Tag Archives: winter

  1. Spice-Infused Winter Sangria

    Spice-Infused Winter Sangria

    Spice-Infused Winter Sangria

    Removing my trip to Mexico last week and that day I had too many margaritas at lunch, this lady does very little drinking these days. My body just doesn’t love it. I enjoy a glass of wine now and again, don’t get me wrong. That being said, 1) I am all about balance and enjoy the holidays and 2) it just wouldn’t be the holidays without a signature cocktail for Tasty Yummies.

    Spice-Infused Winter Sangria

    One of my all-time favorite winter and holiday indulgences is a steamy hot mug of mulled wine. However, living in California, a toasty mug of booze isn’t always what the weather gods have in mind, so I decided to get crafty and combine my summertime favorite, sangria, with the wintery, holiday flavors of mulled wine.

    Spice-Infused Winter Sangria Read the rest of this entry »

  2. 20 Healthy Holiday Recipes to Keep You On Track This Season

    Dairy-free Peppermint Mocha (Gluten-free with Vegan Option) // tasty-yummies.com

    It’s certainly very easy to go a little too hard and overindulge a bit during the holidays. We’ve all been there. You may feel the guilt of not following your usual, more conscious way of eating, but usually more-so you end up feeling the actual physical pain of loosening up a little and not being mindful of the type of food you are consuming.

    I am a big fan of balance, having your fun and letting go, but not at the cost of your health, or the healing you work so hard to maintain the rest of the year. I think with the holidays coming but once a year, it’s important to be kind to yourself, honoring your health and your hard work, while also acknowledging that depriving yourself isn’t the real answer. While it can be easy to use this time of year as an excuse to overindulge, it is also very important to cultivate and hone that same balance you honor throughout the rest of the year. To pick your battles wisely, yet to still allow yourself to indulge a little in your favorites. Rather than spending the first few weeks of the new year detoxing, cleansing and working to reverse any damage caused by going too far during the holidays, I find it helps to simply reach for healthier versions of your favorites, whenever possible. Less sugar, less refined, processed foods and instead more nourishing, whole foods.

    I compiled a list of some of my favorite holiday-inspired and seasonal recipes sure to keep you on-track and in-balance this holiday season.

    20 Healthy Holiday Recipes to Keep You On Track This Season

    Massaged Kale Salad with Sweet Potato Noodles, Persimmon and a Smoky Orange Vinaigrette

    Read the rest of this entry »

  3. Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Maple Turmeric Roasted Pepitas

    Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Maple Turmeric Roasted Pepitas

    Looking at the foundations of optimal health and overall well-being, it is safe to say most of us, whether having endured chronic illness or not, understand that it’s more than just the food we eat and the exercise we choose. Our physical body and the structural state of our person, the environment we reside in, our emotions – they all play a role in the delicate balance within our body. Just as important and often underrated, the subtle body, or our energetics, also contribute to our health and vitality. In a perfect world, these factors all come together in harmony, to allow us to be the healthiest version of ourselves. Balanced, happy, well and at peace.

    When our health is out of balance, we can’t expect to simply change our diet, take some supplements and hit a yoga class or the gym and BAM we’re back to 100%! Sadly, it is never that simple. We are complicated beings, with many layers and levels of complexity that come together to create a unique and very special bio-individual. Ultimately, we seek to maintain balance within our body, but if we are holding onto anything, energetically, it can create blockages which keep the free-flowing nature of our truest self, challenged.

    As part of my current healing plan, I have been approaching my health from all avenues, honoring every modality presented to me and every opportunity to heal. Beyond my yoga and meditation practices, recently I have added reiki to the energetic side of my healing protocol and I am so very fortunate to have an incredible friend and reiki master, Brook Albrigo  living very nearby. I have been spending time celebrating the moon cycles each month, at Brook’s sound healing ceremonies here in Long Beach and now seeing her for one-on-one reiki sessions.

    Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Maple Turmeric Roasted Pepitas

    Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Maple Turmeric Roasted Pepitas

    What is Reiki?

    Have you ever noticed that your first reaction to an injury or pain is to put your hands on that area? Or that when a loved one is suffering, you automatically hold their hand, touch their shoulder or embrace them? We all have this instinct to use our hands to comfort, heal and console.

