Moroccan Cous Cous with Saffron

I recently made this  vegan dish from Alicia's book one night, and once again, it was a success--so delish!  Consider this the "wintry" version of my the former cous cous dish that I posted back on Aug 12th '09.  Just call me Cous-Cous woman!  

INGREDIENTS


2 cups peeled butternut squash, cut into 1/4” to 1/2” cubes
2 cups yellow onion, large diced
1 1/2 cups carrots, cut into 1/4” to 1/2” cubes
1 1/2 cups zucchini, cut into 3/4” cubes
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Fine sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
2 tablespoons Earth Balance butter
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
1 1/2 cups whole wheat couscous
2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped

STEPS


Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.  Place the squash, onion, carrots and zucchini on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper.  Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once with a spatula about midway through.  While the vegetables roast, bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a saucepan.

Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the butter, remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper, cumin, saffron and salt to taste.  Cover the pan and steep for 15 minutes.  Scrape the roasted vegetables and their juices into a large bowl, and add the couscous.  Bring the vegetable broth back to a boil, and pour over the couscous mixture all at once.  Cover tightly with a plate and allow to stand for 15 minutes.  Add the scallions, toss the couscous and vegetables with a fork, and serve.

Waffle, Sausage and Cheese Panini

I absolutely loooove this recipe that I got from Alicia's book, The Kind Diet.  Its so yummy and decadent, it does not scream "vegan" or "diet" at all.  I swear, if I prepared this meal for you, you would never know that's its vegan until someone told you.

Ingredients:
- whole wheat waffles
- soy cheese slices
- soy sausage links
- arugula
- Veganaise- soy based mayo
- oil packed sun dried tomatoes
- thyme - 1 teaspoon -fresh or dried
- fruit preserves- 1 teaspoon- any flavor will do

Slice soy sausages in half lengthwise and cook based on package instructions.  Mix 1 Tablespoon of Veganaise, thyme an fruit preserve and spread over two waffles.  Top off with soy cheese slices, then sun dried tomatoes, then arugula and then the soy sausage links.  Press 2 waffles together with a panini press until cheese melts and waffles are fully toasted.  If you don't have a panini press, you can simply toast them over a pan and press with a spatula.  Finally, eat and savor every bite.  I know, it feels like you're cheating, but you're not!  Alicia warns in her book, this dish is good every now and then, but just be aware that it contains a lot of processed ingredients.  Too much of anything is no good.  Of course, if you can't get you're hands on "soy" or "vegan" products, you can always substitute with lean organic chicken sausages, low fat cheese and low fat/fat-free mayo.   

Channeling my inner teen?

Well, sort of, but not really.  I recently went to the outlets once again.  Ok, not for myself, but for my husband's cousins that were in town visiting us (yeah, great excuse, right).  I try to go every season just to stock up on items I'll need for the season.  I can't believe fall is here!  I'm so in the mood for soft, creamy leather boots, a plush warm cozy sweater and a velvety wool coat. mmmm sounds like I'm talking about comfort food right? Yummy! Well, it is comfort for the soul in a way.  Anyway, I'm going off in a tangent here.  My niece requested I get her some khaki colored leggings and a plaid shirt.  I knew exactly what she wanted.  I headed over to American Eagle, where all the customers were 17 and younger and the sizes were extra teeny.  Apparently, leggings and plaid shirts are the main thing now with "that" generation- Gen Z or whatever you want to call them.  Everything is now a "---egging".  There are "jeggings," "treggings, "ceggings"-- you name it!  I remember back in the 90's when I was in high school, everyone wore plaid shirts with doc martins and listened to Kurt Cobain.  Apparently, plaid shirts are the 'in' thing once again.  So I bought these khaki cords which are also stretch leggings.  In other words, they are "ceggings."  I also bought my niece the plaid shirt, featured above.  I kinda digged them, and felt like channeling my inner teen, so I bought myself the exact same outfit!  I ending up buying double of each item, in a size bigger for myself, of course. 

However, looking at the outfit, I couldn't quite see myself in both items put together.  Although, it would probably work for my 16 yr old niece.  So my solution is:  "grow it up" a bit.

