Taste the Rainbow

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So we're doing a cleanse again. (Again?, says the husband.) Listen, we've got at least three months ahead full of street fest food, roof top celebrations and dining al fresco -  just trying to start summer off right if that's what we want to call it. Since it's salad season, here's an awesome one (quite possibly better on day two?) if you want to follow along. (I skipped the goat cheese and honey for cleanse approval but it was still super yummy.)

Side note: I've been into kale lately. The chips are ok, but I dig it in salad form. Anything with a 1000% of a vitamin in one cup, K in this case, sounds like a winner to me. K for kale, easy enough. This recipe notes to "massage" the greens, doesn't that sound special? :)

Happy Hump Day folks!

Cleanse Complete!

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At the end of January hubby and I embarked upon our first ever cleanse. Though the idea of a system reset has always been appealing, up until this point the thought of a cleanse terrified me. There are so many options out there, many of which, in my opinion are extreme. And if there's anything I'm not all about, it's extremes. So when I noticed a friend doing this one and sharing what appeared to be normal food (!) on Instagram I picked her brain. Cut to - we ordered the supplements, picked a 10 day slot (the 2nd hardest thing about the cleanse) and planned our weekly menu. Now here we are, cleanse complete and feeling great. But let's recap a bit, shall we?

As a vegetarian my first concern was that I'd starve, feel weak and tired, or just fail. I'm not saying it's healthy, but a bulk of my "fullness" comes from breads and starches. To ease my worries and get excited we geared up with some healthy grocery shopping, and with our friend (aka cleanse coach) created a special Pinterest board with approved meals and tips to make it through.

The rules: no dairy, grains, sugars or alcohol - seems somewhat manageable. I really thought I was eating not too far from healthy. Just cutting out a few key areas. Until you realize that everything has sugar in it, everything. Whole wheat healthy looking tortilla's - sugar, organic marinara - sugar, natural peanut butter - sugar. Ugh! Sure it might not be ridiculous amounts, but I really wanted to do this right, so a label checker / homemade everything maker I became. And here's what I learned:

• This particular cleanse includes a fiber drink for the mornings - Peaches and Cream is the best flavor. Citrus is too chunky, and whatever you do, don't let it sit  - chug it before it solidifies! 
• The second and third day were the hardest. (Should have had more water.)
• Sugar is in everything (did I mention that?)
• Zucchini "pasta" is fabulous.
• Cauliflower "mashed potatoes" are delicious.
• Did I mention water? It's imperative. 
• Two weeks after completion, I'm really sensitive to sugar (not a bad thing I guess.) I used to gulp a venti iced chai from Starbucks like nobody's business but those days are over. Now, my sweet treat is a small glass of almond milk and a piece of dark chocolate, more than that and it's bellyache central.
• I really did miss wine though. And cheese. 

Before we started I had just returned from nearly a month of travel. "Road food" had taken it's toll on me and I felt completely gross. A few pounds were lost, but the ultimate goal was just to feel better, healthier, and make the grossness go away. Mission accomplished. Now I'm having a food research moment and engulfed in this book. 

How are you eating healthy these days? 

Pumpkin Spice Latte

This weekend we may have gone a little pumpkin crazy. Pumpkin pancakes with pumpkin butter, pumpkin lasagna, and the recreation of my favorite fall beverage, the pumpkin spice latte. It was awesome. Wanna see? Recipe below!

Recipe: Makes 2 servings
(adapted from several versions)

2 cups milk
3 tablespoons canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for garnish
1 cup strong brewed coffee
whipped cream
cinnamon, optional garnish

Combine milk, pumpkin, sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until steaming. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice. Whisk the mixture until foamy. Transfer into two mugs, filling each only half full; top with coffee. Garnish with a dollop ow whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.

P.S. More Pumpkin love.

National Vegetarian Week & A Favorite Recipe

So, in 21 years of being a vegetarian this is the first I've heard of National Vegetarian Week. (I'm either really unobservant or the universe has been holding out on me!) Regardless, I love a good reason to celebrate and what kind of vegetarian would I be if I didn't share one of my favorite dishes. It's a relatively new fave, adapted from the Vegetarian Bible that hubby gifted me last summer. (He's a meat lover but has enjoyed all of the dishes I've attempted thus far.)  This recipe involves quite a bit of prep (chopping/dicing) however, that opinion comes from a person who appreciates a great meal but doesn't like going through a ton of steps to make it happen.  (Time is an issue people. But this one is sooo worth it.) It also involves tofu, which, to me, is a hilarious vegetarian sterotype. Most vegetarians I know don't even like tofu, including myself, until I prepared it with this recipe. Consider me a stereotype! This serves 8 - also known as plenty for dinner, plenty for lunch leftovers. Enjoy!

Chili Tofu Tortillas
Makes 8

Ingredients:
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
8 oz. tofu, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 large red bell pepper, seeded & chopped
1 large ripe avocado
1 Tbsp lime juice
4 tomatoes - peeled, seeded & chopped
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
8 soft flour tortillas
2/3 cup sour cream
8 oz salsa
salt & pepper
cilantro sprigs
jalapeño pepper, sliced

Cold Comforts

Lately I'm a sinus-y,  stuffy mess. In our house, we don't do much medicine so here are few things I rely on to get me back to normal, stat!

(clockwise from top left)

NeilMed Sinus Rinse - Twice per day. Not a very pretty process but it delivers results.

O.N.E. Coconut Water - the electrolytes keep me moving. (I drink one daily regardless of a cold.) Setting up replenishment on Amazon is the best.thing.ever!

Boiron Homeopathic Medicines - no matter the symptom, they offer a solution.

Royal Tea Co. Green Tea - it soothes the throat and loads me with antioxidants. I have a constant cup thanks to my brew happy hubby ;)

PomWonderful Pomegranate Juice - after hosting a Pomegranate Party I'm forever sold on the benefits of this stuff. (Check it out to see exactly why.) Eight ounces per day is the recommended dose.

Nasal Strips - like the kind used for snoring...these are my lifesaver at night. They come in sizes (s/m/l), colors (I prefer clear) and even offer a congestion relieving version now.


Other than that it's rest, tissues and kitty cuddles... Here's wishing you a healthy weekend!

It's the Little Things - #9

Salted Carmel Hot Cocoa on a freezing day.
Made with Dark Chocolate - score!

Oh, Deer.

I'm smitten with these photos taken by Feather Love Photography for the 'Girls with Glasses' feature in the holiday issue of Rue Magazine. Coconut (my favorite!), little deer cakes and shiny tinsel...yes!
How sweet is the deer in the first photo, it's like he's looking right at us!

How to Set a Pretty Table

Real Simple featured this quick guide for setting a pretty table and it got me thinking about how when it comes setting the table (which is rare) I can never for the life of me remember which side the fork goes on. It's such a simple thing really but I've never been able to make it stick. Despite my poor memory, I do appreciate a pretty table setting...


Formal settings are about logical placement, positions are determined by order of use.

Casual settings can incorporate more fun with pattern and personality. Did you know that knife blades should face the plate?  According to Anna Post, it's impolite for blades to face other diners.

Sunday brunch setups should flow to avoid pileups. Placing silverware rolled in napkins at end of the line prevents the balancing act.

What type of table setter are you? Nightly, occasionally, never?? We're more of a grab your plate with fork in hand and head to the table, coffee table that is...oh the shame in admitting it!

Pumpkin Love

Autumn has arrived in the Windy City and that means pumpkin products galore!! My favorite thing about fall is pumpkin flavored everything...

A few of my favorites:

The Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

It gets a bad rap due to calorie count so
I keep the seasonal devouring to a handful.

Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale

My beer of choice cranks out an autumn version come September.
Crisp, coppery colored goodness.

 Pumpkin Cheesecake

My annual Thanksgiving contribution begins as early as...NOW!

Pumpkin Soup

Did you know there is a website entirely devoted to Pumpkin Soup recipes?

 Pumpkin Ravioli 

Who else but Martha for a fabulous recipe?

Loaded with Vitamin A, no need to feel guilty!
What's your favorite fall food?

Antique Plate Cake Stands

Once in a while I come across something so lovely that I burst with joy to share it with you and can't type fast enough to get it posted. Finding this darling Etsy shop gave me that feeling...Maybe because I'm still recovering from Mom time earlier this month, or maybe because a touch of vintage makes my heart smile. These southern made cake stands are created out of antique plates and crystal candle holders by Olivia and her mom. If that doesn't make your heart smile...

Of course it's beautiful for cakes but since I rarely bake I'm thinking of lovely alternative uses such as a jewelry catchall on the dresser, a perfume tray on the armroire or a plant stand on the side table. Can't you just see a vase of peonies perched atop?

Pancake Party

Who doesn't love a good theme party? For years I've dreamed of having a New Year's Day breakfast where everyone comes in their pajamas. I think I found my inspiration...

Photos by Our Labor of Love via Ashley Meaders

How do you like your pancakes? I go for peanut butter, banana and a tiny bit of syrup. Nom, nom.

Cakes in Cups

 Photo via Ming Makes Cupcakes

When I was younger my birthday cake of choice was a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake from Baskin-Robbins. While I could never grow tired of it, this Mango cupcake by Ming is looking like a pretty darn good replacement! Who thought of this idea, cakes in a cup? Genius!

What's your birthday favorite birthday treat?

Happy Summer Solstice

The 1st day of summer, the longest day of the year.
If I were hosting a Summer Solstice party today, I'd serve this drink.

Microwave Jam

Photo by Aimee at Simple Bites

Doesn't this look yummy?  You can make it in the microwave!  Maybe I'll dig out my inner domestic goddess and try it out...she's been hibernating through the winter but an 87 degree Sunday should bring her out :)

(P.S. I feel certain I saw this on someone's blog earlier. I saved the link but not the source - if it was you let me know!)

Grilled Cheese Party!

It happened and it was cheesy!!

Last weekend we held our 1st annual Grilled Cheese Party in celebration of April's National Grilled Cheese Month. 

Dinner at the 44th Ward - Chicago's own grilled cheese funhouse - provided the perfect setting.  The sandwiches were yummy, the company was great and the cheese was flowing.

Here's how it went down:

Cheesy, right?

Lovebirds + Links

So I'm on Etsy, browsing for a gift when something catches my eye...

Finding this pretty tea towel

led me to the designers blog 

which transported me to an Australian wedding blog

Where I found what could arguably be the cutest cake ever:

Homemade by Mother of the Bride and topped with custom fabric birds.

How precious!! I need to hug it (without ruining it of course)

See more of the fabulous wedding details here. I insist!

Honey & Jam blog

oooh, I'm so in love with this blog. As you may or may not know, I do not claim to cook well, or at all...But I do appreciate people who do, and especially people who take such pretty pictures of it! If the name weren't sweet enough 'Honey & Jam' - the story is even sweeter, 19 year old Hannah is oozing with talent!

Just look at these pancakes! Too special for a table, they scream for an outdoor balcony breakfast nook, or a country porch on a dewy morning, or a sandy, breezy beach breakfast...aaaahh