tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68591858074199550152024-03-12T16:53:45.413-07:00Good and PlentifulUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-23040394388004409692013-03-22T13:15:00.002-07:002013-03-22T13:19:10.182-07:00Shroom city, welcome to it.<br />
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Guys. This is so good.<br />
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That's what I captioned this picture when I posted it on instagram the other day.<br />
It wasn't quite accurate. This is not so good... This is SO good!<br />
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It's mushroom ragout. Sounds boring right? Ok... maybe not boring. Not interesting? whatever... you should make this.<br />
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I swung by whole foods on my way home from work after a long day knowing that I wanted to cook something that involved a little more care... a little bit of prep. I think cooking is generally my go-to relaxation technique. A little wine, a little knife skills (prob best in reverse order), a little dump and stir and I feel so much better no matter what came before the wine, chopping and stirring. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCYDN99NHh21HK1QoDRK8LTcYHkqwaqwBJh7m0BZNGo3oQObjeIYKBBZUlqyeGFjKJBHg6jjPBUzfpMThKYUct7GkIsq1Y8vHcDpG-zjPkxAnwWmIgGYbB0wlojl1LM-3O7GQTHKyAsRO/s1600/shrooms1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCYDN99NHh21HK1QoDRK8LTcYHkqwaqwBJh7m0BZNGo3oQObjeIYKBBZUlqyeGFjKJBHg6jjPBUzfpMThKYUct7GkIsq1Y8vHcDpG-zjPkxAnwWmIgGYbB0wlojl1LM-3O7GQTHKyAsRO/s400/shrooms1.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCYDN99NHh21HK1QoDRK8LTcYHkqwaqwBJh7m0BZNGo3oQObjeIYKBBZUlqyeGFjKJBHg6jjPBUzfpMThKYUct7GkIsq1Y8vHcDpG-zjPkxAnwWmIgGYbB0wlojl1LM-3O7GQTHKyAsRO/s1600/shrooms1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>Anyway, when I walked into whole foods, I saw this gorgeous mushroom display (sidenote: how do the whole foods overlords know how to make the food look SO appealing?? Gets me every time.) They probably had 10 different types of mushrooms. I picked up wood ears, chantarelles, cremini and hedge hogs along with a package of local white button mushrooms and headed home. They also had oyster, enoki, porcini, portabellas and a couple of other varieties. Mushrooms are cool because you can get really deep, caramelized, meaty flavor without too much cooking time, like after a long day at work. Did I mention I had a long day at work?<br />
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Anywhoo. <br />
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Below is a rough estimate for a recipe. I don't generally like to use recipes, I like to make things up. The problem with this is when you want to share something that is So. Good. Well - if it sucks when YOU try to make it, consider this fair warning.. (just kidding - this won't suck... you could just dump all these ingredients in a feedbag and give it a shake and it would still probably taste good)<br />
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I served this on the side of a Niman Ranch ham and a few roasted beets. <br />
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The beets made for a great balance of sweet and savory and complemented the earthiness of the mushrooms really well. (All those words mean nothing except for mmmmm gooooooood.) This would also make a great pasta sauce if you used a bit of pasta water to thin it out. Or over steaks! The possibilities are endless. <br />
Mushroom Ragout with Bacon<br />
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2lbs various mushrooms, sliced (I used white button, cremini, chantarelles, wood ears and hedge hogs)<br />
1 yellow onion, diced<br />
3 Strips thick cut bacon, diced ( I use niman ranch or truck patch farms bacon)<br />
1 Sprig Thyme<br />
2 tbsp tomato paste<br />
1/4 cup stock (you could use any kind - I used homemade veal stock)<br />
1/4 cup white wine<br />
2 tbsp coconut milk (my husband is allergic to casein so I used this instead of regular cream. You could also use a knob of cream cheese or a spoonful of creme fraiche)<br />
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Brown the bacon pieces in a heavy bottomed skillet.<br />
Once browned, remove the bacon and set aside leaving the rendered fat in the pan.<br />
Add the diced onions to the pan and slowly begin to caramelize on medium heat.<br />
When the onions are just starting to caramelize, add the mushrooms, a few shakes of salt, and cook until they give off all their water and begin to caramelize. (If you have some mushrooms that are more delicate like the wood ears, add the other mushrooms first, cook them off a bit and then add the more delicate ones)<br />
At this point add the thyme sprig and the tomato paste and brown.<br />
Add the wine to the pan and deglaze, scraping all the browned bits off the bottom. Reduce the wine a bit and add the stock and bacon and stir.<br />
Add the coconut milk.<br />
Let simmer for about 10 minutes over low heat until liquid has reduced to a glaze and mushrooms are soft.<br />
Serve with a drizzle of truffle oil over top (<strike>optional</strike> not optional)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-81323515669844814422013-03-12T13:19:00.000-07:002013-03-12T13:19:09.446-07:00A little home happy hour...Hi both of you who are left! You are in luck because today I have a fantastic cocktail recipe for you that I think I might just have made up a couple of weeks ago. (Note: I am positive that it's basically impossible to make anything up these days but I refuse to search the internet just to refute that statement and see that someone has done this better than me with prettier pictures - so... here is a totally original recipe that I obviously made up).<br />
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The week had been an exhausting one. Work has been challenging, there was an impending snowstorm be excited about and then let down by and a huge grant to recover from. There were deadlines, bills and paper rewrites. By the time Friday afternoon rolled around the idea of spending the evening out and about had zero appeal. So, on my way home from work I swung by whole foods for some rations. Olives, pickles, popcorn, kale chips and a little soppresatta seemed like a perfectly reasonable dinner.<br />
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While I was there, I noticed it was still blood orange season. They had the most perfect blood orange cut in half on display, practically screaming to be made into some sort of cocktail. So I snagged four of them and headed to the register.<br />
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By the time I got home, I realized that a drink of decent strength was needed to soften the exit from the workday (that was a poetic way of saying that a glass of wine wasn't going to cut it) so I set my sights on some bourbon, my drink of choice when the going gets tough. <br />
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At first, my plan was to juice the oranges and use it as a mixer with some fresh mint but that sounded sort of meh and I was in the mood for something a bit more bracing. While it would probably make for a delicious drink, I was planning to use a pretty good bourbon and didn't want to completely cover the flavor with juice and herbs. So, the blood orange old fashioned was born. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why yes, I am still using my Christmas table cloth... thanks for asking!</td></tr>
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And it was delicious!<br />
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Burnt Sugar Blood Orange Old Fashioned<br />
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2 ounces whiskey (rye or bourbon – I used Black Maple Hill Bourbon Whiskey)<br />
1 teaspoon of granulated sugar<br />
2 dashes Angostura bitters<br />
2 Blood Orange wedges<br />
Maraschino cherry (I didn't have any of these sadly)<br />
2 teaspoon blood orange juice (for muddling)<br />
Sprinkle the sugar on top of the blood orange wedges. Hit them quickly with a culinary torch (as if you are making creme brulee topping) until they start to caramelize. If you don't have a culinary torch (thanks adam!) you can stick them under your broiler (on high) as close as you can get them for a minute or two. Drop the cooled orange wedges in the bottom of an Old-Fashioned glass. Add the bitters and juice directly to the sugar on the fruit so that they begin to absorb. Muddle with the back of a spoon or a muddler. Add the whiskey and one or two large ice cubes. Stir gently. Garnish with a thinly sliced blood orange. You can top with a splash of seltzer if you like but that would make you a pansy. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-75382736982588142792012-10-25T10:36:00.000-07:002012-10-25T10:36:04.503-07:00on turning thirty...Pfft Pfft... this thing on?<br />
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anyone out there still reading this?<br />
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oh... hi :)<br />
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I'm not going to do any promising that I will be back and posting regularly but I am going to offer you a new post because I just want to do some gushing about my amazing friends and a fantastic cidery in Maryland. Is cidery a word?<br />
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A few weeks ago I turned thirty. I feel fine... maybe a little more crotchety... My yoga teacher tells me that this is when the wisdom comes. Well, I think I felt it the day after I turned 30... it was either wisdom or a hangover. Maybe 80/20 wisdom/hangover? I wasn't dreading my thirtieth but I wasn't especially excited about it either. There are always things that you don't get to in time right? But before my birthday I decided I would embrace it and not be upset because I didn't accomplish x, y or z. After all, I have accomplished a lot of things in the years leading up to thirty that weren't even ON my 'list'. Those have to count for something, right? Right.<br />
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Anywhoo. I woke up the morning of my birthday to hot coffee from my husband, this view:<br />
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and the most perfect weather for some fall frolicking along the vineyards of western Maryland. My amazing friend Sarah had planned a full day of cider and wine tasting, picnicking and general merriment with some of my closest friends. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why yes, those are 30 glasses I'm wearing... thanks M!</td></tr>
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We started the day in a decked out party bus and made our way to <a href="http://distillerylaneciderworks.com/" target="_blank">Distillery Lane Ciderworks</a>. This place was awesome. <br />
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The ciders were fantastic and they had a great selection. <br />
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You can also get non alcoholic cider, go apple picking, and get a tour of the orchard, which we took them up on. <br />
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<a href="http://www.woodberrykitchen.com/" target="_blank">Woodberry Kitchen</a> features several of their ciders in their cocktails and by the glass. <br />
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My favorite was the Encampment. It was nice and dry with just the slightest hint of fizziness and the packaging was great. <br />
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After Distillery Lane, we headed to Black Ankle Vineyards for a tasting and picnic. Black Ankle probably makes some of the best wine in Maryland and is also featured on the Woodberry Kitchen Menu. <br />
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We had our tasting, purchased a few bottles and spread out for a nice picnic and some headstands. Typical.<br />
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Following Black Ankle we headed to Linganore Winery where we tasted SIXTEEN "wines" for five dollars. There were certainly no more headstands after that. <br />
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Once wine tasting was over, we headed to Miguel's in Silo Point for dinner which we needed and margaritas which we did not. It was a fantastic day and I still get the warm fuzzies every time I think about it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GfXWONuaTZJ9lIAN54gNCeyvfoD9saLoUVVJoQoKorlMfBVwnW9e_xHATcXCfnaqEOwWGRva7rDpBqyjncXj91b6nenulqHyA9DpP2c_OOPpTX4s54YPEBU6B-9Gced3GDcqm8Yh10QM/s1600/sauer30+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GfXWONuaTZJ9lIAN54gNCeyvfoD9saLoUVVJoQoKorlMfBVwnW9e_xHATcXCfnaqEOwWGRva7rDpBqyjncXj91b6nenulqHyA9DpP2c_OOPpTX4s54YPEBU6B-9Gced3GDcqm8Yh10QM/s400/sauer30+030.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thank you friends and family. You are amazing. So. Amazing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-10042338939850426122012-03-21T11:13:00.000-07:002012-03-21T11:29:34.915-07:00Kitchen Tools<br />
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<o:p>Hi friends... I've been working on this series of posts for a while but when I saw this article about the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/21/dining/must-have-gadgets-for-the-kitchen-think-again.html?_r=1&ref=dining&pagewanted=all" target="_blank">one trick ponies of the cooking world </a>in the New York Times dining section, I knew I had to get on it. </o:p></div>
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As all (eight) of you know, I've been married now for
almost 2 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7XpWz_dmCg/T2oZNoXQx-I/AAAAAAAAA3M/rVfbZTc5Mbc/s1600/wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7XpWz_dmCg/T2oZNoXQx-I/AAAAAAAAA3M/rVfbZTc5Mbc/s320/wedding.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
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This definitely makes me
something of an expert. As you all know,
I'm quite the domestic… except that I don't clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or do laundry… or really anything besides
cook and leave a giant mess for my loving husband to clean up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I'm not going to dole out marriage
advice on this post (even though I know you're all just dying for it), I am
going to offer some pretty solid tips on building a kitchen together from the
ground up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cook at least once every day so I have a
good feeling for what we use and don't use (even if <s>I had a temper tantrum
