Life is Messy Kitchen

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Super EXCITED you are here!

See what’s inside the PRINTED book and bonus bundle...

285 pgs.

173 pgs.

173 pgs.

44 pgs.

including...

INCLUDES 115 full color YUMMY RECIPES,

&

PRODUCT PREVIEW

Author + Illustrator: MAYI CARLES Food & Prop Stylist + Photographer: MARCELA MACIAS Designer + Art Director : MARBEL CANSECO Copy Editor: SARAH BIERNACKI Lifestyle Photographer: SUSANA ARAMBURÚ

Copyright © 2014 Mayi Carles. All rights reserved.

Photography © 2014 claudia marcela macias. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, circulated and stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior consent of the author. Modifications do not void copyright.

The author of this book, Mayi Carles is available to discuss special permits to reproduce brief sections of this book for promotional purposes.

For further information, please e­mail mayicarles@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The material in this book is not intended to be a replacement for professional medical diagnosis or treatment for a medical condition. It consists solely of nutritional and lifestyle recommendations to support a healthier body. The author and contributors of this book assume no responsibility or liability for any consequence resulting directly or indirectly from any action or inaction you take based on the information provided.

For hosting Pasta Nights when I need it most...

TO MY DAD.

For teaching me that ice cream is not the enemy...

For showing me that happiness is born in the kitchen...

For inspiring me to become the ambassador of my health.

For empowering me to share this lifestyle with you.

april dad

marbel rebecca

marcela

carolina jen

sarah

me!

jadah

PeeK­A­BOO.

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT’S INSIDE

HELLO GORGEOUS

6

A TASTE OF WHAT'’S TO COME

12

THE COMMON SENSE PRINCIPLES

17

STOCK YO' KITCHEN [+] [-­] kitchen appliances kitchen tools THE RECIPES

TO HAVE TO RISE TO FUEL UP TO MUNCH TO INDULGE

THE EXTRAS soaking 101 blending 101 meal planning 101

252 256 260

PRINTABLES

264

20 23 24 25 28-71 72-119

120-195 196-221 222-249

MEET THE TEAM

266

A FINAL NOTE

270

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

272

OFF THE PAGE

274

Sweet! You’re here. I was hoping you'd come.

Hurry, hurry, the show’s about to start.

Grab a cup of tea + put on your favorite jammies. The baggy one you should have dumped by now. That one. Exactly.

It’s time!

HELLO GORGEOUS. BEFORE PASSING GO Everything you see here I owe to cupcakes.

T

he other day, I’m sure it was Sunday, I was searching for the elusive book that would Control + Alt + Delete all my food addictions + compulsive behaviors, so obviously I went to Amazon ( duh! ), hoping to hunt down something along the lines of How To Stop Eating Cupcakes In 3 Easy Steps! All I got back was: “Your search ‘How To Stop Eating Cupcakes In 3 Easy Steps!’ did not match any products,” so I settled for a new set of whale-­shaped measuring cups instead.

Y

eah, I’m one of the many women who want to be “healthy” reeeeeally bad. ( Pause ) Mmhm!

I want to take that back + write something less... true. Perhaps something more Miss Universe­-type­y, like “I want to abolish world hunger” or “I want to adopt a panda.” But there you have it.

“

Oh my! How rude of me. I almost forgot to introduce myself.

My name is Mayi Carles + I’m a cupcakeholic.

If left unsupervised, I could eat an entire batch of Red Velvets.

I’ve signed my soul over to...

South Beach + a nutritionist who put me on an 800­-calorie diet + Crossfit + The Master Cleanse + Insanity + Weight Watchers + everything inbetween, just so I could wear my skinny jeans by Friday. ( Wait... do people still wear skinny jeans? No, right?

I didn’t think so. ) Forget my business + family dinners + trips to the beach.

Nothing mattered but the diet or exercise regimen that would save me.

In

those days my life revolved around non­ fat yogurt + the elliptic machine. It was a BLAST, you guys!

I

skipped birthdays + lunch with da girls + networking events + surf trips all because of this irrational false promise that one day I would jump off the scale + feel... I don’t know, worthy? But guilt-­tripping myself to a size 0 didn’t lead to a joyful + vibrantly epic lifestyle. It unleashed Mayi-­zilla.

I dunno about you, but I’m done with The Next Big Buzz Diet. I’m done with Crazy Fit Monster mode, missing out on all the fun. I’m done waiting until my “cheat day” to eat pizza. I’m done with punishing myself on Monday for having an extra slice of Torta de Mil Hojas over the weekend. I’m done with bringing my 350-calorie lunchbox to grandma’s house + watching everyone savor her signature Tamal de Olla recipe, while I chew edible cardboard. C’mon! That ain’t right.

