Passion

Passion isn't easy to come by. There are very few things that I can say I am truly passionate about. My love, understanding life's little mysteries, and food. I can eat from the moment I wake up until the moment I crash at night. My husband says I "think like a fat girl" and he is so right. I am constantly thinking about food. I "cook" my next meal in my mind until I get into the kitchen to begin the magical process of turning a bunch of loose ingredients into something more. I ride down the road craving every restaurant I pass. I love food, but I also love my body so I try to control what I put into it. This game of creating satisfying, slap-yo-granny meals without slowly killing myself only elevates my passion. I'm not the best cook in the world but I'm working on that. I will say that I have to throw away fewer and fewer dishes as time goes by so I think I'm doing well.

I'm also passionate about sharing my story with the world. Happily, food is a huge part of my daily story right now. I'm in an awesome place in my life where I have the time, space, and funds to cook healthy meals for the man I love and myself every day. This is a simple gift, but its one I'm thankful for. So here's my story...

Tonight is a "salad night."
I made a blue cheese vinaigrette earlier this morning and plan to serve it on an apple walnut salad. I don't always make my own dressings, but I certainly prefer my own dressings. I love knowing what goes into them. Lite bottled dressings often add tons of sugar, salt, preservatives, and unpronounceable crap to make the flavor acceptable, but that is not acceptable to me.

Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

Just mix up:

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup eevo

3/4 cup salad oil

1/2 cup blue cheese

1 T Dijon mustard

1 clove garlic

1 T fresh ground pepper

and a dash of salt

in an empty salad dressing bottle and shake, shake, shake before pouring it on.

I'll be pouring mine over a bed of romaine lettuce, 1/2 sliced red delicious apple, a small handful of lightly toasted walnuts, 1/4 cup thinly sliced onion, 1 T bacon bits, and 1/2 cup of 1/2 inch chunks of S&P baked boneless skinless chicken breasts. I made a small plate without the chicken or bacon bits after I finished making the dressing and I loved it! I can't wait to serve this tonight.

Hope everyone in cyberland enjoys a good meal tonight. Eat happy.