Friday May 04, 2012

Carole’s Concoctions:
Meatless May

I was inspired by EatingWell Fast & Flavorful Meatless Meals: 150 Healthy Recipes Everyone Will Love (EatingWell), Eating Well Magazine's idea of using their book, to eat my way through May without consuming meat. I ordered the book a little late and it should be arriving soon, so I have had to improvise.

Here's what I concocted using Italian Kale and the first herbs from my garden: Kale and Cannellini Bean Soup.

Wednesday May 02, 2012

News:
What’s Your Family Asparagus Recipe?

Share the recipe and story as a comment on the blog, email us or go to our facebook page.

Tuesday May 01, 2012

Heirloom Meals Radio:
Stephanie Plunkett

Sometimes it is the stories our relatives tell over and over and the ensuing laughter that helps to create the indelible bond to our family food heritage. This is the case for Stephanie Plunkett, niece of Agnes Djaha who I interviewed a few months ago. Although Stephanie does not remember being at a celebration for St. Barbara Feast Day(which her Aunt talks about in her interview) she has heard many of the stories of her family's past celebrations, allowing her a glimpse into the experiences of her relatives. Stephanie joins Heirloom Meal's Radio to tell us about how everything in her household growing up was about food and the ways she shares her Syrian and Lebanese food traditions with her own son today.

Monday April 30, 2012

Heirloom Meals Radio:
Beth Bader

Beth Bader, author of The Cleaner Plate Club: Raising Healthy Eaters One Meal at a Time joins me to talk about her upbringing in rural Missouri. Describing herself as "one of the first of the latchkey generation" Beth's story of transitioing after her parent's divorce and moving to a farm at age 10 was truly a transition between the burgeoning canned/convenience food life and a life where everything was raised or grown locally or on the farm where her family lived. Later, on her own journey into motherhood she became even more concerned with the source and quality of what she was feeding her children and how to handle the challenges of encouraging kids to try new foods. Listen in to hear Beth tell us her story of growing up and share tips and advice for getting kids to try new foods and expand their palates!

Sunday April 29, 2012

Life at Boulderwood:
War Horse, No Way - I want Peace Horse!

I finally watched War Horse last night, well kinda. I have to say, while the cinematography was amazing, i found it difficult to watch the slaughter of young men and fine horses. War is truly a detestable thing. The futility. The loss. I so wanted to stay until the end, well-knowing there was a "happy" ending. But was it? Self interest, war, killing, death. Are those happy themes? The bond between animal and man was clearly shown but reduced to a mere indulgence when war became the goal. The softer, loving side side of humans was bulldozed by the aggressive, hateful side.

I don't know why this hit me so hard. Maybe that was Speilberg's objective. I am personally avoiding the newspaper and netwrok news these days as I am sick of sensationalized bad news! If we all focused on the good, the beauty and the miraculous, we would all be at peace with oursleves and therefore with everyone else.

So as I watch my three horses enjoying themselves in the pasture, eating grass, drinking spring water, and being horses, wild and free, I feel happy. We don't put them in stalls, we allow them to be in nature as they would be naturally. They know us and come running when we go down to their pasture, they want affection and of course, treats! They are not afraid. They are my Peace Horses. And I am grateful.

Sunday April 29, 2012

Carole’s Concoctions:
Spring Vegetables

Hope springs eternal and oh, so happy for those first green vegetables of spring - asparagus, watercress and artichokes. While not all are grown here in Massachusetts, they are the spring veggies that you can find in abundance in the grocery store. Over the last few days, I have enjoyed making watercress soup, asparagus polonaise and baby artichokes.