Pot Roast & Hot Sauerkraut Sandwich

Could this be one of the reasons why my husband fell in love with me so many years ago? Because I can make a really tasty sandwich? Probably. Because sandwiches are straight up man food. Meaty Man Food.

Vegetable Breakfast Loaf

I'm not sure how to deliciously describe this weird bread creation that I have somehow figured into a loaf-form and named semi-appropriately. The original image that inspired me to frantically form loaves for a friend's jewelry party is a gazillion times more beautiful and appetizing.

After staring at the pin of the bread for what seemed like 16 times a day I realized spring will be coming soon and suddenly must rid my freezer of all summer produce and this bread was just the recipe to use up those 2 huge bags of frozen shredded zucchini and summer squash.

Wild Rice Pilaf

I'm having a hard time being positive about this Wild Rice Pilaf because I'm on a maniacal fruit cleanse where you pretty much starve yourself for 7 days (not really, but I told you I'm not feeling very positive). Something ridiculous about going on a tropical cruise with 5 other svelte women drives you into a starvation diet. Or maybe it's the obnoxious fact that this cruise is timed right after the eating and drinking holiday madness. Either way, I loathe myself for even saying the word diet. I don't diet! I just eat small portions (only a half truth) - and I make good choices like fruits and veggies (sometimes true - love my Twizzlers!). And I work out - a lot (this is pretty much true). Sigh. But, I am dieting. 

However! I do feel powerful saying NO! to coffee - even for a couple days. I cannot describe the fog on the first morning or raging headache that same afternoon (absolutely positively going back to coffee once this madness is over). However! I literally JUMPED out of bed the second day, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Two great things are developing from my diet: self-control and an inner body cleanse that is energy giving. Om. I release all bad feelings from this cleanse into the universe and grab onto peace and calm and wild rice. Come.

Kale & Feta Meatballs

Are you like me and avoid making meatballs because you think making a meatball dinner is wayyy too much effort and dish clean-up? First, make the meat mixture, then roll the balls, then fry the balls, then maybe bake the balls, then put the balls into a tomato sauce to simmer. That's a lot of ball preparation.

Orange Ricotta Pancakes

I am going to give you the most glorious way to use up that leftover container of ricotta that has been sitting in the back of the fridge since used in last week's lasagna. Pancakes. Moist and dense, but still light and airy. Full of orange flavor, sweet and delicious. The ultimate saturday morning don't get out of your pajamas until at least 1:30 breakfast. The only way to feel comforted in the middle of a Polar Vortex. These pancakes are many things. Let them be your emotional comforter.

Roasted Cauliflower & Pomegranate Salad

Happy New Year! Let's eat cauliflower! After all the chocolate, champagne, butter, puff pastry, cookies, cookies & more cookies, lobster, cream sauce, heavy whipping cream, wine and more wine I'm looking to eliminate some saturated fat from my diet and increase my fruit and vegetable intake. How about you? Easier said than done. First, I need to throw all these cookies to the garbage that are invading my headspace. Which will, in turn, cause my soul to cry out for all that butter waste! BUTTER! I will admit, I was thoroughly looking forward to eating rich, creamy, dreamy food during family gatherings and such, but after having my fill, well, I'm full. I plan on the next few days to really focus on drinking tea with lemon when my reflexes are telling me to eat cocoa-dusted truffles. I'll be trying to refrain from eating for spans of a time when my brain says "hey, it's been 39 minutes since the last flavor affair, feed me." After a couple days of depriving my brain of sugar and alcohol I assume {hope} the shakes, fits, and tantrums will dissipate.  Raisins will be my new sweet. Full of healthy antioxidants. And cauliflower salad will be my main dish. All the mental anguish is worth the way my body and mind feel after a week of healthy eating habits. So. Much. Better. Than. Sugar. Butter. World. Promise.