My Way, No. 27

*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’ve had a lovely day! Several Adventures in Food to share with you. Last week, I had a day I wasn’t feeling so hot. All I could manage to eat was a thin slice of a toasted bagel. I was looking over the Healthy Snacks Under 200 Calories post and thought the mango-lime sorbet sounded like something I could handle. I added a wee bit o’ rum (to keep it from freezing too hard), some red chile, and key lime zest. I tried to make it look tropical to cheer myself up. That’s also the reason you may see plates/dishes beyond my plain white on this blog — oftentimes, different serving wares give me a boost in mood. Perhaps this is why I have a hard time not buying every other set of dishes, glasses, silverware, etc., that I see, haha. I do love just the ordinary white plates, though, too — très simple.

What are your go-to meals when you have a ton of veggies (besides just eating them raw and unadorned)? I think pasta or salads come to mind first for me, also stir-fries, soups, stews, sandwiches/toast, and curries. A few weeks ago, I had potatoes that needed to be used, so I made these Mustard Seed-Potato Curry Lettuce Tacos: potatoes, black beans, tomatoes, garlic, quartered shallots, fresh coconut milk, apple, raisins, cilantro, lemon, yellow mustard seeds, and a blend of curry spices. Homemade Greek-style yogurt to top them off. They were very satisfying.

2 more dishes with potatoes: Grilled Summer Salad w/ Queso Fresco & Potato Croutons. My initial craving when composing this salad was raw squash, potatoes and grilled corn. I added to it a bit with spring mix, grilled asparagus & peppers, and roasted tomatoes. I used the queso recipe from this post, but with skim milk. I made a quick cilantro dressing and squeezed the charred limes over the top. Really delicious. I decided to add about a 1/4 cup more corn after I snapped the pic.

Gazing at the Healthy Snacks post, I also decided to make the Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites (simple and tasty!) and Skinny Pizza Potato Skins:

The pizza skins in the post were pepperoni, but I usually prefer veggie pizza. I made these on the spur of the moment, so I had to whip up my short-cut pizza sauce. I took the pic pre-oven as I was starved & knew a post-oven pic would delay my eating (toaster or convection ovens are a great option here). Toppings were sautéed squash & kale, caramelized onion, marinated artichoke, and the queso. Instead of cutting the potato in half, I just cut small rounds. I think I’ll go with the halves (as indicated in the recipe) next time. The small rounds were difficult to get enough of the toppings on. But, I think they would be fab party apps. These really hit the spot, and I will be making them again for sure.

I’m finding so many ways to use the homemade yogurt! I slathered a bit on a piece of fish for a pistachio crust:

I enjoyed this particular meal so much, I made it 2 days in a row. I had a flashback to culinary school (way back in the day) the first preparation. During one class, the chef instructor decided that I should be the ‘chosen one’ to filet a sturgeon. I just recall that it was HUGE — almost as big as I am, haha! Plums (raw) are a fruit that I have to be in the mood to have. Grilled, though, I could eat them every day. I served the fish with a berry-shallot relish, and a baby chard, spin, kale salad w/ berries, sunflower seeds, and a berry vin. For the most part, when I mention I made a vin on this blog, it doesn’t have as much oil as many recipes call for. I usually find some other flavor-packed liquid to sub & punch it up with other herbs, spices, etc. Oil, of course, has a certain mouth-feel and balancing quality, so I try to find things comparable. Also pic’d is a petite rosemary baguette (used this technique w/ my food processor) and rosemary tea. Just hot water & fresh rosemary. One of my fave comforting teas. Yes, it’s hot outside! But, there’s A/C inside, and I always prefer hot tea to cold when I can have it.

