amberZonbie has a new home: amberZon.com

a m b e r Z o n . c o m

I have decided to make the switch from a blogger to wordpress site. Lots of reasons went into this decision and lots of little things are not yet complete, but for now I am happy and really excited with the change.

 The blog has a new home as well as I am in the process of transferring my etsy shop to my new shop on amberZon.com.

Drop by and check it out and let me know what you think!

-Zon

In the Morning by the Coral

-Zon

Simple Shaved Ice

I get the winter time blues and can't wait for the warmer temps to come. We have been having ice cream every now and then and while I absolutely love ice cream and will drop everything to go get some I don't want to make a habit of eating it often late at night.  I don't think it's bad I just think I need to moderate it a bit.
I decided I wanted to experiment with some sorbets. I was thinking vegan sorbets would be fun, I have a friend who is experimenting with removing dairy from her diet so I wanted to make something she could eat it.

This tastes a bit like summertime in your mouth and could easily be put into popsicle molds for the kiddos.

I wanted to keep the recipe simple. Simple process, Simple ingredients. But when I took it out of the freezer to try it I couldn't get the scoop in and was a little bummed that my experiment failed. Then I switched ice cream scoops...

My sorbet turned into a shaved ice recipe.  Turned a flop into something new.

I made three different kinds: Mango Strawberry, Berry Mix and Strawberry Lemonade. The Strawberry Lemonade was my favorite. I have literally made myself sick from drinking too many of Red Robin's Speckled Lemonades, Lord have mercy those things are good! So to say that it was my favorite was an understatement. 

You will need:
1 lb of frozen organic fruit thawed (16 oz)

1 1/2 c. of water

Zest of one clean lemon

Juice of 1 organic lemon

3/4 c. organic sugar

1. In a medium sauce pan heat water, lemon juice and sugar. Heat until sugar is dissolved let cool for a few minutes.

2. Prepare an open mouth container to pour your mixture in. I used old bred pans with parchment paper place in the bottom so I could easily pull the ice out later if need be.
3. Place frozen fruit in a food processor (or a blender could work) with lemon zest. Blend.

4. Add lemon water mixture into food processor. Blend until smooth.

5. Pour into your open container. Place in freezer. 

6. Once fully frozen you can shave it and eat! Be sure to use a sturdy spoon or ice cream scoop to shave your ice.

I typically use organic ingredients so I feel good about the things I am putting in my body and when you have a gluten sensitivity you can't be too careful.  A lot of ice creams have some foreign ingredients So this was a snack that I could feel good about eating.

-Zon

My Mornings

My office yesterday morning and a lot of mornings recently. Tea times at Big Dog in South Side by the window with pretty snow falling outside. If it is going to be cold there had better be snow that comes along with that cold, that's how I feel about it.

Also that R2D2 is a usb drive, it's the best!

Jamming my friend Carter's new album. The album came out this morning on itunes!  Check it out if you get a chance it is so so good! . Proud of him! 

-Zon

Shop Oh Melisa

I have a lot of friends with cute kids, I feel like they need to know about my friend Melisa's shop. 

My friend Melisa is a ridiculously creative momma. She has an etsy where she sells her little hand embroidered applique onesies, tees, and other unique items. I mean how cute is the Piranha plant applique from Mario?!  Ridiculous! I love it!
Right now, Melisa is offering a special coupon code to amberZon readers! Use code AMBERZON14 at check out in her etsy and receive 15% off your purchase! How great is that?!  

And robots?! My not so secret love is little robots. I have books, tattoos and little mini toys. I wouldn't say obsessed but close to it. Along with Wonder Woman, I love Wonder Woman!  

 

All of her creations are made from scraps, usually salvaged or re purposed which makes each piece unique and special! It's something you can feel good about. A unique handmade gift on a cute kid, what could be better?

She makes some cute adult tops as well. This Sweater looks like something you'd snag at Anthropologie. She's stinking creative!
So don't forget go to her esty shop to get your little ones some cute onsies or tees for valentine's day or just because. Use the code AMBERZON14 and get 15% off!
Also go check her blog, plus a few other crafty friends, at Ain't That the Berries.
Or follow her on facebook and keep up with all the creative goodies as they hit her shop!

-Zon