    Read the rest of this entry »

  4. Strawberry Blood Orange Margarita

    Strawberry Blood Orange Margarita

    There is something about this time of year that I just love. The fresh newness of spring, the feeling of balance in the air with more and more hours of light. Though the winters are not freezing and snowy here in Southern California, the days are still short, the sun sets early and despite what you might think, the nights do get cool. No matter where you reside, as spring starts to creep in and as we get closer to summer, we have lighter and brighter days, everything is in bloom and feels new again. In these first few weeks of the new season however, one of the best things is this “Swing Season”, where we still have the remnants of winter and the beginnings of spring together for a short time. Mostly I am talking about produce. My beautiful local organic produce boxes that have been delivered the last few weeks, have had both the last bits of winter, my favorite being the beautiful citrus like these blood oranges. Plus the new spring fruits start showing up in our boxes too, like these fresh strawberries. With this beautiful, vibrant combination, I found myself inspired to create a gorgeous bright and seasonal Strawberry Blood Orange Margarita, the perfect drink to cheers the arrival of spring with.

    Strawberry Blood Orange Margarita

    While you read this, I’ll be sitting on the beach in Mexico, *hopefully* sipping away on a margarita just like this one. We planned a super quick escape from the craziness of life, with our friends Dan and Debbie, for a 4-day trip down the coast to Playa de Rosarito for a little rest and relaxation. Life has been so busy and hectic as of late, Mark was away for 10 days at SXSW in Austin, meanwhile I have been getting ready for our 4-day Women’s retreat next weekend, plus the Yoga and Yummies event this past weekend and lots of other projects. So, although I will still be working away most mornings while we are in Mexico, you’ll find me practicing yoga and sitting on the beach most afternoons and hopefully finding time to just breath and enjoy being back with my hubby and surround by my friends.

    Read the rest of this entry »

  5. Lemon Garlicky Rainbow Chard with Lentils

    Lemon Garlicky Rainbow Chard with Lentils

    Swiss Chard often gets overlooked as just another green and I constantly find people confused as to what it is or how to cook with it. In my opinion, chard needs far more attention than what it gets. Why is kale getting all the love, anyway? This vitamin-packed, leafy vegetable is actually part of the chenopods, a subfamily of flowing plants that beets and spinach also belong to. Like beets and spinach, chard is packed with antioxidants and vitamins and it’s beautiful, colorful rainbow stems are just perfection.

    The other great thing about chard is that you can eat all of it. Stems and leaves. It’s another, as I like to call it, “nose-to-tail veggie”! (see also my Charred Carrots with Carrot Top Pesto)

    Lemon Garlicky Rainbow Chard with Lentils

    Read the rest of this entry »

  6. Charred Carrots with Carrot Top Pesto

    Charred Carrots with Carrot Top Pesto

    For me, carrots fall into the category of vegetables that I simply don’t give enough love! I find myself thinking of the boring, mushy steamed carrots we were served as kids and I find myself bored before I even take a bite.

    Charred Carrots with Carrot Top Pesto

    I tend to forget how amazing roasted and charred carrots can be. That roasted goodness, where the carrots get tender but still retain a bit of their bite in the middle. The slightly caramelized brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots.

    Read the rest of this entry »

  7. Blood Orange Bourbon Sparkler

    Blood Orange Bourbon Sparkler // www.tasty-yummies.com // @tastyyummies

    With winter upon us, one of my favorites of the citrus season are blood oranges. They are slightly sweeter, a little tart and have the most beautiful color to them. They are absolutely my favorite of all citrus and I truly didn’t know this love, until I moved to Southern California.

    Blood Orange Bourbon Sparkler // www.tasty-yummies.com // @tastyyummies

    For my money, I find that out of all citrus fruits a blood orange lends itself the best to juices, cocktails and other drinks. And the beautiful vibrant hue present in any cocktail crafted with it, makes it that much more appealing and special.

    Read the rest of this entry »

  8. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Spicy Orange-Parsley Chimichurri

    Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Spicy Orange Parsley Chimichurri

    Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Spicy Orange Parsley Chimichurri

    Ya wanna know what I think? I think roasted Brussels sprouts are just about the most brilliant creation ever. I know for many people Brussels sprouts are a you either love ’em or you hate ’em kinda thing, but I would bet even the biggest of haters could get down with these Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Spicy Orange-Parsley Chimichurri. It’s THAT good, people! We got some Brussels sprouts in our CSA box from Beachgreens this past week and I have more oranges growing than I know what to do with and some extra fresh parsley, so this dish was born out of what I had on hand. As most of my favorite dishes are.

    Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Spicy Orange Parsley Chimichurri

    In my opinion, this delicious and flavorful spicy orange-parsley chimichurri is the perfect addition to an already delicious food. It compliments the roasted and toasty flavor of the Brussels in the most perfect of ways. A little  pop of bright sweet, tartness from the orange juice and zest, the wee bit of spicy and a load of flavors from the parsley, oregano and garlic. Oh and be sure to bookmark this recipe, this chimichurri is so amazing on other foods like any of your other grilled 0r roasted veggies, try it with baked sweet potato fries, steak, pork chops, fish and more. Use it as a marinade or a dipping sauce, too.

    Read the rest of this entry »

  9. Slow Cooker Coconut Red Curry Vegetable Soup

    Slow Cooker Coconut Red Curry Vegetable Soup

    With this being only our second winter in California I am pleasantly surprised this year by the cooler weather and the rain. It really feels wintery to me (in comparison to our usual warm and sunny days). As much as I know we needed the rain and I of course wanted it, I really just was starting to believe it didn’t actually happen here.

    Last year was pretty much just hot and sunny the entire winter season, very little rain, it basically just felt like a continuation of the rest of the year. I assumed that was the norm and was really only bummed about it because I was missing comforting winter foods like soups and stews and other winter weather favorites.

    Slow Cooker Coconut Red Curry Vegetable Soup

    This year we have had some wonderfully welcomed grey and chilly days, complete with rain and the need for cozy-time. I’m talking a hot fire, lots of blankets and comforting hot foods and drinks. I have made lot of soups and my love of hot drinks has been taken to a new level. In fact, while I write this, I am sipping away on a steamy mug of dairy-free hot cocoa, while under a cozy blanket, in front of the roaring fire place. I know, I know, those of you dealing with single digit temperatures and loads of snow, probably think this Southern California girl who hails from Buffalo, NY, should shut up about rainy 50º weather, but it’s all relative, friends. Promise.

    Read the rest of this entry »

  10. Roasted Potato, White Carrot and Garlic Soup

    Roasted Potato, White Carrot and Garlic Soup

    Hey guys! Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were perfect and amazing. After a busy final few months of the year, I decided to take the holiday time away from all the work and projects and simply enjoy my husband and our life. Really relish in the magic of the holidays, one of my favorite times of the year. We went to Palm Springs for a few days, went on hikes, to the beach, lots of walks and bike rides in the neighborhood and all that good stuff. It was a break I needed very much and I was happy to get grounded in what really matters this time of year.

    I came back to it all yesterday feeling refreshed and excited for this new year ahead. I had time to get organized and focus on what my goals are for this new year. It always feels good to step away and bring an awareness and clarity to the important things in life.

    Roasted Potato, White Carrot and Garlic Soup

    I made lots of comforting and healthy food during the break, with just a little indulging here and there. We worked our way through all of our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) goodies from our box from Beachgreens. With these beautiful organic Russian banana fingerlings potatoes and the unique organic white carrots, I was simply going to roast them, one of my favorite ways to enjoy veggies this time of year, but with the cooler weather a bowl of comforting soup was calling my name. I had some chicken bone broth in the freezer from one of the chickens we got from our farmer a while back, so it was perfect.

    Read the rest of this entry »

  11. Chai Hot Chocolate {Paleo, Vegan}

    Chai Hot Chocolate

    Wait, someone help me! How is it that Christmas is 4 days away? I feel like since Thanksgiving, life has been on 11 and the last few weeks just flew right on by. This is my absolute favorite time of the year and in a blink of an eye it’s nearly over.

    Since wrapping up all of the end of the year client work and the last few holiday craft shows, getting every last web order shipped out all over the world, wrapping and shipping all of the presents to send back home to our families, finishing my advanced yoga teacher training and all of the various social engagements typical of this time of year, the time to just sit back and relax this season has felt super few and far between this holiday season. We have been taking the fleeting moments where we can get them. Every meal has felt rushed and I have been doing my best to squeeze in workouts and yoga time. Last weekend I finished my final hours of my 500-hour yoga teaching certification, yesterday the last of the packages shipped around 1pm and it finally felt like I could finally breath again.

