DIY flower arrangement and a healthy-ish chocolate cake
Flowers, always flowers. Even if it’s just a single flower I always have fresh flowers in my home. This year I also planted a winter indoor garden and fresh herbs that sit by my kitchen window. Both help brighten the otherwise gray and rainy pacific northwest days.
I typically don’t decorate for Valentine’s Day but I do enjoy adding in a little pink and of course there is always some chocolate.
That said today I’m sharing a DIY flower arrangement and a healthy-ish chocolate cake recipe. The flowers are from my local market and the greens are foraged from our yard. you need is a few flowers from your local grocer and the rest can be filler. Most grocery stores have a variety of inexpensive foliage and small flowers that can be used to fill your vessel. If you live in an area where there is greenery outside, forage from your yard. We have lots of pine and fern in our yard, both look beautiful with any flower.
Items you may need to create a floral display
Tape
Flowers
Greenery
Step by step instructions: DIY floral display
Once you’ve decided on a vase, fill it with water.
Use tape to create a vertical and horizontal grid over the vase. This will act as a support system for your flowers and greenery.
Lay your flowers and greenery out on the counter.
Remove brown or damaged petals from your flowers along with the leaves under the petals and on the stem.
Cut rose stems and foliage on an angle to fit in the vase.
Begin with the greenery. Add pieces in, filling the grid, and finish by adding the flowers.
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Chocolate for Valentine’s Day
Last year I made these Valentine’s Day cookies. They are so yummy and if you haven’t tried them, make sure to take a peek (here) and save the recipe. A little chocolate, especially if it’s dark chocolate, is okay and something you can enjoy in moderation. In this recipe I used dark chocolate and cacao powder, both full of antioxidants. I also used coconut instead of brown sugar and added a sourdough starter ~ good for your tummy. So that said I would classify this recipe as healthy-ish, boomshakalaka! If you’d like to learn how to make sourdough starter, try this recipe otherwise replace the starter with milk.
I think you could have a slice of this dense little cake for a snack .. or maybe with breakfast. Really it’s that good and healthy-ish ;) Don’t forget to use farm fresh eggs and when you’ve whisked all the ingredients, don’t forget the big chunks of chocolate. If you make this cake make sure to tag me at @lemongrovelane and give it a 5 star rating .. please :)
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JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.Healthy-ish chocolate cake
You can make this cake gluten free and vegan if you'd like.
- 1/2 Sourdough starter (You can also use whole milk )
- 1 1/4 cup gluten-free flour
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup olive or rice bran oil
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 ounces dark chocolate pieces
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8 inch cake pan with coconut oil or butter.
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In a large bowl, whisk together milk or sourdough starter, olive oil, egg, and sugar.
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Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
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Stir to combine.
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Fold in dark chocolate chunks.
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Spread mixture into cake pan and bake for 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
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Remove from oven, cool, invert and remove the cake from your pan.
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Sprinkle with powdered sugar, slice, and serve.
3 Responses
Beautiful arrangement Leslie! I needed 4 arrangements for my daughter’s baby shower recently. After pricing them it would have cost a fortune so I bought some containers and bouquets of flowers and was able to make them for a just a little over $20 a piece. I was a little nervous about how they would turn out but they ended up being beautiful!
I need to try that cake, just need to buy some gluten free flour.
Have a great Valentines Day!
Linda
Congratulations on the baby coming! ..so exciting! It’s so easy to make an arrangement, isn’t it? I’m glad your turned out well. The cake isn’t very sweet because I used coconut sugar, brown sugar is an option. Enjoy and happy Valentine’s Day!