Last item for today: I finally had a bit of chicken, so I was able to make the grilled chicken with the Turkish spices. I used the same honey & balsamic mixture as the chickpeas. Yums! The Turkish spices were also great on home fries. I was inspired by the Grilled Chicken Caesar Skewers with Kale Pesto, as well. I used the same lemony-buttermilk Caesar dressing as in this post, and a baby chard, spin, kale, sunflower seed pesto. As with vinaigrettes, I usually lighten up my pestos by using less cheese & nuts and replacing some of the oil with stock. I might also add in some other wacky ingredients. Other skewers pic’d here are pomegranate molasses-mint, and homemade Italian dressing.

— Went to my friend’s fashion conference last week and all was grand. There was an Arabian horse show, as well as jewelry, accessories, and clothing galore. There are 3 class “break-out” sessions, so I chose to attend the Latin dance class the first session. It was SO fun, but I really should have come prepared with a workout outfit (instead of my vintage frock). There were also hula dancers for entertainment:

If someone can turn Latin dance into a fitness trend, I think the next one should be hula. It looks like it would be a blast.

This year, there was an award given for ‘Best Dressed,’ and one dress that had many of us “oohing and ahhhing” was this:
Sakura | Henkaa.com.

It’s a convertible dress by Henkaa. This style is called Sakura, but they have several other styles available. You choose your length and color, and they also have additional accessories to coordinate. I think the young lady demo-ing the dress said there were as many as 60 style possibilities. Now, that’s what I call a SQUEAL DEAL! Make sure to check out the website! *Edit: Here is a direct link to the young lady’s personal page for the Henkaa dresses. FYI, you can also host a style shoppe and earn 1/2 OFF items, as well as rewards dollars to spend on items from Henkaa. Awesome!*

I barely snapped ANY conference pics this year, but here are a couple of things I found interesting:

Rolling bag & the black fringe bag next to it

Handmade jewelry

I like these flowy prints (will Hello Kitty ever stop being so popular? I think not, lol).

— 67 Homemade, All-Natural Cleaning Recipes.

— And, I thought a cutting board is a cutting board is a cutting board. After seeing some of these beauties, I might have developed a new culinary product love. Why do people have to tempt you? Fabulous cutting boards and other kitchen goodies here (several items on sale & have a peek at the accompanying food blog while you’re there):
Products – Bowl & Pitcher

— Upcycled Furniture / awesome ideas! | Decorating Ideas | Pinterest.

— Today’s good eats: 
Impressive Date Night Desserts: Raspberry Souffle With Framboise Liqueur | cravelocal.com. 

52 Herbal Tea Recipes | adelightfulhome.com. Enjoy them hot or cold!

Seafood Lasagna Recipe For The Seafood Lovers | Taste the Food and Fruit.

Fermented Food for Kids: A Guide with Kid-Friendly Recipes | fearlesseating.net.

 Baked Mediterranean Fish | texies.co.za Easy Peasy

Salted Chocolate + Caramel Ice Cream Cake | Coley Cooks.

Cherry Tomato Sauce | frogsinmykitchen.com.

Ginger Sweet Potato Juice | Natural Thrifty.

Blackberry Gin Fizz Float | browneyedbaker.com.

‘Til next time!

30 Creative Ways to Reuse Old Things

Creative Ways to Reuse Old Things | theCHIVE.

 

30 fab & clever ways to repurpose all sorts of common items such as: a bike, cd holder, books, credit cards, and suitcases. This is a really fun blog post, so I hope you check it out!

My Way, No. 14

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

— It’s been a homemade condiment week! I love to look at recipes for homemade condiments, but I usually end up making them with the ingredients I have on hand. I did go ahead and make mirin as I posted about last week. I’ve yet to use it on anything, but I am sure I will re-make the sesame seed tofu (and hopefully salmon, as the recipe originally called for). I didn’t boil the entire mixture, I just added my syrup to my sake:

