Substance of Living

If you find yourself single for whatever reason on this Valentine's Day, send out thoughts of love and let the self-pampering begin.   Treat yourself special.  After all, aren't you the best person to be around? Whether February the 14th falls on a work day or not, enjoy some quality time throughout this month.  Here are some ways to luxuriate in your independence: Have fun! Make a Cuddle Basket the day before to enjoy during tonight's movie marathon or some good ol' binge watching of your favorite series.  Include items like a new throw blanket, hot chocolate ( here or here ), gourmet popcorn , and some semi-homemade cookies . Swaddle in your blanket and journal or read. Linger in your lounging wear. Dress up and go to a museum. Treat yourself to something at a spa. Try going tech-free; set your phone for emergency or to receive calls only from your favorites list. Go sightseeing in your own city or visit somewhere that's within a day's drive. Cook yourself a ...

Take a look and drool over everything that came in the September Send Me Gluten-Free box!  I'm telling you, these boxes of goodies each month are AWESOME!!! Thanks to Pamela's , we enjoyed a pancake breakfast one morning. Had a romantic picnic, provided by gopicnic , Beanfield's , and Lovely , inside by the fire one evening. Breakfast and a snack on the go by Giddy Up & Go and SoyJoy . I'm telling you, these boxes are like a little surprise gift each month and the best way to sample all sorts of gluten-free items.  It's so much better and cheaper to enjoy new goodies each month than to go out and purchase items that you've never tried.  You and I both know how expensive a lot of gluten-free or specialty food items are to just to fill your grocery cart full of new items. Take a look at last month's box of SendMeGlutenFree and you'll know what I've been going on about.  There are some products I've tried before, which are...

Fall weather or cold winter days require soup.  Soup that is filling to the soul and stomach: That's what this African Spinach Coconut Soup does. I haven't physically traveled much outside the United States but through technology and cuisine I can visit any country my heart desires without having to get shots, update my passport, or visit an airport. In fact, DH and I have friends who live outside the United States and we get to talk with them on a regular basis due to the internet and mobile phones.  I mean, really, how fantastic is that?  I can be in Canada, Australia, across the United States, and in Turkey all in one day.  DH spoils me to no ends.  :-) Now, I get to visit Africa... African Spinach Coconut Soup Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Grapeseed Oil 1 cup Onion, chopped 1 tablespoon Garlic, minced 16 oz Spinach, thawed 1/4 teaspoon Pepper 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper 1 can Chopped Tomatoes 1 teaspoon Curry Powder 1 tablespoon Miso ...

Day Menu Item Shopping Sunday Blueberry French Toast Casserole 2 packages Cream Cheese Blueberries, fresh or frozen Maple Syrup Monday Tomato-Cherry Strata with Broccoli 1 loaf French Bread   6 oz C heddar Cheese G rape Tomatoes Broccoli Florets, frozen Italian Parsley, fresh Ricotta Cheese Herbs de Provence Tuesday German Dutch Baby Pancake Assorted Fruit (Bananas, Strawberries, Blueberries, Peaches) 1  Lemon Powdered Sugar Maple Syrup Wednesday Over-the-Top Mushroom Quiche   1 lb Oyster Mushrooms 1 lb white Mushrooms White Pepper Unsalted Butter 2 small Shallots Thyme   Comté or Emmental Cheese***    16 oz Heavy Cream Freshly grated Nutmeg Thursday Requeson Revuelto (Ricotta Scramble with Tomato) 4 Serrano Chiles 1 small White Onion 2 Plum Tomatoes Ricotta Cheese Tortillas for serving Friday Sour Cream Belgian Waffles So...

  Ingredients 1 16 oz Tofu, drained and pressed 1 Onion, chopped 1 Lemon, sliced 5 Garlic Cloves 16 oz. Vegetable Medley, fresh or frozen 1/2 cup White Wine or Water 1/2 cup Quinoa 1 cup Water In a saucepan, add 1 cup water and the quinoa.  Cook according to your package directions.  If you don't have directions, bring to a boil and then simmer until the quinoa grain comes apart and soft. Meanwhile... Over medium heat add about 2 Tablespoons oil in a skillet, along with the onions and garlic.  Stir and when the onions become translucent add the sliced lemons.  Remove skillet from heat and add the wine. Return the skillet to the heat.  Add the vegetables and tofu.  Allow to simmer. This recipe seems too easy to be delicious but it really is.  The tangy flavor of the lemon makes this light and refreshing. What are your favorite tofu recipes? Please share me with your friends! Please forward this post to your fr...

Day Menu Item Shopping Sunday Leftovers Monday Chef Ann Cooper's Baked Pasta with Tomato and Ricotta 1 lb Pasta (Gluten-Free) Pasta Sauce Ricotta Cheese Parmesan Cheese Mozzarella Cheese Tuesday Vegetable Soup 1   medium Onion 2   cloves G arlic 2 Carrots 2 medium Sweet Potatoes or Yams Celery T urmeric P aprika 24 ounce Vegetable Stock 2   large fresh Tomatoes 2 Sweet Red Pepper Frozen Peas 1 Zucchini   1 16 ounce can C hickpeas Wednesday Whole Grain Pizza Muffins Rye Flour * Whole Wheat Flour * All Purpose Flour * Mozzarella Cheese (low-fat) Parmesan Cheese Sun-Dried Tomatoes Turkey Sausage or Pepperoni (optional) Thursday Peanut Butter Granola Wrap Peanut Butter ** Granola Cereal Peanuts Honey Dried Cherries Whole Wheat Tortillas*** Friday Fruit and Cheese Plate  Fill a divided plastic container with assorted cubes or slices of reduced fat cheese, easy-to-ea...

Day Menu Item Shopping Sunday BBQ Chicken, Spinach and Pasta Frittata Elbow Pasta 1 Small-Medium B BQ Chicken 1 Small Red and Green Capsicum* 5-6 Scallions Garlic Fresh or Frozen Spinach Fresh Basil Eggs Cheddar Cheese Parmesan Cheese Chili Flakes Lemon wedges for serving (optional) Monday Vichyssoise 3 Large Yukon Potatoes 1 Large Onion 15 Ounces Chicken Broth 1 Pint Sour Cream green onions (optional) Tuesday Brown Rice Vegetable Casserole Chicken Broth Brown Rice 2 Large Onions Soy Sauce** Basil Cauliflower Florets Broccoli Florets 4 Medium Sweet Red Peppers 2 Garlic Cloves Salted Cashews Cheddar Cheese Wednesday Broccoli Three Cheese Bake French fried onions 1 bag Frozen Broccoli and Cheese Sauce   Cream Cheese 1 Red Pepper Red Pepper Sauce Thursday Mom's Minestrone Soup 3 (14 ounce) Cans W hite Beans Pancetta or Bacon (Vegan Bacon) 2 Cloves Garlic 1 Onion 2 Celery S...