We made potato pancakes topped with maple-glazed sliced apples and a yogurt-maple drizzle.  Very tasty & super easy.

For our potato pancakes, we mixed together ~2-3 cups peeled, shredded potatoes {Riverside Farm & WindMiller Farm} with 1 egg {Windmiller Farm}, ~1/3 cup(?) whole-grain flour {Brookford Farm} & a few dashes of cinnamon.  We dropped large spoonfuls into a hot frying pan with a couple TBSP olive oil and a pat of cultured butter {Brookford Farm}.  You just have to watch them closely, flip each pancake when it’s getting crispy on the pan side.  And, voila! *Later in the day, we experimented by adding some ground chili powder into the potato pancake mixture & adding a bit of maple syrup to the oil/butter in our frying pan…a really nice variation.

For the glazed apples, we heated equal parts olive oil & cultured butter (~1 TBSP each) and several TBSP maple syrup in a large saute pan & added several handfuls of thinly sliced apples {NH Cider Works} — skin on keeps the color beautiful!  Stir occasionally, add some cinnamon, and you know when they’re done.

The yogurt-maple drizzle was just as simple.  We got our yogurt from Brookford Farm and whisked it together with some maple syrup and cinnamon, to taste.

Putting it all together: Start with your Potato Pancake –> top generously with Glazed Apples –> finish with Yogurt-Maple Dressing.   Enjoy.

eat well.  live well.  be well.

And, there are more recipes over here at the Seacoast Eat Local blog.

Thanks for stopping by to say hello and chat us up about your favorite ways to enjoy greens.  See you next time!

eat well.  live well.  be well.

Love is free, free is love
Love is living, living love
Love is needed to be loved 

John Lennon

If you’re on our mailing list, then you already read my thoughts about
noticing all these pink, red, and purple signs, hearts, candies & so on
(that are everywhere around us this time of year) and using them
as reminders to express your love & gratitude to the people in your life,
including YOU.  You can start by reading my recent essays on
infusing your life with more love & joy
&
being gentler on your Perfectionist self

I also announced the Limited Release of 2 NEW tea blends in this morning’s e-note.

green*LOVE 

LOVE*flowers

LOVE blends are available ONLY in February!  

Order Today.

green*LOVE

Jasmine-scented Green Tea Leaves blended with Orange, Spearmint, and Pink Rose Petals.

100% Organic & Delicious, Contains Caffeine!

LOVE*flowers

A vibrant and refreshing blend of Lemon Balm, Orange, Spearmint & Rose Hips with Calendula Petals, Heather Flowers, and an accent of Hibiscus. 

100% Herbal, Organic, Caffeine-Free

2x the LOVE

If you can’t decide or you know you want 2 x the LOVE, you can order a 2-pack:
1 medium package of each LOVE blend.

E is for Enjoy {En*Joy}

If you read my last post about Perfectionism, you know I’ve been struggling with what E should stand for in this ABCs series.  {And yes, every time I admit this to myself or see it in writing, I do realize just how trivial it sounds.}

This morning, I was looking at my list of MUST DOs for the weekend and a voice in my head kept saying, ‘okay, yes, that should all get done, but don’t forget to enjoy it too.’  Then, my getwellgrounded voice said, ‘ooh, enjoy…that’s it.’ {Yep, there sure are a lot of voices in this head of mine, but it’s a good thing…they’re each looking out for a different piece of me.}

Enjoy.  En-Joy.  I started liking it more and more.  So, of course, ‘researchy me’ wanted to explore.

Enjoy (definition):
from Merriam-Webster

1. to have a good time
2. to have for one’s use, benefit, or lot
3. to take pleasure or satisfaction in

En- (prefix meaning):
modified from englishclub.com

Joy (definition):
from Merriam-Webster

1. the emotion evoked by possessing what one desires, or by well-being, success, or good fortune; the expression or exhibition of such emotion
2. a state of happiness, felicity, bliss
3. a source of cause of delight

Enjoy.  En-Joy.  I love it.  It’s very simple.

Put joy into your life and into your daily activities.

Bring the condition of joy to your life and your daily activities.

Intensify joy in your life and in your daily activities.

***

Here’s how:

Ask yourself, no matter what you’re doing,

‘How could this be more joyful?  How might I en*joy this more?’

And then do that.

***

In case you can’t imagine what this looks like, adding more joy could be as simple as…

* bringing along a mug of your favorite herbal tea to the store/market/bank {joyful errands}

* playing your favorite soft & soothing or loud & energizing music {joyful dishes/chores}

* inviting your friend/partner/children to cook with you {joyful cooking}

* wearing super sexy underwear to enter data, respond to biz emails, etc. {joyful working}

* buying/gathering flowers for your desk or kitchen table {joyful dining, joyful working}

* remembering that moving your body is a gift/pleasure, not an obligation {joyful exercise}

* beginning each meal with a few deep breaths to keep you present {joyful eating}

* wearing silky pajamas and listing your gratitudes before bed {joyful sleeping}

* starting/ending the day with special rituals just for you-5 min works miracles! {joyful being}

…and those are just a few!

en*joy more.

