My Way, No. 34

*If you’re new to my blog, you may want to read this for info on what ‘My Way’ posts are all about. :)*

Happy New Year to you all!

— I found this so encouraging: This past Thanksgiving and Christmas, we helped the Salvation Army/Jewish Federation prepare the Salvation Army’s annual luncheon (which we’ve been doing for a number of years, as I said last Holiday season). Part of the Christmas crew this past time were a group of co-workers. Their place of employment pays them for 8 hours of community volunteer service, and they chose the luncheon. I wish ALL employers did this. What a seed to sow: 8 hours of your employee’s time (that you are paying for) being given to another organization. That is wonderful!!! I have also seen organizations (like banks, even military) coordinate a day for all (or a portion) of their employees to volunteer with a nonprofit. These things bless my heart so much. Here’s a pic of our Christmas elves from this past year:

— Adventures in Food: The 40 Cents No-Knead Bread was a wonderful addition to our Christmas meal, as well as the Christmas Fruit Salad. Really great choices, and I’ve also made a whole wheat version of the bread now. I combined several techniques from past blog posts for the whole wheat. I’ll update you when I’ve tested them a few more times. Less formal pic of panettone waffles from the day after Christmas (no time for fancier pics from Christmas brunch):

These were so good, I can’t even tell you. You have to be a person that loves citrus zest, though. I made a ton of candied orange and lemon peel in November, hoping it would last through the Holidays. It did. I tried to keep these a little healthier by making whole grain waffles, homemade non-fat yogurt replacing the oil. They were a little sweeter than I would normally prepare, though. I also soaked the dried fruit in hot water & vanilla vs. rum. I ran out of most of my homemade sprouted flours, otherwise I would have used them. For Christmas brunch, I actually made a vanilla yogurt sauce, but there’s just a dollop in this pic. When I feel like indulging, maybe I’ll go for regular white flour waffles topped with whipped cream and syrup, rum soaked fruit. More time, maybe sourdough or yeast waffles. The fruit soaked for about 10 minutes (while I prepared the batter), about 3-4 minutes each waffle. So, I think this was a fab shortcut for panettone flavors. You just have to make sure you work quickly to evenly distribute the fruit and peel (once the batter hits the iron). Not waiting for the Holiday season to roll around again to prepare these!

For New Year’s, I switched up the cherries to blackberries for the individual Pavlovas with Red Wine Compote and Mascarpone Whipped Cream. The blackberries were fresh, and the cherries would have been frozen. This was just a test one (to see how the layering looked), so I used yogurt in place of mascarpone:

Again, these were delish (made them for Thanksgiving, as well)! As I made individual portions (instead of the original larger size), I cooked them for a longer time at a lower oven temp. Sweet Potato Bites & Sweet Potato Cakes with Black Bean Salsa were also delightful, and I’m looking forward to making more of the potato recipes soon. Leftover ‘Bites’ filling made nice veggie burgers!

Saw a recipe for pea guacamole in a 20-year-or-so-old diet cookbook. I didn’t make it according to the directions, but I enjoyed it. I just mixed pico with pea puree. Nice, lighter guac variation. I told you I was on a potato kick, so I baked wavy chips instead of my normal tortillas. Remember my portion control tip about spooning your dip onto your plate (instead of dipping into the bowl)!

I must say I love so many diet books I’ve come across over the years. Even if I do not follow the actual diet itself, they usually have a few good recipes in them (or recipe inspirations). I especially love older books as many of them use common, simple ingredients (and, they’re usually a bargain at second-hand stores). I would think it could be frustrating to “go on a diet” that sends you off to purchase trendy, spendy ingredients, lol. This book only seemed to have a couple of items that were not that common 20 or more years ago.

Great posts to revisit for the New Year: 7 Detox Smoothies with Added Health Benefits, 32 Detox Smoothies (includes juices and teas), and Hydrating Vitamin Refreshers (waters). I love water regardless, but adding fruit, etc., makes it so much more fun (to look at, as well as drink). After the water is gone, I add the fruit to a smoothie. I just try to use whatever I already have around the house (or am planning to use in another dish). The past couple of days I had cranberries, blackberries, citrus, ginger, and chiles:

I told you my co-worker tipped me to make my pitcher/carafe in the morning. At least one more refill, and I’m set for the day!

Last adventure: I have been planning to make my mom’s old mulligatawny recipe for a while. I recently saw a blended mulligatawny (just a pic, not the recipe), so I finally got to it. I spotted acorn squash and decided to use it as the base (along with a healthy dose of carrots).