When I was at the outlets, I also visited Banana and bought this grey sequined cardigan, featured above.  I would pair the stretch cord leggings with the sequined cardigan to dress it up a bit.  I would pair a snazzy sequined skirt (like the Banana one featured above) with the plaid shirt.  A plaid shirt is rather ruggish and quite tomboyish.  So a sequined skirt would kind of "sophisticatize" (I just made that word up) the outfit.  I didn't buy the sequined skirt yet, btw.  But, I'm on the lookout for one!  It will be my new "basic" go-to skirt for the fall/winter.  You'd be surprised what item you can creatively make a "basic."

Hmmmm. What else?  I purchased a striped V-neck sweater at Banana (like the one featured above), but in navy/grey stripes, which I would also pair up with the sequined skirt and some warm tights!  Fashion is so much more interesting when you mix the unexpected and take some risks.  As Vera Wang would say, its all about blending and mixing fabrics and patterns!

Do this exercise:  Take two items in your wardrobe that don't match and wouldn't even think about wearing together.  Now go and wear it!  See, wasn't so hard?       

Sweetest 16!

My niece had an amazing Sweet 16 last spring.  It was a Mardi Gras theme which was so fun, colorful and pazzazzy--perfect for a sweet 16!  She had someone make this candle holder for the candle lighting ceremony, shown below.  The balloons were made from a local vendor, which spelled out her name in large letters and looked so cool under all the disco lights.  Each table had a set of mardi gras balloons shaped like masks.  There were also glittery mardi gras masks at each place setting for each guest to wear.  For party favors, there was a photo booth is the big trend now for this generation (they didn't have that during my era).  There was also a T-shirt station with graffiti artists which custom designed each T-shirt for all the guests.  They even had a little onsie saved for my baby daughter- how cute was that!  It doesn't end there!  My niece gave out these custom made ritzy cupcakes topped with tiny candied mardi gras masks!  All the items are pictured below.  Her custom made mardi gras cake is featured above!  If you want any information about the vendors, contact me.  Of course, this was a rather high-budget party, as you can see.  But you can easily adjust your party ideas based on your budget.  Just be creative!  I'm sure you can find mardi gras masks at the 99 cent store.  Know a friend that loves to bake?  Have her make the cupcakes!  Instead of hiring a live graffiti design station/artists (which costs an arm and a leg,. btw) , have the T-shirts pre-made with your logo and pre-set them at each table setting! 

Mini wedding cakes...

One of my dearest friends from childhood recently got married this past summer.  Lucky for her, her aunt is a baking connoisseur and baked hundreds of these fondant cakes for each family to take home from her wedding.  They were so classy and gorgeous.  The colors matched her theme- vivid reds and blues to reflect the New York Botanical Garden, where the event was held.  It was so clever to present them in clear plastic boxes-- this highlighted the main attraction of the party favor- the cake itself!  They were filled inside with decadent fruit cakes which my mom and I  enjoyed with tea over the next few days! 

Clueless?

...well not about living a healthy a lifestyle, she is.  Alicia Silverstone's book, "The Kind Life" is so inspiring to lead a more natural, healthy and kinder lifestyle-- for yourself and for the planet.    I know, I know, she's nothing but a former "Clueless" star, people tell me.  I read the book cover to cover, and I could attest that she provides a lot of medical background on why animal products are bad for you.  A lot of it makes sense.  Nasty foods like meat, dairy, sugar, and processed junk are the culprits of disease.  Sure, a lot of other things cause disease, of course.  However, by cutting out all processed junk and incorporating more organic whole foods as they naturally are, you decrease your chances of being susceptible to diseases like arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer and other autoimmune diseases.  Just read the book, she explains the scientific reaction of how our bodies process "nasty" foods vs. "kind" foods.  

Alicia's recipes are super delish and I already tried many of them.  My husband, the big meateater, has been my taste tester and has loved everything I made from this book so far.  What I love about the book is that none of it screams "diet" or "vegan", and are rather satisfying and actually decadent.  I'll try to post some recipes, but that's just too much work for me to list everything!  I'm too busy cooking dinner!  So, just go out and buy the book yourself!  Thank you, Alicia, for spreading the message to take care of ourselves, our planet and all living beings on this earth!

Calvin!