The great thing about making mirin is that you can enjoy the leftover sake when you’re done! After having those awesome Sriracha Garlic Knux at Maker House, I set about making a whole wheat version. I merged ingredients and concepts from about 4 or 5 pizza dough recipes. Perhaps I will post my actual recipe at some point, but I would like to test it out a few more times. In the meantime, I thought I would link you to a Homemade Lacto-Fermented Sriracha recipe. I just found this and have never thought to do a lacto-ferm version. Anyway, I added parm & garlic to the dough, then basted it with a Siracha-Extra Virgin-Garlic Oil, and finished with a little parm, smoked sea salt, and red pepper flakes. I would have loved butter, but my body has been averse to it (and I was trying to keep it a bit healthier). I was pushing it with the cheese, but it was a small amount per roll. One recipe I gleaned from said a bit of smoked salt can give pizza dough a ‘brick-oven’ appeal, so I thought, ‘why not try it?’ I didn’t have smoked salt, though, so I had to smoke the sea salt I had in the pantry. Maker House had a nice thick ranch they served with them, but I just dipped them in a little extra of the Sriracha Oil. It was a great accompaniment to the Spinach, Red Lentil, and Sweet Potato Curry I made again this week:

I decided to make an individual portion this time, but the pan is almost like 2 servings (with bread) because it’s so filling. Again, I added a little kale and had to improv the curry ingredients. Really a quick and delish dish! More condiment making for Game Day: BBQ Sauce. Yay for my 2nd fave football team winning the Bowl (the first, of course, being the Giants)! After preparing the tofu Fajita Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing, I had a bit of the chipotle in adobo leftover. So, I thought BBQ was in order. I made a “kitchen sink” BBQ with just about anything I could get my hands on, adjusting and tasting as I went. I especially love fresh or dried fruits in BBQ sauce. I added a little orange zest to the Sicilian Roasted Potatoes (with a mix of Yukons, Reds, and Sweet Potatoes) this past week and loved it…so, I thought I would add a bit to the BBQ. I cooked the sauce stove top this time, but I love the slow cooker for a big batch. The BBQ went on roasted garbanzos and these BBQ Garbanzo and Brown Rice Tacos with Dried Figs, Pistachios, and Raisins:

Finished with more orange zest. I made the corn tortillas with a press and baked some for ‘hard shells.’ I Misto the baked ones and use a mold so they stay open. It was tricky getting the taco to stand up for the pic, lol. I also cut a few of the soft ones for chips. I made some plain (served with lacto-ferm salsa verde) and brushed BBQ on a few. I Misto’d them, then baked them off in cast iron pans. I cook the plain ones on only one side, but I prefer to cook the seasoned ones on both:

— If you are renting and want to create a bit of personalized style, check out this link on Decorating Ideas for Renters. And, love this link for 15 Shower Curtain Projects, including using a painter’s drop cloth and turning any curtain into a shower curtain.

— I love vintage-style full aprons. There’s no reason why you can’t look stylish while dicing potatoes! I think you could easily make one similar to this black and white damask apron with just iron-on fabric tape (if you do not machine sew, like myself). I have a friend who cleared out her closet and only has clothing that is black, white, or black and white. She said this was an attempt at simplifying her life. She doesn’t have to concern herself with the items matching or not, haha. Even though black is not my color (on top, anyway), I admit to using the black-and-white-clothing-simplification method all the time now. If you have procrastinated and haven’t planned your outfits for the week…just grab something black and white. It goes from cas to business to formal very easily.

— Baby Chicks Have Left-Right Number Bias Like Humans.

— A few mental health articles that touched me this past week: http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/01/nj_assembly_acts_to_let_teens_seek_mental_health_t.html, http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/sloppy-word-selection-feeds-mental-health-stigma-expert-1.2206217, and http://globalnews.ca/news/1797926/watch-coffee-shop-in-north-vancouver-offers-employment-and-hope-to-people-with-mental-illness/.

— I adore this picture:

Click on the pic or this link to take you to: Dr. Kathleen Young: Treating Trauma in Tucson | Mindful Monday.

