Category Archives: Food & Wine

friday favorite finds

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It’s Friday! So that means it’s time to link up with Finding Joy in My Kitchen‘s Friday Favorite Finds. All the Christmas cookie pins are killing me, but luckily I’ve been able to track down several yummy, healthy recipes that I can make with ingredients I already have.

Here are my Pinterest food finds for the week.

Cream of Zucchini Soup

 

Guacamole Salad – How delicious would this be with some lime-grilled chicken?

 

Low Carb Peanut Butter Thumbprints

 

Egg-Free Dairy-Free Chocolate Decadence – I can’t wait to make this! It sounds too good to be true.

 

Salted Caramel Mocha – This recipe uses sugar, but I think it would be easy enough to substitute another sweetener.

 

Be sure to head over to Finding Joy in My Kitchen and see what inspired everyone else this week!

thanksgiving menu

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I’m going to be honest: Thanksgiving is stressing me out this year. It’s not because we have a ton of people coming over (actually, Drew’s mom and aunt will be our only guests, so it won’t be much different than a Sunday dinner). It’s because of the carb-fest potential.

I feel so conflicted about serving and eating certain foods, but I’m trying to let go and tell myself it’s a holiday. I’ve eaten crackers and stuffing and bread and pie for years. Am I being unreasonable to think that these foods are suddenly going to kill me just because I’ve read a few books* this year? Probably. One meal isn’t going to make a big difference in the grand scheme of things. And it’s not like I’m going to scarf down an entire sleeve of Ritz.

So, with that in mind (I suppose I feel like I have to justify the appearance of certain items on this menu, considering how I’ve been talking up a certain way of eating as of late), here’s what I’m planning for our Thanksgiving dinner.

Appetizers

  • shrimp cocktail
  • deviled eggs
  • crackers with homemade tomato jam and cream cheese

Dinner

  • roast turkey with pan gravy
  • cranberry-sausage stuffing (brought by my mother-in-law)
  • baked sweet potatoes with butter and cinnamon
  • mashed potatoes (just a small amount per the kids’ request)
  • green beans
  • cranberry sauce
  • cornbread
  • green salad

Dessert

While I’m at it, I’m also breaking my rule about serving food in canning jars. I think the exception to the rule is the small 4 oz. jars, which I’ll be using for the desserts. Not only are they admittedly adorable, but making the desserts in the jar will simplify refrigerator storage (because you can’t stack pie plates, my friends) as well as save me the hassle of finding dessert plates.

Hopefully I will be able to relax a bit about the food and be able to just enjoy the day.

* Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It, by Gary Taubes; The Paleo Solution, by Robb Wolf; Wheat Belly, by William Davis (OK, I haven’t read this entirely yet, but I’ve read excerpts and interviews to get the gist.)

friday favorite finds – meat dishes

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It’s Friday! So that means it’s time to link up with Finding Joy in My Kitchen‘s Friday Favorite Finds.

Man, these last two weeks have been rough! Everyone in the family has endured some illness or another, plus life has just been generally busy (as it tends to be this time of year). But now that we are on the mend and I’m digging my way out from a pile of disorganization, I’m trying to be a better blogger (look, two posts in two days!).

Here are my Pinterest food finds for the week.

Philly Cheesesteak in a Bowl – I’d been thinking about a low-carb version of cheesesteak and literally the next morning I saw this recipe. I think it was meant to be!

 

Karoline’s Keema – I have a keema recipe marked “to cook”  in The Indian Slow Cooker, but this one just seems quick and easy. I’ll be making it soon.

 

Mustard & Cracked Pepper Roast Beef – I love roast beef, and this looks mouth-watering. I think it would be a nice change from ham for Christmas (but we’ll see… )

 

Chocolate Raspberry Truffles – And we can’t forget dessert! I am dying to make these clean-eating truffles. Dates, cocoa powder, jam… they sound too good to be true.

 

Be sure to head over to Finding Joy in My Kitchen and see what inspired everyone else this week!

csa 2001: end of the season

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It occurred to me that I never put up my CSA post from two weeks ago (life is crazy, and blogging has obviously not been a priority – sorry!). So I’ll just add the photo in with this post.

