bulking up

There are things that the carnivore and I buy in bulk. For example, having two kids under two we have a stash of wet wipes that is chest high and almost as many diapers. This are essentials you don't want to run out of people. We also have some food staples - frozen green beans, canned peas, berries of all kinds, organic milk, avocados, whole grain pasta, organic butter...the list goes on. One of the more recent additions to our bulk purchases is brown rice. This was all part of the carnivore's life style change that had led to many dropped pounds and inches for both of us. We ate rice occasionally before, but now it is more of a fixture on our plates.

But as you know, brown rice can be bland. After reading a NYTimes article about different kinds brown rice and ways to cook them (you can find it by clicking here), I have been inspired to spice things up with our simple side dish. I recently cooked some brown rice in our new super awesome Japanese rice cooker (go figure they know a thing or two about cooking rice - it even has its own brown rice setting!) and tossed it with a bit of butter, salt and freshly chopped cilantro. This made a great side dish to our small corn tacos (sauteed mushroom and spinach for me, grilled chicken and steak for the carnivore) along with spicy black beans. 

The next day I used some of the leftovers to make a quick lunch for the little guy buy mixing the cilantro rice, some black beans and a few bits of the grilled chicken. He gobbled it up. And when I told the carnivore about it the next day his eyes lit up and he kept saying, "I bet that was good. It sounds good." I too could nosh on it all mixed in a bowl by simply adding some avocado and corn to the rice and bean mixture. 

In fact, we may have that very soon...since we do buy brown rice in bulk. What is your favorite way to cook with brown rice? Let me know by leaving a comment below. I need all the ideas I can get!

resolved

I don't make new years resolutions any more. What's the point? I can hardly remember what I ate for lunch, much less what my resolutions were in years past. And no, this isn't a "I resolve not to make any resolutions" post either. Really. I'm just not worried about losing a few more pounds or getting more exercise (thanks to nursing a newborn and chasing a toddler my metabolism is fantastic). I just try to be healthy. Some days I am, and some days I'm not. But if I do it more often than not, I figure it all evens out in the end.


For example, recently I had a series of heavy lunches that consisted of my two bean chili. Yummy, warm, filling, and topped with tons of cheese. Not a light lunch in the least. So this week, I am opting for something less dense - a super food salad. Earthy baby spinach leaves topped with crunchy sweet Gala apple slices, a hunk of silky avocado, and slivers of biting red onion provide tons of vitamins and nutrients. I top this with a few buttery croutons, a simple balsamic vinaigrette, and a bit of grated parmesan (you can lead a horse to salad, but you can't make it stop putting cheese on its plate). After eating this lunch you feel full and fresh. (Good thing, I can't afford to be sluggish with these two babies.)

So, if you are the type of person who makes resolutions, resolve to try this super salad as a part of your new lifestyle. And if you are like me and don't participate in this New Year's tradition, try the salad anyway. It is delicious and healthy. Everyone can get behind that, right?

apple doesn't fall far from the tree

One of the few fruits my carnivore will eat on his own volition is an apple. It seems my son has inherited his love of this fabulous fruit. From Honeycrips to Pink Ladies, Golden Delicious to Granny Smith, my guys like apples in all shades. So to please my guys and get more fiber in their bellies I am always trying to come up with new ways to use their favorite fruit. Of course, I can saute them as a side dish or bake them in a pie, but recently I decided it was the first and most important meal of the day that could use an infusion of fruit. Enter these apple puffs.

To make your own you will need:
1/2 granny smith apple, skinned and slice thinly
1 canister of 8 crescent rolls
4 tblsp of whipped cream cheese
cinnamon
syrup

Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees. Roll out the crescent rolls in one sheet. Pull apart to form four rectangles. Make sure any seams are secure by pressing dough together. Top each rectangle with a few slices of apple, then a dollop of whipped cream cheese on each, and finally a sprinkle of cinnamon. Roll each and place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Bake for about fifteen minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup.

The result is a gooey sticky sweet creamy mess. And you won't hear any complaints about eating fruit for breakfast. Well, unless you have a carnivore like mine that thinks he doesn't like cream cheese. Let's just be glad for now my son hasn't inherited his picky eating gene. In the meantime, it means more apple puffs for me, I mean us, to enjoy.

mess of greens

I'm not sure I have been able to fully convey my new love affair with kale. I have been seeing this leafy green on my plate three to four times a week recently. And, I have been doing it behind my husband's back. The carnivore is not a fan. But, maybe some of you carnivores out there are. So, I thought I'd share my latest recipe using my new favorite green.

