I have lots of things to be thankful for but for today’s post, I would like to focus on something new that I’ve been doing. I’ve been juicing.

I know, right?

I never, in a million years, thought I would like the taste of some dark green concoction. I always new that it was a healthy thing to do but….
I have a girlfriend who juices, makes smoothies and really works hard on being healthy. One day she asks me to taste a fresh batch of Super Juice she made. I was all like, uhhhhh nahhhhh. Come on!, she says. Alright. With a squinty face, I took a sip.

HOLY SH!t! This tastes awesome!

I really couldn’t believe it. From that point on (about two weeks ago), I’ve been juicing. It makes me feel terrific and my body just craves it in the morning. My husband and 2 year old have also joined me drinking our Super Juice. My 5 year old? Nope. Won’t touch the stuff. I even juiced just an apple (which he loves) and he had a fit. Will I give up? Nope. I’ll sneak it into something.

This morning’s Dupa Ju (as my little one says it)

Spinach, carrots, green apples and cucumber. It was a new combination for me. We loved it! Refreshing is an understatement.

My eyes have been opened to a whole lot of new things lately – thanks to a group I belong to on Facebook, Raising Natural Kids.

I’ve always tried hard to incorporate ‘natural’ into my family.  I realize that there are so many more things I could be doing but…..rather, BUT

What I do is great for us now.

Now . we just drank vegies and fruits . i feel wonderful about that.

For those of you who don’t know, my brother in-law is from Morocco. This year, he wasn’t able to travel home to celebrate Eid (the end of Ramadan), so we thought we would bring a little Casablanca here to Long Island.

We all did our best as everyone contributed. Dinner actually turned out scrumptious. I researched a ton and realized that Dinners and Dreams was my best resource.  Beautifully written and photographed.

I decided on making Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemons and Olives.  Oh My was that good.  I had an authentic Tagine from Morocco that, at the last minute, put aside and used a Dutch Oven.  I thought it wouldn’t be big enough.  Afterwards, I realized I probably could have used it.  It made for a lovely serving dish nonetheless.  I also didn’t use preserved lemons.  I didn’t miss them ; )

My Mom picked up some Turkish bread from Nazar for dipping into the juices.

My Mom also made an eggplant side (on the right).  I have no idea how she made it but it was so refreshing.  I made a red cabbage salad which added a nice texture and crunch to the meal.

My BIL made a cous cous that was delish with beef and carrots and other good stuff.

For dessert, Mom made this moroccan biscotti. Filled with Pistachio and raisins, it was perfect with hot tea.

I think that night was the start of a new tradition. Whether it is on Eid or not, having an authentic Moroccan dinner was good for our souls.

Warm comforting and delicious.

We always try to make it out at least once for Long Island Restaurant Week. This time around, we tried Ruvo….

We had an 8:15 reservation and arrived at around 7:45. We hung out at the packed bar and had a glass of merlot. The crowd was a bunch of happy drunks in their late 40′s/early 50′s. I’m talking really happy. There was a ton of hugging and kissing and nuzzling. Now that I’m thinking about it, I think most of them were couples. A guy was playing guitar and singing and he was rather good. He played songs that everyone could sing along to. FUN

Then we were seated by a very friendly hostess who would go out of her way for anyone. Really nice girl.

Then the bad service started. A waitress came to our table about five minutes later and plopped down a “specials” card. She did not even go over it. She left and then about another five minutes later a gum chewing girl dropped off some bread. We finally ordered only to find out that the short ribs that I wanted were sold out. ugh – back to the menu. I chose the pork. Craig chose chicken. You can check out the menu here. To start I had the pumpkin soup and Craig had crab cakes. When our entrees came to the table, they were literally thrown in front of us by another busy food runner. That was rather disturbing. I watched that runner bring food to other tables and she was a mess. She didn’t know who ordered what and was asking diners to pass plates to the correct person. Terrible.

It is a shame because the food was rather tasty. The soup was very good and so were the crab cakes. The only complaint I had was with my pork, it was on the sweet side. Don’t get me wrong….I really liked it but had to manage the amount of chutney with every bite.

