Assignment: Flat Jack

My nephew Jack is in second grade. He is an amazing kid and I wish I could spend every day with him. I can't even express how excited I was when he asked me to help him with a school project! Yessssss! His class is doing a Flat Stanley project - based on the 1964 children's book Flat Stanley. The book is about a boy who is flattened by a bulletin board and takes advantage of his flattened state - including being mailed to far off places. Genius! Read more about the Flat Stanley project here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Stanley

Jack made a flat paper cut-out of himself and mailed it to us - ie Flat Jack. We spent a week documenting our time with Flat Jack, kinda wish we could have spent the week with the real Jack, but Flat Jack had a fun adventure!

Spring

My office is right next to this park in San Francisco. I feel so lucky that I get to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather outside during lunch. It is a perfect 71 degrees today. Ahhhhh.

Asian Salmon

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic

Whisk together and drizzle over salmon. Bake in baking dish at 350F for approx. 20 minutes.

*This recipe comes from Ina Garten aka Barefoot Contessa on the food network, but I have made some changes - less oil and more garlic which I think is better. : )

Green Lentil Soup with Cumin & Lemon

1 yellow onion, diced
3 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 cups green lentils or red lentils (pre-soaked and rinsed*)
approx. 6 cups of water or vegetable stock
lemon juice (approx 1/2 - 1 lemon), salt and pepper to taste

Cook onions and garlic in a small amount of olive oil until lightly caramelized. Add ground cumin and cook a few minutes. Add uncooked lentils and cover with water or vegetable stock - it should cover the lentils by 3". Simmer until lentils are tender or starting to fall apart - about 20 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes then blend in a blender until smooth.** Add lemon juice, salt and peeper to taste.

This soup is so good and so simple! Enjoy!

*Lentils should be soaked overnight in water. Then discard the water and cook as in the recipe above.
**Be really careful blending hot liquids in a blender. Make sure the top of the blender is on tight and put a dish towel over it. Hold the top of the blender while you blend.

Roasted Vegetable Barley Risotto

1 teaspoon olive oil
4 teaspoons minced garlic
2 cups thinly sliced leeks
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon sage
2 teaspoon ground porchini mushrooms
2 cups pearl barley
approx. 4 cups vegetable or mushroom stock
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
4 cups diced carrots and parsnips
1/4 cup cashews
salt & pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in large pot. Add leeks and 2 teaspoons of the minced garlic. Saute until lightly caramelized. Add thyme, sage and porchini powder and saute for 2 minutes. Add uncooked barley and stir constantly for 2 minutes to toast. Add stock - enough to cover the barley by an inch. Add salt and cook until all liquid is absorbed and barley is cooked (30-40 minutes).

While the barley is cooking, cook the carrots and parsnips. Bake or saute until tender.

Also make the cashew cream. Bring 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup cashews to a boil. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Blend in blender or food processor until smooth and the consistency of cream. You may need to add some water.

When the barely is done add the vegetables and cashew cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

This recipe came from a cooking class we are taking through a program called The Cancer Project. It is healthy cooking for cancer survivors. Note that this recipe is vegan with no dairy and is very low fat (and pretty tasty).

Salsa & Guacamole

I try to make most everything from scratch, but there are a few things that I just can't duplicate. One of them is Casa Chicas Roasted Green Salsa. It is so tasty! We put it on fajitas, tacos and turkey burgers. It is local, so if you are in the Bay, give it a try.

http://www.casa-chicas.com/index.htm

Every time I make something Mexican, I make guacamole. I simply cut up avocado, red onion, cilantro and mix in lime juice and salt. Quick and tasty guac! You can also make mango or pineapple salsa by adding the fruit. So simple!

Meal Planning

Ever since I went back to work after Pat's surgery, I have had to be a planner in the kitchen. We try to eat as healthy as possible - which means a lot of cooking at home. So on Sunday I usually do a meal plan for the week. I go grocery shopping and do most of the prep cooking in order for dinners to be quick during the week.

The following is my meal plan for this week. I will share some of the recipes later this week as they are some of my favorites. They are easy and pack in some healthy ingredients.

MONDAY - Chicken Fajitas with salsa & guacamole
TUESDAY - Barley Risotto with cashew cream
WEDNESDAY - Green Lentil Soup with pita & hummas
THURSDAY - Turkey Chili with kale and cashews
FRIDAY - Asian Salmon with veggies

Happy Birthday Mark!

My big bro turns 39 today! Thanks for being such an incredible brother Mark. I love you!

Quick Trip To Tahoe

We made a quick trip to Tahoe this weekend. I have some relatives that live in Tahoe City, so we headed up Saturday afternoon, spent the night, and skied on Sunday. They had a big spaghetti dinner for us when we got there and a cozy guest bedroom. They really spoiled us! Why have we not done this more often...and when can we squeeze in another trip!?! Thanks McClintock family! We love you!

FYI - Ski and support local schools + get a great deal on lift tickets!

http://www.exined.com/skiing-for-schools

March Check-Up

Another good check up for Pat! Wooo Hooo! As you know Pat goes in once a month and gets a check-up with his oral surgeon. They basically ask him how he is feeling and if he has any pain. Then they feel around his neck and take a look in his mouth. Everything is great!

It has almost been 6 months since surgery (Sept 25) and Pat is looking and feeling great. The scar on his neck is getting less and less visible everyday. His shoulder mobility is back almost 100% - most likely do to yoga. : ) Pat has been so great about staying healthy. He eats really healthy, does yoga 4 times a week and has just joined a group at our gym that trains for various races (running, biking and swimming). He went on his first group bike ride last Sunday. Way to go P!

Peas and Rubber Duckies

Pat and I got to see baby Nora last weekend. Nora is my dear friend Molly's little girl. Nora is 7 months old and is a complete doll. She is eating solids now and so far she likes peas the best - as you can see!