Start by sauteeing 1/4 of a yellow onion in 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large soup pot. Then add in one large leek stalk that has been cleaned and sliced. Once these guys are soft, add in about 1 pound of kale. Make sure the leaves are in bite sized pieces. Wilt it down, add more, wilt, add, and so on until it has all been cooked. Then drain a can of garbanzo beans and a can navy beans. Add them to the pot. Finally, add a box of veggie stock (4 cups). Combine the ingredients thoroughly. Add kosher salt and pepper to taste. Put on to simmer for at least thirty minutes.

If you can resist this lovely dish, let it set in your fridge over night so the flavors can fully combine. Reheat slowly on the stove. Top with grated parmesan before serving. And if you are a carnivore, you might want to consider adding some salted pork pieces. They would mix well with the beans and greens. Either way, the creamy white beans and the nutty chickpeas set off the strong leeks and flavorful kale perfectly. Topped with the salt cheese, this soup is so satisfying.

If you haven't tried kale yet, I suggest picking up a mess of greens at your local farmers' market or even your grocery store. Who knows, maybe you will develop your own love affair.

good things come in threes

Okay, I know the saying is bad things come in threes, but I am about to turn all that around with this three ingredient recipe. No longer when two famous people die will you think about who the next is to drop. Instead, you'll assume that's the end of that. Because from here on out, good things come in threes.

This is adapted from a recipe I found in Whole Living's November issue, and you will need the following and nothing more for this delicious and beautiful dark chocolate bark:

20 oz of dark chocolate chunks
3/4 cup of pistachios, shelled and chopped
1/2 tsp of kosher salt

Spray a glass 13x9 inch pan with non-stick spray and line with parchment paper, leaving an overlap. Melt the chocolate slowly. When velvety smooth, pour it into the prepared dish. Top with the nuts. Then dust with the salt. Place in the fridge to set for at least thirty minutes. Break and dive in.

Great for a pretty glass dish on the buffet - but dangerous! Better to divide it up and give out as gifts this time of year. Everyone is sure to enjoy the salty and sweet treat. Plus, the dark chocolate is supposed to have good antioxidants and the pistachios are supposed to rich in B6. We could all use the extra energy boost during the holidays, right? Whoever gets to taste a bit of this bark is sure to agree that good things come in threes.

holiday cheer

It is that time of year again. You know, when we are all supposed to be overwhelmed with holiday cheer and goodwill toward our fellow man and whatnot. But, between figuring out what to get everyone, when we are actually going to do that shopping, and then finding more time to wrap those gifts, you have no time. Oh and don't forget baking cookies for Santa, and the parties you have to attend or host, and decorations (indoors and out), and keeping the kids out of said decorations. Of course, the regular housework isn't going to do itself in the meantime either. There is ALWAYS two loads of laundry in my house. Even if I just did two. I swear. Yay for holidays, right? Alright, having a newborn and another kid under two may mean I am a bit more bah-humbug than normal about all the to-dos that go along with the Christmas season this year. But, I have found a way to unwind at the end of a busy day, that has me feeling more cheery.

I have to credit this idea from a drink I had at the Dogfish Head Brew Pub in Delaware. It was a dreary and cold day, and I not only wanted something to warm me up, but I also wanted to take advantage of my kid free afternoon with an adult beverage. Enter the cinnamon infused vodka apple cider. Yep, you read that right. And yes, it is as good as it sounds.

Upon returning home I thought I would give it a try. I infused my own vodka by simply placing three cinnamon sticks in a bottle and letting it set for a week, shaking it at least once a day. I then placed a good portion (the holidays are the time to indulge, right?) in a mug and topped it with freshly brewed cider.

Needless to say, after a warm cup of this concoction I am feeling the holiday spirit once again. Of course, I won't say it has improved my wrapping skills. Its the thought that counts anyway, right? Oh well, cheers everyone!

not a morning person

If you ask anyone who knows me, especially those who have lived with me, they would tell you I am not a morning person. Of course, like many aspects of my life, motherhood has changed this about me. Not that I enjoy waking up anymore than I used to, but I am more functional if not more pleasant during the wee hours of the day now. Christmas morning at this point in our lives is still a relatively regular hour of waking. I know in the years to come this will change as the kids will rush out to see what Santa brought as soon as they can. Nevertheless, in order to make even this year a bit less rushed I am hoping to make breakfast ahead of time. Having food in my belly and coffee in my cup first thing is sure to make me less Grinchy.



Maybe you are looking to do the same. With all those gifts to unwrap and stockings to unstuff, who has time to cook anyway. Here are a few suggestions for things you can make the night before and munch on as you enjoy what Santa has left behind.



My Christmas quiche is festive in color and filling to boot. Nothing like a big burst of protein to get you going as tear through all those gifts.



You can't go wrong with a nice bread. I have recipes for everyone, from zucchini to banana to blueberry lemon, you are sure to find a recipe of two to please your crowd of carolers.