Sunday, March 24, 2013

cute polka dot nails!

There are so many cute and easy ideas to coordinate a Spring outfit. I just love the polka dots!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAygJxRTJkU
Take a look!

Saturday, March 23, 2013

The glorious Glory Bowl



I loves me a big dinner salad and, with this dressing, I was in heaven. So happy my daughter is visiting as it gave me an excuse to put together this healthy salad for our dinner and we both enjoyed it with a slice of Irish Soda Bread. Salad should be cold, is that true? This one could be but after poaching the chicken and steaming the rice it remained somewhat warm and comforting.
It is finally Spring, albeit somewhat cold. The mountains are glistening with fresh snow but robins are everywhere in the yard, woodpeckers are making an impression on the newly placed telephone poles and my grape hyacinths are in bud.
Do not have this salad with any old dressing or it will not reach it's full Glory Bowl potential!

Ingredients
8 c cooked brown or basmati rice
2 c beets, grated (nice with candy cane or orange beets)
2 c carrots, grated
2 cups almonds, toasted or cashews mixed in
2 c spinach or baby kale
2 c tofu or poached chicken, cubed

Dressing
1/2 c nutritional yeast flakes
1/3 c water
1/3 c tamari or soy sauce
1/2 c apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 1/2 c veg oil (no canola! if you can help it)
2 T tahini paste

Combine first 6 ingredients in a blender and add oil in a steady stream. You will have leftover dressing which you will be happy to use on almost anything, anytime!
To assemble salad place rice in 8 bowls, top with beets, carrots, kale, nuts and chicken. Drizzle the dressing over salad.

A shout out to Whitewater cookbooks, the BEST!


And now a little about Nutritional Yeast:
Definition: Yellow in color and with a nutty cheesy flavor, nutritional yeast is an inactive yeast that is a favorite amongst many vegansbecause of its unique flavor and similarity to cheese when added to foods. Sprinkle some on hot popcorn or garlic bread, or add a generous spoonful to a stir fry or pasta sauce. Nutritional yeast is also the only reliable food source of vitamin B12, so if you're vegan, it's a good idea to add some to your food regularly. Nutritional yeast can be found in the bulk foods or supplement section of your health food store. You can look for either nutritional yeast flakes or powder, but be sure you don't get brewer's yeast by mistake, as its quite similar in appearance.