sloppy joe-schmoe variations

Of the less meaty kind!  Oh, these still have plenty of meat...  Just less of it. You can make these like you would combo tacos.  Just omit the taco seasoning.  Or, you can make them with 1 part ground beef, 1 part ground turkey, and 1 part cooked wild rice (brown rice would be fine, too).  Cook the rice in beef broth for extra flavor.  I made the rice variation just last night, and there were no complaints from the man-fan(s) o' meat.  You might want to make them less sweet, too.  Just tinker with the brown sugar until it suits your taste buds.  And you can always sneak more veggies in ;)  You can dice up some zucchini, or mushrooms, and cook them right alongside the red bell pepper.  You can even try reducing the tomato sauce by half, and substituting the rest with some sweet potato puree.  The possibilities are endless!  Be creative and have fun.  Because being healthy is just that.  *B

original recipe here

beadboard giveaway

If you've ever visited my home blog, you would know how CRAZY in love I am with beadboard!  I plan on using it in just about every room in my tiny townhouse...  And beadboard in the kitchen is like frosting on the cake.  Please tell me I'm not the only one who wants a kitchen like this:

Yeah, I didn't think so ;)  All that glorious beadboard!  Pardon me while I wipe the drool off my face.  Anyway, I just stumbled across a super fun food blog called Envy My Cooking.  Awesome site.  And right now they have an awesome giveaway!  So get your tootsies over there and enter.  I promise, I won't be too jealous if you win.  Ok, I might be just a tad bit envious.  Good thing green looks good on me!  *B

wishin' for a dish

Just FYI, I will pick and post the winner of the spooky platter on Monday!  I hope to ship it out the same day, so that the lucky lady can display it before Halloween is over.  That'll be a happy day for whoever she might be, but sad for me... it's pretty cute and comfy at this girl's haunted house ;)  

Remember to let me know if/when you follow, tweet, post, etc. so your entries won't get missed.  Thanks much, good luck, and happy haunting!  *B

Panang Perfection

WARNING: this is not a low-fat meal.  But, it is super tasty!  It's also gluten free, dairy free, and it can also be vegan.  Oh, and it's fast and easy.  This is our absolute favorite Thai dish.  If you're calorie counting, you may not want to eat this every week...  Certainly not every day!  But do eat it every once in a while when you want to give your meal plan a quick, rich/exotic boost ;)

Ingredients:

• 1 T. coconut oil
• 1/4 c. carrots, diced in strips
• 1/4 c. zucchini, diced in strips
• 1/4 c. onion, sliced thin
• 1/4 c. red bell pepper, sliced thin
• 1/4 c. mushrooms, sliced
• 2 handfuls of chicken, cooked and shredded -or- 1 can chicken, drained (opt)
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 3 T. Thai red curry paste
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/2 t. chicken bouillon
• cayenne, to taste (opt)

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.  Add veggies and cook.
2. Add salt, pepper, curry paste and stir.  Cook for one minute.  Add shredded chicken and mix well.
3. Add coconut milk and bouillon, stir.  Bring to boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes or until sauce thickens.  Add cayenne for some extra heat.
4. Serve over prepared rice (Jasmine is best).

I will have you know that not only did us grown-ups slick it up, but so did the man-child -- veggies and all, sans complaint.  He may have licked his lips, once or twice, too.  The grown man might have licked his plate... *B

PS- As much as I love this with fresh veggies, this can be successfully made with a bag of frozen stir fry veggies (rehydrated in chicken broth) and a can of drained mushrooms.  Enjoy!

meatless "meatballs" update

I've tried my hand at these twice now, and they still need a bit more tweaking.  I'm getting close... but not close enough to share anything!  At least they've been palatable in the past, but they can stand to be better.  And so I continue to hone my meatless cooking abilities.  We all know real meatballs are good!  But where's the challenge in that?  I'll keep you posted.  *B

eat, drink, and be scary!

I interrupt this health-filled blog to post about something equally as important as nutrition:  Halloween!!!  Normal, candy-less, posts will resume in the next day or two...

In case you haven't guessed, I am OBSESSED with all things black & orange!  Shoot, I start planning next year's costumes the day after they're worn.  And this year, to help me with my infatuation, Lolly Jane has hooked me up (a few times) with some sahweet vinyl!  Let me just say, I'm brand-spankin'-new to the vinyl craze.  I mean, I've heard of it.  In fact, I used to design for Writing on the Wall, and you could find my boards in places like Poppy's and Orange Patch.  Anywhoo, I've never owned any.  Basically, I'm a vinyl virgin ;)  Lucky for me, the hotties behind Lolly Jane have kindly taken me by the hand and introduced me into this exciting new world.  My eyes have been opened.  Oh, the endless possibilities!  Be still my heart.

And so, without further ado, may I proudly introduce you to the love-child of my current crushes.  This here plate.  An orange plate.  A "scary" orange plate!  And because I am a proponent of eating and drinking (water!) and therefore highly recommend the use of plates (but not this one), I would like to give this tricked out dish to one of you.  So that you too may lovingly display your devotion to food, vinyl, and Halloween.

If you so choose, here's how to enter (one entry each):

1. Be a taste-tester - follow the blogsy and {B}messy!
2. Don't be a stranger - leave a comment, send an email, come and knock on my door...
3. Spread the word - tweet, blog, facebook, etc.
4. Share the love - Link up your fave Halloween tricks or treats.  Let's see those fab recipes/decorations!

Maybe, just maybe, no one will want this saucy saucer.  And then, I can keep it!  At very least, I'll give it to Kristi/Kelli.  You know, to say thanks.  And then, I'll let them twinners fight over it... *B

this week's plan: 10/4 - 10/10

Hello my few and faithful taste-testers!  It's October!?!  I was just getting used to August being over... Wait a second.  It's Monday???  Well then, let's just pretend it's still Sunday ;)

Mexican Monday: build-your-own quesadillas

Oriental Tuesday: Panang Perfection with tofu chicken, veggies and brown jasmine rice

Twisted Wednesday: baked potatoes and chili pancakes

Authentic Thursday: spaghetti and "meat" balls

TGIFriday: sloppy joe-schmoes, spiced sweet-potato fries, and blueberry smoothies

Super Saturday: date night at Chipotle (yay for gift cards!)

Special Sunday: to be determined

Upcoming recipes: Panang Perfection, how to cook/like tofu, "meat" balls (since I didn't get to them last week), blueberry smoothies, and hopefully some pumpkin-spice muffins/cookies.  And of course, a smattering of suggestions ;) Also, stay tuned for a super fun and festive giveaway!  *B