The squash and the carrots gave it some thickness, replacing the roux & cream. I did add the stock it called for, though. Celery, scallions, fresh garlic, pinch of ground cloves, curry spices (pre-blended, not my own blend), diced sweet apple, s&p, couple of bay leaves. It would be nice to still have friends around with laurel trees. I used smoked paprika to replace the smoked pork. All very easy in the slow cooker, and perfect for a chilly night’s meal. I also enjoyed it with brown rice, and once with okra and black-eyed peas (soul food meets Indian, haha). The random garnish (radicchio, scallion, nori) is due to my being rushed to eat. I thought it looked bare for a pic, so that’s what I found (leftovers, lol).

— Homemade Peppermint Lip Balm and Cuticle Oil were lovely! I think the cuticle oil would be a great gift for anyone in the medical profession (or any profession that requires a lot of hand washing). Here are a few other DIYs for you to consider: Heal Thyself: 10 (More!) Colds, Wounds, & More | momtastic.

— 10 Great Ideas for DIY Headboards | Bedroom Decoration Ideas.

— If you love to sew, check out this cute wristlet: A Splendid Assemblage: DIY: Pyramid Wrist Bag.

Or, what about this? Includes several DIY clothing projects as well. DIY Backpack Tutorial | trashtocouture.com.

Don’t sew? Try this project & think of warmer days. DIY Beach Tote – Homey Oh My! It’s as close to the beach as I’m gonna get in Tucson, anyway, lol.

— Today’s Delish Recipes. Lots of quinoa, haha. Yums! Enjoy!

Field Mushrooms with Lentils in Red Wine Sauce | blueplanetcustodians.com.

Harvest Quinoa Salad | reciperunner.com. This was for Thanksgiving, but it looks like it would be a pretty tasty start for the New Year as well.

Quinoa Olive Oil Honey Cake | thewomentalk.com. So moist & yummy!

Moroccan Fish Recipe | laaloosh.com.

Vegetarian Taco Soup | Sweet Mornings.

Elegant Cabernet Strawberry Rhubarb Pudding | Vintage Kitty. Looks lovely! You can probably switch out the fruit for whatever’s available.

Cranberry Wild Rice Bread | theveglife.com.

Quinoa Breakfast Porridge | navelgazingblog.com.

Winter Firecracker Cocktail Recipe | we heart this.

‘Til next time! Take care!

My Way, No. 33

*If you’re new to my blog, you may want to read this for info on what ‘My Way’ posts are all about. 🙂 *

— Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! My mind is already on Chanukah & Christmas. Last year, it took me awhile to get into the spirit. I have decided to go with re&upcycled neutral-colored decorations for both this year. Wood, tans, creams, beiges, burlap, and gold. I’m starting to think about edible gifts for friends and parties, but for me, All I want for Christmas is my 2 Beanie Boos. Have you seen the Beanies with the big eyes? They are so adorable. I bought one as a gift, but they have a penguin and pink owl that I’m just in love with.

I started to feel like I was coming down with something last Tuesday night. I made sure to drink plenty of water, took some Vit C, and got as much extra rest as I could. I felt fine Wednesday morning, but started to feel sluggish again by the afternoon. Out for a walk that day, I saw a sign on a car that read, ‘Say No.’ I have no idea what it was about for the driver, but I decided it was good advice — say ‘no’ to anything telling me to overextend myself (cooking and preparing for the Holiday). The point of this year’s menu was to be “less stress,” as I said. So, I prepared as much as I could, but when my body told me “no more”…I listened. I hit the hay very early and by Thursday, I was bright and chipper — ready to tackle French bread and more. I’m glad I paid attention to the Tips on Managing the Holiday Blues. It would have been unrealistic of me to think I could keep going at full speed (when my body was signaling for me to stop). I have kept going in the past and paid for it…dearly.

— The meal turned out fine, and I was able to make the kale salad the day ahead. I have been enjoying Waldorf salads since then, though. I recall the first time I had one (somewhere around middle school, I think), it was prepared by a family friend’s daughter. I thought ewww, apples and grapes in salad??? Salad is lettuce and tomatoes! Lol. But, I was made a believer, and it’s still one of my fave salad preps. More Adventures in Food to tell you about today: pre-Holiday, I made a vegetarian version of this Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole.

I didn’t actually make it ahead, but it was still a wonderful treat. I needed a smaller to-go snack, had a couple of bread ends left over, and this popped into my mind. I mixed 1 egg, an egg yolk, and homemade non-fat yogurt, poured it over the bread cubes, topped it with the sautéed veg/seasonings, then popped it in the oven. I made just an individual portion and cut it into quarters. I’ve prepared this several times and have eaten it hot and room temp. When it was room temp, the yogurt gave it a cheesy taste (I didn’t add any cheese with the veggies). This casserole was so satisfying, and you can do it up any way you like. Sort of a heartier fritatta. I think this will be a brunch hit, for sure. You could put it in muffin tins and have some with veggies and some with meat, perhaps.

