two years later.

That's a pretty good chunk of time.

2 years. 

As I sit here in my bed, with a new job, living in a new city, I can't stop thinking about how much life has changed in two years. 

And most importantly, how much I have changed.  

First of all, I was approaching my final semester of Culinary School. Thinking I loved food. Mostly just striving the be a "foodie", (a word I beyond loathe now) and not a Chef. 

Now, I have completely given my heart and soul to my career as a Cook and Chef. I have learned so many life lessons because of food. It's my everything. and that quote I finished my last blog post with? It's by Alice Waters, a Chef I have completely fallen in love with the past year and want to be. 

                                  

I have learned so much about friendship. Two years ago I wanted some friendships for insanely selfish reasons. 

Here I am, so grateful for my friends. And the beautiful relationships I have built and worked for. My friends are everything to me.  

            

            

                                      

                                       

                                    

           

       

        

Finally, I am one hundred percent a happier, more confident individual. This has probably been my biggest challenge the past two years, and honestly did come to me until quite recently. But I can for the first time say truthfully I'm happy with who I am and who I am becoming everyday. And that's all that really matters, right? I think so.

                    

 I guess the reason I'm starting this blog back up because I want to look back and              remember this time of my life. 

    I'm so blessed. 

    I'm so happy. 

    I want to always remember that. I want my future kiddos to know that. 

new places.

lately i've been all about wanting to try new places.
i find Utah County to have the most boring selection of food. 
everything is the exact same thing. NO VARIETY. NOTHING SPECIAL. 
obviously there are a few exceptions-- and i've wanted to find some good places in Utah County.

one thing i feel passionate about it using locally produced food and supporting local farmers and producers. 
and i love when restaurants can use local products to make a find dining experience.  
i decided to start this quest by going to Pizzeria 712. 
it's just a small place located in North Orem. kind of random. 
anyways, i've heard great things about Pizzeria 712, and i love that they use seasonal products. 
which means that they change out their menu in order to only use produce that is in season! 
SO COOL. 
i ordered the house made sausage, fennel, roasted red pepper, and hand pulled mozzarella pizza. and it was perfection. seriously recommend this place!


"when you have the best and tastiest ingredients you can cook very simply and the food will be extraordinary because it tastes like what it is." QUOTE ON THE WALL AT PIZZERIA712.

as of late...

it's just a lot easier to post pictures of a lot of things i have been doing. 

(all of these have taken place over a months time.)

my life is just the usual boring. work work work. 

but are a few of the moments when i have got to squeeze in some fun. 

 bon iver with taylor and megan.

i loved the location because it was right up against the mountains, and everything was so relaxed. 

&wonderful company.

plus, the boys put on a wonderful show! 

the mooon has been killing it lately. 

went to sundance with the girls and took a ski lift 

up the mountain to catch a better view of the moon. 

7 peaks with work friends and home friends. 

FOOD. (obviously.) 

the first plate of food is from Los Cucos. 

you are looking at a FRIED AVOCADO. what? so yummy. 

its cheese and chicken with avocados on top all fried into the ultimate meal.

picture number two is a curry bowl  i made from the most random vegetables we had. 

again, delish.

Park City! Davanzas Pizza. Caramel Apples. Book Store. Main. 
i love spending time with these girls. they are so fun. 


and obviously there are a few things in between. 
boy meets world, bachelorette, riding bikes, etc etc.
but so far i'm loving this low key summer.

dirty dashin'

saturday i had the privilage of spending the day with my family. 

in the mud. 

we spent the morning/afternoon up in Midway for the Dirty Dash

which is a 5 mile race through mud, and obstacles. 

aka. SUCH A GOOD TIME. 

here are a few of my favorite moments that were captured. 

 

Photo cred: MY DADDY!

musical genius.

right now i am currently feeling a overwhelmed.

overwhelmed with musical brilliance.

you must watch this.

i was just going to play this while i got in the shower

but that never happened. 

i sat here for 25 minutes and watched the whole thing. 

