melts, bubbles and body conditioner.

2. Pumpkin Soap {SOLD OUT}

Smells like spearmint, pumpkin, and spice. OMG bought one for my older sister too!

3. Ultimate Shine Solid Shampoo

This might seem weird to wash your hair with a solid bar... but let me tell you that once you go solid, you won't want to go back to liquid. This lathers and makes my hair feel clean and shiny and soft. Love this stuff.

4. Jungle Solid Conditioner

This has a unique scent. Reminds me of being a kid for some reason. I love this scent. Makes my hair oily, so only use a small amount.

5. Cinders Bath Bomb

This smells like holidays. Cinnamon, vanilla, and spice. Yum!

6. You Snap The Whip

This is a great exfoliator for my elbows and feet and knees.

7. Popcorn Lip Scrub

Um, a lip scrub that smells and tastes like sweet & salty popcorn! Yes, Please! Bought an extra for my little sister too!

8. Mr. Punch Soap

OK, this one is dangerous... if you don't watch yourself.... you'll want to melt it and drink it, or just bite a chunk out of it. Made with Gin, Limes, & Blackcurrent. Delish!

9. Vanilla Dee- Lite Lotion (Sample)

I love anything vanilla This is a non greasy lotion that leaves a light scent.

10. Cupcake Fresh Face Mask 

This smells like freaking chocolate cake batter! Oh, and it gets rid of oil & dirt from your face to prevent acne. Double win!

11. Coconut

This is a great alternative to conventional deodorants. It's a little tricky at first, but so much better for you and the environment than those aluminum filled ones at the grocery store. Smells like the beach.

12. Twilight Body Wash $10-$28

I love the twilight bath bomb scent, and they decided to package the scent as a body wash. Couldn't resist buying this one, I mean, I love the scent so much!

13. Fighting Animal Testing Canvas Bag.

This bag goes with Lush's current campaign of fighting animal testing. This helps spread awareness against the use of animal testing, as well as for the Re-Work project in India empowering women. Double win again!

14. I always went to Origins to get "Peace of Mind" - $12. It's pretty much a miracle for anyone that gets headaches. It a peppermint basil & eucalyptus ointment that you put on your temples, forehead, and or back of your neck. Holy Crap! This melts away my headaches and makes me feel so relaxed. So worth the $12. And this lasts a looong time.

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halloween pumpkin scones!

like i said earlier... i can't get enough pumpkin this fall, and this is my second time making pumpkin scones in the past month. they're not too sweet, and perfectly pumpkiny for fall, or for when you just want something warm with a hot cup of tea. {Makes 20 mini scones}

WHAT YOU NEED:

SCONE:
2 Cups Sifted Flour
7 TBSP Vegan Sugar
1 TBSP Baking Powder
1/2 TSP Sea Salt
1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
1/4 Tsp Ground Cloves
1/2 Tsp Ground Ginger
1/2 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
6 TBSP Earth Balance Butter
1/2 Cup Canned Pumpkin
3 TBSP Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 Egg (Egg Replacer)
Orange Food Coloring

GLAZE:
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
2 TBSP  Unsweetened Almond Milk

SPICED GLAZE:
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
2 TBSP Unsweetened Almond Milk
1/4 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/8 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
1 Pinch Ginger
1 Pinch Ground Cloves
1 Pinch Pumpkin Pie Spice
Purple Food Coloring

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Combine dry scone ingredients.
3. Combine wet scone ingredients.
4. Combine wet & dry ingredients.
5. Flour down a surface, and roll dough until 1/2 inch thick. Cut into triangles. 
6. Place onto Silpat Sheet on cookie sheet, if you don't have a Silpat Sheet lightly grease a cookie sheet.

7. Bake for 14-16 Minutes until scones are a light brown.

8. Place on wire rack.
9. Make Glazes.
10. Spread Glaze on entire scone.
11. Use a whisk to sprinkle the Spiced Glaze onto the scones.
12. Enjoy!

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VegNews Thanksgiving Issue 2012

I follow VegNews both on their Facebook and their website, which both have really great stories and recipes! This is my first issue of this magazine, but it has some really interesting stories, and I can't wait to try out their recipes! I'm so glad I subscribed!

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sweet potato soup

To me nothing says fall more than apple cider & pumpkins, and sweet potatoes! It was a little chilly out today, and I was in the mood for a warm creamy soup. Sweet Potatoes are in season... so sweet potato it is! {Makes 4 Servings}

WHAT YOU NEED:

2 TBSP Olive Oil

1 Medium Red Onion Diced

2 Minced Garlic Cloves

2 TBSP Earth Balance Butter

4 Sweet Potatoes (Cut into smaller pieces)

4 Cups Vegetable Broth

1.5 TSP Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/2 TSP Cloves

1/2 TSP Tumeric

1/2 TSP Ginger

1/2 TSP Parsley

1/2 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

Blender

Juice of 1 Lime

1/2 TSP Parsley

Salt & Pepper

WHAT YOU DO:

1. Saute Onions & Garlic in oil and butter.

2. After 5 minutes, add Potatoes, Broth, and Spices.

3. Boil for 20 minutes.

4. Add Almond Milk . Simmer for 5 more minutes.

5. Puree in Blender.

6. Put back in pot. 

7. Add lime juice. Salt & Pepper to Taste.

8. Enjoy with sprinkled Parsley on top!

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