Nico was making some autumn foam projects
Corn Chowder Recipe
November 19, 2013 By
I have been on Weight Watchers for a few weeks now. This is actually my second Weight Watchers 
One of the easiest foods to make is soup AND soup is so low in Weight Watchers points (which is a good thing, means you can eat a lot more of it!). Weight Watchers also encourages you to eat low calorie foods that are full of protein and fiber. This equates to a lot of fruits and vegetables with very little carbohydrates. That sounds like it is right up my dietary alley.
I decided to through together a tasty, easy and healthy corn chowder. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Corn Chowder
5 slices uncured bacon
1/2 of a medium white or yellow onion
1 large carrot, diced
1 large celery rib, diced
1 cup diced potatoes
64 oz of Organic Chicken Stock
pepper
1/2 teaspoon Organic Cumin
1/4 teaspoon Organic Chili Powder
3 Tablespoons butter
1 bag of frozen corn
1 bag of frozen lima beans
Method
In a large Stainless Steel Stockpot over medium heat, cook the bacon until it has rendered its fat and has just become crispy. Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook until the onions are translucent and the carrots have begun to soften. Add the potatoes, stock and season with salt, pepper, cumin, child powder and butter. Bring to a boil and simmer until potatoes have softened. Add the corn and lima beans and reseason if necessary. Allow to cook an additional 15 minutes or until the flavor has deepened. Reseason if necessary. Serve as is, or use your Hand Blender 
Christmas Lights and a Little Miracle
November 15, 2013 By
Living in the Baltimore/Washington area I am very familiar with Baltimore’s own Miracle on 34th Street. It is a magical Christmas tradition that has been around for 65 years! I have made the trek into Baltimore a few times (usually for my birthday because I love this aspect of Baltimore so much and want to spend my birthday looking at all the Christmas Lights) and every time it has been a beautiful and inspiring moment.
34th street is covered from head to toe, inside and out with Christmas Lights. The families on 34th street embrace the Christmas spirit and Baltimore Pride in such a unique and fun way. There are traditional displays but the ones that really capture the heart of Baltimore are those traditions that are unique to this little-big city. There is the hubcap tree, the Natty Boh sign, the Utz Potato Chip Girl, and the big red Steamed Crab. All of these are what make Baltimore, Baltimore.
The families that live on 34th street even open their homes during Miracle on 34th Street and allow visitors to come in and view their Christmas displays. The Christmas lights are amazing, festive and a bit breath taking. 34th street is a short block, but it is jam packed with pedestrians and cars alike. I have never walked 34th street because parking is at a premium in the area, but I highly recommend stopping by. It is a really rare experience that is unique to Baltimore.
My own family loves to go on Christmas Light Hunts in our own neighborhood and surrounding areas. We have a few people that are a bit more local that also love to showcase their Christmas Spirit with large Christmas light displays. One goes so far as to have Christmas music piped to your car radio. To me there isn’t much better family fun than to bundle up the kids, grab some thermos bottles full of hot chocolate and hunt down a lot of magical Christmas decorations. This is what I dreamed about when I envisioned having a family. The laughter and joy that simple decorations can produce linger in a child’s memory and shape their hindsight of growing up and family time together.
Let the merriment begin! Only 36 days left until Christmas!
Meal Plan Featuring Chicken Saltimbocca Gruyere
November 15, 2013 By
As I’ve said in previous meal planning posts we are gluten free. Sometimes we are even dairy free, but not always. Shh, don’t tell anyone, Ok? Today we are not dairy free, hence the wonderful addition of Gruyere cheese in this recipe. The melting cheese makes the most wonderful sauce for the chicken. I adore this meal. I hope you like it as much as we do.
Monday – Chicken saltimbocca gruyere with mashed potatoes and green beans
Tuesday – Veal picata with salad
Wednesday – Pork chops with potatoes au gratin and veggies
Thursday – Cuban picadillo with fried bananas
Friday – Bahn Mi Style Burger
Chicken Saltimbocca Gruyere
4 single chicken breasts without skin and bone
8 slices of prosciutto
5 oz of Gruyere cheese, shredded
toothpicks
3 tablespoons butter
1 glove garlic
1/2 cup white wine
juice of one lemon
Place one chicken breast in a zip lock bag and using a mallet, pound the breast thin. Repeat with the other chicken breasts. Layer 2 slices of the prosciutto on each chicken breast, top with 1/4 of the cheese. Roll the chicken breast so that the prosciutto and cheese are contained inside the chicken breast. Secure with toothpicks. Repeat with all chicken breasts. In a large skillet melt the butter. Saute garlic for a moment or two and then add chicken breast. Allow the breasts to brown on each side. Add wine and lemon juice to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover so that the chicken can cook fully. Serve with sauce from the pan.
