What's Cooking? A Special Fall Birthday Dinner, Part 1

A few weeks ago, my husband and I traveled home to Vermont for a long weekend to celebrate my mom's birthday. Pretty much without fail, I cook my mom a special birthday dinner every year. 

For example, when I was in college, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy for a year. The following year for my mom's birthday, I made her an Italian inspired meal. The post below is from my (short-lived) food blog that I started in college: 

I decided that I would make her an Italian dinner using recipes I acquired in Italy as well as some newer ones I had found grazie alla Food Network.

Here's the menu:

Aperitivi:

Grilled rustic bread rubbed with fresh garlic and topped with cannellini beans and sauteed kale 

Homemade tuna-stuffed cherry peppers 

Primo Piatto:

Champagne risotto with asparagus and crispy prosciutto

Contorno:

Baby arugula salad with onions and goat cheese tossed in a homemade mock Caesar dressing

First, I prepared the aperitivi, or appetizers. Although I was hesitant, after trying tuna-stuffed peppers in Italy, I was hooked! They are so tangy and spicy and salty and delicious - just the right amount of salt counteracted by the sharp zip of the cherry peppers. Unfortunately (or perhaps not), prepared stuffed peppers are hard to come by in the United States so I made them from scratch. I purchased a jar of Italian cherry peppers, Italian tuna, Italian anchovies and then grabbed a lemon, some capers and a dash of olive oil. After slicing the top off the pepper and scooping out the inside, I prepared the tuna (mixed with minced capers and anchovies, a bit of lemon juice and a bit of olive oil to hold it all together), and I stuffed the peppers. I let them sit so the flavors could come together and let me tell you, one hour later, I had some INCREDIBLE, very spicy, perfectly salty Italian tuna-stuffed cherry peppers. Definitely a success. 

For a second aperitivo, I toasted some Vermont-made rustic farm bread, rubbed it with fresh garlic cloves, and topped it with some warm cannellini beans, finishing with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Given that my mom doesn't even like beans, this was risky, but she loved it! The warm beans atop hot garlic toast with just that hint of salt and olive oil makes for a very comforting and cozy snack! I had planned on using kale to create a second topping for the garlic infused bread, but after going through the entire kale cleaning process and sautéing it in garlic, oil and hot red pepper flakes, we found that we were just a bit too full and decided to save the kale for omelettes and lunch on another day. It was still pretty tasty though!  While we were digesting our delicious aperitivo, we ("we" being my  mom, dad and I, by the way!) shared a bottle of cava from Spain. We had tried to buy some Italian prosecco, but the cava was on sale and I'm not one to turn down a great bottle of bubbly when its on sale! 

Next came the fun, and most delicious, part - the risotto. Perusing the Food Network website, I had stumbled across this incredible recipe for Champagne risotto. I had to try it. Other than your usual risotto-making process, this recipe called for crispy prosciutto. I figured that would be pretty simple. Lightly oil a baking sheet, lay the prosciutto down, bake at 450 degrees F for 6-8 minutes. If only it were that simple! In order for that to work, one has to remember that when the timer goes off, it means that you need to REMOVE the baking sheet from the oven, not leave it until wafts of smoke start to fill the kitchen and you are left with a heap of black, unidentifiable objects on an aluminum baking sheet. Ooops! My dad promptly left to buy more prosciutto. The second time around I achieved the proper result - perfectly crispy, warm, incredible-smelling prosciutto to be crumbled on top of the creamy risotto mixed with blanched asparagus. 

Note: I can never EVER follow a recipe without changing at least one small thing, and unfortunately, once I've done it once, I never remember what I changed ever again! This time, I will tell you that I added about a tablespoon of lemon juice just for some extra kick. It was an excellent choice! The risotto was creamy, rich, subtle yet flavorful and just all-around delectable! 

Finally, I threw together a very simple baby arugula salad with onions, goat cheese and mock Caesar dressing (lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, fresh ground pepper and Dijon mustard whisked together and set aside for an hour or so). There's nothing like a crisp, green, fresh salad to soothe your palate and end a somewhat heavy, creamy meal! 

To be continued...