W

e all have a history of emotional eating, followed by high-­intensity self­-loathing + quasi­ military disciplinary sanctions. I want to... no, I desperately need to, start a movement against this insatiable thirst that we have to perfect + control + people-­please + fit in, as if the current me, as if the current you, weren’t awesome enough.

I believe the more we obsess about having a six­-pack or getting our pancake stacks to look exactly like Real Simple’s, the more we crave Nutella out of the jar.

Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything.

Maybe life is about un­-becoming everything, so we can embrace who we were born to be.

The way I see it is this: we can keep on calling ourselves "lazy" + "fat" + every other label we inaccurately tattoo on our foreheads, or we can be the best imperfect creatures that ever lived. We can either wait for the magical fairy that will give us a tight ass in 24­-hours + fix our landfill of problems in a bibbidi bobbidi boo, or we can put on our cheeky Anthropologie aprons + captain our destiny. Preferably now!

I

might not know what's inside your fridge ( that would be creepy ), but I do know you have a deep desire to create big tsunamis of change in the world, the good kind, without being chained to a correctional facility, or worse, the scale, do you? Me neither.

Perhaps

you dream to be on Oprah one day or speak at TED, so you can share your story with the world + feel like you’ve made it.

Maybe you want to rock a backless maxi dress with fuchsia lipstick + not feel like Fiona from Shrek. Or you might be day­dreaming about The New York Times Best Seller list for the obvious reasons, plus the satisfaction of rubbing it in the face of all those haters who called you Coo Coo for Cocoa Puffs. Who’s laughing now... losers!

Deep down, we all have our own metaphorical Mount Everest to climb, but I’ve noticed that somewhere along the climb we get rear-­ended by a cacophony of loser thoughts ­"I'm not good/smart/ talented enough" + "I have a muffin top, so I don’t do pool parties.”

I get it. Been down that lane. Done that dance many times before.

That's

why, when I sat down to manifest this project, I asked myself: "Why is this book worth writing? What am I trying to achieve?" I trust that the most valuable contribution I could ever make stems from letting you see behind The Wonderful Wizard of Oz curtain + exposing my

messy life in progress. It's like winning a golden ticket to my factory, where I'll be de­-programming my diet­-whacked brain + decoding decades of numbing myself with tiramisu.

H

appiness can’t be about deprivation, revealed only to the law­-abiding who manage to strictly follow the Grapefruit Diet. It can’t be about gluttony either,

found post-­anesthetizing our troubles with Chunky Monkey ice cream. Not on my watch!

Happiness is not to-­do material. It’s soul work.

My mission is to reset our intentions around food with a sense of humor + good appetite.

I hope you'll be my co­pilot for this messy adventure. What? Of course we’ll have waffles. You silly thang!

Please prepare for departure. It's on!

+

Paprika Parsley Pepper Peppermint Rosemary Saffron Salt ­ Use Himalayan salt , Celtic sea salt or other mineral-rich, good-quality salt!

Sauerkraut Spearmint Star Anise Tamari Soy Sauce Tarragon Thyme Turmeric Vanilla Vegetable Broth Wasabi Za’atar

THE PANTRY. Vinegars Apple Cider Vinegar Balsamic Vinegar Rice Vinegar Red Vinegar Sherry Vinegar White Vinegar

Dried Fruit ­ Look for unsweetened + check for hidden ingredients!

Including but not limited to...

Banana Chips Dates Dessicated Coconut (shredded/flakes) Dried Apples Dried Apricots Dried Blueberries Dried Cranberries Dried Currants Dried Figs Dried Mango Dried Pineapple Dried Raspberries

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

Superfoods Acai Berries Algae Camu Berries Chia Seeds Flaxseed Goji Berries Hemp Seeds Maca Maqui Berries Mulberries Wheatgrass

16

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

Treats Including but not limited to...

Cacao Nibs Cacao Powder

Baking Goods Baking Powder ­Look for aluminum-free!

Baking Soda

Natural Sweeteners Agave Nectar ­ Look for raw!

Coconut Palm Sugar Honey ­ Look for organic pure honey or wild honey!

Maple Syrup ­Look for organic!

Stevia

Eggs ­ Always look for organic!

-

Alcohol Bad Fats Caffeine Dairy Gluten Highly Acidic Meats Processed Foods Refined Sugars Soy

17

THE

RECIPES. “

Recipes are mostly vegan + all gluten-free + sugar-free + lots of fully raw options, each identified by helpful identifying thingymabobs.

I’ve included fancy whole food lovin’ dishes to impress your most special guests + tasty basics for whip-upin-no-time weekday meals.

RECIPE SECTIONS.

TO HAVE TO RISE TO FUEL UP TO MUNCH TO INDULGE

TO HAVE.

