I am loving the new Traditional Home issue-- and I looked back in some old issues for inspiration and found these pics of a room I love. The colors in this room are very similar to my living room.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Tomato Update
I have officially picked my first ripe tomatoes--here they are right before picking. I have another cluster on my other tomato plant that is getting closer to being ready.
I wish I had enough ripe tomatoes from my garden to make a yummy gazpacho. I made some gazpacho recently for a family at church and wish that I had made more for freezing. It looked and smelled so delicious! Fresh ingredients make such a huge difference (see the green onions, peppers and garlic) and I added some basil and a little cilantro from my herb garden, which made it perfect.
Monday, July 7, 2008
How to Live Longer
I just finished two books at lunch today...yes 2 books. I am always reading more than one book at a time and i have been near finishing these 2 for the past week and finally did it.
I have to recommend one of them: The Blue Zone: Lessons from Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest. This book is fascinating- who doesn't want to know how to live longer? The book examines different "blue zones" which are defined as areas where higher percentages of the population live astoundingly long lives. The author ten examines a few blue zones' peoples groups and cultures to try to figure out what makes them special-why they live longer than the rest of us. He comes up with some suggestions on how we might hold on for a few more years:
1. Move naturally-- be active in your life gardening, walking, hiking etc
2. "Hari Hachi Bu"- Eat until you're 80% full
3. Plant Slant- eat a lot of veggies and fruits
4. Grapes of Life- yay! a glass of wine a day
5. Purpose Now- have a reason to wake up in the morning
6.Down Shift- take time to relieve stress
7. Belong- become involved in a spiritual community'
8. Loved Ones First- make family a priority
9. Right Tribe- surround yourselves with others who have "blue values"
* all taken from The Blue Zone Chapter 6
So, I am going to pick a few of these things that I'm not already doing and start at it. I mean they're just common sense healthy things to do.
I have to recommend one of them: The Blue Zone: Lessons from Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest. This book is fascinating- who doesn't want to know how to live longer? The book examines different "blue zones" which are defined as areas where higher percentages of the population live astoundingly long lives. The author ten examines a few blue zones' peoples groups and cultures to try to figure out what makes them special-why they live longer than the rest of us. He comes up with some suggestions on how we might hold on for a few more years:
1. Move naturally-- be active in your life gardening, walking, hiking etc
2. "Hari Hachi Bu"- Eat until you're 80% full
3. Plant Slant- eat a lot of veggies and fruits
4. Grapes of Life- yay! a glass of wine a day
5. Purpose Now- have a reason to wake up in the morning
6.Down Shift- take time to relieve stress
7. Belong- become involved in a spiritual community'
8. Loved Ones First- make family a priority
9. Right Tribe- surround yourselves with others who have "blue values"
* all taken from The Blue Zone Chapter 6
So, I am going to pick a few of these things that I'm not already doing and start at it. I mean they're just common sense healthy things to do.
Monday, June 30, 2008
My Favorite Purchase of the Week
I forgot to post my favorite purchase of the week from last week- a beautiful gold necklace with a small lower case "e" on it (for Elizabeth). I picked the little beauty up at my favorite little shop Sophie's, which by the way is expanding and I am so glad they have more space for their beautiful little things. I love it! Am I vain? I think it's a little less garish then the "Carrie" necklace worn by Carrie Bradshaw for at least one season of Sex and the City.
The Splendid Table
I have discovered a wonderful new radio show that is on public radio in Nashville, but not around here- THE SPLENDID TABLE. If you are a foodie at all, which I consider myself to be, then this is a show for you. You can download the podcasts for the Splendid Table from itunes, which I have begun doing.
If you enjoy food-talk and new recipe ideas then Lynne Rosetto Kasper can be your favorite new radio personality. You may also recognize that she is the inspiration for the SNL skit where Alec Baldwin is a guest on a call-in radio food show peddling his "Schwetti Balls" (meatballs). Absolutely hilarious. Back to the subject though- Lynne seems to have a food encyclopedia stored in her brain that she can access at anytime. She takes calls from listeners with questions ranging from, "what are preserved lemons and how do you make them?" to, "what kind of appetizers should I serve at my new restaurant in France?". Amazing...and you know, she gave pretty great answers to both of those questions. Lynne also has guests on with her discussing recipes, regional foods, drinks, anything that you can think of food-related.
The SPLENDID TABLE... a must listen!
If you enjoy food-talk and new recipe ideas then Lynne Rosetto Kasper can be your favorite new radio personality. You may also recognize that she is the inspiration for the SNL skit where Alec Baldwin is a guest on a call-in radio food show peddling his "Schwetti Balls" (meatballs). Absolutely hilarious. Back to the subject though- Lynne seems to have a food encyclopedia stored in her brain that she can access at anytime. She takes calls from listeners with questions ranging from, "what are preserved lemons and how do you make them?" to, "what kind of appetizers should I serve at my new restaurant in France?". Amazing...and you know, she gave pretty great answers to both of those questions. Lynne also has guests on with her discussing recipes, regional foods, drinks, anything that you can think of food-related.
The SPLENDID TABLE... a must listen!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Croque Monsieur
I made my first croque monsieur http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croque-monsieur sandwich today. It was delicious!!!! It's a perfectly delicious ham and cheese sandwich with a bechamel sauce on top. This is perhaps the most perfect sandwich man has invented if you ask me. I got the recipe from a cookbook I purchased recently Barefoot in Paris by Ina Garten. As soon as I found the cookbook I knew I wanted to cook just about everything in it and the croque monsieur was first on my list.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
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