Turning The Tables On Brunch

 

When I threw a brunch for a wedding shower recently, I wanted to come up with something pretty... yet unexpected... yet entirely breezy. What I decided to do -- finger foods only... strewn all over the table. Literally, directly on the table. No serving platters. No serving utensils. Just a colorful melange of food to easily grab and throw onto a plate. 

In The Kitchen -- Just Olive Oil + Salt

I've been keeping things pretty lax in the kitchen lately. The solar vortex in California this year might have a little something to do with it. 

Out + About -- Farmer's Market Madness

With a Farmer's Market appearing somewhere in town on various days of the week, it's quite easy to get caught up in the ever-growing foraging fest. When summer hits, I get an even bigger surge of Farmer's Market madness. (We all suffer from a little bit of it at this point, don't we?) 

In The Kitchen -- Spring Break-Fast // Yogurt Bowls

I'm definitely more of a savory breakfast eater than sweet (poached eggs, scrambles, and omelets are my go-tos) but sometimes I get on a roll, especially when spring and summer hit, where nothing sounds better than a cool, refreshing yogurt bowl.

Health Fix -- Indian Food And The Healing Wonders Of Ayurveda

I have long been a huge proponent of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian healing system whose very translation is the science of life.

Daycationing -- Vacation And Staycation Had A Baby

Over the holiday break, with the bulk of festivities behind us and a little time on our hands, we decided that in lieu of going on any major kind of trip, we'd get our vacation-y fix by being daytrippers. 

In The Kitchen -- "Banana Rice Surprise"

Once upon a time, I had a little leftover rice in my fridge.

Thanksgiving... Around The Corner

I'm taking a little peek back at last year to get in the mood...

In The Kitchen -- Roasted Cauliflower

 

Simple, delicious, roasted cauliflower. It goes like this...

Little Things -- Afternoon Tea

 

For the last many years, I've been drinking coffee. Decaf in my case, but coffee nevertheless. I indulge as frequently as five times a day (as a decaf-er, I'm pretty sure it's more about the ritual and comfort than anything else).

In The Kitchen -- Noodle Kugel

The best dishes in the world are the ones you grew up on, no? They are probably the ultimate definition of comfort food. 

In The Kitchen -- Easy Pizzy

Everyone needs a good cheat in the kitchen for those lazy days where you just can't lift a spatula, and this is one of mine...

Out+About -- Two Weekends in Santa Barbara

Here's what we did...

Found -- A Perfect Glass (That's Not A Glass)

Doesn't the experience of a beverage start with the right glass? Well, I have met something perfecto. Here's the twist -- it's not a glass at all, but a votive candle holder! 

Out+About -- Farmshop at Brentwood Country Mart in LA

When I lived in Los Angeles, one of my favorite places to hang (especially when the kiddos rolled around) was the Brentwood Country Mart.

In The Kitchen -- Ladybug Snacks

Cutest little snack that kids make themselves. Nutritious, fun, and tasty. You'll find yourself nibbling on them, too. (And there's an adult version at the end.)

Found -- A Perfect Pop

I had left off making popcorn at home sometime around the Jiffy Pop days. I'm not a fan of the microwave (don't own one), not to mention there were those stories about the not-so-healthy aspects of microwave popcorn anyhow.

In The Kitchen -- Deliciously Cozy Oatmeal

A fresh take on a familiar, childhood (packaged) favorite -- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. 

In The Kitchen -- The Bomb Eggplant Pasta

Every house has its specialties, and this is one at ours -- Eggplant Pasta. Believe me when I tell you that this dish is-the-bomb.

In The Kitchen -- Cheese Plates

If you're ever at my home, one of the things you will surely find on the table is a cheese plate. It's simply my favorite thing to have out for company to nibble on. Truthfully, it might as well be my house soundtrack as I could easily have one of these playing in the background each day, with or without company.