Peanut Butter Cup Peanut Butter Cookies

Nope you’re not dreaming, this really is a new recipe, only 2 years or something ridiculous in the making. I’ve been wanting to get back to food blogging since I graduated from college, but unfortunately before I moved to California I never had any time (or a suitable kitchen) to get back into it. Then when I moved to San Diego I was convinced that no where in my apartment had suitable lighting to start it up again.

But thanks to a Snapchat of my dresser early last week, I found that I actually could take really nice photos in my room. A foam poster board and two small clamps later, I had my own little DIY studio. Though it’s not perfect and it’s been awhile since I has used my camera, but I think it’s a great first step to getting back into photography.

Now for the real reason you’re here, cookies. And these aren’t just any cookies. I had a bag of peanut butter cups that I was eating by the handful and I didn’t want them to melt while I was back home. So I figured, what could be better than throwing them into peanut butter cookies. Nothing that’s what.

The best thing is that since I won’t be around this week, I didn’t want the cookies to go stale so I rolled out all of the dough and froze most of it for when that “fresh baked cookie” craving comes. Now I have dough to just plop on a cookie tray and throw in the oven.

Peanut Butter Cup Peanut Butter Cookies
Slightly adapted from Joy the Baker

Yield: 2 dozen cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups chopped peanut butter cups

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a few baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the peanut butter and beat for another minute. Add the sugars and beat until combined. Mix in the eggs one at a time. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and mix once more until all the ingredients are combined. Add in the dry ingredients and mix just until they disappear. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and mix in the chopped peanut butter cups by hand.

Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place on the baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake the dough for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and chewy in the middle. Repeat with remaining dough. Once they’re removed from the over, let them sit on the baking sheet for a minute or so and then move to a cooling rack. Grab one in each hand and enjoy!

#genius

 

What I Did During My First Month in San Diego

I didn’t realize until I looked at the calendar last night that today not only marks my first day at my new job, but it’s also my one month anniversary of moving to San Diego. Woah, I’m sure that must mean something! So I figured since my vacation has officially ended and I have to return to the real world, I would tell you all about the fun things I did over the past month in SD. And if you ever come to visit this fine city you should definitely do these things too!

1. Stop by Shelter Island Park

(via Instagram)

After purchasing my new car and getting somewhat settled into my apartment (aka just leaving all my stuff in my room until things like hangers and a dresser could be purchased), my mom and I spent a little time on Shelter Island enjoying views like that one. There’s way more to do than just relax, but you can’t beat views like these when everyone you know is back home under snow (sorry guys)! There are quite a few shops and restaurants, so it’s definitely some place you want to visit one lazy afternoon. I went back a second time for a long walk along the bay, totally worth it!

2. Go for a Bike Ride on Coronado Island

(via Instagram)

From Downtown San Diego, you can take a ferry over to the beautiful Coronado Island. The ferry ride is no more than 15 minutes and you can see the entire skyline of Downtown San Diego, gorgeous! Once you get there, you can rent bikes or tandems and there’s a bike path laid out so you can experience the entire island. Lots of cute (but expensive) shops and restaurants too, but my mom and I just enjoyed the ride and got in some exercise for the day. The bike ride is only a few miles and I think it took us maybe an hour and a half, but there are some great places to stop and enjoy the views as you wait for the ferry to come back! Plus there is an amazing little cupcake place right near the docks called the Coronado Cupcakery! Unfortunately I ate mine too quickly to snap a photo, but it was delicious!

3. Visit the Seals at La Jolla Cove

(via Instagram)

Yeah I don’t think I need to say much more about this one. The views are spectacular and in the afternoon the seals come to take their siestas on the beach. So cute!

4. Check Out the Trails Outside the Zoo

My mom isn’t a big zoo person, so instead there were some really amazing hiking trails right outside the zoo that you could wander along. Definitely worth some of your time to see some of the amazing San Diego wildlife and if you’re cheap like us, you can say hello to the metal zoo statues right outside the entrance!