Try This: Candles for Every Occasion

Stressed? Overtired? Looking for some romance? Hoping to perk up your mood a little bit? Try lighting a candle!! I've recently discovered how powerful an effect candles can have on my mood and general sense of well being.

Quick background... I am a person who loves to save things. That special cheese I bought at the farmer's market last weekend? I might accidentally save that for a special dinner party that doesn't occur for another 2 months, at which point, oops! The cheese is moldy. The beautiful candles we received as a wedding gift? Those could sit unused for another 2 years, waiting for a particularly special occasion.

Ridiculous, right?

So I've decided to change my ways. Rather than saving things for days that may never occur, I am using the things I love, and I'm using them whenever I want!

Since the wedding, my amazing husband and I have been doing some serious cleaning, purging and organization of our apartment in hopes of making it feel larger and more like home. During this process, I found an enormous number of beautiful candles. I always love candles when I see them, so I've purchased quite a few over the years, plus I often receive them as gifts.

One night, I decided that the bathrooms should have candles in them. I loved it! The gentle scent of lemon or lavender floating through the apartment made it feel so comforting and relaxing, plus it instantly spruced up the feeling of the bathrooms!

A few nights later, I was doing some gentle yoga at home and decided that lighting a candle and dimming the lights could feel really wonderful. And it did! I could suddenly breathe deeper and easier, and by the time I finished my brief yoga session, I was more relaxed than I had been in weeks!

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Now, we not only read by candlelight and leave candles lit in the bathrooms, but we eat by candlelight and snuggle in bed by candlelight. Instant romance!

It may sound silly, but don't knock it 'til you try it! I think you might be pleasantly surprised!

Helpful advice: I often find the best deals on beautiful candles at places like TJMaxx, Home Goods and Target - or I buy small votives at the Yankee Candle outlet store!

Some of my favorite scents? Lemon, apple, mandarin, lavender, spruce (or any other form of fir tree that reminds me of winter in Vermont!), cinnamon, and light vanilla (not too sweet!).

Life Post-Wedding: 7 Ways to Get Back on the Wellness Bandwagon!

So let me just say... planning a wedding takes a lot out of you!

A quiet moment after my 9.14.13 ceremony
Photo courtesy Ember Photography, Vermont

Now mind you, I was a hyper-organized bride. Spreadsheets, color-coded lists, Pinterest boards galore. I'm not sure if being so organized made me crazier and more exhausted, or not, but I wouldn't have done it any other way!

Leading up to the wedding, I was very focused on eating well, sleeping, exercising, breathing and maintaining great overall well-being - 1) because I wanted to look my best and 2) because it kept me sane.

Somehow, in the weeks after our honeymoon (perhaps the honeymoon is the culprit!!), I've slipped into old habits that work against wellness in every way... I've been eating whatever I want, whenever I want; drinking alcohol at home during the week rather than just socially; and not exercising because I'd rather lounge on the couch....

It just isn't working for me anymore! I feel a little blue, a lot bloated, and I completely lack energy and motivation!

Here are the 7 things I'll be focusing on over the next few weeks to get back to my happiest, healthiest self:

1. Plan menus for each week in advance!
This has always helped keep my lunches healthy and balanced, and allows me to create a very specific, limited grocery shopping list (read: no aisle browsing... no unnecessary snack purchases... no produce going bad when I don't use it in time!). We have even started using Stop & Shop's Peapod delivery service which further cuts back on browsing and buying unhealthy and/or unnecessary treats!

2. Take the stairs.
We live on the 5th floor of a large apartment building with an elevator... As difficult as it is at the end of a long day after a long commute, I always feel better when I take the stairs! My commute to Boston involves a few subway stations and rather than take the escalator, I try to take the stairs when possible. I also try to walk the last little bit instead of hoping on another T car!

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3. No alcohol during the week! Fortunately, I'm a lightweight, so when it comes to social drinking out with friends, I can never have more than 1 or 2, and I'm okay with that a few nights a week if we're off having fun somewhere. Otherwise, there just isn't a reason to drink alcohol at home on a Tuesday, on the couch while watching re-runs of Glee! ;)

4. Get outside every day.
Take a walk at lunch. Go for a run after work. Something! I always feel a million times happier and healthier when I've had the chance to breathe in some fresh air, especially this time of year when it's so crisp and beautiful outside.