I went to the Calvin Klein outlet over the summer and practically raided the store.  I bought a bunch of button-downs which of course, are breastfeeding-friendly... I know I sound like a broken record talking about breast-feeding friendly tops.  Button-down tops are just so practical to undo in public so discreetly and let your babies go at it...  I was never a button-down type of gal.  They always looked too 'schoolteacher-like' to me.  But Calvin has such nifty patterns, which adds some edge to the preppiness of the button-down shirt.  I also bought these cobalt blue sandals which I wore with everything this past summer. You'd never think they would match anything, but they matched everything and they were so easy to slip on and off.  They acted like a pair of "flip flops" that don't fall off your feet when you're transferring in and out of your wheelchair.  You can go on the website, http://www.calvinklein.com/.  But I think you would have better luck going to your own local outlet and finding better deals!

Hair!

I always said I would do a blog about hair.  Now I finally have some products to write about.  Klorane, dry shampoo.  I heard a while ago that its healthier to NOT wash your hair everyday, even if you have oily hair.  Daily washing can cause over dryness, which then in turn, produces more oil at the roots.  I've been washing my hair only every other day for the past few years now.  The only downside is, my hair doesn't look as good on the days that I don't wash it.  I recently purchased Klorane's dry shampoo spray.  It dries as a powder which you brush out after two minutes.  It cleans out the "2nd day" residue and dirt and keeps hair feeling freshly washed. You can find it any beauty supply store and there are a bunch of brands out there that make dry shampoo.  I bought this particular one for $26 at Ricky's,  http://www.rickys-nyc.com/.  I'm lucky enough to live across the street from a Ricky's.      

Another line which I am in love with is Philip B hair products.  The line was founded by a former celebrity hairstylist who's clients came to him with fried, damaged hair.  He discovered most products out there were just formulations of detergent, water, and fragrance.  As a result, the commercial products were too waxy and heavy.  Philip decided to spark a change in the industry and gathered natural ingredients/botanicals (meticulously sourced from all over the world) and began formulating his own concoctions, i.e., peppermint, avocado, white truffle, honey, ginger.  I especially love his anti-flake shampoo, even if you don't have a dry scalp problem. Use it to maintain the PH balance in your scalp.  It also leaves hair with such volume, never feeling weighed down.  I love Philip B!  I first discovered him at Blue Mercury in Baltimore when I was down there for rehab.  http://www.bluemercury.com/.  The store was like my substitute for Sephora when I down there!  lol! 

Breastfeeding-friendy dresses

I know I began this blog on the mission to find wheelchair-friendly fashion, but now it seems like my lifestyle demands breastfeeding friendly tops/dresses.  Oh, life is forever a challenge.  Basically, breastfeeding friendly cloths are anything with relaxed fitting straps which you can easily pull down and a front which has easy-open access, i.e., low v-necks or button downs. I advise to not search for "nursing" or "maternity" fashion.  You'll end up finding a lot of "matron-looking" stuff.  Although, I admit to buying a bunch of nursing t-shirts from Old Navy which I mainly wear at home or to sleep. 

Thanks to Lucky magazine, I found this website, http://www.tulle4us.com/ which sell a bunch of button down, shirt-style dresses with bold or flirty floral prints.  The prices are pretty affordable too!  A lot of the dresses are selling out quickly (probably due to Lucky's publicity), so you better act fast!  I haven't bought anything yet, but just give me a few days and then...  Happy summer shopping gals! 

It's getting nipply in here...

Other than suffering from aches and body pains from my neck all the way towards my fingertips (try carrying a 12 pound weight in one position for 30-40 minutes at a time), I'm suffering from sore nipples from breastfeeding for the last three months.  Just one of the many "joys" that come with being a new mom...Not that I'm complaining!  I'm so grateful to have a beautiful, healthy, charming baby girl and thank my lucky stars (smile :)). Breastfeeding is supposed to be the most rewarding privileges a woman can do to nurture her child.  Too bad mothering consists of constantly sacrificing our body parts.  Oh men, have it so easy...they just don't even realize. 

Well, I'll stop blabbing and talk about Bella B's Nipple Nurture butter.  It is a plant-based, lanolin-free alternative to other breastfeeding creams. Did you know that lanolin actually comes from sheep's wool?  I never knew that!  I always thought lanolin came from some kind of "lanolin plant." LOL! Shows how much I know.  Nipple Nurture butter contains cocoa, shea and mango butter that are combined and specially-blended to provide excellent soothing and healing properties without using animal by-products. The plant-based ingredients are food-grade and 100% safe for mother and baby and free of parabens (artificial preservatives). You can buy them from a bunch of websites if you do a google search, such as diapers.com or even amazon.com.  Its sold for $8-10 bucks depending on which site. 