Vegan Butternut Squash Veggie Pizza

After a couple of bites, I thought, I could give up tomato sauce pizza for this. Then, of course, I came to my senses. But, the thought was out there for a few seconds. Honey whole wheat crust (1/2 whole wheat & 1/2 whole wheat pastry flour with vital wheat gluten) adapted from The Best New York Style Pizza. Again, little sprinkle of smoked salt on the crust. Sprinkling salt or a sweetener on the outside of baked goods, etc., is a trick I frequently use. If I can taste the saltiness or sweetness a little more directly, I use a lot less in the overall recipe. I didn’t have broccolini, but the kale was delish! I just should have put a bit more on, I think. Next time. 1/2 of the crust recipe made 8 mini pizzas. Fab to pop out of the freezer when the mood struck (often, haha). This was a pre-freezer pic. I use a cast iron pan for my pizzas, but here’s a fun, inexpensive DIY link: 3 Dollar Pizza Stone.

Wow! A little goes a long way for this Mother of All Bread Dips. A crowd pleaser in which you can pretty much make from everything from scratch, or take easy short-cuts. I ran out of sweet paprika, so I subbed smoked, and used fresh oregano & rosemary vs. dry. You can make your own cheese (Homemade Cheese) and bread (like 40 Cents No-Knead Bread or Whole Grain No-Knead Artisan Bread), dice your homegrown veggies, and brine your own olives, or…get bread from the bakery and buy pre-diced tomatoes & peppers, feta, and olives from the local market. Either way, I think your guests will be pleased. Think about this recipe for those upcoming parties and potlucks.

I want to make this “Feeling Your Oats” Triple Oats Bread recipe one day. Pressed for time, I merged the concept with the NY-Style Bagels recipe (no boiling). It features oat flour, oat bran, and rolled oats (along with wheat). I made two loaves (with about 1/2 hr rest/rise time, instead of 10 min), the first for Whipped Feta-Persimmon Crostini w/ Pomegranate Molasses and Mint.

My store-bought pom molasses were a tad runny, so I reduced them a bit. Now is a good time to stock up on fresh cranberries for homemade cranberry molasses/reducs. I added a little homemade Greek-style yogurt to the feta. The persimmons were really sweet, so I balanced them out with the molasses (vs. my initial thought of balsamic) and a sprinkling of sea salt. This was so simple, but filling and delightful.

Finally, a sweet treat: Spicy Sweet Potato Galette:

Homemade Mexican vanilla soft-serve non-fat froyo, pecans, pom molasses reduc. Short-cut to my craving for Thanksgiving sweet potato pie, inspired by the spicy sweet potato soup I made a few weeks ago. Normally, our pie recipe is mashed baked or boiled sweet potatoes (I prefer baked because I love to eat the skins after baking), butter, nutmeg, vanilla, eggs, salt, and sugar in a shortening/butter pie shell. No whipped cream or ice cream, no nuts. Really simple, but loaded with mucho sat fat, cholesterol, cals, salt, sugar, etc. This was a quick mandoline slicing of a couple of potatoes tossed with nutmeg, vanilla,  a little coconut palm sugar, salt, crushed red pepper, and cayenne (not too spicy). I let them sit for a bit while preparing the crust. No sprouted flour left, so oat + whole wheat pastry flour with almond butter. This is my new go-to way to get my SPP crush on! I loved the combo of the sweet, the spicy, the tartness, warm pie with cool froyo, the nuts…just yum! And, it can be made in nearly half the time of the other pie.

— #GivingTuesday. Happy to read these articles: The Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal 2015: Rethink Mental Illness, Last year’s Guardian and Observer charity appeal: mental health. Also, Trisha Goddard, Ade Adepitan, Lenny Henry Support Rethink Mental Illness Campaign | blacknet.co.uk.

— Going to get a little shimmery & sparkly for the Holidays? Several style inspirations here: Boat People Vintage – DIY style & art de vivre.

Or, what about plaid? Can’t be bad. DIY Plaid Blazer & Skirt | mimigoodwin.blogspot.com.

DIY tea bags from wrapping paper: Love Mae Blog | Tea Bag Gift Tag Tutorial.

Love this circular log holder and porcelain tableware: Porcelain Dinnerware and Ironworks | athome.kimvallee.com.

— Today’s Delights:

Bharwan/Stuffed Fish Recipe – Boldsky.

The Perfect Caramel Cake | cleobuttera.com.

Carrots, Dates, and Mint Salad | foodpleasureandhealth.com.

