New England Royalty

Montana - My New life in Pictures

2011-12-08T20:31:00.000-05:00

Because I work on "back east" time, my day starts pretty early. The good news is that it ends early too. These were some pictures taken at about 3 in the afternoon today. The sky was brilliant and I could not pass it up. And as a side note, I used my shitty Nikon Coolpix S1 that is like a million years old and picture still came out great. And that makes me smile.

View outside my barn/apartment

Again, just beautiful.

Not gonna lie, this is my favorite.

yup, I sat in the snow for this shot.

my new friends

I think the proper name for this is corral. But I will check with my landlords

More friends.

I pretty sure this guy does not want to be friends with me. But he always poses for the camera.

More sitting in the snow. But I just love these ground shots.

My temporary home. I am so in love.

Stopped on a hill to take this picture. Its much prettier in real life.

Trying a night shot with my shitty SI. When I get my tripod, I think i might have better luck.

Gwyneth Paltrow's Corn Vichyssoise

2011-06-21T07:30:00.001-04:00

Gwyneth Paltrow has recently released a new cook book "My Father's Daughter". She was recently showcased in Bon Appetit Magazine and this recipe is one of my favorites!

Vichyssoise (pronounced /ˌvɪʃiːˈswɑːz/ US dict: vi·shē·swäz′) is a thick soup made of puréed leeks, onions, potatoes, cream, and chicken stock. It is traditionally served cold, but can also be eaten hot.^[1]

Serves 4
2 Tsp Olive Oil
2 Medium Leeks, white and light green parts only, coarsely chopped
5 ears shucked corn, kernels cut from cobs, cobs reserved
1 cup coarsely chopped potato (about one medium)
4 cups good quality veggie stock
Salt and Pepper
1 Tsp of fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup of creme fraiche (Tracy's Note: sour cream would work too)
1 Tsp. finely chopped fresh chives (Tracy's Note: I used scallions because its what I had in my fridge)

Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring occasionally until softened. Add corn kernels, and reserved cobs (I broke them in half because my pan was not that big), potato and veggie stock. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Increase heat to high and bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, cover with lid slight ajar, and cook till veggies are soft, about 35 min.

Discard the cobs and let soup cool slightly. Working in batches, puree soup in a blender until very smooth.

I loved this soup hot you can chill the soup as well. If it gets too thick, thin with water by the 1/4 cupfuls. Season with salt and pepper.
Spoon a dollop of creme fraiche atop each serving and sprinkle with chives.

Enjoy.

6/13: Meal Plan & Grocery list

2011-06-14T07:12:00.001-04:00

Whole Foods $56 and Trader Joes $54

Waffles / Limes (5) / Chia Seeds / 2 yellow pepper / 1 orange pepper / 1 red pepper

grated parm / 2 medium leek / 5 ears of shucked corn / 1 potato

4 cups veggie stock / 1 jar chicken base / chives / can black beans x

cherry tomatoes over 4oz + 2 cups / avocado / Cheddar / Bread / Linguine / Basil Leaves

asparagus / israeli couscous / Cuke / cheddar / berries / banana / Juice / Roasted Chicken

This Weeks Menu

Monday: Chicken Cheddar Sandwiches with Avocado and Tomato & Corn Vichyssoise

Tuesday: Southwest Chicken Salad with Tomato and Black Bean Salad

Wednesday: Parmesan Peppers & Spinach Salad

Thursday: Linguine with Roasted Asparagus and Almond Pesto

Friday: Toasted Israeli Couscous salad with mint, cukes and feta

Spicy Veggie Rice Tostada

2011-06-07T18:41:00.000-04:00

Serves 4

4 Cups of roughly chopped veggies

1 ½ TB olive oil

1/8 tsp salt

Black pepper to taste

Dash of Cayenne Pepper

Whole wheat tortillas

One cup uncooked favorite rice

2 cup chicken stock

Sliced Chicken Breast (optional)

4 Slices of Provolone Cheese

1 Avocado

Salsa

Roasted Veggies

I always have veggies in the fridge. Use whatever you have. Today I used Zucchini, Roma Tomato, Red Bell Pepper, Frozen Corn, Frozen Okra, and Yellow Onion.

Roughly chop all your veggies and add to a big bowl. Add the salt, olive oil, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Mix and place in baking sheet.

