This one is from Nourishing Days. They're giving away a $25 gift certificate to Actual Organics.
I've never tried any of their products, but they have a lot of health & beauty stuff. Skin care, toothpaste, hair care, perfumes... anything you could want, really. All made from organic, natural ingredients. I personally use all sorts of chemicals on my hair and skin, but I know going natural is important to a lot of people. Also, they have lots of travel/sample size products, so that $25 could go a long way!
Friday, October 22, 2010
A gift to apologize for my laziness.
I've been a pretty lazy cook lately... even when I make something really awesome, I haven't taken pictures of it. For example, I made these "Sloppy Ottos" (a German-inspired ground beef recipe) and it was a total keeper, but I didn't take a picture.
Anyway, to make up for not posting anything, I'm letting you in on a few giveaways from one of my favorite blogs, JoyfulAbode.
1. Sanuk Footwear
I hadn't heard of this company until now, but they make some really cute stuff. They have LOTS of sandals, and slip-on "surfer" shoes with fairly minimalist soles. They look so comfortable.
Assuming I don't win the giveaway, I might just ask for the Scurvy in purple for Christmas.
2. Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate
This I have a little more experience with. I eat a lot of coconut products - coconut oil for cooking, coconut milk in place of dairy like cream or milk, coconut flour for baking, shredded dried coconut in just about every dessert I make. I even tried coconut water (that liquid in the middle of the coconut), which some people drink as a workout recovery drink, but I'm not a fan.
My latest coconut purchase was "creamed coconut" although I haven't really figured out how to use it yet. It seems to be basically the same stuff as JA is giving away, just a different brand. My one hint to you - don't put it in the fridge if you ever hope to be able to get it out of the container - that stuff is ROCK SOLID once it's cold. I moved it back to room temperature until I can decide on a recipe.
There are lots of ways to get entries for this giveaway, and they include "liking" TT on facebook, and subscribing to their newsletter, which are things you should do anyway because you'll get recipes, tips, and alerts about sales. Yes, they have a ton of coconut products, but they also sell things like oils, vinegars, honey, snack foods, condiments... all made from quality ingredients.
Anyway, to make up for not posting anything, I'm letting you in on a few giveaways from one of my favorite blogs, JoyfulAbode.
1. Sanuk Footwear
I hadn't heard of this company until now, but they make some really cute stuff. They have LOTS of sandals, and slip-on "surfer" shoes with fairly minimalist soles. They look so comfortable.
Assuming I don't win the giveaway, I might just ask for the Scurvy in purple for Christmas.
2. Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate
This I have a little more experience with. I eat a lot of coconut products - coconut oil for cooking, coconut milk in place of dairy like cream or milk, coconut flour for baking, shredded dried coconut in just about every dessert I make. I even tried coconut water (that liquid in the middle of the coconut), which some people drink as a workout recovery drink, but I'm not a fan.
My latest coconut purchase was "creamed coconut" although I haven't really figured out how to use it yet. It seems to be basically the same stuff as JA is giving away, just a different brand. My one hint to you - don't put it in the fridge if you ever hope to be able to get it out of the container - that stuff is ROCK SOLID once it's cold. I moved it back to room temperature until I can decide on a recipe.
There are lots of ways to get entries for this giveaway, and they include "liking" TT on facebook, and subscribing to their newsletter, which are things you should do anyway because you'll get recipes, tips, and alerts about sales. Yes, they have a ton of coconut products, but they also sell things like oils, vinegars, honey, snack foods, condiments... all made from quality ingredients.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Turkey, Leek and Potato Soup
I've had a few turkey necks and turkey wings in the freezer for a while. I bought them because of the price - they were marked down because they were about to expire. I decided it was finally chilly and autumnal enough to make a big pot of soup with them. =] I made this a two-day project, but you can definitely shorten it to one day.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Planning ahead and freezing food
I think it started when I read Diana's latest post, about Mabon. I don't celebrate any pagan holidays... heck, I barely celebrate secular ones. And I was a little surprised when I realized her post was about acting like a squirrel and not about eating one. The idea of putting away food now, and being grateful for my foresight later, really touched me. I don't can or dehydrate, but I do have plenty of freezer space. I have cooked and frozen some meat recently, but I've been slacking on the vegetables.