— As always, I like to include a few tantalizing recipes that have come my way: Root Veggie Crisps in a Crispy Pancake Bowl (looks fun!), Roasted Makhana, Cheesy Greek Swirls, Mussels, Bacon, and Brie Tartlets, Cold Busting Coconut Gummies (cute & healthy!), Beef and Blue Cheese Risotto. I had a nice 1/2 iced tea & 1/2 lemonade with Bourbon for Game Day, so I thought I would look for other tea cocktails: Chamomile Honey Whiskey Cocktail. 15 Easy and Low Calorie Healthy Fruit Desserts.

Have a wonderful day, and I’ll see you next time!

A Night of Blues Dancing at Maker House, Tucson, AZ

My friend invited me out to a dance class at a local venue called Maker House. From their website:

“Maker House is a reflection of our community. Maker House is a home for the creative and makerspace for artisans, inventors, entrepreneurs, musicians and those interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Science. Maker House is host to over 40 events of all sizes each week and offers amazing coffee, delectable eats, cold beverages, craft beer and fantastic wine for here or to go!

Some the best local and regional bands perform each week on the outdoor stage.”

We had a great time blues dancing. The lesson was conducted in a circle with rotating dance partners. My fave partner actually threw in a couple of country moves in between the blues. Gotta love that! I would love to stop back for more dancing, but I think these Sriracha Garlic Knux (knots) will bring me back for sure (for the longest time, I thought it was siracha):

OMGoodness…SO good! I think I might try to re-create them with a healthier twist. Perhaps they will not be as grand, but it’s worth a shot. Check out some of the dance classes if you’re in Tucson, and for sure check out the garlic knux.

The instructor giving a demo:

The courtyard at night:

A great DIY project, perhaps? Wall-sized Scrabble letters:

Growlers to-go:

Coffee, wine, and beer bar, also serving up a few bites:

Free local artists jukebox and free arcade games:

I love this burlap sack ceiling!

Having a fab time grooving to the beat:

DIY Shelves

DIY Bathroom Shelves with L brackets! | DYI | Pinterest.

 

OK, once I had my shelf wood stained & oiled, I needed to decide how to support it. I found these cute bathroom shelves, so I thought I would share the link. If you didn’t read the last ‘My Way‘ post, I power sanded and stained a cedar board with a mixture of coffee and tea, producing a rich caramel color. I finished it with soybean oil, but mentioned you could use any fixed oil that dries (like hemp, linseed, walnut, or sunflower).

The lighting isn’t great in any of these pics, but I did the best I could. Again, here’s that before and after pic of the wood:

The shelf with the brass corner braces (3.5 ft. x 5.5 in.):

A little bit closer:

A pretty simple project, and more importantly…pretty inexpensive. Now, you might think that a pre-made shelf doesn’t cost that much, but I just like working with wood.

Take a look at the link and see what you think.

My Way, No. 7

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

— Have you ever felt like you were going to scream if you had to make one more decision? Like you would explode if one more set of choices came before you…your mind overwhelmed by life’s questions? I got to that point this past week. Now, if I were being unselfish, I would have thought about the fact that it’s a blessing to be able to even make decisions. Some people are not that fortunate. I was having a self-absorbed moment (or two), though. Then, it seemed as if the heavens opened up and shone upon me…someone else coming along to give me peace and direction. Like God was saying, even though you’re being selfish and a bit ungrateful, I’m still going to help you out, haha. Thank goodness for mercy and folks who come to your rescue!

— Thank goodness for a couple of recipes that eased my decision-making about what to prepare for Hanukkah! Normally, it wouldn’t have been that big of a deal, but my mind was overloaded at the time, lol. I wanted to make jelly doughnuts and made blackberry jam in anticipation. As with the bagel recipe I recently posted about, though, I wasn’t really in love with the recipe I had. So, I kept going back and forth about it. Then, lo and behold, I saw this recipe and thought, “Why not give it a try?” So glad I did! Now, I must confess (probably to the cringing of pro bakers everywhere) that I changed a few things. I usually try to avoid altering baking and pastry recipes too significantly, as it’s a scientific process. And, as pastries are not my strong point, I feel I should leave it to the pros to deal with the whole science of it. I decided to risk it this time, though. I was hoping the changes wouldn’t make that much of a difference: I subbed oil for butter (as I am still fasting from it), used egg yolks instead of a whole egg, my homemade non-fat yogurt instead of milk (the only milk I had was frozen, and I didn’t want to wait until it thawed), and added a little more sugar to the dough (my sweet tooth). I know if you are a baker, you are probably frowning, lol. I thought a Star of David shape would be cute, so I cut a few like that and the rest into squares. They were awesome! So good fresh and warm:

