Kale Chips: Currently Trending.

             Has anyone else seen kale EVERYWHERE recently?  Within the last few months I've seen Kale all over, advertised at the grocery store, offered in salads, side dishes, but most popular of all is the Kale Chip.  I feel like everyone is making and/or talking about kale chips. 

 Side note:  This reminds of me of the pomegranate obsession of a few year ago. 

Well, I have definitely jumped on the bandwagon. and understand what the hype is.  It is  so easy to make, so delicious, and so healthy.

Kale contains a lot of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti -cancer ( not sure what that it but it sounds excellent) nutrients.

So far my favorite recipe is one from William Sonoma:

Ingredients:

1. 1 head/ bag of Kale

2. 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

3.1/4 Tsp Smoked Paprika ( I only had regular paprika, but I am dying to try it with smoked)

4.1/2 Tsp Sea Salt

( I also added some garlic salt ( obviously I never cook anything without some form of garlic in it)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees

1. Clean Kale, and pat dry

2.  Tear leaves into chip size pieces

3. Arrange on cookie tray in a single layer

4. Sprinkle Kale with olive oil

5. Sprinkle kale with the sea salt, paprika, and garlic

Cook for about 25 minutes or until crispy.

The kale chips were delicious, and they make sure a great snack. 

I've also made kale chips with olive oil and Parmesan cheese as my mom suggested and they were just as fabulous.

Have you jumped on the Kale Chip Band Wagon?

Geneva On The Lake

   This past weekend DFH and I traveled to Geneva on the Lake, on Lake Erie in Ohio for a little getaway.  Geneva on the Lake is a small town surrounded by approximately twenty vineyards. 

We started at the Old Mill Winery first.

We enjoyed a Delicious Red wine burger for lunch and tasted lots of their delicious wines.

Next, we stopped at the Old Firehouse Winery.

Here we also did a sample tray  I think this is the best way to try a large variety of wines.  It is also a great way to learn what you like and do not like. 

The Old Firehouse Winery also makes a delicious "champagne" which we loved.  A bottle was the perfect way to celebrate our Anniversary at the winery.

After stopping at another winery, we headed back to the Lodge for dinner.  The restaurant had big windows which was perfect for a sunset lake view.

I love being near the water, and miss it living in Pittsburgh,

Unfortunately the weather was big windy / chilly to go on a walk around the lake

After our mild Winter and gorgeous Spring I hated wearing winter coats.

After dinner we had a great time and enjoyed cocktails and live music.

Now, back to reality.

What I've Been Up To...

Last Friday DFH and I celebrated our 6 year dating Anniversary ..wowzer!

I came home to this beautiful sight....flowers, five bottles of wine, and a hand written card.

He knows the key to my heart ;)

We were lucky enough to get tickets to the Pens Playoff game on Friday.

Me with with Heidi and Maribeth

DFH and I at the game with his play off 'stache

We had a very Sports filled weekend, DFH's parents were in town and we had great seats for the Pirates v. Cardinals game

LS and I got crafty with some mod podge and trays ( post to follow)

This weekend DFH and I are off to a winery filled weekend! Cannot wait.

DIY: Dry Erase Board

This is seriously one of my favorite crafts, and the fact that is super easy makes it even better.  I saw this at fellow crafter EK's home and knew I needed to make one.  It is a great way to write to do lists, menus, etc. 

Materials:

1. Frame of Your choice

2. Fabric ( 1 yard)

3.  Glue or tape

  Step 1:

1. Take out the glass, and take the fabric and wrap it around the base of the frame, either glue or tape the fabric to back. 
(I taped the fabric rather then glued it on, so that I would be able to change out the fabric )

2. Add the glass over the fabric. 

Hang on the wall.

All done. Use dry erase markers and write on the glass.

( My to-do list makes me feel so old)

I know one probably does not need more than one dry erase board in their home, but I recently saw this dry erase board on Pinterest and NEED to make another calendar version.

VIA

Weekend Update

      This past weekend went fast as always, and DFH and I were certainly busy.

We started the weekend attending Game 2 of Pens v. Flyers playoff game

We were not so happy after the loss.

After nine years with my beloved Xterra, Bruiser I finally said goodbye.

Tears were shed, when the tow truck drove it away, thinking about all the adventures we went on :(

Yes. I made DFH take one last pick of me and my car.  RIP Bruiser.

*The good news is I have a new vehicle :)

Hockey and Bloodys were a delicious treat on Sunday, although another crushing Penguins loss was not so fun.

I love Sunday Night Sushi Nights

Although the Pens are losing 0-3 fingers crossed they beat the Flyers tonight.

Easter Weekend Recap

  Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter/Passover weekend.  I spent my weekend in NJ with family and friends and it was so nice relaxing and spending the holidays at home.

Here is my weekend through pictures. 

I found the perfect  Seersucker Suit for work while shopping with Mom.

Loved Celebrating Baby Trey at MF's baby shower

Enjoyed a wonderful Easter feast with my parents, sister, and grandparents

The Pinterest Inspired Centerpiece my sister, JLP created.

JLP and I spotted some Lilly animal crackers while out running errands.

Received some fun and delicious goodies from the Easter Bunny.

Hope you had a fun filled holiday as well.

Low Carb Pizza

      On Pinterest I had seen a recipe for Low Carb Pizza, which used cauliflower rather then dough for the pizza crust.  DFH and I were so excited to try this as pizza is one of our favorite foods.  How much better would pizza be if you knew if was guilt free.

I apologize that I did not do the best job cutting the slices, so it does not look as appetizing, but it was delicious and tasted just like pizza.  I highly recommend it.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp crushed garlic
1/2 tsp garlic salt
olive oil (optional)
pizza sauce, shredded cheese and your choice of toppings

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

1. Take one large head of Cauliflower and add it to the food processor, pulse until the cauliflower looks like grain, not a puree. 

2.  Place cauliflower in microwave for 8 minutes.

3.   Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

4.  In a bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, crushed garlic and garlic salt, stir.

5. Transfer the mix to the cookie sheet, and using your hands, pat out on the pan. 

6.  Brush crust with olive oil.

 Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.

 

Remove from oven. add sauce, toppings and cheese.

Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes).

Obviously I burned the one side...oops. 

I made my crust thin, next time I would make it a little thicker to avoid burning parts of the crust, but overall DFH and I both loved it, and will be making it again with some veggie toppings.