So here's what I made last night:
Herbed Squash and Fennel
I liked it. The fennel stays rather firm when roasted (it was my first time cooking it that way) but it's sort of a nice contrast to the softness of the cooked squash. It tasted very autumn-y. =] I'm not sure how the squash will turn out after freezing... I've seen mention of it being frozen in chunks, but I've only ever frozen mashed/pureed squash before.
I also roasted the rest of my tomatoes to turn into tomato sauce, since some of them were getting a little soft. I've got plans to blanch some green beans and freeze those, too. My bag of veggie scraps is getting awfully full, so I need to make some stock. And tomorrow when I pick up my share from the CSA, you better believe I'll be thinking, "which of these things do I want to freeze for later?"
I also just wanted to share this picture because it makes me laugh every time I walk in the kitchen and see it. We had a visitor last weekend and decided to restock our liquor collection, since we were down to one tiny bottle of rum. (I say "we" but my husband really doesn't drink.) I think we bought enough to last us about 5 years. We then took a wine tour, where I bought a few bottles along the way, including two of my favorite Bellwether ciders. Now I can't figure out where to store it all. =P It looks pretty, for now, anyway! (Thanks to Kia and Toyota - we paid for all of this using the cards they send to my husband for selling cars.)
I've got a plan in the works to photograph and post an entire weeks worth of meals. And I mean EVERYTHING I eat, which has been 3 meals a day recently. I'm not sure if I'll start tomorrow (Saturday), Sunday, or Monday. But stay tuned.
So here's what I made last night:
Herbed Squash and Fennel
- 4 bulbs fennel
- 1 red kuri squash (also known as a hokkaido or potimarron)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- sage
- thyme
- rosemary
I liked it. The fennel stays rather firm when roasted (it was my first time cooking it that way) but it's sort of a nice contrast to the softness of the cooked squash. It tasted very autumn-y. =] I'm not sure how the squash will turn out after freezing... I've seen mention of it being frozen in chunks, but I've only ever frozen mashed/pureed squash before.
 |
| I didn't get a photo until after we had eaten. |
 |
| Closeup! |
 |
| And here it is ready to go in the freezer for later. |
 |
| Pretty multicolored tray of tomatoes. |
 |
| Shiny! |
I've got a plan in the works to photograph and post an entire weeks worth of meals. And I mean EVERYTHING I eat, which has been 3 meals a day recently. I'm not sure if I'll start tomorrow (Saturday), Sunday, or Monday. But stay tuned.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Bacon, spinach, and leek frittata
I made a frittata that was particularly good a while back and took some nice photos, so I thought I'd share. Here's the final product - you can find the recipe and step-by-step pictures by clicking the link below.
30-Day Primal Blueprint Challenge!
I refuse to get preachy about my nutrition and fitness choices on my blog, but I do want to share something I'm excited about.
Today is Day #1 of the 30-Day Challenge over at Mark's Daily Apple. There will be challenges and contests, and lots of neat prizes, including a WHOLE COW!
If you've been thinking about doing something to improve your health, give it a shot for 30 days. And try to win a few prizes while you're at it.
For the sake of honesty: I had a bagel this morning. Not the best way to start out a challenge, huh? I guess I need to be extra primal the rest of the month to make up for it.
Feel free to ask me any questions you have about why I believe in the paleo/primal, low-carb, high-fat, grain-free lifestyle. Just let me know whether you want general answers, or lots and lots of science and numbers. =]
Today is Day #1 of the 30-Day Challenge over at Mark's Daily Apple. There will be challenges and contests, and lots of neat prizes, including a WHOLE COW!