MUST HAVE MEGA-HITS.

y hone

agua

ginger root

e

lemon juic

��ni�

Ciao stupid toxins.

Rise + shine intestinal tract. Sipping this cleansing tea first thing in the morning, soothes + awakens your senses + prepares your digestive system for the day ahead. Both the lemon + ginger root are rich sources of antioxidants that inhibit inflammation + relieve stress + leash mood swings.

2

raw + vegan + gluten free cups water

1

teaspoon freshly grated ginger root

1

tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1

tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional)

1-2

lemon slices for garnish

In a small pot, bring water to a boil.

Remove from heat.

Place ginger at the bottom of a sturdy mug.

Slowly fill the mug 1/2 to 2/3 full with the hot water.

Add lemon juice, to taste. Stir in maple syrup. Garnish with lemon slices. Let the tonic steep for 5 to 10 minutes.

…………

Drink up!

Refill with the remaining water, if needed.

Can also be served cold as a refreshing + revitalizing

ingredients

beverage.

raw + vegan + gluten free Aside from being drinkable masterpieces worthy of pretty cocktail umbrellas, infused waters have cleansing + hydrating + refreshing superpowers. Ideal for water­-haters (ahem ahem) struggling to squeeze in their daily dose of H2O. To make any of these recipes, all you have to do is slice fruit + crush herbs + drop everything into your water + let sit for 3­-5 hours.

…NOTE………

Refill your pitcher with new water throughout the week, keeping in mind it will dilute the flavor each time you refill.

Drink your water within 3 days.

Make a new batch once you notice the fruits + veggies have started to soften or turn the water cloudy.

1 cup blackberries, slightly crushed 10 sage leaves 4 cups water Ice​

Spa Water 12 cucumbers, sliced 1 lemon, sliced 1/2 lemon, squeezed 4 mint sprigs, slightly crushed 2 rosemary sprigs, slightly crushed 4 cups water Ice​

TO RISE.

SUN IS SHINING + THE MORNING IS SWEET.

Hemp hearts is just a fancy word for shelled hemp seeds.

raw + vegan + gluten free

High in protein + fiber + phytonutrients, I like to add hemp seeds on just about everything from breakfast porridge to my salads + sandwiches. They add an amazing creaminess (and dreaminess) to smoothies + frostings. This recipe is an easy way to enjoy ‘em. You’ll scrape the blender clean with your fingers to not waste a single drop of glory.

Special appliance

Blender

½ cup hemp hearts ¾ cup water 5 soaked Medjool dates, pitted

1 vanilla bean, scraped ¼ tablespoon salt

diRE�TIons 1. Rinse hemp hearts thoroughly under cool running water.

2. Mix hemp hearts + dates + salt + water in a blender until smooth + creamy.

3. Add the vanilla seeds to the sauce in the blender + blend again.

ingredients

&

TO FUEL UP.

MIGHTY POWERFUL MAIN COURSES THAT OVERCOME LAZY.

PRODUCT PREVIEW

We got this humongous grill for our wedding. It’s so big, it looks like a time traveling machine. I don’t even know how to turn it on. I pretty much stand to the side with my Minnie Mouse apron, looking cute, hand-­ lettering the menu on our patio chalkboard.

Meanwhile, my man’s drinking an artisanal beer with his left hand + flipping a tyrannosaurus with his right. Nothing screams summer entertainment like this refreshing salad.

GRILLED CORN ASPARAGUS SALAD. raw + vegan + gluten free

4 corns on the cob 1 bunch asparagus

3. Trim the asparagus + cut into 1-inch pieces. Rub with olive oil + salt. Place over the flame, turning once they begin to brown. Remove from the grill + let cool. Set aside.

special appliance

Blender

1 tablespoon olive oil Pinch of salt 2 avocados, peeled + pitted + cubed 1 package grape tomatoes, halved 1⁄4 cup fresh cilantro, chiffonaded

Grill

ingredients 1⁄4 cup fresh cilantro

1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon lime zest

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice Pinch of salt

dressing

NOTE

1. Prepare your grill.

2. Rub the ears of corn with olive oil + salt. Lace over the flame, rotating every few minutes until the corn is lightly charred. Remove from the grill + let cool. Once cooled, cut off the kernels + place into a large bowl.

Set aside.

with CILANTRO LIME DRESSING

special tool

diRE�TIons

If you don't have a grill, roast the corn + asparagus in the oven.

4. In the meantime, prepare the dressing. Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.

5. To finish, combine the flamed corn + flamed asparagus + avocados + tomatoes + fresh cilantro into a large bowl. Add the dressing + mix well.

TWIST + SHOUT Top with mozzarella balls, cut in half.

Two words: rich + nutty. Use this pesto with cruditĂŠs + on salads. Stir in a little vegan mayonnaise + use it as a sandwich spread. Yum!

