Molly Pollet – Page 8

mpollet December 8, 2018 Recipes

Winter Salad

‘Tis the season for persimmons and pomegranate seeds! I love these fruits this time of year, not only for their flavor but also because they add such vibrant color to salads. This salad is hearty, colorful and delicious. A perfect lunch on it’s own, or make as a side salad with your holiday dinner.

Ingredients:
green leaf lettuce
arugula
pomegranate seeds
persimmons
toasted almonds
avocado
crispy quinoa
balsamic dressing

To make the crispy quinoa, prepare quinoa as you normally would on the stovetop. Refrigerate overnight so the quinoa gets dry enough to crisp up. Place a thin layer on a baking sheet, spray lightly with olive oil and add a dash of salt and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees until quinoa gets crispy.

mpollet December 1, 2018 Travel

Charleston

T O S T A Y

Zero George Street: three residences and two brick carriage houses make up this incredibly charming boutique hotel. An absolute gem and highly recommended!
Planter’s Inn: we didn’t stay here, but recommend it if you’d prefer a (slightly) bigger hotel. Great location and decorated with charming Charleston décor. Also a must is having a slice of their famous coconut cake (on their charming lantern-lit courtyard after a romantic dinner out)
Also worth checking out: Belmond, Spectator, The Dewberry

T O D O & T O S E E

Historic homes along Tradd Street, Church Street, Legare Street (all South of Broad)
Charming, historic alleyways: Stoll’s Alley, Longitude Lane, Philadelphia Alley
Carriage ride through the city
Historic home walking tour
College of Charleston
Waterfront Park
Head across the bridge and check out Sullivan’s Island
The Battery & Rainbow Row: take a walk all along the water and look at the beautiful, historic waterfront homes
King Street for shopping
Art galleries… everywhere!
Hampden Clothing: for great pieces from Theory, Rag & Bone, Tibi, Zimmerman & More…
Antique Shops: couldn’t make it into all of them, but check out John Pope Antiques, George C Birlant & Co, Alexandra Designs
Mac & Murphy Stationery: chuck full of sugar paper goodness
Club Monaco on King Street: such a beautiful store – a must-see for anyone who likes the brand
Lake Pajamas opened their first store on King’s Street. Stop in for interior eye-candy + a cozy pair of pjs

T O E A T & T O D R I N K

Butcher & Bee: one of the best tasting meals I’ve had in a really long time. Local, fresh, and FULL of flavor
Edmund’s Oast: we went for a drink before Butcher & Bee and had one of their 50+ delicious draft beers
Lewis BBQ: omg the beef brisket…
The Gin Joint: cozy spot for a cocktail. I got the pear pressure which was deliciously spicy and full of fall flavor. Snack on their famous beef jerky while you sip!
Husk: I’d skip your dinner reservation and grab a spot in their cozy, exposed brick bar. Enjoy southern bites and historic cocktails
Le Farfalle: a neighborhood osteria with incredible charm and authentic Italian food
Planter’s Inn Ultimate Coconut Cake®: famous Charleston treat to enjoy on their charming lantern-lit patio
Sugar Bakeshop: cute little bakeshop full of delicious treats
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit: fresh, warm, southern biscuits. Need I say more? Zero George serves these fresh every morning, but also check out their storefront on King Street.
Hominy Grill: a delicious, casual spot for Lowcountry classics. Head there for breakfast or lunch and try the Charleston Nasty Biscuit
Black Tap Coffee: for delicious cold brew on tap

We couldn’t make it to these ones, but they’re on our list for next time (worth checking out!):
FIG, Magnolias, Cannon Green, Leon’s, 5Church, Living Room & Henrietta’s at The Dewberry, The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island

mpollet October 8, 2018 Recipes

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

I’m generally a very healthy eater, but I definitely have a sweet tooth. So, I made up this recipe for “healthy” chocolate chip cookies to satisfy that craving for something sweet. It has minimal sugar, lots of protein and good fat, is free of gluten, and is vegan! Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make. If you don’t compare these to cookies to ones from Levain Bakery, then I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised (and won’t feel guilty afterwards)!

Ingredients:
1 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut sugar (you can use more if you want yours sweeter)
1 scoop vanilla collagen *optional
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup nut butter (I usually use almond butter, but used TJ’s mixed nut butter for these)
1/2 cup lily’s dark chocolate chips

Mix together the almond flour, coconut sugar, collagen, cinnamon, salt and baking powder. Add the vanilla and nut butter and mix until well incorporated. If it’s still too dry, mix in a tablespoon of water (or an egg white). Stir in chocolate chips. Use a cookie scoop to drop rounded tablespoons onto a baking sheet. Flatten the balls with your fingers (these won’t spread like normal cookies) and sprinkle some more sea salt on top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Makes 12 cookies.

I store mine in the freezer (I’m odd and think all cookies with chocolate in them taste better frozen!)