Fasting from butter, cheese, etc., is difficult, but my body feels so much better when I do. Eggs are fine for me, though (in moderation), so that’s why I used the yolks. I thought it might make up for the lack of butter (richness). Good source of protein and iron for me. I used the whites in another recipe I made to celebrate (instead of the whole egg it called for): Cauliflower Fritters with Roasted Garlic and Paprika Aioli. I desperately wanted to make this recipe as soon as I saw it. I have never thought to prepare fritters with cauliflower. It called for parm, though, so that presented a dilemma. I decided to punch up the flavor from the missing parm with nutritional yeast, scallions, cilantro, and eggplant. I used whole wheat flour for the batter base. I tried to make up for the calories of frying by using a lower fat dip. I swapped a mixture of light mayo and non-fat yogurt for the freshly made aioli. I know a homemade aioli would have been great, but I had to try to cut a few cals somewhere! They were actually fab with or without the dip. I could have eaten quite a few more, so I had to limit my portion by putting the extras in the freezer, haha:

— I guess I’m a bit late getting into the Christmas spirit this year. It seems to have snuck up on me just these past couple of days. I know it has finally hit when I start playing the Bing Crosby Christmas tunes. He performs my some of favorite tracks and it just sets me in the mood. I’m just now starting to think about what I’ll prepare and any decorations, so I thought I would share this link on 10 Christmas Buffet Table Ideas. I like plated Holiday dinners, but they give a few ideas on setting up stations to keep everything flowing smoothly.

— OK, so I might be a few years behind the trend, but I think this is a cute Christmas outfit. And, check out these cute Christmas nails, leggings, and purse.

— A great article on using ‘people first’ language regarding mental health. (http://www.providencejournal.com/news/health/mental-health/20141122-in-talking-about-mental-illness-people-first-terminology-eases-stigma.ece) I believe I first heard of this when I was interning at Camp Wellness. I really think the explanation he gives about using certain terminology is informative — it’s not about political correctness, but about how the impact of words is important. I also wanted to share a Dallas news reporter’s story that touched me: Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness the Best Way I Know How. (http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/sunday-commentary/20140425-fighting-the-stigma-of-mental-illness-the-best-way-i-know-how.ece)

— I have been reading about the recent Civil Rights protests in different places across the country and the march in Washington. It’s a subject that is sensitive for many Americans (no matter your cultural background, in many instances). You try to not let anger get the best of you, but these things must be voiced. If you are a minority in America, you know racism and discrimination. If you are a Black male in America, you most assuredly know racism, discrimination, and most likely a host of other deplorable things. I would say in Arizona, unfortunately, there is nearly as much (if not completely equal) hostility towards those with a Hispanic background. Our country has come far, but there is still so far to go. I continue to pray for everyone concerned. I hope that you will as well.

— I want to leave you with a few other recipes I think look grand, & hopefully I’ll be back with more soon. Bake-frying for Hanukkah: Sweet Potato Falafels with Coleslaw. Christmas means (for me) an abundance of eggnog and eggnog-flavored sweets and treats: Eggnog Cheesecake Bars. Also, I tend to indulge in more peppermint this time of year: White Chocolate Peppermint Mousse. How about some veg soup for these chilly days: Kale and Cauliflower Soup. Quick, Easy, Hearty, and Thrifty: Bombay Lamb Wraps. It’s so nice to get cozy by the fireplace (or the electric heater 😉 ) with a warm mug of mulled wine: Glühwein.

