November 21, 2008
If my sister and I were produce instead of people, we’d be persimmons. Without a doubt… a couple of sibling persimmons- from the same tree but oooooooh so different. Let me explain. This will all make sense in a short bit.
My little sister and I are two and a half years apart. That means we were close enough to tear things up and figure out how to get ourselves out of it. You know, experiment, explore, break stuff and try not to get in trouble… life skills.
My sister, as an adorable, slick and sly child genius, would mush up and cry whenever trouble was on the horizon. I was not quite so skilled.
Maybe we’re about to get in trouble for knocking out the screen door that was just installed hours earlier… or we’re about to get a talking to for breaking the bathroom window with a soccer ball… or someone, who shall remain nameless, thought it would be a good idea to swing like Tarzan from the palm tree…
Here’s how the situation would play out: Lauren would run into the house, after one of our outdoor terror sessions , a big ball of red eyes and tears. She’d throw herself on the ground inconsolable, and thus… unpublishable. I would freeze and try to figure out a way to fix the broken thing before my parents could discover it. Not wise. Not wise at all. I was always the one left standing stiff with the broken object, eyes wide, wracking my brain for solutions. Thus… I always got in trouble. I’m not just saying that… Lauren, you totally know it’s true.
Any while we’re on the subject, please allow me this:
Dear Lauren,
You know you were the one that ran straight into the new screen door. That was all you. I was watching The Cosby Show and minding my own business. You and your tears! I got in soooo much trouble for that! No, twenty years later, I’m still not over it. Well played sister. Very well played.
This isn’t over.
Your sister,
Joy
So… um… persimmons. Follow me.
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November 20, 2008 
I know Thanksgiving is still a week away, but I’m already thinking about what I’m thankful for.
I have a lot to be thankful for. I like to reflect upon it, savor it, write it down, study it. I know I’m early, but it’s a lot to think about. Don’t give me a hard time… you should be thinking on it too. There might just be a test… yes, on the things you’re thankful for. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
So far I’m thankful for smiles that come from the inside out… the ones you can feel in your gut. I’m thankful for contagious laughter and persimmons that ripen in their own stubborn stubborn time. Smiles, laughter and fruit with free will. Pretty great list so far.
I’m going to go whisper sweet nothings at my stubborn persimmons, make you a treat and we’ll talk more tomorrow. Get thinkin’ on your thanks! It feels good. Promise.
September 1, 2008 
Delicious! Delicious! Delicious!
I was lucky enough to have a holiday weekend free from hurricane winds and rain. My prayers go out to those of you who had to put up with that madness from Mother Nature.
I spent a lovely amount of time in a bathing suit and miraculously managed to make an absolutely stellar late summer dessert.
In making these gorgeous roasted plums I also developed a deep love for my cast iron skillets. I realized this weekend that I use my cast iron skillets for everything, short of boiling pasta. From pancakes to grits to scrambled eggs to sweet roasted plums. It’s in and out of the oven. It’s heavy enough to clobber any would be robbers. It holds heat like a champion, and it’s just all around reassuring to have in the kitchen. I have two. I’m thinking about naming them… that’s how far my love goes.
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August 9, 2008 
I’ve decided to have a very quiet and still weekend.
Today- more pictures than words.
I hope you all find a piece of peace this weekend.
These unassuming, simple and delicious meringues might be just your ticket to bliss.
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June 4, 2008 
It’s just an ordinary day, except for the fact that I made milk! Not the yummy stuff that comes from the cow, but Almond Milk with a touch of honey. It might just give Old Bessie a run for her money.
Let me tell you a little about me. I’m part Irish, part African American, and A Little Bit of Hippie. Today we’re only going to discuss the Hippie in me. My parents raised me on, what seemed at the time to be, the gnarliest health food on the planet. I remember sitting down to dinners of Tofu Potato Baker (which I did eventually come to love- thank you ketchup), loads of barely-steamed-mostly-raw broccoli, whole wheat fig bars and fresh squeezed carrot juice. Granted, I love all that stuff now, but what I would have given for some Chips Ahoy and Kentucky Fried Chicken when I was 5.
I make my family’s dinner habits sound like abuse, don’t I? That’s probably not fair. In their choices, my parents instilled in me, what I call, A Little Bit Of Hippie.
As a person with A Little Bit of Hippie in her I am prone to do things like enjoy vegan food on Friday night and throw back a medium rare filet on Saturday night. I also might ride my bike to work, but only twice a week. It’s also the Little Bit of Hippie in me that lead me down the granola bar path and inspired me to make these Banana Blackberry Smoothies with Homemade Almond Milk.
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May 27, 2008 
I have nicknamed this bread Crazy Face Mango Bread. Why? Because every time I tell someone what this treat is- Fresh Mango Bread, they make a crazy face. I don’t even mention that it’s made with whole wheat flour and also has grated apples (and golden raisins… shhhh!). That might just send them over the top!
I bet you’re making a crazy face right now. I’m sure you are… But this bread is great! Turn that crazy face into action and whip up a loaf for yourself! With the flavors of ginger and cinnamon, and the surprise pieces of fresh mango, this bread is perfect with tea for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
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May 17, 2008 
There is something in the air this time of year. I’m as restless and a 12 year old girl waiting for summer break so she can go hang out at the community pool. Maybe it’s the impending 3 months of relentless, almost suffocating Los Angeles heat. Maybe I just yearn for the carefree days of summer. Maybe I just need a vacation. I’m completely restless these days, and with no real vacation in sight, what’s a girl to do but play with her ice cream maker.
Today I bring you Mango Lime Sorbet. It’s like going on vacation with your spoon. Just like going on vacation- minus those pesky airport lines, and the passports and the exciting new places to see, and delicious new food to eat. Why do all that, really, when you can stay at home and make sorbet…
Pardon me while I wallow in woe. But seriously… someone please take me away.
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March 24, 2008 
It all started out so beautiful and promising- with diced dried fruit, wholesome nuts and old-fashioned oats. I was my day away from the bakery, and I thought I’d use my kitchen to experiment with homemade granola bars. I seem to have trouble eating normally, standing on my feet all day, working in front of a mixing bowl. I notice that I’ll turn occasional bites of dough into a meal. To help solve my intake dilemma, I thought I’d make granola bars to have on hand when hunger strikes but break time does not.I had the greatest of intentions, and the stickiest of results. read more…
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