Simple Stir Fry: The Technique

Random veggie bits and pieces for stir fry. One of my resolutions was to waste less. Nine days in, I'm feeling pretty great about this goal. The last two weekends I've picked up most of our veggies from the farmer's market; the others hail from our dwindling backyard garden.Having these beautiful, organic, locally grown vegetables on hand makes me feel like they're more special than average grocery store produce which encourages me to avoid wasting any bite. Since I know they're organic, too (and enjoy reading Johnson's Backyard Garden blog about this local produce), I tend to use more of...

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Establishing a Sustainable Diet

Years ago when I started this blog, my food journey was in its infancy. I was just starting to understand the power of food — its impact on the health of our bodies, our communities, and our environment.Gradually, I began to shape my food choices based on my understanding of healthy. It started small, by enrolling in a CSA and learning what it meant to eat seasonally.Since I grew up on a farm, I already knew where real food came from—but there was a period of time (let's call them the 'Lost Years') when I leaned on frozen dinners, bought the cheapest chicken, and scoffed at the prices of organics....

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New Year, New List

Farmers market haul: purple cauliflower, Rio Valley citrus, cabbage, and more. And a yoga mat.A list-maker by nature, you can imagine how many different resolutions I write at the beginning of each new year, each in a different journal or notepad. This one's just for me, I think. This one's for the house. I'll make one in InDesign so it'll be pretty. And while each of my lists has its own verbiage, they're all fairly similar. Here I'll make yet another list: my food-related resolutions.Eat clean in 2013.This means fresh foods (no processed junk!), whole grains, a vegetarian diet, and cutting back...

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On Turning In

I have been trying to find words to say, any words; and while I don't think these are perfect, it is what my heart has settled on. In the past week, there has been plenty of time for reflection. Grief, too, though I personally do not have a connection to the tragedy in Newtown. Each morning I have awoken with the twenty young children on my heart, and the six adults too, and I know I am not alone in this. Last Tuesday, one of my insightful yoga teachers talked about this being the season to turn inward; the natural energy is subdued and introspective, even while the festive holiday season...

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A Birthday Meal

Here's a belated happy birthday shout-out to my main squeeze! Ryan celebrated another trip around the sun just after Thanksgiving, and we did this one right. Instead of a night out at a fancy restaurant, he requested a homemade meal. And I knew exactly what to make. All I had to do was create our own version of this meal from Fast Boy on Vimeo. Homemade gnocchi, a perfect ribeye, and greens. The boiler maker beverages were recommended but not required. A lofty goal, but I was prepared.Preparation is paramount.Like any big meal, this one began with me cleaning the kitchen from top...

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Turkey Day Prep: 5 Things to do This Weekend

The colors of the harvest season.Spoiler alert: I LOVE Thanksgiving.It's a good thing, too, since my family winds up doing three Thanksgiving meals (husband's side, dad's side, mom's side). And then there's the potluck at work. So all told, in the next eight days, I will be participating in four major meals.It's been this way for many years, and happily I've learned a thing or two; mainly that the weekend before T-Day is very important for preparing. Here are my top five tips for getting ahead this Turkey Day.5. Recipe plan. Gather all the recipes you need, and really study them. Assess your pantry...

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On Bread Making and Routines

Homemade multi-grain bread, fresh out of the oven on a Sunday afternoon.Ah, the routine: a simple way of saying that while the world spins in craziness all around, there are certain things that stay the same. Even so, the beauty of a routine lies in its ability to evolve. I love a good routine.In the kitchen, there are many routines that are part of daily life. Breakfast and coffee are made the same way every morning. We enjoy meals together as a family every day, the two of us and our sweet dog (who routinely rests her head on the table while we humans dine). There is a semblance of a routine...

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