Back in action.

I'm back! It's been a busy Fall and holiday season - having fun and growing a baby and all :-P I continued to blend but nothing new so I didn't post.

Now I'll have some inspiration since we just purchased a juicer!! I have been wanting one for a long time, but it wasn't until we finally watched the recommended documentary "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" that we decided to buy one. Today we filled our fridge with produce and did a test run. I have to admit, juicing is fun! I just threw some kale, carrots and strawberries in.

It's going to take a couple of juices before I get used to the taste... of juice. Real juice, no extra sugar - just pure juice. My daughter loved hers and even sported a green mustache to prove it.  I'll be sharing some recipes and hopefully inspiring others to try it!

Homemade Soup for the Soul.

I LOVE everything about Fall! The leaves, weather, Halloween, and of course the cooking. While parusing the grocery store this week I was sad to find out the pumpkin wouldn't be out for awhile - there went my smoothie idea. So I decided to make a yummy soup instead.

I cooked:
32 oz organic vegetable stock (unsalted)
1/2 whole winter squash chopped
1 large red potato chopped
1/2 cup raw lentils
1/2 large onion diced
2 cloves of garlic sliced
Sprinkle of Tumeric
Sprinkle of Curry powder
Salt and Pepper for taste

Bring to a boil and then simmer for 25 minutes or so. Cool for about 10 minutes and then blend - either in blender or with an immersion blender. (Before I blend I usually throw in raw baby spinach :-) Then serve! This soup was so delicious and sweet - I think it was because I usually use chicken stock. The vegetable stock must provide some sweetness!

The best part is.... this makes a lot of soup! Leftovers :-)


As my husband prepares for his marathon a few days I have to make some more calorie rich foods soon... maybe I will post a new whoppie pie recipe or pictures of all our pasta dinners :-)

Three.

Three days until my daughter is three.
I have been so overwhelmed with pride, sadness and wondering where has the time gone that I haven't really blended much. Oh, and did I mention we are hosting a VERY large birthday party Saturday! Over 70 people to be exact. I have purposely drained my fridge in order to make room for all the food I am about to make. So the fresh smoothies will have to wait until next week. (Maybe by then pumpkin will be in the stores!)

Goodbye Summer.

Summer days are winding down....
Our caterpillar became a butterfly

We bought some back-to-school sneakers

And along comes Fall.
The weather is cooler, the apples are ready to be picked and the leaves turn orange... my favorite color! This Fall marks some important events. My daughter is turning 3 (tear) and I am turning 30 (lots of tears).

I have some tasty Fall smoothies coming up soon (hint hint... lots of pumpkin and apples). Enjoy the last days of Summer!

Ode to Hawaii

**Please press the play button on the bottom of this post to hear some Jack Johnson while you read this post :-) 

Tomorrow marks 1 year since we left for Hawaii for 6 weeks. It was our 2nd time visiting but our first time living there opposed to vacationing there. Hawaii has a special place in my heart. From the first time I stepped off the plane in 2007 I fell in love. I feel so relaxed there. A part of me could live there and be very happy.

I wanted to make a smoothie that made me think of sitting outside on a warm Hawaiian night...
I simply blended...
Ice
A lot of frozen pineapple
A few frozen strawberries
1/2 squeezed lime
Splash of green tea

I will be mixing my smoothie with coconut rum later... then I will feel like I am sitting on the deck at Duke's!

Irene + 3000 views!

I have to be honest and say I'm a little disappointed that Irene didn't provide the storm action I was hoping for. We took a drive by the beach at high tide and saw that most spots were closed.... which has never happened since we moved here - 6 years ago!

On another note...I just hit 3,000 views on my blog!! How exciting! Now I have to find some new recipes to make for a snappier blog :-P

Crispy Kale & Chocolate Cake

I think I should have been a storm chaser. I love storms - snow, rain and now Irene! Tonight, with excitement we grilled some turkey burgers and made crispy kale - thanks to the fresh kale straight from my husbands cousin's garden! This, again, is not my recipe... but I've heard about it from so many people I wouldn't even know who to credit. Just drizzle olive oil, sea salt and pepper on fresh kale and bake in the oven until crisp, like a chip. Watch out... it burns fast!

After dinner my daughter and I thought it would be nice / polite to welcome Irene to the neighborhood. We made a chocolate cake together (baking is now my daughter's favorite thing to help mom with!) Maybe this delicious peace offering will coerce Irene to spare our shingles and protect the car that is outside! The cake is somewhat healthy - applesauce and whole grain flour! Plus, who can forget the milk :-D

And with that our delicious evening of eating is done - I am off to lay in bed. I ran too far in too hot of weather and burnt myself out.