#Yumlicious!, Farmer's Market, Food, The Weight-ing Game, They Way {Weigh) I See It, Weight Watchers, Weight Watchers ... The Way I See It

My Weight Watchers. My Way … I Know it’s Not Summer

 Good afternoon My Phat Friends

This morning I’ve done something that most of us save for the weekend…. slept in …. very late *blushing*.  Usually I’m up at the crack of dawn.  Waaaay before the dawn.  I blame a super duper looong work day yesterday.  Didn’t turn in until well past midnight … now that I’m thinking about it, it was almost dawn!

After being awakened by the warmth from a ray of sun that had found its way through the closed blinds (the idea of traipsing around in the heat of the day was soon erased by the reality of the recent snowpocalypse that loomed on the other side of those same blinds!) I decided that today would be a good… No.  A “GREAT ” day to do absolutely nothing but veg-out on my favorite foodie shows.   It was while I was watching Ina, The Barefoot Contessa, that I stumbled upon what would eventually become my meal for the afternoon.  You see, during her show, she showcased a chef friend of hers from New York- I don’t remember his name – who grew these wonderful tomatoes and made even more wonderfuller  *is that a word?… hunching my shoulders* tomatoe salads.  They made this beautiful tomato salad

BX0401H_heirloom-tomatoes-with-tarragon_s4x3

That gave me an idea.  I remembered that I had just bought a few kumatoes from the market.  At the time that I bought them, I was not really sure how I wanted to use them.  Today seemed just as good as any day.

My salad was going to  be just a little bit different than Ina and her friend’s.  I started out with arugula {can’t get enough of the smooth and subtle spicy flavor} that I seasoned lightly with fresh ground pepper and kosher salt

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Added a just a littttttle bit of shredded Asiago Cheese {I’m starting to get used to my new vegetable cutter  *smile*

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Sliced up some cherry and kumato tomatoes that I seasoned with Tarragon – instead of the usual Basil {this little tidbit I learned today from Ina and her friend}.  According to Ina, Tarragon has the flavor that is a hint of anise.

This is where my salad is a little different than Ina’s … I added carrots, chicken and this mix that I pre-make and add to most of my salads {it’s made up of chia seeds, walnuts, dried unsalted pepitas and dried cranberries}

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This is what happened when everything is all thrown together…

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… add a good read and the mandatory Cup of Jo’

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Oh yes… I didn’t use any salad dressing.  The juice and sweetness from the kumatoes and the cranberries gave it a nice taste.  And, just as Ina and her friend said, the Tarragon was definitely the star of the show!

What do you do on your ‘lazy days’?

… do tell ….

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#Yumlicious!, Food, Hello.IAmPhat, I Want to Make This!, Inspiration, My Pinterest, Pinterest

I’m in the Mood for Munchies

It’s clean up day after this past weekend’s record breaking Snowpocalyps.  Being cooped up for a couple of days is nice, but right about now cabin fever is kicking in.
Big Time!
I haven’t got as bored *or as  crazy* as this girl

… oh the naiveté of youth…*side-eye*…

No.  Snowpocalyps has not put me in the mood to strip down to my skivvies, but it has brought on a decent size car of the munchies.  If you’re like me, you have you favorite ‘go to’ munchies that always hit the spot- popcorn,  chips with dip,  s’mores, some type of fruit bowl,  anything with loads of cheese. ….you know what I mean.  Today’s munch craving is a little different.  I’m wanting something that is not sooo ‘snack like’.

So I turned to one My Pinterest Board: Hello.IAmPhat Luvs {Food Glorious Food}

…. and came up with this goodness!

Fries with Lemon Salt & Rosemary

fries21

 

This deliciously savory side dish is from the sinfully tasteful blog – Alexandra Cooks.

This is her first recipe using lemon salt. I’d say it’s a home run!!!!

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Fried Mozzarella, Basil & Nectarine Stacks Fried-Mozzarella-Basil-and-Nectarine-Stacks-with-Balsamic-Glaze-12

Tieghan, blogger extraordinaire at Halfbaked Harvest, is the mastermind behind this mouthwatering stack of loveliness.  The ‘icing on the cake’?….