Beet Sports Energy Shots | yurielkaim.com. Great info in this post!

Butternut Squash Nachos | greenhealthycooking.com. You know I cannot have too much full-fat cheese at one time, so I made a version of these as tacos. Super!

Herring Apple Potato Salad | Kosher Scoop.

Pistachio Mulberry Fruit Nut Clusters | gourmandeinthekitchen.com.

Jack Frost Cocktail | Pretty Drinks | Pinterest.

It’s late, so have a great Wednesday! Until next time. Take care!

My Way, No. 31

*If you’re new to my blog, you may want to read this for info on what ‘My Way’ posts are all about. 🙂 *

— “Hot enough for ya?” is an expression you often hear in these neck of the woods. It’s kind of exciting when you actually get to put a coat on the first few cooler weather days. I get over it eventually, haha, but those first few times can be fun. I love shorter, lighter trenches like this, as they can double as a dress (value purchase!): 10 Pecas Basicas No Amario Feminino | uapestilo.blogspot.com.

Speaking of value, I found this office wear page with a lot of great ideas: Work Outfits on Pinterest.

I’ve always liked the idea of versatility within your clothing pieces, so I was attracted to this pic. I love suit jackets, and they are one of my staple pieces. I have a ton, and I will pair them with anything from actual suit bottoms (skirts/pants), jeans with heels, jeans with flats or sneakers, printed skirts…really, quite a few possibilities.

— If you’re in Tucson and haven’t heard about it, I wanted to let you know about RISE Equipment Recycling. “RISE Equipment Recycling Center processes donated office equipment and furniture to sell at a reduced price to non-profit organizations, their clients, and low income familes and their children.” This is a fabulous organization that can always use donations. They also use volunteer staff, if you think that’s something you might be interested in. When I worked as a non-profit operations manager, they outfitted our entire computer center (used for job training computer classes). What a blessing! There were tears of joy!

— Today’s Adventures in Food: Mayocoba beans x 2! Last week, I cooked up a pot and found a couple of different ways to make use of them:

I have always thought I preferred stuffed white potatoes, but this sweetie proved me wrong. Both bean preps had a base of tomato with homemade bread crumbs (from my whole wheat-teff bread) and ground nuts. I added the bread and the nuts recalling the lentil “meatballs” I made here and here. I liked that they gave them a meatier texture. I just varied the base by using “chili-type” seasonings for one & “sloppy joe-type” seasonings for the other (with the addition of green bell peppers). I also smashed half the beans for the sloppy joe, as was indicated in the original lentil “meatball” recipe. I’ve seen several vegan/vegetarian bacons from veggies, but I was unsure of an exact method. For the potato, I just decided to bake off the criminis I had (until crisp) with my smoked sea salt. Pork bacon also has a little sweetness to me, so I hit it with just a few pinches of coconut sugar. Homemade non-fat Greek-style yogurt & chives.

I added homemade coleslaw and zucchini bread & butter pickles (I use turmeric for the pickle coloring) to the sloppy joe. I have never made coleslaw in my entire life, so I was really winging it. I didn’t use a recipe, and I’m sure I broke a few “My grandma makes it this way” rules. I really do not care for it by itself, but I found I really enjoyed it on this hamburger. So, I went for it. I used the Hawaiian rolls recipe from the bread post (I smashed it down a bit) with spelt and vital wheat gluten vs. AP flour. 2 super easy, super casual, yummy meals! I am not sure if mayocoba beans are readily available in many parts of the country. If you’re unable to find them, check out our local Native Seeds/SEARCH online store (also offering a ton of other goodies).

From the last My Way, I made mini Chinese scallion pancakes:

I actually used the traditional recipe from the blog instead of the simplified version I posted (with whole wheat pastry flour & VWG). The traditional version is pretty simple, too, with a food processor — sort of like a tortilla, kicked up with some scallions and 5-spice. I saw a recipe for Asian-style quesadillas, but I forgot to record it. So, I just decided to make my own version with the pancakes. I fermented black beans, then used them to make this Black Bean Sauce – Homemade Spicy Version. Akin to a chunky hoisin. The sauce + pulled chicken + the pancakes. Delish! The pancakes can be pretty addicting, so be forewarned. If you want to make your own hoisin or 5-spice blend, here are a couple of recipes I found: Homemade Hoisin & Chinese 5-Spice Powder. Pic’d with homemade squash ribbon kimchi and squash noodles with ginger-sesame sauce. I wring all of the excess liquid from the noodles before adding the sauce.