Desserts, we took home because we were just too full. I’m hoping my tiramisu is good. Craig caved and had the peanut butter and chocolate bread pudding late last night and said it was “Eh”. A big lump of bread with some chips sprinkled in.

Oh well, yet another restaurant that has no idea how to actually serve customers.

B-

In a nutshell…..Spring makes me happy! I look outside and inspect the yard. I see growth everywhere and even blooms stirring. It does something to my spirit I think. I would never admit I had the winter blues but……maybe I did. I’ve been cooking in the afternoon light and have had dinner basically on the table when Craig gets home from work. How wonderous. Last night was Bolognese and tonight is Australian lambchops. I must get in gear and go shopping though. Celebrating Passover early and I have to make my famous macaroons and horseradish. Here is David to brighten your day. Can you believe he will be six months in four days?

Yesterday, me and the Monsta baked. We made my cousin Allegra’s famous cookies. She had brought them to the cabin last month and we munched on them all weekend. They are totally awesome. She gave me the recipe and we tried. We didn’t get what she got but they are still pretty darn delish. I used whole wheat flour and oatmeal but didn’t have the almond meal that I think was needed. Oh well. The only downside to this is that there are cookies in the house!

Photo from the archives.  One of my BIL’s creations.  Are you one of the lucky ones that have had the priviledge of tasting Samy’s food?  If not, sorry for the tease.  He not only prepares his food so creatively but the taste…..well, TO DIE FOR!

I think this one was layers of fluke and salmon.  Maybe a hint of red onion and some type of yummy olive oil drizzle.  Sunflower seeds to top it off.  Oh, how I miss eating sushi.  Only about another year left of nursing and then I will INDULGE again.

Check out some of Samy’s other creations here and here.

Another Grandma favorite that I remember growing up:

Eggy on a Raft

Butter bread (I used whole wheat).  Toast on one side in a frying pan till a little brown.

Take out and pinch/cut out a hole in the center (pop that part into your mouth)

Crack egg carefully into the hole

Cover and cook on low till your egg is perfectly runny but cooked (I sound like Martha Stewart LOL)

Like this (if you are wondering where the other one went….I ate it)

Served this with a side of strawberries

Let them dig in

and give you that cheesy-yummy smile that you just love!

My little Monsta LOVES to bake. One of his favorites is banana bread. We have made it many times together and he is pretty much an expert at this point. He tells me to get him his apron and lists the ingredients for me. He sits himself at the table and we begin. It isn’t as messy as it used to be. He is a lot more careful when pouring dumping the stuff in the bowl.  Usually, I get lots of “I love you Mommy” and “You’re the best Mommy in the whole world” and hugs during the whole process.  I think he thinks that the more compliments he gives, the more bread he will get to eat.  I love every second of it no matter what his scheming plan is.  Baking brings the family closer in so many ways.  I’m not even a big baker either.  You all know that I prefer to cook but every once in awhile I get the urge.  Take a look at how happy everyone is. 

Could you pass this up?

Daddy getting in on the action.

I’ve been working on a 2009 video that will be done shortly and I’ve been avoiding posting because I wanted that to be the first post of the new year but…….

I’ve been so busy that it had to take the back seat. So, I offer you…..

PEAS!

They are good. They are green. My boy asked for them. He ate them by the tablespoon full. You got em.
Front and center:

Trying to get THE shot so here is another:

I’ve got a bunch more but will spare you.

Happy 2010 everyone!

Leave it to Grandma to come over with a bag full of cream puffs for Ben. For those of you who know me, that doesn’t usually fly around here. I have been really good though. I understand that Grandparents have certain rights. Spoiling is one of them. But a BAG? Just for Ben? Given to him when she walks in the door, BEFORE dinner? Come on Mom!

The Monsta was lucky that he ate his entire meal. I think he was imagining the puff during every bite. Well, the time came….

for dessert:

He examined it, smelled it, lifted it up slowly and took a bite….

When his teeth sunk into it, it was pure ecstasy in his eyes…

The rest is history!