Tomatillo Salsa

This salsa was made purely from ingredients from the local farmer's market I visited this past weekend.   A snack I know where every ingredient came from and something I found to be very delicious.  This takes about 15 minutes to make and probably less than 15 minutes to eat.  I hope you all enjoy this salsa I think I have found to be my new favorite this summer!

Tomatillo Salsa:

~Serves 6

• 1 quart tomatillos (about 20)
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 jalapeno pepper
• Salt to taste
• Garlic can be added as well, I'm just not that big of a fan-recommend about 1-2 cloves

-Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil

-Peel the tomatillos (they are a little sticky) and rinse with water

-Add tomatillos to boiling water

-When the tomatillos turn a bright yellow (as seen below-takes about 5 to 7 minutes), remove from water and strain

-Add tomatillos, chopped onion, chopped pepper, and cilantro, and salt to a blender

-Mix on high until all ingredients are finely chopped and becomes a liquid

-Allow to cool to room temperature or place in the refrigerator for later use

-Open your favorite bag of tortilla chips and enjoy!

Xo,

Laura

Farmer's Market Season

It's finally farmer's market season here in Northeastern Pennsylvania and it's one of my favorite parts of the summer.  The farmers market is a place I can go even for just 30 minutes on a Saturday morning to support the local farmers who endlessly supply our town with delicious produce.  These farmers are cultivating not only their land, but a sense of community and the promise of fresh local goods to better our health.  I love knowing where everything comes from, the inexpensive prices, and the endless possibilities to create a meal from less than five ingredients.  This week we were all about finding as many green vegetables as possible and some fresh fruit.  We also came across the best cheese stand (fifty dollars on cheese is definitely a splurge, but when it is one of your main food groups, it's a necessity).  There are close to twelve farm stands that offer a variety of produce, baked goods, honey, meats, flowers, and of course, cheese.  

A glimpse of our stops is listed below with photos:

• The best blueberries I have had thus far this summer were found at Brace's Orchard.  They always have the best people working their stand and are always selling their delicious apples along with the equally delicious peaches and other fruits with such energy I always walk away wishing I had my own apple orchard and farm stand-but then I remember I have Brace's Orchard instead!  
• Dymonds Farm stand is our go-to for fresh produce, which included green beans, broccoli, zucchini, fresh tomatoes, and squash all for about thirteen dollars. My kind of deal.
• Next door is Rowlands Farm, which produces hydroponic and pesticide free lettuce and herbs.  The farmer is always excited to let you taste his different lettuce varietals and you will definitely leave with more than just one kind. 
• Our cheese was made from around the world, but locally sourced and sold by igourmet. We had a wonderful host who let us sample every type of cheese (she knew we were suckers for all kinds), and we were able to buy our cheese supply, which will maybe last us through the week.
• Our last stop was made at Dancing Hen Farm for my ingredients for tomatillo salsa (recipe to follow later this week).  Great family farm and CSA who had delicious produce, beautiful sunflowers, and not for me, but truly grass fed, free range, stress free, frozen chickens.  
• A few other great stands we didn't need anything from this weekend, but love to see present were the Beekeeper's Daughter honey made locally and SO good, Star Bakery with some of the biggest loaves of bread I've ever seen, and Fertile Grounds, our areas very own CSA brining weekly supplies of fresh produce almost right to your door and into your kitchen.

Dave taking in the stands

My beloved cheese stand

Fresh produce, beautiful flowers, and a happy me!

The Fertile Grounds truck-a great sight!

Two full bags and Piper Ruched Bones Leggins by me2roo

Butter head lettuce from Rowlands

Tomatillos and sweet onions from Dancing Hen

Blueberries and cherries from Braces

I hope anyone who is reading this takes the time to find out more information about a local farmers market near you.  Take some time to support your community and be a part of the important activity of purchasing locally grown produce to be enjoyed at your own kitchen table.  

Xo,

Laura

33 Years of Love

On our wedding day, 7-28-12

My parents today are celebrating their 33rd wedding anniversary.  Every day they have inspired me and Dave (my husband) on how to work together as a team and how love can be found in many different forms through out a marriage.  My parents are a couple who work hard every day and value the commitment they made to each other just as much, if not more, than they did 33 years ago.  They are always there for each other, making each day more time spent enjoying the journey of their beautiful marriage.  Like any couple, they have been through trials and tribulations and every time they pull together, support one another and find strength to get through it side by side.  They express their adoration for each other in many ways and have led by example on how a truly happy marriage lasts.  I am smiling writing these thoughts, knowing I am so grateful and lucky to have such great role models to help me shape my own marriage.  So while they are already celebrating 33 years of life together all alone, I know they will still be celebrating many more days, months, and years to come.  Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Xo,
Laura

Truly so special

My Green Juice Prescription

After a relaxing weekend with a few glasses of wine and another summer weekend almost here again, I try to add a little extra healthiness to my day.  My husband and I are always working hard at staying in shape and eating healthy without spending too much time on the prep work and details.  In the past year we have experimented more with green juices and jumped over the hurdle of their appearance (I know the face many of your are making when you think about a green juice, trust me, I made it too).  I think we have finally found one we truly enjoy and that really tastes good.  This juice may not be for everyone, but let me tell you three of my feelings about green juices anyway as to why I drink this juice as often as possible-or really as often as Dave will make it for me.  