Avo-Pesto.

raw + vegan + gluten free

1 handful fresh basil 1⁄2 cup pine nuts 2 avocados, peeled + pitted + cubed 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 garlic cloves, minced 11⁄2 cup olive oil Pinch of salt

ingredients

diRE�TIons 1. Combine basil + pine nuts + avocados + lemon juice + garlic in a food processor.

Very slowly add the olive oil until you reach a smooth consistency. Season with salt.

2. Serve right away. This one’s a winner!

TO MUNCH.

SNACKS THAT MAKE YOU GO "SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS"

BANANA DARK CHOCOLATE GRANOLA. vegan + gluten free

Whenever I feel the need to indulge my inner child with some chocolate-filled cereal, the first thing that comes to mind is this healthy recipe! Whether you want to have some as a sweet breakfast or a nice dessert, it's never a bad time to go coo coo for this granola!

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. In a large bowl, combine oats + almonds + pecans + cashews + pumpkin seeds + salt.

3. In a separate bowl, add honey + coconut oil + vanilla + bananas.

Use your hands to mix the ingredients until completely smooth.

4. Add the banana mixture to the dry mixture + combine well, using your hands until everything is wellcoated.

5. Place the granola in a long baking tray + lay out flat.

6. Place in the middle of the oven + bake for

25 minutes, checking 3 times to turn the granola over with a wooden spoon.

7. Allow to cool completely before adding the chocolate pieces + storing in a container.

8. Serve with organic yogurt or almond milk.

DID YOU KNOW? The smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves, which triggers relaxation. Spa date for me please!

GRANOLA directions

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1⁄2 cup almonds, sliced 1⁄2 cup pecans, chopped 1⁄2 cup cashews, chopped 1⁄2 cup pumpkin seeds 1⁄2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes Pinch of salt 1⁄4 cup + 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1⁄4 cup + 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 ripe bananas, mashed 1⁄2 cup dark chocolate, chopped

GRANOLA ingredients

color me "chewy"

BLUEBeRRY CASHEW BARS. raw + vegan + gluten free

A power bar that will zap your taste buds + make you remember why blueberries are so loved. Supercharged with live enzymes + antioxidants + vitamins, this snack will make your insides wanna dance on top of tables with an inflatable T­-Rex. Wait. Maybe that’s just me.

1. In a food processor, chop dates until they turn into a paste.

2. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients with a spatula. Divide the dough in half + shape directly on dehydrator Teflex sheets into two big squares, slightly mounded in the center. Use a pastry scraper or large knife to help give the square its shape.

3. Dehydrate at 135°F for 24 hours.

4. Flip + dehydrate for 12 hours.

special appliance NOTE

Food Processor Dehydrator + Teflex sheet (optional) 11⁄2 cups almond, finely processed 11⁄2 cups walnuts, finely processed 10 soaked medjool dates, pitted 1 cup cashews, chopped 1 cup dried blueberries 1⁄2 cup maple syrup 3⁄4 teaspoon salt

Ingredients

If

you don't have a dehydrator,

prepare dough in a lined oven­ proof dish or a non­stick cookie sheet.

Bake in at 215° F

a conventional

oven

for

5

hours or

until golden brown, flipping at the

3 h­ our mark.

5. Remove + let cool + cut into bars. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.

diRE�TIons

TO INDULGE. TREAT YO' SELF.

RAWSPBE�RY CHEESECAKE. with CHOCOLATE GANACHE

raw + vegan + gluten free

If you have a birthday or special occasion creeping up in your calendar, this dish is the perfect companion to bring along to the party. I guarantee it tastes just as good, if not better, than a traditional cheesecake.

With no dairy or processed junk involved, you won’t feel like curling on the couch straight after consumption, if you know what I mean. If you don’t have raspberries on hand, try another delicious berry!

11⁄2 cups almonds 1⁄2 cup pumpkin seeds 12 soaked medjool dates, pitted Pinch of salt

crust ingredients

1. To make the crust, grind

5. For the filling, process

nuts + seeds in a food

cashews + lemon juice

processor until coarsely

+ lemon zest + vanilla +

chopped. Add pitted

coconut oil + raspberries

dates + salt + pulse until

until very smooth.

mixture comes together

6. Pour mixture into the

into a sticky ball.

pie crust + place in the

2. Flatten the crust evenly

freezer for at least 1 hour

into an 8-­inch non­-stick

or until ready to use.

tart pan, preferably with a

7. Let it thaw for 20

push up bottom.

minutes prior to serving.

3. Store in the fridge while

Top with Chocolate

you make the filling.

Ganache.

4. Clean the food processor well.

TIP

cheesecake directions

CHOCOLATE GANACHE. topping Put on top of everything. And you lived happily ever after.