My scientific (intellectual) and holistic/artistic (intuitive) selves have been in a slow struggle for quite a while – a struggle between getting things ‘perfect’ and getting things done (in a timely fashion or at all).

And I know I’m not alone in this.

I’ve always been a confusing mixture of Type A/Perfectionist and Carefree/Heart-Centered, constantly working to cultivate the latter because, as you know if you’re even in small part Perfectionist, that’s not going anywhere anytime soon.  Perfectionism doesn’t need protection. {It’s sort of like being 50% Italian – it tends to take over, no matter what else is going on in there.}

Right, so, I often find myself saying, “Self, it’s good enough.  Just send it.” Still, where’s my “E is for…” post here on the blog? It’s way overdue. I’ve written and re-written it in my head and on paper several times.  So much (self-imposed) pressure.  Should E stand for empathy, engage, empower, enhance, elation, emote, envision, ecstatic, or…? Enough! You get the picture.  Those of us with this particular affliction need something – constant reminders, proof!, just the right mantra? – to keep us on the “good enough” track.

Today I stumbled on an anecdote that could do the trick. I remembered hearing that quilters (and other artists) have traditionally incorporated an intentional flaw into each quilt as proof that the piece is unique and handmade.  I’ve always loved that idea, and it got me thinking.

How is it that I can love the ‘flaws’ of others, but reject them in myself? 

What if the goal became intentional imperfection? 

What if we decided to strive for ‘fabulously flawed’?

I know, I know… here’s what the Perfectionist voice peeps up with in response to that: “But, but…I don’t want to become lackadaisical. What if I become lazy and TOO flawed?”  Here’s the beauty of being part-Perfectionist.  You never ever will.  It’s one of the core fibers of your being.

An analogy might help drive it all home.  My wonderful primary care physician once told me that I need to let go of guilt, that it’s not serving me.  My reaction?  No kidding!  And, oh, by the way, that’s impossible.  We tend to throw around the phrase “let it go”, but it’s an idea that seems intangible for those of us who are very much in our head.  My doc went on to say, “Whenever you feel guilt come up, acknowledge it.  Tell yourself, ‘oh, that’s guilt. I don’t need that.’” {Right, right, I’ve heard this before.  NOT gonna work.}  But she continued with this little nugget, “… Guilt means you care.”

So simple, but that was the game-changer for me. 

Transform the ‘negative’ feeling into something comforting and positive.  That’s how you can Let. It. Go.

So, what does this have to do with Perfectionism?  Once I checked in with myself and acknowledged that I will always be a person who cares deeply, it became easier to ‘let go’ of the guilty feelings when they arise. And so, the guilt has largely let go of me.  Similarly, once you realize that innate perfectionism means that you care about the quality of everything you put out into the world, you can let go of it. And, Perfectionism will loosen its tight grip on you too, which will make it easier to

be creative and share your work and your gifts with the world.

Sometimes flaws are just frustrating (like typos in our writings that we cannot let go of) but

flaws are also symbols of our uniqueness and ‘proof’ that we’re homemade. 

Be flawed.   {Intention: Imperfection.}

Yesterday was ‘Carrot Day’ at the Wentworth/Rollinsford Farmers’ Market and it was also our 2nd Local Food Cooking Demonstration this season. I was there with my friend & cooking partner Erin Allgood, and we had a blast talking with all of you who stopped by to say hello and sample.  We made 3 simple dishes featuring carrots (of course), as well as a handful of other local veggies and products.

Maple-Glazed Carrots – For this, we used maple syrup from Anderson’s Mini Maples & carrots from Heron Pond Farm.

Raw Veggie ‘Detox’ Salad – We had intended (as you’ll see in the recipe) to use carrots, watermelon radishes, cabbage, and lentil sprouts for this salad, but the fun of shopping locally is that you never exactly know what will be available BUT there’s always something great (and maybe new to you?) to substitute.  If this happens, just talk to your farmers and ask them what they think you should try in place of your missing ingredients.  For instance, yesterday we discovered that watermelon radishes, cabbage and lentil sprouts (all available 2 weeks ago) were not available, so we replaced them with red radishes, kohlrabi, and scarlet turnips — and it turned out great!

Carrots & Apples with Creamy Maple-Cardamom Dressing – For this, we used local carrots, apples, maple syrup, and sea salt.

As promised, here’s the link to download all three recipes.

Enjoy.  Play.  And maybe challenge yourself to buy 1 new ingredient at each market?  What’s the worst that could happen?

eat well.  live well.  be well. 