If you've been thinking about doing something to improve your health, give it a shot for 30 days. And try to win a few prizes while you're at it.
 |
| Click here to check out the contest! |
For the sake of honesty: I had a bagel this morning. Not the best way to start out a challenge, huh? I guess I need to be extra primal the rest of the month to make up for it.
Feel free to ask me any questions you have about why I believe in the paleo/primal, low-carb, high-fat, grain-free lifestyle. Just let me know whether you want general answers, or lots and lots of science and numbers. =]
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Traffic light veggie sautee
I'll be honest, this is too simple to call it a recipe. But it makes for some pretty pictures.
This "recipe" is inspired by things my parents used to cook during the summer when I was growing up. My dad still makes something like this - I remember him cooking it for me and Matt a couple years ago, to go with his famous cornmeal-and-rosemary-breaded perch.
My parents would buy vegetables from farm stands on the way home from work in the summer, so when it hit the point in the summer where these particular ones were cheap and plentiful, this sort of thing would appear. My dad worked a lot of overtime, so he didn't cook all the time, but he did the majority of the grilling. So while he was grilling, he and my mom would throw this together inside on the stove.
Ingredients: green bell peppers, yellow summer squash, red tomatoes. Use whatever you've got, of course, but if you have 3 colors, it makes it so much prettier.
In a large pan, heat your fat of choice over medium-ish - I used duck fat. (Yup, I'm STILL using up the fat from that duck.) Throw in the vegetables. All of them. At the same time.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the peppers and squash are soft enough. At first, the tomatoes will release a frightening amount of juice. But that juice will mix with the fat and reduce into a sauce that coats the other vegetables, and it will look like this picture.
Feel free to peel your tomatoes if you don't want bits of skin in it, but they don't bother me.
You can just season it with salt and pepper. Garlic is a nice touch - I used garlic powder this time because I forgot about it until it was already done cooking. Or, do something more creative, and tell me about it in the comments.
Last weekend I actually had time to check out the u-pick section at the farm where I pick up my CSA vegetables. We have u-pick privileges at 3 different farms included in the price of our share. I came out with cherry tomatoes, basil, and dill. I didn't plan on picking flowers, but a few of these were so big and fluffy that I had to take them, even if they were a bit past their prime. They remind me of muppets.
This "recipe" is inspired by things my parents used to cook during the summer when I was growing up. My dad still makes something like this - I remember him cooking it for me and Matt a couple years ago, to go with his famous cornmeal-and-rosemary-breaded perch.
My parents would buy vegetables from farm stands on the way home from work in the summer, so when it hit the point in the summer where these particular ones were cheap and plentiful, this sort of thing would appear. My dad worked a lot of overtime, so he didn't cook all the time, but he did the majority of the grilling. So while he was grilling, he and my mom would throw this together inside on the stove.
Ingredients: green bell peppers, yellow summer squash, red tomatoes. Use whatever you've got, of course, but if you have 3 colors, it makes it so much prettier.
In a large pan, heat your fat of choice over medium-ish - I used duck fat. (Yup, I'm STILL using up the fat from that duck.) Throw in the vegetables. All of them. At the same time.
 |
| See how pretty this is? |
 |
| Less pretty, but more yummy. |
You can just season it with salt and pepper. Garlic is a nice touch - I used garlic powder this time because I forgot about it until it was already done cooking. Or, do something more creative, and tell me about it in the comments.
Last weekend I actually had time to check out the u-pick section at the farm where I pick up my CSA vegetables. We have u-pick privileges at 3 different farms included in the price of our share. I came out with cherry tomatoes, basil, and dill. I didn't plan on picking flowers, but a few of these were so big and fluffy that I had to take them, even if they were a bit past their prime. They remind me of muppets.
 |
| I used my phone, since I wanted to play around with the changes to the camera UI that came with the new "froyo" update. This made it difficult to really capture the colors. Also, see that Munchkin box? Who's up for a game? It's been too long. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)