    Chai Hot Chocolate

    In addition to the crazy schedules, this holiday season has actually brought some really wonderful cooler temps and grey skies here in Southern California, even a little rain. It has been so pleasant and such a welcomed change. With the crisp, cool weather we don’t get too much of here, I have found myself seeking out hot soups, stews and hot comforting drinks! I created this drink a few weeks back, literally in the middle of a thousand things going on. I wanted the rich creaminess of a good cup of hot cocoa but I also was in the mood for a good spicy chai. As a libra, decision making isn’t always my strong point, so I thought, let’s just throw the two together. How could two things that are so right, ever go wrong?

    Read the rest of this entry »

  12. Red Curry Roasted Pumpkin and Fennel Quinoa Salad

    Red Curry Roasted Pumpkin and Fennel Quinoa Salad

    Well, Thanksgiving is officially done and over (insert sad face) and everyone is already onto Christmas (ok, insert happy face). Self included. We decorated the entire house this weekend, inside and out. That said, it is still Autumn, people. Despite the gnarly winter storms that have already clobbered the east coast, we still have another three weeks of fall. I feel like poor fall always gets rushed. We want to hang onto the last bits of summer and then we rush into winter with the holidays. My point is, how quickly we discard all things pumpkin for gingerbread, egg nog, peppermints sticks and the like, the minute Thanksgiving is over.

    Red Curry Roasted Pumpkin and Fennel Quinoa Salad

    Many winter squashes and pumpkins are still in season and need our attention. Don’t leave them in your dust in favor of a Peppermint Mocha, quite yet. You can have your holiday yummies too, but just remember that pumpkins and other winter squashes are still in season. Need more convincing not to ditch these orange beauties just yet? Read this amazing History of Pumpkins from my friend Tori Avery for PBS Food.

    Red Curry Roasted Pumpkin and Fennel Quinoa Salad

    Read the rest of this entry »

  13. Kimchi Zen Salad in Avocado Shells – Gluten-free and Vegan

    I am so excited to introduce you guys to Ella of Pure Ella today! I recently discovered Ella’s gorgeous website and I was instantly in love. Her gorgeous photos and recipes obviously caught my attention immediately, but her excitement for life and he sweet and positive outlook just sealed the deal for me. Today Ella is sharing a beautiful salad that has been drooling. I cannot wait to try this one.

    :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

    Kimchi Zen Salad in Avocado Shells - gluten-free and vegan
    Lately I’ve had this insane craving for Kimchi! And I just had to have it!
    I scoped around several stores in our area including Whole Foods and when I couldn’t find it myself I finally had to ask (in complete desperation) if they could help me find it!
    After rechecking with several clerks I was delivered the news “We’re sold out!” (Ok, let’s expand on that exclamation mark!!!! I was completely shocked!) This was my third attempt and it’s like Kimchi has gone extinct! Or just got extremely popular! Maybe both?
    “Oh no… but I’m pregnant!” It was no use. Kimchi was just a fantasy at that point. There was nothing I could do and no interest at that time to ferment cabbage for 3 weeks before I could get a bite!

    Kimchi Zen Salad in Avocado Shells - gluten-free and vegan

    Days went by and I gradually learned to stop whimpering the word “kimchi” with the fridge door open at lunchtime when preparing my lunch. I haven’t really given up but I wasn’t going to go crazy for fermented cabbage… or was I?

    And then this happened: My sweet husband just walks in through the front door and hands over a jar of Kimchi to me! I jumped for joy and skipped all the way around the kitchen island to plant a big kiss on him! The guy doesn’t do flowers, but he does Kimchi and I was in Love! (with both of them ;))

    The first and last time I had Kimchi before was on our last Summer trip to Montreal, when we enjoyed a stay at a great Asian restaurant in Montreal. I couldn’t get enough of this stuff. My husband didn’t get it. I loved it!

    Kimchi Zen Salad in Avocado Shells - gluten-free and vegan

    So what is Kimchi anyway? If you’re unfamiliar with the latest super-food – Kimchi is a spicy pickled (or fermented) cabbage that is traditionally from Korea. It has a flavour combination of spicy, sour and a little sweet depending on what variety you get.

