Let's Be Fair

Super Healthy Summer Quinoa Salad

So far the recipes we've featured on the blog have been covered in chocolate. Since I am currently in the process of shedding my winter wardrobe and prepping to wear a couple bridesmaids dresses in the next few months I think it's time to change my diet...okay three years ago was the time I should've changed my diet but that's beside the point. 

Our friend Michelle made this for a party and it was just so good we had to make it ourselves. 

What you'll need:

1 cup Red Quinoa*
1 cup drained black beans
1 cup corn
1 avocado, cut into small pieces
1 cup of green grapes cut in half
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup olive oil*
2 tablespoon lemon juice

*these ethically sourced ingredients can be found online at Trade as One and at Whole Foods Markets

Cook quinoa according to directions on the package. We used Alter Eco red quinoa and it's just so delicious. Check out their website to learn more about the farmers who grow this deliciousness! Warning: if you've never cooked Quinoa just brace yourself. When it's cooked it opens up and spirals out and looks sorta creepy to me. I'm weird about that kinda stuff though so you normal people wont have a problem. I like the grain to be a little firmer for the salad so try cooking it with the least amount of water the recipe calls for.

Once your quinoa has cooled dump all the other ingredients in, give it a good mix and then put it in the fridge for an hour to chill.

That's it! Super easy, very yummy and only full of things that are good for you. We enjoyed our salad with Fair Trade Black Forest Berry Honest Tea which is absolutely delicious. It makes  a perfect lunch and I think you could probably throw some grilled chicken on the side to make it a great dinner too. Enjoy!!

The stellar bimbi mango wood bowls above are shown c/o Seven Hopes United.  They are ethically made, environmentally sustainable and just so beautiful in real life.

Shades

 

Some of our favorite shades for spring! Okay, actually we had a lot of favorites so we'll probably be posting again next month about sunglasses...sorry in advance. I'm usually drawn to brown glasses but some of these lighter frames seem pretty fun. If I got to pick any off this list I'd go with #4. Which ones are your favorite?

1. Toms- Winward White

2. Proof- Bird in Stained Bamboo

3. Solo- Jason Acton Designs 

4. Warby Parker - Boyd in Marbled Sandstone 

5. Warby Parker - Evelyn in Whiskey Tortoise

6. Toms - Sandela in Tortoise

7. Proof- Ontario Skate in Aqua

8. Solo - Bamblues

p.s did you know Warby Parker will let you try on glasses before you buy them?! Check out our review! 

Fresh for Summer

Lots of new ethical goodness coming out for spring and summer. This season I'm feeling drawn to bold traditional prints and bright beachy colors. These brands do not leave me wanting...except maybe wanting more money so I can buy it all.

Della-  If you shop at Urban outfitters be sure to support Della while shopping online or in their stores. Getting into Urban Outfitters is like an ethical fashion miracle and a victory for thoughtful fashionistas everywhere. Congrats Della!

31Bits- This company is consistently amazing so it's no surprise that the summer line released yesterday is incredible. I'm having trouble picking a favorite piece but the ombr rapture and horizon jumble necklaces are basically perfect.

Greenola Style - I got a chance to peak through their spring/summer catalogue a while ago and was pleasantly surprised by the perfect way this company incorporated traditional fabrics into modern pieces. Currently loving their peplum tops and bold shorts.

What trends/colors are you enjoying this season?

Chocolate Cherry Almond Biscotti

I really like biscotti. I prefer mine crunchy to the touch but then soft immediately after you dunk it into coffee. So delicious. This super simple recipe using Theo Chocolate takes a basic oil based biscotti and pairs it with a chocolate cherry almond bar. It sounds fancy but it's so easy to make and much more cost effective then buying the almonds, cherries and chocolate individually. Enjoy!
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup white sugar*
2 teaspoons vanilla extract*
3 eggs
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon baking powder                                                                                                         Theo Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond Bars*

-Dump all the ingredients into a bowl and mix it up until everything is incorporated
-Chop up one of the chocolate bars and add it to the mixture
-Divide the mixture in half
-Create 2 small loafs about 3 inches across and 6 inches long and place them on a greased baking sheet or a non stick baking stone
-Bake at 275 degrees for about 30 minutes
-Pull out the loaf and cut into 1 inch strips ( check the pictures above for an idea of what I mean here)
-Flip the strips onto their sides and place the dish back in the over for 10 more  minutes
-After baking let them cool
 
For dipping: Melt the second bar of chocolate for dipping or decoration. Be sure to not burn the chocolate. Low and slow is the game when melting chocolate. You can either drizzle chocolate across the tops of your biscotti or dip the bottoms so they look like the ones shown above. I really like the way we did it above 'cuz you get all the chunks of almond on the bottom which adds a little rustic character. To do what we did above simply pour melted chocolate on a sheet of wax paper and place the biscotti directly on top. Then place the biscotti on their side while the chocolate dries. When you are done dipping roll the wax paper with the chocolate on it into a straw like form and drink it...because it would be unethical to waste ethical chocolate...at least that's what I told myself.

You can make these a day in advance if you store them in a tightly sealed container. They'll still taste good a couple days later but you wont get as good of a crunch. Another fun part about this biscotti recipe is that by simply changing the chocolate you use you can have a few different flavors from the same batch of batter! I really enjoyed Theo's coconut dark chocolate and I think this recipe would also be yummy with the chocolate we used for our Madeline recipe.

The lovely tablecloth, slate tray and oven mitt are shown above c/o Seven Hopes United. 

*These ethical ingredients can be purchased at Whole Foods Market or various online retailers.

A springtime wedding

 

It’s time for wedding season! Today we are sharing some of our favorite pieces to wear to one of the (many) weddings we’ll be going to this spring. Buying classic pieces like this dress allows you to wear the item in a lot of different ways. Pair it with dark eye shadow and black shoes for an evening wedding or with a statement bracelet and some cute flats for a bridal shower. How many weddings are you attending this season?

1. 1000 Shillings- Martha Necklace 

2. Radiant Cosmetics- Lipgloss in Blush 

3. Hearts- Little Laced Pouch 

4. People Tree- Jaquard Dress 

5. Beyond Skin- Fiona Heel