Insights from The Magic Tutu

Forks Over Knives

*Good Morning Friends*

My friend Lesley, whom I've written about many
times, has inspired me once again.  Last December
she told me to watch Forks Over Knives on Netflix
saying that it had completely changed the way she
feeds her family.  I watched it and changed everything
about my diet resulting in a 27 pound weight loss
since I started the new diet January 1st.

 
Making a green drink most every day from
spinach, kale, cabbage, etc. is part of my new
"diet" which really isn't a "diet" per se but
a new way of eating.  At first I didn't like the
green taste but now I love it!

I started Lesley on coffee when she was in
her 20's and now we've both given up coffee
for Yerba Mate tea in the morning.  I love it!
Hard to believe because I've been drinking
coffee since high school.  Still love coffee but
found out it's acidic and I'm trying to stay
away from acidic foods/beverages to see if
my joints will be happier.  I have RA and those
of us with RA need to make our diet more
alkaline.  Yum Yerba Mate!

In the meantime, Baby Girl has stuffed her
wonderfully plump body into a small box.
She's not at all worried about her diet.

So much can happen in 24 hours!  Haley is in
Europe and I'm tending her kitties.  I didn't do
very well with Kremer as he was hit by a car
yesterday and ended up with a broken &
dislocated jaw which required surgery and
pain meds.  Poor Kremer!  I couldn't find him
yesterday morning which was odd because he
is always on her front porch or laying on her
lawn.  Thank goodness after he was hit he
managed to get thru her kitty door and collapse
in her bedroom.  He'll be OK but the poor little
guy wasn't happy yesterday.  Sniff...

And last, I certainly did meander with this post
starting with Forks Over Knives and winding up
telling you about poor Kremer!  Oh well, I listened
to my heart and this is what poured out today.

Sending love and all that good stuff your way and
a little push to watch Forks Over Knives.  Very
inspiring and loaded with good information.
When I thanked Lesley for telling me about the
video I said I taught you how to dance and now
you're teaching me how to eat healthy.

Enjoy this lovely day!
xoxo Amy

 

 

The Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen is referring to the 12 most pesticide contaminated fruits & veggies on the market.  This list changes yearly and I'm happy to see blueberries aren't on it this year.  Still, I try to find organic blueberries.  Not always easy since so many are imported.

At the Farmer's Market this weekend most everything was organic.  For me, a life-long desert dweller, this is Heaven.  I realize photos of produce aren't too exciting but this photo represents the abundance of organic produce that is available beyond my local supermarket where I find produce from Chile, Mexico and other far away places.

Here's the current Dirty Dozen list from organic.org  The list was different last year.

12 Most Contaminated Peaches Apples Sweet Bell Peppers Celery Nectarines Strawberries Cherries Pears Grapes (Imported) Spinach Lettuce Potatoes   12 Least Contaminated Onions Avocado Sweet Corn (Frozen) Pineapples Mango Asparagus Sweet Peas (Frozen) Kiwi Fruit Bananas Cabbage Broccoli Papaya

Trying to feed my family with organic goodness instead of contaminating them with pesticides.  My friend told me that the old pesticides that are now banned in the US are being used in foreign countries and then that produce is shipped here.  I don't have any info to back that up, but it sure fits in with the overall problem we have in the US of trying to control what comes into our country ~ including what is spilling over our southern border.  Now THAT'S a hot topic and part of the reason America is bankrupt.  Stopping myself from discussing that today, because today is a lovely Sunday and it's all about being healthy.  Hope you enjoyed the Dirty Dozen list and will tell your friends about it.  Have a beautiful day.  xoxo Amy

 

Martha's Vineyard Cranberry Bread

Jeanine sent three loaves of her homemade Martha's Vineyard Cranberry Bread to us for Christmas.  I have written about this Culinary Delight before.  Haley and I devoured two loaves at our morning Coffee Parties within days and the third loaf was safe in my freezer.  I intended (really I did) to give it to Tom.  After all, Jeanine is his cousin, too, but somehow the frozen loaf never made it to Tom's house.  

Tom lives at the corner ~ a one minute walk away.  I share my time, energy, advice (ha!), and try to help where I can in life, but somehow the thought of sharing Jeanine's Cranberry Bread enters and leaves my mind like lightning.  This goes on each year. Well, Haley asked about the third loaf last week.  We devoured it.  Sorry Tom.