4. Drink tons of water. Enough said.

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6. No buying lunch!! 
I am lucky enough to work in Downtown Boston.... this means unlimited access to dozens of tasty, tempting lunch spots and food trucks. Instead of indulging, my goal is to bring a home-packed healthy lunch and snacks each day!

7. Yoga.
Before the wedding, I was doing yoga once, if not twice, a week. It made me feel so much less stressed and so much lighter and yet rooted at the same time. In addition to going out for a few runs each week before the snow comes, I am in desperate need of a little yoga in my life!

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Try it out - I bet you'll be feeling great in a matter of weeks!

xo

Top 6: Pinterest This Week

Perhaps now would be a good time to share a (not so secret) secret with all of you...

I am obsessed with Pinterest. Check out my (many) boards here.

Besides being incredibly useful for wedding inspiration and organization, I love the fitness inspiration, workout suggestions, home decorating ideas, DIY projects and recipes.

Therefore, I thought it might be fun to periodically post some of my favorite recent Pinterest finds, serious or otherwise

1. So true!

2. I love things like this! Try some of these pressure points out - you'll be amazed by how well they work!

3. I made this Mexican hot chocolate recently for a party.... it was heavenly!! You can find the recipe here, although I substituted and tweaked a few things! For one, I used skim milk instead of whole. I added a heck of a lot more chocolate, and then subsequently, more milk to thin it out after it thickened. And I might have added a bit more chocolate liqueur ;)

4. Castello Sammezzano, Tuscany, Italy. Wouldn't you love to visit this castle? Nestled in a lovely park, it was built in the 1600s and is now abandoned, but once served as a luxury hotel!

5. When I was a little girl, I adored Cinderella (okay, maybe this is still true...) so this pumpkin caught my eye!

6. Last but not least.... could you die? How sweet is this photo? Completely irrelevant, but what girl doesn't love a picture of a beautiful baby being kissed by a father?

What's Cooking? Sunday Soups and Muffins & Monday Asian Inspired

I love cooking. Maybe even more than cooking, I love browsing recipes and altering them ever-so-slightly to make them my own.

Over the past few days, I've been cooking up a mini-storm!

Sunday, I started with something I've been dying to make for months - thai chicken soup! For the most part, I followed this recipe from the Food Network, though I did make a few subtle changes. For one, I used jalapenos instead of Thai chiles, only because I couldn't find any of those. Secondly, I used less fish sauce (not a huge fan...) and a little extra ginger, garlic, lemongrass and lime leaves. My poor husband isn't a huge citrus fan, so he thought I went a little overboard, but I thought it was just right!

Photo courtesy MyRecipes.com

Next, I made some pumpkin spice muffins - easiest recipe ever! (But of course, I tweaked a few things!)

I took a box of spice cake mix and added 1 can of pumpkin, 2 eggs, a little vanilla almond milk, chia seeds and flax meal. I popped them into a 325 degree oven for about 25 minutes. That's it! They were moist (a little sticky, actually, but in a good way), and so flavorful! Definitely a hit in the office.

Photo courtesy Laurelism

To start off the week right, I made a light and super tasty Meatless Monday night dinner (does fish count??)!

We had salmon lightly marinated in a teriyaki glaze I picked up at HMart, our local Asian grocery. I am a strong believer in the high-heat method of cooking salmon - move your oven shelf up toward the top of the oven, pre-heat to 475 degrees, and cook for 8-12 minutes depending on the thickness of your salmon. This is a never-fail recipe for me - it always results in moist, flavorful salmon. 

To go alongside the salmon, I made my favorite soba noodles with peanut sauce - made with PB2! If you haven't tried PB2, you have to! It's powdered peanut butter, essentially dehydrated peanuts in powder form, with all the fat and calories sucked out! Check it out here. Side note: definitely try the chocolate peanut butter, too! It's amazing in a smoothie with a banana and almond milk!