Rustic Italian Bread from this post, using whole wheat (+VWG) & the stencil technique. Perhaps you could use edible paint or glitter for the stencils, as well? I added a little beet powder to the stencil flour, but you could do all beet or some other fruit/veg powder:

Was fab with a couple of patés I made and dried figs. I’m always craving dried figs. I would like to find a good figgy-filled cookie recipe. This was a lighter-style wild salmon, white wine, and shingled carrots paté:

— This candlestick holder topiary says it’s for Christmas, but I think you could create one for any time of the year: DIY Christmas Centerpieces.

Or, maybe think about alternatives to the pistachios, like coffee beans or dried berries.

The Busy Broad: DIY Blinged Out Flask.

— Today’s Featured Delights. Hope you enjoy!

Pavlova with Red Wine Cherry Compote and Mascarpone Whipped Cream | Cooks with Cocktails.

Napa & Co’s Sea Bass w/ Artichokes & Blood Oranges – CT Bites – Restaurants.

Eating richly even when you’re broke | Thai Recipe: Son In Law Eggs. 

Just one of those simple, scrumptious meals. You can easily make it vegan or vegetarian, too. Asian: Sesame Chicken and Noodles/ | KeepRecipes : Your Universal Recipe Box.

Miso and Citrus Glazed Eggplant | quitegoodfood.co.nz.

Edamame Navy Bean Salad w/ Orange-Balsamic Dressing | Go Red for Women.

For your inspiration: 25 Yummy Fruit Desserts | designsnext.com.

Pumpkin Spice Margarita | realhousemoms.com.

Take care, & see you next time!

My Way, No. 21

*If you’re new to my blog, you may want to read this for info on what ‘My Way’ posts are all about. 🙂 *

— Wow! I am not a big fan of palm oil, as it’s not the healthiest thing for you…but, I hadn’t a clue as to some of the other problems associated with it. For one, “Human rights abuses continue to be reported: child labor, slavery and abuse of palm oil plantation workers (as in some of the workers are locked up at night so they can’t escape.)” Check out the entire post on Mrs. Green’s World website here: Palm Oil vs Rainforests (The Winner Might Surprise You).

—
This week, I had a chance to mingle at a Women Build Happy Hour hosted by Habitat for Humanity Tucson. The pink hard hat women got happy at La Cocina restaurant (one of my faves, perhaps I’ll post a few pics from there soon). Habitat’s National Women Build Week is May 4th – 9th if you would like to volunteer. Habitat has many locations, so you may try to locate one in your area (if you do not reside in Tucson). The builds are, of course, a great way to give and love others. Even if you do not own a home of your own, you can sow a seed of kindness helping families in your community. I know you will reap the benefits in many ways! Volunteering is great fun and provides opportunities for social connection, possibly building relationships along with the homes. Get the scoop here: Habitat for Humanity Tucson Women Build.

— Lots of food goodness updates this time, so I hope you can bear with me 🙂 . I made the Homemade Ketchup I posted (just slightly altered with what I hand on hand: I added onion powder & a bit of salt, used fresh tomatoes and tomato paste, and used the slow cooker). I decided to make a grainy honey mustard, as well.

I’ve found many commercial mustards can contain quite a bit of sodium. So, if you’re interested, here’s a simple homemade mustard recipe without added salt or sugar: Homemade Mustard Condiment Recipe | eatandgetmoving.wordpress.com.

I love the bulk herbs and spices at my local food co-op, so that’s where I purchased my mustard seeds. Great way to get just as much as you need, and your pantry will not become a home for orphaned 1-time-use flights of fancy, lol. I’ve read several bloggers saying they had a problem with that.

Speaking of my food co-op, Food Conspiracy…Spotted: These 2 & 3-tiered stainless food carrier tins and bamboo utensils. Fab & Functional.

Here’s that pic of the Moroccan Tofu w/ Apricots, Olives, & Almonds I wrote about in my last ‘Market‘ post (subbing kumquats for the apricots, pignoli for the almonds).

Served with quinoa, millet, and amaranth (cooked in stock). I added a little balsamic to the sauce and went for a real sweet & tart version (as suggested in the recipe). I didn’t have baked tofu, though, so I had to pan-sear it. A really simple, quick, and delish dish.

Quick, rolled up whole wheat puff pastry dough from this ‘My Way‘ post was a fast, friendly version, indeed. I actually kind of merged the 2 recipes from that post. I became distracted and did not follow the instructions as I should have, though. These things require a lot of concentration for me, lol. Anyway, I tested my less-than-perfect dough on a roasted garlic-black olive tapenade comb (I gave most of it to my mom). It broke in half as I was going to snap a pic. Not a good day, haha!

Even after a few blunders, I think this will work OK for a few recipes. Very flaky! It’s in the freezer for now. I cannot have a lot of butter, so I will have to use it sparingly.

