All posts filed under: healthy eating

Food: Something with Sweet Potato, Cheese, Cajun…Amazing

Last night I craved soup – considering how cold the city is THIS Indian Summer (eye roll). We had a sweet potato and ginger boxed soup from, you guessed it, Trader Joe’s. It was missing something I thought, so I added bacon bits, and a side slice of yogurt cheese, you guessed it, from Trader Joe’s :). A day later I discovered this recipe and as usual had to share with all of you probably the BEST sweet potato recipe ever – this site gets me for sure. I mean check this out for the drizzle… 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large or 2 small cloves of garlic, minced or grated 1/2 cup milk + more if needed 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese or smoked gouda cheese + 1 tablespoon flour 1 teaspoon seasoned salt + pepper

Food: For The Love of Trader Joe’s Quick Meals

I used to dread grocery shopping before Trader Joe opened up in my neighborhood because I craved all things organic but couldn’t find it at my local grocery store.  Now I look forward to my grocery shopping day – Sunday early morning – when all the items are neatly stacked and the store is near empty of all the madness that usually happens mid afternoon to early evening. There isn’t much that’s changed in their products, and I couldn’t be happier buying everything organic and putting my meals together every day from scratch. But once in a while I don’t mind a quick pre-packaged option I keep handy for those days I factor in working out after work, or perhaps an errand I need to run. So I was glad to stumble upon these ideas just as well to add to my selection:  

Food: Chicken and Cauliflower Rice

I bought a package of cauliflower Rice at Trader Joe’s over the weekend, determined  to make a spectacular dish out of it. Because the last time I bought the rice variation, it didn’t turn out so well when I sautéed it with a bit of olive oil. So naturally, I turned to my favorite foody site here, and found the best recipe imaginable for Apricot (my favorite) chicken and cauliflower rice dish…and folks, I am on it. In the meantime, I figured I better share it with all of you, just in case we are all on the same page about the apricots, chicken, and cauliflower rice, and wine of course 🙂 {photo and recipe credit click here}

Food: Guacamole in Abundance

I’ve been craving the strangest of foods lately. For example bbq ribs and salad. Mascarpone over fresh peaches, guacamole with slivers of fresh jalapeño, lots of watermelon and salty cheese, and finally tuna soaked in fresh squeezed lemon juice. Not all mixed together mind you. But that’s been my cravings, and no I am not pregnant. So, naturally my eyes lit up when I stumbled upon this amazing recipe I consider a meal more than a snack or appetizer:  

Lifestyle: In This Sort of Mood

San Francisco is pretty dreary in the summer months, and because of it so is my mood. I don’t feel as inspired as I do when I see the sun.  The fact the days are longer, means we see the gloomy  thick layer of fog blanketing the coastline until almost nine at night, the cold forcing us to bundle up, and crave to up the heating system in the house. Oh the irony…or me just being over dramatic. Either way, I am craving for moments like this. which I’ve experienced while on the Island of Capri and Sorrento, or on a beach town somewhere in the French Riviera, simply sitting at a table along some waterfront, eating wonderful food and drinking a bottle of red, and taking it all in. Happy Monday!!!

Lifestyle: You Know What I Miss The Most?

A proper gathering of family and friends, outside of the holidays…that’s what I miss the most. Life has certainly taken a toll on most of my friends and family who seldom get-together at someone’s home for dinner, or cocktails and appetizers and a good old classic film or a board game. No two individuals I know can spare the time to make the time…if you know what I mean. Maybe, it’s an age thing. The older we get the less we make the effort…or we figure Facebook will just have to do…to stay in touch. I would love to  mail, the old-fashioned way, an invite to my family and friends and invite them over for a proper dinner and some good old conversation, and this is how I see it going down: Indoor/Outdoor Set Up:  *inspiration from here and here Pre-Dinner Wine and Cheese Pairing & Catching Up: Salad Exotic for Appetizer:   Main Dish – Coq au Vin & Perfectly seasoned asparagus  Dessert Cake – You had Me with Coconuts and Fresh Fruits: