2017 – My Life Runs on Food

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

November 27, 2017January 3, 2022Sanura

Roast Red Pepper, Steak and Feta Quesadilla with Roast Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Words escape my mind in an attempt to write a follow-up to last year’s story, Vanilla isn’t White. Instead, breaking news headlines are a cacophony of words. But, long-live visual artists who have the courage to inspire us into action and remind us that today’s politics aren’t normal. This past summer, The Brooklyn Museum had an inspiring exhibit, We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965–85. Last week, I visited the Whitney Museum’s exhibit, An Incomplete History of Protest: Selections from the Whitney’s Collection, 1940–2017. It was at the Whitney Museum, I read a poem by W. H. Auden: September 1, 1939. It’s an inspirational poem written on the onset of World War II. Sadly, Auden’s words continue to be applicable today.

#SmoothieNumbers 31: Spiced Pumpkin Coffee

October 26, 2017January 3, 2022Sanura

#SmoothieNumbers 31: Spiced Pumpkin Coffee Smoothie

Are temperatures starting to drop? The day is unusually warm for this time of year, while nights are a crisp chill. Global warming causes autumn — as well as the other seasons — to act funny. And, our new government is slowly dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). C’est la vie… but, it’s not normal. Fall for SmoothieNumbers 31: Spiced Pumpkin Coffee. It’s an energizing drink for staying ‘woke’ in a super-charged, political climate, while keeping the spice ‘real’ with pumpkin puree.

Slow Down

October 12, 2017January 3, 2022Sanura

Sundried Tomato Chicken Salad Tacos

To me it’s cleaning the tub at an earlier hour of the evening. And adjusting the bath pillow just so right to maximize the soaking time. It’s sleeping in shy of noon, without waking up to an alarm without guilt of half a day being wasted in bed. Self care is a day of doing nothing without using any type of electronics for entertainment. It’s having a comfortable reading chair next to a sunny window surrounded by books. It’s also about shutting down the news, for only a day, because this isn’t the time to be too comfortable.

Reading the news is overwhelming. From politics to natural disasters to the rise of normalizing aggressive and mean behavior. And, my heart goes out to everyone affected by wildfires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and mudslides around the world.

Smoothie Numbers 30: Rosewater Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie

September 2, 2017January 3, 2022Sanura

Rosewater Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie

Kid you not! This Rosewater Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie taste like strawberry milk straight from my elementary cafeteria days. And, it’s a refreshing drink after running a few miles or doing yoga. Of course, this is a healthier version, but I would like to think those of you with kids, would enjoy serving them a tall glass of this smoothie when there’s no time to cook, but there’s more time for you to work out.

Super Green Pasta Salad to Talk About

July 27, 2017January 3, 2022Sanura

Super Green Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad

Have a story about your favorite pasta salad? Talk to me in the comment section below. In my experience, pasta salads truly are the side dish to a barbecue or special event. Sans meat, it’s a classic vegetarian dish. Meanwhile, we attempt to serve vegans — who don’t eat dairy — a mayonnaise-based pasta version. It’s often an “oops… we spent hours rubbing down ribs with spices and marinating chicken — let’s quickly make a vegetable” dish. As an afterthought dish, pasta salads often taste like no love.