Summer Kitchen

Believe it or not, I don't take a picture of everything I eat. I am not that girl. I am almost that girl. And there are loads of comedians and people who think they are too good for Facebook, Twitter & reading blogs of ordinary people (me!) who make jokes about how lame it is to post food pictures online. And I usually laugh. But I find so much beauty in food...so I don't care what they think. 

I guess I have had my camera handy lately because I have loads of food pictures on there. Here are a couple I love.

My kids have lunch deficit disorder. Ok, thats not a real thing... The point is, my kids are much likely to clean their plate if its filled with more than one type of food. I think most kids are this way, which is why the 'muffin tin' style of lunch is so popular. I don't have muffin tins, but I do like to mix it up for them. (And for the record, this picture captures the ONE time we've had white bread in our house, leftover from a bridal shower).

I don't want to brag or anything, but I was pretty excited when I discovered that the canvas bag that came with a pair of Toms shoes works perfect for taking potatoes camping. It dark but breathable. And lets not forget cute.

I can't possibly express how grateful I am to have a family that loves vegetables. It shocks me when grown men (I'm talking to you Justin Hingsburger!) don't eat vegetables! I am grateful that my husband doesn't shun zucchini muffins, eggplant, beets or broccoli.... it means my kids (who thinks he lights the sun) will too.

Brussels Sprouts are Brian's favourite. Even my parents (who are big veggie eaters) didn't make us eat BS's when we were kids... but Granny Ruth did, so Brian, 20 years later, loves them. I love them because they look like Barbie Lettuce.

It seems that every time Brian and I sit down to watch a documentary, we loose our appetite for meat. Well, we spent late Friday night watching TED talks so it's been a bunch of vegetarian meals since then. I made an AMAZING couscous (below) the other day. Between the carrots & my cute napkins, I had to take a picture (but by all means, you don't have to look at it...). This couscous marks the first time I have cooked with dates (I used half of what the recipe recommended). They were delicious. And I like dates (I've had a date milkshake in Arizona & in Australia my husband lean red to make a mean sticky-date pudding) so I think I will look for a couple more recipes to explore them further. Nerdy.

Today I am making popsicles for the kids with pineapple, coconut milk, banana & vanilla whizzed through a food processor. Who am I kidding?...These aren't for the kids...these are for me.