From the monthly archives:

August 2010

Fall is in the air…

by agirlandhermutt on August 27, 2010

It finally isn’t raining and it isn’t blazing. Thank you weather gods! I had the windows open and let the cool breeze take over the house.

Korky even got some enjoyment out of it! Check out my lazy dog that can’t even bother standing up on the back of the couch. He now just lays on it. Bum.

(Pardon the couch cover. Korky sheds and I hate washing the couch cover over and over and over.)

Fall= tights, boots, scarves, hats, hoodies, hot cider, leaves changing colors, Vermont trips, Apple picking, apple donuts, pumpkin pie, and windows open at night.

I am meant to live in permanent Fall weather! Fall also means that root veggies become more popular and start showing up frequently in my dishes. Since it was cooler this week, I decided to bust out the root veggies and make my first batch of “mash”.

Introducing Root Mash!

In the mix (Makes 5 cups):
-2 yellow potatoes, small and chopped
-2 carrots, peeled and chopped
-1 turnip, peeled and chopped
-4-5 cloves of garlic
-1/2 butternut squash, medium, peeled and chopped
-1/4 c. non-fat greek yogurt
-1/2 c. veggie broth
-S&P to taste

*Chop all the veggies and garlic up and throw into large pot. Fill water to cover just over the veggies.

*Bring water to boil, then turn down temp to medium and cover. Let simmer for 10-12 minutes or until veggies are tender.

*Once cooked, drain veggies and place back in pot. Add in greek yogurt and veggie broth.

I also added a sprinkle of garlic gold because I’m obsessed.

*Now mash your little heart out! Those little carrots and pieces of garlic are the toughest to mash so make sure you get in there and use a little elbow grease. Some hard work never hurt us, right?!

This mash doesn’t taste totally like mashed potatoes, but is still so great! There is a sweetness hint from the cooked carrots and the bite from the turnips is just what the Dr ordered.

I paired my mash with some Smart Sausages (veggie protein), Chorizo Style!

Seriously…stellar.

Fortunately there were some serious leftovers for lunch the next day. SCORE!

In other news…I’ve been enjoying some meals at some fancy joints for Restaurant Week with The Scientist. However, I was enjoying just being out and about without the camera so no reviews are coming. Do you have those nights? Its good for the blogger soul!

I hope you are all having a great week. On my agenda for the weekend:
-A bachelorette party
-hot stone massage
-some gyming it up
-learning how to use my new “smart” phone
-Happy Hour with friends
-HOMEWORK!

Oh, and I have a funny story to tell you folks about my first smart phone experience. Stay tuned…

Question of the day: What kind of phone do you have?! I have a new HTC Incredible and I feel dumb with it, but I’m learning!

{ 6 comments }

Wrap it up…

by agirlandhermutt on August 25, 2010

Remember when I did the giveaway for PB2 with CHOCOLATE?! Well, oddly enough I haven’t had a lick of the chocolate version since that exact day. I got up this morning and I was craving something sweet for breakfast. Hellllooooo PB2! I took a hint from Mary (again! I’m so creepy!) and decided to do a grilled fruit wrap.

Introducing Fresh Fruit Rollup!

In the mix:
-1 Joseph’s Lavash Bread
-1 banana, sliced
-2 tbsp PB2 w/ Chocolate
-1 tbsp chia seeds
-1 tbsp craisins

*Spread the PB2 spread on the bread. Layer the bananas, chia seeds and craisins on top of spread.

*Wrap up all the goodies, cut in half, and heat on George Forman grill for a few minutes.

*ENJOY!

The little touch of tart that the craisins gives this wrap is RIGHT ON.

I should do sweet breakfast more often! I felt like I was breaking the rules and having desert for breakfast. Naughty, naughty.

Lunch was an adventure in throwing things together. I started with a sweet potato and was planning on going the same ol’ black bean or baked bean route, but instead remembered something I heard at HLS from a reader…add cottage cheese!

My lunch creation included cottage cheese, halved grape tomatoes, garlic gold, and a little Sailor’s Swagger Pineapple Hot Sauce.

Mmm, mmm good.

This little dish was so filling. I forgot how much I loved cottage cheese, especially this Fiber One version. It was perfection.

If you can’t tell I’m on a mission to eat from the pantry this week and next. I am going on a little vacation in about a week and I really really don’t want to buy groceries that are going to go bad! Be prepared for some dishes with “character” over the next few days.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you have any vacations coming up? Did you go anywhere fun on vacation this summer?

{ 23 comments }

The Kids Are All Right…

by agirlandhermutt on August 25, 2010

It has been raining for 4 days solid now. Not to the point of our flooding situation earlier this year (ugh), but enough to really just put a damper on the day. Pun intended.

The perfect cure for a dreary day? Pizza and a movie! Last night was 2-for-1 night at the movies, which I’m a big fan of. I went to see The Kids Are All Right with my pal, Cathy. Mark Ruffalo makes my heart go pitter patter.

I couldn’t very well watch a movie on an empty stomach so I made a pit stop past Belmont Pizza for a slice (or two).

They had a deal for 2 slices and a drink for $5. I love 2-for-1 Tuesdays! Belmont Pizza is an old pizza joint with great tasting pizza. Have you ever been to one of those places that has had so many additions to their menu over the years that they use pieces of paper taped all over the place? This was that place.

Lets be honest. 2 slices of greasy pizza probably wasn’t the best idea for my stomach, but it was stellar. It was just what I needed for a rainy night dinner.

When I sat down I saw a bottle of Frank’s Red Hot Sauce and had an idea.

I took a note from Mary from Fervent Foodie and dipped my pizza in the sauce. Holy crap! I had no idea this combo would do anything for me. I was soo wrong.

I scarfed down most of the pizza and then braved the rain to head over to the theatre. This movie theatre is independently owned and has a lot of “character”. I love the old school feel.

The movie was pretty good. I wasn’t really clear on what it was about before I went so that always helps with my expectations of movies. Ha! They are supposed to get Eat, Pray, Love next. I wasn’t a fan of the book, but I do love me some Julia Roberts.

Question of the day: How do you beat the rainy day blues?!