Farmhouse table.

 

A farmhouse table is on my list of furniture to acquire...someday. Know of one that's available? Have one that you're trying to pitch? Drop me a line and maybe I can hook you up with someone.

More farmhouse table love-->here.

[forty-sixth at grace]

Mottainai.

Garland.

I'm loving this garland made by Kristina Marie. Not only is the garland made from paper rescued from the garbage or recycling bin, but she also packages her products in recycled bags that can be reused or recycled by the recipient. What would you do with this garland? Wrap a gift? Hang it on your mantel? [spotted on: Modish]

[Bay Map Paper Garland]

Mottainai.

Asparagus.

Was it the unseasonably warm weather that settled over Mpls this past week? Or the strong urge to eat something green (I'm talking the color green)? Or my Pavlov's dog response to all of the recipes at 101 Cookbooks?

I guess it doesn't really matter what the reason, but I just finished up making this delightfully tasty recipe: 

Asparagus and Brown Rice 

[adapted from: 101 Cookbooks] 
Serves 6 to 8. 

1 cup dry brown basmati rice
olive oil
2 14-ounce cans of chickpeas, drained & rinsed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 bunches asparagus, cut into 1-inch segments
1/3 cup almond slivers, toasted
fine grain sea salt 

Dressing: 

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tablespoons tahini

zest of one lemon

juice of one lemon juice

2 tablespoons hot water

+Cook rice accordingly.

+Toast almonds and chop.

+Make the dressing by whisking together the garlic, tahini, lemon zest and lemon juice. Add the hot water to thin a bit.

+Add olive oil to to a big skillet over medium-high heat. [I used an oil mister to coat the pan.] Add the chickpeas and sprinkling of salt. Let the beans saute there for 5-7 minutes.

+Add the garlic and onions. Let cook for 5-7 minutes.

+Stir in the asparagus. Add a bit of water. Cover with a lid for 4-6 minutes to steam - until the asparagus brightens and softens up just a bit.

+Uncover and stir in the rice and almond pieces.

+Pour dressing over top. Stir to incorporate

+Taste and salt to your deserved preference. 

Mottainai.

Lentils.

 

Meat isn't high on my "like" list, so I'm constantly in search of other ways to add protein into my diet. I consider myself a fairly active individual, so I understand the importance of consuming at least 60g of protein a day. My current protein sources include: tofu, fish, edamame, eggs, nuts, oatmeal and soy milk. I'm also a fan of lentils, but until recently I haven't explored cooking with them. 

Are you interested in cooking with lentils? Do winter temperatures have you craving warm foods? If you answered yes to either of these questions, I recommend you explore one of these recipes...

Lively Up Yourself Lentil Soup

[adapted from: 101 cookbooks]

Serves 6 to 8. 

2 cups green French lentils, picked over and rinsed
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 cups water
3 cups of kale, rinsed well, deveined, finely chopped 

Topping options:

Plain, nonfat Greek yogurt

Goat cheese crumbles

Eggs

+Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan, add the lentils, and cook for about 20 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.

+Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy soup pot over medium heat, then add the onion and salt and saute until tender, a couple minutes. 

+Stir in the tomatoes, lentils, and water and continue cooking for a few more minutes, letting the soup come back up to a simmer. 

+Stir in the chopped greens, and wait another minute. 

+Taste and adjust the seasoning if need be. 

+Ladle into bowls, and serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt or goat cheese crumbles.

+For an added punch of protein, top with a poached egg.

Two other recipes in which lentils are the shining star:

Red Lentil Soup  (recommended topping: goat cheese) 

Curried Red Lentil, Swiss Chard & Chickpea Soup (recommended topping: plain, nonfat yogurt)

[Mottainai.]

Give.

We have food on our table.

We have clean water at our fingertips.

We have shelter over our heads.

We have this and more.

More than enough.

Give something to those in need today.

Give to those who have lost loved ones, homes, food sources, water sources.

Give to those who have lost everything.

One easy way to give: text "haiti" to 90999 and you will make a $10 donation to the Red Cross to aid in efforts to help the people of Haiti.

Click here to find out more ways to help.

Mottainai.

Some links to love.

Wondering what types of food you should buy organic? Here is a nice priorities summary.

As mentioned early, I am in the process of reading The Omnivore's Dilemma. I just finished the grasses chapter and was drawn to this post on chicken and eggs.

Natural fibers, colors. Peace silks. Pure processes. A bride would make a statement with one of these dresses. [via]

A broken plate is given new life. [via]

Looking for potential in 2010.

Do you know where your fish were raised? We should all start asking.

Do you have strings of holiday lights that no longer work or fit in your boxes? You can recycle them through this program? The program ends in February, so get on it. [via]

I will be keeping my eye out for this book for myself or for a gift. [via]

[on chicken & eggs]

Mottainai.

Don't eat cereals that change the color of your milk.

I have kept myself busy over the past 2 months reading Michael Pollan's book Omnivore's Dilemma. I'm a big fan of: the book, what he is saying and what I am learning. And now he has a new book titled Food Rules: An Eater's Manual. He gives readers 64 "memorable rules for eating wisely."

He recently appeared on The Daily Show and had a little chat with Jon Stewart about the book and ultimately health care reform and our nation's eating habits.

"Cheap food holds a very high cost. In terms of health. In terms of the environment." 

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Michael Pollan
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Mottainai.

Something new.

My SIL and I are trying something new. A new blog that is. Stop on over and check it out: sixone[two]oneeight.

Mottainai.

2010.

Here's to kickin' off your shoes and groovin' on the dance floor in 2010! Happy New Year!

We spend New Year's Eve with family, friends, merriment and cheer. Don't let that stop! Spend everyday with those that you love. Spend everyday doing the things you love.

Mottainai.