Author: MS

healthy recipe: thanksgiving menu countdown with williams-sonoma in mind

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One of my favorite stores happens to be, Williams Sonoma. I can walk through the store once a week and feel completely inspired to cook a meal just by all the wonderful gadgets and fancy boxed goods they have so perfectly displayed along the selves. My most favorite time to visit the store however, is the holiday season, which is  from late October through early January, and explore what they suggest to include as part of your holiday menu. The most amazing of course is the smell of cinnamon, warmed apples and various other spices emanating throughout the store, enticing you to follow your nose straight to the cash register with something to take home for the holidays. Anyway, in addition to the store’s charm and decor, they have an entire section on their website with recipes for the holidays. Since I am on a healthy eating kick, I couldn’t help but hone in on the Herbed Quinoa and Red Rice Stuffing with Kale and Pine Nuts. Check out the recipe here or below: Looking for …

one of those days in the blog world

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There are days, it’s unusually difficult to feel creative or inspired to do anything. Today happens to be one of those days, where after an excruciatingly turn-offish  campaign season, which lead to the most predictable results, compounded by the fact the weather turned from 85degree sunny and beautiful to an overcast, cold day, I have lost my  inspiration. But, that’s okay, it happens to the best of us. I must remember however to keep my chin up and stay focused and I am sure this feeling too shall pass.

dessert recipe: pumpkin crème brûlée

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I don’t know too many people who do not like Crème Brûlée, maybe that’s a bold statement, but I am almost certain, the fact, the dessert is almost on every menu in most restaurants, is a clear indication it is a favorite. So, since  the holiday season is upon us, here in the U.S., I couldn’t help but fall in love with a recipe I found here, concerning crème brûlée and pumpkins. :). Check it out: 1/2 cup granulated sugar 5 egg yolks 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 1 cinnamon stick 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg 1 vanilla bean 3/4 cup. pumpkin purée 4 tsp superfine sugar reserved for top of brûlée Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the sugar and egg yolks. Combine the cream, cinnamon stick, nutmeg and vanilla bean (de-seeded) in a saucepot, and bring to a simmer. Slowly whisk the hot cream mixture into the yolk mixture through a fine-meshed sieve. Whisk in the pumpkin purée. Divide the mixture among four 8-oz. ramekins and place in …

healthy eats: butternut squash, black beans and goat cheese tostada

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I love the fact, most of us Californians have adapted to healthy eating habits and for that, we are constantly looking for ways to boost the traditional cultural meals introduced  to us, throughout our state. Mexican food is one type of cuisine guaranteed to be a favorite around this part of the country, so when I discover a creative healthy recipe to replace the more  traditional one, I share it. Roasted Chipotle Butternut Squash, Black Beans, and Goat Cheese Tostadas Ingredients 2 cups ¼” cubed butternut squash 1 medium red onion 1 tablespoon olive oil 1-2 teaspoon crushed dried chipotle peppers ¼ teaspoon salt ———————— ½ cup black beans, rinsed and drained if using canned Juice from half a lime 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon olive oil ———————— 4 corn tortillas 2-3 ounces goat cheese Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425˚. 2. Roughly dice onion and toss with cubed butternut squash. Combine olive oil, 1 teaspoon crushed chipotle peppers, and salt. Add to butternut squash and toss again to coat. Roast for 20-25 minutes or …

boutique hotel pick – la bellechasse – paris, france

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During the rainy and gray Fall days, all I can think of is colors in decor and focus mainly on escaping somewhere warm and cozy, even if only for a weekend. Although Paris is approximately 12hours away from where I reside currently, I cannot help but search for colorful and extraordinary boutique hotels which fit my mood.  La Bellechasse fits that very exact feeling.  Check out the bedrooms below:  

healthy eating: substitute the good for the bad ingredients

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This is the time of the year, most of us, choose to eat comfort food and because of that fact, we seldom pay attention to quantity, ingredients and weight management. We can blame it on the colder weather or simply blame ourselves for not making a lasting change. So, while i search for ways to eat healthy, control portions and substitute the good for the bad, I came across the following information here and decided to share it with those amazing people who visit my blog.