Meals, Maui & Momofuku.....

So the Meals this week are planned:
Maui Soup (Clean Eating recipe a great friend turned me on to, leftovers will be lunch for me for the week)See Below
Homemade Pizza
FLT's on Homemade bread with roasted green beans (Faux Bacon, L, T's)
Tofu parmish (just like chic parm but not, and I am serving it with Season Orzo rather then heavy sauce and pasta)
Taco's (we make open face salad, with black beans, corn, homemade salsa and gauc)
Pasta Broccoli
Veggie Barely soup (My secret is the recipe on the back of the quaker med barely box with a few tweeks, love this soup, I'll prob make it Friday night so when we come home from apple picking dinner will be within arms reach)

Maui
Over the summer I had lunch with a dear friend who brought some yummy soup. She had mentioned her whole fam loves the soup and its so easy to throw together, well bring it on, esp in Sept. I looked up the recipe and got to work.
I loved how simple it was, it almost remind me of what I call a fridge clean out soup, everything you have on hand. I loved that most of the cooking happened before the stock even goes in the pot and for the most it was done in 30 min. One thing I left out the basil and oreg and added cilantro, it just seemed to fit better and this recipe calls for the soup to be pureed. I started doing that and didn't like the look of smooshed black black beans so I opted out of that and left it. I served it with my famous homemade tortillas ( a girls gotta have a few secrets, sorry) and it was a hit. The recipe made enough for dinner and portions for my lunch.

and now on to MOMOFUKU!!!!?????

http://www.momofuku.com/milk-bar/

So I have been reading about this noodle bar and milk bar for a few months now and have been running across the name for a bit so I had to do some investigating, well turns out it is a fun foodie kind of NYC place (we will most certainly be heading there on our next big city adventure) with such things on their menu as the compost cookie, cereal and milk shake and the infamous crack pie! Yes crack pie, this is the recipe that I keep crossing which is funny because it is not even close to the clean eating, healthy body conscious foods that I have been immersed in.
Any way, I am just holding out to make this but can not bring myself to make it for just us, for fear I'll eat the whole thing.
Check this link out for more info on "crack"
http://almostbourdain.blogspot.com/2010/03/momofuku-milk-bars-crack-pie.html
the link gives more behind the pie and that sticker shocking price of $44 a pie! (only in NYC)

So we had a nice weekend, Sunday nights are comforting to me as a rest day but not so much as a back to work night. It does ease my mind that while I am down here typing and doodling away on the computer, my batch of dough for my homemade bread is rising, laundry is done, house is somewhat still clean from the cleaners this week. And Monday can come as it will if I want it to or not, so my choice is to embrace it, smile and go out and face it all.

Keep your belly happy!

Seriously addictive snacks and soup...

This past weekend was a bit chilly so what a better thing to whip up, soup.
Soup is so easy, quick and healthful, I really wonder why anyone would ever buy a can and don't get me wrong I love salt and the ease factor but there are just so many options when it comes to making your own

Here is one of our favorites
CHUNKY POTATO SOUP
3 cups diced potatoes
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup chopped carrots (optional)
2 cups milk
3 cups water
3 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. fresh parsley
1 tbsp. fresh cilantro
1/3 cup ground Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp Mrs. Dash original
2 cubes of Veggie bouillon
2 tsp. Italian seasoning

Bring water to a boil, add fresh herbs and vegetables. Let boil for 5 minutes, add milk, butter, boil for 3 minutes more; add spices and seasonings, then add flour and cheese.
Stir very well so that the flour and cheese do not clump; continue stirring.
Serve when vegetables are tender and flavors are well blended.
Serve topped with cheddar cheese and add a few saltine crackers.

I served these with yummy green chips..

Its a fun way to eat lots of vitamins and yummy goodness.
Green Chips

Take a bunch of greens (kale, collard any heavy green)
Rip them up and lay them on a baking pan (love my Pamper chef bar stone)
mix together 1 Tablespoon of EVOO and 1 Tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar
Toss together, sprinkle salt or spike or any of your favorite spices..
Bake for about 10-15 min at 350 till crispy and chip like.

