Parade Magazine: Watermelon and Shrimp Salad with Vanilla Balsamic Vinaigrette

Watermelon and Shrimp Salad with Vanilla Balsamic Vinaigrette

As we’re at the height of Summer’s juicy bounty, we’re also a few weeks away from the start of a crisp autumn. Continue to savor the taste of summer in a leafy salad tossed with juicy cubes of watermelon, sweet shrimp, and creamy feta cheese with a few crunchy pistachios and celery pieces. While you’re at it, drizzle a lovely Vanilla Balsamic Vinaigrette to bring out summer’s juicy flavors, because autumn is still weeks away.  Read more

Summer in a Hot Kitchen… Not Me!

Zucchini Flower Quesadilla

Since making a full recovery, my weekends are super busy with events, and I barely have time to catch up on household chores, running errands… and this blog. These days, my priority is to have fun outdoors to make up for being indoors during the summer solstice. I’m searching and creating recipes with prepping and cooking times totaling less than an hour. This fast and simple quesadilla recipe is long overdue as I’m hoping zucchini flowers are still on the market.

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Be Active Everyday

Farro Yogurt Muffins with Be Active Tea

Maybe it’s a bit neurotic to drink a cup of The Republic of Tea’s Be Active tea made for each phase of my exercise or daily routine. Since the set of teas is a caffeine-free, herbal blend made with green rooibos–that is full of antioxidants–the benefit exceeds my neurosis. Besides, drinking a few cups is a global benefit (good karma), because the tea is sustainably and economically helping the rainforest and a community in Zeekoevlei Farm in South Africa. It’s why this set of teas are Rainforest Alliance certifiedRead more

Show Thy Body Some Love

Orange and Yellow Beet Salad with Kalamata Olives and Oregano

Ummmm… expecting chocolate? Yes, Valentine’s Day is this week. And, I delivered a salad with oranges and yellow beets. Ha… the ingredients aren’t aphrodisiacal, too. Well, I have other thoughts on my mind. Such as establishing a workout regime in my schedule. I shamefully stopping working out sometime in 2012, and I had the audacity to indulge in any and all pastries without guilt (ohhh… chocolate cake, where are you now?). Last year was an extremely good year, and we celebrated hard. The down side to the happy time, is a first-time in my life struggle with extra weight gain. And, it’s not a happy sight to see… or feel. Damn be anyone who tells me to love my body the way it is. I refuse to accept it, if I’m not working out.

Here’s my excuse: I had two separate foot injuries, dealt with a difficult cough the first few months of 2012, started a new job and running bored me. This week, I finally joined a gym. Instead of being mad at myself for stopping my workout routine, I ended my first day of class by saying, “I’m proud of you.”  Read more

Quick Buttermilk Walnut Bread

Quick Buttermilk Walnut Bread

Quick Buttermilk Walnut Bread
Autumn is supposed to be a depressing time of year, but today my feelings are different from a few seasons ago. I feel happy. Blessed. In the words of James Brown, “ I Feeeeeel Goooood.” This morning we woke up to a warm and crisp day. The boyfriend and I danced to Tina Turner, Jackie Wilson, Stevie Wonder and classic R&B hits from the past. Buttermilk Pancakes were served with walnuts and figs. Vanilla milk was swirled into French Press coffee. As our food slowly digest, we caught the last end of the second Wall Street movie on television. After a busy summer of my boyfriend’s debut on Broadway and me finally getting a job, we finally relaxed on this Saturday morning, the first day fall. Read more