in crate and barrel because I absolutely needed it </s> we decided to put it on
the registry) on a regular basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I'm going to keep my suggestions pretty lean here because a. <a href="http://www.ruhlman.com/" target="_blank">Ruhlman's</a> done a great job and b. you really just don't need that much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is especially true if you have a lot of
awkward cabinet space and not a lot of quality counter space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A wise man once told me that nothing should
be stacked on top of anything else unless what's underneath is exactly the
same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping that in mind, here are my
suggestions for kitchen basics that use up limited storage space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b>Pots and Pans</b></div>
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Yes… I will admit… the allure of a shiny new 12 piece
cookware set is strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But trust me... Avoid it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, you are more likely to get all
the pieces you want if they don't come in one giant $500.00 box and secondly,
how annoying is it that the 3 lids that come in these sets are considered “pieces”
(hint: VERY annoying).</div>
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<a href="http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/Crate/AllCladSS9PcSetF8?$web_zoom$&extend=110,110,110,110" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/Crate/AllCladSS9PcSetF8?$web_zoom$&extend=110,110,110,110" width="320" /></a></div>
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I really recommend All Clad Stainless Steel cookware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's a bit pricier but it is seriously worth
the money as it will hold up well over time and you can get some good
deals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also has some heft to it so it
will hold heat evenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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All Clad 2<a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/individual-cookware/2-piece-all-clad-stainless-frypan-set/f45599" target="_blank"> piece fry pan set</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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All Clad <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-d5-stainless-steel-essential-pan/?pkey=ccookware-all-clad" target="_blank">Essential Pan</a> </div>
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All Clad 6qt <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-d5-brushed-stainless-steel-6-quart-deep-saute-pan/?pkey=ccookware-all-clad" target="_blank">Deep Sauté Pan</a> </div>
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All Clad Stainless Steel <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-d5-stainless-steel-4-quart-soup-pot/?pkey=ccookware-all-clad" target="_blank">Soup Pot </a></div>
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(<a href="http://cutleryandmore.com/" target="_blank">this place</a> has some great pricing on all clad )<br />
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I'd say get either the Deep Sauté Pan or the Soup Pot if you
don't have room or budget for all of these pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I would also recommend two pieces of Cast Iron… A nice skillet
(bonus, you can turn it upside down under your broiler and use it as the <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/2007/03/broiled-pizza.html" target="_blank">most effective pizza stone ever</a>)
and a Dutch Oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These puppies are
heavy and require a little extra care but they will last you forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be handing them down to your grand
kids fo sho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.primalkitchens.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/41AN3UBrfiL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://www.primalkitchens.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/41AN3UBrfiL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are two great,
inexpensive options… you can always go with Le Creuset or Staub if you’re
fancier!<br />
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Lodge Cast Iron <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/individual-cookware/lodge-cast-iron-skillet/f37749" target="_blank">Skillet</a> </div>
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Lodge Cast Iron <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/individual-cookware/lodge-cast-iron-dutch-oven/f36392" target="_blank">Dutch Oven</a> </div>
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<br />
If you absolutely can't live without a nonstick pan, I recommend the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bialetti-Aeternum-Saute-10-1-4-Inch/dp/B00448EUA0/ref=pd_sim_k_1" target="_blank">Bialetti Aeternum</a> Sauté Pans. We have recently acquired one of these after Bon Appetit Magazine recommend them and I have to say, they make my omelette making process significantly less f-wordy. <br />
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<b>Knives</b></div>
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Here’s a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wusthof-9755Classic-2-Piece-Knife-Starter/dp/B00005MEGG/ref=sr_1_19?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1332350308&sr=1-19" target="_blank">perfect starter set </a>from Wustof:</div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61LE9v7IIkS._AA1342_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61LE9v7IIkS._AA1342_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wusthof-9755Classic-2-Piece-Knife-Starter/dp/B00005MEGG/ref=sr_1_19?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1332350308&sr=1-19"><br /></a></div>
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These knives can accomplish almost anything you need to do
in the kitchen.</div>
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I have Shun knives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have to say, they are beautiful AND amazing tools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I highly recommend them and I use multiple
ones daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does everyone need<a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/shun-edo-6-piece-knife-block-set/?pkey=cknives-shun" target="_blank"> a multi-piece knife set </a>from Shun?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will the two piece starter
set I just listed from Wustof do just fine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yep!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are constantly in the
kitchen and cooking is one of your hobbies and you’d rather get knives than
take a weekend trip somewhere then I would definitely suggest Shuns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://rk.wsimgs.com/wsimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201207/0082/img40o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://rk.wsimgs.com/wsimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201207/0082/img40o.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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If you are not the person I just described
then definitely stick with the Wustofs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would maybe consider adding <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shun-DM0718-Classic-7-Inch-Santoku/dp/B0000Y7KPO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1332350798&sr=8-5" target="_blank">this Shun santoku </a>to your collection
though… it will make fast work of onions AND fingertips (I speak from
experience here.) </div>
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My advice with knives is to take care of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hone them with steel regularly and take them
to get sharpened at a local knife sharpener when they need them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Treat em well and they will last a long, long
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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One exception… I'm going to let you in on a secret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have some other knives… knives that I use
more often than my Shun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They're the
sharpest effing knives I've ever used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
my 4 piece set cost me about 20 bucks… and I may or may not buy the paring
knives in bulk… I hone them until the edge is worn down and then (carefully)
toss them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They're thin but damn they're
sharp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.wokshop.com/HTML/images/pix/thai-kiwi-knives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://www.wokshop.com/HTML/images/pix/thai-kiwi-knives.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's the deal though… if I tell
you about them, you CANNOT buy them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
I try to go to the sketchy yahoo store and buy them next time and they’re sold
out because my (eight) readers bought them all, I will be pissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PISSED. <br />
<br /></div>
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Here's the <a href="http://www.wokshop.com/HTML/products/cleavers/thai-kiwi-knives.html" target="_blank">link</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I would recommend you NOT buy from them
is an 11” with a pointed end, an 11” with a blunt end, a 7.5” and the 13.5”
cleaver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don't do it. </div>
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Up Next: Cooks Tools and Big Ticket Items to round out your
kitchen essentials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-2117562464135649502012-02-23T08:00:00.000-08:002012-02-23T08:00:39.260-08:00Sleeping the Night AwayIt's been a while since I've been back here with a legit post but I have a good one for you today. And while we're at it, I'd like to take this time to pimp <a href="http://chooseyourjourney.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/guest-post-the-primalpaleo-diet/" target="_blank">my guest post </a>on my friend's wonderful blog Choose Your Journey. I love her <a href="http://chooseyourjourney.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>, it's definitely my favorite fitness blog out there. So please check it out!<br />
<br />
Anyway - back to it. <br />
I stumbled across a pretty cool blog called <a href="http://ecosalon.com/" target="_blank">ecosalon</a>. They have all sorts of interesting <a href="http://ecosalon.com/10-things-youll-never-hear-at-a-lululemon/" target="_blank">articles</a>.... Some funny, some informative, some just generally awesome. While I was perusing the archives, one article on ten foods that can help with sleep caught my eye. I have pretty significant sleep issues. I tend to have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep and then, if I actually do fall asleep, waking up in the morning. While I don't imagine this article being a cure-all for my problems, it seems like a good place to start. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/foods-help-sleep-cherries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/foods-help-sleep-cherries.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tart Cherries from Eco Salon<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some of the suggestions include popcorn (due to its levels of tryptophan), tart cherries (from their melatonin boosting antioxidants) and halibut (high levels of B6 as well as more tryptophan). There are 17 more items on the list so go check it out in its <a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-foods-to-help-you-sleep-better/" target="_blank">entirety</a>.<br />
<br />
And of course, since it's one of the suggestions, I'll give you a quick and easy recipe for an addictive popcorn snack.<br />
<br />
<br />
Truffled Herbes de Provence Popcorn<br />
<br />
3 Tbsp Unpopped Popcorn Kernels<br />
1 Tbsp Olive Oil<br />
1 Tbsp Truffle Oil<br />
1 Tbsp <a href="http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeysherbesdepro.html" target="_blank">Herbes de Provence</a> *<br />
Extra Salt (to taste)<br />
Paper lunch bag<br />
<br />
Toss the popcorn kernels in a bowl with olive oil<br />
Pour the oiled kernels into the paper bag and fold the top over once. <br />
Place the bag on a microwave safe plate and microwave on high for two minutes or until the popping begins to slow (2-3 seconds between each pop)<br />
Dump the popped popcorn into a bowl and toss with truffle oil, herbes de provence, and more salt if desired.<br />
<br />
*Bonus sleeping tool - Herbes de Provence generally contains lavender which is known to increase relaxation and improve time to sleep.<br />
<br />
Happy snoozing!<br />
<br />
xoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-44014163762441681742012-02-14T08:25:00.000-08:002012-02-14T08:26:01.357-08:00Happy VDHi Friends! <br />
<br />
Happy Valentines Day! Hope you and your loves have a great one. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/138063544796076207_Jcbjcxq4_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/138063544796076207_Jcbjcxq4_c.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To Justin - So True (from pinterest user bianca_leigh)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I know it's been quite around here again lately but I'm hoping to get back to regular posting when life settles down (hopefully soon!)<br />
<br />
What are you all doing for Valentine's Day? Usually I don't celebrate but this year the hubs and I are going to an awesome sounding dinner at Smoke and Barrel in DC with my friend Sarah. I have already peep'd the menu and have locked my sights on a venison tenderloin entrée. The three course dinner is paired with some of Ommegang beers. Everything sounds so fantastic. Here's the <a href="http://smokeandbarreldc.com/valentines-day-prix-fixe-3-courses-paired-ommegang" target="_blank">link</a> if you're interested in checking out the tavern. My friend Matt is the tavern-keeper and I'm so excited to check it out. <br />
<br />
Anyway, I hope to be posting with more regularity in the near future so don't forget about me :)<br />
<br />
xo<br />
LUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-45650895656127891762012-01-10T12:54:00.000-08:002012-01-10T12:55:57.283-08:00So here's the thing....We had a great party on new years eve. I could go on for quite some time about how lovely my friends are and how I constantly feel so lucky to spend these special moments with them because they are so freaking fantastic. But noone really wants to read that, right? So instead, I'm going to show you the most amazing picture ever taken. It pretty much sums up new years eve.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9CYLBYWHtH50kQFZx9torkUnz7XV5g9CmME6gevGZ7Jpv1mSYtLI72U1rSE7QDSzc4i1aHsGHoEsZiM3A9ve7qhJDd5Iu5fgr2NEmXFygs1kdaVKXsHKcYOLRJkxPjFzT9zntIOtzC-b/s1600/AandM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9CYLBYWHtH50kQFZx9torkUnz7XV5g9CmME6gevGZ7Jpv1mSYtLI72U1rSE7QDSzc4i1aHsGHoEsZiM3A9ve7qhJDd5Iu5fgr2NEmXFygs1kdaVKXsHKcYOLRJkxPjFzT9zntIOtzC-b/s400/AandM.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M & A... Not too serious to fist bump.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We had a great time, consumed quite a bit of bubbly and an equal or greater amount of snacks (I'll post the menu below in case anyone is interested in a recipe or two). But really, I just am so happy that I could ring in the new year with no shoes, a fantastic NYE tiara and a party dress in my home with my husband and my friends, new and old. I feel SO LUCKY.<br />
<br />
Enough gushing... here's the foodstuffs!<br />
Truffle Popcorn<br />
Curry Yogurt Dip and Veggies<br />
Bacon Jam Rolls<br />
Rosemary & Black Pepper Pickled Grapes<br />
Bay & Mustard Marinated Olives<br />
Butternut Squash and Parsnip Soup<br />
Mushroom and Thyme Spread<br />
Carrot Hummus with Lamb Ragu<br />
White Wine and Homemade Mustard Glazed Ham with Rye Bread<br />
<br />
If you want any of these recipes, hit me up!<br />
<br />
Happy New Years everyone. If the last few days have been any indication, it's going to be a great year.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-21415488306962433682012-01-05T12:44:00.000-08:002012-01-05T12:44:04.946-08:00Still not regularly scheduled programming...But I wanted to take a moment to offer a quick congratulations to one of my best friends and his SHINY NEW fiancée! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUSi3_yz30Q/TwYLS-EYXmI/AAAAAAAAA2c/51yrbTnq8kk/s1600/celebration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUSi3_yz30Q/TwYLS-EYXmI/AAAAAAAAA2c/51yrbTnq8kk/s320/celebration.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<br />
She's an amazing girl who I feel lucky to have become close with thanks to him and I couldn't be happier that he was smart enough to lock it in.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-11454096041942412042012-01-05T08:12:00.000-08:002012-01-05T12:44:16.494-08:00So this is the New YearHappy New Year Friends!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t-5Jp63XiT4/TwXLXjdjDVI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/OEgWcInaf-U/s1600/confetti.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t-5Jp63XiT4/TwXLXjdjDVI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/OEgWcInaf-U/s400/confetti.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from <a href="http://tomboystyle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tomboy Style</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hope your new years' were fantastic! Did you make any resolutions? I'll be back this weekend with regularly scheduled programming. We had a little new year's party that I'd love to tell you all about! <br />
<br />
xo,<br />
LUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-8541391304947793432011-12-21T12:39:00.000-08:002011-12-21T12:39:31.163-08:00Last minute tasty gifts<br />
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Hi Friends, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You might have noticed that I did not get around to posting
any more gift guides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The holidays
totally snuck up on me this year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you're anything like me, you've run out of time and don't have gifts for
everyone on your list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few
easy, doable, last minute foodie gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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Herb Salt</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a method more than a recipe but here we go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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1 Cup Coarse Sea (or Kosher) Salt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
¼ - ½ cup of herbs or other flavorings (depending on the strength
of the flavors)</div>
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I'll give you the method and then a couple of suggestions on
flavor combos.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blend up the herbs in a small food processor for 30 seconds
and then add ¼ c of the salt and blend for another 15 seconds or until
everything looks uniform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove this
from the food processor and stir back in with the other ¾ c of salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lay the salt out on a sheet pan to allow the
herbs to dry (if necessary) and then pour into small craft bags or ball jars
with cute gift tags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://eatathomecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/italian-herb-salt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://eatathomecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/italian-herb-salt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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Here are some suggestions for flavor combos:</div>
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Rosemary, Parsley, Thyme</div>
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Mushroom, Thyme (use dried porcini mushrooms)</div>
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Mushroom Truffle (use dried porcini mushrooms and 1 tbsp of
truffle oil)</div>
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Rosemary Grapefruit (any citrus zest would work here)</div>
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Cilantro Garlic (use pre-dried garlic powder or granules)</div>
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These are so pretty in tiny ball jars and are great for
non-cooks because they really dress up pasta, plain meats and anything else you
can think to put them on.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Holiday Chocolate Bark</div>
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<br /></div>
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This one is SUPER easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Melt down some good dark chocolate (I like Trader Joes extra dark 72%)
and some white chocolate separately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pour the dark chocolate on a sheet tray lined with a silpat or greased parchment
paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let it cool for a bit in the
fridge and then drizzle the melted white chocolate randomly over the top like
you're some crazed Julia Child/Jackson Pollock hybrid.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.inspiredtaste.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Chocolate-Bark-lighter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://www.inspiredtaste.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Chocolate-Bark-lighter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/images/sys/fw200501_090chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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After you're done with this, you can
sprinkle anything your little heart desires on top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm partial to crushed up candy canes and pistachios
but you could do anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More citrus
zest, any sort of nut, a bit of sea salt, m&ms… To quote the fake movie
inside the movie home alone, "I could go on forever, baby".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shove this whole shebang back in the fridge,
let it cool (or let it sit on the counter – the cooling will take longer but it
will be less likely to get those white spots that cooled chocolate can
sometimes get), and then break it up into pieces and wrap it up in a little
gift bag.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Brittle</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.healthygreenkitchen.com/thai-inspired-cashew-brittle.html" target="_blank">This recipe</a> from Winnie at a Healthy Green Kitchen for Thai Cashew Brittle looks
amazing!</div>
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As does this one from gastronomy blog for <a href="http://gastronomyblog.com/2011/03/31/bacon-almond-brittle/" target="_blank">Bacon Almond Brittle</a> (Though I would add a little rosemary to it for an extra savory touch.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hope that helps!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
get cookin' slackers!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
xo</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-90779815715783878112011-12-14T11:05:00.000-08:002011-12-14T11:06:07.192-08:00Dudegifts<br />
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Hi Friends!</div>
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I’m back with day two of my holiday gift guides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is for the man you love, be it your
husband, pops, boyfriend, best friend, or weird uncle that gave you booze at
holiday dinners without your parents knowing it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I would not call these gifts standard
or even exclusively for men but they’re definitely suitable for many of the
dudes I know and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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Most of the men in my life are relatively outdoorsy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, at least they think they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why this gift is perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.bestmadeco.com/collections/frontpage/products/all-the-knots-you-need-to-know" target="_blank">All The Knots You Nee</a>d is a book that teaches
them how to tie all the knots they <s>say they already</s> should know how to
tie if they’re out and about in the wilderness, or hiking, or climbing, or on a
boat somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus it is really cool
looking and makes a perfect coffee table book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqimbmGSahaZGSwmJ72wJ1x-ra5uRjlgwQaVtiFJeoseG8P7huOTcxrENM9WX9iJAuC25x5AS9MKqpYeY3ORqS7MfNy8glC6OVaImxDpLROHKBnUBQb_WAspLi3RiuzE6c9TJpt0ggQZ6f/s1600/knots+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqimbmGSahaZGSwmJ72wJ1x-ra5uRjlgwQaVtiFJeoseG8P7huOTcxrENM9WX9iJAuC25x5AS9MKqpYeY3ORqS7MfNy8glC6OVaImxDpLROHKBnUBQb_WAspLi3RiuzE6c9TJpt0ggQZ6f/s320/knots+book.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bestmadeco.com/collections/frontpage/products/all-the-knots-you-need-to-know"><br /></a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>100% of the men I have to shop for this Christmas own
iphones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>100% of the men I have to shop
for also own ugly wallets and/or money clips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A simple calculation shows that <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87676441/iphone-ipod-touch-retromodern-leather" target="_blank">this wallet</a> is perfect for 100% of the
men I have to shop for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpAQjfncEGxL2F6ojKi1tILjoFvlCoMxKPvR6tSnr4vQVxl5_jeqDGkcOeBprsNDFmy6rwurr00tk3WkgEhe_Ystwg-jijzB1kh9A_l0v3FsbX3K8jSf90-Xg1Om-DVta-Jlq61c0c2hX/s1600/wallet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpAQjfncEGxL2F6ojKi1tILjoFvlCoMxKPvR6tSnr4vQVxl5_jeqDGkcOeBprsNDFmy6rwurr00tk3WkgEhe_Ystwg-jijzB1kh9A_l0v3FsbX3K8jSf90-Xg1Om-DVta-Jlq61c0c2hX/s320/wallet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has enough
slots for a few cards and some cash, a back pocket to protect the precious
iphone and seems to be still slim enough to comfortably fit in their pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also hot when a dude has a nice
wallet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So there you go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87676441/iphone-ipod-touch-retromodern-leather"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In general, I think dudes look hot in scarves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be a challenge to find a masculine
looking scarf that is still nice and cozy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="http://needsupply.com/mens/accessories/winter-accessories/chatnam-scarf.html" target="_blank">This scarf</a> is awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks
incredibly soft and not at all itchy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
in manly colors (is that a thing?) and it is exceptionally borrowable!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT7hmKo7yrJhkHOBuCoxQHbuj0D33TgxXMjziVuYM5N1LyQNasvLwjT_OLhCI09Kx4PLQfw1NsNIWEHcFrVBBCxCWkVBjxDCl_CYpz_moeSO3dF5BFn1jN451lleDtm8EFS6YQ-hBgGg-/s1600/scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT7hmKo7yrJhkHOBuCoxQHbuj0D33TgxXMjziVuYM5N1LyQNasvLwjT_OLhCI09Kx4PLQfw1NsNIWEHcFrVBBCxCWkVBjxDCl_CYpz_moeSO3dF5BFn1jN451lleDtm8EFS6YQ-hBgGg-/s320/scarf.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.greenaid.co/limited-guerilla-gardening-holiday-gift-set/" target="_blank">This</a> is a hand crafted slingshot that comes with seed bombs
that can be fired away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guerilla
Gardening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weaponry and saving the
planet in one perfectly packaged present? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PzbJBK2V2kqoCY6wMgX38-lwvlrs95_9ZtPEMfjwyqPJ8MinPkJmFpP9-7g6g6U6w468oZ_wzWvji5pnB7ZgBcFPZqFg8TqA8IsEAZ4PLcBkwAA0FKfGMIqbiRf0RFVy1Wv5aga2CSe5/s1600/slingshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PzbJBK2V2kqoCY6wMgX38-lwvlrs95_9ZtPEMfjwyqPJ8MinPkJmFpP9-7g6g6U6w468oZ_wzWvji5pnB7ZgBcFPZqFg8TqA8IsEAZ4PLcBkwAA0FKfGMIqbiRf0RFVy1Wv5aga2CSe5/s320/slingshot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think this one is pretty self
