Nourish and Flourish

Goodbye, Hello!

Happy New Years Eve!

Today I'm writing you from...

CHICAGO!

I'm excited to explore this city...

Someday.  

Unfortunately it's not going to happen this trip. I'm only in Chicago for 12 hours...In a high-rise hotel. Next to the airport. And not by choice.

I missed my connection to Washington DC last night, so I'm catching a flight in a few hours. However, I can't complain because my room came with a complimentary made-to-order breakfast this morning! Woo!

Egg white scramble with feta, spinach, onions, and mushrooms + Danon Light and Fit and cantaloupe. Mmmmm.

If things go as planned, I'll be ringing in 2011 at this party later tonight :-)

But I digress...

I've LOVED reading about your holiday celebrations over the past week. I always enjoy learning about different family traditions!

This is one of ours...

Santa likes to bring silly gifts.This year, wax lips candy made yet another appearance in our stockings!

The scene Christmas morning...

Inside one of those packages was a pair of size 18 Timberwolves shoes. Alec wears a size 16 and is not a Timberwolves fan. But it was a perfect excuse to act like one! RAWR!

During Christmas dinner, we wore paper crowns, per usual (it's a British tradition!).

They're found inside crackers like these, which are placed at each place setting at the table.

Carrot pudding with hard sauce--a mixture of butter, sugar and brandy!--was served after dinner (yet another British tradition).

Brace yourself...it's not the most visually appealing dessert.

I may or may not have skipped the carrot pudding in favor of a bowl of hard sauce eaten straight up. (Note my enthusiasm in the previous picture) ;-)

I kid, but it's pretty gosh darn delicious! (Check out the Pioneer Woman's recipe here.)

My dessert of choice was Linzertorte.

I was feeling frisky this year, and decided to try tackling an Austrian dessert delicacy that has  intrigued me for some time.

Lesson learned: If you are an inpatient baker, DO NOT attempt baking a Linzertorte! 

I followed this recipe, but forgot to add the eggs to the dough. Ufnortunately I didn't realize the egg absence until after the torte was in the oven. Oops.

Company was coming for dinner, and I simply could not accept defeat, so I started over.

Then, of course I forgot to set the timer. The torte burned.

But never fear, third time's the charm. It was definitely worth the effort!

Cooking blunders often bring back memories of my first experiences in the kitchen.

Do you remember the first recipe you made? I don't mean Kraft macaroni and cheese or scrambled eggs. I mean a real, multi-step, complicated, high risk-for-failure recipe...

My first attempt involved a frittata, and it happened in 7th grade. Without getting into the nitty gritty of the complete disaster I made, let's just say I'm lucky I didn't burn down the house. Instead of using an oven-safe cast iron skillet, I used a regular fry pan.

We all know where this is going...The handle caught on fire in the oven!

It took me 10 years to buy a cast iron skillet, but I'm so glad I did, because now I can make delicious frittatas like this (without starting a fire!).

Frittata Florentine
 

I decided to make a frittata two nights ago because it was my very last night cooking in my childhood kitchen, and I wanted to make something that had sentimental value.

My mom is moving next week, so I spent most of my break at home packing up my room, sorting through millions of pictures, numerous old journals, piles of stuffed animals and a closet-full of clothes circa 1999. It was a bittersweet experience, but I'm grateful for the opportunity to say goodbye to my childhood home with my family. We enjoyed remniniscing about all the memories created there!

Next week, I'll be making yet another move. I recently found a place to live during grad school (which I start next week as well--eep!).

In other words, lots of exciting changes lie ahead in 2011!

My blogging has been a bit sporadic lately, as I've been preparing for these changes, and it will likely continue to be until things settle down. But please know that I'm still reading!

Much love to you all!

**My mantra for 2011**

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did.

So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

 

It's Green and it Glows

Goodness, I think it's about time we catch up!

The past few weeks have been filled with holiday festivities. I can't believe there are only three days until Christmas!

I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes...

 

And boy, do I ever!...That is, as long as they're not numb. A few nights ago, my friend Elaina and I braved the frigid temps and ventured down to the White House Ellipse to see the National Tree.

