Lemon cookies and fresh salsa

Sunday was Minnesota's first 60 degree day in over 5 months!  We celebrated!  I made lemon cookies and fresh salsa.  The boys rode bike though mud puddles with mounds of snow next to them.  The snow was great as Landon felt uncomfortable with out his training wheels, I told him to crash into the snow bank, he went on to give it his all and did great!  Then the boys golfed in the driveway, hmmm wonder what's gonna happen to all them white golf balls….in the snow!?  They were upset they lost them all! 
                                           Here is the delicious recipe for the lemon cookies!  

You will need:

1 1/2 sticks butter softened

1 egg

1 cup almond flour

2 1/4 cups flour

2/3 cups sugar

1 tbls fresh lemon juice

4 small lemons

(combine all ingredients)

mix well, ball up 1 inch cookies and use a cup or jar to pouch them semi flat, 

baste with a heated egg, add super thin lemon slice, sprinkle sugar on top.  Bake at 350 for 6 minutes, then broil for 2-4 min, until golden brown.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

These were so delicious, just make sure the cut the lemons thin so the rhine softens!

The fresh salsa was delicious and even prettier to look at!

I can not wait to say all of this goodness came from my garden, for now the city center market will do.  I also planted over 100 seeds in starter biodegradable planters.  Last year I spent $75+ at the Green Barn garden center on something I could've started on my own.  It feels great to do it your self.  Hoping warm weather comes to all, as I just love the spirit of people when we have our first spring days!  Everyone is joyful and waiving, there is no road rage, we are all just feelin' good!  Bring it on.

Cucumber Herb Salad \\\ eating fresh

It's almost spring here in Minnesota, yet we had a blizzard this morning!  It's expected in March I guess, so no big deal, however I would be lying if I didn't say I am craving summer!  I know I can't have it right now, so I am starting to eat like it's summer.  I was inspired by this cucumber recipe I saw in a magazine, and decided to make it for lunch.  My littlest son Landon had a ham sandwich, as he still looks at me like I am crazy when I eat a pile of veggies. 

This takes less than 10 minutes to throw together, and it is so refreshing and healthy!   

what you'll need:

1/4 cup plain yogurt

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint

2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon sugar

large pinch of salt

large pinch of pepper

1 chopped clove of garlic

2 medium cucumbers thinly sliced

1/4 red onion thinly sliced

mix the sauce together, and toss over garlic, cucumber and onion, then gently mix your herbs.  

Serve as a light lunch or a side with your dinner, either way, it will give you hope of fresh farmers markets, and sunshine!

For a colorful "summer" snack I cut up a fresh melon, pineapple and berries.  It's so pretty to photograph!  I tend to buy a lot of apples, bananas and oranges in the winter… kinda boring!  

{not so great cell phone pic, the fruit was cleared out by the time I could get my camera}

It is unfortunately costly to always eat everything fresh, but could you imagine how we would all feel if we did?  Imagine a diet of water, fresh fruit, fresh veggies, fresh fish… you get the point!  I think I may give this "diet" a whirl, because I always feel kind of sluggish, and I dislike diets where you can not eat.  I dream of feeling refreshed and energized, and fueling my body.  This is a goal for me.  Eat fresh! Let's do it together. 

Valentine's Day treats and a bit about love.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Galations 5:22

A huge part of sharing our love for each other is making things.  For some it is big things, like building a house, or making it into a home, others smaller like baking and cooking for each other, building swing sets for our littles to play on etc...  Since making things takes love, kindness and patience, why are we led to believe that Valentine's Day is about BUYING things?  I love flowers, don't get me wrong, but these jewelry commercials can take a hike!  (that's what birthdays are for) heehee, only kidding, I'm kind of not into expensive jewelry, as I prefer cute costume jewelry from target, etsy and on rare occasion jcrew and anthro.  Anyway,   when we were little it felt so great to give homemade gifts, so when did that feeling end?  For me I don't think it has,  I love making, baking, and all things re-used.  My point is, I hope we can show our loved ones more peace, love, kindness, gentleness, and LESS commercialized things.  For Jeff I grabbed his favorite licorice candy at fleet farm because I found his stash and ate it, so I felt guilty...  I also baked him delicious sugar cookies with butter cream cheese frosting.  He will be thrilled, and I loved making them.  I do NOT have self control when these are around.  

Super soft sugar cookie recipe

1 cup butter softened

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1.5 tsp almond or vanilla extract

Combine above ingredients in bowl

3 cups flour

1.5 tsp baking powder

.5 tsp salt

mix these ingredients together and combine with sugar mixture 

measure flour carefully or you will have dry dough.

roll out dough on wax paper, and use a canning jar lid to cut into thick circles.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  

Frosting

1 stick butter softened

4 oz cream cheese softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 drops food coloring

2-3 cups powder sugar

mix together and frost

I have never refrigerated my cream cheese frosting, it is always fine for a day.  I googled it and you get both sides of the story!  Enjoy!