    It’s been a cultural dish in Korea for nearly 3,000 years so it’s a big part of their daily tradition. Even when taking pictures, people there say “Kimchi” not “cheese” when smiling for their pictures. Fun, right? 😉

    Kimchi Zen Salad in Avocado Shells - gluten-free and vegan

    Read the rest of this entry »

  14. Winter Citrus Salad – Gluten-free w/ Vegan Option

    Winter Citrus Salad - Gluten-free w/ Vegan Option

    I have to admit, I was never really one of those people that freaked out about citrus, I have never cared much about orange juice or sitting down to eat an entire grapefruit. That was until we moved out here to Southern California. The citrus here is just amazing. The oranges, especially, are just incredible, unlike any I have ever tasted before. The fact that we have an orange tree here in our yard is just icing on the cake. Plus we’ve been getting adorable Satsuma tangerines in our CSA box each week. Read the rest of this entry »

  15. Creamy Kale Salad w/ Cracked Pepper Polenta Croutons – Gluten-free and Vegan

    I so happy to have Sherrie of With Food + Love  joining us today as our guest blogger, with an incredible, super-yummy looking gluten-free and vegan creamy kale salad with polenta croutons. Sherrie has been an absolute godsend this month while I am away at Yoga Teacher Training, helping me with all kinds of Tasty Yummies related tasks each day. So thank you, thank you, thank you Sherrie!! 

    :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

    Creamy Kale Salad w/ Cracked Pepper Polenta Croutons - Gluten-free + Vegan

    Hey guys – I’m Sherrie the girl behind the fresh vegetarian + naturally gluten-free food blog, With Food + Love. I’m both honored + excited to be guest posting today on Tasty Yummies. Beth is one of my most fave bloggers – like, ever, and I’m a pretty lucky to girl to call her both my colleague and my friend. Her style is simple, clean + honest; just the way I like it.

    Creamy Kale Salad w/ Cracked Pepper Polenta Croutons - Gluten-free + Vegan

  16. Spiced Maple Roasted Baby Carrots with Toasted Coconut – Gluten-free + Vegan

    *The following post is sponsored by Grimmway Farms. All content and opinions are my own.*

    Spiced Maple Roasted Baby Carrots with Toasted Coconut - Gluten-free + Vegan

    It is a rare thing that I serve carrots as a side dish with meals around here. My hubby Mark tends to be quite vocal about his disdain for carrots, if they are served any other way than raw. However, I have been on a mission to get him to enjoy carrots other than just being dipped in ranch, blue cheese or hummus. So, when Grimmway Farms contacted me to create a simple holiday side dish with their amazing baby carrots, I was very excited for another opportunity to win my hubby over with this nutrition-packed veggie!

    Spiced Maple Roasted Baby Carrots with Toasted Coconut - Gluten-free + Vegan

    Carrots are a nutrition powerhouse and they are just so darn good for you, which is why I am always trying to get Mark to eat them. Carrots provide over 15 essential vitamins and minerals along with phytonutrients and fiber that are important for good health. One serving of baby carrots (85 grams; about 9 medium baby carrots) provides just 35 calories and is a source of over 15 vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, including vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and niacin. Read the rest of this entry »

  17. Grain-free Cranberry-Orange Spice Mini Tarts {Gluten-free and Vegan}

    Cranberry-Orange Spice Mini Tarts - Gluten-free & Vegan

    Since I pulled together the massive recipe round-up list for Thanksgiving this year, I haven’t been super focus on creating recipes for the holiday, since I knew you guys were more than set, but I have just been so inspired by the season and I have been having a lot of fun with the flavors.

    Cranberry-Orange Spice Mini Tarts - Gluten-free & Vegan

    I love coming up with creative and healthy ways to enjoy the flavors of the season. I prefer to make recipes that everyone will enjoy, no matter if they have allergies or intolerances or not, while still accommodating my own personal dietary restrictions. These tarts do just that. They would be a lovely dessert at Thanksgiving or any other holiday gathering. The tart shells have the perfect texture to them, the creamy rich cashew layer is reminiscent of cream cheese and the spiced cranberry orange topping is what holiday dreams are made of. The smell of it simmering is almost as good as how it actually tastes.  Read the rest of this entry »

  18. Mini Caramel Apple Pies with Cinnamon Streusel {gluten-free, vegan}

    Mini Caramel Apple Pies with Cinnamon Streusel {gluten-free, vegan}

    In case you haven’t noticed, I have a thing for mini stuff! Why make a single large-sized pie, when you can have 12 tiny ones? I am not sure where or when this love affair began, but I constantly find myself opting for littler things over the traditional size. (spoiler alert: I have another mini dessert coming to the website later this week)

    When Attune Foods contacted me to develop a holiday-worthy dessert recipe using one of their Erewhon Supergrain cereals, I was excited for the challenge of recreating a classic sweet treat, like apple pie. I opted for mini apple pies with a deliciously simple crust and filling, a crunchy spiced streusel topping made with the buckwheat hemp cereal, all topped with a drizzle of my very easy-to-make vegan caramel sauce.