Pop the veggies in the oven on Broil for 10 minutes

Rice

I use Basmati rice. It’s a 1 to 2 ratio = 2 cups of liquid for 1 cup of rice. Instead of water I use chicken stock, but you can also use veggie stock. Add rice to chicken stock. Bring to a boil and then set to simmer. Cook covered for about 20 minutes or until fluffy.

The Final Product

Place two tortillas at a time on the baking sheet. Place in oven till toasted, then pull out and add a layer of rice, and layer of veggies. Add the sliced chicken breast if you are using that and lastly the slice of provolone cheese. Place back in oven till cheese is melted.

For the finishing touches, add diced avocado and salsa.

Enjoy.

Everything is so colorful

2011-06-07T08:29:00.001-04:00

I love the summer time because food gets so colorful.
Yesterday for Lunch I have half a veggie burrito with guacamole and cauliflower

This morning for breakfast and added some melon into the mix on my waffles. Is that not beautiful or what

I always enjoy a little ice water with lemon. Its really refreshing on a warm summer morning.

I cut up the rest of the melon and added some berries. This is going to be a very nice treat at work today!

Berry Delicious Waffles

2011-06-06T07:57:00.000-04:00

Two Waffles
2 Sliced Strawberries
Handful of Blue Berries
Justin's Chocolate Almond Butter (or your Favorite Spread)

Toast Waffles and spread on the Chocolate Almond Butter
Add sliced fruits

Enjoy.

Simple Lobster Salad

2011-06-05T18:58:00.000-04:00

Simple Lobster Salad

1 1/2 cups of lobster

1 tsp dried parsley

2 TB of red onion

2 tsp of lemon juice

A dash of black pepper

2 TB of mayo

A couple of drops of hot sauce

Mix all together and add on a roll or a lettuce wrap or just eat as is.

Enjoy.

Meal Plan This Week : May 6th

2011-06-05T15:58:00.000-04:00

Food This Week

Sunday - Lobsters and Caviar Bellinis

Monday - Tuna Lettuce Lunch Wraps and Toastadas

Tuesday - Roasted Veggie Wraps and Veggie Feta Cheese Rice

Wednesday - Shrimp Kabobs and Spinach Salad

Thursday - Veggie Rice Surprise (this means use whats left in my freezer)

Week of 5/6: Grocery List - Lobsters and Bikes

2011-06-05T15:50:00.000-04:00

The Groceries: $55

Tomatoes / crème fraîche / cream cheese / smoked salmon

Pancake mix / lobster (2) / Spinach / Chicken (pet food for KGB)

Rice / Small Can Diced Tomatoes / Red Pepper

Berries / Yogurts (on sale) / Almond Milk

Juice / Waffles

Lobsters $32

I have named my new lobsters - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (a little shout out to my friend Stetson).
Soon they will go into this pot.

Last thing on the Grocery List: A Road Bike. We bought this at The Bike Club this morning. Its an early birthday gift for CJ. (his birthday is in August) This will allow him to cross train now. I am happy to make him happy. He is such a cutie.

Snack Attack.

2011-06-05T15:25:00.001-04:00

Blueberry waffle with Justin's chocolate almond butter and fresh strawberries.

Friday Night Pre dinner snack Inspiration

2011-06-03T17:11:00.000-04:00

Inspired by Ali's post earlier this week at FoodFitFashionI put together a per dinner snack for CJ and I.
Whole Wheat Square Crackers, Green Grapes and a little Double Cream Brie. I am going to top this off with some Sangria to get this Friday night started.

It's Friday !

2011-06-03T14:00:00.002-04:00

*Breakfast*
Time for a smoothie

My vitamix grinds apples whole. Boo ya.

Two small peaches, two whole apples, half a cup of almond milk, ice and blend

Delish.
*lunch*

Lunch was leftover kabobs, a handful of kettle salt and pepper chips and a peach.

And that's a day folks...

2011-06-02T21:37:00.002-04:00

This mornig I woke up late and had to prep for tonights dinner. I just recently bought the Cuisinart PSC 400 4Qt Slow Cooker. I wanted to make my Any Bean Chili in it so it would be ready when we got home. So there was no time for breakfast at home.

When I got to work, I headed down to the Caf and got this
*breakfast*

Some low fat cherry vanilla granola cereal with skim. And a cafe com leite. (basically half coffee, half skim milk)
The cereal wasn't as good as I would have liked so I pitched it. My motto is to never eat anything that I am not really enjoying.

For Lunch, We hit the Indian Buffet as another Farewell to my co-worker Alex. I have consumed a lot of calories for him this week. I have to check out a few other blogs to see how others are handling eating out.

*Dinner*

Chili in my new slow cooker.

Dinner on our Balcony

AnyBean Chili - Recipe to Follow

I cut up corn tortillas and bake in the oven to make my own chips

Finished off with 2 scoops of Trader Joe's IceCream.

And thats a day folks.

Why am I a PBS Junkie...

2011-06-01T21:48:00.000-04:00

I have been watching 4 hours of PBS: "Les Miserables - 25th Anniversary" with Nick Jonas! And he is really good. Just an amazing score and fantastic cast, Alfie Boe is magnificent. I honestly have goose bumps listening to some of these voices.
Went Shopping this afternoon to buy goodies for the rest of the week. In addition to my list, I bought some yogurts on sale, blueberry waffles and Sangria. Groceries! $75 @ The Whole Foods

*Dinner* Shrimp Kabobs

and Spinach Salad

Chocolate Cheesecake Trap!

2011-06-01T15:46:00.003-04:00

Lunch started out well. Some lettuce wraps from our caf.

However, in honor of my very cool co-worker Alex's departure, it was all delicious downhill roll.

I present to you the Cheesecake Factory Chocolate Peanutbutter cake of awesome.

I need to hit the gym. I just need to remember where I left my motivation.

Location:Lunch and a Cheese Cake Factory Treat

I need a snack!

2011-06-01T11:34:00.001-04:00

It's not pretty but it's good. I needed a snack so I have having some leftover trader joes veggie chili.

Breakfast and the Turtle Pool Time

2011-06-01T07:52:00.002-04:00

It has been a busy morning here. KGB was up for his morning swim. I set up twitter and Facebook pages for my site. Get the word out.
And now it's on to breakfast.

To change it up a bit I put Justin's chocolate almond butter on my waffles today. I am trying to use the last of the peaches so chopped some of those up and ta-da breakfast.

A little decaf coffee with vanilla almond milk finished it off.

China & Linens & Toasters, Oh My!

2011-05-31T21:02:00.000-04:00

Although I am far from setting up a registry as CJ and I have yet to set a wedding date, however, we have been looking at all the options out there. And there are many! Here are just a few that looked interesting to me.

Every couple is different. Some soon-to-be Brides and Grooms are still using plastic forks and eating on that milk crate table they built in college. Some couples will need to merge two fully stocked condos and are trying to figure out where they are going to put TWO kitchen tables (that may or may not be made of milk crates)

So here is the breakdown of some interesting registries...

The "You Can Have It All" Registries
Some couples just can't decide - Should they register at Crate & Barrel, or Target, or Pottery Barn,or maybe Macy's - Too Many Choices to just choose one or two!

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Not just for weddings but any special occasion where folks will lavish gifts upon you. "MyRegistry.com gives customers the flexibility to choose the items they like best, from any store in the world—whether it be a local mom and pop shop without a website or a national chain superstore." They even have the ability set up a cash gift service which is a nice touch.

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Much like myregistry.com, Wishpot is a one stop shop for anything you could possibly want on your registry. Wishpot allows you to set up for Cash Gifts as well. I also found a fun feature called ChipIn -"You add an item to your wish list or registry...and ask for contributions for that item. Wishpot makes it easy for friends and family to chip in for the larger items you want."

The "Honeymoon" Registries
So you don't need another toaster, but you would really love a trip to Bora Bora for your Honeymoon. You are in Luck!

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Traveler's Joy is a Honeymoon Registry. "Friends and family visit your page and use their credit card to give a gift toward part or all of your trip." So they would be able to give $100 towards airfare or pay for a dinner one night. Or they could write one big check and pay for the whole thing. (If you have this kind of relative, please send me their email as I would like to add them to my registry) There is a fee for this service - "The 7.5% service fee is assessed when a gift is given to your registry account. For example, if you have $9.25 in your account, you have received a gift of $10.00 and the fee of $0.75 has been assessed." However guests are never charged a fee

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Honeyfund is "a honeymoon gift registry with no setup fees, and no transaction fees, and no travel plans required." This site was initially built by the founders (a Husband and Wife Team) as they already had a house full of stuff, and were looking for the best way for family and friends to give the gift of a honeymoon without an additional costs.

