Treasure chest....

This NY Times article The 11 Best Foods You Aren't Eating was republished recently. It first appeared in the Times last summer.

I'm taking a poll. I'm curious to learn how many of you out there have two or more items on this list in your pantry or fridge today? Now, be honest.

I only have three, possibly five if you substitute the juice for the actual prune and the kraut for the cabbage. Yeah, I know...TMI.

I currently have sardines, cinnamon, and frozen blueberries in stock. I do eat beets and cabbage occasionally and love them both. I also enjoy pumpkin and pumpkin seeds so I'll be eating more of those and, of course, pomegranate juice is sooo delicious.

Anyway, the list is worth sharing if you haven't already seen it.

Melt away the stress....

Just take a look at these two faces....if that doesn't do it, I'm not sure what else could. Say hello to Tucker (L) and Maisie (R)....


...also known as "double trouble".

In the soup....again

It's been snowing here pretty steadily for the past two days...it is quite beautiful outside despite what most Ohioans would tell you. It seems like a great day for a nice, hot bowl of comfort and joy, something that will make my heart purr on a cold day like today.

Foraging through my cupboard and refrigerator, I've begun exploring what I might find that would satisfy my desire. Lurking in the back of my cupboard is a jar of red lentils; that's a find! Sitting right up front, as if to say, "pick me, pick me", is a bag of dried chick peas, oh, and there's some rice, too. In the refrigerator, I found some vegetable stock, fresh kale, and a chunk of parmesan cheese; I'm pretty sure I can concoct something from this array of choices.

It wasn't all that long ago that my idea of a bowl of soup was something out of a can. I will, on occassion, resort to that alternative depending on time of day, ingredients on hand, etc., but there is no substitute for a pot of home-made soup. Depending on the type, some soups taste even better after they've been made and refrigerated for a day or two because all the flavors have had a chance to marry and, well, you know...

I'll even go as far as to say there's no substitute for a pot of hearty, home-made soup partnered with some fresh bread or biscuits. So today, I'll pursue both while I continue to watch the snow falling outside from the warmth of my little slice of paradise. I can't think of a better way to spend a wintery Saturday!



Red Lentil Soup