Sophia and Jeff love these (so do I).
And I just had to share as we had these with 3 different meals this week, Jeff looks at me (the 3rd time I put them down) and laughed. "What I" said, He shook his head and said "we just eat so differently then everyone else" I actted surprised but I really wasn't but I just keep thinking why not? Why can't we learn to love good, healthful and purposeful foods? We don't have to be that heavily reliant on medicines and the norm of bloat and yuck. Ok I'll jump down from my soap box. But really I hope I can help anyone who needs it. Please just ask if you have a Q.
On that note I'm off to enjoy the weekend and breathe a bit.

Kepp your belly happy

A small bit of the 5 bushels of apples we picked last year, we'll be headed out in about 2 weeks for this years stock pile.


I am lucky to live in an area where every season is wonderful in its own way. But for me nothing beats our Falls. Cider mills, unlimited varieties of squash, apple picking, hot caramel ciders, fire places on to get the chill out but not warm the house, crunchy leaves, animals out collecting their own harvest for the winter, Pumpkins, pies, soups, long sleeves no jackets, fun boots, windows open in the car, sun roof open and the heat on!!!! Many more blissful thoughts but it would cover the whole post.
So when I woke this morning to the stinging chill that fall can bring over night I loved every minute of it.
Jeff had to be home with "the cable guy" so I headed out to pick up our farm share. Oh how I love that ride and can understand why people live "in the country". There is just something about rolling green hills, corn fields, cows mooooooing, berry patches, old farm houses, ponds, road side stands and the list could go on.
Every time I take a drive like that I am reminded of why I am working... Someday we'll be in a great big ol'home in which I can cook and visit as the owner of a bed and breakfast and Jeff can putter around and complete the honey do now list....
I always get so much joy out of bringing it all home and laying it out, washing and prepping it, and just marveling in it all.
Brings me to a clear peaceful head space (which lately doesn't happen much).

Our farm was offering the last of the peaches at a really cheap price so I scooped up a dozen and decided peach cobbler for breakfast.....Yes that's right, Jeff said the same thing for breakfast and my reply, well, yeah, its part pancake, oatmeal, and fruit all rolled into 1 pan of oooey goooey yumminess!
(I had posted another cobbler recipe a while back but here's my
breakfast take on Peach Cobbler:
Enough ripe peaches (I have tried this with apples and it is as yummy) to fill an 8x8 baking pan or the like
2Tb light brown sugar
1/4 lime
1 cup of oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/4 flour
about an 1/8 of clove
A few good passes of grated nutmeg
1/2-1 t of good cinnamon
Butter and Flax oil

Cut the peaches, I like a good rustic dice, toss in the lime juice and coat with brown sugar, I tossed in about 1 t of corn starch just to help give me a nice think sauce. Mix all the dry ingredients, cut in butter about 1/2 to a whole stick depending on your own liking of butter (I use the real thing here, sorry).
Now for me at this point I wrapped it up and put it in the fridge, when I am ready to wake every one up, it will go in the oven tomorrow to scent the house about 15-20 minutes at 375. (I will drizzle a little flax oil over it before putting it in the oven.

For the rest of the week, I actually don't have anything planned as far as food, that will get done tomorrow. A CSA fridge clean out soup for sure, a loaded bowl and Paninni for sure
So enjoy a warm cup of coffee and a book, and keep your belly happy...

Back to work

Well we are back and in full swing at the moment, there is way too much to be done.

So I just wanted to post a link to a great site that I thought you may love as much as I do
http://thehealthseekerskitchen.blogspot.com/
Check it out and enjoy.

Oh and 1 question what keeps you going through craziness? I am finding myself doing a lot more zoning then focusing lately and would love to hear how everyone brings themselves back to center...

