Woman in Real Life

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California Pears are in season right now and I took advantage of their abundance to make this "Easy As Pie" Caramelized Pear and Chocolate Pie. I have always been confused by the expression "easy as pie" because pie (particularly the crust) isn't all that easy to make. According to Wikipedia though, easy as pie refers to the act of eating pie. And I think we all agree that's easy to do. (Maybe a little too easy?) I decided to name my new (vegan and gluten-free) pie creation Easy As Pie Caramelized Pear and Chocolate Pie because this sweet, pretty little pie is just about as easy to make as it is to eat. Here's how it's done...

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are authentic and my own. Thank you for supporting the awesome companies that partner with Woman in Real Life.

One of the many beautiful things about summer is that we tend to crave healthy, natural foods. Nothing is more satisfying on a hot summer day than a piece of ripe, refreshing fruit. I like to take advantage of these warm weather cravings while they last by incorporating fruit into as many meals and snacks as I can. That's why I created this recipe for vegan Pear Ginger Muffins. Not only are these muffins moist and delicious, they also harness the health benefits of fresh California Bartlett Pears.

I am happy to be participating in another What I Ate Wednesday with the party gang at Peas & Crayons.

Rather than looking at one day of eating, I am sharing some highlights from the week. Highlights here basically means those times I thought to grab the camera.


In keeping with the April Veg Pledge Challenge, I ate a big salad for lunch one day, and topped it with strawberries, grated beets, pears, craisins and walnuts. Kind of sweet (and red) but that’s how I like it!

I am not normally a salad for lunch kind of gal. I like lots of warm food.


Another day’s lunch was some leftover pasta with homemade marinara sauce. I cooked some carrots in the sauce like my Italian mother-in-law does. Yummy!


My husband made some vegan blueberry pancakes for Easter Sunday breakfast.


We followed the pancakes up with some fruit salad.


Easter Monday dinner was baked tofu, steamed broccoli, roasted beets and quinoa with peas and mushrooms. I liked the beets best of all.


Yesterday, I was in the mood to bake once again, so I veganized a cake recipe from Edna Staebler.

She was a bold woman, not afraid of sugar and oil!

I chose an apple cake recipe, because I keep getting apples in my organic produce deliveries.

The family is getting tired of eating them, but I figured they wouldn’t mind eating some more apples via a nice cake.

This cake reminds me of an apple fritter donut. It is a little crispy on the outside and softer in the middle.

It is on the sweeter side so you will probably want to serve smaller pieces. Or maybe not! Maybe, like my husband, you will want to add some ice cream too!


Linking to Two Yellow Birds Decor's Thursday's Temptation and Under the Table and Dreaming and I heart Nap Time and Lil' Luna