TASTE: A Sweet Springtime Snack

Happy Monday, Friends!

I have news for you. I have finally discovered the perfect snack. Or breakfast. Or anything. It's just the tastiest treat. (Okay, I didn't discover it, but I discovered it for myself, you know what I mean.) It's even better than dessert at Max Brenner's, no joke. I've been treating myself to this since I started loading up on extra berries at the Haymarket. Having an abundance of berries around the house makes me feel like the Queen of England. This snack is truly magnificent. Live it up and treat yourself.

This is how I build it (in the order of layers, from bottom to top):

- Greek yogurt (I like Fage, but I don't discriminate)

- Granola

- Strawberries

- Sliced almonds

- Blueberries

- Walnuts

- Shredded Coconut

- Drizzle with Honey*

*The honey I use is from the fabulous honey store that I'm madly in love with. I find excuses to walk through this little boutique, Follow the Honey, far more often than I ever actually need to. They have honey on tap. They have beeswax candles. They have honeycomb jewelry. I can't get enough. Just like this tasty parfait.

I hope this special snack will brighten your Monday and make you feel like the sweetness of springtime is just around the corner :-)

Bon Appetit!

TASTE: Fresh Veggie Homemade Salsa

I woke up this morning to inches of fresh white snow.

I couldn't help but cry out in shock. Yes, it's been on the forecast for days, but I've been willing it away! More snow? MORE??? I mean, we still have icy patches of dirty snow from Nemo. There are thousands of cigarettes burned into each of these disgusting snowy depositories. Selfishly, I wanted to run errands today. I wanted to RUN today. This weather, while it looks positively lovely outside my window, is really cramping my style. I can't drive in the snow! I can't do anything in this weather. I want to see little pink buds on the trees, I want the sun to warm my soul and tan my sallow face. I want to wear sandals on my pedicured feet and sing pop songs at the top of my lungs whilst skipping down the cobble-stoned streets. But it is 30 degrees and STILL snowing. Hmm have I complained enough? I am doing everything I can to beckon Spring: I'm thinking happy thoughts, dressing in neon colors, and making summery foods. Like this homemade salsa (best if served with margaritas).

Take a moment to gather all these

Fresh Ingredients:

- Tomatoes (3-4)

- 1 Onion

- 1 Lime

- 1 Hot Pepper

- 1 Bunch of Cilantro

- Salt and Pepper (to taste)

- Some Garlic (if you really want to add a kick - this is optional!)

The Method:

(is pretty simple)

- Quarter the onion and tomatoes and throw them in the food processor. Blend just a bit.

- Then add the cilantro and 1/4 of the pepper (depending on how spicy you like it!), and blend those as well.

- Lastly, cut up the lime and squeeze all the juice into the mixture.

- Add salt and pepper to taste. Voila!

Yum.

I put my salsa in re-seal-able jars so we can eat it at our leisure. There is no need to ever buy store-packaged salsa again! Now if you really want to get crazy... here is a lunch I've been making with the salsa lately. It has tons of veggies so it feels fresh and healthy. I love feeling like I'm getting lots of veggies in early in the day :-)

Ingredients:

- 1/2 Avocado, sliced

- 1/2 onion, chopped

- 3-4 Baby Bella Mushrooms, chopped

- Some shredded Mozzarella

- A handful of Baby Spinach

- 1 Tortilla

- The yummy salsa you just made!

Method:

Combine all and enjoy! It's even more fun if you have a pretty plate to munch upon. See, you're ready for Spring already.

Happy healthy lunch day!

TASTE: Bacon-Nutmeg Quiche

Yum yum yum.

Happy Saturday! I hope you're enjoying this lovely weekend. Brunch is a weekend staple, so I thought I would share one of my favorite recipes. No matter what season, quiche is always an appropriate go-to. I got this particular recipe from my dazzling mother. Once you get the hang of quiche, you can pretty much whip anything together with eggs and a pie crust and it will turn out hot and delicious. Mmm I love brunch. Especially when my mom makes it. I sit at her kitchen bar and drink coffee and she scolds me for putting my feet up on the counter. It's a marvelous tradition.

Ingredients:

- A 9-inch unbaked pie crust

- 1 tsp. unsalted butter or olive oil

- 1 small yellow onion, chopped

- 2 cups shredded swiss cheese

- 6 slices lean bacon, cooked, crumbled

- 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

- 3 large eggs

- 1 cup low-fat milk

- 1/4 tsp. salt, to taste

- 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a 6-inch non-stick skillet melt the butter (or olive oil) over moderately high heat. Add onion* and saute for 5 minutes or until soft, then transfer to a medium bowl.