explanatory!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.greenaid.co/limited-guerilla-gardening-holiday-gift-set/"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve found that most of the guys I know actually like
chocolate more than any girl I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also,
in general, I think it’s safe to say that guys generally like bacon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well Vosegs has perfectly combined these two
things into a <a href="http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/bacon-chocolate-gift-box/Holiday-Bacon-Chocolate-Gifts" target="_blank">holiday gift set</a> that almost no one I know could resist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEfDlDqJHc7brDcZ-wQM5MNY6ud7O0nD1xNg7CRXf3gxpEQAEebAfsKZRXsKlKZlX0WuWJdxOS5VD8ui0ooznEP6npMAjtmLDxg9UF7HdYXceriWZoXBfgLInKzGub4aiN0szCowL79hM/s1600/chocpig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEfDlDqJHc7brDcZ-wQM5MNY6ud7O0nD1xNg7CRXf3gxpEQAEebAfsKZRXsKlKZlX0WuWJdxOS5VD8ui0ooznEP6npMAjtmLDxg9UF7HdYXceriWZoXBfgLInKzGub4aiN0szCowL79hM/s320/chocpig.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These chocolates go amazingly well with a nice, smoky
scotch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh and one last thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This one is still a prototype but if you are a moderately big spender and have no
clue what to get for your tech obsessed giftee, check out <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1116966310/multi-touch-keyboard-and-mouse" target="_blank">this amazingkickstarter project</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you donate at a
certain level, you get a prototype of this awesome keyboard and mouse, and
provide us non-moneybags with a better chance of getting this as a gift next Christmas!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yay commerce!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVvRGAr_jtVOINr8x0itNh-fJ9BqqqBQsO_rCyobw9GGFVPZ5xbRw5BtJzL2MvCfADbrQgDZ2EmgrWqfxe364vk4HgZxxWWdvPxPwszf6BJ0O6BDVNBKmjRCYx5DcQJlha0PjzZer5OBy/s1600/keyboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVvRGAr_jtVOINr8x0itNh-fJ9BqqqBQsO_rCyobw9GGFVPZ5xbRw5BtJzL2MvCfADbrQgDZ2EmgrWqfxe364vk4HgZxxWWdvPxPwszf6BJ0O6BDVNBKmjRCYx5DcQJlha0PjzZer5OBy/s320/keyboard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, hope that helps
at least one person out there pick out a dude gift!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See you guys on Thursday with another go at the gift
guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eep!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re running out of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only 10 days till Christmas! </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-68361967527164443262011-12-12T10:52:00.000-08:002011-12-12T10:54:39.696-08:00Gift Guides – The Yogi(ni) in Your Life<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since pretty much everyone who reads my blog either knows a
yogini or can discreetly send this link to their loved one because they are the
yogini, I thought I'd start here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There's
been a ridiculous increase in the amount of “luxury yoga goods” that are on the
market as of late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to not just
link to everything on the lululemon website for this for two reasons – 1. There are some
non-yoga things that I think many yogis would actually love and 2. There are a
lot of great items that are not ridiculous expensive out there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And away we go!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s just get the lulu stuff out of the way first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone knows they make pretty awesome
products so I’m just going to show you my absolute favorite thing they make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their <a href="http://shop.lululemon.com/products/clothes-accessories/women-crops/Wunder-Under-Crop-31428?cc=9464&skuId=3430533&catId=women-crops" target="_blank">wunder under crops</a> are seriously the
most perfect yoga pant ever made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
do amazing things for your practice and your butt!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YZkH1zT5irgK2B2LW49xEVn6nGYgXvDPuLuI5LtO7Qsux4f_XzvD6iUqPhh8FnF3RxvYH-5qSXOkkhNS5ki9g1-d1_RKRyiRYXVrcUG4i5FsMrzSgMBZTewacfgRiDVWSeY5bSiDRIGu/s1600/lulu.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YZkH1zT5irgK2B2LW49xEVn6nGYgXvDPuLuI5LtO7Qsux4f_XzvD6iUqPhh8FnF3RxvYH-5qSXOkkhNS5ki9g1-d1_RKRyiRYXVrcUG4i5FsMrzSgMBZTewacfgRiDVWSeY5bSiDRIGu/s200/lulu.jpeg" width="160" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://shop.lululemon.com/products/category/women-crops"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next two items aren't specifically for yoginis but most
of the people I know who do yoga tend to get cold out in the real world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may be why we tolerate those hot rooms
so much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This <a href="http://www.johnlewis.com/231428062/Product.aspx" target="_blank">blanket</a> looks amazingly soft and would keep anyone
perfectly warm on a cold winter night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9c8TelXWowi0nuUnG6D9zawVvOlUPDBMMthCRQ3MqjAkSOX_W7rbXe5cLmCIDdWlwOjYPfxqWnRftveYSY7U9lF2ajzjJFj8IXZNpu8fe8_f0kO1uH4gOqONr4zhLHauDD1t3zfvlvNN/s1600/blanket.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9c8TelXWowi0nuUnG6D9zawVvOlUPDBMMthCRQ3MqjAkSOX_W7rbXe5cLmCIDdWlwOjYPfxqWnRftveYSY7U9lF2ajzjJFj8IXZNpu8fe8_f0kO1uH4gOqONr4zhLHauDD1t3zfvlvNN/s200/blanket.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.johnlewis.com/231428062/Product.aspx"><br /></a></div>
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These <a href="http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/23777?feat=506703-GN3" target="_blank">slippers from LL Bean</a> are awesome for wearing around
the house while keeping your feet toasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They're also great for in the yoga studio where shoes are not
welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbNwkGFKqpei8hTUDyEy-jDfTxneMyfY1y7XC1oXq6YW5CElg3ZmJtgM1IxQepHLW8-R3WuActdbNDY7MzNJPdl-5s-ZJ7DRCvJ785KHHrOyf_F8twwj-Fl3T3VSvG8lRdgqcAhLJl8ZR/s1600/slippers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbNwkGFKqpei8hTUDyEy-jDfTxneMyfY1y7XC1oXq6YW5CElg3ZmJtgM1IxQepHLW8-R3WuActdbNDY7MzNJPdl-5s-ZJ7DRCvJ785KHHrOyf_F8twwj-Fl3T3VSvG8lRdgqcAhLJl8ZR/s200/slippers.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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This <a href="http://www.lucy.com/Retreat%20Cowlneck%20Hoodie/211799_SALE,default,pd.html?cgid=Y_Tops" target="_blank">top from LUCY</a> is great for coming and going from your
studio on those fall and spring days where it’s too warm for a coat but too
cool to head out in your damp yoga clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s amazingly soft and has a hood/cowl neck that will cover up your
sweaty mop head!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCDIHq7a8V3rKTyGwEz82TWjNcsHyCn_iHhIfGYcWsT6BH_mdXnd0m14rx0wTAA4ZOvf8bGseU4GOb8BLKA854MxeaOFLSp1BjrMCOwTURdvKgVV_dD2xlCebibBOGKSCqmWlsauA3L5g/s1600/lucy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCDIHq7a8V3rKTyGwEz82TWjNcsHyCn_iHhIfGYcWsT6BH_mdXnd0m14rx0wTAA4ZOvf8bGseU4GOb8BLKA854MxeaOFLSp1BjrMCOwTURdvKgVV_dD2xlCebibBOGKSCqmWlsauA3L5g/s200/lucy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lucy.com/Retreat%20Cowlneck%20Hoodie/211799_SALE,default,pd.html?cgid=Y_Tops"><br /></a></div>
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Mala beads are sacred necklaces that have been worn for
thousands of years by practitioners of yoga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="http://www.lovetinydevotions.com/shop/" target="_blank">Tiny devotions</a> has beautiful malas that would make any yogini
happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Fnm5397WIIyTtjFZoQlTPCOZcPvcziyD0iYAsY4md41u88XJLb6UnrDgFU5jtBlnzoO17jRLwZjsc4lbwVVUZxeJBb0jWVRLmIMe-5u6bqzh-AHTdOw36fzsAo4NigJzTXh7HEaPMGnw/s1600/mala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Fnm5397WIIyTtjFZoQlTPCOZcPvcziyD0iYAsY4md41u88XJLb6UnrDgFU5jtBlnzoO17jRLwZjsc4lbwVVUZxeJBb0jWVRLmIMe-5u6bqzh-AHTdOw36fzsAo4NigJzTXh7HEaPMGnw/s200/mala.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lovetinydevotions.com/shop/"><br /></a></div>
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Another fun and interesting option is a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_hpc?_encoding=UTF8&node=3760901&field-brandtextbin=Auromere" target="_blank">body soap</a> based on your yogi's dosha. You'd have to know their <a href="http://www.whatsyourdosha.com/quiz/" target="_blank">dosha</a> to know what soap to purchase for them however they all smell amazing so even if you don't know, you can't go wrong. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptVuNeT-mfsaCqX9lXCsA6KGXghAGZy8jtPVaUQ3igH2I4hLWoUN01aW2E6dwVnsufheHcA-sfr1_CO8vxq3IqPPlPvHgo0PUm5KbtHtzV-2fvJTJTWtCS3bPZ0yuhvN_ofrwkVdKbQlo/s1600/doshasoap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptVuNeT-mfsaCqX9lXCsA6KGXghAGZy8jtPVaUQ3igH2I4hLWoUN01aW2E6dwVnsufheHcA-sfr1_CO8vxq3IqPPlPvHgo0PUm5KbtHtzV-2fvJTJTWtCS3bPZ0yuhvN_ofrwkVdKbQlo/s200/doshasoap.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Finally, if your yogi(ni) has embraced the yoga lifestyle (especially enough to own the aforementioned dosha soap),
they might appreciate a subscription to a magazine like Whole Living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.wholeliving.com/" target="_blank">This magazine</a> covers topics ranging from
healthful cooking to living green to overall wellness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxF52BtFloQlibyFMY20nEqF-BBAwHrurZP6GJTpW2KqnJNYlE6QhGIKdu0vQb8aMyxCML_1pk9zJxeT2znlsYkypjn9wO1_oRUhtTgEJDjErHrlsT6QA1fC4vRRvyOFZT6YglX-w2ajdW/s1600/Whole-Living-Magazine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxF52BtFloQlibyFMY20nEqF-BBAwHrurZP6GJTpW2KqnJNYlE6QhGIKdu0vQb8aMyxCML_1pk9zJxeT2znlsYkypjn9wO1_oRUhtTgEJDjErHrlsT6QA1fC4vRRvyOFZT6YglX-w2ajdW/s200/Whole-Living-Magazine.jpg" width="152" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Whole living is a great magazine with interesting
fitness tips, tasty recipes and discussions on finding balance in your
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.wholeliving.com/"><br /></a></div>
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Welp, that's it for today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Check back tomorrow when I will have some suggestions for the men in
your life. Happy holidays!</div>
<br />
xoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-16551575706045625492011-12-08T07:05:00.001-08:002011-12-08T10:39:29.499-08:00Disconnecting to Connect<br />
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Hi all! I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving.
Are you getting ready for the upcoming holidays? If you need some
help, I'll have a few fun gift guides on here for you beginning on Monday.
</div>
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Our family has a pretty standard Thanksgiving
tradition. We generally spend the night
at my parents' house with my sister and then we all wake up, have coffee and
breakfast, start the sauerkraut and watch the parade. Slowly but surely we start to cook and
prepare things for dinner as we watch a local high school game that is always
on thanksgiving. By the time the NFL
games start, our kitchen is in full swing (even if most of us are still in our
pajamas) and it smells amazing. Around
4, we set out snacks and cocktails and my aunt and uncle and their five kids
show up and everyone relaxes in for the evening. It is truly my favorite day of the year. </div>
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This year however, two things happened to change up this
routine. 1. The Ravens had a thanksgiving night game and
the people we tailgate with were planning to have thanksgiving on the lot. 2. A good friend offered to let my family use
her rental cabin in Deep Creek Maryland for a long, relaxing weekend. I was honestly upset that regular Thanksgiving
would not be happening, even though I had these fun events to look forward
to. So on Thursday, we went off to our
tailgate and my parents went up to my Aunt and Uncle's for a relaxing and
delicious Thanksgiving dinner (my uncle is a chef and an amazing one at
that.) </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgd2cTjcwa2AeSZxn2He8dPU5O9Lfj6X8kDL3nnU23KFyE-bjYjS8RXAFd6abAA_qISr2so1tk8-BqaMStB9SIL6kjxtBinYtLq5-hSktS3ZVFAceCTWIZ4lmdZSxqQuzUfTCd5zKoPpAg/s1600/photo+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgd2cTjcwa2AeSZxn2He8dPU5O9Lfj6X8kDL3nnU23KFyE-bjYjS8RXAFd6abAA_qISr2so1tk8-BqaMStB9SIL6kjxtBinYtLq5-hSktS3ZVFAceCTWIZ4lmdZSxqQuzUfTCd5zKoPpAg/s320/photo+18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On Friday we packed up a cooler
full of ingredients for a traditional thanksgiving dinner, including a heritage
turkey that was AMAZING, threw some clothes in a bag and headed up to Deep Creek
with my parents, my sister and her friend, and two not-so-little pups. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eDZczXXZo9HMnE0N85ah1yjxp5aNOaH8v3ceacFeswMzvgEWypiiZqjEsTE1C4EQImjjR_VoPPV02P0oBUaLzmQZ2RWeeKEapQGB1KZ1ApxX-HLTF3m94LOANaJ9HEKwywajnSMbYN5z/s1600/photo+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eDZczXXZo9HMnE0N85ah1yjxp5aNOaH8v3ceacFeswMzvgEWypiiZqjEsTE1C4EQImjjR_VoPPV02P0oBUaLzmQZ2RWeeKEapQGB1KZ1ApxX-HLTF3m94LOANaJ9HEKwywajnSMbYN5z/s320/photo+12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Friends, the weekend was fantastic. If you are in need of relaxation and decompression,
PLEASE rent this house out for a week or even a weekend and just enjoy. There is limited cell reception and no real
internet access to speak of. If this
sounds like your idea of Hell, dip a toe in and start with a weekend! I think you'll find that you really enjoy
it. It makes it so much easier to relax. If you're interested in renting the house,
rental information can be found <a href="http://www.deepcreekvacations.com/rental/house.html?ID=75" target="_blank">here</a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. </b>The fireplace alone is enough to make the trek.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72GEIrW6c7B4VdH50j2zU5U-1HMTv5Ll04tF2zKf3e7LarhzY7geVeaiy-EALDkM5FWxtZ9py4p8hOXci5dYEl7Y35j-xc_8-u0IulD1pYHyyi2mrjqxjV8uFW9MtaLrQQB80ZROVBSa4/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72GEIrW6c7B4VdH50j2zU5U-1HMTv5Ll04tF2zKf3e7LarhzY7geVeaiy-EALDkM5FWxtZ9py4p8hOXci5dYEl7Y35j-xc_8-u0IulD1pYHyyi2mrjqxjV8uFW9MtaLrQQB80ZROVBSa4/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We cooked a full Thanksgiving dinner on Friday when we
