• Koko Brill | Eco Tan

    Eco Tan Invisible Tan

    This weekend I went to Sephora looking for a new foundation amongst other things (hello Kat Von D tattoo liner!). Anyway, the lady that was helping me was so alarmed when she started testing products on my skin, she was all, “Oh wow…you’re like….really pale. Definitely the lightest colour in every palette….so pale. OMG.” Oh yeah thanks girl – I know! Obviously I “love the skin I’m in” but I’m also fully aware of how pale I am and sometimes I think it would be nice to have a little bronzed action on this ghostly skin in the summer hahaha. In comes Eco Tan to the rescue and this stuff…

  • Koko's Kitchen | Wvrst

    Toronto Eats – Wvrst, Apiecalypse Now

    Recently I took a quick trip to Toronto with Jared and although we were only there a couple of days, we got to check a few places off of our ‘foodie’ bucket list. http://kokobrill.tumblr.com/post/160586825528 It was my first time in Toronto and even though the weather was nahhhhhht so nice, I enjoyed exploring downtown by foot. I quickly realized that Toronto’s downtown core was massive compared to Vancouver’s and maybe I would need to download ‘Uber’ for future trips. One of our first stops was at ‘Wvrst‘, a sausage and beer hall right downtown. We were there around 2pm so things were relatively quiet but I longed to see this place…

  • aesar Salad | Koko's Kitchen

    Vegan Caesar Salad

    You guys, I love caesar salad and I have tried literally a billion plant-based caesar salad dressings in my life, both at home and in restaurants. There are so many different ways to make a vegan caesar salad dressing. I’ve had avocado-based dressings, hemp-based, cashew-based and oil-based. For years I have avoided tofu-based caesar salad dressings because honestly, I just didn’t think it could taste as good as some of the other versions. Well, due to a major caesar salad craving the other day and a lack of cashews, I had to give the tofu-based dressing a try. It turned out to be amazing with perfectly a perfectly creamy and…

  • Easy Roasted Garlic | Koko's Kitchen

    Easy Roasted Garlic

    Have you experienced the magic of roasted garlic? There is pretty much nothing better than taking a slice of a crusty baguette, drowning it in olive oil and balsamic vinegar and mashing several cloves of roasted garlic right on top. Oh my god. The best part about roasted garlic is that it is so easy to make at home. Besides my crusty baguette fantasy, there are so many other ways you can utilize roasted garlic. I love it in mashed yams for Thanksgiving or in Caesar salad dressing (stay tuned for this recipe!) If you’re not a huge garlic lover than definitely give roasted garlic a try. It has a…

  • DIY Coconut Sugar Lip Scrub | Koko's Kitchen

    DIY Coconut Sugar Lip Scrub

    Going from 40-degree weather in India to -1 degree weather in Vancouver has left my skin sooo confused!! It’s dry AF and I need to moisturize every five minutes, I swear. My lips are no better…dry and chapped and no amount of “Lip Shit” is helping (although I am still obsessed- coconut basil flavour is the bomb!). I have used lip scrubs in the past and enjoyed the results. I’ve tried a few from Lush and they were super moisturizing and effective and they tasted delicious but with none on hand I decided to make my own. It’s chemical free and made with natural ingredients good enough to eat! I…

  • Quick Pickled Onions | Koko's Kitchen

    Quick Pickled Onions

    I have been pickle obsessed since I was born. I would hoover baby dill pickles, jar after jar as a kid and it’s really no different now. Pickle juice? No problem….I’ll drink it. Now that I’m an “adult” (ew!) I enjoy pickles in a variety of ways such as, picklebacks – where you take a shot of Jamison Irish Whisky and follow it up with a shot of pickle juice. I have also come to enjoy a variety of other pickles like pickled beets, mustard pickles, pickled beans, pickled asaparagus and of course pickled onions!! I think that Vancouver taco craze got me started on pickled onions. The sweet, tangy,…