3. Toss onion with cheese, bacon and flour. Spread this mixture in pie crust.

4. In the medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and nutmeg.

5. Pour mixture over the cheese, bacon and flour in the pie crust.

6. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes or until center is set.

*Sometimes I add mushrooms and green pepper. The more veggies, the more fun!

Bon Appetit! My husband tends to scarf this down within a day. Hopefully you will be equally as endeared to the tastiness of it. Let me know how yours turns out! Happy brunching!

TASTE: Be Mine: French Crepes

Happy Friday! In celebration of this grand weekend, I wanted to share a delightful recipe with you. And with Valentines Day around the corner, this could be a fun way to surprise your love with a special brunch on that oh-so special day.

This is a super easy crepe recipe that I have indulged in at least half a dozen times. They are fairly simple to make and really, truly delicious.

Ingredients:

- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (I used whole wheat)

- 4 Eggs

- 1 cup Milk

- 1 cup Water

- 1/2 teaspoon Salt

- 1/4 cup Butter, melted

*Keep in mind, this recipe yields about 16 crepes, so I usually divide it in half unless I'm cooking for hobbits.

**Cooking on a griddle makes this even easier. Don't own one? Here is a great, inexpensive option.

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and flour. Slowly add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter, beat the mixture until completely smooth.

2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour the batter onto the griddle, using about 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly. (I used my spatula to spread out the batter in a large circular motion. The batter is thin, so the crepes should be thinner than a pancake on the griddle.)

3. Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is lightly browned. Loosen with a spatula and flip to cook the other side. Serve hot.

Here's where they get a bit fun. You can do savory or sweet ingredients in the crepes. I made two types:

*Sweet Crepes:

Filled with sliced strawberries, bananas and Nutella.

*Savory Crepes:

Filled with artichoke hummus, shredded mozzarella cheese, diced tomatoes and avocado.

I also made an inpromptu brunch beverage: I combined equal parts orange juice and cranberry-pomegranate with a twist of lime. And perhaps a shot of rum. What?? Don't judge. It was afternoon by the time we actually ate...

And voila! Brunch is served. Let me know if you give this recipe a try, especially if you attempt it to impress your Valentine. Bon Appetit!

Sunday Reflection: Developing that Character

Let's Dive In.

I've taken my precious time easing into this new year. Spending five weeks at home in Georgia sort of stunted my dive into the new year; I just kept feeling like I was still on Christmas break. Until last week. Yes, I'm aware it's almost February. The point is, I've had a bit of an awakening.

Oh, Self Awareness. How I (sort of) Loathe Thee.

In the recent days, I've had the privilege to be made aware of a few of my own personality quirks. "Quirks" is a nice word to use when describing oddities in one's own habits and character. I am thankful to have people in my life who love me enough to tell me the truth about my own quirks. (Again, I am using "quirks" to add an endearing characteristic to my somewhat less-than-exemplary qualities. It helps soften the blow.) The point is, we should all be so lucky to have people in our lives to point out our own blind spots. Kind of like when you have food in your teeth. Awkward as it may be, we NEED friends who will tell us. And if you've got them, hold on to them for dear life.

2013 is Here. Whether Or Not You're Ready For It.

The point of my confessional is that the new year is here and I believe that means there is a bit of grace for renewed behavior. I don't mean resolutions; I mean self-awareness. Self-awareness that I am still becoming who I am. And I am quite a bit unperfect. But I have hope!

Get Love In Your Life. The Painfully Good Kind.

If you don't have someone in your life to tell you what's up, I encourage you to get in a relationship that will give you that. Someone who loves you enough to be real; someone who is vulnerable with their own weaknesses and someone who is unafraid to confront. Love confrontations usually hurt but they are significantly important. Because right around the corner of a love confrontation is a glittering opportunity to behave nobly. I believe that.

If you do have a dear friend who knows you well enough to tell you the truth (in LOVE, that's a big part of this arrangement), then I encourage you to seek them out. Have a conversation. Give them permission to speak into your life and help you improve your "quirks" (you're starting to like that word, aren't you?) They will probably be surprised, but I assure you they will be touched by your vulnerability. And in all honesty,what do you have to lose? Your pride? Well, I can tell you from personal experience that losing pride is in your best interest. The possible outcome from this character-enriching experience? Well, hopefully, an even more amazing you.

Character is more important than professional success or fashion statements or intellectual bravado. It is fuel for all the other components of your life to flourish beautifully. Let's aim for that. Beautiful character will endure the seasons of our lives and shine through our wrinkly skin when we're a million years old.