The End. raw + vegan + gluten free INGREDIENTS 1⁄4 cup agave nectar 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted 1⁄4 cup cacao powder DIRECTIONS 1. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth + glossy.

2. Dip spoon in ganache + drizzle over the cheesecake top.

When using frozen raspberries, make sure you let them thaw completely before using.

11⁄2 cups soaked cashews 1 tablespoon lemon zest 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

special appliance

Food Processor

1 vanilla bean, scraped 1 teaspoon coconut oil, melted 1⁄2 cup honey 1 cup raspberries

filling ingredients

An

unbeatable

summer

treat. You can easily adjust the amount of honey depending on your sweet preferences. Although it’s very delicious when it’s on, I like to serve it with whatever seasonal fruits

I

can

find

+

chopped nuts.

special appliances

Ice cream maker Food Processor

MADE in CASA VaNiLLA ICE CREAM.

raw + vegan + gluten free

1⁄2 cup coconut water 1 cup soaked cashews 1 cup young coconut meat, chopped 1⁄4 cup honey 1 vanilla bean, scraped 2 ripe bananas 1⁄4 cup coconut oil, melted Pinch of salt

ingredients

1. Add coconut water to a food processor along with cashews + coconut meat + honey + vanilla + bananas. Process until smooth. Then with the processor running, add the coconut oil slowly + process until well-­incorporated for about a minute.

2. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker + process according to directions.

3. Remove from ice cream maker + pour into a freezer­-safe container.

4. Let chill in the freezer for a few hours, until a little more firm, before scooping.

directions TWIST + SHOUT If you don't have an ice cream maker, try this simple raw ice cream instead: Place 2 cups of frozen bananas + 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into your food processor. Blend, until the texture resembles a soft serve ice cream.

Enjoy immediately!

THE

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

EXTRAS. “

Check all that apply: [ ] You got out of bed today. [ ] You didn’t spill your entire smoothie on your clothes. [ ] You shaved your legs almost perfectly. [ ] You haven’t lost your keys, yet. [ ] You stopped at just one cupcake.

That's awesome. Extras are on da house!

48

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

• Soaking 101 • Blending 101 • Meal Planning 101 • Printables

THE

49

ff O

E TH

.

GE PA

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

“

If you’re fan­ -crushing Life is Messy Kitchen, here are some good karma ways to help spread the love, for any of which I will be eternally grateful...

email

me your testimonial

Join LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN the

hom

e

clubhouse

On the days when ordering Chinese take­out sounds like a dandy idea, you’ll be glad you’re a member of the messiest club in town. Oh yeah, and did I mention... it’s FREE!!! (Clapping hands effusively!) Hercules, Herculeeees!

t r a t S

Send your story to ...

mayicarles@gmail.com with a photo.

I might be tempted to give it some airtime.

for... n w o t home EN r H u o C y T I n i K up Y S a gro S E M

LIFE IS

ideas

review this book

on your blog.

Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do. Because I’m happy. Sing it!

Invite your soul sisters for brunch.

Prepare a delicious meal together.

Swap stories.

Playfully gossip.

Finish each other's sandwiches.

50

buy

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

your Casu parent s al self over favori ly men a cop tion te y. for l d unch your . Eve ishes.

In ryon e wi vite ns!

your

Connect

with other Life is Messy Kitchen foodies on

Share your recipe recreations using the hashtag #lifeismessykitchen.

Instagram.

Bonus:

Tag me @mayicarles so I can brag about you at my next cookout.

tweet

out your favorite one-liners from this book.

Include #lifeismessykitchen + @mayicarles in your message.

Snippets

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

can be turned into a quote + are up for grabs, All I ask is a little credit. And maybe a link back if you're feeling generous.

51

from

ial r er r ove . a an nne dium ba sta d de w o r k! ac or w ld ou c It

Fly

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

YOU ON THE LIST? GET NEW RECIPES + PRINTABLES + TIPS INSIDE YOUR HUNGRY LITTLE INBOX EVERY FRIDAY!

SIGN UP... IT’S FREE! www.mayicarles.com

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LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

wanna knownewxt?hat I'm up to FOLLOW MY COOKIE CRUMBS ON: INSTAGRAM @mayicarles FACEBOOK.COM /mayicarlesfanpage MY BLOG heartmadeblog.com

Check out MY PRODUCTS! other...

LIFE IS MESSY

BOOTCAMP

LIFE IS MESSY

PLANNERS

53

ME

E

TH T

A TE E

.

M

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

MAYI CARLES

mayicarles.com

Author + Illustrator Mayi Carles is the tiny Panamanian artist behind the Life is Messy empire where she helps thousands of creative entrepreneurs Expecto Patron the dementors that stand in the way of epicness. Whether you’re in search of a system to simplify your life or a friend who not only tolerates your quirks but celebrates them with “OMG me too!", Mayi’s here as your personal pocket-size cheerleader who can’t wait to hear your story! (By the way, this is Mayi. I sound so busy + important in third person, don’t I?)