Yesterday was our final pick-up of the season from Sisters Hill Farm. It was so strange trudging up to the barn wearing snow boots! I wasn’t expecting much, but I think that our last share is pretty great: one carnival squash, two butternut squash, two celeriacs, potatoes, onions, carrots & parsnips, garlic, green tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, and lettuce.

Here’s the second-to-last share:

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Broccoli, butternut squash, onions, sweet peppers, one hot pepper, radishes, garlic, parsnips, sweet potatoes, mixed greens, PYO tomatillos, and sweet potatoes. I canned a few jars of salsa verde with all those tomatillos. I think that partnered with the tomato jam I made a couple months ago, they’ll make pretty Christmas gifts!

If I get my act together and mail in my subscription form by early next week, we’ll be able to pick up the bonus Thanksgiving share so there is a possibility of one more CSA post this year!

menu plan monday, 10.23-10.29

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I am kind of flying by the seat of my pants this week. I drew up a quick meal plan, but I’m not sure if I’ll really stick to it.

My crustless pizza casserole was delicious, though! Next time I make it I’ll take measurements and photos and post the recipe. It really is a delicious way to get all the flavor of pizza without the extra carbs. (Plus, it was less messy to eat!)

Lunches are typically a big salad (my standard is organic mixed greens with goat cheese, poached chicken, walnuts, dried cranberries, and balsamic dressing). With the cold weather very clearly here I’m making a lot of soups, and often have a cup to go with that salad. For example, this morning I am roasting butternut squash and onions. I’ll add that to my homemade chicken stock along with some curry powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and whatever else sound good, puree it, and have a delicious autumn soup. Cream of broccoli is another favorite that is simple to make. I love soup!

Anyway, here’s the general idea:

  • Sunday: Crustless pizza casserole, salad
  • Monday: Cube steaks with mustard gravy, steamed broccoli, salad
  • Tuesday: Chicken Marsala over cauliflower puree, green beans, salad
  • Wednesday: Steak. Whether I cook it, order out, or go to a restaurant I am having a big old steak for my birthday! And a big salad. And probably broccoli. Maybe a baked potato if I’m feeling naughty. And this Atkins-friendly pumpkin cheesecake.
  • Thursday: Roast chicken with vegetables, salad
  • Friday: Reuben meatloaf, steamed veggies, cole slaw
  • Saturday: Asian chicken lettuce wraps

For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.

friday favorite finds – sweet tooth

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It’s Friday! So that means it’s time to link up with Finding Joy in My Kitchen‘s Friday Favorite Finds. Here are my Pinterest food finds for the week.

You might be wondering why a person whose blog is called “Pure Sugar” is suddenly so down on sugar and carbs. Well, when my husband was diagnosed with diabetes about a little less than a month ago, it became necessary to make some dietary changes, and that’s why we’ve been eating low-carb. I’m also really interested in Paleo diets because I’ve read a lot of research about how eating Paleo is beneficial to diabetics and people with auto-immune disease (like Hashimoto’s, which I have). I’m not 100% committed to this just yet (and maybe I never will be I don’t know), but I do feel a lot better avoiding certain foods so I’m mostly looking for these types of recipes lately.

Main dishes, side dishes? No problem. The desserts are giving me trouble though. I have quite the sweet tooth as my blog’s name suggests. So I’ve been collecting low-carb and Paleo-friendly treat recipes as I see them. My birthday is next week, so I think I might be picking one of these instead of a more traditional cake. Just goes to show, you don’t need flour to make a fab dessert! Check it out!

Pumpkin Pie Dessert – This one needs some tweaking to fit into our diet, but I don’t think it would be too hard. Pumpkin and pecans are both allowed, and we do eat dairy, so I think this one has potential!

 

Apple-Walnut Dessert – A Paleo twist on apple crisp, one of my favorites

 

Fudgy Paleo Brownies – For some reason, this doesn’t seem to be linking back to the original source, but check out Health-Bent’s recipe here. I would use peanut butter instead of almond butter, but wow, do these sound great!

Source: None via Carol on Pinterest

 

Chocolate Paleo Snack Cake – Sense a theme here? I looove chocolate! I can stick with any eating plan as long as it includes chocolate cake on occasion.

 

Paleo Coconut “Rice” Pudding – I haven’t totally ruled out rice yet, but for now I’m not eating it. However, I used to really enjoy my Kheer recipe and if I can make something similar (with cauliflower of all things) I will be thrilled!

