Category Archives: Recipes

book club …

September 30, 2011

this month was my turn to host book club.
in our book club, the person who hosts makes some goodies, and gets to choose the book.  i chose to read the happiness project.  i’ve read it before, but it is always a nice book to read over and over, to remind me of little things i need to work on.

 i guess i went with a bit of a french and italian theme, since i ended up making two kinds of quiches, baked brie, crepes with berries, salad with poppy seed dressing, and italian sodas with whipped cream.

the italian sodas were a lot of fun to make.  it was my first time serving them, so i drew up a little diagram on how to make them.  they were delish!

and, it wouldn’t be book club without this amazing, and talented group of friends.  seriously, i love my book club!

our book club has read: (well, what i can remember)
the help
room
the hunger games books
the same kind of different as me
angle of repose
water for elephants
the education of little tree
life after life
jane eyre
something borrowed
the bell jar
sweetness at the bottom of the pie
the happiness project

so, do you have a book club?  what have you read?

green smoothies …

September 16, 2011

Green smoothies are starting to become “all the rage” now-a-days.  Have you tried one?
We just purchased one of those blenders on steroids and have been experimenting with many different types of smoothies.
I really love the green smoothies!  It is nice to be able to sneak in some vegetables for even more vitamins and nutrients!  I have loved just throwing in any produce we need to use up!  And, my kids are smoothie lovers, so it is nice to see them drinking up so many fruits and vegetables!
We have tried out quite a few green smoothies, but this one is by far my favorite at the moment.
{Green Smoothie}
{Makes about 7-8 cups*)
1 cup grapes (green or red)
1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple chunks
1 banana (peeled)
1 small carrot (cut in half)
1 small apple (cored and seeded, cut into chunks)
1 small lime (no need to peel, or 1/2 or 1/4 of a larger lime) *keeping the zest adds a nice flavor!
2 cups baby spinach
3 cups ice
1/4 c rice milk (optional, but you can use it to get smoothie to desired consistency)
Wash all fruit and vegetables well with water.  Place all the ingredients in blender in order listed.
*This recipe is meant for a 64 oz (8 cup) capacity blender.  If you have a smaller blender, be sure to half the recipe.
Blend until smooth consistency.
Enjoy!!

pairing fruits with meats …

September 8, 2011

I was first introduced to pairing fruits with meats when I was a little girl by my French grandfather.  He would always eat turkey with fresh applesauce.   So, as long as I can remember, our family has had fresh applesauce along with our Thanksgiving turkey.
I love to pair meat with fruit!  It really helps to bring out the flavor of the meat, and it really tastes nice together.
If you are new to the idea, here are a few combinations to get you started…
{Pairing fruits with Meat}
click on links for recipes
Pork is also great with apples- grilled, baked, or sauce.
Prosciutto wrapped Canteloupe (This really is amazing!  I used to eat this all the time in France)
Ham Sliced Pear and Swiss Sandwich
Well, I hope this gets the ideas flowing for you!!
So, tell me, what is your favorite way to pair your meat with fruit??