Choco-Popcorn Jar

My friend's birthday is coming up soon, so I wanted to make her something yummy and cute. I found this recipe awhile ago on Youtuber Kumamiki's channel. It can easily be made vegan by using vegan chocolate chips, vegan popcorn, etc. I didn't have any colorful vegan sprinkles to use this time, but I think the jar still turned out pretty cute. Kumamiki made this jar for Valentine's Day but I think it makes a nice gift for any occasion. ^^

Ingredients:
-vegan chocolate chips (I used about 1/4 of a bag)
-popcorn
-pretzels
-vegan sprinkles (optional)

Other Supplies:
-mason jar
-decorating supplies (ribbon, cute paper, whatever you'd like, etc.)
-glue, scissors, etc.

Directions:
1.)Spread an even layer of popcorn over the surface of a baking pan.

2.)Put chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for about 40 seconds. Take out of microwave and stir. Microwave again for 40 seconds to a minute (or until chips are totally melted). Stir again.

3.) With a spoon or other utensil, drizzle melted chocolate over the popcorn. Drop sprinkles over the popcorn (if desired). Let popcorn sit until chocolate has hardened, separate the popcorn pieces, and set them aside.

4.) (At this point, repeat step 2 if melted chocolate has hardened or if you have run out) Dip the pretzels halfway in the chocolate and place them on the baking pan, taking care that there is space between each pretzel. Drop sprinkles over the pretzels (if desired). Let pretzels sit until chocolate has hardened, remove the pretzels from the baking pan, and set aside.

5.) Wash your mason jar and then decorate it however you'd like. I used ribbon, paper, and decorative flowers to create a pink birthday theme for mine.

6.) Fill the mason jar with chocolate popcorn and pretzels and close the lid. Done!

***Here's the video that inspired me to make this treat jar:

Vegan Cafe Review: Fruits & Roots

The other day my mother and I took a short road trip to Stuart, a small town in south Florida. We stayed there for the night, but before heading out the next day we decided to grab lunch at a charming cafe called Fruits & Roots.

The cafe is a homey place with beautiful wooden furniture. The staff were all very sweet and kind. Everything on the menu was vegan (yay!) and looked so good. They had things like sandwiches, smoothie bowls, juices, salads, and so on. They also had yummy appetizers, like summer rolls. Here's what I ordered:

Summer rolls, packed with lots of yummy vegetables.

Vegan cheeseburger (my personal favorite). The burger patty was made with beans and the bread was very fluffy. The cheese was also delicious. It was heaven! 

Pumpkin smoothie bowl. It was layered with bananas, granola, raisins, and apple slices. It was pretty big, so my mother and I shared it. It was one of the cafe's fall specials. 

So if you're ever driving through south Florida and are in the mood for some yummy vegan food, I totally recommend stopping off in Stuart and going to Fruits & Roots!

Panda Onigiri!

Made some onigiri the day before yesterday! I used the Baby Panda Onigiri Kit (which can be found on Tokyo Otaku Mode). All you need is sticky rice and nori (seaweed sheets). You can also put fillings inside them if you'd like (I used avocado). Super fun!