My son and niece in my studio! xoxo

double delicious chocolate cake

If you are anything like me, you will drool just by looking at this chocolatey goodness!  Apparently when I was a baby, I refused my baby food, so my mom gave in and fed me pudding.  Thanks mom, I will forever be grateful!  Sometimes on cold days, I walk into the kitchen and throw a cake together.  You almost always have the ingredients, sugar + cocoa = chocolate incase you are ever in a pinch, and a few other ingredients of course!  Here is a recipe I have had trials and errors with, and now it is perfection.  Enjoy

cake: 1 3/4 cups flour
          2 cups sugar
          3/4 cup cocoa powder
          2 tsp baking soda
          1 tsp baking powder
          1 tsp salt
          1 cup sour cream or greek yogurt 
          1/2 cup vegetable oil or applesauce
          2 large eggs
          1 tsp vanilla extract
          1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
preheat oven to 350, line two 8 inch round cake pans with parchment paper, and butter them, also dust with flour.  Mix dry ingredients together in one bowl, and wet in the other, mix both well, then mix together.  Add hot fresh brewed coffee, mix until fully incorporated.  Split batter into pans, and bake for 35 minutes. Let cakes cool for 30 minutes in the pan.  
frosting:  2 blocks of cream cheese (softened)
                1 stick of butter (softened, not melted)
                1/4 cup cocoa powder 
                1/2 cup melted semi sweet chocolate chips
                2 cups powder sugar
                1 tsp vanilla extract
Whip these ingredients together with a mixer, and set aside.
When the cake is fully cooled, tip out of pan, peel of parchment paper, and frost, add 2nd layer, frost full cake, sprinkle and enjoy!

Food photo tip- stick your lens in manual focus, and have fun.  I love the bokeh that the sprinkles created in these images!  

A cowboy Steak dinner with tomato relish!

Do you want to make your significant other fall in love with you all over again?  Make this!  You will not be disappointed.  (and if you are, you are not my kind of person) kidding!  There is zero chance of disappointment! 

Recipe for two:
1 large new york strip steak, or 2 small.
cherry tomatoes
jalapeño pepper
purple onion
balsamic vinegar
ground coffee
ground coriander seed
cilantro
lime
*side dish 
I chose to use up some pesto on noodles.  They were delish.

Directions

Tomato relish:

Wash and dice up a small container of tomatoes, chop your jalapeño, deseeding for less heat, chop 1/2 purple onion, chop a 1/4 cup cilantro.  Throw all ingredients into medium bowl with about 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1 Tbls olive oil, a squeeze of lime juice, and salt & pepper to taste.  Let this sit and get happy while you cook the steaks.

cowboy steak:

In a small bowl, mix 1/8 cup ground coffee, 2 Tbls ground coriander, 1 Tbls corse pepper and a dash of sea salt.  Rub this into both sides of your steak.  Make sure to massage it into it pretty well. Preheat your oven to 375.  Heat up your  ovenproof skillet on high with a few Tbls of oil, then sear the steak on both sides to lock in the juicyness and flavor.  ( about 30 sec on each side)  Now put your steak and ovenproof pan in the oven for about 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steak.  We eat ours medium rare.     Slice up your steak and scoop your tomato relish on top.  Add a pesto noodle side dish and there you have it, my favorite dinner!  The first time my husband made it for me, I told him I want this to be my birthday dinner for the rest of my life!  It was love at first taste.  (note- I made a lot of tomato relish for this photo, because I ate half of it waiting for the steak)  

A delicious 20 minute meal.

 Glazed carrots: 1 tbls coconut oil in sauce pan, 2 tbls pure maple syrup, 5 large carrots sliced.  Sautee on medium to low heat for 20 minutes.  

Cheese & thyme Rice:  white or brown instant rice.  I cooked 2 cups.  Once cooked add 2 tbls butter, 1 cup grated parmesan cheese and 1 tsp dried or fresh thyme.  (salt to taste)

Ham:  I bought a small spiral cut ham, tossed some in a frying pan with 2 tbls pure maple syrup and 1 tbls olive oil.  

I will warn you, this rice is heavenly!  Enjoy.

Citrus makes everything better

There is nothing better than a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice.  Although it takes a good 4 large oranges to produce a glass full, it is well worth it.  I use a power juicer, and choose to use organic oranges.  When I am taking the time to juice, I really want the purest juice I can get.  It sure is a welcome treat when we haven't seen the sun for weeks here in Minnesota.  I can imagine it looks something like these bright, and beautiful oranges.  Brighten up your day, and enjoy!

It's also January 1st!  I am so grateful for another fresh start!  I know everyone has plans, and goals they hope to stick with, but something we can all do is really stop, slow down, and listen to what our bodies and minds need.  I know something that I really need for my body is less processed foods, and more fresh, whole foods.  They are beautiful to have around, and do amazing things for our bodies.  I will try to post one easy healthy recipe per week to help us all work this in lives more.  I hope you enjoy them, I will mostly post dinner recipes, as I think we can all use some great ideas in that department.  (Disclosure- my husband is an amazing chef, and inspires everything I make, you WILL notice when I post his recipes and not mine, his have less nutritional value, and a heck of a lot more goodness.)

Lime Pomegranate chicken salad

This recipe is easy and healthy.  It's clean eating at its best, and tastes amazing.  

This will take about 10 minutes to make.  Cook two chicken breasts in a skillet with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.  While the chicken breasts cook, cut up your avocado, chop the cilantro, harvest your pomegranate seeds, and squeeze your lime juice.  Toss this all into a medium bowl, once the chicken is done, cut it up and mix into your prepared bowl.  Eat warm or cold.  Serves 2-3 people.

Enjoy!