5. While You’re by the Zoo, Check out Balboa Park

Right across from the zoo is Balboa Park and I have to say this is a must see for anyone visiting the area. It’s a small walkable town with tons of cute shops selling art and a ton of museums to take a look at too! You’ll want to stop by the Botanical Gardens for the beautiful view. We didn’t eat there, but I’m told you should stop by Prado while you’re exploring.

6. Grab Dinner and Watch the Sunset in Ocean Beach

(via Instagram)

I have to say Ocean Beach has a… wild crowd. You’re typical hippie Californians, but the seafood was delicious! We ate at the South Beach Bar and Grill and had delicious fish tacos and sandwiches. I have to say, I think my mom’s favorite part of the trip was the abundance of fish tacos. I knew we were related! And after you’ve eaten, stay for the amazing California sunset. There’s really nothing like it and I’m still blown away every time I see it.

7. Get the Tacos at Puesto in Downtown San Diego

(via Instagram)

My friend Bryan was visiting San Diego and so we figured the best way to catch up would be over tacos and guacamole. Let me tell you, Puesto did not disappoint! Some of the most delicious and fresh tacos I’ve had since I’ve been here (and that’s saying a lot). And you’ll want to get the guacamole to share, so delicious and honestly I can’t think of a better way to catch up with high school friends!

8. Walk along the Boardwalk, Wherever You Are

Lastly, before you head back home make sure to walk along any of the boardwalks. They are filled with colorful people and the views are amazing no matter the time of day. I still go for long walks along the boardwalk at Pacific Beach and plus if you catch it at the right time, you’ll see that amazing sunset once again. I’ll never get bored with it.

So after a month of exploring San Diego, I have to say that I am so happy that I moved here! The views, the people, everything is just better than I expected and I can’t wait to continue my adventures!

How to Pack 95% of Your Life into 3 Suitcases and 2 Carry-ons: A Memoir

Now that I am officially moved in, aka my IKEA furniture has been built, I figured it’s a good time to share my story of moving to San Diego.

(via Instagram)

New York: My Year in Review

Really that should be titled, The Year I Tried to Eat Everything Delicious in New York and Barely Scratched the Surface, but that is a bit long-winded so I gave you the Cliffnotes version. By the way, do people still use Cliffnotes, is it still a thing? I should ask my little brother. Anyway, so yesterday was my last day of working in New York, most likely forever, which is a slightly weird concept to wrap my brain around. You see, prior to starting with Gourmet Marketing, I had a year-long internship with another marketing agency in Manhattan. After a few months break to work with my uncle, I started back in the city at Gourmet, so really it’s felt like I’ve worked there for practically 2 years. Taking NJTransit for 2.5 years, I must be a miracle worker. But anyway, though it is slightly sad to leave the hustle and bustle of New York behind, I’m looking forward to hopefully a shorter commute.

(via Instagram)

California is Always a Good Idea

If you follow me on any of my social media pages or know me in real life (hey there!), you have probably heard about my next big life change: my upcoming move to San Diego! It’s been a long time coming and I really have to give all the credit to my yoga teacher training, but I am finally ready to make the big move and head across country!

 

The Journey of Yoga Teacher Training

I always come up with these wonderful plans of how I’m going to blog every week and give you updates and of course, life happens and those plans fall to the wayside. As I was going through yoga teacher training, I thought about updating you on my progress and how things were going, but in the end I decided I’d rather give you an overview after the fact rather than during the heat of it!

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Overcoming Doubts and Resistance

It wasn’t until a few months ago that I jumped on the podcast bandwagon. Before then I listened to a few here and there, but nothing really stuck. It wasn’t until I heard Jess Lively‘s interview with my favorite food blogger ever, Jessica Merchant of How Sweet Eats, that I realized I had finally found someone who gets me. Well two people who get me. Since then, I’ve been listening to Jess’s podcast religiously every week.

(via: The Lively Show)