No don't throw that out

So I have this hallway cabinet that is over flowing with Tupperware, Glad ware, Zip lock ware and all the other ware's you can find at a store or at a Home party.
About 2-3 times a year Jeff gets something in him to clean it for me (aka, throw all my stuff out.....) So I always linger by the hall and say "No, No, I may use that, what if, Oh those are good for..." Well one of the many items is the infamous Tupperware Hamburger press. I have wonderful memories of my mom making homemade burgers with hers. I can clearly picture her sampling the raw mixture, (GROSSSS I know, but I take whatever memories can come) Anyway, when I first moved out on my own, somehow I got talked into selling Tupperware for like 6 months and of course what was my very first purchase? You guessed it, well I have used the thing maybe like half a dozen times in my 16 years of living on my own. Till now.. Go figure when I am fully vegetarian I learn to love a Hamburger press.

So you have to try these, whether you eat meat or not. They had such a great flavor to them you'd never miss any of the ... well I'll save my adjectives for another time.
Enjoy.
Here is the original recipe:
http://vegetableartist.blogspot.com/2009/09/eggplant-meatball-spagetti.html

She originally made meatballs, which I will do as well. But I broke out the Burger press and got to work. I made the patties and cooked them for about 20min at 400. Let them cool and packaged them up to freeze, I"ll reheat them just like any other veggies burger. I made them using the Italian spices she called for but next time I'll play a bit with different ones, like maybe cumin and curry..

I almost forgot, I wasn't sure if they would brown enough so instead of salt I used Tamari, which is a wheat free soy sauce. Worked well they got nice and brown in the oven.
Happy Bellies

China Food

What Sophia calls anything that may even look like Chinese, so its just kind of stuck. The Pics are of her helping, which she learned pretty quick from her dad that if you hang around while I cook you get plenty of samples and leave it up to her to help herself
I love when I have something at a Restaurant that I just can't get enough of. I go home and try and recreate it. SO today we have and ode to Mr. Chang, P.F that is...
I've made them many time for us and Jeff always stands by the bowl to "help"... We've had friend over for dinner and they have been gobbled up so without any wait,
The Lettuce Wrap

This is also dedicated to Chris, enjoy....
Pouring Sauce
1/4 sugar
1/2 warm water
2Tb Tamari
2Tb rice vinegar, I used apple cider vinegar too
2 Tb Ketchup
1 Tb Hot water
1Tb dijon (I used stone ground)
2 cloves garlic
Chicken Stir-fry I use the morning star chix strips
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed to 1/2″
1 – 8oz can sliced water chestnuts, minced to the size of corn kernals
1/2 cup mushrooms, minced to the size of corn kernals
1/2 onion, chopped fine
3 cloves garlic, minced fine
6 large leaves of iceberg lettuce or nappa cabbage

Stir-fry sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon rice wine vinegar

Begin by making the pouring sauce. In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in 1/2 cup warm water, then add soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ketchup, lemon juice and sesame oil. Mix well and throw in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
Combine 1 teaspoons hot water with dijon mustard and garlic and set this aside in small bowl.

Combine oils and add to wok or large frying pan. Heat oil over high heat until it glistens, about one minute. Add chicken and saute until cooked through, then remove from the pan and cool. Keep oil in the pan, keeping it hot over a low flame.

Prep the stir fry sauce by mixing soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar in a small bowl.

Take pan that you cooked the chicken in (with the still warming oil, riiiight?) and turn it up to medium-high heat. Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, wait one minute, and then add chicken, garlic, onions, water chestnuts, mushrooms, and the stir-fry sauce you prepared earlier. Stir-fry everything until the mushrooms have cooked, about four minutes, and remove to a serving dish.

Add mustard/garlic mixture to the pouring sauce, 1/2 a teaspoon at time to taste.

Serve stir-fry with iceberg lettuce or nappa cabbage leaf wraps and top with pouring sauce.

I have used both sauces to whip up other dishes too

Happy Bellies

Something yummmmmmy for your tummmmmmy

As promised here are a few of the weeks dinners
Southwest Loaded Bowl
Make enough brown rice or quinoa to fit your bunch. I love (http://www.lundberg.com/)
Lundberg brands. They are at Wegs so its not hard to find.
Prep the dressing
Juice of 1 lime and lemon
1Tb of Veganise (you'll never know the difference except in health factor)
1/4 c EVOO
1ts cumin
S & P to taste
(mix it all and let chill, to help really emulsify the oil zip it in a food processor)
Dice:
1 Tomato, Avocado,Cuke,1/2 a Zuke, some broc finely diced, about 2-4 ears of corn cut from the cob, 1/2 of a jalepeno,2 cloves of garlic, fresh cilantro 2 cups of spinach and the juice of 1 lime. Toss it all to coat and serve over a grain of your choice with the above dressing.

