Simpli Spiritu

Fresh Minted Limeade

Courtesy of Danille Kartes, here is the recipe for her absolutely perfect limeade. The blend of juicy limes, cane sugar, pure water, and fresh mint makes this a refreshing and incredibly simple treat for late summer!

Ingredients:

2 cups cane sugar

1 cup hot water

2 cups freshly squeezed lime juice

1 gallon cold water

1 lime, sliced (for garnish)

Mint sprigs (for garnish)

Blueberries (for garnish)

Directions:

In a 1 gallon sized container mix cane sugar and the hot water, stir until sugar dissolves.

Add lime juice and the cold gallon of water.

Stir until well mixed.

Pour limeade over glasses of ice.

Garnish with sprig of mint, lime slice or blueberries.

Enjoy!

image via Danielle Kartes

Buttermilk Vanilla Pound Cake

image via Danielle Kartes

Just in time for the fourth this wonderful lady has done it again! Danielle Kartes has come up with a delicious recipe for pound cake. It's light and delicious so it's perfect for this holiday! Hopefully you have the opportunity to share it with your friends and family. I'm off to a little get together with some co-workers. Happy Fourth!

Ingredients:

¾ cup canola or light olive oil
½ cup melted butter
1 ½ Cups Sugar or evaporated cane juice
5 eggs
¾ tsp. Sea salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 tsp. pure vanilla
2 ¼ cups All Purpose flour
2 tbsp. baking powder

Directions:

Pre Heat oven to 350 F

Mix all wet ingredients until they just come together. Slowly add the
flour, salt and baking powder until the mixture just comes together,
don’t over mix.

Bake in a buttered and floured Bundt or Loaf pan for 45-55 minutes
or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean when
inserted in the deepest part of the cake.

Serve with fresh cream and berries.

Enjoy!

Location: Vancouver, BC

My first article for DISfunkshion!

I recently started writing for DISfunkshion Magazine! I was initially attracted to them because of the publications free spirited vibes. They really support innovative individuals and their site has nothing but inspiring content. Each one of their articles make me want to sing to the world about these indie designers and businesses. They're all doing so many amazing things!

The first article I wrote was about the super amazing company called Karen Jess. I'll post the interview I did with them later, but for now check out my kick ass article by clicking here!

Words of Wisdom #67

Words of Wisdom #50

There is a very fine line between freedom and happiness. Naturally, I feel the most happy when I am free but sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in limbo, somewhere between the two. Obviously the goal in life is to do something you love, it's beyond heartbreaking to see my dad so down because of work or employee's. Often times I feel that he truly hates his job. He was going to quit a while back, and start up a restaurant of his own but somewhere along the way he ended up just giving up.

My sister and I encouraged him to keep it going but he settled on something else. He decided to acquire some property of his own and cultivate the land on it. He seems content, building a pond and whatnot, but I can't help but think what would have happened if he followed his dream of the restaurant. I suppose now we'll never know, but just because my father chose to forgo his dreams doesn't mean that he's a coward, or that I'm doomed to follow in his footsteps. I know in my heart that I am never going to forgo mine. I have this fiery determination within me, one that cannot be extinguished. We all have it within us, never forget that all the power to accomplish your goals lies within yourself.