Enjoy!

mpollet September 17, 2018 Baby & Kids

Hospital Bag

I admittedly was not the best at packing my bag for our hospital stay because we live two blocks away and I figured I could send my husband home for anything we needed. Once we were there, though, I realized you really do not need a lot! The only thing I didn’t pack that I wish I had (or that I had my husband go get) was my own sleeping pillow and a bath towel. For the most part, using the items provided by the hospital was much easier. Here’s what I had in my bag:

• Pajamas & robe: Lake pajamas are my favorite and they have a maternity line!
• Slippers: for walking around your room and the hallways
• Camera and charger
• Phone charger
• Toiletries: Other than the essentials, I brought face and underarm wipes for ease and this toner spray that I love!
• Hair dryer
• Bath towel: You can certainly use the hospital provided ones, but I thought it was nice to have my own plush bath towel!
• Flip flops for the shower
• Sleeping pillows: Again, the hospital provided ones are just fine. I used some of them, but it was nice to have one really good pillow to sleep on
• Blankets for husband: He will appreciate having some nice, cozy blankets on his uncomfortable bed! 😉
• Snacks: I brought coconut waters and homemade trail mix with nuts, dried fruit and some dark chocolate
• Onesies for baby: If you want your babe in non-hospital wear! *think: photos*
• Going home outfit for both you and the baby
• Receiving blanket(s)
• Car seat: Make sure it’s installed in your car!

Things I didn’t need (because using what the hospital provided was a whole lot easier!): diapers & wipes for baby (unless you feel strongly about using a certain brand), nursing pillow, belly wrap, undies, pads

Other items to consider: heating pad, Tucks wipes, Earth Mama spray, extension cord (so your phone can reach you in bed while charging), baby nail file, laptop and charger, night light (the lights in the room are really bright, so it would be nice to have something softer at night)

mpollet August 24, 2018 Baby & Kids

Favorite Baby Gifts

When buying a baby shower gift, you’re likely choosing something off a registry that is full of essentials. I’d typically recommend to always stick with the registry, but occasionally it’s nice to surprise with something a little more special. Additionally, if the gift is given outside of the shower I think going off-registry is even more acceptable. Below are some of my go-to thoughtful gift ideas for baby (and mom!)

Baby Book – I absolutely love the baby book I received from Sugar Paper. It has Henry’s initials embossed in gold on the cover and the inside is very beautifully designed. I love the contents of the pages, too! About half of it is for pregnancy and birth, and the second half takes you through highlights of months 1-12.

Monogrammed Bath Towel – makes bath time extra special! Etsy is a great source for monogramming if you don’t have a local spot.

Blankets – This one is obvious, but receiving blankets are so important! We use them every day, so having some nice, cozy ones are a treat. I love the ones I have from Little Giraffe, Ralph Lauren and Kissy Kissy.

Tiffany Piggy Bank – A sweet way to teach baby how to save their pennies (And it looks nice in their nursery!)

Onesies – A newborn can never have too many cozy onesies. My absolute favorite are Kissy Kissy because they are incredibly soft and have the sweetest designs.

Solly Baby Wrap – These wraps make for a stylish way to keep baby close to you (and often way more convenient than a stroller).

Monogrammed Pillow – I love the idea of monogrammed anything, but a little pillow is especially a great, long-lasting gift. Again, Etsy is a great source for monogrammed gifts if you don’t have a local spot.

Lands End Canvas Tote – These canvas totes are my favorite casual bag (again, monogrammed!) Get a smaller one for daily use, or the large for a suitcase. I used the XL for my hospital bag, and now for a weekend suitcase.

The World of Peter Rabbit – A classic! The full set (tales 1-23) which are housed in a box set make for an unexpected, yet special gift.

Pajamas/Robe for Mom – if you’re especially close with the new mom, I love the idea of gifting cozy pajamas. She will be living in them for a few months after the baby is born! Currently, my favorite are Lake Pajamas.

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mpollet August 12, 2018 Recipes

Easy Banana Ice Cream

This easy Vitamix banana ice cream recipe is my go-to for a quick healthy sweet treat. I always have frozen bananas on hand which are much better than regular, as they will give you a frozen treat straight from the Vitamix without having to freeze. You can play around with additions, as well. I usually keep it simple:

About 2 frozen bananas
1/2 cup almond milk
Dash of cinnamon
Dash of sea salt
Teaspoon of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (this one is my favorite!)
Heaping spoonful of almond butter
Top with chocolate chips (I used these)

Other ingredients to try mixed-in: peanut butter, dates, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, honey, coconut milk, shredded coconut

Enjoy!

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mpollet August 8, 2018 Baby & Kids

Nursery

I had so much fun putting Henry’s nursery together. I wanted a look that wasn’t too babyish so that we could make some of the pieces last through his “big boy” room. We went Ralph Lauren nautical – a look that will probably last with him for a while (hope ya like it, Henry!) My favorite piece is the antique pine bench. My mom bought it over 25 years ago – it got a lot of love in my childhood home and then “visited” our family friends house in Napa for the past 15 or so years. Now, it fits perfectly into Henry’s nursery and is serving as a little bookshelf.

SHOP THE LOOK

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mpollet July 30, 2018 Baby & Kids

Henry James

On Saturday, July 21 at 5:04 pm, my husband and I welcomed Henry James Pollet into our family.

We’re all happy, healthy and completely in love!

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mpollet May 2, 2018 Baby & Kids

Baby Shower

I had the absolute best weekend celebrating baby boy Pollet with family and friends. Four of my mom’s closest girlfriends threw the most amazing shower for me. I was completely overwhelmed by all of the love they poured into every single detail. Mama has a thing for blue and white – it was the perfect palette for this slightly nautical and very timeless Newport Beach celebration.