Relishing the Relish

As promised, here is the recipe for the tomato relish I made 2 weeks ago. I've been craving it since, so as I write this I am making another batch. Nico loves it on a crusty baguette with goat cheese, or in a burger. I'm going to try it on a toasted bagel and cream cheese.

Slice one small red onion and cook it in 2 tablespoons olive oil with a minced garlic clove. Once the onions are soft and golden, add 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 teaspoon curry powder. Cook about 5 minutes, then deglazed the pan with a tablespoon sherry vinegar. Add a 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, a teaspoon dried oregano, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes, then strain out the liquid into a bowl. Chopped the tomatoes. The Wichcraft version calls for pickled mustard seeds and parsley, which I left out because I did not have them, but I thought my version was delish.

Back to the Menus

An outdoor market in Monaco. If we had more markets like these here at home,
getting groceries wouldn't be such a chore.

My first trimeseter nausea is finally passing and it is time to get back with the menu program. I went from not being able to open a bag of mixed greens without my stomach turning to suddenly being able to plan a weeks dinners again. Here is what I have planned for this week. Send me your menus if you have them!

Sunday: Grilled Crostini with Tomato Relish and a hearty salad, possible left overs. Recipe for relish to be posted soon. Also making an egg salad up for Nico and I to have for lunch tomorrow.

Monday: AJ's Arugula, Avocado and Parmesan Sandwiches with Veggie Soup.

Tuesday: Mexican night: I'm thinking Whole Wheat Easy Black Bean Taco's with veggies.

Wednesday: Garden Burgers with Oven Veggies.

Thursday: Pasta Night. Cold Garlic and Broccoli Salad via Ina Garten. Small Arugula Salad.

Friday: Going Out Night. I hope to dine with friends once this week, so I'm making one day a FREE DAY. Not sure what night this will fall on, but here's to wishful thinking. Making plans with friends is so much harder with little ones isn't it?


Even though I have Gestational Diabetes this time again, I have noticed something interesting. If I eat at home I can eat almost anything. Even a small plate of pasta or a taco. If I eat out, it's a hazard to my health. I have to be super picky about where we go or I have to just get a salad with chicken (no dressing, or oil and vinegar on the side) Restaurants make food taste so good by adding sugar or fat to almost everything, and the portions are usually exaggerated. Making food at home is by far and away the healthiest thing you can do for yourself.

I also wanted to mention the benefits of a post dinner walk. The proof is in my numbers. The other night at a restaurant ( We were on vacation!) I ordered a salad and made the mistake of eating some bread with it. I should have known better, and I'm sure that the bread was sugar laden. It was pretty sweet and really good. I got home and went straight for a 30 minute walk and hiked uphill. 2 hours later my blood sugar was still high at 165. (Normal should be 90-120). God knows how high the original number was?! I decided to climb stairs for 10 minutes and when I tested immediately afterwards it was at 81. Amazing right? If you have a brisk walk after dinner your body will truly thank you.

My Little Bird

I was just now putting Nico to sleep and he asked me to put my wing around him. We have been reading a book about a hen who wraps her wing around her chicks, so he wanted to reenact that tonight. It melted my heart. I put my arm around him. It took just my pointer finger and middle finger to rub his entire shoulder. Just 2 fingers. That's how small his little wing is. I want to remember tonight forever.

Potato Stamps

Our friend baby June turned one year old this past weekend. I spaced on buying her giftwrap and was disappointed with the cheesy selection of Disney princess or Winnie the pooh wrapping paper at the store.




We decided to make our own wrap. We used some cream and yellow construction paper. We also used orange and yellow tempra paint. I used a potato on it's last leg to make a floral stamp. And then Nico took over and stamped away. I found it better to use a cheap pen and draw my design directly onto the spud, pushing in a bit as I drew. Then I went over the design with an exacto.

It was a fun project for both of us, and it hopefully made our gift more special for a special little girl. Happy Birthday June!






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Pizza Night

I had to try it! Egg on pizza is so hot right now.

I've been making my own pizzas lately. They are a great alternative to a pasta night. I buy whole wheat pizza dough balls from Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. I make a quick sauce from tomatoes, garlic, onion and fresh seasonings. Then I top it with whatever I've got in the fridge. I've done cheeseless even, and it's been a hit.

On the egg pizza, I cooked the pizza for 5 minutes at 425 degrees, then used a spoon to make a dent in the melted cheese for the egg to sit in. I cracked the egg into a bowl first and then slid it onto the pie, just to avoid shell or a broken egg. I cooked it for another 10 minutes tops and took it out right when the egg whites had cooked.

The yolk was so delicious! Nico loved it. There's something about an egg at dinner that feels so special.





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The Dirty Dozen

I just wanted to share this new list that came out today about the most toxic foods. This list helps me when deciding conventional versus organic. I'd like to buy all organic all the time, but that's not realistic. Sometimes, organic just isn't available. This list is published by a consumer watch dog group that i really love and apprciate, The Environmental Working Group. They have great lists on their site that rank safety for consumers, from shampoo to cell phones to sunblock. I suggest signing up, so that they can send you updates via email. I've never been let down by the information they send me. It's all really relevant.

They publish this shopper's guide every year. I find it so handy, I hope you will too.
They even have an app of this list that you can get for your phone.

I loved this video of Dr. Weil discussing why conventional food isn't so great. Happy, and safe eating!

My first masterpiece

On Wednesdays we take a great art class at our rec center. The teacher, Mrs.R., has the kids under her spell. I tell Nico not to touch the gluestick and he grabs for it, Mrs. R says no touching and Nico folds his hands in his lap! She comes up with really creative crafts for the kiddies. This week we made Spring Crowns. I personally love the hanging spider, cute touch. I'm really trying to channel some of Mrs. R's creativity and her bedside manner. Bedazzler and glitter fairies hear my prayer.




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