The Path

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ideas Anyone???

So how was your Earth Day? Did you do something extraordinary to love our planet a little bit more? Well, I am looking for some ideas from you! I really want to implement some kind of recycling program for all those tea tins...or just a really good recycling program in general. I was really inspired after reading about Delta's Go Green program. So if you would please email me with some suggestions I'd really appreciate it. You know, I can't come up with all these great ideas by myself! I am really looking forward to reading what you've got to say!

Happy Earth Day!

He who plants a tree
Plants hope.~Lucy Larcom, "Plant a Tree"

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.~Martin Luther

Have a great Earth Day everyone and please do something to show our Blue Planet some love not just today, but each and every day!

Where Do I Find???

I've gotten some emails about my recent post about quinoa. People are asking where to buy, etc. You can find quinoa at Trader Joe's; I've also seen it at Wild Oats and Whole Foods. It's in the pasta/grain section. I don't know if the other stores have it, I've never looked. But I'm sure if you find it at your local Ralph's or Vons you'll let me know! Email me once you've tried the recipe, I want to know what you thought of it.

Foodie Language

Today's word is....
Saute [saw-TAY] Fr. literally means to jump! But in food terms it means to cook food quickly in a small amount of oil or other fat in a skillet or saute pan over high heat.

Did You Know?

Pomegranates, pomegranates, pomegranates! ....Pomegranate Oolong....I've gotten a few emails asking about pomegranates and its popularity...did you know that this fruit is high in flavonoids and antioxidants? (So are red wine and cocoa by the way.) Even pomegranate juice may also help prevent heart disease.

Dinner For Two!

Today's recommended restaurant is one of my many favorites in Pasadena: Fortune Chinese Cuisine located on 60 N. Raymond between Union and Holly Streets 626-577-1888 Great Chinese food that's delicious and not greasy! Great service and they even have some light menu items...check it out! I love their Egg Drop Soup as well as their Won Ton Soup (I'm a sucker for either one). And as far as their entrees goes, it really is a toss up. I haven't had anything that I don't like. Be adventurous and try something new!

Kitty Dining Recommendations

I didn't mean to leave kitty out of the picture, but you've gotta know that cooking for cats is a lot harder than cooking for dogs. For one, they are more selective, to say it nicely, and secondly their dietary needs are very different. It's higher protein diet with different levels of vitamins and minerals - it really is a more delicate balance. It's a lot more common to find people who cook for their dogs than people who cook for their cats. With that said I have had this book recommended to me and it's also gotten a five star rating on amazon.com. I haven't tried any of the recipes myself, but if I do I will be sure to let you know how it went and what the critics had to meow about it!

The Kitty-Cat Cookbook: Special-Occasion Recipes to Brighten Your Cat's Life (Paperback) $10.36

This is just a great book on cat care in general:

Whole Health for Happy Cats: A Guide to Keeping Your Cat Naturally Healthy, Happy, and Well-Fed $11.99 (Paperback)

Recipe for You - Quinoa Salad

This salad is made with one of my favorite grains, quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wa), known as a super-grain because it contains all eight essential amino acids, more protein than any other grain. Quinoa is also higher in unsaturated fats and lower in carbohydrates than most grains.

Quinoa Salad

Ingredients
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons minced red onion
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups water
2 cups quinoa, rinsed
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1/3 cup chopped fresh mint
Black pepper

Stir together lemon juice, onion, and salt in a small bowl; set aside.
Boil water in a medium saucepan and add quinoa. Reduce heat and gently simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain any excess water. Spread quinoa on a baking sheet to cool.
In a serving bowl toss together quinoa, cucumber, celery, mint, lemon juice mixture, and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.

Serves 6-8 as a side dish. Enjoy!

Doggie Dining Recipe

As promised:

Cinnabark Rolls
3 C Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 C Honey
1/4 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1 TBSP Vanilla Extract
2 TBSP Cinnamon
3/4 C Water

Preheat oven to 325. Mix all dry ingredients except cinnamon. Add wet to dry and mix thoroughly. Knead the dough and roll it out to 1/2" thick square. Sprinkle cinnamon over entire surface and roll into a tight log. Freeze for 30 minutes. Remove from freezer and cut into 1/2" thick slices. Bake for 30-45 minutes. Makes 12-18 Cinnabark Rolls...

Email me and let me know how it goes!