2 Words: Pickled Jalapeños. What? Why have I not made these before? I pickle all sorts of things, but jalapeños were left to be dried or frozen. As I wanted to make the One-Pan Jalapeño Kale & Roasted Garlic Egg Scramble, I got on making a batch. I used vin, water, and just a pinch of something sweet for the pickling.

I’ve prepared this recipe at least 7 or 8 times now and love it. I made it with mozz and mushrooms w/ smoked salt the first couple of times. I am leaving out the cheese now (I need to eat it sparingly, like butter) and am adding a bit of green bell pepper along with the mushrooms. Don’t we all love one-pan dishes!

I think Chocolate Lovers will swoon over this recipe for Chocolate & Cherry Gemelli w/ Orange Creme Anglaise and Brandy-Soaked Cherries (also from the last ‘Market‘ post):

You could even try making your own chocolate or cherry pasta, if you are unable to find any in your area. I improvised a little and used dessert wine-spiked Noosa Honey Yogurt vs. anglaise. As you know, chocolate desserts are not my fave. What made this more acceptable to me was the finish of orange zest alongside the chocolate pasta. That did the trick for me. I also used cacao nibs and frozen cherries (instead of the white choc and dried cherries called for). This was very filling, so I could only eat about half of it in one sitting. Not a terribly terrific presentation, but here’s a pic (I’ll do better next time 🙂 ):

— This is a cute DIY idea, fabric spray painting a silhouette:
spraypaint a t-shirt | SMASHING SILHOUETTES | Pinterest.

This collage illustrates making the most of one piece by switching up the accessories. Great way to stretch your fashion budget dollars:
classy country | Classy vs. Country – polyvore | Clothing I Like | Pinterest.

But, who says you can’t be country and classy at the same time 😉 ?

— I meant to post this a while back and forgot. I found this post Self-Publish with Books from Blurb on the Lavender and Lovage website. Blurb is an independent publishing platform. Turn your hobby into a book! You can create and design a recipe book, craft book, story of your children’s lives, a novella…so many options. Great gift idea for Mother’s or Father’s Day.

— I love little succulents. They are all over the place in Arizona and pretty easy to maintain for most people (though, I did manage to send a few in my office to the sweet by-and-by. I took a vaca for a few days, and they had departed by the time I returned). These copper caps are far more adorable than the generic terra-cotta pots many come in:
MY DIY | Copper Cap Succulent Holder | I SPY DIY.

— Today’s fab recipes:

Prabha’s Cooking: Cashew Pakoda/Pakora. (Besan flour is gram/dried chickpea flour).

Toddler Friendly Recipes the Whole Family Can Enjoy | musthavemom.com.

Chipotle Cheeseburger Flatbread Melts | keviniscooking.com.

Take your pick: Vegetarian Starter Recipes | Great British Chefs.

Whiskey, Caramel, Marshmallow, and Bacon Bark | endlesssimmer.com.

Negronez Cocktail w/ Campari Ice Cubes | 10th Kitchen.

See you next time!

NAMI Southern AZ Mental Health Walk 2015

I am so glad I had the opportunity to volunteer at this year’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southern Arizona Mental Health Walk. This is an annual community event to raise funds and awareness. As you know, I publish mental health-related blog posts from time to time. So many participants out this year doing the 3 or 5K. Some walk and raise funds as a team, others come by themselves, and many join friends and family. Fortunately, the walkers crossed the finish way before the temps reached into the 90’s. It was a hot one! I had a chance to see many old friends (as I often do at health events), so it made my day really special. It’s one of the best things in the world: being around a group of caring, non-judgmental people.

This year, walkers were warmed up with high-energy Latin dance aerobics and later treated to a post-walk Mariachi performance. It was a really fun time! NAMI hosts walks all across the U.S., so you may want to search for one in your area (if this is a cause you would like to support). I didn’t take a ton of pics this year, but here are a few:

Getting ready for the big walk! Many teams design and wear their own t-shirts.

Cafe 54 Food Truck serving hungry walkers (read more about their amazing work here).

Mariachi! I always love the outfits! They were awesome!

NAMI Store Tent

This banner from the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona really touched me. No shame, no fear, just help.

If you have a moment, please take a look at my mental health series posts. They can be found under the Health category of my blog menu. For your convenience, I have linked to them below. In addition to the blog posts themselves, I have listed many article and resources links. Further articles are frequently featured in My Way posts as well.

Mental Illness Discrimination & Exploitation

World Mental Health Day, 2014 & NAMI Multicultural Action Center

Mental Illness Awareness Week, Mental Illness Facts and Myths, & Cafe 54, Tucson, AZ

What is Stigma?