Take care! ‘Til next time!

My Way, No. 6

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

— After posting so much about the waffle sandwich I had at the Viva La Local Festival, I thought I would link you to a resource for mesquite flour. I figured it may not be available in many places outside of the Southwest. You can purchase it at Native Seeds/SEARCH’s online store (see my pics from our local Tucson store here). It’s organic and Kosher, and a great alternative if you cannot have wheat.

— I know it’s winter time, but I had to share these totally adorable DIY Fall Boot Cuffs. One of the easiest projects I’ve seen, and you could certainly carry them into these winter months.

— Hanukkah, Chanukah, however you spell it…will soon be upon us. This blog post had different intentions, but I think this twig star is a perfect DIY project for the occasion (I also see by a couple of the comments that others agree). And, check out this website for modern decorations and edibles (the modern bite cookies are stunners!)

— Read about Brazil’s biggest mass wedding. Awesome! It was held in Rio de Janeiro and involved nearly 2,000 couples!

— I had a little disappointment this Thanksgiving…for the past few years, my mom and I have been working with the Jewish Federation and the Salvation Army to carve turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals served to the public. This year, we didn’t get a call and found out too late that the SA had a new director take over the program. I look forward to seeing the same folks each Holiday, so I was kind of bummed. Some of them have been carving the turkeys for 15 – 20 years, so I can imagine they were also disappointed. Hopefully, we’ll get to participate in some way for the Christmas meal.

— I did make the berry and pom Antioxidant Detox Smoothie I posted after Turkey Day, and it was delish! I used my homemade yogurt and whey along with some fermented beets. As I said, it made me a little chilly, so I had a cup of hot tea afterwards: turmeric, ginger, cayenne, cinnamon, and lemon. Really a warm and soothing blend.

— I also sipped on hot tea all day yesterday, as it was rainy and cold (like mid-50’s, low 60’s, which is cold for Tucson). I had a ‘bread bowl’ from Beyond Bread (a local bread and pastry shop), so I decided a hot bowl of soup was in order. I didn’t know if I would use the bowl for a dip or soup when I purchased it, but the weather made my decision for me. They only have sourdough white bread bowls (I usually buy whole grain breads), but I really wanted it at the time. I figured it would be a treat meal. I started to make a cream of asparagus soup, but eventually made a curried chunky tomato. It’s such a comfort food for me:

The bread was SO good! I had to force myself to not eat the entire bowl in one sitting. I usually try to buy whole grains (as they are healthier), but I still love refined bread and flours…and white rice, OMGoodness…I really have to restrain myself if I start eating white rice, lol. I’ll try to post a few pics from Beyond Bread soon.

— Just saw these DIY Mint Julep Favors on the Curbly site. Too cute! More DIY here: 101 Homemade Holiday Gifts. All sorts of fun ideas from food to beauty to fashion and more.

— Yummy-Looking Food & Bev: Ficelle Picarde, Kimchi Ssambap, Butternut and Sweet Potato Lasagne with Sage Toasted Pine Nuts and Nutmeg, Berry Entremets (Beautiful! If you don’t speak Russian, you’ll have to translate), Homemade Gingerbread Syrup, Vegan Whole Wheat Maple-Oatmeal Bread.

See you next time!

My Way, No. 5

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

— Well, we’re into the 60’s here in Tucson, with some mid-70’s temps. I think I can justify wearing a lighter cape right now. Get the scoop on capes here: 21 Cute + Warm Ways to Wear a Cape.

— I caught up with Mrs. Green (not her real name, of course 😉 ) from Mrs. Green’s World at the Viva La Local Festival I recently posted about. I first learned of her organization from a local magazine, and then met her in person when she agreed to speak at one of my employer’s annual conferences. Her website is full of helpful hints and tips, and I thought I would share this blog post on having a greener and more sustainable Holiday season: Green Holidays are Easier Than You Think.