• It truly tastes good and not like a liquid salad-the more fruit you mix in too, the better it masks the greens flavor
• You will feel full and refreshed at the same time-I drink it for breakfast some days or as a post work out snack
• You will continue to feel fresh and vibrant for hours and days to come.  All of these ingredients pack a lot of great essential vitamins and nutrients to make your body glow and keep wanting more

Green Juice Rx:
Serves two

• 1 apple, peeled and cored (pink lady in our house)
• 1 cup of spinach
• 1 cup of kale
• 1 cucumber
• 1 cup of orange juice
• 1/2 of a lemon juice
• 4-5 ice cubes

Mix all ingredients in a blender, add to your favorite glass, and give it a try!

Xo,

Laura

TGIF!

I know everyone is posting this week about getting back on track after the holiday weekend and what smoothies and work outs will help detox your system, but since I worked the weekend and it's been so hot out, I decided to give myself another option. Enjoy a mojito for tonight's happy hour. Anything with ice and mint is so refreshing to me. And while I write this I am dripping in sweat (sorry for the visual), but I am slowly cooling off with a raspberry mint mojito. This drink is so light and under 50 calories (none if you make it a virgin mojito). I found this Poland Springs seltzer water at Wegmans, and it has the perfect mix of sweet raspberry and cooling mint. Pick up your favorite rum (I always have Bacardi rum on hand), grab a few fresh mint leaves from your herb garden, and cool off.

Cheers to the start of the weekend, feeling a little bit more refreshed and slightly less sweaty!

Raspberry Mint Mojito:

• 3 oz. raspberry mint seltzer water
• 1 oz. rum
• 8-10 fresh mint leaves

1. Muddle mint leaves in the bottom of the glass

2. Add crushed ice to desired amount

3. Add seltzer water, top with rum and stir or use a shaker to mix

4. Add some mint for garnish 

Cheers!

Xo,

Laura

Outdoor Movie Night

With the summer nights getting warmer and lasting longer, I love taking advantage of staying at home on our patio and having an outdoor movie night. I love to go to the movies, but I never seem to get there or want to leave all our animals at home. So instead, we get out our projector (which you can buy on Amazon for not too much), get a fire going, pick out our favorite movie snacks, and watch an old movie. It is such an easy and fun way to enjoy the evening and relax in our own backyard.  Oh, and don't forget some wine!


My movie selections:

• Sabrina
• How to Marry a Millionaire
• State Fair
• Move Over, Darling

Snacks:

• Air popped popcorn with sea salt
• Air popped popcorn with melted carmel
• Air popped popcorn with cheddar cheese (I cheated a little and bought this one)
• Twizzlers
• Reese's Pieces (Dave's favorite)
• Sourpatch Watermellon Gummies (my favorite!)

Xo,

Laura

Rain on your Parade

How many times have you felt you put your heart and soul into planning the perfect event, outfit, present, or meal and then all of your plans fly out the window and you are left feeling stranded and unsure of where to turn?  Well I recently felt this way after throwing myself into full-on party planning mode for the Fourth of July weekend.  After a few weeks of some very stressful events in my life, I was looking forward to channeling my energy towards something positive and celebratory.  I wanted to live life in the moment and be grateful for another summer of living in the U.S.A and for having another Fourth of July holiday. 

So, I decided to entertain myself with party prep in order to entertain family and friends for a summer night of food, drinks, a lot of red white and blue décor, and a live band.  I am an extreme planner at heart who tries to go with the flow, even if that means I had to plan to go with the flow.  For me, putting together decorations, menus, and designing the party layout is pure joy and a way to express my version of creativity and share great times with friends. 

However, mother nature never seems to get my memos about when I’m having a party and this time instead she planned her own party including heavy rains, thunderstorms, and lots of wind.  For her, it was just the right time after weeks of heat and dry weather and for me it couldn’t have been worse timing-so I thought.  I was struggling with denial and reality.  I hoped the 90% chance of thunderstorms and torrential down pours would mean by seven that night I would be in the 10% no storm zone and if we didn’t see too much lightening our guests wouldn’t mind sitting under our tent. 

And then my realistic side tapped me on my other shoulder and made me realize where will 50 cars park on soaking wet grass and how do we fit a bluegrass band in our living room? (we have three elderly cats who would be terrified).  Thank goodness for my husband and parents who are so often voices of reason for me and we decided, me with probably too heavy of a heart, to cancel the event.  The evening was meant to be an outdoor affair with minimal indoor traffic.

At first I was upset with the entire situation and regretting having to tell our guests the party was off.  But my silver lining to this change of plans was giving me the day to go visit a dear family member of mine who would not be with us for another summer or Fourth of July, and who I would have potentially not seen due to our party and the sudden change of his life events. 

I am learning each day how to balance living in the moment and also being okay when my living in the moment isn’t what I always had planned.  I want to be able to tell myself things happen for a reason and really believe it.  I have a saying I keep on my dresser that is my mantra every morning when I wake up and I try to carry with me throughout the day:

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

I know I have room to grow and will continue to learn how to go with the flow and be able to better change my plans no matter what life pours me-even if it is rain.

Xo,

Laura