arrived and it was awesome. We had our
turkey, gluten free cranberry and sage sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes,
truffled creamed spinach, cranberry blueberry sauce, roasted root vegetables
and homemade giblet gravy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn31P26nD2Z-BDAI0ZGthzJKZchHrpEZFw4I1yXoHTrHSB9CtIRToUJX3rekL7D2iOdvHitmav3C-nY8btwKLy2j5r0Us7yEKg4V5_ceGJoGD6xqWfxKZC6SpnQ_3p9McLj4PWtkM1YIoX/s1600/uncooked+turkey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn31P26nD2Z-BDAI0ZGthzJKZchHrpEZFw4I1yXoHTrHSB9CtIRToUJX3rekL7D2iOdvHitmav3C-nY8btwKLy2j5r0Us7yEKg4V5_ceGJoGD6xqWfxKZC6SpnQ_3p9McLj4PWtkM1YIoX/s320/uncooked+turkey.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYExLIIHCJlAvFCTR4yEjA_DnSBFQEmFbWcd3AKCQY3ncCM5hUSaLL1D4RDrAfh8NmAxjl68S3GEAaapcPDLzB-I88lYOFmiyoFJ1-1NLgNpupSkeznip5nDlyoubXwE_PX6svx3xkGliE/s1600/cookedturkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYExLIIHCJlAvFCTR4yEjA_DnSBFQEmFbWcd3AKCQY3ncCM5hUSaLL1D4RDrAfh8NmAxjl68S3GEAaapcPDLzB-I88lYOFmiyoFJ1-1NLgNpupSkeznip5nDlyoubXwE_PX6svx3xkGliE/s320/cookedturkey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySQx8kYX_L2_CmqxZdhQBk4Yvd0KkcZlocYOqkT68jl0zwA87M5EZ7mj6pu5snRNMxegOlgjbL1421PR2ydacPj-zA_YTkFJR1bxPOWEFgvsV6tx6_fOQ0_ryqVTkHwMKQz-WO7FektTe/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySQx8kYX_L2_CmqxZdhQBk4Yvd0KkcZlocYOqkT68jl0zwA87M5EZ7mj6pu5snRNMxegOlgjbL1421PR2ydacPj-zA_YTkFJR1bxPOWEFgvsV6tx6_fOQ0_ryqVTkHwMKQz-WO7FektTe/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was
FANTASTIC. So good, in fact, that we didn't
even break into the other food that we brought, we just ate leftovers for the
next three meals. We also made a
delicious onion and turkey soup using the turkey carcass for dinner on the last
evening (I'll put the recipe of sorts at the bottom). <br />
<br />
We did do more than eat on the trip. There were some outdoorsy type activities and a lot of relaxation and family bonding time. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7kzs21VeyBU7hrW1E_UEPDNqrnB-KLYsb2xxnX-95YovMpGQeY0AuLktXoV9JXExJR-m7_P2PWCn3cL3xG-sdkRX4G4n9WNMorHMcnx5mj_FNAu1AnpPA5q5ny8jE5WW_tRejVlJ8Swt/s1600/photo+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7kzs21VeyBU7hrW1E_UEPDNqrnB-KLYsb2xxnX-95YovMpGQeY0AuLktXoV9JXExJR-m7_P2PWCn3cL3xG-sdkRX4G4n9WNMorHMcnx5mj_FNAu1AnpPA5q5ny8jE5WW_tRejVlJ8Swt/s320/photo+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We took the dogs out on runs, sat in the hot tub and
took a small hike out to Swallow Falls State Park to see some rapids and do
some yoga on the rocks. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbBXfs8jNY6qQ04CvGXBjttUoRAh4Q8S9hGcNJSZB-uVcfX5fW9Js2E_80t-Mq94qfLHtHeRAap9uND0tgvnuel_q5HcwRjGZ0z3Kyfh9LNEsbsTt6LnT636UvvxXsRz8R0B03fCnN6qn/s1600/photo+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbBXfs8jNY6qQ04CvGXBjttUoRAh4Q8S9hGcNJSZB-uVcfX5fW9Js2E_80t-Mq94qfLHtHeRAap9uND0tgvnuel_q5HcwRjGZ0z3Kyfh9LNEsbsTt6LnT636UvvxXsRz8R0B03fCnN6qn/s320/photo+14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was such a
relaxing and fantastic weekend. As
type-A as I am, I could get used to this new tradition. </div>
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<br /></div>
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***</div>
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<br /></div>
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Leftover Turkey & Onion Soup</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(please don't judge me for my "recipe" writing skills)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Remove large pieces of leftover meat from the carcass and then put it in a large soup pot with a halved garlic bulb, a halved large onion (skin on), a few ribs of celery, a few carrots with the greens attached, a bundle of fresh thyme, two Parmesan rinds and a splash of vinegar. Bring to a simmer and then turn it down a bit and let sit just below a simmer on the stove for a minimum of four hours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About an hour before the stock is finished, chop 5-6 large onions into a large dice and begin to brown them in a pan over medium high heat with equal parts butter and oil (about 1 tbsp of each). Be patient here, you want them to slowly come to a deep brown color - here's a <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_caramelize_onions/" target="_blank">great tutorial</a>. </div>
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When the stock is finished pull the carcass and strain the broth through a fine sieve and return it to the stove to warm. Shred the meat that you pulled off the carcass as well as any remaining meat that was left and return it to the broth along with caramelized onions. Add about a cup of red wine and let simmer for about 20 more minutes before salting to taste and serving. Serve in a bowl with some croutons or a piece of crusty bread and gouda cheese on top if you like or throw a tbsp of fresh parsley in at the last minute. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-88964362816980831342011-11-21T19:02:00.001-08:002011-11-21T19:13:47.271-08:00Thanksgiving Favorites<br />
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Hi Friends!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Is everyone excited for
Thanksgiving?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of my favorite
times of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We'll be spending a
long, relaxing weekend with family at a good friend's lake house in Deep
Creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot wait to relax in the hot
tub out on the deck looking into the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.deepcreekhomes.com/Autumn%20Reflections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.deepcreekhomes.com/Autumn%20Reflections.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh Deep Creek<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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One of my favorite parts of
Thanksgiving is finding the perfect balance of classic, traditional recipes and
new, interesting ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to do most
of the cooking, though my father always cooks the turkey on the grill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love spending all day in the kitchen with
my family, drinking cup after cup of coffee, watching football while chopping
vegetables and stirring whatever is on the stove and chatting with my mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below you'll find some of my favorite Thanksgiving
recipes from the past few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2TtoO-kBeGRtnkRRRu_APlAMb5sH3sUidIJ5XXNDR1Tyqy9MMMT55xWYr5wQvmiJNU-jsT9y9sbqlanT9wE0APCZF-6zfXS7bvYh3WCuieloJOpbbcANSQgBYUT7fxEN0so0LpLZbAcw/s1600/cbrown_thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2TtoO-kBeGRtnkRRRu_APlAMb5sH3sUidIJ5XXNDR1Tyqy9MMMT55xWYr5wQvmiJNU-jsT9y9sbqlanT9wE0APCZF-6zfXS7bvYh3WCuieloJOpbbcANSQgBYUT7fxEN0so0LpLZbAcw/s320/cbrown_thanksgiving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are a few things we have
without fail every year – A grilled, sage-butter turkey, chive mashed potatoes,
cranberry jelly (from the can – only ever eaten by my sister) and sweet potato
pudding with marshmallows on top (often accidentally lit on fire by being cooked
too close to the broiler.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The recipes
below are things I've found that we have tried and loved and are on heavy
rotation both for Thanksgiving and regular Sunday dinners at my parents.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://orangette.blogspot.com/2006/12/best-thing-since-brussels-sprouts.html" target="_blank">Cream Braised Brussels Sprouts</a> </div>
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Note* I like to brown a couple of
slices of bacon first and use that fat to cook the sprouts and then crumble the
bacon on top of the finished dish (I think they call this gilding the lily…)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/risotto-al-zuccasquash-risotto-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">Butternut Squash Risotto</a></div>
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This risotto is really fantastic
with a homemade stock. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://wednesdaychef.typepad.com/the_wednesday_chef/2006/10/florence_fabric.html" target="_blank">Swiss Chard Timbales</a></div>
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These are a nice lightish
alternative to a heavier creamed spinach type dish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/10/pumpkin-bread-pudding/" target="_blank">Pumpkin Bread Pudding</a></div>
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Everything from Smitten Kitchen
is always awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Another Thanksgiving favorite is
butternut squash soup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below is a recipe
I've sort of cobbled together by taking bits of other recipes I've really
enjoyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We make this soup once every
couple of weeks in winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p>Smoky Butternut Squash Soup</o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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2 medium-large
butternut squash</div>
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4 cloves garlic</div>
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2 large poblano peppers
(if you cannot find these, two chilies in adobo without the sauce will give a
nice warmth to the soup also)</div>
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Olive oil</div>
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1 onion</div>
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</div>
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¼ cup white wine
</div>
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1 can fire roasted
tomatoes</div>
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1 can coconut milk</div>
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Salt</div>
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1 tbsp turmeric (<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-weil-md/turmeric-health-have-a-happy-new-year_b_798328.html" target="_blank">optional</a>)</div>
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Preheat oven to 400*</div>
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<br /></div>
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Halve 2 large butternut squash (any deep orange winter
squash will work here), clean out the seeds and rub them down with olive oil
and a little salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deseed the poblanos
and put them on the tray with the squash.</div>
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Put them skin side up on a lined cookie sheet and pop 2
cloves of garlic in each seed hole (get over it… I'm sure they teach you the
technical terms in culinary school) and top with a splash more olive oil</div>
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Roast until fork tender (about 40 min or so depending on the
thickness)</div>
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In the meantime chop 1 onion and sauté in a tbsp of olive
oil in a soup pot over med high heat. When just starting to
caramelize, add white wine and a can of crushed tomatoes (I like muir glen fire
roasted) and let simmer.</div>
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When the squash are soft, let them cool a bit and scoop them
into a blender (Vitamix is best, a hand blender would work also). Add the
coconut milk, a tbsp of curry powder and 2 tbsp salt (add the chipotles at this
point if using) and puree until smooth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If soup seems too thick, add a bit of water or stock to thin it
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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So there ya go, a few
recipes to get you going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope you all have
a fantastic thanksgiving!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-58918657437289855912011-11-14T13:14:00.001-08:002011-11-14T13:57:24.593-08:00Chronic Bitch FaceHi peeps!<br />
<br />
Semi-big post coming up later this week on my favorite holiday ever - Thanksgiving! Several of my favorite recipes will definitely be included. For now, I'm trying to pace myself as I dip my toe back into the blogging waters. <br />
<br />
For today, I just wanted to share a site that I absolutely love, <a href="http://blog.krisatomic.com/" target="_blank">Krisatomic</a>. Specifically - this post on <a href="http://blog.krisatomic.com/?p=1617" target="_blank">chronic bitch face</a> (which I totally have and have accepted....)<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://blog.krisatomic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/krisatomic-cheeruplove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://blog.krisatomic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/krisatomic-cheeruplove.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I totally get this. People often tell me I look a. pissed, b. tired, c. miserable. I know, I need new friends :)<br />
<br />
Happy Monday!<br />
<br />
xo<br />
<br />
Updated: Apparently my husband thinks he has bitch face MUCH worse than I do. He
says - "yours is not chronic... you have no idea what's it's like to live with
it...it's a serious handicap you know :)"<br />
haha, it's true - the man makes a mean bitchface!<br />
<br />
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</table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-80050026860746076922011-11-09T19:30:00.000-08:002011-11-09T19:30:11.735-08:00Remember Me?Hi Friends! Remember that time that I said I would never leave you for that long again? Ahh sorry! Life got the best of me for a bit and while I won't make any more promises, I will try my absolute hardest not to abandon you so severely. Truth is, I missed this space and would really like to get back to it in earnest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