(which is pretty good. becuase i hate long youtube vids.)

my jaw literally dropped a few times. 

tears came at one point. (not saying when)

and now i am still freaking out and am on my 4th round listening to it. 

i have moments when music completely moves me. seeing as music has always been a big part of my life, (piano for 8 years, flute for 6, and love for singing) now when i hear people who have so much talent, and so much emotion in their music i just get so emotional. 

i beg everyone to watch it. i was trying to find one part of this video that was my favorite--and i can't. 
also-i get to see them LIVE in 4 days. 

& can we just talk about how justin's tatts put me in a frenzy??! 

and i guess while i am on the music topic.

john's new album is pretty great as well. 

this is my favorite song.

edamame hummus.

you should know that i LOVE hummus. 

like, have an undying love for it. 

you should also know that i LOVE edamame. 

like, i could eat all day everyday. 

so, last week i was watching rachael ray with my mom

and she made EDAMAME HUMMUS. 

it is freaking INCREDIBLE. 

i like it because it sticks with the same concept as chickpea hummus because you are still using the tahini, which gives it that almost nutty flavor. and are also adding lemon zest. yum.

anyways, here is the recipe!

edamame hummus

1 1/2 cups frozen shelled edamame, defrosted

2 tablespoons tahini

1/4 cup extra virg. olive oil

juice AND zest of 2 lemons

1 inch ginger, finely grated

1-2 cloves garlic, finely grated

salt and pepper to taste!

-add all ingredients to a food processor until it forms smooth paste.

also, it's good to eat it with warm whole wheat pita bread, endive, or any veggie.

xoxx. L.

all by myself.

my two of my right hand ladies flew off to florida.

so i've been forced to entertain myself for a week. 

(i sound so pathetic.)

and it hasn't been THAT bad.

but i've been rollerblading lots.

i've been hiking.

reading.

watching boy meets world. 

and have plans to go to city creek (first time!)

hiking and watch more BMW.

ALL OF THIS BY MYSELFFFF!! 

who knew i could be so content alone? it's been a good time.

i guess i am just here to say, all is well. 

andddd i need a favor. 

getting new glasses. 

HELP ME CHOOSE. 

these. these.these? theeese!

XXO.L.

cinnamon.

i've been on a serious smoothie kick the past week. 

today i made this smoothie.

it honestly was probably the best smoothie i have EVER had.

i think it's because it was a combination of everything i love. 

greek yogurt, cinnamon, and oatmeal (which is the key to a great smoothie)

recipe here.

i probably at least tripled the amount of cinnamon. 

last week i had a major craving for churros

so a couple of friends and myself made them.

they are so easy. and here is the recipe

homemade churros.

1 cup water

2 1/2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup AP flour

oil for frying

1/2 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon (i'd probably do like 3 though)

1. in saucepan over medium heat combine water, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, salt and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. bring to boil and remove from heat. stir in the flour until mixture forms a ball. 

2. heat the oil for frying to about 375 degrees. pipe strips of dough into hot oil using a pastry bag. fry until golden. drain on paper towels

3. combine the sugar and cinnamon. roll the churros. DONE.

i'm obsessed with cinnamon. 

more recipes to come!

sitting.

after the craziness of school
working serventeen hours a day
my want for being productive chipped a little


sometimes i just think that i need to move away
and most of the time i just think about how i should get more organized


but sometimes all i really REALLY need?
is to sit.
all alone.
and it REALLY does make things feel a lot better. 

(i even went outside and faced the slight chill)

i also drained my phone battery playing temple run.

i know i am late getting on that band wagon--but i'm obsesseddd. 

and watching interviews of the ONE and only. this one rocksss.\

the beginning!

i'm so annoyed right now because i have to reblog about all of this. 

i did a lengthy blog post before... and then i was informed later that day that somehow it just VANISHED. 

so... this won't be nearly as great... but i'll hit on the good stuff ya?

here's to the beginning of summer!

I'M TOTALLY DONE WITH SCHOOL. 

and i passed all my classes. 

if you knew how hard i worked in my accounting class you would be shocked that i passed. 

(i literally did nothing.)

here was my final project of Culinary School

it took me probably 15 hours at least. 

and i am decently proud of it.

