...you must be the change you wish to see in the world...

New Years resolutions are all but forgotten by now, but a day to day goal can start right now. Are you taking care of yourself so your children will be able to share their lives with you for a long time? This crazy cycle we are in must be stopped...health care is out of control...new diseases are being discovered daily...medication is being handed out like candy...what we eat affects every part of our being...

...do not diet, do not starve yourself or take pills...make changes in your daily life. Drink more water, read the labels on the BACK of the products you are purchasing, boycott harmful drinks, cook with your kids, take the stairs, park as far from the door as you can, take a hike, walk, stroll in the park, walk your dog, plan outdoor activities, get your butt up and move around. ...being lazy is a choice...which may lead to poor health...

Attached is a video of a young boy making changes in his life...what an inspiration!!!

Portion Size Me: Winter Exercise

...live, love, laugh, learn...

I have started a new post several times over the past couple of months...sometimes it's so hard to write what you truly feel...this blog was started almost a year ago, my love for food combined with creativity and health, was the inspiration. Those of you close to me, also know my love for the world and everyone in it. I watch the news, read blogs, articles and listen to what we are saying. It makes me sad when I realize the direction our world is heading...what happened to the simple life...

• loving your neighbor, I mean truly loving your neighbor

• reaching out to a stranger or a loved one with an open hand, heart and mind

• taking time to 'smell the roses' not the one's in a vase on your counter

• teaching with patience

Live your life, love yourself, laugh when you don't feel like it, learn something new every day...

Today's challenge...take 30 minuets of your precious time and start going through your refrigerator, freezer, pantry, cabinet and secret hiding places; look at every label & read the ingredients. This will probably take several days, but it will be worth it. What do you see? I truly would love to hear from everyone. I have studied labels and health for many years and will probably be able to answer any question you may have, if not I will do the research for you.

To live your life fully, you must love yourself so that others may love you back, laugh at your mistakes, learn so you may teach...all this equals good health. If you want to slow down and even stop this wacky ride we are on...make a change in just your little world...YOU...

As I wrote this, I became hungry...this is the quick salad I put together...play around with the ingredients and of course add meat if you desire, always look to see what is truly healthy...


Vinaigrette

• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Apple cider vinegar
• Oregano, dried
• Extra virgin olive oil
• S&P

Leftover cooked whole wheat penne, vinaigrette, fresh spinach chiffonade (stack & cut in ribbons), avocado, homemade croutons...toss all together

Cabbage is:

• Low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol
• High in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Potassium, Manganese, Vitamin A, Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Iron and Magnesium

The nutritional value and health benefits of cabbage makes it ideal for:

• Maintaining optimum health
• Weight loss

Spinach is:

• Low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol
• High in Niacin and Zinc, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper and Manganese. Also high in Sodium.

The nutritional value of spinach makes it ideal for:

• Weight loss
• Maintaining optimum health

Avocado

• Monosaturated fats – Helps to lower blood cholesterol if used in place of saturated fats.


• Vitamin K – Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in blood clotting. It is known as the clotting vitamin, because without it blood would not clot. Some studies indicate that it helps in maintaining strong bones in the elderly.


• Folate – Promotes healthy cell and tissue development. This is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth such as infancy and pregnancy. Folate is also essential for metabolism of homocysteine and helps maintain normal levels of this amino acid.

• Potassium – In the body, potassium is classified as an electrolyte. Potassium is a very important mineral to the human body. It has various roles in metabolism and body functions and is essential for the proper function of all cells, tissues, and organs: It assists in the regulation of the acid-base balance; assists in protein synthesis from amino acids and in carbohydrate metabolism; and, it is necessary for the building of muscle and for normal body growth.

• Vitamin E – A fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant that protects the body tissue from damage caused by unstable substances called free radicals. Free radicals can harm cells, tissues, and organs. They are believed to play a role in certain conditions associated with aging. Vitamin E is important in the formation of red blood cells and helps the body use vitamin K. At lower levels, vitamin E may help protect the heart. Vitamin E also plays a role in healthy skin and hair.


• Lutein – A carotenoid (a natural pigment) that may be associated with a lower risk of eye diseases. Lutein is an important antioxidant that may help your eyes stay healthy while maintaining the health of your skin. It provides nutritional support to your eyes and skin and has been linked to promoting healthy eyes through reducing the risk of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in adults 65 years of age and older.
  

• Magnesium –An essential mineral for human nutrition. Magnesium in the body serves several important functions: Contraction and relaxation of muscles; Function of certain enzymes in the body; Production and transport of energy; and Production of Protein.

• Vitamin C –A water-soluble vitamin that is necessary for normal growth and development. Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals, which are by-products that result when our bodies transform food into energy. Vitamin C is required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It is necessary to form collagen, an important protein used to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels.


• Vitamin B6 –A water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. The body cannot store them. That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet. Vitamin B6 helps the immune system produce antibodies. Antibodies are needed to fight many diseases. Vitamin B6 helps maintain normal nerve function and form red blood cells. The body uses it to help break down proteins. The more protein you eat, the more vitamin B6 you need.

I know this is a lot of information but you may find this very interesting...

...the loves of my life...

Summer has left us, fall is upon us and winter is about to chill us...Thanksgiving, Christmas and a new year. I just spent the weekend with great friends, listening to great tunes, eating great food. Creating new dishes, with new seasons...not my favorite seasons at all, but life as it is...

Road trip...friends...music...food...creations from the seasons...


Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

• 2 butternut squash, peeled & cubed (3-4 pounds)

• 2 yellow onions, large chop
• 2 apples, peeled & cored
• Olive oil
• Vegetable stock or chicken stock
• Nutmeg & cinnamon
  

Preheat oven 425

Toss squash, onions & apples with olive oil. Spread on two sheet trays & roast 45 minutes or until done. Let cool slightly, place mixture in a large pot, using an immerse blender, puree with stock until smooth and of desired consistency. Sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg & cinnamon to soup and heat.