“

I could have never pulled this off on my own.

Life is Messy Kitchen is a group effort...

55

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

MARCELA

MARCELA MACIAS: marcelamacias.com

Food & Prop Stylist + Photographer

Marcela Macias is an attentive food & prop stylist and photographer who uses her mystic soul, nerdy brain, and passionate heart to help entrepreneurs transform their creations into shining "I need this now" pixels. She spends her days dancing between the kitchen, her studio, and the playroom; veganizing favorite recipes; and tickle-­fighting with her children. Marcela believes that happy belly laughs are the secret ingredient that makes for vibrant images and delighted clients.

MARBEL

MARBEL CANSECO: marbelcanseco.com

Designer + Art Director

Marbel Canseco is the "shake 'em up" creative director for entrepreneurs. She uses humor to push clients into boldly standing on the edge, resulting in dangerously addictive brands ( the life-changing kind ). A self declared "Paleohead", cookie-monster & cinnamon-coffee addict, she is also a NY style cafè-con-leche illustrator & super-dork design genius.

Using geeky facts & mindfulness as innovation magic for creative business, she's on a mission to build beautiful coinmaking empires that imprint the soul.

SARAH

SARAH BIERNACKI:

Copy Editor

sarahbiernacki.com

Sarah Biernacki is an editor and pop culture enthusiast. She helps writers and entrepreneurs improve their writing, so they can clearly convey their ideas (and yummy recipes) to their audience. She has been described as having the cooking skills of a stereotypical 1950's husband: none. She does bake cookies in December, proving that there are Christmas miracles.

56

SIMPLE GREEN SMOOTHIES

simplegreensmoothies.com Simple Green Smoothies is on a mission to spread the love of green smoothies. So far, Jadah Sellner + Jen Hansard, the masterminds behind this initiative, have changed the lives of more than 500,000 people with their FREE 30-­Day Green Smoothie Challenge.

REBECCA EISENMANN

verdeyrebelde.com Rebecca Eisenmann, founder of Verde y Rebelde (which means Green and Rebellious in Spanish), is a mother, wife and young Health Coach whose mission is to re­invent the concept of eating by simply introducing you to basic food, cooking your own meals and a bit of exercise.

C HEF CAROLINA

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

GARCIA APRIL BOWLES­-OLIN

instagram.com/chefcarogarcia Chef Carolina Garcia is the sous chef of La Cocina de Sofy. She is a creative, sweet­-toothed Latina who never gives up on a new culinary idea. She loves documenting recipes that range from organic dog cookies for her chihuahua to healthy smoothies and pancakes for herself. She believes the kitchen is that special place in life where magic really happens and that happiness is 100% homemade. In her job, she sprinkles that warmth and special touch to please all sorts of customers and trends. Healthy eating and recreating all time favorites into friendlier versions is a challenge she is willing to take.

lifeblends.net Rafael Carles in the founder and CEO of Life Blends, a company that manufactures raw juices.

He has published more than two hundred articles for newspapers and magazines and frequently lectures on economics, consumer behavior, health, and nutrition topics. Carles has degrees in mathematics, chemistry, engineering, innovation, journalism, and business administration.

blacksburgbelle.com April Bowles­-Olin is the founder of Blacksburg Belle and co­founder of Connecting the Gaps. She adopted a vegan lifestyle four years ago and found out she's allergic to gluten a year after becoming vegan. Over the past few years, April and her husband have been on a mission to learn how to cook delicious gluten­-free, animal­-friendly food. On the weekends, you can often find them in the kitchen concocting new recipes, which April shares on Blacksburg Belle.

my d RAFAEL a d CARLES

57

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN

59

SIMPLE epub3 VERSION FOR EASY CARRY... works in ibooks.

Interactive POCKET GUIDE PDF CONTAINS QUICK CLICK HYPERLINKS + Guided Tour Pages!

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © MAYICARLES.COM

|

LIFE IS MESSY KITCHEN®

|

meet the creators...

Author + Illustrator : MAYI CARLES www.mayicarles.com Designer + Art Director : MARBEL CANSECO www.marbelcanseco.com Food/Prop Stylist + Photographer : MARCELA MACIAS www.marcelamacias.com

Copy Editor: SARAH BIERNACKI Lifestyle Photographer: SUSANA ARAMBURÚ

Copyright © 2014 Mayi Carles. All rights reserved.

Photography © 2014 claudia marcela macias. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, circulated and stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior consent of the author. Modifications do not void copyright.

The author of this book, Mayi Carles is available to discuss special permits to reproduce brief sections of this book for promotional purposes.

