Ok, I’m so in love with Pandora radio right now. Are you all familiar with it? It’s basically internet radio that you can play on your iPhone, iPad or computer. I’m listening to it all the time, and right now my favorite station is, The Fray radio. Basically, you put in your favorite song or artist and it will play similar songs or artists. Anyway, I just love listening to music when I’m cooking away in the kitchen, as it makes cooking dinner so much more fun. BTW, for those of you that are eyeing that above soup, it’s a carrot ginger soup and it’s amazing!
So, I made a new kale salad this week (surprise, surprise) that was a hit with the family. Eli said it was his favorite kale salad thus far. I honestly think he loved it so much because he helped me make it. Eli got his cute little (clean) hands in there and massaged the kale. I have to say that there is nothing cuter than little hands massaging kale, don’t you agree? I mean take a look at those hands, they’re precious.
Here’s a photo of the salad. It’s a lacinato kale salad with ricotta salata cheese. The salad was inspired by a salad that I had a Buckeye Roadhouse a while back that I couldn’t get out of my mind. It’s another pantry salad like my lacinato kale salad. I will post this recipe next week.
I just want to say how thankful I am for all of you that read my blog. I have been getting the sweetest, I mean the sweetest emails and comments lately, and honestly each one of those really makes my day. I love opening my inbox and reading your comments and emails. I really appreciate you taking the time to send me a nice note, and I have to tell you that I read most of those emails to my family. My kids light up and say, “Mom, you really have the nicest readers, you’re so lucky.” You know what, I do feel lucky for you all. It truly connects me to you when I hear from you, whether its from a comment you leave on the blog or an email. It’s really nice to get to know you all a bit more and I love that you all live in different parts of the world. I have readers in Germany, London, Canada and all over the United States. That is so cool. When I started this blog, I had hoped to reach just local readers, and now to know that my blog is international is amazing! So, I just want to say thanks and big hugs to you all.
So you will notice that there are a lot of salads on tap this week. I have to say now that my kids are into salads, I make them all the time. It’s just too easy to whip up a salad at the last minute and they are so tasty. Remember my post about how to keep kale and other greens fresh? Well, if you do what I do, then making a salad on the fly is as easy as 1-2-3.
Sunday night dinner: I finally opened my True Foods cookbook from Dr.Weil, and tonight I’m trying two new recipes. I’m going to try a kale pesto and serve that over some linguini. I’m also excited to try his vegetarian caesar dressing. I already have a vegetarian kid friendly caesar dressing that we make and eat all the time, but this one sounds pretty good as well, and I love that there are kalamata olives pureed in it.
Monday night dinner: Meatless Monday! Cauliflower soup and couscous cakes. This dinner is so easy and so tasty. This cauliflower soup is a 5 ingredient soup and it literally takes no time to whip together! Try it.
Tuesday night dinner: Beer-braised chicken tacos and kid friendly caesar salad. Don’t let the beer in the title scare you. My kids love these tacos and they are simple to whip up.
Wednesday night dinner: Lentil meatballs with lemon pesto and kale salad with ricotta salata.
Thursday night dinner: Leftover night! John is going to use the leftover chicken from the beer-braised chicken tacos and make us up some quesadillas (he makes the best quesadillas next to Zoe that is). We will serve them up with a kid friendly caesar salad.
Friday night dinner: TGIF folks! Marin mama has a night off from the kitchen.
Stay tuned for Wednesday when I will be posting the recipe for this easy, one-skillet, weeknight dinner of sausage and white bean stew.
Ok, the sun is up and I’m off to the canyon for a run in the redwoods!
Happy Sunday!
i have to try that salad. My husband isn’t too much into kale but I think if I took one of your kale salads then I could make him love it! You never disappoint:)
Jackie,
As always, each week I expect yummy looking, sounding food and you never disappoint. I would so love to have some of Eli’s salad that he’s making. How cute is that? I was looking at this post yesterday while in the grocery store to get ideas! Gosh…a run through the redwoods in the morning and rollerblading with the fam in the afternoon…sounds like a perfect California lifestyle to me. You make the most of every day and it shows!
xo
annie
Thanks so much for your sweet comments Annie, they always make my day. I’m glad you look at the weekly menu posts while at the grocery store. I hope that people use this as a reference of some sort or just a way to inspire dinner ideas! 🙂
Those lentil meatballs sound so tasty! Thank you for sharing the recipe :).
Thanks girl! They’re so good especially dolloped with lots of the lemon pesto 🙂
Hey girlfriend! I so love that picture of Eli’s sweet boy hands in the salad. Precious! My favorite picture in this post. But you know, I love EVERY single one of these pictures and always, can’t wait for the new recipes so I can pin them.
I think the reason why you get so many great comment and nice readers is because you attract them with how you write. Your spirit shines through and draws people in (not to mention your amazing recipes and pictures!). You have become my most regular and favorite food blog not just because of the deliciousness on these pages, but because I know there is a wonderful person behind all of it that people can relate to.
Okay doll, I will talk to you soon. Have a great week! xoxo, Sharon
Hi Sharon! I know that picture is too cute for words and you know I’m going to be looking back on that photo years later sobbing at how tiny his hands were. He’s going to have big strong hands and I’m going to miss those tiny, sweet little hands. I’m so glad that my blog is one of your faves. Yours is totally mine as well and you are so, so talented. I just love reading your posts because they are full of happiness, humor and love! 🙂
Everything looks delicious! We love your blog here in Paris, France too 🙂
Bonjour Louise! I’m so glad I have a fan in Paris as well. 🙂
A great healthy line up! the pics are gorgeous 🙂
Mary x
Thanks Mary 🙂
Yes I love your blog too…and your beautiful pictures. Hugs from Toronto, Canada. Penny
Thanks Penny 🙂 So great to hear from you and hugs to you to 🙂 Stay warm. My friend just returned from Canada and he said it was 15 below when he left! brrrr….
that photo with Eli’s hand in the salad I just love…and isn’t it wonderful that your kids LOVE salad. My boys do for the most part but they have their days when the pass it over for all stuff on their plate. lol about your meal plan goodness those quinoa cakes are such perfect circles…perfect circles of goodness i bet…as we loved your other perfect circles a”quinoa patties” yum…but what is really calling to me is the lentil meatballs. i love lentils…now i need to go check out that recipe!
and that is so sweet about all your readers and emails…i for one love your blog. truly you can feel the love of your food and life come through in your writing. hope you had a fabulous run outside…i’ve always wanted to see the redwoods. have a great week! angela
Hey Angela! I’m so happy that my kids will finally eat salad. They just got turned onto it this past year. I seriously think this blog had a huge part to play in it because they’re not fearful to try anything anymore. The couscous cakes are perfect circles because I made the patties in 1/4 cup measuring cups. My hands alone did not make those perfect patties. Try those meatballs! You really need the pesto with them, but they’re so good!
Thanks for the sweet compliment and I’m glad you and I are blogging buddies 🙂 I love your blog as well, as it’s always happy and upbeat! Have a great night girl! xoxo, Jackie