…. Balsamic Glaze…#Yumlicious

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Homemade BBQ Chipstumblr_m12ohbasSr1qe2zgqo1_400

Alone or with your fav fun food {I’m thinking hot dog,  hamburger,  steak hoagie} chips are always a hit.  And the Purple Gypsy Home blogger makes the unforgettable.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

ala Momofuku

72d5fb31-ba1b-40bd-ac26-0a748bfd856b--8161982001_3a7a79633f_b I might be in the minority with this one,  but I absolutely ❤ Brussel Sprouts!  The folks at Food 52 serves them up roasted….. be still my {heart}

I’m on my way to the kitchen…..

Tell me…. What munchies are you craving?

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#Yumlicious!, Blog Shout Outs!, Food, Recipe

It’s National Pound Cake Day!!! … Five Hyped-up Recipes You Shouldn’t Pass Up!

Happy Wednesday Luv-lies!

According to the weatherman, I’ll be stuck in the house, again, tomorrow due to another round of snowfall!

snowfalling

Made sure that I picked up all of my comfort foods  today before hunkering down for tomorrow’s storm.

I’ve been trying to limit my snacking, especially while I’m snowed in.  I wonder why we snack much more when we’re stuck indoors?  Don’t you?

Well, today is National Pound Cake Day and although I won’t be celebrating it with a cake of my own, I feel compelled to give this simple, but delish dessert a #ShoutOut!

pound cake
This lip-licking version is made over at The Pioneer Woman Cooks. Here secret ingredient to assuring that it’s moist? … Pop!(Not sure what ‘Pop’ is? She’ll let you know when you hustle over there for the recipe)

Whenever I want to know the history of food, I always take a hop-skip and a jump over to John-Bryan Hopkins’  fun and information filled { not to mention the mouth-watering foods that are featured} Blog.

Although I know how the Pound Cake got its name, here are a few 3 Interesting  Facts from his blog:

* The British are said to be the creators of the Pound Cake

*  On your next trip to Britain, when ordering Pound Cake , you’re more apt to be understood if you ask for it by either ‘Sponge cake’ or ‘Madeira cake’

* When in Germany, order  Eischwerkuchen.  It’s very similar {in ingredients} to the Pound Cake

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 The traditional, seven ingredient Pound Cake recipe may suit you just fine.  But I have Five hyped-up Pound Cakes that you may not want to pass up.

1.  Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

 Two of my favorite things!  Cake! And. Blueberries!

‘Thank You’ *doing a perfect curtsy* to  Chef in Training – Nikki

lemon-blueberry-pound-cake

2. Pistachio Pound Cake

Never thought of putting pistachios in a cake, but… ohh lala

I’m Thanking  The Candid Appetite’s Jonathan Melendez for this

decadent creation!

pound cake pistachio

3. Rose Chiffon Pound Cake

I’ll take my roses any way that I can get them…

*another curtsy is order* to Kristina Gill over at DesignSponge for this beautiful slice of heaven

4. Marble Pound Cake

Okay.  I think that we can agree that ‘marbled’ anything is just plain good.

Always With Butter makes good on this one

pound cake marble

5. Lemon Pound Cake

Just two words.  Simple. Elegant.

via Sweetie’s Home

pound cake lemon

So there you are.

You should be able to find at least one Pound Cake to eat with your favorite drink.

You might even want to try your hand at whipping up one of these beauties.

Although there are only seven main ingredients, take your time so that you won’t end up with a Pound Cake fail!

What’s your favorite Pound Cake?

Do Tell …..

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#ManDayMonday, #Yumlicious!, Food, Inspiration, Man-Day Monday, Recipe

{ManDay} Monday … I Like My Shots in Chocolate Chip Form

Good Monday Morning Luv-lies!!!

cronut_dominique+ansel+bakery+2

Dominique Ansel Bakery is the man behind today’s ManDay Monday inspiration.

