Reinvented

Hello everyone! In my last post I asked what you guys would like to see in my blog/would you be interested in seeing things from me beyond the realms of food. I used to cover more things on the blog, but somehow as life got busier I stopped frequently capturing life in front of me. I remember pausing at a detail in my outfit that I thought was beautiful and feeling the inclination to share. Or being down on the ground and looking up just to see what it looked like to see things from that perspective–and snapping a picture of it. I’m still curious in that sense, but don’t think to capture it as often. Sometimes I go back and forth between thinking: it’s silly to think those things are important enough to capture, it’s meaningful/meaningless, or why not just enjoy? C’est la vie. It’s true. For right now though, it’s important to me again.

What would I like to be in focus?

The plants, the deteriorated posts, or the other side of the Hudson River?

Whenever I go to the market I like to walk around and find things I’ve never heard/seen of before.

One day I stumbled across Siberian Kale.

Kale is a great winter vegetable, and the more it’s been kissed by a frost the sweeter it is.

Here are some more seasonal foods that I’ve prepared in the kitchen recently using recipes from a book I reviewed on here awhile ago, “Thrive Foods“ by Brendan Brazier.

Mashed Kabocha Squash with Toasted Coconut

Toasting the coconut shreds is so key for this recipe. It’s an extremely delicious that you may have to approach with willpower as to not to eat the entire batch!

Dandelion Salad with Sundried Tomatoes and Lentil Dressing

Dandelion greens are not something I usually pick up, but that was what drew me to this recipe. It was a new way to try various flavors together, and well… it had me had sun-dried tomatoes as well. I also found myself pouring the lentil dressing on to other things.

Quinoa Pilaf with Swiss Chard and Lemon

Using lemon zest instantly elevates any recipe, whether it’s cookies, marinades, or simply blended with sugar or salt.

Walnut Cranberry Energy Bars

I discovered an appreciation for fresh cranberries with these energy bars. Biting into a cold, tart cranberry, and the crunchy texture of the buckwheat groats was satisfying. It was also nice to use hemp protein powder in a new way (usually I mix it into shakes or morning cereal grains)

Finally got around to making the Lemongrass and Coconut Green Smoothie

Oh my goodness! This is a go-to smoothie that everyone should try. Unbelievably refreshing and creamy.

Mmm did not know that all of that could exist in a smoothie.

Check out other delicious sounding recipes right over here.

Not following any recipe, just a pot full of body-warming goodness.

Quinoa, sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, corn, green beans, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and pumpkin seeds.

A non-market find, but a glorious one indeed!

I had been on a search for this yogurt ever since I went to Canada over the summer and tried it. I literally let out a squeal of joy when I spotted it.

So creamy.

And continuing on with my habit of trying new chocolates.

It used to be a weekly thing, but now it’s pretty random… more of a bi-weekly taste testing I’d say. Local chocolate line, MarieBelle, has been catching my eye with its colorful packaging. One day when I read “dark chocolate with banana” I said “oooo, must try”. I love chocolate and banana! I read the ingredients and was pleased to find that the banana flavor came from actual freeze-dried bananas. That makes more sense to me than using additives and artificial flavors. Why not just use to the real deal? Glad Maribel Lieberman also thought the same thing.

A bit blurry but you can still see the bits of freeze-dried banana.

The flavor was spot on. The chocolate was bittersweet with a crunchy texture, like a rice cake, in some parts because of the banana. A bar that allows you to practice some patience because you just let the chocolate melt in your mouth along with the freeze-dried fruit, until it all blends together.

What are some foods that let you practice patience?

• Grapefruits (I peel off the skins)
• Pomegranates
• Anything roasted

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