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness Stigma Alerts Archive (many of these archives are no longer listed, so I may post a few at some point)

University of Arizona Camp Wellness

My Favorite Places: Casa de los Niños Thrift Store

The Casa de los Niños Thrift Store is one of my favorites in Tucson. I love thrift stores in general, but this particular one supports a great vision and mission:

“Casa de los Niños promotes child well-being and family stability in our community.

Every day in Arizona, about 12 children are abused or neglected. The effects of child abuse and neglect last a lifetime and are often passed along to the next generation.”
casadelosninos.org

Please visit their website for more information on their much needed and appreciated community work.

As far as thrift stores, recycling, upcycling, etc., goes, I found this surprising statement on the Tucson Habitat for Humanity website:

“Did you know that about 80% of what Americans throw away is recyclable, yet our recycling rate is only less than 30%? You can help by shopping and donating to the HabiStore. Before you toss out that sofa, appliance or porch light, give us a call. Your unwanted item may be just what someone else is looking for and, by donating it, you help keep over 250 tons of material out of the local landfill.”
habitattucson.org

I must admit, I am a bit disappointed in the availability of recycling in certain areas of Tucson. I recall living back East, the waste management companies would not even pick up your trash if it contained recyclable materials. I hope we will see increasing recycling opportunities as time goes by.

I wanted to share a few pics from my last thrift store visit. I get excited over little things, so forgive me 🙂 .

Records are one of my fave thrift store finds:

In case you want to reduce (with the off-the-record record, of course, lol):

Great selection of books to make your library look distinguished:

I found My Fair Lady! Awesome! I already have Babe. I love that meanie cat in the movie. She tells Babe that humans eat poor little piggies, “Pork, they call it. Or bacon.” So evil!

And, Miss Marple is always fab to watch:

A few more, and I’ll let you be!

Nice little fixer-upper. Just needs a bit of TLC:

Beanies and hats if we get a cold spell:

But, many I see are wearing something like this for the warmer days (hopefully, it stays that way!):

I didn’t know they made fortune cookie machines:

I love this guy!

Thanks for humoring me with my pics! Take care!

National Wear Red Day, February 6, 2015 & CPR/AED/First Aid Training

Get Involved in the Fight Against Heart Disease and Women – Go Red For Women.

I recently had to re-take CPR/AED/First Aid class for my personal trainer re-certification. An American Heart Association staff member informed me that tomorrow is National ‘Wear Red Day.’ So, I thought I would pass along this info to help raise heart disease awareness:

“It’s not just a man’s disease.
Heart disease and stroke kill 1 in 3 women, yet it’s 80% preventable.
Help us raise awareness to end this killer of women.

Make a change on National Wear Red Day and all year long!
1. Wear Red to show your support for saving women’s lives
2Show us how you Go Red on your social media profiles using #GoRed
Donate to help raise funds for awareness and research”
goredforwomen.org

I see a wealth of information on this site, including How to Reduce Stress at Work, What Exercise is Right for You, Portion Control Advice, a Women’s Heart Disease Checklist, as well as personal testimonies. I hope you all will take advantage of what they have to offer!

I also want to mention that even if you are not in a profession that requires CPR/AED/First Aid, I highly recommend it for everyone. Just a few hours of your time could save someone’s life. The American Heart Association has many classes available all throughout the U.S. Check out this link for more information.

My Way, No. 10

*If you’re new to my blog, you may want to read this for info on what ‘My Way’ posts are all about. 🙂 *

— The first ‘My Way’ post of 2015! Happy New Year! It has really helped me to write these posts with short bits of randomness. Saved quite a bit of time. I hope you are finding a few things of interest to you. I am going to try to update my blogroll and photo gallery soon.

— I was saddened by reading about the passing of former NY Governor Mario Cuomo. I am not a fiercely political person (though I have my beliefs and convictions, as most do), but this news still touched me. As you know, I originally hail from NY. His name stands out for me among a select few politicians holding office during my lifetime. I pray for the consolation of his family during this time.

— A few days before Christmas, I passed by the local mall and was thrilled to see several beautiful flowers blooming. I was informed they had just been planted that day. I felt like they were there just for me! If you recall from my ‘Still Lifes‘ post with the flower cupcakes, I had been a bit gloomy due to the weather. Seeing the newness of “spring” life in the winter gave me an instant cheering up. I guess living in the desert has its perks. I went back a couple of days ago to snap a few reminder pics:

— Has your New Year’s resolution to get moving and exercise left you with aches and pains in body parts you didn’t know you had, lol? 🙂 I recommend stretching very, very, VERY well before, during, after, whenever, and howmuchever you need it (after warming up, of course), but I thought I would also share a link for several natural remedies. It includes herbs, essential oils, and even kombucha (hadn’t heard of that one before! I’ll have to research it a bit further.): Sore Muscle Relief.