The "Finance a Wish" Registries"
Some couples have a big idea in mind - Maybe its a down payment for a house or maybe its a bit of renovation for a house the couple already owns. Maybe the couple would like the freedom of taking the wonderful monitary gifts from their guests and literally investing in their futures by buying stocks and mutual funds. Whatever the dream, Cash is King.

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Some may think there is a stigma with asking for money as a wedding gift but UponOurStar takes it one step further and allows the couple to share their wishes with their wedding guests. This makes a financial gift mean something special. "A wedding registry for wishes, not stuff." There is a fee for this service - "A small amount of 2.5% will be withheld from your total Funds and paid directly to credit card companies to cover their processing fees and a one-time $15 amount will be withheld and paid directly to the Bank, to set up a secure and traceable direct deposit of funds into your bank account. UponOurStar does not profit from these fees."

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"Have all the household items that you need...with the exception of the house?" FeatheOurNest is a Mortgage Specific Registry with Real Estate Services. It allows your guests to donate directly to a down payment for your new home as Husband and Wife. There is a fee for this service - "The Registry Fee is $300 and is fully refundable at the close of escrow on your home provided that you have used the services of a real estate sales associate referred to you by FeatherOurNest. The $300 fee is non-refundable if you do not participate in our Realtor Referral Program."

The "Just for Fun" Registries

Foodieregistry.com says it best - "Foodie Registry was started by a couple of Chicago foodies who love nothing more than the experience of a great meal at a fabulous restaurant. The company is based on two simple ideas. First most couples already own many of the items found on a traditional registry. Second, people love good food. Put that together and what do you get? A restaurant gift registry. For foodies. A Foodie Registry"

What are your favorite Registry Sites?

My Proposal - through my Fiance's Eyes

2011-05-31T20:53:00.009-04:00

In my fiancées wonderful words - A Recap of Our Proposal in Paris, France:

This past Saturday {March 26,2011), after a delicious dinner at the Kitchen Galerie Bis, and on a misty and magical Parisian evening, Tracy accepted my proposal of marriage, which I made as we stood atop the center span of Le Pont des Arts, looking down the Seine towards the shadowy spire of Notre Dame.

We followed this celebration-worthy moment up by meeting up
with a friend for an evening of live jazz music at Duc des Lombards.

....A memorable evening, to say the least!

Tuna lettuce wraps

2011-05-31T20:38:00.000-04:00

1 can tuna
1 T Mayo
4 t relish
2 slices provolone cheese
4 romaine lettuce leafs , washed and trimmed

Mix tuna with relish and mayo. Spoon onto lettuce leaf. Now here is the fun part- place one slice of provolone cheese on small place in microwave for 15 seconds. Using a folk add melted cheese to lettuce wraps!
Sprinkle some pepper and that's a wrap.

6/1 Meal Plan This Week

2011-05-31T19:46:00.001-04:00

Its a Short Week, we have been living on breakfast foods for the last 2 days but I am going grocery shopping tomorrow. This is what is on the docket:

Wednesday: Pesto Shrimp Kabobs & Spinach Goat Cheese Salad.
Thursday: AnyBean Chili, served with corn chips
Friday: Grilled Veggie Tostadas, served with Avocado and Salsa

After a quick scan thru my fridge and cabinets for current inventory, below is what I need to make the above happen

*The Grocery List*
1 lb Raw Shrimp (peeled, de-veined, tail on)
Pre-made Pesto (kept near the humus in most places)
Zucchini
2 Red Bell Peppers
Green Bell Pepper
Bagged Spinach
2 Jalapenos
Yellow Squash
2 Avocados
Sm can diced tomatoes (low sodium)
Frozen Soy Crumbles
Frozen Corn
1 Cup Dry Kidney Beans
1 Cup Dry Pinto Beans
Salsa
Sour Cream
Tortillas Both Corn and Wheat
1/2 Gal Almond Milk
1/2 Gal Juice

A new style

2011-05-31T16:26:00.001-04:00

So I am testing out this new style for my blog. I think my little vector
person is cute. This week will be her trial run.
*breakfast*

Two whole grain waffles, organic peanut butter, diced fresh peaches and a
sprinkle of chia seeds

*Lunch*

Bunless burger at The Palm.

