Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! In the spirit of the season, here’s a tasty frappe recipe to try!

Pumpkin Pie Frappe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup premade coffee
• 2 cups of ice
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 3 tablespoons of pumpkin puree (can)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1 cup of half and half or your milk preference
• 1/3 cup vanilla ice cream
• whip cream + caramel for rim
• sprinkles

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and while your drink is mixing, grab a cup and line the rim with caramel.
2. Place the sprinkles in a flat dish and while holding your cup upside down, press the cup onto the sprinkles. The caramel acts as a glue to make the sprinkles stick to the cup, and makes it tasty too.
3. Once your mix is well-blended, pour it in the cup, add whip cream if desired, and garnish with cinnamon or pumpkin spice.  You may also add a swirl of caramel on top.  Serve.

Recipe originally posted on Inspirations by D.

Good happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Meatless Monday: Grilled Eggplant, Grape Tomato, and Feta Salad with Basil, Parsley, and Caper Sauce

Happy Monday!

The 9 Billion states that protein production through the consumption of livestock requires 8 times as many fossil fuels to be produced than protein derived from plants. Get your daily protein this monday from our tasty Grilled eggplant recipe!

Grilled Eggplant, Grape Tomato, & Feta Salad with Basil, Parsley, & Caper Sauce

Ingredients:

8 medium-sized Japanese or Asian Eggplants
olive oil, for brushing eggplants
salt and fresh-ground black pepper for seasoning eggplants
1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half
1/4 cup crumbled Feta (or more)

Sauce Ingredients:

(This makes much more sauce than you need for the salad, but it’s good on any type of grilled meat, grilled vegetables, or sliced tomatoes.  The sauce will keep more than a week in the fridge.) 
2/3 cup fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup parsley leaves (flat or curly)
2 large garlic cloves, sliced
1 T Dijon mustard
3 T capers
2 T fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high.  (You can only hold your hand there for a few seconds at that heat.)  Wash the eggplants if needed and cut off both ends.  Cut the eggplants lengthwise, brush both sides with olive oil, and season the cut side with salt and pepper
2. Lay eggplants on the grill cut side down, and cook until you see nice grill marks (about 5-7 minutes.)  Turn eggplants and cook about 5 minutes more on the other side, or until eggplant is softened and nicely browned.  Remove eggplant to a cutting board to cool.
3. Make the amazing sauce while the eggplants cool.  If needed, wash and spin dry the basil and parsley leaves.  Slice the garlic cloves, then use a food processor fitted with a steel blade to chop the basil, parsley, and garlic.  Add the Dijon, capers, and lemon juice and process until ingredients are well blended; then add the olive oil and process about 30 seconds more.
4. Cut grape tomatoes in half.  When eggplant is cool enough to handle, cut it into slices about 1 inch thick.  Gently combine the eggplant and tomato halves in a bowl and stir in enough sauce to coat the ingredients (about 1/4 cup).  Stir in the crumbled Feta and serve salad warm or at room temperature.
5. Even though tomatoes are best when they haven’t been refrigerated, this was not bad after it had been the fridge overnight.  It didn’t last much longer than that though.

Recipe originally posted on Kalyn’s Kitchen.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Live Peace with Kickstarter

“Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Kickstarter is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative projects that are brought to life through the direct support of others.” – Kickstarter FAQs

While not a nonprofit organization, Kickstarter enables backers to make good happen for others. For innovators, getting funding can be exceedingly difficult. As a platform, Kickstarter connects these innovators with many funders to “crowdfund” the projects. It reduces risk for funders, and provides funding to people who are creating innovative projects ranging from art displays to watches! Funders “pledge” a certain amount to the project choose an offered thank-you gift, and are only charged if that project meets its fundraising goal.

For those interested in data, learn more about Kickstarter’s projects here!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Center for Living Peace Décor: Dyak

Have you ever wondered what inspired the design of the Center for Living Peace? Our new blog segment reveals the stories behind different decor elements of our space. This October we are spotlighting our Dyak statue.

Dyak

This statue characterizes a member of the Dyak, also known as the native tribe people of Borneo. The dyak is known to represent celebrations of common man. This piece of carved wood was under water for 600 years. The female figure represents the goddess within us all. Surrounded by grasses of her homeland, she stands as a guardian of the room of the common people (also known as our yoga and meditation room)!

Room of the Common People

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Erwin Wang Makes Good Happen

As part of the Living Peace Series with Sir Richard Branson, we hosted our Living Peace Projects (formerly known as “Working Groups”) on January 22, 2011. With each Living Peace Series speaking event, we host a day of service for youth encouraging participants to not only get involved, but continue to do good in the world.