After just 10 minutes outside, I definitely did not feel it in my fingers or in my toes!

But when you're mesmerized by a big glowing cone tree, who cares about such things?

 

We made sure to wave to Barack, Mrs. O and the girls as well.

Afterwards, it was time to begin Christmas partying!

Of course, I brought along my mistletoe...

Flattering pic, no? I may or may not have been singing a Christmas carol...solo ;-)

Thank goodness Elaina decided to join me!

(Note: Jen would like you to know that her outfit was an attempt at a "tacky Christmas" look.)

The mistletoe, unfortunately, did not work it's magic that night (I didn't cash in on any kisses), but I did enjoy a few holiday sweet eats.

Since I knew I'd be attending several parties this weekend, I decided to make two large batches of portable crowd pleasing treats: Peppermint Bark and Chocolate Toffee Crunch.

Peppermint Bark

Chocolate Toffee Crunch

I enjoyed several pieces of both, as well as a slice of a delicious mushroom tart made by my friend Alexandra.

The next night, I headed to my brother's caroling party. (He's in the Santa hat).

While I was there, I enjoyed a piece of this very luscious tiramisu, made by my brother's Italian housemate, Sofia.

It was simply ah. maaze. ing. Tiramisu isn't a dessert that I typically drool over, but eating this  definitely changed my mind.

The gluten didn't bother my tummy either! :-)

It was a very late night filled with singing and general holiday merriment, which was all good until the next morning, when my alarm began blaring at 7:00 am.  It's a miracle that I made it to the gym! My workout lasted just 20 minutes, but it felt good to get my blood flowing before sitting on planes for the rest of the day.

Oh how I wish there were direct flights from Washington DC to Boise!

Eight hours (and three Delta peanut packets later--love them!), I was home.

Check out what was waiting for me on the kitchen counter when I walked in the door...

 
My blogger gift exchange package!

It felt like Christmas morning!

Katie from Healthy Heddleston was more than generous with her gift! As you can see, the package contained a number of fun goodies: fuzzy holiday socks (which I LOVE!), a snowman ornament, red and green nail polish (so festive!), and a bunch of yummy food items.

Thanks, so much Katie! (And a huge thanks to Tina, as well, for organizing the gift exchange).

I immediately tore open an EnviroKidz Organic Crispy Rice Peanut Choco Drizzle Bar.

This mini bar was delicious. If a Reece's peanut butter cup and a rice crispy treat had a baby this would be it! I have a feeling these will soon become afternoon snack staples. :)

Okay, I'm off to do some late nightbaking! But before I go, I'd like to share my dinner tonight.

A lightened version of Chile Rellenos Cheese Bake. I'm a casserole girl at heart. :-)

Recipe to come in the next post!

Love you all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa, Have a Heart

Dear Santa,

I know things get pretty stressful for you this time of year, but in the off chance that you have time to read another Wish List, I thought I'd send mine your way. :-)

All I want for Christmas is...

A kiss under the mistletoe,

...A free ride in your sleigh (guided by Rudolph, of course),

...And a taste or two (or three or four or five or 100,000) of the cookies left out for you at each house.

(I baked these today for a cookie exchange!)

White Chocolate Cranberry Macadamia Bars <---(click for recipe)

Chocolate Oat Bars <---click!
My favorite cookie in the entire world (really)

However, if your elves find some spare time to manufacture one of these fun foodie gifts, their generocity would be icing on the cupcake.

  Cupcake Hat

It's been a long time since I've eaten a slice of bacon, but I learned a few months ago that I enjoy it tremendously in chocolate bars! However, that's so three months ago. Trending now? Pancake mix!

Mo's Bacon Choco Chip Pancake Mix

They'd be even more fun to eat if made in this:

Mini Panda Skillet

And while we're at it...

Bacon Wallet

If I'm going to be eating bacon pancakes, I'll most definitely need a bacon wallet! Santa, I bet you've had a lot of requests for these! ;-)

If there's no time to cook a fancy breakfast in the morning, waffle floss  might be a great alternative...

Breakfast Floss Set

(Who comes up with these ideas? Hehe) :-)

When I'm in the mood for something a bit more sophisticated and fancy schmancy, this might be nice...

