happy friyay my friends! we made it through another wild week. 

today, i was planning a reflective monologue about all the crazy fires and how lucky my family and friends are that we escaped harm. but it seems almost like gloating to even go there when so many up north are still fearing for their homes and their livelihoods. 

my fears feel so insignificant now. 

so many now are struggling with trying times thanks to an angry mother nature. each new disaster is overshadowing the one that rolled in before it. deciding how to help, who to help and where to send that help has me spinning. 

and then my uncle called.

his call was actually business related since we are helping him with food for an upcoming event.but after we chatted about sheet cakes and appetizers, he told me that i had recently said something that brought some change to his life. it was a very small comment i made in the midst of conversation, but it stuck with him.

suddenly, it became clear to me what i need to do to feel more "helpful."

i just have to keep being helpful. every day. every hour. every minute. not necessarily offering up money or things to people all day every day, that's not always possible. but by giving help when help is needed. whenever that opportunity presents itself to me.

whether it's food for the homeless man who passes by our door a couple times a week, a mom who needs a good stretch and some escape from her day in my yoga class, or simply telling a coworker who is a bit down how great they are, i am just going to try my best to help. 

now we all can't help the same way. we all have different gifts, strengths and means. i recommend you pour yourself a drink, relax and figure out how you can help. 

mango sunrise
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 6 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz tequila. .25 cup chopped mango. 1 oz lime juice. 1 oz triple sec. 1 oz hibiscus syrup. 1 cup ice. shaker. food processor. line wedge for garnish.

start by combining the lime juice and mango in the base of a food processor.

 blend until the mango is completely puréed. you will need 2 oz of the purée. 

in your shaker, combine the tequila, mango and triple sec. shake till completely combined and a bit frothy. about 30 seconds. 

pour the hibiscus syrup in the bottom of your serving glass. 

pour all the shaker contents including the ice into the glass.

garnish with lime wedge and enjoy.

xo, a

mango sunrise 
serves: 1 cocktail 
prep time: 5 minutes 
active time: 1 minute 
total time: 6 minutes 
ingredients: 2 oz tequila. .25 cup chopped mango. 1 oz lime juice. 1 oz triple sec. 1 oz hibiscus syrup. 1 cup ice. shaker. food processor. line wedge for garnish. start by combining the lime juice and mango in the base of a food processor. blend until the mango is completely puréed. you will need 2 oz of the purée. in your shaker, combine the tequila, mango and triple sec. shake till completely combined and a bit frothy. about 30 seconds. pour the hibiscus syrup in the bottom of your serving glass. pour all the shaker contents including the ice into the glass. garnish with lime wedge and enjoy.

so, here is what's going on in a nutshell. california is burning. after watching the hurricanes tear through the south and eastern part of the us, i couldn't help but wonder if we had some crazy weather of our own headed our way. well, it is here.

i have been glued to the tv, studying the evacuations and constantly communicating with my mom who is right on the border of the evacuation zones of the second canyon fire. my grandmother who lives in anaheim hills has already evacuated. it's the closest a fire has been to my childhood home since i was in the second grade. i am on edge, and i know i'm not alone.

when things started getting crazy, i rang my mom to ask what she was doing. her answer? cleaning the pool. why? because she can't just sit and do nothing! her words, not mine. 

well, the apple must not fall from the tree.because i also can't just sit still. i have already gone through drawers and folded laundry. on to baking. the only bright light of the day is this delicious plum crumble. if you need a healthy distraction, something to do with idle hands or just a delicious dessert, this crumble has you covered.

plum + pistachio crumble
serves: 5-6
prep time: 10 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
bake time: 45 minutes
total time: 1 hour
ingredients: 4 plums, thinly sliced (about 3 cups). .25 cup white sugar. 1 tbs corn starch. 1 tsp orange zest. .25 tsp vanilla extract. 5 tbs butter, melted. .5 cup rolled oats. .5 cup all purpose flour. .25 packed cup of brown sugar. .25 cup crushed pistachios. .5 tsp cinnamon. .25 tsp nutmeg. .25 tsp kosher salt. medium sized baking dish. optional whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. 

start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees f. in a large bowl, combine the plums, white sugar, corn starch, zest and vanilla extract. stir well to combine. 

pour the plum mixture into your baking dish. 

in a second bowl, combine all but the melted butter and mix well. 

drizzle in your butter and mix until the mixture is moist and crumbly. 

pour the topping over the fruit. spread the topping out evenly. 

i saved a couple plum slices to decorate but it is not required. 

bake for 45 minutes until the fruit starts to bubble and the topping is golden brown. 

allow to cool slightly and serve warm. 

xo, a

plum + pistachio crumble serves: 5-6 prep time: 10 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
bake time: 45 minutes
total time: 1 hour
ingredients: 4 plums, thinly sliced (about 3 cups). .25 cup white sugar. 1 tbs corn starch. 1 tsp orange zest. .25 tsp vanilla extract. 5 tbs butter, melted. .5 cup rolled oats. .5 cup all purpose flour. .25 packed cup of brown sugar. .25 cup crushed pistachios. .5 tsp cinnamon. .25 tsp nutmeg. .25 tsp kosher salt. medium sized baking dish. optional whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
tart by preheating your oven to 350 degrees f. in a large bowl, combine the plums, white sugar, corn starch, zest and vanilla extract. stir well to combine. pour the plum mixture into your baking dish. in a second bowl, combine all but the melted butter and mix well. drizzle in your butter and mix until the mixture is moist and crumbly. pour the topping over the fruit. spread the topping out evenly. i saved a couple plum slices to decorate but it is not required. bake for 45 minutes until the fruit starts to bubble and the topping is golden brown. allow to cool slightly and serve warm.