Known for such bakery delights and the ‘Cronut‘ {pictured above} – a hybrid pastry fancied out of combining the donut with the croissant.

Or

this sweet and gooey taste of nostalgia with the clever handle – ‘Fro Smo’.  Did I say that its made ‘torched to order’?

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#Yumlicious!!!!  … just add cracker… graham.  of course.

With the temperatures still in the single digits, I think that I’d like to snuggle up to one of ‘Chocolate Chip Cookie Milk Shot’ inspired dessert

cookieshots

I’ve got to get the ingredients before the next snow storm!!

Watch the video and get the recipe.

You won’t regret it!!

What delish culinary delight is keeping you warm tonight?

Do tell …

 

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Food, Infographic, Mindful Eating, Nutrition, Recipe

Happy World Pistachio Day!!!

Happy World Pistachio Day! Luv-lies

  Here’s a few Fun Facts about the pistachio nut:

~  Native to Central Asia & Middle East, they made there debut in the United States in 1880

~  it is related to the Cashew Nut

~  it is a desert plant

~  In 2013, the City Council of Avenal, California, proclaimed the city to be the Pistachio Capital of the World

~  The FDA says that they help to lower heart disease

~  Americans consume about 45,000 tons of pistachio a year

~  Here’s the ‘FAT’ breakdown:

roughly 14% saturated fat, 54% monounsaturated fat

and 32% polyunsaturated fat. A 1-cup serving of pistachio seeds contains 6.143 g

They are antioxidant rich and high in fiber, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6.

{source}

WPDLogo_2 Pistachios-Infographic

Need more reasons to consume this delicious excuse to eat salt?

pistachio2

 The World’s view of the Pistachio Nut

IntlPistachioMap

Here’s some Fun, Fast Pistachio Recipes

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How will you celebrate World Pistachio Day?

Do Tell …

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Challenges, Food, Goals, Inspiration, Keep Callm, Mindful Eating, My Weight Loss, Nutrition, Strategy, The Weight-ing Game, Weight Watchers ... The Way I See It

‘ You Gotta Eat. Right?’

 

I absolutely LOVE! LOVE! LOVEWeight Watchers’  new Big Game Commercial.
It’s fast. It’s visual. It’s provocative. It’s confrontational.
It’s All of the reasons that,  ‘those who love us’,  use to convince us to abandon what we know works.

If you’ve missed it or saw it but it blew by too quickly, here it is- The Uncut version:

I’m glad that they posted it on their Youtube Page.

That way I can watch it again and again and again, so that I can become immune to all of the reasons to sabotage this good thing….

… You Are in Control. Right?

Do Tell…

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Food, Friday Food Porn, Goals, My Pinterest, Pictorial, Pinterest

Friday {Food} Porn … Stop Throwing Good Food Down The Drain!

Hey Luv-lies,

Just a short post today.

Went marketing yesterday.  I usually clean out the fridge,  of food that I’ve let sit too long,  the same day that I bring home groceries.

  I used to over shop for fresh veggies and fruits

and that ALWAYS! meant that when I cleaned out the fridge to make room for the new groceries, loads! {and loads!} of food would be thrown away!

  *URGH!!!*

trash-talk-5-food-scraps-you-should-not-be-throwing-away_w654

Today, I have my frequent Pinterest Strolls  thank for keeping the food on my plate and out of the garbage!

I pinned this invaluable guide to keep me on track

shelf life

No more brown bananas and ultra-soft avocados!!!
What invaluable little ditty has made your life easier?
Do Tell …

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#Yumlicious!, Food, Friday Food Porn, My Pinterest, Pinterest

Friday {Food} Porn:: It’s Time to Feed Last Night’s Partying

 

Hey Luv-lies
Happy Second Day of the New Year!!!
The ball has dropped, the confetti is thrown, the champagne is popped, the kisses planted and the resolutions made!
Done. Done. And Done.

Rolling over on this second day of the New Year, I have two questions….

Question_Mark_by_Bushlemon

… What’s for Breakfast?

One of the ‘Friends in My Head’ is an accomplished Chef … And so this is what is on the menu this morning

First up….