In honor of Mr. Food, oh its so good. With out the grain the dressing and the veggies make a great chunky fun salsa.
These loaded bowls have become a favorite around our house. A great way to use up the end of the weeks CSA veggies and so filling.

Eggplant parm
Serve with a pasta or Ravioli or on a GOOD sub roll as a sandwich. (Bread is another one of the things I never cheap out on and in fact there happens to be a great bakery by me which is known as the "Bread Store" by little miss and most times its actually cheaper in cost then the big stores).

Cut the Eggplant so you get nice small circles rather then the long way, Not sure why but it makes a difference. Have 3 bowls set up one with about 2 egss and a splash of milk and S & P, 1 with flour and 1 with Panko bread crumbs (the lesson, is in the breading, YOU MUST use the Panko crumbs not regular bread crumbs. They are a Japanese style crumb that is airy and lighter in texture and flavor). Begin by dipping in flour, then egg, then crumbs, let them sit for a minute or 2. Get a nice large pan hot coat with oil to fry. You'll fry them just a few minutes till each side gets brown.
(Use whatever red sauce you prefer, I make my own quick sauce by, sauteing some onion and garlic, add a large can of crushed tomatoes, some mint and basil to taste)
Put a small amount of sauce in the bottom of 9 x 13 pan place cooked eggplant on top, use a yummy melty cheese of choice (fontina or provolone)put a little bit more sauce on top and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes to get the cheese gooey.

Sweet Cinnamon Zuke bread

Preheat oven 325
sift
3 cups flour
1ts salt
1ts baking soda
1 Tb cinnamon
1/2 ts ginger
1/4 ts baking powder
wisk to combine

beat with electric mixer
6 eggs whites till foamy
then 1/2 cup oil
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups grated unpeeled zucchini
2 ts vanilla

Add dry to wet mix just till blended pour into loaf pans that were sprayed, bake for about 1 hour or use clean knife test. Most times I smell the bread before its even done, I check it and what do you know...

Enjoy, happy bellies all

Everything rides on Hope on...

(That was Sophia is the NICU, after 12 days of wires they came off and she came home, HOPE)

Addison Road ... Everything Rides on Hope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjqZPaiYiRs&feature=related

If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours

I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I'll be ok
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter my from the storm

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

I am not my own
I've been carried by you all my life

Everything rides on hope now

Your love sets me free



Just needed to share,
When we have lost all and are down on our face and knees, it is the hardest thing to do but finding a glimmer of light, a warm hand, and hope can pick you up and carry you through.

For me hope is all I ever had.. In so many moments, and still do......

Hope that my mom never suffered the way I remembered to have, Hope that somebody somewhere would love me, Hope that I would make it on my own, Hope that he'll always look at me as the perfect women he thought he married rather then the big old mess hes found out he married, Hope that we would have a child, Hope that the child I was carrying would make it 12 ,18, 24, 30, 36 weeks (She made it 35), Hope that all those wires would come off of her sooner rather than later, Hope that I would take her home from the NICU, Hope for all of those that didn't take their child home from the NICU, Hope that the drugs I took to get her here didn't put her there, Hope that my father knows how much I love him and that he will always be that big strong man that carried me in a dancing costume over a flooded street just to get to a competition with a smile on his face, Hope that my step mom knows how much I think of her as a mom but struggle with calling anyone else mom since losing mine, Hope that the people in my life that have not let Jesus into their hearts do because I want to be in Heaven with them, Hope that I show my daughter all I can about Jesus and that she always has him in her heart as her savior so that I may walk with her in eternity, Hope that all this crazy stuff in the world is really just a big fat joke, Hope that my friends who walk with me daily really know how much they mean to me, HOPE..... What ever happens Hope can get us a better nights rest and a simple tomorrow, Hope can make us smile through the heavy cloud of tears, and Hope in Jesus can heal.