Cheese Spread

• 4 oz Fontina, small dice
• 2 oz Feta, crumbled
• Plain greek yogurt

Place both cheeses in food processor, pulse with a tablespoon of yogurt until well blended. Add more yogurt if desired. Spoon mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap, roll into a log.


Cranberry Orange Sauce

• 1 package of fresh cranberries
• 1 orange, peeled, cut in half
• Sugar
• 1/4 c water

Place water, cranberries, orange peel, juice from orange & just enough sugar for your taste; bring to a boil, reduce heat & simmer until cranberries start to burst & sauce is thicken.


Curry Crab Salad

• 1 lb lump crab meat, check for shells
• Plain greek yogurt
• Curry powder
• Lime juice

Mix yogurt, curry & lime juice together. I use 1 tablespoon of yogurt, but use as much as you desire. Mix crab meat & yogurt mixture together. Serve wrapped in boston lettuce leaves with cashews & toasted coconut.


Serve the soup with grilled bread, topped with cheese spread & a dollop of cranberry orange sauce.

Leftover cheese & cranberry orange sauce makes a great grilled cheese. Serve with the soup...

yeah yeah whatever...

life as it is...AMAZING! i am so thankful for all my friends...new and old...my family and of course my passion. my whole life I have been hearing 'slow down'...'smell the roses'...'don't work your life away...and my answer has always been...yeah yeah whatever...

stay with me for just a bit...then we will get to the food. grab a spot of tea, mug of coffee, glass of wine, bottle of beer, shot of liquor or a bottle of room temperature water...i would love to have your full attention for the next 15-20 minutes...

do you ever just stop & notice the beauty around you; wherever you are there is beauty...beauty comes in many forms; sight, touch & smell...i have always been surrounded by so much beauty...life is beautiful...

this great big world we live in has so much to offer...explore, live life to the fullest and the purest...smile, laugh, see the beauty...

i live my life with NO REGRETS...i am surrounded by the most amazing family & friends...everyday i am touched by love & kindness...hoping for a perfect day doesn't enter my thoughts...living a perfect day is all i will accept...

i was fortunate enough to drop everything and fly to chicago for dinner...YES FOR DINNER...i would never be able to write about my experience, just know i never stopped smiling...oh yes and tasting...

please check out the link to this incredible dining experience...enjoy the pictures and i will answer any questions you may have...

my passion, my love...FOOD...

yeah, yeah whatever...part II

...tailgating in style...

Tis the season...music and football under the stars and tailgating in style. I love love love getting lost in the sounds of music and the energy of football. What new dish can I come up with for the next event? No one ever knows until the food appears...the excitement begins the moment someone mentions "what are we eating?" Actually those of you that really know me understand that the excitement is there before I hear anything. Food is always on my mind...I wanted to share a couple recipes I've created over the past month for some of the greatest peeps in my life...

Arugula, Spinach & Peach Salad

• Arugula
• Spinach
• Peach, sliced
  
• Avocado, diced
  
• Pumpkin seeds, roasted

Lemon Vinaigrette

• Lemon, zest & juice
• Dijon mustard
• Maple syrup
• Olive oil
• Fresh ground pepper
  

Toss arugula, spinach, peaches, avocado & vinaigrette together. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds. Serve with seared salmon, grilled chicken or roasted pork.












Grilled Shrimp & Arugula Pesto

• Arugula, about 2 cups
• Garlic glove
• Olive oil, 1/2 cup
• Fresh parmesan, 1/2 cup

Blend arugula & garlic glove in food processor until finely chopped, gradually add olive oil; stir in parmesan. Season with s&p as needed.

Toss warm grilled seasoned shrimp with the pesto.


Angel Hair & Sundried Tomato Sauce

• Sundried tomatoes
• Garlic glove
• Walnuts
• Crushed rep pepper flakes
  
• Olive oil

Blend tomatoes, garlic,walnuts & crushed red pepper in food processor until finely chopped, add enough olive oil to make it more of a sauce; season with s&p as needed. Toss with whole-wheat angel hair. If using oil packed sundried tomatoes, check for additional ingredients so you will not over season. If using dry packed sundried tomatoes, soak in boiling water for about 10 minutes.

This dish is incredible served warm, room temperature or cold.












Tequila Lime Shrimp & Scallop Taco

• Olive oil
  
• Shrimp, peeled & deveined, tail off
• Scallops, bay
  
• Lime, zest & juice
• Tequila
• Butter

Drizzle olive oil in a hot skillet; add shrimp, cook for about a minute; add scallops, lime juice, tequila (with caution, may flame) season with s&p as needed; cook about 2-3 more minutes or until shrimp are pink, remove from heat add butter, swirl pan until melted then add lime zest.

Build your own taco with your favorite topping on your favorite tortilla.


Guacamole

• Avocado
• Lime, zest & juice
• Cilantro
• S&P
• Add any spices, peppers & herbs that you like, I like mine simple

Grilled Pineapple & Green Onion Relish

• Fresh pineapple
• Green onion
• Lime, a hint of juice

Grill pineapple & whole green onion until charred. Chop or slice both, toss together with just a hint of lime juice.


Green Onion Sour Cream

• Sour cream
• Green onion, green & white part

Blend all together in food processor, season if desired. The health nut in me uses plain non-fat greek yogurt instead.


Remember to always be creative, add you own flavors. I don't always put measurements because I just use the amounts that I think make sense, one of the many reasons I don't have my cookbook published yet. But for the foodies and creative souls, I know you get me.