Yes.

You knew it would be first up on the menu.

What’s breakfasts without a delicious plate of fruit-infused stacked pancakes … stacked high?

Syrup please…

 

Second up… something a little lighter

A lightly toasted sesame bagel with a dollop of  dill flavored cream cheese topped with a slice of avocado and fresh dill….

#YUMLICIOUS!!!!

 

How About ….

… a large hot cup of  ‘jo, my laptop and a warm cozy comforter….?

coffee1

I’m not real sure which to pick…. but I’m leaning toward the coffee and comforter (don’t have to go to work this morning, so why get out of bed?)

What are your doing this second day of the New Year?
Do Tell…..

Oh Yes…. The second question?

Anyone have anything for this headache?

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Blog Luv!, Farmer's Market, Food, Inspiration, WeekEnd Luv

Friday {Food} Porn:: Kale Yeahhh!! & Have a Happy Long Weekend!

Hello Luv-lies,

Have a Great Looooong Weekend!!!

hop scotch old school flavor

What exciting plans do you have for this, the last weekend of the summer? My plans have me sticking pretty close to home this holiday weekend. Lots of farmer’s market visits, reading, relaxing and napping :).

Picked up this little gem to help me tote my ‘vacay’ market finds home this weekend & as a reminder to eat more veggies.

eat more kale

It’s made of jute, so it should be hold up pretty good to my food finds. And to the washings between shops!

eat more kale1Loads of room inside for all of my goodies!

Yeeeeahhh!

eat more kale2

What’s on your ‘to buy’ list?

Come back and….

Do Tell….

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Food, Friday Food Porn

Friday {Food} Porn:: 7 Feasts in a Jar

Hello Luv-lies,

How’s your week been? Did you get done all that you set out to do?  Are you as glad as I am that it’s Friday?

Once that clock hits the weekend hour, it’s ‘me’ time.  Many, many years ago, my weekends were no different from other days of the week.  Mostly work, work and more work.  Back then, the main interruption – and the one thing that brought some ‘normalcy’  to my crazy work schedule – was the need to sleep.  And I even slept ‘fast’ – four hours and I was ready for more.  I called them ‘power naps’.  Today is a lot different.

These days,  my weekends are mostly unplanned.  I kind of let the day  *and the weather*  dictate what happens for the day.  I do have to admit that I spend a lot more time pouring through my subscription of magazines.  Even those have changed.  Used to be that my magazine stash was mostly about fashion.  And, although I had a few  *very few*, food magazine, they were mostly for the fantasy meals that I  “… one day [was] going to make”.  Yeah.  Right.  Today it’s just the opposite.  Very few fashion magazines.  Who needs print when you have Pinterest?  Right?

Now there’s more food magazines and they’re not just for my ‘fantasy meals’.  I’ve actually started to make some of the ‘fantasy meals’ .  This is big for me!  Yes.  Back in the day, finding {and cooking} new meals for the sport of it, was not on my list of ‘favorite way to spend a leisurely weekend’.

One of the trends that I am liking   *I posted about it a little earlier this year *  is this idea of  the ‘meal in a mason jar’.   I think that you can make just about any meal into a ‘feast in a Jar’.  Salads, desserts, drinks, appetizers.

 Clever. Clever. Clever.

S-more-Jars

{S’Mores in a Jar}

cheesecake in a jar

{Cheesecake in a Jar}

layered pumpkin pie in a jar

{Layered Pumpkin Pie}

ice cream in a jar

{Ice Cream in a Jar}

layered-cornbread-turkey-salad-l

{Layered Cornbread and Turkey Salad}

salad in a jar

{Salad in a Jar}

eggs-bacon-hash-browns-in-mason-jar-www_atthepicketfence_com_1

{Egg, Bacon, Hashbrowns}

These really make me want to try my creative hand at this whole idea of meals in a jar … I’ll be sure to post my creations

What meals do these inspire you to put into a jar?

…. Do Tell …

P.S.

Here is where you can find just about any special shape or size jar for your creations.

Create on!

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