For further information, please e­mail mayicarles@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The material in this book is not intended to be a replacement for professional medical diagnosis or treatment for a medical condition. It consists solely of nutritional and lifestyle recommendations to support a healthier body. The author and contributors of this book assume no responsibility or liability for any consequence resulting directly or indirectly from any action or inaction you take based on the information provided.

Just FOR YOU.

A handcrafted LIMK Recipe Pocket Edition.

Inspired by the love of the arts ....and yummy food.

PeeK­A­BOO.

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT’S INSIDE

HELLO GORGEOUS

Go to page 7

A TASTE OF WHAT'’S TO COME

12

THE COMMON SENSE PRINCIPLES

15

THE RECIPES

Sweet! You’re here. I was hoping you'd come.

Hurry, hurry, the show’s about to start.

Grab a cup of tea + put on your favorite jammies. The baggy one you should have dumped by now. That one. Exactly.

It’s time!

THE EXTRAS soaking 101 blending 101 meal planning 101 PRINTABLES

Go to page

STOCK YO' KITCHEN [+] [-­] kitchen appliances kitchen tools

Go to page 18 21 22 22

23

TO HAVE TO RISE TO FUEL UP TO MUNCH TO INDULGE

26-43

GUIDED TOUR

25

MEET THE TEAM

Go to page 160

150 153 156

A FINAL NOTE

164

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

166

158

OFF THE PAGE

168

44-71

72-107 108-127 128-147

HELLO GORGEOUS. BEFORE PASSING GO Everything you see here I owe to cupcakes.

T

he other day, I’m sure it was Sunday, I was searching for the elusive book that would Control + Alt + Delete all my food addictions + compulsive behaviors, so obviously I went to Amazon ( duh! ), hoping to hunt down something along the lines of How To Stop Eating Cupcakes In 3 Easy Steps! All I got back was: “Your search ‘How To Stop Eating Cupcakes In 3 Easy Steps!’ did not match any products,” so I settled for a new set of whale-­shaped measuring cups instead.

Y

eah, I’m one of the many women who want to be “healthy” reeeeeally bad. ( Pause ) Mmhm!

I want to take that back + write something less... true. Perhaps something more Miss Universe­-type­y, like “I want to abolish world hunger” or “I want to adopt a panda.” But there you have it.

“

Oh my! How rude of me. I almost forgot to introduce myself.

My name is Mayi Carles + I’m a cupcakeholic.

If left unsupervised, I could eat an entire batch of Red Velvets.

I’ve signed my soul over to...

South Beach + a nutritionist who put me on an 800­-calorie diet + Crossfit + The Master Cleanse + Insanity + Weight Watchers + everything inbetween, just so I could wear my skinny jeans by Friday. ( Wait... do people still wear skinny jeans? No, right?

I didn’t think so. ) Forget my business + family dinners + trips to the beach.

Nothing mattered but the diet or exercise regimen that would save me.

In

those days my life revolved around non­ fat yogurt + the elliptic machine. It was a BLAST, you guys!

I

skipped birthdays + lunch with da girls + networking events + surf trips all because of this irrational false promise that one day I would jump off the scale + feel... I don’t know, worthy? But guilt-­tripping myself to a size 0 didn’t lead to a joyful + vibrantly epic lifestyle. It unleashed Mayi-­zilla.

I dunno about you, but I’m done with The Next Big Buzz Diet. I’m done with Crazy Fit Monster mode, missing out on all the fun. I’m done waiting until my “cheat day” to eat pizza. I’m done with punishing myself on Monday for having an extra slice of Torta de Mil Hojas over the weekend. I’m done with bringing my 350-calorie lunchbox to grandma’s house + watching everyone savor her signature Tamal de Olla recipe, while I chew edible cardboard. C’mon! That ain’t right.

W

e all have a history of emotional eating, followed by high-­intensity self­-loathing + quasi­ military disciplinary sanctions. I want to... no, I desperately need to, start a movement against this insatiable thirst that we have to perfect + control + people-­please + fit in, as if the current me, as if the current you, weren’t awesome enough.

I believe the more we obsess about having a six­-pack or getting our pancake stacks to look exactly like Real Simple’s, the more we crave Nutella out of the jar.

Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything.

Maybe life is about un­-becoming everything, so we can embrace who we were born to be.

The way I see it is this: we can keep on calling ourselves "lazy" + "fat" + every other label we inaccurately tattoo on our foreheads, or we can be the best imperfect creatures that ever lived. We can either wait for the magical fairy that will give us a tight ass in 24­-hours + fix our landfill of problems in a bibbidi bobbidi boo, or we can put on our cheeky Anthropologie aprons + captain our destiny. Preferably now!