  • 'Winter Buzz' Baileys Almande Hot Chocolate

    ‘Winter Buzz’ Bailey’s Almande Hot Chocolate

    Ever since I heard about Baileys Almande last year, I had been awaiting it’s release with coffee cup (or hot chocolate mug) in hand. Lucky for me, Santy Claus brought me a nice big bottle of it – what a treat on Christmas morning. Finally! A boozy, creamy and sweet Baileys just like it’s dairy-based counterpart but made with almond milk so I can sip away with no tummy aches afterwards. Can I get a what whatttttt! Of course it’s amazing in a strong cup of coffee but it’s also great in hot chocolate. I found a beautiful vegan hot chocolate mix made on Bowen Island from Cocoa West. For…

  • Coconut Vegetable Korma | Koko's Kitchen

    Coconut Vegetable Korma

    By the time you read this I will be in India celebrating my best friend’s wedding – woohoooooo! In anticipation of all the amazing Indian food we will be consuming, Jared and I decided to have a little curry night before we left. We cooked up basmati rice, naan bread, aloo gobi (a mixture of potatoes, cauliflower and spices) and my favourite, vegetable korma. Korma is a dish consisting of meat or vegetables braised in yogurt or cream, stock and plenty of spices. Korma is a supa saucy, fragrant and flavourful dish! But as you know, me and dairy don’t get along so great, so korma has been a no-go…

  • Hasselback Potatoes | Koko's Kitchen

    Hasselback Potatoes

    Oh Hasselback potatoes…a side dish from heaven. These are basically what you make when you feel like french fries but want to look fancy. By thinly slicing the potatoes but not all the way through, you’re able to create lots of room for the olive oil and coconut oil to get all up in thurr and crisp up every edge. The inside is left soft and creamy and you get plenty of that french fry texture on the outside. Ohhhh baby! The only downside is that I can’t stop thinking about David Hasselhoff every time I think of Hasselback…. You can leave these babies simple (sea salt, pepper) or do them…

  • Mango Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing | Koko's Kitchen

    Mango Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing

    The other day I went to a potluck with a group of girl friends (see below! <3 ) and we were doing an Indian themed meal. We had two different kinds of curry, rice, salad and plenty of wine. My contribution was the salad and I had to wrack my brain for the perfect salad to accompany curry. In the end, I decided that something sweet and tangy with just a hint of spice would be the answer. There are so many different textures and colours in this salad! Creamy avocado, sweet mango, crunchy bell peppers all on a bed of tender mixed greens. Let’s not forget the flavour-packed pepitas (pumpkin…

  • Kim Jack-Il | Virtuous Pie | Koko Brill

    Virtuous Pie – Plant Based Pizza Joint And Creamery

    I recently had the pleasure of trying out Vancouver’s only plant-based pizza joint and creamery. I had been hearing so much about “Virtuous Pie“, I knew I had to get there as soon as I possibly could. I love the entire concept of Virtuous Pie. Their mission is to change the way people eat and change the planet, one slice (or scoop!) at a time. Owner and executive chef Jim Vesel’s aim was to create an ethical and sustainable menu without sacrificing great taste. I believe he has accomplished just that. The eight pizzas offered on the menu contain creative and delicious combinations of ingredients and the house-made nut-based cheeses…

  • Cumin-Lime Quinoa Salad | Koko's Kitchen

    Cumin-Lime Quinoa Salad

    I love me a quinoa salad when I’m looking for something fresh and tasty but packed full of protein. Quinoa is an awesome little grain (well, seed technically speaking) and it contains about 8 grams of protein per cup. Mixing it with black beans for extra protein and lots of fresh vegetables makes it even healthier. Bring this to your next summer event like a potluck or barbecue and help everyone to nourish their guts in the yummiest way!! The cumin-lime vinaigrette is a nice smoky accompaniment to this dish with just a little kick to it. I got my chipotle olive oil at Coastal Olive Oils and I just love…