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Archive for January 10th, 2009

I was reading another article from “Baking Management” about nutrition bars getting smaller but nuttier and healthier.  The nut lately being used is the Macadamia nut which is apparently a pretty healthy nut. Personally, I always thought it was one of the fattier nuts with less benefits than an almond or walnut, for example. 

Another surprise was the use of chia seed in the new bars coming out on our shelves.  The chia, as quoted in the article, “was one of the four main foods of the Aztecs, along with corn, amaranth and beans. It contains one of the highest known natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids, is low in sodium, high in protein, lipids, fiber, and antioxidants, and has fewer carbohydrates than most grains”.    To read the entire article, go to http://www.Baking-Management.com

Ted got his exercise today by bringing up fire wood with his NEW SLED!  Shane was helping but didn’t make the shot.

Ted Hauling Wood

Ted Hauling Wood

Sharing a healthy dinner with you

Rustic Tomato Pie with Wholesome Vegetable Soup

Rustic Tomato Pie with Wholesome Vegetable Soup

Who’s on first?   Wholesome Healthy Vegetable Soup with Black Eyed Peas

Wholesome Vegetable Soup with Black Eyed Peas

Wholesome Vegetable Soup with Black Eyed Peas

1 can Diced Tomatoes
2 green onions, chopped
1 (1 oz) packet Vegetable Soup Mix(dry)
16 oz Frozen bag of Chopped Collard Greens
3 celery stalks, cleaned and chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
10 – 12 baby carrots, chopped
1 can Black Eyed Peas
7-8 Baby Portabella Mushrooms, sliced

If you like you can add about 6 slices of very finely chopped vegetarian “ham” style soy meat.

Vegetarian "ham", sliced baby bellas, Black Eyed Peas

Vegetarian "ham", sliced baby bellas, Black Eyed Peas

1 tsp: salt, pepper, curry
about 10 shakes of Hot Pepper sauce(optional)

Put everything except the beans and mushrooms in the soup and turn the heat on medium high.  Cover with 16 oz of water. Add 1 tsp each: Salt,Pepper, Curry Powder. If you want to add “kick”, add 10 -12 shakes of hot sauce.
Let this all boil hard about 10 minutes. Add the B.Eyed peas and mushrooms, and the “ham” if using, let simmer about 10 minutes. Or you can turn off the heat and let sit, covered, until ready to eat. At that time, turn on low to medium and re-heat about 20 minutes.

What’s on Second?  Rustic Tomato Pie

Rustic tomato pie - Utica Style

Rustic tomato pie - Utica Style

The Rustic Crust (I used a bread maker but you can certainly do this by hand).
1 cup water
2 TBS olive oil
1 TBS sugar
1 tsp salt
1 TBS chopped dried onion flakes
1 TBS Italian spice mix
1 cup whole wheat flour
1½ cup plain flour
2¼ tsp yeast

The Topping
3 TBS olive oil
2 crushed garlic cloves
14 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
1 TBS chopped dried onion flakes
1 TBS sugar
1 tsp dried basil
1 TBS tomato paste
Salt and pepper to taste.
Fresh grated Pecorino Romano Cheese 

Fresh grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Fresh grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Make your pizza dough. Use the “Dough” setting on your bread maker. Once the cycle is over, remove, sprinkle flour on a cookie sheet. Spread the dough on the sheet, trying to get it from corner to corner. If not, don’t worry – remember, it’s “Rustic”.  Preheat oven to 400 and bake 12 minutes until brown.

Make your sauce.
In a pot, heat the oil and add the crushed garlic. Let cook but don’t brown. Add the rest of the ingredients except the cheese and let simmer 35 – 40 minutes. Remove garlic before topping crust.
When ready to assemble your pizza, grate your cheese. Now top the pre baked crust with your homemade sauce and sprinkle on about ½ cup of the grated pecorino romano cheese. Bake 450 for about 15 -18 minutes. Depending on your oven, be careful you don’t burn it.

I’m having extreme problems with text formatting and it’s really annoying me. It just won’t format how I want. Grrr!!!!!

It’s time to call it quits. Get a fire going and put my cold feet as close to the heat without getting burned. You all have a great night. 

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At the beginning of the colder weather, late in 2008, I said I wasn’t going to run outside when the temperature was in the single digits.  This morning, I broke that declaration.  Shane and I trotted along for 6 miles. When I left the house, I thought the temperature said 2 degrees.  It was actually -2 degrees. I was wrapped up pretty warm so the only thing that got cold initially were my hands. They warmed up around the 1.5 mile mark.  Shane only suffered “paw freeze” one time.  The biggest hindrance to today’s run was the ice build up on my eye lashes.  I’m actually surprised I have any left.   When we got home, we jumped into the shower.  I think I had left some soap on Shanes shoulders last time he had a shower so he had to go in today for a rewash. 
Breakfast was a wonderful apple to get started.  This mornings omelet was 1/2 cup EggBeaters, Asparagus, Broccoli, Green Onion, and to spice it up Hot Cherry Pepper Slices – Wah Hoo! I added some blue cheese (not sure I like this b.c, it’s strong tasting), and Roasted Red Pepper Salsa.  Trimmed with fresh dill.
the apple

the apple

the main veg

the main veg

the Wah-Hoo's

the Wah-Hoo's

The Saturday Omelete

The Saturday Omelete

And now, about last night…
We rang in the happy hour with a lovely Chilean wine.
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Chile

Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Chile

Then we got fooling around with the new Eye-Fi (http://www.eye.fi/)  thanks to KERF (http://www.katheats.com) and this horrible thing happened.

That’s a hard day’s work hair head! 

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Hard Work Hair Head

 

But the meal of the night at Danielle’s Valley View went as follows.

Toasted Head Pinot Noir
Toasted Head Pinot Noir

 

 

 

Mixed green salad with oil and balsamic vinegar

Mixed green salad with oil and balsamic vinegar

braided bread and tomato pie

braided bread and tomato pie

Both Ted and I noticed you could taste a lot of salt in the bread tonight. That shaker must have gotten away from Chef.
Grilled Sea Bass with Roasted Eggplant and Tomatoes, Steamed Broccoli

Grilled Sea Bass with Roasted Eggplant and Tomatoes, Steamed Broccoli

The Sea Bass couldn’t have been done any more perfect. It melted in your mouth but not before it burst with flavor on your tongue. Couple with the drizzle of balsamic reduction… complements galore!

Grilled eggplant with tomatoes
Grilled eggplant with tomatoes

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We were fortunate to use some interesting certificates which were a Christmas gift from Ted’s brother Dave and his family.  See more at http://www.simplycertificates.com.  Great gift idea!
 Now it’s on to Saturday chores and fun.  We’ll touch base later – have a great day!

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