I

might not know what's inside your fridge ( that would be creepy ), but I do know you have a deep desire to create big tsunamis of change in the world, the good kind, without being chained to a correctional facility, or worse, the scale, do you? Me neither.

Perhaps

you dream to be on Oprah one day or speak at TED, so you can share your story with the world + feel like you’ve made it.

Maybe you want to rock a backless maxi dress with fuchsia lipstick + not feel like Fiona from Shrek. Or you might be day­dreaming about The New York Times Best Seller list for the obvious reasons, plus the satisfaction of rubbing it in the face of all those haters who called you Coo Coo for Cocoa Puffs. Who’s laughing now... losers!

Deep down, we all have our own metaphorical Mount Everest to climb, but I’ve noticed that somewhere along the climb we get rear-­ended by a cacophony of loser thoughts ­"I'm not good/smart/ talented enough" + "I have a muffin top, so I don’t do pool parties. I

get it. Been down that lane. Done that dance many times before.

That's

why, when I sat down to manifest this project, I asked myself: "Why is this book worth writing? What am I trying to achieve?" I trust that the most valuable contribution I could ever make stems from letting you see behind The Wonderful Wizard of Oz curtain + exposing my messy life in progress. It's like winning a golden ticket to my factory, where I'll be de­-programming my diet­-whacked brain + decoding decades of numbing myself with tiramisu.

H

appiness can’t be about deprivation, revealed only to the law­-abiding who manage to strictly follow the Grapefruit Diet. It can’t be about gluttony either,

found post-­anesthetizing our troubles with Chunky Monkey ice cream. Not on my watch!

Happiness is not to-­do material. It’s soul work.

My mission is to reset our intentions around food with a sense of humor + good appetite.

I hope you'll be my co­pilot for this messy adventure. What? Of course we’ll have waffles. You silly thang!

Please prepare for departure. It's on!

RECIPESECTIONS.

TO HAVE TO RISE TO FUEL UP TO MUNCH TO INDULGE

RECIPEGUIDED TOUR. Each section has their own quick-look-up guide. Pages are listed per recipe.

Messies like easy peasy!

EXAMPLE GUIDE

Recipe Section

Bonus recipes

Name

Page

Bonus recipe list

TO HAVE.

MUST HAVE MEGA-HITS.

PeeK­A­BOO.

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT’S INSIDE

TO HAVE Go to page Detox Tonic 28 Infused Waters 29 Pistachio Butter 32 Hazelnut Milk 33 Almond Flour 34 Coconut 5 in 1 35 Frozen Banana 38 Pita Bread/Pita Chips 40 Donut Touch My Donuts 41 Apple Sauce 42 Vanilla Cream 43 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Infused Waters

Spa Water Blackberry + Sage Mango + Lime + Mint Strawberry + Basil Watermelon + Lemon + Rosemary Sangria Honeydew + Lime Citrus Blast

Coconut 5 in 1 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Coconut Water Coconut Milk Coconut Cream Coconut Oil Coconut Flour

Ciao stupid toxins.

Rise + shine intestinal tract. Sipping this cleansing tea first thing in the morning, soothes + awakens your senses + prepares your digestive system for the day ahead. Both the lemon + ginger root are rich sources of antioxidants that inhibit inflammation + relieve stress + leash mood swings.

2

cups water

1

teaspoon freshly grated ginger root

1

tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1

tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional)

1-2

……

raw + vegan + gluten free

lemon slices for garnish

In a small pot, bring water to a boil.

Remove from heat.

Place ginger at the bottom of a sturdy mug.

Slowly fill the mug 1/2 to 2/3 full with the hot water.

Add lemon juice, to taste. Stir in maple syrup. Garnish with lemon slices. Let the tonic steep for 5 to 10 minutes.

…………

Drink up!

Refill with the remaining water, if needed.

Can also be served cold as a refreshing + revitalizing

ingredients

beverage.

raw + vegan + gluten free

Aside from being drinkable masterpieces worthy of pretty cocktail umbrellas, infused waters have cleansing + hydrating + refreshing superpowers. Ideal for water­- haters (ahem ahem) struggling to squeeze in their daily dose of H2O. To make any of these recipes, all you have to do is slice fruit + crush herbs + drop everything into your water + let sit for 3­- 5 hours.

…NOTE………

Refill your pitcher with new water throughout the week, keeping in mind it will dilute the flavor each time you refill.

Drink your water within 3 days.

Make a new batch once you notice the fruits + veggies have started to soften or turn the water cloudy.

EASY-PRINT COLORING PAGES WITH ACTIVITIES + GAMES...See the preview pages.

BONUS PRINTABLES TOO! GIFT TAGS + CARDS...OH MY!

Long lasting memories...

Activities they can be proud of...

Games to play for hours...

interactive LIMK catalog | Designed by Marbel Canseco Studio