Friday, August 30, 2013

Pilot Mountain North Carolina


On Monday we spend the morning at Pilot mountain, a lovely state park only 40 minutes from Winston Salem NC, up 52 North. I had walked there with my Mum and our daughter a few years ago when she was much smaller and remember how pretty it was. Not sure why its taken me so long to return. Slowly my hubby who was always so much into cities is enjoying the countryside and the great outdoors. Sometimes you don't have to get on a plane to see amazing places they are often right on your door step.

Pilot mountain has a rich history known as Jomeokee or guide, to the Native Americans. You can hike around the pinnacle we even did this with a 5 year old and 2 year old. Or drive to the top and enjoy the view.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Banana Pudding Greek Yogurt

This is a really simple dessert or snack, you simply roast banana's and add to Greek yogurt and it tastes like a delicious banana pudding made in a flash. Its also healthy, with protein, potassium and calcium. This week is a big one for our wee family with our sweet daughter starting school I will cry for sure, but here's to a sweet new chapter in our girls life.

Ingredients:

  • 2 banana's and another 1/2 sliced for garnish 
  • one cup of Greek yogurt 
  • a drizzle of honey 
  •  a small handful of nilla wafer's
  • a dash of vanilla
Method:

  1. wrap two banana's in foil and bake for about 7 minutes at 350 
  2. blend the banana with the yogurt and a little vanilla
  3. add to a glass and top with nilla wafer's and honey 
  4. enjoy 



Have a wonderful start to the week everyone 

hugs 


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Friday, August 23, 2013

Flowers of El Yunque Rain Forest


When we visited Puerto Rico recently we had the joy of seeing the El Yunque National forrest. Its high in the mountains and ran by the National Park service, with well marked and maintained trails, good cafe's in the park and a special opportunity to soak up this special place. It is home to many different tree's, plants and wildlife and I spotted some wonderful flowers to share. Those who know me and follow along on facebook and twitter will know that I post a lot of flower pictures :-) 

We walked in the forest and got soaked but that is part of the fun. The locals were wearing swimming costumes and had towels I think they knew the deal. The forest has 50 species of native orchids and over 150 species of ferns. It also produces 60 billion gallons (605 billion liters) of rain water each year highlighting the importance of conserving rain forests. 

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Tuna and Cannellini Salad



This is a delightfully simple dish, perfect to have on hand for when you feel peckish or for packed lunches. Its nutrient rich and high in omega 3 and protein. It can be eaten alone, with whole wheat crackers or I had it with a bulgur wheat and barley tabbouleh and tomatoes.

Ingredients:

  • One can of Tuna
  • One Can of Cannellini beans 
  • a bunch of fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic chopped
  • 1/2 a small red onion chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste 
  • a tablespoon or more depending on preference of olive oil 
Method:

  1. simply add all of the above into a bowl, mix and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight 
Don't you just love simple to make healthy, flavorful dishes ;-) 



Headed to Charlotte this week to be on a panel at a social media and agricultural conference, really excited to meet friends from twitter and chat with farmers and ranchers. Its also a special week with hubby's birthday and Jasmines 5 th birthday, hard to believe she starts kindergarten next week. I will be teary lots in the next few weeks I think. Its such a big step :) 

Hugs and have a great start to the week


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Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Puerto Rican Foods to Try


We recently had a chance to visit the lovely Island of Puerto Rico here follows some foods to try if you are ever there or if visiting a Puerto Rican restaurant.  This is just a few I am sure the locals can share many more :-) Puerto rico has its own cuisine and includes Spanish, Taino (The original people of the Island) and west African influences. The best places often only have Spanish menu's but the locals are more than happy to help and love sharing their food. 

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Watermelon Lemonade




Here's another fun lemonade for summer, made with watermelon, the first recorded watermelon harvest occurred in Egypt more than 5000 years ago. So these beauties have a long history in fact a recipe for watermelon rind pickle was in an American cookbook in 1776. As its name implies its very high in water and a great source of Potassium, and a very good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. It's also a pretty color, and did you know it also comes in yellow and white in fact over 200-300 varieties exist. Another fun fact is that early explorers would eat the flesh and use the rind to carry water. 

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Photographic Tour of Ponce, Puerto Rico


Ponce, is a lovely little town in the South of Puerto Rico, rich in history and boasts a delightful downtown with colorful buildings. The town was settled by the Spanish about 300 years ago, there were native people called the Taino who unfortunately as history often goes are no more. The area was settled to grow and export sugar cane, it was known as white gold and made the Spanish settlers very wealthy. They brought Africans with them to farm and built some impressive buildings and really left a cultural mark on the Island with the language and religion. In the late 1800's America took Puerto Rico in a deal with Spain and entered the Island at Ponce. 

In fact Puerto Rico remains part of America as a Territory and it seems to have been a good relationship for both speaking to the locals. While Puerto Rico is part of America it really is its own special Island with a culture all of its own. The people are a mix of Taino, Spanish and other European settlers and African and the cuisine is quite the fusion as well. 

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Cabbage and Moong Dal Stir Fry




I had this dish at my sis in law's place in the UK it was made by Amma (my mum in law). She is a fantastic vegetarian Indian cook and my hubby adores her food, as I am sure most folks do. Her recipes are very healthy and really make vegetables shine. One of the things I have in common with her is our love of shopping at farmers markets. This recipe is high in protein from the little yellow lentil, fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate and Manganese from the cabbage. I confess I don't use cabbage all that must but when I do this will be my go to recipe.



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