6.28.2012

sweet goodness

Happy Thursday!

I have been cooking up a storm lately and wanted to share last nights easy dinner.

sorry....no pics....it was so good I had to share anyway!

Baked Butternut Squash

This may be the easiest thing to make and it is a beautiful veggie to have on the counter.

ingredients:

1 butternut squash ( any kind will do)
 coconut oil
garlic powder

Pre heat oven to 400

First, cut the squash in half length wise.
Clean all of the seeds from both sides.
Place on baking sheet cut side up.
Drizzle coconut oil thinly across the squash. You don't need much at all.
Sprinkle with garlic powder.

You can always add salt and pepper if you would like.

Bake until the squash is fork tender.





You will have a beautiful healthy vegetable with the sweet smell and taste of coconut.
DIVINE!

Next I made a salad and used whatever veggies I had in the fridge.
Arugula, avocado, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, broccilli & carrot slaw, tomatoes, and nutritional yeast.

And for the dressing..........
Thank you Megan Telpner!

Sweet Tahini Dressing

2 tbsp tahini
2 tbsp grade B maple syrup
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 small lemon juiced
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt & pepper to taste

* I added a little extra lemon to cut the sweetness,
next time I'll use less maple syrup

We ended up putting this on the squash as well.
Josh LOVED it!!

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Wishing you a fantastic day!

with gratitude

xoxoxo











6.22.2012

Hello Dehydrator....how I've missed you

So.....it's been a hot minute since I have used my dehydrator. Last night it was calling my name so I answered!

I had some Brazil Nut Pate that needed some love so I made my fav

I also had 1/2 of an apple hanging in the fridge so I sliced it, added cinnamon, and voila.

Healthy snacks for my Friday at work.

I dehydrated at 115 for about 6 hrs.


I keep the preservative packets when I finish my nori so I threw one in to keep them crisp.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Happy Summer Solstice!!
It's official......summer is here!!

xoxo

6.18.2012

Lucky in Love

This week marks the second anniversary of our wedding!
We were married at the Seagate in Delray and have gone back every year since.
It is always the perfect stay-cation.






Max's Harvest.....sublime.
The chef always makes me an amazing vegan plate!
I must admit......I do cheat for their truffle gnocchi......they are to live for!!





























Rockin' it old school
in my shark watch!
Thanks Hubby.


A special shout out to all of the fantastic fathers who celebrated yesterday!
I am especially blessed and super thankful for these men in my life.
Love you daddy!

Have a great Monday.

peace & light

xoxoxo








6.14.2012

Witch Hazel


The summertime brings fun in the sun....
bathing suits....
water melon.....
days at the beach.....
and sometimes a wicked sunburn!

I always put aloe gel on a sunburn.
Josh lives by this remedy!!

A newer remedy that I have started to use is Witch Hazel.
I know this has been around forever, but, for some reason I am just trying it.

It is AMAZING!
Not only does it relieve and heal the skin, it also has a ton of great benefits for the body.
My skin has never been so soft and I think I might add this to my regular skin regimen.

Do you have any experience with Witch Hazel?
Are there any other natural remedies that you have in your life that you have learned?

Please share!!

Of course sun screen is the most important part of Summer!

My favorite is the spray Kiss My Face
& the KMF face lotion.



They cause no break outs and work really well.

Be safe & enjoy these hot steamy days of Summer!



xoxoxo



6.11.2012

beauty.

As many of you know I spend a good amount of time driving.
Most mornings I am up with the sun and drive to work while it rises into the sky.
I have grown to cherish this time in my day.
Solitude, good music, & Buddy Miles!

On my journey to work I drive through a part of town that has a lot of open land and water. A great habitat for birds. The most beautiful bird, the Sandhill Crane, frequents these parts.
Lately there has been a couple with their two babies!!!!
It makes my day every time I see them & I always look for them.

It gives me hope and assures me that the power of nature is always strong and thriving.


This is exactly what they look like.
The Sandhill Crane has 1 mate for life and is said to migrate south with their young for the summer!!



Welcome to Florida!!

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A few pics from our ride yesterday!







Bike Trail : Palm Beach



Hope everyone enjoyed the gorgeously sunny Sunday!!

xoxo



6.04.2012

Zucchini Boats & Shrooms

Zucchini Boats

Ingredients:

1 medium onion chopped fine
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
 1/2 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
20 oz can crushed tomatoes
( I used 5 medium sized fresh and crushed them myself)
2 cups water or veg broth
1/2 c millet (rinsed)
1/2 cup kalamata olives chopped
1/4 cup capers
4 medium zucchinis
fresh parsley to garnish

next time I will add some sun dried toms for sure!

ORGANIC when possible!



To start:

-fine chop the onion and saute in the olive oil
until translucent about 3 mins
- add minced garlic
saute until fragrant
- add all spices, herbs, salt & millet
saute another 2 mins
- add tomatoes crushing them as you do so,
then add remaining liquid
- add broth or water
- bring to a boil, cover, and then simmer 20 mins

-pre heat oven to 350
- cut the ends off the zucchini and then cut them length wise in 1/2
- set them cut side down in a sauce pan 
- fill pan with water until it hits half way up the zucchini
- boil for 5 mins
- set aside on plate to cool

- add capers & olives to millet mixture and saute another 5 mins
( until millet is tender)

- when zucchini is cool enough scoop out the meat of the inside leaving about 1/4 in
- add mixture to inside of zucchinis
-bake for 20 mins
- let cool & then garnish with parsley before serving









Easy Shrooms
-me

Ingerdients:

3 large portabello caps
1/2 tbsp coconut oil
1 clove garlic
pinch salt
pinch freshly ground black pepper
one gulp red wine
 ( for the shrooms.....you can have a glass!)




start:

-On med/high heat saute sliced caps in coconut oil
-add garlic, seasonings, and wine
-saute until they shrivel up and they soak in all 
of the goodness
- about 15 mins
- as long as they don't burn you can't over cook them!

BTW....the wine was only $9.99...organic from Publix.....nice!

Isa has an amazing catalog of vegan recipes.
This is one of my favorite.
It is light and refreshing....great for the hot summer!!

Happy Monday....have an awesome week.

xoxo