AUTHORS LUNCHEON

over the weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the

31st Friends of Erma Bombeck Annual Author's Luncheon . The organization raises money for the Arizona Kidney Foundation, that day over $400,000 was raised. Every year my boss hosts a table and invites clients and friends etc. It was a lot of fun and I met and listened to some really respectable author's.

I bought Jessica Seinfeld's newest cook book called Double Delicious! You can find out more about the book and her at her Do It Delicious website. It has great quick and HEALTHY recipes. The most exciting part, was she signed it to me! Jessica gave a wonderful speech at the luncheon as did the other author's that attended.

Also in attendance was Adriani Trigiani, she was hysterical and her latest book "Don't Sing at the Table, Life Lessons from My Grandmother" sounds like a remarkable book. My mom bought this book and had her sign it. I am going to read it when she is done.

{Good Design} Amazing Restaurants

The view so amazing, one could only DREAM of enjoying a meal with good company at the fabulous Nomiya Restaurant in Paris.

Just as good at night.

....and then I wake up. Seriously beautiful view!

There are more amazing restaurants over a Elle Decor.

Amazing designs. This is why I LOVE design so much. The ability to make an impact.

Goodbye Long Weekend…

What a great weekend!
I hope everyone enjoyed their time off, I know I sure did. We did some shopping, relaxing, home projects, watched a few good flicks. Great weekend! Now I am trying to mentally prepare myself for the busy work week that lies ahead.

One film my boyfriend and I watched was Food Inc. I was outraged and saddened {actually in tears} by what I was viewing. Let's just say it impacted me in a positive
way. So I am passing that on, to those who are interested.

{*Please support your local farmers for a healthier YOU and PLANET.}

Have you seen this film?

3 More Days

I don't know about you, but I can hardly wait for Thanksgiving. I LOVE food. Like REALLY REALLY Love food. Stuffing, turkey, sweet potatoes here I come! yum. This year I am making hot artichoke dip {yum} to take to my bf parents and  fresh coleslaw to bring to my parents (everyone already is making the traditional sides, so I had to be creative) . My bf is baking 2 apple pies, one for his parents and one for mine. I can hardly wait to start the cooking!

{food network}

What are you baking for Thanksgiving?

Food Lovin {Grape Leaves: Dolmades}

Stuffed Grape Leaves {Dolmades}

Ever had them? Let me start by saying they are SO very GOOD and addicting! There are so many different ways to make them. This is a European recipe and traditionally they are made with ground lamb. For those who don't like lamb {myself} I make them without meat.

If you have never tried them I would suggest you go to SPROUT'S Farmers Market {a chain Organic market} they sell them in the prepared food section where the hummus is, near the meat counter. They make the BEST ones!

Ingredients
-2 cups uncooked brown rice {may use white if preferred} 
-1 large onion
-chopped 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill  
-1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves {replace w/ Parsley if you prefer, I do}
-2 quarts chicken broth {Sub vegetarian broth, or pickle juice from jar gives good flavor}
-3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
-divided 60 grape leaves drained and rinsed {approx 2 jars}
-hot water as needed
-1 cup olive oil
-few garlic cloves
-{add ground lamb or beef, lamb is traditional}

Directions:
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, saute the rice, onion, dill, and mint/parsley for about 5 minutes, or until onion is soft. Pour in 1 quart of broth, reduce heat to low and simmer for another 40-50 minutes {depending on the cook time of your rice, brown rice takes longer to cook}, or until rice is almost cooked. Stir in 1/2 of lemon juice and remove from heat.

Take one leaf, shiny side down, and place 1 teaspoon of the rice mixture at the bottom (stem) end of the leaf. Fold both sides of the leaf towards the center, roll up from the broad bottom to the top, and place into a 4-quart pot. Repeat with all leaves, leaving no gaps as leaves are placed in pot (to prevent from opening while cooking). Sprinkle with remaining lemon juice and with olive oil. Place lemon slices and crushed garlic through out stuffed leaves.
**For step by step visual on folding grape leaves visit here
Pour broth over all to cover grape leaves. Place small plate over on top to keep them from opening, this will just weigh them down. Cover pot and simmer for about 1 hour+ (do not boil, because this will make the stuffing burst out of the leaves). Remove from heat, remove cover and let cool for 1/2 hour. Transfer to serving dish and serve.
You can eat these warm or chilled. I think they are better chilled for approx. 24 hours.
For more recipes check out All recipes, the user reviews really help. I have made these twice now and the 2nd batch were much better than the first.

Bon appétit

I Love Food

While I sit here and eat my lunch I can't help but think what I want to eat for dinner....yes I LOVE FOOD! :) I am going to dinner with a girlfriend tonight, and I am thinking I MUST have Italian. Being the food lover that I am, I already know exactly what I'd like to eat. I want a caprese salad {my FAV} and a big ol' bowl of pasta w/ arribiatta sauce or a marinara will do.

image 1

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Bon appétit

Now This is Love

My guy made his sandwich this morning with 1 end slice + 1 whole slice , just so that I would have 2 whole slices for my turkey sandwich for lunch. {it was delicious}

Now that is love. If you just so happen to be reading this...I Love You! It truly is the small things. :)

image courtesy Flickr

Blueberry-licious

Love me some blueberries, and so darn good for you too. They are rich with antioxidants as well as promote healthy aging. Add some berries to your cereal, oatmeal or greek yogurt! YUM.

Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread

This BREAD is ooohh so TASTY!!

I made this for Thanksgiving, I brought it to my mom's, bf's parents and the last loaf I served at my Christmas party...not a slice left!! So easy to bake, and fills the house with such a yummy scent. This recipe is from allrecipes.com (my fav recipe site). There are various substitutions that can be made to the ingredients. I took one cook's advice and substituted 2 cups brown sugar (yum) & 1 cup white, instead of 3 cups white sugar.

Just click the title and it will send you directly to the page.

INGREDIENTS

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
1 cups white sugar

2 cups brown sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger


DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.

Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

food.

Currently craving: Bean Burrito (from my local delicious mexican restaurant)

YUM

p.s.- I love food.

***update- i still havent filled this craving.... :(

I Love Food

699 South Mill Avenue, #115, Tempe, AZ 85281 480.967.5244

$$ Great Food, nice atmosphere, love the interior of this place. Has great color & unique style. Small menu (with big Taste)- Bruschetta, Salads, Sandwiches & Pizzas also an extensive Wine list.

I have had the Bruschetta, which is served on a cutting board and they have the pick 4 of the maybe 7 different types. (Very Good) Caesar salad was good too....then we had the pepperoni pizza. Great flavor, crunchy but soft crust...homeade fresh ingredient taste! If you are into Bistro, mom & pop style restaurants you will Love La Bocca!

I found this picture online of their margherita pizza...YUM!