Saturday, January 30, 2010

Family Night



I had a lovely evening last night with my family. We stayed in and played a new game and had an amazing dinner. We made Beet and Blue Cheese Risotto, a lovely salad full of colorful fresh vegetables, and toasted ciabatta bread. We were feeling in a bit of a rut with our meal choices, so it was nice to have something new.
After dinner we all played a new game called Carcassonne. It's a highly addictive game of strategy. Joe and I both had dreams last night about playing it.

I'm including the recipe here but I have to say that this was my first try at risotto and if you read any recipes it is suppose to be something hard to learn and to be afraid of. I found it very doable and it turned out wonderful, but I'm not Italian and it could have been an abomination for all I know.
Beet and Blue Cheese Risotto ( adapted from my friend Brandy's recipe):
Ingredients-
1Tbl plus 1Tbl butter
1Tbl Olive Oil
2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic chopped
salt
1 carrot diced
1/2 medium onion diced
1 cup rice - I used Carnaroli
5 cups water or broth, warm
1 large pre cooked and diced beet
1/2 cup parmesan
1/2 cup blue cheese
A heavy medium sized soup pot ( you can use the same pot for the everything)

-Saute diced onion in the o.o. and 1tbl butter for about 5 mins add the carrot and garlic , continue to saute about 5 more mins
-Remove from pan
- Add the rice( you may want to add more butter or oil) saute until the rice turns slightly brown...keep stirring!
- Stir back in the onions and carrots
- Add the bay leaves and some salt
-Add a cup of water, let cook for a few minutes, continuing to stir
-Add liquid to cover the rice and cook for about 30 minutes , keep adding the broth/water as it cooks down. Continue to stir every couple of minutes. I started checking to see if it was done around 20 minutes in.
- When the rice is done turn off the heat and add the 1 tbl butter, 1/2 cup parmesan and 1/2 cup blue cheese. Stir and let sit for a few moments, serve and enjoy!

I had some for breakfast this morning and it was even better after the flavors had melded overnight. Delicious!

Friday, January 29, 2010

The Real Food Challenge

I love accepting challenges but I have a real hard time seeing them through. The Green Smoothie challenge last year is a great example. That said I still accepted to do this one in February. It's 28 days of eating nourishing real foods, something we are pretty good at doing anyway but I'm hoping this will help remind us to be better at it. I'm especially interested in the kicking the sugar part. I'm hoping to get Sylvia on board with this one as she's in need of an sugar intervention anyway. Anyone know of a sugar's anonymous meeting? :^)
Anyway. I will keep you posted on our progress....or lack there of.
I've also made the move to go to the Y 3-4x a week. I figure it's better for me than prozac and it has a similar effect. I feel so much better about myself and my day when I work out . On my good friend's suggestion I picked 4 class that 'fit' into our 'schedule'. ( we have schedule?) I'm going to look at it like a 4th job that I have to show up for . I'm also still doing my year and day jazz. It was on hold over the holidays but I plan to pick it up full force soon. Oh, and I'm also working on getting my Reiki business back in business. If you feel inclined you're welcome to plaster my website around( I'd appreciate it and do the same for yours if you want!). www.reikiforabundance.com
I'm off to organize the kitchen!

BookMooch

I just found out about the coolest website! It's called BookMooch . You get to swap books with people all around the country. If you send a book to someone you get a credit to use for getting a book from someone else. I'm very excited to try it out as I love to read but hate to spend money on a book. I have a few bookshelves full of books that I keep as refrences or as 'friends' ( you know, the ones that make you feel happy just seeing them there). I also have a quite a few books that I read once and don't plan on reading again. I forsee a new home for them soon!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Random Photos

This is what my twelve year old looked like on her birthday morning.


Delicious Gingerbread cake with Lemon-Lime Icing
Project Day

Monday, January 4, 2010

Good Morning Muffins



Dates, hemp seeds, carrots, lemon zest, oatmeal, oh my!
I threw these together this morning with the help of my assistant.

They turned out so moist and flavorful that I'm going to record the recipe to make again. At least as well as I can remember it. :)

Dry ingredients:
1/2 cup oat
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
a lot of cinnamon
salt

Wet:
1 egg
1/2 cup yogurt(blueberry was good)
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbl maple syrup
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/4 chopped dates
1/4 raisins
1 banana ripe and mashed
1/4 grated carrot
lemon zest
vanilla

combine....combine.....then combine :) being careful not to over mix dry and wet ingredients
bake for 25 mins in 350 degree preheated oven.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Happy 2010!

I suggest stepping outside of your own way this year and allow for the expansion of your perceived reality. Step away from the mainstream news(what is more poisonous than Fox?) and make up your own! Do your own commentary and fact checking. Allow for weaker personal boundaries and uncomfortable social situations. Accept the kookiness of others and embrace your own ramblings.
Re write your personal history to reflect the person you've chosen to be today.

You won't regret it. Or maybe you will. As always, the choice is up to you.