 

Be sure to head over to Finding Joy in My Kitchen and see what inspired everyone else this week!

menu plan monday 10.16-10.22

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I feel like my menu planning has become much simpler since I’ve started omitting starch (for the most part) from our diet. I mean can you get much easier than Protein + Vegetable(s) + Green Salad? I don’t think so.

I’m finding continued improvements in our health, one of which is that my rosacea, which typically flares up this time of year, actually seems to be getting better (!) and my dry skin… dare I say… feels smoother than usual.

Anyway, on to the meal plan!

  • Sunday: Crustless pizza
  • Monday: Turkey burgers, salad
  • Tuesday: Chicken fajitas (wraps optional), salad
  • Wednesday:Sausage Parmesan, steamed veggies, salad
  • Thursday: Pesto chicken, CSA veggies, salad
  • Friday: Steak, CSA veggies, salad
  • Saturday: Asian lettuce wraps with ground chicken, shredded carrots, scallions, cashews

For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.

freschetta proud to support pink giveaway

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Photobucket October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Freschetta is doing their part to support research through thier “Proud to Support Pink” program. From Sept. 25 – Oct. 31 when you purchase specially marked packages of FRESCHETTA pizza and Artisan Pizza Crusts, you will help them reach their goal of a $50,000 donation to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Specially marked packages are printed with codes that you can enter at: www.ProudToSupportPink.com.

Each code entry equals a $1 donation to the center to support breast cancer research, up to $50,000.

You can also share your own story or a loved one’s breast cancer journey, where they will be displayed on the site and on the FRESCHETTA Facebook page for inspiration.

PhotobucketWhen you  enter the code found on the back of packages you will be automatically entered into an online sweepstakes for the chance to win an iPod Shuffle. Fifty will be awarded each week. In addition, Freschetta will match the iPod prizes by donating an additional 200 to four selected cancer centers across the U.S. for patients to use during treatment. The cancer centers to receive the iPod Shuffle devices include:

  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York
  • Jane Brattain Breast Center (Park Nicollet Health Services) in Minneapolis
  • Avon Foundation Breast Center (John Hopkins Medicine) in Baltimore
  • Seattle Breast Center (Northwest Hospital and Medical Center) in Seattle

Freschetta Proud To Support Pink Prize Pack Giveaway!

To help spread the word about the Freschetta Proud to Support Pink program, I’m hosting a giveaway for a great prize pack. The winner will recieve:

  • One full-value coupon for a free Freschetta pizza (up to $8.39)
  • Two pairs of Freschetta Proud to Support Pink earbuds – one for you and one to share with a friend (estimated value $25)

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The prize will be mailed directly from Freschetta. To enter the giveaway, please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!




Disclosure: I am a member of the Freschetta Fresh Connection Blog Team and received promotional material and a coupon as part of my participation in a campaign by Freschetta.  I did not receive any financial compensation for this post. The opinions expressed are my own.  This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

menu plan monday, 10.2

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It has been a pretty easy adjustment to the carb-restricted diet, and even though I don’t have to eat this way, I am and I’m enjoying a lot of benefits, specifically increased energy. I can’t believe the difference in the past week. I’m getting more done, I’m sleeping better, and I’m waking up more alert. The kids are also better behaved and more focussed. If only all transitions could go as smoothly as this one! The big hit last week was the cauliflower pizza crust. Mine came out a little soggy, but I think if I’d cooked it on my pizza stone the texture would have been great. I can’t wait to make that again! Our CSA pickup is this week, so the veggies toward the end of the week might change a little bit depending upon what’s in our basket.

Here’s what’s cookin’ in Carol’s Kitchen this week 😉

  • Sunday: Eat out
  • Monday: Chili, green salad
  • Tuesday: Crock pot gyros turned into a massive salad with romaine, tomato, red onion, feta, cucumber, black olives, and tzatziki
  • Wednesday: Pork chops, roasted broccoli, “loaded” mashed cauliflower, green salad
  • Thursday: White chili, green salad
  • Friday: Burgers on Oopsie Rolls (gotta find another name because I feel ridiculous typing that), cole slaw or green salad, cut-up veggies, bacon-wrapped jalepeno poppers
  • Saturday: Chicken fajitas (tortillas for the kids if they want them), black bean salad.

For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.