 

I'm being a little funny here with the Cranberry Bread story, but in reality, sharing is a part of us, as humans. My friend Lesley, whom I have written about before, epitomizes what sharing is all about.   She works a full-time job and still surprises us with dinner delivery when she has extra.  The ultimate friend, Lesley has gone thru cancer/chemo, is raising two sons which means mountains of laundry and serious grocery shopping, works full time, helps me with the ballet company and STILL has time to prepare delicious, organic feasts.  Women like Lesley are an inspiration to people like me who need help in the sharing department.  Cute picture I snapped of Lesley & Desi right before Christmas.  They are great friends.

xoxo Amy 

Morning coffee

 

I have given up many things in my life ~ including my youth ~ but morning coffee?  Never.

Cranberry Bread & Coffee

 A sample of some of our new merchandise arrived.  Aren't these snuggle coffee cups cute?  They nest into each other.  I placed them on my kitchen window sill.  I'll let you know when they're available for purchase.  We have a line of Lucille Ball merchandise coming out and it's all fun.  I wanted to have coffee this morning using these cups, but stopped myself and used my favorite Starbucks mug instead.

 My cousin (Jeanine) sent her famous Cranberry Bread to us and it arrived from Wisconsin just in time for Thanksgiving.  At morning coffee, Haley & I worked our way thru half of it.  I guess this year I won't be able to share it with Tom (that's my brother).  Sorry Tom.  There were double the amount of cranberries in the recipe this year so it was the best ever.  Sorry Tom.  I guess tomorrow at Thanksgiving dinner I'll have to explain to Tom why none of Jeanine's Cranberry Bread appeared at this house this year (oink, oink).

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family & friends.  Lots of love, Amy

Yes....it is delicious!

Jeanine's cranberry bread was everything I knew it would be.  It's a treasure and we're savoring it.  She sent two loaves so I put one of them in the freezer.  I wonder if I should share it with my brother, Tom?  No.  I'm not going to share.  I'm keeping both loaves for my household.  Tom will never know.  Well, maybe I should share.  Afterall, next year I'm going to have to "share" my income with people who don't want to work.  I guess I should start with the baby step of "spreading the cranberry bread" in  preparation for "spreading my income".  Actually, I honestly don't really mind sharing my cranberry bread with Tom.  I like to share what I have with who I want to share it with.  I'm put off that I'm going to have to "share" (HA!) according to someone else's decisions.  Ugh.  I took the photo after the first slice.  Yum...

Sliced Oranges

Our Nutcracker Ballet is in 3 weeks.  We're rehearsing all day and into the night to make this our best Nutcracker ever.  But all I can think about tonight is the UPS delivery that will be at my door tomorrow with a package from my cousin, Jeanine, in Wisconsin.  She's sending me a freshly baked loaf of her super yummy Cranberry Bread.  Jeanine once had a bakery here in Boulder City called Sweet Treats.  It was a gourmet bakery with freshly baked muffins, pies, cakes, cookies and freshly ground coffee.  People in town are still going thru withdrawals trying to face life without starting their day with something from Sweet Treats.  When  Jeanine moved to Wisconsin we all hoped she'd write a cookbook for us so we could attempt to make her treats at home.  Our attempts would never come close to the real thing -- and we all knew that -- but just to have those recipes in print seemed comforting to us.  She hasn't written the cookbook yet, but there's a hint she will.  In the meantime, thank goodness Jeanine is my cousin and sends treats my way.  So tomorrow I'll pour a cup of coffee, slice open the Cranberry loaf, sink into my comfy couch and INDULGE.  Yum. Yum.

Jeanine sent these photos that she took during her baking process.  She uses the freshest ingredients and is one of those people who can bake and eat these treats and never gain an ounce!  Unlike the rest of us who have to workout every single day to keep the pounds off.  I'm not worried.  I have a date at 7am with Gilad!  Haley will join me for the workout.  We'll stretch, lift weights, aerobicize, work our abs, and then slice into Jeanine's Cranberry Bread.  Can't wait... 

A yummy Cuban cookbook

I accidentally found Marta Darby's funny & family oriented blog called My Big Fat Cuban Family.  She was kind enough to send Desi a copy of her amazing Cuban cookbook.  Yum, yum.  Even if you're not Cuban (I'm Polish & Czech!) you'll love her recipes and love of life.  The Cuban food is wonderful.  Full of garlic and oranges and luscious flavor.  I snapped this photo of Desi yesterday with Marta's cookbook. Cute photo!  I have become very good at making the basic Cuban dishes -- black beans, piccadillo & fried pork chunks.  There are so many more wonderful dishes.  I especially love the mojito dipping sauce. It's garlic, onion, lime, vinegar & OJ all whirled together in a little chopper.  Yum.