Category Archives: Recipes & Food

The New “It” Bag

The New “It” Bag

Envirosax

Like magician’s silk scarves, the woman in front of me began pulling environmentally friendly shopping bags out of her purse.   These were not the boxy earth toned bags I now realized I had left in my car. …again. They were silky nylon, brightly colored, and geometrically patterned accessories.   They were, dare I say, stylish?  As she rolled her colorful cart away from the grocery checkout, and I sheepishly requested, “paper please”, I pondered the environmentally friendly shopping sack as the new “it” bag.   Sure my shopping bags were practical, but attractive?  Never.   I am a big believer in functional design, and love the idea that if there is an item you must carry, it may as well be appealing.  These days, plastic is passé, and though paper will do, to look like a truly savvy shopper the reusable bag is de-rigueur.    While my ice cream melted holes in my paper bags once home, I raced to my computer to track down some pretty shopping bags of my own.  A couple of the brands I found that make carrying your own shopping bags hip, are baggu and envirosax.  Of course I had to purchase my own silky colorful bags to carry, and these bags hold a ton, do not rip, and they fit in tiny pouches or roll up and snap to fit easily in your purse.  I was also excited since then to find flip & tumble produce bags, so I can avoid  plastic at the grocery store altogether.   I have since given them as gifts to my like-minded environmentally conscientious friends, and since they do fit so neatly in my purse, I have no excuse to forget them in the car again.

flip & tumble produce bags

 

 

This post is a modified version of “The New “It Bag” written by me and previously seen on www.amomknowsbest.com

Objects of Desire: Zen Cake

Objects of Desire: Zen Cake

Yin-Yang represents the ancient Chinese understanding of how the universe works. How contrary forces are interconnected, and independent in the natural world, and give rise to each other in turn.
I found this in the bakery case at Whole Foods. I mean, really, how could I NOT get it! Turns out is was as delicious as it is aesthetically alluring. It has a HoHoesque taste , if all the ingredients in the HoHo were fresh and creamy, (not dry like HoHo’s can be…not that I eat HoHo’s often…..) and fluffy! Yum!

Whole Foods Zen Cake

Happy Valentines Day! Watermelon Hearts

Happy Valentines Day! Watermelon Hearts
Happy Valentines Day! Watermelon Hearts

The school that my children go to has cracked down on sweets in the classroom, and many parents were up in arms over this decision.  I think they felt that kids would miss out on birthday and holiday celebrations without the cookies, candy or cake element.    Personally I feel that the kids can still have fun celebrations in their classroom without the sweets. I know my kids get plenty of treats in their life, and  I have been determined to come up with fun but healthy alternatives ever since.  The students really don’t seem to mind fruit instead of candy, and are just as enthusiastic when it is presented in a fun way.   These watermelon hearts that I brought in to my daughter’s class today for Valentine’s Day were a big hit, and SO easy to create. I realized that Watermelon is a great substitute since it is naturally sweet, and can be made into any shape with a cookie cutter. I see watermelon in all sorts of shapes in my future! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Blood Orange Granita Recipe: A Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat

Blood Orange Granita Recipe: A Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat
Blood Orange Granita Recipe: A Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat

The Martha Stewart Clementine Granitas from the Magazine

I adapted this recipe for Valentines Day from the fabulous Clementine Granita recipe I found in Martha Stewart Magazine (December 2011 issue). I served the clementine version on Thanksgiving and for a holiday gift swap and it was a huge hit both times with the children and adults.  I am always thrilled to find a healthful but festive dessert to add to my repertoire.  When I saw the Blood oranges I thought their ruby pulp would create a pretty Valentines Day alternative version to our new family favorite.

 

12 Blood Oranges

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/4 cup water

1/4 tsp Powdered Ginger (the Martha Stewart Recipe calls for 1/2 in peel of fresh ginger but I don’t tend to keep fresh ginger on hand so have only made this with powdered  so far)

1 T lemon juice

Slice the oranges in half, cut around the pulp and scoop it out, leaving the shell. Place the pulp and any juice in a bowl.

Wet the skins and roll in sugar, then place in the freezer to crete tiny bowls for the Granita.

In a pot mix the water, sugar and ginger and bring to a boil. Cool.

Juice the pulp from the oranges, ideally enough for 2 cups, you may need to buy extra oranges to get this amount of juice. Add in sugar water mixture and lemon, and place in a bowl to freeze.

Once frozen (about 2-3 hours) Scoop the granita into the frozen skins, and keep them in the freezer until it is time to serve. Enjoy!

       Happy Valentine’s Day!