Month: October 2013

What’s New on the Menu?

photoOne of the reasons I love my mom’s cooking is that she is the queen of mixing things up. Never will you see the same dish twice within a short period of time. In fact, I never hear even the slightest hint of indecision when it comes to picking her next meal. She just knows, always changing things up, cooking with the seasons and making the most of what she has around. It’s a skill and while I try to use my full repertoire of cook books, I sure could use a little help in keeping the menu new and interesting. Which is why I love the pile of recipe ideas on my desk. These words on paper scream out to me. They want a chance to turn into successful and well-liked dishes so that they can move from anonymity to prominence in my beloved recipe box. This is how I keep things interesting for the boys who are the ultimate hungry guinea-pigs, and luckily very rewarding in their role. Today I’d like to share a few of my latest discoveries which are taking up permanent residency in our menu of ideas. Hope you take them into consideration as well. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “What’s New on the Menu?”

What is Chronic Inflammation?

photoChronic inflammation, weakened immune system, anti-inflammation diet… these buzz words are all over the health news lately, and we’d like to use this week’s post to explain why it’s important to understand the relationship between inflammation, the immune system and how diet impacts the two and thus the quality of our health. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “What is Chronic Inflammation?”

Let’s OK the Okra

photoVariety is the spice of life, at least when it comes to nutrition. As for our brain power, moving out of our comfort zone and doing something we haven’t done before is a great mental exercise as well. This was definitely the mindset I was in when buying my first-ever batch of okra. Honestly, I hadn’t heard of this vegetable until my husband declared that he really likes it and was bombarded simultaneously by it at farmers markets everywhere. In fact, I had to look at cookbooks for inspiration, and the German name of okra in the dictionary for translation (Okraschoten, for those who care). So if you crave okra, read on to see what I learned about this rather unusual vegetable. If not, take this as inspiration to go out and add some lesser-known vegetables such as Jerusalem artichokes or celeriac to your diet. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Let’s OK the Okra”

Nutrient-Rich Foods

photoWe are constantly bombarded with messages on what foods we should eat to stay healthy and sometimes it can be difficult to make the right choices in front of so many options. It may help to have a list of what nutritionists consider nutrient-rich foods. When it comes to health, these foods are just higher achievers than others and I’m happy to report that we have already posted on many of them. Hopefully this provides for a little inspiration to try some of the recipes. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Nutrient-Rich Foods”

The Flotte Lotte and What She has to Do with Canning!

photoIt’s best to say YES when Jessica proposes a culinary project. It’s what I did when she said that we should be canning tomatoes. A look at our calendars, a call to Riverdog Farm, a visit to the store to stock up on canning supplies and we were ready to process five large boxes of 2013 Early Girl tomatoes. Come and can with us! Continue reading “The Flotte Lotte and What She has to Do with Canning!”