    Mini Caramel Apple Pies with Cinnamon Streusel {gluten-free, vegan}<

    Read the rest of this entry »

  19. Cranberry Kale Smoothie {Gluten-free, Vegan and Sugar-free}

    Cranberry Kale Smoothie {Gluten-free and Vegan}

    Most of the time, as of late, I am struggling to believe it’s mid-November. Sure the calendar says so, there are lots of holiday decorations at the stores, I even saw the pictures from the first snow my family and friends got earlier in the week in NY. But, being my first year here in Southern California – the excessive sunshine and warmer temperatures are making it really hard for me to believe we are just a few weeks out from Thanksgiving. I have been a tad concerned that it would be hard to get into the holidays this year, with this new drastic change in lifestyle and scenery.

    Fall in SoCal

    On my run to the beach yesterday morning, I passed by a home with a huge tree with beautifully vibrant leaves, falling so haphazardly all over their yard. The tree was more bare than not. I was mid-run and had a really great stride going, but I had to stop and take it all in. Snap a photo or two. It’s the little things in life, this like, that I may have once took for granted, that can now literally stop me dead in my tracks, leaving me with an immense amount of gratitude. I wonder how many people pass that very tree in a day, not realizing just how special it is. It is maybe one of just a few trees like it in our entire neighborhood. Only the second that has caught my attention.
    Read the rest of this entry »

  20. Photo Fun Day Friday

    Well, I am sure you’ve noticed, but it’s been a while since I’ve shared photos as part of my Photo Fun Day Friday series. It wasn’t a conscious choice, but life has just been a bit crazy and more-so just generally out of sorts. After the holidays ended, we were immediately in full-on moving mode and we have just been going non-stop ever since. Here is a just a quick abbreviated visual synopsis of the last month or so. Things are going well over here, we fly out in less than 2 weeks to California to find a place to live in Long Beach, then we fly back to Buffalo pack our car up, grab the dog and hit the road to drive across the good ‘ol US of A! We cannot wait.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    Our gift to my parent’s this year. A family photo session! We had the shoot this past weekend and it was so much fun! Can’t wait to share some of the photos. Such a fun thing to do before we leave town and I will be so happy to have some really nice photos of my family throughout our new home.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year. A ganesha statue from my Mom and Dad. Can’t wait to find a place for it in our new home.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    I love my cozy new slippers from my sister.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    Seri enjoying one of the first big snows of the winter.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    Me and my baby. Holding her tighter than ever after she was released from the emergency vet after ingesting xylitol.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    Mmmm. Pomegranate. (and a sneaky little Seri)

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    At the start of the moving and packing. Surrounded by boxes! (Oh and of course, a nice tall glass of wine)

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    The moving truck all packed up. Sealed it with the kiss of a handstand! Our stuff is all in storage in California waiting for us.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    Gonna miss my old kitchen SO much. We designed it ourselves to be exactly what we needed.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    A sweet card from my lovely friend Alyssa.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    My handsome boy Jpeg, posing for some pics.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    Buddha and incredibly delicious chocolate at Oh Pour L’amour Du Chocolat. Two of my favs.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    Our poor Seri has had a rough month. She broke a nail at the park last week and it was broken so high up they had to sedate her, remove it and wrap it up. Poor thing. She is all better now, thankfully.

    Photo Fun Day FridayMy adorable parents at the family photo shoot over the weekend.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    My kind of dinner. Sauteed kale, red kuri squash, white beans, onions, garlic, sliced almonds, dried cranberries and avocado. It was INCREDIBLE.

    Photo Fun Day Friday

    It has been WAY too cold to go to the park lately, poor Seri is sad.

    Photo Fun Day FridayCarmine, my mom’s cat (aka my little sister’s cat), was posing so sweetly for me yesterday when I was taking photos with my SLR camera. How adorable is that face?

