Dick and I joined the Y and have been participating in aquasize classes 3X/week. For a pre-exercise breakfast, we have carbs to provide energy. This morning, I made Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes spread with unsweetened applesauce. For post-exercise, we pack a protein snack to build muscle. Today, I made hummus (with garbanzo beans to supply protein) as a dip for carrots and…

For a sweet treat to top off tonight's tempeh chili supper, I chose a recipe for Vanilla or Chocolate Pudding from an April 2006 issue of Martha Stewart's Everyday Food Magazine. To add my own little spin, I subbed coconut oil for butter and added in shredded unsweetened coconut. The aroma and flavor that these simple changes made triggered childhood memories of…

Grocery store aisles hold little treasures.     The smallest reusable, plastic bowl cover in this set perfectly covers a custard cup or beverage glass. The largest covers a mixing bowl.     

Last Saturday, I bought two packages of local grass-fed ground beef. One pound was destined to be formed into meatballs simmered in homemade pasta sauce.     After tearing an Italian Meatballs recipe from a January 16, 2011 issue of Parade, a mini publication that is included in our local newspaper, the prep began with making bread crumbs from French Meadow Bakery Hemp Bread* using…

As we walked our property in late July/early August last summer, Dick and I marveled at the abundance of bright green clusters of native hazelnuts growing on huge bushes that formed hedgerows along a roadside. We regularly checked on them, until one day, we knew harvest time was near… just a few more days.    Then, in horror, we…

As much as I cringe when I see Christmas merchandise displayed in stores before we've devoured the last few pieces of Halloween's candy corn, I have learned to shift my own thinking to the next holiday a bit farther in advance. This yogurt-based "Raspberry Fool" from Ellie Krieger's The Food You Crave would be a…

My tomato sauce journey began in November when I ordered a pasta dish at a restaurant in Montclair, New Jersey. I could barely carry on a conversation but to say, "This is good"… "oh, this is good"… "ummmm, this is so good!" I set out to recreate it in my own kitchen with only my taste buds…

An orange is elevated to dessert status with this simple cinnamon, citrus. honey flavored drizzle from EatingWell's web site. It paired perfectly with bowls of leftover Kale Quinoa Black Bean Soup.    Honey Cinnamon Oranges 4 navel oranges 2 tbsp orange juice 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp sugar 2 tbsp honey ¼ tsp cinnamon Remove…

Dick bought me a 20-piece knife and block set for Christmas and am I loving it! I have not previously had the variety of knives that I have now, so I am learning to match each knife with their intended purpose. This chop 'n serve knife is thus far my all-time favorite. It allows me to chop, dice, slice, and mince in record…

Dick is usually the one craving chocolate, but today it was me. Kristen Suzanne's Easy Raw Desserts kristensraw.com provided an easy peasy recipe for a chocolate glaze sweetened with agave nectar. Suzanne suggested serving it over her recipe for Raw Vanilla Bean Ice Cream made with cashews, a vanilla bean, coconut water, coconut meat, and agave nectar.…