Sushezi Sushi Maker

It rolls sushi for you! How cool is that?

And when I'm feeling frisky, I'd love to have one of these on the table!

 

Condiment Gun

 

This would take food fights to a whole new level. ;-)

Santa, okay, I understand that this list may be a bit ambitious, so instead of the items above, maybe you could give me, and women around the world, the gift of helping out a great cause?

A few days ago, Kristen from Nature Made wrote to tell me about the 100,000 Heartbeats Campaign. The campaign is designed to raise awareness, support and $100K for WomenHeart's heart health initiatives. Nature Made has partnered with WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease in this effort. YOU can donate $3.00 by clicking the link below and then interacting with the widget.

<3 Click HERE! <3

Please help support this great cause!

***I hope you're all filled with JOY this holiday season!***

If you ate Christmas cookies this weekend, which was your favorite?

 

 

 

Review: The Matador and the Kiss

Have you ever chosen to eat a restaurant just because you liked the name?

A few nights ago I met my longtime friend, Meg, for dinner at The Matador. The moment I learned that there was a new restaurant in Boise named after men that fight bulls in Spain, I was ready to give it a go.

It took us about 20 minutes to decide what we wanted to eat, mainly because we were too busy munching on complimentary tortilla chips and salsa (AWESOME salsa!) and chatting about life over the past three months.

We eventually settled on two appetizers and one salad:

Blackened Ahi with Green Apple Slaw--pan seared Ahi truna accompanied with a spicy Granny Smith slaw and sesame soy dipping sauce

Spinach Pear Salad--organic baby spinach, sliced pears, queso fresco and pine nuts. Served with a goat cheese balsamic vinaigrette.

 Pan Seared Scallops--Fresh Alaskan scallops quickly seared and finished with a roasted tomatillo-sour cream sauce.

Hi, Meg!

The Matador, despite it's Spanish name, features a Tex Mex-inspired menu, as well as a bar that offers 95 varieties of tequila!The dining experience is enhanced by a the decor; inticate woodworking, antique-looking light fixtures, ironwork and a fire place make the ambience warm and inviting.

I was very impressed with the dishes we ordered--especially the tuna, which was possibly the best Ahi I've eaten all year--and will definitely be returning to The Matador soon to try other items on the menu.

Later that night I was craving something sweet. I figured since I'd already eaten Tex Mex, why not hop across the pond and continue with the evening's international-eating theme?

I've never met a Kiss I didn't like, so I was excited when I spotted a new-to-me flavor at Target a few days ago. Irish creme chocolate? Yes please!

Irish creme is a liquer made of whiskey, cream and coffee--pretty delicious if you ask me, but I was skeptical about how those flavors would mesh with chocolate.

A warm, sweet coffee-like aroma filled the air when I opened the bag. I peeled off one of the shiny gold wrappers and cut the chocolate in half so that I could get a better look inside.

Creme filling is usually my weakness, however, I'm afraid I have to make an exception. I took one bite and spit it out. Blech!

These kisses SUPER sweet and have a fake alcohol flavor that completely overpowers the chocolate. :-(

If you're pining for Kisses this holiday season, I highly recommend you forgo the Irish Cremes and try one or all of the following flavors: Candycane, Meltaway and Caramel.They may not be as sophisticated as European chocolate varieties, but I love Kisses because they're perfectly portioned, fun to eat, and easy to pack in your bag when you need a little pick-me-up. :-)

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Modification! Please vote for me in the Laughing Cow Bring SnackJoy to Life Contest! I was asked to submit a "personified" description of the Queso Fresco Chipotle cheese wedge. Click the following link:

http://www.thelaughingcow.com/friends-fans/snackjoy

I'm in the third category, and you can vote as many times as you like! THANK YOU!!! I really appreciate your support! :-)

What's the strangest/most unique chocolate you've ever tried?

I'd have to go with Vosgue's Mo's Bacon Bar.

Have you ever gone to a restaurant solely because the name was intriguing?

I've eaten at Nin-Com-Soup, Thaitanic, and Just Falafs. :-)