Advanced Baking was honestly the hardest 7 weeks of my school life. 

and with the end of school came saying goodbye to my classmates

it was SO hard becuase i have spent over a thousand hours with some of these people

i sat in my car for 20 minutes crying after the day

LUCKILY these two are coming back down to provo for a semester after their summer in SEATTLE!

and here is us taking a picture with our Culinary Crush, Robert (middle.)

we decided it would be best to get a picture with him, because i think he was getting creeped out by us sneaking pictures of him. 

oh, and he is a really big deal--he's the Student Chef of the Year. BABE.

and summer has begun--

jennica and i both had a day off and so we took quick trip up to Park City

and i woke up early early tuesday morning for a bike ride!

much needed. and so great.

and i know you are dying to watch this. becuase i've watched it like 30 times. 

enjoy.

b.

i've had a bit of free time this weekend! it's been so AWESOME. i had about 6 hours today. in that time i:
went to the bijou market with jennica.

 you should really concider checking out this handmade craft market in provo next time it comes around. such fun things and it never ceases to amaze me how creative and talented people are!
i ended up leaving with this stellar headband & lovely wood chevronesque necklace. 

i made a bit of a drastic hair change.

ok. maybe it's not that drastic--but for me it is! because my hair has basically been the SAME for 2 years. i've been growing it out. 

I GOT BANGS. and some pretty hefty ones at that. 

i really enjoy them so far. 

and finally, after work tonight i enjoyed some time with me and my girl B.

i don't think i have ever really talked about my deep love for beyonce on here. 

that woman is AMAZING. and tonight i had the privilage of watching her Live in Rosland DVD for '4'. 

OH.MY.GOSHHHH. it was so good. she's got such swag. CLASSY SWAG. 

i started crying at two different parts. 

then i started watching music videos (thanks morg.)

and then interviews. like this one. 

i think what it boils down to... everyday i wish i had a voice like that.

also-her body is perfection. she is SO sweet. 

you should watch this. this.  this. THIS. or the crazy in love mv. her and jay are PERFFFFF.

and finally. schoolin life is one of my many faves. (or listen. or halo. can't decide)

and thats ALL. done. 

goodbye for now.

cake.sugar.icecream.etc.

i know i'm the worst blogger. i don't blog everyday. 

but i honestly don't even have that kind of time! 

i am working sometimes 17 hours a dayyy. 

finals are approaching at a rapid pace. 

and i'm supposedly moving out before finals? who knows. 

BUT. i will show you guys what i have been up to in school--since that seems to interest some people?

meringata all crema

bananas foster

strawberry lavender, mango passion fruit, milk chocolate/hazelnut, pistachio and banana gelato!

Au Petite Antione

(iwillnevermakethiseveragain.)

devils food cake with creme brulee insert

i also made a avocado ice cream with candied honeydew, lychee sorbet and a lemon bombe center. 

and if anyone was interested... i made a cute cake for my dearest friend chelsie's birthday. (check it outt)

i've really come to like making smaller scale cakes like that.. so if you want one, you should just let me know. i dont like eating them. just making them. so give me an excuse to make all these cakes i want to try out!

and thats pretty much my life as of late. 

like usual my life is just surrounded by food.

and i'm def not complaining. 

-L.

saying goodbye...

to my freedom. 

ONCE AGAIN!

i worked for 14 hours today!!

you guys-- i got a new job again and i am so thrilled. ecstatic. happy. 

i'm working as a cook at Guru's!

this is an opportunity that will open so many doors for me

(and i'm gettting paid great)

i'm the only cook of American descent.

and will be get fat off sweet potato fries?

probably. 

can't even wait. 

this semester is also so close to ending.

just a few more weeks. 

i've started making my final for bakeshop. 

here is my first gum paste sugar flour. 

took me about 1.5 hours to make--and it's not even good. 

and i need to make about 15 more. SHOOOT.

another reason i am so excited for school to end?

i am going shopping. i haven't been in like a thousand years. 

city creek? anybody want to join?

currently obsessing over a dress like this. and this.

ok--i'm rambling. 

have a splendid week everyone!!