Anyway - back to PB2 peanut sauce.... Mix about 10 tablespoons of PB2 with a small amount of water until it reaches a nice creamy consistency. Add 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 tablespoon chili oil, 3-4 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds and sliced scallions to your liking. Cook the soba noodles per the instructions on the package and toss with the peanut sauce - ta da! 

To finish off the plate, I sauteed kale with garlic, oil, red hot chili pepper flakes, salt, pepper and lemon. Easy, tasty and full of such good nutrients! Side note: This is also not my husband's favorite meal.... :) Too bad for him because I absolutely love it! 

P.S. Despite this healthy meal, I may have ended the night with a scrumptious lemon-filled donut from the famous Gail Ann's in Arlington! Ooopsies ;)

Top 5: David's Tea

As promised, here are my top five favorite teas from David's Tea - I seriously recommend you go find a local David's Tea store or make an online order!

*****

Quick lesson in tea: Pu'erh, oolong, black and green teas are all made from the same plant - the Camellia sinensis. Though the same plant is used, each tea is made using a different process. Black tea is fully fermented, oolong tea is partially fermented, green tea is not fermented at all, and pu'erh is post-fermented. In other words, pu'erh is fermented and then aged in high-humidity. It is said that the longer a pu'erh tea is aged, the better it tastes. Rooibos tea is made from the leaves of the African red bush plant. Herbal teas can be made from fruits, nuts, flowers, and herbs. 

*****

1. Pu'erh Tea: moderately caffeinated; thought to lower cholesterol due to the presence of lovastatin which is also used in prescription medicine to lower cholesterol; recent studies show that pu'erh may also lower certain blood fats (triglycerides)

1st Place: Chocolate Orange
This tea is decadently delicious. The dark chocolatey taste paired with the sweet light citrus makes for a sweet treat that's equally wonderful in the morning, and at night for dessert (if you can handle caffeine before bed!)







Runner Up: Cinnamon Heart
Cinnamon Heart is warm and cozy and sweet - just like cinnamon candies! I love starting my day with a cup, especially knowing that cinnamon is said to kickstart your metabolism.






2. Oolong: lightly caffeinated; used to improve mental alertness, and prevent cancer, tooth decay, osteoporosis and heart disease; some believe that oolong can be used to treat obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and skin allergies, and to boost the immune system.

1st Place: Happy Kombucha
This oolong is made with powdered kombucha, another kind of fermented tea that is thought to have many wellness benefits that may include: improved immune system, digestive system, and joints, and a cleansing ability. Happy Kombucha is full of tasty mango and pineapple morsels, making it a refreshing tropical tea.







Runner Up: Citron Oolong
Citron Oolong is a soothing blend of lemon myrtle and jasmine blossoms, resulting in a somewhat floral yet lemony tea. Excellent with a bit of honey! A little birdy (AKA a David's Tea employee) let me in on a little secret - this tea is delicious as a cocktail with gin and a splash of seltzer!



3. Black Tea: Most caffeinated tea of those listed here; common counterpart to coffee; full of antioxidants; some believe that black tea can prevent cancer and reduce clogged arteries.

1st Place: Mint Julep
Having never had a true mint julep, the alcoholic kind, that is, I can't tell you how this tea compares. But I can tell you that's a deliciously refreshing combination of black tea, spearmint, pineapple and coconut and it's great both hot and iced!






Runner Up: Organic Blueberry Jam
The first time I had Blueberry Jam, it was in Tea Pop form. Tea Pop is what David's Tea calls their blend of concentrated tea mixed with seltzer, and boy, let me tell you - SO GOOD! Slightly sweet, and definitely blueberry flavored, this tea is a huge hit for me whether its with bubbles or not. I have a feeling this would be a good tea to try in concentrated form with a little champagne :)




4. Rooibos Tea: not caffeinated; full of antioxidants and minerals; encourages restful sleep; thought by some to prevent cancer and aid with digestion

1st Place: Mint Chocolate
Mint Chocolate tea... It's like a Girl Scout thin mint in liquid form, without the calories. Need I say more? Try it hot or iced with milk!