     

  21. Baby Kale and Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Pomegranate and Toasted Pine Nuts (Gluten-free + Vegan)

    Baby Kale and Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Pomegranate and Toasted Pine Nuts

    Happy New Year Everyone!! Is everyone as excited to welcome 2013 as I am? We have a lot on schedule for this year and at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve it all felt very real! We are still in the middle of packing up our house for the big move to California. The moving truck comes on Friday and our house closes in just over a week and we have been working like crazy to wrap up all of the end of year loose ends with the business and to go through the house room by room to decide what is making the move, what can get donated and what can be sold. It has been an arduous few weeks with the holidays squished into the middle of it all, but it was a welcomed distraction during such a stressful time.

    A few days after Christmas we had an emergency scare with our dog Seri, when she got into some gum with Xylitol in it. As you can imagine, this definitely aded to the stress. You can read a little about it here. I do plan to do a post here on Tasty Yummies about our experience, as well. I would like to share my story and get the word out about how dangerous and highly xylitol is for dogs, since the I feel that not enough dog owners know. I am so grateful for the other food bloggers that have mentioned it, otherwise I wouldn’t have known to act quickly. I consciously do not keep it in the house, but I didn’t know it was hidden in so many common things. I was unaware we even had it in the house. She is thankfully (and very luckily) OK now, but it was a very rough few days, my body actually broke out into a full on cold in the middle of it. I could feel I had been fighting it for a few days and I guess the stress of worrying about my baby just brought it on full force.

    With our pooch being back home with us now and yesterday officially ending the holidays and making this move our only focus, the stress of it definitely hit me like a ton of bricks last night. I am not at all a person stricken with anxiety in the least, I consider myself to be mostly calm, but wow, is this move testing me on that. You always hear people say that a big move is one of the most stressful things you can ever go through. They aren’t kidding.

    I have been trying to find as much time to cook as I can in this time, since like my yoga it is one of the most calming and soothing things to me. I made a huge pot of chicken pho when my cold was in it’s full force and it was so perfect! I also made a big feast on New Year’s Eve for hubby and I. Yesterday we had dinner with my family at my parents house and since I am now in full-on clean out the fridge and pantry mode, I decided to come up with a salad inspired by what is in season and in my fridge!

    Everyone absolutely LOVED this salad, which made me so happy! It is full of beautiful vibrant colors and bright fresh flavors. If you can’t find baby kale, you could also use arugula, baby spinach, field greens, frisée, endive, etc.

    I am starting to pack up my kitchen stuff today, so this may be the last recipe post you see for a while. We will be temporarily staying with my parents for a few weeks while we fly out to California to find a house and get everything in order. Hopefully I will have some time to cook for and with my parents in that time.

    What are you most looking forward to in 2013?

    Baby Kale and Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Pomegranate and Toasted Pine Nuts

    [print_this]Baby Kale and Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Pomegranate and Toasted Pine Nuts (Gluten-free + Vegan)
    serves 4-6

    Salad:

    • 2-3 small/medium organic sweet potatoes, cleaned well and cut into 1-inch cubes, I leave the skin on
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
    • sea salt and pepper, to taste
    • 5 cups organic baby kale (or arugula, baby spinach, field greens, frisée, endive, etc.)
    • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
    • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
    • 1 small organic pomegranate, seeded – you are looking for about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of seeds

    Dressing:

    • 1/2 cup olive oil
    • 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice, plus some fresh orange zest
    • 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
    • 2 small cloves garlic, minced
    • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
    • sea salt and pepper, to taste

    (I didn’t need all of this dressing, so use as much as you’d like and then store the rest in a sealed container in the fridge for other salads)

     

    Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil, thyme, onion powder, salt and pepper. Spread into a single layer on a baking pan and roast for 20-30 minutes until they start to brown and are tender. Set aside to cool.

    While the potatoes are roasting make the dressing. Whisk all of the ingredients together. Taste and adjust seasonings, as needed.

    After the sweet potatoes have cooled a bit, layer those on top of the baby kale in a large serving bowl, add the green onions, toasted pine nuts, and top with toasted pine nuts and pomegranate seeds. Toss with the dressing just before serving (you may not need all of it, so add slowly). Grate a little fresh orange zest on top as you are serving.

    [/print_this]

DISCLAIMER: This website is written and produced for informational and educational purposes only. Statements within this site have not been approved by the FDA. Content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise. The reader assumes full responsibility for consulting a qualified health professional before starting a new diet or health program. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. The writer(s) and publisher(s) of this site are not responsible for adverse reactions, effects, or consequences resulting from the use of any recipes or suggestions herein or procedures undertaken hereafter.