 

Charmeuse Dress

Ok, so I couldn't find the emerald green dress from Atonement to wear at my niece's Sweet 16.  But I did find a dress at Nordstrom.com.  I know I preached to NOT buy polyester as it is against my fashion religion (see my post from Aug, 10, '09).  But low and behold, the dress I bought is made from polyester mixed with spandex.  The spandex woven into the dress gives a little more movement and less wrinkle.  This dress, in particular had a "charmeuse" look.  Charmeuse is a kind of weaving where, in the warp, threads cross over at least three weft or backing threads. This allows the fabric to have a satin finish on its front while the back is dull. There are generally two kinds of materials that are used for making charmeuse; silk and synthetic polyester that looks like silk. So I must change my fashion rule: buying polyester is OK, as long as the look, feel and quality is like the real thing.  But my other fashion rule still stands: don't spend over $200 dollars on polyester.  You can get real silk for the same price.  I spent $158 on this dress and everyone loved it!  I paired it up with gold rope sandals from Piperlime (see post from Aug 9, '09) and it worked!

GIGGLE.COM

Just wanted to share with you an adorable baby store/website that my girlfriend turned me to,  http://www.giggle.com/ (careful not to type in "giggles" with an 's' at the end, since that's a porn website.  LOL). 

Giggle sells a bunch of ergonomic, modern and innovative baby products.  To meet "giggle criteria", all their products must be multi-stage (grows with child's needs), innovative, easy/simple and environmentally responsible. 

Take this convertible toddler bed/chair for instance.  It can be used as both a little bed or chair for a great bedroom accessory, naps or sleepovers.  I found it to be so adorable, functional and fun for $210.   

 The Luxo Crib converts to a toddler bed, you’ll get years of use out of your purchase, and it even folds for easy storage.  Why it's a giggle pick: has a unique design, curved clean lines, and beautiful European styling.  It also has  super easy, no-tools-required assembly! $990. 

For Christmas, I bought my godson this Skip Hop Tubby Bath Storage to store all the bath toys.  It mounts to any tile or glass surface with four strong suction cups, while the plastic posts double as hanging hooks for washcloths or loofahs. His mother loved the modern design and the orange color, which happens to be the theme color in his nursery.  $24

To fill up the Tubby Bath Sotrage, I also got my godson these adorable, sea creature, non-toxic bath squirters for $15!

The Belly Bandit!

This is one product I am for sure using the minute after I give birth!  Introducing the Belly Bandit, an abdominal compression binder to aid your body into getting the pre-pregnancy hotness back!  It has so many benefits: aids in decreasing uterine swelling, decreases bloating, stretch marks, gives back support while breastfeeding, etc.  It claims to get your pre-pregnancy body back in only 6-8 weeks!  For years, binders have been used by women around the globe after childbirth.  Now it has become so widespread, all the celebrities are using them, including Kourtney Kardashian, who designed her very own limited edition for Belly Bandit in black lace, shown below. 

Another celebrity who swore by it during an interview on the Tyra Banks show, is Brooke Burke, who used it after each of her four children.  If anyone defines "hot mama", it's Brooke Burke!

Of course Brooke had Dancing with the Stars to get her back into shape.  But if the Belly Bandit is going to help me to look anywhere near this hot again, I'm in!!!!   

Check out http://www.bellybandit.com/. $45.95 for the original model.  $65.95 for Kourtney's limited edition design.

My Christmas Present!

Yay!  I finally earned my Christmas present that I've been eyeing for so long!  My husband bought me the leather Industry crossbody bag (which I plan to use as a diaper bag)!  Now on sale for $209 (originally $270) at http://www.piperlime.com/.  One of Rachel Zoe's picks!  From how it falls on the mannequin displayed above, you can see how large and roomy this bag is!  Also, the strap is adjustable to hang in back of the wheelchair.  Can't wait to stuff bottles and diapers in it and be a hip mom!

Stocking Stuffers under $25!

