Museum of Natural History

Have you been lately? Well, its the same as you left it. GIGANTIC with lots of stairs and strollers. It seems as if you need 2 days to get through it all. Add a day and a half if going on a weekend.





I do have to inform you that the cafeteria has quite a selection. Walking towards it I said "I'll just have some fruit. Something small." Next thing I knew I had a chickpea salad, mozzarella & tomato, orange & a small bag of chips! All so good.

Making some broth

Before making my own broth I thought it was way more complicated. Sure, there are specific broth recipes for specific soups but I throw all of that out the window. I save tiny onion ends, carrot scraps, tomato bits, asparagus clippings, and throw them in a plastic bin that is kept in the freezer (actually it's two 64 oz plastic containers). I even end up using the green ends of leeks  ESPECIALLY when making potato and leek soup. Its just crazy for me to throw all that fabulous aromatic greens. When washing leeks keep in mind to wash them, then again, one more time and then you are done.



Good rule of thumb is to have one part veggies to two part water. I  throwing in 2 bullion cubers (MSG free), a bay leaf or two & some peppercorns. Bring to boil & simmer for an hour. Let cool & strain. I started to use a cheese cloth to get out the tiny bits of veggies that break apart.

Star Fruit Juice

I might of had a little too much to drink last night. Two pomegranate martinis, a bit of wine, 1/2 a tequila drink later and what a headache this morning. I'll be juicing & making shakes all day which means I need to step outside and get some fresh veggies.

Star Fruit Juice

1 Star fruit
1 juice of an orange
1/2 juice of grapefruit

Juice orange & grapefruit. Cut up star fruit & blend all. Enjoy.

Cleaning out the fridge & pantry!

With my boyfriend being an "Amazon-aholic" the kitchen gets stocked up with bulk food buys (I enjoy this perk of living with him a whole lot). I'm always buying veggies on a whim & not to mention both of us going out to eat with plenty of leftovers sitting around! There's a new rule set for the apartment: no eating out until we clean out. Its been two and a half weeks and still going.

Fresh veggies that are left consist of: celery, 2 small carrots, 3 radishes, old (too old) kale, 1 avocado & 1/2 head of cauliflower.

One thing I miss (and didn't know I enjoy) is the buying of fresh herbs. I find myself looking for cilantro. Some basil? Nope. If I go in grocery store I won't come out with just basil. Not surprisingly it has made me more creative with what I cook. Digging a little deeper into the pantry. Substituting for what i don't have. I expect this to last until saturday when my little sis comes into town.

p.s. as I write this I'm in a bakery eating an organic cupcake. Sssshhh don't tell the cat.

Sweet & Salty Nuts

I just want something sweet & not spend/wait 45 min for it to bake. I'm on a non processed foods binge. Been trying to limit my bread & dairy consumption down to special occasions like cake for my best friends birthday. After having a banana for breakfast, salad for lunch, hummus for snack, I really really wanted a sweet treat.

Sweet & salty Nuts

1/2 c. Raw pistachios
1/2 c. Raw cashews
1/2 c. Raw hazelnuts
1/4 c. Raw pumpkin seeds
1/4 c. Raw sunflower seeds
1 tbs olive oil
2-3 tbs organic maple syrup
Salt to taste

• Mix nuts, oil, & maple syrup in bowl.
• Line nuts on cookie sheet. (clean up is easy after soaking sheet)
• Bake for 20 - 30 min at 325 degrees. Stir the nuts after 20 min every 5 min until the mixture is dry. 

Let cool & enjoy!