Tea

March 29, 2013

Sneak Peep

I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a sweet tooth. I have several. Actually, a mouthful. And I can’t help but eat handfuls of sweets at a time. Anytime. Like even morning time. Or nighttime. Or all the inbetween times. It’s kind of amazing that I’m not eating candy right now. I get gitty at the movies. I get a rush during the holidays. And I fall madly in love with anyone (friend or friendly bunny) that comes to my house bearing sour chews, licorice strips, chocolate covered anythings, and fluffy marshmallow treats. And last week, my […]

January 31, 2013

Chia Cranberry Pudding Cups

Figgy, it’s time you hung up your figgy hat and called it a day. Because chia seeds are in town and they are taking over pudding. For those of you who haven’t met chia seeds yet, let’s just say that they are the new wonder ingredient. They’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids (which is a good thing); they’ll help you look young forever (fingers crossed); they are actually the seed used in Chia Pets (not kidding); and apparently, they also make preparing an elegant, low-sodium dessert ridiculously simple (get a spoon ready). The inspiration for this sweet adventure? Well, first, […]

November 7, 2012

I’m Back Broccoli Dip

So I had a heart-to-heart with a bushel of broccoli the other day. And here’s the deal — it’s tired of artichoke and onions getting all the attention. Understandable. And with all the football games and family gatherings coming up I figured this was a good time to switch things up a bit and show those tiny little green trees some love. By whipping them into a dip, of course. Now since this is my first post since bringing home my baby eggplant (pictures coming soon), I am a little rusty and I’ll have to keep this quick. But isn’t […]

August 29, 2012

Salt-Free Bloody Mary Soup

Let’s talk about backpacks for a moment. Before there were backpacks there were bags. A newfangled way to tote your stuff around, whether in a nifty sack that one would tie on a stick or sling over their shoulder. There were purses and murses, brief cases and satchels. But no matter the name or design, the point was the same: bags were the coolest. Then someone decided to do something different. Some dude or dudette looked at that bag and thought to give it a twist. And by twist, I mean straps. Two straps. That fit over both shoulders. Hanging […]

June 27, 2012

Kidneys, Cooking Classes, Scones

Pass it forward. Most of the time when I say this, I’m talking about shuffling that plate of spicy green beans in my direction. But today, I’m talking about experiences. And scones. But mostly experiences. Our lives are filled with them — good and bad; some worthy of pictures, some better left to a gossip session over tea; many part of our everyday routines and many others that are life changing. But all of them, moments in time. Our time. Many people keep their experiences to themselves. But over the years, I’ve learned that if you take these little time […]

June 12, 2012

Low-Sodium Asian Slaw & Spareribs

I know it’s Father’s day this weekend. But I want to talk about grandparents. My grandparents. Nana and Papa. Yeah, they were as adorable as they sound. Their house was filled with knick knacks and chachkis from around the world. Shoots and Ladders. Tons of crossword puzzles. Books by Shell Silverstein. PBS programming. Origami paper and party hats for crafting. And re-crafting. And then fashion shows for everyone after dinner. The kitchen was filled with Hansen’s soda (because it was natural). The smell of toasted wheat bread. And a rotating schedule of cornflake crusted chicken parmesan and some other chicken dish […]

May 25, 2012

Low-Sodium Labor (slash, Memorial) Day & Baked Garbanzos

(Before you read, be warned: this post mentions Labor Day many times which, as you may have noticed, should actually be Memorial Day. But because I believe in embracing mistakes, I’m leaving it. So please, enjoy. Even if it’s a few months early) Do you know why we celebrate Labor Day? Neither do I. But I do know that I love three day weekends, especially those filled with picnics, potlucks, and BBQs. So here’s a recipe for a crispy snacketizer — salt-free’d from Heidi Swanson’s Super Natural Everyday vegetarian food bible –which will keep you and your friends satisfied between […]

May 10, 2012

Spring Polenta Tart For Mom

You know what mom loves more than hugs? Spending time with her children. And tasting the amazing low-sodium tarts they learned how to make. So when you spend time with mom this weekend, really impress her with this snappy spring onion polenta tart. It’s creamy. It’s savory. It’s crispy. It’s perfect for a mom-centric brunch. And it doesn’t involve making a flour crust from scratch — which to me, is the most awesome part of all. Caramelized onions serve as the salt-free flavor powerhouse in this dish. And when mixed with the creamy, quick cooking polenta, you create a tart […]

April 6, 2012

Low-Sodium Kugel Muffins

I like making muffins. Especially out of unexpected muffin ingredients. Like risotto, meatloaf, and now, kugel. Kugel is basically Yiddish for noodle egg casserole. And while it is typically sweet and puckery — with ingredients like apple and sour cream — its basic eggy, milky base works well with savory ingredients, too. Like tons of green garlic and dill. Kugel also bakes up perfectly in a muffin tin. Fancy that. So while you can always get your kugel on in a casserole dish… Feel free to think beyond tradition. Replace those higher-sodium ingredients (cottage cheese, sour cream, salt, cheese) with […]

November 23, 2011

Honey Five Spice Candy Apples

Before I sign off for a few days of feasting, I wanted to leave you with a sweet thought. Honey. Chinese five spice. Mini apples. They are a perfect final bite for any holiday meal. Or if you wrap them up real nice in some parchment paper, you can give them away as party favors for everyone to take home. The recipe does require some caution (hot caramel) and a candy thermometer. But other than those two warnings, it is extremely simple. And the results are extremely worth it. The original hails from natural cooking guru, Heidi Swanson, and her […]

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