NOTHING LIKE A LITTLE FRESH AIR

I really love Spring. I know that it is the end of February, but in California, it's Spring. Sure the state is bankrupt, there are high taxes, and tons of regulations but sunshine and early spring are some of the many reasons I love living here. This is a picture the hubby took when we were on a walk near our home. Looks like snow, but they are blossoms. :)

Nothing like getting a little fresh air to clear the mind. Goal for this week: Take a second to stop and smell the roses...and if you happen to be living on the East Coast in Snowmaggedon, drop by a flower shop and remind yourself that Spring is just another 21 days away.

Peanut-Ginger Chicken Recipe from Facebook Post

For those of you that were interested in the recipe I was raving about on Facebook--TA-DAH! Here you have it. :) I tried my best to source the recipe, but I got it from my cousin who got it from a friend of a friend of a friends, etc...

Typically I wouldn't recommend eating white rice and would always recommend subbing another grain, but in this case I think the nuttiness of other grains might take away from the warmth and sweetness of the coconut. You might try substituting the sugar for 2 packages of stevia or honey, but I haven't tried it yet, so can't wholeheartedly recommend it. I cooked the recipe exactly as it's written and it was DELISH!

Enjoy!

Peanut-Ginger Chicken w/Mango Salsa & Coconut Rice

Ingredients:

(Marinade)

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup boiling water

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup bottled chili sauce

3 T. soy sauce

2 T. olive oil

2 T. vinegar

1 T. grated fresh ginger or 1 t. ground ginger

(Salsa)

1 cup chopped fresh mango

1 cup chopped, seeded & peeled cucumber

3 1/2 T. sugar

1 T. salad oil

1 T. vinegar

1 T. lime juice

Chopped Cilantro

Directions -

1. If desired, remove skin from chicken. Place the chicken in a plastic bag set in a shallow bowl.

2. For marinade, in a medium mixing bowl gradually stir water into peanut butter. (The mixture will stiffen at first.) Stir in chili sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, vinegar, and ginger. Pour over chicken. Seal bag; turn to coat chicken with marinade. Chill in refrigerator for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours.

3. For salsa, in a medium mixing bowl combine chopped fruit, cilantro, cucumber, sugar, the olive oil, vinegar, and lime juice. Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 2 hours.

4. Grill chicken. Serve with the salsa over chicken and with hot coconut rice. Makes 6 servings.

(Coconut Rice)

2 c. Coconut milk

1 ½ c. white rice

1 c. water

3 1/2 T. sugar

½ t. salt

Combine the coconut milk, rice, water, sugar, and salt for the rice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stir once, then cover and cook for 18-20 minutes, or until rice is tender. Fluff with a fork, cover, and keep warm. (You can also use your rice cooker.)

Thanks to Jenny Preece for that one.

Buying in Bulk

I discovered WinCo this week and thought that I had died and gone to heaven. I have never in my life seen a bulk food section rival the likes of this store. One the the main reasons I am so obsessed with Whole Foods (besides their amazing store presentation and marketing) is because you can buy random grains, nuts, seeds, etc in bulk. WinCo is dirt cheap and for those of you who live in the western U.S.--you can no longer bitch about how eating healthy is more expensive. (I am sure there is an east coast equivalent somewhere...)

I spent $15 and got more lentils, beans, rice, barley flour, carob chips, multi grains, oat groats, pine nuts, etc etc then I know what to do with. Yes! Food Storage. :)

It's kind of a Costco type atmosphere, but you don't have to buy 18 cans of tuna to get a good deal, you can buy the exact amount you want. Hallelujah. The produce there is decent, you know, a few wonky pieces of fruit here and there, but I was impressed with the variety. Not a ton of organic foods but canned goods and bulk foods are SUPER cheap.

If you want to eat healthy, cooking for yourself is kind of a given. How else are you going to know what is in your food? Plus any pre-packaged nukable crap is usually filled with sodium and preservatives. Buying whole foods in bulk is a great way to assure that you will always have good stuff for dinner. Its really easy to add veggies to buckwheat or quinoa if you have it laying around at home.

I like to keep it fairly simple (although my husband might beg to differ on this one) but if all I have to do is grab some produce at the store, then I consider myself successful. :)

Make it a goal to buy whole foods in bulk at least sometime this month. I think your wallet will like it.

Time to Bragg

For a great way to add a little pizazz to sauteed veggies, salads, and roasted potatoes grab for the Bragg 24 Herb Sprinkle. I use this CONSTANTLY. Under $5. You can pick it up at Whole Foods or any health food store. I have seen it randomly at other local grocery stores as well.

The other option is the Bragg seasoning with Sea Kelp. This tastes great on potatoes and you get the minerals from the Sea Kelp. It's a nice way to ease into you using more sea vegetables in your diet. Warning: when it bakes it smells a litte fishy, but it doesn't taste fishy.


I LOVE this stuff.

BIG TIME SALE

A tid-bit of info:
Feb 10-15 Macy's President's day SALE


So you may be wondering what a Macy's President's Day sale has to do with your health...well, good cookware is essential for any health-nut. Even if it's just to keep you inspired to cook. But lets be honest, not all of us have the cash to outfit our kitchens with All-Clad.

Good news peeps: Belgique cookware is on sale for MEGA-cheap. I think you can get an entire 12 piece set for $99.

I got this set for my wedding a few years back (when it was listed for like $400) and I haven't been disappointed. I even went to Macy's today to scope out the lay of the land before the big sale and I think they are definitely the nicest stainless steel at the store. It's insane.

So if you need to get rid of your old aluminum or you just need a little bit of inspiration in the kitchen, go pick up a few new pans tomorrow and see how you like them for yourself.