August 2010

The Little Things #14

by Julie on August 31, 2010

in Smart Life,The Little Things

If you are a new reader (hi, new readers!), you may not know about my Little Things series. So often, we get caught up in our day to day routines and forget to appreciate the little things in life.  In these posts, I like to honor the details that are making me happy today, and ask you to do the same!

The Little Things making me happy today are:

1. My big batch of pumpkin risotto provided us with 3 dinners and 1 lunch for me. So delicious, even reheated, and saved me some time in the kitchen, which was very hot this week!

2. Our autumn-like weather is expected to return this weekend. Fall is my absolute favorite season!

3. Healthy Living Blogs has been growing so quickly…much more than we ever expected it to. In the first 2 1/2 weeks, we have added over 1000 blogs already. (And if you aren’t one of those blogs, go add yourself now!)

4. My legs have been getting so strong from all my cycling. Woot!

5. As of yesterday, I have been married for 3 months.

6. My mom sent me a small box of things I couldn’t fit in my suitcase after HLS and my Minnesota visit, and my sister was so sweet to add a wine journal as a honeymoon gift. Thanks, Risa!

7. We got a new printer this weekend, so now we don’t have to make 5 or 6 attempts, complete with paper jams, to print a single document anymore.

8. Dan’s coworker sent him home with a HUGE bag of sweet corn. I’m so excited to grill some on the cob, and freeze the rest for corn chowder this winter. Details on how to do that coming soon. ;)

What little things are making you happy today?

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Mac and Cheese + Pumpkin Puree!

August 30, 2010
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When I saw Pumpkin Mac & Cheese on Never Home Maker’s blog, I knew I needed to make it immediately for 4 reasons: 1. I still had some chopped pumpkin leftover from when I made pumpkin risotto. 2. I had some plain pasta in the fridge that needed to be used up. 3. Dan hasn’t [...]

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How to Make the Perfect Risotto

August 27, 2010

Risotto is one of my absolute favorite dishes to make. It is so versatile, and once you get the process down, it is a breeze to make! I love risotto because there are so many ways to flavor it, but it always tastes fantastic. When I saw this baby at the Farmer’s Market last weekend, [...]

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Millions of Peaches

August 26, 2010
Peaches

As I mentioned in my post on canning, my most recent canning endeavors involve peaches. I found local (but not organic) peaches at our co-op for $1.59 a pound this week…what a steal!

I’ve also been on a fruit butter kick. I love the creamy smoothness of apple and pumpkin butter, but it is hard to find such spreads made of other fruits. Plus, they are super easy to make, and require much less attention and babysitting than jams or jellies do.

SPICED PEACH BUTTER RECIPE

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Extending the Seasons: Canning

August 24, 2010
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In my strive to eat both locally and seasonally, I have been buying produce in bulk when it is at its cheapest, and transforming it to enjoy through the winter.

Why Do I Can?

Because it allows me to eat locally all year long. Because it means I will be able to bring back the flavor and feeling of summer on a snowy December day. Because it gives me full control over the amount of sugar added to the preserves. Because I can season my preserves however I want , giving me more flavor options than I would find at the co-op.

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