Lemon Raspberry Tofu Cheesecake

This vegan and wheat free tofu cheesecake is just amazing, this recipe is adapted from the green cuisine cookbook by Andy Cunningham, defiantly worth buying if you are in Victoria and have a chance to visit Green Cuisine in market square.     http://www.greencuisine.com/      Using a really good quality blender makes the filling light, fluffy and creamy. 

Cake crust:
2 cups gluten free graham style cookies crumbs
(Kinnikinnick Foods makes a very tasty one)
¼ cup melted coconut oil
2tbs coconut sugar

Mix together in a bowl, and press in to a greased 9 inch
spring form pan. Refrigerate for an hour before filling.

Filling:
Combine in a blender-
2/3 cups sugar
¼ cup coconut oil
¼ cup cashew butter
½ tsp salt
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
2tsp lemon zest

Combine in a small pot and bring to a boil-
2 cups medium tofu crumbled
1 cup vanilla soy milk
1 tsp Agar powder

Pour the tofu mixture in to the blender and blend until very smooth

Pour over crust and shake to settle bubbles, then refrigerate until partially set
Topping: 
Place whole raspberries in a decorative pattern on top of filling.

Pour glaze over raspberries and allow to set for another 3-4 hours.

Glaze:
2/3 cup water
1/3 tsp agar powder
1tbs lemon juice.

Bring above ingreadteds to a boil. drizzle or brush over top of cake

Summer time crafts

This afternoon I got to sit on the beach with fresh fruit salad and make jewelry

it was pretty much heaven

Making necklaces like these are super easy using both recycled jewelry and craft store bought pieces.

you will need:
A pair of jewelry pliers
Chains of your favorite length
Jewelry findings and pendants
Rings and clasps

Get creative, have fun and enjoy the Complements on your custom jewelry!



Bird pendant with leaf detail on 24 inch chain , the bird pendant came off a pair of old earrings i lost the mate for.

Bronze key, with chain tassels, birds nest with crystal details on 24 inch chain
the crystal gem I plucked off a necklace from the sally ann.

Metal leaf pendant with pewter birds nest on a 24 inch chain



24 inch Pewter chain, metal leaf, blue woman camieo with small gem detail, the cameio women came off a old bracelete, and the gem off a thrift store necklace.

Adjustable Suade necklaces
to make this braided suade necklace you will need:
suade cord
feathers
beads 
charms

-mesure the suade about 6 inches longer then you want the necklace
-tie one end
- braid all the way down, leaving 3-4 inch tassels at both ends

-thread one end though the braid of the other side to make an adjustable loop, you can make these any length you like.

-attach feathers, beads and charms to tassels.

Suede cord with oyster shell, wood leaf and bead

I am getting some stock together for a craft fair coming up in June, these are some of the necklaces (and non feathered items) that will be there. Come and visit me at the buccaneer days June 8/9

Sea Shell earrings

She makes sea shell earrings from the sea shore!
A very cute way to turn your beachcombing treasures in to wearable art. Try finding diffrent and unique shells.
The clear nail polish shine the shell up quickly with out have to buff them.

You will need:
Shells
Findings
A Dremel or drill with very small drill bit
Pliers
Clear nail polish

1. Coat the shell with a few layers of clear nail polish

2. Drill a holes at the top of the shell (very carefully)
3. Affix findings and enjoy!

Caramelized Pecan, Pear and Feta Greens

A perfect side salad to complement any main dish, add chicken or tofu and you have an amazing dinner salad. This recipe was “borrowed” from my mom

In large salad bowl, small individual bowls, filled with mixed greens or spinach, Sprinkle on top:

Cranberries
Crumbled feta
Sliced ripe pears
Caramelized Pecans

Drizzle with maple balsamic dressing and serve immediately.

Maple Balsamic Dressing

3tbs balsamic vinegar
2tbs olive oil
2tbs maple syrup

Caramelized pecans

¼ cup sugar
3 Tbsp water
1 cup pecans
½ tsp salt

Combine the sugar, water, in a large, heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat. Melt the sugar, bring to a boil and then add the pecans. Stir constantly to coat, cook until the sugar begins to caramelize and brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool on parchment or wax paper

Hanging Bird Cage Lamp

I found this amazing bird cage at a flea market, painted it white and hung a light bulb in it, and voila! I have a bird cage lamp! This is such a Quick and easy project, the hardest part is finding the cage! I bought my light in china town, they are meant to go in the paper lanterns, but you can also get them at ikea.

You will need
Wire bird cage
Light bulb on a wire and Light bulb

Screw in hooks for hanging

Zap straps

Chain for hanging

1. Feed your wire though the top of the cage, and zap strap it to the wire.

2. attach the chain, screw your hanging hook in to the ceiling and hang cage
3. turn on and enjoy!




                                    My new lamp hanging in my bedroom!

Homemade bath salts

I’ve made these for my mom for mothers day, she loves taking baths in her amazing bath tub. These salts are uplifting and refreshing, a blend of pink grapefruit, ylang ylang and Neroli blossom essential oils with rose hips and hibiscus petals to add color to the water.

The salts and oils are available at your local health food or herb store. Making your own bath salts are so easy, a great project for kids to make for mom.

You will need
Bath salts, I use a blend of dead sea salts and Epsom salts
Essential oils (your favorite!)
Baking soda
Rose hips (or petals)
Hibiscus petals
Large bowl
spoon
Glass jar

1. Mix salts and baking soda
 2. Add essential oil, a few drops at a time, mixing in between to get your desired sent.
3. Crush rose hips and petals with a mortar and pestle until fine
4. Add rose and petals to salts, mix and pour in to a glass jar with tight fitting lid.

Simple Button earrings

Turning found objects in to wearable art. Button earring are really simple and very cute. Look for vintage or unique buttons to really draw the eye.

Experiment with different sizes and shapes, small and sweet to large and daring!

You will need

Buttons

Gel super glue or hot glue gun

 Stud earring backs (can be found at craft stores)

Making these earring is as simple as gluing the earring back to the back of the button, letting dry and wearing!