Runner Up: Organic Cinnamon Rooibos Chai
Like the Cinnamon Heart pu'erh, this tea is chock full of sweet cinnamony flavor. Add to that the cloves and orange peel and you have one tasty cup of tea!



5. Herbal Tea: not caffeinated; promotes digestive health, restful sleep, a calm mind or renewed energy depending on the ingredients; hydrating; aromatheraputic effects

1st Place: Midsummer Night's Dream
This tea is as magical as it sounds. It is as delicious as it is aesthetically stunning. Made from a blend of apple bits, spearmint, gooseberries, marigold blossoms, safflowers, and rose petals, Midsummer Night's Dream is both refreshing and comforting all at once. It's great hot or cold. Not in the mood for tea? Just smelling it will bring a smile to your face!




Runner Up: Bamboozled
I sometimes find it difficult to find herbal teas that I like other than the classic peppermint or chamomile blends. Thanks to David's Tea, I now have a a few favorites! Bamboozled is a fun, flavorful tea full of pineapple, peach, apple and bamboo leaves. Give it a try, and I promise you won't be disappointed!




I could go on for ages about dozens of other teas, but I'll leave you with this list for now. Feel free to comment or tweet me with questions about other teas!

Love,

Sera

True Confessions: I'm Addicted to Tea

That's right, tea. I know what you're thinking - tea? Who cares, that's a great thing to be addicted to! But seriously, let me tell you. Tea can be expensive! But it's so worth it!

The Backstory

I have always liked both tea and coffee. In fact, I've always been a bit beverage-obsessed. I just love trying new things! When I was in high school, I started drinking a lot of coffee. With a lot of cream, and a lot of sugar. Not the healthiest habit. In college, I noticed that if I didn't have coffee by 10am every morning, I got a pounding headache that would last for hours no matter what I did to try and remedy it. By the time senior year rolled around, I decided that I needed to kick my coffee addiction. I didn't like the way I felt without it, which is usually a sign (at least with food and beverages) that you're having too much of something. Plus, if I had any caffeine after 2pm, I could never sleep that night!

First I tried quitting cold turkey. No way was that happening! The nausea and near-migraine-like headaches that came with zero caffeine were unbearable. To remedy this, I cut back to a 75% caffeinated/25% decaffeinated blend. Then 50/50, 25/75 and finally, 100% decaf! I felt so much better without the caffeine once I eliminated it. No headaches and no trembling hands from over-caffeination. However, I was still drinking a lot of cream and sugar with each cup of coffee, and try as I might, I just couldn't switch to coffee with skim milk or Splenda, let alone black!

Next, I decided to try Teeccino, which is an herbal coffee substitute that some people swear by. Made from ingredients including carob, chicory root, dates, figs and almonds, I thought it was sure to be tasty. Unfortunately, I didn't find that to be the case. I happen to really like the taste of coffee, therefore I wanted a substitute that tasted at least somewhat coffee-like. To me, Teeccino tasted very earthy, a bit bitter, and just didn't have that delicious natural coffee taste. Disappointing.

That left me with tea. Now, as I said before, I've always liked tea. I just never found it as satisfying as a nice hot cup o' joe. However, not wanting to try any additional coffee substitutes, I decided to march full speed ahead into the world of tea. I started drinking green tea in the morning instead of coffee and the effect was amazing! I had energy, but didn't feel overly caffeinated. I loved the taste, especially when the green tea was flavored with mandarin or mango, and I didn't need to add sweetener or dairy.

Enter David's Tea

Around Thanksgiving 2012, I was strolling through downtown Boston on my lunch break and I noticed a new storefront - David's Tea!

David's Tea is a company that knows what's up. They have great branding, great marketing, great promotions, great staff and an impressive line of phenomenal teas. Just look at the photos below!

Now, this is not a marketing ploy, I just REALLY LOVE David's Tea. Ask my husband, ask my parents, ask my colleagues. I love it. I love stopping in every few days to sample their "Tea of the Day," I love buying it as gifts, and I love having my own personal stash (at home and at work!) to satisfy my every mood, need and desire. 