Itzhak Perlman and Paris

2011-03-24T14:15:00.000-04:00

So the next 32 or so hours will be action packed. Once the work day is over, I will be off to the Kennedy Center to see Itzhak Perlman and the Perlman Program (His Alumni from the Perlman School). Considering that I have no formal music training, have no idea about music theory, boy o boy, do I love classical music! I can appreciate the symphonies but my real love lies with Chamber music.
Nothing is better to my ears then a small string quartet, maybe a piano, it makes me feel like the world is at peace.

Moving right along.

Friday morning, CJ and I are up at 4am. We have been getting up early everyday this week in preparation for our EUROPE TRIP! First stop Paris! I can barely sit in my seat and write this, I am so excited about it.

I am packed and ready to go. (I have packed and re-packed three times). We are only taking backpacks as I would like to think that I have mastered the art of packing light.

Pasta with Avocado Alfredo Sauce

2011-02-04T14:26:00.000-05:00

Pasta with Avocado Alfredo Sauce

Serves 2

Ingredients
• 1 avocado
• 1 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
• 2/3 cup almond milk (plain)
• 1/2 cup low fat or vegan Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup any beans you have on hand (kidney, white, pinto, black)
• 7 - 8 oz whole wheat or quinoa pasta
• 2 teaspoons of any no-salt seasoning

Cook Pasta and drain.
In a 2qt pan, add avocado and mash with a potato masher.
Add remaining ingredients together on low heat and stir continuously till hot and smooth. You may want to add a little extra almond milk for a thinner sauce.
Once hot, pour over pasta and top with a little basil

Serve with you favorite toasted bread. I sliced up harvest bread from Whole Foods. and lightly buttered them and topped them each with minced garlic and chopped basil. I put them in the oven on broil till toasted. Easy!

Enjoy!

When in Rome....Eat Roman Burgers!

2011-01-18T15:20:00.000-05:00

This has come to be one of my favorite veggie dishes.
The ROMAN BURGER.
These are the patties that I put together. Its all beans and oats delish.

You pan fry with just a little olive oil spray so they don't stick, about 5 min on each side medium heat

garnish as you wish. Here I added onion, cucumber, tomato and a little homemade avocado mayo. All on a Ezekiel sprouted grains bun.

Roman Burger Recipe courtesy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Living

Real Roman Bean Burgers
1 cup onions, diced
1TB olive oil
1/2 cup carrots diced (I bought the shredded carrots and gave them a little extra chop)
1/2 cup red bell pepper finely diced
1/2 cup zucchini, finely diced
2 TB garlic minced (I buy mine in a giant jar already minced)
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp rubbed (dried) sage
2 (15oz.) cans of Roman or Cranberry beans, drained and rinsed. (I could not find either of these so I used Pinto as they are a close second to Roman beans. I also threw a hand full of kidney beans that I had left over in the fridge. What ever works for you)
3 TB tamari (This is a soy sauce that is a little smoother tasting that actual soy sauce. Its made a bit differently. you can find out more HERE)
3 TB ketchup
2 TB Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp sea salt (I didn't add the salt as I am trying to cut back on salt)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
8 whole grain hamburger buns

1. Saute onions in olive oil, i usually use half the oil and add a bit of water for a water saute but that's up to you. After about 1 min, add the carrot, red bell pepper and zucchini and saute for 3 more 3 more min. Then add the garlic, basil, sage and oregano and saute till the veggies are lightly browned.
2. Place beans in large bowl and roughly mash the beans using a potato masher. Add tamari, ketchup and Dijon mustard, salt and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Add the sauteed veggies and fold them into the bean mixture. You can re-use the skillet for the burgers as long as you wipe it out first.
3. line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and using a 1/2 cup measuring cup, portion out 8 burgers on the parchment. Press to flatten slightly . Chill for 30 min. (I make mine a little bigger so I get 6 burgers from it)
4. Using a little olive oil, oil the skillet and in batches cook the burgers until browned about 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Serve on buns with any sides that you like.

I had some extra cauliflower from a recipe that i had made earlier this week so I decided to try my hand at mashed cauliflower. I just boiled some up.

then mashed it using my immersion blender on low. I added a little butter, diced red pepper and onion into the mix and some herb seasoning.

Ta- Da Dinner -->

Lastly in case you were curious, my avocado mayo was put together like this

Avocado Mayo
1/2 an avocado
2 tsp of olive oil mayo
Mix till smooth.
Thats it folks