So here we are. I hope that I didn't leave you for so long that you forgot about me! What inspired me most to come back and post (that rhyme was totally unintended but it's awesome so it stays) was a visit I made with some wonderful friends to a Virginia winery and farm a while back to celebrate my darling friend Marianne's impending nuptuals. The farm and vineyard is called <a href="http://www.zephwine.com/">Zephania</a> and their tasting room is in the living room of their family home, built in the 1800s. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7W6hhb80NYZ93YV5Thd8S-She2GGEaPqlwT9OUsaYLIE2Ck_8MCz9QEWuLNJoLV89bpqQ__n6WnCaaUuqbzlisWaPj88xxUEb8NXSctKE9woVR2Ztk5U63RO34-XQLl3HaQzA0yMmyYg/s1600/zephaniaglasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7W6hhb80NYZ93YV5Thd8S-She2GGEaPqlwT9OUsaYLIE2Ck_8MCz9QEWuLNJoLV89bpqQ__n6WnCaaUuqbzlisWaPj88xxUEb8NXSctKE9woVR2Ztk5U63RO34-XQLl3HaQzA0yMmyYg/s400/zephaniaglasses.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The company was great, the wine was delicious but the best part was the incredibly welcoming family that ran the vineyard. Everyone in the family had other full time jobs and was running the farm and vineyard in their spare time - a true labor of love! Their son, who provided us with our tour and barrel tasting, had graduated with a degree in viticulture and chemistry and was working with some new and interesting blends (holy runon sentence batman).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApr2GEZNr8T8CLBRPBIxu-0Ax4SEA198-w2iwD8KY9c7RTqyA9C38qRzEuqWKsd5pB5it9qjd5ktPXqBD1pZ9OgBbew3u4yipoJOTjK1CGIJmwvNPMJhYQ9XTAlbGfeXRMdtmISO4sqNL/s1600/zephaniabarreltasting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApr2GEZNr8T8CLBRPBIxu-0Ax4SEA198-w2iwD8KY9c7RTqyA9C38qRzEuqWKsd5pB5it9qjd5ktPXqBD1pZ9OgBbew3u4yipoJOTjK1CGIJmwvNPMJhYQ9XTAlbGfeXRMdtmISO4sqNL/s400/zephaniabarreltasting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Their land is also home to a farm on which they raise some fantastic grass fed beef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They lovingly care for their animals and ensure they have the best and healthiest possible life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The farm and vineyard are both sustainable, family run operations that I love to support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The fact that they are right near the fabulous <a href="http://www.premiumoutlets.com/leesburg/">Leesburg Outlets</a> is an added bonus.) If you sign up for their facebook page, they'll let you know when you can come by the farm and help them pick the grapes. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zephwine.com/Z/Photos_files/Media/DSC01521/DSC01521.jpg?disposition=download" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.zephwine.com/Z/Photos_files/Media/DSC01521/DSC01521.jpg?disposition=download" width="400" /></a></div><br />
If you're looking for something fun to do this fall/winter, please visit <a href="http://www.zephwine.com/">Zephania</a> Vineyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can't say enough good things about this lovely, family run winery and farm!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-28055529545109837592011-03-15T18:01:00.000-07:002011-03-15T18:02:46.198-07:00Reuben Eggrolls and an Apology<div class="MsoNormal">Guys! Hi! Thank you SO much for not giving up on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I've been totally MIA since that last, very intense post on homemade bacon… But I have something dare I say better (?) than plain old bacon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have for you REUBEN EGGROLLS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But before we even get to reuben eggrolls we get to explore the fabulous world that is homemade corned beef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I have a promise… a promise that I will never abandon you for that long again (adam)!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The March Charcutepalooza challenge was brining which, I have to admit, I wasn't really excited about because I tend to brine a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So… it didn't feel as special or as exciting as duck prosciutto or ahem, cured pork belly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But anyway… I decided to just go for it since I'd never made corned beef before and I absolutely love it in any way shape or form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up next was the decision regarding whether or not to use the pink salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went back and forth on this one. I even bought the cure. I know a lot of people feel comfortable using nitrites but I'm not quite one of them and after a nice twitterscussion (see what I did there??) with <a href="http://www.healthygreenkitchen.com/">Dr. Winnie</a>, I decided that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for me, no nitrites was best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enter the beets!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I didn't want to have ugly grey corned beef and I noticed that Wellshire Farms' corned beef is nitrite free and they use beet dye for coloring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I went to my favorite resource, the interwebs, and asked it how to make beet dye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out it's pretty easy… just cube some raw beets, cook them down a bit in boiling water, let them sit for a couple of hours and then pour that shockingly purple/red liquid right into the brine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And five days later… here is what you have!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9dp-45VW7BXpgYvWp63z6G5eFQDLTq5nqNVSIJs3mLZfg-0H_CcyU2vEpNDJQEBMBz2hbORLjxwWxMYQwEs8UZykj4sUBGye3JT3rqhbO7YCXqbtvVaEmu4KHF6xNfCEC9Kg9QXPtdza/s1600/fpfb+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9dp-45VW7BXpgYvWp63z6G5eFQDLTq5nqNVSIJs3mLZfg-0H_CcyU2vEpNDJQEBMBz2hbORLjxwWxMYQwEs8UZykj4sUBGye3JT3rqhbO7YCXqbtvVaEmu4KHF6xNfCEC9Kg9QXPtdza/s320/fpfb+043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I know… does NOT look right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as it turns out, it's PERFECT after you cook it for 10 hours in a sous vide surpreme with a Guinness, blood orange and homemade mustard glaze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I mean perfect.</div><div class="MsoNormal">So here's what I did to get this little guy ready for the SVS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lactofermented mustard (I know!) and that turned out incredibly spicy and totally amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my next post I'll talk about my recent adventures in fermenting but I'm so in love with the process that I really think it deserves a post of its own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anywhoo, I combined that mustard with the juice of 2 blood oranges and a cup of Guinness and reduced it a bit on the stove top.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDdvYtgrLzGbdBCBDbfoIk6G2JO1Y7JOSkeO0JNNy732QHCahYKAO0MHWjA6dbIDhtSdKGozNm2ho7fRhcxkArfUlK9IJCly-RCKikfZuVTPLG7_TQXXsD8mBafQ5Y4lAa6zfwsVuCAmG/s1600/fpfb+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDdvYtgrLzGbdBCBDbfoIk6G2JO1Y7JOSkeO0JNNy732QHCahYKAO0MHWjA6dbIDhtSdKGozNm2ho7fRhcxkArfUlK9IJCly-RCKikfZuVTPLG7_TQXXsD8mBafQ5Y4lAa6zfwsVuCAmG/s320/fpfb+046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then I poured it into the vacuum bag and added the rinsed corned beef to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I froze this as it can be a challenge to vacuum seal pouches with liquid in them and tossed it in the SVS for about 14 hours at 164 degrees F.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I took it out, gave it a quick pass under the broiler and sliced that baby up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV8-h0j4_55A0KpGI2D1ebFg4tDF8ocDXDrHRqi6y_fJTlzLJFkFjcjHX3N0wQiyEgiXD4yyn9Mah1IsZY-8yYDrxQbjRycQsUfxxH0DUkmA0hQvG4ix-YNmMI_XlUAsxOZ730_RVw-Yd/s1600/fpfb+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV8-h0j4_55A0KpGI2D1ebFg4tDF8ocDXDrHRqi6y_fJTlzLJFkFjcjHX3N0wQiyEgiXD4yyn9Mah1IsZY-8yYDrxQbjRycQsUfxxH0DUkmA0hQvG4ix-YNmMI_XlUAsxOZ730_RVw-Yd/s320/fpfb+049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I promise to never doubt the <a href="http://www.theyummymummy.blogspot.com/">charcutepalooza</a> <a href="http://www.mrswheelbarrow.com/">goddesses</a> again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PROMISE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a bonus I had a bunch of extra blood oranges that are currently being preserved in a crapload of salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4H6a8Qaux6VgyfLIbHqekyfjKGN_RcMu_3xZE-_MkVkuinbg6evKbTDF_2TjecZz9nBgcGCvq9WBqxE8eO4DanGhwj_EIny0Uykzcdz5-zgoF1d7c4ZFGyOJNycJ4cdMD7ycKslxIlLP/s1600/fpfb+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4H6a8Qaux6VgyfLIbHqekyfjKGN_RcMu_3xZE-_MkVkuinbg6evKbTDF_2TjecZz9nBgcGCvq9WBqxE8eO4DanGhwj_EIny0Uykzcdz5-zgoF1d7c4ZFGyOJNycJ4cdMD7ycKslxIlLP/s320/fpfb+029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Which leads me to the (clearly) more important part of this post… the aforementioned reuben eggrolls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of my lactofermenting projects included red sauerkraut which was clearly just crying out to be made into a reuben.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also had wonton wrappers conveniently in my fridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> In a (rare) stroke of genius I combined them into the most glorious deep fried package to ever cross my lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I layered some of the homemade mustard, swiss cheese, leftover corned beef and sauerkraut into the wonton skins and popped them into the deep fryer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh110jD1kZN2IumDwko6rbzE4YXsP6w8r4gBOJOdIcmPc2SHlkWNaAODhoVsqhZnTqwJQ6HMTcihiw8VTzXX7iaN0STy8ofMAeoqOK2ulc4VHvffFYWHIjV4j-sjBnLAyLr1-bzyXZI_Z6M/s1600/fpfb+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh110jD1kZN2IumDwko6rbzE4YXsP6w8r4gBOJOdIcmPc2SHlkWNaAODhoVsqhZnTqwJQ6HMTcihiw8VTzXX7iaN0STy8ofMAeoqOK2ulc4VHvffFYWHIjV4j-sjBnLAyLr1-bzyXZI_Z6M/s320/fpfb+058.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">This was really great… so so delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best part about it was the way the slight bitterness and acidity cut through the richness of this tasty little package.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">So guys, again… apologies for the delay in posting but I have some good (meaty AND nonmeaty) ones lined up for you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And I will never abandon you like that again! </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-47889851248631674242011-02-15T10:29:00.000-08:002011-02-15T11:25:43.018-08:00Birch BaconI honestly can't remember in recent history, a time I've been more excited about something than January 15th, 2011 at 10am. For all you curious types, that's when I read that the next charcutepalooza challenge would be bacon. That's right people, homemade bacon... and pancetta. What more could I ask for?<br />
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So that weekend, the hubs and I wandered down to a butcher we are huge fans of to get a large pork belly. I figured I would do half of it as bacon and half of it rolled as pancetta. I had recently worked with smaller cuts of pork belly for the first time in our relatively new sous vide supreme with some amazing results so I was pretty excited to try this challenge. Plus... bacon!<br />
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When I was reading the recipe in Charcuterie for the bacon, I saw a note that indicated for a sweeter note, you could add some maple syrup. I have to admit now that I'm not crazy over maple syrup the way some people I know are. The hubs could main line it into his body however. Here's where we enter tangent territory. (I know, you all love my tangents)<br />
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Last summer I'd read a recipe I found through <a href="http://liqurious.notcot.org/">Liqurious</a> for an <a href="http://www.artofdrink.com/2008/06/bourbon-and-birch.php">Old Fashioned made with birch syrup</a> instead of raw sugar. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1TYIEspNi7eTPFq9M7CdYogvaEnH4YVOuWsRwpjBWH_I3bpLe5LbKu-rS1DyRoykitYdUiRp4t7iMET41Cnfn7VICydYn8hwHXgm_R4A2VxXDfbgmhHo4WiH-BG0V4It_dcYfTRrG7Ee/s1600/birch_2Dold_2Dfashioned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1TYIEspNi7eTPFq9M7CdYogvaEnH4YVOuWsRwpjBWH_I3bpLe5LbKu-rS1DyRoykitYdUiRp4t7iMET41Cnfn7VICydYn8hwHXgm_R4A2VxXDfbgmhHo4WiH-BG0V4It_dcYfTRrG7Ee/s320/birch_2Dold_2Dfashioned.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from <a href="http://www.artofdrink.com/2008/06/bourbon-and-birch.php">Art of Drink</a> blog </td></tr>
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I liked the idea of using a syrup instead of plain sugar in an Old Fashioned because I felt it would add some complexity to what was already a pretty amazing drink. So I scoured the <a href="http://www.alaskabirchsyrup.com/albipr.html">internet</a> and ordered way more syrup than necessary in order to justify the shipping costs and because I was secretly dreaming of homemade birch beer. I just knew this was going to be the best Old Fashioned ever. Can we just talk about how right I was for a second? This was the Old Fashioned of my dreams. Birch Syrup has a nice (mild) smoky flavor and a caramel-y sweetness that is not cloying at all. So much better than maple, I promise! Maple is meh, get on board!<br />
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Anyway... Delorean yourself to a few weeks ago when I was getting ready to rub my belly (will that ever stop being funny? no.) When I thought hrmm, I have had some pretty great maple bacon... and birch > maple... and I knew I was planning to make bacon jam with at least half of this bacon. And suddenly my brain was like HEY LADY.... BOURBON BIRCH BACON. Duh. How did it take me so long to think of this? The flavor of bourbon should work perfectly with the mild smokiness in the birch syrup. So, I cooked off the alcohol from a few tablespoons of bourbon, (in case it did something to the meat?) added it to about a quarter cup of birch syrup, and added that to my dry cure. Then I rubbed it all over the first half of the belly that was destined for a salt cure only and waited. And waited. <br />
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Can I just tell you how hard all the waiting involved in making charcuterie is? It’s hard. You know you have something that is inherently great sitting in your refrigerator... But... if you wait it out that greatness gets better. WAY better. <br />