— DIY Teeth Whitener. Interesting info on how an orthodontist noticed teeth whitening as a side effect of oral wound care in the 60’s.

— Cooool…Kosherfest.

— And, awesome new Jewish museum in Poland. “It is the place that commemorates everything that is gone and will never return. And it reveals hope for a different future,” says Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.

— Today’s Recipe Stars: Lobster Omelette OMGoodness, lobster and eggs were made for each other. Homemade No-Corn Syrup Marshmallows I love, love, love marshmallows, and even more so around the Holidays. Red Lentil Kofte, Zucchini with Butternut-Rosemary Coconut Creme Sauce. Today’s Featured Libation: The Queen’s Cocktail Check the blog recipe index for a pic of this delightful drink. Today’s Featured Base Recipe (basically, one to keep handy): Thai Green Curry Paste. Today’s Featured Cooking Technique:  Sorry, couldn’t make the link work on my computer, but go to How to Tourne a Potato by Gill Boyd (www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2LMzr2VPRY)

— After being on a breakfast burrito kick and then making tamales, I started making breakfast tacos. I thought I might as well make a batch of corn tortillas after making tamales. So, most of them have been used for breakfast tacos and a few for fish tacos. I love fried fish tacos from several places in town, but I didn’t fry mine. I actually took the time to make the eggs for a couple breakfast tacos my fave way. I love to cook them over a double boiler with olive oil (or butter, if I’m feeling luxurious). I love the texture of the eggs when prepared this way, but many times I am too hurried & quickly cook them in a fry/sauté pan. I have also been making my fave oatmeal with extra-virgin olive oil. It may sound strange, but I really enjoy it. I think maybe my mom got me started with that. And, after having that scrumptious turkey sandwich at the Viva La Local Festival, I started craving waffles. I just kept thinking about the sandwich, but as I didn’t have all of the ingredients…I had to settle for these Sweet Blue Corn Flax HHW (hand-held waffles).

I love sweet corn muffins, so I sometimes compromise and make a waffle instead. If you throw a few hot dog slices in, you can have yourself a corny dog HHW. I made these with blue cornmeal, whole&heirloom wheat flour, and flax. I put the flax in so I could feel like I was eating something healthier (instead of the cake that it really is 😉 ). I usually make extra to freeze and pop them out when I want a quick snack. My mom refuses to eat sweet corn muffins. I don’t know how I could have been born to her, as she doesn’t really care for things super sweet as I do, haha.

— I’ve also still been making salads and was reminded of the worst dining out experience I’ve had in years and years (just the food, the service was nice). I took my mom’s friend to a salad bar chain restaurant (at her request) a few months ago, and it was absolutely awful. I wasn’t expecting much and figured as it was salad and a buffet, how bad could it be? I think tried at least 20 items (salads, other buffet items, desserts) hoping that something would eventually taste somewhat decent. I found maybe 3 or so items out of all I tried to be OK in taste, texture, etc. The ice cream wasn’t even good. They said that most of the food was made on the premises and fresh, but I have had many fast food and chain restaurant meals that were previously frozen, microwaved, canned, etc., that have been better (and some that were quite good, in fact). I’m not trying to compare it to some fancy, fine dining place, either. I was just really shocked that I enjoyed almost nothing. We do have a chain salad bar in town I really like, though. It’s actually a sandwich chain, but the salad bar is fab and great in a pinch if you are nearby (and the sandwiches are pretty yummy, too).

— Keep that local love for your community going! 6 Ways to ‘Go Local’ for Thanksgiving. For those of you not in the states celebrating Turkey Day, you can still apply most of these tips to other Holidays.

— I guess as I’m fasting from cheese, I am now obsessed with cheese-related items. Love this DIY Chalkboard Cheese Serving Tray idea and these DIY Wine & Champagne Cork Cheese Spreaders are so cute! They would be great for the upcoming Holidays or any day, really. Beyond cheese, also check out these creative and thrifty ways to Decorate Your Holiday Table with Items Found in Nature.

‘Til next time!