curried waldorf salad

This Meatless Monday post comes from a book I just finished reading, Ultrametabolism: The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss by Mark Hyman. I have tried a bunch of recipes from this book and wanted to share the ones I liked best. I substituted some things because it was what I had on hand and the recipe still turned out great. 

Curried Waldorf Salad

1 large red delicious or gala apple, skin on cored and diced
1 cup extra firm tofu (I omitted this)
1/2 cup celery
1/4 cup toasted walnuts
1/2 Tbsp flaxseeds, ground
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1/2 tsp curry power
1 Tbsp walnut oil (I substituted olive oil)
head endive, separated and washed (I substituted mixed greens)

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the endive or mixed greens.  Arrange endive or mixed greens on plate, spoon the mixture on tops and serve.

Learn about the Meatless Mondays Campaign

monthly goal meetup

Happy JULY! Summer is in full swing and HOT.  While many are enjoying the beach and are able to chill outdoors.  Us desert dwellers are beginning our hibernation. We stay indoors much of the day and only venture out when there is water involved!  It's a new month which means it's time for the monthly goal Meet Up.

Here were my June goals ...

1. add new rain drop and starfish earrings to etsy shop - complete!  see new earrings
2. blog about wedding invitation designs & add samples to etsy shop - gotta do
3. guest blog at East Valley Artisans for the month - completed and had my first giveaway!
4. Favor cards for Laraine's wedding - completed
5. Baby Shower Invitations for Jenny - completed
6. joined LinkedIn and now need to work with it a bit - gotta do
7. continue with quick books- nothing
8. continue web site freelance project - got homepage approved!
9. complete scooby painting- a l m o s t  t h e r e!  Just have finishing touches
10. gym: monday, wednesday, thursday and saturday- total slacker! 

And here we go into July ...

1. blog about wedding invitation designs & add samples to etsy shop
2. blog about baby invitation design & add sample to etsy shop
3. menu, program and place cards for Barbie's wedding
4. continue with LinkedIn
5. continue with quick books
6. continue web site freelance project
7. ship completed scooby painting
8. gym: monday, wednesday, thursday and saturday

Wishing everyone a super summer and a little break in your work for some fun! Stay cool.  If you would like to join in the Meetup fun, head on over to Athena Dreams to read more about what we do and how to join in.

black bean confetti salad

This Meatless Monday post comes from a book I just finished reading, Ultrametabolism: The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss by Mark Hyman. I have tried a bunch of recipes from this book and wanted to share the ones I liked best. I substituted some things because it was what I had on hand and the recipe still turned out great.

Black Bean Confetti Salad


1 15 oz. can of black beans
1 cup frozen corn, thawed and drained (I used fresh corn cooked and cooled)
12 cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup scallions (I omitted this as I didn't have it in the house.  Didn't miss it)
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (Again I substituted parsley and mint from my garden)
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
1/4 tsp ground cumin

Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl, cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.

Learn about the Meatless Mondays Campaign

kids art: decoupage fun take 2

Playroom Table Makeover

About a year ago I took a simple IKEA table and decoupaged some of the my kids school artwork to the top of it, I blogged about it here.  It turned out great but, over time the paper had water damage and was torn in places so, the time has come for a makeover. Decoupage to the rescue ... again!  

 Playroom Table - Before (after removing old artwork)

If you have never decoupaged before check out how to decoupage at about.com. I thought about using my kids school work again and begun the hunt and then it occurred to me that the paintings they create on their easel is just the right paper size to cover the table.  Score!  I had one that they both did together sitting in the garage so, I thought that one was perfect.

Playroom Table - After

 
The boys have a fun new playroom table created with their artwork! Isn't it cool? I love taking something a bit ratty and worn and breathing new life into it.  Do you have something you had on the fritz that you made new again?  If so, I'd love to hear about it!

ced: creekside bliss

Here is a new colored pencil sketch from from my sketchbook for creative every day's bliss theme. Doesn't it look like the perfect place to lay on the grass, read, sketch and just watch the clouds go by? Ahh, I can just picture myself there enjoying the creek side bliss.  Today I am in NY for some wedding bliss followed by music bliss! One of my bestest friends is getting married on Friday and we are driving up to Albany on Saturday to meet up with some friends and have a lot of fun at the Phish concert!  May your weekend be blissful.

To see what others have been working on for the bliss theme, click here.

ced: storybook bliss

Here is another colored pencil sketch from from my sketchbook for creative every day's bliss theme.  It is based on one of my favorite storybook's, I Love You Little One by Nancy Tafuri.  I received this book at my baby shower 6 years ago and it has been a family favorite. When Ethan was an infant, I was able t recite this story to calm him down whenever he was upset. That made this story very powerful for us and I have bonded tremendously with it.

To see what others have been working on for the bliss theme, click here.

"flowers" + a giveaway

Tonight is our June meeting for the East Valley Artisans but, I'm bummed that I won't be there. I am heading to NY tomorrow morning for a friends wedding and it was just too tough for me to get there tonight.  I am there in spirit though!  Our EVA May theme exchange was flowers. I was the lucky winner of the pretty dandelion necklace by Kandes (see #6 below) and wanted to show off all the exchange pieces made last month. Everything was pretty and of course, very flowery!

1. Earrings by Melissa - The Silver Nest
2. Glass Pendant by Jeannie - Jean's Beads
3. Earrings by Jill - Jill Helms Studio
4. Earrings by Jennifer - DogMa Creations
5. Flower Pin by Renee - Renee Lareine Jewelry
6. Dandelion Necklace by  Kandes - Kandes Lee
7. Earrings by Marci - Niall9
8. Soldered Flower Necklace by Trish - Little Silver Stars
9. Flower Magnets by Kristen - Creative Stash

Don't miss the magnet set giveaway on our EVA blog ... Only 10 days left to enter! A winner will be chosen on June 27th!

East Valley Artisans is a varied mix of artists from painting to paper to sculpture and jewelry. Please support our economy, support local business, support our artists. Become a fan on Facebook!

guest blogging

Hi! I'm guest blogging on Soft Flex Company's blog today. Today's post is about being open to possibilities and uncovering hidden opportunities along the way. I will be posting there monthly about small business tips for design, marketing and motivation. Hope you will join me!

easy pesto pasta

Pesto is great.  It uses lots of basil, tastes delicious on pasta, garlic bread and sandwiches, it is super easy to make and uses ingredients you probably have on hand.  I found this Easy Pesto Recipe on allrecipes.com

 Easy Pesto

• 1/4 cup almonds
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place almonds on a cookie sheet, and bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
2. In a food processor, combine toasted almonds, garlic, basil, olive oil, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Process until a coarse paste is formed.

Learn about the Meatless Mondays Campaign

ced: bliss in bloom

 

Here is a colored pencil sketch "Bliss in bloom" from my sketchbook for creative every day's bliss theme.   To see what others have been working on for the bliss theme, click here.