if i can’t get my hands on a hearty, homemade soup for dinner, i prefer a crisp, fresh salad with a few tasty toppings and balsamic-induced dressing. this is my go-to salad when i have all the ingredients on hand. the blue cheese adds a little tang and texture while the sesame seeds polish it off with their earthy essence.

pear, maple pecan & blue cheese salad

1 head of red leaf lettuce

1/2 head of iceberg lettuce

2 pears (unpeeled)

1/4 cup blue cheese

2 tbs. sesame seeds

1/2 cup pecans

4 tbs. maple syrup

1 tbs. balsamic vinegar

1 tbs.apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. mustard

4 tbs. olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

maple pecans

1. preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. mix together pecans and maple syrup in bowl.

3. line cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread pecan mix onto it.

4. bake for 20-25 minutes.

5. let cool for 20 minutes.

balsamic vinaigrette dressing

1. in a small bowl, mix together vinegars, mustard, & olive oil.

salad

1. wash, dry, and chop lettuce. place in salad bowl.

2. core and thinly slice the pears. add to lettuce.

3. add blue cheese, sesame seeds, pecans, dressing, salt & pepper.

4. enjoy!

i have been slow-cooking it around here quite a bit this winter. everything that emerges from my crock pot leaves me wondering why i don’t use it everyday. you can throw a few things into it in the morning and come home to a warm and hearty meal waiting to be savored. the last dish i played with was made for brunch, but honestly, it would be great for any time of the day or night. simple to make and very satisfying.

i love the rain today.

Rice and Cabbage

1 cup brown rice

2 cups water

2 cups collard greens (washed and chopped)

2 cups cabbage (washed and chopped)

2 inch strip of sea vegetable (i used kombu)

1 tbsp. sesame seeds

1. place all ingredients in crock pot except sesame seeds.

2. heat on high for 2 to 2.5 hours or heat on low for 6-7 hours.

3. enjoy with sesame seeds, salt & cholula hot sauce on top.

p.s. i removed the kombu strip just before eating.

i almost forgot how delicious they can be. these are from the mission.

still trying to perfect a vegan, gluten-free version.

will share when i do.

“i am always tuning my orchestra. somewhere deep inside there is a sound that is mine and mine alone, and i struggle daily to hear it and tune my life to it. sometimes there are people and situations that help me hear my note more clearly; other times, people and situations make it harder for me to hear. a lot depends on my commitment to listening and my intention to stay coherent with this note. it is only when my life is tuned to my note that i can play life’s mysterious and holy music without tainting it with my own discordance, my own bitterness, resentment, agenda’s and fears.”

-naomi remen