— I feel like I am one big head of lettuce walking around, I have consumed so much, haha! I’ve also been whipping up some of the 32 Detox Drinks I posted. I have enjoyed all of them thus far: Super Hydration Juice (with strawberries and beets), Cranberry Bliss Smoothie, Golden Detox Drink (I’ve made this before, but just coincidentally), and Orange Surprise (love the celery in this drink). I also made one from another site with cranberries, kale, and pom: Cranberry Pomegranate Detox Juice. And, I have been sipping the Ayurvedic Detox Drink several times a day (which I also saw here) without the fennel seeds. I have never been a big fan of fennel/anise/licorice-y flavors. Perhaps I will get brave one day and try it. I absolutely love the smoky cumin, though, and that’s what makes me keep making batch after batch. I’ve never had it in a tea, but it’s a new fave. My goal is to prepare a different one of the juices, teas, or smoothies each day for a couple of weeks. I think the variety will keep me interested. I haven’t been using the exact recipe measurements, just using the ingredients as a guideline.

— I took a pic of one of my recent salads that was so simple, but SO good! I actually had it for breakfast vs. my normal fruit. That morning, I just kept thinking about the butter lettuce I had purchased. So, salad it was. I rarely purchase butter lettuce (it’s not always available & many times it’s a lot pricier), but it’s my fave type. As it was a chilly morning, I decided to top it with a few warm roasted veggies: beets, butternut squash, shallots, and baby carrots. Just a bit of extra-virgin olive oil, thyme, and s&p to flavor the veggies. I added pistachios for a bit of crunch and extra nut-trition, and sesame seeds for some toastiness. I always buy sesame seeds raw & unhulled, then toast them as I need them. They are usually less expensive that way, and it gives you the toasted or raw option. I am kind of obsessed with sesame seeds, and now I am loving them on salads. I made a quick vinaigrette from maple, dijon, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, white wine vin, and a bit of onion powder. This was such a delicious combo, that I reheated the leftover veggies and had another half portion. I usually try to retain a bit more nutrients by not overcooking veggies, but they can be so yummy when they get a bit more caramelized. So, I think the second go round was even better.

Perhaps if I were not trying to eat lighter right now, a bit of goat cheese would have been a pleasant addition. As my body has decided to hold some sort of revolt against full & low-fat dairy products, it’s just as well (the evilness!). I will be continuing my fast from them or severely limiting my portions for a while, I think. After cutting the butternut, I took my suggestion and roasted the seeds with the Thai Lime Chili Cashew seasoning I posted at Thanksgiving. Yum!

— More on the lighter meals front, I prepared the Salmon Noodle Soup from the previous ‘My Way‘ post, and adored it. Simple and satisfying. I used whole wheat spaghetti instead of rice noodles. I didn’t have any baby corn, so I subbed some kale. Then, I saw Thai Coconut and Veg Broth on the same site and decided to merge the two recipes. I kept the kale and salmon, and included the Thai soup’s veggies and coconut milk base. Delish! They are both now in my go-to soup repertoire.

— The Make-A-Wish Foundation is so wonderful. This story really touched me.
Great news: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/dec/28/guardian-observer-christmas-appeal-tops-300000-pounds

— Dash it all, too bad I didn’t see this before Christmas! These light bulb penguin ornaments are the cutest. Oh well, perhaps keep it in mind when that time rolls around again (or get a head start). Several other adorable options, too: 20 DIY Christmas Ornaments. Check out this very cool (and très simple, I might add) fluorescent ink project! Homemade Sidewalk Chalk.

— DIY Neon Clutch from a VHS case. Coolness…

— Recipes: If you’ve said pshhhaw at all of this post-Holiday “cleansing and detox” business, lol, check out this warming Hot Buttered Whisky. Or, how about a Loaded Italian Sub with Roasted Red Pepper Aioli (OMGoodness, looks SO good!) and 4-Ingredient Coconut Cream Chocolate Bars for dessert? I’m sure you could find some way to spin the bars healthy, like with raw dark chocolate, raw coconut, maybe even some nutrient-rich almonds 😉 Works for me 🙂 . A couple other healthier options, haha: Roasted Harissa Veg w/ Kale and Ginger Pilaf and Protein Power Lentil-Amaranth Patties. Perhaps if I decide to venture towards fennel again, I would prepare something along these lines: Mozzarella Bruschetta w/ Shaved Fennel & Courgette. I’m sure I will at some point, as our tastes can change over the years. It looks rather tasty!

See you next time!