When you walk into any David's Tea (I've been to a number of them across three different states!), you are always greeted with a warm smile and offered a sample. Walking into David's makes me smile and it makes me happy, and the tea makes me feel great every time! What more could you ask for! 

I have spent more than I care to share at David's over the past year, but I don't regret one penny spent. I have tried so many new teas, both delicious and not-so-good, and I've learned so much! 

Stay tuned for a post on my all-time favorite teas from David's, as well as their health benefits!

Love,

Sera 

An Extended Introduction

Okay, so now you all know what I do for a living and what some of my hobbies and interests are. But who am I really?

Let's start with the fun stuff.

I recently married my best friend in Vermont, where we both grew up. We met in middle school, fell in love at 16, and were serious by 18. We've been together ever since. September 14th was a magical, romantic day for us, and I am so excited for our life together to get started. Here's our first kiss!

And here we are on our honeymoon in the Riviera Maya - such a beautiful, relaxing place!

As I said, we're both from Vermont - small towns in Central Vermont to be exact. Although we've been living in Boston for over two years now, we are still Vermonters at heart. We love the crisp fall weather, the kind people and the incredible local food. If we could find jobs there, I'm sure we'd move back in an instant! 

In the meantime, we are enjoying all that Boston has to offer. As I briefly mentioned, I work in downtown Boston as a full-time grant writer for an amazing non-profit that helps low-income women move from poverty to self-sufficiency. My new husband, Gabe, is an electrical engineer for MIT's Lincoln Laboratory. 

The hubs spends his free time playing soccer and ultimate frisbee with friends, biking and running his small web design company, Long Trail Web, while I check out new yoga classes, cook up a storm and babysit for the world's greatest 6-year-old. 

When I have the time, I spend hours searching for new recipes in magazines and on the web (thank you, Pinterest!), and reading about yoga, meditation and alternative medicine. If I'm not at home, you can often find me strolling the aisles of Trader Joes and Whole Foods looking for new meal inspiration and fun healthy treats.

Gabe and I love staying in, cooking dinner together, watching our favorite TV shows and playing board games. We are definitely homebodies, but we also enjoy going out to explore new restaurants and bars, try new beers and craft cocktails and spending time with our friends. We are  hoping to settle down in the next few years, buy a house and start a family, but for now, we are exploring this great city and enjoying our life as newlyweds!

I think that just about covers it! 

Love,

Sera

Hello and welcome!

Who am I, you wonder? And what is the point of this blog? Why should you even bother reading it?

Here I am!

A little background:

In 2011, I graduated from Smith College with a dual-major in Italian and Anthropology. I was ready to face the world and achieve my goals, which at the time included writing a cookbook, opening a restaurant, working as a translator for an Italian magazine, becoming a real estate agent, starting my own day care, and running a program for young, low-income pregnant women.

Now, two years later, I have achieved none of those things and am working as a grant writer for an anti-poverty organization. Do I enjoy my work? Yes. Am I working for a great cause? Absolutely.

But is it my "thing", as they say? I'm not yet sure. Is anyone ever really sure? I love the people I work with and the cause I work for, but I also love yoga and tea. I love reading cookbooks and making up my own healthy recipes. I love children and laughing. I love alternative healing like acupuncture and aromatherapy. I love feeling good, and making those around me feel good.

This blog is my attempt at bringing together all that I love, the things that make me tick, and the things that get me jazzed when I wake up in the morning. I hope that through this blog, I can share recipes, stories, reviews and articles with you, while also focusing on those things that make me feel the happiest. Ultimately, I hope that this blog will help me find my passion and make some next steps toward finding my "thing" in life. Or, maybe it will be enough just to write about it!

Crossing the 2013 Amesbury, MA Dirty Girl (I'm on the left) 

I make no promises that you will find my personal posts interesting or inspiring, or that you will enjoy reading about my every trial and tribulation as I try to find what's next for me in life. But I do hope that you will laugh with me, support me and maybe even learn a thing or two from me!

Love,

Sera

P.S. What does "Bello Benessere" mean? In Italian, it means beautiful wellness or beautiful well-being. I wanted this blog to reflect not only my love for all things wellness-related, but my love for Italy and all things Italian, as well. So there you have it!