Who Dat!

So tonight kicks off the season of football. Ask me if I care and the answer truthfully will be NO! I’m sorry, I enjoy lots of things in life but sports are not one of them. My husband however is freakishly obsessed with the sport of football; all he has been talking about for the past week is “Thursday is officially starting football season, the best time of the year.


Over the years I have learned to cope with this obsession in my own way, with food of course. While he is sitting on the couch cursing at the TV, I am in the kitchen creating, and coming up with fun football foods. In honor of the teams in tonight’s season opening (New Orleans Saints and well..actually I have no idea who they are playing haha) I decided to make a special theme dinner. I call it “Who dat gonna beat my Jambalaya” for those of you who are football fans will get it…


New Orleans is one of our favorite places. We visited once a few years back for a long weekend and it was great. The food, the culture and Café Du Monte, great place to go for a food tour. My homemade Jambalaya is loaded with yummy Cajun seasonings traditionally found if the foods of New Orleans, with shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage, and lots of veggies. Perfect way to kick off the season. J

Giardiniera Recipe

Italian giardiniera is basically pickled vegetables.  It has also been known to be called "sotto aceti", which means "under vinegar". Giardiniera is typically eaten as part of an antipasto salad or as an appetizer with cheese, olives and fresh bread. In different parts of the USA it is used as a condiment on top of Italian subs and on the famous New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich.

You can find it at almost every supermarket usually in the international aisle but what’s the fun of that when it's so easy to make at home!

½ head of cauliflower, cut into florets
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 carrot, sliced
1 red pepper, sliced into rings
2 cloves of garlic minced
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
½ tsp herbs of your choice (I used fresh thyme)
1-cup water
1-cup white vinegar
2 tbsp salt

In a large bowl combine cauliflower, celery, carrots, red pepper, garlic, pepper flakes and herbs. Toss until well combined then add to a large Mason jar. In saucepan heat vinegar, water and salt until salt is melted. Pour vinegar mixture over vegetable and cover jar with lid. Let stand for at least 48 hours so the veggies can absorb the flavors.

Party and party-in YA!

PB&J Cupcake

 Reese's Peanut Butter Cup-cake...

Food for Thought...

Do you every have one of those day/or weeks where you are physically and mentally drained and you just don’t know why? Your sleeping fine, not too stressed and yet you cant keep your eyes open. Well...I'm having one of those day today.

I guess I haven’t been paying too much attention to my body the past few weeks, forgetting to take my vitamins, maybe eating a little too much junk food during the hurricane, being too lazy to exercise, you know what I mean...here are some energy boosting food and nutrition tips to use every day to keep your mood happy and your mind alert and focused.

Many meals - I am a broken record when I talk about eating small frequent meals throughout that day but studies have shown that when you have a small meal or a snack every 3-4 hours throughout the day, it naturally boosts our metabolism, keeps us satisfied, in a good mood, and keeps us focused. A small meal or snack could consist of a yogurt with fruit, peanut butter with crackers, fruits, cheese, etc.

No skipping - Never skip a meal, especially breakfasts. The saying "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" has been overlooked by so many people. It really is the most important meal of the day.

Carbohydrates – Carbs are essential for boosting energy and mood. Healthy carbs that come from whole grains, fruits and veggies can raise your seratonin levels, which naturally regulate your mood. Avoid sweets; they can raise your blood sugar, which can eventually lead to fatigue and irritability.

Go Nuts! - Cashews, almonds and hazelnuts are rich in protein and contain magnesium, which is a mineral that plays a roll in converting carbohydrates or sugars in your body to energy.

Lean Meats and Proteins - lean proteins contain amino acids, most specifically the amino acid thyrosine whose job is to boost levels of dopamine and norepinephrine which are brain chemicals that keep you feeling focused.

Fish - Specifically salmon and other fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids. This food component has been studied and showed to protect against mood swings and depression.

Dark and Leafy greens - spinach, collards, kale, etc, all contain the vitamin Folate. Folic Acid (or folate) like magnesium protects against mood swings and depression.

Dark chocolate - my favorite energy-promoting tip...chocolate contains a chemical called theobromide, which promotes good mood and energy.

Water - keeping hydrated, sounds so easy right! Dehydration and fatigue go hand in hand so if your not drinking enough liquids then you most likely are going to be sleepy throughout the day.

Supplements - a multivitamin is always a good idea to help us get the vitamins and minerals that we may have missed in our foods. I personally take a multivitamin and an extra B-complex. B vitamins have been studied and shown to help your mood, keep you calm and your stress level down and also keep your mind alert. **Always talk to your doctor before starting any new vitamins or supplements.

Hurricane Party

Ahi Tuna Sashimi and Fresh Edamame

Cheese Pizza and Homemade Pretzels

Steak Napa Cabbage Rolls and Italian Stuffed Meatloaf

Peanut Butter Mousse

A little damage done but its all good, cleaned up now, sun is shining...well until this weekened when Katia comes to visit :).

Typical Weekend Filled with Food and Fun!

Boston’s own North End is known in the summer time for its street fairs and festivities. Our family loves going to the North End for the Italian feasts. This weekend we went to the Fisherman's Feast…and we ate our way through the streets.

They have street food like you wouldn't believe. They have Italian food (obvi) such as pasta dishes, salads, fresh seafood and our favorite, arancini. They had Mexican and Brazilian barbecue, place that sell desserts, yummy cocktails and smoothies and fried food like you have never seen it before.

The streets are pretty crowded and it gets a little load (you know with all us Italians..) but so worth it! Another great day with great people!

click here to learn more about it: http://www.fishermansfeast.com/

 My dress conveniently had a pocket to hold me beer while I ate an arancini (Rice Ball)

 Raw Bar and Fried Oreos..great combination in my Belly

Homemade street food...Fried Dough!

1 store bought pizza crust cut into small pieces
2 cup vegetable oil
1/4-cup sugar
nutella or chocolate or sauce of choice for drizzling

Heat oil on medium heat in a 12 inch sauté pan. When oil is hot, drop dough 3-4 at a time. Fry on one side for about 2 minutes, flip over and fry another minute. Remove from oil and lay onto a paper towel to drain. Sprinkle fried dough with sugar and or cinnamon (your choice) and drizzle with topping of choice.

YUM!

exciting, but somewhat unnecessary...

As we all know and are saddened by, Border Books Store is closing...

On Friday night on a hunt for a birthday present for our little 1-year-old cousin, Phil and I made our way to Borders at Legacy Place. Already aggravated with trying to find a parking spot, walking into Border with its chaotic distribution of books doomed us to be unsuccessful, but with some patients I found a few classics. After this, Phil went our separate ways; I moseyed over to the cooking and health section and he to the sport section.

5 New Cookbooks for 30ish Bucks!

Gotta go...making a cinnaman latte and starting some reading J