warm kale salad with caramelized shallots, pine nuts and apple

this is a post about salad, but before we dive into that kale goodness above lets talk about dining room tables.  because it’s pretty much all i can think about. and if i harass lou about it any more we may end up in counseling. last night we cleared all of the miscallaneous crap out of the dining room that was lingering since the move (only 5 months later!) and hung all our art. when the dust settled i realized that the perfect table for our room is one i have spent years lusting over!  it’s the saarinen tulip table (see it in spaces here and here). we picked up a vintage saarinen tulip side table years ago (for a steal because of a chip on one side that we happily cover up with a plant) and that white marble gem makes me happy every time i look at it, so can you even imagine my level of joy if we had 8 FEET OF IT IN OUR DINING ROOM!? i can, obviously.  and how pretty does food look on marble?  it tasted 40% better too (yes, i did eat off the side table. i have no shame). now we just need to stumble on one with a chip.  preferably on the underside. that shaves about $6500 off the price.  ok then. kale….

recipe after the jump… click to read yo

zucchini pasta, another raw favorite!

ok, don’t hate me! i know this is the second raw meal in one week and you’re probably somewhere cold and craving holiday goodies and soups.  but i can’t help myself!  i was so excited to try this raw zucchini pasta after spotting some in the erewhon pre-made food section. i have a serious love of spaghetti but i don’t eat it that often because i don’t have a pasta maker and try my best to avoid processed foods.  so i’ve been on the hunt for something to fill that pasta-loving hole in my heart!  and i promise, even though it’s not cooked it’s still really satisfying and yummy.  the tool to make the zucchini pasta, a spiralizer, is not expensive and can be used for all kinds of fun things (like the daikon i love to et with my sushi)! recipe and probably a few too many photos after the jump…

click to read yo

a perfectly raw and tasty lunch- collard wraps!

i’ve always been fascinated by raw foodists and what they’re eating.  for a few days before and a few days after my cleanse i was eating only raw fruits and veggies and i felt amazing.  so i committed to trying to incorporate more raw meals into my diet.  or at the very least consume more raw fruits/veggies! this is one of my first attempts at a raw meal.  i loved it! and even skeptical beet-fearing lou said “i would eat that” when he tried it.  WIN!  details and recipe after the jump.

click to read yo

sweet potato avocado bowl

this meal was inspired by rebecca’s instagram. i’m not entirely sure if she invented this goodness or just introduced me to it, but either way i’m now indebted to her forever.  it’s so easy (although not quick because baking sweet potatoes does take a bit!) and way more filling and satisfying than i even expected. since it’s not really a recipe as much as it is a mix of ingredients best adjusted to your preferences, i’m just going to tell you how i eat it: one baked sweet potato, one half of an avocado the size of my palm, two limes, a bunch of cilantro, lots of sea salt.  add tabasco for a kick. have a tecate to make it a party. BOOM!  you have yourself an amazing meal.  hope you love it as much as i do!  more after the jump.

click to read yo

girls brunch- birds of a feather get together

hi everyone!  i’m so excited to share something that i think is super fun today. the week before last i had the girls over for a birds of a feather meeting, and i thought it was the perfect opportunity to have a great meal, catch up with each other and have some fun in the kitchen! i LOVE putting together something like this- from decorating the table to planning my perfect menu for the occasion. so today i’m sharing all the details. it’s a great time of year to gather your girls around you and celebrate with a tasty brunch! more after the jump..

click to read yo