Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

August 12, 2013

Good Eats- Stuffed Pablano Peppers

Filed under: Food,Life — gardener @ 7:58 am

dinner
In addition to eating well and really being aware of what I’ve been eating, I’ve noticed that this summer I’ve also been on a huge Mexican (or Tex-Mex) kick.    I crave it almost daily, and even on days when I don’t feel like cooking much;  I’ll make something simple like pureed black beans with a little low-fat mexican cheese baked in the oven, but I digress.

This dish to your right is one of the many I’ve whipped up this summer-   I made a mixture of cream cheese- herbs and spices- black beans- corn- roasted chicken breast- low-fat shredded cheese and stuffed these fresh pablanos.   I then baked them in the oven (covered) for a half hour or so, until all the cheese in melted and the peppers had a chance to cook a little.    As you can see here-  I served the pablanos on a bed of arugula, a little avocado, tomatoes, quark and chipotle chili sauce.   DELICIOUS!

So what’s your favorite summer eats?

May 23, 2013

Warmth for the Soul

Filed under: Food,Gratitude,Life — gardener @ 9:54 am

minty
The weather we are having here in the land of Never is definitely much more on the cooler side than it usually is this time of the  year..   I am not complaining, because I know that while the temperatures may be a little on the cooler side-   that there is always something worse.    Like the horrific tornado that went through Oklahoma leaving a path of devastation in its wake.    So you won’t hear me complaining about a little wind- rain and cool weather.  (Truth be told- I don’t mind cool weather at all.)

This afternoon-  I spent some time in quiet reflection and before I did I gathered some mint from my plant outside and brewed myself a cup of tea.   It was refreshing and delicious.  No honey, agave or any other sweetners, just pure mint.    It not only warmed the body- but also the soul.

Life is good.    I smile in amazement at all the wonderful blessings that surround me.   I have some of the most beautiful friends a person could want-  and I’m grateful.

May 20, 2013

Berry Good

Filed under: Food,Health/ Fitness — gardener @ 11:49 am

berry
These days- I’m having a huge love affair with strawberries.  I’ve been eating them every single opportunity I have..  breakfast-   lunch- dinner-  snack.

This was breakfast a few days ago-   Fat-Free plain kwark (which has a higher protein content than regular yogurt- more along the lines of Greek yogurt values), some fresh strawberries and some museli.   Delicious!

Once the strawberries come in full season and are inexpensive-  I’ll stock up and freeze them- very much the same way that I do with blueberries (another favorite).

Today- I made strawberry cupcakes with strawberry Swiss Meringue buttercream for an order-   I didn’t try one, but man they smelled divine..  and since it’s strawberries- they have to be healthy, right?   I thought so too!

January 21, 2013

Surprises

Filed under: Food,Shop til ya Drop — gardener @ 11:21 am

Over the holiday season and throughout our vacation- I’ve done a lot of cooking for a lot of people and also bought some new treats that I haven’t seen before. I love discovering new products and was thrilled when I came across chimes ginger chews, not only for myself (because I’m a huge ginger fan) but also for mom and diddy, since I know how much they love ginger as well. I’ve got that on the list for the next ‘gift’ for them and I can’t wait to surprise them. I love little surprise gifties.

December 8, 2012

Cooking

Filed under: Food,Holidays,Seasons — gardener @ 5:02 pm

I’ve officially started my Christmas baking. Two days ago I baked a Dutch apple tart- a sour cream pound cake, plus an apple, spice cranberry-nut cake. The first two have made it to their homes and the last one will be delivered tomorrow evening. Aside from that, I have a LOT of cookies and other recipes in the mix so I can whip up Christmas trays to give to busy people who don’t have time to do holiday baking.

I love this time of the year.

September 10, 2012

Choices, Choices and More Choices

Filed under: Food,Gratitude,Health/ Fitness,Inspiration — gardener @ 6:50 am

Not too long I read Bob Harper’s book called “The Skinny Rules“. I’ve been on a quest to live a better and healthier life since 2008 where I shed around 100 pounds, but in 2010 when I hit some extremely difficult times- I lost the focus. I still continued with very many of the healthy habits that I’d made an everyday part of my life, but some of them (important ones) fell by the wayside.

I’ve gone back and forth with getting to a place where I can ‘just do it’ and make the big picture a regular part of my life and I take inspiration in any manner I can find it. That’s why I got Bob’s book. I love him on the Biggest Loser- and I thought I could use the extra inspiration. It’s great principals and pretty much how I was trying to live anyway- so it made it easier to see it in black and white. It’s a way of life- not a diet.

One thing that I didn’t do- that I’m now doing- is skipping carbs after lunch. I’m also a huge fan of potatoes- but potatoes make me crave more potatoes- and at the end of the day- even when eaten plain- they pack a punch of calories, so I’m kissing them goodbye. I didn’t eat many anyway- so it’s been easier than I thought.

Sugar is probably my worst nemesis, and with me owning a cupcake shop- it makes it even harder, since when I try new recipes I NEED to try them. But- I’m learning balance and realizing I don’t have to eat two to test a recipe- A bite- or two is enough.

The biggest thing has been exercise- I’ve not been consistent and I see that in my legs and butt- the muscle mass has depleted, so I’m working on a regular routine with added strength training. I’ve only been at it a week, but I’m already feeling different. Stronger- Healthier.

I have the choice each and every day- and I choose to be healthy.

July 6, 2012

Running with Knives

Filed under: Food,Shop til ya Drop — gardener @ 10:00 am

In the midst of my kitchen adventures recently- and most accurately when attempting to cut my baklava before putting it in the oven- I realized that my knives are all in need of blade sharpening. I have attempted it myself- with some success, but for some reason they never seem to stay sharp for long. Do you have a particular method that you use and how does the sharpness factor hold?

May 1, 2012

Surprise

Filed under: Food — gardener @ 10:03 am

This afternoon I was out shopping with Marcel- walking through our favorite garden store and we came to the BBQ section. I rounded the corner after looking at countless BBQ grills and huge party tents and there was a huge display of my favorite BBQ sauce- Sweet Baby Rays. I almost started dancing a jig in the middle of the store. It was new in their assortment and I couldn’t wait to pick up not one- two but THREE 40 Ounce Bottles.. YUM! I see some BBQ pulled pork in my very new future! I love little things like that – It completely made my day!~

April 18, 2012

Eat Your Veggies

Filed under: Food — gardener @ 10:26 am

20120418-192238.jpg. This picture shows the vegetables I bought two days ago. A pound of broccoli, 4 eggplants, 3 zucchinis, 3 bell peppers, a 2 pound bag of pink onions, and 4 pears. Any guess on the price?

I’ll tell you – $11.00! Isn’t that a steal? I thought so too.

I love fresh fruits and vegetables and I can’t wait to put these to use once I get my strength back.

February 1, 2012

Shrimp on the Barbie

Filed under: Food — gardener @ 12:02 pm

With the freezing temps we are having right now- the last thing that a lot of people are thinking about is pulling out their bbq grills and cooking some BBQ, but I will admit- that I’d like nothing more than some grilled potatoes at the moment with a little garlic and butter, plus some grilled shrimp. Marcel is having no part of it- (he doesn’t like shrimp anyway), but he said there’s no way he’s standing out in the cold. I guess I’ll just have to wish that Spring will arrive a little early, or get out there and do it myself. Which is defnitely an idea- but not when it’s 23 degrees.

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