Sunday, July 26, 2009

Art and the Non-Smoothie

Pretty much every morning I start my day off with a bowl of oatmeal.  It usually consists dried fruit; cranberries or raisins, a banana, some nuts, flax meal and a dash of cinnamon.  Since I've moved, I have not been as hungry as I used to.  A lot of adjusting n' such.  So, I've modified my breakfast a tad bit.  It's still ultra nourishing and packed with goodness to start my day off feeling healthy and satisfied.  Almost equivalent to a smoothie, just not blended... 



Take any fresh fruit, I've been lucky to have some local blueberries and raspberries from the backyard in the morning.  It's hard to beat that!  Anyway, mix up any fruit you'd like, nuts and either some cinnamon, agave or maple syrup to top.  I usually toss some flax meal onto my bowl, too.  Don't make the mistake of accidently shaking some cumin on your fruit instead of cinnimon. I of course I did that the other morning... The kick definitely woke me up!  Yee-haw!

On an art note - I've posted a blue print for a new painting I'm working on.  Baker has been staying at his 'Daddy's" while I settle into my new place and get situated with work and school.  So, I've been missing my lil' babe big, BIG time.  What better thing to paint than my dear furry bud!  Below is the starting of his portrait.  

There is art to be done and new recipes to create!  

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Better late than never.

On a whim this past weekend, I got ambitious and planted a garden. Yes, yes, I know it's late; but not too late! There was an extra plot next to the neighbor's that wasn't being used and I knew that if I planted some vegetables I'd feel more at home. I planted some fall goodies; spinach, lettuce, celery, cabbage and broccoli. There were some tomato plants that I salvaged (I hope they make it!) and some eggplants that the man at the garden store gave to me for free. I'll give them plenty of 'mutt' love and water - they'll grow just fine. It will be a bountiful fall harvest!

Below are before and after pictures. I even tossed together a compost, I feel so much better knowing that my food scraps which are 95% organic material will be composted back into the earth rather than rotting in a landfill.

My plot before I weeded and planted. There is a corner of onions and chives that I kept... I had to cut the chives back a smidge, they were a bit overgrown.

After- weeded and ready to plant!

After - Planted and watered. Now, all I have to do is sing some lullaby's and wait...

Monday, July 20, 2009

MIA

It's been forever. Right after I moved I went to a yoga teacher training with Shiva Rea and didn't have an opportunity to cook - but was fed well. The training was at Kripalu Center for Yoga in Lenox, Massachusetts. If there are any yoga nuts that are blog followers, go there! First of all, it's absolutely beautiful, tucked away in the Berkshires right next to Tanglewood. I kept my fingers crossed hoping I'd run into Yo-Yo Ma, no such luck. Secondly, the food is amazing! The meals are prepared with organic and local seasonal ingredients; vegans and omnivores will be pleased with any thing that they put on their plates. I ate very well, yum! Check out Kripalu's web page to see their workshop schedule, there are even some programs just for cooking!

Anyway, it's going on my second week home from my training and am kind of starting to feel a little more comfortable in my new diggs. Tonight, I got home from work early and was ravishing. The thought of picking up veggie sushi or a burrito clouded my hungry mind on my drive home, but sure enough, I talked myself out of it. I still find it a little challenging to cook as I slowly realize I don't have some staples I need to make up some favorite dishes. Thankfully, my Mom came out to visit this weekend and was nice enough to run to the grocery store with me and buy some food for me. Thanks Mom!

Tonight's meal consisted of diced green beans, zucchini and carrots in a spicy chipotle tomato sauce over red quinoa. I garnished with some home grown sprouts. Speedy and deeelish!


I'm excited to get back into the kitchen and whip up some new creations! Check back for more 'ahem' exciting culinary adventures!