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).

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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!

My Way, No. 12

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

— I was extremely busy this past week and could not find the time to blog. So, I will try to let you know some of the things I’ve been up to. But, before we get into all of that, I wanted to express my deepest appreciation to the late Martin Luther King, Jr. and his family. I, like so many others, would have never had the opportunities that have come my way without them. I believe MLK’s legacy has been felt across all of the nations. So, today, we honor that legacy. It encourages one to stand up for what one believes in. Common men and women have sometimes had as great an impact on society as royalty and world leaders (if not greater, in some instances, perhaps).

— From the Arizona Jewish Post, I thought this was a very thoughtful MLK, Jr. Day article.

— You know I love food and often write up all sorts of food-related tidbits on this blog. On this MLK, Jr. Day, I thought it would be cool to showcase a few chefs and recipes from the US and Britain (as you know, I adore British culture & food). Speaking of Britain, have you ever seen the television show Chef? I do not recall when it ran because many times we (the US) receive British programming much later than the original air dates. Perhaps it was from the 90’s…it was such a fab and funny show. I’m sure it’s in some sort of digital format, so check it out if you get the chance.

Avocado Tacos & Brown Butter Roasted Tomato Pasta by Latrice Fowler, African-American Chefs Shine in Atlanta, Black America Cooks, The Top Black Chefs Around the World, 3 Black Vegan Chefs You Should Know. From Britain: Mustard, Bacon, and Caramelised Onion Scones & Pea, Courgette, and Parmesan Rosti w/ Tangy Tomato Dressing by Ainsley Harriot, Spicy Curry Carrot Chutney by Jo Wesley and Avril Rogers, Pancetta Wrapped Scallops w/ Quince and Pear by Patrick Williams, Chai-Spiced Ginger and Date Tea Loaf by Kimberley Wilson, Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds Savoury Biscuits by Enwezor, Lamb, Yam, and Butternut Squash Soup by Lenny Henry, Nice and Spicy Thai Chicken Salad (Larb Gai) & Vegetarian Nut Roast Pie w/ Cranberries by Lorraine Pascale, Citrus and Pomegranate Salad w/ Chili Honey Dressing & Lime and Cranberry Bread and Butter Pudding by Levi Roots.

— Also from Britain: Is the Media Industry Sufficiently Diverse?

— Have you ever been under a time crunch and forced to go to places and do things you would rather not? That’s how last week was for me. Sometimes, my whereabouts/locations can make things difficult. I managed to make the Minimalist Entryway Organizer I wrote about. Instead of bungee cords and a wood frame, I went for a solid wood plaque and elastic. I attached the elastic with a staple gun and drilled a hole in the back for hanging. Such a practical idea for your keys, glasses, etc.:

Also, I’m making a shelf, so I stained a cedar board (after power sanding) with a mixture of coffee and black tea (as I wrote about in my post on The Many Uses of Food Powders). I used soybean oil for finishing, but I’m sure you could use any fixed drying oil (like linseed, hemp, walnut, or sunflower). Super easy and inexpensive. The lighting wasn’t great, so I do not think the pic (before and after) does it justice. It’s a rich caramel color — turned out beautifully:

— I had to pick up a few items for my mom and snapped a couple of cute DIY craft pics:

These DIY’s were made by the store staff. The ‘button letter’ would be totally fun in a child’s room. Or, if you have a more eclectic decor, you could probably make it work in any setting (possibly changing up the color scheme). First initials for couples would be a neat idea.

— What have I been eating this past week? Well, I made a few more of the Detox Drinks with a repeat of the Grapefruit-Cado. I forgot to mention that anytime the recipes call for juice, I use whole fruit. It was such a busy week that I didn’t get a chance to make granola bars. Luckily, I found some organic store-bought ones that were wickedly reduced in price. SQUEAL DEAL! They saved me! I always like to carry some sort of snack bar with me when I go out (so I don’t grab at the nearest candy protein bar in a vending machine, haha). And, I had a couple for snacks in place of my (of late) usual nuts, figs, oatmeal & honey, or za’atar roasted chickpeas. I’ve found the chickpeas curb my cravings for sweets (as you know, I have a sweet tooth). I did have time to whip up a quick cream of roasted garlic and white asparagus soup (with olive oil roux & skim milk, finished with a little extra-virgin and chiles):

And, the Sicilian Roasted Potatoes I made for Christmas have made an appearance 4 or 5 times now. Perhaps I will take a pic soon. I’ve started using a mix of baby Yukons and sweet potatoes. Really quite delicious. As I had a lot of running around to do, I made a batch of egg sandwich fillers. I reheat them in the oven or on the stove, but I suppose you could use the micro (not too long, they might get rubbery). I just used leftover veggies and cooked them in oval rings to fit my homemade bagels. I start them on the stove top and then give them a hit under the broiler:

1) Spinach, Red Bell, White Asparagus, Garlic 2) Kale, Black Olive, Red Onion 3) Broccoli, Feta, Chile (just a little bit of cheese, and my body seemed to handle it OK) 4) Marinated & Grilled Artichokes, Capers, Tomatoes.
Other than that, I began to have a few heavier meals starting with a yummy hamburger (on a bagel, of course 😉 ) and a side of healthy Brussels and smashed baby Yukons bubble and squeak.

— I love to collect tea tins, so I was excited when my fave step-uncle brought me back this Burapa Bird’s Nest Beverage from his trip to Malaysia:

— I was inspired by this Pitaya Breakfast Bowl to purchase dragon fruit for the first time. Wonderful! I consumed some raw and threw the rest in the freezer for smoothies:

— Remember the DIY Silk Scarf Kaftan I posted? Well, here’s a DIY Kimono Cape along the same lines. While running errands for my mom, I saw someone with a gorgeous kimono fabric. You can make this piece with just a couple of scarves, needle & thread, though. Also, make sure to check out the link from this blog post on how to dye shoes.

— From organization to DIY suds: 8 Laundry Room Hacks, Tips, and Ideas.

Take care! See you next time!

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!