Now, over a year after the Living Peace Projects with Virgin Unite, we are so happy to highlight the work of Erwin Wang. As a local high school student, Erwin joined us back in January 2011 and began a project to raise funds for charity. As part of the project Erwin began at the Living Peace Projects, he raised $2,000! The funds supported the Human Options scholarship program here at the Center as well as the food pantry at Families Forward.

Erwin and CLP Founder Kelly

When asked about the impact the event had on him, Erwin said:

“Since I could remember, both my mother and father spoke of the importance of generosity, and the far-reaching happiness it brings to all people. It is an aspect that has influenced me throughout my childhood and teenage years. I’ve been privileged to have been raised in such a nurturing environment – it only seems fitting to give back to the community that has given me so much. What started out as a simple idea developed into a full-fledged fundraising event. It was a wild and exciting ride from start to finish, and ultimately saw it appropriate to provide the funds to Families Forward and the Human Options program. Many are unaware of the financial and domestic issues families in Irvine must tackle daily – which is precisely why these organizations are deserving of these funds. I’d like to acknowledge my team for pulling off such a feat, along with Kelly Smith and Rebecca Hendrickson of CLP for allocating the funds.”

-Erwin Wang

Erwin is certainly an amazing example of making good happen and how a project that may seem small can make a huge impact. We wish him all the best in his college career and endeavors!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Meatless Monday: Watermelon Gazpacho

Happy Monday! A recent study from Imperial College London also found that reducing overall meat consumption can prevent long-term weight gain. Improve your health by reducing your meat intake and  having at least one vegetarian meal per week.

Watermelon Gazpacho

Ingredients (Serves 4):

• 6 cups coarsely chopped seeded watermelon
• 5 ripe tomatoes, cored and quartered
• 1 rounded tablespoon sweet smoked paprika
• 1 clove garlic, smashed
• 1/2 cup whole toasted almonds
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon chipotle sauce
• Salt
• 1/4 sweet white or red onion, finely diced
• 1 cucumber, seeded and diced

Directions:

1. Blend 2 cups of the watermelon in a blender until liquid. Add the rest of the watermelon, the tomatoes, paprika, garlic, almonds, balsamic vinegar, and chipotle sauce and blend until smooth. Transfer the soup to a bowl and taste and season with salt.
2. Chill for an hour before serving. Garnish with a spoonful of the onion and cucumber dice.

Recipe originally posted on Lucid Food.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Live Peace with m.a.m.a. earth

m.a.m.a. earth is a grassroots organization founded by Kailani Bayot that focuses on building community with nature-based education for youths and adults as well as charity events to raise money for partner nonprofit organizations. In the past, m.a.m.a. earth has hosted classes – such as their “grow where you are!” lecture series, retreats, and concerts that promote music and different art forms in a uplifting environment to raise money for causes such as Nourish the Child, Shine on Sierra Leone, and many more. Kailani, a mother of two based in Los Angeles, is also the sister to musical artist Bruno Mars, who has performed at past m.a.m.a. earth events and has donated autographed guitars for auction.

Starting with a class called “The Art of Urban Gardening” tomorrow, October 21st, m.a.m.a. earth will be teaching a series of workshops about art, music, and nature for all ages at the Center for Living Peace! Check out the following schedule for to see all of the m.a.m.a. earth workshops coming up at the Center:

For more information on m.a.m.a. earth and to learn how to become more involved, visit their website!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Where’s My Romeo

Abbas Kiarostami‘s short film, Where’s My Romeo, shows the universal power of film, art, and poetry across cultures. It depicts Iranian women watching the final scene of Zeffirilli’s Romeo and Juliet . The film is part of “Chacun Son Cinéma” (To Each His Own Cinema), a collective film of 33 shorts directed by different directors about their feeling about Cinema.

Live peace by learning about other cultures and art around the world!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Choose to Be Happy

“You must wake up every morning and choose to be happy. You gotta put on happiness like you put on your clothes.”

– 14-year-old Khadim Diop at TEDxHarlem

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Meatless Monday: Chocolate Fudge Zucchini Cookies

This Monday splurge a little with this delicious chocolate cookie recipe! In the United States, 80% of aquatic habitats in streams have been harmed and negatively impacted by the grazing of livestock. Help to reduce your impact by having a meatless meal every week. Take a look at our previous posts for main dish inspiration.

Chocolate Fudge Zucchini Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose Gold Medal flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt (I use Chobani 0%)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup finely shredded zucchini
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a large baking sheet with a Silpat or parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat; stir in cocoa powder and sugars. The mixture will be thick and resemble sand-that’s ok. Add the yogurt and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.

3. Add flour mixture, stirring until moist. Stir in zucchini and chocolate chips.

4. Drop by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 minutes or until almost set. Cool on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes or until cookies are firm. Remove cookies from sheet and cool completely on wire racks.

Note- squeeze the shredded zucchini in a paper towel and pat dry to remove the excess water before using.

Recipe originally poster on Two Peas & Their Pod. 

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!