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Fast forward to a week later and it is time to make the <s>donuts</s> bacon jam (side note: bacon jam filled doughnuts?!). I cleaned off the cure and patted that puppy dry and sliced off a couple strips to try. The bacon was a bit saltier than I would have liked (I think this is due to the fact that we couldn't find a belly from a butcher/farmer that we were happy with that had skin on it so we ended up with a skinless one) but the flavor was incredible. A hint of interesting sweetness added to what I can honestly say was the best bacon I'd ever tasted. This bacon is the JAM (pun obviously intended.)<br />
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Speaking of jam! I'm sure if you have graced the internet with your presence lately you've seen or heard about this bacon jam recipe that is making the rounds from <a href="http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/blog/2011/01/17/bacon-jam-a-k-a-oooh-mommy-jam/">Foodie with Family</a>. I've linked to the recipe and the pictures there do it way more justice than I ever could but PEOPLE - make this jam. ASAP. <br />
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I followed the recipe pretty much as-is with a few specific things to note. I wanted a bit of smoked flavor that I wouldn't get from my fresh bacon alone so I used half my bacon and half Wellshire Farms black forest smoked bacon.<br />
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I rendered about a cup of fat off of this (hold your horses we'll get to that) and pulled it from the pan when everything was good and crisped. I added some rosemary sprigs to the onion and garlic in the pan but removed it once everything was cooked down. <br />
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The only other change I made was to use half maple syrup and half birch syrup (continuity! woop!) instead of just maple syrup. I don't even know why I'm still typing since you've probably left to make your own bacon jam but whatever. Then I pureed it and let it sit off the heat to cool down.<br />
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Then I ate like 4 cups of it.<br />
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Just kidding I only ate <s>3</s> 1. Since I had plenty of bacon fat, and a starving sister sitting in my kitchen staring at me, I figured it was time to make some dinner. I wasn't particularly hungry due to all the aforementioned bacon jam eating but I had invited her over for dinner and felt semi-obligated to provide her with food. I defrosted a pork tenderloin and cut up some onions, carrots, mushrooms and parsnips. I browned all the veggies in the bacon fat with a couple of sprigs of thyme and then spread them out in an oven proof pan just big enough to hold them.<br />
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Then the pork tenderloin got the same browning treatment while I made a glaze for it and the veggies. <br />
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I just mixed together equal parts bacon jam (!!) and whole grain mustard. I added a splash of white wine, salt and pepper and some chopped rosemary and poured it over the pork that was now resting on top of the browned vegetables. <br />
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Then I popped the whole thing in a 375 degree oven for about fifteen minutes and dinner was served! And my sister was no longer making a face like 'if you don't feed me something besides jam I will just eat you.'<br />
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Win-win, I say. <br />
<o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p><br />
I should mention that I made pancetta as well but it's not quite ready to taste yet. <br />
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</div>I have big plans for that puppy though so stay tuned! Also I wanted to take this time to thank all the organizers of Charcutepalooza for being supportive and building such a great learning community. Well that’s enough bacon talk for today. Time to start thinking about getting my brine on. Can't wait!<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-46807324586320064322011-02-09T18:26:00.000-08:002011-02-09T18:26:23.483-08:00RingalingGuess what? Today's post is about rings. Woot! When I was planning our wedding a lot of the posts I came across on wedding blogs were about engagement ring alternatives. That's what I'm going to present here to you. Lucky! If you're not interested, come back later this week and we'll talk about bacon. A lot of these rings could easily be non-contractual jewelry however, and Valentine's Day is just around the corner so stick around... just kidding... None of these will get to you by Monday. You are definitely screwed.<br />
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Anywhoo... here we go!<br />
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First up is definitely my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61176901/aquamarine-cushion-in-14k-rose-gold">favorite</a>. It's a beautiful cushion cut aquamarine stone set in rose gold. I am totally in love with cushion cut. It's an antique cut (according to people who know these sorts of things...) but I feel like it's actually quite modern looking. Also, my engagement ring is cushion cut and I just love it, so there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgeSK2b_X1H3D8TiRCmPWyhYYoa9A1zk0mNNHNsK6NN5RJRJ7CNKLHKEBWc8Z35bnTjofINtWS8CTI183hx2MVXPRYnMC8MBQ40mQRd-xS_YihqOZd3K-sK4HkKUO3IocIpQdT51aNr91/s1600/cushionaqua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgeSK2b_X1H3D8TiRCmPWyhYYoa9A1zk0mNNHNsK6NN5RJRJ7CNKLHKEBWc8Z35bnTjofINtWS8CTI183hx2MVXPRYnMC8MBQ40mQRd-xS_YihqOZd3K-sK4HkKUO3IocIpQdT51aNr91/s320/cushionaqua.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/onegarnetgirl?ref=ls_profile">One Garnet Girl</a> on Etsy</td></tr>
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I love the look of this ring so much. If you want to buy it for me, you totally can!<br />
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This next ring is from a designer that I truly love. <a href="http://bario-neal.com/bn/">Bario-Neal</a> is a jewelry designer out of Philadelphia that uses ethically sourced diamonds as well as environmentally friendly and recycled or reclaimed metals. The jewelry is incredible too. So you can feel good in your heart and good on your finger! Win Win, I say!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOc-mvXoNm3sdVG4juOLcFia2UsCfm6sjXBgGTJrn2XlHJXwRZuMuZuermzw6HlnDePrv8jMWYvB2zmXaq6nKwNcm75YW_mOkJg4oyBCgdbzvgSkxnpZZqAWSsykXumNwHbwAs-A3QnM6/s1600/bnring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOc-mvXoNm3sdVG4juOLcFia2UsCfm6sjXBgGTJrn2XlHJXwRZuMuZuermzw6HlnDePrv8jMWYvB2zmXaq6nKwNcm75YW_mOkJg4oyBCgdbzvgSkxnpZZqAWSsykXumNwHbwAs-A3QnM6/s320/bnring.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This <a href="http://bario-neal.com/bn/collections/bands-rings-diamonds-gems/custom-work/custom-cala-three-stone-ring.html">ring</a> is a three stone garnet engagement ring flanked by two yellow diamonds. <br />
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Its a custom designed piece but Bario-Neal also has some beautiful non-custom pieces like this awesome <a href="http://bario-neal.com/bn/collections/bands-rings-diamonds-gems/engagement-rings/avens-rough-diamond-ring.html">rough cut diamond solitare</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtIHp5VfUHFizieb7GFCc14YxSX0Zc8fxIWvs17ncizOWqoJmdq0LhE0eGlqD75yE_oC9B_mG4xORuqdGo5OobhJOsaRji9kP-opcWnokLmuvtDZvmZBwlwqF0nCGSNjfjAKoi_fhEQ9H/s1600/bnring3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtIHp5VfUHFizieb7GFCc14YxSX0Zc8fxIWvs17ncizOWqoJmdq0LhE0eGlqD75yE_oC9B_mG4xORuqdGo5OobhJOsaRji9kP-opcWnokLmuvtDZvmZBwlwqF0nCGSNjfjAKoi_fhEQ9H/s320/bnring3.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
How cool is that? <br />
<br />
Finally, Bario-Neal has some beautiful gemstone rings like this <a href="http://bario-neal.com/bn/collections/bands-rings-diamonds-gems/engagement-rings/cala-sapphire-ring.html">Cala Sapphire ring</a>. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNM4eM0iQJINmrGB7WG1GB0xbtsIoJ8qCI4gnDFXtj0UjCzKkhyphenhyphen12EVTp02sBcFhlio8inAQcBZhxjEVAqGIQpFbFYSJODpvqtcsl6lp45Eu1b3jJGjlLLC99vN0WPj13eQe6SaesV6bl/s1600/bnring2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNM4eM0iQJINmrGB7WG1GB0xbtsIoJ8qCI4gnDFXtj0UjCzKkhyphenhyphen12EVTp02sBcFhlio8inAQcBZhxjEVAqGIQpFbFYSJODpvqtcsl6lp45Eu1b3jJGjlLLC99vN0WPj13eQe6SaesV6bl/s320/bnring2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I love bezel settings and this one is particularly unique. You know whatever you get from here will be gorgeous and one of a kind (or at least pretty damn close to it)<br />
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These <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62108302/tri-color-set-of-9-x-14k-rose-and-yellow?ref=pr_shop">rings</a>, from Etsy seller Secret Charm are beautiful stackable gold. If one ring says "I love you enough to marry you," can you just imagine what nine rings say? <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lpJAELQReUZDly2AmF0QH6xIO_xVwMRjVSPmbUthWisi1xBnlGo88RzTzJec2mykgph9VVahPuFIrRRoECC4wt6XSFvWqIfrhxrss65fqyShKAZkG07EODJjw82Sc4E_2Eyc7njse9Xm/s1600/stackedgold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lpJAELQReUZDly2AmF0QH6xIO_xVwMRjVSPmbUthWisi1xBnlGo88RzTzJec2mykgph9VVahPuFIrRRoECC4wt6XSFvWqIfrhxrss65fqyShKAZkG07EODJjw82Sc4E_2Eyc7njse9Xm/s320/stackedgold.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secret Charm on Etsy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
These would make great wedding bands or just nice finger decorations in general :)<br />
<br />
OK there you have it! Sorry for the lack of posting lately. Luckily I was guilt tripped back into posting regularly. Up next? BACONY GOODNESSUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-5411498479824654712011-02-04T13:01:00.000-08:002011-02-05T08:11:06.933-08:00Man Presents!Happy Friday my little cupids!<br />
Here is a round up of presents for the menfolk this Valentines Day. Guys have a tendency to be hard to shop for but in reality you're just picking out things that you want them to wear or carry while tricking them into thinking they like it :) Devious!<br />
<br />
Ok here we go...<br />
<br />
A lot of the boys I tend to pal around with are at least vaguely outdoorsy. They also tend to enjoy coffee, at least as a vehicle for caffeine. Here's an interesting little gift that will serve them well when camping or if they find themselves lost in the wilderness with nothing but the coat on their back and a bag of freshly ground Bolivia Buenavista organic beans! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLai5LHPnjtbExYiLRjs7dCcF40H6D6NxQ3PX3Tt75lpv5mXdoMfYY1KkXf7efWUeGqQ6FTD_ivUx3GWhWtuqqJ_esNiUxgkPGz7Cnne1tnkPPRa1DZDprPDG_2SFr1G1FZk0Yu3dbyrH/s1600/campespresso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLai5LHPnjtbExYiLRjs7dCcF40H6D6NxQ3PX3Tt75lpv5mXdoMfYY1KkXf7efWUeGqQ6FTD_ivUx3GWhWtuqqJ_esNiUxgkPGz7Cnne1tnkPPRa1DZDprPDG_2SFr1G1FZk0Yu3dbyrH/s320/campespresso.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gsioutdoors.com/">GSI Outdoor</a> * $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
A <a href="http://www.gsioutdoors.com/products/pdp/1_cup_aluminum_mini_expresso/">stovetop espresso maker</a> that can be used on camp stoves! Pair this with a bag of <strike>your</strike> their favorite beans and what more could they ask for?<br />
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Next up! A nice briefcase that doesn't look like it's<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKs6y9_d2ps"> filled with crackers</a>. (Good job to those of you that got that without clicking the link - two points!) I mean lets face it - men wish they could carry purses... but they can't. Mostly because we'd make fun of them and it would be emasculating. BUT if you get them a nice "briefcase/carryall" they can put all their stuff in it and maybe some of yours too!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M_NY_GNXFTDfMNAPrHk2ZzkyHJ3ujI5c-DoEQiieobwkJ_XmBOpV20fTh1vKiqaOTWx__-btZbel2VEVnmB9PnVpMlxa5wlPUJWyLzcd7exE2_QHP2_dR4MFtRnKqBzVNDFWT3S5NHHv/s1600/mancase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M_NY_GNXFTDfMNAPrHk2ZzkyHJ3ujI5c-DoEQiieobwkJ_XmBOpV20fTh1vKiqaOTWx__-btZbel2VEVnmB9PnVpMlxa5wlPUJWyLzcd7exE2_QHP2_dR4MFtRnKqBzVNDFWT3S5NHHv/s320/mancase.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.billykirk.com/">BillyKirk</a> * $320</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This one from <a href="http://store.billykirk.com/store/product/165GRN">Billy Kirk</a> is nice looking, not too fancy and neutral-y colored without being boring. Plus you could totally borrow it for a weekend bag. <br />
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In culling together all these gifts I have come to the realization that man gifts are sort of boring. So I'm gonna throw in <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/mens_feature/NewArrivals/sweaters/PRDOVR~36236/36236.jsp">this sweater </a>for good measure (what is more exciting than sweaters?)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEp7HT4rK-RP_eH96P1LkoNRj4LowKPmfVMhD9BxoLbZMneOgbXWSwUPZakDxe4eHHpateY9lSbD5i_z38qylENnPBZPX8LUiIADX1Q2WLjdIFfTZkJNxgp9B6l4zZf3LQHYmcsgJJOzH/s1600/mansweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEp7HT4rK-RP_eH96P1LkoNRj4LowKPmfVMhD9BxoLbZMneOgbXWSwUPZakDxe4eHHpateY9lSbD5i_z38qylENnPBZPX8LUiIADX1Q2WLjdIFfTZkJNxgp9B6l4zZf3LQHYmcsgJJOzH/s320/mansweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jcrew.com/">JCrew </a>* $59.50</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
JCrew seriously makes some hot mens clothes and I have felt these sweaters live and in person (All this hard work - for you my dear readers) and can attest to their coziness. Plus what is hotter than a boy in a sweater?<br />
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OK! Phew... being this boring is hard work people.<br />
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Hopefully up this weekend: Unisex gifts and some bacony goodness!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-2092602733656007272011-02-02T11:14:00.000-08:002011-02-02T11:23:47.134-08:00The Gift of LoveHi Friends!<br />
Do you all do anything exciting and romantical for Valentine's Day? We tend to write this semi-silly holiday off however I have several friends that are extremely into Vday celebrations and I find that pretty cute as well. Its always exciting when Vday falls in the early stages of your relationship, non? I decided, in honor of my friends who have major vday spirit to do a fun gift-guide. Since we don't really do much, I thought this would be a fun way to internet window-shop without it looking like I was hinting for something I'd like. (In fact, this blog is pretty much one big *hint* :)<br />
