Shrubs, not shrubbery

Leave it to me to pick up on a trend several years later.  I recently saw a blog post about a "shrub" and it sounded good.  I looked around for other recipes and found quite a few, all from several years back.  Macarons are old news too and I only recently tried them.  And knitting socks is rather passe too.  Well la ti da.  I know have three shrubs resting on the kitchen counter (see photo).  Strawberry which will probably become Strawberry-Basil in the next step.  Mango-lime with nifty-looking-for-now lime slices that will undoubtedly look cruddy after soaking in vinegar for a few days.  I have the highest hopes for the third one; Fennel-Apple-Rhubarb because I love almost anything rhubarb.  Now I just have to be patient for something like two weeks to find out if they are any good.

Retail therapy

I took myself shopping today.  I managed to avoid spending too much money-under $50 anyway.  The best thing I got was a set of measuring spoons that I COULD NOT RESIST!  They are heavy and wonderful and I only hope that they are accurate as well.  Anthropologie

My new favorite salad

I like a salad that covers all the food groups on one plate.  I'm also trying to eat my main meal in the middle of the day, so this fits the bill.  I started with a salad from SmashBurger and went on from there.  YUM

NOT A RESOLUTION!!!

I'm just wired to take on challenges, I guess.  I was reading one of my favorite blogs and she commented about trying to catch up so that she would meet her goal of 365 entries in 365 days.  Now I can't seem to resist the idea.  I was reading my most favorite blog and she was talking about several art-related challenges that she takes on and I could hardly resist adding those to my list.  AS IF I DON"T HAVE ENOUGH "STUFF" TO DO IN MY LIFE!

This is not a resolution, certainly not another New Year's Resolution!  It isn't!!!

I recently bought a copy of The French Chef Cookbook.  Based on her show.  Which made me think of Julie & Julia.  Maybe I cook one show each Saturday???  NOT A RESOLUTION!!!

Recipe update-Every Day Oatmeal

I found a couple of keepers and a couple of losers.  Chicken en papilotte was a loser, at least the way I made it.  However, I have two new super-fast, easy recipes that I want to recommend, and my every day oatmeal recipe to share.  First is the Spicy Cioppino, which I made with frozen haddock and no scallops--so I added the frozen chunks of fish to the pan right after starting the onions and just kept adding the rest of the ingredients.  Gnocchi with Zucchini and Parsley Brown Butter was also really good--cut everything up first, because the rest goes so fast!  I also added a splash of balsamic vinegar and probably doubled the parsley, after halving everything first down to one serving, of course, as my son won't touch any vegetables.

Every Day Oatmeal
I call it that because I eat it every day.  Well, except weekends, I suppose.  I can even eat it on days when my stomach is somehow angry with me.  This is for one serving.  I make it up before I leave for work, then after I get settled there, it has been soaking for about 45 minutes.  I prefer my oatmeal to be a little chewy, so if you're someone who likes the creamy wall-paper-paste-like consistency of instant oatmeal, this is not for you!  I make this with a multi-grain mix from Trader Joe's.  I also use plain Activia because I don't want this too sweet.  You could use juice instead of water, and flavored yogurt instead of plain, but this is what works for me, and doesn't leave me with a brown-out an hour later.

1/3 cup multi grain mix (old fashioned oats)
2-3 T dried cranberries
7 dried cherries
just barely enough tap water to soak these
1/4-1/2 granny smith, diced
3-4 T plain Activia

I layer this into a small lidded cup (the yogurt on top helps keep the apple from browning) and stir it just before I eat it.  Chewy and a little sweet and oh-so-good for me!

Menu 8/21 to 8/26

Thanks mostly to Eating Well's Hearth Healthy Menu planner:

Sat (dinner) Jerk Chicken and Nectarine Salad
Sun (brunch) Spinach and Tomato Omelet
Sun (dinner) Chicken en Papillote with Sweet Potato "Fries"
Mon (dinner) Romaine Orange Feta Bean Salad
Tue (dinner) Moroccan Chicken Salad
Wed (dinner) Tortellini Salad
Thur (dinner) Tuna Melt-lighter