I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Twenty-one school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Eat.Live.Be. Kick-Off {2013}

January 2, 2013 · Eat. Live. Be.

elb motivation
It’s not about exercise.

Or eating healthy foods.

Or fitness.

Or motivating you.

It’s about everything.

Everything that permeates your life.

But most of all?

It’s about being intentional.

And while I haven’t decided if intentional is my one small word for the year, it most definitely is a focus of mine.

Whether it’s my job, spending time with the kids, my freelancing, or working out.

Or a million and one other things.

I want to be intentional and present with each and every thing I do.

Because this moment. And this moment. And this moment. Are already gone. And I don’t want to have one single regret.

Should ofs.

Would haves.

Could haves.

But didn’t.

And so with a new year begins new resolve. New commitments. New rituals.

And I have that. In spades.

For a million and one things. But most certainly for me, my kids, and the little world around us.

Whether you’re looking to feed yourself better. Or be better about working out regularly. Or be more committed to your job. Or your partner. Or anything and everything in between. I hope you’ll join us as we begin Eat.Live.Be 2013. We’ll be posting on ELB topics on Wednesdays (you can check out Joanne’s right here, Patsy’s here, and Sarah’s here).

Sometimes we need a little fire lit underneath us. Or just to know that you have a giant support group via the interwebs. For whatever little and big goal you have. For yourself. For your year.

We’ve got you.

*And if you decide to post on this topic, please leave a comment so I can come support YOU. And when tweeting and Instagramming about it, use hashtag #eatlivebe.

Untitled
Now while you’re in the right frame of mind, how about a healthy, full-flavor little snack recipe? I love me a good caponata, and this one is very simple, filling, and completely guilt-free.

Which is currently my love language.

I was trying to describe Caponata to a co-worker today, who had never heard of it. I went with “it’s like bruschetta, but different.” And so it is. A more technical definition would be that it’s a cooked Sicilian vegetable salad. It’s the perfect little thing to top your favorite cracker (hello Wheat Thins!) and a good little nosh in between meals. A little teensy bit of tang, but just overall a hearty bite to it … it’s a smart way to tide you over when you just need something small to keep you sane until the next meal.

And, of course, that’s not a Wheat Thin in the picture. Although I love them, this little bite happened to be with the organic blue corn tortilla chips from the folks at Garden of Eatin’. I cleaned out our kitchen pantry tonight and spied a few bags of these babies. The company had kindly sent them my way to try, and it was the perfect vehicle to get the Caponata into my mouth. It’s a seriously sturdy chip, which makes it perfect for dipping and Caponatas, has a little touch ‘o salt to it and is bursting with wholesome goodness.

And really, that’s enough, right?

Caponata
Recipe courtesy of Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook

1 small eggplant, peeled and cubed
1-1/2 t coarse (kosher) salt
2 t olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup + 2 T + 1/3 cup water
1 celery stalk, diced
1 cup canned diced tomatoes (I used fire-roasted)
2 T golden raisins
1 T chopped fresh mint (I skipped)
1 T capers, rinsed and drained (I didn’t rinse)
1 t chopped fresh thyme (I used dried and, therefore, less)

In a colander, toss the eggplant with the kosher salt; let stand in the sink about 1 hour. Rinse well under cold running water; drain and dry thoroughly with paper towels.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil. Saute the onion and garlic until just fragranmt, about 2 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of the water and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the celery and 2 T of the water; cook, covered, 5 minutes. Add the eggplant and the remaining 1/3 cup water; cook, covered, 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, raisins, mint, capers, and thyme; cook, covered, 10 minutes. Uncover and cook 4 minutes longer. Let cool to room temperature and serve. Or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

POINTS 1 per 1/4 cup serving

*The very top picture is from Babble via Pinterest.

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Posted In: Eat. Live. Be. · Tagged: caponata, Eat. Live. Be., Garden of Eatin'

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    January 3, 2013 at 7:21 am

    I am SO excited about Eat.Live.Be this year! And I love the word intentional…I think it fits well with what my goals/resolutions are this year!
    Joanne recently posted..Recipe: {Healthy} Curry-Spiced Sweet Potato Samosas with a Persimmon-Tomato Marmalade {eat.live.be}

    Reply
  2. patsy says

    January 3, 2013 at 9:35 am

    I love that you used the word intentional! I think it fits with making any changes work and stick for the long term.

    I think I have that same cookbook… and, am all over a tasty, guilt-free snack like that!

    Reply
  3. SaraMarie says

    January 3, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    I really love this and will be using it as my mantra: I want to be intentional and present with each and every thing I do.
    And on that note – my big changes for the year are taking a chance to move to Rhode Island from Seattle, WA in two weeks to be with the love of my life. I have friends that don’t support this at all and are very mean to me about it…and then I have all of my family’s and other friends support to follow through with what my heart desires. All in all; I will be intentional with every move that I make regarding this huge transition and am very excited for the future! I’m doing my best to block out negativity.
    I love your blog so much and am a very avid reader. It always leaves me with a feel good feeling :-) Happy New Year!

    Reply

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I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Twenty-one school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.

Pinterest

I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Twenty-one school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef

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