<br />
Today, for the chickies:<br />
I'm going to dip my toe into the blogging water today and start with something you all already know I <a href="http://goodnplentiful.blogspot.com/2011/01/sick-of-it.html">love</a>. That's right, <a href="http://www.birchbox.com/">Birchbox</a>! Birchbox is great because it is literally the gift that keeps on giving. You get a monthly package of fun makeup related goodies to try out. They have three different gift subscriptions (3, 6 and 12 months) and your loved one is reminded monthly of your good taste! How can it fail?<br />
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It is so very easy to snag a gift certificate to a store you know your love is fond of so that she can pick out something that will definitely suit her but its a bit impersonal, don't you think? Instead, go with this lovely <a href="http://onesydneyroad.com/item/2_tone_flap_tote_in_cream_sweet_potato/81/c7">bag</a>.<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://onesydneyroad.com/item_images/infusion21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://onesydneyroad.com/item_images/infusion21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://onesydneyroad.com/index.php">One Sydney Road</a> * $85</td></tr>
</tbody></table> The simple but clean style and the perfect size for work to happy hour will be appealing to all types of go-getters. It's made from a mix of sustainable organic and recycled fibers. Plus the colors remind me of a warm summer afternoon... and who doesn't miss warm summer afternoons at this point?<br />
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Another option is to go with a piece of hand-crafted jewelry. One of my favorite jewelry designers is Made by Sam on Etsy. She makes lovely individualized pieces that you will definitely treasure but are still affordable. She made all the jewelry for my wedding and could not have been easier to work with. Here's one of her newer pieces, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66771149/personalized-peacock-green-amethyst-1?ref=pr_shop">a pendant necklace</a> with a peacock style charm and an intial. She will also interchange the stones for you with your lady's birthstone.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.211696295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.211696295.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/madebysam">Made by SAM</a> * $42.98</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Perfect way to prove how well you know your love. Look! I remembered your first initial *and* your birthstone!<br />
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Finally, since girls aren't all makeup, jewelry and purses (wait, what?) here is a gift that is truly awesome...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yF4qouPKL._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yF4qouPKL._SS500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BO2R4K/?tag=svpply01-20">Amazon</a> * $67</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
If your girl doesn't like this, hopefully she has the wherewithall to pretend she does or else she's probably a terrorist. First of all, Ken Burns is amazing and so is the series of actors he got to narrate this bad boy. Secondly, its about our national parks... and they are really amazing... and you actually probably have no clue just *how* amazing they are until you watch this. Thirdly, its so beautiful and timeless, you will never get tired of watching it. Plus, it supports PBS... and PBS rules all. Actually, come to think of it... PBS has a ton of awesome things. Just ignore this gift guide, go <a href="http://www.shoppbs.org/home/index.jsp">there</a> and buy something cool and support public broadcasting! Woot!<br />
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Check in tomorrow and I'll blow your mind with gifts for humans with weiners :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-62925770398832537912011-01-31T13:32:00.000-08:002011-02-15T14:13:06.310-08:00Portable CozinessHere on the eastern seaboard, we're expecting another round of "wintry mix" and as soon as I hear that phrase, I immediately want to snuggle on the couch and sit in front of a roaring fire.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCQzRwO7Ny1ia4rmupIHDl094gQyrczc4mVPoXAP_37iLwQSc7uINuOBGTFU3hdxQIX3SvEpRYHyXkiyjf0xk8auYxGCzqrfWsPhfMF7YRShkd37rV45maOqVahz0G2U8GMtk2eSbMoea/s1600/cozypuppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCQzRwO7Ny1ia4rmupIHDl094gQyrczc4mVPoXAP_37iLwQSc7uINuOBGTFU3hdxQIX3SvEpRYHyXkiyjf0xk8auYxGCzqrfWsPhfMF7YRShkd37rV45maOqVahz0G2U8GMtk2eSbMoea/s320/cozypuppy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via <a href="http://theanimalblog.tumblr.com/post/2404488371/thats-just-what-they-do-by-hi-im-kristiano">TheAnimalBlog</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
Since I live in an apartment, and they frown on the lighting on fire of random things, I guess for now it's just daydreaming... or is it?<br />
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I found a few interesting takes on what a fireplace really is, and I have to say... they made me pretty excited! These are all bioethanol burning so you can have them in the house without a separate ventilation system for them. I imagine they don't put out a ton of heat but they sure do look cozy. <br />
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First up, the Ponton Fireplace by Wolf Udo Wagner on <a href="http://www.gnr8.biz/product_info.php?products_id=980">Generate</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gnr8.cachefly.net/gnr8biz/images/pontonmain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://gnr8.cachefly.net/gnr8biz/images/pontonmain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Its a little hard to get the scale here but I think its about the size of a small camp fire. Plus, I *love* the glass and clean lines of this little guy.... not to mention its the most affordable of the bunch. <br />
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Next up is this one from Aktys that I found on <a href="http://www.digsdigs.com/unique-wall-mount-fireplaces-by-aktys/">digsdigs</a>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.digsdigs.com/photos/Unique-wall-mounted-fireplace-by-Aktys-1-554x705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.digsdigs.com/photos/Unique-wall-mounted-fireplace-by-Aktys-1-554x705.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
I love the muted black of this one and from the looks of it, you could hang it up on any wall without it being too intrusive. <br />
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Finally, my favorite of the bunch is this one by Swedish designer Fredrik Hylten-Cavallius. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cavalliusdesign.se/images/projects/Piet/Piet-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://www.cavalliusdesign.se/images/projects/Piet/Piet-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practically demands snuggling... </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
From the looks of his <a href="http://www.cavalliusdesign.se/">website</a>, this was his master's thesis project. I don't see any ordering information but I'd be all over that if I could. Plus, it's named after Danish architect and mathematician Piet Hein, the best of the Danish architects! What more could you ask for? Seriously - i want this!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-63832907618827234882011-01-28T13:33:00.000-08:002011-01-29T09:25:43.522-08:00Coming CleanI am just going to admit it.<br />
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I love <a href="http://www.manrepeller.com/2010/09/fall-clogs.html">clogs</a>. Whew! It feels so good to get things like that off your chest.<br />
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Since it's friday and it is still flurrying and I'm on my way to happy hour, I'm going to make this short. (This has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that my entire readership probably hates clogs... nope, not at all) Not that I care that you all hate clogs... They are totally back in style. ShopBop even has a whole section devoted to them. So THERE.<br />
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Here's a few pair I love:<br />
These from <a href="http://www.shopbop.com/lustrous-open-toe-shank-zip/vp/v=1/845524441890426.htm?folderID=2534374302169181&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall">Shopbop</a>... don't give me lip about them not being clogs... it says clogs right in the description!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/Shopbop/pcs/media/images/products/cocli/cocli4000234116/cocli4000234116_p1_v1_m56577569832166449_254x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/Shopbop/pcs/media/images/products/cocli/cocli4000234116/cocli4000234116_p1_v1_m56577569832166449_254x500.jpg" width="162" /></a></div><br />
And here are some Swedish Hasbeens (yes, they're actually called that... no jokes, please!) from <a href="http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=19805&vid=1&pid=796889&scid=796889002">piperlime</a> in black suede.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://piperlime.gap.com/Asset_Archive/PLWeb/Assets/Product/796/796889/main/pl796889-00p01v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://piperlime.gap.com/Asset_Archive/PLWeb/Assets/Product/796/796889/main/pl796889-00p01v01.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
and finally... some that <strong>aren't </strong>$400 (I know, you're welcome.) An adorable pair Steven Yak from <a href="http://www.6pm.com/steven-yak-tan">6pm</a>, which is an awesome cheap shoe finding site. Yes, that's a thing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a1.zassets.com/images/z/1/4/1/1415137-p-2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a1.zassets.com/images/z/1/4/1/1415137-p-2x.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Ok! So there we have it. Clogs are cool.<br />
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Note: I'm weirdly punchy right now... sorry for the level of sass. Happy weekend you little scamps!<br />
<br />
xoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-41876880664014575592011-01-27T11:55:00.000-08:002011-01-27T11:55:44.982-08:00Oops!I just realized my last post had no pictures in it... just words. And who cares about words, am I right?<br />
<br />
So here's a link to a fun slideshow of winter-proof clothing from <a href="http://www.refinery29.com/a-blizzard-approved-outfit-that-wont-leave-you-soaked.php">Refinery 29</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.refinery29.com/img/blizzard-outfit-op.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.refinery29.com/img/blizzard-outfit-op.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
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We're going to be dealing with this weather for at least another month so we might as well be cozy doing it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6859185807419955015.post-65631802213256348782011-01-27T11:47:00.000-08:002011-01-27T11:47:06.529-08:00Snow FoodOK!<br />
<br />
I know my last <strike>few</strike> all posts have been related to snow but I just can't help it, I really really love snow. I also love all the wintertime activities that come with it. This often (for us anyway) includes cooking something low and slow for a loooong time while the oven helps warm the apartment a little better. Eating smushy and warm food, extra points if it's ugly, is perfect for weather like we're having tonight...<br />
<br />
I mentioned last night some friends came over, braving ThunderSnow for the promise of pork and turnips... AND they brought us<a href="http://www.taharkabrothers.org/home.html"> ice cream </a>and beer. I mean really... what more can you ask for? Anyway, in return for their bravery and ice cream procurement skills, they were rewarded with said pork and turnip risotto. Also we had truffled popcorn (pop some popcorn on the stove and toss it with salt and melted truffle butter... and <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/wild-porcini-sea-salt/?pkey=csalts">this</a>) and kale chips. The recipe for the pork can be found below and is very very flexible, and the recipe for the turnip risotto, from Mario Batali, can be found <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2008/03/dinner-tonight-turnip-risotto-recipe.html">here</a>. <br />
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We ate, we drank, we played weather roulette* and a good time was had by all :)<br />
<br />
Also, as it turns out... I'm bad at making presentable recipes. <br />
<br />
Braised Pork Shoulder<br />
<br />
preheat oven to 325*<br />
ingredients:<br />
1 (3ish lb?) pork shoulder<br />
1 onion<br />
2 carrots<br />
3 celery ribs<br />
2 cloves garlic<br />
salt and pepper<br />
3 sprigs thyme, rosemary<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
1/4 cup dijon mustard<br />
2 tbsp tomato paste<br />
1 cup red wine or dark beer<br />
1 can diced/crushed tomatoes<br />
~2 cups beef stock<br />
<br />
<br />
cut one large pork shoulder into chunks and salt and pepper liberally on all sides<br />
dice 1 onion, 1 carrot<br />
mince 2 cloves garlic<br />
make an herb bundle: thyme, rosemary, 2 bay leaves<br />
<br />
brown the pork chunks (that sounds gross) on all sides (get it really good and brown) in a large oven safe dutch oven or something like that<br />
remove from the pan and set aside<br />
add carrots and onions to the pan and begin to caramelize (about 3-5 min) scraping up the porky bits<br />
add garlic and saute 1 more minute<br />
add the mustard and tomato paste and continue to brown<br />
add one cup of red wine (or dark beer) to the pan to deglaze and reduce a few minutes<br />
add the can of tomatoes<br />
return the coated pork to the pot along with the herbs<br />
add beef stock or water (if adding water you will definitely need a bit more salt at the end) so that it comes up about 3/4 the way up the meat<br />
bring the mixture up to a boil then<br />
cover pot with tin foil then put lid on pot<br />
cook for 1.5 hrs, turn meat once, cook for 1.5 more hrs<br />
<br />
take pork and herbs out and puree the rest of the sauce with a hand blender (or just spoon over the meat)<br />
<br />
*weather roulette is a term I learned from a tiny friend where you "make questionable choices in the evening based on the possibility of not having to deal with work the next day (due to snow)"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0