Old School: Making Fruit Roll-Ups

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Old School: Making Fruit Roll-Ups

Let me start with the fact that I've seen this idea popping up all over Pinterest lately and it was one of those things I just had to try for myself.  The fruit roll-up was something I always wanted to have in my own lunch growing up, because it seemed candy-like, and it probably was, because it wasn't ever in my lunch. Making an all fruit version yourself takes very little prep time, because all you need to do is puree fruit in a food processor or blender, but they take hours in the oven at a low temperature to dehydrate into fruit leather.  Two baking sheets yields 12-14 roll-ups, and they last for up to 4 months, so it's a worth-wile weekend project. Next time I think I'll try some more adventurous combos like spicy mango-chipotle, or a super tart lemon-apple. Whatever the ingredients, here's the technique:

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DIY Dwell Studio Boom Art Sculpture

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DIY Dwell Studio Boom Art Sculpture

My favorite housewares and furniture store in the whole world is Dwell Studio. Their collections have that certain Danish modern, mid-century updated, luxe-cozy thing that I just can't get enough of.  Dwell Studio pieces are made of fine materials and cost a pretty penny, and are therefore more often a point of inspiration for me.  I've been able to cultivate the look shopping at CB2 and Anthropologie sale sections, and at my secret thrift stores around town. When their Fall collection came out I fell in love with their brass sculptures. Starting at $150 each, the Boom Wall Sculptures were just too much, so I had only one choice: make them. Scroll down for more pictures and tutorial.  You can make your own for about $5 each and I figured out a way to reposition them, damage-free using velcro tabs. Here' the real deal...

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Fall Colors

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Fall Colors

One advantage of having whole grains and veggies prepped for the week is that lunch is a bit more exciting than the usual turkey sandwich (or peanut butter and jelly if you are a lazy daisy like me). We have kabocha squash on hand from our garden right now so I've been roasting it with a little olive oil and popping it into meals- we made enchiladas stuffed with mashed-roasted kabocha last weekend. Roasted kabocha also makes a great addition to a picnic salad like this.  The squash is nutty and soft, which works really well with sweet roasted beets and tangy fresh apple.  I think it would be delicious with figs too now that they are in season. To make yourself a "Rainbow Bowl" follow the recipe below.

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Kind Words

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Kind Words

I'm a sucker for pretty concert posters and simple art prints.  They can add a little something to small spaces like a bathroom wall or a kid's room, and I'm totally smitten with this one. I think "Be The Good" is going to be our new family motto. It's from Children Inspire Design, a line of modern, eco-friendly wall art, wall cards, and posters printed on recycled papers using soy based inks.  I extra love this shop because they donate 10% of their sale proceeds to woman and child focused charities. I've run a business before, and 10% is a lot. 

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