A Better Slaw

As a kid, I did not like cabbage. I actually liked stuffed cabbage... but I ate the filling and left the "roll" behind. Coleslaw? haha, don't think so! I feel so grown up, with my changing tastes :-P I actually eat cabbage now, especially love it in this recipe for Stuffed Cabbage Stoup. Yup, it's a Rachel Ray recipe, so beware--I made half of it and got 3-4 HUGE servings out of it. But boy, I can't wait to make it again! Very easy, as I remember, just "chop and drop". Note to self: stop watching 30MM.

Anywho, since I like this leafy green now, I thought I should try it in some coleslaw. I hate to waste ingredients, so when I saw part of a head left in mom's fridge, I thought it was the perfect opportunity!! And seeing as I am a recipe fiend, had to try two different kinds. Both incorporated these lovely beauties from the farmers market...

The first was North Carolina Slaw, which I had written as being from Bon Appetit, but on searching for it tonight it doesn't appear that is the case as it wasn't online. Verdict? Wow, yum! I completely eye-balled the dressing (and probably could've used less oil), but I saved some to top a burger later in the week :) If you look real hard, you can see the yellow carrot I used, contrasting with the pale green cabbage! (why didn't I use the reddish/purple ones???)

North Carolina Slaw
inspired from somewhere...

~1-2c sliced cabbage
1 med carrot, grated

for the dressing, whisk together
sm chunk of onion, grated (~1-2T)
~1T canola oil
~1/2T ketchup
maybe less than 1t apple cider vinegar
pinch sugar
dash celery seeds

(sorry I really made no measurements!!) toss it all together, and enjoy!

I loved Waldorf Salad as a kid, so the other logical recipe for me to try was for Waldorf Coleslaw. YUM. Apples *swoon*. Perfect fall lunch!! Made this ahead of time, keeping some chopped walnuts on the side so they didn't get soggy.

All the players

Waldorf Coleslaw
inspired by Baking Bites


2c sliced cabbage
1 apple, diced
1 med carrot, diced
~1T dried cherries, slightly chopped
2T nonfat plain yogurt
1T olive oil mayo
1/2T honey
1t white balsamic vinegar (i love this stuff!)
dash s/p
~1T chopped walnuts

Whisk together yogurt, mayo, honey, and vinegar. Season to taste with s/p. Combine rest of ingredients (except walnuts) in bowl. Add dressing and toss to combine, then refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Top with walnuts. right before serving.

Let's get this party started!!

R&R... and some Chippies

So I mentioned a weekend trip to the see the grandparents up in the Adirondacks and I thought I'd share just one or two fun photos...

view from camp

Taming of the chipmunks...

Little piggy!!

And from the drive home...

Some ducks and fall foliage at Byron Park

Lake Abanakee

Bok Choy: 3 ways

Bok choy has been on my to-try list for awhile now, and upon seeing these beautiful bunches as the farmers market I couldn't resist!! I wasn't quite sure how best to prepare it, so I turned to fellow bloggers and tried a couple ways...

From Cooking with Amy: a simple Tasty Bok Choy


And Quinoa-Stuffed Bok Choy I saw at Apples and Butter

I took some liberties in the preparation, as I was making it ahead. Steamed the bok choy on its own, and cooked up the quinoa mix ahead of time. When it came to eating, topped the bok choy with the quinoa-walut mix... and the soy reduction... shoot! forgot to make this ahead, so it did't get done. I really think this is a key component to this dish, so I'd recommed it!

From Ricki at Diet, Dessert and Dogs: Caramelized Baby Bok Choy


Verdict?? So I tried the simplest preparation first, and thought it was ok. I was on my way to saying that bok choy might just not be the veggie for me. Then I tried Ricki's Carmelized Baby Bok Choy and LOVED it. I mean, it was cooked nice and slow to bring out the sweetness, had cashews... what's not to love? :) Next up was the Quinoa-Stuffed Bok Choy, which I liked too. As I mentioned, I would definately do the soysauce reduction next time. Ooh, did you catch that, next time? Guess I'll be buying it again sometime :) After some spinach, I've been missing my cheap spinach from the produce place in philly...

How do you like your bok choy??

PB Giveaway

Well I've never seen PB Loco in stores by me, but go check out Kristie's blog: Stir-Crazy for the chance to win PB!! I thought PB & Co had some interesting flavors, but PB Loco's got some winning combinations, too :)

Cherry Qunioa Muffins

Really, more muffins? Haha, I like muffins, especially when I'm cooking for just me--too easy to go through a loaf too quickly! Plus I can keep them fresh by pulling out one at a time from the freezer.

I love quinoa, and after seeing it used in muffins, I've been meaning to try it for awhile now. I had to cook up a batch of quinoa the other night, so I threw in some extra and I'm so glad I did! Using a recipe Dani Spies, I made Quinoa Cherry Muffins. Followed the recipe, using dried cherries instead of raisins (and slightly less).


These were so good! You could still taste the quinoa, so it added some nice texture to the muffins. Great way to round out your breakfast :) And please do get more creative with the add-ins!

Dri Fit's Best Friends

What, you expected food? Haven't I been doing enough cooking??

I wanted to share some things that could help a brother (or sister) out. I can remember when it was such a novelty to wear such things as dri-fit, coolmax, or whatever they're calling it! Now it seems like this is the norm. I've long been a fan, and in the past couple years discovered these products which I'd highly recommend.


I tried adidas deodorant because I had a coupon, but turns out it rocks. Maybe it's just me, but I'd started to notice sweat stains on my shirts from working out, especially white ones. No longer after using this deoderant. And I immediately noticed a difference after picking up another brand last time. Plus, it's aluminum-free, and also better at not leaving those white streaks on your clothes. It may not work for everyone (a quick search revealed a few dissatisfied reviews), but might be worth a shot next time you're in the market for a new tube.

I'm not up for spending money on new clothes all the time, so my workout gear gets some use. Or should I say a LOT of use. I always washed them in Woolite, but after awhile they just didn't seem as fresh anymore. Sample packets of the win and penguin sport wash had been provided in some race packets, so I gave them a shot. No lingering scent-- fresh and clean! I ended up getting win online and I really like this stuff. I've also seen it in more stores, so it seems to becoming more available. The website for the penguin sport wash also claims it restores the wicking properties of such fabrics... (I can neither confirm or deny :))

Err, I'm a girl, I don't sweat (haha)! And I smell like daisies :) Anyone else have experience with these or other products??

He Says/She Says: Tomatoes!

Me and my tomatoes went outside for a photoshoot by the pond (which my dad made!! yeah, he's amazing :)).


Red almost jumped.


I'm glad he didn't--instead I share one of life's simple pleasures.


What about gold? Well, she asked for it...

... and got slow roasted (400deg) with some garlic olive oil. She got used this morning


Can you tell what the heck that is? haha. I scrambled up some egg whites and a spicy black bean burger, threw in a little goat cheese, and topped it roasted Gold. Oh so good.

So i think the recipe is simplicity :) If I'd had some watermelon, I would've brought along this Watermelon & Tomato Salad. I tried it earlier this summer, and even without the dressing absolutely loved it. Such an amazing combination of flavors!!

Whether you call it a fruit or vegetable, this dicot (a flowering plant whose seed has two embryonic leaves) is delish any way you serve it! And I'm sending this along to Heather at Hangry Pants for this week's New Blogger Secret Ingredient. You can find the details in this post.