It’s also our first local food cooking demo of this winter season!  Erin Allgood and I will be there from 10am to 2pm making a few simple but tasty potato dishes with a nice variety of our local potatoes and other gorgeous local ingredients.

You should definitely come out to the market for your shopping and some yummy potato dish samples.  And just to stop by and say hello.  We’d love to see ya!

CLICK HERE for our potato info and recipes sheet.

eat well.  live well.  be well.  cook local.

Drama. It’s intense. Shocking. Emotional. And it’s often a major source of stress, which can be very detrimental in our lives. But, it can also be its own antidote!? It can be delicious.

Here’s a slice of my latest drama story, as well as how I used a different kind of drama to let go of the negativity (“bad drama”) and take back my joy, calm, and sense of fun.

Last Thursday, a very unhappy man (I can only assume) decided to have my car towed, without cause. Unfortunately, just cause doesn’t matter when your car has disappeared and you’re left with no choice than to walk to the tow lot in torrential rain in order to pay $100 to reclaim your property.  Errrrrrrrrr. I try to take things in stride, especially when there’s nothing I can do to change my situation, but I was certainly feeling some drama (anger, frustration, worry, money stress, etc.) in that moment.  I tried to breathe and consciously let it all go, but I was feeling particularly fired up, so I did what most of us do in these moments — I picked up the phone with the intent to vent!  I’m very lucky to have a mother who graciously allowed me to take my time and work it all out, and who also helped me let it all go, once I was feeling a bit calmer.  Thanks again, Mom!  

Alright.  That’s enough dwelling on that part of the drama.  Here’s what came next.  First, as I mentioned, I made the conscious decision to (1) let go of the anger, frustration, and negativity I was experiencing and (2) open myself up to seeing the positive things around me.  As soon as I shifted my mindset from negative to positive, things changed.  I felt calm.  My breathing reverted from shallow, rapid chest breathing back to deep, even belly breathing.  Two minutes later, I received an email request from a colleague for a bulk order of my holiday tea.  And five minutes after responding to that email, a friend called and asked me to meet her for dinner and drinks at a cozy local pub.  Magically, the evening had shifted to all good.  I’ll admit, though, that I awoke the next morning with a lingering feeling of annoyance about the previous day’s drama, and this is where my drama antidote came into play.  I decided to crowd out that lingering annoyance with my own brand of “good drama”, so I headed off to my local organic salon and dyed my hair red.  Ha!  Take that!  It’s not that dramatic, but it was enough.  In an instant, I started feeling excited and different and fun.  It worked.  I’d created my own delicious and empowering ‘drama’ to shake off the negative drama that had crept in the day before.  All gone.

(And, as an added bonus, now that parking attendant guy won’t recognize me when I come back to exact my revenge.  Hee hee.  Just Kidding ).

eat well.  live well.  be well.  treat drama with drama.

C is for Creativity

When I realized that today was C, I brainstormed a list of great words.  As I read through the list, I felt frustrated that I couldn’t write about all of them. There are so many great words (and ideas) to choose from.  After a moment of contemplation, I knew that creativity was the way to go.  But first… I love to research words, especially words I know and love well, because I always walk away with a new perspective and a deeper understanding of why the word resonated with me in first place, so let’s begin with a few definitions:

create
cre-ate [kree-eyt], v.

creation
cre-a-tion [krēˈāSHən], n.

• The action or process of bringing something into existence
• A thing that has been made or invented, esp. something showing artistic talent
• The event that occurred at the beginning of something
• Initiation; the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new

creative
cre-a-tive [krēˈātiv]

• [n.] A person who is creative, typically in a professional context
• [adj.] Relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, esp. in the production of an artistic work (change unleashes people’s creative energy)
• [adj.] (of a person) Having good imagination or original ideas

Raw chocolate chia pudding is packed with omega fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants (raw cacao has more antioxidant flavonoids than any other food tested to date).  It’s so healthy and tasty that I call it “the dessert you can eat for breakfast”  It doesn’t get much better than that, right?  Seriously, though, I’ve only eaten this for breakfast once or twice (really!), but it’s a great snack and a terrific dessert for those days you just need something sweet.

Ingredients (for a smallish bowl for 2):

• 3 TBSP chia seeds
• 1/2 cup almond milk (or milk)*
• 1-1/2 TBSP raw cacao
• 1-3 tsp maple syrup
• ground cinnamon, a dash (to taste) OR vanilla extract (to taste)

Ingredients (if you’re ready to make a big bowl to share):

• 3/4 cup chia seeds
• 2 cups almond milk (or milk)*
• 3 TBSP raw cacao
• ~2 TBSP maple syrup
• ground cinnamon (to taste) OR vanilla extract (to taste)