Christmas Eve is already this Thursday!  I can't believe it!  Hope you guys are all done with shopping.  But if not, here are some last minute ideas for stocking stuffers.  I always have fun shopping for a bunch of little gifts rather than huge gifts, like a flat screen TV, which require no creativity whatsoever (just lots of $$ money!). 

I don't know about you, but I LOVE gifts that are either little gadgets, edible treats or small little luxuries.  The best things come in small packages and are under $25!  I love giving them and I love getting them! 

Oprah's Favorite Things:
I'm such a follower of her favorite things.  If Oprah recommends it, it must good quality right? 

Gourmet Cookie Mix:  all different types of cookie mixes sold at http://www.sistersgourmet.com/. $10 a jar.  Just add milk and eggs.  I love pre-packaged treats!  I gave out similiar jars of hot cocoa mix filled with marshmellows and chocolate chips last year for Christmas.

   

Zyliss battery-operated peelers for $20 at www. amazon.com

This is my absolute favorite tea by Tea Forte.  $5.50 for two at http://www.teaforte.com/.  My girlfriend gave these out as party favors for her New Year's party one year and I fell in love with them!  Some people ask what's the difference between gourmet tea and regular tea.  Trust me, if you know your tea, there is a difference!  This is no Celestial Seasonings that you can pick up at any grocery store! 

I absolutely love this idea.  Shoes that roll up and fit into your purse!  If your heels are hurting, simply bust them out and wear them onto the street.  They have rubber soles!  $22-25 at http://www.footzyrolls.com/.

  

Reversible parkas that come in different colors for only $15 at Walmart!  Give them out like candy this holiday since they are so cheap.  My mother-in-law loves this kind of jacket when she goes out for a brisk walk.

 

If your obsessed with massages like me, you'd love this gift.  Knuckle massager for $5 at homedics.com

 

Lint remover sheets $3 for 40 sheets at http://www.solutions.3m.com/

www.etsy.com:

This is a great website where people buy and sell items that are only handcrafted or handmade!   

Hand- knitted chunky cowl neck warmer: $23!

These handmade lavender sachets are $14.  My husband would think they are total space wasters.  But I just love products that are little indulgances.  Put these in your drawer where you store your linens and sleep in fresh lavender scents!

 

Poolside pockets that you can wear on your arm or ankle.  Put little belongings like hotel keys, ID card and money while on vacay, hanging out by the pool or beach.  $12

www.fredflare.com

I love this website!  They sell a bunch of nifty nostalgic gags.  A lot of it is junk, but its fun to browse through all the products.  They make great gifts for kids, teens and college students for their dorms. 

Mini fondue kit:  I don't know how well this product works, but I thought it was cute gadget, being that my husband is Swiss and we eat fondue every year.  Hey, for $10, how can you go wrong?

 

Remember thosse russian wooden dolls that fit inside each other?  Well, these are plastic measuring cups! $16

No, I don't post up pictures of sexy girls, but I do have pictures of all my nieces on my fridge.  A lot of times, I run out of magnets to stick them up.  Well, this is a photo frame and magnet in one!  $10

Mini robot vacuum:  I showed this to my niece once and she wanted it.  Don't you hate when you eat breakfast on your desk and get a million crumbs everywhere?  Just keep this mini robot on your desk and vacuum it up!  $20

Pac Man oven mitt for $18: totally brings us back to our favorite childhood video game. 

Flavored petite four lip balm set $18.  I gave this to my niece once.  They are totally cute and taste good too! 

Pop friend spatulas for $12.  Brighten up your mornings while making pancakes! 

The Container Store: www.containerstore.com

My husband and I love The Container Store.  We get all our organizational products from there.  What lifesavers! 

This season they are featuring stocking stuffers for  under $25. 

Beetle spoon/spork gift sets $19.99.   Makes a great gift for kids.  The covers actually convert to handles. 

I always have trouble opening jars.  This "twist assist" jar opener latches on the jar and aids opening. $9.99

Resuable bags $8.99 each.  Be environmentally friendly and reuse the same bag for grocery shopping.  I know its easier said than done.  But I love how these bags roll up into a ball which you can then stash into your other bag! 

Handy sleeve cup holder: prevents you from burning your hands.  $4.99. 

And there you have it: all gifts under $25!  Happy Christmas Shopping!