Wouldn't You Love to Win One of These?

Sandee of Grace of Autumn is giving away one of her sweet frocks.  She crafts these lovely dresses from vintage fabric - perfect for Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, wouldn't you say?  Go on over, take a look and enter the giveaway!

What the World Eats

From Time Magazine - Part 1, Part 2.  I find this so interesting!  What do you think?

I wonder where Tingo and Ujjain are and whether the lack of processed junk represents a cultural orientation or an economical choice.

Tasty Thursday: Kale Salad

This is a version of Kale Salad made by my coworker's daughter.  Hers is out of this world; I know it is one of those cases of the secret ingredient being love because I add the same things and although mine is yummy, hers is heavenly.  Thank you for sharing with me, Niya!

The particular batch pictured here was made with Lacinato kale.  Normally I use curly kale, but this week Lacinato was available at my CSA.  It was nice to have that variation on a salad I make every week to bring to work for lunch.

One bunch freshly washed kale, chopped
Just enough olive oil to cause the seasonings to cling to the leaves
Sea salt,  freshly ground pepper, dried minced onion to taste
A clove or two of minced garlic
1/4 cup nutritional yeast (I really like the taste of nutritional yeast so I tend to go a little heavy on it)

Toss in a large bowl, cover with a cloth and allow flavors to blend, mixing now and then as you walk by it when you go in the kitchen.  Store what isn't consumed at the first meal in a glass jar in the fridge and enjoy a tasty lunch tomorrow.

Join Rayovac eClub, Get $1 Coupon

Click here to join the Rayovac eClub and get a $1 coupon toward the purchase of Rayovac products.  We have their AAAs in all our remotes since I got a deal on them a while back and I have been happy with their performance.

(This is a personalized lnk.  I will get a coupon as well.)

Gorgeous Farmer's Market Onions and French Breakfast Radishes

Are these veggies beautiful or what?  Just thinking about the fact that the Farmer's Market and CSA seasons are half over is making me sad.  I recognize that I enjoy being in the environment of our CSA farm and the local Farmer's Market as much as I enjoy eating the fruits of the farmers' labor.  It is such a blessing to have access to healthy food and the diversity of what you find at a CSA or Farmer's Market is so much more interesting than going to the local big box grocery chain for the same old, same old.

Tasty Thursday: Quinoa Loaf

I was in the mood for some kind of loaf yesterday.  I thought I could come up with something interesting on The Magical Loaf Studio but I didn't have enough tofu to make what the Studio came up with.  Regardless, The Magical Loaf Studio is a fantastic tool.

I took inspiration from this recipe for a Quinoa Loaf and was happy with my result with only one exception - it doesn't stay together as well as I'd like it to.  I think I should have added more lentils or maybe a Tbsp of egg replacer or a bit of mashed tofu.  What do you think?

It goes without saying that these ingredients are as organic and local as possible.

2 cups quinoa, cooked in veg broth if you  have it on hand
1 cup lentils, mashed
1 cup garbanzo beans
2 heaping tablespoons horseradish
chopped fresh parsley in an amount to your liking
a couple of squirts of ketchup
1 Purplette onion, chopped fine
4 cloves garlic, chopped fine
3 Tbsp Bragg's Liquid Aminos

I baked this in my highly adored Lodge cast iron loaf pan at 375 for 30 minutes.  It is DELICIOUS.  My only disappointment is that it didn't bind together to the point that I could slice it and put it in the toaster oven for a snack.  I was hoping for a loaf that was bound more tightly whereas this is fluffy and loose.  And oh, so delicious. 

Travel Tip Tuesday: Empty Water Bottle Through Security

Yes, I know everything is expensive at the airport.   But did you know that you can bring an empty water bottle through the security checkpoint?  I do it all the time.  Instead of having to purchase a drink in an expensive post-security gift and sundry shop, just find a water fountain and fill the empty bottle you brought with you.

Travel Tip Tuesday: Chuang Yen Monastery

If you are traveling in upstate NY this summer, the Chuang Yen Monastery is a wonderful, peaceful place to pay a visit.  I can remember bringing my children there years ago to see the largest Buddha statue in the Western Hemisphere.  It was so odd to see this giant Buddha sitting out in the middle of the woods - the statue was erected, then the building went up around him.  The kids also liked watching the tutles in the pond.

On weekends you can get an inexpensive vegetarian meal there, but a visit any day of the week will leave you feeling refreshed and serene.